Vehicle seats

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat which has a high degree of freedom in design.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat includes a lower shield 1 mounted across a slider which is engaged with a rail and a rear frame 75 which goes up and down. The lower shield 1 includes a base part mounted on the slider 72, a first base part 12 mounted on the base part, a first hinge 13 connected to the first base part 12, a second base part 14 connected to the first hinge 13, a second hinge 15 connected to the second base part 14, and a rear frame mounting part 16 which is connected to the second hinge 15 and is mounted on the rear frame 75. The first base part 12 includes a first protrusion part 121 which protrudes backward. The second base part 14 includes a second protrusion part 141 which protrudes backward. The first protrusion part 121 and the second protrusion part 141 abut to each other and forward movement of the first hinge 13 is restricted in the process that the first hinge 13 moves forward by receiving an external force F1 by which the first hinge 13 goes forward from a bent posture of protruding backward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a lower shield provided in a vehicle seat that is provided with a lifter mechanism and is capable of moving up and down. The lower shield described in Patent Document 1 conceals the lower rear portion of a vehicle seat by following its up-and-down movement. This lower shield has a shield body fitted to a rail laid on the vehicle side and a connecting plate connected to a rear rod, which is a component on the vehicle seat side. The shield body and connecting plate are connected by a hinge so as to be able to bend. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4315382 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the vehicle seat is a front seat, if the hinge of the lower shield described in Patent Document 1 is pushed forward by the foot of a rear seat passenger, the hinge will enter the inside of the vehicle seat, and the vertical cross-sectional shape will be bent in a "U" shape that is convex toward the front. Vehicle seats require sufficient free space on the inside of the lower part of the vehicle seat so that even when the lower shield is in this bent position protruding forward, it does not interfere with components on the vehicle seat side, which poses design constraints for vehicle seats. Therefore, vehicle seats with a high degree of design freedom To It is desired.

[0005] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat with a high degree of freedom in design. ToThe purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. 1) A slider that engages with a rail that is laid on a vehicle and extends in the front-rear direction; a rear frame that moves up and down within a predetermined height range relative to the slider; a lower shield attached across the slider and the rear frame, The lower shield is a base portion attached to the slider; a first base portion having one end rotatable relative to the base portion; a first hinge connected to the other end of the first base; a second base portion having one end connected to the first hinge; a second hinge connected to the other end of the second base; a rear frame mounting portion having one end connected to the second hinge and attached to the rear frame, the first base portion has a first protrusion at the other end portion that protrudes rearward relative to the first hinge, the second base portion has a second protruding portion at the one end portion that protrudes rearward relative to the first hinge, This is a vehicle seat in which the first hinge is bent and protrudes rearward within the specified height range, and when an external force from rear to front is applied to the first hinge and the first protrusion and the second protrusion come into contact as the first hinge moves forward, restricting the forward movement of the first hinge. 2) A cushion that rises and falls together with the rear frame, and a third protrusion that is formed on the rear frame mounting portion and protrudes radially outward, The vehicle seat described in 1) is characterized in that when the first protrusion and the second protrusion are in contact, the third protrusion pushes the cushion and receives a reaction force from the cushion that moves the first hinge rearward. 3) The rear frame is tubular or rod-shaped, the rear frame mounting portion has an arc-shaped portion on which the third protrusion is formed and which is fitted into and mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the rear frame, The vehicle seat described in 2) is characterized in that as the first hinge moves forward, the arc-shaped portion moves circumferentially along the outer peripheral surface, causing the third protrusion portion to press against the cushion. 4) The vehicle seat according to any one of 1) to 3), wherein the first hinge is an integral hinge. 。 [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, an effect of providing a high degree of freedom in designing a vehicle seat can be obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of a seat 91 which is an example of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower shield 1 which is Example 1 of a lower shield according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the lower shield 1 is attached to the seat 91. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing the position of the lower shield 1 when the seat 91 is at the first height position. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing the position of the lower shield 1 when the seat 91 is at the second height position. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a state in which lower shield 1 is pushed forward when seat 91 is at the second height position. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing the posture of the lower shield 2 of the second embodiment when the seat 91 is at the second height position. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a first schematic side view showing a state in which lower shield 2 is pushed forward when seat 91 is at the second height position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a second schematic side view showing a state in which lower shield 2 is pushed forward when seat 91 is at the second height position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A lower shield of a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using a lower shield 1 of Example 1 and a seat 91 of Example 1. First, the schematic configuration of the seat 91 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of the seat 91. For ease of explanation, the up, down, front, and back directions are defined as directions indicated by arrows in FIG. 1. The left and right directions are directions perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1, the left direction is toward the front of the plane of the plane, and the right direction is toward the back of the plane of the plane.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat 91 includes a seat cushion 92, a seat back 93, and a headrest 94.

[0011] The seat cushion 92 includes a seat cushion frame 921 , a rear frame 75 , a cushion portion 922 , a front link 73 , a front slider 71 , a rear link 74 , a rear slider 72 , a lifter portion 77 , and a lower shield 1 .

[0012] The seat cushion frames 921 are a pair of metal frames that are disposed on the left and right edges of the seat cushion 92 as the framework of the seat cushion 92 and extend in the front-rear direction. The rear frame 75 is a metal tubular member that extends in the left-right direction and connects at the rear portions the pair of left and right seat cushion frames 921. The axis of the rear frame 75 is defined as an axis CL75 (see FIG. 3).

[0013] The cushion portion 922 indicated by the two-dot chain line is flexible and contains a cushion 76 formed of sponge or the like inside, and is installed on a suspension unit (not shown) suspended between a pair of left and right seat cushion frames 921. The rear end of the cushion 76 extends to a position close to the rear frame 75 (see FIG. 3).

[0014] The front link 73 is a link member, and its upper end is supported rotatably about an axis extending left and right by a shaft portion 73b at the front of the seat cushion frame 921. The lower end of the front link 73 is supported rotatably about an axis extending left and right by a shaft portion 73a of the front slider 71. The rear link 74 is a link member, and its upper end is supported rotatably about an axis extending left and right by a shaft portion 74b at the rear of the seat cushion frame 921. The lower end of the rear link 74 is engaged with a shaft portion 74a of the rear slider 72 and supported rotatably about an axis extending left and right. The front link 73, the rear link 74, the front slider 71, and the rear slider 72 are provided corresponding to the pair of left and right seat cushion frames 921, respectively.

[0015] A pair of rails 8 are laid on the floor FL of the vehicle 98, extending in the front-rear direction and spaced apart in parallel in the left-right direction. The rails 8 are extruded members with a roughly U-shaped cross section, and are laid so that the upper part is open. The front slider 71 and the rear slider 72 are inner rails that engage with the rail 8, are engaged and supported by the respective rails 8 so as to be housed inside the rails 8, and are movable in the front-rear direction.

[0016] As a result, the seat cushion 92 is movable in the front-rear direction on the rails 8 via the front slider 71 and the rear slider 72. In addition, the seat cushion 92 is locked at a desired position on the rails 8 by a locking mechanism (not shown).

[0017] The rear end of the rear slider 72 has a U-shaped or square-shaped cross section, and as shown in FIG. 3, the insertion portion 114 in the base portion 1A of the lower shield 1 is inserted and fitted from the rear side.

[0018] The lifter portion 77 is operated by the occupant to rotate the rear link 74 around the shaft portion 74b and lock it at a predetermined rotation position. As the rear link 74 rotates, the seat cushion 92 moves up and down and is fixed at a predetermined height.

[0019] The lower shield 1 is attached between the rear end of the rear slider 72 and the rear frame 75. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the lower shield 1, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the state in which the lower shield 1 is attached between the rear slider 72 and the rear frame 75. The front-rear, left-right, up-down and front-rear directions indicated by arrows in Figs. 2 and 3 correspond to the directions shown in Fig. 1.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, the lower shield 1 is configured by combining a base portion 1A and a connecting portion 1B. The base portion 1A and the connecting portion 1B are formed from a resin that can be molded into a so-called integral hinge. An example of the resin is PP (polypropylene resin).

[0021] The base portion 1A has a base 11 having an entrance portion 114 that protrudes forward as a portion that enters and engages with the rear end portion of the rear slider 72, and a pair of elastic arms 111 that protrude left and right from the base 11 and have flexibility in the left-right direction. Only the left elastic arm 111 is shown in Figures 2 and 3. The elastic arm portion 111 is capable of elastically contacting the inner surface of the rail 8 with which the rear slider 72 is engaged when the base portion 1A is attached to the rear end portion of the rear slider 72, and is a part that eliminates play in the left-right direction. On the left side surface of the entrance portion 114, an engagement piece 112 is formed which has a protrusion 112a protruding leftward and can be elastically bent rightward.

[0022] The base 11 has a pair of parallel, spaced-apart walls 113 protruding upward at the upper rear portion thereof. Each of the pair of walls 113 has a through hole 113a formed therein, the through hole 113a being coaxial with an axis CL12 extending in the left-right direction.

[0023] The connecting portion 1B has a first base portion 12, a first hinge 13, a second base portion 14, a second hinge 15, and a rear frame mounting portion 16, and is integrally molded from resin. The first base 12 is formed in a generally plate-like shape with its longitudinal direction in the direction of arrow DR1 in Fig. 2, and has a pair of protrusions 12a at its lower end (one end) on the side of a first end P1 that protrudes leftward and rightward, respectively, with an axis CL12 extending in the left-right direction as its center. Only the left protrusion 12a is shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0024] The first base portion 12 is connected to the base 11 by inserting the first base portion 12 between a pair of wall portions 113 of the base 11 and widening the gap between them, and engaging the protrusions 12a with the through holes 113a. The portion where the protrusions 12a and the through holes 113a engage is called the shaft support portion 12j. That is, the first base portion 12 is connected to the base 11 at the shaft support portion 12j so as to be rotatable about an axis line CL12 extending in the left-right direction.

[0025] The first base 12 is connected to the first hinge 13 at a second end P2, which is the upper end (other end), and has a first protrusion 121 that gradually rises rearward from the first end P1 toward the second end P2. An end surface 121a of the first protrusion 121 at the second end P2 is a surface that is approximately perpendicular to the direction of the arrow DR1, which is the extension direction of the first base 12.

[0026] The first hinge 13 is formed as a so-called integral hinge, which is a thin-walled hinge that can be repeatedly bent. The first hinge 13 integrally connects the first base portion 12 and the second base portion 14, and the first base portion 12 and the second base portion 14 are relatively rotatable around an axis CL13 that extends in the left-right direction at the first hinge 13.

[0027] The second base portion 14 is generally plate-shaped with its longitudinal direction in the direction of arrow DR2 in Figure 2, and is formed so that its longitudinal length is shorter than that of the first base portion 12. The second base portion 14 has a third end P3, which is the lower end, connected to the first hinge 13, and a fourth end P4, which is the upper end, connected to the second hinge 15. The second base portion 14 has a second protrusion 141 that gradually rises rearward from the fourth end P4 toward the third end P3. An end face 141a of the second protrusion 141 at the third end P3 is a surface that is generally perpendicular to the direction of the arrow DR2, which is the extension direction of the second base portion 14.

[0028] The second hinge 15 is formed as an integral hinge similar to the first hinge 13. The second hinge 15 connects the second base portion 14 and the rear frame mounting portion 16, and the second base portion 14 and the rear frame mounting portion 16 are relatively rotatable around an axis CL15 that extends in the left-right direction at the second hinge 15.

[0029] The rear frame mounting portion 16 has an arc-shaped portion 161 formed in a generally arc-like shape centered on a center line CL16 extending in the left-right direction, and a third protrusion 162 protruding radially outward at the tip end of the arc-shaped portion 161. The arc-shaped portion 161 is formed so that its circumferential extension angle exceeds 180°, and a specific example is approximately 300°.

[0030] The arc-shaped portion 161 is formed so that its inner diameter is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the rear frame 75 in its natural state. The arc-shaped portion 161 is elastically deformable so that its diameter can be expanded by manual force, and can be attached by manually expanding it and fitting it to the outside of the rear frame 75. After being attached to the rear frame 75, the arc-shaped portion 161 tightens the rear frame 75 with a slight force in its natural state, so that the attached position is maintained. When an external force exceeding a predetermined value that attempts to rotate the arc-shaped portion 161 about the center line CL16 is applied, the arc-shaped portion 161 slides on the outer peripheral surface of the rear frame 75 and moves in the circumferential direction.

[0031] A cushion 76 is disposed in close proximity to the front of the rear frame 75. Whether or not the third protrusion 162 of the rear frame mounting portion 16 interferes with the cushion 76, and if so, the degree of interference, is determined depending on the circumferential mounting position of the third protrusion 162 on the rear frame mounting portion 16 with respect to the rear frame 75. The presence or absence of interference and the degree of interference will be described later.

[0032] The axis CL12, axis CL13, axis CL15, and center line CL16 of the lower shield 1 are parallel to one another. As a result, when the base 11 and the rear frame attachment portion 16 move relative to each other so as to move toward or away from each other, the lower shield 1 can be bent in any desired position such that the front angle θa formed between the first base portion 12 and the second base portion 14 is in an angle range from 0° to approximately 180°.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower shield 1 is attached to straddle the rear slider 72 and the rear frame 75. In detail, the base 11 is attached to the rear end of the rear slider 72 using a so-called snap-fit ​​structure in which the entry portion 114 of the base 11 is inserted from the rear side with the engagement piece 112 bent inward, and the protrusion 112a of the engagement piece 112 is then returned to engage with the engagement hole 72a formed on the side of the rear slider 72. The rear frame mounting portion 16 is attached by elastically expanding the arc-shaped portion 161 and fitting it onto the outer circumferential surface of the rear frame 75 .

[0034] Next, the change in the posture of the lower shield 1 accompanying the raising and lowering movement of the seat cushion 92 will be described with reference to FIG. The position of the lower shield 1 shown in FIG. 3 is the position when the height position of the rear frame 75 and the cushion 76 that rises and falls together with the rear frame is approximately in the center of the rising and falling stroke of the seat cushion 92 caused by the operation of the lifter portion 77.

[0035] As the seat cushion 92 moves up and down due to the operation of the lifter portion 77, the rear frame 75 and the cushion 76 move up and down as shown by arrow DR3, and the posture of the lower shield 1 changes in response to this movement. For convenience, the posture of the lower shield 1 shown in FIG. 3 is referred to as the reference posture.

[0036] When the rear frame 75 descends, the lower shield 1, which is in the reference position, causes the second base 14 to rotate counterclockwise as shown by arrow DR41, with the second hinge 15 as the fulcrum, and the first base 12 to rotate clockwise as shown by arrow DR42, with the shaft support portion 12j as the fulcrum. As a result, the first hinge 13 moves rearward as indicated by the arrow DR4 relative to the reference posture, and the lower shield 1 assumes a bent posture in which the angle θa formed between the first base 12 and the second base 14 is smaller than in the reference posture.

[0037] Conversely, when the rear frame 75 rises, the second base portion 14 rotates clockwise as indicated by an arrow DR51 around the second hinge 15, and the first base portion 12 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow DR52 around the shaft support portion 12j. As a result, the lower shield 1 is bent in a position where the first hinge 13 moves forward as shown by the arrow DR5 relative to the standard position, and the angle θa formed between the first base 12 and the second base 14 is greater than in the standard position.

[0038] The lower shield 1 is formed so that the angle θa is, for example, about 60° at the lowest position of the seat cushion 92, 160° at the highest position, and 110° at the central position, as the seat cushion 92 moves up and down.

[0039] As the rear frame 75 moves up and down, the second base portion 14 rotates about the second hinge 15. Therefore, the mounting position of the rear frame mounting portion 16 relative to the rear frame 75 remains unchanged and is maintained at the position of the reference posture. In the reference position, the third protrusion 162 of the rear frame attachment portion 16 is in a state of not contacting or in contact with the cushion 76, which is disposed in close proximity to the front of the rear frame 75. Therefore, this state in which the third protrusion 162 is not pressing against the cushion 76 is maintained regardless of the vertical position of the rear frame 75.

[0040] In this way, as the seat cushion 92 moves up and down, the lower shield 1 maintains a connected state in which the first base portion 12 and the second base portion 14 change the degree of bending at the first hinge 13. Therefore, regardless of the height position of the seat cushion 92, the lower shield 1 acts as a screen between the rail 8 and the seat cushion 92 from the rear side, and prevents foreign objects from entering between the rail 8 and the seat cushion 92.

[0041] Next, with reference to schematic side views of FIGS. 4 to 6, the behavior of the lower shield 1 when the lower shield 1 is pushed forward by the foot of a passenger in the rear seat will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing the posture of the lower shield 1 when the seat cushion 92 is at a first height position near the lowest end of the lifting range. FIG. 5 is a schematic side view showing the posture of the lower shield 1 when the seat cushion 92 is at a second height position near the uppermost end of the lifting range. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the lower shield 1 is pushed forward when the seat cushion 92 is at the second height position. 4 to 6, the shape of the lower shield 1 is modeled.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4, when the seat cushion 92 is at a first height position, the lower shield 1 is in a first position in which the first hinge 13 protrudes significantly rearward and the forward angle θa formed between the first base 12 and the second base 14 is bent at an angle smaller than that in the standard position. In this case, even if an attempt is made to push forward the area around the first hinge 13, which protrudes significantly rearward, the vertical distance between the rear slider and the rear frame 75 is short, and the bending direction cannot be reversed back and forth so that the first hinge 13 protrudes forward.

[0043] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5, when the seat cushion 92 is at a second height position, the lower shield 1 is in a second position in which the amount of rearward protrusion of the first hinge 13 is small and the angle θa formed between the first base 12 and the second base 14 is bent at a larger angle than in the standard position. In this case, when the vicinity of the first hinge 13 is pushed forward, the state shown in FIG. 6 may occur depending on the magnitude of the pushing force.

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a state in which a strong pushing force F1 directed from the rear side to the front side is applied as an external force to a portion of the lower shield 1 in the vicinity of the first hinge 13. More specifically, when a forward pushing force F1 is applied to the first hinge 13, first the second base portion 14 and the second hinge 15 try to move forward.

[0045] At this time, if the magnitude of the force that tends to move the second hinge 15 forward due to the pushing force F1 exceeds the frictional force between the arc-shaped portion 161 of the rear frame mounting portion 16 and the surface of the rear frame 75, the arc-shaped portion 161 slides on the surface of the rear frame 75. Then, the rear frame mounting portion 16 moves clockwise along the outer peripheral surface of the rear frame 75 as shown by arrow DR61 in FIG.

[0046] When the rear frame mounting portion 16 slides clockwise relative to the rear frame 75, the second hinge 15 and the second base portion 14 move to the left as shown by arrow DR63 while the second base portion 14 rotates clockwise around the second hinge 15 as a fulcrum as shown by arrow DR62, and assumes an approximately upright position in the vertical direction. Furthermore, as the first hinge 13 moves leftward, the first base portion 12 rotates counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow DR64 around the immovable shaft support portion 12j as a fulcrum, and assumes a substantially upright position.

[0047] Furthermore, due to the pushing force F1, the first base 12 attempts to continue rotating from the upright position, and the second base 14 also attempts to continue rotating from the upright position, but when the angle θa during the rotation reaches a predetermined angle θa1, the end face 121a of the first protrusion 121 on the first base 12 and the end face 141a of the second protrusion 141 on the second base 14 abut against each other. Therefore, after the upright position is assumed, counterclockwise rotation of the first base portion 12 and clockwise rotation of the second base portion 14 are restricted, and leftward protrusion of the first hinge 13 is restricted. In other words, the lower shield 1 is restricted from rotating between the first base portion 12 and the second base portion 14 such that the angle θa becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined angle θa1. The predetermined angle θa1 is approximately 180°, for example 188°.

[0048] Meanwhile, as the rear frame mounting portion 16 attached to the rear frame 75 moves clockwise in the direction of arrow DR61 around the axis CL75, the third protrusion 162 of the arc-shaped portion 161 moves in an arc-shaped trajectory as shown by arrow DR65 in Figure 6 and bites into the cushion 76, compressing it. Therefore, the third protrusion 162 receives a reaction force F2 from the cushion 76 as an elastic repulsive force, which moves the third protrusion 162 in the counterclockwise direction about the axis CL75 as indicated by the dashed arrow DR66 (see dashed arrow DR66). That is, the rear frame attachment portion 16 is urged by the reaction force F2 from the cushion 76 to move counterclockwise around the axis CL75 along the outer circumferential surface of the rear frame 75 (see dashed arrow DR67).

[0049] As a result, when the pushing force F1 on the lower shield 1 is released, the rear frame mounting portion 16 moves counterclockwise around the axis CL75 due to the reaction force F2, and the first hinge 13 is pushed rearward as shown by the dashed arrow DR68, returning to the second position shown in Figure 5.

[0050] Regardless of the height position of the seat cushion 92 within the lifting range, the lower shield 1 is in a bent position such that the first base 12 and the second base 14 and the first hinge 13 connecting them protrude rearward. When a pushing force F1 is applied from the rear to any one of the first base 12, the first hinge 13, and the second base 14 so as to cause the first hinge 13 to protrude inward of the seat cushion 92, the following occurs: That is, during the inward (forward) movement of the first hinge 13, the first protruding portion 121 formed at the end of the first base 12 on the first hinge 13 side and protruding rearward comes into contact with the second protruding portion 141 formed at the end of the second base 14 on the first hinge 13 side and protruding rearward, and further inward (forward) movement of the first hinge 13 is restricted. Therefore, the lower shield 1 cannot be bent inward of the seat cushion 92. As a result, there is no need to provide an empty space inside the lower portion of the seat cushion 92, and the vehicle seat 91 having the lower shield 1 has a high degree of freedom in design.

[0051] In addition, when the lower shield 1 is in a position where the first protrusion 121 and the second protrusion 141 are in contact, the third protrusion 162 of the rear frame mounting portion 16 is in a position where it presses the cushion 76 and receives the elastic repulsive force F2 from the cushion 76. Therefore, when the pushing force F1 is released, the reaction force F2 causes the lower shield 1 to return to its original position in which the first hinge 13 protrudes rearward. This more reliably prevents the lower shield 1 from being bent in a position where the first hinge 13 protrudes forward, and more stably maintains the bent position where the first hinge 13 protrudes rearward.

[0052] (Lower shield 2 of Example 2) Next, a lower shield 2 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The lower shield 2 has the same configuration as the lower shield 1. That is, the lower shield 2 has a base 21, a first base 22, a first hinge 23, a second base 24, a second hinge 25, and a rear frame mounting portion 26 that correspond to the base 11, the first base 12, the first hinge 13, the second base 14, the second hinge 15, and the rear frame mounting portion 16 of the lower shield 1, respectively.

[0053] The configuration of the lower shield 2 differs from that of the lower shield 1 in that at least one of the first base 22 and the second base 24 is longer, and when the seat 91 is at the same height position, the angle θb corresponding to the angle θa of the lower shield 1 is smaller, resulting in a more bent posture (third posture). As a result, the behavior of the lower shield 2 when a force is applied that pushes the first hinge 23 toward the inside of the seat 91 is different from that of the lower shield 1.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing the posture when the seat 91 is at the second height position, and corresponds to FIG. 5 of the lower shield 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in Figure 7, when the seat 91 and seat cushion 92 are at the second height position, the lower shield 2 is in a third position in which the rearward protrusion of the first hinge 23 is greater than that of the lower shield 1, and the vertical gap between the end face 221a of the first protrusion 221 and the end face 241a of the second protrusion 241 is smaller than that of the lower shield 1.

[0055] 8 shows a state in which a relatively weak pushing force F3 of a predetermined value or less is applied as an external force from the rear side to the front side to a portion of the lower shield 2 near the first hinge 23. The predetermined value is, for example, 10 N. When a pushing force F3 is applied to the lower shield 2, the second hinge 25 is pushed upward by the second base portion 24, and the rear frame mounting portion 26 moves counterclockwise around the rear frame 75 as shown by the arrow DR83 in Figure 8.

[0056] As a result, the first hinge 23 deforms and the angle θb widens, but the lower shield 2 is configured so that the end surface 221a of the first protrusion 221 and the end surface 241a of the second protrusion 241 abut against each other at an angle θb1 of a predetermined value less than 180°. The predetermined value is, for example, 160°. When end surface 221a and end surface 241a come into contact with each other, deformation of first hinge 23 is restricted and the posture is maintained. Since angle θb1 is less than 180°, lower shield 2 assumes a bent posture that is convex rearward. In this way, application of the pushing force F3 causes the rear frame attachment portion 26 to move counterclockwise, so that the third protrusion 262 moves to a position farther away from the cushion 76 in the circumferential direction.

[0057] When the application of the pushing force F3 is released, the lower shield 2 returns to the third position shown in FIG. 7, which is the natural state of the first hinge 23.

[0058] When the pushing force F3 is a large force exceeding a predetermined value (for example, 10 N), the posture shown in FIG. 8 is further shifted to the posture shown in FIG. 9 shows a state in which, from the state shown in FIG. 8, a large pushing force F4 exceeding a predetermined value is applied as an external force from the rear side to the front to a portion of the lower shield 2 in the vicinity of the first hinge 23.

[0059] In the state shown in FIG. 8, when a forward pushing force F4 exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the first hinge 23, the second base portion 24 and the second hinge 25 will attempt to move forward.

[0060] This pushing force F4 causes the rear frame attachment portion 26 to move counterclockwise until the angle θb becomes 180° while the abutting first protrusion 221 and second protrusion 241 are elastically compressed and deformed. Furthermore, when the first hinge 23 moves forward due to the pushing force F4 and the angle θb exceeds 180°, the rear frame mounting portion 26 moves clockwise around the rear frame 75 as shown by the arrow DR93 in Figure 9, allowing the first hinge 23 to move forward.

[0061] When the rear frame attachment portion 26 moves in the clockwise direction, the third protrusion 262 moves in an arcuate path as shown by an arrow DR94 in FIG. 9 and bites into the cushion 76 to compress it. Therefore, the third protrusion 262 receives a reaction force F5 from the cushion 76 as an elastic repulsive force, which moves the third protrusion 262 in the counterclockwise direction about the axis CL75, as indicated by the dashed arrow DR95. That is, when the angle θb exceeds 180°, the rear frame mounting portion 26 is immediately urged by the reaction force F5 from the cushion 76 to move counterclockwise around the axis CL75 along the outer surface of the rear frame 75 (see dashed arrow DR96).

[0062] This restricts the forward movement of the first hinge 23, and the lower shield 2 is maintained in the position shown in Fig. 9 against the pushing force F4. The angle θb at this time is a predetermined angle θb2 that is slightly greater than 180°. The predetermined angle θb2 is, for example, about 205°.

[0063] When the pushing force F4 applied to the lower shield 2 is released, the rear frame mounting portion 26 is moved counterclockwise around the axis CL75 by the reaction force F5. Accordingly, the first hinge 23 is pushed rearward as indicated by the dashed arrow DR98, and naturally returns to the third position shown in FIG. 7 due to the addition of the elastic repulsive force against the abutment and compression of the first protruding portion 221 and the second protruding portion 241 and the force that returns the first hinge 23 to its natural state.

[0064] In this way, regardless of the height position of the seat cushion 92 within the lifting range, the lower shield 2 is in a bent position such that the first base 22 and the second base 24 and the first hinge 23 connecting them protrude rearward. When a pushing force F3 of a predetermined value or less is applied from the rear to any one of the first base 22, the first hinge 23, and the second base 24, which attempts to move the first hinge 23 forward, the first protruding portion 221 and the second protruding portion 241 come into contact with each other with the first hinge 23 protruding rearward, and further forward movement of the first hinge 23 is restricted. The predetermined value is, for example, 10 N.

[0065] Furthermore, when an even greater pushing force F4 is applied that exceeds the predetermined value of the pushing force F3, even though the angle formed by the first base 22 and the second base 24 on the front side exceeds 180°, the third protrusion 262 pushes the cushion 76 and receives a reaction force F5 from the cushion 76. This reaction force F5 and other forces restrict further forward movement of the first hinge 23, and the angle θb2 formed by the front sides of the first base portion 22 and the second base portion 24 is maintained at an angle slightly exceeding 180°.

[0066] Therefore, when a pushing force F3 applied from behind is less than a predetermined value, the lower shield 2 cannot bend inward toward the seat cushion 92, and even when a pushing force F4 exceeds the predetermined value, the lower shield 2 cannot bend significantly toward the front.

[0067] In addition, when a pushing force F4 exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the lower shield 2, the third protrusion 262 of the rear frame mounting portion 26 is positioned so as to push the cushion 76 and receive an elastic repulsive force F5 from the cushion 76. Therefore, when the pushing force F4 is released, the reaction force F5 causes the lower shield 2 to automatically return to its original position in which the first hinge 23 protrudes rearward. That is, even if the pushing forces F3 and F4 are temporarily applied to the lower shield 2, the first hinge 23 will not assume a position in which it protrudes forward after those forces are released. Therefore, there is no need to provide an empty space inside the lower part of the seat cushion 92, and the vehicle seat 91 having the lower shield 2 has a high degree of freedom in design.

[0068] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0069] In the lower shield 1, the shape of the first protruding portion 121 and the second protruding portion 141 in a side view is not limited to the shape that gradually rises toward the first hinge 13 as described above. They may be wall-shaped having a surface parallel to the axis CL13 of the first hinge 13. This is also true for the lower shield 2.

[0070] The structure for attaching the lower shields 1 and 2 to the rear slider 72 is not limited. In the lower shield 1, the shaft support portion 12j may be an integral hinge, similar to the first hinge 13 and the second hinge 15. On the other hand, the first hinge 13 and the second hinge 15 are not limited to being integral hinges, and the first base portion 12 and the second base portion 14 may be separate members that are connected by an engagement structure between a rotatable shaft and a hole, similar to the shaft support portion 12j. This is also true for the lower shield 2.

[0071] The rear frame 75 is not limited to a tubular shape, but may be, for example, a rod shape. The base 11 and the first base portions 12 and 22 may not be separate bodies, but may be formed from the same member with the shaft support portions 12j and 22j serving as integral hinges. The first base portions 12, 22 and the second base portions 14, 24 may be separate members, with the first hinges 13, 23 not being integral hinges but being, for example, shaft-engagement hinges. The rear frame attachment portions 16, 26 and the second base portions 14, 24 may be separate members, with the second hinges 15, 25 not being integral hinges but being, for example, shaft-engagement hinges. The lower shields 1 and 2 may be attached to at least one of the rear sliders 72 provided on the left and right sides of the rear lower portion of the seat 91. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1,2 Lower Shield 1A Base 1B Connecting part 11,21 base 111 Elastic arm 112 Engagement piece 112a Protrusion 113 Wall 113a Through hole 114 Approach section 12,22 1st base 12a Protrusion 12j Shaft support part 121,221 1st protrusion 121a,221a end face 13,23 First hinge 14,24 2nd base 141,241 Second protrusion 141a,241a End face 15,25 Second hinge 16,26 Rear frame mounting part 161 Arc 162,262 Third protrusion 71 Front slider 72 Rear slider 73 Previous Link 73a,73b Shaft part 74 Next Link 74a,74b Shaft part 75 rear frame 76 Cushion 77 Lifter section 8 Rail 91 seats (vehicle seats) 92 Seat cushion 921 seat cushion frame 922 Cushion part 93 Seatback 94 Headrest 98 vehicles CL12, CL13, CL15, CL75 axis line CL16 center line FL floor F1, F3, F4 pushing force F2,F5 reaction force P1 1st end P2, second end P3, third end Angles θa, θb, θb1, θb2

Claims

1. a slider that engages with a rail that is laid on the vehicle and extends in the front-rear direction; a rear frame that moves up and down within a predetermined height range relative to the slider; a lower shield attached across the slider and the rear frame, The lower shield is a base portion attached to the slider; a first base portion having one end rotatable relative to the base portion; a first hinge connected to the other end of the first base; a second base portion having one end connected to the first hinge; a second hinge connected to the other end of the second base; a rear frame mounting portion, one end of which is connected to the second hinge and attached to the rear frame; the first base portion has a first protrusion at the other end portion that protrudes rearward relative to the first hinge, the second base portion has a second protruding portion at the one end portion that protrudes rearward relative to the first hinge, A vehicle seat in which the first hinge assumes a bent position protruding rearward within the specified height range, and when an external force directed from rear to front is received and the first hinge moves forward, the first protrusion and the second protrusion come into contact, restricting the forward movement of the first hinge.

2. a cushion that rises and falls together with the rear frame; and a third protruding portion that is formed on the rear frame mounting portion and protrudes radially outward, 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein when the first protrusion and the second protrusion are in contact with each other, the third protrusion receives a reaction force that pushes the cushion and moves the first hinge rearward from the cushion.

3. The rear frame is tubular or rod-shaped, the rear frame mounting portion has an arc-shaped portion on which the third protrusion is formed and which is fitted into and mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the rear frame, 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the arc-shaped portion moves circumferentially along the outer circumferential surface as the first hinge moves forward, causing the third protrusion to press against the cushion.

4. 4. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the first hinge is an integral hinge.

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