JP2024059013A - Armrest and vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To obtain an armrest and a vehicle seat capable of supporting the elbows of a seated occupant in a tilted state without dropping even when the seated occupant is not gripping a steering wheel or the like. [Solution] An armrest 18 includes a tilt member 28 and a horizontal member 30, and the horizontal member 30 is provided rearward of the tilt member 28. The horizontal member 30 is set to change its angle with the tilt member 28 in response to the movement of the tilt member 28, which moves between an initial state in which the tilt member 28 is arranged substantially parallel to a base member 34, and a tilted state, so that the horizontal member 30 is set to maintain a state in which the horizontal member 30 is arranged substantially parallel to the base member 34 regardless of whether the tilt member 28 is tilted or not. Therefore, even when the seated occupant is not gripping a steering wheel, the elbows of the seated occupant P can be supported without dropping by placing the elbows on the horizontal member 30. [Selected Figure] Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an armrest and a vehicle seat.

Patent Document 1 below discloses technology related to an armrest device. In this prior art, a tilt angle actuator and a rotation angle actuator are provided as the armrest device. In this armrest device, the rear of the support part is pushed up by the tilt angle actuator, and the height of the support surface of the rear part in the seat front-rear direction of the support part can be made higher than the height of the support surface of the front part (so-called tilt). In addition, this armrest device can rotate (pivot) the support part around a central axis provided along the vertical direction in the rotation angle actuator so that the front part of the support part in the seat front-rear direction approaches the center line in the seat width direction.

Patent No. 6948919

As described above, in the above prior art, the adjusted position and shape of the armrest can accommodate differences in the physique of the occupant (seated occupant) and provide appropriate support for the occupant's arms.

However, the above prior art does not disclose the specific structure of the tilt angle actuator and the rotation angle actuator. Also, in the above prior art, when the support part is tilted and the occupant is not gripping the steering wheel or the like, the elbow will drop if there is no support on the support part.

The present invention takes the above into consideration and aims to provide an armrest and a vehicle seat that can support the elbows of a seated occupant in a tilted position without lowering the elbows, even when the occupant is not gripping a steering wheel or the like.

The armrest according to the invention described in claim 1 has a tilt mechanism that can be set to an initial state in which the armrest is disposed substantially parallel to a base member disposed substantially horizontally, or to a tilt state in which the armrest is tilted toward the upper side in the vertical direction of the seat as it moves toward the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the seat, and has a tilt member capable of supporting the arm of a seated occupant seated on the seat cushion, and a horizontal member that is disposed rearward of the tilt member in the longitudinal direction of the seat, and that changes its angle with the tilt member by following the movement of the tilt member that moves between the initial state and the tilt state by the tilt mechanism, and that can support the arm of the seated occupant while maintaining a state in which the armrest is disposed substantially parallel to the base member regardless of whether the tilt member is tilted or not.

The armrest according to the invention described in claim 1 includes a tilt member and a horizontal member. The tilt member and the horizontal member are capable of supporting the arms of a seated occupant seated on the seat cushion, and the horizontal member is provided rearward of the tilt member in the front-rear direction of the seat.

In the present invention, the tilt member can be set to an initial state or a tilted state by the tilt mechanism. In the initial state, the tilt member is arranged approximately parallel to the base member which is arranged approximately horizontally, and in the tilted state, the tilt member tilts toward the upper side in the up-down direction of the seat as it moves toward the rear side in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat.

On the other hand, the horizontal member is set so that the angle between the tilt member and the tilt member changes in response to the movement of the tilt member, which moves between the initial state and the tilt state by the tilt mechanism, and the horizontal member is maintained in a state in which it is arranged approximately parallel to the base member (approximately horizontal state) regardless of whether the tilt member is tilted or not.

In other words, in the present invention, the armrest that supports the arms of a seated occupant seated on the seat cushion is provided with a tilt member and a horizontal member, and a portion is formed in which the horizontal member maintains a substantially horizontal state even when the tilt member is tilted.

For example, when a seated occupant is gripping the steering wheel while driving, the passenger can rest their elbows on the tilted tilt member to reduce arm fatigue. Furthermore, in the present invention, the horizontal member remains substantially horizontal even when the tilt member is tilted, so that even when the seated occupant is not gripping the steering wheel, the passenger's elbows can be supported without dropping by resting their elbows on the horizontal member.

In the present invention, the armrest may be disposed on the inside or outside of the seat cushion in the vehicle width direction, or on both sides of the seat cushion in the vehicle width direction. The armrest may be attached to the seat cushion or the seat back. Furthermore, the armrest may be attached to the vehicle floor, the center console, the door trim, etc.

The armrest according to the invention described in claim 2 is the armrest according to the invention described in claim 1, in which the tilt mechanism is configured to lift the rear end side of the tilt member in the front-rear direction of the seat relative to the front end of the tilt member in the front-rear direction of the seat.

In the armrest according to the invention described in claim 2, the tilt mechanism lifts the rear end side of the tilt member in the front-rear direction of the seat relative to the front end in the front-rear direction of the seat.

The armrest according to the invention of claim 3 is the armrest according to the invention of claim 1, wherein the tilt mechanism includes a first shaft portion provided along the seat width direction at the front end portion of the base member in the seat front-rear direction and supporting the front end portion of the tilt member in the seat front-rear direction, a flap member disposed between the base member and the tilt member and supported rotatably about a second shaft portion provided along the seat width direction, and when a first lock state that restricts rotation about the second shaft portion is released, a free end portion abuts against the tilt member to tilt the tilt member and support the tilt member, and a first biasing member provided on the flap member and biases the flap member in a direction to rotate about the second shaft portion.

In the armrest according to the invention described in claim 3, the tilt mechanism includes a first shaft, a flap member, and a first biasing member. The first shaft is provided along the seat width direction at the front end of the base member in the seat front-rear direction and supports the front end of the tilt member in the seat front-rear direction.

The flap member is disposed between the base member and the tilt member, and is supported so as to be rotatable about a second shaft portion provided along the seat width direction. When the first lock state that restricts the flap member from rotating about the second shaft portion is released, the free end portion of the flap member abuts against the tilt member, tilting the tilt member and supporting the tilt member. Meanwhile, the first biasing member is provided on the flap member, and biases the flap member in a direction that rotates the flap member about the second shaft portion.

In other words, in the present invention, in the first locked state, the flap member is restricted from rotating about the second shaft, and when the first locked state is released, the flap member is allowed to rotate about the second shaft by the biasing force of the first biasing member. When the flap member rotates, the free end of the flap member abuts against the tilt member, and the tilt member tilts about the first shaft and is supported via the flap member.

The armrest according to the invention of claim 4 is the armrest according to the invention of claim 3, wherein the tilt mechanism further includes a third axis portion provided in the seat width direction and allowing the tilt member and the horizontal member to rotate relatively, and a link member having one longitudinal end attached to the base member side and the other longitudinal end attached to the third axis portion, and disposing the horizontal member so as to be approximately parallel to the base member by changing the angle between the tilt member and the third axis portion as the tilt member moves between the initial state and the tilt state by the tilt mechanism.

In the armrest according to the invention described in claim 4, the tilt mechanism further includes a third shaft and a link member. The third shaft is provided in the seat width direction, and allows the tilt member and the horizontal member to rotate relatively. In addition, one end of the link member in the longitudinal direction is attached to the base member side, and the other end of the link member in the longitudinal direction is attached to the third shaft side.

Then, in response to the movement of the tilt member that moves between the initial state and the tilted state by the tilt mechanism, the angle between the tilt member and the horizontal member is changed around the third axis via the link member, and the horizontal member is positioned so that it is approximately parallel to the base member. As a result, in the present invention, the horizontal member can be positioned approximately parallel to the base member regardless of whether the tilt member is tilted or not.

The armrest according to the invention described in claim 5 is the armrest according to the invention described in claim 3, further comprising a fourth axis provided along the up-down direction of the seat, a base supporting the base member so that the base member can rotate about the fourth axis, and a rotation mechanism that allows the base member to rotate about the fourth axis when the second lock state that restricts the rotation of the base member is released.

The armrest according to the invention described in claim 5 further includes a base and a rotation mechanism. The base is provided with a fourth shaft portion that is provided along the vertical direction of the seat, and the base member is supported so as to be rotatable about the fourth shaft portion. When the second lock state that restricts the rotation of the base member is released, the rotation mechanism allows the base member to rotate about the fourth shaft portion.

The armrest according to claim 6 is the armrest according to claim 3, further comprising an operating member that is operated to release the first locked state, and a second biasing member that biases the operating member in a direction to return the operating member to its initial state.

The armrest according to the invention described in claim 6 further includes an operating member and a second biasing member. By operating the operating member, the first lock state that restricts the rotation of the flap member around the second shaft is released. As a result, the flap member rotates around the second shaft due to the biasing force of the first biasing member, and the free end of the flap member abuts against the tilt member, and the tilt member is tilted around the first shaft via the flap member and supported.

On the other hand, the second biasing member biases the operating member in a direction that returns the operating member to its initial state. Therefore, in the present invention, after the operating member is operated, the second biasing member can return the operating member to its initial state. Note that examples of "operating members" include pressing members such as buttons and switches, and levers.

The armrest according to the invention described in claim 7 is the armrest according to the invention described in claim 6, in which the operating member is a pressing member provided at the front end of the base member in the seat front-rear direction so as to be pressable along the seat front-rear direction, and is configured such that pressing the pressing member releases the first lock state as well as the second lock state.

In the armrest according to the invention described in claim 7, the operating member is a pressing member, and the pressing member is provided at the front end of the base member in the seat front-rear direction so that it can be pressed along the seat front-rear direction. Pressing the pressing member releases the first lock state that restricts the flap member from rotating about the second shaft, and also releases the second lock state that restricts the base member from rotating about the fourth shaft.

In other words, in the present invention, when the pressing member is pressed, the first lock state is released, causing the flap member to rotate around the second shaft portion and tilting the tilt member, and the second lock state is released, allowing the base member to rotate around the fourth shaft portion relative to the base. In this way, in the present invention, the first lock state and the second lock state can be released with a single operation, which is convenient and saves time compared to operating separately to release the first lock state and the second lock state.

The armrest according to the invention of claim 8 is the armrest according to the invention of claim 7, wherein the tilt mechanism further includes a slider that is provided with a fourth shaft portion along the up-down direction of the seat, that is disposed between the base member and a pedestal that rotatably supports the base member around the fourth shaft portion, and that moves along the front-rear direction of the seat together with the pressing member, a cam surface formed by the slider and the base member, a cam member that is supported by the slider and abuts against the cam surface, and a third biasing member that biases the cam member in a direction in which the cam member abuts against the cam surface, and the slider is moved forward in the front-rear direction of the seat via the cam surface and the cam member by the pressure of the pressing member, thereby releasing the first locked state.

In the armrest according to the invention described in claim 8, the tilt mechanism further includes a slider, a cam surface, a cam member, and a third biasing member. The slider is disposed between the base and the base member, and moves in the front-rear direction of the seat together with the pressing member. The cam surface is formed by the slider and the base member, and the cam member is supported by the slider and abuts against the cam surface. The third biasing member biases the cam member in a direction in which the cam member abuts against the cam surface.

Then, by pressing the pressing member, the slider is moved forward in the front-rear direction of the seat via the cam surface and the cam member, and the first lock state is released. In this way, by releasing the first lock state, the flap member rotates around the second shaft portion and the tilt member tilts.

The armrest according to the invention of claim 9 is the armrest according to the invention of claim 8, and when the second lock state that restricts the rotation of the base member is released, the rotation mechanism that allows the base member to rotate around the fourth shaft portion is provided on the slider and includes a first engaged portion formed along the seat front-rear direction and a guide portion formed continuous with a second engaged portion formed along the seat width direction at the rear end of the first engaged portion in the seat front-rear direction, a third engaged portion formed on the base member and having the same shape as the second engaged portion and capable of overlapping the second engaged portion in a plan view, and an engaging portion that can engage with the guide portion and the third engaged portion, and when pressed by the pressing member, the second engaged portion and the third engaged portion are made to overlap in a plan view, thereby releasing the second locked state.

In the armrest according to the invention described in claim 9, the rotation mechanism includes a guide portion, a third engaged portion, and an engaging portion. The guide portion is formed on the slider, and a first engaged portion formed along the seat front-rear direction and a second engaged portion formed along the seat width direction are formed continuously. The third engaged portion is formed on the base member, has the same shape as the second engaged portion, and is capable of overlapping the second engaged portion in a plan view. Meanwhile, the engaging portion is capable of engaging with the guide portion and the third engaged portion.

Here, the second engaged portion and the third engaged portion are caused to overlap in a plan view by the pressing member, and the second locked state is released. This allows the base member to rotate relative to the pedestal around the fourth shaft portion. Note that it is sufficient for the first engaged portion, second engaged portion, and third engaged portion to have engaging portions that can engage with each other. For this reason, a hole portion or a groove portion may be formed in each of them.

The vehicle seat according to the invention described in claim 10 is provided with an armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

The vehicle seat described in claim 10 makes it possible to enjoy the effects obtained by using the armrest described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

As described above, the armrest and vehicle seat of the present invention can support the elbows of a seated occupant in a tilted position without lowering them, even when the occupant is not gripping a steering wheel or the like.

1 is a side view showing a vehicle seat in an initial position of an armrest according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the armrest according to the present embodiment, as viewed from the diagonally front left side. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the armrest according to the present embodiment. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an initial state of an armrest according to the present embodiment, taken along approximately the center of the armrest in a width direction. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the armrest according to the present embodiment, taken along the center of the armrest in the width direction, showing the armrest in a tilted state. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a base member, a slider, and the like that constitute part of the armrest according to the present embodiment, as viewed from below. FIG. 2 is an exploded plan view of a base member, a slider pin, and a slider that constitute a part of the armrest according to the present embodiment, as viewed from above. FIG. 13A and 13B are plan views for explaining the operation of the armrest pivot mechanism according to the present embodiment. 1 is a plan view showing an initial state of the armrest according to the present embodiment, illustrating a first lock state and a second lock state. FIG. FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of the essential part of FIG. 9 . 11 is a plan view showing a state in which an operation button is pressed in an initial state of the armrest according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 12 is an enlarged plan view of the main part of FIG. 11 . 11 is a plan view showing a state in which the pressure on the operation button of the armrest according to the present embodiment is released. FIG. FIG. 14 is an enlarged plan view of the main part of FIG. 13 . 11 is a plan view showing a state in which the operation button and the slider of the armrest according to the present embodiment have been moved forward. FIG. FIG. 16 is an enlarged plan view of the main part of FIG. 15 . 1 is a plan view showing a state in which the first lock state and the second lock state of the armrest according to the present embodiment are released. FIG. FIG. 18 is an enlarged plan view of the main part of FIG. 17 . FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining the trim of the armrest according to the present embodiment. 20 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the armrest trim according to the present embodiment when cut along the line AA in FIG. 19.

A vehicle seat 10 to which an armrest 18 according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the arrows FR, UP, and OUT shown in the drawings indicate the front, top, and outside of the vehicle seat 10, respectively. The front-rear, left-right (vehicle width direction) and up-down directions of this vehicle seat 10 coincide with the front-rear, left-right (width direction) and up-down directions of the vehicle (automobile) in which this vehicle seat 10 is mounted. In the following description, when the front-rear, left-right, up-down directions are used simply, they refer to directions relative to the vehicle seat 10, unless otherwise specified.

<Configuration of Vehicle Seat>
First, the configuration of a vehicle seat 10 to which an armrest 18 according to this embodiment is applied will be described.

Figure 1 shows a side view of a vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment. The vehicle seat 10 includes a seat cushion 12 that supports the thighs and waist of a seated occupant P, a seat back 14 that supports the upper body of the seated occupant P, and a headrest 16 that supports the head of the seated occupant P. On the other hand, an armrest 18 that supports the arms of the seated occupant P is attached to the inside of the seat cushion 12 in the vehicle width direction. Although not shown, the armrest 18 may be provided on the inside and outside of the seat cushion 12 in the vehicle width direction.

In this embodiment, for example, the armrest 18 is configured to include a main body 20 that forms the upper part of the armrest 18 and a leg 22 that forms the lower part of the armrest 18. The leg 22 is formed so that the width dimension in the front-to-rear direction narrows toward the lower side, and is a box-shaped inverted trapezoid when viewed from the side of the seat. The lower end of the leg 22 is fixed to a side finisher 24 that covers a seat cushion frame (not shown) that forms a framework member of the seat cushion 12 from the outside in the seat width direction.

The armrest 18 only needs to be able to support the elbows of the seated occupant P, so although not shown in the figure, it may be attached to the seat back 14, the vehicle floor, the center console, the door trim, etc.

As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 20 is equipped with a tilt mechanism 24 and a rotation mechanism 26. The tilt mechanism 24 includes a tilt member 28 and a horizontal member 30, and the rotation mechanism 26 includes a pedestal 32 and a base member 34. The main body 20 is arranged, from top to bottom, in the following order: tilt member 28, horizontal member 30, base member 34, and pedestal 32, and the tilt member 28 and horizontal member 30 can each support the arms of a seated occupant P (see FIG. 1).

(Tilt member)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tilt member 28 is shaped like a box that is generally rectangular in plan view, and is disposed so that its opening faces downward with its longitudinal direction aligned with the front-rear direction of the seat.

The tilt member 28 can be tilted (inclined) toward the upper side in the seat vertical direction as it moves toward the rear side in the seat front-rear direction, and can be moved between an initial state P (see Figure 4) in which it is arranged substantially horizontally and a tilted state Q (see Figure 5).

A chamfered portion 36 is formed on the inner side in the seat width direction of the front wall portion 28A of the tilt member 28. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a shaft portion (first shaft portion) 38 is formed along the seat width direction on the back side of the front end portion of the tilt member 28.

As shown in FIG. 3, the rear wall 28B of the tilt member 28 has a notch 40 formed on the outer side in the seat width direction that is inverted L-shaped in plan view (inverted around an axis along the seat width direction and inverted around an axis along the seat front-rear direction). A shaft portion (third shaft portion) 42 with its axis in the seat width direction is formed adjacent to the notch 40 on the inner side in the seat width direction of the notch 40, and a reduced diameter portion 42A is formed at the tip of the shaft portion 42, which is reduced in diameter compared to other portions and extends into the notch 40.

(Horizontal member)
2 and 3, the horizontal member 30 is a box-shaped member having a generally rectangular shape in a plan view, similar to the tilt member 28, and is disposed so that the opening faces downward, with the seat front-rear direction being the longitudinal direction. The horizontal member 30 has a generally equal widthwise dimension to the tilt member 28, and is formed so that the longitudinal dimension of the horizontal member 30 is shorter than that of the tilt member 28.

The front wall 30A of the horizontal member 30 has a notch 44 that is L-shaped in plan view on the inside in the seat width direction, and is capable of accommodating the shaft 42 formed on the tilt member 28. A bearing 46 is formed adjacent to the notch 44 on the outside in the seat width direction of the notch 44, with its axis aligned in the seat width direction.

The reduced diameter portion 42A of the shaft portion 42 formed on the tilt member 28 can be fitted into this bearing portion 46, and with the reduced diameter portion 42A of the shaft portion 42 of the tilt member 28 fitted into the bearing portion 46 of the horizontal member 30, the reduced diameter portion 42A is fastened with a bolt 47, making the bearing portion 46 rotatable relative to the reduced diameter portion 42A, and the tilt member 28 and the horizontal member 30 can be rotated relatively around the shaft portion 42.

In this embodiment, the shaft portion 42 is provided on the tilt member 28 side, and the bearing portion 46 is provided on the horizontal member 30 side, but it is sufficient that the two are configured to be able to rotate relative to each other. For this reason, although not shown, the bearing portion may be provided on the tilt member 28 side, and the shaft portion may be provided on the horizontal member 30 side. The same applies to the other shaft portions and bearing portions.

The rear wall 30B of the horizontal member 30 has a chamfered portion 48 formed on the outer side in the seat width direction. The tilt member 28 and the horizontal member 30 are covered with trims 50 and 52, respectively, and these trims 50 and 52 form the design surfaces of the tilt member 28 and the horizontal member 30.

(Base member)
The base member 34 is a box having a generally rectangular shape in a plan view, and is disposed so that its opening faces downward. The longitudinal direction of the base member 34 is the front-rear direction of the seat, and the width dimension of the base member 34 is set to be generally the same as those of the tilt member 28 and the horizontal member 30.

As shown in FIG. 6, an opening 54 is formed in the front wall 34A of the base member 34, and an operation button (pressing member, operating member) 56 (described later) can be inserted into the opening 54 and can be moved in and out of the opening 54 in the front-to-rear direction of the seat.

As shown in FIG. 3, a chamfered portion 58 is formed on the front wall portion 34A of the base member 34 at a position that corresponds vertically to the chamfered portion 36 formed on the tilt member 28, and a bearing portion 60 is provided at the center of the front end portion of the base member 34 in the seat width direction.

The shaft portion 38 (see FIG. 4) formed on the tilt member 28 can be fitted into this bearing portion 60, and with the shaft portion 38 of the tilt member 28 fitted into the bearing portion 60, the tilt member 28 can tilt about the shaft portion 38 relative to the base member 34, as shown in FIG. 5. In other words, the tilt member 28 can tilt (incline) toward the upper side in the seat vertical direction as it moves toward the rear side in the seat front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, inclined ribs 62, 64 extending along the seat front-rear direction are formed integrally with the bearing portion 60 on both outer sides in the seat width direction of the bearing portion 60. The inclined ribs 62, 64 are formed so as to incline downward as they move toward the rear side in the seat front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the base member 34, between the inclined rib 62 and the inclined rib 64, a rectangular hole 66 is formed on the front side of the inclined rib 64 on the inclined rib 64 side, and on the rear side of the inclined rib 64, as shown in FIG. 5, a recessed wall 68 is formed below the surface 35 of the base member 34.

As shown in FIG. 7, an opening 70 is formed in the recessed wall 68, and the inner edge of the opening 70 forms a cam surface 72. The opening 70 is generally inverted L-shaped in a plan view (inverted around an axis along the front-to-rear direction of the seat), with the rear portion 70B protruding in an arc shape toward the inside in the seat width direction more than the front portion 70A.

Specifically, the rear portion 70B has an arcuate surface 72A with which a pin (cam member) 76 of a slider pin (cam member) 74 (described later) can engage. The front portion 70A of the opening 70 also has a corner portion 72B formed of a straight line extending in the front-rear direction and the width direction of the seat, and an inclined surface 72C is formed on the inside of the corner portion 72B in the width direction of the seat, sloping inward in the width direction of the seat as it approaches the rear side.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a cylindrical slider pin 74 is disposed below the recessed wall 68 and is movable along the recessed wall 68. A pin 76 passes through the center of the slider pin 74, and the upper pin 76A is capable of abutting against the cam surface 72 of the opening 70 formed in the recessed wall 68.

As shown in Figures 3 and 6, a rectangular recess 80 is provided on the front side of the base member 34, and within the recess 80, an elongated hole portion (third engaged portion) 84 is formed in an arc shape centered on the axis of the annular rib 90 described below.

Bosses 86, 88 are provided on the rear side of the front part of the base member 34 between the recessed wall 68 and the chamfered portion 58. An annular rib 90 is provided on the rear side of the recessed portion 80, and a long hole rib 92 is formed on the rear side of the annular rib 90 in an arc shape centered on the axis of the annular rib 90. Furthermore, a chamfered portion 94 is formed on the rear wall portion 34B of the base member 34 at a position that corresponds vertically to the chamfered portion 48 formed on the horizontal member 30.

(Flap member)
3 and 4, a rectangular plate-shaped flap member 96 can be housed in the recess 80. A rectangular cutout portion 98 is provided in the center of the front end portion of the flap member 96 in the seat width direction, and is formed to avoid interference with a link member 100 described later.

A shaft portion 102 (second shaft portion) with an axis in the seat width direction is formed at the rear end of the flap member 96. The shaft portion 102 is divided into left and right in the seat width direction, and a rectangular cutout portion 104 is formed in the center, and shaft portion 102A, which is a part of shaft portion 102, is provided within the cutout portion 104.

A flap spring (first biasing member) 106 is attached to this shaft portion 102A, with one end of the flap spring 106 abutting against the flap member 96 side and the other end of the flap spring 106 abutting against the base member 34 side. Due to the biasing force of this flap spring 106, as shown in FIG. 5, the flap member 96 can rotate around the shaft portion 102 and stand up.

Here, a flap holding portion 108 is provided at the rear end of the recess 80. As shown in FIG. 4, the shaft portion 102 of the flap member 96 can be positioned below the flap holding portion 108. In this way, by positioning the shaft portion 102 of the flap member 96 below the flap holding portion 108, the flap member 96 is placed in a so-called first locked state, where rotation around the shaft portion 102 is restricted and the tilt member 28 is not tilted.

(Link member)
As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the link member 100 has one longitudinal end 100A attached to the inclined rib 64 formed on the base member 34, and the other longitudinal end 100B attached to the shaft portion 101 provided on the horizontal member 30.

The tilt member 28 is movable between an initial state P (see FIG. 4) in which it is arranged substantially horizontally and a tilted state Q (see FIG. 5) in which it is tilted. Therefore, by changing the angle between the tilt member 28 and the horizontal member 30 around the shaft portion 101 via the link member 100 in response to the movement of the tilt member 28, the horizontal member 30 is set to be maintained in a substantially horizontal state regardless of whether the tilt member 28 is tilted or not.

(pedestal)
The base 32 has a generally rectangular plate shape in a plan view with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction of the seat. The base 32 has an inverted trapezoid shape in a side view of the seat, with the width dimension in the front-rear direction narrowing toward the lower side, and is fixed to the legs 22 (see FIG. 1). A chamfered portion 110 is formed at the front end of the base 32 at a position corresponding above and below to the chamfered portion 58 formed on the base member 34.

A ring-shaped mounting seat 111 is provided in the center of the base 32 in the seat front-rear direction, and a guide pin (engagement portion) 112 is fixed to the mounting seat 111. This guide pin 112 can be inserted into an elongated hole 84 formed in the base member 34, and the base member 34 can rotate in the seat width direction along the shape of the elongated hole 84 using the guide pin 112 as a reference (described later).

Furthermore, a round hole 114 is formed at the rear of the base 32, and an annular rib (fourth shaft portion) 82 is erected from the inner edge of the round hole 114, and an annular rib 90 (see FIG. 6) formed on the base member 34 can be inserted into the annular rib 82. This allows the base member 34 to rotate around the annular rib 82 via the annular rib 82 of the base 32 and the annular rib 90 of the base member 34 (described later).

A rotation restriction pin 116 is erected on the rear side of the annular rib 82 of the base 32. This rotation restriction pin 116 can be inserted into the long hole rib 92 (see FIG. 6) formed in the base member 34, and as shown in FIGS. 8(A) and (B), the rotation restriction pin 116 abuts against both longitudinal ends of the long hole rib 92, thereby restricting the rotational movement of the base member 34 via the long hole rib 92.

A pair of protrusions 92A, 92B are formed at both ends of the long hole rib 92 in the longitudinal direction, and the rotation restriction pin 116 climbs over the protrusions 92A, 92B and comes into contact with both ends of the long hole rib 92 in the longitudinal direction, restricting its movement. It is also possible to set the rotation restriction pin 116 and the long hole rib 92 so that a sliding resistance is generated between them, and the rotation of the base member 34 is restricted at a predetermined position by the sliding resistance.

(slider)
3 and 6, a slider 118 is disposed between the base member 34 and the pedestal 32. The slider 118 has a rectangular plate shape in a plan view, and a cross section cut along the sheet width direction has a substantially U-shaped shape with an opening at the upper side. In other words, side walls 118A and 118B are formed on both ends of the slider 118 in the sheet width direction, and the side walls 118A and 118B are disposed between the side walls 34C and 34D of the base member 34 and the recess 80, respectively.

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, an opening 120 is formed at the front end of the slider 118, into which the pin 76B (cam member) of the slider pin 74 can be inserted, and the pin 76B can abut against a cam surface 122 formed by the inner edge of the opening 120.

As shown in FIG. 7, the opening 120 has a generally rectangular shape in a plan view, with the rear portion 120B being larger than the front portion 120A. The front portion 120A is positioned more inward in the seat width direction than the rear portion 120B, and the front portion 120A and the rear portion 120B are connected by an inclined portion 120C.

Specifically, a storage portion 122A capable of storing the pin 76B is formed in the front portion 120A of the opening 120. An inclined surface 122B is formed on the outer side in the seat width direction of the inclined portion 120C of the opening 120, and an inclined surface 122C is formed on the inner side in the seat width direction of the inclined portion 120C. Furthermore, a corner portion 122D consisting of a straight line formed along the front-rear direction of the seat and the seat width direction is provided on the inner side in the seat width direction of the rear portion 120B.

As shown in FIG. 6, the opening 120 of the slider 118 and the opening 70 formed in the base member 34 are formed to overlap in a plan view, and the pin 76B provided on the slider pin 74 abuts against the cam surface 122 of the opening 120 of the slider 118, and the pin 76A provided on the slider pin 74 abuts against the cam surface 72 of the opening 70 formed in the base member 34.

As a result, as shown in Figures 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18, the shape of overlapping areas A to E (areas where the hatching representing opening 70 and the hatching representing opening 20 intersect with each other) changes depending on the degree of overlap between opening 70 and opening 120 in a plan view, and slider pin 74 moves via pin 76.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the bosses 86, 88 mentioned above are erected on the back side of the base member 34. As shown in FIG. 9, a return spring (second biasing member, third biasing member) 126 is attached to the boss 86, one end of the return spring 126 abuts against the boss 88, and the other end of the return spring 126 abuts against the slider pin 74. Due to the biasing force of this return spring 126, the slider pin 74 is biased in a direction in which the pins 76A, 76B abut against the cam surface 72 of the opening 70 and the cam surface 122 of the opening 120 shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in Figures 3 and 6, a guide hole (guide portion) 132 that can communicate with the long hole portion 84 formed in the base member 34 is formed at the rear of the slider 118, and a guide pin 112 provided at the center of the seat 32 in the seat front-rear direction is inserted into the guide hole 132. The guide hole 132 is formed with a guide portion (first engaged portion) 134 formed along the seat front-rear direction and a guide portion (second engaged portion) 136 formed along the seat width direction, which are continuous with each other via an intersection R, and the guide portion 136 can overlap the long hole portion 84 in a plan view.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the guide pin 112 is disposed within the guide portion 134 and the guide portion 136 does not overlap the long hole portion 84 in a plan view, the rotation of the base member 34 relative to the pedestal 32 is restricted (second lock state). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17, when the guide pin 112 is disposed at the intersection R, the guide portion 136 overlaps the long hole portion 84 in a plan view, and the base member 34 is allowed to rotate in the seat width direction relative to the pedestal 32.

(Manual operation button)
3 and 6, an operation button (pressing member) 56 is provided on the front side of the slider 118. The operation button 56 is box-shaped and has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, with an opening on the slider 118 side, and the front end of the slider 118 is inserted into and engaged with the operation button 56. Therefore, the operation button 56 and the slider 118 are integrated, and the slider 118 moves integrally with the operation button 56 when the operation button 56 moves.

The front wall 56A of the operation button 56 is formed with a chamfered portion 57 that corresponds to the chamfered portion 58 formed on the front wall 34A of the base member 34. When the operation button 56 is inserted into the opening 54 formed in the front wall 34A of the base member 34, the operation button 56 forms part of the front wall 34A of the base member 34 and the chamfered portion 58.

<Functions and Effects of Vehicle Seat>
Next, the operation and effects of the vehicle seat 10 according to the present embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, in the initial state P of the armrest 18, the armrest 18 is in a first locked state in which the rotation of the flap member 96 is restricted, and in a second locked state in which the rotation of the base member 34 is restricted.

Specifically, in the first lock state, the shaft portion 102 of the flap member 96 is positioned below the flap holding portion 108, and the flap member 96 is housed in the recess 80 formed in the base member 34 while maintaining a substantially horizontal state. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, in the second lock state, the guide pin 112 provided on the base 32 (see FIG. 3) is positioned in the guide portion 134 formed on the slider 118, and the rotation of the base member 34 relative to the base 32 is restricted.

As shown in Figures 7 and 10, the pin 76 of the slider pin 74, which is biased by the return spring 126, engages with the arc surface 72A provided within the overlapping portion A formed by the opening 70 formed in the base member 34 and the opening 120 formed in the slider 118. This restricts the movement of the slider 118 in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat, and the armrest 18 is maintained in the first and second locked states.

When the operation button 56 is pressed from this state, as shown in FIG. 11, the slider 118 moves rearward together with the operation button 56. As a result, the slider pin 74 is guided inward in the sheet width direction by the inclined surface 122B of the inclined portion 120C formed in the opening 120, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 12.

In other words, when the slider 118 moves rearward together with the operation button 56, the pin 76 is guided along the inclined surface 122C into the storage section 122A provided within the overlapping section B formed by the opening 70 formed in the base member 34 and the opening 120 formed in the slider 118.

In this way, the pin 76 is guided inward in the sheet width direction, and the slider pin 74 moves against the biasing force of the return spring 126 via the pin 76. In other words, more elastic energy is accumulated in the return spring 126.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the guide pin 112 provided on the base 32 (see FIG. 3) is disposed within the guide portion 134 formed on the slider 118, and the rotation of the base member 34 relative to the base 32 is restricted, and the second lock state is maintained.

When the user releases his/her hand from this state and releases the pressure on the operation button 56, the force of the return spring 126 causes the operation button 56 to move forward together with the slider 118, as shown in Figures 13, 15, and 17.

First, as shown in FIG. 13, when the operation button 56 moves forward together with the slider 118, the position of the opening 120 formed in the slider 118 moves from the front portion 120A (inside the storage portion 122A) toward the inclined portion 120C relative to the slider pin 74, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 14.

As a result, the pin 76 is provided within the overlapping portion C formed by the opening 70 formed in the base member 34 and the opening 120 formed in the slider 118, and abuts against the inclined surface 122C formed in the opening 120.

Also, as shown in Figures 13 and 15, the guide pin 112 provided on the base 32 (see Figure 3) is disposed within the guide portion 134 formed on the slider 118, and the rotation of the base member 34 relative to the base 32 is restricted, and the second lock state is maintained.

As shown in FIG. 14, the pin 76 is guided outward in the seat width direction along the inclined surface 122C by the biasing force of the return spring 126 while in contact with the inclined surface 122C provided in the overlapping portion C. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, the operation button 56 moves forward together with the slider 118, and the operation button 56 protrudes from the front wall portion 34A of the base member 34 in a plan view.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 16, the position of the opening 120 formed in the slider 118 moves from the inclined portion 120C toward the rear portion 120B of the inclined portion 120C relative to the slider pin 74. That is, the pin 76 abuts against the corner portion 72B formed in the opening 70 provided in the overlapping portion D formed by the opening 70 formed in the base member 34 and the opening 120 formed in the slider 118, and the seat front and rear portions 122D1 of the corner portion 122D formed in the opening 120.

As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the pin 76 is guided along the seat front and rear portions 122D1 by the biasing force of the return spring 126 while in contact with the seat front and rear portions 122D1 of the corner portion 122D provided in the overlapping portion D. As a result, as shown in Figure 17, the operation button 56 moves further forward together with the slider 118, and the operation button 56 protrudes further from the front wall portion 34A of the base member 34 in a plan view.

At this time, as shown in Figures 7 and 18, the position of the opening 120 formed in the slider 118 is disposed from the inclined portion 120C toward the rear portion 120B. As a result, the pin 76 is accommodated in the overlapping portion E formed by the corner portion 72B formed in the opening 70 formed in the base member 34 and the corner portion 122D formed in the opening 120 formed in the slider 118.

In this state, the shaft portion 102 of the flap member 96 shown in FIG. 4 moves forward beyond the lower side of the flap holding portion 108, and the first lock state is released. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the flap member 96 rotates around the shaft portion 102 and stands up due to the biasing force of the flap spring 106. At this time, the free end portion 96A of the flap member 96 abuts against the tilt member 28, causing the tilt member 28 to tilt.

As shown in FIG. 17, the guide pin 112 provided on the base 32 (see FIG. 3) is disposed at the intersection R of the guide portion 134 and the guide portion 136 formed on the slider 118, and the guide portion 136 is disposed at a position where it overlaps with the long hole portion 84 formed in the base member 34 in a plan view. As a result, the second lock state is released, and the base member 34 is allowed to rotate in the seat width direction relative to the base 32, as shown in FIGS. 8(A) and (B).

As described above, in this embodiment, the first lock state and the second lock state can be released by pressing the operation button 56 shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, a rotation restriction pin 116 is erected on the rear side of the annular rib 82 of the base 32, and the rotation restriction pin 116 is inserted into the long hole rib 92 (see FIG. 6) formed in the base member 34, and the base member 34 rotates relative to the base 32 via the long hole rib 92 and the rotation restriction pin 116. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8 (B), the rotation restriction pin 116 abuts against the longitudinal end of the long hole rib 92, thereby restricting the rotational movement of the base member 34.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the operation button 56 is pressed while protruding from the front wall portion 34A of the base member 34, that is, while the tilt member 28 is tilted (tilt state Q), the slider 118 moves rearward together with the operation button 56, and the flap member 96 rotates in a tilting direction around the shaft portion 102A by the flap holding portion 108.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, the tilt member 28 returns to the initial state P, and via the link member 100, the tilt member 28 and the horizontal member 30 are arranged on approximately the same plane while changing the angle between them around the shaft portion 101, and both are arranged approximately horizontally.

In this embodiment, the tilt member 28 can be set to an initial state P shown in FIG. 4 or a tilt state Q shown in FIG. 5. In the initial state P, the tilt member 28 is disposed substantially parallel to the base member 34, which is disposed substantially horizontally. In the tilt state Q, the tilt member 28 tilts upward in the seat vertical direction as it moves toward the rear side in the seat front-rear direction.

On the other hand, the horizontal member 30 is set to change angle with respect to the tilt member 28 in response to the movement of the tilt member 28 moving between the initial state P and the tilt state Q, and to maintain a state in which it is disposed substantially parallel to the base member 34 regardless of whether the tilt member 28 is tilted or not. That is, in this embodiment, in the armrest 18 that supports the arm of the seated occupant P, a portion is formed in which the horizontal member 30 maintains a substantially horizontal state even when the tilt member 28 is tilted.

For example, when a seated occupant P (see FIG. 1) is gripping the steering wheel while driving, the feeling of arm fatigue can be reduced by resting the elbow on the tilt member 28 in the tilted state Q shown in FIG. 5. Furthermore, since the horizontal member 30 is maintained in a substantially horizontal state even when the tilt member 28 is tilted, even when the seated occupant P is not gripping the steering wheel, the elbow of the seated occupant P can be supported without dropping by resting the elbow on the horizontal member 30. Furthermore, when relaxing and looking at a smartphone, the smartphone can be brought closer to line of sight by resting the elbow on the horizontal member.

In this embodiment, the armrest 18 is provided on the inside of the seat cushion 12 in the vehicle width direction, but this is not limited to this. For example, although not shown, the armrest 18 may be provided on both sides of the seat cushion 12 in the vehicle width direction. The armrest 18 may also be attached to the seat back 14 (see FIG. 1). Furthermore, the armrest 18 may be attached to the vehicle floor, center console, door trim, etc.

In this embodiment, the armrest 18 is configured to raise the rear end side of the tilt member 28 relative to the front end by the tilt mechanism 24. The tilt mechanism 24 is also configured to include a shaft portion 38, a flap member 96, and a flap spring 106.

In this embodiment, the shaft portion 38 supports the front end of the tilt member 28 at the front end of the base member 34, and the flap member 96 is disposed between the base member 34 and the tilt member 28 and is supported so as to be rotatable around the shaft portion 102. When the first lock state that restricts the flap member 96 from rotating around the shaft portion 102 is released, the free end portion 96A of the flap member 96 abuts against the tilt member 28 to tilt the tilt member 28 and support the tilt member 28. Furthermore, the flap spring 106 is provided on the flap member 96 and is set to bias the flap member 96 in a direction that rotates the flap member 96 around the shaft portion 102.

That is, in this embodiment, in the first locked state, the flap member 96 is restricted from rotating about the shaft portion 102, and when the first locked state is released, the flap member 96 is allowed to rotate about the shaft portion 102 by the biasing force of the flap spring 106. When the flap member 96 rotates, the free end portion 96A of the flap member 96 abuts against the tilt member 28, and the tilt member 28 tilts about the shaft portion 38 via the flap member 96 and is supported.

The tilt mechanism 24 further includes an axle 101 and a link member 100. The axle 101 is provided in the seat width direction and allows the tilt member 28 and the horizontal member 30 to rotate relative to each other. One end 100A of the link member 100 is attached to the base member 34 side, and the other end 100B is attached to the axle 101 side.

Then, in response to the movement of the tilt member 28 moving between the initial state P and the tilt state Q, the angle between the tilt member 28 and the horizontal member 30 is changed around the shaft portion 101 via the link member 100, and the horizontal member 30 is positioned so as to be approximately parallel to the base member 34. In other words, in this embodiment, the approximately horizontal state of the horizontal member 30 can be maintained via the link member 100 regardless of the presence or absence of the tilt member 28.

In addition, this embodiment further includes a base 32 and a rotation mechanism 26. The base 32 is provided with an annular rib 82 that is provided along the vertical direction of the seat, and the base member 34 is supported so as to be rotatable around the annular rib 82. The rotation mechanism 26 can be set to a second lock state that restricts the rotation of the base member 34.

As described above, in this embodiment, the tilt mechanism 24 and the rotation mechanism 26 do not use devices such as power mechanisms such as motors or damper mechanisms, making it possible to realize the tilt mechanism 24 and the rotation mechanism 26 with an inexpensive structure.

In this embodiment, the seat further includes an operation button 56 and a return spring 126. The operation button 56 is provided at the front end of the base member 34 so that it can be pressed along the front-rear direction of the seat. Pressing the operation button 56 releases the first lock state that restricts the flap member 96 from rotating around the shaft portion 102.

When the first lock state is released, the flap member 96 rotates around the shaft 102 due to the biasing force of the flap spring 106, and the free end 96A of the flap member 96 abuts against the tilt member 28, causing the tilt member 28 to tilt around the shaft 38 via the flap member 96 and supporting the tilt member 28.

On the other hand, the return spring 126 biases the operation button 56 in a direction that returns it to the initial position shown in FIG. 9. Therefore, after the operation button 56 is pressed, the return spring 126 allows the operation button 56 to return to the initial position.

In this embodiment, pressing the operation button 56 releases the first lock state and also releases the second lock state that restricts the base member 34 from rotating around the annular rib 82. As a result, the flap member 96 rotates around the shaft portion 102 due to the biasing force of the flap spring 106, and the tilt member 28 tilts around the shaft portion 38 and is supported via the flap member 96, allowing the base member 34 to rotate relative to the pedestal 32 around the annular rib 82.

In other words, in this embodiment, the first lock state and the second lock state can be released with a single operation. Therefore, compared to a comparative example (not shown) in which a button for releasing the first lock state and a button for releasing the second lock state are provided, in this embodiment, the first lock state and the second lock state can be released with a single operation, which is very convenient.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the tilt mechanism 24 further includes a slider 118, cam surfaces 72, 122 (see FIG. 7), a slider pin 74, and a return spring 126.

The slider 118 is disposed between the pedestal 32 and the base member 34, and moves in the front-rear direction of the seat together with the operation button 56. As shown in FIG. 7, the cam surfaces 72, 122 are formed by the slider 118 and the base member 34.

The slider pin 74 is movably supported on the slider 118 and abuts against the cam surfaces 72, 122. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the return spring 126 biases the slider pin 74 in a direction in which the slider pin 74 abuts against the cam surfaces 72, 122. Then, by pressing the operation button 56 shown in Figure 4, the slider 118 is moved forward via the cam surfaces 72, 122 (see Figure 7) and the slider pin 74, and the first lock state is released.

In this embodiment, the return spring 126 is set to bias the slider pin 74 toward the cam surfaces 72, 122 and bias the operation button 56 in a direction returning it to its initial position. In this way, the number of parts can be reduced by biasing multiple components with one biasing member, but it goes without saying that separate members may be used for the biasing member that biases the slider pin 74 toward the cam surfaces 72, 122 and the biasing member that biases the operation button 56 in a direction returning it to its initial position.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the rotation mechanism 26 is configured to include a guide hole 132, an elongated hole portion 84, and a guide pin 112. The guide hole 132 is formed in the slider 118, and a guide portion 134 formed along the seat front-rear direction and a guide portion 136 formed along the seat width direction are formed continuously. The elongated hole portion 84 is formed in the base member 34, has the same shape as the guide portion 136, and can overlap the guide portion 136 in a plan view. The guide pin 112 can engage with the guide hole 132 and the elongated hole portion 84.

Here, pressing the operation button 56 causes the guide portion 136 and the long hole portion 84 to overlap in a plan view, releasing the second lock state. This allows the base member 34 to rotate relative to the pedestal 32 around the annular rib 82, as shown in Figures 8 (A) and (B). Note that the guide portion 134, the guide portion 136, and the long hole portion 84 only need to be able to engage with the guide pin 112. For this reason, although not shown, each may have a through hole (hole portion) or a groove portion (hole portion).

In this embodiment, the armrest 18 is configured to tilt. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when the armrest 18 is in the tilted state Q by the tilt member 28, a gap 138 is provided between the tilt member 28 and the horizontal member 30 and the base member 34, and the flap member 96 is visible.

Therefore, as shown in Figures 19 and 20, for example, a trim 140 is provided between the tilt member 28 and horizontal member 30 and the base member 34 to prevent the gap 138 from being exposed. This improves the appearance of the armrest 18. Note that Figure 20 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 19.

Here, the trim 140 is composed of an upper trim 142 and a lower trim 144. The upper trim 142 is attached to the trims 50, 52 of the tilt member 28 and the horizontal member 30 by adhesive or the like, and the lower trim 144 is attached to the surface 35 of the base member 34 by adhesive or the like.

The upper trim 142 and the lower trim 144 are integrated via a stitched portion 146, and an elastic member such as a rubber band 148 is provided between the upper trim 142 and the lower trim 144 so as to bridge the opposing stitched portions 146.

The rubber band 148 biases the tilt member 28 inward in the seat width direction when the tilt member 28 is tilted, and when the tilt member 28 returns from the tilted state Q (see FIG. 5) to the initial state P (see FIG. 4), the sewn portions 146 facing each other via the rubber band 148 approach each other, and the trim 140 is folded inward in the seat width direction starting from the sewn portion 146 and stored inside the seat width direction. This prevents the upper trim 142 and lower trim 144 from protruding outward in the initial state P of the tilt member 28.

Although the trim 140 has been described as being composed of the upper trim 142 and the lower trim 144, the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 5, as long as the gap 138 between the tilt member 28 and the horizontal member 30 and the base member 34 can be hidden in the tilted state Q of the armrest 18, and the armrest 18 is retracted in the initial state P of the armrest 18, a bellows-shaped trim (not shown) may be provided, for example.

The present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

<Additional Notes>
The armrest and vehicle seat according to the present invention may be formed by appropriately combining the following configurations.

(Configuration 1)
The armrest has a tilt mechanism that can be set to an initial state in which it is positioned approximately parallel to a base member that is positioned approximately horizontally, or to a tilt state in which it is tilted toward the upper side in the seat up-down direction as it moves toward the rear side in the seat fore-and-aft direction, and is capable of supporting the arms of a seated occupant seated on the seat cushion, and a horizontal member that is provided rearward of the tilt member in the seat fore-and-aft direction and changes its angle with the tilt member in response to the movement of the tilt member that moves between the initial state and the tilt state by the tilt mechanism, and that can support the arms of the seated occupant while maintaining a state in which it is positioned approximately parallel to the base member regardless of whether the tilt member is tilted or not.

(Configuration 2)
The tilt mechanism is configured to lift a rear end side of the tilt member in the front-rear direction of the seat relative to a front end of the tilt member in the front-rear direction of the seat.

(Configuration 3)
The tilt mechanism includes a first shaft portion that is provided along the seat width direction at the front end portion of the base member in the seat fore-and-aft direction and supports the front end portion of the tilt member in the seat fore-and-aft direction; a flap member that is disposed between the base member and the tilt member and is supported rotatably around a second shaft portion that is provided along the seat width direction, and when a first lock state that restricts rotation around the second shaft portion is released, a free end portion abuts against the tilt member to tilt the tilt member and support the tilt member; and a first biasing member that is provided on the flap member and biases the flap member in a direction to rotate around the second shaft portion.

(Configuration 4)
The tilt mechanism further includes a third axis portion provided in the seat width direction and enabling the tilt member and the horizontal member to rotate relative to one another, and a link member having one longitudinal end attached to the base member side and the other longitudinal end attached to the third axis portion, and changing the angle between the tilt member and the horizontal member around the third axis portion in response to the movement of the tilt member moving between the initial state and the tilted state by the tilt mechanism, thereby positioning the horizontal member approximately parallel to the base member.

(Configuration 5)
The seat further includes a fourth axis portion arranged along the vertical direction of the seat, a base that supports the base member rotatably around the fourth axis portion, and a rotation mechanism that enables the base member to rotate around the fourth axis portion when a second lock state that restricts the rotation of the base member is released.

(Configuration 6)
The locking mechanism further includes an operating member that is operated to release the first locked state, and a second biasing member that biases the operating member in a direction to return the operating member to its initial state.

(Configuration 7)
The operating member is a pressing member that is provided at the front end of the base member in the seat fore-and-aft direction so as to be pressable along the seat fore-and-aft direction, and is configured so that pressing of the pressing member not only releases the first lock state but also releases a second lock state that restricts the rotation of the base member.

(Configuration 8)
The tilt mechanism is provided with a fourth axis portion arranged along the up-down direction of the seat, and is arranged between a base member and a seat that rotatably supports the base member around the fourth axis portion, and further includes a slider that moves along the front-to-rear direction of the seat together with the pressing member, a cam surface formed by the slider and the base member, a cam member that is supported by the slider and abuts against the cam surface, and a third biasing member that biases the cam member in a direction in which the cam member abuts against the cam surface, and when pressed by the pressing member, the slider is moved forward in the front-to-rear direction of the seat via the cam surface and the cam member, thereby releasing the first locked state.

(Configuration 9)
When the second lock state that restricts the rotation of the base member is released, a rotation mechanism that allows the base member to rotate around the fourth axis portion is provided on the slider and includes a first engaged portion formed along the seat front-rear direction and a guide portion formed continuous with a second engaged portion formed along the seat width direction at a rear end of the first engaged portion in the seat front-rear direction, a third engaged portion formed on the base member and having the same shape as the second engaged portion and capable of overlapping the second engaged portion in a planar view, and an engaging portion that is engageable with the guide portion and the third engaged portion, and when pressed by the pressing member, the second engaged portion is caused to overlap the third engaged portion in a planar view, thereby releasing the second lock state.

(Configuration 10)
A vehicle seat is provided with the armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

The present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

10 Vehicle seat 18 Armrest 24 Tilt mechanism 26 Rotation mechanism 28 Tilt member 28A Front wall portion (front end of tilt member)
28B Rear wall portion (rear end of tilt member)
30 horizontal member 32 pedestal 34 base member 38 shaft portion (first shaft portion, tilt mechanism)
42 Axis portion (third axis portion, tilt mechanism)
56 Operation button (pressing member, operating member)
72 Cam surface (tilt mechanism)
74 Slider pin (cam member, tilt mechanism)
76 Pin (cam member, tilt mechanism)
76A Pin (cam member, tilt mechanism)
76B Pin (cam member, tilt mechanism)
82 Annular rib (fourth shaft portion)
84 Long hole portion (third engaged portion, rotating mechanism)
96 Flap member (tilt mechanism)
96A Free end (free end of flap member)
100 Link member (tilt mechanism)
100A One end (one end in the longitudinal direction of the link member)
100B Other end (other end in the longitudinal direction of the link member)
102 Shaft portion (second shaft portion)
102A shaft portion 106 flap spring (first biasing member, tilt mechanism)
112 Guide pin (engagement portion, rotation mechanism)
118 Slider (tilt mechanism)
122 Cam surface (tilt mechanism)
126 Return spring (second biasing member, third biasing member, tilt mechanism)
132 Guide hole (guide portion)
134 Guide portion (first engaged portion, rotating mechanism)
136 Guide portion (second engaged portion, rotating mechanism)
P Seat passenger P Initial state Q Tilt state

Claims (10)

a tilt member that is provided with a tilt mechanism that can be set to an initial state in which the tilt member is disposed substantially parallel to a base member that is disposed substantially horizontally, or to a tilt state in which the tilt member is tilted toward the upper side in the seat up-down direction as it moves toward the rear side in the seat front-rear direction, and that can support the arms of a seated occupant seated on the seat cushion;
a horizontal member that is provided rearward of the tilt member in the seat front-rear direction, changes an angle between the tilt member and the tilt member in accordance with the movement of the tilt member that moves between the initial state and the tilted state by the tilt mechanism, and is capable of supporting the arms of the seated occupant while maintaining a state in which the horizontal member is disposed substantially parallel to the base member regardless of whether the tilt member is tilted or not;
Armrests having: The armrest according to claim 1, wherein the tilt mechanism is configured to lift the rear end side of the tilt member in the front-rear direction of the seat relative to the front end of the tilt member in the front-rear direction of the seat. The tilt mechanism includes:
A first shaft portion is provided along a seat width direction at a front end portion of the base member in the seat front-rear direction and supports a front end portion of the tilt member in the seat front-rear direction;
a flap member that is disposed between the base member and the tilt member, is supported rotatably about a second shaft portion provided along the seat width direction, and when a first lock state that restricts rotation about the second shaft portion is released, a free end portion abuts against the tilt member to tilt the tilt member and supports the tilt member;
a first biasing member provided on the flap member and biasing the flap member in a direction to rotate the flap member around the second shaft portion;
The armrest of claim 1 , comprising: The tilt mechanism includes:
a third shaft portion provided in a seat width direction and enabling the tilt member and the horizontal member to rotate relatively;
a link member having one end in a longitudinal direction attached to a base member side and the other end in a longitudinal direction attached to the third shaft portion side, the link member changing an angle between the horizontal member and the tilt member about the third shaft portion in response to the movement of the tilt member which moves between the initial state and the tilt state by the tilt mechanism, and disposing the horizontal member so as to be approximately parallel to the base member;
The armrest of claim 3 further comprising: a base that is provided with a fourth shaft portion that is provided along a seat up-down direction and that supports the base member so as to be rotatable around the fourth shaft portion;
a rotation mechanism that allows the base member to rotate about the fourth shaft portion when a second lock state that restricts rotation of the base member is released;
The armrest of claim 3 further comprising: an operating member that is operated to release the first locked state;
A second biasing member that biases the operating member in a direction to return the operating member to its initial state;
The armrest of claim 3 further comprising: the operation member is a pressing member provided at a front end portion of the base member in the seat front-rear direction so as to be pressable along the seat front-rear direction,
The armrest according to claim 6, wherein the first lock state is released and a second lock state that restricts rotation of the base member is released when the pressing member is pressed. The tilt mechanism includes:
a slider that is provided along a seat up-down direction, the slider being disposed between a base that supports the base member rotatably around the fourth shaft and the base member, and that moves along a seat front-rear direction together with the pressing member;
a cam surface formed by the slider and the base member;
a cam member supported by the slider and in contact with the cam surface;
a third biasing member that biases the cam member in a direction in which the cam member abuts against the cam surface; and
Further comprising:
The armrest according to claim 7, wherein the slider is moved forward in the seat front-rear direction via the cam surface and the cam member by the pressure of the pressing member, thereby releasing the first locked state. When the second lock state that restricts the rotation of the base member is released, the rotation mechanism that allows the base member to rotate around the fourth shaft portion is
a guide portion provided on the slider and formed continuously with a first engaged portion formed along a seat front-rear direction and a second engaged portion formed along a seat width direction at a rear end of the first engaged portion in the seat front-rear direction;
a third engaged portion formed on the base member, having the same shape as the second engaged portion and capable of overlapping with the second engaged portion in a plan view;
an engaging portion engageable with the guide portion and the third engaged portion;
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a computer-implemented ...
The armrest according to claim 8 , wherein the second engaged portion is caused to overlap the third engaged portion in a plan view by the pressing of the pressing member, thereby releasing the second locked state. A vehicle seat equipped with an armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 9.