JP7793318B2 - Vehicle seats - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat.

Some rear seats in vehicles (automobiles) have seatbacks that extend widthwise and are divided widthwise. Each seatback is supported by the vehicle frame so that it can tilt toward the front of the vehicle, and the outer end of the seatback in the widthwise direction is connected to the frame by a locking mechanism or the like. In this way, the divided seatbacks are structured so that the upper corners on the inner side in the widthwise direction of the vehicle are not supported by the frame. For this reason, for example, when a load acts on the seatback from the luggage compartment toward the front of the vehicle, the seatback tends to deform, displacing the inner corners in the widthwise direction of the divided seatback toward the front and outward in the widthwise direction of the vehicle.

In contrast, the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1 below has an engaging protrusion at one corner of the divided seat back, which protrudes toward the other seat back and is bent downward. Furthermore, an engaging recess that opens upward is formed at the corner of the other seat back, and the engaging protrusion is disposed within the engaging recess. As a result, for example, when a load is applied to the seat back from the front, the engaging protrusion and engaging recess engage in the vehicle width direction. This makes it possible to suppress deformation of the seat back.

JP 2016-30475 A

Here, during a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the upper corners of the divided seat back are displaced rearward due to inertial force. Therefore, in the vehicle seat of Patent Document 1, even during a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the engaging protrusions and engaging recesses engage in the vehicle width direction, thereby suppressing deformation of the seat back.

However, in the above-mentioned vehicle seat, the engaging protrusion protrudes from one seat back toward the other, and the engaging recess is formed in the other seat back as a recess that opens upward. This may reduce the design aesthetic of the vehicle seat.

In consideration of the above, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle seat that can reduce deformation of the seat back during a rear-end collision while maintaining aesthetic design.

One or more embodiments of the present invention include a seat back that supports the back of a seated occupant and has a first seat back and a second seat back that are divided in the vehicle width direction; an engaged member that is entirely provided inside one of the first seat back and the second seat back; an engagement mechanism that is entirely provided inside the other of the first seat back and the second seat back and has an engaging member that is inserted into one of the first seat back and the second seat back when actuated and engages with the engaged member to connect the first seat back and the second seat back; and a retaining member that is provided inside the other of the back and that holds the engagement mechanism in an inoperative state and that releases the holding state of the engagement mechanism in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle , thereby activating the engagement mechanism, wherein the engagement member is configured to be movable between an initial position in the inoperative state of the engagement mechanism and an engagement position in which it engages with the engaged member, and the retaining member engages with the engaging member to hold the engagement mechanism in an inoperative state, and during a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the retaining member moves due to inertial force, thereby releasing the engagement state between the retaining member and the engaging member, thereby activating the engagement mechanism .

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle seat comprising: a seat back that supports the back of a seated occupant and has first and second seat backs that are divided in the vehicle width direction; an engaged member that is entirely provided inside one of the first and second seat backs; an engagement mechanism that is entirely provided inside the other of the first and second seat backs and that, when activated, is inserted into one of the first and second seat backs and engages with the engaged member to connect the first and second seat backs; and a retaining member that is provided inside the other of the first and second seat backs and holds the engagement mechanism in an inactivated state and, in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle, releases the retaining state of the engagement mechanism to activate the engagement mechanism, wherein the engaging member includes a connecting portion that is rotatably connected to a seat back frame that forms a framework of the seat back, and a hook portion that is configured to be engageable with the engaged member, and in the engaged position, the engaged member and the hook portion engage with each other in the vehicle width direction.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the vehicle seat is configured such that the engaging member is movable between an initial position in which the engaging mechanism is in a non-operated state and an engaged position in which it engages with the engaged member, the retaining member engages with the engaging member to maintain the engaging mechanism in a non-operated state, and an actuator is connected to the retaining member, and in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the actuator is activated to release the engagement between the retaining member and the engaging member and activate the engaging mechanism.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the engaging member includes a main body portion movably connected to a seat back frame that forms the framework of the seat back in the vehicle width direction, and an engaging portion extending in the vehicle width direction from the main body portion toward the engaged member, the engaged member being formed in a cylindrical shape with its axial direction aligned with the vehicle width direction, and in the engaged position, the engaging portion is inserted into the engaged member, and the engaging portion, the hook portion, and the engaged member engage in the radial direction.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle seat in which the first seat back and the second seat back are configured to be rotatable between an upright position and a tilted position tilted from the upright position toward the front of the vehicle, the actuators are operated under the control of a control unit, and a position detection unit that detects the upright positions of the first seat back and the second seat back is connected to the control unit, and if the control unit does not detect the upright positions of the first seat back and the second seat back, the control unit is prohibited from operating the actuators.

In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the engagement mechanism includes a biasing member that biases the engagement member, and when the retaining member is released from the engagement mechanism, the biasing force of the biasing member moves the engagement member, thereby operating the engagement mechanism.

One or more embodiments of the present invention can reduce deformation of the seat back during a rear-end collision while maintaining aesthetic design.

1 is a side view seen from the right side of a vehicle, schematically illustrating the interior of a cabin of a vehicle to which a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment is applied. 2 is a front view of the vehicle seat shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front side of the vehicle. FIG. 3 is a two-view diagram showing the coupling mechanism shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the front side and the left side of the vehicle. FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the coupling mechanism shown in FIG. 3 as seen from above. 4 is a two-sided view showing a state in which an engagement mechanism portion of the connecting mechanism shown in FIG. 3 is activated. FIG. FIG. 10 is a front view of a connecting mechanism applied to a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the front side of the vehicle. (A) is a front view showing the state in which the holding member shown in Figure 6 has moved from the holding position to the holding release position, and (B) is a front view showing the state in which the slider in (A) has moved from the initial position to the engagement position.

(First embodiment)
1 to 5, a vehicle seat 10 according to a first embodiment will be described below. Note that the arrow FR shown as appropriate in the drawings indicates the front side of a vehicle (automobile) V to which the vehicle seat 10 is applied, the arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle, and the arrow LH indicates the left side of the vehicle (one side in the vehicle width direction). In the following description, when the up-down, front-rear, and left-right directions are used, they refer to the up-down direction of the vehicle, the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the left-right direction of the vehicle, unless otherwise specified.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat 10 is configured as a rear seat seat located in the rear portion of the cabin C of the vehicle V. The vehicle seat 10 includes a seat cushion 12 that supports the thighs of a seated occupant, and a seat back 14 that supports the back of the seated occupant. The seat cushion 12 is located above a floor panel (not shown) of the vehicle V and is fixed to the floor panel.

As shown in Figure 2, the seat back 14 is positioned in an upright position above the rear end of the seat cushion 12. The seat back 14 is divided into two parts in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the seat back 14 includes a left seat back 14L (first seat back) that constitutes the left part of the seat back 14, and a right seat back 14R (second seat back) that constitutes the right part of the seat back 14.

The left and right seatbacks 14L and 14R are provided with seatback frames 16L and 16R, which form the framework of each seatback. The seatback frames 16L and 16R are made of multiple pipes and are formed into a roughly rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front. The lower ends of the seatback frames 16L and 16R are connected to the floor panel of the vehicle V by a hinge mechanism (not shown) so as to be rotatable about the left-right direction as the axial direction. This allows the left and right seatbacks 14L and 14R to rotate between an upright position (the position shown in Figures 1 and 2) and a tilted position tilted forward from the upright position.

A locking mechanism 17L is provided at the upper left end of the left seatback 14L, and a locking mechanism 17R is provided at the upper right end of the right seatback 14R. The locking mechanisms 17L and 17R engage with strikers (not shown) provided on the frame of the side of the vehicle V, holding the left seatback 14L and the right seatback 14R in an upright position. As a result, the lower ends and outer ends in the vehicle width direction of the left seatback 14L and the right seatback 14R are supported by the frame of the vehicle V. Meanwhile, in the vehicle seat 10, the upper ends (upper corners) of the inner ends in the vehicle width direction of the left seatback 14L and the right seatback 14R are not supported by the frame of the vehicle V.

Inside the left seat back 14L and the right seat back 14R, there are plate-shaped support pans (not shown) connected to the seat back frames 16L and 16R, and pads (not shown) located in front of the support pans, which are covered by seat covers. Furthermore, headrests 18 for supporting the head of a seated occupant are provided at the upper ends of the left seat back 14L and the right seat back 14R, respectively.

The seat back 14 also has a connecting mechanism 20. In the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle V, the connecting mechanism 20 connects the upper corners of the inner ends of the left seat back 14L and the right seat back 14R in the vehicle width direction, thereby suppressing rearward deformation of the seat back 14. The configuration of the connecting mechanism 20 is described below.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the connecting mechanism 20 includes an engaging mechanism 22, a holding member 32 as a retaining member, and a striker 36 as an engaged member.

(Regarding the engagement mechanism 22)
The engagement mechanism 22 is provided in the upper right end portion of the left seat back 14L. The engagement mechanism 22 includes an engagement arm 24 as an engagement member and a biasing spring 26 as a biasing member.

The engagement arm 24 is formed in a generally elongated shape extending in the vertical direction and is positioned in front of the seatback frame 16L. The lower end (base end) of the engagement arm 24 is configured as an arm connecting portion 24A, which is rotatably connected to the seatback frame 16L by an arm pin 28 whose axial direction is the front-to-rear direction. This allows the engagement arm 24 to rotate (move) between an initial position (the position shown in Figure 3) and an engagement position (the position shown in Figure 5) rotated from the initial position to one side in the rotation direction (the direction of arrow A in Figure 3).

A hook portion 24B is formed at the upper end (tip) of the engagement arm 24, and the hook portion 24B is shaped like a roughly triangular block that protrudes to the right in a front view. When the engagement arm 24 is in its initial position, the entire engagement arm 24 is located within the left seat back 14L in a front view. Meanwhile, when the engagement arm 24 is in its engaged position, the engagement arm 24 is tilted relative to its initial position so as to extend to the right from the seat back frame 16L in a front view. Specifically, the hook portion 24B protrudes to the right from the left seat back 14L and is inserted into the right seat back 14R. The upper ends of the inner surfaces of the left seat back 14L and right seat back 14R in the vehicle width direction are open inward in the vehicle width direction, and the engagement arm 24 and the striker 36 (described later) are exposed to the inner side in the vehicle width direction through these openings.

A locking portion 24C for locking the biasing spring 26 (described below) is formed on the front surface of the vertically intermediate portion of the engagement arm 24. The locking portion 24C is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending in the front-to-rear direction and protrudes forward from the engagement arm 24. Furthermore, an arm abutment portion 24D is formed on the rear surface of the upper end of the engagement arm 24. The arm abutment portion 24D is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending in the front-to-rear direction and protrudes rearward from the engagement arm 24.

The biasing spring 26 is configured as a tension coil spring. One end of the biasing spring 26 is engaged with the engaging portion 24C of the engagement arm 24, and the other end of the biasing spring 26 is engaged with a spring holder 30 fixed to the seatback frame 16L. The spring holder 30 is disposed below the engagement arm 24, and is provided with a locking pin 30P for locking the other end of the biasing spring 26. When the engagement arm 24 is in its initial position, the other end (lower end) of the biasing spring 26 is disposed diagonally downward and to the right from one end (upper end) of the biasing spring 26. When the engagement arm 24 is in its engaged position, the other end (lower end) of the biasing spring 26 is disposed below the one end (upper end) of the biasing spring 26. As a result, the biasing spring 26 biases the engagement arm 24 in one rotational direction (toward the engaged position).

(Regarding the holding member 32)
The hold member 32 is provided within the upper right end of the left seat back 14L. The hold member 32 is formed in a generally elongated block shape extending in the vertical direction and is disposed rearward of the hook portion 24B of the engagement arm 24 and to the right of the seat back frame 16L. The lower end of the hold member 32 is disposed above the lower end of the engagement arm 24 and is rotatably connected to the seat back frame 16L by a support pin 34 whose axial direction is the left-right direction. Specifically, the hold member 32 is configured to be rotatable between a holding position (position shown in FIG. 3 ) and a release position (position shown in FIG. 5 ) rotated rearward from the holding position. Note that in the release position, the hold member 32 abuts against the left seat back 14L at a position not shown, restricting the rearward rotation of the hold member 32 in the release position.

The upper end of the holding member 32 is positioned adjacent to the right side of the arm abutment portion 24D of the engaging arm 24, and the arm abutment portion 24D abuts against the holding member 32. As a result, the engaging arm 24 and the holding member 32 engage in the initial position, restricting rotation of the engaging arm 24 to one side in the rotation direction and holding the engaging arm 24 in the initial position.

The upper end of the hold member 32 is also formed with a weight portion 32A that protrudes rearward. When a collision force equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the seat back 14 during a rear-end collision of the vehicle V, the hold member 32 is configured to rotate from the holding position to the release position due to the inertial force acting on the upper right corner of the left seat back 14L. When the hold member 32 is in the release position, the engagement arm 24 and the hold member 32 are disengaged, and the biasing force of the biasing spring 26 causes the engagement arm 24 to rotate from the initial position to the engagement position. In other words, the engagement mechanism 22 is configured to operate.

(About Striker 36)
The striker 36 is provided within the upper left end of the right seatback 14R and is positioned opposite the lower end of the engagement arm 24 in the vehicle width direction. The striker 36 is formed of a rod-shaped member with a circular cross section and is bent into a generally U-shape that opens outward in the vehicle width direction (to the right) when viewed from above. Both longitudinal ends of the striker 36 are fixed to the left end of the seatback frame 16R of the right seatback 14R by connecting bars 38. A longitudinal intermediate portion of the striker 36 is formed as an engaged portion 36A, which extends in the front-to-rear direction.

When the engaging arm 24 is in the engaged position, the tip of the engaging arm 24 is positioned above the engaged portion 36A, and the hook portion 24B is positioned adjacent to the right side of the engaged portion 36A. This results in a configuration in which the engaging arm 24 and striker 36 engage in the vehicle width direction.

(Action and effect)
In the vehicle seat 10 configured as described above, the seat back 14 is divided into two parts in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the seat back 14 is configured to include a left seat back 14L that forms the left portion of the seat back 14 and a right seat back 14R that forms the right portion of the seat back 14. The upper corners on the inner sides in the vehicle width direction of the left seat back 14L and the right seat back 14R are not connected to each other, and these corners are not connected to the frame of the vehicle V.

When vehicle V collides from the rear, a collision force toward the front of the vehicle acts on the seat back 14 via the frame of vehicle V. As described above, the inner corners of the left seat back 14L and the right seat back 14R in the vehicle width direction are not connected to the frame of vehicle V. Therefore, when vehicle V collides from the rear, the inner upper corners of the left seat back 14L and the right seat back 14R in the vehicle width direction are displaced rearward by inertial force. Specifically, the seat back 14 is deformed so that the inner upper corners of the left seat back 14L and the right seat back 14R in the vehicle width direction are displaced outward in the vehicle width direction as they move rearward.

Furthermore, in the event of a rear-end collision of vehicle V, the upper body of the seated occupant is also displaced rearward due to inertial forces. As a result, a rearward load from the seated occupant acts on the seat back 14, further increasing the rearward displacement of the upper inner corners of the left seat back 14L and right seat back 14R in the vehicle width direction. This makes it more difficult for the head of the seated occupant to come into contact with the headrest 18 attached to the seat back 14, which may worsen whiplash injuries to the seated occupant.

Here, an engagement mechanism 22 with an engagement arm 24 and a hold member 32 are provided at the upper right end of the left seatback 14L, and the hold member 32 holds the engagement mechanism 22 in an inoperative state. During a rear-end collision of the vehicle V, the hold member 32 releases the engagement mechanism 22, causing the engagement mechanism 22 to activate. Specifically, the tip of the engagement arm 24 protrudes to the right from the left seatback 14L and engages with a striker 36 provided at the upper end of the right seatback 14R. This connects the upper inner corners of the left and right seatbacks 14L and 14R in the vehicle width direction. This prevents rearward deformation of the seatback 14 during a rear-end collision of the vehicle V, and ultimately prevents whiplash injuries to seated occupants.

Furthermore, the engagement mechanism 22 and the hold member 32 are disposed inside the left seat back 14L, and the striker 36 is disposed inside the right seat back 14R. Therefore, the connecting mechanism 20 for connecting the left seat back 14L and the right seat back 14R can be provided on the seat back 14 without protruding from one side of the left seat back 14L or the right seat back 14R to the other. This improves the appearance of the vehicle seat 10 compared to a configuration in which the connecting mechanism 20 protrudes from the other side of the left seat back 14L or the right seat back 14R. As a result, deformation of the seat back 14 during a rear-end collision can be suppressed while maintaining the design of the vehicle seat 10.

The engagement arm 24 is held in its initial position by the hold member 32. Specifically, the arm abutment portion 24D of the engagement arm 24 abuts against the hold member 32, holding the engagement arm 24 in its initial position. During a rear-end collision of the vehicle V, inertial force causes the hold member 32 to rotate (move) from the hold position to the release position, disengaging the hold member 32 from the engagement arm 24. As a result, the engagement mechanism 22 is activated, and the engagement arm 24 engages with the striker 36 provided at the upper end of the right seatback 14R. This allows the hold member 32 to maintain the engagement mechanism 22 in an inactivated state with a simple configuration, and also enables the hold member 32 to release the engagement from the engagement arm 24 during a rear-end collision.

The engagement arm 24 includes an arm connecting portion 24A pivotally connected to the seatback frame 16L and a hook portion 24B configured to engage with the striker 36. The striker 36 is formed in a generally U-shaped rod shape that opens outward in the vehicle width direction in a plan view. When the engagement mechanism 22 is activated, the engagement arm 24 and the striker 36 engage in the vehicle width direction. This applies a tensile force to the engagement arm 24 and the striker 36 during a rear-end collision of the vehicle V, suppressing deformation of the joint between the left seatback 14L and the right seatback 14R in the seatback 14. Furthermore, because the striker 36 is formed in a U-shape that opens outward in the vehicle width direction in a plan view, the engagement arm 24 and the striker 36 can also be engaged in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the engagement state between the engagement arm 24 and the striker 36 can be maintained favorably.

The engagement mechanism 22 also has a biasing spring 26 that biases the engagement arm 24 toward the engagement position. When the holding state of the hold member 32 on the engagement arm 24 is released, the biasing force of the biasing spring 26 causes the engagement arm 24 to rotate, and the engagement mechanism 22 is activated. This allows the engagement mechanism 22 to be activated with a simple configuration, and when the engagement mechanism 22 is activated, the biasing force of the biasing spring 26 can instantly rotate the engagement arm 24 to the engagement position.

Second Embodiment
Next, a vehicle seat 100 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The vehicle seat 100 is configured similarly to the vehicle seat 10 of the first embodiment, except for the following points. In Figures 6 and 7, members configured similarly to the vehicle seat 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In other words, in the vehicle seat 100, a connecting mechanism 110 is provided on the seat back 14 instead of the connecting mechanism 20 of the first embodiment. The connecting mechanism 110 is configured to include an engaging mechanism portion 112, a holding member 120 as a retaining member, an engaging pipe member 122 as an engaged member, and an actuator 124 connected to the holding member 120.

(Regarding the engagement mechanism 112)
As in the first embodiment, the engagement mechanism 112 is provided in the upper right end portion of the left seat back 14L. The engagement mechanism 112 includes a slider 114 as an engagement member and a pair of biasing springs 116 as biasing members.

The slider 114 is composed of a slider main body 114A as the main body and a slider engagement portion 114B as the engagement portion. The slider main body 114A is formed in a roughly rectangular parallelepiped block shape and is connected to a holder 118 fixed to the seatback frame 16L so that it can slide left and right. Specifically, the slider 114 is configured to be movable between an initial position (the position shown in Figure 6) and an engagement position (the position shown in Figure 7(B)) where it slides from the initial position to the right (towards the right seatback 14R).

The slider engagement portion 114B is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with its axis extending in the left-right direction, and extends to the right (toward the right seatback 14R) from the middle of the slider main body 114A in the vertical direction. When the slider 114 is in its initial position, the slider engagement portion 114B is housed within the left seatback 14L. When the slider 114 is in its engaged position, the tip of the slider engagement portion 114B protrudes to the right from the left seatback 14L and is positioned within the right seatback 14R.

A slider-side abutment portion 114C is formed in the vertically middle portion of the left side of the front surface of the slider main body portion 114A. The slider-side abutment portion 114C is formed in a roughly cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending in the front-to-rear direction, and protrudes forward from the slider main body portion 114A.

As in the first embodiment, the biasing springs 116 are configured as tension coil springs. The pair of biasing springs 116 extend in the left-right direction and are arranged side by side in the up-down direction. The left end of the biasing spring 116 is engaged with a locking portion 114D formed on the slider main body portion 114A, and the right end of the biasing spring 116 is engaged with a locking pin 118P formed on the holder 118. As a result, the biasing springs 116 bias the slider 114 to the right (towards the engagement position).

(Regarding the holding member 120)
The hold member 120 is formed in a generally rectangular block shape and is disposed in front of the slider 114 and adjacent to the right side of the slider-side contact portion 114C. The hold member 120 is connected to a rail (not shown) provided on the holder 118 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. Specifically, the hold member 120 is configured to be movable between a holding position (the position shown in FIG. 6) and a holding release position (the position shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B) where it is slid downward from the holding position.

When the hold member 120 is in the holding position, the slider-side abutment portion 114C of the slider 114 abuts against the hold member 120. As a result, the slider 114 and hold member 120 are engaged in the initial position, restricting the slider 114 from moving to the right and holding the slider 114 in the initial position. On the other hand, when the hold member 120 is in the release position, the slider 114 (slider-side abutment portion 114C) and hold member 120 are disengaged, and the slider 114 moves from the initial position to the engagement position due to the biasing force of the biasing spring 116. In other words, the engagement mechanism 112 is set to operate.

(Regarding the engaging pipe member 122)
The engaging pipe member 122 is provided within the upper left end of the right seat back 14R and is disposed so as to face the slider engaging portion 114B of the slider 114 in the vehicle width direction. The engaging pipe member 122 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending in the left-right direction. The inner circumferential surface of the engaging pipe member 122 is inclined so that the inner diameter of the engaging pipe member 122 increases toward the left. When the slider 114 is in the engaged position, the tip of the slider engaging portion 114B of the slider 114 is inserted into the engaging pipe member 122, and the engaging pipe member 122 and the slider engaging portion 114B are configured to engage in the radial direction of the engaging pipe member 122. This results in a configuration in which the slider 114 and the engaging pipe member 122 are engaged at least in the front-rear direction.

(Regarding the actuator 124)
The actuator 124 is disposed below the hold member 120. The actuator 124 has a cylinder 124A. The cylinder 124A is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending in the vertical direction, and is fixed to the holder 118. A micro gas generator 124B is provided at the upper end of the cylinder 124A. The micro gas generator 124B is electrically connected to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 130, which serves as a control unit for the vehicle V, and is configured to operate under the control of the ECU 130.

The actuator 124 also has a piston 124C, which is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending vertically and is arranged coaxially with the cylinder 124A. The piston 124C is housed in the cylinder 124A from below. The gap between the cylinder 124A and the piston 124C is sealed by a sealing member (not shown). The lower end of the piston 124C is connected to the hold member 120 by a link member 126.

When the micro gas generator 124B is activated, the gas generated by the micro gas generator 124B is supplied into the cylinder 124A, and the gas pressure inside the cylinder 124A displaces the piston 124C downward, moving the holding member 120 from the holding position to the holding release position.

A collision detection sensor 132 and a collision prediction sensor 134 are electrically connected to the ECU 130 of the vehicle V. The collision detection sensor 132 is composed of an acceleration sensor or the like, and is provided at the rear end of the vehicle V. The collision prediction sensor 134 is composed of, for example, a camera that captures images of the area around the vehicle V, and outputs the captured image data to the ECU 130. The ECU 130 then detects a rear-end collision of the vehicle V based on the output signals from the collision detection sensor 132 and the collision prediction sensor 134.

The ECU 130 is also electrically connected to a position detection unit 136 that detects the upright position of the seat backs 14 (left seat back 14L and right seat back 14R). The position detection unit 136 is configured, for example, as a switch provided on the frame or hinge mechanism on the side of the vehicle V, and the ECU 130 detects the upright position of the seat backs 14 based on the output signal from the position detection unit 136. Furthermore, if the ECU 130 does not detect the upright position of the left seat back 14L or right seat back 14R, the ECU 130 is configured to prohibit operation of the actuator 124.

When the ECU 130 detects a rear-end collision of the vehicle V, the actuator 124 is activated under the control of the ECU 130. As a result, the hold member 120 moves from the holding position to the release position, as shown in FIG. 7A. This releases the hold of the slider 114 by the hold member 120, and the slider 114 moves from the initial position to the engagement position due to the biasing force of the biasing spring 116. As shown in FIG. 7B, when the slider 114 is in the engagement position, the tip of the slider engagement portion 114B of the slider 114 is inserted into the engagement pipe member 122, and the slider engagement portion 114B and the engagement pipe member 122 engage in the fore-aft direction. This connects the inner corners of the left and right seat backs 14L and 14R in the vehicle width direction. This, even in the second embodiment, can suppress rearward deformation of the seat back 14 and, ultimately, suppress the worsening of whiplash injuries to seated occupants.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the engagement mechanism 112 and the hold member 120 are disposed inside the left seat back 14L, and the engagement pipe member 122 is disposed inside the right seat back 14R. This allows the connecting mechanism 110 for connecting the left seat back 14L and the right seat back 14R to be provided on the seat back 14 without protruding from one side of the left seat back 14L or the right seat back 14R to the other. As a result, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, deformation of the seat back 14 in the event of a rear-end collision can be suppressed while maintaining the design of the vehicle seat 100.

In addition, in the second embodiment, an actuator 124 is connected to the hold member 120, and the actuator 124 is electrically connected to the ECU 130 of the vehicle V. When a rear-end collision of the vehicle V occurs (including when a collision is predicted), the actuator 124 acts to instantly move the hold member 120 from the holding position to the holding release position, thereby activating the engagement mechanism 112. As a result, for example, by activating the actuator 124 early, deformation of the seat back 14 in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle V can be effectively suppressed.

In addition, in the second embodiment, the slider 114 is provided within the left seat back 14L so that it can slide left and right. When the engagement mechanism 112 is activated, the slider 114 slides to the right from its initial position, and the tip of the slider engagement portion 114B of the slider 114 is inserted into the engagement pipe member 122, engaging the slider 114 and the engagement pipe member 122 in the front-to-rear direction. This allows for a reduction in the vertical operating space required for the engagement mechanism 112 compared to the first embodiment.

In addition, in the second embodiment, the position detection unit 136 that detects the upright positions of the left seat back 14L and the right seat back 14R is electrically connected to the ECU 130, and if the ECU 130 does not detect the upright positions of the left seat back 14L and the right seat back 14R, the ECU 130 is prohibited from operating the actuator 124. Therefore, when at least one of the left seat back 14L and the right seat back 14R is positioned in a reclined position, there is no need to connect the inner corners of the left seat back 14L and the right seat back 14R in the vehicle width direction, so unnecessary operation of the engagement mechanism 22 can be prohibited.

In the second embodiment, the actuator 124 has a micro gas generator 124B, and the actuator 124 is activated by gas generated by the micro gas generator 124B, but the configuration of the actuator 124 is not limited to this. For example, the actuator 124 may be configured as a solenoid or the like and connected to the holding member 120.

10 Vehicle seat 14 Seat back 14L Left seat back (first seat back)
14R right seat back (second seat back)
16L seat back frame 16R seat back frame 22 engagement mechanism portion 24 engagement arm (engagement member)
24A Arm connection part (connection part)
24B Hook portion 26 Spring (spring member)
32 Hold member (holding member)
36 striker (engaged member)
100 Vehicle seat 112 Engagement mechanism 114 Slider (engagement member)
114A Slider body (body)
114B Slider engagement portion (engagement portion)
116 biasing spring (biasing member)
120 Hold member (holding member)
122 Engaging pipe member (engaged member)
124 Actuator 130 ECU (control unit)
136 Position detection unit

Claims (6)

a seat back that supports the back of a seated occupant and has a first seat back and a second seat back that are divided in the vehicle width direction;
an engaged member entirely provided inside one of the first seat back and the second seat back;
an engagement mechanism that is entirely provided inside the other of the first seat back and the second seat back, and that is actuated to be inserted into one of the first seat back and the second seat back and has an engagement member that engages with the engaged member to connect the first seat back and the second seat back;
a holding member provided inside the other of the first seat back and the second seat back, the holding member holding the engagement mechanism in an inoperative state and releasing the holding state of the engagement mechanism to activate the engagement mechanism in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle;
Equipped with
the engaging member is configured to be movable between an initial position in a non-operating state of the engaging mechanism portion and an engaging position in which it engages with the engaged member,
the holding member engages with the engaging member to hold the engaging mechanism in an inoperative state,
In the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the retaining member moves due to inertial force, disengaging the retaining member from the engaging member, and the engaging mechanism is activated . The engaging member is
a connecting portion rotatably connected to a seat back frame that constitutes a framework of the seat back;
a hook portion configured to be engageable with an engaged member;
It is composed of
The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein, in the engagement position, the engaged member and the hook portion are engaged in a vehicle width direction. a seat back that supports the back of a seated occupant and has a first seat back and a second seat back that are divided in the vehicle width direction;
an engaged member entirely provided inside one of the first seat back and the second seat back;
an engagement mechanism that is entirely provided inside the other of the first seat back and the second seat back, and that is actuated to be inserted into one of the first seat back and the second seat back and has an engagement member that engages with the engaged member to connect the first seat back and the second seat back;
a holding member provided inside the other of the first seat back and the second seat back, the holding member holding the engagement mechanism in an inoperative state and releasing the holding state of the engagement mechanism to activate the engagement mechanism in the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle;
Equipped with
the engaging member is configured to be movable between an initial position in a non-operating state of the engaging mechanism portion and an engaging position in which it engages with the engaged member,
the holding member engages with the engaging member to hold the engaging mechanism in an inoperative state,
An actuator is connected to the holding member,
In the event of a rear-end collision of the vehicle, the actuator is actuated to release the engagement between the holding member and the engaging member, thereby actuating the engaging mechanism. The engaging member is
a main body portion connected to a seat back frame that constitutes a framework of the seat back so as to be movable in a vehicle width direction;
an engaging portion extending in a vehicle width direction from the main body portion toward the engaged member;
It is composed of
The engaged member is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axial direction aligned in the vehicle width direction,
4. The vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein, in the engaged position, the engaging portion is inserted into the engaged member, and the engaging portion and the engaged member are engaged in a radial direction of the engaged member. The first seat back and the second seat back are configured to be rotatable between an upright position and a tilted position tilted from the upright position toward the front of the vehicle,
The actuator is operated under the control of a control unit, and a position detection unit that detects the upright positions of the first seat back and the second seat back is connected to the control unit,
5. The vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein the control unit is prohibited from operating the actuator when the control unit does not detect that the first seat back and the second seat back are in an upright position. the engagement mechanism includes a biasing member that biases the engagement member,
A vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the retaining member is released from the retaining state relative to the engagement mechanism portion, the engagement member moves due to the biasing force of the biasing member, and the engagement mechanism portion is activated.