Seat-state changing device, vehicle seat, and vehicle

Abstract

This seat-state changing device comprises: a first unlock mechanism that, upon receipt of an operating force, of a user, of a first operation member or an operating force of a second operation member, unlocks a first lock part that secures a seat back in an upright posture against an urging force of a first urging part; a second unlock mechanism that, as a consequence of tilting of the seat back by the unlocking of the first lock part, unlocks a second lock part that secures a seat cushion in a horizontal posture against an urging force of a second urging part; and a cancel mechanism that, upon receipt of the operating force of the second operation member, disables unlocking of the second lock part by the second unlock mechanism that occurred as a consequence of the tilting of the seat back.

Description

Seat state changing device, vehicle seat and vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat state changing device for changing the state of a seat, a vehicle seat, and a vehicle.

[0002] A known example of this type of device is one that is configured to sequentially change the state of a seat between a state in which the seat back is tilted forward and a state in which the seat is flipped up while the seat back is tilted forward by rotating an operating lever (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the device described in Patent Document 1, if the user stops rotating the operating lever while the seat back is being tilted forward, the seat back is maintained in the forward-tilted state without being flipped up.

[0003] Patent No. 5141680

[0004] In the device described in Patent Document 1, the seat state is switched between a state in which the seat back is tilted forward and a state in which the seat is flipped up, depending on whether or not the user stops rotating the operating lever while the seat back is tilting forward. Therefore, there is a risk that the seat state will be switched to the wrong state if the user stops rotating the operating lever at the wrong time.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is a seat state changing device that changes a seat having a seat cushion that is positionally changeable between a horizontal position extending in a substantially horizontal direction and a vertical position extending in a substantially vertical direction, and a seat back that is rotatably attached to the seat cushion about an axis and that is positionally changeable between an upright position in which the seat cushion is in the horizontal position and a folded position in which the seat back is in the horizontal position, to a predetermined seat state. The predetermined seat states include a first state in which the seat cushion is in the horizontal position and the seat back is in the upright position, a second state in which the seat cushion is in the horizontal position and the seat back is in the folded position, and a third state in which the seat cushion is in the vertical position and the seat back is in the folded position. The seat state change device includes a first biasing portion that biases the seat back so that it assumes a folded position, a first locking portion that fixes the seat back in an upright position against the biasing force of the first biasing portion, a second biasing portion that biases the seat cushion so that it assumes a vertical position, a second locking portion that fixes the seat cushion in a horizontal position against the biasing force of the second biasing portion, a first operating member and a second operating member to which a user inputs an operating force, a first lock release mechanism that releases the first locking portion in response to the operating force of the first operating member or the operating force of the second operating member, a second lock release mechanism that releases the second locking portion as the seat back reclines due to the release of the first locking portion, and a canceling mechanism that disables the release of the second locking portion by the second lock release mechanism in response to the operating force of the second operating member.

[0006] Another aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat including the above-described seat state changing device.

[0007] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a vehicle including the vehicle seat described above.

[0008] According to the present invention, the handle can be prevented from coming into contact with the rear wheel and becoming dirty when the bicycle is in the folded position.

[0009] 4A . FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle seat to which a seat state changing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 1A is a side view showing an example of a vehicle in which the seat of FIG. 1A is installed. FIG. 1B is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a connection portion between a seat cushion frame and a seat back frame shown in FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is a side view showing a typical seat state obtained by a seat state changing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1D is a front view showing a schematic configuration of an example of a reclining mechanism included in a seat state changing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4C is a side view showing a configuration of a locking portion of a tumble mechanism included in a seat state changing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4A is a side view showing an example of an operation subsequent to FIG. 4B. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main configuration of an interlocking mechanism included in a seat state changing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a view taken along an arrow VI in FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the interlocking mechanism of FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a side view showing an example of an operation of the interlocking mechanism when the seat back is in the middle of changing from an upright position to a folded position. FIG. 8A is a side view showing an example of an operation subsequent to FIG. 8A. FIG. 8C is a side view showing an example of an operation when a canceling mechanism is activated. FIG. 8D is a side view showing an example of an operation subsequent to FIG. 8C. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a connection state of a plurality of cables routed in the seat of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a modified example of an operating lever. 12 is a view showing another modified example of the operating lever. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a rear seat of a vehicle. FIG. 14 is a plan view of an armrest frame and its peripheral portion that constitute the armrest of FIG.

[0010] 1A to 10B, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The seat state changing device according to this embodiment is applied to a vehicle seat, which is one example of a vehicle seat. However, the seat state changing device can also be applied to other vehicle seats, and can also be applied to devices other than vehicle seats.

[0011] 1A is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle seat (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a seat) 100 to which a seat state changing device according to this embodiment is applied. Hereinafter, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are defined as shown in the figure with reference to an occupant seated in the seat 100. The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the seat 100 are the same as the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the vehicle, but they do not have to be the same.

[0012] FIG. 1B is a side view of a vehicle 210 to which a seat 100 according to this embodiment is applied. The vehicle 210 has, for example, three rows of seats in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Of these three rows of seats, the seat 100 installed in the second row, for example, is the seat 100 shown in FIG. 1A. Note that FIG. 1A particularly shows the seat 100 installed on the left side of the vehicle among the seats installed in the second row. Therefore, a door 211 for passengers in the second and third row seats to get in and out is provided to the left of the seat 100. When passengers get in the third row seats, the seat 100 is folded from the seated position shown in FIG. 1A. Note that a seat installed on the right side of the vehicle can be configured symmetrically to the seat 100 shown in FIG. 1A. Below, the configuration of each part of the seat 100 installed on the left side of the vehicle will be described.

[0013] 1A, the seat 100 includes a seat cushion 1 that supports the buttocks of the occupant, a seat back 2 that supports the lumbar region and back of the occupant, and a headrest 3 that supports the head of the occupant. The seat cushion 1 includes a seat cushion frame 10 that forms the skeleton of the seat cushion 1, and the seat back 2 includes a seat back frame 20 that forms the skeleton of the seat back 2. The periphery of the seat cushion frame 10 is covered with a pad, and the surface of the pad is further covered with a skin. Similarly, the periphery of the seat back frame 20 is covered with a pad, and the surface of the pad is further covered with a skin.

[0014] The seat cushion frame 10 has a pair of left and right side frames 11 extending in the front-rear direction, and a pair of front and rear connecting frames 12 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the left and right side frames 11. The seat back frame 20 has a pair of left and right side frames 21 extending in the up-down direction, and a pair of upper and lower connecting frames 22 extending in the left-right direction and connecting the left and right side frames 21. Although not shown in the figures, support members (spring members, panel members, etc.) for supporting an occupant seated in the seat 100 are installed in the left-right direction between the left and right side frames 11 of the seat cushion frame 10 and between the left and right side frames 21 of the seat back frame 20.

[0015] A pair of front and rear bases (front base 13 and rear base 14) are provided at the lower ends of the left and right side frames 11 of the seat cushion frame 10. Support portions 201 and 202 are provided on a floor 200 below the seat 100 at positions corresponding to the bases 13 and 14. The seat cushion frame 10 is supported on the floor 200 via the bases 13 and 14 and the support portions 201 and 202. A slide mechanism is provided between the side frames 11 and the bases 13 and 14 to support the seat cushion frame 10 so that it can slide in the front-rear direction.

[0016] The seatback frame 20 is connected to the seat cushion frame 10 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction around an axis CL1 extending in the left-right direction. Fig. 1C is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the connection portion between the seat cushion frame 10 and the seatback frame 20. As shown in Fig. 1C, a substantially plate-shaped lower bracket 15 is fixed to the rear ends of the left and right side frames 11 of the seat cushion frame 10 by welding or the like. A substantially plate-shaped upper bracket 25 is fixed to the lower ends of the left and right side frames 21 of the seatback frame 20 by welding or the like.

[0017] The lower bracket 15 extends along a vertical plane extending in the front-rear direction to a position rearward and upward relative to the side frame 11, more specifically to a position facing the upper bracket 25. The upper bracket 25 extends downward along the vertical plane extending in the front-rear direction so as to cover the lower end of the side frame 21. The lower bracket 15 is disposed outward in the left-right direction from the upper bracket 25, approximately parallel to the upper bracket 25, and with a predetermined gap left-right from the upper bracket 25. Note that, instead of forming the lower bracket 15 as a separate member from the side frame 11, a bracket portion functioning as the lower bracket 15 may be provided on the side frame 11. Instead of forming the upper bracket 25 as a separate member from the side frame 21, a bracket portion functioning as the upper bracket 25 may be provided on the side frame 21.

[0018] In a region where the lower bracket 15 and the upper bracket 25 overlap in a side view, a shaft 33 is provided to extend so as to penetrate the lower bracket 15 and the upper bracket 25 in the left-right direction. The shaft 33 is located above the seat surface 1a of the seat cushion 1. In this way, the seatback frame 20 is supported by the seat cushion frame 10 via the shaft 33 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction.

[0019] 1A , the front base 13 of the seat cushion frame 10 is supported by a support portion 201 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction around an axis CL2 extending in the left-right direction. On the other hand, the rear base 14 is supported by a support portion 202 so as to be detachable from the support portion 202. When the rear base 14 is detached from the support portion 202, the seat cushion 1 rotates forward around the axis CL2 and becomes able to stand on the floor 200.

[0020] An operating lever 101 that can be operated upward (in the direction of arrow A) is provided on the left side of the upper end of the seat back 2 (to the left of the headrest 3), i.e., on the door side. An operating lever 102 that can be operated forward (in the direction of arrow B) is provided in the center of the front end of the seat cushion 1. For convenience, the operating lever 101 may be referred to as the upper operating lever, and the operating lever 102 may be referred to as the lower operating lever below. The upper operating lever 101 can be easily operated by an occupant entering or exiting a third-row seat from the left side of the seat 100 via the door 211 ( FIG. 1B ). The lower operating lever 102 can be easily operated by an occupant sitting in the second-row seat 100.

[0021] A vehicle can realize various seat arrangements by changing the seat state. The seat state is changed in response to the operation of operation levers 101 and 102. FIG. 2 is a side view schematically showing representative seat states of the seat 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the seat state of the seat 100 can be changed to a seated state, a forward-leaning state, and a tumbling state.

[0022] In the seated state, the seat cushion 1 assumes a horizontal position with the seat surface 1a extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and the seat back 2 assumes an upright position standing up from the seat cushion 1. At this time, the angle between the seat surface 1a and the occupant support surface 2a (front surface) of the seat back 2 is, for example, approximately 90° to 120°. The seated state refers to a state in which the occupant can sit on the seat 100. Therefore, it is sufficient that the seat back 2 is upright enough to allow the occupant to sit, and the angle between the seat surface 1a and the support surface 2a may be less than 90° or greater than 120°.

[0023] The seatback frame 20 (upper bracket 25 in FIG. 1C) is rotatably connected to the seat cushion frame 10 (lower bracket 15 in FIG. 1C) via a reclining mechanism 30. The reclining mechanism 30 has a spring S1 (shown as a spiral spring in FIG. 2 for convenience) that urges the seatback 2 forward (in the direction of arrow A), and a locking portion R1 that fixes the seatback 2 at any rotational position against the urging force of the spring S1. The spring S1 may also be configured as a torsion spring or a coil spring.

[0024] The locking unit R1 can be released by operating the operating levers 101, 102 (FIG. 1A). The specific configuration of the reclining mechanism 30 will be described later. When a user (passenger or non-passenger) releases the locking unit R1 by operating the operating levers 101, 102, the seat back 2 is rotated forward to its maximum extent by the biasing force of the spring S1. This causes the seat 100 to fold and assume a forward-leaning state. In the forward-leaning state, the seat back 2 assumes a substantially horizontal folded position, with the seat surface 1a of the seat cushion 1 facing the support surface 2a of the seat back 2.

[0025] The seat cushion frame 10 is supported by support portions 201, 202 of the floor 200 via a tumble mechanism 40 so as to be rotatable forward. When the seat cushion frame 10 rotates forward (in the direction of arrow B) while the seat back 2 is in the folded position (forward tilted position), the seat cushion 1 assumes a vertical position with the seat surface extending in a substantially vertical direction, and the seat 100 enters a tumble position.

[0026] The tumble mechanism 40 has a rotation mechanism 41 that connects the front base 13 of the seat cushion frame 10 (side frame 11) to a support portion 201 of the floor 200 so that the rotation mechanism 41 can rotate about an axis CL2. The rotation mechanism 41 has a shaft 42 that extends in the left-right direction along the axis CL2 and penetrates the front base 13 and the support portion 201, and a spring S2 (shown in the form of a spiral spring in FIG. 2 for convenience) that urges the seat cushion 1 forward (in the direction of arrow B). The spring S2 may also be configured as a torsion spring or a coil spring.

[0027] The tumble mechanism 40 further has a locking portion R2 that locks the rear base portion 14 of the seat cushion frame 10 to a support portion 202 of the floor 200. When the locking portion R2 is activated, the seat cushion 1 is prevented from pivoting forward, and the seat is maintained in a forward-tilted state. When the locking portion R2 is deactivated, the rear base portion 14 is released from the support portion 202. As a result, the seat cushion 1 pivots forward due to the biasing force of the spring S2, and the seat 100 enters a tumble state. The specific configuration of the locking portion R2 will be described later.

[0028] The seat 100 further includes an interlocking mechanism 50 located near the connection between the lower bracket 15 and the upper bracket 25, i.e., around the axis CL1, that releases the locking mechanism R2 in response to the forward rotation of the seat back 2. When the seat back 2 is tilted so that the angle between the seat surface 1a of the seat cushion 1 and the support surface 2a of the seat back 2 becomes less than a predetermined angle, the interlocking mechanism 50 is activated to release the locking mechanism R2. Therefore, by operating the lever to release the locking mechanism R1 of the reclining mechanism 30, the seat position can be sequentially transitioned from the seated position to the forward-tilted position and then to the tumble position. In other words, with a single lever operation, the seat 100 can be changed from the seated position to the forward-tilted position and then to the tumble position.

[0029] As described above, the seat state changing device according to this embodiment includes the reclining mechanism 30, the tumble mechanism 40, and the interlocking mechanism 50. The interlocking mechanism 50, in particular, allows the seat 100 to be easily changed from a seated state to a tumbled state. To achieve a variety of seat arrangements, it is preferable to configure the seat so that it can be maintained not only in the seated state and the tumbled state, but also in a forward-tilted state. However, when the interlocking mechanism 50 is activated, the seat state is changed from the seated state to the tumbled state, making it difficult to maintain the seat in a forward-tilted state. Therefore, in this embodiment, the seat state changing device is configured as follows so that the seat state can be easily maintained in a forward-tilted state.

[0030] First, the specific configuration of the reclining mechanism 30 will be described. The reclining mechanism 30 is provided, for example, between the left lower bracket 15 and the upper bracket 25, i.e., between the right end face of the lower bracket 15 and the left end face of the upper bracket 25. Figure 3 is a front view (viewed from the left) that schematically shows an example of the reclining mechanism 30, and mainly shows the configuration of the lock portion R1 (Figure 2). Note that the spring S1 (Figure 2) is not shown.

[0031] 3, the reclining mechanism 30 includes a lower plate 31 (only the protrusions 31a are shown) fixed to the right end surface of the lower bracket 15 and having four circumferential protrusions 31a protruding to the right, an upper plate 32 (only the generally ring-shaped portion protruding to the left is shown) fixed to the left end surface of the upper bracket 25, a shaft 33 (FIG. 1C) extending along the axis CL1 and penetrating the lower plate 31 and the upper plate 32, a cam plate 34 disposed in the space between the lower plate 31 and the upper plate 32 and rotating integrally with the shaft 33, a pair of upper and lower locking members 35 disposed in the space, and a pair of left and right torsion springs 36 that bias the cam plate 34 in the direction of arrow A. The lower plate 31, the upper plate 32, and the shaft 33 are shown hatched for convenience in order to distinguish them from other components.

[0032] The pair of upper and lower locking members 35 engage with guide grooves 31b between the front and rear protrusions 31a of the lower plate 31 and are movable up and down, i.e., radially inward and outward, along the guide grooves 31b. The locking members 35 have a cam portion on their inner end surface and external teeth 35a on their outer end surface. The upper plate 32 has internal teeth 32a formed circumferentially on its inner circumferential surface. The external teeth 35a of the locking members 35 engage with the internal teeth 32a of the upper plate 32 when they move radially outward. The cam plate 34 engages with the locking members 35, and when the cam plate 34 rotates in the direction of arrow A due to the biasing force of the torsion spring 36 as shown, the locking members 35 move radially outward. As a result, the external teeth 35a mesh with the internal teeth 32a, fixing the rotational position of the upper bracket 25 relative to the lower bracket 15 (reclining lock). That is, the locking member 35 constitutes a locking portion R1 (FIG. 2), and the seat back 2 can be fixed at any rotational position via the locking member 35.

[0033] On the other hand, when the cam plate 34 rotates in the direction of arrow B against the biasing force of the torsion spring 36, the locking member 35 is pulled by the cam plate 34 and moves radially inward. This separates the outer teeth 35a from the inner teeth 32a, allowing the upper bracket 25 to rotate relative to the lower bracket 15 (reclining lock release). The shaft 33 penetrates the upper bracket 25, and a cable C34 for releasing the reclining lock is connected to its right end. By operating the operating levers 101 and 102 (FIG. 1), the cable C34 is pulled in the direction of arrow C (FIG. 9), as described below, causing the cam plate 34 to rotate in the direction of arrow B. When the operating levers 101 and 102 are released, the biasing force of the torsion spring 36 causes the cam plate 34 to rotate in the direction A, and the cable C34 returns to its original position.

[0034] Next, the configuration of the locking portion R2 of the tumble mechanism 40 will be described. FIG. 4A is a side view schematically illustrating an example of the locking portion R2. As shown in FIG. 4A, the locking portion R2 has a hook 43 that is provided to be engageable with a generally U-shaped striker 203 (an example of a support portion 202) that protrudes upward from the floor 200. The hook 43 is pivotally supported on the rear base 14 about an axis CL41 that extends in the left-right direction. When the tip of the hook 43 engages with the striker 203, the locking portion R2 is activated (cushion lock). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the tip of the hook 43 disengages from the striker 203, the locking portion R2 is released (cushion lock release).

[0035] The configuration of the locking portion R2 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 4A , in addition to the hook 43, the locking portion R2 includes an upper plate 44 rotatably supported on the rear base 14 above the hook 43 about an axis CL42 extending in the left-right direction, a lower plate 45 rotatably supported on the rear base 14 between the upper plate 44 and the hook 43 about an axis CL43 extending in the left-right direction, an actuating plate 46 rotatably supported on the hook 43 about the axis CL44 extending in the left-right direction, and a spring 47 connected to one end of the lower plate 45 and one end of the actuating plate 46. One end of the lower plate 45 engages with the upper plate 44, and the lower plate 45 rotates as the upper plate 44 rotates. A pin 48 protrudes leftward from the lower plate 45 and is inserted into a through-hole formed in the actuating plate 46. A cable C51 for unlocking the locking portion R2 is connected to the end of the upper plate 44.

[0036] 4B , when the cable C51 is pulled upward (in the direction of arrow D), the upper plate 44 and the lower plate 45 rotate against the biasing force of the spring 47. Furthermore, as the lower plate 45 rotates, the operating plate 46 rotates via the pin 48. This causes the hook 43 to rotate in the direction of arrow A, and the tip of the hook 43 disengages from the striker 203, releasing the locking portion R2.

[0037] When the cable C51 is subsequently loosened, as shown in FIG. 4C , the upper plate 44 rotates via the lower plate 45 due to the biasing force of the spring 47, and the cable C51 is pulled downward (in the direction of arrow F2). This state is a lockable state, and when the rear base 14 is pushed downward (in the direction of arrow A) while in the lockable state, the striker 203 is pushed into the tip of the hook 43. This again activates the locking unit R2. Note that the cable C51 is a cable for unlocking the left locking unit R2, and a separate cable C52 is provided for unlocking the right locking unit R2 (see FIG. 9 ).

[0038] Next, the configuration of the interlocking mechanism 50 at the connection portion between the seat cushion 1 and the seat back 2 will be described. Fig. 5 is a perspective view (viewed diagonally from the front left) showing the main configuration of the interlocking mechanism 50, Fig. 6 is a view of the interlocking mechanism 50 as seen from the rear (view along arrow VI in Fig. 5), and Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the interlocking mechanism 50. As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, the interlocking mechanism 50 has a base plate 51 fixed to the left end surface of the lower bracket 15, a rotating plate 52 rotatably attached to the left end surface of the base plate 51, a lever plate 53 rotatably attached to the left end surface of the rotating plate 52, and a pressing plate 54 fixed to the left end surface of the upper bracket 25.

[0039] The base plate 51 has a flange portion 511 that abuts against the left end surface of the lower bracket 15, a plate support portion 512 that bends leftward from the upper end of the flange portion 511 and then extends upward while being spaced apart from the left end surface of the lower bracket 15, and a cable support portion 513 that protrudes leftward from the lower end of the flange portion 511. A through hole 51a is formed in the plate support portion 512 along the axis CL1, and a right end portion of a substantially cylindrical shaft portion 55 is fitted into the through hole 51a. The shaft portion 55 is located to the left of and spaced apart from the shaft portion 33 ( FIG. 6 ) of the reclining mechanism 30. The base plate 51 is fastened to the lower bracket 15 by a bolt 56 that is inserted through a through hole 51b formed in the flange portion 511. The cable support portion 513 has three notches 513a extending from the left end surface toward the right, and the outer cable is supported by the notches 513a (see FIG. 8A).

[0040] The rotating plate 52 has a lower end surface formed in a substantially arcuate shape, and the entire rotating plate 52 has a substantially semicircular shape that is elongated in the front-to-rear direction. A through-hole 52a is formed in the rotating plate 52 along the axis CL1. A spring bearing portion 521 protrudes to the right from the upper end surface of the rotating plate 52 above the through-hole 52a. The left end of the shaft portion 55 is inserted into the through-hole 52a via a torsion spring 57. The rotating plate 52 is supported on the base plate 51 via the shaft portion 55 so as to be rotatable about the axis CL1. One end of the torsion spring 57 is engaged with the spring bearing portion 521, and the other end is engaged with the base plate 51. As a result, the biasing force of the torsion spring 57 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5 (clockwise) about the axis CL1 constantly acts on the rotating plate 52.

[0041] A through-hole 52b is formed in the front end of the rotating plate 52 along an axis CL5 extending in the left-right direction. Abutment surfaces 524 for the pins 58 are formed on the upper end surface of the rotating plate 52 above the through-hole 52b. A pair of front and rear cable connecting portions 525 are provided in the rear end of the rotating plate 52. The cable connecting portions 525 are elongated holes that are vertically long, and the tips of cables are slidably engaged in the cable connecting portions 525, as will be described later ( FIG. 8A ).

[0042] The lever plate 53 is generally C-shaped and centered on the axis CL5. A through-hole 53a is formed in the center of the lever plate 53, centered on the axis CL5. A shaft 59 is inserted through the through-hole 53a. The right end of the shaft 59 that passes through the through-hole 53a is fitted into a through-hole 52b of the rotating plate 52. As a result, the lever plate 53 is rotatably supported on the rotating plate 52 about the axis CL5 via the shaft 59. A torsion spring 60 is attached around the shaft 59. One end of the torsion spring 60 is engaged with a spring bearing 532 provided at one end of the lever plate 53, and the other end is engaged with a spring bearing 526 provided on the rotating plate 52. As a result, the lever plate 53 is constantly biased by the torsion spring 57 in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5 (counterclockwise) centered on the axis CL5.

[0043] A through-hole 53b is opened in the left-right direction at the upper end of the lever plate 53. The left end of a generally cylindrical pin 58 is fitted into the through-hole 53b. The pin 58 extends rightward beyond the abutment surface 524 of the rotating plate 52. When the lever plate 53 is rotated counterclockwise by the biasing force of the torsion spring 57, the outer circumferential surface of the pin 58 abuts against the abutment surface 524. The lower end of the lever plate 53 is folded back toward the upper end, forming a cable connecting portion 534. An end of a cable is engaged with the cable connecting portion 534, as described below.

[0044] The pressing plate 54 has a flange portion 541 fixed to the left end surface of the upper bracket 25 above the reclining mechanism 30, an arc portion 542 having a generally arc-like shape centered on the axis CL1 and protruding leftward from the lower end of the flange portion 541, and a protruding portion 543 protruding downward from the left end of the arc portion 542. As shown in FIG. 6 , the arc portion 542 extends leftward beyond the plate support portion 512 of the base plate 51, and the protruding portion 543 is located to the right of the lever plate 53 and to the left of the right end of the pin 58. As shown in FIG. 5 , the protruding portion 543 has a generally triangular shape in a side view, and an abutting portion 544 that abuts against the pin 58 is provided on a front inclined surface of the protruding portion 543.

[0045] 5 shows the configuration of interlocking mechanism 50 when seat 100 is in a seated position, which corresponds to the initial state of interlocking mechanism 50 in which pin 58 and abutment portion 544 are separated. When upper bracket 25 rotates forward (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 5) from this initial state, abutment portion 544 of pressing plate 54 abuts against pin 58. As a result, a rotational force about axis CL1 acts on lever plate 53 and rotating plate 52 via pin 58, and lever plate 53 and rotating plate 52 rotate integrally in the direction of arrow B (counterclockwise) about axis CL1.

[0046] On the other hand, when the lever plate 53 rotates from the initial state in the direction of arrow A (clockwise) around the axis CL5, the pin 58 moves rearward. As a result, the pin 58 is retracted radially inward of the rotation trajectory of the pressing plate 54 around the axis CL1. Therefore, even if the upper bracket 25 rotates forward, the abutment portion 544 of the pressing plate 54 does not abut against the pin 58, and the rotation of the rotating plate 52 in the direction of arrow B is prevented.

[0047] FIG. 8A is a side view showing an example of the operation of the interlocking mechanism 50 while the seat back 2 is moving from an upright position to a folded position. As shown in FIG. 8A , the ends of a cylindrical outer member 515 that covers the periphery of cables C51 to C53 are supported by a cable support portion 513 of the base plate 51. The distal ends of cables C51 and C52 are respectively connected to a pair of front and rear cable connecting portions 525 provided on the rotating plate 52. The distal end of cable C53 is connected to a cable connecting portion 534 provided on the lever plate 53. The cables C51 to C53 extend in the vertical direction without crossing each other and are arranged spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. The cables C51 to C53 are movable within the outer member 515, and the lengths from the distal ends of the outer member 515 to the distal ends of the cables C51 to C53 change as the seat back frame 20 rotates.

[0048] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the connection state of multiple cables routed in the seat 100. An outer 515 as shown in Fig. 8A is provided around each cable, but the outer 515 is not shown in Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 9, one end of a cable C31 is connected to a lower operating lever 102 provided at the front end of the seat cushion 1. The other end of the cable C31 is connected to a cushion relay part 61 arranged inside the seat cushion 1. One ends of cables C32 and C53 are further connected to the cushion relay part 61.

[0049] The other end of cable C53 is connected to interlocking mechanism 50 (FIG. 8A). Furthermore, one ends of cables C51 and C52 are connected to interlocking mechanism 50. The other end of cable C51 is connected to locking portion R2 on the left side of seat 100 (see FIG. 4A). The other end of cable C52 is connected to locking portion R2 on the right side of seat 100.

[0050] The other end of cable C32 is connected to a back relay part 62 arranged inside the seat back 2. One end of cable C33 is connected to an upper operation lever 101 provided at the upper end of the seat back 2, and the other end of cable C33 is connected to the back relay part 62. One end of cable C34 is further connected to the back relay part 62. The other end of cable C34 is connected to the reclining mechanism 30 (see FIG. 3 ).

[0051] The cushion relay part 61 has a function of transmitting a tensile force acting on the cable C31 to the cables C32 and C53. Specifically, the cushion relay part 61 has a cushion rotation plate (not shown) that rotates about an axis extending in the vertical direction, and ends of the cables C31, C32, and C53 are respectively connected to the cushion rotation plate. When the cable C31 is pulled in the direction of arrow B, the cushion rotation plate rotates, thereby pulling the cables C32 and C53 in the direction of arrow B.

[0052] The back relay part 62 has a function of transmitting the tensile force acting on the cables S32 and C33 to the cable C34. Specifically, the back relay part 62 has a back rotation plate (not shown) that rotates about an axis extending in the front-rear direction, and the ends of the cables C32, C33, and C34 are respectively connected to the back rotation plate. When the cable C32 or the cable C33 is pulled in the direction of the arrow B or the direction of the arrow A, the cable C34 is pulled in the direction of the arrow C via the back rotation plate.

[0053] The main operation of the seat 100 according to this embodiment will now be described. Before the upper operating lever 101 at the top end of the seat back 2 is operated by a user (either a passenger or a non-passenger), the interlocking mechanism 50 is in the initial state shown in Fig. 5. In the initial state, the rotation position of the rotating plate 52 is the locking position, the cables C51 and C52 shown in Fig. 9 are not pulled, and the locking portion R2 of the tumble mechanism 40 is activated.

[0054] From this state, when the user operates the upper operating lever 101 upward (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 9 ) without an occupant seated in the seat 100, the cable C34 is pulled upward (in the direction of arrow C) via the cable C33 and the back relay part 62. This releases the lock part R1 (FIG. 2) of the reclining mechanism 30, and the seat back 2 rotates forward due to the biasing force of the spring S1 (FIG. 2).

[0055] When the amount of forward rotation of the seat back 2 reaches or exceeds a predetermined amount, as shown in Fig. 8A, the abutment portion 544 of the pressing plate 54 abuts against the pin 58 at the end of the lever plate 53, and a counterclockwise rotation force acts on the rotating plate 52 via the pin 58. As a result, the rotating plate 52 rotates in the direction of arrow B in Fig. 8A around the axis line CL1.

[0056] As the seat back 2 rotates forward, the counterclockwise rotation amount of the rotating plate 52 increases. As shown in FIG. 8B , when the rotating plate 52 rotates counterclockwise to its maximum, the rotation position of the rotating plate 52 is the unlocked position, the seat back 2 is in the folded position, and the seat 100 is in the forward tilted position. At this time, the pair of cables C51, C52 are pulled upward to their maximum (in the direction of arrow D in FIG. 9 ). This simultaneously releases the left and right locking portions R2. In this case, the cables C51, C52 remain pulled to their maximum, prohibiting re-locking of the locking portion R2. When the locking portion R2 is released, the seat cushion 1 rotates forward via the rotating mechanism 41 due to the biasing force of the spring S2 ( FIG. 2 ) and assumes a vertical position. This causes the seat 100 to enter a tumble state.

[0057] On the other hand, when the lower operating lever 102 at the front end of the seat cushion 1 is operated forward (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 9 ) with no occupant seated in the seat 100, the cable C34 is pulled upward (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 9 ) via the cable C31, the cushion relay part 61, the cable C32, and the back relay part 62. This releases the lock part R1 ( FIG. 2 ) of the reclining mechanism 30, and the seat back 2 rotates forward due to the biasing force of the spring S1.

[0058] At this time, operation of the lower operating lever 102 pulls the cable C53 forward (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 9 ) via the cable C31 and the cushion relay part 61. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8C , the lever plate 53 rotates clockwise (in the direction of arrow A) about the axis CL5, and the pin 58 at the end of the lever plate 53 moves inside the rotation trajectory of the pressing plate 54. That is, the pin 58 moves from the contactable position ( FIG. 8A ) where it can come into contact with the contact part 544 of the pressing plate 54 to the retracted position ( FIG. 8C ) where contact is avoided.

[0059] Therefore, even if the seat back 2 is tilted, the contact portion 544 of the pressing plate 54 does not contact the pin 58, and the rotation position of the rotating plate 52 is maintained in the lock operating position, similar to the initial state (FIG. 5). Therefore, the release operation of the lock portion R2 by the interlocking mechanism 50 is canceled (nullified), the lock portion R2 is not released, and the seat cushion 1 is maintained in a horizontal position. Note that the cable C53 and the lever plate 53 in FIG. 8C constitute a cancel mechanism 70 that enables the release operation of the lock portion R2 to be canceled.

[0060] With the release operation of lock portion R2 canceled by cancel mechanism 70, when the contact portion 544 of the pressing plate 54 rotates forward of pin 58 and the user then releases the lower operating lever 102, as shown in FIG. 8D , the lever plate 53 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of arrow B) about axis CL5 due to the biasing force of torsion spring 60. This returns the rotating plate 52 and lever plate 53 to their initial positions. At this time, the seat 100 is maintained in the forward-tilted position.

[0061] In this embodiment, the seat state can be changed from a seated state to a forward-tilting state and then to a tandem state by operating the upper operating lever 101 provided at the upper end of the seat back 2. Also, the seat state can be changed from a seated state to a forward-tilting state by operating the lower operating lever 102 provided at the front end of the seat cushion 1. Therefore, by operating the different operating levers 101, 102, the seat state can be changed to different seat states, and a variety of seat arrangements can be easily realized.

[0062] The locking portion R1 of the reclining mechanism 30 can be released by the occupant operating the lower operating lever 102 while seated in the seat 100, thereby allowing the seat 100 to be reclined. The lower operating lever 102 is provided at the front end of the seat cushion 1 so that it can be easily operated by the occupant seated in the seat 100. However, the installation position of the operating lever 102 is not limited to this, and the operating lever 102 may be attached in another position. Figure 10A is a side view of a main portion of the seat 100 showing an example.

[0063] In FIG. 10A , an operating lever 102 is provided on the left side of the side frame 11 on the left side of the seat cushion frame 10. More specifically, the operating lever 102 is supported on the side frame 11 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction along an engaging portion 110 (groove or hole) extending in the front-rear direction on the side frame 11. One end of cables C32 and C53 is connected to the rear end of the operating lever 102. The other end of cable C32 is connected to a back relay portion 62 ( FIG. 9 ) of the seat back 2, and the other end of cable C53 is connected to the interlocking mechanism 50 ( FIG. 9 ). Therefore, the cable C31 and the cushion relay portion 61 shown in FIG. 9 are not required. When the operating lever 102 is slid forward (in the direction of arrow A) without an occupant seated in the seat 100, the cables C32 and C53 are pulled, and the seat position can be changed to a forward-tilting position, as described above.

[0064] Fig. 10B is a side view of a main portion of the seat 100, showing another example of the mounting portion of the operating lever 102. In Fig. 10B, the operating lever 102 is supported on the side frame 11 via a shaft 63 extending in the left-right direction so as to be rotatable in the up-down direction. One end of cables C32, C53 is connected to the operating lever 102 below the shaft 63. When no occupant is seated in the seat 100, rotating the operating lever 102 upward (in the direction of arrow A) pulls the cables C32, C53, and the seat position can be changed to a forward-tilting position, as described above.

[0065] The shaft 33 (FIG. 3) of the reclining mechanism 30 can also be configured as the rotation shaft of the operating lever 102 shown in FIG. 10B. In this case, the cables for transmitting the operation of the operating lever 102 to the locking portion R1 of the reclining mechanism 30, i.e., the cables C31 and C32 connecting the operating lever 102 to the reclining mechanism 30, are not required.

[0066] The present embodiment can achieve the following advantageous effects: (1) The seat state changing device is configured to change a seat 100, which includes a seat cushion 1 that is positionally changeable between a horizontal position extending in a substantially horizontal direction and a vertical position extending in a substantially vertical direction, and a seat back 2 that is rotatably attached to the seat cushion 1 about an axis CL1 and that is positionally changeable between an upright position in which the seat cushion 1 is positioned horizontally and a folded position in which the seat back 2 is positioned horizontally, into a predetermined seat state ( FIG. 1A ). The predetermined seat states include a seated state in which the seat cushion 1 is positioned horizontally and the seat back 2 is positioned upright, a forward-leaning state in which the seat cushion 1 is positioned horizontally and the seat back 2 is positioned folded, and a tumbled state in which the seat cushion 1 is positioned vertically and the seat back 2 is positioned folded ( FIG. 2 ). The seat state changing device includes a spring S1 that biases the seat back 2 to assume a folded position, a locking unit R1 that fixes the seat back 2 in an upright position against the biasing force of the spring S1, a spring S2 that biases the seat cushion 1 to assume a vertical position, the locking unit R2 that fixes the seat cushion 1 in a horizontal position against the biasing force of the spring S2, an upper operation lever 101 and a lower operation lever 102 to which a user inputs an operating force, a reclining mechanism 30 that releases the locking unit R1 in response to the operating force of the upper operation lever 101 or the lower operation lever 102, an interlocking mechanism 50 that releases the locking unit R2 as the seat back 2 reclines due to the release of the locking unit R1, and a canceling mechanism 70 that disables the release of the locking unit R2 by the interlocking mechanism 50 in response to the operating force of the lower operation lever 102 ( FIGS. 2 , 8C , and 9 ).

[0067] With this configuration, by operating the upper operating lever 101, it is possible to release both the locking portion R1 that secures the seat back 2 in an upright position and the locking portion R2 that secures the seat cushion 1 in a horizontal position, while by operating the lower operating lever 102, it is possible to release only the locking portion R1. Therefore, the seat state can be changed from a seated position to a tandem position or from a seated position to a forward-leaning position depending on the operation of the operating levers 101, 102, allowing for a variety of seat arrangements. Furthermore, since there is no need to adjust the operation timing of the operating levers 101, 102 when switching the seat state, it is possible to prevent the seat state from being switched to an incorrect position.

[0068] (2) The seat cushion 1 includes a seat cushion frame 10. The seat back 2 is pivotally supported by the seat cushion frame 10 about an axis CL1 and includes a seat back frame 20 having an abutment 544 ( FIGS. 1A and 5 ). The interlocking mechanism 50 includes a lever plate 53 having a pin 58 that contacts the abutment 544 when the seat back 2 is tilted, and a rotating plate 52 that supports the lever plate 53. When the abutment 544 contacts the pin 58 and the lever plate 53 is pushed, the locking mechanism R2 is released ( FIGS. 8B and 9 ). The canceling mechanism 70 receives the operating force of the lower operating lever 102 and moves the pin 58 to a retracted position that avoids contact between the abutment 544 and the pin 58 ( FIG. 8C ). By moving the lever plate 53, which constitutes the interlocking mechanism 50, to the retracted position, the release of the locking mechanism R2 can be disabled. Therefore, the configuration of the cancellation mechanism 70 can be simplified, and the increase in the number of parts due to the addition of the cancellation mechanism 70 can be minimized.

[0069] (3) The interlocking mechanism 50 includes a rotating plate 52 that is rotatable about an axis CL1 from a locking position where the locking portion R2 is activated to an unlocking position where the locking portion R2 is unlocked, and a lever plate 53 that is rotatably supported by the rotating plate 52 about an axis CL5 that is substantially parallel to the axis CL1 so as to rotate integrally with the rotating plate 52 and that has a pin 58 ( FIG. 5 ). The lever plate 53 is configured so that, upon receiving the operating force of the operating lever 102, the pin 58 moves from a contactable position where it can contact the contact portion 544 to a retracted position ( FIGS. 8A and 8C ). This allows the interlocking mechanism 50 and the canceling mechanism to be configured compactly, and can be easily incorporated into the seat 100.

[0070] (4) The direction in which the rotating plate 52 rotates from the locking position to the unlocking position is counterclockwise, and the direction in which the lever plate 53 rotates when the pin 58 moves from the abutment position to the retracted position is clockwise ( FIGS. 8B and 8C ). This allows the pin 58 to move radially inward from the abutment portion 544 around the axis CL1, and the pin 58 can be easily retracted from the abutment portion 544.

[0071] (5) The reclining mechanism 30 has a cable C34 that transmits the operating force of the lower operating lever 102 to the locking unit R1 ( FIGS. 3 and 9 ). The canceling mechanism 70 has a cable C53 that transmits the operating force of the lower operating lever 102 to the lever plate 53 ( FIGS. 8C and 9 ). This makes it easy to release the locking unit R1 by operating the lower operating lever 102 and disable the release of the locking unit R2 by adjusting the settings of the cables C34 and C53.

[0072] (6) The upper operating lever 101 is provided at the upper end of the seat back 2 (FIG. 1A). This allows easy operation by passengers who are about to get in the rear seat of the seat 100 and passengers already in the seat. When the upper operating lever 101 is operated, the seat state transitions to the tandem state, making it easy for passengers in the rear seat to get in and out of the vehicle.

[0073] (7) The lower operating lever 102 is provided at the front end of the seat cushion 1, which is on the opposite side of the axis CL1 (FIG. 1A). This prevents rear seat passengers from accidentally operating the lower operating lever 102.

[0074] (8) The lower operating lever 102 can also be provided on the side of the seat cushion 1 (FIGS. 10A and 10B). This reduces the number of cables that transmit the operating force of the lower operating lever 102.

[0075] (9) The lower operating lever 102 can be provided to be rotatable about the axis CL1. This makes it possible to release the locking portion R1 by operating the lower operating lever 102 without using a cable.

[0076] The above-described embodiment can be modified in various ways. Modifications are described below. In the above-described embodiment, the seat 100 is configured to be changeable between a seated position (first position), a forward-leaning position (second position), and a tumbling position (third position). However, the seat position may be changeable to other positions (e.g., a fully flat position). In the above-described embodiment (FIG. 2), the seat back 2 is folded by the biasing force of the spring S1. However, the configuration of the first biasing portion is not limited to the above. A cylinder member filled with gas or the like may be used instead of a spring. In the above-described embodiment (FIG. 3), the locking portion R1 of the reclining mechanism 30 is configured to lock the seat back 2 in an upright position against the biasing force of the spring S1. However, the configuration of the first locking portion is not limited to the above.

[0077] In the above embodiment ( FIG. 2 ), the seat cushion 1 is held in a vertical position by the biasing force of the spring S2. However, the configuration of the second biasing portion is not limited to the above. A cylinder member filled with gas or the like may be used instead of a spring. In the above embodiment ( FIG. 4A ), the locking portion R2 fixes the seat cushion 1 in a horizontal position against the biasing force of the spring S2. However, the configuration of the second locking portion is not limited to the above. In the above embodiment ( FIG. 1A ), the upper operating lever 101 as the first operating member is provided at the upper end of the seat back 2. However, the first operating member may be provided at another position. Furthermore, the first operating member may be a member other than a lever member (e.g., a string). In the above embodiment ( FIG. 1A ), the lower operating lever 102 as the second operating member is provided at the front end of the seat cushion 1. However, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B , the lower operating lever 102 may be provided on the side of the seat cushion 1 or may be rotatable about the axis CL1. Furthermore, the second operating member may be a member other than a lever member (e.g., a string).

[0078] In the above embodiment (FIG. 3), the reclining mechanism 30 releases the locking portion R1 in response to the operating force of the upper operating lever 101 or the lower operating lever 102, but the first unlocking mechanism is not limited to the above. In the above embodiment (FIG. 8B), the interlocking mechanism 50 releases the locking portion R2 when the seat back 2 is tilted due to the release of the locking portion R1, but the configuration of the second unlocking mechanism is not limited to the above. In the above embodiment (FIG. 8C), the canceling mechanism 70 disables the interlocking mechanism 50 from releasing the locking portion R2 in response to the operating force of the lower operating lever 102, but the configuration of the canceling mechanism is not limited to the above. In the above embodiment (FIG. 5), the pressing plate 54 having the abutting portion 544 is fixed to the seat back frame 20, but the configuration of the abutting portion provided on the seat back frame is not limited to the above.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the interlocking mechanism 50 includes a rotating plate 52 (first rotating member) that is rotatable about an axis CL1 (first axis) from a locking position ( FIG. 5 ) in which the locking portion R2 is activated to an unlocking position ( FIG. 8B ) in which the locking portion R2 is unlocked, and a lever plate 53 (second rotating member) that is rotatably supported on the rotating plate 52 about an axis CL5 (second axis) so as to rotate integrally with the rotating plate 52 and that has a pin 58 as an abutment portion. That is, the interlocking mechanism 50 includes a rotatable movable portion (rotating plate 52, lever plate 53) that is configured to release the locking portion R2 when the abutment portion 544 abuts against the pin 58 and the pin 58 is moved. However, the movable portion is not limited to being rotatable as long as it is movable, and the configuration of the movable portion is not limited to the above. The movable portion may be configured as a single member instead of multiple members (rotating plate 52, lever plate 53).

[0080] In the above embodiment, the pin 58 is moved by the rotation of the lever plate 53 from a contactable position ( FIG. 8A ) where it can contact the contact portion 544 to a retracted position ( FIG. 8C ) where it avoids contact in response to the operating force of the lower operating lever 102. However, the configuration of the cancel mechanism is not limited to the above. The contacted portion may be moved from the contactable position to the retracted position by a movement other than rotation. In the above embodiment, when the rotating plate 52 is rotated counterclockwise (first direction), the lever plate 53 is rotated clockwise (second direction) by operation of the lower operating lever 102. However, the rotation directions of the first rotating member and the second rotating member are not limited to the above. In the above embodiment (FIG. 9), the operating force of the lower operating lever 102 is transmitted to the locking section R1 (reclining mechanism 30) via cables C31, C32, and C34 (first power transmission section), and the operating force of the lower operating lever 102 is transmitted to the lever plate 53 via cables C31 and C53 (second power transmission section), but the configurations of the first power transmission section and the second power transmission section are not limited to those described above.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the seat 100 is applied to a vehicle 210 ( FIG. 1B ). Therefore, the present invention can also be configured as a vehicle having the seat 100. The seat 100 can also be applied to vehicles other than vehicles, such as aircraft and ships. Therefore, the seat 100 can be used as a vehicle seat.

[0082] An armrest is provided in the center of a rear seat (e.g., a second-row seat) of a vehicle 210 according to this embodiment. The configuration of the armrest will be described below. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a second-row seat of a vehicle 210. FIG. 11 also shows (dotted lines) the configuration of the main parts of a seatback frame 20 (20L, 20M, 20R). As shown in FIG. 11, the second-row seat includes the left-side seat 100 (denoted by reference symbol 100L), the right-side seat 100R, and the center seat 100M.

[0083] The left seat 100L is provided with a seatback frame 20L, the right seat 100R is provided with a seatback frame 20R, and the center seat 100M is provided with a seatback frame 20M. The seatback frame 20L is separate from the seatback frame 20M, and the seatback frame 20R is connected to the seatback frame 20M. Therefore, the seat state of the left seat 100L can be changed independently, whereas the seat state of the right seat 100R can be changed together with the center seat 100M.

[0084] The armrest 300 is disposed facing the central seat 100M. The armrest 300 is generally rectangular and configured as a large armrest extending over the entire length or nearly the entire length of the central seat 100M in the left-right direction. The rear end of the armrest 300 is rotatably supported via a pivot shaft by the seatback frame 20R of the central seat 100M, more specifically, by brackets 311, 312 ( FIG. 12 ) provided at both left and right ends of the lower connecting frame 20M1. Alternatively, the armrest 300 may be rotatably supported by a side frame 20M2 at the left end and a side frame 20M3 at the right end of the seatback frame 20M. The right-end side frame 20M2 is located at the boundary between the right seat 100R and the central seat 100M and also functions as the seatback frame 20R of the right seat 100R.

[0085] 11 shows the armrest 300 in its in-use position, where it is rotated downward to its maximum extent. Although not shown, a recess is provided on the upper surface 300a of the armrest 300 in the in-use position. The recess is used as a drink holder, storage space, or the like. A recess (not shown) for storing the armrest 300 is provided on the front surface of the seat back 2 of the center seat 100M. When the armrest 300 is rotated upward to its maximum extent, the armrest 300 is stored in the recess in the seat back 2. At this time, the armrest 300 is in the stored position, allowing an occupant to sit in the center seat 100M.

[0086] FIG. 12 is a plan view (view from above) of the armrest 300 in the use position. FIG. 12 mainly shows the support portion of the armrest frame 301, which forms the skeleton of the armrest 300, and the configuration of its surrounding area. As shown in FIG. 12, a pair of left and right support portions 302, 303 protrude rearward from the rear end of the armrest frame 301. A rotation shaft 305, which extends left and right through the support portions 302, 303, is provided on the support portions 302, 303 and is rotatable integrally with the support portions 302, 303. A pair of left and right brackets 311, 312 protrude upward and forward from both left and right ends of the connecting frame 20M1 ( FIG. 11 ). The left and right ends of the rotation shaft 305 are rotatably supported by the brackets 311, 312, respectively. This allows the armrest frame 301 to rotate up and down around the rotation shaft 305.

[0087] In this way, the armrest 300 is supported in a double-supported structure via the pair of left and right brackets 311, 312, which increases the support rigidity and allows for stable support of the large armrest 300. In contrast, if the armrest 300 is supported in a cantilevered structure via one of the left and right brackets (e.g., bracket 311), it is necessary to increase the size of bracket 311 in order to increase the support rigidity of the armrest 300.

[0088] An angle adjustment mechanism 320 is provided between the left bracket 311 and the support portion 302, allowing the vertical rotation angle of the armrest 300 to be continuously adjusted. Although not shown, the angle adjustment mechanism 320 has a coil spring wound around the pivot shaft 305 and exerting a biasing force that prevents the pivot shaft 305 from rotating. More specifically, one end of the coil spring is connected to the support portion 302, and the other end is connected to an unlocking portion. The unlocking portion is configured so that, for example, a user operates an operating portion provided on the side of the armrest to release the tension of the coil spring around the pivot shaft 305. This allows the pivot shaft 305 to rotate, allowing the armrest 300 to be rotated to any angle relative to the horizontal line. Note that the configuration of the angle adjustment mechanism 320 is not limited to this, and any configuration that allows the angle of the armrest 300 to be continuously adjusted may be used.

[0089] FIG. 13 is a side view (view along arrow XIII in FIG. 12 ) of the right bracket 312 as viewed from the right. As shown in FIG. 13 , the bracket 312 has a substantially circular through-hole 312a through which the end of the pivot shaft 305 is inserted, and a slotted hole 312b extending in a substantially arc shape from the front of the through-hole 312a to the top, centered on the through-hole 312a. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , a sliding member 310 is disposed on the right side of the bracket 312, so as to be able to slide along the right surface of the bracket 312. A long bolt 306 is inserted into the slotted hole 312b from the right. The bolt 306 passes through the sliding member 310 and is threadedly engaged with the right support portion 303 of the armrest frame 301. As a result, the bolt 306 moves along the slotted hole 312b when the armrest 300 is rotated.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 13 , when the bolt 306 is positioned at the lower end of the slot hole 312b, the armrest 300 is in the use position. On the other hand, when the bolt 306 is positioned at the upper end of the slot hole 312b, the armrest 300 is in the storage position. This limits the rotation of the armrest 300 between the use position and the storage position. When the armrest 300 rotates, the sliding member 310 slides along the right surface of the bracket 312. Therefore, sliding resistance is exerted on the armrest 300 by the sliding member 310, thereby stabilizing the position of the armrest 300. In this case, the sliding resistance can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of threading of the bolt 306. The sliding member 310 may be provided on the left side of the bracket 312 as well as on the right side. In other words, the sliding member 310 may be provided so as to sandwich the bracket 312.

[0091] The above description is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and modifications as long as the features of the present invention are not impaired. One or more of the above-described embodiment and modifications can be arbitrarily combined, and modifications can also be combined with each other.

[0092] 1 seat cushion, 2 seat back, 30 reclining mechanism, 40 tumble mechanism, 50 interlocking mechanism, 52 rotating plate, 53 lever plate, 54 pressing plate, 58 pin, 70 cancel mechanism, 100 seat, 101 upper operation lever, 102 lower operation lever, 210 vehicle, 544 abutment portion, R1, R2 lock portion, S1, S2 spring, C31, C32, C34, C53 cable, CL1, CL5 axis

Claims

1. A seat state changing device for changing a seat to a predetermined seat state, the seat state changing device comprising: a seat cushion that is changeably provided to have a horizontal position extending in a substantially horizontal direction and a vertical position extending in a substantially vertical direction; and a seat back that is rotatably provided on the seat cushion about an axis and changeably provided to have a standing position that stands up from the seat cushion, which is the horizontal position, and a folded position that is folded down toward the seat cushion, which is the horizontal position, the predetermined seat state includes a first state in which the seat cushion is in the horizontal position and the seat back is in the upright position, a second state in which the seat cushion is in the horizontal position and the seat back is in the folded position, and a third state in which the seat cushion is in the vertical position and the seat back is in the folded position, a first biasing portion that biases the seat back so that the seat back is in the folded position; a first locking portion that fixes the seat back in the upright position against the biasing force of the first biasing portion; a second biasing portion that biases the seat cushion so that the seat cushion is in the vertical position; a second lock portion that fixes the seat cushion in the horizontal position against the biasing force of the second biasing portion; a first operating member and a second operating member to which a user inputs an operating force, a first lock release mechanism that releases the first lock portion in response to an operating force of the first operating member or an operating force of the second operating member; a second lock release mechanism that releases the second lock part in response to the tilting of the seat back due to the release of the first lock part; a cancellation mechanism that receives the operating force of the second operating member and disables the release of the second locking portion by the second lock release mechanism in association with the tilting of the seat back.

2. The seat state changing device according to claim 1, The seat cushion has a seat cushion frame, The seat back includes a seat back frame that is pivotally supported by the seat cushion frame around the axis and that is provided with a contact portion, the second lock release mechanism has a movable part provided with an abutted part against which the abutment part abuts as the seat back is tilted, and is configured to release the second lock part when the abutment part abuts against the abutted part and the movable part is moved, The seat state changing device, characterized in that the cancellation mechanism receives the operating force of the second operating member and moves the contacted portion to a retracted position to avoid contact between the contact portion and the contacted portion.

3. The seat state changing device according to claim 2, the axis is a first axis, The movable part is a first rotation member provided to be rotatable about the first axis from a locking position where the second locking portion is actuated to an unlocking position where the second locking portion is released; a second rotating member that is rotatably supported by the first rotating member about a second axis that is substantially parallel to the first axis so as to rotate integrally with the first rotating member, and that has the abutment portion; A seat state changing device characterized in that the second rotating member is configured so that, upon receiving the operating force of the second operating member, the abutted portion moves from a contactable position where it can abut against the abutment portion to the retracted position.

4. The seat state changing device according to claim 3, When one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction is defined as a first direction and the other of the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction is defined as a second direction, respectively, a direction in which the first rotating member is rotated from the lock operating position to the lock release position is the first direction, The seat state changing device, wherein a rotation direction of the second rotating member when the abutted portion moves from the abuttable position to the retracted position is the second direction.

5. The seat state changing device according to claim 3 or 4, the first lock release mechanism has a first power transmission portion that transmits the operating force of the second operating member to the first lock portion, The seat state changing device according to the present invention, wherein the canceling mechanism has a second power transmission portion that transmits the operating force of the second operating member to the second rotating member.

6. The seat state changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The seat state changing device, wherein the first operating member is provided at an upper end of the seat back.

7. The seat state changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The axis is located at one end of the seat cushion, The seat state changing device, wherein the second operating member is provided on the other end of the seat cushion.

8. The seat state changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The seat state changing device, wherein the second operating member is provided on a side surface of the seat cushion.

9. The seat state changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The seat state changing device, wherein the second operating member is provided rotatably about the axis.

10. A vehicle seat comprising the seat state changing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. A vehicle comprising the vehicle seat according to claim 10.

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