Locking structure and vehicle seats

Abstract

To obtain a locking mechanism and vehicle seat that can easily ensure the safety of the seated person. [Solution] The locking mechanism comprises a lock plate 70 having a first hole portion 72 having a plurality of holes arranged in one direction, and a second hole portion 76 which is an elongated hole formed longer than the arrangement range of the plurality of holes and arranged with the longitudinal direction as one direction; a first locking member 44 which is movable relative to the lock plate 70 in one direction when unlocked and is fitted into one of the plurality of holes in the first hole portion 72 when locked; a second locking member 54 which is fitted into the second hole portion 76 when locked and is slid relative to the lock plate 70 in the longitudinal direction within the second hole portion 76 in accordance with the unidirectional movement of the first locking member 44; a first operating member for unlocking the first locking member 44; and a second operating member for unlocking the first locking member 44 and the second locking member 54.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking structure and a vehicle seat equipped with the locking mechanism.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose vehicle seats equipped with a locking structure that selectively releases a plurality of locks by operating one operation lever. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the lock of the cushion lock mechanism and the lock of the back lock mechanism can be released with a time lag by operating an operation mechanism. Patent Document 2 discloses a structure in which a forward movement of the seat and a forward tilting movement of the seat back can be performed by operating a remote operation unit. Patent Document 3 discloses a structure in which a cylindrical groove cam mechanism is used to sequentially release the locked states of a plurality of lock mechanisms according to a stepwise operation amount of an operation lever.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the locking structure described in Patent Document 1, in order to improve safety, the seat cushion locking mechanism is released and safety is confirmed before the seat back locking mechanism is released, which requires extra effort for the confirmation process. Furthermore, in the locking structures described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the seat back may fold forward even when an occupant is seated in the vehicle seat, so there is room for improvement in terms of safety.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above facts, and aims to provide a locking mechanism and a vehicle seat that can easily ensure the safety of the occupant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A locking structure according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a locking plate having a first hole portion having a plurality of holes arranged in one direction, and a second hole portion being an elongated hole formed longer than the arrangement range of the plurality of holes, with its longitudinal direction being the one direction; a first locking member that is movable relative to the locking plate in the one direction when unlocked and is fitted into one of the plurality of holes in the first hole portion when locked; a second locking member that is fitted into the second hole portion when locked and is slidable relative to the locking plate in the longitudinal direction within the second hole portion in accordance with the movement of the first locking member in the one direction; a first operating member for unlocking the first locking member; and a second operating member for unlocking the first locking member and the second locking member.

[0007] In a lock structure according to a first aspect of the present invention, a first operating member for unlocking a first locking member and a second operating member for unlocking both the first locking member and the second locking member are provided. Therefore, by operating the first operating member, only the lock of the first locking member can be released without unlocking the second locking member, and by operating the second operating member, both the lock of the first locking member and the second locking member can be released.

[0008] Furthermore, in the lock structure of the first aspect of the present invention, when the first lock member is unlocked by operating the first operating member, the first lock member is able to move relative to the lock plate in one direction, which is the direction in which the multiple holes of the first hole are arranged, and is fitted into one of the multiple holes. On the other hand, when the first operating member is operated, the lock of the second lock member is not released, so the second lock member remains fitted into the second hole. Therefore, the relative movement of the first lock member in one direction when unlocked is limited to the range in which the second lock member can slide within the second hole, thereby restricting the relative movement of the first lock member.

[0009] On the other hand, in the lock structure of the first aspect of the present invention, the second operating member can release the locks on both the first lock member and the second lock member, so that when both are released, the restriction on the relative movement of the first lock member in one direction can be released.

[0010] In the locking structure of the first aspect of the present invention, when the first locking member is fitted into the first hole, the seat cushion is set to be lockable in a stepped tilt position where an occupant can sit, and when the second locking member is fitted into the second hole, the seat back is set to be lockable in a support position where the occupant's back can be supported. This prevents the seat cushion from sinking down to the lower side of the seat when the first operating member is operated. This makes it easy to ensure the safety of the occupant.

[0011] A locking structure according to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, is configured such that the first locking member and the second locking member are arranged adjacent to each other in the one direction, and the second locking member extends toward the first locking member and includes an arm member that pushes up the first locking member.

[0012] In the locking structure of the second aspect of the present invention, the second locking member is equipped with an arm member that pushes up the first locking member. Therefore, when the second operating member is operated and the engagement of the second locking member with the second hole is released, the first locking member is also pushed up as the second locking member moves upward, so the engagement of the first locking member with the first hole can also be released.

[0013] A locking structure according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first or second aspect, comprises a third hole disposed at a predetermined distance from the first hole in one direction and into which the first locking member is fitted, and a fourth hole disposed at the predetermined distance from the second hole in one direction and into which the second locking member is fitted, wherein when the locks of the first locking member and the second locking member are released by the second operating member, the first locking member becomes able to be fitted into the third hole and the second locking member becomes able to be fitted into the fourth hole.

[0014] In the locking structure of the third aspect of the present invention, when the lock between the first locking member and the second locking member is released by the second operating member, the first locking member becomes fit into the third hole, and the second locking member becomes fit into the fourth hole. Therefore, when the first locking member is fitted into the third hole, the seat cushion can be set to a tilt-down position where it sinks downwards towards the seat, and when the second locking member is fitted into the fourth hole, the seat back can be set to a flat position where it is tilted forward towards the vehicle. As a result, when the second operating member is operated, the seat cushion can be set to a tilt-down position where it sinks downwards towards the seat, and the seat back can be set to a flat position where it is tilted forward towards the vehicle. This makes it possible to convert the vehicle seat into a cargo compartment.

[0015] In the fourth aspect of the present invention, the lock structure is configured such that, in any configuration of the first to third aspects, the first hole and the second hole are offset from each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the aforementioned one direction.

[0016] In the lock structure of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first hole and the second hole are arranged offset in a direction substantially perpendicular to one direction, so that the overall size in one direction can be made compact.

[0017] In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the lock structure, in any configuration of the first to third aspects, is such that the first hole and the second hole are arranged in a straight line in the aforementioned one direction.

[0018] In the lock structure of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the first hole and the second hole are arranged in a straight line in one direction, so the overall size in the direction substantially perpendicular to that direction can be made compact.

[0019] The locking structure of the sixth aspect of the present invention, in any configuration of the first to fifth aspects, is configured such that the plurality of holes in the first hole portion can be locked in a position where the seat cushion is tilted in stages when the first locking member is fitted, and the second hole portion is configured such that the seat cushion is not tilted down when the second locking member is fitted.

[0020] In the lock structure of the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the lock of the first lock member is released by the first operating member, the second lock member remains fitted into the second hole. Therefore, by fitting the first lock member into any of the multiple holes in the first hole, the seat cushion can be tilted in stages without having to tilt the seat cushion to the tilt-down position.

[0021] A locking structure according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in a configuration including the third aspect, is configured such that the third hole is set to lock the seat cushion in a tilt-down position where the seat cushion sinks downward when the first locking member is fitted, and the fourth hole is set to lock the seat back in a flat position where it is tilted forward towards the vehicle when the second locking member is fitted.

[0022] In the locking structure according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the locking of the first locking member and the second locking member is released by the second operating member, the first locking member can be fitted into the third hole portion, and the second locking member can be fitted into the fourth hole portion. Therefore, when the first locking member is fitted into the third hole portion and the second locking member is fitted into the fourth hole portion, the seat cushion can be set to the tilt-down position where it sinks downward from the seat, and the seat back can be set to the lying position where it is tilted forward of the vehicle. Thereby, the vehicle seat can be put into the luggage compartment state.

[0023] The vehicle seat according to the eighth aspect of the present invention is equipped with a locking mechanism having the configuration of any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0024] In the vehicle seat according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since a locking mechanism having the configuration of any one of the first to seventh aspects is mounted, the same effect as the locking mechanism having the configuration of any one of the first to seventh aspects can be obtained.

Effects of the Invention

[0025] As described above, according to the locking mechanism and the vehicle seat of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the safety of the seat occupant of the vehicle seat can be easily ensured.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a side view schematically showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view schematically showing the seat cushion as viewed from obliquely below. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view schematically showing a locking structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view schematically showing a lock plate provided with hole portions into which respective locking members are fitted in the locking structure of FIG. 3. [Figure 5]Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the main part of the seat cushion of a vehicle seat equipped with the locking mechanism, viewed from a diagonal downward angle. [Figure 6] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which the tilt operation lever is operated in the locking structure. [Figure 7] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing the locking mechanism in which the shoulder lever is operated. [Figure 8] This is a schematic bottom view showing a lock plate of another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] The following describes a vehicle seat 10 equipped with a lock structure S according to one embodiment of the present invention, using Figures 1 to 7. The arrows FR, UP, and LH in the figures indicate the front, top, and left sides of the seat, respectively, as seen from the perspective of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat 10. Hereafter, when simply using the directions front / back, up / down, and left, unless otherwise specified, these refer to the front / back direction of the seat, the up / down direction of the seat, and the left direction of the seat. The left / right direction of the seat coincides with the seat width direction.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a vehicle seat 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the side. As shown in Figures 1(A) to (c), the vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment includes a seat cushion 12 that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant from below, and a seat back 14 that is erected above the seat from the rear end of the seat cushion 12 and supports the back of the seated occupant from the rear. The vehicle seat 10 includes a tilt mechanism 20 that swings the front part of the seat cushion 12 relative to the rear, and a reclining mechanism 30 that swings the seat back 14 relative to the seat cushion in the front-rear direction. The vehicle seat 10 is equipped with a floor mounting part 10A (see Figure 2) that is attached to the floor of the vehicle (not shown), and the seat cushion 12 is attached to the vehicle via this floor mounting part 10A.

[0029] The seat cushion 12 and seat back 14 are constructed by attaching a pad (not shown) formed in a predetermined shape using urethane foam or the like to a frame (for example, frame 13 in Figure 2) that forms the framework of each, and then attaching a seat cover (not shown) to this pad. The pad is supported by the frame, and the seat cover is attached so as to cover the surface of the pad. Although not shown, the vehicle seat 10 is equipped with a headrest on the top of the seat back 14.

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the seat cushion 12 as seen from a diagonal downward side. As shown in Figure 2, the seat cushion 12 comprises a frame 13 that forms the framework, consisting of a pair of left and right side frames 13A, a front frame 13B on the front side, and a back frame 13C on the rear side. A seat panel 12A, formed from a substantially rectangular plate-like member, is attached to the upper end of the frame 13 on the upper side of the seat.

[0031] On the underside of the seat panel 12A, a pair of slide rail sections 15 are provided, arranged at a predetermined distance in the seat width direction, forward of the center in the front-to-back direction of the seat. Each slide rail section 15 comprises an upper rail 15A fixed to the underside of the seat panel 12A, and a lower rail 15B, which is a movable member that can move in the front-to-back direction on the upper rail 15A.

[0032] The tilt mechanism 20 includes a pair of left and right links 22 for tilting the seat cushion 12, and a tilt operation lever 40 (see Figure 3) as a first operating member that can adjust the links 22 to a predetermined angle. The tilt operation lever 40 is provided, for example, on the front side of the seat cushion 12. The left and right links 22 are formed in an elongated shape from, for example, a press-formed metal plate. The lower end 24 of the link 22, located below the seat, is rotatably connected to the floor mounting portion 10A, and the upper end 26, located above the seat, is rotatably connected to the side of the lower rail 15B. The upper end 26 may be directly connected to the lower rail 15B, or it may be connected via a bracket or the like.

[0033] The tilt mechanism 20 tilts the seat cushion 12 up or down by rotating the link 22 around the pivot axis of the lower end 24 when the tilt operation lever 40 is operated, causing the upper end 26 of the link 22 to slide along the upper rail 15A by the slide rail portion 15.

[0034] The tilt mechanism 20 allows the seat cushion 12 to be tilted down from the normal use position shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B) where an occupant can sit, to the reclined position shown in Figure 1(C) where the seat back 14 is tilted forward. The tilt mechanism 20 also allows the seat cushion 12 to be tilted up from the reclined position shown in Figure 1(C) where the seat back 14 is tilted forward, to the normal use position shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B) where an occupant can sit.

[0035] Specifically, if the position shown in Figure 1(B) is the reference position where an occupant can sit, the position shown in Figure 1(A) is the tilt-up position, where the seat cushion 12 is tilted up. That is, the link 22 is more upright in the tilt-up position than in the reference position. The angle of the seat cushion 12 can be adjusted in stages between the reference position in Figure 1(B) and the tilt-up position in Figure 1(A). In other words, the inclination angle of the link 22 is configured to be lockable in stages. Furthermore, the flat position shown in Figure 1(C) is the tilt-down position, where the seat cushion 12 is tilted down from the reference position. That is, the link 22 is more flat, or tilted forward, in the tilt-down position than in the reference position. In this embodiment, the tilt mechanism 20 is configured so that the inclination angle of the link 22 can be locked in the flat position shown in Figure 1(C). The locking structure of the link 22 will be explained in detail later.

[0036] On the other hand, the lower ends of a pair of left and right side frames (not shown) of the seat back 14 are rotatably connected to the rear end of the back frame 13C via a reclining mechanism 30. The reclining mechanism 30 can be a conventionally known mechanism, and a detailed explanation is omitted here. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the seat back 14 is connected to the back frame 13C of the seat cushion 12, but the seat back 14 may also be connected to the rear ends of a pair of left and right side frames 13A.

[0037] The reclining mechanism 30 is equipped with a shoulder lever 50 (see Figure 3) as a second operating member on the shoulder of the seat back 14, for example. When this shoulder lever 50 is operated, the lock of the reclining mechanism 30 is released, and the seat back 14 enters a reclining unlocked state in which the angle of the seat back 14 relative to the seat cushion 12 can be changed. This angle change includes not only changing (adjusting) the reclining angle of the seat back 14, but also tilting the seat back 14 forward (to a prone position).

[0038] In this embodiment, for example, the reclining mechanism 30 is equipped with a return spring (not shown) that biases the seat back 14 in the forward tilting direction. Therefore, when the reclining mechanism 30 is in the reclining unlocked state and no load is applied to the seat back 14, the seat back 14 is tilted forward onto the upper surface of the seat cushion 12.

[0039] In this embodiment, the seat back 14 is tiltable between the normal use position shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B) and the reclined position shown in Figure 1(C). In this embodiment, as an example, the reclining mechanism 30 is configured to be lockable in the reclined position shown in Figure 1(C). The locking mechanism in the reclining mechanism 30 will be described in detail later.

[0040] Next, the lock structure S will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view showing a part of the lock structure S according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a lock plate 70 in which holes into which each lock member is fitted in the lock structure S of Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the main part of the seat cushion 12 of a vehicle seat 10 equipped with the lock structure S of Figure 3, viewed from diagonally below.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the lock structure S comprises a housing portion 62 having a back wall 62A and a pair of side walls 62B provided at both ends of the back wall 62A. In this embodiment, as an example, the housing portion 62 is attached to the lower surface of the seat panel 12A of the seat cushion 12 such that the opposing directions of the pair of side walls 62B are located in the front-rear direction of the seat, and the back wall 62A is located on the left side of the seat (see Figure 2).

[0042] The housing portion 62 includes a rectangular plate-shaped extension portion 62C that extends from the lower right end of one of the pair of side walls 62B toward the other side wall 62B. The left and right extension portions 62C have a predetermined gap between them. The housing portion 62 also includes a partition wall 62D provided approximately in the center of the back wall 62A in the front-to-back direction of the seat. The pair of side walls 62B and the partition wall 62D each have a hole 63 slightly below and to the left of the center. A cylindrical shaft portion 64 is inserted through each of these holes 63, and the shaft portion 64 is fixed to the outer surface of the pair of side walls 62B.

[0043] Furthermore, the back wall 62A has through holes 66 located above the center of the front and rear surfaces separated by the partition wall 62D. A roughly rectangular plate-shaped cover 65 is attached to the upper end of the housing 62. Mounting holes 65A are formed in the four corners and at both ends in the left and right directions of the cover 65. As an example, the cover 65 is fastened to the seat panel 12A of the seat cushion 12 by bolts or the like inserted through the mounting holes 65A of the cover 65.

[0044] The locking structure S includes a tilt locking mechanism 42 on the rear side of the seat, which is the locking structure for the tilt mechanism 20, and a reclining locking mechanism 52 on the front side of the seat, which is the locking structure for the reclining mechanism 30.

[0045] The tilt lock mechanism 42 includes a tilt lock member 44 as a first locking member. The tilt lock member 44 is formed as a long, roughly rectangular prism and has an engagement hole 44A at its upper end into which one end of the tilt cable 40A connected to the tilt operation lever 40 is engaged. One end of the tilt cable 40A is passed through the engagement hole 44A and then tied to the hole. Alternatively, one end of the tilt cable 40A may be fixed to the engagement hole 44A by attaching a string fastener (not shown) after passing one end of the tilt cable 40A through the engagement hole 44A. One end of the tilt cable 40A is engaged with the engagement hole 44A by passing through the through hole 66 of the back wall 62A described above.

[0046] The tilt lock mechanism 42 includes a tilt lock support portion 46 that supports the tilt lock member 44. The tilt lock support portion 46 comprises a roughly rectangular plate-shaped main body portion 46A and a pair of shaft support portions 46C that extend upward from both ends of the main body portion 46A in the front-rear direction of the seat and have shaft holes 46B through which the shaft portion 64 is inserted. A through hole 46D is provided in the approximate center of the main body portion 46A, through which the tilt lock member 44 is inserted and fixed. A cylindrical spring member 48 is disposed between the pair of shaft support portions 46C, through which the shaft portion 64 is inserted, and the position of the tilt lock member 44 in the front-rear direction of the seat is biased toward the locked position (normal position) by the spring member 48.

[0047] The reclining lock mechanism 52 includes a reclining lock member 54 as a second locking member. The reclining lock member 54 comprises a locking portion 54A formed as a long, roughly rectangular prism, a slanted portion 54B extending diagonally from the locking portion 54A toward the upper left, and an upper end portion 54C extending to the left from the slanted portion 54B. Approximately in the center of the upper end portion 54C is an engagement hole 54D into which one end of a reclining cable 50A, which penetrates in the front-rear direction of the seat and is connected to the shoulder lever 50, is engaged. One end of the reclining cable 50A is passed through the engagement hole 54D and then tied to the hole. Alternatively, one end of the reclining cable 50A may be fixed to the engagement hole 54D by attaching a strap fastener (not shown) after passing one end of the reclining cable 50A through the engagement hole 54D. One end of the reclining cable 50A is engaged with the engagement hole 54D by passing through the through hole 66 of the back wall 62A described above.

[0048] The reclining lock mechanism 52 includes a reclining lock support portion 56 that supports the reclining lock member 54. The reclining lock support portion 56 comprises a roughly rectangular plate-shaped main body portion 56A and a pair of pivot support portions 56C that extend upward from both ends of the main body portion 56A in the front-rear direction of the seat and have pivot holes 56B through which the shaft portion 64 is inserted. A through hole 56D is provided in the approximate center of the main body portion 56A, through which the reclining lock member 54 is inserted and fixed. A cylindrical spring member 58 is disposed between the pair of pivot support portions 56C, through which the shaft portion 64 is inserted, and the spring member 58 biases the position of the reclining lock member 54 in the front-rear direction of the seat toward the locked position (normal position).

[0049] Furthermore, the main body portion 56A is provided with a plate-shaped arm member 57 that extends from the rear end of the central portion in the left-right direction toward the tilt lock member 44. As shown in Figure 3, the arm member 57 extends to the underside of the lower surface of the main body portion 46A of the tilt lock mechanism 42, and is capable of pushing up the main body portion 46A. In this embodiment, as an example, the lower ends of the tilt lock member 44 and the reclining lock member 54 are offset in the seat width direction. Specifically, the lower end of the reclining lock member 54 protrudes to the right more than the lower end of the tilt lock member 44. That is, the tilt lock member 44 and the reclining lock member 54 rotate around the shaft portion 64, but the reclining lock member 54 has a larger radius of rotation than the tilt lock member 44.

[0050] The tilt lock member 44 and reclining lock member 54 described above are fitted into holes provided in the lock plate 70, as shown in Figure 4 as an example. The lock plate 7 is attached to the seat cushion 12 at all four corners, as shown in Figures 2 and 5. Specifically, the lock plate 70 is fixed to the underside of the lower rail 15B by bolts B, as an example, and moves in the front-rear direction of the seat together with the lower rail 15B.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the lock plate 70 is provided with a first hole portion 72. The first hole portion 72 has a plurality of holes 72A to 72E arranged in the front-rear direction (one direction) of the sheet. In this embodiment, as an example, five holes 72A to 72E are arranged in a straight line from the front to the rear of the sheet, and the arrangement range of holes 72A to 72E in the front-rear direction of the sheet is defined as range D1.

[0052] A third hole 74 is formed on the same line as the multiple holes 72A to 72E, with a predetermined distance D2 in the front-to-back direction of the seat, starting from the hole 72E that is arranged furthest to the rear of the seat. The multiple holes 72A to 72E, i.e., the first hole 72 and the third hole 74, are holes into which the lower end of the tilt lock member 44 is fitted, and are formed in substantially the same shape as the lower end of the tilt lock member 44, i.e., in a square shape.

[0053] Furthermore, the lock plate 70 is formed, for example, in an elongated shape, and has a second hole 76 into which the reclining lock member 54 is slidably fitted in the longitudinal direction, with the longitudinal direction being the front-to-back direction of the seat. The length of the second hole 76 in the front-to-back direction of the seat is approximately the same as the range D1, which is the arrangement range of the first hole 72.

[0054] Furthermore, a fourth hole 78 is formed on the same line as the second hole 76, with a predetermined distance D2 in the front-rear direction of the seat from the second hole 76. The second hole 76 and the fourth hole 78 are holes into which the lower end of the reclining lock member 54 is fitted, and the fourth hole 78 is formed in substantially the same shape as the lower end of the reclining lock member 54, that is, in a square shape.

[0055] The first hole 72 and the third hole 74, and the second hole 76 and the fourth hole 78 are arranged with a distance D3 offset from each other in the left-right direction, that is, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the aforementioned one direction. Here, the distance D3 is the same as the offset between the tilt lock member 44 and the reclining lock member 54 in the seat width direction (one direction).

[0056] As shown in Figure 5, the lock plate 70 is mounted in a position where the tilt lock member 44 can be fitted into the first hole 72 and the third hole 74, and the reclining lock member 54 can be fitted into the second hole 76 and the fourth hole 78.

[0057] (Operation and effects of the first embodiment) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0058] Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which the tilt operation lever 40 is operated in the lock structure S of Figure 3, and Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the state in which the shoulder lever 50 is operated in the lock structure S of Figure 3. As shown in Figure 6, when the tilt operation lever 40 is operated, the upper end of the tilt lock member 44 is pulled by the tilt cable 40A, and the tilt lock support part 46 rotates together with the tilt lock member 44 around the shaft part 64. That is, the lock state shown in Figure 3, when the tilt lock member 44 is fitted into the first hole part 72 or the third hole part 74, is changed to the unlocked state shown in Figure 6, when the tilt lock member 44 is disengaged from the first hole part 72 or the third hole part 74.

[0059] In the unlocked state of the tilt lock member 44 shown in Figure 6, the lock plate 70 becomes movable in the seat front-rear direction (see Figure 5). However, in this embodiment, when the tilt lock member 44 is unlocked, the reclining lock member 54 remains fitted into the second hole 76, and the reclining lock member 54 remains locked. Therefore, the lock plate 70 can only move in the seat front-rear direction (one direction) within the range in which the reclining lock member 54 can slide in the second hole 76, i.e., within range D1. In other words, when the tilt lock member 44 is unlocked, the range of movement of the lock plate 70 in the seat front-rear direction can be limited.

[0060] Therefore, when only the tilt lock member 44 is unlocked, even if the lock plate 70 is moved in the seat front-rear direction by moving the seat cushion 12, the tilt lock member 44 can only move relative to the seat within a range D1 in the seat front-rear direction. In other words, it can be positioned above the first hole 72, but it cannot be positioned above the third hole 74. Therefore, when the tilt operation lever 40 is operated, the tilt lock member 44 can be fitted into the first hole 72 and locked, but it cannot be fitted into the third hole 74 and locked.

[0061] Thus, even when the tilt operation lever 40 is operated, it is not possible to engage it with the third hole 74 and lock it in place, thus preventing the seat cushion 12 from reaching the tilt-down position shown in Figure 1(C). As a result, when the tilt is operated using the tilt operation lever 40, the seat cushion 12 will not reach the tilt-down position shown in Figure 1(C) when the occupant is seated on the seat cushion 12, i.e., when the seat back 14 is in its normal use position (see Figures 1(A) and 1(B)), thus easily ensuring the safety of the occupant.

[0062] Furthermore, with only the tilt lock member 44 unlocked, the seat cushion 12 is tilted to the desired position by moving the lock plate 70 in the front-rear direction of the seat. Then, in this tilted position, the tilt lock mechanism 42 is locked in this tilted position by operating the tilt operation lever 40 to fit the tilt lock member 44 into one of the holes 74A to 74E of the first hole portion 72 corresponding to its current position.

[0063] On the other hand, in the locked state of the tilt lock member 44 and the reclining lock member 54 shown in Figure 3, when the shoulder lever 50 is operated as shown in Figure 7, the upper end 54C of the reclining lock member 54 is pulled by the reclining cable 50A, and the reclining lock support 56 rotates together with the reclining lock member 54 around the shaft 64. As the reclining lock support 56 rotates, the reclining lock member 54 is lifted, and the arm member 57 also rotates, so the tilt lock support 46 is lifted by the arm member 57, and therefore the tilt lock member 44 is lifted.

[0064] In other words, the lock state shown in Figure 3, where the tilt lock member 44 is fitted into the first hole 72 or the third hole 74 and the reclining lock member 54 is fitted into the second hole 76, is changed to the unlocked state shown in Figure 7, where the reclining lock member 54 is disengaged from the second hole 76 and the tilt lock member 44 is disengaged from the first hole 72 or the third hole 74. This means that both the reclining lock mechanism 52 and the tilt lock mechanism 42 are unlocked.

[0065] Thus, when both the reclining lock mechanism 52 and the tilt lock mechanism 42 are released, the movement of the lock plate 70 in the seat forward and backward direction is not restricted. Therefore, by moving the lock plate 70 in the seat forward and backward direction, the tilt lock member 44 can be positioned above the third hole 74, and the reclining lock member 54 can be positioned above the fourth hole 78. Consequently, when the shoulder lever 50 is operated, the tilt lock member 44 can be fitted into the third hole 74, and the reclining lock member 54 can be fitted into the fourth hole 78, thereby locking them.

[0066] In other words, by operating the shoulder lever 50, the seat cushion 12 can be tilted down and the seat back 14 can be laid flat, as shown in Figure 1(C). This makes it easy to unlock the reclining mechanism 30 and tilt the seat back 14 forward while tilting down the seat cushion 12 by operating the shoulder lever 50. This allows the vehicle seat 10 to be converted into a cargo compartment.

[0067] Furthermore, in the lock structure S of this embodiment, the tilt lock mechanism 42 and the reclining lock mechanism 52 have axial directions of the shaft portion 64 and relative movement directions of the tilt lock member 44 and the reclining lock member 54 with respect to the lock plate 70, and both are in the seat front-rear direction (one direction), so the lock strength can be increased.

[0068] Furthermore, in the lock structure S of this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the first hole 72 and the second hole 76 are arranged offset in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction (one direction) of the sheet, so that the overall size of the sheet in the front-rear direction can be made more compact.

[0069] In the lock structure S of the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the first hole 72 and the second hole 76 are arranged offset in a direction substantially perpendicular to the front-rear direction (one direction) of the sheet, but the present invention is not limited to this. Figure 8 is a schematic bottom view showing a lock plate 70A of another embodiment.

[0070] As shown in Figure 8, the first hole 72, second hole 76, third hole 74, and fourth hole 78 of the lock plate 70A are arranged in a straight line in the same direction as the seat front-rear direction, which is the direction in which the shaft 64A of the shaft portion 64 extends. In addition, the tilt lock member 44 and the reclining lock member 54 are arranged in the seat front-rear direction (one direction) in accordance with the arrangement of the first hole 72, second hole 76, third hole 74, and fourth hole 78.

[0071] In this way, by arranging the first hole 72 and the second hole 76 in a straight line rather than offsetting them, the overall size of the lock structure S in the direction approximately perpendicular to the front-to-back direction (one direction) of the sheet can be made more compact.

[0072] Furthermore, a vehicle seat 10 equipped with the lock structure S of the above embodiment can obtain the same effects as the lock structure S.

[0073] [Supplementary explanation] In the embodiment described above, the second hole 76 is formed as a substantially rectangular slit. However, the shape of the second hole 76 is not limited to a slit, as long as the reclining lock member 54 can be fitted so as to slide in the longitudinal direction. It may also be an elongated hole or an elliptical shape.

[0074] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the second hole 76 is formed to have a length in the front-to-back direction of the sheet that is approximately the same as the range D1, which is the arrangement range of the first hole 72. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The second hole 76 only needs to be formed to have a length in the longitudinal direction that is longer than the range D1. In this case, the width in the front-to-back direction of the sheet from the first hole 72 to the third hole 74 and the width in the front-to-back direction of the sheet from the second hole 76 to the fourth hole 78 should be the same.

[0075] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the first hole portion 72 has five holes 72A to 72E, but the number of holes is not limited to this, and the number can be changed according to the tilt width of the seat cushion 12.

[0076] Furthermore, although the arm member 57 is formed in a plate shape in the embodiment described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. The arm member 57 may be formed of multiple rods, for example, and its shape is not particularly limited as long as it is shaped to push up both the tilt lock member 44 and the reclining lock member 54.

[0077] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above, and can be implemented in various other ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 10 Vehicle seats 12 seat cushions 14 Seatback 40 Tilt operation lever (first operating member) 50 Shoulder lever (second operating member) 44 Tilt lock member (first lock member) 54 Reclining locking member (second locking member) 57 Arm member 72 1st hole 72A~72E Multiple holes 74 3rd hole 76 2nd hole 78 4th hole

Claims

1. A lock plate having a first hole portion having a plurality of holes arranged in one direction, and a second hole portion being an elongated hole formed longer than the arrangement range of the plurality of holes, with its longitudinal direction being the one direction. A first locking member that is movable relative to the locking plate in one direction when unlocked, and that fits into one of the multiple holes of the first hole when locked, A second locking member that is fitted into the second hole when locked and is slidable relative to the locking plate in the longitudinal direction within the second hole, following the unidirectional movement of the first locking member, A first operating member for releasing the lock of the first locking member, A second operating member for unlocking the first locking member and the second locking member, A locking structure equipped with this feature.

2. The first locking member and the second locking member are arranged adjacent to each other in the one direction. The locking structure according to claim 1, wherein the second locking member extends toward the first locking member and includes an arm member that pushes up the first locking member.

3. The first hole and the third hole, which is arranged at a predetermined distance in one direction and into which the first locking member is fitted, The second hole and the fourth hole, which is arranged at a predetermined distance in one direction and into which the second locking member is fitted, The locking structure according to claim 1, wherein when the lock between the first locking member and the second locking member is released by the second operating member, the first locking member becomes fit into the third hole and the second locking member becomes fit into the fourth hole.

4. The locking structure according to claim 1, wherein the first hole and the second hole are arranged offset from each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the aforementioned one direction.

5. The locking structure according to claim 1, wherein the first hole and the second hole are arranged in a straight line in the one direction.

6. The plurality of holes in the first hole are configured to lock the seat cushion in a stepped tilt position when the first locking member is fitted, allowing the occupant to sit in a usable position. The locking structure according to claim 1, wherein the second hole is configured so as not to tilt the seat cushion to the tilted-down position when the second locking member is fitted.

7. The third hole is configured to lock the seat cushion in a tilt-down position where the seat cushion sinks downward when the first locking member is fitted. The locking structure according to claim 3, wherein the fourth hole is configured to lock the seat back in a flat position tilted forward towards the vehicle when the second locking member is fitted.

8. A vehicle seat equipped with the locking structure described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images