Motor vehicle seat

Abstract

The present specification provides a motor vehicle seat with which moving the seat to the front and to the rear is easy. A motor vehicle seat disclosed in the present specification comprises: a seat bottom part which is attached to the floor inside of a motor vehicle so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction; and a release lever. The release lever is attached to a side surface of the seat bottom part so as to be rotatable, and can switch between locking and unlocking the seat with respect to the floor. The seat is unlocked when the release lever is located at a first position which is one end of the rotation range. The seat is unlocked even when the release lever is located at a second position which is the other end of the rotation range. The seat is locked when the release lever is located at a third position between the first position and the second position. The third position is set between a position at which the release lever extends horizontally frontward from the rotation axis and a position at which the release lever extends upward.

Description

Car seats

[0001] (Cross-reference to related applications) This application is a related application of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-118366 filed on July 20, 2023, and claims priority based on this Japanese patent application, and all contents of this Japanese patent application are incorporated by reference as constituting this specification.

[0002] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to automobile seats.

[0003] Automobile seats are designed to slide forward and backward relative to the floor of the vehicle. In conventional seats, a lever is attached to the side of the seat, and the lever extends forward from a rotation axis. When an occupant pulls up the lever, the seat is unlocked from the floor. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2012-183923 and 2014-94672 disclose such seats. In this specification, "seat locked" means that the seat is fixed to the floor of the vehicle. Furthermore, "seat unlocked" means that the user can move the seat forward and backward relative to the floor of the vehicle.

[0004] The action of "a user pulling up a lever that is attached to the side of the seat and extends forward from the rotation axis" is convenient when moving the seat backward. This is because part of the force applied when pulling up the lever is directed backward. On the other hand, the action of "a user pulling up a lever" is not convenient when moving the seat forward. Part of the force exerted by the user's body when pulling up the lever is directed backward, making it difficult to push the seat forward. This also applies when a user outside the vehicle moves the seat. This specification provides a structure that makes it easy to move the seat forward and backward.

[0005] The automobile seat disclosed in this specification includes a seat portion that is slidably attached to the floor of the automobile interior in the fore-and-aft direction, and a release lever. The release lever is rotatably attached to the side of the seat portion and can switch between locking and unlocking the seat relative to the floor. The seat is unlocked when the release lever is in a first position, which is one end of the rotation range. The seat is also unlocked when the release lever is in a second position, which is the other end of the rotation range. The seat is locked when the release lever is in a third position between the first and second positions. The third position is set between the position where the release lever extends horizontally forward from the rotation axis and the position where it extends upward.

[0006] The seat disclosed in this specification can be unlocked by pulling up (or tilting backward) or pushing down (or tilting forward) the release lever. To move the seat forward, the release lever is pushed down (tipped forward). The action of pushing down the tip of the release lever that extends forward (or the action of tilting the tip of the release lever that extends upward) is well suited to the action of moving the seat forward. In particular, when a user outside the vehicle moves the seat forward, they push down the release lever by putting their weight on it (tipping the release lever forward). Part of the force generated by shifting their weight to move the release lever acts in a direction that pushes the seat forward, making it easier to move the seat forward.

[0007] A preferred example of the first and second positions is as follows: The first position is set to a position within 30 degrees of the third position in which the release lever approaches the back of the seat. The second position is set to a position within 30 degrees of the third position in which the release lever moves away from the back. Setting the first and second positions at such angles makes it easier for the user to coordinate the operation of moving the release lever with the operation of moving the seat body.

[0008] The release lever rotates around a rotation axis extending laterally from the side of the seat. Therefore, the "position of the release lever" may be alternatively referred to as the "angle of the release lever." Details and further improvements of the technology disclosed in this specification will be explained in the "Description of Embodiments" below.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a side view of a seat installed in an automobile. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a state when a seated user slides the seat forward (in the case of a conventional seat). FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a state when a seated user slides the seat forward (in the case of the seat of the embodiment). FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state when a user outside the vehicle slides the seat forward (in the case of a conventional seat). FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a state when a user outside the vehicle slides the seat forward (in the case of the seat of the embodiment). FIG. 6 is a side view showing an example of each position of a release lever. FIG. 7 is a side view showing another example of each position of a release lever. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a seat sliding device. FIG. 9 is a side view of a locking mechanism in a third position. FIG. 10 is a side view of a locking mechanism in a first position.

[0010] The seat 100 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a side view of the seat 100 attached to a floor panel 401 of an automobile 400. The floor panel 401 corresponds to the floor of the passenger compartment of the automobile 400. In Fig. 1, only a portion of the floor panel 401 is depicted in solid lines, and the rest of the automobile 400 is depicted in imaginary lines. The lower part of Fig. 1 also shows an enlarged view of the dashed area in the upper part of the drawing.

[0011] The seat 100 is attached to a floor panel 401 so as to be slidable in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. A seat slide device 120 is disposed between the floor panel 401 and the seat bottom 101 of the seat 100. The seat slide device 120 is composed of a lower rail 130 fixed to the floor panel 401 and an upper rail 140 attached below the seat bottom 101. The upper rail 140 is slidably engaged with the lower rail 130. As will be described in detail later, the seat slide device 120 has a locking mechanism that fixes the upper rail 140 to the lower rail 130. Locking the upper rail 140 to the lower rail 130 means that the seat 100 is locked to the floor panel 401. Here, "the upper rail 140 (seat 100) is locked" means that the upper rail 140 (seat 100) cannot move relative to the lower rail 130 (floor panel 401).

[0012] Although not shown in the figure, a lever (reclining lever) for reclining the back is attached to the connecting portion between the seat portion 101 and the back portion 102 of the seat 100.

[0013] A release lever 110 is rotatably attached to the side of the seat portion 101 of the seat 100. More specifically, a rotation shaft 111 is disposed on the side of the seat portion 101, and the release lever 110 is attached to the rotation shaft 111. The release lever 110 rotates within a predetermined range. The release lever 110 can rotate within a plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotation shaft 111. The release lever 110 is moved by the user.

[0014] The release lever 110 can rotate within a range from a first position (the release lever position indicated by reference numeral 110a) to a second position (the release lever position indicated by reference numeral 110b). A third position (the release lever position indicated by reference numeral 110c) exists between the first and second positions. Hereinafter, the first, second, and third positions will be denoted by reference numerals 110a, 110b, and 110c, respectively. Although not shown, a spring is attached to the release lever 110, and when the user releases the release lever 110, the restoring force of the spring causes the release lever 110 to return to the third position 110c. In other words, the third position 110c may be referred to as a neutral position or an initial position.

[0015] The first position 110a is a position rotated by an angle Ang-a from the third position 110c in a direction toward the back 102 of the seat 100. The second position 110b is a position rotated by an angle Ang-b from the third position 110c in a direction away from the back 102 of the seat 100. Both of the rotation angles Ang-a and Ang-b are set to angles within 30 degrees. In other words, the rotatable range of the release lever 110 is set to within 60 degrees.

[0016] The release lever 110 also works in conjunction with the locking mechanism described above. When the release lever 110 is in the third position 110c, the seat 100 (upper rails 140) is locked to the floor panel 401 (lower rails 130). When the release lever 110 is in the first position 110a or the second position 110b, the lock is released. In other words, when the release lever 110 is in the first position 110a or the second position 110b, the seat 100 can slide forward or backward relative to the floor panel 401.

[0017] In conventional seats, the seat is locked at the lower limit of the rotation range of the release lever and unlocked at the upper limit. On the other hand, in the seat 100 of the embodiment, the seat 100 is locked when the release lever 110 is in the third position 110c, and the seat 100 can be unlocked by either pulling up or pushing down the release lever 110 from the third position 110c. The advantages of this structure will be explained with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0018] 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams showing a state in which a user U seated in the seat slides the seat forward. Fig. 2A is a comparative example showing the case of a conventional seat 900. Fig. 2B shows the case of the seat 100 of the embodiment.

[0019] As described above, in the case of the conventional seat 900, pulling the release lever 910 upward (arrow A1) releases the lock. To pull the release lever 910 upward, the user U pulls their arm upward and backward (arrow A2). On the other hand, to move the seat 900 forward, the user U leans forward (arrow A3). As can be seen from arrows A2 and A3 in FIG. 2A , part of the force pulling the arm (arrow A2) faces backward, and part of the force moving the seat 900 forward (arrow A3) faces forward. Because part of the force moving the seat 900 forward (arrow A3) is offset by part of the force pulling the arm (arrow A2), the user U must exert extra force to move the seat 900 forward.

[0020] On the other hand, in the case of the seat 100 of the embodiment ( FIG. 2B ), when the user U exerts a force forward to move the seat 100 forward (arrow B3), part of that force is transmitted to the arm (arrow B2), which pushes down the release lever 110 (arrow B1). The release lever 110 moves from the third position 110c to the second position 110b, and the lock is released. The action of pushing down the tip of the release lever 110 extending forward is well-suited to the action of moving the seat 100 forward, allowing the user U to smoothly move the seat 100 forward.

[0021] Although not shown, when moving the seat 100 rearward, the user U leans their upper body backward and simultaneously pulls the release lever 110 upward (rotating the release lever 110 from the third position 110c to the first position 110a) to release the lock. The action of pulling up the tip of the release lever 110 is compatible with the action of moving the seat 100 rearward, allowing the user U to smoothly move the seat 100 forward. This action is the same as in the conventional seat 900.

[0022] 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing a state in which a user U standing outside the vehicle slides the seat forward. Fig. 3A is a comparative example showing the case of a conventional seat 900. Fig. 3B shows the case of the seat 100 of the embodiment.

[0023] In the case of the conventional seat 900, the user U pulls his / her arm upward and backward (arrows A1 and A2) to pull the release lever 910 upward. At the same time, the user U pushes the seat 900 forward (arrow A3). In this case, as in the case of FIG. 2A , part of the force pulling the arm (arrow A2) is directed backward, and part of the force pushing the seat 900 forward (arrow A3) is directed forward. Because part of both forces cancel each other out, the user U must exert extra force to move the seat 900 forward.

[0024] On the other hand, in the case of the seat 100 of the embodiment, when the user U shifts their weight forward, a force pushing the seat 100 forward (arrow B3) is generated, and a force pushing their arm forward and downward (arrow B2) is also generated, causing the release lever 110 to lower (arrow B1). The release lever 110 moves from the third position 110c to the second position 110b, and the lock is released. In this case, too, the action of pushing down the tip of the release lever 110 extending forward is compatible with the action of moving the seat 100 forward, allowing the user U to smoothly move the seat 100 forward.

[0025] As described above, the seat 100 is unlocked by moving the release lever 110 either toward or away from the back 102. This mechanism allows the user to smoothly move the seat 100 forward or backward.

[0026] The preferred setting ranges of the first, second, and third positions will now be described. In the case of Fig. 1, the second position 110b is a position where the longitudinal direction of the release lever 110 extends horizontally forward from the rotation shaft 111. The third position 110c is a position where the longitudinal direction of the release lever 110 extends forward and upward. The first position 110a is a position where the longitudinal direction of the release lever 110 extends forward and upward at a larger angle than the third position 110c.

[0027] 4 and 5 show examples of the positional relationship between the positions of the release lever 110. In the case of FIG. 4, the third position 110c is a position where the longitudinal direction of the release lever 110 (dashed line L) extends horizontally forward from the rotation axis 111. The first position 110a is a position where the tip of the release lever 110 is rotated upward by an angle Ang-a from the third position 110c. The second position 110b is a position where the tip of the release lever 110 is rotated downward by an angle Ang-b from the third position 110c.

[0028] 5, the third position 110c is a position where the longitudinal direction (dotted line L) of the release lever 110 extends vertically upward from the rotation axis 111. The first position 110a is a position where the tip of the release lever 110 is rotated rearward by an angle Ang-a from the third position 110c. The second position 110b is a position where the tip of the release lever 110 is rotated forward by an angle Ang-b from the third position 110c.

[0029] If the third position 110c is between the position shown in Figure 4 and the position shown in Figure 5, the user can smoothly unlock the seat 100 and move the seat 100 forward. In other words, the third position 110c may be set between the position where the release lever 110 extends horizontally forward from the rotation shaft 111 and the position where it extends upward. In this case, part of the force moving the release lever 110 to the second position 110b is directed forward, making it easier to push the seat 100 forward. In the example shown in Figure 4, the user pushes the release lever 110 vertically downward. In this case, even if the force pushing down the release lever is not directed forward, it does not impede the action of pushing the seat 100 forward.

[0030] As described above, in the seat 100 of this embodiment, the release lever 110 can rotate between a first position 110a and a second position 110b, with a third position 110c located between the first position 110a and the second position 110b. When the release lever 110 is located at the first position 110a, which is one end of the rotation range, the seat 100 is unlocked. When the release lever 110 is located at the second position 110b, which is the other end of the rotation range, the seat 100 is also unlocked. When the release lever 110 is located at the third position 110c, the seat 100 is locked. A spring (not shown) is attached to the release lever 110 so that the release lever 110 returns to the third position 110c when the user releases it.

[0031] The rotation angle Ang-a from the third position 110c to the first position 110a is preferably within 30 degrees, and the rotation angle Ang-b from the third position 110c to the second position 110b is also preferably within 30 degrees.

[0032] However, if the first position 110a is located behind a vertical line passing through the rotation axis 111, it may be difficult for a seated user to operate the release lever 110. Therefore, it is desirable that the first position 110a be set to the position at which the release lever 110 extends upward from the rotation axis 111. Furthermore, to ensure ease of use for a seated user, the first position 110a should be set within an angle of 60 degrees forward and upward from the horizontal. The second position 110b should be set within an angle of 15 degrees forward and downward from the horizontal. The third position 110c is set between the first position 110a and the second position 110b. Most preferably, the third position 110c should be set between the position at which the release lever 110 extends horizontally forward from the rotation axis 111 and a position 30 degrees forward and upward. The rotation angle Ang-a is preferably within 30 degrees in the direction in which the release lever 110 approaches the back portion 102 , and the rotation angle Ang-b is preferably within 30 degrees in the direction in which the release lever 110 moves away from the back portion 102 .

[0033] An example of a locking mechanism in which the lock is released regardless of whether the release lever 110 is in the first position 110a or the second position 110b is shown in FIGS.

[0034] As described above, the seat slide device 120 is disposed between the seat bottom 101 of the seat 100 and the floor panel 401. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the seat slide device 120. Figure 7 is a side view of the locking mechanism. The seat 100 and the floor panel 401 are omitted from Figures 6-8.

[0035] The seat slide device 120 includes a pair of lower rails 130 (130R, 130L) and a pair of upper rails 140 (140R, 140L). The lower rails 130 are fixed to the floor panel 401 with their longitudinal directions oriented in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The upper rails 140R (140L) are slidably engaged with the lower rails 130R (130L). The seat bottom 101 of the seat 100 is fixed onto the pair of upper rails 140.

[0036] The right lower rail 130R is provided with a plurality of lock holes 131 aligned along the longitudinal direction. As shown in Figure 7, the right upper rail 140R is provided with a lock lever 146, which is provided with a lock claw 147 that engages with the lock hole 131. When the lock claw 147 is engaged with the lock hole 131, the right upper rail 140R is unable to move relative to the right lower rail 130R. In other words, the seat 100 is locked (fixed) to the floor panel 401.

[0037] As described above, the seat slide device 120 has a locking mechanism that unlocks the upper rail 140 (seat 100) in conjunction with the rotation of the release lever 110. Next, the locking mechanism will be described.

[0038] The lock lever 146 is pivotable about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail, and when the lock lever 146 pivots, the lock claw 147 disengages from the lock hole 131, and the right upper rail 140R is unlocked from the right lower rail 130R, i.e., the seat 100 is unlocked.

[0039] The lock lever 146 swings in conjunction with the right release link 144R. The right release link 144R swings back and forth. The right release link 144R has an elongated hole 145 formed along the swing direction, and one end 142R of the right cable 141R is engaged with the elongated hole 145. The other end of the right cable 141R is connected to the release lever link 113.

[0040] A bracket 112 is fixed to the seat portion 101 (not shown), and the rotation shaft 111 is attached to the bracket 112 so as to rotate relative to the bracket 112. A release lever 110 and a release lever link 113 are fixed to the rotation shaft 111. The release lever link 113 rotates together with the release lever 110.

[0041] One end of the left cable 141L is also connected to the release lever link 113, and the other end of the left cable 141L is connected to a left release link 144L provided on the left upper rail 140L (FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 6, the right release link 144R and the left release link 144L are connected by a connecting rod 149. When the right release link 144R swings, the left release link 144L also swings. The left release link 144L has the same structure as the right release link 144R, and the other end of the left cable 141L is engaged with an elongated hole 145.

[0042] One end 142R of the right cable 141R is fastened to the rear end of the elongated hole 145 of the right release link 144R, and one end of the left cable 141L is fastened to the rear end of the elongated hole 145 of the left release link 144L. The one end 142R (142L) is simply hooked into the elongated hole 145 and can move within the elongated hole 145.

[0043] The release lever 110 and the right release link 144R are interlocked via the right cable 141R, and the release lever 110 and the left release link 144L are interlocked via the left cable 141L. Figure 8 shows how the release lever 110 and the release link 144 (144R, 144L) are interlocked when the release lever 110 moves from the third position 110c to the first position 110a. When the release lever 110 rotates from the third position 110c to the first position 110a (arrow A), the right cable 141R is pulled forward (arrow B). One end 142R of the right cable 141R pulls the right release link 144R rearward (arrow C), causing the right release link 144R to swing rearward (arrow D). In conjunction with the right release link 144R swinging rearward, the lower end (lock claw 147) of the lock lever 146 swings toward the front of the paper, and the lock claw 147 comes out of the lock hole 131. In other words, the lock is released.

[0044] As described above, the right release link 144R and the left release link 144L are connected by the connecting rod 149, and when the right release link 144R swings rearward, the left release link 144L also swings rearward. The connection between the left release link 144L and the left cable 141L will now be described.

[0045] The right cable 141R extends rearward from the release lever link 113 and engages with the right release link 144R. The left cable 141L extends forward from the release lever link 113 and engages with the left release link 144L. When the release lever 110 moves from the third position 110c to the first position 110a, the right cable 141R is pulled forward (arrow B), and the left cable 141L is pushed forward (arrow E). The dashed rectangle in Figure 8 is a view of the left release link 144L connected to the left upper rail 140L. Although the left cable 141L is pushed out (arrow F), one end 142L of the left cable 141L moves through the elongated hole 145 of the left release link 144L and does not affect the movement of the left release link 144L.

[0046] When the release lever 110 moves from the third position 110c to the second position 110b, the arrows in Figure 8 are reversed. The left cable 141L pulls the left release link 144L rearward, causing the left release link 144L to swing rearward. The right release link 144R, which is connected to the left release link 144L, also swings rearward. As described above, when the right release link 144R swings rearward, the lock is released.

[0047] The right cable 141R is pushed out, but one end 142R moves within the elongated hole 145 of the right release link 144R, so the movement of the right cable 141R does not affect the right release link 144R.

[0048] As described above, the lock mechanism releases the lock whether the release lever 110 is moved to the first position 110a or the second position 110b.

[0049] The locking mechanism shown in Figures 6-8 is an example, and other mechanisms may be used. For example, the locking mechanism may use a solenoid that inserts and removes the seat's locking claw from the locking hole in the lower rail. When the solenoid is not energized, the locking claw engages with the locking hole due to a spring. When the solenoid is energized, the locking claw retracts and disengages from the locking hole. In such a locking mechanism, whether the release lever is in the first position or the second position, a switch that energizes the solenoid is turned on, and the seat is unlocked. When the release lever is in the third position, the switch is turned off, and the seat is locked. Such a mechanism may be used.

[0050] Some points to note regarding the technology described in the embodiment are as follows. The release lever 110 rotates between a first position 110a and a second position 110b. When the release lever 110 is located at the first position 110a or the second position 110b, the seat 100 is unlocked. A third position 110c exists between the first position 110a and the second position 110b. When the release lever 110 is located at the third position 110c, the seat 100 is locked.

[0051] The third position 110c is set between the position where the release lever 110 extends horizontally forward and the position where it extends upward from the rotation shaft 111. The first position 110a is set within 30 degrees from the third position 110c in the direction from the seat 101 to the back 102. The second position 110b is set within 30 degrees from the third position 110c in the direction from the back 102 to the seat 101.

[0052] In the seat 100 of this embodiment, the seat 100 is unlocked by either pushing down or pulling up the release lever 110. Therefore, the user can move the seat 100 forward or backward by moving the release lever as shown in Figures 2A and 3A. Also, the user can move the seat 100 backward by moving the release lever as shown in Figures 2B and 3B.

[0053] The shape of the release lever 110 is not limited to the shape shown in the figure. The release lever 110 may have any shape as long as it is elongated. The release lever 110 is arranged on the side of the sitting portion 101 of the seat 100. Preferably, the release lever 110 is arranged in the front half of the sitting portion 101. In addition to the release lever 100, a lever for adjusting the reclining angle of the back portion 102 may be arranged on the side of the seat 100. The lever for adjusting the reclining angle is arranged on the side of the seat 100, at the boundary between the sitting portion 101 and the back portion 102, or on the side of the back portion 102.

[0054] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. The technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of these objectives alone is technically useful.

Claims

1. A seat for an automobile comprising: a seat section that is attached to the floor of the automobile interior so as to be slidable in the front-to-rear direction; and a release lever that is rotatably attached to the side of the seat section and switches between locking and unlocking the seat relative to the floor, wherein the seat is unlocked when the release lever is located at a first position that is one end of a rotation range, the seat is unlocked when the release lever is located at a second position that is the other end of the rotation range, and the seat is locked when the release lever is located at a third position between the first and second positions, and the third position is set between the position where the release lever extends horizontally forward from the rotation axis and the position where it extends upward.

2. A seat for an automobile as described in claim 1, wherein the first position is set at a position within 30 degrees from the third position in a direction toward the back of the seat, and the second position is set at a position within 30 degrees from the third position in a direction away from the back.

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