JP7016241B2 - Vehicle seat reclining lock release device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a reclining lock release device for a vehicle seat.

Conventionally, as an operation lever for unlocking the reclining of a vehicle seat, an operation lever having two operation arms extending in the front-rear direction below the center of rotation is known (for example, Patent Document 1). ..

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-80994

In the above-mentioned prior art, since both of the two operating arms are located below the center of rotation, the center of gravity of the operating lever is positioned downward from the center of rotation. In this case, since the operating lever is easily rotated by the acceleration (inertial force), measures are taken to increase the rotational friction resistance, for example. However, when the rotational friction resistance increases, the resistance increases when the operating lever is operated, so that the required operating torque increases and the operability decreases.

Therefore, one of the problems of the present invention is, for example, to obtain a reclining lock release device for a vehicle seat having an operation lever that is not easily affected by acceleration.

The vehicle seat reclining lock release device of the present invention is, for example, a seat cushion, a reclining lock mechanism fixed to the seat cushion and switching between a locked state and an unlocked state of reclining of the seat back, and rotation to the seat cushion. It is provided with an operation lever that is rotatably supported around the center and unlocks the reclining lock mechanism, and a protrusion, and the operation lever is provided with a base that is rotatably provided around the center of rotation. A first operating arm extending forward from the base below the center of rotation, a second operating arm extending rearward from the base below the center of rotation, and at least one protruding upward from the base. The portion has a weight located above the center of rotation, and the protrusion protrudes from the seat cushion in the axial direction of the center of rotation and penetrates the gap between the weight and the base. It also has a stopper that limits the rotation of the first operating arm and the second operating arm of the operating lever in the operating direction .

In the reclining lock release device for the vehicle seat, for example, the weight includes an arc portion extending along the circumferential direction around the center of rotation.

The reclining lock release device for the vehicle seat includes, for example, a return spring that urges the operation lever in a direction opposite to the operation direction, and the protrusion has a hooking portion for hooking one end of the return spring.

In the reclining lock release device for the vehicle seat, the operating lever protrudes upward from the first operation arm and the second operation arm located below the center of rotation, and at least a part thereof above the center of rotation. It has a positioned weight. Therefore, according to the above configuration, for example, the center of gravity of the operating lever is closer to the center of rotation due to the provision of the weight, so that an operating lever that is not easily affected by acceleration can be obtained.

FIG. 1 is a schematic and exemplary side view showing the operation of the vehicle seat of the embodiment in the slide mode. FIG. 2 is a schematic and exemplary side view showing the operation of the vehicle seat of the embodiment in the reclining mode. FIG. 3 is a schematic and exemplary side view showing the operation of the vehicle seat of the embodiment in the walk-in mode. FIG. 4 is a schematic and exemplary perspective view showing a schematic structure of a seat movable device included in a vehicle seat of an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic and exemplary perspective view showing the schematic structure of the seat movable device included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment, and is a view seen from a direction different from that of FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic and exemplary front view of the reclining lock mechanism and the reclining lock release device included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment as viewed from the right side in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 7 is a schematic and exemplary exploded perspective view of the reclining lock mechanism and the reclining lock release device included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic and exemplary front view of a part of the reclining lock release device included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 6, in which the release lever is positioned at the initial position. It is a figure which shows. FIG. 9 is a schematic and exemplary front view of a part of the reclining lock release device included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment as viewed from the same direction as in FIG. 6, in which the release lever is positioned at the restricted position. It is a figure which shows. FIG. 10 is a schematic and exemplary front view of the reclining lock mechanism and the link mechanism included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment as viewed from the left in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 11 is a schematic and exemplary exploded perspective view of the reclining lock mechanism and the link mechanism included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic and exemplary front view seen from the axial direction of the link member included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a schematic and exemplary perspective view of the link member included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic and exemplary plan view of some of the link members and supports included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a schematic and exemplary front view of a part of the link mechanism included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment as viewed from the same direction as FIG. 10, and shows a state in which the link member is positioned at the initial position. It is a figure. FIG. 16 is a schematic and exemplary front view of a part of the link mechanism included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment as viewed from the same direction as FIG. 10, and shows a state in which the link member is positioned at the restricted position. It is a figure. FIG. 17 is a schematic and exemplary side view of the slide lock mechanism included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment, and is a diagram showing a slide lock state. FIG. 18 is a schematic and exemplary side view of the slide lock mechanism included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment, and is a diagram showing a slide unlock state. FIG. 19 is a schematic and exemplary perspective view of the lower rail, upper rail, and slide lock release device included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment. FIG. 20 is a schematic and exemplary plan view of the lower rail, upper rail, and slide lock release device included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment. FIG. 21 is a schematic and exemplary front view of the lower rail, upper rail, and slide lock release device included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment. FIG. 22 is a schematic and exemplary side view of a part of the slide lock release device included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment, showing a state in which the operating member is positioned at the initial position. FIG. 23 is a schematic and exemplary side view of a part of the slide lock release device included in the vehicle seat of the embodiment, showing a state in which the operating member is positioned at the maximum rotation position.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed. The configurations of the embodiments shown below, as well as the actions and results (effects) brought about by the configurations, are examples. The present invention can also be realized by configurations other than those disclosed in the following embodiments. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain at least one of various effects (including derivative effects) obtained by the configuration. In addition, in this specification, an ordinal number is given for convenience in order to distinguish a part, a part, a position, a direction, etc., and does not indicate a priority order or an order.

Further, in each figure, for convenience, an arrow indicating a direction is shown. The arrow X indicates the front in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, the arrow Y indicates the right side in the vehicle width direction, and the arrow Z indicates the upper direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle. The right side is the right side when the vehicle is viewed in the forward direction.

[Sheet configuration and operation]
1 to 3 are side views of the seat 10 provided in the vehicle, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the operation of the seat 10 in the slide mode, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the operation of the seat 10 in the reclining mode. Further, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the seat 10 in the walk-in mode.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat 10 is configured to be slidable between the front position Psf and the rear position Psb, and among a plurality of positions between the front position Psf and the rear position Psb. It is configured so that it can be fixed to any of. In the present embodiment, the seat 10 is movably supported along a lower rail 13 (rail) extending along the vehicle front-rear direction. The slide lock mechanism (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) switches between a locked state in which the seat 10 cannot be slid and an unlocked state in which the seat 10 can be slidable. In the following, the locked state of the slide lock mechanism is referred to as a slide lock state, and the unlocked state of the slide lock mechanism is referred to as a slide unlock state.

The seat 10 has a seat cushion 11 and a seat back 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the seat back 12 is configured to be movable between the forward tilt position Pif and the backward tilt position Pib, and a plurality of positions between the forward tilt position Pif and the backward tilt position Pib. It is configured so that it can be fixed to any one of them. The forward tilted position Pif may also be referred to as a folded position, and the backward tilted position Pib may also be referred to as an unfolded position. In the present embodiment, the seat back 12 is located below the seat back 12 and is rotatably provided around the rotation center Ax extending along the vehicle width direction, and the inclination angle of the seat back 12 can be changed. Can be set. The reclining lock mechanism (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) has a locked state in which the seat back 12 is immovable with respect to the seat cushion 11 and an unlocked state in which the seat back 12 is movable with respect to the seat cushion 11. Switch between and. In the following, the locked state of the reclining lock mechanism is referred to as a reclining lock state, and the unlocked state of the reclining lock mechanism is referred to as a reclining unlock state.

In this embodiment, the seat 10 can operate in the following three modes relating to sliding and reclining of the seat 10.

[Slide mode: Fig. 1]
In slide mode, the seat 10 slides along the lower rail 13. For example, the slide lock mechanism switches from the slide lock state to the slide unlock state in response to an operation by an occupant of a slide release lever (not shown) provided below and in front of the seat cushion 11. Further, the slide lock mechanism switches from the slide unlock state to the slide lock state in response to the release of the operation of the slide release lever by the occupant.

[Recliner mode: Fig. 2]
In the reclining mode, the seat back 12 rotates around the center of rotation Ax. For example, the reclining lock mechanism is a reclining lock in response to a predetermined operation (for example, a manual pulling operation) by an occupant of the first operation arm (not shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) provided on the side of the seat cushion 11. It switches from the state to the reclining unlocked state. Further, the reclining lock mechanism switches from the reclining unlocked state to the reclining locked state in response to the release of the predetermined operation of the first operating arm by the occupant.

[Walk-in mode: Fig. 3]
In the walk-in mode, the seat 10 slides forward of the vehicle with the seat back 12 tilted forward at a predetermined angle. The reclining lock mechanism switches from the reclining lock state to the reclining unlock state and slide lock in response to a predetermined operation (for example, a push-down operation by a foot or a hand) of the second operation arm (not shown in FIG. 3). The mechanism switches from the slide lock state to the slide unlock state. In the slide unlocked state, the seat 10 can move in the front-rear direction of the vehicle by the urging force by the urging member (not shown) or the input external force. For example, by moving the seat 10 forward in a forward tilted state, a wider route for a person to get on and off the vehicle can be secured.

[Seat movable device]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of the seat movable device 100 that realizes the above three modes, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the seat movable device 100 seen from a direction different from that of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the two lower rails 13 extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and are parallel to each other. The lower rail 13 slidably supports the upper rail 14 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The upper rail 14 supports the cushion base 15, which is a skeleton member of the seat cushion 11. Further, the seat back 12 is rotatably supported by the cushion base 15 around the rotation center Ax. Therefore, as the upper rail 14 moves in the vehicle front-rear direction along the lower rail 13, the seat cushion 11 and the seat back 12, that is, the seat 10 move in the vehicle front-rear direction. The lower rail 13 may also be referred to simply as a rail, and the upper rail 14 may also be referred to as a slider.

Each of the upper rails 14 is provided with a slide lock release device 60. The slide lock release device 60 unlocks the status of the slide lock mechanism 40 that locks the upper rail 14 and thus the seat 10 to the lower rail 13 from the slide lock state in which the upper rail 14 is locked to the lower rail 13. Switch to the slide unlock state. The slide lock mechanism 40 and the slide lock release device 60 will be described later.

Supports 16L and 16R are fixed to the two left and right cushion bases 15L and 15R, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4, the support 16R fixed to the cushion base 15R on the right side is provided with a reclining lock mechanism 20R (20) and a reclining lock release device 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the support 16L fixed to the cushion base 15L on the left side is provided with a reclining lock mechanism 20L (20) and a link mechanism 50. The cushion bases 15L and 15R and the supports 16L and 16R are components of the seat cushion 11. That is, the cushion bases 15L and 15R and the supports 16L and 16R are examples of the seat cushion 11.

The reclining lock release device 30 releases the lock by the reclining lock mechanisms 20L and 20R (20) based on the operation of the release lever 32. Further, the link mechanism 50 pulls a cable (not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) for operating the slide lock release device 60 based on the forward tilt of the seat back 12.

[Recliner lock mechanism and reclining lock release device]
FIG. 6 is a front view of the reclining lock mechanism 20R and the reclining lock release device 30 as viewed from the right in the vehicle width direction, and FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the reclining lock mechanism 20R and the reclining lock release device 30.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the reclining lock mechanism 20R (20) and the reclining lock release device 30 are both attached to the support 16R.

The support 16R has a wall 16a. The wall 16a intersects the vehicle width direction and extends along the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle vertical direction. The wall 16a is provided with a through hole 16b. The edge of the through hole 16b is provided with an uneven shape for positioning the reclining lock mechanism 20R.

The reclining lock mechanism 20R (20) is fixed to the support 16R in a state of being in contact with the inside of the support 16R in the vehicle width direction. The reclining lock mechanism 20R has a base portion 21, a rotating portion 22, a connecting portion (not shown), an operating portion 23, and an operating mechanism (not shown). The base portion 21 is fixed to the support 16R and thus the seat cushion 11. The rotating portion 22 is rotatably provided around the rotation center Ax and is fixed to the seat back 12. The coupling portion moves between the coupling position where the rotating portion 22 is coupled to the base portion 21 and the blocking position where the rotating portion 22 is cut off from the base portion 21. The operation unit 23 is provided so as to be rotatable around the rotation center Ax. The actuating mechanism includes, for example, a cam mechanism, an urging member, etc. (not shown), and when the operating portion 23 is rotated in the direction R11 around the rotation center Ax, the coupling portion is moved to the cutoff position. When the operation unit 23 is rotated in the direction R12, the joint unit is moved to the joint position. The state in which the rotating portion 22 is coupled to the base portion 21 by the coupling portion is the reclining lock state of the reclining lock mechanism 20, and the state in which the rotating portion 22 is not coupled to the base portion 21 by the coupling portion, that is, the rotation. The state in which the moving portion 22 can rotate around the center of rotation Ax is the reclining unlock state of the reclining lock mechanism 20. The direction R11 is referred to as a release direction and is an example of an operation direction. The direction R12 is referred to as a locking direction and is an example of a direction opposite to the operating direction.

The reclining lock release device 30 has a shaft 31, a release lever 32, a return spring 33, and a protrusion 34 as a configuration supported by the support 16R. The reclining lock release device 30 is located to the right of the support 16R in the vehicle width direction, except for a part of the shaft 31.

The shaft 31 penetrates the reclining lock mechanism 20R and rotates integrally with the operation unit 23 of the reclining lock mechanism 20R. The release lever 32 is fixed to the shaft 31. Therefore, the release lever 32 is connected to the operation unit 23 via the shaft 31. The shaft 31 and the release lever 32 rotate around the rotation center Ax integrally with the operation unit 23. The return spring 33 urges the shaft 31, the release lever 32, and the operation unit 23 in the direction of returning to the initial position, that is, in the direction R12 around the rotation center Ax. A hooking portion 31a having a notch for hooking the return spring 33 is provided at the tip portion of the shaft 31 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The return spring 33 is an example of an urging member.

The ridge 34 is fixed to the support 16R. The protrusion 34 has a partially cylindrical peripheral wall 34a extending along the circumferential direction around the center of rotation Ax. The outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 34a functions as a guide for a spiral spring that urges the seat back 12 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) in the forward tilting direction around the rotation center Ax. The peripheral wall 34a is provided with a hooking portion 34b having a notch for hooking the spiral spring. Further, the protruding wall 34 is provided with a hooking portion 34c having a notch for hooking one end of the return spring 33.

The shape of the release lever 32 is a plate shape, and the release lever 32 extends so as to intersect the vehicle width direction. The release lever 32 has a base 32a, a first operation arm 32b, a second operation arm 32c, and a weight arm 32d. The release lever 32 is an example of an operation lever.

The base 32a is provided with a through hole 32e through which the shaft 31 penetrates. At the edge of the through hole 32e, a mounting angle around the rotation center Ax with respect to the shaft 31 such as a straight line portion or an uneven portion is determined, and a positioning shape in which the shaft 31 and the release lever 32 are interlocked in directions R11 and R12 (positioning shape). (Not shown) may be provided.

The first operating arm 32b extends forward from the base 32a while bending below the center of rotation Ax. The input operation to the first operation arm 32b is a pull-up operation by a occupant seated on the seat 10 (see FIGS. 1 to 3), and the pull-up operation causes the release lever 32 to rotate in the direction R11. The first operating arm 32b may also be referred to as a pulling arm or a reclining arm.

The second operating arm 32c extends rearward from the base 32a below the rotation center Ax. The input operation to the second operation arm 32c is a push-down by the foot of a person who is not seated on the seat 10 provided with the reclining lock release device 30, and the push-down operation causes the release lever 32 to rotate in the direction R11. Move. The second operation arm 32c may also be referred to as a push-down arm or a walk-in arm.

The weight arm 32d projects upward from the front and upper ends of the base 32a. The weight arm 32d has an arc portion 32d1 extending in an arc shape along the circumferential direction of the rotation center Ax. An arc-shaped notch 32f extending along the circumferential direction of the rotation center Ax is provided between the weight arm 32d (arc portion 32d1) and the base 32a. The peripheral wall 34a of the protrusion 34 penetrates the notch 32f in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the peripheral wall 34a is housed in the notch 32f. The weight arm 32d is an example of a weight. Further, the notch 32f is an example of a gap and may also be referred to as an opening.

8 and 9 are front views of a part of the reclining lock release device 30 as viewed from the same direction as FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the release lever 32 is positioned at the initial position P1i. , FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the release lever 32 is positioned at the limiting position P1e.

By pulling up the first operating arm 32b or pushing down the second operating arm 32c, the release lever 32 can rotate by a predetermined angle from the initial position P1i in FIG. 8 to the direction R11. The rotation of the release lever 32 in the direction R11 causes the shaft 31 and the operation unit 23 (see FIG. 7) to rotate in the direction R11.

The release lever 32 can rotate in the direction R11 until it is located at the restricted position P1e in FIG. At the restricted position P1e, the end 32f1 (edge) of the direction R12 of the notch 32f is in contact with the end 34d of the direction R12 of the protrusion 34 (see also FIG. 7). In other words, the end portion 34d is in contact with the end portion 32f1 to limit the rotation of the release lever 32 in the direction R11. That is, the end portion 34d functions as a stopper that limits the rotation range of the release lever 32 in the direction R11. The end portion 34d is an example of a stopper.

In the reclining lock mechanism 20R, the release lever 32 rotates in the direction R11 and is positioned at the reclining lock release position (not shown) between the initial position P1i (see FIG. 8) and the limiting position P1e (see FIG. 9). At that time, the state transitions from the reclining locked state to the reclining unlocked state. When the operating force in the direction R11 toward the release lever 32 is released, the release lever 32 rotates (returns) in the direction R12 due to the urging force of the return spring 33, whereby the reclining lock mechanism 20R is reclined. Transition (return) from the locked state to the reclining locked state.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shaft 31 is connected to the shaft 35 via the connecting shaft 37. Therefore, the rotation of the release lever 32 is also transmitted to another reclining lock mechanism 20L via the shaft 31, the connecting shaft 37, and the shaft 35. That is, the reclining lock mechanism 20L operates in conjunction with the reclining lock mechanism 20R.

Here, in the release lever 32 (operation lever) of the present embodiment, the weight arm 32d (weight) protrudes upward from the base 32a at least at the initial position P1i, and at least a part of the weight arm 32d is located above the rotation center Ax. It is located above. As described above, the first operation arm 32b and the second operation arm 32c are located below the rotation center Ax. Therefore, if the release lever 32 does not have the weight arm 32d, the center of gravity of the release lever 32 will be farther downward from the rotation center Ax. In such a configuration, when the center of gravity of the release lever 32 is accelerated forward or backward in a state where the first operation arm 32b and the second operation arm 32c are not operated (initial position P1i), the first operation is performed. Even though the operation arm 32b and the second operation arm 32c are not operated, the release lever 32 is easily rotated by the acceleration (inertial force). In such a case, for example, measures are taken to increase the rotational friction resistance of the release lever 32. However, in the configuration in which the countermeasure is taken, the resistance increases when a person operates, so that the operation torque increases and the operability deteriorates.

In this respect, in the reclining lock release device 30 of the present embodiment, the release lever 32 is provided with a weight arm 32d protruding upward from the base 32a. According to the present embodiment, since the center of gravity of the release lever 32 is located higher, that is, closer to the rotation center Ax due to the provision of the weight arm 32d, the release lever 32 is used when the weight arm 32d is not provided. In comparison, it becomes difficult to rotate due to acceleration (inertial force). Therefore, according to the present embodiment, for example, it is possible to suppress the unintentional rotation of the release lever 32 due to the acting acceleration. Further, according to the present embodiment, for example, with a relatively simple configuration, the release lever 32 unintentionally rotates due to the acceleration acting during non-operation while avoiding the inconvenience of increasing the operating force. Can be suppressed. That is, according to the present embodiment, for example, it is possible to secure operability in a normal state and suppress unintentional rotation due to acceleration by a relatively simple configuration.

Further, in the present embodiment, the weight arm 32d includes an arc portion 32d1 extending along the circumferential direction of the rotation center Ax. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, for example, it is possible to prevent the weight arm 32d and thus the release lever 32 from becoming larger in the radial direction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the protrusion 34 is fixed to the support 16R and penetrates the notch 32f (gap) between the base 32a of the release lever 32 and the weight arm 32d in the axial direction. Further, the end portion 34d of the protruding wall 34 functions as a stopper that limits the rotation range of the release lever 32 in the direction R11. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, for example, the stopper can be provided by using the notch 32f, so that the reclining lock release device 30 can be used as compared with the configuration in which the stopper is provided at a position different from that of the notch 32f. It can be configured compactly or more simply.

Further, in the present embodiment, the protrusion 34 has a hooking portion 34c for hooking the return spring 33. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, for example, since the hooking portion 34c can be provided by using the protruding wall 34, the reclining lock is compared with the configuration in which the hooking portion is provided at a position different from the protruding wall 34. The release device 30 can be configured more compactly or more simply.

Further, in the present embodiment, the protrusion 34 has a peripheral wall 34a along the circumferential direction. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the flexural rigidity and the torsional rigidity of the peripheral wall 34a can be made higher than, for example, as compared with the case where the peripheral wall 34a is configured straight. Further, according to the present embodiment, for example, the peripheral wall 34a suppresses interference with a guide, a positioning portion, or another component of a spiral spring (not shown) arranged radially outward of the peripheral wall 34a. Can act as a barrier. Further, according to the present embodiment, for example, the peripheral wall 34a extends along the arc portion 32d1 of the weight arm 32d, so that the weight arm 32d and the peripheral wall 34a can be arranged more compactly.

Further, in the present embodiment, the weight arm 32d projects upward from the base 32a at a position distant from the rotation center Ax in the vehicle front-rear direction. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, for example, almost the entire area of the weight arm 32d contributes to the position of the center of gravity of the release lever 32 above.

[Link mechanism]
FIG. 10 is a front view of the reclining lock mechanism 20L and the link mechanism 50 as viewed from the left in the vehicle width direction, and FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the reclining lock mechanism 20L and the link mechanism 50.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the reclining lock mechanism 20L (20) and the link mechanism 50 are both attached to the support 16L.

The support 16L has a wall 16a. The wall 16a intersects the vehicle width direction and extends along the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle vertical direction. The wall 16a is provided with a through hole 16b. The edge of the through hole 16b is provided with an uneven shape for positioning the reclining lock mechanism 20L. The wall 16a is an example of a standing wall.

The reclining lock mechanism 20L (20) is fixed to the support 16L in a state of being in contact with the inside of the support 16L in the vehicle width direction. Similar to the reclining lock mechanism 20R, the reclining lock mechanism 20L moves the joint portion to the cutoff position when the operation unit 23 is rotated in the direction R11 around the rotation center Ax, and the operation unit 23 moves to the direction R12. If it is rotated, the joint is moved to the joint position. In this case, the structure of the reclining lock mechanism 20L and the structure of the reclining lock mechanism 20R are, for example, in a mirror image relationship.

The reclining lock release device 30 has a shaft 35, a return spring 36, and a protrusion 53 (hooking portion 53c) as a configuration supported by the support 16L. The reclining lock release device 30 is located to the left of the support 16L in the vehicle width direction, except for a part of the shaft 35.

The shaft 35 penetrates the reclining lock mechanism 20L and rotates integrally with the operating portion 23 of the reclining lock mechanism 20L. The shaft 35 rotates around the rotation center Ax integrally with the operation unit 23. The return spring 36 urges the shaft 35 and the operating portion 23 in the direction of returning to the initial position, that is, in the direction R12 around the rotation center Ax. A hooking portion 35a having a notch for hooking the return spring 36 is provided at the tip portion of the shaft 35 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The return spring 36 is an example of an urging member.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shaft 35 is connected to the shaft 31 via the connecting shaft 37. Therefore, the shaft 35 and the operation unit 23 rotate in the direction R11 around the rotation center Ax via the connecting shaft 37 by operating the release lever 32, and urge the return spring 36 (and the shaft 31). The urging force of the return spring 33) rotates in the direction R12 around the center of rotation Ax. That is, since the shafts 31 and 35 are connected by the connecting shaft 37, the reclining lock mechanism 20L operates in conjunction with the reclining lock mechanism 20R.

The link mechanism 50 has a link member 51, a return spring 52, a protrusion 53, and a bracket 54. The link mechanism 50 is located to the left of the support 16L in the vehicle width direction.

The link member 51 is rotatably supported around the center of rotation Ax by the shaft 35. When the seat back 12 (see FIGS. 1 to 3) is tilted forward by a predetermined angle or more, the link member 51 is pushed in the forward tilt direction by the pressing member 12a (see FIG. 10) fixed to the seat back 12. , Rotate. Here, the forward tilting direction of the seat back 12 around the rotation center Ax is the direction R12. Therefore, the link member 51 is pushed by the pressing member 12a and rotates in the direction R12.

The forward tilt of the seat back 12 by a predetermined angle or more is accompanied by a push-down operation of the second operation arm 32c (walk-in arm) of the release lever 32 by a person's foot or hand while the occupant is not seated on the seat 10. , The reclining lock mechanism 20 is in the reclining unlocked state, and the seat back 12 is urged in the forward tilting direction by the spiral spring. That is, the link member 51 rotates in the walk-in mode described above. The link member 51 pulls the inner wire 71 of the cable 70 connected to the slide lock release device 60 as the seat back 12 tilts forward. The slide lock release device 60 transitions from the slide lock state to the slide unlock state by the pulling of the inner wire 71 by the link member 51. That is, the link mechanism 50 is a mechanism that allows the seat 10 to move in the front-rear direction based on the forward tilt of the seat 10 in the walk-in mode described above.

The ridge 53 is fixed to the support 16L. The protrusion 53 has a partially cylindrical peripheral wall 53a extending along the circumferential direction around the center of rotation Ax. The outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 53a functions as a guide for a spiral spring that urges the seat back 12 around the rotation center Ax in the forward tilting direction. The peripheral wall 53a is provided with a hooking portion 53b having a notch for hooking the spiral spring. The protrusion 53 is provided with a hooking portion 53c having a notch for hooking the return spring 36. Further, the peripheral wall 53a is provided with a hooking portion 53d having a notch for hooking the return spring 52.

The bracket 54 is fixed to the support 16L and projects rearward from the support 16L. The bracket 54 is provided with a hooking portion 54a having a notch for hooking the outer tube 72 of the cable 70. The bracket 54 may be provided integrally with the protrusion 53.

12 is a front view of the link member 51 as viewed from the axial direction, FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the link member 51, and FIG. 14 is a plan view of a part of the link member 51 and the support 16L. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the link member 51 extends so as to intersect the vehicle width direction. Further, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the shape of the link member 51 is plate-shaped. The link member 51 has a base 51a, an output arm 51b, and an input arm 51c.

The base 51a is provided with a through hole 51d through which the shaft 35 penetrates. The link member 51 and the shaft 35 are not interlocked with each other and rotate independently of each other.

The output arm 51b has a first extension portion 51b1 and a first protrusion 51b2. Both the first extending portion 51b1 and the first protruding portion 51b2 extend (extend) so as to intersect the vehicle width direction. The first extension 51b1 extends rearward from the lower part of the base 51a. That is, the first extension portion 51b1 extends in a direction away from the rotation center Ax. The output arm 51b is located at the tip (rear end) of the first extension 51b1 and is curved approximately 90 ° upward at the bending portion 51b3 away from the rotation center Ax, and the first protrusion 51b2 extends upward. ing. The upper part of the bent portion 51b3 is substantially along the direction R12. That is, the output arm 51b is bent in the direction R12 at the bent portion 51b3, and the first protruding portion 51b2 is projected toward the direction R12 from a position away from the rotation center Ax of the first extending portion 51b1. The extending direction of the first extending portion 51b1 may be a direction away from the rotation center Ax, and is not limited to the rear direction. Further, the projecting direction of the first projecting portion 51b2 may be substantially along the direction R12, and is not limited to the upward direction.

Due to the bent shape of the output arm 51b, a substantially U-shaped notch 51e1 is provided between the base 51a and the output arm 51b.

The first protruding portion 51b2 is provided with a through hole 51b4 that penetrates in the axial direction. The through hole 51b4 may also be referred to as an opening. As shown in FIG. 11, a hook 71a provided at the tip of the inner wire 71 of the cable 70 is hooked on the edge 51b5 (lower edge in this embodiment) of the through hole 51b4. The edge 51b5 is an example of a hooking portion. The hook 71a is an example of an end portion. The hook 71a and the inner wire 71 hooked on the edge 51b5 extend in the direction R11.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the through hole 51b4 is provided in the first protruding portion 51b2 protruding from the bent portion 51b3 in the direction R12. Therefore, as is clear from FIG. 10, a part of the bent portion 51b3 and the first protruding portion 51b2 (the region indicated by the broken line G in FIG. 10) is located adjacent to the through hole 51b4 and the direction R11 and penetrates. It overlaps with the hook 71a caught on the edge 51b5 of the hole 51b4 in the axial direction, and can function as a guide for the hook 71a. That is, a part of the bent portion 51b3 and the first protruding portion 51b2 is an example of the guide portion. Further, in the present embodiment, a flat surface 51b6 facing the hook 71a is provided from the first protruding portion 51b2 to the bent portion 51b3. The plane 51b6 extends so as to intersect the axial direction. With such a configuration, the hook 71a can move along the plane 51b6 with the movement of the link member 51. The plane 51b6 may be referred to as a guide surface or a sliding surface.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a step 51b7 is provided between the first extending portion 51b1 and the bending portion 51b3 and the first protruding portion 51b2 of the output arm 51b. Due to the stepped shape of the output arm 51b, the bent portion 51b3 and the first protruding portion 51b2 are positioned farther from the wall 16a of the support 16L than the first extending portion 51b1. In other words, the gap between the bent portion 51b3 and the first protruding portion 51b2 and the wall 16a is larger than the gap between the first extending portion 51b1 and the wall 16a.

As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the output arm 51b is provided with a reinforcing portion 51f1 extending from the first extending portion 51b1 to the bent portion 51b3. The reinforcing portion 51f1 is, for example, a portion substantially central in the width direction of the output arm 51b that protrudes convexly in the axial direction and extends along the longitudinal direction of the output arm 51b. However, the reinforcing portion 51f1 may have a configuration in which the edge in the width direction of the output arm 51b is bent in the axial direction. The reinforcing portion 51f1 is provided so as to straddle the step 51b7. Except for the step 51b7 and the reinforcing portion 51f1, the first extending portion 51b1, the bent portion 51b3, and the first protruding portion 51b2 all intersect (orthogonally) the axial direction. The reinforcing portion 51f1 is an example of the first reinforcing portion.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the edge 51b5 of the through hole 51b4 in the first protruding portion 51b2 is recessed from the flat surface 51b6 and protrudes in a direction approaching the wall 16a of the support 16L over the entire circumference thereof. ing. If the edge 51b5 of the through hole 51b4 protrudes from the flat surface 51b6, it becomes difficult for the hook 71a to follow the flat surface 51b6. In this respect, in the present embodiment, since the edge 51b5 of the through hole 51b4 is recessed in the flat surface 51b6, the hook 71a can be stably contacted by the flat surface 51b6. Further, since the edge 51b5 projects to the opposite side of the flat surface 51b6, there is an advantage that the rattling of the hook 71a is reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the input arm 51c has a second extension portion 51c1 and a second protrusion 51c2. Both the second extending portion 51c1 and the second protruding portion 51c2 extend (extend) so as to intersect the vehicle width direction. The second extension 51c1 extends forward from the lower part of the base 51a. That is, the second extension 51c1 extends toward the side opposite to the first extension 51b1 of the output arm 51b. The first extension 51b1 and the second extension 51c1 are aligned substantially in a straight line. The input arm 51c is located at the tip (front end) of the second extension 51c1 and is curved approximately 90 ° upward at the bending portion 51c3 away from the rotation center Ax, and the second protrusion 51c2 extends upward. There is. The upper part of the bent portion 51c3 is substantially along the direction R11. That is, the input arm 51c bends in the direction R11 at the bent portion 51c3, and the second protruding portion 51c2 protrudes toward the direction R11 from a position away from the rotation center Ax of the second extending portion 51c1. The extending direction of the second extending portion 51c1 may be a direction away from the rotation center Ax and different from the extending direction of the first extending portion 51b1, and is opposite to the extending direction of the first extending portion 51b1. And not limited to the front. Further, the projecting direction of the second projecting portion 51c2 may be substantially along the direction R11, and is not limited to the upward direction.

Due to the bent shape of the input arm 51c, a substantially U-shaped notch 51e2 is provided between the base 51a and the input arm 51c.

The second protruding portion 51c2 is provided with an end portion 51c4 extending in the radial direction. The end portion 51c4 is pressed by the pressing member 12a (see FIG. 10). In other words, the second protruding portion 51c2 comes into contact with the seat back 12 tilted forward. The end portion 51c4 may be referred to as a pressed portion or an input portion.

Further, the input arm 51c is provided with a reinforcing portion 51f2 that extends from the second extending portion 51c1 to the second protruding portion 51c2 via the bent portion 51c3. The reinforcing portion 51f2 is, for example, a portion substantially central in the width direction of the input arm 51c that protrudes convexly in the axial direction and extends along the longitudinal direction of the input arm 51c. However, the reinforcing portion 51f2 may have a configuration in which the edge in the width direction of the input arm 51c is bent in the axial direction. The second extending portion 51c1, the bent portion 51c3, and the second protruding portion 51c2 all intersect (orthogonally) the axial direction. The reinforcing portion 51f2 is an example of the second reinforcing portion.

Further, the link member 51 is provided with a hooking portion 51g having a notch for hooking the return spring 52.

15 and 16 are front views of a part of the link mechanism 50 seen from the same direction as FIG. 10, and FIG. 15 is a view showing a state in which the link member 51 is positioned at the initial position P2i. 16 is a diagram showing a state in which the link member 51 is positioned at the restricted position P2e.

As the seat back 12 tilts forward, the end portion 51c4 is pressed from the pressing member 12a (see FIGS. 10 and 16), so that the link member 51 can rotate by a predetermined angle from the initial position P2i to the direction R12. .. The inner wire 71 hooked on the edge 51b5 of the through hole 51b4 is pulled upward by the rotation of the link member 51 in the direction R12.

The link member 51 can rotate in the direction R12 until it is located at the restricted position P2e in FIG. At the restricted position P2e, the pressing member 12a is in contact with the upper and front end 16c (see FIGS. 10 and 16) of the support 16L. The link member 51 is urged in the direction R11 by being pulled by the inner wire 71. Therefore, the end portion 16c functions as an indirect stopper that limits the rotation range of the link member 51 in the direction R12 by coming into contact with the pressing member 12a. The link member 51 is urged in the direction R12 by the return spring 52. As a result, the slack of the inner wire 71 is eliminated, and the hook 71a is maintained in a state of being caught by the end of the direction R11 of the edge 51b5 of the through hole 51b4.

The slide lock release device 60 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) shifts the slide lock mechanism 40 from the slide lock state to the slide unlock state in response to the pulling of the inner wire 71 by the link member 51. When the link member 51 is positioned at the slide lock release position (not shown) between the initial position P2i (see FIG. 15) and the limit position P2e (see FIG. 16), the slide lock mechanism 40 is released from the slide lock state. Transition to the slide unlock state.

Due to an external input to the seat back 12, the seat back 12 tilts backward against the urging force of the spiral spring (not shown), the contact of the pressing member 12a with the end portion 16c is eliminated, and the pressing member 12a becomes When separated from the end portion 16c, the link member 51 is pulled by the inner wire 71 to rotate in the direction R11 and return to the initial position P2i (see FIG. 15). At this time, the slide lock mechanism 40 transitions (returns) from the slide unlocked state to the slide locked state.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the end portion 53e of the direction R12 of the peripheral wall 53a of the protruding wall 53 faces the input arm 51c of the link member 51 located at the initial position P2i with a gap. Therefore, when the link member 51 rotates in the direction R11 beyond the initial position P2i for some reason, the end portion 53e comes into contact with the input arm 51c and moves to the direction R11 beyond the contacted position. It can function as a spare stopper to limit the rotation of the. Further, the end portion 53e faces a portion of the input arm 51c where the reinforcing portion 51f2 is provided, and abuts on the portion where the reinforcing portion 51f2 is provided. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the input arm 51c due to the contact with the end portion 53e. The end portion 53e is an example of a stopper.

Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the end portion 53f of the direction R11 of the hooking portion 53c of the protrusion wall 53 faces the output arm 51b of the link member 51 located at the limiting position P2e with a gap. Therefore, when the link member 51 rotates in the direction R12 beyond the restricted position P2e for some reason, the end portion 53f comes into contact with the output arm 51b and moves to the direction R12 beyond the contacted position. It can function as a spare stopper that limits the rotation of the. Further, the end portion 53f faces a portion of the output arm 51b where the reinforcing portion 51f1 is provided, and abuts on the portion where the reinforcing portion 51f1 is provided. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the deformation of the output arm 51b due to the contact with the end portion 53f. The end 53f is an example of a stopper.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the first extension 51b1 of the output arm 51b extends in a direction away from the rotation center Ax, and the bending portion 51b3 extends from the first extension 51b1 in the direction R12 (first time). The first protruding portion 51b2 protrudes in the direction R12 from the bent portion 51b3, and the inner wire 71 (cable 70) is formed on the edge 51b5 (hooking portion) of the through hole 51b4 provided in the first protruding portion 51b2. Hook 71a is hooked, and a portion of a part of the bent portion 51b3 and the first protruding portion 51b2 adjacent to the edge 51b5 in the direction R11 (second rotation direction) functions as a guide for the cable 70. .. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, for example, the cable 70 can be supported more stably by the link member 51. The guide portion may be provided on at least one of the bent portion 51b3 and the first protruding portion 51b2.

Further, in the present embodiment, the bent portion 51b3 of the output arm 51b is connected to the first extension portion 51b1 via the step 51b7, and is axially separated from the wall 16a (standing wall) from the first extension portion 51b1. , Crosses the axial direction and extends. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, for example, it becomes easy to secure a gap for accommodating the hook 71a between the bent portion 51b3 and the wall 16a, and it is possible to suppress the hook 71a from interfering with the wall 16a.

Further, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing portion 51f1 (first reinforcing portion) extends from the first extending portion 51b1 along the first extending portion 51b1 across the step 51b7 to at least the bent portion 51b3. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, for example, it is possible to prevent the output arm 51b from being easily deformed at the step 51b7.

Further, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing portion 51f2 (second reinforcing portion) extends from the second extending portion 51c1 to the second protruding portion 51c2. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, for example, it is possible to prevent the input arm 51c from being easily deformed between the second extension portion 51c1 and the second protrusion 51c2.

Further, in the present embodiment, the end portions 53e and 53f of the protruding wall 53 function as stoppers that limit the rotation range of the link member 51. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the link mechanism 50 can be configured more compactly or more simply than, for example, as compared with a configuration in which a stopper is provided on a member other than the protrusion 53.

Further, in the present embodiment, the protruding wall 53 has a spiral spring (not shown) and hooking portions 53b, 53c, 53d for hooking the return springs 36, 52. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, for example, the hooking portions 53b, 53c, 53d can be provided by using the protruding wall 53, as compared with the configuration in which the hooking portion is provided on a member different from the protruding wall 53. Therefore, the link mechanism 50 can be configured more compactly or more simply.

Further, in the present embodiment, the protruding wall 53 has a peripheral wall 53a along the circumferential direction. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the flexural rigidity and the torsional rigidity of the peripheral wall 53a can be made higher than, for example, as compared with the case where the peripheral wall 53a is configured straight. Further, according to the present embodiment, for example, the peripheral wall 53a suppresses interference with a guide, a positioning portion, or another component of a spiral spring (not shown) arranged radially outward of the peripheral wall 53a. Can act as a barrier.

[Slide lock mechanism and slide lock release device]
As shown in FIGS. It is attached to. The upper rail 14 also extends at a predetermined length along the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The seat cushion 11 (seat 10) is fixed to the two upper rails 14 in a state of straddling the two upper rails 14 from above. The lower rail 13 is an example of a rail, and the upper rail 14 is an example of a slider.

17 and 18 are side views of the slide lock mechanism 40, FIG. 17 shows a slide lock state, and FIG. 18 shows a slide unlock state. As shown in FIG. 17, in the lower rail 13, the urging member 42 can urge the lock member 41 to lift from the bottom to the top and press it against the inner flange 13a of the lower rail 13 from below. The lock member 41 is fixed to one end of the urging member 42, and the other end (not shown) of the urging member 42 is fixed to the upper rail 14. Therefore, in the slide unlocked state of FIG. 18, the urging member 42 and the lock member 41 can slide in the vehicle front-rear direction together with the upper rail 14. The urging member 42 is, for example, a leaf spring.

The lock member 41 is locked to the inner flange 13a, that is, to the lower rail 13 by the engagement between the lock member 41 attached to the upper rail 14 and the inner flange 13a of the lower rail 13. The inner flanges 13a extend along the vehicle vertical direction and the vehicle front-rear direction, respectively. The specifications such as the shape of the inner flange 13a are not limited to this example.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the inner flange 13a is provided with a plurality of notches 13c (recesses) at a constant pitch (interval) in the vehicle front-rear direction. The notch 13c opens toward the lower side of the vehicle at the lower edge of the inner flange 13a. Note that FIGS. 17 and 18 show only one of the two inner flanges 13a.

On the other hand, the lock member 41 is formed, for example, in the shape of a substantially quadrangular plate substantially along the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction, and each of the edges of the lock member 41 in the vehicle width direction has a constant pitch in the vehicle front-rear direction. A plurality of protrusions 41a (claw) are provided at (interval). The pitch of the notch 13c is the same as the pitch of the protrusion 41a. The specifications such as the configuration and arrangement of the lock member 41 and the urging member 42 are not limited to this example.

As shown in FIG. 17, when the lock member 41 is lifted by the urging member 42 and is located at the lock position Plk, the plurality of protrusions 41a of the lock member 41 are accommodated in the plurality of notches 13c of the inner flange 13a. To. As a result, the lock member 41 and thus the upper rail 14 are locked to the lower rail 13 (slide lock state).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18, the lock member 41 has an upward urging force (elastic repulsive force) of the urging member 42 due to the protrusion 62c1 (see FIG. 19) of the operating member 62 of the slide lock releasing device 60 described later. ), The protrusion 41a is detached downward from the notch 13c, and the lock member 41 is positioned at the unlock position Prl below the lower edge of the inner flange 13a. As a result, the lock member 41 and thus the upper rail 14 can be slidable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle with respect to the lower rail 13 (slide unlock state).

As will be described in detail later, in conjunction with the operation of the link member 51, the protrusion 62c1 of the operating member 62 presses the lock member 41 downward. On the other hand, when the push-down of the lock member 41 by the protrusion 62c1 is released, the urging member 42 lifts the lock member 41 from the bottom to the top, and the lock member 41 is locked to the inner flange 13a. With such a configuration, the slide lock mechanism 40 can lock the lock member 41 to the inner flange 13a at a plurality of front-rear positions (arbitrary positions) within the range in which the inner flange 13a is provided. In other words, the slide lock mechanism 40 can position the upper rail 14 at a plurality of front-rear positions (arbitrary positions) of the lower rail 13.

19 is a perspective view of the lower rail 13, the upper rail 14, and the slide lock release device 60, FIG. 20 is a plan view of the lower rail 13, the upper rail 14, and the slide lock release device 60, and FIG. 21 is a lower rail 13, the upper rail 14, It is a front view of the slide lock release device 60. Note that FIGS. 19 to 21 show, as an example, a slide lock release device 60 attached to the lower rail 13 on the right side in the traveling direction among the two parallel lower rails 13. Therefore, in the following description of the slide lock release device 60, the left side in the vehicle width direction is the direction toward the other lower rail 13, and the right side in the vehicle width direction is the direction away from the other lower rail 13.

As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the slide lock release device 60 includes a support member 61, an actuating member 62, a shaft 63, and a return spring 64.

The support member 61 includes a bottom wall 61a, a vertical wall 61b, and a hanging wall 61c.

The bottom wall 61a is fixed to the upper rail 14 by a fastener such as a screw in a state of being overlapped on the top surface 14a of the upper rail 14. The bottom wall 61a intersects the vehicle vertical direction and extends along the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction.

The bottom wall 61a is provided with a through hole 61a3 into which one end of the return spring 64 is inserted. One end of the return spring 64 penetrates the through hole 61a3 downward and is hooked on the peripheral portion of the through hole 61a3 of the bottom wall 61a.

The vertical wall 61b projects upward from the left end portion of the front portion of the bottom wall 61a in the vehicle width direction at a position substantially above the side wall surface 13b on the left side of the lower rail 13. The vertical wall 61b intersects the vehicle width direction and extends along the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 20, the vertical wall 61b is provided with a through hole 61d. The shaft 63 is fixed to the vertical wall 61b in a state of penetrating the through hole 61d in the vehicle width direction. The shaft 63 constitutes a cylindrical portion 63a protruding to the left in the vehicle width direction from the vertical wall 61b.

The hanging wall 61c is located rearward from the standing wall 61b, and protrudes downward from the rear left end of the bottom wall 61a in the vehicle width direction to the left side of the left side wall 13b of the lower rail 13. ing. The hanging wall 61c intersects the vehicle front-rear direction and extends along the vehicle width direction and the vehicle vertical direction.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the hanging wall 61c is provided with a holding portion 61e provided with a notch. The outer tube 72 of the cable 70 is fixed to the holding portion 61e.

The actuating member 62 has a central wall 62a, an input wall 62b, and an output wall 62c.

The central wall 62a is arranged adjacent to the vertical wall 61b on the left side in the vehicle width direction. The central wall 62a intersects the vehicle width direction and extends along the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 20, the central wall 62a is provided with a through hole 62a1. The shaft 63 penetrates the through hole 62a1 in the vehicle width direction. The clearance between the through hole 62a1 and the outer circumference of the shaft 63 is set to be relatively small so that the central wall 62a can swing along the outer circumference of the shaft 63. That is, the shaft 63 rotatably supports the central wall 62a around the rotation center Ax2 along the vehicle width direction. The rotation center Ax2 is the center of the shaft 63.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a protrusion 62a2 protruding rearward is provided at the rear end of the central wall 62a. Further, the other end of the return spring 64 is hooked on the front portion 62a3 of the central wall 62a. The anterior portion 62a3 of the central wall 62a is an example of the urging site Pu.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the input wall 62b is provided in a state of extending downward while bending in a crank shape from the lower portion of the central wall 62a toward the left. The input wall 62b projects downward at a position further to the left of the side wall 13b on the left side of the lower rail 13. The input wall 62b intersects the vehicle width direction and extends along the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 19, the input wall 62b is provided with a through hole 62b1. The hook 71b of the inner wire 71 is hooked on the edge 62b2 of the through hole 62b1. Further, a protrusion 62b3 protruding upward is provided at the rear end of the input wall 62b.

As shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the output wall 62c is provided in a state of extending downward while bending in a crank shape from the front portion of the central wall 62a toward the right. The output wall 62c penetrates downward through the through hole 14b provided in the upper rail 14 and is in contact with the upper surface of the lock member 41 (see FIGS. 17 and 18). At the lower end of the output wall 62c, a protrusion 62c1 protruding diagonally rearward is provided.

22 and 23 are side views of a part of the slide lock release device 60, FIG. 22 is a view showing a state where the operating member 62 is positioned at the initial position P3i, and FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a state where the operating member 62 is positioned at the initial position P3i. Is a diagram showing a state in which is positioned at the maximum rotation position P3e.

As described above, one end of the return spring 64 is hooked on the bottom wall 61a of the support member 61, and the other end of the return spring 64 is hooked on the front portion 62a3 of the central wall 62a. With such a configuration, the return spring 64 urges the operating member 62 in the direction R22.

Therefore, at the initial position P3i in FIG. 22, the lower end of the protrusion 62a2 provided at the rear end of the central wall 62a of the operating member 62 is in contact with the upper surface 61a1 of the bottom wall 61a. The upper surface 61a1 of the bottom wall 61a functions as a stopper that limits the rotation of the operating member 62 in the direction R22. The lower end of the protrusion 62a2 of the central wall 62a is an example of the second contact portion Pc2. The bottom wall 61a is an example of a wall.

When the input wall 62b is pulled backward by the inner wire 71, the operating member 62 can rotate in the direction R21 and rotate to the maximum rotation position P3e. The angle (posture) of the maximum rotation position P3e is determined by the amount of traction by the inner wire 71, and by extension, the amount of rotation of the link member 51, that is, the amount of forward tilt (angle) of the seat back 12 in the walk-in mode.

Due to the rotation of the actuating member 62 in the direction R21, the protrusion 62c1 of the output wall 62c presses the lock member 41 (see FIGS. 17 and 18) downward, whereby the slide lock mechanism 40 slides from the slide lock state. Transition to the locked state. Here, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the shape of the tip of the protrusion 62c1 is a curved surface (cylindrical). Therefore, when the actuating member 62 rotates in the direction R21 and the protrusion 62c1 pushes the lock member 41, the protrusion 62c1 makes line contact with the actuating member 62 regardless of the rotation angle. When the traction by the inner wire 71 is released, the actuating member 62 is urged in the direction R22 by the return spring 64 and returns to the initial position P3i. As a result, the slide lock mechanism 40 transitions (returns) from the slide unlocked state to the slide locked state.

Further, as shown in FIG. 23, the lower surface 61a2 of the bottom wall 61a faces the protrusion 62b3 of the operating member 62 located at the maximum rotation position P3e with a gap. Therefore, when the operating member 62 rotates in the direction R21 beyond the maximum rotation position P3e for some reason, the lower surface 61a2 of the bottom wall 61a comes into contact with the protrusion 62b3 and exceeds the contacted position. It can function as a spare stopper that limits rotation in the direction R21. The tip of the protrusion 62b3 is an example of the first contact portion Pc1.

As described above, in the slide lock release device 60, the edge of the through hole 62a1 provided in the central wall 62a of the operating member 62 is rotatably supported by the shaft 63. Therefore, in the support portion Ps shown in FIG. 22, the actuating member 62 is rotatably supported by the support member 61. Further, the edge 62b2 of the through hole 62b1 of the input wall 62b of the operating member 62 is pulled from the inner wire 71. Therefore, in the towed portion Pd shown in FIG. 22, the operating member 62 is towed from the inner wire 71 (cable 70). Further, the protrusion 62c1 of the output wall 62c of the operating member 62 presses the lock member 41. Therefore, at the pressing portion Pp shown in FIG. 22, the operating member 62 presses the lock member 41. The inner wire 71 (cable 70) is an example of an input member. The input member is not limited to the inner wire 71 (cable 70).

As is clear from FIG. 21, in the present embodiment, the towed portion Pd and the pressed portion Pp are displaced from the support portion Ps to the opposite sides in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, the balance of the operating member 62 with respect to the support portion Ps in the vehicle width direction is compared with the case where the tow portion Pd and the pressing portion Pp are displaced from the support portion Ps to the same side in the vehicle width direction. Is easy to secure. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, for example, it is possible to prevent the support member 61 from tilting or bending in the vehicle width direction due to the force received from the operating member 62.

Further, in the present embodiment, as is clear from FIG. 19, both the first contact portion Pc1 and the traction portion Pd are provided on the input wall 62b. Therefore, the first contact portion Pc1 and the traction portion Pd are aligned in the direction (first direction) intersecting the rotation center Ax2, for example, when viewed from above or from the front. That is, the first contact portion Pc1 and the traction portion Pd are not displaced in the axial direction (vehicle width direction) of the rotation center Ax2. If the first contact portion Pc1 and the traction portion Pd are displaced in the axial direction of the rotation center Ax2, the portion where the force is input from the traction portion Pd and the reaction force are received from the first contact portion Pc1. Since the portion is displaced in the axial direction of the rotation center Ax2, a force (rotational moment) that tilts the operating member 62 in the axial direction of the rotation center Ax2 is generated, and the operating member 62 is tilted or flexed in the axial direction of the rotation center Ax2. It becomes easier to bend down. In this respect, according to the present embodiment, since the first contact portion Pc1 and the traction portion Pd are not displaced in the axial direction of the rotation center Ax2, for example, the operating member 62 is moved in the axial direction of the rotation center Ax2. It is possible to suppress tilting, bending, and buckling.

Further, in the present embodiment, as is clear from FIG. 19, both the second contact portion Pc2 and the urging portion Pu are provided on the central wall 62a. Therefore, the second contact portion Pc2 and the urging portion Pu are aligned in the direction (second direction) intersecting the rotation center Ax2, for example, when viewed from above or from the front. That is, the second contact portion Pc2 and the urging portion Pu are not displaced in the axial direction (vehicle width direction) of the rotation center Ax2. If the second contact portion Pc2 and the urging portion Pu are displaced in the axial direction of the rotation center Ax2, the portion where the force is input from the urging portion Pu and the reaction force from the second contact portion Pc2. Since the portion to be received is displaced in the axial direction of the rotation center Ax2, a force (rotational moment) that tilts the operating member 62 in the axial direction of the rotation center Ax2 is generated, and the operating member 62 is tilted in the axial direction of the rotation center Ax2. It becomes easy to bend, bend and buckle. In this respect, according to the present embodiment, since the second contact portion Pc2 and the urging portion Pu are not displaced in the axial direction of the rotation center Ax2, for example, the operating member 62 is in the axial direction of the rotation center Ax2. It is possible to suppress tilting, bending, and buckling.

Further, in the present embodiment, as is clear from FIGS. 22 and 23, the first contact portion Pc1 and the second contact portion Pc2 of the operating member 62 are the lower surface 61a2 and the upper surface 61a1 of the bottom wall 61a of the support member 61. It is configured so that it can come into contact with. Therefore, since the bottom wall 61a functions as a stopper for both the first contact portion Pc1 and the second contact portion Pc2, for example, the slide lock release device 60 is provided as compared with a configuration in which stoppers are separately provided. It can be configured more compactly or more simply.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, combinations, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These various forms and modified forms are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof. In addition, specifications such as each configuration and shape (structure, type, direction, shape, size, length, width, thickness, height, number, arrangement, position, part, material, etc.) should be changed as appropriate. Can be carried out.

11 ... Seat cushion, 15R ... Cushion base (seat cushion), 16R ... Support (seat cushion), 20 ... Reclining lock mechanism, 30 ... Reclining lock release device, 32 ... Release lever (operation lever), 32a ... Base, 32b ... 1st operation arm, 32c ... 2nd operation arm, 32d ... Weight arm (weight), 32d1 ... Arc part, 32f ... Notch (gap), 33 ... Return spring, 34 ... Protrusion wall, 34a ... Circumferential wall, 34c ... Hooking part , 34d ... end (stopper), Ax ... center of rotation.

Claims (3)

With a seat cushion,
A reclining lock mechanism that is fixed to the seat cushion and switches between the locked and unlocked states of the reclining seat back,
An operating lever that is rotatably supported by the seat cushion around the center of rotation and unlocks the reclining lock mechanism.
With a ridge
Equipped with
The operation lever is
With a base rotatably provided around the center of rotation,
A first operation arm extending forward from the base below the center of rotation,
A second operating arm extending rearward from the base below the center of rotation,
It has a weight that projects upward from the base and at least partly located above the center of rotation.
The protrusion protrudes from the seat cushion in the axial direction of the center of rotation, penetrates the gap between the weight and the base, and operates the first operation arm and the second operation arm of the operation lever. Has a stopper that limits rotation in the direction ,
Reclining lock release device for vehicle seats. The reclining lock release device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the weight includes an arc portion extending along a circumferential direction around the center of rotation. A return spring for urging the operating lever in a direction opposite to the operating direction is provided.
The reclining lock release device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the protruding wall has a hooking portion for hooking one end of the return spring.

Images