Vehicle seats

Abstract

An example of a vehicle seat that can improve ease of entry and exit (accessibility) to the third-row seats is disclosed. [Solution] The support link 9 is rotatably connected at its lower end to a movable rail, and at its upper end, it is rotatably connected to the front end of the seat cushion 3 via a locking mechanism 10. The locking mechanism 10 connecting the support link 9 and the seat cushion 3 is provided on the seat cushion 3. As a result, in the vehicle seat 1, when the seat cushion 3 rotates upward, the support link 9 remains connected to the movable rail 7B without rising with the seat cushion 3, and tilts down around its lower end. Consequently, when the vehicle seat 1 is applied to a vehicle, it may be possible to improve the ease of getting in and out of the third row seats.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle seat capable of exhibiting a so-called "tilt-down function for walk-in".

Background Art

[0002] The "tilt-down function for walk-in" refers to a function of raising and rotating the seat cushion of the second-row seat around the rear end side in order to improve the accessibility (boarding and alighting property) to the third-row seat, as shown in, for example, Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the invention described in Patent Document 1, the support legs that support the front end side of the seat cushion rise together with the seat cushion when the seat cushion rises and rotates. The present disclosure discloses an example of a vehicle seat in view of this point.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The vehicle seat mounted on a vehicle preferably includes at least one of the following constituent elements. In other words, the constituent elements are a seat body (2) having a seat cushion (3) and a seat back (5), a sliding device (7) that supports the seat body (2) so as to be able to move in parallel, the sliding device (7) having a fixed rail (7A) fixed to the vehicle and a movable rail (7B) slidably connected to the fixed rail (7A) and to which the seat body (2) is fixed, a cushion support part (3A) provided on the rear end side of the seat cushion (3) so as to be able to rotate vertically around the rear end side of the front end side of the seat cushion (3), a support link (9) that supports the front end side of the seat cushion (3) so as to be able to rotate vertically around the rear end side of the support link (9) at its lower end side and at its upper end side is rotatably connected to the front end side of the seat cushion (3), and a locking mechanism (10) that can switch between a locked state that maintains the connection between the support link (9) and the seat cushion (3) and an unlocked state in which the connection is released.

[0006] As a result, in the vehicle seat, when the seat cushion (3) rotates upward, the support link (9) remains connected to the movable rail (7B) without rising together with the seat cushion (3), and tilts down around its lower end.

[0007] Therefore, when the seat cushion (3) rotates upward, the support link (9) does not obstruct the sliding displacement of the seat body (2), making it possible to slide the seat body (2) significantly forward in this vehicle seat. Consequently, when this vehicle seat is applied to a vehicle, it may be possible to improve the ease of getting in and out of the third-row seats (accessibility).

[0008] The vehicle seat may also have the following configuration: In other words, it is desirable to have an interlocking rotation mechanism (12) that rotates the upper end of the support link (9) to the rearward side around the lower end of the support link (9), and that the interlocking rotation mechanism (12) rotates the support link (9) to the rearward side in conjunction with the operation of the front end of the seat cushion (3) being displaced upward. This makes it possible to reliably slide the seat body (2) a large distance forward in the vehicle seat.

[0009] Furthermore, it is desirable that the interlocking rotation mechanism (12) is configured to have a cable (12A) that transmits the rotational displacement of the seat cushion (3) to the support link (9). Furthermore, the locking mechanism (10) has a hook (10A) that is pivotably connected to the seat cushion (3), and the hook (10A) is pivotable between an engaged position in which it engages with an engaging portion (9A) provided on the support link (9) and a released position in which the engagement is released. Moreover, it is desirable that the seat cushion (3) is provided with a guide portion (10C) that is capable of sliding contact with the engaging portion (9A) and guides the engaging portion (9A) to the engaged position.

[0010] In the above configuration, the sliding contact surface (10D) of the guide portion (10C) that slides in contact with the engaging portion (9A) is preferably inclined such that the front side is higher than the rear side when the sliding contact surface (10D) and the engaging portion (9A) are in contact, and furthermore, when the sliding contact surface (10D) and the engaging portion (9A) are in contact, it is desirable that the imaginary line (L1) passing through the engaging portion (9A) and the lower end rotation center (O2) of the support link (9) is inclined forward of the imaginary vertical line (L2) passing through the lower end rotation center (O2).

[0011] As a result, in the vehicle seat, the engaging portion (9A) can be reliably guided to the engaging position, so that the engaging portion (9A) can be reliably locked. Incidentally, the symbols in each of the parentheses above are just examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations etc. described in the embodiments described later, and this disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations etc. indicated by the symbols in the parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows the structure of a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows the support links, etc., of a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows the structure of a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the structure of the locking mechanism and the like according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the structure of the locking mechanism and the like according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the structure of the locking mechanism and the like according to the first embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The following "Embodiments of the Invention" are examples of embodiments that fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. In other words, the features defining the invention as described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the embodiments below.

[0014] This embodiment is an example in which the vehicle seat according to this disclosure is applied to a seat installed in a vehicle or other vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle seat). The arrows and diagonal lines indicating direction in each figure are included to facilitate understanding of the relationships between the figures and the shapes of the components or parts.

[0015] Therefore, the vehicle seat is not limited to the directions shown in the respective figures. The directions shown in the respective figures are the directions in the state where the vehicle seat according to the present embodiment is assembled to the vehicle. The figures with slashes do not always indicate cross-sectional views.

[0016] At least one member or part that is described with a reference sign is provided at least one, unless otherwise specified such as "one". That is, when there is no specification such as "one", two or more of such members may be provided. The vehicle seat shown in the present disclosure includes at least one of the components such as members or parts described with reference signs, and the structural parts shown in the drawings.

[0017] (First Embodiment) <1. Overview of Vehicle Seat> As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat 1 includes at least a seat body 2 and a slide device 7. The seat body 2 has a seat cushion 3 and a seat back 5. The seat cushion 3 is a part for supporting the buttocks of the seated person.

[0018] The seat back 5 is a part for supporting the back of the seated person. The slide device 7 is a device for supporting the seat body 2 so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat. The slide device 7 has at least a fixed rail 7A and a movable rail 7B.

[0019] The fixed rail 7A is a rail member fixed to the vehicle. The movable rail 7B is a member slidably connected to the fixed rail 7A. The seat body 2 is fixed to the movable rail 7B. In the present embodiment, two slide devices 7 are provided.

[0020] The first slide device 7 is disposed on one end side in the seat width direction and supports the seat body 2. The second slide device 7 is disposed on the other end side in the seat width direction and supports the seat body 2. Hereinafter, the slide device 7 refers to the general term of the two slide devices 7 or any slide device 7.

[0021] Incidentally, the seat back 5 is connected to the movable rail 7B via a bracket 8, etc. The bracket 8 and the seat back 5 are connected via a recliner (not shown). The recliner is a hinge mechanism for changing and maintaining the angle of the seat back 5.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the seat cushion 3 is connected to the seat back 5 via a cushion support portion 3A. The cushion support portion 3A is provided on the rear end side of the seat cushion 3. The cushion support portion 3A constitutes a hinge portion that allows the front end side of the seat cushion 3 to rotate vertically around the rear end side (see Figure 3).

[0023] The cushion support portion 3A is provided on the side frame 3B of the seat cushion 3 (see Figure 2). The side frame 3B is a component that forms the skeleton of the seat cushion 3 and extends from the front end to the rear end of the seat cushion 3.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, at least one (two in this embodiment) support link 9 is provided at the lower front end of the seat cushion 3. Each support link 9 supports the front end of the seat cushion 3.

[0025] In other words, the seat cushion 3, when in a seatable state, is supported at its front end by two support links 9 and at its rear end by two cushion support parts 3A. Hereinafter, "support link 9" refers to the two support links 9 collectively, or to any of the support links 9.

[0026] The lower end of the support link 9 is rotatably connected to the movable rail 7B. The upper end of the support link 9 is rotatably and detachably connected to the front end of the seat cushion 3 (in this embodiment, the side frame 3B).

[0027] The upper ends of the two support links 9, that is, the parts of the support links 9 that are connected to the seat cushion 3, are connected by a link rod 9A, as shown in Figure 3. The link rod 9A is made of a round bar or round pipe that extends in the width direction of the seat.

[0028] A return device 9B is provided at the lower end of each support link 9, as shown in Figure 4. The return device 9B is a device for returning a fallen support link 9 (see Figure 3) to an upright position (see Figure 1). In this embodiment, the return device 9B is made of a spring such as a torsion coil spring.

[0029] Furthermore, the seat cushion 3 is provided with a locking mechanism 10, as shown in Figure 2. The locking mechanism 10 is a mechanism that can switch between a locked state and an unlocked state. The locked state refers to a state in which the connection between the support link 9 (link rod 9A in this embodiment) and the seat cushion 3 is maintained.

[0030] The unlocked state refers to the state in which the connection between the link rod 9A and the seat cushion 3 is released. In this embodiment, a locking mechanism 10 is provided at each of the positions corresponding to the two support links 9.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, a flip-up device 11 is provided at the lower end of the seat back 5. The flip-up device 11 is a device that exerts a force to rotate and displace the front end of the seat cushion 3 upward.

[0032] Specifically, the flip-up device 11 includes at least a spring 11A such as a torsion coil spring and an action bar 11B. The action bar 11B applies the restoring force exerted by the spring 11A to the seat cushion 3.

[0033] As a result, when the locking mechanism 10 changes from the locked state to the unlocked state, the seat cushion 3 is automatically rotated upward by the flip-up device 11 to the flip-up position (the position shown in Figure 3).

[0034] <2. Tilt-down function> <2.1 Overview of the Tilt-Down Function> The vehicle seat 1 according to this embodiment can perform a "tilt-down function for walk-in." The "tilt-down function for walk-in" refers to a function that rotates the seat cushion of the second-row seat upwards around its rear end in order to improve ease of getting in and out of the third-row seat of the vehicle (accessibility).

[0035] Specifically, when the user operates the release lever (not shown) located at the top of the seat back 5 (the so-called shoulder area), the seat back 5 becomes reclined and the seat body 2 becomes slidable.

[0036] At this time, the locking mechanism 10 becomes unlocked in conjunction with the operation, so the seat cushion 3 is flipped up by the flip-up device 11, and the seat back 5 and the seat cushion 3 are brought into close proximity (see Figure 3).

[0037] Then, in the above state, when the user tilts the seat back 5 forward, the seat back 5 and the seat cushion 3 tilt forward while remaining in close proximity to each other (see Figure 5).

[0038] To release the tilt-down function, that is, to return the vehicle seat 1 to a seatable state, the user first raises the seat back 5, and then tilts the seat cushion 3 forward so that it reclines.

[0039] At this time, each support link 9 moves closer to the upright position by the return device 9B. Finally, each support link 9 (link rod 9A in this embodiment) is held by the locking mechanism 10 and enters the locked state.

[0040] <2.2 Interlocking Rotation Mechanism> As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle seat 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with an interlocking rotation mechanism 12. The interlocking rotation mechanism 12 is a mechanism that rotates the upper end of the support link 9 backward around the lower end of the support link 9.

[0041] In other words, the interlocking rotation mechanism 12 rotates the support link 9 to the rear in conjunction with the operation of the front end of the seat cushion 3 being displaced upward (see Figure 3). The interlocking rotation mechanism 12 according to this embodiment is configured to have a cable 12A, as shown in Figure 2.

[0042] Cable 12A is connected to the seat cushion 3 at one end and to the support link 9 at the other end. As a result, the rotational displacement of the seat cushion 3 is transmitted to the support link 9 via cable 12A. Therefore, when the seat cushion 3 is in the flipped-up position, the support link 9 tilts backward (see Figure 6).

[0043] <2.3 Details of the locking mechanism, etc.> The locking mechanism 10, as shown in Figure 7, includes at least a hook 10A and a pole 10B. The hook 10A is a latch that is pivotably connected to the seat cushion 3. The hook 10A is pivotable between an engaged position and a released position.

[0044] The engagement position is the position where the engagement portion 9A provided on the support link 9 engages with the support link 9 (see Figure 7). The release position is the non-engaged position where the engagement is released. In this embodiment, the engagement portion 9A is the link rod 9A. Hereinafter, the link rod 9A will also be referred to as the engagement portion 9A.

[0045] The pole 10B is a retainer for holding the hook 10A in the engaged or disengaged position. The seat cushion 3 is provided with a guide portion 10C. The guide portion 10C has a sliding contact surface 10D that can slide into contact with the engaging portion 9A, and guides the engaging portion 9A to the engaged position.

[0046] As shown in Figure 8, in the state before the engaging portion 9A engages with the hook 10A, and when the sliding contact surface 10D and the engaging portion 9A are in contact (hereinafter referred to as the guiding state), the front side of the sliding contact surface 10D is inclined to be higher than the rear side.

[0047] Furthermore, in the above-described guidance state, the imaginary line L1 passing through the center O1 of the engaging portion 9A and the lower end rotation center O2 of the support link 9 is inclined forward of the imaginary vertical line L2 passing through the lower end rotation center O2.

[0048] Therefore, when the seat cushion 3 is in the guided position, if it is displaced further downward, a torque is generated that rotates the support link 9 further forward around the lower end rotation center O2, as shown in Figure 9, thereby reliably guiding the engaging portion 9A to the engaged position.

[0049] <3. Features of the vehicle seat according to this embodiment> The support link 9 is rotatably connected at its lower end to the movable rail 7B, and at its upper end, it is rotatably connected to the front end of the seat cushion 3 via a locking mechanism 10. The locking mechanism 10, which connects the support link 9 and the seat cushion 3, is provided on the seat cushion 3.

[0050] As a result, in the vehicle seat 1, when the seat cushion 3 rotates upward, the support link 9 remains connected to the movable rail 7B without rising together with the seat cushion 3, and tilts downwards around its lower end (see Figure 3).

[0051] Therefore, when the seat cushion 3 rotates upward, the support link 9 does not obstruct the sliding displacement of the seat body 2, making it possible to slide the seat body 2 significantly forward in the vehicle seat 1. Consequently, when the vehicle seat 1 is applied to a vehicle, it may be possible to improve the ease of getting in and out of the third-row seats (accessibility).

[0052] The vehicle seat 1 is equipped with a linked rotation mechanism 12 that rotates the support link 9 to the rear in conjunction with the upward displacement of the front end of the seat cushion 3. This makes it possible to reliably slide the seat body 2 significantly forward in the vehicle seat 1.

[0053] Incidentally, if the support link 9 is configured to rotate forward when the front end of the seat cushion 3 is displaced upward, there is a risk that the support link 9 and the front seat may interfere with each other when the seat body 2 is slid forward.

[0054] If the support link 9 interferes with the front seat, the seat body 2 cannot be slid forward significantly. In other words, if the support link 9 rotates forward, it may hinder ease of entry and exit to the third-row seats.

[0055] In the guided state, the guide portion 10C is inclined such that the front side is higher than the rear side, and furthermore, the imaginary line L1 is inclined forward of the vertical line L2 (see Figure 8). As a result, in the vehicle seat 1, the engaging portion 9A can be reliably guided to the engaging position, and thus the engaging portion 9A can be reliably locked.

[0056] (Other embodiments) The interlocking rotation mechanism 12 according to the above embodiment was a mechanism that rotated the support link 9 to the rear. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may include, for example, a configuration that includes an interlocking rotation mechanism that rotates the support link 9 to the front, or a configuration in which the interlocking rotation mechanism is eliminated.

[0057] The interlocking rotation mechanism 12 according to the above embodiment had a cable 12A. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may also have a configuration in which the support link 9 is rotationally displaced via a link, for example.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, there was a guide portion 10C that guided the engaging portion 9A to the engaging position. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may, for example, be a configuration in which the guide portion 10C is eliminated.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, in the guided state, the guide portion 10C is inclined such that the front side is higher than the rear side, and the imaginary line L1 is inclined forward of the vertical line L2. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0060] The above-described embodiment included a configuration comprising two support links 9 and two locking mechanisms 10. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may also include, for example, a configuration comprising one support link 9 and one locking mechanism 10.

[0061] In the embodiments described above, the vehicle seat according to this disclosure was applied to a vehicle. However, the application of the invention disclosed herein is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure can be applied, for example, to seats used in vehicles such as railway cars, ships and aircraft, as well as to stationary seats used in theaters, homes, etc.

[0062] Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is sufficient to be consistent with the intent of the disclosures described in the embodiments described above. Therefore, it may be a configuration in which at least two of the embodiments described above are combined, or a configuration in which any of the illustrated components or components described with reference numerals in the embodiments described above are omitted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 1… Vehicle seat 2… Seat body 3… Seat cushion 3A… Cushion support section 3B… Side frame 5… Seat back 7… Sliding mechanism 7A… Fixed rail 7B… Movable rail 8… Bracket 9… Support link 9A… Link rod (engaging part) 9B…Return device 10…Locking mechanism 10A…Hook 10B… Pole 10C… Guide section 10D… Sliding surface

Claims

1. In vehicle seats installed in vehicles, A seat body having a seat cushion and a seat back, A sliding device for supporting the seat body so as to be able to move in parallel, comprising a fixed rail fixed to the vehicle, and a movable rail slidably connected to the fixed rail and to which the seat body is fixed, A cushion support portion provided on the rear end side of the seat cushion, wherein the front end side of the seat cushion is rotatable in the vertical direction around the rear end side, A support link that supports the front end of the seat cushion, wherein the lower end of the support link is rotatably connected to the movable rail, and the upper end of the support link is rotatably connected to the front end of the seat cushion, A locking mechanism that can switch between a locked state that holds the connection between the support link and the seat cushion and an unlocked state in which the connection is released. A vehicle seat equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

2. The system includes an interlocking rotation mechanism that rotates the upper end of the support link backward around the lower end of the support link, The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the linked rotation mechanism rotates the support link to the rearward side in conjunction with the operation of the front end of the seat cushion being displaced upward.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the interlocking rotation mechanism is configured to have a cable that transmits the rotational displacement of the seat cushion to the support link.

4. The locking mechanism has a hook that is pivotably connected to the seat cushion, The hook is capable of swinging and displacing between an engaged position in which it engages with an engaging portion provided on the support link and a released position in which the engagement is released. Furthermore, the seat cushion is provided with a guide portion that is capable of sliding contact with the engaging portion, and which guides the engaging portion to the engaging position, according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Of the guide portion, the sliding contact surface that slides in contact with the engaging portion is inclined such that the front side is higher than the rear side when the sliding contact surface and the engaging portion are in contact. Furthermore, in a state where the sliding surface and the engaging portion are in contact, the imaginary line passing through the engaging portion and the lower end rotation center of the support link is inclined forward of the imaginary vertical line passing through the lower end rotation center, as described in claim 4.

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