Latching device and vehicle seat

Abstract

The present invention provides a latching device 40 that can suppress the relative movement of the striker 37 with respect to the latch 46. [Solution] The latch device 40 locks or unlocks by engaging with or disengaging from the striker 37. The latch device 40 comprises a base member 42 having an entry groove 41 into which the striker 37 enters, a latch 46 rotatably supported by the base member 42 and having an engagement key portion 47 that can engage with the striker 37, and a movement restraining portion 50 provided on the base member 42 and positioned to cross the entry groove 41.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a latch device and a vehicle seat provided with such a latch device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle latch device that locks or unlocks by engaging with or disengaging from a rod-shaped portion of a striker fixed to a vehicle body. This vehicle latch device includes a housing having an entry groove into which the rod-shaped portion enters, and a latch that is housed in the housing and rotatably supported by the housing and has a hook-shaped portion that can engage with the rod-shaped portion. The housing includes a resin housing that rotatably supports the latch and a reinforcing plate in which an entry groove into which the rod-shaped portion enters is formed, and the resin housing and the reinforcing plate overlap each other.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The vehicle latch device of Patent Document 1 is fixed to one side portion of a side frame that constitutes a backrest among the frames of a vehicle seat via a bracket. Therefore, when a large load that strongly pulls a seat belt is applied to the side frame, the latch tends to move with respect to the striker. Therefore, it has been desired to suppress the relative movement of the striker with respect to the latch so that the latch does not move from the striker.

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a latch device capable of suppressing the relative movement of a striker with respect to a latch and a vehicle seat provided with such a latch device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a latch device (40) that locks or unlocks by engaging with or disengaging from a striker (37), comprising: a base member (42) having an entry groove (41) into which the striker enters; a latch (46) rotatably supported by the base member and having an engagement key portion (47) that can engage with the striker; and a movement restraining portion (50) provided on the base member and arranged to cross the entry groove.

[0007] In this embodiment, when the latch that engages with the striker moves relative to the striker, the striker comes into contact with a movement-restricting portion that crosses the entry groove. As a result, the movement of the striker relative to the latch is suppressed by the movement-restricting portion.

[0008] In the above embodiment, the movement restraining portion may be arranged to cross the engagement portion (37a) between the engagement key portion of the latch and the striker.

[0009] According to this embodiment, when the latch that engages with the striker moves relative to the striker, the striker reliably contacts the movement-restricting portion that crosses the engagement portion. This suppresses the relative movement of the striker with respect to the latch.

[0010] In the above embodiment, the movement-restricting portion may be fixed to the base member by a pair of first fixing portions (52A) that extend parallel to the extending direction of the entry groove and face each other, and a second fixing portion (52B) that extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the entry groove.

[0011] According to this embodiment, it is easier to improve the rigidity of the movement-restricting part with respect to the load during the relative movement of the striker.

[0012] In the above embodiment, a gap (56) may be formed between each of the first fixing parts and the second fixing part, and the gap may be configured to allow the latch to be seen from the outside through the gap.

[0013] According to this embodiment, the state of the latch relative to the striker (engaged or disengaged) can be visually confirmed.

[0014] In the above embodiment, the extending length (L1) of each of the first fixing parts may be longer than the extending length (L2) of the second fixing part.

[0015] According to this embodiment, the rigidity of each of the first fixing parts located at positions that sandwich the striker with which the latch engages can be made higher than the rigidity of the second fixing part, thereby more reliably suppressing the relative movement of the striker with respect to the latch.

[0016] In the above embodiment, the base member is provided with a plurality of base fixing portions (43) for fixing the base member to the frame member (35), and the second fixing portion of the movement restraining portion may be arranged between the plurality of base fixing portions.

[0017] According to this embodiment, the second fixing portion is fixed to the portion of the base member between the multiple base fixing portions, thereby improving the support rigidity of the second fixing portion.

[0018] In the above embodiment, the base member may be provided with a flange (45) along the edge of the entry groove, and the movement restraining portion may be provided with a wall portion (53) along the flange.

[0019] In this embodiment, the rigidity of the edge portion of the entry groove of the base member is increased by the presence of the flange, and the rigidity of the movement-restricting portion is increased by the presence of the wall portion along the flange.

[0020] In the above embodiment, the base member comprises two base fixing portions (43) for fixing the base member to the frame member (35), wherein one of the first fixing portions is arranged to align with the extending direction of the entry groove relative to one of the base fixing portions, and the other of the first fixing portions is arranged to align with the extending direction of the entry groove relative to the other of the base fixing portions.

[0021] According to this aspect, since each of the first fixing parts is arranged so as to be aligned in the extending direction of the entry groove with respect to the corresponding base fixing part, the support rigidity of both the first fixing parts is improved.

[0022] Further, in order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1), comprising a seat cushion (4) provided on a vehicle body (3) of a vehicle, a seat back (5) supported by the vehicle body rotatably about a rotation axis extending in the width direction of the vehicle, and a latch device (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the latch device is arranged on one side part of the seat back, and the striker is preferably fixed to the vehicle body.

[0023] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat provided with a latch device capable of suppressing relative movement of the striker with respect to the latch.

[0024] In the above aspect, the movement suppressing part may be arranged outside the width direction with respect to the base member.

[0025] When a large load is applied to the seat back, the latch device moves toward the center in the width direction of the seat back, and the striker tends to move relatively outward in the width direction. At this time, according to this aspect, the striker moving relatively outward in the width direction abuts against the movement suppressing part, and the movement of the striker with respect to the latch is suppressed by the movement suppressing part.

Effect of the Invention

[0026] One aspect of the present invention is a latch device (40) that locks or unlocks by engaging with or disengaging from a striker (37), comprising a base member (42) having an entry groove (41) into which the striker enters, a latch (46) rotatably supported by the base member and having an engaging key part (47) capable of engaging with the striker, and a movement suppressing part (50) provided on the base member and arranged so as to cross the entry groove.

[0027] In this embodiment, when the latch that engages with the striker moves relative to the striker, the striker comes into contact with a movement-restricting portion that crosses the entry groove. As a result, the movement of the striker relative to the latch is suppressed by the movement-restricting portion.

[0028] In the above embodiment, the movement restraining portion may be arranged to cross the engagement portion (37a) between the engagement key portion of the latch and the striker.

[0029] According to this embodiment, when the latch that engages with the striker moves relative to the striker, the striker reliably contacts the movement-restricting portion that crosses the engagement portion. This suppresses the relative movement of the striker with respect to the latch.

[0030] In the above embodiment, the movement-restricting portion may be fixed by a pair of first fixing portions (52A) that extend parallel to the extending direction of the entry groove and face each other, and a second fixing portion (52B) that extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the entry groove.

[0031] According to this embodiment, it is easier to improve the rigidity of the movement-restricting part with respect to the load during the relative movement of the striker.

[0032] In the above embodiment, a gap (56) may be formed between each of the first fixing parts and the second fixing part, and the gap may be configured to allow the latch to be seen from the outside through the gap.

[0033] According to this embodiment, the state of the latch relative to the striker (engaged or disengaged) can be visually confirmed.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the extending length (L1) of each of the first fixing parts may be longer than the extending length (L2) of the second fixing part.

[0035] According to this embodiment, the rigidity of each of the first fixing parts located at positions that sandwich the striker with which the latch engages can be made higher than the rigidity of the second fixing part, thereby more reliably suppressing the relative movement of the striker with respect to the latch.

[0036] In the above embodiment, the base member is provided with a plurality of base fixing portions (43) for fixing the base member to the frame member (35), and the second fixing portion of the movement restraining portion may be arranged between the plurality of base fixing portions.

[0037] According to this embodiment, the second fixing portion is fixed to the portion of the base member between the multiple base fixing portions, thereby improving the support rigidity of the second fixing portion.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the base member may be provided with a flange (45) along the edge of the entry groove, and the movement restraining portion may be provided with a wall portion (53) along the flange.

[0039] In this embodiment, the rigidity of the edge portion of the entry groove of the base member is increased by the presence of the flange, and the rigidity of the movement-restricting portion is increased by the presence of the wall portion along the flange.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the base member comprises two base fixing portions (43) for fixing the base member to the frame member (35), wherein one of the first fixing portions is arranged to align with the extending direction of the entry groove relative to one of the base fixing portions, and the other of the first fixing portions is arranged to align with the extending direction of the entry groove relative to the other of the base fixing portions.

[0041] In this embodiment, since each of the first fixing parts is arranged to align with the direction of extension of the entry groove with respect to the corresponding base fixing part, the support rigidity of both first fixing parts is improved.

[0042] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a seat for a vehicle (1), comprising a seat cushion (4) provided on the body (3) of a vehicle, a seat back (5) supported on the body so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis extending in the width direction of the vehicle, and a latch device (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the latch device is positioned on one side of the seat back, and the striker is fixed to the body.

[0043] According to this embodiment, a vehicle seat equipped with a latching device that can suppress the relative movement of the striker with respect to the latch can be provided.

[0044] In the above embodiment, the movement-restricting portion may be positioned on the outside in the width direction relative to the base member.

[0045] When a large load is applied to the seatback, the latch mechanism moves toward the center of the seatback in the width direction, and the striker attempts to move relative to it outward in the width direction. In this configuration, the striker moving relative to it outward in the width direction comes into contact with the movement-restricting part, and the movement of the striker relative to the latch is suppressed by the movement-restricting part. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0046] [Figure 1] Perspective view of the sheet according to the embodiment [Figure 2] Perspective view of the seat showing the seat back frame. [Figure 3] Schematic exploded view of the right panel structure of the right seat back. [Figure 4] Exploded view of the right seat back frame [Figure 5] Perspective view of the main part of the right seat back frame. [Figure 6] Perspective view of the latch mechanism from the right rear. [Figure 7] Right side view of the latching device [Figure 8] Right side view of the latch device with the movement restraining member removed. [Figure 9] Perspective view of the reinforcing plate and movement restraint section [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0047] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a vehicle seat 1 will be described.

[0048] The seat 1 according to this embodiment is a three-seater rear seat applied to the second row of a vehicle. Hereinafter, with reference to the direction of travel of the vehicle, the three seats 2 (2R, 2C, 2L) will be referred to as the right seat 2R, the center seat 2C, and the left seat 2L. The center seat 2C is located in the center in the width direction of the vehicle, and the right seat 2R and the left seat 2L are side seats located laterally to the center seat 2C. When referring to them collectively or without distinction, they will simply be referred to as seats 2.

[0049] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seat 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the seat 1 is supported by the body of the automobile (hereinafter referred to as the vehicle body 3) and has a seat cushion 4 that supports the occupant's buttocks from below and a seat back 5 that supports the occupant's back from behind. The seat cushion 4 is a single piece manufactured in common for the three seats 2 and includes a right cushion portion 4R for the right seat 2R, a center cushion portion 4C for the center seat 2C, and a left cushion portion 4L for the left seat 2L. The seat cushion 4 is fixed to the floor, which is part of the vehicle body 3.

[0050] The seatback 5 is a two-part type, divided into right and left sides in a 6:4 ratio, and includes a right seatback 5R and a left seatback 5L. The right seatback 5R integrates the right seatback section for the right seat 2R and the center seatback section 5C for the center seat 2C. In other words, the right seatback 5R is formed in common for both the right seat 2R and the center seat 2C. The left seatback 5L is configured as the left seatback section for the left seat 2L. The right seatback 5R and the left seatback 5L are rotatably supported.

[0051] The right seatback 5R and the left seatback 5L rotate between the upright position for seating shown in Figure 1 and the folded position, which is rotated forward from the upright position. When the right seatback 5R and the left seatback 5L are in the upright position, their upper parts are fixed to the vehicle body 3 to prevent them from rotating forward. When the right seatback 5R and the left seatback 5L are in the folded position, the space above the right seatback 5R and the left seatback 5L can be used as a cargo compartment expansion section that extends the cargo compartment located behind the seat 2 forward.

[0052] The front of the central seatback section 5C of the right seatback 5R has a recessed area for housing the armrest 6, which is recessed towards the rear. The armrest 6 is positioned in the recessed area and is supported by the right seatback 5R so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis that extends left and right at its lower part. The armrest 6 has a base end supported by the seatback 5 and a tip end located away from the base end, and rotates between a housing position (position in Figure 1) where the tip end is located above the recessed area and a usage position (see Figure 2) where the tip end is located in front of the base end. The armrest 6 constitutes almost the entire surface of the central seatback section 5C.

[0053] The upper part of the right seatback 5R is equipped with a right headrest 7R for the right seat 2R and a center headrest 7C for the center seat 2C, both of which are adjustable in height. The upper part of the left seatback 5L is equipped with a left headrest 7L for the left seat 2L, which is also adjustable in height. Figure 1 shows each headrest in its lowest position. In this position, the right headrest 7R and the left headrest 7L protrude relatively significantly upward from the upper edge of the corresponding seatback 5. The center headrest 7C is configured not to protrude from the upper edge of the right seatback 5R.

[0054] A resin exterior cover member 8 is provided on the upper part of the right seat back 5R and the left seat back 5L. A right seat back release lever 9R is provided to the right of the right headrest 7R at the upper end of the right seat back 5R for releasing the right seat back 5R from the vehicle body 3 when it is in the upright position. A left seat back release lever 9L is provided to the left of the left headrest 7L at the upper end of the left seat back 5L for releasing the left seat back 5L from the vehicle body 3 when it is in the upright position.

[0055] On the left side of the right headrest 7R at the upper end of the right seatback 5R, there is a resin belt garnish 11, which is an exterior cover forming the belt outlet 11a of the seat belt device 10 for the center seat 2C. The configuration of the seat belt device 10 will be described later.

[0056] The belt outlet 11a of the seat belt device 10 for the right seat 2R is formed in an interior plastic component (not shown) located on the right side of the right seat back 5R and functioning as a bolster. The belt retractor for the right seat 2R is located inside the interior plastic component and is fixed to the vehicle body 3 via a bracket. The configuration for the seat belt for the left seat 2L differs from that for the right seat 2R in that it is symmetrical, but otherwise is the same.

[0057] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the seat 1 showing the frame of the seat back 5 (hereinafter referred to as the seat back frame 12 (12R, 12L)). As shown in conjunction with Figure 2, the seat back 5 has a seat back frame 12, a flexible pad (not shown) supported by the seat back frame 12, and a surface material 13 (see Figure 1) covering the pad. The pad may be made of, for example, urethane foam. The surface material 13 may be made of a flexible seat material such as artificial leather, genuine leather, or fabric.

[0058] Speaker devices 14 are built into the upper part of the right seat back 5R and the left seat back 5L. Each speaker device 14 has a pair of speakers 14a located on either side of the corresponding right headrest 7R or left headrest 7L. A speaker grille 15 (Figure 1) is provided on the front of the pair of speaker devices 14.

[0059] The seat back frame 12 of the right seat back 5R (hereinafter referred to as the right seat back frame 12R) is formed in common for the center seat 2C and the right seat 2R which is positioned to the right of the center seat 2C. The right seat back frame 12R comprises a rectangular plate-shaped right panel structure 17R and left and right rotatable connecting parts 18 integrally provided on both sides of the lower part of the right panel structure 17R, specifically at the right and left ends. The left and right rotatable connecting parts 18 are pivotally supported by a vehicle body-side support member 19 fixed to the vehicle body 3, thereby supporting the right seat back frame 12R so as to be able to rotate around an axis in the vehicle width direction.

[0060] The seat back frame 12 of the left seat back 5L (hereinafter referred to as the left seat back frame 12L) comprises a vertically elongated rectangular plate-shaped left panel structure 17L and left and right rotatable connecting parts 18 integrally provided at the lower right and left ends of the left panel structure 17L. The left and right rotatable connecting parts 18 are pivotally supported by a vehicle-side support member 19 fixed to the vehicle body 3, thereby supporting the left seat back frame 12L so as to be rotatable around an axis in the vehicle width direction. The left rotatable connecting part 18 of the right seat back frame 12R and the right rotatable connecting part 18 of the left seat back frame 12L are arranged so as to sandwich a single vehicle-side support member 19 and are supported by a common vehicle-side support member 19.

[0061] At the lower part of the central seat back section 5C of the right seat back frame 12R, left and right armrest brackets 21 are integrally provided to support the frame of the armrest 6 (hereinafter referred to as the armrest frame 20). The armrest frame 20 has a vertically elongated rectangular frame shape and is supported at its lower or rear end by the left and right armrest brackets 21 so as to be rotatable around the axis in the vehicle width direction.

[0062] Figure 3 is a schematic exploded view of the right panel structure 17R of the right seat back 5R. As shown in Figure 3, the right panel structure 17R mainly consists of a front panel 23 (see Figure 3(A)) and a rear panel 24 (see Figure 3(B)), both made of steel, and the structure is formed by joining the two panels together in an overlapping state. The front panel 23 and the rear panel 24 have roughly the same outer contour. The front panel 23 and the rear panel 24 may be joined to each other by, for example, laser welding, gas welding, spot welding, etc. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, "joined" means joined by one of these methods.

[0063] The rear panel 24 has three relatively small openings 25 in the upper center, and on the left and right sides at the midpoint in the height direction. The rear panel 24 has two large oblique ribs 27 that continuously incline from the lower right to the upper left. Multiple small oblique ribs 28 are formed on the upper right and lower left of the rear panel 24, inclined in the opposite direction to the large oblique ribs 27. The large oblique ribs 27 and small oblique ribs 28 are formed in a forward-convex shape by press forming of steel plates.

[0064] The front panel 23 has four relatively large openings 25 in the upper center, lower center, and on the left and right sides at intermediate positions in the height direction. The front panel 23 has two large oblique ribs 27 that continuously incline from the lower right to the upper left. Two small oblique ribs 28 are formed on the lower left of the front panel 23, inclined in the opposite direction to the large oblique ribs 27. The large oblique ribs 27 and small oblique ribs 28 are formed to be convex forward by press forming of steel plate.

[0065] A seat belt retractor (not shown) for winding the seat belt of the seat belt device 10 is located in the upper central opening 25. The seat belt retractor is attached to the right panel structure 17R via a support bracket located at the rear of the right panel structure 17R so as to be received by the opening 25. A belt guide mechanism 30 (see Figure 2) for guiding the seat belt is provided on the upper part of the right panel structure 17R, which is aligned in the width direction of the seat back frame 12 with the upper central opening 25 where the seat belt retractor is located. The belt guide mechanism 30 is located offset from the seat center of the central seat 2C to the right seat 2R side.

[0066] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the right seat back frame 12R. As shown in Figure 4, the right panel structure 17R further includes a first reinforcing plate 31 and a second reinforcing plate 32 as reinforcing members, in addition to the front panel 23 and the rear panel 24. The first reinforcing plate 31 covers the diagonal large rib 27 of the front panel 23 and has a size and shape that surrounds the lower part of the opening 25 in the upper center of the front panel 23. That is, the first reinforcing plate 31 is attached to the right panel structure 17R so as to extend from one side of the right panel structure 17R, specifically from the vicinity of the pivoting connecting part 18 (Figure 2) at the lower right end to the upper left side of the other side. The first reinforcing plate 31 is joined to the front surface of the front panel 23. The second reinforcing plate 32 surrounds the upper part of the opening 25 in the upper center of the front panel 23 and has a size and shape that works in cooperation with the first reinforcing plate 31 to surround this opening 25 all around. The second reinforcing plate 32 is joined to the front surface of the front panel 23 and the front surface of the first reinforcing plate 31.

[0067] The right panel structure 17R is further fitted with speaker mounting brackets 33 (33R, 33L) for attaching the speaker device 14 to the right panel structure 17R. Each speaker mounting bracket 33 is made of a steel plate and consists of a right speaker mounting bracket 33R that supports the right portion of the speaker device 14 and a left speaker mounting bracket 33L that supports the left portion of the speaker device 14. In other embodiments, the speaker mounting bracket 33 may consist of a single steel plate, or it may be a single subcomponent formed by pre-assembling multiple steel plates.

[0068] The right seat back frame 12R includes a bracket subcomponent 35 and a lock unit 36, in addition to the right panel structure 17R. The bracket subcomponent 35 is a mounting member for attaching the lock unit 36 ​​to the right panel structure 17R, and is a subassembly formed by pre-assembling a plurality of press-formed steel plate members 35a, 35b, and 35c. The lock unit 36 ​​is a unit that integrates a locking device (latch device 40, described later) for fixing the right seat back 5R in a predetermined position and a lock release device for releasing the lock of the locking device. The right seat back release lever 9R mentioned above is a part incorporated into the lock release device.

[0069] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the main part of the right seat back frame 12R. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the bracket subcomponent 35 is joined to the right end of the right panel structure 17R by laser welding. The bracket subcomponent 35, by being joined to the right panel structure 17R, forms part of the right seat back frame 12R and is a frame member. Subsequently, the left and right speaker mounting brackets 33 are joined to the right panel structure 17R, and the lock unit 36 ​​is joined to the bracket subcomponent 35. The lock unit 36 ​​is a locking device for fixing the right seat back 5R in a predetermined position and includes a latch device 40 that locks or unlocks by engaging with or disengaging from an engaged portion 37a extending in the vehicle width direction of a striker 37 fixed to the vehicle body 3.

[0070] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the latch device 40 from the right rear. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the latch device 40 includes a base member 42 into which an entry groove 41 is formed, into which the engaged portion 37a of the striker 37 fits. The base member 42 is a press-formed steel plate and has a rectangular shape that is long vertically when the right seat back 5R is in the upright position and long front to back when the right seat back 5R is in the folded position. The base member 42 extends along the right panel structure 17R and, when the right seat back 5R is in the upright position, extends generally in the vertical direction while tilting backward.

[0071] The base member 42 is fixed to the right panel structure 17R via a bracket subcomponent 35. Specifically, the base member 42 is fixed to the bracket subcomponent 35 by a plurality of base fixing parts 43. In this embodiment, the base member 42 is fixed to the bracket subcomponent 35 by two base fixing parts 43 that are generally arranged vertically. The base fixing parts 43 may be composed of fastening members such as bolts and nuts or rivets, or they may be composed of engaging claws or welded parts.

[0072] In the portion of the base member 42 where the two base fixing portions 43 are provided, a reinforcing plate 44 (see Figure 9) is interposed between the base member 42 and the bracket subcomponent 35. This increases the section modulus of the joint between the base member 42 and the bracket subcomponent 35, improving the rigidity of that portion.

[0073] The entry groove 41 extends along the tangential direction of a virtual circle passing through the entry groove 41, centered on the pivot axis of the right seat back 5R (the lower end of the right seat back 5R). A flange 45, bent outward in the vehicle width direction, is formed on the edge of the base member 42 that defines the entry groove 41. When the right seat back 5R is in the upright position, the entry groove 41 extends generally in the front-rear direction and is open at the rear edge of the base member 42. The following explanation will continue based on the state in which the latch device 40 is functioning, that is, engaged with the striker 37, and the right seat back 5R is in the upright position.

[0074] Figure 7 is a right side view of the latch device 40, and Figure 8 is a right side view of the latch device 40 with the movement restraining member, which will be described later, removed. As shown in Figure 8, the latch device 40 includes a latch 46 that is rotatably supported on a base member 42 around a pivot axis 46X extending in the vehicle width direction. The latch 46 is pivotally supported by a lower base fixing portion 43, and its pivot axis 46X is located at the center of the lower base fixing portion 43. The latch device 40 is a known configuration that includes a ratchet, lever member, rod, and spring member (not shown). The latch 46 is formed by punching out a thick metal plate and has an engagement key portion 47 that can engage with the striker 37. When the engagement key portion 47 is engaged with the engaged portion 37a of the striker 37, it forms a striker receiving groove 47a on the pivot axis 46X side of the latch 46 that receives the engaged portion 37a. The striker receiving groove 47a extends substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the entry groove 41.

[0075] When the right seatback release lever 9R (Figure 5) is pulled upward, the latch 46 rotates counterclockwise in the figure, and the engaging key portion 47 retracts from the entry groove 41, allowing the engaged portion 37a of the striker 37 to retract from the entry groove 41. This makes it possible for the right seatback 5R to rotate from the upright position to the folded position.

[0076] When the right seatback 5R is rotated from the folded position to the upright position, the engaged portion 37a of the striker 37, which enters the entry groove 41 from the rear, is received by the striker receiving groove 47a. As the latch 46 rotates clockwise, the engaging key portion 47 engages with the engaged portion 37a of the striker 37. As the latch 46 is locked by the ratchet, the engaged portion 37a of the striker 37 cannot exit the entry groove 41. As a result, the right seatback 5R is fixed in the upright position.

[0077] In this way, the latch device 40 locks or unlocks by engaging with or disengaging from the striker 37.

[0078] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a movement-restricting portion 50 is provided on the right side of the base member 42. The movement-restricting portion 50 prevents the striker 37 from moving to the right relative to the latch 46. The movement-restricting portion 50 is formed into a three-dimensional shape by bending a thick metal plate that has been punched into a predetermined shape. The movement-restricting portion 50 has a main body portion 51 positioned to the right of the entry groove 41, and three fixing portions 52 (52A, 52A, 52B) that extend from the main body portion 51 toward the base member 42 and are fixed to the base member 42.

[0079] The main body portion 51 extends parallel to the base member 42 and restricts the movement of the striker 37 by contacting the striker 37. A circular through hole 51a is formed in the center of the main body portion 51. The fixing portion 52 includes a pair of first fixing portions 52A that extend parallel to the extending direction of the entry groove 41 and face each other, and a second fixing portion 52B that extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the entry groove 41. The upper first fixing portion 52A is arranged to extend in the front-rear direction along the upper edge of the entry groove 41, and the lower first fixing portion 52A is arranged to extend in the front-rear direction along the lower edge of the entry groove 41. The second fixing portion 52B is arranged to extend in the vertical direction along the end (front end) of the entry groove 41.

[0080] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the reinforcing plate 44 and the movement-restricting part 50. As shown in Figures 6 and 9, each fixing part 52 includes a wall portion 53 extending from the main body portion 51 toward the base member 42, and a contact portion 54 extending outward from the tip of the wall portion 53 (away from the entry groove 41) and in contact with the base member 42. The widths (extending length L1 of the wall portion 53) of the upper and lower first fixing parts 52A are the same and are greater than the width (extending length L2 of the wall portion 53) of the second fixing part 52B. The contact portion 54 of the upper first fixing part 52A has a longer extension length than the contact portion 54 of the lower first fixing part 52A. The contact portion 54 of the lower first fixing part 52A is rectangular. On the other hand, the contact portion 54 of the upper first fixing part 52A has different extension lengths on the left and right sides from the wall portion 53 and is trapezoidal. The extension length of the wall portion 53 is shorter on the second fixing portion 52B side and longer on the open end side of the entry groove 41.

[0081] The second fixing portion 52B includes a wall portion 53 and a contact portion 54, as well as an extension portion 55 that extends from the main body portion 51 along the main body portion 51 to extend the main body portion 51. As a result, the wall portion 53 of the second fixing portion 52B is positioned at a distance from the main body portion 51, and a gap 56 is formed between the wall portion 53 of the second fixing portion 52B and the wall portion 53 of each first fixing portion 52A.

[0082] The reinforcing plate 44 has a smaller vertical dimension than the base member 42 and has a contour that generally matches the contour of the lower part of the base member 42. The reinforcing plate 44 has two through holes 44a at positions corresponding to the two base fixing portions 43 and a notch 44b of the same shape as the entry groove 41 at a position corresponding to the entry groove 41. The base member 42 has a stepped portion 42a above the portion in which the reinforcing plate 44 is interposed, with a height corresponding to the thickness of the reinforcing plate 44, and is fastened together with the reinforcing plate 44 to the bracket subcomponent 35 by the two base fixing portions 43.

[0083] Each fixing portion 52 is positioned by aligning the tip of the wall portion 53 with the flange 45 of the base member 42, and is fixed to the base member 42 by joining the contact portions 54 of the three fixing portions 52 to the base member 42. Specifically, the contact portions 54 of the lower first fixing portion 52A and the second fixing portion 52B are fixed to the base member 42 by welding along the edges of the extended ends. The upper first fixing portion 52A is fixed to the base member 42 by welding along the edges and trailing edges of the extended end (i.e., the edges that are separated from the second fixing portion 52B).

[0084] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seat belt device 10 for the center seat 2C is attached to the right seat back frame 12R. Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision, the load of the occupant in the center seat 2C acts on the center of the right seat back frame 12R in the width direction via the seat belt device 10. The right seat back frame 12R is supported by the vehicle body 3 so as to be rotatable around its width axis at two pivotable connecting parts 18 provided at its lower end.

[0085] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the right seat back frame 12R is fixed to the vehicle body 3 via a striker 37 by a latch device 40 located at its right end. Therefore, during a frontal collision, the right seat back frame 12R receives a forward load while its upper right end is fixed, causing it to twist. This twist causes the latch device 40 to move to the left relative to the striker 37. In other words, the striker 37 moves relatively to the right at the latch device 40.

[0086] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the latch device 40 includes a movement-restricting portion 50 provided on the base member 42. As shown in Figure 7, in a side view, the movement-restricting portion 50 is positioned to cross the entry groove 41. Therefore, when the latch 46 that engages with the striker 37 moves relative to the striker 37, the striker 37 comes into contact with the movement-restricting portion 50 that crosses the entry groove 41. As a result, the movement of the striker 37 relative to the latch 46 is suppressed by the movement-restricting portion 50.

[0087] In the side view of Figure 7, the movement-restricting portion 50 is positioned to cross the engagement portion between the engagement key portion 47 of the latch 46 and the striker 37 (i.e., the engaged portion 37a of the striker 37 that is received in the striker receiving groove 47a defined by the engagement key portion 47). Therefore, when the latch 46 that engages with the striker 37 moves relative to the striker 37, the striker 37 reliably comes into contact with the movement-restricting portion 50 that crosses the engagement portion. This suppresses the relative movement of the striker 37 with respect to the latch 46.

[0088] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the movement-restricting section 50 is fixed to the base member 42 by a pair of first fixing sections 52A that extend parallel to the extending direction of the entry groove 41 and face each other, and a second fixing section 52B that extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the entry groove 41. As a result, the movement-restricting section 50 exhibits high rigidity against loads during the relative movement of the striker 37.

[0089] As shown in Figures 6 and 9, a gap 56 is formed between each of the first fixing parts 52A and the second fixing part 52B, and the gap 56 is configured to allow the latch 46 to be seen from the outside through the gap 56. This makes it possible to see the state of the latch 46 relative to the striker 37 (engaged or disengaged).

[0090] As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the extending length L1 of each of the first fixing parts 52A is longer than the extending length L2 of the second fixing part 52B. As a result, the rigidity of each of the first fixing parts 52A, which are positioned to sandwich the striker 37 engaged with the latch 46 from above and below, is higher than that of the second fixing part 52B. Therefore, the relative movement of the striker 37 with respect to the latch 46 is suppressed more reliably.

[0091] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the base member 42 is provided with a plurality of base fixing parts 43 for fixing the base member 42 to the bracket subcomponent 35, which is a frame member. The second fixing part 52B of the movement restraining part 50 is positioned between the plurality of base fixing parts 43 and fixed to a portion of the base member 42. This improves the support rigidity of the second fixing part 52B.

[0092] As shown in Figure 6, the base member 42 is provided with a flange 45 along the edge of the entry groove 41. The movement-restricting part 50 is also provided with a wall portion 53 along the flange 45. As a result, the rigidity of the edge portion of the entry groove 41 of the base member 42 is increased by the presence of the flange 45, and the rigidity of the movement-restricting part 50 is increased by the presence of the wall portion 53 along the flange 45.

[0093] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the base member 42 is provided with two base fixing parts 43 for fixing the base member 42 to the bracket subcomponent 35, which serves as a frame member. One of the first fixing parts 52A is positioned to align with the direction of extension of the access groove 41 relative to one of the base fixing parts 43, and the other of the first fixing parts 52A is positioned to align with the direction of extension of the access groove 41 relative to the other of the base fixing parts 43. As a result, each of the first fixing parts 52A is positioned to align with the direction of extension of the access groove 41 relative to the corresponding base fixing part 43, thereby improving the support rigidity of both first fixing parts 52A.

[0094] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seat 1 according to this embodiment comprises a right seat back 5R supported by the vehicle body 3 so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis extending in the vehicle width direction, and a latch device 40. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the latch device 40 is located on only one side of the right seat back 5R. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the striker 37 is fixed to the vehicle body 3. This allows the seat 1 to suppress the relative movement of the striker 37 with respect to the latch 46.

[0095] When a large load is applied to the seat back 5, the latch device 40 moves toward the center of the seat back 5 in the width direction, and the striker 37 attempts to move relative to it outward in the width direction, i.e., to the right. In this embodiment, the movement suppression unit 50 is positioned outward in the width direction, i.e., to the right, relative to the base member 42. Therefore, the striker 37, which moves relative to it outward in the width direction, comes into contact with the movement suppression unit 50, and the movement of the striker 37 relative to the latch 46 is suppressed by the movement suppression unit 50.

[0096] This concludes the description of specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be broadly modified and implemented.

[0097] In the above embodiment, since the seat belt device 10 of the center seat 2C is provided on the right panel structure 17R of the right seat back 5R, the movement restraint unit 50 is attached to the latch device 40 of the right seat back 5R. If the seat belt device 10 of the center seat 2C is provided on the left panel structure 17L of the left seat back 5L, it is preferable that the movement restraint unit 50 be attached to the latch device 40 of the left seat back 5L.

[0098] The movement-restricting section 50 in the above embodiment includes three fixing sections 52, but it may also include only one pair of first fixing sections 52A and be fixed to the base member 42 at two locations. Furthermore, although the movement-restricting section 50 is formed from a separate metal plate from the base member 42 and joined to the base member 42, in other embodiments it may be formed integrally with the base member 42. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0099] 1: Seat (vehicle seat) 2: Seats 3: Vehicle body 4: Seat cushion 5: Seat back 5C: Center seat back section 5R: Right seatback 10: Seat belt device 17R: Right panel structure 35: Bracket subcomponent (frame member) 36: Rock Unit 37: Striker 37a: Engaged part 40: Latching device 41:Entry groove 42: Base component 43: Base fixing part 44: Reinforcement plate 45: Flange 46: Latch 46X: Rotary shaft 47: Engaging key part 47a: Striker receiving groove 50: Movement suppression part 51: Main body 52:Fixed part 52A: 1st fixed part 52B:Second fixed part 53 :Wall part 56: Gap L1: Length in the extending direction of the wall portion 53 of the first fixed portion 52A L2: Length in the extending direction of the wall portion 53 of the second fixing portion 52B

Claims

1. A latching device that locks or unlocks by engaging with or disengaging from a striker, A base member having an entry groove into which the striker can enter, A latch rotatably supported on the base member and having an engagement key portion that engages with the striker that has entered the entry groove, A latch device comprising: a movement-restricting portion provided on the base member and positioned to cross the entry groove.

2. The latch device according to claim 1, wherein the movement restraining portion is arranged to cross the engagement portion between the engagement key portion of the latch and the striker.

3. The latch device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement-restricting portion is fixed to the base member by a pair of first fixing portions that extend parallel to the extending direction of the entry groove and face each other, and a second fixing portion that extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the entry groove.

4. A gap is formed between the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion, and the gap is configured to allow the latch to be seen from the outside through the gap, as described in claim 3.

5. The latch device according to claim 3, wherein the extending length of each of the first fixing parts is longer than the extending length of the second fixing part.

6. The base member is provided with a plurality of base fixing parts for fixing the base member to the frame member. The latch device according to claim 3, wherein the second fixing portion of the movement-restricting portion is arranged between a plurality of base fixing portions.

7. The base member is provided with a flange along the edge of the entry groove. The latch device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the movement-restricting portion comprises a wall portion along the flange.

8. The base member is provided with two base fixing parts for fixing the base member to the frame member. One of the first fixing portions is positioned so as to be aligned with the extending direction of the entry groove relative to one of the base fixing portions. The latch device according to claim 3, wherein the other of the first fixing portion is arranged to be aligned with the other of the base fixing portion in the extending direction of the entry groove.

9. It is a seat for a vehicle, The seat cushions installed in the vehicle's body, A seat back supported by the body so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis extending in the width direction of the vehicle, A latching device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, A vehicle seat, wherein the latching device is positioned on one side of the seat back, and the striker is fixed to the body.

10. The vehicle seat according to claim 9, wherein the movement-restricting portion is arranged outward in the width direction relative to the base member.

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