Armrest

Abstract

To provide an armrest capable of softening impact force generated between an arm mounting part and the body when a part of the body of a seated occupant collides with the arm mounting part in a predetermined rotational position.SOLUTION: An armrest includes: a base part 21 supported by a seatback and extending along a predetermined shaft line 20A; an arm mounting part 45 relatively movable to the base part between an approach position of approaching the base part while being positioned on the shaft line, and a separation position of being separated from the base part compared to the approach position; connection mechanisms 27, 31 connecting the arm mounting part positioned in the approach position and the base part so that the arm mounting part can be rotated between a first position and a second position around the shaft line to the base part; and a holding release mechanism 40 holding the arm mounting part in the approach position when the magnitude of external force F applied to the arm mounting part positioned in the second position in a direction of separating the arm mounting part from the base part along the shaft line is less than a predetermined value, and allowing the arm mounting part to move from the approach position to the separation position side when the magnitude of external force is equal to or more than a predetermined value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The following Patent Documents 1 to 4 disclose armrests that are part of vehicle seats. The armrests include a base portion rotatably supported on the seat back, and an armrest portion connected to the tip of the base portion so as to be coaxial with the base portion. The armrest portion is rotatable relative to the base portion around the axis of the base portion. That is, the armrest portion is rotatable between a first position and a second position where the area of ​​the upper surface of the armrest portion is larger than that of the first position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-314276 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-044137 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-095357 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-034598 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, the armrests in Patent Documents 1 to 4 above have room for improvement in terms of mitigating the impact force that occurs between the armrest portion and the body of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat when part of the body collides with the armrest portion in the second position.

[0005] Taking the above facts into consideration, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle seat that can reduce the impact force generated between the armrest portion and the body when part of the seated occupant's body collides with the armrest portion that is in a predetermined rotation position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The armrest described in claim 1 is a part of a vehicle seat, and comprises: a base portion supported by a seat back and extending along a predetermined axis; an armrest portion that is movable relative to the base between a close position where it is located on the axis and approaches the base, and a separated position where it is farther from the base than the close position; a connection mechanism that connects the armrest portion located at the close position to the base so that the armrest portion can rotate around the axis relative to the base between a first position and a second position; and a holding / release mechanism that holds the armrest portion at the close position when an external force acting on the armrest portion located at the second position in a direction moving the armrest portion away from the base along the axis is less than a predetermined value, and allows the armrest portion to move from the close position to the separated position when the magnitude of the external force is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. The connection mechanism includes a slide rail having a support rail provided on the base so as to be immovable along the axis and immovable around the axis, and a movable rail supported on the arm rest portion, which is separated from the support rail when the arm rest portion is located at the first position, and is slidably supported on the support rail when the arm rest portion is located at the second position. .

[0007] When the armrest of the armrest described in claim 1 is in the second position, a part of the seated occupant's body may collide with the armrest. When the magnitude of an external force acting from the body on the armrest in a direction moving the armrest away from the base along the axis of the base is less than a predetermined value, the retention / release mechanism holds the armrest in the close position. On the other hand, when the magnitude of the external force is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the retention / release mechanism allows the armrest to move from the close position to the far position. Therefore, the armrest described in claim 1 can mitigate the impact force generated between the armrest and the body when a part of the seated occupant's body collides with the armrest in the second position.

[0009] Claim 1 According to the armrest of the present invention, when the holding and releasing mechanism allows the arm rest portion to move from the close position to the separated position, the slide rail slides the arm rest portion to the separated position. In other words, the arm rest portion can move to the separated position while remaining integrated with the base portion. Claim 1 The armrest described in item 1 can easily return the armrest portion that has been moved to the separated position to the close position.

[0010] Claim 2 The armrests are Claim 1 In the configuration of (1), the slide rail is provided with a support state maintaining mechanism that maintains the support state of the movable rail by the support rail when the armrest portion is located in the second position.

[0011] Claim 2 According to the armrest, the support state maintaining mechanism maintains the state in which the movable rail is supported by the support rail when the armrest portion is located in the second position.

[0012] Claim 3 The armrest described in Claim 2 In the configuration of (1), the support state maintaining mechanism comprises a magnet provided on one of the support rail and the movable rail, and a member including a magnetic body provided on the other of the support rail and the movable rail.

[0013] Claim 3 According to the armrest described in the above, the support state maintaining mechanism can more reliably maintain the state in which the movable rail is supported by the support rail.

[0014] Claim 4 The armrests are Claims 1 to 3 In the configuration described in any one of the above, the holding and release mechanism comprises a support shaft supported by the base and protruding from the base along the axis, and an insertion hole provided in the armrest, into which the support shaft is inserted so as to be slidable along the axis, the insertion hole having an inner surface that generates sliding resistance between the support shaft and the insertion hole when the support shaft slides.

[0015] Claim 4 According to the armrest, the holding and releasing mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0016] Claim 5 The armrest described in a base portion that is part of a vehicle seat and is supported by a seat back and extends along a predetermined axis; an armrest portion that is movable relative to the base between a close position where it is located on the axis and approaches the base, and a separated position where it is farther from the base than the close position; a connection mechanism that connects the armrest portion located at the close position to the base so that the armrest portion can rotate around the axis relative to the base between a first position and a second position; and a retention and release mechanism that holds the armrest portion at the close position when an external force acting on the armrest portion located at the second position in a direction moving the armrest portion away from the base along the axis is less than a predetermined value, and allows the armrest portion to move from the close position to the separated position when the magnitude of the external force is equal to or greater than the predetermined value,The connection mechanism comprises a slide rail having a support rail provided on the base that is immovable along the axis but rotatable around the axis, and a movable rail that is supported on the armrest and slidably supported on the support rail regardless of the position of the armrest around the axis.

[0017] Claim 5 According to the armrest described in the above, when the holding / releasing mechanism allows the arm rest portion to move from the close position to the separated position, the slide rail slides the arm rest portion to the separated position. In other words, the arm rest portion can move to the separated position while remaining integrated with the base portion. Claim 5 The armrest described in item 1 can easily return the armrest portion that has been moved to the separated position to the close position.

[0018] Claim 6 The armrest described in Claim 5 stated In the configuration of the above, the holding and releasing mechanism comprises: a locking member that is immovable in the axial direction relative to the base and that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; a biasing member that is immovable in the axial direction relative to the base and that generates a biasing force that biases the locking member toward the locked position; and a pressing portion that is provided on the arm rest portion and that faces the locking member that is located at the locked position from the base side when the arm rest portion is located at the approach position, and that moves the locking member against the biasing force to the unlocked position when collided with the locking member by the external force equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

[0019] According to the armrest of claim 7, the holding and releasing mechanism can be realized with a simple configuration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] As described above, the armrest of the present invention has the excellent effect of reducing the impact force generated between the armrest portion and the body when part of the seated occupant's body collides with the armrest portion which is in a predetermined rotation position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of a vehicle seat equipped with an armrest according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the armrest in an in-use position. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of the front end of the base of the armrest and the rear end of the armrest portion. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow 4-4 in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the front end of the base. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the front end of the base and the rear end of the armrest. [Figure 7] 10 is a perspective view of the armrest when the armrest portion is located in a second position. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a perspective view of the front end of the base and the rear end of the arm rest when the arm rest is in a second position. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a perspective view of the front end of the base and the rear end of the arm rest when the arm rest has moved from the close position to the far position. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow line 10-10 in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the base when the movable rail slides forward. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the armrest when the armrest portion is in the separated position. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an armrest according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 10 is a schematic plan view of the armrest when the armrest portion is in a second position. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken at the rear end of the arm rest and the center of the arm rest of the support shaft in the left-right direction when the arm rest is located at the second position and the approach position. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken at the rear end of the arm rest and the center of the arm rest of the support shaft in the left-right direction when the arm rest has moved to the separated position. FIG. [Figure 17]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the armrest when the armrest portion is in the separated position. [Figure 18] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the second embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 16. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] A vehicle seat 10 (hereinafter referred to as seat 10) equipped with an armrest 20 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. Note that in these figures, the arrow FR, as appropriate, 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 seat width direction (left-right direction).

[0023] The seat 10 shown in FIG. 1 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, a seat back 12 whose lower end is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 11, and an armrest 20. The base end of the armrest 20 is supported on the left side of the seat back 12 so as to be rotatable about a rotation support shaft 20AX in the left-right direction. Therefore, the armrest 20 can rotate relative to the seat back 12 between an in-use position (not shown) in which the armrest 20 is substantially parallel to the up-down direction and an in-use position (see the solid line in FIG. 1) in which the armrest 20 is parallel to the front-rear direction. The term "parallel to the front-rear direction" as used herein includes both being completely parallel to the front-rear direction and being substantially parallel to the front-rear direction. Note that the front-rear direction and the up-down direction of the armrest 20 described below are the directions when the armrest 20 is in the in-use position.

[0024] The armrest 20 comprises a base 21, a first slide rail (slide rail) (connection mechanism) 27, a second slide rail (slide rail) (connection mechanism) 31, a support shaft (connection mechanism) (holding and release mechanism) 40, an armrest portion 45, a first engagement protrusion (support state holding mechanism) (connection mechanism) 52 and a second engagement protrusion (support state holding mechanism) (connection mechanism) 56.

[0025] 1 and 2, the overall shape of the base 21 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. When the armrest 20 is in the use position, the base 21 extends along an axis 20A (see FIGS. 1 and 2, etc.) that is substantially parallel to the front-to-rear direction. When the armrest 20 is in the use position, the areas (widths) of the upper and lower surfaces of the base 21 are smaller than the areas (widths) of the left and right side surfaces of the base 21.

[0026] 5, a first arc-shaped groove 24 and a second arc-shaped groove 25 parallel to the axis 20A are provided on the end face 22 of the base 21. The first arc-shaped groove 24 and the second arc-shaped groove 25 extend linearly from the end face 22 toward the rotation support shaft 20AX. The front shapes of the first arc-shaped groove 24 and the second arc-shaped groove 25 are arc-shaped with the axis 20A as the center, and the central angle of the first arc-shaped groove 24 and the second arc-shaped groove 25 is approximately 90°. Furthermore, the phases of the first arc-shaped groove 24 and the second arc-shaped groove 25 in the circumferential direction about the axis 20A are shifted by approximately 180° from each other.

[0027] The first arcuate groove 24 and the second arcuate groove 25 are provided with a first slide rail 27 and a second slide rail 31, respectively. The first slide rail 27 and the second slide rail 31 are made of a hard material. For example, the first slide rail 27 and the second slide rail 31 are made of metal. As shown in FIG. 5 , the first slide rail 27 includes a first support rail (support rail) 28 and a first movable rail (movable rail) 29, each of which has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and the second slide rail 31 includes a second support rail (support rail) 32 and a second movable rail (movable rail) 33, each of which has a substantially U-shaped cross section. The lower surface of the first support rail 28 is fixed to the lower surface (bottom surface) of the first arcuate groove 24, and the upper end surface of the second support rail 32 is fixed to the upper end surface of the second arcuate groove 25. The front end surfaces of the first support rail 28 and the second support rail 32 are located slightly rearward of the end surface 22. A first movable rail 29 is supported on a first support rail 28 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and a second movable rail 33 is supported on a second support rail 32 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. A first engagement hole (support state maintaining mechanism) 30 is formed near the front end of the upper surface of the first movable rail 29 (see FIG. 5), and a second engagement hole (support state maintaining mechanism) 34 is formed near the front end of the lower surface of the second movable rail 33 (see FIG. 10). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, permanent magnets 36 and 37 are provided near the front end of the base 21. The right side of the permanent magnet 36 is exposed at the left end surface 24A of the first arc-shaped groove 24, and the left end surface of the permanent magnet 37 is exposed at the right end surface 25A of the second arc-shaped groove 25.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 5, a support shaft 40 is fixed to the tip of the base 21, protruding from the end face 22. The support shaft 40 is made of a hard material such as metal. The support shaft 40 is generally cylindrical, and the axis of the support shaft 40 coincides with the axis 20A. Furthermore, the support shaft 40 has a pair of sliding protrusions 41. Each sliding protrusion 41 is generally hemispherical.

[0029] 1 and 2, the overall shape of the arm rest portion 45 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. When cut perpendicular to the axis 20A of the arm rest portion 45, the cross-sectional shape is substantially the same as that of the base portion 21. The arm rest portion 45 has a pair of narrow surfaces 46 and a pair of wide surfaces 47.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6 , an end surface 48 of the arm rest 45 is provided with an insertion hole (connection mechanism) (holding / releasing mechanism) 49 that extends along the axis 20A and has a circular cross section. The inner diameter of the insertion hole 49 is larger than the outer diameter of the support shaft 40 (excluding the sliding protrusions 41). Furthermore, the dimension of the insertion hole 49 in the direction of the axis 20A is larger than the dimension of the portion of the support shaft 40 that protrudes from the end surface 22 of the base 21 in the direction of the axis 20A. As shown in FIG. 4 , the support shaft 40 is inserted into the insertion hole 49, and the pair of sliding protrusions 41 contact the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 49. Therefore, the arm rest 45 can slide along the support shaft 40 relative to the base 21. Here, as shown in FIGS. 2 , 3 , and 8 , the position of the arm rest 45 in the direction of the axis 20A when the end surface 22 of the base 21 and the end surface 48 of the arm rest 45 face each other with a small gap between them is referred to as the approach position. Furthermore, the arm rest portion 45 is rotatable around the support shaft 40 relative to the base portion 21. Therefore, the arm rest portion 45 is rotatable between a first position shown in Fig. 2 and a second position shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 2, when the armrest 20 is in the use position and the arm rest portion 45 is in the first position, the narrow surface 46 of the arm rest portion 45 forms the upper surface of the arm rest portion 45. As shown in Fig. 7, when the armrest 20 is in the use position and the arm rest portion 45 is in the second position, the wide surface 47 of the arm rest portion 45 forms the upper surface of the arm rest portion 45.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6 , first and second engagement protrusions 52 and 56, each including a magnetic material, are provided on end surface 48 of armrest 45. The phrase "first and second engagement protrusions 52 and 56 include a magnetic material" means that the entire first and second engagement protrusions 52 and 56 are made of a magnetic material, and that only a portion of first and second engagement protrusions 52 and 56 are made of a magnetic material. Therefore, for example, the interiors of first and second engagement protrusions 52 and 56 may be made of a magnetic material, and the outer peripheries of first and second engagement protrusions 52 and 56 may be made of a resin. First and second engagement protrusions 52 and 56 include protrusions 53 and 57 extending from end surface 48 in parallel with axis 20A, and engagement claws 54 and 58 extending from the tips of protrusions 53 and 57 in a direction perpendicular to protrusions 53 and 57. As shown in Figure 6, when the arm rest 45 is in the first position, the first engagement protrusion 52 and the second engagement protrusion 56 are aligned in the vertical direction. At this time, the engagement claw 54 extends to the right from the protrusion 53, and the engagement claw 58 extends to the left from the protrusion 57. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 9, when the arm rest 45 is in the second position, the first engagement protrusion 52 and the second engagement protrusion 56 are aligned in the horizontal direction. At this time, the engagement claw 54 extends downward from the protrusion 53, and the engagement claw 58 extends upward from the protrusion 57.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, when the arm rest 45 is in the approach position, the first engagement protrusion 52 is inserted into the first arcuate groove 24 and the second engagement protrusion 56 is inserted into the second arcuate groove 25. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the arm rest 45 is in the first position and the approach position, the first engagement protrusion 52 is located at the upper end (left end) of the first arcuate groove 24 and the second engagement protrusion 56 is located at the lower end (right end) of the second arcuate groove 25. Furthermore, the first engagement protrusion 52, which includes a magnetic material, is attracted to the permanent magnet 36, and the second engagement protrusion 56, which includes a magnetic material, is attracted to the permanent magnet 37. Therefore, when no external force is applied to the arm rest 45, the rotational position of the arm rest 45 is maintained in the first position. At this time, the first engagement protrusion 52, which is located in the first arcuate groove 24, is separated from the first slide rail 27, and the second engagement protrusion 56, which is located in the second arcuate groove 25, is separated from the second slide rail 31. Furthermore, at this time, the positions of the engagement claw 54 and the first engagement hole 30 in the direction of the axis 20A coincide with each other, and the positions of the engagement claw 58 and the second engagement hole 34 in the direction of the axis 20A coincide with each other. Note that the cross section of the engagement claw 54 perpendicular to the protruding direction of the engagement claw 54 is smaller than that of the first engagement hole 30, and the cross section of the engagement claw 58 perpendicular to the protruding direction of the engagement claw 58 is smaller than that of the second engagement hole 34.

[0033] (Action and effect) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0034] Assume now that the armrest 20 is in the in-use position and the armrest portion 45 is in the approach position and the first position, as shown in Fig. 2. In this state, if a seated occupant P (see Fig. 1) manually rotates the armrest portion 45 by 90° in the direction of arrow R in Fig. 2, the first engagement protrusion 52 moves away from the permanent magnet 36 to the lower end of the first arc-shaped groove 24, and the second engagement protrusion 56 moves away from the permanent magnet 37 to the upper end of the second arc-shaped groove 25. As a result, the armrest portion 45 rotates to the second position, as shown by the solid line in Fig. 1 and in Figs. 7 and 8. At this time, the upper surface of the armrest portion 45 is formed by the wide surface 47, so that the seated occupant P can place his or her left arm on the wide surface 47. Furthermore, at this time, the engagement claw 54 of the first engagement protrusion 52 fits into the first engagement hole 30 of the first movable rail 29, and the engagement claw 58 of the second engagement protrusion 56 fits into the second engagement hole 34 of the second movable rail 33 (see FIG. 10). That is, the first slide rail 27 and the first engagement protrusion 52 are integrated, and the second slide rail 31 and the second engagement protrusion 56 are integrated.

[0035] Let us now consider a case in which a vehicle collision occurs in this state. Let us further consider a case in which a part of the body of seated occupant P, which has moved relative to seat 10, collides with armrest portion 45, and an external force F, indicated by an arrow (see FIGS. 1 and 12), is applied from seated occupant P to armrest portion 45. External force F is a forward force parallel to axis 20A.

[0036] When external force F acts on arm rest portion 45, arm rest portion 45 tries to slide forward relative to support shaft 40. When arm rest portion 45 slides forward relative to support shaft 40, sliding resistance is generated between each sliding protrusion 41 of support shaft 40 and the inner circumferential surface of insertion hole 49. If the magnitude of external force F is less than a predetermined value, this sliding resistance prevents arm rest portion 45 from sliding forward relative to support shaft 40. Therefore, arm rest portion 45 is held in the close position.

[0037] On the other hand, when the magnitude of the external force F is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the arm rest 45 slides forward relative to the support shaft 40 against this sliding resistance. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, the support shaft 40 escapes from the insertion hole 49, the first movable rail 29 slides forward relative to the first support rail 28, and the second movable rail 33 slides forward relative to the second support rail 32. In other words, the arm rest 45 moves forward relative to the base 21. Note that, once the support shaft 40 escapes from the insertion hole 49, the sliding movement of the first movable rail 29 and the second movable rail 33 becomes smoother than before the support shaft 40 escaped. The first slide rail 27 and the second slide rail 31 are provided with stopper mechanisms (not shown) that restrict the first movable rail 29 and the second movable rail 33 from sliding forward any further. 12, the stopper mechanism acts to restrict the forward movement of the first movable rail 29 and the second movable rail 33. The position of the armrest 45 at this time is the separated position.

[0038] When an external force F equal to or greater than the predetermined value is applied to the arm rest 45 in the approach position or the second position, the support shaft 40 and the insertion hole 49 allow the arm rest 45 to slide forward. Therefore, when a part of the body of the seated occupant P collides with the arm rest 45 in the second position, the impact force generated between the arm rest 45 and the body of the seated occupant P is mitigated.

[0039] Furthermore, since the first slide rail 27 and the first engagement protrusion 52 are integrated and the second slide rail 31 and the second engagement protrusion 56 are integrated, the seated occupant P can easily return the armrest portion 45, which has moved to the separated position, to the close position.

[0040] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 13 to 17. The same members of the second embodiment as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0041] The armrest 60 of the second embodiment includes a base 21, an armrest portion 45, a support shaft (connection mechanism) 61, a first slide rail (slide rail) (connection mechanism) 80, and a second slide rail (slide rail) (connection mechanism) 85.

[0042] 14 and 17, in this embodiment, a support shaft 61 is provided on the end surface 22 of the base 21 instead of the support shaft 40. The shape of the support shaft 61 is substantially the same as that of the support shaft 40. The support shaft 61 includes a first component 62, a second component 63, and a locking member (biasing member) (holding / releasing mechanism) 65 made up of a leaf spring. The first component 62 has substantially the same shape as the rear portion of the support shaft 40, and the rear portion of the first component 62 is fixed inside the base 21. The second component 63 has substantially the same shape as the front portion of the support shaft 40, and the second component 63 is rotatable around the axis of the support shaft 61 (axis 20A) relative to the first component 62.

[0043] As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the second component 63 has a hollow structure. A pair of through holes 64 are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the second component 63 (one of the through holes 64 is shown in Figures 15 and 16). The pair of through holes 64 are spaced approximately 180° apart in the circumferential direction around the axis 20A. The second component 63 also has a pair of locking members 65. Each locking member 65 is made of an elastic material. Each locking member 65 includes a fixed portion 66 at its front end, a supported portion 67 at its rear end, and a locking portion 68 provided between the fixed portion 66 and the supported portion 67. The fixed portion 66 is fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the second component 63. When the locking member 65 is in a free state as shown in Figure 15, a portion of the locking portion 68 is positioned on the outer peripheral side of the second component 63 through the corresponding through hole 64. The rear end of the locking portion 68 is formed by an inclined portion 68A. Furthermore, a pair of support plates 69 are fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the second component 63 (one of the support plates 69 is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16). Supported portions 67 corresponding to each support plate 69 are supported so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, an insertion hole (connection mechanism) 72 is formed in the end face 48 of the arm rest 45 instead of the insertion hole 49. The insertion hole 72 extends along the axis 20A and has a circular cross-sectional shape. The inner diameter of the insertion hole 72 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the support shaft 61 (excluding the locking member 65). Furthermore, the dimension of the insertion hole 72 in the direction of the axis 20A is larger than the dimension of the portion of the support shaft 61 protruding from the end face 22 in the direction of the axis 20A. Furthermore, a pair of recesses (holding / releasing mechanisms) 73 are formed in the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 72. The pair of recesses 73 are spaced approximately 180° apart from each other in the circumferential direction around the axis 20A. The front end face 74 and rear end face 75 of each recess 73 are flat surfaces perpendicular to the direction parallel to the axis 20A. Furthermore, a pair of pressing portions 77 are provided inside the arm rest 45, positioned immediately behind each rear end face 75. Each rear end surface 75 is a part of a pressing portion 77 .

[0045] The support shaft 61 is inserted into the insertion hole 72. Therefore, the arm rest 45 can slide along the support shaft 61 relative to the base 21. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, when the arm rest 45 is in the close position, the pair of locking members 65 is in a free state, and each locking portion 68 enters the corresponding recess 73. The widths (lengths in the circumferential direction around the axis 20A) of the locking portions 68 and the recesses 73 are substantially the same. Therefore, when the locking portions 68 enter the recesses 73, the relative rotation between the second component 63 and the arm rest 45 is substantially restricted by the locking portions 68 and the recesses 73. The position of the locking members 65 when the locking portions 68 enter the recesses 73 is the locked position.

[0046] As described above, the second component 63 is rotatable relative to the first component 62. Therefore, even when the locking member 65 is in the locked position, the arm rest 45 (second component 63) is rotatable relative to the base 21 (first component 62). Therefore, the arm rest 45 is rotatable between the first position shown in FIG. 13 and the second position shown in FIG. 14.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 17 , a first slide rail 80 and a second slide rail 85 are provided between the base 21 and the arm rest 45. The first slide rail 80 and the second slide rail 85 are made of a hard material. For example, the first slide rail 80 and the second slide rail 85 are made of metal. The first slide rail 80 includes a first support rail (support rail) 81 and a first movable rail (movable rail) 82, each having a substantially U-shaped cross section, while the second slide rail 85 includes a second support rail (support rail) 86 and a second movable rail (movable rail) 87, each having a substantially U-shaped cross section. The first support rail 81 is supported by a rotation support mechanism (not shown) provided in the first arc-shaped groove 24 so as to be immovable relative to the first arc-shaped groove 24 in a direction parallel to the axis 20A but movable relative to the first arc-shaped groove 24 in a circumferential direction of the axis 20A. Similarly, the second support rail 86 is supported by a rotation support mechanism (not shown) provided in the second arc-shaped groove 25 so as to be immovable relative to the second arc-shaped groove 25 in a direction parallel to the axis 20A but movable relative to the second arc-shaped groove 25 in the circumferential direction of the axis 20A. The front end faces of the first support rail 81 and the second support rail 86 are located slightly rearward of the end face 22. When the arm rest 45 is located in the first position, the first support rail 81 is located at the upper end (left end) of the first arc-shaped groove 24, and the second support rail 86 is located at the lower end (right end) of the second arc-shaped groove 25. On the other hand, when the arm rest 45 is located in the second position, as shown in FIG. 17 , the first support rail 81 is located at the lower end (right end) of the first arc-shaped groove 24, and the second support rail 86 is located at the upper end (left end) of the second arc-shaped groove 25. A first movable rail 82 is supported by the first support rail 81 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and a second movable rail 87 is supported by the second support rail 86 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the front ends of the first movable rail 82 and the second movable rail 87 are fixed to the armrest portion 45.

[0048] (Action and effect) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0049] Assume that the armrest 20 is in the use position and the armrest 45 is in the approach position and the first position, as shown in Fig. 13. In this state, if the seated occupant P manually rotates the armrest 45 by 90° in the direction of arrow R in Fig. 13, the first support rail 81, which was located at the upper end (left end) of the first arc-shaped groove 24, moves to the lower end (right end) of the first arc-shaped groove 24, and the second support rail 86, which was located at the lower end (right end) of the second arc-shaped groove 25, moves to the upper end (left end) of the second arc-shaped groove 25. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 14, the armrest 45 rotates to the second position. Note that, as the armrest 45 rotates, sliding resistance is generated between the outer peripheral surface of the support shaft 61 and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 72. Therefore, when no rotational external force is applied to the arm rest portion 45, or when the rotational external force applied to the arm rest portion 45 is small, the rotational position of the arm rest portion 45 is maintained by the support shaft 61 and the inner surface of the insertion hole 72.

[0050] Assume that a vehicle collision occurs in this state. Furthermore, assume that a part of the body of seated occupant P, which has moved relative to seat 10, collides with armrest portion 45, and an external force F, indicated by an arrow (see FIG. 17), is applied from seated occupant P to armrest portion 45.

[0051] When external force F is applied to arm rest portion 45, arm rest portion 45 attempts to slide forward relative to support shaft 61. At this time, pressing portions 77 (rear end surfaces 75) corresponding to inclined portions 68A of locking portions 68 of each locking member 65 come into contact. If the magnitude of external force F is less than a predetermined value, each inclined portion 68A prevents arm rest portion 45 (pressing portions 77) from sliding forward relative to support shaft 61. Therefore, arm rest portion 45 is held in the close position.

[0052] On the other hand, when the magnitude of the external force F is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, as shown in FIG. 16 , when each pressing portion 77 (rear end surface 75) contacts the inclined portion 68A of the corresponding locking portion 68, the supported portion 67 slides rearward along the support plate 69 and the locking portion 68 elastically deforms toward the axis 20A. That is, each locking member 65 moves to the unlocked position shown in FIG. 16 . When each locking member 65 is in the unlocked position, the radial position of the second component portion 63 of each locking portion 68 is substantially flush with the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 72. Therefore, the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 72 moves forward over the outer surface of each locking portion 68. That is, the armrest 45 moves forward along the support shaft 61. The first slide rail 80 and the second slide rail 85 are provided with stopper mechanisms (not shown) that prevent the first movable rail 82 and the second movable rail 87 from sliding further forward. 17, the stopper mechanism acts to restrict the forward movement of the first movable rail 82 and the second movable rail 87. The position of the armrest 45 at this time is the separated position.

[0053] When an external force F equal to or greater than the predetermined value is applied to the arm rest 45 in the approach position or the second position, the locking member 65 and the recess 73 allow the arm rest 45 to slide forward. Therefore, when a part of the body of the seated occupant P collides with the arm rest 45 in the second position, the impact force generated between the arm rest 45 and the body of the seated occupant P is mitigated.

[0054] Furthermore, since the first slide rail 80 and the second slide rail 85 connect the base 21 and the armrest portion 45, the seated occupant P can easily return the armrest portion 45, which has been moved to the separated position, to the close position.

[0055] Although the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0056] For example, the second embodiment may be embodied in a modified form shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 . In this modified form, a pair of through holes 90 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the second component 63. Furthermore, cylindrical storage sections 91 are provided in the inner peripheral surface of the second component 63 at locations corresponding to the through holes 90. The axis of the storage sections 91 is parallel to the radial direction of the second component 63. The inner end of the storage sections 91 is closed, and the outer end is open. One end of a compression coil spring (biasing member) (holding / release mechanism) 92 is fixed to the bottom surface of each storage section 91. A hemispherical locking member (holding / release mechanism) 93 is fixed to the other end of each storage section 91. When the armrest 45 is in the approach position, as shown in FIG. 18 , the pair of compression coil springs 92 are freed, and each locking member 93 enters the corresponding recess 73. The widths (circumferential lengths around the axis 20A) of each locking member 93 and each recess 73 are substantially the same. Therefore, when the locking member 93 enters the recess 73, the relative rotation between the second component part 63 and the armrest part 45 is substantially restricted by the locking member 93 and the recess 73. The position of the locking member 93 when it enters the recess 73 is the locked position.

[0057] When an external force F is applied to the arm rest 45 in the second position or the approach position, the arm rest 45 attempts to slide forward relative to the second component 63. At this time, the pressing portion 77 (rear end surface 75) corresponding to each locking member 93 comes into contact with the locking member 93. If the magnitude of the external force F is less than a predetermined value, each locking member 93 prevents the pressing portion 77 (arm rest 45) from sliding forward relative to the support shaft 61. Therefore, the arm rest 45 is held in the approach position.

[0058] On the other hand, when the magnitude of the external force F is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, as shown in FIG. 19, each pressing portion 77 (rear end surface 75) moves forward along the outer circumferential surface of the corresponding locking member 93. This causes the compression coil spring 92 to elastically deform so as to be compressed, and the locking member 93 to move toward the axis 20A. That is, each locking member 93 moves to the unlocked position shown in FIG. 19. When each locking member 93 is in the unlocked position, the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 72 moves forward over the outer circumferential surface of each locking member 93. That is, the arm rest 45 moves forward along the support shaft 61. Therefore, the arm rest 45 can move to the separated position.

[0059] Furthermore, the armrests 20, 60 in each embodiment may be provided with a biasing member that biases the first movable rails 29, 82 and the second movable rails 33, 87 forward. In this way, when the magnitude of the external force F is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the armrest portion 45 moves forward more smoothly relative to the base portion 21.

[0060] 18 and 19, the base 21 and the arm rest 45 may be connected to each other so as to be movable relative to each other in the front-to-rear direction by a connection mechanism instead of the first slide rail 80 and the second slide rail 85. Such a connection mechanism includes, for example, a bellows and a pantograph.

[0061] In the first and second embodiments and the modifications shown in Figures 18 and 19, a string connecting the base 21 and the armrest 45 may be used as a connecting mechanism instead of the first slide rail 80 and the second slide rail 85.

[0062] In the second embodiment, the support shaft 61 may be provided with only one locking member 65. Similarly, in the modified examples of FIGS.

[0063] In the second embodiment and the modified examples of Figures 18 and 19, the portions of the support shaft 61 corresponding to the first component 62 and the second component 63 may be unable to rotate relative to each other, and the support shaft 61 may be able to rotate relative to the base 21 around the axis of the support shaft 61.

[0064] In the second embodiment and the modified examples of Figures 18 and 19, the portions of the support shaft 61 corresponding to the first component portion 62 and the second component portion 63 are non-rotatable relative to each other, the support shaft 61 is non-rotatable relative to the base 21 around the axis of the support shaft 61, and the recess 73 may be redesigned to be an annular recess formed around the entire circumferential surface of the insertion hole 72.

[0065] In the first embodiment, the first engaging protrusion 52 and the second engaging protrusion 56 may include permanent magnets, and the base 21 may include a magnetic body instead of the permanent magnets 36 and 37 .

[0066] In the first embodiment, permanent magnets may be provided on the first movable rail 29 and the second movable rail 33. For example, permanent magnets may be provided on the inner surfaces of the first engagement holes 30 and the second engagement holes 34, respectively. In this way, when the engagement claw 54 of the first engagement protrusion 52 enters the first engagement hole 30, the permanent magnet provided in the first engagement hole 30 attracts the engagement claw 54, making it easier to maintain the state in which the engagement claw 54 enters the first engagement hole 30. Similarly, when the engagement claw 58 of the second engagement protrusion 56 enters the second engagement hole 34, the permanent magnet provided in the second engagement hole 34 attracts the engagement claw 58, making it easier to maintain the state in which the engagement claw 58 enters the second engagement hole 34. Therefore, even when the armrest 45 moves forward rapidly relative to the base 21, the integrated state between the first movable rail 29 and the first engagement protrusion 52 and the integrated state between the second movable rail 33 and the second engagement protrusion 56 are easily maintained. In this case, the permanent magnet, the first engagement hole 30, the second engagement hole 34, the first engagement protrusion 52 and the second engagement protrusion 56 are components of the support state maintaining mechanism.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the first engagement protrusion 52 and the second engagement protrusion 56 may be equipped with permanent magnets, and the first movable rail 29 and the second movable rail 33 may be equipped with magnetic materials that are attracted to the permanent magnets. In this case, even if the armrest 45 moves forcefully forward relative to the base 21, the integrated state between the first movable rail 29 and the first engagement protrusion 52 and the integrated state between the second movable rail 33 and the second engagement protrusion 56 are likely to be maintained. In this case, the first engagement hole 30, the second engagement hole 34, the first engagement protrusion 52, and the second engagement protrusion 56 are components of the support state maintaining mechanism. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10 Vehicle seats (seats) 12 Seat back 20 Armrest 20A axis 21 Base 27 First slide rail (slide rail) (connection mechanism) 28 First support rail (support rail) 29 First moving rail (moving rail) 30 First engagement hole (support state maintaining mechanism) 31 Second slide rail (slide rail) (connection mechanism) 32 Second support rail (support rail) 33 Second movable rail (movable rail) 34 Second engagement hole (support state maintaining mechanism) 40 Support shaft (connection mechanism) (holding and release mechanism) 45 Armrest 49 Insertion hole (connection mechanism) (holding and release mechanism) 52 First engagement protrusion (support state holding mechanism) (connection mechanism) 56 Second engagement protrusion (support state holding mechanism) (connection mechanism) 60 Armrest 61 Support shaft (connection mechanism) 65 Locking member (biasing member) (holding and releasing mechanism) 72 Insertion hole (connection mechanism) 73 Recess (holding release mechanism) 77 Pressing part 80 First slide rail (slide rail) (connection mechanism) 81 First support rail (support rail) 82 First moving rail (moving rail) 85 Second slide rail (slide rail) (connection mechanism) 86 Second support rail (support rail) 87 Second movable rail (movable rail) 92 Compression coil spring (biasing member) (holding and releasing mechanism) 93 Locking member (holding and releasing mechanism) F external force P Seated occupant

Claims

1. a base portion that is a part of a vehicle seat, that is supported by a seat back, and that extends along a predetermined axis; an armrest portion that is movable relative to the base portion between a close position where the armrest portion is positioned on the axis and close to the base portion, and a distant position where the armrest portion is farther away from the base portion than the close position; a connection mechanism that connects the armrest portion located at the close position to the base portion so that the armrest portion can rotate around the axis relative to the base portion between a first position and a second position; a holding / release mechanism that holds the arm rest portion at the approaching position when the magnitude of an external force acting on the arm rest portion at the second position in a direction moving the arm rest portion away from the base portion along the axis is less than a predetermined value, and allows the arm rest portion to move from the approaching position to the away position when the magnitude of the external force is equal to or greater than the predetermined value; Equipped with The connection mechanism a support rail attached to the base so as to be immovable along the axis and immovable about the axis; a movable rail supported by the armrest portion, which is separated from the support rail when the armrest portion is located at the first position, and which is slidably supported on the support rail when the armrest portion is located at the second position; An armrest having a slide rail having a

2. The slide rail is The armrest according to claim 1 , further comprising a support state maintaining mechanism that maintains a state in which the movable rail is supported by the support rail when the armrest portion is located at the second position.

3. The support state maintaining mechanism is a magnet provided on one of the support rail and the movable rail; a member including a magnetic body provided on the other of the support rail and the movable rail; The armrest of claim 2 , comprising:

4. The retention and release mechanism a support shaft supported by the base and protruding from the base along the axis; an insertion hole provided in the armrest portion, into which the support shaft is inserted slidably along the axis, the insertion hole having an inner surface that generates sliding resistance between the support shaft and the insertion hole when the support shaft slides; The armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

5. A base that is a part of a vehicle seat, is supported by a seat back, and extends along a predetermined axis; an armrest portion that is movable relative to the base portion between a close position where the armrest portion is positioned on the axis and close to the base portion, and a distant position where the armrest portion is farther away from the base portion than the close position; a connection mechanism that connects the armrest portion located at the close position to the base portion so that the armrest portion can rotate around the axis relative to the base portion between a first position and a second position; a holding / release mechanism that holds the arm rest portion at the approaching position when the magnitude of an external force acting on the arm rest portion at the second position in a direction moving the arm rest portion away from the base portion along the axis is less than a predetermined value, and allows the arm rest portion to move from the approaching position to the away position when the magnitude of the external force is equal to or greater than the predetermined value; Equipped with The connection mechanism a support rail attached to the base so as to be immovable along the axis and rotatable about the axis; a movable rail supported on the armrest portion and slidably supported on the support rail regardless of the position of the armrest portion around the axis; An armrest having a slide rail having a

6. The retention and release mechanism a locking member that is immovable in the axial direction relative to the base and that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; a biasing member that is immovable in the axial direction relative to the base and generates a biasing force that biases the locking member toward the lock position; a pressing portion that is provided on the arm rest portion and faces the locking member that is located at the locked position from the base portion side when the arm rest portion is located at the approach position, and that moves the locking member to the unlocked position against the biasing force when collided with the locking member by the external force equal to or greater than the predetermined value; The armrest of claim 5 , comprising:

Images