Vehicle seat

Abstract

To obtain a vehicular seat capable of automatically returning a headrest from a storage position to a use position, and reducing a load continuously acting on a cable.SOLUTION: A clutch plate 48 is provided, which moves in a direction (an arrow A direction) against energizing force by a second torsion spring by an engagement piece 35 of a receiving member 34 moving downward by seating of an occupant, and applies tensile force to a cable 40. When the tensile force is applied to the cable 40 by rotations of the clutch plate 48, a locking state is released, thereby moving a headrest 16 from a storage position to a user position. On the other hand, when the engagement piece 35 moving downward passes through the clutch plate 48, pressing force to the clutch plate 48 of the engagement piece 35 is released, and the clutch plate 48 is energized in an arrow B direction by the second torsion spring. The cable 40 is released from a state applied tensile force. Namely, a load continuously acting to the cable can be reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat.

Background Art

[0002] In the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1 below, a seat back that supports the upper body of an occupant, a headrest that is attached to the seat back so as to be vertically movable between a use position that supports the head and a storage position that is disposed below the use position, and a movable part for notifying the occupant that the headrest is in the storage position are provided.

[0003] Here, in the design requirements of the headrest, the height of the headrest may be less than the regulatory dimensions when there is no occupant, but when the occupant is seated, it is stipulated that the headrest must automatically return to the use position or it must be clearly recognizable that the position does not correspond to the use position. For this reason, in this prior art, in the storage position of the headrest, the movable part is arranged so as to protrude forward, preventing the occupant from sitting on the vehicle seat.

[0004] Specifically, the movable part is provided with a spring member that biases the movable part toward the rear side of the seat, and an engaging wall part capable of accommodating the movable part is recessed on the seat back side. When moving the headrest to the storage position, the movable part is pressed in a direction against the biasing force of the spring member along the inclined surface formed on the engaging wall part, and the movable part protrudes forward (storage position). Then, when the headrest with the protruding movable part is pushed up from the storage position to the use position, the movable part returns to its original position by the biasing force of the spring member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the case of the configuration in the above prior art, at the storage position of the headrest, although it can be recognized that the headrest does not correspond to the use position because the occupant cannot sit, when returning the headrest from the storage position to the use position, it is necessary to do so manually.

[0007] For this reason, although it has been considered to automatically return the headrest to the use position, in the specification of returning the headrest to the use position electrically using a motor or the like, the cost increases. On the other hand, for example, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost by using a cable or the like to which an external force is transmitted (tension is applied) in conjunction with the seating operation of the occupant. However, since tension is applied to the cable in conjunction with the seating operation of the occupant, the cable will continue to be in a state where tension is applied while the occupant is seated.

[0008] In consideration of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a vehicle seat capable of automatically returning a headrest from a storage position to a use position and reducing the load on a continuously acting cable.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 1 includes a seat cushion on which an occupant sits, a seat back that supports the upper body of the occupant sitting on the seat cushion, a headrest disposed above the seat back and movable up and down between a use position that supports the head of the occupant sitting on the seat cushion and a storage position located below the use position, a first locking portion that restricts the movement of the headrest in the storage position, a first biasing member that accumulates elastic energy in a state where the movement of the headrest is restricted by the first locking portion and biases the headrest in a direction to move from the storage position to the use position, a receiving member provided on the seat cushion and moved by being pressed when an occupant sits on the seat cushion, a cable connected to the first locking portion and releasing a locked state in which the movement of the headrest is restricted by the first locking portion when tension is applied, and a clutch portion disposed on the movement locus of the receiving member, moved by being pressed by the receiving member that moves due to the seating of the occupant to apply tension to the cable, and releasing a state in which tension is applied to the cable when the receiving member passes therethrough.

[0010] In the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 1, the headrest disposed above the seat back that supports the upper body of the occupant sitting on the seat cushion is movable up and down between a use position that supports the head of the occupant sitting on the seat cushion and a storage position that is not a so-called use position and is located below the use position.

[0011] Furthermore, the vehicle seat includes a first locking portion, a first biasing member, a receiving member, a cable, and a clutch portion. The headrest is restricted from moving in the storage position by the first locking portion. Here, the first biasing member accumulates elastic energy in a state where the movement of the headrest is restricted by the first locking portion and biases the headrest in a direction to move from the storage position to the use position.

[0012] Therefore, when the locking state by the first locking portion is released, the headrest will move from the storage position to the use position by the biasing force of the first biasing member. On the other hand, the receiving member is provided on the seat cushion and is pressed when an occupant sits on the seat cushion.

[0013] A cable is connected to the first locking portion. When tension is applied to the cable, the locking state in which the movement of the headrest is restricted by the first locking portion is released. Here, a clutch portion is disposed on the movement locus of the receiving member. This clutch portion is pressed and moved by the receiving member that moves when the occupant sits down. Thereby, tension is applied to the cable. And when the receiving member passes through, the state in which tension is applied to the cable is released by the clutch portion.

[0014] That is, in the present invention, when an occupant sits on the seat cushion, the receiving member is pressed and tension is applied to the cable via the clutch portion. Then, the locking state of the headrest by the first locking portion is released via the cable. As a result, the headrest automatically moves (returns) from the storage position to the use position by the biasing force of the first biasing member. Thereafter, the state in which tension is applied to the cable is released by the clutch portion.

[0015] In this way, by using the clutch portion that secures or blocks the tension transmission path through which tension is transmitted between the receiving member and the cable, it is possible to minimize the load acting on the cable with a simple configuration.

[0016] The vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 2 is the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 1, wherein the clutch portion is set to return to the initial position when the receiving member passes through.

[0017] In the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 2, since the clutch part is set to return to the initial position when the receiving member passes through, the clutch part will also be pressed by the receiving member when the occupant gets off the seat cushion. As a result, the positional relationship between the receiving member and the clutch part, which has been changed by the occupant's seating, can be restored to its original state by the occupant getting off the seat.

[0018] The vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 3 is the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 2, wherein the clutch part is provided so as to be rotatable about a shaft part arranged along the seat width direction, a rotating member having the cable connected to the free end side, a clutch member provided so as to be rotatable about the shaft part and rotating together with the rotating member to apply tension to the cable or being rotatable with respect to the rotating member, a second biasing member provided on the rotating member and biasing the rotating member and the clutch member in a direction to return to the initial position, and a third biasing member provided on the clutch member and biasing the clutch member in a direction to return to the initial position.

[0019] In the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 3, the clutch part is composed of a rotating member, a clutch member, a second biasing member, and a third biasing member. The rotating member is provided so as to be rotatable about a shaft part arranged along the seat width direction, and the cable is connected to the free end side of the rotating member. Further, the clutch member is provided so as to be rotatable about the shaft part, rotates together with the rotating member to apply tension to the cable, or is made rotatable with respect to the rotating member.

[0020] Here, a second biasing member is provided on the rotating member, and the second biasing member biases the rotating member and the clutch member in a direction to return to the initial position. As a result, when the receiving member pressed by the occupant's seating passes through the clutch member, the rotating member and the clutch rotate about the shaft part against the biasing force of the second biasing member to apply tension to the cable.

[0021] Then, when the receiving member passes through the clutch member, the urging force of the second urging member enables the rotating member and the clutch portion to return to the initial position. As a result, the tension applied to the cable is released.

[0022] Further, a third urging member is provided on the clutch member, and the third urging member urges the clutch member in a direction to return it to the initial position. Thus, when the receiving member whose pressing force has been released due to the occupant getting out of the seat passes through the clutch member, the clutch portion rotates with respect to the rotating member against the urging force of the third urging member, and when the receiving member passes through the clutch member, the clutch portion can return to the initial position by the urging force of the third urging member.

[0023] The vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 4 is the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 3, wherein the clutch portion further includes a first stopper that restricts the movement of the rotating member when the rotating member is urged by the second urging member, and a second stopper that restricts the movement of the clutch member when the clutch member is urged by the third urging member.

[0024] In the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 4, the clutch portion further includes a first stopper and a second stopper. When the rotating member is urged by the second urging member, the movement of the rotating member is restricted by the first stopper. Further, when the clutch member is urged by the third urging member, the movement of the clutch member is restricted by the second stopper.

[0025] The vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 5 is the vehicle seat according to the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the headrest includes a pair of cylindrical legs that are part of the skeletal member of the headrest body, are exposed to the outside, and are attached to the upper end portion of the seat back, and the first urging members are respectively disposed within the pair of legs, and one of the first urging members abuts against the upper end side of the seat back.

[0026] In the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 5, the headrest includes a pair of cylindrical legs that are part of the skeletal member of the headrest body, are exposed to the outside, and are attached to the upper end of the seat back. A first biasing member is disposed in each of the pair of legs. One of the first biasing members abuts against the upper end side of the seat back, and the first biasing member enables the headrest to be biased in a direction to move from the storage position to the use position.

[0027] The vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 6 is the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 5, wherein the first locking portion includes a recess formed along a direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction of the seat in the leg portion, and a first engaging portion that engages with the recess at the storage position of the headrest and restricts the movement of the headrest.

[0028] In the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 6, the first locking portion includes a recess formed in the leg portion and a first engaging portion that engages with the recess. The recess is formed along a direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction of the seat in the leg portion. When the first engaging portion engages with the recess at the storage position of the headrest, the (up and down) movement of the headrest is restricted. That is, the headrest is maintained in a state of being disposed at the storage position.

[0029] The vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 7 is the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 6, wherein the first locking portion further includes a fourth biasing member that biases the first engaging portion in a direction to maintain the state in which the first engaging portion is engaged with the recess.

[0030] In the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 7, the first locking portion further includes a fourth biasing member, and the fourth biasing member maintains the state in which the first engaging portion is engaged with the recess.

[0031] The vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 8 is the vehicle seat according to the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a second locking portion for restricting the movement of the headrest at the use position of the headrest is provided.

[0032] In the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 8, a second locking portion for restricting the movement of the headrest at the use position of the headrest is provided, and the movement of the headrest is restricted by the second locking portion. That is, the headrest is locked at the storage position by the first locking portion, and the headrest is locked at the use position by the second locking portion.

[0033] The vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 9 is the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 8, wherein the second locking portion includes a recess formed along a direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction of the seat at the leg portion of the headrest, and a second engaging portion that is engaged with the recess at the use position of the headrest and restricts the movement of the headrest.

[0034] In the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 9, the second locking portion includes a recess formed in the leg portion of the headrest and a second engaging portion that is engaged with the recess. The recess is formed along a direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction of the seat at the leg portion, and at the use position of the headrest, the second engaging portion is engaged with the recess, thereby restricting the (up and down) movement of the headrest. That is, the headrest is maintained in a state of being disposed at the use position.

Advantages of the Invention

[0035] As described above, according to the vehicle seat according to the present invention, the headrest can be automatically returned from the storage position to the use position, and the load on the continuously acting cable can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0037] Hereinafter, the vehicle seat according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The arrows FR, UP, and RH appropriately marked in each figure indicate the front (traveling direction), upward, and rightward directions of the vehicle, respectively. Hereinafter, when simply using the directions of front and rear, left and right, and up and down for explanation, unless otherwise specified, they indicate the front and rear in the vehicle front-rear direction, the left and right in the vehicle left-right direction (vehicle width direction), and the up and down in the vehicle up-down direction.

[0038] (Configuration of Vehicle Seat) First, the configuration of the vehicle seat according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat 10 is, for example, a seat used for a rear seat, and includes a seat cushion 12 on which a passenger sits, a seat back 14 erected from the rear end portion of the seat cushion 12 and supporting the upper body of the passenger sitting on the seat cushion 12, and a headrest 16 attached to the upper end portion 14A of the seat back 14 and supporting the head of the passenger sitting on the seat cushion 12.

[0040] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2(A), the headrest 16 is movable between a use position P for supporting the head of a passenger sitting on the seat cushion 12 and a storage position Q located below the use position P as shown in FIG. 2(B).

[0041] Here, assuming that the regulatory dimension of the headrest 16 set at the use position P of the headrest 16 is H1, at the storage position Q of the headrest 16, the height (H2) of the headrest 16 can be made lower than H1, and a wider view can be secured on the rear side of the vehicle.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, the headrest 16 includes a headrest stay 18 that is a skeletal member, and a headrest pad 20 that is formed of a foaming agent such as urethane foam and is elastically deformable. The headrest stay 18 is, for example, a metal pipe material bent into a shape that forms a substantially reverse J shape when viewed from the left side, and is integrally molded with the headrest pad 20. Further, the headrest stay 18 includes a pair of leg portions 22 and 24 that are exposed from the headrest pad 20 and are arranged side by side along the seat width direction.

[0043] On the other hand, the seat cushion 12 includes a seat cushion frame 26 that is a skeletal member and forms a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and a seat cushion pad 28 is attached to the upper surface side of the seat cushion frame 26. Further, a spring mat 32 is provided between a pair of side frames 30 that constitute the left and right sides of the seat cushion frame 26 and extend along the seat front-rear direction.

[0044] A plate-shaped receiving member 34 is fixed to the central portion in the seat width direction of the spring mat 32. As shown in FIG. 4, an engaging piece 35 that forms a substantially rectangular shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction in side view hangs down from the lower surface of the rear end portion 34A of the receiving member 34.

[0045] Therefore, when an occupant sits on the seat cushion 12 and the spring mat 32 deflects, the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34 moves downward together with the spring mat 32. The lower portion 35A of the engaging piece 35 is wider than the upper portion 35B side, and at the lower portion 35A side, the rear end 35A1 inclines rearward as it goes downward, forming a top portion 35C.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 1, a pipe 36 is provided behind the spring mat 32 and spans between a pair of side frames 30 along the sheet width direction. One side 37A of a mounting bracket 37 that extends toward the receiving member 34 side and forms an inverted L shape in front view is fixed to the central portion of the pipe 36 by welding or the like.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 3, a bracket 38 is fixed to the other side 37B of the mounting bracket 37 by welding or the like so as to overlap the mounting bracket 37. A vertical wall portion 38A that bends along the sheet width direction is formed at the rear end portion of the bracket 38, and a plug 42 provided at one end side of an outer cable 41 that covers the cable 40 is mounted along the sheet front-rear direction on the vertical wall portion 38A.

[0048] One end portion 40A side of the cable 40 is exposed from the axis of the plug 42, and a crank-shaped engaging member 44 is provided at the one end portion 40A of the cable 40. The upper end portion of a plate-shaped rotating plate (rotating member) 45 that constitutes a part of the clutch portion 43 is engaged with an engaging portion 44A that constitutes the central portion of the engaging member 44. As shown in Fig. 5, the rotating plate 45 is arranged along the vertical direction in the initial position R. A shaft portion 46 is provided at the lower end portion of the rotating plate 45, and the rotating plate 45 is pivotally supported so as to be rotatable about the shaft portion 46.

[0049] That is, in the present embodiment, the upper end side of the rotating plate 45 is the free end side. An insertion hole 45A is formed at the upper end portion of the rotating plate 45, and the engaging portion 44A is inserted into the insertion hole 45A. For this reason, in Fig. 7, as shown by the solid line, when the rotating plate 45 rotates in the direction of arrow A, the cable 40 is pulled forward through the engaging portion 44A and the insertion hole 45A.

[0050] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, a plate-shaped clutch plate (clutch member) 48 that forms another part of the clutch portion 43 is rotatably supported on the shaft portion 46. The clutch plate 48 is arranged along the front-rear direction in the initial position S. The shaft portion 46 is provided at the rear end portion of the clutch plate 48. The clutch plate 48 and the rotating plate 45 are arranged in a substantially inverted L shape when viewed from the left side of the seat.

[0051] A pin 48A is provided on the free end side of the clutch plate 48. As described above, when an occupant sits on the seat cushion 12 and the spring mat 32 deflects, the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34 moves downward. In order to operate the clutch plate 48 in conjunction with the operation of the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34, the pin 48A is arranged on the movement locus of the top portion 35C of the engaging piece 35 as shown in FIG. 6.

[0052] With the above configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when an occupant sits on the seat cushion 12 and the spring mat 32 deflects, the receiving member 34 moves downward together with the spring mat 32. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the engaging piece 35 moves downward, and the top portion 35C of the engaging piece 35 abuts against the pin 48A provided on the clutch plate 48.

[0053] Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the clutch plate 48 is pressed via the pin 48A and rotates (moves) about the shaft portion 46. At the same time, the rotating plate 45 rotates in the direction of arrow A via the stopper 45B. As a result, the cable 40 is pulled forward. Thus, in the present embodiment, regardless of the load of the occupant, when the occupant sits on the seat cushion 12, the cable 40 is pulled.

[0054] Here, the rotating plate 45 is provided with a second torsion spring (not shown) that biases the rotating plate 45 in the direction of arrow B. Due to the biasing force of this second torsion spring, the rotating plate 45 that has rotated along the direction of arrow A can return to the initial position R.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8, when the top 35C of the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34 moving downward passes through the pin 48A of the clutch plate 48, the pressing force of the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34 on the clutch plate 48 is released. Thereby, the clutch plate 48 is urged (restored) in the direction of arrow B by the second torsion spring, and the tension applied to the cable 40 by the clutch plate 48 is released.

[0056] Note that a first stopper (not shown) against which the rotating plate 45 can abut is provided in a state where the rotating plate 45 has returned to the initial position R, and the rotation of the rotating plate 45 in the direction of arrow B is restricted when the rotating plate 45 abuts against the first stopper.

[0057] On the other hand, the clutch plate 48 is provided with a third torsion spring (not shown) that biases the clutch plate 48 in the direction of arrow C. A stopper (second stopper) 45B is provided at the lower end of the rotating plate 45. The clutch plate 48 is configured to be able to abut against the stopper 45B, and the rotation of the clutch plate 48 in the direction of arrow C is restricted when the clutch plate 48 abuts against the stopper 45B.

[0058] Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the seat back 14 includes a seat back frame 50 that is a skeletal member and has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the front. A plate-like seat back panel 52 is fixed to the back side of the seat back frame 50, and a seat back pad 54 is attached to the front side of the seat back frame 50. Further, the lower end portion of the seat back frame 50 is rotatably connected to the rear end portion of the seat cushion frame 26 via a well-known reclining mechanism 55.

[0059] A pair of left and right support brackets 56 and 58 arranged side by side in the seat width direction are provided at the center of the upper frame 50A constituting the upper portion of the seat back frame 50 in the seat width direction. These support brackets 56 and 58 have a substantially cylindrical shape, and the legs 22 and 24 of the headrest 16 can be inserted into the support brackets 56 and 58, respectively.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 11, concave portions 22A and 24A that are recessed in the axial direction of the leg portions 22 and 24 are respectively formed in the leg portions 22 and 24. Here, a lock portion 59 is provided on the support bracket 58. An engaging portion (second engaging portion) 59A that engages with the concave portion 24A is provided on the lock portion 59.

[0061] The engaging portion 59A abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the leg portion 24 and is biased toward the outer peripheral surface side. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12, when the concave portion 24A of the leg portion 24 reaches a position facing the engaging portion 59A, the engaging portion 59A is engaged with the concave portion 24A of the leg portion 24. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2(A), the headrest 16 is maintained at the use position P.

[0062] Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a support plate 60 that forms a substantially U shape in plan view with the seat back panel 52 side as an opening is fixed to the seat back panel 52 by welding or the like below the support brackets 56 and 58. That is, this support plate 60 forms a gap with the seat back panel 52 and is formed to protrude toward the front side of the seat.

[0063] Cylindrical holding members 62 and 64 are respectively fixed to the front surface of the support plate 60 below the support brackets 56 and 58 by welding or the like so as to extend along the seat vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 11, insertion portions 66 and 68 having a smaller diameter than other portions of the holding members 62 and 64 are respectively formed on the upper sides of the holding members 62 and 64. Coil springs (first biasing members) 70 and 72 are respectively provided outside the insertion portions 66 and 68, and the coil springs 70 and 72 are configured to be expandable and contractible along the axial direction of the insertion portions 66 and 68.

[0064] Then, within the legs 22, 24 of the headrest 16 inserted into the support brackets 56, 58, insertion portions 66, 68 with coil springs 70, 72 provided on the outside are included, and the holding members 62, 64 can be accommodated. The headrest 16 (see FIG. 1) is capable of moving up and down along the axial direction of the holding members 62, 64.

[0065] On the other hand, recesses 22A, 24A are respectively provided in the legs 22, 24. Since the recesses 22A, 24A are formed to be recessed in the axial direction of the legs 22, 24, they protrude by that amount on the inner surface side of the legs 22, 24. Coil springs 70, 72 are accommodated within the legs 22, 24, and one ends of the coil springs 70, 72 abut against the recesses 22A, 24A. The other ends of the coil springs 70, 72 abut against the stepped portions 66A, 68A of the insertion portions 66, 68, and bias the legs 22, 24 in the direction of arrow D via the recesses 22A, 24A. In this embodiment, an example where the coil springs 70, 72 are respectively accommodated within the legs 22, 24 has been described, but it is not necessarily limited to this, and the coil spring may be accommodated in only one of the legs.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, on the seat back panel 52 side, a bracket 74 is provided between the leg 22 and the leg 24 and on the leg 24 side. The bracket 74 has a substantially U-shaped configuration with an opening on the front side in plan view. On one end portion 74A side of the bracket 74, a plug 76 provided on the other end side of the outer cable 41 is mounted along the seat width direction. The other end portion 40B side of the cable 40 is exposed from the axis of this plug 76, and a crank-shaped engaging portion 78 is provided at the other end portion 40B of the cable 40.

[0067] On the other end portion 74B side of the bracket 74, a shaft plate portion 80 is formed along a substantially horizontal direction, and a shaft portion 82 is fixed to the shaft plate portion 80. An engaging piece (first engaging portion) 84 is pivotally supported on the shaft portion 82 so as to be rotatable, and the engaging piece 84 can be engaged with the recess 24A formed in the leg 24.

[0068] That is, the engaging piece 84 is rotatable along the horizontal direction about the shaft portion 82. A torsion spring (fourth biasing member) 86 is wound around the shaft portion 82. One end portion 86A of the torsion spring 86 is attached to the shaft plate portion 80, and the other end portion 86B of the torsion spring 86 is attached to the engaging piece 84. By this torsion spring 86, the engaging piece 84 is maintained in a state of being engaged with the recess 24A of the leg portion 24 (locked state).

[0069] As described above, in the present embodiment, the locking portion 75 is configured to include the recess 24A, the engaging piece 84, and the torsion spring 86. And in the locked state by the engaging piece 84, the coil springs 70 and 72 are compressed and elastic energy is accumulated.

[0070] Here, an engaging portion 78 provided at the other end portion 40B of the cable 40 is engaged with the engaging piece 84. Therefore, when the cable 40 is pulled, the engaging piece 84 rotates about the shaft portion 82 in the direction of arrow E (see FIG. 14) against the biasing force of the torsion spring 86 via the engaging portion 78. Thereby, the locked state by the engaging piece 84 is released.

[0071] As described above, in the locked state by the engaging piece 84, as shown in FIG. 11, elastic energy is accumulated in the coil springs 70 and 72. Therefore, when the locked state is released, the headrest 16 automatically moves (returns) upward via the leg portions 22 and 24 by the biasing force of the coil springs 70 and 72, as shown in FIG. 2(A).

[0072] On the other hand, as described above, a locking portion 59 is provided on the support bracket 58 side. As shown in FIG. 12, when the engaging portion 59A is engaged with the recess 24A formed in the leg portion 24 of the headrest 16, the movement of the leg portion 24 is restricted. That is, the headrest 16 that has moved upward is restricted in the movement of the leg portions 22 and 24 by the locking by the engaging portion 59A, and the state in which the headrest 16 has returned is maintained.

[0073] (Function and Effect of Vehicle Seat) Next, the function and effect of the vehicle seat according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 2(A) and (B), in the present embodiment, in the vehicle seat 10, the headrest 16 is movable between a use position P that supports the head of an occupant seated on the seat cushion 12 and a storage position Q located below the use position P.

[0075] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, the vehicle seat 10 includes a lock portion 75, coil springs 70 and 72, a receiving member 34, a cable 40, and a clutch portion 43. The movement of the headrest 16 is restricted by the lock portion 75 at the storage position Q. That is, the state in which the headrest 16 is disposed at the storage position Q is maintained.

[0076] Further, the coil springs 70 and 72 are compressed in a state where the movement of the headrest 16 is restricted by the lock portion 75, and elastic energy for urging the headrest 16 in the direction of moving from the storage position Q to the use position P (arrow D direction) is accumulated.

[0077] Therefore, when the locked state by the engaging piece 84 of the lock portion 75 is released, the headrest 16 moves from the storage position Q to the use position P by the urging force of the coil springs 70 and 72. On the other hand, the receiving member 34 is provided on the seat cushion 12 and is pressed downward when an occupant sits on the seat cushion 12.

[0078] A cable 40 is connected to the lock portion 75. When tension is applied to the cable 40, the locked state in which the movement of the headrest 16 is restricted by the lock portion 75 is released. Here, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a clutch portion 43 is disposed on the movement locus of the top 35C of the engaging piece 35 provided on the receiving member 34.

[0079] Here, in the present embodiment, the clutch portion 43 includes a rotating plate 45, a clutch plate 48, a second torsion spring, and a third torsion spring. The rotating plate 45 is provided so as to be rotatable about a shaft portion 46 disposed along the seat width direction, and a cable 40 is connected to the free end side of the rotating plate 45.

[0080] Also, the clutch plate 48 is provided so as to be rotatable about the shaft portion 46, rotates together with the rotating plate 45 to apply tension to the cable 40, and is further made rotatable with respect to the rotating plate 45. A second torsion spring (not shown) is provided on the rotating plate 45, and the second torsion spring biases the rotating plate 45 and the clutch plate 48 in a direction to return to the initial positions R and S.

[0081] Thus, when the top 35C of the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34, which is pressed by the seating of the occupant and moves downward, pushes (passes through) the pin 48A provided on the clutch plate 48, the rotating plate 45 and the clutch plate 48 rotate about the shaft portion 46 against the biasing force of the second torsion spring to apply tension to the cable 40.

[0082] Then, when the receiving member 34 passes through the clutch plate 48, the rotating plate 45 and the clutch plate 48 can return to the initial positions R and S by the biasing force of the second torsion spring. As a result, the state in which tension is applied to the cable 40 is released. A third torsion spring (not shown) is provided on the clutch plate 48, and the third torsion spring biases the clutch plate 48 in a direction to return to the initial position S.

[0083] As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, when the top 35C of the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34 whose pressing force is released by the occupant getting out of the seat presses the pin 48A of the clutch plate 48, the clutch plate 48 rotates with respect to the rotating plate 45 against the biasing force of the third torsion spring (in the direction of arrow C). Then, when the top 35C of the engaging piece 35 passes through the pin 48A of the clutch plate 48, the clutch plate 48 can return to the initial position S by the biasing force of the third torsion spring.

[0084] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the clutch portion 43 further includes a first stopper and a second stopper 45B (not shown). When the rotating plate 45 is biased by the second torsion spring, the movement of the rotating plate 45 is restricted by the first stopper. Also, when the clutch plate 48 is biased by the third torsion spring, the movement of the clutch plate 48 is restricted by the second stopper 45B.

[0085] With the above configuration, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the clutch plate 48 is pressed by the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34 that moves when the occupant sits down, and rotates (moves) the rotating plate 45 in a direction (direction of arrow A) against the biasing force of the second torsion spring that biases it in the direction of arrow B. As a result, tension is applied to the cable 40, and the locked state by the engaging piece 84 of the lock portion 75 provided on the other end portion 40B side of the cable 40 is released.

[0086] As a result, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the headrest 16 automatically moves upward (returns) from the storage position Q (see FIG. 2(B)) to the use position P (see FIG. 2(A)) by the biasing force of the coil springs 70 and 72.

[0087] Then, when the engaging portion 59A provided on the lock portion 59 on the support bracket 58 side engages with the recess 24A formed in the leg portion 24 of the headrest 16, the headrest 16 that has moved upward is maintained in the state of being disposed at the use position P.

[0088] That is, in the present embodiment, as described above, when an occupant sits on the seat cushion 12, the receiving member 34 is pressed, and tension is applied to the cable 40 via the clutch plate 48 and the rotating plate 45. As a result, the locked state by the locking portion 75 is released, and the headrest 16 automatically moves (returns) from the storage position Q (see FIG. 2(B)) to the use position P (see FIG. 2(A)) by the biasing forces of the coil springs 70 and 72.

[0089] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, when the top 35C of the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34 moving downward passes through the pin 48A of the clutch plate 48, the pressing force of the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34 on the clutch plate 48 is released.

[0090] As a result, the clutch plate 48 and the rotating plate 45 are biased (restored) in the direction of arrow B by the second torsion spring, and the state in which tension is applied to the cable 40 by the clutch plate 48 and the rotating plate 45 is released. Here, the rotation of the clutch plate 48 and the rotating plate 45 in the direction of arrow B is restricted when the rotating plate 45 abuts on a first stopper (not shown).

[0091] In this way, in the present embodiment, by using the clutch plate 48 that secures or blocks the tension transmission path for transmitting tension between the receiving member 34 and the cable 40, it is possible to reduce the load on the continuously acting cable.

[0092] Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the clutch plate 48 is set to return to the initial position S when the top 35C of the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34 passes through the pin 48A. When the occupant gets out of the seat with respect to the seat cushion 12, the pressing force on the receiving member 34 is released, and the receiving member 34 moves upward. As described above, since the clutch plate 48 has returned to the initial position S, when the receiving member 34 moves upward, the pin 48A of the clutch plate 48 is arranged on the movement locus of the top 35C of the engaging piece 35.

[0093] Therefore, when the occupant gets out of the seat cushion 12, the clutch plate 48 is pressed against the biasing force (in the direction of arrow C) of the third torsion spring by the top 35C of the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34 and moves (rotates). Then, as shown in FIG. 10, when the top 35C of the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34 moving upward passes through the pin 48A of the clutch plate 48, the pressing force of the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34 on the clutch plate 48 is released.

[0094] As a result, the clutch plate 48 is biased (restored) in the direction of arrow C by the third torsion spring, and as shown in FIG. 8, the positional relationship between the top 35C of the engaging piece 35 of the receiving member 34 and the pin 48A of the clutch plate 48, which is changed by the seating of the occupant, can be restored to the state shown in FIG. 5 by the getting out of the occupant. Here, the rotation of the clutch plate 48 in the direction of arrow C is restricted by abutting against the stopper 45B provided on the rotating plate 45.

[0095] In addition, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the locking portion 75 includes a concave portion 24A formed in the leg portion 24 and an engaging piece 84 engaged with the concave portion 24A. When the engaging piece 84 is engaged with the concave portion 24A, the headrest 16 is maintained in the stored position Q. Further, in the present embodiment, in the locking portion 59, when the engaging portion 59A is engaged with the concave portion 24A formed in the leg portion 24 of the headrest 16, the headrest 16 is maintained in the use position P.

[0096] That is, in the present embodiment, the engaging portion 59A of the locking portion 59 that locks the headrest 16 in the use position P and the engaging piece 84 of the locking portion 75 that locks the headrest 16 in the stored position Q are respectively engaged with the concave portion 24A formed in the leg portion 24 of the headrest 16. In other words, with one concave portion 24A, the headrest 16 can be locked in the use position P or the stored position Q respectively.

[0097] In addition, in the present embodiment, an example in which the vehicle seat is applied to the rear seat has been described, but it goes without saying that it may also be applied to the front seat.

[0098] In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist thereof. Needless to say, the scope of the rights of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0099] 10 Vehicle seat 12 Seat cushion 14 Seat back 14A Upper end portion (upper end portion of the seat back) 16 Headrest (headrest main body) 22 Leg portion 22A Concave portion 24 Leg portion 24A Concave portion (first locking portion) 34 Receiving member 40 Cable 43 Clutch portion 45 Rotating plate (rotating member, clutch portion) 45B Stopper (second stopper, clutch portion) 46 Shaft portion 48 Clutch plate (clutch member, clutch portion) 59 Locking portion (second locking portion) 59A Engaging portion (second engaging portion, second locking portion) 70 Coil spring (first biasing member) 72 Coil spring (first biasing member) 75 Locking portion (first locking portion) 84 Engaging piece (first engaging portion, first locking portion) 86 Torsion spring (fourth biasing member) P Use position Q Storage position R Initial position S Initial position

Claims

1. A seat cushion on which an occupant sits, A seat back that supports the upper body of the occupant sitting on the seat cushion, A headrest disposed above the seat back and movable up and down between a use position that supports the head of the occupant sitting on the seat cushion and a storage position located below the use position, comprising: A first locking portion that restricts the movement of the headrest in the storage position of the headrest, A first biasing member that accumulates elastic energy in a state where the movement of the headrest is restricted by the first locking portion and biases the headrest in a direction to move from the storage position to the use position, A receiving member provided on the seat cushion and moved by being pressed when an occupant sits on the seat cushion, A cable connected to the first locking portion and releasing the locked state in which the movement of the headrest is restricted by the first locking portion when tension is applied, A clutch portion disposed on the movement locus of the receiving member, moved by being pressed by the receiving member that moves due to the seating of the occupant to apply tension to the cable, and releasing the state in which tension is applied to the cable when the receiving member passes therethrough, A vehicle seat having the above.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the clutch portion is set to return to an initial position when the receiving member passes therethrough.

3. The clutch portion is provided rotatably about a shaft portion arranged along the seat width direction, and a rotating member having the cable connected to the free end side, is provided rotatably about the shaft portion, rotates together with the rotating member to apply tension to the cable, or is rotatable with respect to the rotating member, and a clutch member, A second biasing member provided on the rotating member and biasing the rotating member and the clutch member in a direction to return them to their initial positions; A third biasing member provided on the clutch member and biasing the clutch member in a direction to return it to its initial position; The vehicle seat according to claim 2, comprising:

4. The clutch portion includes: A first stopper that restricts the movement of the rotating member when the rotating member is biased by the second biasing member; A second stopper that restricts the movement of the clutch member when the clutch member is biased by the third biasing member; The vehicle seat according to claim 3, further comprising:

5. The headrest includes a pair of cylindrical legs that are part of the skeletal member of the headrest body, are exposed to the outside, and are attached to the upper end portion of the seat back; The first biasing members are respectively disposed within the pair of legs, and one of the first biasing members abuts against the upper end side of the seat back. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The first locking portion includes: A recess formed in the leg portion along a direction substantially orthogonal to the seat vertical direction; A first engaging portion that engages with the recess at the storage position of the headrest and restricts the movement of the headrest; The vehicle seat according to claim 5, comprising:

7. The first locking portion further includes a fourth biasing member that biases the first engaging portion in a direction to maintain the state where the first engaging portion is engaged with the recess. The vehicle seat according to claim 6.

8. A second locking portion that restricts the movement of the headrest at the use position of the headrest is provided. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The second locking portion is in the leg portion of the headrest, a recess formed along a direction substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction of the seat, and a second engaging portion that is engaged with the recess at the use position of the headrest and restricts the movement of the headrest, The vehicle seat according to claim 8, comprising:

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