Vehicle seats

Abstract

To obtain a vehicular seat capable of automatically returning a headrest from a storage position to a use position by a simple structure.SOLUTION: A vehicular seat 10 is equipped with a lock portion 75, coil springs 70 and 72, a receiving member 34, and a cable 38. If the receiving member 34 is pressed, tensile force is applied to the cable 38, and a locking state in which the movement of a headrest 16 is regulated by a locking portion 75 is released. Thereby, by energizing force of the coil springs 70 and 72, the headrest 16 automatically moves (returns) from a storage position Q to a user position P. The headrest 16 moved to the use position P maintains a state in which it is disposed at the use position P due to locking by an engagement portion 59A.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1 below discloses a technology that includes a seat back that supports the upper body of the occupant, a headrest that is attached to the seat back so that it can be raised and lowered between a use position that supports the head and a storage position that is located lower than the use position, and a movable part that notifies the occupant that the headrest is in the storage position.

[0003] The design requirements for headrests stipulate that the height of the headrest may be less than the legally required height when no passenger is seated, but that when a passenger is seated, the headrest must either automatically return to the in-use position or be clearly recognizable as not being in the in-use position. Therefore, in this prior art, the movable part of the headrest is positioned to protrude forward when in the retracted position, preventing the passenger from sitting in the vehicle seat.

[0004] Specifically, the movable part is provided with a spring member that biases the movable part toward the rear of the seat, and an engagement wall portion that can accommodate the movable part is recessed on the seat back side, so that when the headrest is moved to the storage position, the movable part is pressed along the inclined surface formed on the engagement wall portion in a direction against the biasing force of the spring member, and the movable part protrudes forward (storage position). Then, when the movable part pushes up the protruding headrest 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] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-1272 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the case of the configuration of the above-mentioned prior art, although it is clear that the headrest is not in the use position when in the stored position because an occupant cannot sit in the headrest, the headrest must be returned to the use position from the stored position manually.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat with a simple structure that allows a headrest to be automatically returned from a storage position to a use position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The vehicle seat according to the invention of claim 1 includes a seat cushion on which an occupant sits, a seat back that supports the upper body of the occupant seated on the seat cushion, and a headrest that is disposed above the seat back and is movable up and down between a use position that supports the head of the occupant seated on the seat cushion and a storage position that is lower than the use position, the vehicle seat including: a first locking portion that restricts movement of the headrest when the headrest is in the storage position; a first biasing member that stores elastic energy when the movement of the headrest is restricted by the first locking portion and biases the headrest in a direction that moves the headrest from the storage position to the use position; a receiving member that is provided on the seat cushion and is pressed when the occupant sits on the seat cushion; and a receiving member that is connected to the receiving member and the first locking portion and that applies tension when the receiving member is pressed, and the first locking portion restricts movement of the headrest. A cable that releases the locked state in which movement is restricted, and The headrest has a pair of cylindrical legs that are part of a frame member of the headrest body, are exposed to the outside, and are attached to the upper end of the seat back, and the first biasing members are respectively disposed in the pair of legs, and one of the first biasing members abuts against the upper end side of the seat back. .

[0009] In the vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 1, the headrest, which is disposed above the seat back that supports the upper body of the occupant seated on the seat cushion, is capable of moving up and down between a use position that supports the head of the occupant seated on the seat cushion and a storage position that is located below the use position and is not a so-called use position.

[0010] The vehicle seat further includes a first locking portion, a first biasing member, a receiving member, and a cable, and the movement of the headrest is restricted at the storage position by the first locking portion. Here, elastic energy is accumulated in the first biasing member when the movement of the headrest is restricted by the first locking portion, and the first biasing member biases the headrest in a direction to move it from the storage position to the use position.

[0011] Therefore, when the locked state by the first locking unit is released, the headrest moves from the stored position to the use position due to the biasing force of the first biasing member. Meanwhile, the receiving member is provided on the seat cushion and is pressed when an occupant sits on the seat cushion. A cable is connected to the receiving member and the first locking unit, and when the receiving member is pressed, tension is applied to the cable, and the locked state in which the movement of the headrest is restricted by the first locking unit is released.

[0012] In other words, in the present invention, when an occupant sits on the seat cushion, the receiving member is pressed, applying tension to the cable. Then, the headrest is released from the locked state by the first locking part via the cable. As a result, the headrest automatically moves (returns) from the stored position to the use position due to the biasing force of the first biasing member.

[0014] Furthermore, the present inventionIn the headrest, the headrest has a pair of cylindrical legs that are part of the frame member of the headrest body, are exposed to the outside, and are attached to the upper end of the seatback, and a first biasing member is disposed inside each of the pair of legs. One of the first biasing members abuts against the upper end of the seatback, and the first biasing member can bias the headrest in a direction that moves it from the stored position to the use position.

[0015] Claim 2 The vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 1 In the vehicle seat according to the invention described above, the first locking portion includes a recess formed in the leg portion along a direction approximately perpendicular to the up-down direction of the seat, and a first engagement portion that engages with the recess when the headrest is in a storage position and restricts movement of the headrest.

[0016] Claim 2 In the vehicle seat according to the invention described above, 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 in the leg portion along a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the up-down direction of the seat, and when the headrest is in the storage position, the first engaging portion engages with the recess, thereby restricting the (up-down) movement of the headrest. In other words, the headrest is maintained in the storage position.

[0017] Claim 3 The vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 2 The vehicle seat according to the invention described in In the present invention, the first locking portion further includes a second biasing member that biases the first engaging portion in a direction that maintains the state in which the first engaging portion is engaged with the recess.

[0018] Claim 3 In the vehicle seat according to the invention described above, the first locking portion further includes a second biasing member, and the second biasing member maintains the first engagement portion engaged with the recess.

[0019] Claim 4 The vehicle seat according to the invention described in claims 1 to 5 3 In the vehicle seat according to the invention described in any one of the above, a second locking portion is provided that restricts movement of the headrest when the headrest is in a use position.

[0020] Claim 4 In the vehicle seat according to the invention described in the above, a second locking part is provided that restricts movement of the headrest when the headrest is in the use position, and the movement of the headrest is restricted by the second locking part. In other words, the headrest is locked in the storage position by the first locking part, and the headrest is locked in the use position by the second locking part.

[0021] Claim 5 The vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 4 In the vehicle seat according to the invention described above, the second locking portion includes a recess formed in the leg of the headrest along a direction approximately perpendicular to the up-down direction of the seat, and a second engagement portion that engages with the recess when the headrest is in a use position and restricts movement of the headrest.

[0022] Claim 5 In the vehicle seat according to the invention described above, the second locking portion includes a recess formed in the leg portion of the headrest and a second engagement portion that engages with the recess. The recess is formed in the leg portion along a direction that is approximately perpendicular to the up-down direction of the seat, and when the headrest is in the use position, the second engagement portion engages with the recess, thereby restricting the (up-and-down) movement of the headrest. In other words, the headrest is maintained in the use position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] As described above, according to the vehicle seat of the present invention, the headrest can be automatically returned from the storage position to the use position with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the diagonally front left side. [Figure 2] 1A is a side view showing a headrest in a use position of a vehicle seat according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing the headrest in a stored position. [Figure 3] 10 is a side view showing the function of a receiving member and a cable provided on the seat cushion side of the vehicle seat according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of the coil spring when the headrest is placed in a storage position in the vehicle seat according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of the coil spring when the headrest is placed in the use position in the vehicle seat according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 4 is a perspective view showing the operation of a first locking portion and a cable provided on the seat back side of the vehicle seat according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is a plan view showing the operation of a first locking portion and a cable provided on the seat back side of the vehicle seat according to the present embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the arrows FR, UP, and RH shown in each drawing indicate the front (direction of travel), up, and right of the vehicle, respectively. Hereinafter, when the directions of front-rear, left-right, and up-down are simply used in the description, they refer to front-rear in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, left-right in the left-right direction of the vehicle (vehicle width direction), and up-down in the up-down direction of the vehicle, unless otherwise specified.

[0026] (Vehicle seat configuration) First, the configuration of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle seat 10 is a seat used, for example, in a rear seat, and includes a seat cushion 12 on which an occupant sits, a seat back 14 that stands upright from the rear end of the seat cushion 12 and supports the upper body of the occupant seated on the seat cushion 12, and a headrest 16 that is attached to an upper end 14A of the seat back 14 and supports the head of the occupant seated on the seat cushion 12.

[0028] In this embodiment, the headrest 16 is movable between a use position P, as shown in Figure 2(A), where it supports the head of an occupant seated on the seat cushion 12, and a storage position Q, as shown in Figure 2(B), which is located below the use position P.

[0029] Here, if the legal dimension of the headrest 16 set at the use position P of the headrest 16 is H1, the height (H2) of the headrest 16 at the storage position Q of the headrest 16 can be made lower than H1, ensuring a wide field of view to the rear of the vehicle.

[0030] 1, the headrest 16 includes a headrest stay 18 serving as a framework member, and an elastically deformable headrest pad 20 formed from a foaming agent such as urethane foam. The headrest stay 18 is formed, for example, from a metal pipe bent into a shape that forms a substantially inverted J when viewed from the left side, and is molded integrally with the headrest pad 20. The headrest stay 18 is exposed from the headrest pad 20 and includes a pair of legs 22, 24 that are arranged side by side in the seat width direction.

[0031] On the other hand, the seat cushion 12 includes a seat cushion frame 26 that serves as a framework member and has a generally rectangular shape in a plan view, and a seat cushion pad 28 is attached to the upper surface side of the seat cushion frame 26. A spring mat 32 is provided between a pair of side frames 30 that form the left and right sides of the seat cushion frame 26 and extend along the front-to-rear direction of the seat.

[0032] A plate-shaped receiving member 34 is fixed to the center of the spring mat 32 in the seat width direction. As shown in Fig. 3, an engagement piece 36 hangs down from the underside of the rear end of the receiving member 34. An engagement hole 36A is formed in the lower end of the engagement piece 36, and a disk-shaped engagement portion 40 provided on one end 38A of a cable 38 is engaged with the engagement hole 36A.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 1, a pipe 42 is provided behind the spring mat 32, spanning the seat width direction between a pair of side frames 30. A mounting bracket 44 is provided in the center of the pipe 42. As shown in Fig. 3, a plug 48 is provided on one end of an outer cable 46 that covers the cable 38 and is attached to the mounting bracket 44 along the seat front-rear direction, with one end 38A of the cable 38 exposed from the axis of the plug 48.

[0034] With the above-described configuration, when an occupant sits on the seat cushion 12 and the spring mat 32 flexes, the receiving member 34 moves downward together with the spring mat 32. This causes the engaging piece 36 to move downward, and the cable 38 is pulled downward via the engaging portion 40.

[0035] As described above, the engagement piece 36 has an engagement hole 36A formed therein, and the engagement portion 40 is engaged with the engagement hole 36A. The engagement portion 40 is rotatable in the circumferential direction relative to the engagement hole 36A. Therefore, in this embodiment, the engagement portion 40 rotates relative to the engagement hole 36A in accordance with the amount of deflection of the spring mat 32, and pulls the cable 38 downward. In other words, in this embodiment, when the spring mat 32 deflects, the cable 38 can be pulled downward. In other words, in this embodiment, when an occupant sits on the seat cushion 12, the cable 38 is pulled, regardless of the load of the occupant.

[0036] 1, the seat back 14 includes a seat back frame 50 that serves as a framework and has a generally rectangular shape in a front view. A plate-shaped seat back panel 52 is fixed to the rear 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. The lower end of the seat back frame 50 is rotatably connected to the rear end of the seat cushion frame 26 via a well-known reclining mechanism 55.

[0037] A pair of left and right support brackets 56, 58 are provided side by side in the seat width direction at the center in the seat width direction of the upper frame 50A that constitutes the upper part of the seatback frame 50. These support brackets 56, 58 are substantially cylindrical, and the legs 22, 24 of the headrest 16 can be inserted into the support brackets 56, 58, respectively.

[0038] Recesses 22A and 24A recessed in the axial direction of the legs 22 and 24 are formed in the legs 22 and 24, respectively. A locking portion 59 is provided on the support bracket 58. The locking portion 59 is provided with an engaging portion (second engaging portion) 59A that engages with the recess 24A.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4, the engaging portion 59A abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the leg portion 24 and is biased toward the outer peripheral surface. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5, when the recessed portion 24A of the leg portion 24 reaches a position facing the engaging portion 59A, the engaging portion 59A engages with the recessed portion 24A of the leg portion 24. This allows the headrest 16 to be maintained in the use position P as shown in Fig. 2(A).

[0040] 1, in this embodiment, a support plate 60 having a generally U-shape in plan view with an opening on the seat back panel 52 side is fixed to the seat back panel 52 by welding or the like below the support brackets 56, 58. In other words, this support plate 60 forms a gap with the seat back panel 52 and is formed to protrude toward the front of the seat.

[0041] On the front surface of the support plate 60, cylindrical retaining members 62, 64 are fixed by welding or the like to the lower sides of the support brackets 56, 58 so as to extend in the up-down direction of the seat. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper sides of the retaining members 62, 64 are formed with insertion portions 66, 68, respectively, which have a smaller diameter than other portions of the retaining members 62, 64. Coil springs (first biasing members) 70, 72 are provided on the outside of the insertion portions 66, 68, respectively, and the coil springs 70, 72 are capable of expanding and contracting along the axial direction of the insertion portions 66, 68.

[0042] The legs 22, 24 of the headrest 16 inserted into the support brackets 56, 58 can accommodate the retaining members 62, 64, including the insertion portions 66, 68 with the coil springs 70, 72 provided on the outside, and the headrest 16 (see Figure 1) can be raised and lowered along the axial direction of the retaining members 62, 64.

[0043] Meanwhile, recesses 22A and 24A are provided in the legs 22 and 24, respectively. The recesses 22A and 24A are recessed in the axial direction of the legs 22 and 24, and therefore protrude from the inner surfaces of the legs 22 and 24 accordingly. Coil springs 70 and 72 are housed in the legs 22 and 24, and one end of the coil springs 70 and 72 abuts against the recesses 22A and 24A. The other end of the coil springs 70 and 72 abuts against the step portions 66A and 68A of the insertion portions 66 and 68, biasing the legs 22 and 24 in the direction of arrow A via the recesses 22A and 24A. Note that, in this embodiment, an example in which the coil springs 70 and 72 are housed in the legs 22 and 24, respectively, has been described, but this is not necessarily limited thereto, and a coil spring may be housed in only one of the legs.

[0044] 6 and 7, a bracket 74 is provided on the seat back panel 52 side between the leg portion 22 and the leg portion 24 and on the leg portion 24 side. The bracket 74 is generally U-shaped in a plan view with an opening toward the front, and a plug 76 provided on the other end of the outer cable 46 is attached to one end 74A of the bracket 74 along the seat width direction. The other end 38B of the cable 38 is exposed from the axis of the plug 76, and a crank-shaped engagement portion 78 is provided on the other end 38B of the cable 38.

[0045] A shaft plate portion 80 is formed on the other end portion 74B side of the bracket 74 along a substantially horizontal direction, and a shaft portion 82 is fixed to the shaft plate portion 80. An engagement piece (first engagement portion) 84 is rotatably supported on the shaft portion 82, and the engagement piece 84 is capable of engaging with a recess 24A formed in the leg portion 24.

[0046] That is, the engagement piece 84 is rotatable in the horizontal direction around the shaft portion 82. A torsion spring (second biasing member) 86 is wound around the shaft portion 82, with one end 86A of the torsion spring 86 attached to the shaft plate portion 80 and the other end 86B of the torsion spring 86 attached to the engagement piece 84. This torsion spring 86 keeps the engagement piece 84 engaged with the recess 24A of the leg portion 24 (locked state).

[0047] As described above, in this embodiment, the locking portion 75 is configured to include the recess 24A, the engaging piece 84, and the torsion spring 86. In the locked state by the engaging piece 84, the coil springs 70 and 72 are compressed and elastic energy is stored.

[0048] Here, the engaging piece 84 is engaged with the engaging portion 78 provided on the other end 38B of the cable 38. Therefore, when the cable 38 is pulled, the engaging piece 84 rotates in the direction of arrow B (see FIG. 7) about the shaft 82 against the biasing force of the torsion spring 86 via the engaging portion 78. This releases the locked state provided by the engaging piece 84.

[0049] As described above, in the locked state by the engagement pieces 84, elastic energy is stored in the coil springs 70, 72 as shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, when the locked state is released, the biasing force of the coil springs 70, 72 causes the headrest 16 to automatically move (return) upward via the legs 22, 24 as shown in Fig. 2(A).

[0050] On the other hand, as described above, the locking portion 59 is provided on the support bracket 58 side, and as shown in Fig. 5, the engagement portion 59A engages with the recessed portion 24A formed in the leg portion 24 of the headrest 16, thereby restricting the movement of the leg portion 24. In other words, when the headrest 16 moves upward, the movement of the leg portions 22, 24 is restricted by the locking of the engagement portion 59A, and the returned state of the headrest 16 is maintained.

[0051] (Actions and Effects of Vehicle Seats) Next, the operation and effects of the vehicle seat according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0052] As shown in Figures 2(A) and (B), in this embodiment, in the vehicle seat 10, the headrest 16 is movable between a use position P where it supports the head of an occupant seated on the seat cushion 12 and a storage position Q located below the use position P.

[0053] 1 and 4, the vehicle seat 10 includes a locking portion 75, coil springs 70 and 72, a receiving member 34, and a cable 38, and the movement of the headrest 16 is restricted at the storage position Q by the locking portion 75. In other words, the headrest 16 is maintained in the storage position Q.

[0054] In addition, the coil springs 70, 72 are compressed while the movement of the headrest 16 is restricted by the locking portion 75, and elastic energy is accumulated to urge the headrest 16 in the direction (direction of arrow A) to move it from the storage position Q to the use position P.

[0055] On the other hand, the receiving member 34 is provided on the seat cushion 12 and is pressed when an occupant sits on the seat cushion 12. The cable 38 is connected to the receiving member 34 and a locking portion 75, and when the receiving member 34 is pressed, tension is applied to the cable 38, and the locked state in which the movement of the headrest 16 is restricted by the locking portion 75 is released.

[0056] With the above-described configuration, when an occupant sits on the seat cushion 12, the receiving member 34 is pressed, and the locked state by the locking portion 75 is released. As a result, the biasing force of the coil springs 70 and 72 causes the headrest 16 to automatically move (return) from the storage position Q (see FIG. 2(B)) to the use position P (see FIG. 2(A)).

[0057] Then, the engagement 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, so that the headrest 16, which has moved upward, remains positioned in the use position P.

[0058] 6 and 7, in this embodiment, the locking portion 75 is configured to include a recess 24A formed in the leg portion 24 and an engaging piece 84 that engages with the recess 24A, and the engaging piece 84 engages with the recess 24A, thereby maintaining the headrest 16 in the storage position Q. In this embodiment, the locking portion 59 has an engaging portion 59A that engages with the recess 24A formed in the leg portion 24 of the headrest 16, thereby maintaining the headrest 16 in the use position P.

[0059] That is, in this 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 storage position Q are each engaged with the recess 24A formed in the leg portion 24 of the headrest 16. In other words, the headrest 16 can be locked at either the use position P or the storage position Q with one recess 24A.

[0060] In this embodiment, an example in which the vehicle seat is applied to a rear seat has been described, but it goes without saying that the present invention may also be applied to a front seat.

[0061] In addition, the present invention can be implemented in various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10 Vehicle seats 12 seat cushions 14 Seat back 14A Upper end (upper end of seat back) 16 Headrest (headrest body) 22 Legs 22A Recess 24 Legs 24A Recess (first locking part) 34 Receiving member 38 Cable 59 Locking part (second locking part) 59A Engagement portion (second engagement portion, second lock portion) 70 coil spring (first biasing member) 72 coil spring (first biasing member) 75 Locking part (first locking part) 84 Engagement piece (first engagement portion, first lock portion) 86 Torsion spring (second biasing member) P Usage position Q Storage position

Claims

1. A seat cushion on which an occupant sits; a seat back that supports the upper body of an occupant seated on the seat cushion; a headrest disposed above the seat back and movable up and down between a use position for supporting the head of an occupant seated on the seat cushion and a storage position located below the use position; Equipped with a first locking portion that restricts movement of the headrest when the headrest is in a stored position; a first biasing member that stores elastic energy in a state in which movement of the headrest is restricted by the first locking portion and biases the headrest in a direction to move the headrest from the storage position to the use position; a receiving member provided on the seat cushion and pressed when an occupant sits on the seat cushion; a cable connected to the receiving member and the first locking portion, which is tensioned when the receiving member is pressed, thereby releasing a locked state in which movement of the headrest is restricted by the first locking portion; and The headrest includes a pair of cylindrical legs that are part of a frame member of the headrest body, are exposed to the outside, and are attached to an upper end of the seat back, The vehicle seat includes a pair of first biasing members disposed in the legs, one of the first biasing members being in contact with an upper end side of the seat back.

2. The first locking portion is a recess formed in the leg portion along a direction substantially perpendicular to the seat vertical direction; a first engagement portion that engages with the recess when the headrest is in a storage position and restricts movement of the headrest; 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the first locking portion further includes a second biasing member that biases the first engagement portion in a direction that maintains the state in which the first engagement portion is engaged with the recess.

4. A vehicle seat as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a second locking portion is provided to restrict movement of the headrest when the headrest is in the use position.

5. The second locking portion is a recess formed in a leg portion of the headrest along a direction substantially perpendicular to the up-down direction of the seat; a second engagement portion that engages with the recess when the headrest is in a use position and restricts movement of the headrest; 5. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, further comprising:

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