JP2012143508A - Seat reclining device and seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To keep a memory plate surely engaged so as not to be rotatable in an unlocked state which allows a seat back to tilt after an angle position is memorized, and to reduce an operation load in another unlocked state which allows the seat back to tilt without memorizing the angle position.SOLUTION: A memory mechanism 50 used herein includes engagement sections 53A and 53B which are provided respectively in a pair of adjacent poles 35 out of a plurality of poles 35, a cylindrical holding recess 51 which is provided in a first member 31, the memory plate 52 which is formed in the shape of a ring divided at one place, while the cut portion S thereof is positioned between the two engagement sections 53A and 53B, and which is held in the cylindrical holding recess 51 while the diameter remains reduced, and paired engagement receiving sections 52A and 52B which are provided respectively between the two engagement sections 53A and 53B and at the places adjacent to the two engagement sections 53A and 53B, of the memory plate 52, and with which the two engagement sections 53A and 53B are made to engage removably, accompanying movement in the direction of the diameter of the poles 35.

Description

  The present invention relates to a seat reclining device that adjusts an inclination angle of a seat back with respect to a seat cushion, and a seat device incorporating the seat reclining device.

  2. Description of the Related Art As a seat reclining device that can adjust a tilt angle of a seat back with respect to a seat cushion by a lock mechanism, for example, a configuration that allows a seat back to be moved forward to a predetermined forward tilt position (forward tilt angle) is known. The lock mechanism has a locked state that restricts the tilt of the seat back relative to the seat cushion and an unlocked state that allows the tilt by rotating the operation shaft in accordance with the operation of the first operation lever (lock release operation lever). It is to switch.

  In the seat device having this type of seat reclining device, usually, a forward tilting biasing means for biasing the seat back in the forward tilt direction is provided, and along with the switching operation of the lock mechanism to the unlocked state, The seat back is moved forward by the biasing force of the forward tilting biasing means.

  Here, when the seat back is tilted forward, the seat back is returned to the upright position where the seat back can be seated by the seat back against the biasing force of the forward tilting biasing means. However, in a general seat reclining device, it is temporarily switched to a locked state at a position before reclining of the seat back. Therefore, in order for the seated person to sit down again at the desired tilt angle, it is necessary to readjust the tilt angle, which leads to a decrease in operability after the seat back is moved forward.

  In view of this, the memory reclining device has been incorporated with a memory mechanism that stores the angular position of the seatback immediately before the forward movement and that can regenerate the angular position immediately before the forward movement by causing the seatback from the forward position. According to the seat reclining device having this memory mechanism, the angle position immediately before the forward tilting is regenerated only by performing the operation of causing the seat back, so that the operability at the time of re-sitting accompanied by the occurrence of the seat back is improved. . However, in many cases, the memory mechanism is provided at a location different from the lock mechanism, which increases the number of parts and increases costs.

In response to this, it is considered to incorporate a memory mechanism in the seat reclining device in addition to the lock mechanism (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In this seat reclining device, as shown in FIG. 26A, the lock mechanism 100 is constituted by a first member 101, a second member (not shown), a plurality of lock members 103, a cam 104, and a spring (not shown). Has been. The first member 101 is attached to one of the seat cushion and the seat back, and has an internal gear 106 around the operation shaft 105. The second member is attached to the other of the seat cushion and the seat back, and rotates with respect to the first member 101 about the operation shaft 105. Each lock member 103 is attached to the second member and has external teeth 107 facing the internal gear 106. The cam 104 is coupled to the operation shaft 105 so as to be integrally rotatable, and is urged counterclockwise in FIG. 26A by a spring. When the cam 104 is rotated counterclockwise by this biasing force, the seat back is locked by pressing the lock members 103 radially outward and meshing the external teeth 107 with the internal gear 106. To do. Further, the cam 104 is rotated clockwise together with the operation shaft 105 in accordance with the operation of the first operation lever (unlock operation lever), thereby moving each lock member 103 radially inward to external teeth. The seat back is unlocked by releasing the meshing with the internal gear 106 of 107.

  In this unlocked state, the memory mechanism 110 allows the seat back to tilt without storing the angular position, and the memory mechanism 110 allows the seat back to tilt after storing the same angular position.

  The memory mechanism 110 includes a storage recess 111, an engagement portion 112 for each lock member 103, and a memory plate 113. The storage recess 111 is provided on the first member 101 so as to form a cylindrical shape. Each engaging portion 112 protrudes from the lock member 103 in a direction along the operation shaft 105. The memory plate 113 has an annular shape divided at one place, and is stored in the storage recess 111 in a reduced diameter state. On the inner peripheral surface 113 </ b> B side of the memory plate 113, there is provided an engaged portion 114 that is formed of a recess and to which the engaging portions 112 can be engaged and disengaged.

  When the locked seat back is tilted to a desired tilt angle, the tilt angle is stored by rotating the operation shaft 105 according to the operation of the first operation lever (lock release operation lever). Without being allowed to tilt the seat back.

  In this case, the operation of the first operation lever (lock release operation lever) for rotating the operation shaft 105 by an angle for causing the unlocked state is performed. By this operation, the cam 104 is rotated together with the operation shaft 105 by a predetermined angle in the clockwise direction of FIG. By this rotation, as shown in FIG. 26B, each lock member 103 is slightly moved radially inward by the cam 104. Along with this movement, the meshing of the external teeth 107 with the internal gear 106 is released, the seat back is unlocked, and the engaging portion 112 is semi-engaged with the engaged portion 114 in the radial direction. It will be in the state that was made. When the seat back is tilted in this state, each lock member 103 rotates with respect to the storage recess 111 along with the memory plate 113. At this time, the memory plate 113 slides on the inner peripheral surface 111 </ b> A of the storage recess 111 on the outer peripheral surface 113 </ b> A. When the first operation lever (unlock operation lever) is returned when the seat back reaches a desired inclination angle, each lock is provided by the cam 104 biased counterclockwise in FIG. The member 103 is pushed outward in the radial direction, and the external teeth 107 are engaged with the internal gear 106, whereby the seat back is locked.

  When the seat back in the locked state is moved forward (to a predetermined forward tilt angle), the memory mechanism 110 stores the tilt angle and switches to the unlocked state that allows the seat back to tilt.

  In this case, the second operation lever (memory operation lever) provided separately from the first operation lever (unlock operation lever) is in the unlocked state in which the seat back is allowed to tilt without storing the angular position. The operation of rotating the operation shaft 105 is performed more than when it is generated. By this operation, the cam 104 is rotated together with the operation shaft 105 in the clockwise direction in FIG. The rotating cams 104 cause the lock members 103 to move inward in the radial direction more than when the first operation lever (lock release operation lever) is operated. With this movement, the engaging portion 112 comes out of the engaged portion 114. When the seat back is tilted forward in this state, the memory plate 113 is non-rotatably locked with respect to the storage recess 111 due to friction between the memory plate 113 and the storage recess 111 as shown in FIG. In this state, the engaging portion 112 is slid in the counterclockwise direction on the inner peripheral surface 113B of the memory plate 113. Since the memory plate 113 does not rotate with respect to the storage recess 111, the position of the engaged portion 114 with respect to the first member 101 is maintained. By this holding, the inclination angle of the seatback immediately before the front-end is stored.

  Thereafter, when the seatback that has been tilted forward is raised against the biasing force of the forward tilting biasing unit (tilted backward), the memory plate 113 is locked against the storage recess 111 so as not to rotate. In this state, the engaging portion 112 is slid in the clockwise direction in FIG. 26C on the inner peripheral surface 113B of the memory plate 113. Then, when the inclination angle of the seat back becomes the stored inclination angle immediately before the forward tilt and the engaging portion 112 matches the engaged portion 114, each lock member 103 is pushed radially outward by the cam 104, The seatback is brought into a locked state by the external teeth 107 meshing with the internal gear 106.

  In this way, the inclination angle of the seat back immediately before the forward movement is stored in a simple structure, and the inclination angle immediately before the forward movement is reproduced by causing the seat back from the forward movement position.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-70027

  However, in the seat reclining device described in Patent Document 1, when the locked seat back is tilted to a desired tilt angle, the engaging portion 112 is engaged as shown in FIG. The lock member 103 that is half-engaged with the mating portion 114 rotates with respect to the storage recess 111 along with the memory plate 113. At this time, the memory plate 113 stored in the storage recess 111 in a reduced diameter state is in pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface 111A of the storage recess 111 so as to always increase the diameter. Therefore, when the engaging portion 112 presses the engaged portion 114 in the circumferential direction in a direction in which the divided portion of the memory plate 113 expands in the circumferential direction, the outer peripheral surface 113A of the memory plate 113 and the inner peripheral surface 111A of the storage recess 111 The friction between the two increases. The sliding resistance when the memory plate 113 rotates with respect to the storage recess 111 increases, and the memory plate 113 cannot be rotated unless a large force is applied. As a result, there is a possibility that the operation load when adjusting the seat back to have a desired inclination angle becomes large.

  In response to this, the operation load is reduced by reducing the surface pressure between the outer peripheral surface 113A of the memory plate 113 and the inner peripheral surface 111A of the storage recess 111 and reducing the friction between the memory plate 113 and the storage recess 111. Can be reduced. However, in this case, the memory plate 113 is locked with respect to the storage recess 111 so as not to be rotatable in the unlocked state (see FIG. 26C) in which the seat back is tilted after storing the angular position. It is difficult to continue, and there is a concern that the memory plate 113 rotates (co-rotates) together with the lock member 103 and the memory function is not fully exhibited. Therefore, it is difficult to say that this measure is effective.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. The object of the present invention is to securely lock the memory plate so that the seat back cannot be tilted in the unlocked state where the tilt of the seat back is allowed after storing the angular position, and allows the tilt of the seat back without storing the angular position. An object of the present invention is to provide a seat reclining device and a seat device capable of reducing an operation load in the unlocked state.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the locked state that restricts the tilt of the seat back relative to the seat cushion and the unlocked state that allows the tilt are set according to the rotation of the operation shaft. The lock mechanism for switching and the angular position of the seat back in the locked state immediately before switching to the unlocked state are stored, and only when the seat back in the unlocked state is tilted to the stored angular position A seat reclining device including a memory mechanism that allows a return to a locked state, wherein the lock mechanism is attached to one of the seat cushion and the seat back, and has an internal gear around the operation shaft. One member and a second part attached to the other and capable of rotating with respect to the first member about the operation shaft And a plurality of lock members attached to the second member and having external teeth facing the internal gear, respectively, and pressing the lock members radially outward to mesh the external teeth with the internal gear. By making the seat back into the locked state, by rotating the operation shaft, the locking members are moved radially inward to release the meshing of the external teeth with the internal gear. The seat back is placed in the unlocked state, and the memory mechanism is provided on the first member and an engaging portion provided on each of a pair of adjacent lock members among the plurality of lock members. A cylindrical storage recess and an annular ring divided at one location, the divided portion being positioned between the engagement portions, and a memory plate stored in the storage recess in a reduced diameter state And a pair of engaged portions that are respectively provided at locations adjacent to the engaging portion between the engaging portions of the memory plate, and the engaging portions are engaged and disengaged as the locking member moves in the radial direction. In the unlocked state, the two engaging portions are half-engaged in the radial direction with respect to the adjacent engaged portions, and in this state, the engaged portions are surrounded by the engaging portions. The seat back is allowed to tilt without storing the angular position by being pressed in the direction and the memory plate is rotated integrally with the lock member with respect to the storage recess, and the engagement portion Is moved over the engaged portion, and is slid on the inner peripheral surface of the engaged portion in a state where the memory plate is non-rotatably locked with respect to the storage recess, so that the angular position is The seat back is allowed to tilt The gist is that it consists of things that satisfy.

  According to the above configuration, the plurality of locking members attached to the second member are each pressed radially outward, and the external teeth for each locking member are engaged with the internal gear of the first member, thereby enabling the seat back. Is locked. In this locked state, the tilt of the seat back with respect to the seat cushion is restricted.

  When the seat back in the locked state is switched to the unlocked state in which tilting is allowed, the operation shaft is rotated. By this rotation, each lock member is moved inward in the radial direction, and the meshing of the external teeth with the internal gear is released. With this release, the first member and the second member can be rotated relative to each other, and the seat back can be tilted with respect to the seat cushion.

  In this unlocked state, there are a case where the memory mechanism allows tilting of the seat back without memorizing the angular position, and a case where the memory mechanism allows tilting of the seat back after storing the angular position.

  In the former unlocked state, the engaging portions provided in the pair of adjacent locking members among the plurality of locking members are semi-engaged with the adjacent engaged portions in the radial direction. This occurs when the engaged portion is pressed in the circumferential direction by the engaging portion, and the memory plate is rotated integrally with the lock member with respect to the storage recess.

  Here, the divided portion of the memory plate is located between the engaging portions of each pair of adjacent lock members. Further, the pair of engaged portions of the memory plate is located at a position adjacent to each engaging portion between the engaging portions. That is, each engaged portion is located between the divided portion and the engaging portion.

  Therefore, when one engaging portion presses the adjacent engaged portion in the circumferential direction, the other engaging portion does not press the adjacent engaged portion in the circumferential direction. The direction in which the one engaging portion presses the engaged portion in the circumferential direction is a direction in which the interval between the divided portions of the memory plate is narrowed. Contrary to the above, when the other engaging portion presses the adjacent engaged portion in the circumferential direction, one engaging portion does not press the adjacent engaged portion in the circumferential direction. The direction in which the other engaging portion presses the engaged portion in the circumferential direction is a direction in which the interval between the divided portions of the memory plate is narrowed. By applying a pressing force in a direction that narrows the interval between the divided portions, the memory plate is reduced in diameter when the seat back is tilted. With this reduction in diameter, the friction generated between the outer peripheral surface of the memory plate and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess is reduced.

  The latter unlocked state is a state in which one of the pair of engaging portions gets over the corresponding engaged portion and the memory plate is locked to the storage recess so as not to rotate. This is caused by sliding on the inner peripheral surface of the engaging portion.

  Here, in the latter unlocked state, unlike the former unlocked state, one engaged portion is not pressed in the circumferential direction by the corresponding engaging portion, and the memory plate is not reduced in diameter. The memory plate stored in the storage recess in the reduced diameter state always comes into pressure contact with the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess in an attempt to increase the diameter. Friction generated between the outer peripheral surface of the memory plate and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess is large, and the memory plate is locked to the storage recess so as not to rotate.

  Therefore, because of the former unlocked state, the sheet pressure can be reduced without reducing the surface pressure between the outer peripheral surface of the memory plate and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess and reducing the friction between the memory plate and the storage recess. It becomes possible to make the operation load appropriate when adjusting the back so as to have a desired inclination angle. Further, when the surface pressure is reduced, it is difficult to keep the memory plate non-rotatably locked with respect to the housing recess in the latter unlocked state, and the memory plate rotates together with the lock member. However, in the invention described in claim 1, such a phenomenon hardly occurs and the original memory function is exhibited.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the storage recess is in a direction along the operation shaft, and is more than the meshing portion of the internal gear with the external teeth. The storage recess is configured to support the outer peripheral surface of the memory plate with the inner peripheral surface of the same diameter as the tooth tip circle of the internal gear or the tooth tip of the internal gear. It is summarized as follows.

  Here, the memory plate slides in the circumferential direction in a storage recess provided adjacent to the direction along the operation axis and away from the second member with respect to the meshing portion with the external teeth of the internal gear. It is stored as possible. A lock member having external teeth facing the internal gear is located between the memory plate and the second member. Since each lock member moves in the radial direction, the external teeth mesh with the internal gear and the meshing is released, so that the lock member can be moved in the radial direction around the lock member. There are not a few gaps. For example, assuming that the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess has a smaller diameter than the tip circle of the internal gear, the storage recess and the lock member are between the storage recess and the internal gear in the radial direction and in the direction along the operation axis. There is a gap between them.

  On the other hand, the memory plate stored in the storage recess in the reduced diameter state tends to be expanded by its own elastic restoring force. For this reason, when the memory plate is tilted by the force to expand the diameter and is removed from the storage recess, the memory plate may enter the gap and hinder the operation of the lock mechanism or the memory mechanism.

  In this regard, in the invention described in claim 2, the storage recess provided adjacent to the side away from the second member from the meshing portion with the external teeth of the internal gear has the same diameter as the tip circle of the internal gear. The outer peripheral surface of the memory plate is supported by the inner peripheral surface or the tooth tip of the internal gear. Therefore, there is no gap as described above between the storage recess and the internal gear in the radial direction and between the storage recess and the lock member in the direction along the operation axis. For this reason, even if the memory plate is tilted by the force for expanding the diameter and is released from the storage recess, there is no possibility of affecting the operation of the lock mechanism or the memory mechanism.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the engaged portions protrude radially inward from different locations in the circumferential direction of the memory plate, and the memory plate The thickness in the radial direction of the memory plate is such that the seat back is tilted after storing the angular position of the portion to be engaged in the circumferential direction of the memory plate and the portion to be engaged. The gist is that the engaging portion is set to be the same as the sliding portion in the allowed unlocked state.

  The location where the engaging portion slides in the unlocked state that allows the seat back to tilt after storing the angular position is a part of the inner peripheral surface of the engaged portion that protrudes radially inward. The memory plate is located on the radially inner side of the portion between the engaged portions in the circumferential direction.

  Here, if the outer diameter of the memory plate is the same at any location, the former location is thicker than the latter location. It is harder to bend at a thick part than at a small part. Therefore, when the diameter of the memory plate is reduced while being bent inward in the radial direction in order to incorporate the memory plate into the storage recess, the memory plate may become an irregular ring shape and may not easily fit into the storage recess.

  In this respect, in the invention described in claim 3, the thickness is the same between the portion of the memory plate between the two engaged portions in the circumferential direction and the portion of the two engaged portions where the engaging portion slides. Is set to For this reason, when the memory plate is reduced in diameter while being bent inward in the radial direction so as to be incorporated in the storage recess, the memory plate does not easily form an irregular ring shape and is easily fitted into the storage recess.

  In addition, when the pressing force in the direction of narrowing the divided portion of the memory plate is applied from the engaging portion to the engaged portion, the memory plate is also rotated when the memory plate is rotated integrally with the lock member with respect to the housing recess. It is difficult to reduce the diameter to a distorted annular shape (reduced to a uniform annular shape). Therefore, it is possible to prevent an excessive frictional force from being locally generated between the outer peripheral surface of the memory plate and the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, by performing an operation of rotating the operation shaft, the seat back of the seat back can be stored without storing the angular position. The unlocking state in which tilting of the seat back is allowed without memorizing the angular position by performing the operation of rotating the operation shaft and the first operation lever that causes the unlocking state to permit tilting And the operation of rotating the operation shaft more than that in the unlocked state is performed, and the unlocked state in which the tilting of the seat back is allowed after the angular position is memorized. As the second operating lever and the seat back, a seating area for adjusting the tilt angle and a forward tilting area on the front side of the seating area are used as tilting areas, and the first operating lever is used. And the tilt of the seat cushion in the tilting area with respect to the seat cushion with respect to the operating shaft that rotates according to the operation of the second operating lever, and at least the seating area restricts the sliding movement of the seat cushion. In response to the operation of the second operation lever, the lock mechanism is switched to the unlocked state, and the restriction is released in conjunction with the seat back being moved forward from the seating area to the front-falling area. The seat back is applied to a seat device having a seat slide device, and when the first operating lever is operated, the lock mechanism is used to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state. The gist of the present invention is to further include a switching restriction mechanism that restricts only when tilting.

  The seat slide device restricts the sliding movement of the seat cushion when the seat back is tilted at least in the seating region. In addition, when the seat mechanism is switched to the unlocked state in accordance with the operation of the second operation lever and the seat back is moved forward from the seating area to the front-falling area, the seat slide device performs the regulation in conjunction with the front-falling. To release. By releasing the restriction, the seat cushion can be slid.

  Here, as with a general seat reclining device, the first operation lever can be used to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state in the locking mechanism when the seat back is in any angular position in the tilting region. It shall be. In this case, when adjusting the inclination angle of the seat back by operating the first operating lever, if the seat back is accidentally tilted in the forward tilting area, the restriction of the slide movement in the seat slide device may be released. There is.

  In this regard, in the invention according to claim 4, when the first operation lever is operated, the lock mechanism is switched between the locked state and the unlocked state only when the seat back is tilted within the seating area by the switching restriction mechanism. Limited. Therefore, in the forward tilt region, switching between the locked state and the unlocked state by operating the first operating lever is impossible. As a result, when the tilt angle of the seat back is adjusted by operating the first operating lever, the restriction of the slide movement in the seat slide device is released without accidentally tilting the seat back in the forward tilting area. Disappears.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the switching restricting mechanism is provided in the first member so as to be integrally rotatable, and the engaged portion slides. A rotation restricting portion having an inner peripheral surface having the same diameter as the inner peripheral surface of the joint portion, and when the first operation lever is operated, Due to the contact, the rotation of the lock member with the memory plate is restricted, and the tilting of the seat back from the seating area to the forward tilting area is prevented, and when the second operation lever is operated, the engagement When the seat crosses the engaged portion and the rotation restricting portion and slides on the inner peripheral surface of the engaged portion, the seat back is tilted from the seating region to the forward tilting region. The gist is that it is acceptable.

  According to the above configuration, when the first operation lever is operated to tilt the seat back from the seating area to the forward tilting area, the engaging portion in the half-engaged state rotates at the boundary portion between the two areas. Abuts against the restriction. Due to this contact, further rotation of the lock member with the memory plate is restricted, that is, rotation of the second member relative to the first member is restricted, and tilting of the seat back to the forward tilting region is prevented.

  On the other hand, when the second operation lever is operated to tilt the seat back from the seating area to the forward-falling area, the engaging part moves the engaged part and the rotation restricting part at the boundary part between the two areas. Ride over and slide on the inner peripheral surface of the engaged portion. By this sliding, the lock member is allowed to rotate, that is, the second member is allowed to rotate with respect to the first member, and the seat back is allowed to tilt from the seating region to the forward tilting region.

  Invention of Claim 6 is a sheet | seat apparatus provided with the sheet | seat reclining apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5 on both sides about the width direction, Comprising: Each said operation axis of both said sheet | seat reclining apparatuses is The gist is that they are connected to each other so as to be integrally rotatable.

  According to the above configuration, the seat reclining devices provided on both sides in the width direction of the seat device have the same structure including the same lock mechanism and the same memory mechanism. Moreover, in each seat reclining device, the operation shafts related to the operation of the lock mechanism and the memory mechanism are connected to each other so as to be integrally rotatable. Therefore, when the operation shaft is rotated, the lock mechanism in both the seat reclining devices is operated in synchronism, and the memory mechanism is operated in synchronism.

  According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, the unlocked state in which the seat back is allowed to tilt without memorizing the angular position is the state of the first operating lever and the second operating lever. The unlocked state, which is caused by rotating the operation shaft in accordance with the operation, and allowing the tilting of the seat back after storing the angular position, does not store the angular position. This is caused by the operation shaft being rotated in response to more operations of the second operation lever than in the unlocked state allowing tilting, and the seat back is stored after storing the angular position. When the operation of the second operation lever for generating the unlocked state that allows tilting of the second operation lever is performed at least, the movement of the second operation lever is changed to the first operation lever. It lost motion mechanism for pausing the same first operating lever without transmitting to the subject matter that is further provided.

  The amount of rotation of the operating shaft according to the operation of the second operating lever when generating the unlocked state that allows the tilting of the seat back after storing the angular position is determined by tilting the seat back without storing the angular position. More than the amount of rotation of the operation shaft according to the operation of the first operation lever and the second operation lever when generating the allowed unlocked state.

  In this regard, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the operation of the second operation lever for generating the unlocked state in which the tilting of the seat back is permitted after the angular position is stored, the lost motion is performed. By the action of the mechanism, the movement of the second operation lever is not transmitted to the first operation lever, and the first operation lever is paused. By this pause, the difference in the amount of rotation of the operating shaft when the both unlocked states are generated is absorbed.

  Therefore, the angular position can be adjusted by the second operating lever without affecting the occurrence of the unlocked state in which the tilting of the seat back is allowed without memorizing the angular position by the operation of the first operating lever and the second operating lever. It is possible to generate an unlocked state that allows the seat back to tilt after being stored.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the first operation lever is rotatably supported by the operation shaft, and the second operation lever is drivingly connected to the operation shaft. The lost motion mechanism is provided in one of the link member coupled to the operation shaft so as to be integrally rotatable, the first operation lever, and the link member, and has an arc-shaped length around the operation shaft. The unlocked state includes a hole and a pin provided in the other of the first operation lever and the link member and inserted into the elongated hole, and allows the seat back to tilt after storing the angular position When the operation of the second operation lever for generating the at least operation is performed, the movement of the second operation lever is allowed to move in the first operation lever by allowing the pin to move in the long hole. And summarized in that without transfer is intended to pause the first operating lever.

  According to the above configuration, the pin is allowed to move within the long hole when the second operating lever is operated at least to generate an unlocked state that allows the seat back to tilt while storing the angular position. Thus, the movement of the second operation lever is not transmitted to the first operation lever, and the first operation lever is paused. By this pause, the difference in the amount of rotation of the operating shaft when the both unlocked states are generated is absorbed, and the effect of the invention of claim 7 can be obtained with certainty.

  According to the seat reclining device and the seat device of the present invention, in the unlocked state in which the angle position is memorized and the seat back is allowed to tilt, the memory plate is securely locked so as not to rotate, and the angle position is not memorized. In the unlocked state in which the seat back is allowed to tilt, the operation load can be reduced.

The front view which shows the frame | skeleton part of the vehicle seat apparatus in 1st Embodiment which actualized this invention. The side view which similarly shows the frame | skeleton part of the vehicle seat apparatus. The side view explaining the tilting area of a seat back. The disassembled perspective view of a seat reclining device. The disassembled perspective view of a seat reclining device. The front view of a seat reclining apparatus. AA line sectional view of Drawing 6. The fragmentary sectional view which expands and shows a part of FIG. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 8 and showing a comparative example of a seat reclining device. BB sectional drawing of FIG. CC sectional view taken on the line of FIG. The rear view which shows the state which looked at the seat reclining apparatus of FIG. 7 from the arrow D direction. The rear view which shows the state which looked at the memory plate in the seat reclining apparatus of FIG. 7 from the arrow D direction. The partial side view which shows the structure of the operation shaft of the right side of the vehicle seat apparatus, and its peripheral part. The partial side view which shows the structure of the operation shaft of the right side of a vehicle seat apparatus, and its peripheral part when a 1st operation lever is operated to the cancellation | release position from the state of FIG. The partial side view which shows the structure of the left side operating shaft of a vehicle seat apparatus, and its peripheral part. The partial side view which shows the structure of the left side operation shaft of a vehicle seat apparatus, and its peripheral part when the 2nd operation lever is pulled up from the state of FIG. EE sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FF sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the seat reclining device that has been switched from the state of FIG. 10 to an unlocked state in which the operating shaft is rotated and the tilt of the seat back is allowed without storing the angular position. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the seat reclining device in which the operation shaft is further rotated from the state of FIG. 20 and the angle position is stored and then the seat reclining device is switched to the unlocked state allowing the seat back to tilt. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the seat reclining device when the operating shaft is further rotated from the state of FIG. 21 and the seat back is tilted forward. In 2nd Embodiment which actualized this invention, the partial side view which shows the structure of a switching restriction | limiting mechanism. The partial side view which shows the state of the switching restriction | limiting mechanism when the 2nd operation lever is operated from the state of FIG. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 8, and the elements on larger scale which show another example of a storage recessed part. (A)-(C) are the fragmentary sectional views which show the internal structure of the seat reclining apparatus in patent document 1. FIG.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in a vehicle seat device having a walk-in mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle will be described as the front (front of the vehicle), and the reverse direction of the vehicle will be described as the rear (rear of the vehicle). Further, in the following description, the vertical direction means the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the horizontal direction is the vehicle width direction of the vehicle and coincides with the horizontal direction when the vehicle moves forward.

In the present embodiment, as a vehicle, a vehicle of a type in which a boarding / exiting space is not sufficiently wide when the door is opened, such as a two-door vehicle or a one-box car is assumed.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the skeleton portion of the vehicle seat device includes lower rails 11A and 11B and upper rails 12A and 12B that are paired in the vehicle width direction, a seat cushion frame 14, and a seat back frame 15. I have.

  The lower rails 11A and 11B are fixed to the vehicle floor (not shown) via brackets 13A and 13B in such a manner that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (the left-right direction in FIG. 2). The upper rails 12A and 12B are slidable in the front-rear direction with respect to the lower rails 11A and 11B.

  The seat cushion frame 14 forms a skeletal portion of a seat cushion on which an occupant sits. The lower arms 14A and 14B that make a pair in the vehicle width direction, and a connecting rod 14C that connects the lower arms 14A and 14B at the rear end portion, A pair of support brackets 14D and 14E (see FIGS. 14 and 15) fixed to the rear ends of the lower arms 14A and 14B are provided. The seat cushion frame 14 is supported by the upper rails 12A and 12B in the lower arms 14A and 14B, respectively.

  The seat back frame 15 is rotatably connected to the seat cushion frame 14 at the rear ends of the lower arms 14A and 14B. The seat back frame 15 forms a skeleton part of a seat back (back) that supports the upper body of the occupant from the rear side. The side frames 15A and 15B and the side frames 15A and 15B that are paired in the vehicle width direction are arranged at the upper ends. The upper pipe 15C is connected to the upper pipe 15C, and the horizontally long installation member 15D is fixed to the upper pipe 15C.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the seat back (seat back frame 15) has a seating area for adjusting the tilt angle and a forward tilted area on the front side of the seating area as tilting areas. 16A and 16B are configured to be tiltable with respect to the seat cushion (seat cushion frame 14). This tilting area is based on the “upright position” where the seat back is raised. The seating region is a region sandwiched between the “upright position” and the “largely tilted position” in which the seat back is greatly inclined backward. In the drawing, the angular position of the seat back frame 15 indicated by a solid line is the angular position of the seat back that is most frequently used when a general occupant is seated (hereinafter referred to as “neutral position”). The forward tilt area is an area sandwiched between the “upright position” and the “forward position” where the seat back is tilted forward.

The operation of the seat back that is tilted from the seating area to the “forward position” of the forward tilt area is called “forward tilt”.
In addition, the walk-in mechanism is used to move the seat back forward in order to secure a boarding space when opening the door in a two-door vehicle and getting on and off the second seat, or when getting on and off the third seat from the rear door in a one-box vehicle. This is a mechanism for slidably moving the seat cushion forward relative to the vehicle floor.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle seat device includes seat reclining devices 20A and 20B on both sides in the vehicle width direction. Both seat reclining devices 20A and 20B are for adjusting and maintaining the inclination angle of the seat back relative to the seat cushion, and have the same configuration.

  Each seat reclining device 20A, 20B is disposed between the support brackets 14D, 14E of the seat cushion frame 14 and the side frames 15A, 15B of the seat back frame 15, and includes a spiral spring (not shown), a lock mechanism 30 and the like. A memory mechanism 50 is provided.

  The spiral spring is for urging the seat back in the forward tilt direction, and is formed by bending a wire rod into a spiral shape. One end of the spiral spring is locked to the seat cushion frame 14, and the other end is locked to the seat back frame 15.

  The lock mechanism 30 is a mechanism for switching between a locked state that restricts the tilt of the seat back relative to the seat cushion and an unlocked state that allows the tilt according to the rotation of the operation shafts 16A and 16B.

  The operation shaft 16A in the left seat reclining device 20A and the operation shaft 16B in the right seat reclining device 20B are coupled (rigidly coupled) to each other by a common rod 22 (see FIG. 1) so as to be integrally rotatable. Here, a direction along the operation shafts 16A and 16B is referred to as an “axial direction”.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the lock mechanism 30 includes a first member 31 attached to the side frames 15 </ b> A and 15 </ b> B of the seat back frame 15 and a second member attached to the support brackets 14 </ b> D and 14 </ b> E of the seat cushion frame 14. 32 and a holder 33 attached to the first member 31 and the second member 32. Further, the lock mechanism 30 includes a cam 34 and a plurality of (three) lock members 35 disposed between the first member 31 and the second member 32, and one of the second members 32 in the axial direction. And a spiral spring 36 disposed on the side (the right side in FIGS. 4 and 5).

  The second member 32 is formed by half punching (half blanking) and is formed in an annular shape. The second member 32 is substantially integrated with the seat cushion frame 14 by being joined to the support brackets 14D and 14E on one side in the axial direction (the right side in FIG. 7).

  Further, a circular recess 37 is formed on the other side of the second member 32 in the axial direction (left side in FIGS. 4 and 7). As shown in FIGS. 4, 10, and 11, a plurality of (three) guide wall portions 38 that protrude from the bottom wall portion by an axial step are formed in the recess 37 at predetermined angles. These guide wall portions 38 are paired with adjacent guide wall portions 38. The guide wall portion 38 has a side surface 38A that extends straight in the radial direction so as to be parallel to the adjacent guide wall portion 38 that forms a pair (see FIG. 11). A guide groove extending in the radial direction is formed between the adjacent side surfaces 38A. This guide groove is for guiding the radial movement (advance and retreat) of the pole 35.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the first member 31 is formed by half punching like the second member 32, and has an outer diameter equivalent to the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface 37 </ b> A of the concave portion 37. It is formed in the annular | circular shape which has. The first member 31 is substantially integrated with the seat back frame 15 by being joined to the side frames 15A and 15B on the other side in the axial direction (left side in FIG. 7).

  The first member 31 is mounted on the second member 32 such that the outer peripheral surface 31A is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface 37A. That is, the first member 31 is pivotally supported by the second member 32. With this pivot support, the seat back frame 15 is rotatably connected to the seat cushion frame 14 via the first member 31 and the second member 32 of the lock mechanism 30.

  When the seat back frame 15 tilts forward, the first member 31 rotates (forward) in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. On the other hand, when the seat back frame 15 tilts backward, the first member 31 rotates (reversely rotates) in the clockwise direction in FIG.

  Further, a first recess 39 that is concentric with the second member 32 and has a circular shape is formed on one side of the first member 31 in the axial direction (the right side in FIG. 7). In the first recess 39, an internal gear 39A is formed on the inner peripheral surface centering on the operation shafts 16A, 16B. Therefore, in a state where the first member 31 is mounted on the second member 32, the internal gear 39A faces the radial direction of the guide groove.

  The first recess 39 is formed with a circular second recess 41 that is concentric with the first recess 39 and has a smaller diameter than the first recess 39. The first recess 39 and the second recess 41 form a housing space for the cam 34 and the pole 35 together with the recess 37 in a state where the first member 31 is mounted on the second member 32.

  The holder 33 is formed in an annular shape, and is attached to the first member 31 and the second member 32 attached thereto from the outside in the radial direction. The first member 31 and the second member 32 are prevented from coming off in the axial direction in a state where relative rotation is allowed by the holder 33.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cam 34 has a plurality of (three) cam portions 34A at predetermined angles from the center of rotation thereof, and the outer surface of these cam portions 34A defines the cam surface 34B. Forming. Each cam portion 34A is formed with a protrusion 34C that protrudes parallel to the axial direction. The cam 34 is rotatably connected to the second member 32 in a mode of being accommodated between the second member 32 and the first member 31. The cam 34 is integrated with the operation shafts 16A and 16B in conjunction with the operation of a first operation lever 61 and a second operation lever 62, which will be described later, on one side (clockwise in FIG. 10, counterclockwise in FIG. 11). Direction).

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 12, the outer end of the spiral spring 36 is locked to the second member 32, and the inner end is locked to the cam 34. When the operation of the first operation lever 61 and the second operation lever 62 is released, the cam 34 is rotated to the other side (counterclockwise in FIG. 10 and clockwise in FIG. 11) by the spiral spring 36. It is so energized. This urging direction is a direction in which an outer gear 35A of a pole 35 (to be described later) is engaged with an internal gear 39A of the first member 31 by the cam 34 to lock the seat back.

The outer end of the spiral spring 36 may be engaged with the support brackets 14D and 14E of the seat cushion frame 14 instead of the second member 32.
As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 10 and 11, each of the plurality of (three) poles 35 is slightly larger than the circumferential width of the guide groove (interval between adjacent guide wall portions 38). It is formed in a rectangular plate shape having a small width. Each pole 35 is disposed in the guide groove, and is guided in the radial direction by sliding contact with both side surfaces 38A (see FIG. 11). Outer teeth 35 </ b> A that mesh with the inner gear 39 </ b> A of the first member 31 are formed at the outer end portions of the respective poles 35 in the radial direction. Further, a cam hole 35B penetrating in the thickness direction is formed at the inner end portion of each pole 35. Each cam hole 35B is inclined with respect to the circumferential direction, and each pole 35 is engaged with the protrusion 34C of the cam 34 inserted into the cam hole 35B.

  Further, in each pole 35, a step portion is formed between the external teeth 35A and the cam hole 35B. The end surface of the step portion that faces in the radial direction forms a pole cam surface 35C. The pole cam surface 35C extends so as to cross the side surface of the pole 35 and to have an inclination angle with respect to the pitch circle of the external teeth 35A. The pawl 35 is engaged with the cam surface 34B of the cam 34 by contacting the pawl cam surface 35C.

  Here, in a state where the cam 34 and the pole 35 are accommodated between the second member 32 and the first member 31 (accommodating space), the cam 34 is integrated with the operation shafts 16A and 16B on one side (clockwise direction in FIG. 10). ), The pawl 35 moves so as to be drawn in the radial direction along the guide groove when the cam hole 35B is pressed by the projection 34C of the cam 34. At this time, the engagement between the external teeth 35A of the pole 35 and the internal gear 39A of the first member 31 is released, so that the first member 31 can be rotated with respect to the second member 32, and the seat back is Unlocked.

  On the other hand, when the cam 34 rotates to the other side (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 10), the pole 35 protrudes in the radial direction along the guide groove when the pole cam surface 35C is pressed against the cam surface 34B. Move to. At this time, the external teeth 35A of the pole 35 mesh with the internal gear 39A of the first member 31, the first member 31 becomes unable to rotate with respect to the second member 32, and the seat back is locked.

  The memory mechanism 50 stores the angular position of the seat back in the locked state immediately before switching to the unlocked state, and is in the locked state only when the forward-turned unlocked seat back tilts to the stored angular position. It is a mechanism for allowing the return to.

  The memory mechanism 50 includes engaging portions 53A and 53B, a storage recess 51, a memory plate 52, and a pair of engaged portions 52A and 52B provided on the pair of poles 35, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the engaging portions 53 </ b> A and 53 </ b> B are respectively provided on a pair of adjacent (upper and left sides in FIG. 10) poles among a plurality (three) of poles 35. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the pole 35, a step portion 54 is formed on the opposite side of the pole cam surface 35C in the axial direction and between the external teeth 35A and the cam hole 35B. The stepped portion 54 is provided with engaging portions 53A and 53B. In the present embodiment, one engagement portion 53A protrudes more radially outward from the step portion 54 than the other engagement portion 53B.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the storage recess 51 is in the axial direction (left-right direction in FIG. 8), and is on the side farther from the second member 32 than the meshing portion with the external teeth 35A of the internal gear 39A (left side in FIG. 8). ). That is, the storage recess 51 is provided adjacent to the side farther from the second member 32 side than the first recess 39. The housing recess 51 is concentric with the first recess 39 and has an inner peripheral surface 51A having the same diameter as the tooth tip circle of the internal gear 39A.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, the memory plate 52 has an annular shape divided at one place, and can be reduced in diameter by elastically deforming radially inward and elastically deforming radially outward. The diameter can be expanded. The memory plate 52 is housed so as to be slidable in the circumferential direction with respect to the housing recess 51 in a state where the divided portion S is positioned between the engaging portions 53A and 53B and the diameter thereof is reduced.

  The engaged portions 52A and 52B protrude radially inward from locations adjacent to the engaging portions 53A and 53B of the memory plate 52 between the engaging portions 53A and 53B. Both engaged portions 52A and 52B are places where the engaging portions 53A and 53B are engaged and disengaged as the pole 35 moves in the radial direction.

  In the present embodiment, the engaged portion 52B on the front side in the direction in which the first member 31 rotates (forward rotation) when the seat back is tilted forward is provided at one end of the memory plate 52. It is adjacent to the front engaging portion 53B. Further, a rear engaged portion 52A in the direction in which the first member 31 rotates when the seat back is tilted forward is provided at the other end of the memory plate 52, and the rear engagement portion is provided. Adjacent to the joint portion 53A.

  The lengths of the engaged portions 52A and 52B in the radial direction are slid by the engagement portions 53A and 53B over the engaged portions 52A and 52B together with the protruding amounts from the step portions 54 of the engagement portions 53A and 53B. It is an element that determines whether or not it can move, that is, whether or not the angular position of the seat back can be stored. Here, the length of the engaged portion 52B in the radial direction is set to a length that the engaging portion 53B with a small amount of protrusion from the stepped portion 54 can get over. The length of the engaged portion 52A in the radial direction is set to a length that the engaging portion 53A having a large amount of protrusion cannot get over.

  Further, the circumferential lengths of the engaged portions 52 </ b> A and 52 </ b> B are elements that determine the tilting range of the seat back that can be stored by the memory mechanism 50. Here, the engaged portion 52B on which the engaging portion 53B rides and slides is formed long in the circumferential direction. Further, the engaged portion 52A that the engaging portion 53A does not ride on is formed short in the circumferential direction.

The unlocked state by the lock mechanism 30 described above has the following two modes.
Aspect 1: Both engaging portions 53A, 53B are semi-engaged with the engaged portions 52A, 52B in the radial direction, and in this state, the engaged portions 52A, 52B are moved circumferentially by the engaging portions 53A, 53B. A mode in which the seat back is allowed to tilt without storing the angular position by being pressed and rotated integrally with the pole 35 with respect to the storage recess 51 (see FIG. 20).

  Aspect 2: In a state where the engaging portion 53B gets over the engaged portion 52B and the memory plate 52 is non-rotatably locked with respect to the storage recess 51, it slides on the inner peripheral surface 52C of the engaged portion 52B. By being moved, the angle position is memorized and the seat back is allowed to tilt (see FIG. 22). In this aspect, the frictional resistance generated between the outer peripheral surface 52D of the memory plate 52 and the circular inner peripheral surface 51A of the storage recess 51 is between the inner peripheral surface 52C of the engaged portion 52B and the engaging portion 53B. This occurs when the frictional resistance is greater than

  Here, as shown in FIG. 13, in the memory plate 52, an arc-shaped notch 52E is provided at the outer periphery of the portion where the longer engaged portion 52B is provided in the circumferential direction. . Due to the cutout portion 52E, the radial thickness t1 of the memory plate 52 is such that the portion 52F between the engaged portions 52A and 52B in the circumferential direction of the memory plate 52 and the engaged portions 52A and 52B. Among them, the position is set to be the same as the position where the engaging portion 53B slides in the unlocked state in which the tilting of the seat back is allowed after storing the angular position. The place where the engaging portion 53B slides is the engaged portion 52B that is longer in the circumferential direction and shorter in the radial direction. Note that the reference numeral 52G in FIG. 13 restricts the engaged portion 52B from bending outward in the radial direction when the engaging portion 53B slides on the inner peripheral surface 52C of the engaged portion 52B. It is the leg part.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in addition to the seat reclining devices 20A and 20B, the vehicle seat device includes a first operation lever 61 (lock release operation lever), a second operation lever 62 (memory operation lever), and A seat slide device 69 is provided.

  The first operation lever 61 is a lever operated when the operation shafts 16 </ b> A and 16 </ b> B are rotated to generate an unlocked state that allows the seat back to tilt without storing the angular position. The first operation lever 61 is disposed on one side (the right side in the present embodiment) in the width direction of the seat cushion.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the support bracket 14E on the same side (right side) as the first operation lever 61 is disposed on the same side (right side) as the first operation lever 61 in the width direction of the seat cushion. A part of the operation shaft 16B of the seat reclining device 20B is protruding. The first operation lever 61 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the operation shaft 16B. A mechanism for transmitting the movement of the first operation lever 61 to the operation shaft 16B is provided between the first operation lever 61 and the operation shaft 16B, which will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second operation lever 62 rotates in the operation shafts 16 </ b> A and 16 </ b> B according to the operation thereof, thereby unlocking the seat back without storing the angular position. Can be generated. The main function of the second operation lever 62 is to allow the seat back to tilt after memorizing the angular position by rotating the operation shafts 16A and 16B more than in the unlocked state. To create an unlocked state. The second operation lever 62 is provided on one side of the seat back in the width direction (the same side as the first operation lever 61: right side).

  The second operation lever 62 is supported by a shaft 63 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction with respect to the erection member 15D at the upper part of the vehicle seat device. The second operation lever 62 is always urged to rotate downward by a return spring 64. In the installation member 15D, stoppers 67A and 67B are provided above and below the second operation lever 62, and the operation range of the second operation lever 62 is defined by these stoppers 67A and 67B.

  As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the support bracket 14 </ b> D on the opposite side (left side) to the second operation lever 62 is disposed on the opposite side (left side) to the second operation lever 62 in the width direction of the seat cushion. A part of the operation shaft 16A of the seat reclining device 20A protrudes. A link member 65 is connected to the operation shaft 16A so as to be integrally rotatable. The link member 65 is always moved in the rotational direction (counterclockwise direction in FIGS. 16 and 17) of the operation shaft 16A when the seat back is locked by the spiral spring 36 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). It is energized.

  The outer end portion of the link member 65 and the second operation lever 62 arranged at a position far away from the link member 65 are drivingly connected by a cable 68, and according to the operation of the second operation lever 62. The movement of the second operation lever 62 is transmitted to the operation shaft 16A via the cable 68 and the link member 65. In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, an intermediate portion of the cable 68 is not shown.

  A seat slide device 69 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a well-known slide lock mechanism (not shown) that selectively restricts and allows the seat cushion slide movement relative to the vehicle floor (the slide movement of the upper rails 12A and 12B relative to the lower rails 11A and 11B). Abbreviation). The slide lock mechanism restricts the sliding movement of the seat cushion with respect to the vehicle floor at least in the seating region. The slide lock mechanism releases the restriction in conjunction with the lock mechanism being switched to the unlocked state in accordance with the operation of the second operation lever 62 and the seat back being moved forward from the seating area to the front-falling area. . By releasing this restriction, sliding movement of the seat cushion with respect to the vehicle floor is allowed.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the vehicle seat device includes an operation range limiting means 70 and a lost motion mechanism 75 on the same side (right side) as the first operation lever 61 in the width direction of the seat cushion.

  The operation range restricting means 70 includes a fixed stopper 71 fixed above the operation shaft 16B and the operation shaft 16B of the first operation lever 61 in the support bracket 14E on the same side (right side) as the first operation lever 61. And a pair of movable stoppers 72A and 72B projecting radially outward from locations separated from each other in the circumferential direction. The rotation operation range α of the first operating lever 61 includes a lock position (see FIG. 14) where the movable stopper 72A comes into contact with the fixed stopper 71 and a release position (see FIG. 15) where the movable stopper 72B comes into contact with the fixed stopper 71. Limited during. This restriction is necessary for generating an unlocked state in which the tilting of the seat back is allowed without storing the angular position by the rotation of the operation shafts 16A and 16B according to the operation of the first operation lever 61. In the locked position, the external teeth 35A of each pole 35 mesh with the internal gear 39A of the first member 31, so that the first member 31 cannot rotate with respect to the second member 32, and the seat back is locked. The Further, at the release position, the meshing between the external teeth 35A and the internal gear 39A is released, the first member 31 can be rotated with respect to the second member 32, and the seat back is unlocked.

  The first operating lever 61 is always urged to rotate (pulled) toward the lock position by a return spring 73 stretched between the support bracket 14E and the first operating lever 61.

  Here, the rotational amounts of the operation shafts 16A and 16B for the unlocked state in which the tilting of the seatback is permitted after the angular position is stored are in the unlocked state in which the tilting of the seatback is permitted without storing the angular position. More than the rotation amount of the operation shafts 16A and 16B for the purpose.

  On the other hand, the unlocked state that allows tilting of the seat back without storing the angular position is mainly caused by the operation of the first operation lever 61, and unlocks that allows tilting of the seat back after storing the angular position. The state is generated only by operating the second operation lever 62. Accordingly, the rotation amounts of the operation shafts 16A and 16B due to the operation of the second operation lever 62 are larger than the rotation amounts of the operation shafts 16A and 16B due to the operation of the first operation lever 61.

  Further, the operation shafts 16A and 16B rotated by the operation of the first operation lever 61 and the operation shafts 16A and 16B rotated by the operation of the second operation lever 62 rotate integrally (a common shaft). ).

  The lost motion mechanism 75 rotates a common shaft (operation shafts 16A and 16B) by operating the operation levers 61 and 62. When the second operation lever 62 is operated, the motion is transmitted to the first operation lever 61. This is a mechanism for restricting the movement of the operation shafts 16A and 16B more than when the first operation lever 61 is operated.

  For this reason, the lost motion mechanism 75 stores the angular position and at least when the second operation lever 62 is operated to generate an unlocked state that allows the seat back to tilt, the second operation lever 62 The first operation lever 61 is stopped without transmitting the movement of the first operation lever 61 to the first operation lever 61.

  In the present embodiment, the lost motion mechanism 75 is configured such that when the second operation lever 62 is operated, the movement of the second operation lever 62 is not transmitted to the first operation lever 61 at all.

  More specifically, the lost motion mechanism 75 includes a link member 76, a long hole 77, and a pin 78, and the cable 68 that connects the second operation lever 62 and the operation shaft 16A (link member 65). Has been. As described above, the first operating lever 61 is rotatably supported with respect to the operating shaft 16B, while the link member 76 is connected to the operating shaft 16B so as to be integrally rotatable. Further, the link member 76 is always moved in the direction of rotation of the operation shaft 16B (clockwise direction in FIGS. 14 and 15) when the seat back is locked by the spiral spring 36 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). It is energized.

  The long hole 77 is provided in the link member 76 and has an arc shape centered on the operation shaft 16B. The pin 78 is fixed to the first operation lever 61 and is inserted into the elongated hole 77 so as to be movable in the circumferential direction.

  In the lost motion mechanism 75 configured as described above, when the first operation lever 61 is operated within the rotation operation range α (between the lock position and the release position), the pin 78 has one end (front end) of the elongated hole 77. Pressed. This is because the urging force in the clockwise direction of FIG. 14 by the spiral spring 36 acts on the link member 76. Therefore, the link member 76 rotates integrally with the first operation lever 61. As the link member 76 rotates, the operation shaft 16B, the rod 22, the operation shaft 16A, and the link member 65 rotate together in the same direction. At this time, the link member 65 rotates in the clockwise direction from the state of FIG. 16, but since the cable 68 is bent, this rotation is not transmitted to the second operation lever 62.

  Further, when the second operation lever 62 is operated, the movement of the pin 78 within the long hole 77 is allowed. By changing the position of the pin 78 in the long hole 77, the movement of the second operation lever 62 is not transmitted to the first operation lever 61, and the first operation lever 61 is stopped.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5, 18, and 19, in the vehicle seat device, when the first operating lever 61 is operated, the locking mechanism 30 switches between the locked state and the unlocked state, and the seat back is used for the seating region. A switching restriction mechanism 80 is provided that restricts only when tilting within.

  The switching restriction mechanism 80 includes a rotation restricting portion 81 provided in the first member 31 so as to be integrally rotatable. More specifically, the rotation restricting portion 81 includes an arc-shaped protrusion that protrudes radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the second recess 41.

  The rotation restricting portion 81 is provided at a location that satisfies the following condition in the circumferential direction of the first member 31. The condition is: "The seat back is tilted in the seating area in an unlocked state that allows tilting of the seat back without memorizing the angular position, and tilted forward to the upright position at the boundary with the forward tilting area. Is the position where the engaged portion 52B is pressed to contact the engaging portion 53B of the pole 35 rotating integrally with the memory plate 52 ". The contact with the rotation restricting portion 81 restricts the engaging portion 53B and the memory plate 52 from further turning in the same direction, thereby preventing the seat back from tilting from the seating region to the forward tilting region. Is done.

  In this way, the rotation restricting portion 81 is accompanied by the memory plate 52 when the seat back tilts from the seating area to the forward tilting area in an unlocked state that allows tilting of the seat back without storing the angular position. Then, it abuts on the rotating pole 35 and restricts further rotation in the same direction. Due to this restriction, the rotation restricting portion 81 performs the above restriction of switching between the locked state and the unlocked state by the lock mechanism 30.

  The rotation restricting portion 81 has an inner peripheral surface 81A having the same diameter as the inner peripheral surface 52C of the engaged portion 52B on which the engaging portion 53B slides. The reason why the inner peripheral surface 52C and the inner peripheral surface 81A have the same diameter as described above is as follows. When the second operating lever 62 is operated, the engaging portion 53B is allowed to move over the engaged portion 52B and the rotation restricting portion 81 and slide on the inner peripheral surface 52C of the engaged portion 52B. This is because the tilting of the seat back from the seating area to the forward tilting area is allowed.

  Since the second recess 41 provided with the rotation restricting portion 81 is located on the side farther from the second member 32 than the storage recess 51 in which the memory plate 52 is accommodated, the rotation restricting portion 81 is The rotation of the memory plate 52 in the storage recess 51 is not hindered.

  By the way, as already described, one engaging portion 53A protrudes from the step portion 54 to the outside in the radial direction. The engaged portion 52A adjacent to the engaging portion 53A is short in the circumferential direction and long in the radial direction. On the other hand, the other engaging portion 53B protrudes slightly outward from the step portion 54 in the radial direction. The engaged portion 52B adjacent to the engaging portion 53B is long in the circumferential direction and short in the radial direction. One of the reasons for this setting is that when the seat back is tilted forward, the engaging portion 53B with a small amount of protrusion is allowed to get over the engaged portion 52B that is short in the radial direction. This is because the angular position of the seat back is stored. Further, when the seat back is tilted rearward, the engagement portion 53A having a large amount of protrusion is prevented from getting over the engaged portion 52A that is long in the radial direction, and the angular position of the seat back is not stored. This is because the seat back is locked at the angular position.

The vehicle seat device of the first embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation of the vehicle seat device will be described.
As shown in FIG. 13, in the memory plate 52 of the vehicle seat device, the engaging portion 53B of the pole 35 slides in the unlocked state in which the angle position is stored and the seat back is allowed to tilt. Is a part of the inner peripheral surface 52C of the engaged portion 52B protruding inward in the radial direction. The sliding part is located on the inner side in the radial direction than the part 52F between the engaged portions 52A and 52B in the circumferential direction of the memory plate 52.

  Here, assuming that the outer diameter of the memory plate 52 is the same everywhere in the circumferential direction, the radial thickness t1 is the latter (the engaged portion 52B on which the engaging portion 53B slides) in the latter ( It becomes larger than the location 52F) between the engaged portions 52A and 52B. A portion where the thickness t1 is large is less likely to bend in the radial direction than a small portion. Therefore, when the diameter of the memory plate 52 is reduced while being bent inward in the radial direction in order to incorporate the memory plate 52 into the storage recess 51, the memory plate 52 may become an irregular ring shape and may not be easily fitted into the storage recess 51.

  In this regard, in the first embodiment, the thickness t1 is determined by the portion 52F between the engaged portions 52A and 52B in the circumferential direction of the memory plate 52 and the engaged portion 52B on which the engaging portion 53B slides. They are set the same. Therefore, when the memory plate 52 is reduced in diameter while being bent inward in the radial direction in order to incorporate the memory plate 52 into the storage recess 51, the memory plate 52 is unlikely to be an irregular ring shape.

  In the vehicle seat device, the seat reclining devices 20A and 20B provided on both sides of the seat cushion in the width direction have the same structure including the same lock mechanism 30 and the same memory mechanism 50. ing. In addition, in the seat reclining devices 20A and 20B, the operation shafts 16A and 16B related to the operation of the lock mechanism 30 and the memory mechanism 50 are connected to each other by the rod 22 so as to be integrally rotatable. Therefore, when the first operating lever 61 and the second operating lever 62 are operated and the operating shafts 16A and 16B are rotated, the lock mechanism 30 in both the seat reclining devices 20A and 20B operates in synchronism with the memory mechanism. 50 operate in synchronism as follows.

  10 and 11 show the state of the seat reclining devices 20A and 20B when the seat back is locked at the neutral position in the seating area. In this locked state, each pawl 35 attached to the second member 32 is pressed radially outward by the cam 34, and the external teeth 35 </ b> A for each pawl 35 mesh with the internal gear 39 </ b> A of the first member 31. . By these engagements, the relative rotation of the first member 31 and the second member 32 is restricted, and the tilt of the seat back with respect to the seat cushion is restricted.

  At this time, the first operating lever 61 urged by the return spring 73 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 14 is moved to the locked position by the left movable stopper 72A in FIG. Is stationary.

  Further, the link member 76 that is urged to rotate in the clockwise direction of FIG. 14 by the spiral spring 36 is stationary at a position where the front end portion of the elongated hole 77 contacts the pin 78 of the first operation lever 61.

  When switching from the locked state to the unlocked state that allows tilting of the seat back without storing the angular position and adjusting the tilt angle of the seat back, the first operating lever 61 in the locked position is held. Then, an upward rotation operation (lifting operation) is performed against the return spring 73. The upward rotation of the first operation lever 61 stops at the release position (see FIG. 15) where the right movable stopper 72B in FIG.

  As described above, when the first operation lever 61 is operated from the lock position toward the release position, the urging force in the clockwise direction of FIG. 14 by the spiral spring 36 is acting on the link member 76. Therefore, the pin 78 continues to be positioned at the front end portion of the long hole 77 (does not move in the long hole 77). Therefore, the link member 76 rotates integrally with the first operation lever 61. As the link member 76 rotates, the operation shaft 16B, the rod 22, the operation shaft 16A, and the link member 65 rotate together in the same direction. The link member 65 rotates clockwise from the state shown in FIG. 16, but the cable 68 is bent, so that the rotation is not transmitted to the second operation lever 62.

  When each cam 34 is rotated in the clockwise direction of FIG. 20 integrally with the operation shafts 16A and 16B in accordance with the rotation operation from the lock position to the release position of the first operation lever 61, each pole 35 is When the cam hole 35B is pressed by the protrusion 34C of the cam 34, the cam hole 35B moves so as to be drawn inward in the radial direction along the guide groove. At the beginning of this movement period, the engagement of the external teeth 35A of each pole 35 and the internal gear 39A of the first member 31 is released, so that the first member 31 can rotate with respect to the second member 32. Thus, the seat back is unlocked.

  As the poles 35 move inward in the radial direction, the engaging portions 53A and 53B of the poles 35 also move inward in the radial direction. Due to the movement of the engaging portions 53A and 53B, the amount of engagement between the engaging portions 53A and 53B and the engaged portions 52A and 52B adjacent to each other decreases.

  When the first operating lever 61 is rotated to the release position, as shown in FIG. 20, the amount of engagement between the engaging portions 53A and 53B of the pole 35 and the engaged portions 52A and 52B adjacent to each other is as described above. It is about half of the locked state. That is, both the engaging portions 53A and 53B are half-engaged in the radial direction with respect to the adjacent engaged portions 52A and 52B.

  As described above, the operation shafts 16A and 16B are rotated in accordance with the operation of the first operation lever 61, thereby generating an unlocked state in which the seat back is allowed to tilt without storing the angular position.

  In this unlocked state, when the seat back biased forward by the spiral spring is tilted forward, the first member 31 rotates (rotates forward) in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. The engaged portion 52B that is long in the direction and short in the radial direction is pressed by the engaging portion 53B. Contrary to the above, when the seat back is tilted backward, the first member rotates in the clockwise direction of FIG. 20 (rotates backward), and the engaged portion 52A which is short in the circumferential direction and long in the radial direction is adjacent. Is pressed by the engaging portion 53A.

  When the seat back is tilted forward or backward, the pressing force of the engaging portions 53A and 53B is applied between the outer peripheral surface 52D of the memory plate 52 and the inner peripheral surface 51A of the storage recess 51. By overcoming the frictional resistance, the memory plate 52 is rotated integrally with the pole 35. During this rotation, the memory plate 52 slides on the inner peripheral surface 51 </ b> A of the storage recess 51.

  Here, as with a general seat reclining device, the first operation lever 61 can be used to switch between the locked state and the unlocked state in the lock mechanism 30 when the seat back is at any angular position in the tilting region. Suppose that In this case, when adjusting the inclination angle of the seat back by operating the first operation lever 61, if the seat back is accidentally tilted in the forward tilt region, the slide lock mechanism (not shown) of the seat slide device is used. There is a risk that the restriction on slide movement will be released unintentionally.

  In this regard, in the present embodiment, the forward tilt and the backward tilt of the seat back at the neutral position are allowed in the seating area (between the upright position and the large tilt position). When the seat back is tilted in this seating area, the rotation restricting portion 81 in the first member 31 pushes the engaged portion 52B and rotates integrally with the memory plate 52 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. There is no contact with the engaging portion 53B of the moving pole 35. That is, the rotation restricting portion 81 does not hinder the integral rotation of the engaging portion 53B of the pole 35 and the memory plate 52.

  On the other hand, when the seat back is tilted forward from the neutral position to the upright position, as shown in FIG. 19, the rotation restricting portion 81 presses the engaged portion 52B and rotates integrally with the memory plate 52. It abuts on the engaging portion 53B of the pole 35. By this contact, the rotation restricting portion 81 restricts the engaging portion 53B and the memory plate 52 from further rotating in the same direction. Therefore, the lock mechanism 30 can be switched between the locked state and the unlocked state, and the tilt angle can be adjusted in the forward tilt region (between the forward tilt position and the upright position), which is the tilt region ahead of the upright position. It becomes impossible.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the divided portion S of the memory plate 52 is located between the engaging portions 53A and 53B for each pair of adjacent poles 35. In addition, the pair of engaged portions 52A and 52B of the memory plate 52 are located at positions adjacent to the engaging portions 53A and 53B between the engaging portions 53A and 53B. That is, the engaged portion 52A is located between the divided portion S and the engaging portion 53A, and the engaged portion 52B is located between the divided portion S and the engaging portion 53B.

  Therefore, when one engaging portion 53A presses the adjacent engaged portion 52A in the circumferential direction (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 19), the other engaging portion 53B is adjacent to the engaged portion 52B. Is not pressed in the circumferential direction. The direction in which one engaging portion 53A presses the engaged portion 52A in the circumferential direction is a direction in which the interval between the divided portions S of the memory plate 52 is narrowed. Contrary to the above, when the other engaging portion 53B presses the adjacent engaged portion 52B in the circumferential direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 19), one engaging portion 53A is adjacent to the engaged portion. The part 52A is not pressed in the circumferential direction. The direction in which the other engaging portion 53B presses the engaged portion 52B in the circumferential direction is a direction in which the interval between the divided portions S of the memory plate 52 is narrowed. By applying a pressing force in the direction of narrowing the interval between the divided portions S, the memory plate 52 is reduced in diameter when the seat back is tilted. As the diameter is reduced, the friction generated between the outer peripheral surface 52D of the memory plate 52 and the inner peripheral surface 51A of the storage recess 51 is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the portion 52F between the engaged portions 52A and 52B in the circumferential direction of the memory plate 52 and the engaging portions 53A and 53B of the engaged portions 52A and 52B slide. The thickness t1 is set to be the same at the place (the engaged portion 52B where the engaging portion 53B slides) (see FIG. 13). Therefore, when the pressing force in the direction of narrowing the interval between the divided portions S is applied from the engaging portion 53B to the engaged portion 52B, and the memory plate 52 is rotated integrally with the pole 35 with respect to the storage recess 51. In addition, the diameter of the memory plate 52 is difficult to be reduced to an irregular ring shape (the diameter is reduced to a uniform ring shape). Therefore, it is possible to prevent an excessive frictional force from being locally generated at any location in the circumferential direction between the outer peripheral surface 52D of the memory plate 52 and the inner peripheral surface 51A of the storage recess 51.

  When the seat back reaches the desired inclination angle, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, when the upward rotation operation (pull-up operation) of the first operation lever 61 is stopped, the return spring 73 biases the rotation. The 1st operation lever 61 currently made is rotated below. The downward rotation of the first operation lever 61 stops at the locked position where the left movable stopper 72A in FIG.

  As described above, when the first operation lever 61 is returned from the release position to the lock position, the urging force in the clockwise direction of FIG. 14 by the spiral spring 36 acts on the link member 76. The pin 78 continues to be positioned at the front end of the long hole 77 (does not move in the long hole 77). Therefore, the link member 76 is integrated with the first operation lever 61 and rotates in the clockwise direction of FIG. As the link member 76 rotates, the operation shaft 16B, the rod 22, the operation shaft 16A, and the link member 65 rotate together in the same direction. The link member 65 rotates counterclockwise from the state of FIG. 17, but the bent cable 68 is pulled, so that the rotation is not transmitted to the second operation lever 62.

  When the cam 34 receiving the biasing force of the spiral spring 36 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 20 as the first operating lever 61 is returned from the release position to the lock position, each pole 35 is turned into a pole cam. When the surface 35C is pressed by the cam surface 34B, the surface 35C moves so as to jump out in the radial direction along the guide groove. By this movement, when the external teeth 35A of the pole 35 and the internal gear 39A of the first member 31 mesh with each other, the first member 31 becomes unrotatable with respect to the second member 32 and has a desired inclination angle. The seat back is locked.

  As the poles 35 move outward in the radial direction, the engaging portions 53A and 53B of the pole 35 also move outward in the radial direction. Due to the radially outward movement of the engaging portions 53A, 53B, the amount of engagement between the engaging portions 53A, 53B and the adjacent engaged portions 52A, 52B increases. That is, the engaging portions 53A and 53B return to the positions when they are locked.

  By the way, the locked state at the neutral position in FIGS. 10 and 11 is switched from the locked state at the neutral position to the unlocked state in which the tilting of the seat back is permitted after the angular position (neutral position) is memorized, and the seat back is tilted forward. In this case, the second operation lever 62 shown in FIG. 1 is gripped, and the second operation lever 62 is operated upward against the return spring 64. The upward movement of the second operation lever 62 due to this operation is transmitted to the link member 65 of the left seat reclining device 20A via the cable 68, and the link member 65 is accompanied by the operation shaft 16A. It rotates in the clockwise direction of FIG. The rotation of the operation shaft 16A is transmitted through the rod 22 to the operation shaft 16B of the right seat reclining device 20B. By this transmission, the operation shaft 16B is integrated with the link member 76 and rotates counterclockwise in FIGS. Since the link member 76 is connected to the first operation lever 61 via the long hole 77 and the pin 78, the link member 76 is rotated as long as the rear end portion of the long hole 77 does not contact the pin 78. 1 Not transmitted to the operation lever 61. That is, during the period in which the pin 78 located at the front end of the long hole 77 moves in the long hole 77, the operation shaft 16B rotates but the first operation lever 61 stops rotating.

  As the two operation shafts 16A and 16B are rotated in accordance with the operation of the second operation lever 62, the cams 34 are integrated with the operation shafts 16A and 16B and are clockwise with respect to the first member 31 in FIG. When pivoted, each pole 35 moves so as to be drawn inward in the radial direction along the guide groove when the cam hole 35B is pressed by the projection 34C of the cam 34. At the beginning of this movement period, the engagement of the external teeth 35A of each pole 35 and the internal gear 39A of the first member 31 is released, so that the first member 31 can rotate with respect to the second member 32. Thus, the seat back is brought into the unlocked state.

  As the second operating lever 62 is pulled up, each pole 35 moves radially inward. The engaging portions 53A and 53B for each pole 35 also move radially inward. This movement reduces the amount of engagement between the engaging portions 53A and 53B and the adjacent engaged portions 52A and 52B.

  When the second operation lever 62 is pulled up until it comes into contact with the upper stopper 67A, as shown in FIG. 21, the engaging portion 53B of one pole 35 is engaged with the adjacent engaged portion 52B. It will be in the state which got over the to-be-engaged part 52B. Each pole 35 can be rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 21 with respect to the memory plate 52 (the first member 31 can be rotated in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 21 with respect to the memory plate 52). These rotation directions are directions in which the seat back is tilted forward.

  At this time, the engaging portion 53A of the other pole 35 is still engaged with the adjacent engaged portion 52A and does not get over the engaged portion 52B. Therefore, even when the second operation lever 62 is pulled up, each pole 35 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 21 with respect to the memory plate 52 (the first member 31 is rotated with respect to the memory plate 52 in FIG. It is not possible to turn it around). These rotation directions are directions in which the seat back is tilted backward. Therefore, when the seat back is tilted rearward, the angular position of the seat back cannot be stored, and the seat back can be locked at an arbitrary angle.

  In the above state where the engaging portion 53B gets over the engaged portion 52B, unlike the case of the half-engagement described above, one engaging portion 53B does not press the engaged portion 52B in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, the diameter of the memory plate 52 is not reduced by the pressing of the engaging portion 53B, and the friction generated between the outer peripheral surface 52D of the memory plate 52 and the inner peripheral surface 51A of the storage recess 51 is reduced with the reduction in diameter. Thus, the sliding resistance does not decrease.

  Thus, the frictional resistance between the outer peripheral surface 52D of the memory plate 52 and the inner peripheral surface 51A of the storage recess 51 is large. For this reason, when the seat back biased forward by the spiral spring is tilted forward (tilted forward) in the above state, the memory plate 52 is moved into the storage recess 51 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the engaging portion 53B slides on the inner peripheral surface 52C of the engaged portion 52B while being locked so as not to rotate.

  Since the rotation restricting portion 81 provided on the first member 31 has an inner peripheral surface 81A having the same diameter as the inner peripheral surface 52C of the engaged portion 52B, the engaging portion 53B is shown in FIG. Can slide on the inner peripheral surface 81A of the rotation restricting portion 81 indicated by a two-dot chain line. The rotation restricting portion 81 does not prevent the engaging portion 53B from sliding on the inner peripheral surface 52C of the engaged portion 52B. There is no rotation restriction by the rotation restriction portion 81, and tilting from the seat back seating area to the forward tilting area is allowed.

  Since the memory plate 52 does not rotate with respect to the first member 31 as described above, both the engaged portions 52A and 52B are held at the positions in the locked state immediately before switching to the unlocked state. . In this manner, the angular position of the seat back in the locked state immediately before switching to the unlocked state is stored.

  Therefore, unlike in Patent Document 1, the surface pressure between the memory plate 52 and the storage recess 51 is reduced for the unlocked state in which the tilt of the seat back is allowed without memorizing the angular position. Even if the friction between the storage recess 52 and the storage recess 51 is not reduced, the operation load when adjusting the seat back to have a desired inclination angle can be made appropriate. When the surface pressure is reduced, the memory plate 52 can be kept non-rotatably locked with respect to the storage recess 51 in the unlocked state in which the angle position is memorized and the seat back is allowed to tilt. It is difficult to rotate the memory plate 52 together with the pole 35 (co-rotation). However, in the present embodiment, such a phenomenon hardly occurs and the original memory function is exhibited.

  In conjunction with the forward movement, the restriction of the slide movement by the slide lock mechanism (not shown) in the seat slide device 69 is released. By releasing the restriction, the seat cushion slides forward with respect to the vehicle floor.

  When the seatback is caused from the forwardly tilted position (tilted backward), the engaging portion 53B is engaged with the inner circumferential surface 52C of the engaged portion 52B in a state in which the memory plate 52 is non-rotatably locked with respect to the storage recess 51. The top slides in the opposite direction to that of the forward movement. At this time, both the engaged portions 52A and 52B are held at the positions in the locked state immediately before switching to the unlocked state.

  Then, when the inclination angle of the seat back becomes the stored inclination angle immediately before the forward movement and the engaging portion 53B passes through the engaged portion 52B, the cam 34 that receives the urging force of the spiral spring 36 is The one member 31 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. By this rotation, each pole 35 moves so as to jump out in the radial direction along the guide groove when the pole cam surface 35C is pressed against the cam surface 34B. By this movement, when the external teeth 35A of the pole 35 and the internal gear 39A of the first member 31 mesh as shown in FIG. 10, the first member 31 becomes unrotatable with respect to the second member 32, and the seat The bag is locked at an angular position (neutral position) immediately before being moved forward.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the storage is provided adjacent to the side (left side in FIG. 8) in the axial direction and farther from the second member 32 than the meshing portion of the internal gear 39A with the external teeth 35A. A memory plate 52 is accommodated in the recess 51 so as to be slidable in the circumferential direction. Between the memory plate 52 and the second member 32, a pole 35 having external teeth 35A facing the internal gear 39A is located. Since each pole 35 moves in the radial direction, the external teeth 35A mesh with the internal gear 39A, and the meshing is released, so that the circumference of each pole 35 can be moved in the radial direction. There are not a few gaps to do this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, if the inner peripheral surface 51A of the storage recess 51 has a smaller diameter than the tooth tip circle of the internal gear 39A, it is between the storage recess 51 and the internal gear 39A in the radial direction, There is a gap G1 between the storage recess 51 and the pole 35 in the axial direction.

  Further, the memory plate 52 accommodated in the accommodating recess 51 in a reduced diameter state tends to be expanded by its own elastic restoring force. When the memory plate 52 is tilted by the force to increase the diameter and is detached from the storage recess 51, the memory plate 52 enters the gap G1 as shown by an arrow in FIG. 9 and hinders the operation of the lock mechanism 30 and the memory mechanism 50. There is a fear.

  In this regard, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the housing recess provided adjacent to the side (left side in FIG. 8) farther from the second member 32 than the meshing portion of the internal gear 39A with the external teeth 35A. 51 supports the outer peripheral surface 52D of the memory plate 52 by the inner peripheral surface 51A having the same diameter as the tip circle of the internal gear 39A. Therefore, in the present embodiment, there is no gap G1 as described above between the storage recess 51 and the internal gear 39A in the radial direction and between the storage recess 51 and the pole 35 in the axial direction. Therefore, even if the memory plate 52 is tilted in the axial direction due to the force to expand the diameter and is detached from the storage recess 51, there is no possibility of affecting the operation of the lock mechanism 30 or the memory mechanism 50.

According to the first embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) As the memory mechanism 50, one having the following components is adopted (FIG. 20).

-Engagement part 53A, 53B each provided in a pair of adjacent pole 35 among several poles 35. FIG.
A cylindrical storage recess 51 provided in the first member 31.

A memory plate 52 that is formed in an annular shape divided at one location, the divided portion S is positioned between the engaging portions 53A and 53B, and is stored in the storage recess 51 in a reduced diameter state.
A portion between the engaging portions 53A and 53B is provided at a location adjacent to the engaging portions 53A and 53B of the memory plate 52, and the engaging portions 53A and 53B are engaged and disengaged as the pole 35 moves in the radial direction. A pair of engaged portions 52A and 52B.

  For this reason, the surface pressure between the outer peripheral surface 52D of the memory plate 52 and the inner peripheral surface 51A of the storage recess 51 is reduced for an unlocked state in which the tilt of the seat back is allowed without memorizing the angular position. Even if the friction between the memory plate 52 and the storage recess 51 is not reduced, the operation load when adjusting the seat back to have a desired inclination angle can be made appropriate.

  Further, the phenomenon that occurs when the surface pressure is reduced, that is, the memory plate 52 is non-rotatably locked with respect to the storage recess 51 in the unlocked state in which the angular position is stored and the seat back is tilted. Therefore, the phenomenon that the memory plate 52 rotates (co-rotates) together with the pole 35 can be made difficult to occur.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, in the unlocked state in which the angular position is stored and the seat back is allowed to tilt, the memory plate 52 is securely locked so as not to rotate, and the angular position is not stored. In the unlocked state that allows the seat back to tilt, the operation load can be reduced.

  (2) The storage recess 51 is adjacent to the axial direction and closer to the side away from the second member 32 than the meshing portion of the internal gear 39A with the external teeth 35A. The inner peripheral surface 51A of the storage recess 51 is formed to have the same diameter as the tip circle of the internal gear 39A. The outer peripheral surface 52D of the memory plate 52 is supported by the inner peripheral surface 51A of the storage recess 51 (FIG. 8).

  Therefore, even if the memory plate 52 is tilted by the force to increase the diameter and is detached from the storage recess 51, the operation of the lock mechanism 30 and the memory mechanism 50 can be prevented from being hindered.

  (3) The thickness t1 in the radial direction of the memory plate 52 is set so that the position 52F between the engaged portions 52A and 52B in the circumferential direction of the memory plate 52 and the angular position of the engaged portions 52A and 52B. Is set to be the same as that in which the engaging portion 53B slides (the engaged portion 52B) in the unlocked state in which the seat back is allowed to tilt (FIG. 13).

  Therefore, unlike the case where the outer diameter of the memory plate 52 is the same everywhere, when the memory plate 52 is reduced in diameter while being bent inward in the radial direction so as to be incorporated in the housing recess 51, the memory plate 52 is distorted. Therefore, it can be easily fitted into the storage recess 51.

  Further, a pressing force in a direction of narrowing the divided portion S of the memory plate 52 is applied from the engaging portion 53B to the engaged portion 52B, and the memory plate 52 is rotated integrally with the pawl 35 with respect to the housing recess 51. In some cases, the memory plate 52 can be prevented from being reduced in diameter to an irregular ring shape (to be reduced to a uniform ring shape). As a result, it is possible to prevent an excessively large frictional force from being generated locally at any location in the circumferential direction between the outer peripheral surface 52D of the memory plate 52 and the inner peripheral surface 51A of the storage recess 51.

  (4) When the first operation lever 61 is operated, a switching restriction mechanism 80 is provided that restricts the switching between the locked state and the unlocked state by the lock mechanism 30 only when the seat back tilts in the seating area (see FIG. 18, FIG. 19).

  Therefore, when adjusting the tilt angle of the seat back by operating the first operating lever 61, the seat back is erroneously tilted in the forward tilting region, and the restriction of the slide movement by the slide lock mechanism of the seat slide device 69 is released. Can be suppressed.

  (5) As the switching restriction mechanism 80, the rotation restricting portion 81 having an inner peripheral surface 81A having the same diameter as the inner peripheral surface 52C of the engaged portion 52B on which the engaging portion 53B slides is provided in the first member 31. (FIGS. 18 and 19). When the first operating lever 61 is operated, the engagement portion 53B in the half-engaged state is brought into contact with the rotation restricting portion 81 to restrict the rotation of the pole 35 with the memory plate 52, and the seat back Prevents tilting from the seating area to the forward tilting area. Further, when the second operation lever 62 is operated, the engagement portion 53B is moved over the engaged portion 52B and the rotation restricting portion 81 and is slid on the inner peripheral surface 52C of the engaged portion 52B. The tilting from the seating area of the back to the forward tilting area is allowed.

For this reason, the effect described in said (4) can be acquired reliably with the simple structure of providing the rotation control part 81 in the 1st member 31. FIG.
(6) Here, in Patent Document 1, a seat reclining device including both a lock mechanism and a memory mechanism is disposed on one side of the vehicle seat, and the seat reclining device including only the lock mechanism is used in addition to the vehicle seat. A configuration is disclosed in which a lost motion mechanism is interposed between the operation axes of both seat reclining devices. However, with this configuration, it is difficult to synchronize the operation of the lock mechanism between the two seat reclining devices.

  In this regard, in the present embodiment, the seat reclining devices 20A and 20B including both the lock mechanism 30 and the memory mechanism 50 are provided on both sides in the width direction of the vehicle seat device. The operating shafts 16A and 16B of the both seat reclining devices 20A and 20B are connected to each other by a rod 22 disposed therebetween so as to be integrally rotatable (FIG. 1).

  Therefore, the operation of the lock mechanism 30 in both the seat reclining devices 20A and 20B can be synchronized by the integral rotation of the operation shafts 16A and 16B, and the operation of the memory mechanism 50 in both the seat reclining devices 20A and 20B can be synchronized. .

  (7) When at least the operation of the second operating lever 62 for generating an unlocked state that allows the seat back to tilt after storing the angular position is performed, the movement of the second operating lever 62 is changed to the first operation. A lost motion mechanism 75 that stops the first operation lever 61 without transmitting it to the operation lever 61 is provided (FIGS. 14 and 15).

  Therefore, the operation of the first operation lever 61 and the second operation lever 62 does not affect the generation of the unlocked state that allows the seat back to tilt without memorizing the angular position. An unlocked state that allows tilting of the seat back after storing the angular position can be generated.

  (8) The first operation lever 61 is rotatably supported on the operation shaft 16B. The second operation lever 62 is connected by a cable 68 to a link member 65 that rotates integrally with the operation shaft 16A. In addition to the cable 68, the lost motion mechanism 75 includes a link member 76, a long hole 77, and a pin 78. The pin 78 is allowed to move in the long hole 77 when at least the operation of the second operating lever 62 for generating an unlocked state that allows the seat back to tilt is stored after storing the angular position. Thus, the movement of the second operation lever 62 is not transmitted to the first operation lever 61, and the first operation lever 61 is stopped (FIGS. 14 and 15).

Therefore, it is possible to absorb the difference in the amount of rotation of the operation shafts 16A and 16B when generating two unlocked states having different forms, and to reliably obtain the effect described in (7) above.
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The second embodiment is greatly different from the first embodiment provided inside in that the switching restriction mechanism 80 is provided outside the seat reclining devices 20A and 20B. The target seat reclining device is the seat reclining device 20A on the side (left side) where the second operation lever 62 is drivingly connected to the operation shaft 16A via the cable 68 and the link member 65.

The switching restriction mechanism 80 in the second embodiment includes a contacted portion 91, a movable stopper 92, the link member 65, and a rotation transmission control means 95.
The contacted portion 91 is fixed to the left side frame 15A of the seat back frame 15, and is displaced around the operation shaft 16A as the seat back tilts.

  The movable stopper 92 is the left support bracket 14D, and is supported by a shaft 93 at a location in front of the operation shaft 16A. The movable stopper 92 includes a contact position (see FIG. 23) that restricts the tilt of the seat back by contact with the contacted portion 91, and a non-contact position that is retracted from the contact position toward the operation shaft 16A ( It tilts between (see FIG. 24).

The link member 65 can transmit the rotation of the operation shafts 16 </ b> A and 16 </ b> B accompanying the operation of the second operation lever 62 to the movable stopper 92.
The rotation transmission control means 95 is fixed to the link member 65 while being inserted through the cam hole 96 formed in the movable stopper 92, and around the operation shaft 16A as the link member 65 rotates. And a pin 97 that displaces.

The cam hole 96 is formed in a shape that satisfies the following conditions.
Condition 1: Operation of the first operation lever 61 and the second operation lever 62 for rotating the operation shafts 16A and 16B by an angle for causing an unlocked state that allows tilting of the seat back without storing the angular position is performed. When performed (when rotated within the rotation operation range α), the rotation of the link member 65 is not transmitted to the movable stopper 92.

  Condition 2: The link member is operated when the second operation lever 62 that rotates the operation shafts 16A and 16B is operated more than when the unlocked state in which the tilt of the seat back is allowed without storing the angular position is generated. The rotation of 65 is transmitted to the movable stopper 92.

  When the condition 1 is satisfied, the movable stopper 92 is positioned at the contact position, and the forward tilt of the seat back is restricted. Due to this restriction, switching between the locked state and the unlocked state is limited only when the seat back tilts in the seating area.

  When the condition 2 is satisfied, the movable stopper 92 is retracted to the non-contact position, and the restriction on the forward tilt of the seat back is released. It is allowed to move forward from the seat back seating area to the front tilting area.

Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, in 2nd Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the member, location, etc. similar to 1st Embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
In the second embodiment configured as described above, the first operation lever that rotates the operation shafts 16A and 16B by an angle for causing an unlocked state that allows the seat back to tilt without storing the angular position. When the operation of 61 and the second operation lever 62 is performed, as shown in FIG. 23, the link member 65 rotates integrally with the operation shaft 16A. Accordingly, the pin 97 moves around the operation shaft 16A in the cam hole 96 as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. At this time, the rotation of the link member 65 is not transmitted to the movable stopper 92 through the pin 97 and the cam hole 96. In other words, the rotation of the link member 65 transmitted to the movable stopper 92 is blocked by the pin 97 moving in the cam hole 96. By this interruption, the movable stopper 92 is positioned at the contact position and contacts the contacted portion 91, thereby restricting the tilting of the contacted portion 91, and thus the seat back, forward. Due to this restriction, switching between the locked state and the unlocked state by the first operating lever 61 is limited only when the seat back tilts in the seating area.

  For the second operation lever 62, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 24, the operation shafts 16A and 16B are rotated more than when the unlocked state in which the tilt of the seatback is allowed without storing the angular position is generated. When the first operation lever 61 is operated, the number of link members 65 is larger than that when the first operation lever 61 is operated, and the operation shafts 16A and 16B rotate integrally. The rotation of the link member 65 is transmitted to the movable stopper 92 through the pin 97 and the cam hole 96, and the movable stopper 92 is retracted to the non-contact position in FIG. By this retreat, the restriction of the forward tilt of the seat back is released, and the second operation lever 62 allows the seat back to be moved forward from the seat back area to the front tilt area.

Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as the above (1) to (4) and (6) to (8) of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the following effects can be obtained.
(9) As the switching restriction mechanism 80, the contacted portion 91, the movable stopper 92, the link member 65, and the rotation transmission control means 95 are provided outside the seat reclining devices 20A and 20B (FIGS. 23 and 24). .

Therefore, although it is a different structure from 1st Embodiment which provides the rotation control part 81 in the 1st member 31, the effect described in said (4) can be acquired reliably.
(10) The rotation transmission control means 95 includes a cam hole 96 formed in the movable stopper 92 and a pin 97 provided in the link member 65 and inserted through the cam hole 96 (FIGS. 23 and 23). 24).

Therefore, the rotation transmission control means 95 can be established with such a simple configuration.
Note that the present invention can be embodied in another embodiment described below.

  A location where at least one of the engaged portions 52A and 52B is different from the end portion of the memory plate 52 on the condition that the engaging portions 53A and 53B are adjacent to the engaging portions 53A and 53B. May be provided.

  -You may change the structure of the locking mechanism 30 suitably. For example, you may change the number of the cam parts 34A of the cam 34, or the pole 35 engaged with this. Further, the shapes of the cam portion 34A of the cam 34 and the cam hole 35B of the pole 35 may be appropriately changed.

The elongated hole 77 in the lost motion mechanism 75 may be provided in the first operation lever 61 and the pin 78 may be provided in the link member 76.
In the first embodiment, the operation shafts 16A and 16B for each of the seat reclining devices 20A and 20B are connected so as to be integrally rotatable by the rod 22 disposed therebetween, but the operation shafts 16A and 16B are shared (one) ) Rod.

Contrary to the second embodiment, the cam hole 96 may be formed in the link member 65 and the pin 97 may be provided in the movable stopper 92.
Contrary to the first and second embodiments, the first member 31 is attached to the seat cushion side member (for example, the support brackets 14D and 14E), and the second member 32 is seat back side member (for example, the side member). You may change into the structure attached to flame | frame 15A, 15B).

  The length in the radial direction of the engaged portion 52A may also be set to a length that the engaging portion 53A can get over, like the engaged portion 52B. In this way, not only when the seat back is tilted forward, but also when the seat back is tilted backward, the angular position of the seat back can be stored.

  As shown in FIG. 25, in the internal gear 39A, in the axial direction (left-right direction in FIG. 25), the side farther from the second member 32 than the meshing portion with the external teeth 35A of the internal gear 39A (FIG. 25). The left side) may be the storage recess 51. In this case, the storage recess 51 supports the outer peripheral surface 52D of the memory plate 52 with the tooth tip of the internal gear 39A.

  Even in this case, there is no gap G1 between the storage recess 51 and the internal gear 39A in the radial direction and between the storage recess 51 and the pole 35 in the axial direction. Therefore, similarly to the above (2), even if the memory plate 52 is tilted by the force to increase the diameter and is detached from the storage recess 51, the operation of the lock mechanism 30 or the memory mechanism 50 is not hindered. it can.

  When the second operating lever 62 is operated at least to generate an unlocked state that allows tilting of the seat back after storing the angular position, the movement of the second operating lever 62 is changed to the first operating lever. The configuration of the lost motion mechanism 75 may be changed on the condition that it is not transmitted to 61.

  The present invention is not limited to a vehicle seat device, but can be applied to other vehicle seat devices such as airplanes, ships, and trains.

  16A, 16B ... operation shaft, 20A, 20B ... seat reclining device, 30 ... lock mechanism, 31 ... first member, 32 ... second member, 35 ... pole (lock member), 35A ... external teeth, 39A ... internal gear, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 ... Memory mechanism, 51 ... Storage recessed part, 51A, 81A ... Inner peripheral surface, 52 ... Memory plate, 52A, 52B ... Engagement part, 52D ... Outer peripheral surface, 52F ... Location, 53A, 53B ... Engagement part, 61 ... 1st operation lever, 62 ... 2nd operation lever, 69 ... Seat slide device, 75 ... Lost motion mechanism, 76 ... Link member, 77 ... Long hole, 78 ... Pin, 80 ... Switching restriction mechanism, 81 ... Turning restriction Part, S ... divided part, t1 ... thickness.

Claims (8)

A lock mechanism that switches between a locked state that restricts the tilting of the seat back relative to the seat cushion and an unlocked state that allows the tilting according to the rotation of the operation shaft;
Stores the angular position of the seat back in the locked state immediately before switching to the unlocked state, and returns to the locked state only when the seat back in the unlocked state tilts to the stored angular position. A seat reclining device comprising a memory mechanism that allows
The lock mechanism is attached to one of the seat cushion and the seat back and has a first member having an internal gear around the operation shaft, and the first member is attached to the other and centered on the operation shaft. A second member that can rotate with respect to the second member, and a plurality of lock members that are attached to the second member and have external teeth that face the internal gear, respectively, and press the lock members radially outward. The seatback is brought into the locked state by meshing the external teeth with the internal gear, and the lock gears are moved radially inward by the rotation of the operation shaft to cause the internal gears of the external teeth to move. The seat back is brought into the unlocked state by releasing the meshing with
The memory mechanism is divided at one place from an engagement portion provided in each of a pair of adjacent lock members among the plurality of lock members, and a cylindrical storage recess provided in the first member. And a memory plate stored in the storage recess in a state where the divided portion is positioned between the engaging portions and the diameter thereof is reduced, and the memory plate is the same between the engaging portions. A pair of engaged portions that are respectively provided at locations adjacent to the engaging portion and that are engaged and disengaged as the locking member moves in the radial direction;
In the unlocked state, the two engaging portions are semi-engaged with the adjacent engaged portions in the radial direction, and in this state, the engaged portions are pressed in the circumferential direction by the engaging portions, The memory plate is rotated integrally with the lock member with respect to the storage recess, thereby allowing the seat back to tilt without memorizing the angular position, and the engaging portion being engaged. The angular position is memorized by being slid on the inner peripheral surface of the engaged portion in a state where the memory plate is unrotatably locked with respect to the storage recess. A seat reclining device characterized in that the seat back is allowed to tilt. The storage recess is provided in a direction along the operation shaft and adjacent to a side away from the second member from a meshing portion with the external teeth of the internal gear,
2. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the storage recess is configured to support an outer peripheral surface of the memory plate by an inner peripheral surface having the same diameter as a tooth tip circle of the internal gear or a tooth tip of the internal gear. Reclining device. The engaged parts protrude radially inward from different locations in the circumferential direction of the memory plate,
The thickness of the memory plate in the radial direction is determined by storing the position between the engaged portions in the circumferential direction of the memory plate and the angular position of the engaged portions after storing the angular position. 3. The seat reclining device according to claim 1, wherein the seat reclining device is set to be the same at a position where the engagement portion slides in the unlocked state in which the tilting of the seat is allowed. A first operation lever that causes the unlocked state to permit tilting of the seat back without storing the angular position by performing an operation of rotating the operation shaft;
By performing an operation of rotating the operation shaft, the unlocked state allowing the seat back to tilt without storing the angular position is generated, and more than the operation shaft in the unlocked state. A second operating lever that causes the unlocked state to allow tilting of the seat back after storing the angular position by performing an operation of rotating
As the seat back, a seating area for adjusting a tilt angle, and a forward tilting area on the front side of the seating area as a tilting area, the operation that rotates according to the operation of the first operating lever and the second operating lever. Tilting within the tilting region with respect to the seat cushion with an axis as a fulcrum;
At least in the seating area, the sliding movement of the seat cushion is restricted, the lock mechanism is switched to the unlocked state in accordance with the operation of the second operation lever, and the seat back is moved from the seating area to the forward tilting area. Applied to a seat device having a seat slide device that releases the restriction in conjunction with being moved forward,
2. A switching restriction mechanism that further restricts switching between the locked state and the unlocked state by the lock mechanism only when the seatback tilts in the seating area when the first operation lever is operated. The seat reclining device according to any one of? The switching restricting mechanism is provided in the first member so as to be integrally rotatable, and has an inner peripheral surface having the same diameter as the inner peripheral surface of the engaged portion on which the engaging portion slides. With a regulation section,
When the first operating lever is operated, the locking member with the memory plate is restricted from rotating by the contact of the engaging part in the half-engaged state with the rotation restricting part, and the seat back Tilt from the seating area to the forward fall area is prevented,
When the second operation lever is operated, the engaging portion moves over the engaged portion and the rotation restricting portion and is slid on the inner peripheral surface of the engaged portion. The seat reclining device according to claim 4, wherein tilting from the seating region to the forward tilting region is allowed. A seat device comprising the seat reclining device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 on both sides in the width direction,
The seat device, wherein the operation shafts of the both seat reclining devices are connected to each other so as to be integrally rotatable. The unlocked state in which the seat back is allowed to tilt without storing the angular position is generated by rotating the operation shaft in accordance with the operation of the first operation lever and the second operation lever.
The second unlock state in which the tilt of the seat back is allowed after storing the angular position is greater than the second unlock state in which the tilt of the seat back is allowed without storing the angular position. It occurs when the operation shaft is rotated according to the operation of the operation lever.
When at least the operation of the second operation lever for generating the unlocked state allowing the tilt of the seat back after storing the angular position is performed, the movement of the second operation lever is changed to the first operation. The seat device according to claim 6, further comprising a lost motion mechanism that pauses the first operation lever without transmitting to the lever. The first operation lever is rotatably supported by the operation shaft, and the second operation lever is drivingly connected to the operation shaft,
The lost motion mechanism is
A link member connected to the operation shaft so as to be integrally rotatable;
An arc-shaped elongated hole provided on one of the first operating lever and the link member and centered on the operating shaft;
A pin provided on the other of the first operating lever and the link member and inserted into the elongated hole;
Allowing the pin to move within the slot when at least the operation of the second operating lever for generating the unlocked state that allows the seat back to tilt is stored after storing the angular position 8. The seat device according to claim 7, wherein the first operation lever is stopped without transmitting the movement of the second operation lever to the first operation lever.

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