JP4730067B2 - Seat reclining device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a seat reclining device. Specifically, the seat has a reclining mechanism that adjusts the inclination angle of the seat back of the vehicle seat, and the locking and unlocking state of the reclining mechanism is switched according to the operation state of the release lever disposed on the seat back. The present invention relates to a reclining device.

  Conventionally, as a reclining device that adjusts the inclination angle of a seat back of a vehicle seat, for example, a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is disclosed. In this disclosed technology, reclining mechanisms are provided at positions on the left and right sides of the seat. These reclining mechanisms are connected to a release lever provided at a position such as a shoulder of the seat back via an operation cable. Thus, the reclining mechanism can be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state according to the operation state of the release lever. Specifically, each reclining mechanism is held in a locked state in an initial state before the release lever is operated. Then, by operating the release lever, each operation cable is pulled and each reclining mechanism is switched to the unlocked state.

JP 2000-43625 A

  However, in the above conventional technique, when an abnormal acting force is applied such that the seat back is urged forward in a shocking manner, as in the case of a frontal collision of the vehicle, the unrecognized mechanism is not operated. It may be switched to the locked state. Specifically, for example, there is a case where a release lever is provided at the shoulder position of the seat back and the release operation can be performed by a forward operation. In this case, when the abnormal acting force acts on the seat back, a collision occurs between the release lever having a weight difference and the seat back. As a result, the release lever may be struck forward and the reclining mechanism may be switched to the unlocked state.

  The present invention was devised as a solution to the above-described problems, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is that an abnormal working force is applied such that the seat back is shockedly urged forward. It is intended to prevent the reclining mechanism from being released even when it is in operation, even though it is not operated.

In order to solve the above problems, the seat reclining device of the present invention takes the following means.
First, the first invention has a reclining mechanism that adjusts the inclination angle of the seat back of the vehicle seat, and the locking and unlocking state of the reclining mechanism depends on the operation state of the release lever disposed on the seat back. The release lever is disposed so as to be able to be turned forward and rotated at the shoulder position of the seat back, and is operated to rotate in the forward direction from the initial position state in which the reclining mechanism is held in the locked state. Thus, the reclining mechanism is arranged to be switched to the unlocked state. When the release lever is in the initial position, the release lever engages and locks with a member on the seat back side, and the release lever rotates forward. A lock mechanism is provided to control the operation, and the lock mechanism is switched between locked and unlocked. An operating means that can be operated is provided, and the setting position of the operating means is a position within a range that can be operated by a gripping hand from a gripping part position that is gripped when the release lever is rotated. When the release lever is in the initial position state, it is always held in a state of being engaged and locked with the member on the seat back side, and is switched to the unlocked state by operating the operating means.
According to the first aspect of the invention, when the release lever is in the initial position, its forward rotation is restricted by the lock mechanism. The regulation of forward rotation by the lock mechanism is released by operating the operating means. This operation means can be operated by a gripping hand holding the release lever. In other words, the operation of the operating means and the forward turning operation of the release lever can be performed with one hand operation.

Next, a second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention described above, the operation means is a push button that can be pushed in by a gripping hand that holds the release lever.
According to the second aspect of the invention, the push button can be pushed in as the release lever is gripped.

Next, a third invention is characterized in that, in the second invention described above, the push button is arranged on an upper side surface of a release lever which can be pushed by a thumb of a gripping hand.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the push button can be pressed with a thumb that is easy to apply force when gripping the release lever.

The present invention can obtain the following effects by taking the above-described means.
First, according to the first aspect of the invention, since the forward rotation of the release lever can be restricted, the reclining is performed when an abnormal working force is applied that impacts the seat back in a forward direction. It is possible to prevent the mechanism from being released even though the lock state is not operated. Further, a series of operations for moving the release lever forward and rotating can be easily performed by one-hand operation.
Furthermore, according to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to release the rotation restriction of the release lever by a simple operation.
Furthermore, according to the third aspect, it becomes easy to perform the release operation of the rotation restriction of the release lever.

  Embodiments of the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of the seat reclining device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of the seat reclining device, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a state before and after operation of the release lever 20, and FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing structures of the release lever 20 and the lock mechanism 30. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state before and after the operation of the lock mechanism 30.

The seat 1 of this embodiment is applied as a rear seat of a vehicle. As shown well in FIG. 1, the seat 1 includes a seat back 2 serving as a seat back portion and a seat cushion 3 serving as a seat portion. And the reclining mechanism 10 which can adjust the inclination angle of the seat back 2 is provided in the position of the both right and left sides of the seat 1.
The reclining mechanism 10 is connected to a release lever 20 disposed at the shoulder position of the seat back 2 by an operation cable (not shown). Thereby, the reclining mechanism 10 can be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state in accordance with the operation state of the release lever 20. Further, the reclining mechanism 10 is assembled with a spring member 12 that urges the reclining mechanism 10 toward the operation direction in the locked state. Thereby, the reclining mechanism 10 is always switched to the locked state and held before the release lever 20 is operated.
Further, the release lever 20 can be turned by a turning shaft 22 b parallel to the turning shaft 11 in the reclining mechanism 10. The release lever 20 is urged to rotate in the rear raising direction Re shown in FIG. 1 by the action of the urging force via the operation cable, and is urged at the initial position before the operation indicated by the solid line. Is retained. Then, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 1, the reclining mechanism 10 is switched from the locked state to the unlocked state by rotating the release lever 20 in the forward direction Fr against the urging force. Thereby, the seat back 2 is in a state in which the tilt angle can be adjusted. In this state, the seatback 2 can rotate in the forward direction Fr about the rotation axis 11 in the reclining mechanism 10 or in the reverse direction (the same direction as the backward movement direction Re).
Incidentally, the release lever 20 is provided with a lock mechanism 30 that engages and locks a member on the seat back 2 side when the release lever 20 is in the initial position. The lock mechanism 30 is connected to a push-type push button 34 that is disposed so as to protrude from the upper side surface 21 a of the release lever 20. Thereby, the lock mechanism 30 can be switched between a locked state and an unlocked state in accordance with the operation state of the push button 34. Here, the lock mechanism 30 is normally urged toward the operation direction in the locked state. Therefore, when the release lever 20 is in the initial position, the lock mechanism 30 automatically engages and locks with the member on the seat back 2 side. As a result, the release lever 20 is held in a state where its forward rotation is restricted. The locked state of the lock mechanism 30 can be switched to the unlocked state by performing an operation of pressing the push button 34. Thereby, the release lever 20 is released from the rotation restriction by the lock mechanism 30 and can be rotated in the forward direction Fr.
Hereafter, each said structural member is demonstrated in detail.

First, as shown in FIG. 3, the release lever 20 includes a resin handle 21 serving as a grip and a metal arm 22 attached thereto.
Specifically, the handle portion 21 is entirely formed in a hollow shape, and a partition wall 21b is formed inside the hollow portion. The partition wall 21b partitions the internal space of the handle portion 21 into an inner side and an outer side. And, assembly parts such as the arm portion 22 and the lock mechanism 30 are arranged inside the partition wall 21b. Thereby, the internal structure of the handle | steering-wheel part 21 is covered with respect to the exterior. Further, as well shown in FIG. 2, the outer portion of the partitioned handle portion 21 is a gripping portion 21 c into which a gripping hand H that grips the release lever 20 can be put. Here, the handle portion 21 can be inserted from the index finger to the little finger of the gripping hand H in the gripping portion 21c described above. At this time, the thumb Ht of the gripping hand H is hung on the upper side surface 21 a of the handle portion 21.
Next, as well shown in FIG. 2, the arm portion 22 is formed in a shape that is bent into a jaw shape and protrudes rearward. As is well shown in FIG. 3, the upper end portion of the arm portion 22 is integrally fixed to the inner side surface of the partition wall 21b. And as FIG. 4 shows well, the site | part of the lower end side of the arm part 22 is connected by the rotating shaft 22b so that rotation is possible. The pivot shaft 22b is supported by a back frame (not shown) that forms the skeleton of the seat back 2. The arm portion 22 is hooked with the aforementioned operation cable (not shown), and is urged to rotate in the rear raising direction Re shown in FIG. As a result, the release lever 20 is always biased and held at the rotation restricting position where the release lever 20 comes into contact with the panel 2a fixed integrally with the back frame. That is, the release lever 20 is in the initial position when in the rotation restricting position.
As shown by the phantom line in FIG. 1, the release lever 20 can be rotated in the forward direction Fr against the urging force by pushing the push button 34. Therefore, by operating the release lever 20 forward, the operation cable (not shown) connected to the arm portion 22 can be pulled, and the reclining mechanism 10 can be remotely operated to be switched to the unlocked state. Further, the release lever 20 is urged in the backward raising direction Re by turning off the forward operation, and rotates. As a result, the release lever 20 is returned to the previous rotation restriction position (solid line position).

Next, the lock mechanism 30 includes an arm member 31, a torsion spring 32, a connecting rod 33, and a push-down button 34, as well shown in FIG.
Specifically, the arm member 31 has a hook-shaped hook portion 31b at one end in the longitudinal direction, and is rotatably connected to the arm portion 22 by a rotation shaft 31a. Here, the rotation shaft 31a is arranged in parallel with the rotation shaft 22b of the arm portion 22, as well shown in FIG. The arm member 31 is urged to rotate in the clockwise direction shown in FIG. 4 (the same direction as the rear raising direction Re) by a torsion spring 32 disposed between the arm member 22 and the arm member 22. This turning biasing direction is an operation direction in which the hook portion 31b is engaged with the striker 2b fixed integrally with the back frame (not shown). Therefore, when the release lever 20 is in the initial position state (shown state), the arm member 31 automatically engages the hook portion 31b with the striker 2b. As a result, the release lever 20 is engaged and locked to the seat back 2, and is held in a state in which the rotation in the forward direction Fr is restricted. Here, the striker 2b corresponds to a member on the seat back side in the present invention.
Next, as well shown in FIG. 3, the connecting rod 33 connects the push button 34 disposed on the upper side surface 21 a of the handle portion 21 and the latching portion 31 c at the other end of the arm member 31. ing. Specifically, the lower end of the connecting rod 33 is pivotally connected to the latching portion 31 c of the arm member 31. The upper end is screwed to the push button 34 and fixed integrally.
Next, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 4, the push button 34 is normally in a position projecting from the upper side surface 21 a of the handle portion 21 due to the urging force of the torsion spring 32 via the connecting rod 33. Energized. Therefore, as shown by the solid line in the figure, the arm member 31 can be rotated counterclockwise by performing an operation of pushing the push button 34 against the above urging. Thereby, the hook part 31b in the engagement state with the striker 2b can be removed, and the engagement lock state of the lock mechanism 30 can be released. Then, when the engagement lock state of the lock mechanism 30 is released, the release lever 20 can be rotated in the forward direction Fr.

  By the way, as well shown in FIG. 2, the set position of the above-described push button 34 is a position where the thumb Ht of the gripping hand H holding the release lever 20 can be hung. Therefore, the push button 34 can be pushed by the thumb Ht of the gripping hand H that holds the release lever 20.

  With the above configuration, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the release lever 20 is always moved forward by the lock mechanism 30 and cannot be rotated before the release lever 20 performs the pushing operation of the push button 34 in the initial position state. Are locked. Therefore, for example, even when an abnormal acting force is applied such that the release lever 20 is shockedly biased in the forward direction Fr as in a vehicle collision, the release lever 20 is held so as not to be rotationally displaced in the forward direction Fr. Is done. This prevents a situation where the reclining mechanism 10 is switched to the unlocked state even when the reclining mechanism 10 is not operated.

Subsequently, a method of using the present invention will be described.
That is, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the reclining mechanism 10 is in a locked state at all times before the release lever 20 performs the pushing operation of the push button 34 in the initial position state. Therefore, first, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, the gripping hand H is put on the gripping part 21 c of the release lever 20, and the thumb Ht of the gripping hand H is hooked on the pressing button 34 to perform the pushing operation. As a result, the lock mechanism 30 is switched to the unlocked state as represented by the solid line state in FIG. As a result, the release lever 20 is in a state where it can be rotated in the forward direction Fr. Therefore, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 2, the reclining mechanism 10 (see FIG. 1) can be switched to the unlocked state by rotating the release lever 20 in the forward direction Fr with the gripping hand H.
The release lever 20 is automatically returned to the initial position state indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 by stopping the rotation operation in the forward direction Fr. Along with this, the lock mechanism 30 is automatically switched to the locked state, and the release lever 20 is again engaged and locked to the seat back 2. Specifically, as well shown in FIG. 3, the hook portion 31 b of the arm member 31 has a shape inclined rearward, so that the inclined shape crosses the striker 2 b and elastically engages with this.

  Thus, according to the seat reclining device of the present embodiment, the forward rotation of the release lever 20 can be regulated by the lock mechanism 30, so that the seat back 2 is impacted in the forward direction Fr. Even if an abnormal acting force is applied, it is possible to prevent the reclining mechanism 10 from being released even though the locked state is not operated. In addition, the arrangement of the push button 34 makes it possible to easily perform a series of operations for moving the release lever 20 forward and backward with one hand. Since the push button 34 can be pushed by a thumb Ht that is easy to apply force, the operation can be easily performed.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described with one example, the present invention can be implemented in various forms in addition to the above example.
For example, the setting position of the push button is not limited to the position of the range operated by the thumb of the gripping hand, and may be the position of the range operated by another finger. However, it should be noted that this operation is difficult to perform if the finger is set at a position where the force is relatively difficult to enter, such as a little finger.
The operation means for switching the lock mechanism is not limited to the push button shown in the above embodiment. For example, various operation mechanisms that can be operated by a gripping hand, such as a switching lever and a sliding knob, can be employed.

It is a perspective view showing an outline of a seat reclining device. It is the perspective view which expanded and represented the state before and behind operation of a cancellation | release lever. It is a disassembled perspective view showing the structure of a release lever and a lock mechanism. It is a side view showing the state before and behind the action | operation of a locking mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

1 seat 2 seat back 2a panel 2b striker (member on the seat back side)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Seat cushion 10 Reclining mechanism 11 Rotating shaft 12 Spring member 20 Release lever 21 Handle part 21a Upper side surface 21b Partition wall 21c Holding part 22 Arm part 22b Rotating shaft 30 Lock mechanism 31 Arm member 31a Rotating shaft 31b Hook part 31c Stop 32 Torsion spring 33 Connecting rod 34 Press button Fr Forward direction Re Back-up direction H Gripping hand Ht Thumb

Claims (3)

A seat reclining device having a reclining mechanism for adjusting a tilt angle of a seat back of a vehicle seat, wherein a locking and unlocking state of the reclining mechanism is switched in accordance with an operation state of a release lever provided in the seat back Because
The release lever is disposed so as to be capable of being forward-turned and rotated at the shoulder position of the seat back. It is arranged to switch to the locked state,
The release lever is provided with a lock mechanism that engages and locks with a member on the seat back side when the release lever is in the initial position, and restricts the forward rotation of the release lever. Operation means that can be switched to the locked and unlocked state are provided,
The setting position of the operating means is a position within a range that can be operated by a gripping hand from a gripping part position gripped when the release lever is rotated.
The lock mechanism is normally held in an engaged and locked state with the member on the seat back side when the release lever is in the initial position state, and is switched to the unlocked state by operating the operating means. A seat reclining device. The seat reclining device according to claim 1,
The seat reclining device, wherein the operation means is a push button that can be pushed in by a gripping hand that holds the release lever. The seat reclining device according to claim 2,
The seat reclining device, wherein the push button is arranged on an upper surface of the release lever that can be pushed by a thumb of a gripping hand.

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