Armrest

Abstract

To obtain an armrest which can suppress dust or the like outside the armrest from advancing into a storage space in an armrest body through an opening when a movable member relatively movably provided in the armrest body is positioned in the storage space although the armrest has a structure in which the movable member can be easily moved to the outside of the armrest body.SOLUTION: An armrest includes: an armrest body 21 which has a storage space formed inside and an opening 26 formed on an external surface and continuous to the storage space; a movable member 85 which is provided to be movable between a storage position positioned in the storage space and a projection position having at least a part positioned outside the armrest body in the armrest body; a lid member 35 which is provided to be movable between a closed position for closing an opening and an open position for opening the opening in the armrest body; and an interlock mechanism which positions the movable member at the storage position when the lid member is positioned at the closed position and positions the movable member at the projection position when the lid member is positioned at the open position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an armrest provided in a seat. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an armrest that is part of a vehicle seat. This armrest includes an armrest body, a display, a switch provided on the outer surface of the armrest body, and an interlocking mechanism. The armrest body has a storage space formed inside it and an opening formed on the outer surface that is continuous with the storage space. The display is movable between a storage position where the entire display is located in the storage space and a protruding position where a portion of the display is located outside the armrest body. When the switch is operated, the interlocking mechanism moves the display from the storage position to the protruding position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-180482 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the armrest of Patent Document 1, when the display is in the storage position, dust and the like outside the armrest easily enters the storage space through the opening.

[0005] Taking the above facts into consideration, the present invention has a structure that allows the movable member to be easily moved outside the armrest body, while also preventing dust and the like outside the armrest from entering the storage space through the opening when the movable member, which is arranged to be able to move relatively to the armrest body, is positioned in the storage space inside the armrest body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The armrest described in claim 1 comprises an armrest body that is part of a seat and has a storage space formed inside and an opening formed on the outer surface that is continuous with the storage space; a movable member provided on the armrest body so as to be movable between a storage position where the entire armrest body is located in the storage space and a protruding position where at least a part of the movable member is located outside the armrest body; and a movable member provided on the armrest body so as to be movable between a closed position where the opening is closed and an open position where the opening is open. Manual and sliding a cover member, and a movable member that is positioned at the storage position when the cover member is positioned at the closed position, and a movable member that is positioned at the storage position when the cover member is positioned at the open position; By using the force of movement of the cover member from the closed position to the open position side, an interlocking mechanism for positioning the movable member at the protruding position; and a biasing member that generates a biasing force that moves the lid member to the closed position, wherein the interlocking mechanism moves the movable member from the stored position to the protruding position so that the movable member does not interfere with the lid member when the lid member is moved from the closed position to the open position, and when the lid member moves between the closed position and an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, the interlocking mechanism uses the moving force of the lid member from the intermediate position to the closed position to position the movable member at the stored position, and the interlocking mechanism comprises a wire that moves relative to the lid member when the lid member moves between the closed position and the intermediate position, and whose relative movement with respect to the lid member is restricted when the lid member moves between the open position and the intermediate position. .

[0007] According to the armrest of claim 1, when the cover member is moved from the closed position to the open position, the movable member moves from the stored position to the extended position in conjunction with the movement of the cover member, so that the movable member can be easily moved to the outside of the armrest body.

[0008] Furthermore, according to the armrest described in claim 1, when the cover member is in the closed position that closes the opening of the armrest body, the movable member is in the stored position. Therefore, when the movable member is located in the storage space inside the armrest body, dust and the like outside the armrest is prevented from entering the storage space through the opening.

[0009] The armrest described in claim 2 is the configuration described in claim 1, wherein the cover member is slidable in a predetermined direction relative to the armrest body.

[0010] According to the armrest of claim 2, the movable member moves in conjunction with the sliding movement of the cover member, so that the movable member can be more easily moved to the outside of the armrest body.

[0011] The armrest described in claim 3 has the configuration described in claim 2, in which when the cover member of the armrest, which is parallel to the front-rear direction, is moved rearward from the closed position, the cover member moves to the open position.

[0012] According to the armrest of claim 3, there is little risk of the movable member being moved to the protruding position by mistake.

[0014] Claim 1 According to the armrest of item (1), the movable member and the cover member do not interfere with each other when the cover member is moved from the closed position to the open position, and therefore the cover member and the movable member are less likely to be damaged.

[0016] Claim 1 According to the armrest of item 1, when the cover member moves between the closed position and the intermediate position, the movable member and the cover member do not interfere with each other.

[0018] Claim 1 According to the armrest of item (1), interference between the movable member and the cover member can be prevented by a simple mechanism.

[0020] Claim 1 According to the armrest of item (1), the cover member that is in a position other than the closed position can be automatically moved to the closed position.

[0021] Claim 4 The armrest described in Claim 1 or claim 2 In the described configuration, a holding mechanism is provided that, when the cover member is in the open position, holds the cover member in the open position against the biasing force.

[0022] Claim 4 According to the armrest described in the item (1), the cover member in the open position can be prevented from being inadvertently moved to the closed position by the biasing force of the biasing member.

[0023] Claim 5 The armrest described in Claims 1 to 4 In the configuration described in any one of the above, the movable member includes a display that is located outside the armrest body when the movable member is in the protruding position.

[0024] Claim 5 According to the armrest described in the above, when the cover member is in the open position, the display can be positioned outside the armrest body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] As described above, the armrest of the present invention has a structure that allows the movable member to be easily moved outside the armrest body, and yet has the excellent effect of preventing dust and the like outside the armrest from entering the storage space through the opening when the movable member, which is arranged to be movable relative to the armrest body, is positioned in the storage space inside the armrest body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a seat provided with an armrest according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 10 is a perspective view of the armrest when the cover member is in the open position and the movable member is in the extended position. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a side view of the opening configuration portion of the right case configuration portion and its surrounding area. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line 6-6 in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line 7-7 in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cross section of the movable member cut along a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the armrest with the left case component omitted. [Figure 13] 13 is a side view of the armrest, with the case component omitted, as viewed along the arrow A in FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 13 when the cover member is in an intermediate position. FIG. [Figure 15] 13 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 12 when the cover member is in the open position and the movable member is in the protruding position. FIG. [Figure 16] 14 is a view corresponding to FIG. 13 when the cover member is in the open position and the movable member is in the protruding position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] A seat 10 equipped with an armrest 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings, the arrow FR indicates the front side of the seat, the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the seat, and the arrow LH indicates the left side in the width direction (left-right direction) of the seat. The front-rear and up-down directions of the armrest 20 described below are directions when the armrest 20 is in the use position described below.

[0028] 1 is provided in, for example, a vehicle. However, the seat 10 may also be provided in a moving body (vehicle) other than a vehicle. For example, the seat 10 may be provided in at least one of a railway vehicle, a ship, and an aircraft.

[0029] A seat 10 is provided on the upper surface of the vehicle interior floor (not shown). The seat 10 includes a seat cushion 11 fixed to the vehicle interior floor and a seat back 12 whose lower end is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 11. Furthermore, a storage recess 13 extending in the up-down direction is provided on the front surface of the seat back 12. In this embodiment, an armrest 20 is provided in the storage recess 13. More specifically, a lower portion of the armrest 20 is supported by the seat back 12 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis in the left-right direction. Therefore, the armrest 20 can rotate relative to the seat back 12 between an unused position (see phantom lines in FIG. 1 ) in which the armrest 20 is stored in the storage recess 13, and an used position (see solid lines in FIG. 1 ) in which the armrest 20 protrudes forward from the storage recess 13 and is parallel to the front-rear direction. Note that "parallel to the front-rear direction" here means both being completely parallel to the front-rear direction and being approximately parallel to the front-rear direction.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the armrest 20 includes an armrest main body 21, a support plate 33, a cover member 35, a leaf spring 45, a compression coil spring (biasing member) 55, a tube 60, a wire 62, a slider 65, a tension spring (biasing member) 75, a hinge 80, a movable member 85, a holding member 100, and a connecting member 110.

[0031] The pair of left and right armrest bodies 21 are symmetrical to each other except for the support grooves described below. The armrest body 21 is made of, for example, metal. The armrest body 21 includes a side wall portion 23 that is generally rectangular in side view, and a peripheral wall portion 24 that is connected to the entire peripheral edge of the side wall portion 23. A circular support hole 23A is provided in the front portion of the side wall portion 23. Furthermore, an opening-forming portion 25 is formed in the front portion of the upper part of the peripheral wall portion 24. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a protrusion 23B extending in the front-rear direction is provided on the upper edge portion of the inner surface of the side wall portion 23. As shown in Figure 3, a slider support portion 27 and a spring support portion 29 are provided on the upper surface of the lower part of the peripheral wall portion 24. The slider support portion 27 has a side portion 27A that is parallel to the front-rear direction in a plan view, a stopper portion 27B that is connected to the front end of the side portion 27A and is parallel to the left-right direction in a plan view, and an upper retaining piece 27D that extends horizontally (inward) from the upper edge of the side portion 27A. Furthermore, a groove 27C is formed in the end face of the stopper portion 27B. The spring support portion 29 is located rearward of the slider support portion 27. The end faces (opposing faces) of the peripheral wall portions 24 of the left and right armrest main bodies 21 form connection surfaces 24A that are fixed in contact with each other. The armrest main body 21 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed by fixing the connection surfaces 24A of the left and right armrest main bodies 21 to each other, and the left and right opening-forming portions 25 form the opening 26. When the armrest main body 21 is constructed, a storage space 21A is formed inside the armrest main body 21 (see FIGS. 12 and 15).

[0032] The flat support plate 33 shown in Figures 3, 6, 13 and 14 is made of, for example, metal. The support plate 33 is fixed to the upper part of the inner surface of the peripheral wall 24 of the left armrest main body 21. A support groove (not shown) is formed in the inner surface of the peripheral wall 24 of the right armrest main body 21, and when the armrest main body 21 is assembled, the right end of the support plate 33 fits into this support groove. The support plate 33 is located slightly below the ceiling surface of the peripheral wall 24.

[0033] The cover member 35 shown in Figures 3 and 4 includes a main body 36, an arm 37, an operating portion 38, a side protrusion 39, and an abutment portion 40. The cover member 35 is, for example, a one-piece molded product made of resin. The main body 36 is a plate-like portion that is approximately rectangular and elongated in the front-to-rear direction in a plan view. The front ends of the left and right arm portions 37 are connected to the rear end of the main body 36. The upper surface of the main body 36 and the upper surfaces of the arm portions 37 are located on the same plane, and the lower surface of the main body 36 and the lower surfaces of the arm portions 37 are located on the same plane. The operating portion 38 extending in the left-to-right direction is provided at the front end of the upper surface of the main body 36. Side protrusions 39 extending in the front-to-rear direction are provided on both left and right side surfaces of the main body 36 except for the rear end portions. Abutment portions 40 are provided at the rear end portions of both left and right side surfaces of the main body 36. As shown in Figure 6, the upper surface of the side protrusion 39 is located below the upper surface of the main body 36, and the lower surface of the main body 36 and the lower surface of the side protrusion 39 are located on the same plane. As shown in Figure 7, the upper surface of the abutting portion 40 is located below the upper surface of the main body 36, and the lower surface of the abutting portion 40 is located below the lower surface of the main body 36. A wire insertion groove 41 is provided in the left side protrusion 39 and abutting portion 40, penetrating them in the front-to-rear direction. The wire insertion groove 41 opens on the left side surface of the left side protrusion 39 and abutting portion 40. A wire insertion groove 41 is also provided in the right side protrusion 39 and abutting portion 40, penetrating them in the front-to-rear direction.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6 , the cover member 35 is supported by the left and right case components 22 and the support plate 33 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. That is, when the armrest main body 21 is assembled, the lower surfaces of the main body 36 and the left side protrusion 39 are slidably supported by the upper surface of the support plate 33. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6 , the upper surface of the left side protrusion 39 faces the protrusion 23B of the left armrest main body 21, forming a small gap. Although not shown in the figure, the lower surface of the right side protrusion 39 is slidably supported by the upper surface of the support plate 33, and the upper surface of the right side protrusion 39 faces the right protrusion 23B, forming a small gap. When the cover member 35 is positioned between a closed position and an open position, which will be described later, at least a portion of the left and right side protrusions 39 is positioned directly below the protrusion 23B. Furthermore, when the cover member 35 is positioned between the closed position and the open position, the left and right abutment portions 40 are positioned rearward of the left and right protrusions 23B, as shown in Figures 5 and 7. Therefore, when the cover member 35 is positioned between the closed position and the open position, the left and right abutment portions 40 do not interfere with the protrusions 23B.

[0035] 1, 6, 12, and 14, a portion of the main body 36 is located directly below the opening 26. That is, when the armrest 20 is in the use position and viewed from above, the opening 26 is blocked by a portion of the main body 36. Furthermore, the upper portion of the operating portion 38 of the cover member 35 is located above the upper surface of the opening-forming portion 25, and a portion of the operating portion 38 is located inside the opening 26. The cover member 35 is slidable relative to the opening-forming portion 25 (opening 26) between a closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 12 and an open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 15. When the cover member 35 is in the closed position, the front end surfaces of the left and right abutment portions 40 contact the rear end surfaces of the support plate 33, preventing the cover member 35 from moving forward beyond the closed position. When the cover member 35 is in the open position, the operating portion 38 contacts the rear end surface of the opening 26, preventing the cover member 35 from moving rearward beyond the open position.

[0036] The leaf spring 45 shown in FIGS. 3 and 12 to 15 is obtained by, for example, press-forming a metal plate. The leaf spring 45 has a first constituent portion 46, a second constituent portion 47, a third constituent portion 48, a fourth constituent portion 49, and a fifth constituent portion 50, all of which are flat. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the left edge of the first constituent portion 46 is fixed to the upper part of the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 24 of the left armrest main body 21. Although not shown, the right edge of the first constituent portion 46 is fixed to the upper part of the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 24 of the right armrest main body 21. The leaf spring 45 is located below the ceiling surface of the peripheral wall portion 24. As is clear from FIG. 3, the left-right dimension (width) of the leaf spring 45 is longer than the left-right distance between the left end face of the left contact portion 40 of the cover member 35 and the right end face of the right contact portion 40. The contact portion 40 of the cover member 35 and the leaf spring 45 are components of the holding mechanism.

[0037] 12 to 15, the left compression coil spring 55 is located on the left side of the left arm 37 of the cover member 35. Although not shown, the right compression coil spring 55 is located on the right side of the right arm 37. Furthermore, the front ends of the left and right compression coil springs 55 contact the rear end surfaces of the left and right contact portions 40, respectively.

[0038] A pair of left and right tubes 60 shown in FIGS. 3 and 12 to 15 are fixed to the inner surface of the armrest main body 21. That is, the side surfaces of the left and right tubes 60 are substantially J-shaped, and the tubes 60 have a first cylindrical portion 60A, a second cylindrical portion 60B, and a third cylindrical portion 60C. The left and right first cylindrical portions 60A are fixed to the ceiling surfaces of the left and right case components 22, respectively. The left and right second cylindrical portions 60B are fixed to the front ends of the inner surfaces of the left and right case components 22, respectively. The left and right third cylindrical portions 60C are fixed to the bottom surfaces of the left and right case components 22, respectively. A wire 62 made of a flexible material penetrates the interior of each of the left and right tubes 60. Furthermore, the left and right wires 62 penetrate the interiors of the left and right compression coil springs 55 in the front-rear direction, respectively. A retaining portion 63 is fixed to one end of each of the left and right wires 62, and a retaining portion 64 is fixed to the other end. 13, when the cover member 35 is in the closed position, the left and right retaining portions 63 come into contact with the front surface of the second component portion 47 of the leaf spring 45, and the left and right compression coil springs 55 are sandwiched between the retaining portions 63 and the rear end surface of the abutment portion 40, making them shorter than in their free state. Therefore, at this time, the left and right compression coil springs 55 generate a biasing force that moves the cover member 35 forward. Therefore, when no external force other than the biasing force is acting on the cover member 35, the cover member 35 is held in the closed position.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, when the armrest main body 21 is assembled, a slider 65 is slidably placed on the bottom surface of each case component 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the slider 65 includes a rectangular parallelepiped base 66 and a pair of left and right, approximately cubic, connecting portions 68 provided on the upper surface of the base 66. A slit 67 extending forward is provided on the rear end surface of the base 66. The left and right connecting portions 68 are each provided with a connecting hole 69 penetrating each connecting portion 68 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, when the base 66 of the slider 65 is placed on the bottom surface of each case component 22, the base 66 is positioned between the side portions 27A of the left and right slider support portions 27, and the left and right upper holding pieces 27D are positioned directly above the upper surfaces of the left and right side edge portions of the base 66. That is, the left and right side portions 27A restrict the relative movement of the slider 65 in the left-right direction, and the left and right upper retaining pieces 27D restrict the relative upward movement of the slider 65. Furthermore, the base 66 is located immediately behind the stopper portions 27B of the left and right slider support portions 27. Therefore, when the left and right stopper portions 27B contact the front surface of the base 66, further forward movement of the slider 65 is restricted by the left and right stopper portions 27B. The position of the slider 65 in the front-rear direction at this time is referred to as the abutment position.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 15, the rear ends of the left and right tension springs 75 are fixed to the spring support portions 29 of the left and right case components 22. Furthermore, the front ends of the left and right tension springs 75 are inserted into the slits 67 of the slider 65 and fixed to the slider 65. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the left and right tension springs 75 are in a free state, the slider 65 is located in a spaced position rearward and away from the stopper portion 27B. Even when the slider 65 is in the spaced position, the base portion 66 is located between the side portions 27A of the left and right slider support portions 27. Furthermore, the portions of the left and right wires 62 between the tubes 60 and the retaining portions 64 pass through the grooves 27C of the left and right slider support portions 27, respectively, and the left and right retaining portions 64 are fixed to the base portion 66. Furthermore, when the cover member 35 is in the closed position, the slider 65 is located in the spaced position and the tension springs 75 are in a free state.

[0041] 3 has a first plate-shaped portion 81 and a second plate-shaped portion 82. The first plate-shaped portion 81 and the second plate-shaped portion 82 are rotatable relative to each other around a rotation axis 83 extending in the left-right direction and provided at the connection between the first plate-shaped portion 81 and the second plate-shaped portion 82. As shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and 16, the upper surface of the first plate-shaped portion 81 of the hinge 80 is fixed to the lower surface of the support plate 33.

[0042] The movable member 85 shown in Figures 3 and 8 to 10 includes a main body 86 and a display 99. The main body 86 includes a base plate 87, side wall portions 88, a front wall portion 89, a curved portion 90, and a guide portion 91. The base plate 87 is a plate-shaped portion that is rectangular in plan view. As shown in Figures 13, 14, and 16, the rear end surface of the base plate 87 is fixed to the second plate-shaped portion 82 of the hinge 80. Therefore, the movable member 85 is rotatable around the rotation axis 83 of the hinge 80. The pair of left and right side wall portions 88 are flat plates that are perpendicular to the left-right direction, and the upper edges of the side wall portions 88 are connected to both left and right edge portions of the lower surface of the base plate 87. The side surface shape of the front edges of the side wall portions 88 is approximately arc-shaped. The left and right side edges of a front wall portion 89, which is generally arc-shaped in side view, are connected to the front edges of the left and right side wall portions 88, and the upper edge of the front wall portion 89 is connected to the front edge of the base portion 87. Rear portions 88A of the lower edges of the left and right side wall portions 88 are generally J-shaped in side view. The left and right rear portions 88A are connected to the outer edges of curved portions 90, which have the same side shape as the rear portions 88A. Furthermore, parts of the peripheral edges of guide portions 91, which are plate-shaped portions parallel to the side wall portions 88, are connected to the inner edges of the left and right curved portions 90. The left and right guide portions 91 are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. Guide ridges 92, which are generally U-shaped in side view, are provided on the outer surfaces of the left and right guide portions 91, and guide grooves 93 are formed on the inner peripheral side of each guide ridge 92. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15 , the guide grooves 93 are arc-shaped, centered on the rotation axis 83 of the hinge 80. Furthermore, engagement holes 94 located on the inner periphery of the guide protrusions 92 are formed at the rear ends of the left and right guide portions 91. Support holes 96 that are coaxial with each other are formed in the left and right side wall portions 88. Furthermore, a pair of left and right protrusions 97 are formed on the underside of the base portion 87. Furthermore, a support hole 98 that is coaxial with the respective support hole 96 is formed in each protrusion 97. A display 99 having approximately the same planar shape as the base portion 87 is fixed to the upper surface of the base portion 87.

[0043] The movable member 85 is rotatable around the rotation axis 83 of the hinge 80 between a storage position shown in Figures 12 to 14 and a protruding position shown in Figures 15 and 16. When the movable member 85 is located in the storage position, the entire movable member 85 is located in the storage space 21A of the armrest main body 21. On the other hand, when the movable member 85 is located in the protruding position, a part of the movable member 85 protrudes upward from the top surface of the armrest main body 21 through the opening 26.

[0044] A pair of left and right holding members 100 shown in FIGS. 3 and 11 includes a main body member 101, a ball 104, and a compression coil spring 105. The main body member 101 includes a cylindrical portion 102 that is open at one end and extends in the left-right direction, and a protrusion 103 fixed to the other end of the cylindrical portion 102. The diameter of the metal ball 104 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 102. A compression coil spring 105 is provided inside the cylindrical portion 102. One end of the compression coil spring 105 is fixed to the bottom surface of the cylindrical portion 102, and the other end of the compression coil spring 105 is fixed to the ball 104. As shown in FIG. 11, when the compression coil spring 105 is in a free state, a part (tip) of the ball 104 protrudes outward from one end of the cylindrical portion 102.

[0045] The protrusions 103 of the pair of left and right holding members 100 are press-fit into the support holes 23A of the left and right side wall portions 23 of the armrest main body 21. That is, the left and right main body members 101 are fixed to the left and right side wall portions 23, respectively. Furthermore, the tips of the balls 104 of the left and right holding members 100 are positioned in the left and right guide grooves 93 of the movable member 85. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , when the movable member 85 is positioned in the protruding position, the left and right balls 104 are inserted into the left and right engagement holes 94, respectively. Therefore, unless an external force is applied to the movable member 85, the left and right balls 104 and engagement holes 94 hold the movable member 85 in the protruding position. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 , when the movable member 85 is positioned other than the protruding position, the left and right balls 104 escape from the corresponding engagement holes 94 and come into contact with the bottom surfaces (guide portions 91) of the corresponding guide grooves 93. 11 toward the bottom side of the cylindrical portion 102, and the compression coil spring 105 is compressed more than in its free state. Therefore, the biasing force generated by the compression coil spring 105 presses the tip of the ball 104 against the bottom surface of the guide groove 93 (guide portion 91).

[0046] Furthermore, a connecting member 110 shown in FIG. 3 connects the slider 65 and the movable member 85. The connecting member 110 includes a linear rod-shaped portion 111, a pair of left and right first connecting portions 112 extending in the left-right direction from one end of the rod-shaped portion 111, and a pair of left and right second connecting portions 113 extending in the left-right direction from the other end of the rod-shaped portion 111. The connecting member 110 is made of a hard material and is substantially non-deformable. The length of the first connecting portions 112 is longer than the second connecting portions 113. A portion of the rod-shaped portion 111 and the left and right first connecting portions 112 are located in the space formed between the left side wall portion 88 and guide portion 91 of the movable member 85 and the right side wall portion 88 and guide portion 91 of the movable member 85. The left and right first connecting portions 112 pass through the support holes 98 in the left and right protrusions 97 of the movable member 85 and are inserted into the left and right support holes 96, respectively. Each first coupling portion 112 is rotatable relative to the corresponding support hole 96 and support hole 98. Furthermore, the left and right second coupling portions 113 are rotatable relative to the left and right connection holes 69 of the slider 65, respectively.

[0047] In this way, the slider 65 and the movable member 85 are connected by the connecting member 110, so that the slider 65 and the movable member 85 move in conjunction with each other. That is, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, when the slider 65 is in the separated position, the movable member 85 is in the stored position. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, when the slider 65 is in the abutting position, the movable member 85 is in the extended position.

[0048] Of the above-described configuration, the slider support portion 27, the leaf spring 45, the compression coil spring 55, the wire 62, the slider 65, the tension spring 75, and the connecting member 110 are components of the interlocking mechanism.

[0049] (Action and effect) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0050] Assume now that the seat 10 is in the state shown in Figures 1, 12, and 13. That is, the armrest 20 is in the use position. At this time, the compression coil spring 55 is in a free state, the left and right retaining portions 63 abut against the second component portions 47 of the leaf spring 45, and the front ends of the left and right compression coil springs 55 contact the rear end surfaces of the left and right abutment portions 40 of the cover member 35. Therefore, the cover member 35 is in the closed position. Furthermore, at this time, the slider 65 is in a separated position rearwardly away from the stopper portion 27B, and the left and right tension springs 75 are in a free state. Furthermore, because the slider 65 is in the separated position, the movable member 85 is in the stored position.

[0051] In this state, when a seated person (not shown) of the seat 10 places their hand on the operating portion 38 and moves the cover member 35 rearward against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 55, the cover member 35 moves to the intermediate position shown in FIG. 14. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the front half of the opening portion 25 is opened. When the cover member 35 moves to the intermediate position in this manner, as shown in FIG. 14, the compression coil spring 55 is compressed between the abutting portion 40 and the second component portion 47 of the leaf spring 45 as the cover member 35 moves. That is, at this time, the retaining portion 63 remains in contact with the second component portion 47, so the left and right wires 62 do not slide relative to the tubes 60. In other words, the cover member 35 moves relative to the left and right wires 62. Because the wires 62 do not slide relative to the tubes 60, the slider 65 is located in the separated position, and the movable member 85 is located in the stored position.

[0052] In this state, when the seat occupant further moves the cover member 35 rearward, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the left and right retaining portions 63 elastically deform the leaf spring 45, move rearward over the second component portion 47 and the first component portion 46, and move rearward beyond the leaf spring 45. When the retaining portions 63 move rearward over the leaf spring 45, the biasing force generated by the compression coil spring 55 causes the retaining portions 63 to move rearward in conjunction with the rearward movement of the abutment portion 40. In other words, the relative movement between the cover member 35 and the left and right wires 62 in the front-to-rear direction is substantially restricted. Therefore, the left and right wires 62 and the cover member 35 slide relative to the tube 60 in the direction of arrow X in FIGS. 15 and 16 . As a result, the slider 65 moves forward from the separated position, and the movable member 85 rotates upward from the stored position. When the cover member 35 moves to the open position, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, the slider 65 moves to the abutment position where it abuts against the stopper portion 27B of the slider support portion 27, and the movable member 85 moves to the protruding position. That is, the display 99 is exposed above the armrest main body 21. This allows the seat occupant to view the image displayed on the display 99.

[0053] 16, the front ends of the left and right contact portions 40 of the cover member 35 engage with the rear surfaces of the fourth component portions 49 of the leaf spring 45. This holds the cover member 35 in the closed position. In other words, the contact portions 40 and the leaf spring 45 (fourth component portions 49) are components of a holding mechanism for holding the cover member 35 in the closed position.

[0054] In this state, when the display 99 is pushed downward, the movable member 85 rotates toward the storage position. This moves the slider 65 toward the separated position, and the wire 62 and the cover member 35, whose relative movement in the front-to-rear direction is substantially restricted, slide in the direction opposite to the arrow X. As a result, the left and right abutment portions 40 elastically deform the leaf spring 45 and move forward over the fourth component portion 49 and the fifth component portion 50, and the left and right retaining portions 63 move forward over the first component portion 46 of the leaf spring 45. After this, the biasing force of the compression coil spring 55 causes the left and right retaining portions 63 to contact the front surface of the second component portion 47, and the cover member 35 moves forward. Furthermore, the biasing force of the tension spring 75 moves the slider 65 toward the separated position, and the wire 62 slides in the direction opposite to the arrow X. Therefore, the movable member 85, which was in the extended position, automatically moves toward the storage position.

[0055] When the cover member 35 moves to the intermediate position shown in Figure 14, the tension spring 75 returns to its free state, the slider 65 moves to the separated position, and the movable member 85 moves to the stored position. Furthermore, the urging force generated when the compression coil spring 55 returns to its free state automatically moves the cover member 35 to the closed position. At this time, the wire 62 does not slide relative to the tube 60, and the cover member 35 moves relative to the wire 62. In other words, the armrest 20 returns to the state shown in Figures 1, 12, and 13.

[0056] As described above, in this embodiment, the movable member 85 moves from the stored position to the protruding position in conjunction with the sliding movement of the cover member 35 from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, the movable member 85 can be easily moved to the outside of the armrest main body 21.

[0057] Furthermore, when the armrest 20 is in the use position, moving the cover member 35 from the closed position rearward moves the cover member 35 to the open position. The possibility that the seated person will accidentally pull the cover member 35 rearward is lower than the possibility that the seated person will accidentally push the cover member 35 forward. Therefore, there is little risk that the seated person will accidentally move the movable member 85 to the protruding position.

[0058] Furthermore, when the movable member 85 is in the storage position, the cover member 35 is in the closed position where it closes the opening 26 of the armrest main body 21. Therefore, when the movable member 85 is in the storage space 21A, dust and the like outside the armrest main body 21 is prevented from entering the storage space 21A through the opening 26. In other words, when the cover member 35 is in the closed position, there is little risk that dust and the like will enter the storage space 21A from outside the armrest main body 21 and adhere to the display 99.

[0059] Furthermore, when the cover member 35 moves from the closed position to the intermediate position, the movable member 85 remains in the stored position. In other words, when the cover member 35 slides from the closed position to the intermediate position, the movable member 85 does not rotate toward the protruding position. In other words, when the cover member 35 moves from the intermediate position to the open position, the movable member 85 rotates from the stored position toward the protruding position. Therefore, the movable member 85 rotating from the stored position toward the protruding position does not interfere with the cover member 35. Therefore, the cover member 35 and the movable member 85 are less likely to be damaged.

[0060] Furthermore, since the armrest 20 is provided with the compression coil spring 55 and the tension spring 75, when the cover member 35 is positioned closer to the closed position than the open position, the cover member 35 automatically moves to the closed position.

[0061] Furthermore, since the armrest 20 is provided with a retention mechanism (the abutment portion 40 and the leaf spring 45), the lid member 35 in the open position will not be unexpectedly moved to the closed position by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 55 and the tension spring 75.

[0062] Furthermore, when the movable member 85 is in the protruding position, the left and right side wall portions 88 of the main body portion 86 come close to and face both left and right edge portions of the opening-constituting portion 25, and the front wall portion 89 comes close to and faces the front edge portion of the opening-constituting portion 25. Therefore, when the movable member 85 is in the protruding position, dust and the like located outside the armrest main body 21 are less likely to enter the storage space 21A through the gaps between the left and right side wall portions 88 and both left and right edge portions of the opening-constituting portion 25 and the gap between the front wall portion 89 and the front edge portion of the opening-constituting portion 25.

[0063] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0064] For example, the movable member 85 may not include the display 99, and the main body 86 may have an open top surface and a hollow interior. According to such a modification, the main body 86 can be used as a storage member capable of storing various items. In this case, when the cover member 35 is in the open position and the movable member 85 is in the protruding position, the opening on the top surface of the main body 86 is positioned above the top surface of the armrest main body 21. Therefore, a seated occupant can store various items in the internal space of the main body 86 through the opening on the top surface of the main body 86.

[0065] The cover member 35 and the movable member 85 may be connected by an interlocking mechanism having a different configuration from that described above. For example, the interlocking mechanism may be configured using gears.

[0066] When the cover member 35 is in the closed position, the compression coil spring 55 may be compressed from its free state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 10 sheets 20 Armrest 21 Armrest body 21A Storage space 26 Opening 27 Slider support part (interlocking mechanism) 35 Lid member 40 Contact part (holding mechanism) 45 Leaf spring (interlocking mechanism) (retention mechanism) 55 Compression coil spring (biasing member) (interlocking mechanism) 62 Wire (interlocking mechanism) 65 Slider (interlocking mechanism) 75 Tension spring (linkage mechanism) (biasing member) 85 Movable parts 110 Connecting member (interlocking mechanism)

Claims

1. an armrest body that is a part of the seat and has a storage space formed inside and an opening formed on the outer surface that is continuous with the storage space; a movable member provided on the armrest body so as to be movable between a storage position where the entire member is located in the storage space and a protruding position where at least a portion of the member is located outside the armrest body; a manual sliding cover member provided on the armrest body so as to be movable between a closed position that closes the opening and an open position that opens the opening; an interlocking mechanism that positions the movable member at the storage position when the cover member is at the closed position, and that positions the movable member at the protruding position by utilizing the moving force of the cover member from the closed position toward the open position when the cover member is at the open position; a biasing member that generates a biasing force that moves the cover member to the closed position; Equipped with The interlocking mechanism is When the cover member is moved from the closed position to the open position, the movable member is moved from the stored position to the protruding position so that the movable member and the cover member do not interfere with each other; When the cover member moves between the closed position and an intermediate position between the closed position and the open position, the movable member is positioned at the storage position by utilizing a moving force of the cover member from the intermediate position to the closed position side, The interlocking mechanism is An armrest comprising a wire that moves relative to the lid member when the lid member moves between the closed position and the intermediate position, and whose relative movement with respect to the lid member is restricted when the lid member moves between the open position and the intermediate position.

2. 2. The armrest according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is slidable in a predetermined direction relative to the armrest body.

3. The armrest according to claim 2, wherein when the cover member of the armrest, which is parallel to the front-rear direction, is moved rearward from the closed position, the cover member moves to the open position.

4. 3. The armrest according to claim 1, further comprising a holding mechanism that, when the cover member is in the open position, holds the cover member in the open position against the biasing force.

5. The armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the movable member comprises a display that is located outside the armrest body when the movable member is in the protruding position.

Images