JP2011073603A - Folding seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a folding seat device which easily moves a seat back without complicating the mechanism. <P>SOLUTION: This folding seat device 1 for a vehicle 100 comprises a seat back 4 and a seat cushion 2. The seat back 4 can move between a using position, at which an occupant sits, and a folding position, at which the device is fell toward the seat cushion 2. The device is provided with moving and holding means 8 for moving the seat back 4 to an intermediate position set between the using position and the folding position, and holding it at the intermediate position. The intermediate position is arranged near any of the using position or the folding position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a folding seat device, and in particular, includes a seat back and a seat cushion, and the seat back is used between a use position in a state in which an occupant is seated and a folding position in which the seat back is laid down on the seat cushion. It is related with the folding seat apparatus for vehicles which can move by.

  In a vehicle seat device, a folding seat device capable of lying down with respect to a seat cushion is known. In this folding seat device, for example, if it is disposed at a position adjacent to the luggage compartment, the luggage compartment space can be widened by lying down on the seat back. As such a folding sheet apparatus, for example, a structure as described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.

  The folding seat device described in Patent Document 1 includes a seatback overturning mechanism that causes the seatback to fall forward, and a seatback return mechanism that returns the overlaid seatback to an upright position. The seatback overturning mechanism and the seatback return mechanism are each provided with an operation part provided in the cargo compartment, and when the operation part of the seatback overturning mechanism is operated, the seatback biased forward is rotated at a stretch in the forward direction. Move and surrender. Further, when the operation unit of the seat back return mechanism is operated, the seat back can be returned to the original standing position. According to such a structure, since the seat back can be moved forward and returned by operating the operation unit from the luggage compartment, convenience is enhanced.

JP 2006-347304 A

  However, in the conventional folding seat apparatus as described above, in order to return the seat back that has fallen forward in a sudden direction to the standing position, the seat back falling mechanism has a structure in which the operation unit is repeatedly pulled to return to the standing position. For this reason, a complicated mechanism such as a latch mechanism is required. Further, in order to return the seat back to the standing position, the operation part of the seat back overturning mechanism must be repeatedly pulled, and the operation becomes complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a folding seat device that can easily move a seat back without complicating a mechanism.

  In order to achieve the above object, a folding seat device according to the present invention includes a seat back and a seat cushion, and the seat back lies down on the seat cushion and the use position in which the occupant is seated. A folding seat device for a vehicle that is movable between a folded position and a seat back that is moved to an intermediate position set between the use position and the folded position and held at the intermediate position. The holding means is provided, and the intermediate position is arranged at a position close to either the use position or the folding position.

  In the present invention configured as described above, since the folding sheet device includes the movement holding means, the seat back is held at the intermediate position after being moved to the intermediate position. Thereafter, when the occupant is moved to the use position or the folding position, the occupant may manually move the seat back from the intermediate position to the use position or the folding position. Here, this intermediate position is arranged at a position close to either the use position or the folding position. Therefore, for example, when the intermediate position is arranged at a position close to the use position, it is easy to move from the intermediate position to the use position. This is because, for example, when the folding seat device is arranged at the rearmost part adjacent to the luggage compartment, if the intermediate position is arranged at a position close to the use position, the seat back is pulled back to the use position from the cargo compartment side. This is particularly useful because the seat back can be easily returned to the use position when the occupant sits on the folding seat device. Further, for example, when the intermediate position is arranged at a position close to the folding position, it is easy to move from the intermediate position to the folding position. This is particularly useful because, for example, when the folding seat device is located at the rearmost part adjacent to the luggage compartment, it is possible to easily move the seat back from the intermediate position to the folded position for loading the luggage. is there. In this way, by arranging the intermediate position in advance according to the intended use at a position that is close to the use position or the folding position, it is possible to easily perform the operation of the seat back lying down and returning without requiring a complicated mechanism. It becomes.

In the present invention, the intermediate position is preferably arranged at a position closer to the use position than the folding position.
In the present invention configured as described above, since the intermediate position is arranged at a position closer to the use position than the folding position, it is easy to move from the intermediate position to the use position. This is because, for example, when the folding seat device is arranged at the rearmost part adjacent to the luggage compartment, if the intermediate position is arranged at a position close to the use position, the seat back is pulled back from the cargo compartment side to the use position. Is particularly useful since it is easily possible. Further, when the occupant sits on the folding seat device, the seat back can be easily returned to the use position. In this manner, by arranging the intermediate position in advance in a position close to the use position according to the use application, it is possible to easily perform the operation of lying down and returning the seat back without requiring a complicated mechanism.

In the present invention, preferably, the folding seat device is disposed inside the side opening of the vehicle and the side door that opens and closes the side opening in the vehicle width direction, and the intermediate position is disposed at a position where the seat back stands vertically. Is done.
In the present invention configured as described above, the intermediate position of the folding seat device disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the side opening and the side door is disposed at a position where the seat back stands vertically. When an occupant is boarding from the side door, the seatback can be moved smoothly from the intermediate position to the use position, and the seatback can be easily moved from the side door side to the use position.

In the present invention, the intermediate position is preferably arranged at a position closer to the folding position than the use position.
In the present invention configured as described above, since the intermediate position is disposed at a position close to the folding position, it is easy to move from the intermediate position to the folding position. This is particularly useful because, for example, when the folding seat device is located at the rearmost part adjacent to the luggage compartment, it is possible to easily move the seat back from the intermediate position to the folded position for loading the luggage. is there. As described above, by arranging the intermediate position in advance in a position close to the folding position according to the intended use, it is possible to easily perform the operation of lying down and returning the seat back without requiring a complicated mechanism.

In the present invention, preferably, the movement holding means has an intermediate position adjusting mechanism capable of arbitrarily setting the intermediate position.
In the present invention configured as described above, since the intermediate position adjusting mechanism is provided, the intermediate position can be set to an arbitrary position close to the use position or an arbitrary position close to the folding position according to the use application. . This makes it possible to change the intermediate position according to various usages by using a folding sheet device having a common structure, so that the configuration of the intermediate position according to the usage can be set while sharing the structure of the folding sheet device. Flexible response is possible.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the movement holding unit further includes a position adjustment operation unit that operates the intermediate position adjustment mechanism.
In the present invention configured as described above, since the movement holding means has the position adjustment operation unit, the passenger can adjust the intermediate position by operating the position adjustment operation unit by the passenger. Become. Therefore, since the occupant can change the setting of the intermediate position of the folding seat device according to the occupant's usage tendency and preference, it is possible to flexibly respond to the occupant's needs and improve convenience.

In the present invention, preferably, the vehicle is provided with an opening provided at the rear of the vehicle, a back door that opens and closes the opening, and a luggage compartment disposed in front of the opening, and the folding seat device is And a movement holding means operating portion for operating the movement holding means, provided at a position operable from the opening.
In the present invention configured as described above, since the moving holding means operating portion is provided at a position where it can be operated from the opening, the occupant stands near the opening and operates the moving holding means operating portion. The seat back can be moved to the intermediate position and held. Therefore, the occupant can operate the folding seat device from the luggage compartment side, which improves convenience.

1 is a side sectional view schematically showing a rear portion of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the folding sheet | seat apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the folding sheet | seat apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the movement holding means by a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the movement holding means by a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing along the AA line of FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cargo compartment side of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the use position of the folding sheet apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the center position of the use position and folding position of the folding sheet apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the intermediate position of the folding sheet apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the movement holding means in the intermediate position of the folding sheet apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the folding position of the folding sheet apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the movement holding means in the folding position of the folding sheet apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the position adjustment operation part by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing along the BB line of FIG. It is a perspective view by the side of the luggage compartment of the vehicle by a 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the intermediate position of the folding sheet apparatus by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the intermediate position of the folding sheet apparatus by the modification of this invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the second and subsequent embodiments, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[First Embodiment]
A folding sheet device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view schematically showing a rear portion of a vehicle 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 100 includes an opening 102 formed at the rearmost part, a back door 104 that can open and close the opening 102, a vehicle interior floor 106 provided inside the vehicle 100, a vehicle A cargo compartment floor 110 disposed behind the compartment floor 106 via a kick-up portion 108 that is inclined upward toward the rear, a wheel house 111 provided on both sides of the cargo compartment floor 110 in the vehicle width direction, A folding sheet device 1 disposed on the room floor 106. Although the number and arrangement of the folding seat device 1 vary depending on the type of the vehicle 100, in this embodiment, the folding seat device 1 is employed as two rear seats arranged at the rear of the driver seat and the passenger seat (both not shown), FIG. 1 shows only the folding seat device 1 arranged behind the driver's seat. The folding seat device 1 is disposed adjacent to an opening 116 formed on a side portion of the vehicle 100 and a side door 118 provided so that the opening 116 can be opened and closed. In the vehicle 100 having such a seat arrangement, the folding seat device 1 causes the interior space of the vehicle 100 to be divided into a vehicle compartment 112 ahead of the folding seat device 1 and a luggage compartment 114 behind the folding seat device 1. It is roughly partitioned. Therefore, the folding seat device 1 is disposed adjacent to the luggage compartment 114 at the rearmost end of the vehicle 100 and immediately in front of the luggage compartment 114.

  FIG. 2 is a side view of the folding sheet apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the folding sheet device 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the folding seat device 1 includes a seat cushion 2 for an occupant to sit on, a seat back 4 that can lie down toward the seat cushion 2, and the seat back 4 on the seat cushion 2. The seat back 4 is moved to an intermediate position between the folding mechanism 6 for lying down and the use position where the occupant is seated and the folding position where the seat back 4 is lowered on the seat cushion 2. The movement holding means 8 for holding the seat back 4 at the intermediate position, the lock mechanism 9 for holding the folding sheet apparatus 1 at the use position or the folding position, and the movement holding means operation for operating the movement holding means 8 Part 10 (FIG. 1).

  The seat cushion 2 includes a cushion 12 on which an occupant sits and a seat cushion frame 14 that is disposed inside the cushion 12 and supports the seat cushion 2. In addition, the seat back 4 includes a cushion 16 that contacts the back of the occupant when seated, and a seat back frame 18 that is disposed inside the cushion 16 and supports the seat back 4.

  The folding mechanism 6 is disposed at the front end portion of the seat cushion 2 and is used for attaching the front seat cushion link mechanism 20 for attaching the seat cushion 2 to the passenger compartment floor 106 and the seat back 4 to the kick-up portion 108. The seat back link mechanism 22 and the rear seat cushion link mechanism 24 that is disposed at the rear end portion of the seat cushion 2 and attaches the seat cushion 2 to the seat back 4 are provided.

  The front seat cushion link mechanism 20 has a seat cushion side bracket 26 fixed to the seat cushion frame 14, a vehicle body side bracket 28 fixed to the vehicle compartment floor 106, and the seat cushion side bracket 26 and the vehicle body side bracket 28. And a front link 30 attached to be rotatable. The front link 30 is attached to the seat cushion side bracket 26 so as to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 30A, and is attached to the vehicle body side bracket 28 so as to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 30B. Yes. The front link 30 is formed with a stopper 32 that can come into contact with the passenger compartment floor 106 on the rear side of the rotation shaft 30B. With such a structure, the seat cushion 2 is configured to be movable forward by rotating the front link 30 about the rotation shaft 30B, and when the front link 30 rotates backward, the stopper 32 is By abutting against the passenger compartment floor 106, further rearward rotation is limited.

The seat back link mechanism 22 is fixed to the seat back bracket 34 fixed to both sides in the vehicle width direction of the lower portion of the seat back frame 18 and the kick-up portion 108, and the seat back bracket 34 is pivoted at the lower end thereof by a rotation shaft 36A. And a vehicle body side bracket 36 that is pivotally supported around the center. The vehicle body side bracket 36 rotatably supports the seat back bracket 34 via a spacer 37 (FIG. 6). With such a structure, the seat back 4 is supported so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 36A.
The rear seat cushion link mechanism 24 is configured by a pair of substantially L-shaped rear links 38, and one end of each rear link 38 is fixed to both sides in the vehicle width direction at the rear end portion of the seat cushion frame 14, The other end of the rear link 38 is rotatably attached to the seat back bracket 34. A rotation shaft 38A with respect to the seatback bracket 34 of the rear link 38 is located rearward and upper than the rotation shaft 36A.

  FIG. 4 is a side view of the movement holding means 8 of the folding sheet apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, FIG. 4 is a view of the lower end portion of the seat back bracket 34 as seen from the inner side to the outer side of the folding seat device 1. 5 is a perspective view of the movement holding means 8 of the folding sheet apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the movement holding means 8 of the folding sheet apparatus 1 by 1st Embodiment of this. 4 to 6, the movement holding means 8 is a first spring 40 that is a first restricting member or a first urging means, and a second restricting member or a second urging means. It has a second spring 42, a pin 44 that is an engagement portion fixed to the vehicle body side bracket 36, and a long hole 46 formed in the seat back bracket 34.

Both the first spring 40 and the second spring 42 are spirally wound leaf springs. The first spring 40 is located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction with respect to the second spring 42, and the winding directions are opposite to each other. Are arranged side by side.
The inner end of the first spring 40 is fixed to the rotation shaft 36 </ b> A, and the rotation shaft 36 </ b> A is fixed to the seat back bracket 34. The first spring 40 is wound clockwise in FIG. The outer end of the first spring 40 is curved outward to form a flange portion 48, and this flange portion 48 can be engaged with the pin 44 from above.

  Here, the rotation shaft 36 </ b> A can be rotated by a predetermined angle with respect to the seat back bracket 34 by being fixed to the seat back bracket 34 by screw engagement or the like. That is, the rotation shaft 36 </ b> A is configured to be able to adjust the angular position with respect to the seat back bracket 34. Since the first spring 40 is fixed to the rotating shaft 36A, the first spring 40 rotates with the rotation of the rotating shaft 36A. Therefore, the position of the flange portion 48 of the first spring 40 can be changed by rotating the rotation shaft 36A by a predetermined angle.

  According to such a structure, when the angular position of the rotation shaft 36A is changed, when the first spring 40 rotates about the rotation shaft 36A together with the seat back bracket 34, the collar portion 48 is engaged with the pin 44. This means that the matching position (timing) is changed. As a result, the biasing force of the first spring 40 acting on the seat back bracket 34 via the rotation shaft 36A by being engaged with the pin 44 is changed, and as a result, the intermediate position of the folding seat device 1 is changed. Will be changed. Therefore, the rotation shaft 36A functions as an intermediate position adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the intermediate position of the folding sheet apparatus 1 in the present embodiment.

  The second spring 42 is wound counterclockwise in FIG. The inner end of the second spring 42 is fixed to a cylindrical mounting portion 50 (FIG. 6) provided on the outer peripheral side of the rotation shaft 36A. The attachment portion 50 is fixed to the seat back bracket 34 and is slidable with respect to the rotation shaft 36A. The outer end of the second spring 42 is curved outward to form a flange 52, and the flange 52 can be engaged with the pin 44 from below. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flange portion 48 of the first spring 40 and the flange portion 52 of the second spring 42 are disposed opposite to each other on the opposite side with respect to the pin 44.

One end of the pin 44 is fixed to the vehicle body side bracket 36, and the other end passes through the long hole 46 and projects toward the inner side in the width direction of the folding seat device 1, so that the first spring 40 and the second spring 42 Extend beyond the width.
The long hole 46 is formed in the seat back bracket 34 and has an arc shape centered on the rotation shaft 36A on the outer peripheral side of the first and second springs 40, 42 and on the front side with respect to the rotation shaft 36A. Is formed. The center angle of the arc shape of the long hole 46 is set to be larger than the rotation range of the pin 44 accompanying the rotation of the seat back 4 according to the rotation angle of the seat back 4. The long hole 46 prevents the pin 44 from interfering with the seat back bracket 34 when the seat back bracket 34 is rotated.

Here, the urging force of the first spring 40 and the second spring 42 and the positions of the flange portions 48 and 52 are such that when the folding sheet apparatus 1 is in the use position, the first spring 40 is applied to the outer periphery of the pin 44. When the folding sheet device 1 is in the folded position, the first spring 40 is in contact with the outer periphery of the pin 44 and the second spring 42 is set in contact with the outer periphery of the pin 44. The second spring 42 is set so as not to contact the outer periphery of the pin 44.
Further, the urging force of the first spring 40 and the second spring 42 and the positions of the flange portions 48 and 52 are both the first spring 40 and the second spring 42 when the folding sheet device 1 is in the intermediate position. Is set so that the urging forces of the first spring 40 and the second spring 42 balance with each other while abutting on the outer periphery of the pin 44 and adding the influence of the weight of the seat back 4. Further, the position of the collar portion 48 in a state where no urging force is generated in the first spring 40 is in the vicinity of the position where the seat back 4 is substantially perpendicular to the seat cushion 2, and the collar portion 48 contacts the pin 44. It is set to such a position.

In the present embodiment, the use position is a position where the rear surface of the seat back 4 is brought into contact with the front surface 111 </ b> A (FIG. 1) of the wheel house 111 and the occupant can sit on the seat cushion 2. The use position is arbitrarily set in consideration of the arrangement of the folding seat device 1 in the vehicle 100, the intended use, the sitting comfort, etc. In this embodiment, the use position is the seat back 4 on the seat cushion 2. The obtuse angle is set to be greater than 90 °.
The folding position is a position where the seat back 4 lies down on the seat cushion 2, the front surface of the seat back 4 contacts the seat cushion 2, and the rear surface of the seat back 4 is substantially horizontal. The folding position is arbitrarily set in consideration of the arrangement and usage of the folding sheet device 1 in the vehicle 100. In this embodiment, the folding sheet device 1 is arranged adjacent to the luggage compartment 114. Therefore, the rear surface of the seat back 4 can be used as the bottom surface of the luggage compartment 114, and is set so that the space of the luggage compartment 114 can be expanded. Specifically, the folding position in the present embodiment is The seat back 4 is set so as to be substantially parallel to the seat cushion 2.
The intermediate position is set to an arbitrary position between the use position and the folding position in consideration of the arrangement of the folding seat device 1 in the vehicle 100, the intended use, and the like. Is set so that the seat back 4 is positioned closer to the folding position than the use position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lock mechanism 9 fixes and holds the folding sheet apparatus 1 in a use position, and a folding position locking mechanism 54 as a first locking mechanism for fixing and holding the folding sheet apparatus 1 in the folding position. And a use position lock mechanism 56 as a second lock mechanism.
The folding position locking mechanism 54 includes a striker 58 provided in front of the seat cushion 2 and substantially in the center in the width direction, and a latch 60 attached to the passenger compartment floor 106 and engageable with the striker 58. The latch 60 is disposed at a position where the striker 58 is engaged with the latch 60 when the folding sheet device 1 is moved to the folding position.
Similarly to the folding position locking mechanism 54, the use position locking mechanism 56 includes a striker 62 provided on the upper portion of the seat back 4 and on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and attached to the wheel house 111 of the luggage compartment 114 and engaged with the striker 62. And a latch 64 that can be mated. The latch 64 is disposed at a position where the striker 62 is engaged with the latch 64 when the folding sheet device 1 is moved to the use position.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cargo compartment side of the vehicle according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 1, the movement holding means operation unit 10 includes an operation lever 66 that is operated by an occupant and a cable 68 that connects the operation lever 66 and the latches 60 and 64. The operation lever 66 is provided in the wheel house 111 of the luggage compartment 114. Here, the operation lever 66 is provided at a position where an occupant can reach the rear of the vehicle 100 when the back door 104 is opened and can reach from the opening 102, and is thus disposed at a position where the operation lever 66 can be operated from the opening 102. Yes.
The cable 68 is connected to the operation lever 66 at one end, and extends to the vicinity of the kick-up portion 108 along the side wall of the luggage compartment 114 through the inside of the wheel house 111 and branches into two there. One cable 68 </ b> A is connected to the latch 60, and the other cable 68 </ b> B is connected to the latch 64. With such a structure, when the operation lever 66 is operated, the latches 60 and 64 are simultaneously operated via the cable 68. At this time, if the latches 60 and 64 are engaged with the strikers 58 and 62, the engagement is released. Therefore, the movement holding means operation unit 10 functions as a lock release mechanism that releases the lock mechanism, and the operation lever 66 functions as a lock release mechanism operation unit. Therefore, the movement holding means operation unit 10 is configured to operate the movement holding means by operating the lock release mechanism.

  The movement holding means operation unit 10 is provided in each folding sheet device 1. In the present embodiment, since two folding sheet devices 1 are provided as rear sheets, one moving holding means operation unit 10 is also provided. The operation lever 66 of the folding seat device 1 on the right side of the vehicle is disposed in the wheel house 111 on the right side of the vehicle, and the operation lever 66 of the folding seat device 1 on the left side of the vehicle is disposed in the wheel house 111 on the left side of the vehicle.

The folding sheet apparatus 1 having the above structure operates as follows.
FIGS. 4 and 8 to 13 described above are views showing the operation of the movement holding means 8 of the folding sheet apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the use position of the folding sheet device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 shows the use position and the folding position of the folding sheet device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a diagram showing an intermediate position of the folding sheet device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the folding sheet device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a folding position of the folding sheet device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the movement holding means 8 in the folding position of the folding sheet apparatus 1 by.

  First, when the folding seat device 1 is in the use position as shown in FIG. 8, the rear surface of the seat back 4 is brought into contact with the front surface of the wheel house 111 (FIG. 1), and the striker 62 of the use position lock mechanism 56 is In this state, the latch 64 is engaged. At this time, since the seat back bracket 34 is rotated rearward with respect to the vehicle body side bracket 36, the pin 44 is positioned at the lowermost portion of the arc-shaped long hole 46 as shown in FIG. Further, in the first spring 40 and the second spring 42, the flange portion 52 of the second spring 42 abuts on the pin 44, and the flange portion 48 of the first spring 40 is separated from the pin 44. Yes. Therefore, only the urging force by the second spring 42 is acting on the pin 44. As a result, the urging force acts in the direction in which the second spring 42 is unwound, that is, in the direction in which the seatback bracket 34 is rotated forward via the attachment portion 50. Therefore, at the use position of the folding seat device 1, the urging force is applied to the seat back 4 in a direction that causes the seat back 4 to lie down on the seat cushion 2.

  Next, when the occupant wants to widen the space of the cargo compartment 114, the occupant opens the back door 104 and reaches out from the opening 102 of the cargo compartment 114 to operate the operation lever 66. When the operation lever 66 is operated, the latch 64 of the use position lock mechanism 56 and the latch 60 of the folding position lock mechanism 54 are simultaneously operated via the cable 68. At this time, since the folding sheet device 1 is in the use position, the latch 60 of the folding position lock mechanism 54 is not engaged with the striker 58, and therefore the latch 60 is merely operated. On the other hand, since the latch 64 of the use position locking mechanism 56 is engaged with the striker 62, when the latch 64 is operated, the engagement with the striker 62 is released. Since the seat back 4 is biased forward by the second spring 42, the seat back 4 rotates toward the seat cushion 2 around the rotation shaft 36A.

  When the seat back 4 moves to a position in the substantially vertical direction, the first spring 40 contacts the pin 44. Therefore, in the subsequent forward rotation of the seat back 4, the urging force by the first spring 40 acts in addition to the urging force by the second spring 42. Here, since the urging force of the first spring 40 acts in a direction opposite to the urging force of the second spring 42, the urging force of the first spring 40 has a role of suppressing the lying down operation of the seat back 4. Fulfill.

  As the seat back 4 rotates forward, the second spring 42 is unwound, so that the urging force gradually decreases. On the other hand, since the first spring 40 is pushed by the pin 44 and further wound, the urging force gradually increases. As a result, when the seat back 4 moves to the intermediate position as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 through the center position (reference position) between the use position and the folding position as shown in FIG. The first spring 40 and the second spring 42 are balanced, and the seat back 4 is held at the intermediate position. In this state, in the pin 44, the total of the force component in the lying direction due to the gravity of the seat back 4 and the urging force by the second spring 42 is balanced with the urging force by the first spring 40.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a reference position line S that passes through the center of rotation of the seat back 4 (center of the rotation shaft 36A) at the reference position and is substantially parallel to the rear surface of the seat back 4, and a use position at the use position. The angle α formed by the line A is substantially equal to the angle β formed by the reference position line S and the folding position line C at the folding position. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, at the intermediate position, the seat back 4 is in a state of being rotated around the rotation shaft 36A to a position closer to the folding position than the reference position. Therefore, the angle γ formed by the intermediate position line B and the use position line A at the intermediate position is larger than the angle δ formed by the intermediate position line B and the folding position line C.

  Thereafter, when the seat back 4 is moved to the folding position, the occupant places the load on the rear surface of the seat back 4 from the opening 102 side, or from the opening 102 or from the side door 118. Is moved toward the seat cushion 2 against the urging force of the first spring 40. When the seat back 4 is moved to the folding position, the striker 58 of the folding position locking mechanism 54 is engaged with the latch 60, and the seat back 4 is held in the folding position as shown in FIG.

  In the folded position, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the pin 44 is located at the top of the long hole 46, the second spring 42 does not contact the pin 44, and the first spring 40 is The part 52 is engaged with the pin 44. Therefore, only the urging force by the first spring 40 is acting on the pin 44. As a result, the urging force acts in the direction in which the first spring 40 is unwound, that is, in the direction in which the seat back bracket 34 is rotated backward via the rotation shaft 36A. Therefore, in the folded position, the urging force is applied to the seat back 4 in a direction away from the seat cushion 2.

Here, when the seat back 4 moves from the use position to the folding position, the folding mechanism 6 operates as follows, as shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 12.
When the seat back 4 rotates about the rotation shaft 36A toward the seat cushion 2, the rotation shaft 38A of the rear link 38 rotates about the rotation shaft 36A as the seat back 4 moves. To move. With the movement of the rotation shaft 38A, the rear link 38 moves forward and pushes and moves the seat cushion frame 14 forward. Since the seat cushion frame 14 is supported by the rear link 38 at the rear and supported by the front seat cushion link mechanism 20 at the front, the front link of the front seat cushion link mechanism 20 when the seat cushion 2 moves forward. 30 rotates around the rotation shaft 30B.

  When the seat back 4 is tilted forward by such an operation, the seat back 4 rotates about the rotation shaft 36A, while the seat cushion 2 moves downward while moving forward. Therefore, in the folding position of the folding seat device 1, the seat cushion 2 is positioned substantially horizontally at a position closer to the passenger compartment floor 106 than in the use position, and the seat back 4 is substantially horizontal on the seat cushion 2. The rear surface of the seat back 4 is positioned substantially on the same plane as the luggage compartment floor 110.

  When returning the folding seat device 1 to the use state, the occupant operates the operation lever 66 to activate the lock mechanism 9. When the operation lever 66 is operated, both the latch 64 of the use position lock mechanism 56 and the latch 60 of the folding position lock mechanism 56 are operated via the cable 68. Since the latch 64 of the use position locking mechanism 56 is not engaged with the striker 62, the latch 64 only operates, but the latch 60 of the folding position locking mechanism 54 releases the engagement with the striker 58. When the lock of the folding position lock mechanism 54 is released, the seat back 4 is rotated rearward by the urging force of the first spring 40, and the influence of the gravity of the seat back 4 is taken into account. It stops at an intermediate position where the urging force of 40 and the urging force of the second spring 42 are in balance. Thereafter, the seat back 4 held at the intermediate position is moved rearward from the side door side or the cargo compartment 114 side to the use position against the urging force of the second spring 42, and the use position lock mechanism 56. The striker 62 is engaged with the latch 64.

  In order to adjust the intermediate position in advance in a factory or the like as an initial setting of the folding sheet device 1, the rotation position (rotation angle) of the rotation shaft 36A is determined. That is, when the rotation shaft 36A is rotated with respect to the seatback bracket 34, the position of the inner end of the first spring 40, and hence the position of the flange 48 changes. For example, when the rotation axis 36A is rotated to move the first spring 40 away from the pin 44, the position where the first spring 40 contacts the pin 44 when the seat back 4 rotates forward ( (Timing) is delayed. Therefore, the biasing force of the first spring 40 at the rotational position of the seat back bracket 34 is reduced. Thereby, the balance between the urging force of the first spring 40 and the urging force of the second spring 42 is changed, and the intermediate position where the urging forces of the first spring 40 and the second spring 42 are balanced is closer to the folding position. Changed to position. On the other hand, when the pivot shaft 36A is rotated to move the flange portion 48 of the first spring 40 in the direction closer to the pin 44, the intermediate position is changed to a position closer to the use position.

According to the present embodiment configured as described above, the following excellent effects can be obtained.
Since the folding sheet apparatus 1 includes the movement holding means 8, the folding sheet apparatus 1 can be moved to the intermediate position and held at the intermediate position. Therefore, when it is desired to move the folding seat device 1 to the folding position, the passenger pushes the seat back 4 held at the intermediate position by hand from the intermediate position to the folding position, or the rear surface of the seat back 4. What is necessary is just to move to a folding position from an intermediate position, for example by mounting a load on. Further, when the folding seat device 1 is desired to be moved from the folding position to the use position, the occupant may move the seat back 4 held at the intermediate position from the intermediate position to the use position. Thus, since the movement holding means 8 moves and holds the folding sheet apparatus 1 to the intermediate position, the seat back 4 can be easily moved to both the folding position and the use position with a relatively small force. Can do.

  Further, since the movable holding means 8 holds the folded sheet device 1 at the intermediate position, the seat back 4 at the intermediate position can be grasped from the luggage compartment 114 and returned to the use position. Therefore, the seat back 4 can be laid down and raised from the luggage compartment 114 without requiring a complicated mechanism and without the occupant turning from the rear of the vehicle 100 toward the side door.

  Since the intermediate position is set to a position closer to the folding position than the use position, when the folding sheet device 1 is moved to the intermediate position, the seat back 4 is more easily moved from the intermediate position to the folding position. be able to. This is particularly useful, for example, in the case of a vehicle type that often uses the rear seat moved to the folding position in order to widen the space of the luggage compartment 114. Further, for example, when the folding sheet device 1 is arranged adjacent to the side door and a sheet is arranged behind the folding sheet device 1, the intermediate position is arranged at a position close to the folding position. Since the space for moving from the side door to the rear seat becomes wider, it is easy to get into the rear seat, which is useful.

  Since the movement holding means 8 is provided around the rotation shaft 36 </ b> A that is the rotation center of the seat back 4, and is constituted by the first spring 40, the second spring 42, the pin 44, and the long hole 46, A mechanism for moving the seat back 4 from the use position to the intermediate position and a mechanism for moving the seat back 4 from the folding position to the intermediate position can be configured by one common means. Therefore, unlike the conventional folding seat apparatus that separately has a mechanism for moving the seat back 4 to the use position and a mechanism for moving the seat back 4 to the folding position, the seat back 4 is moved to the folding position and moved to the use position. In both cases, since the common movement holding means 8 can be used, the mechanism for moving the seat back 4 can be simplified.

  Since the seat back 4 is held at the intermediate position by the balance of the urging forces of the first spring 40 and the second spring 42, there is no need to provide a lock mechanism or the like for holding at the intermediate position. Therefore, even when the seat back 4 is moved from the intermediate position to the use position or the folding position, an operation such as unlocking is not required, and thus the operation efficiency can be kept good.

  Since the operation lever 66 of the movement holding means operation unit 10 is provided at a position where the operation lever 66 can be operated from the opening 102, the operation lever 66 is maintained while the passenger is standing on the luggage compartment 114 side in order to widen the space of the cargo compartment 114. The folding sheet apparatus 1 can be moved to an intermediate position by operating the. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the complexity of operations such as the movement of the occupant to the side door, and the convenience of work in the luggage compartment 114 can be improved.

  Since the pivot shaft 36A is configured to be pivotable with respect to the seat back bracket 34 and to be held at the pivoted position, the pivot of the first spring 40 can be achieved by pivoting the pivot shaft 36A. The biasing force of the first spring 40 can be changed by changing the position of the portion 48. Thereby, the intermediate position of the folding sheet apparatus 1 can be changed. Therefore, different intermediate positions can be set in the folding sheet device 1 having a common structure according to the vehicle type of the vehicle 100 and a preferable usage mode, so that the structure of the folding sheet device 1 can be shared.

  For example, in general, the rear seat located behind the driver's seat is often used to expand the cargo space by setting the folding position to the rear seat located behind the passenger seat. Therefore, if the intermediate position of the folding seat device 1 which is the rear seat located behind the driver's seat is set to a position closer to the folding position than the use position, the folding seat device 1 is moved and held at the intermediate position. At this time, the operation of moving the seat back 4 from the intermediate position to the folding position can be easily performed. On the other hand, in the folding seat device 1 which is a rear seat located behind the passenger seat, which is often seated by the occupant, if the intermediate position is set close to the use position, It becomes easy to return to the use position. According to the intermediate position adjusting mechanism of the present embodiment, the intermediate position of each folding sheet device 1 can be adjusted and set at the time of manufacturing the vehicle 100 according to such a difference in use state.

Further, for example, depending on the vehicle type of the vehicle 100, the intermediate position of the folding seat device 1 is set to a position close to the use position in a certain vehicle type, and the intermediate position of the folding seat device 1 is close to the folding position in other vehicle types. Can be set to position.
As described above, since the intermediate position of each folding seat device 1 can be adjusted separately when the vehicle 100 is manufactured, the folding seat device 1 having the common structure can flexibly set the intermediate position according to the type of vehicle 100 and usage. Can be set.

Since the folding mechanism 1 including the folding position lock mechanism 54 and the use position lock mechanism 56 is provided in the folding sheet apparatus 1, the seat back 4 can be held at the use position or the folding position. Thereby, even when an external force is applied to the folding sheet apparatus 1, the seat back 4 can be prevented from unintentionally moving to the intermediate position.
Further, since one operation lever 66 is connected to both the folding position lock mechanism 54 and the use position lock mechanism 56 via the cable 68, the folding position lock mechanism 54 and the use can be used only by operating one operation lever 66. Both of the position lock mechanisms 56 can be operated. Therefore, even when the seat back 4 is in either the use position or the folding position, the seat back 4 can be moved to the intermediate position by operating the same operation lever 66, so that the operation can be easily and easily performed. .

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a folding sheet device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The folding sheet apparatus 70 according to the second embodiment is different from the folding sheet apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment except that the intermediate position of the folding sheet apparatus 70 is different and the structure of the intermediate position adjusting mechanism is different. 1 is the same structure.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the movement holding means 72 of the folding sheet device 70 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the movement holding means 72 of the folding sheet device 70 according to the second embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the luggage compartment 122 of the vehicle 120 as viewed from the rear of the vehicle 120.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the folding sheet device 70 of the present embodiment includes a position adjustment operation unit 74 that allows an occupant to operate an intermediate position adjustment mechanism that can adjust the intermediate position of the movement holding means 72. In the present embodiment, the intermediate position adjusting mechanism is configured by a pin 76 that is an engaging portion extending through the long hole 46 of the seat back bracket 34, and the intermediate position is set by changing the position of the pin 76. It can be changed. In the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 78 is fixed to the seat back bracket 34.

The position adjustment operation unit 74 includes a gear 80 attached to the vehicle body side bracket 36 and a worm gear 82 that meshes with the gear 80.
The gear 80 is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction from the seatback bracket 34 and the vehicle body side bracket 36 and concentrically with the rotation shaft 78. A pin 76 is fixed to the surface of the gear 80 facing the vehicle body side bracket 36. The pin 76 can be engaged with the first spring 40 and the second spring 42 through an arc-shaped long hole 84 formed in the vehicle body side bracket 36 and a long hole 46 formed in the seat back bracket 34. It has become.

  The worm gear 82 meshes with the gear 80 on the outer periphery of the gear 80 behind and below the vehicle 120 with respect to the rotation shaft 78. The worm gear 82 is disposed such that its axis is inclined upward toward the rear, and both ends thereof are rotatably supported by support brackets 86. These support brackets 86 are fixed to the vehicle body side bracket 36. An adjustment knob 88 for rotating the worm gear 82 is provided at the tip of the worm gear 82 on the vehicle rear side. As shown in FIG. 16, the adjustment knob 88 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the seat back 4, and thus protrudes into the luggage compartment 122. In this embodiment, the adjustment knob 88 is disposed at a position where it can be operated from the cargo compartment 122 side. However, the arrangement of the adjustment knob 88 can be arbitrarily set, for example, the adjustment knob 88 can be operated from the side door side. It may be arranged at any position.

  In the present embodiment, the intermediate position of the folding sheet device 70 is set to a position closer to the use position than the folding position. Specifically, the seat back 4 is set to a position where the seat back 4 stands substantially vertically. ing. Accordingly, the urging force of the first spring 40 and the second spring 42 and the positions of the flange portions 48 and 52 are the same as the first spring 40 and the second spring at the position where the seat back 4 stands substantially vertically. 42 is set so that the urging forces of 42 are balanced.

The folding sheet apparatus 70 according to the second embodiment having such a structure operates as follows.
FIG. 17 is a view showing an intermediate position of the folding sheet device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. When the operation lever 66 is operated while the folding sheet device 70 is in the use position, the seat back 4 is moved from the use position to the intermediate position and held at the intermediate position. At this time, in the present embodiment, the seat back 4 stands substantially vertically as shown in FIG. Thereafter, similarly to the folding seat device 1 according to the first embodiment, the seat back 4 is moved to the folding position or the use position, and the seat back 4 is moved to any position by the folding position lock mechanism 54 or the use position lock mechanism 56. Hold.

  When the occupant changes the setting of the intermediate position of the folding seat device 70, the worm gear 82 is rotated by rotating the adjustment knob 88 of the position adjustment operation unit 74 from, for example, the luggage compartment 122 side. Thereby, the gear 80 rotates and the position of the pin 76 is changed. By changing the position of the pin 76, the position (timing) at which the first spring 40 and the second spring 42 contact the pin 76 changes. For this reason, since the urging force exerted on the seat back bracket 34 by the first spring 40 and the second spring 42 with respect to the rotational position of the seat back 4 is changed, the first spring 40 and the second spring 42 The intermediate position of the seat back 4 where the urging forces are balanced is changed.

According to the second embodiment as described above, the same effects as described above can be obtained, and the following effects can be obtained.
The intermediate position of the folding seat device 70 is set to a position closer to the use position than the folding position, more specifically, the seat back 4 is set to a substantially upright position. It can be easily moved to a position with a small force. This is because, for example, when the folding seat device 70 is applied to the rear seat arranged adjacent to the side door on the passenger seat side where the passengers often sit, the folding seat device 70 is in an intermediate position. Since the occupant can sit down while pushing the seat back 4 back to the use position, the operation becomes easy, which is useful.

  Since the movement holding means 72 includes the position adjustment operation unit 74, the occupant can change and adjust the intermediate position of the folding seat device 70 according to the intended use. Therefore, for example, when the baggage is often loaded, the intermediate position is set to a position close to the folding position by the position adjustment operation unit 74, and when the passenger is often placed, the intermediate position is set. It can be set to a position close to the use position. In this way, the intermediate position can be adjusted according to the occupant's usage tendency and preferences, so the convenience of the folding seat device 70 can be improved.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and for example, it is not always necessary to provide a position adjustment operation unit that allows an occupant to adjust the intermediate position. For example, if the intermediate position of each folding seat device is adjusted as an initial setting when the vehicle is manufactured, and it is not necessary to change the setting when the occupant uses the vehicle, it is necessary to provide a position adjustment operation unit There is no.
Further, the structure of the position adjusting operation unit is not limited to the structure according to the above-described embodiment, and any structure can be adopted according to the structure of the movement holding unit.

  It is not always necessary to provide an intermediate position adjusting mechanism capable of changing the intermediate position. For example, when the intermediate position is set in advance at the vehicle design stage and it is not necessary to change the setting of the intermediate position when manufacturing the vehicle, or when it is not necessary to change the intermediate position between a plurality of folding seat devices, etc. It is not necessary to provide an intermediate position adjusting mechanism. In these cases, for example, in the example of the above-described embodiment, the rotation shaft 36A may be fixed to the seat back bracket 34.

  The intermediate position can be set to an arbitrary position close to either the use position or the folding position. Therefore, the intermediate position may be set to a position closer to the folding position than the use position as in the folding sheet device according to the first embodiment, or the intermediate position is folded as in the folding sheet device according to the second embodiment. The position may be set closer to the use position than the position. Further, when the intermediate position is set to a position closer to the use position than the folding position, the intermediate position is not limited to the one in which the seat back is positioned in the vertical direction as in the folding sheet device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, it may be set at an arbitrary position closer to the use position line A than the reference position line S.

  The movement holding means is not limited to the structure having the first spring and the second spring, but has a structure that can move the folding sheet device from the use position or the folding position to the intermediate position and hold it at the intermediate position. If there is, it can be adopted arbitrarily. In the above-described embodiment, the moving and holding means moves and holds the seat back from the use position to the intermediate position and from the folding position to the intermediate position by the structure having the first spring and the second spring. Although the mechanism is realized with a common structure, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a mechanism for moving and holding from the use position to the intermediate position and a mechanism for moving and holding from the folding position to the intermediate position may be provided separately.

  The movement holding means operation section is not limited to one provided for each folding sheet apparatus, and a common movement holding means operation section may be provided for a plurality of folding sheet apparatuses. If comprised in this way, since a several movement holding | maintenance means can be operated simultaneously with one movement holding | maintenance means operation part, while being easy to operate, a structure can be simplified. The movement holding means operation section may not be provided at a position where it can be operated from the opening of the luggage compartment, and may be disposed near the side door, for example.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lock mechanism is provided with the use position lock mechanism and the folding position lock mechanism. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and only one of them may be provided. Further, the lock mechanism and the movement holding means operation unit are not necessarily provided. For example, in the above-described embodiment in which the intermediate position is set to a position close to the folding position, when a lock mechanism that holds the seat back in the folding position is not provided, the luggage is placed on the rear surface of the seat back. By doing so, the seat back can be moved to the folding position, and when the baggage is removed, the seat back automatically returns to the intermediate position, so that the operation of releasing the lock mechanism is omitted, and the operability is improved.

  Arrangement of the folding sheet device can be arbitrarily set and does not have to be arranged adjacent to the luggage compartment. For example, when the sheets are arranged in three rows, a plurality of rear seats are arranged in the front and rear. The folding sheet device may be used as a sheet that is not adjacent to the luggage compartment. Further, the folding seat device may not be disposed adjacent to the side door. For example, in a vehicle in which the side door is not provided on the driver seat side at the rear of the vehicle, such as a wagon car, the side door is provided. You may arrange | position adjacent to the side part of the vehicle body of the side which is not carried out.

  The folding structure of the folding seat device is not limited to the folding mechanism 6 by the link mechanism as in the above-described embodiment, and the rear surface of the seat back is not substantially the same plane as the cargo floor at the folding position. Any structure can be employed. Therefore, the structure of the folding seat device of the present invention may be applied to a folding seat device having a structure in which, for example, the seat cushion does not move downward during folding and the seat back simply rotates with respect to the seat cushion. It can be applied to a folding sheet apparatus having any other structure.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,70 Folding seat apparatus 2 Seat cushion 4 Seat back 8 Movement holding means 9 Lock mechanism 10 Movement holding means operation part 36A Rotating shaft 40 First spring 42 Second spring 44 Pin 46 Elongated hole 54 Folding position locking mechanism 56 Use position lock mechanism 58, 62 Striker 60, 64 Latch 66 Operation lever 68 Cable 72 Position adjustment operation section 76 Gear 78 Worm gear 82 Adjustment knob 100, 120 Vehicle 102 Opening portion 104 Back door 114, 122 Loading chamber 116 Side opening 118 Side door

Claims (7)

A folding seat for a vehicle that includes a seat back and a seat cushion and is movable between a use position in a state where an occupant is seated and a folding position in which the seat back is laid down on the seat cushion. A device,
The seat back is moved to an intermediate position set between the use position and the folding position, and includes a movement holding means for holding at the intermediate position,
The intermediate position is arranged at a position close to either the use position or the folding position.
The folding sheet apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.   The folding sheet device according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate position is disposed closer to the use position than the folding position.   The folding seat device is disposed inside the vehicle in the vehicle width direction of a side opening of the vehicle and a side door that opens and closes the side opening, and the intermediate position is disposed at a position where the seat back stands vertically. The folding sheet apparatus according to claim 2.   The folding sheet device according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate position is disposed at a position closer to the folding position than the use position.   The folding sheet device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the movement holding unit includes an intermediate position adjusting mechanism capable of arbitrarily setting the intermediate position.   The folding sheet apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the movement holding unit further includes a position adjustment operation unit that operates the intermediate position adjustment mechanism.   The vehicle is provided with an opening provided at the rear of the vehicle, a back door that opens and closes the opening, and a luggage compartment disposed in front of the opening, and the folding seat device includes the opening. The folding sheet apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a movement holding means operating portion for operating the movement holding means, provided at a position operable from the section.

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