Folding seat apparatus for vehicle

A folding seat apparatus for a vehicle comprising a slide mechanism for slidably moving a seat in a front-and-rear direction, and a pop-up mechanism for popping up a seat cushion. The slide mechanism and pop-up mechanism are connected to the control lever. The controller controls the actuator so that the control lever rotates in the forward or reverse direction. The pop-up mechanism is unlocked by rotating the control lever in a first direction, and the slide mechanism is unlocked by rotating the control lever in a second direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a folding seat apparatus that folds a seat by folding the back of a seat slidable in a front-rear direction of the vehicle and/or by folding the seat by popping up the seat cushion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Foldable vehicle seats for providing more vehicle interior space and facilitating the loading and unloading of passengers are known in the art.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-210009 discloses a folding seat apparatus in which the seatback is tilted forward so as to springably reposition the seat cushion and to slidably reposition the seat.

In accordance with this seat apparatus, the reclining mechanism of the seatback is operated to unlock the seatback and tilt the seatback forward. The pop-up mechanism of the seat cushion and the slide mechanism of the seat are unlocked by tilting the seatback forward.

When the pop-up mechanism is unlocked, the seat cushion pops upward due to the spring force of a pop-up spring. The seatback and seat cushion are thereby folded into a mutually erect orientation.

The folded seat can be slidably moved toward the front of the vehicle because the slide mechanism is unlocked when the seat is tilted.

More vehicle interior space can be obtained and the loading and unloading of passengers can be facilitated by folding the seat in this manner.

However, the folding seat apparatus can potentially be made even easier to use because the reclining mechanism is manually unlocked.

It is possible to consider a method in which the seat is automatically folded as a way to make the apparatus easier to use.

In this case, when the seat is to be folded, the seatback is first tilted forward, the seat cushion pops up, and the seatback and seat cushion are folded into a mutually erect orientation.

Next, the folded seat is slidably moved in the forward direction of the vehicle.

In other words, the slide mechanism must be unlocked later than the reclining mechanism and the pop-up mechanism in order to automate the folding of the seat.

Thus, an actuator for unlocking the slide mechanism lock and an actuator for unlocking the pop-up mechanism lock must be separately provided in order to delay the unlocking of the slide lock.

For this reason, a plurality of actuators is required in order to automatically fold the seat, and this fact may become an obstacle to reducing costs and making the system more lightweight.

In view of the above, there is a need for a folding seat apparatus in which a seat can be automatically folded and the number of actuators reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect, the present invention provides a folding seat apparatus for a vehicle comprising a slide mechanism for moving a seat having a seatback and a seat cushion in the front/rear direction of the vehicle; and a pop-up mechanism for popping the seat cushion upward, the apparatus further comprising a control lever connected to the slide mechanism and pop-up mechanism; an actuator for rotating the control lever in a first direction in order to unlock the pop-up mechanism, and for rotating the control lever in a second direction in order to unlock the slide mechanism; a pop-up detector for detecting that the seat cushion has popped up; and a controller for controlling the actuator so that the control lever rotates in a first direction, and controlling the actuator so as to switch the rotation of the control lever from the first direction to a second direction on the basis of a detection signal from the pop-up detector; wherein the controller controls the actuator so as to unlock the pop-up mechanism and then to unlock the slide mechanism.

The pop-up mechanism is unlocked by rotating the control lever in a first direction by using an actuator. The seat cushion is popped up by unlocking the pop-up mechanism. The pop-up detector detects that the seat cushion has popped up. The controller directs the actuator to switch the rotation of the control lever from a first direction to a second direction on the basis of a detection signal from the pop-up detector. The control lever rotates in the second direction to unlock the slide mechanism.

The seat cushion can thus be folded and the seat can then be slidably moved in a folded state by causing the slide mechanism to be unlocked later than the pop-up mechanism. The seat can thereby be prevented from interfering with the front and rear seats when the seat slidably moves partway, and the seat can be automatically moved to the desired position.

Additionally, the actuator rotates the control lever in a first direction, and the actuator then rotates the control lever, which has been rotated in a first direction, in a second direction. More specifically, the timing in the first and second directions can be offset and the control lever rotated by using a single actuator. The seat can thereby be automatically folded by using a single actuator, the number of actuators can be reduced, and a more lightweight, lower cost configuration can be assured.

Preferably, the seat apparatus further comprises a forward-tilt mechanism for tilting the seatback in the forward direction of the vehicle, wherein the control lever comprises first, second, and third branching arms connected to the forward-tilt mechanism, the pop-up mechanism, and the slide mechanism, respectively; and the pop-up mechanism is unlocked by the second branching arm, and the forward-tilt mechanism is unlocked by the first branching arm when the control lever is rotated in a first direction.

The forward-tilt mechanism, pop-up mechanism, and slide mechanism can be connected to a single control lever by providing a first, second, and third branching arm to the control lever. The number of components can thereby be further reduced by operating a large number of mechanisms, i.e., the forward-tilt mechanism, pop-up mechanism, and slide mechanism with the aid of a single control lever.

Desirably, the seat cushion is moveably disposed in the slide rails by way of a base, and the control lever is disposed on the base in order to slidably move the seat in the forward direction of the vehicle.

In a preferred form, the control lever is formed such that the first, second, and third branching arms form a Y-shape.

Desirably, the control lever is disposed on an output shaft of the actuator, and the forward-tilt mechanism, the pop-up mechanism, and the slide mechanism are connected to the first, second, and third branching arms by way of respective control cables.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The interior11of a vehicle10is provided with first row seats12, second row seats13, and a third row seat14in order from front of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle, as shown inFIG. 1.

The first row seats12are provided with a right-side driver seat15and a left-side passenger seat16.

The second row seats13are provided with seats21independently disposed on the left and right sides. The left-side seat21, for example, comprises a seat unit of a folding seat apparatus20according to the present invention. The left-side seat21comprises a seat cushion23and a seatback22.

The third row seat14is a bench-type seat.

The folding seat apparatus20is described below in detail with reference toFIGS. 2 to 6.

FIG. 2shows only the frame bodies of the seatback22and seat cushion23in order to clarify the configuration of the seat apparatus.

The folding seat apparatus20is provided with a slide mechanism26disposed on the vehicle body floor25for sliding the seats21in the front/rear direction of the vehicle; a base27disposed on the slide mechanism26; a seatback22disposed on the rear portion of the base27by way of the forward-tilt mechanism28; a seat cushion23disposed on the base27by way of a pop-up mechanism32(seeFIG. 4; an unlocking means35for unlocking the mechanisms26,28, and32; a controller36for sending drive signals to the unlocking means35; an operating means37for sending operation signals to the controller36; and a detection means38for detecting the folded state of the seatback22and seat cushion23and sending detection signals to the controller36, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.

The slide mechanism26has left and right slide rails41and42that are disposed on the vehicle body floor25and face the front/rear direction of the vehicle body, and left and right slide units44and45provided to the left and right slide rails41and42, respectively.

The left slide unit44is provided with a left slider46or other component that can move in the front/rear direction of the vehicle body along the left slide rail41.

The right slide unit45is provided with a right slider47or other component that can move in the front/rear direction of the vehicle body along the right slide rail42.

The slide mechanism26is described in detail inFIG. 6.

The base27is mounted on the left and right sliders46and47.

The base27has left and right support plates51and52whose front ends are connected by a front cross member53, and the rear ends of the left and right support plates51and52are connected by a rear cross member54.

The forward-tilt mechanism28is disposed on the rear portion of the base27and the pop-up mechanism32is disposed substantially in the center of the base27.

The forward-tilt mechanism28swingably supports the seatback22in the arrow direction (front/rear direction of the vehicle body) by rotatably mounting the lower end of the seatback22on the left and right support shafts55and55.

The forward-tilt mechanism28is a mechanism that can hold the seatback22in a swingably moved state as far as the folding position P1in the forward direction of the vehicle body, and an ordinary reclining mechanism is used [for the forward-tilt mechanism].

Hereinbelow, the action of swinging the seatback22in the forward direction will be referred to as “forward tilt.”

The pop-up mechanism32swingably supports the seatback22in the arrow direction (vertical direction) by the rotatable mounting of the seat cushion23on the left and right support shafts56and56(the left support shaft56is not depicted).

The pop-up mechanism32can hold the seat cushion23in the swung state as far as the upward folding position P2.

The unlocking means35for unlocking the slide mechanism26, forward-tilt mechanism28, and pop-up mechanism32is described with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5.

The unlocking means35is provided with a control lever61connected to the slide mechanism26(seeFIG. 2), forward-tilt mechanism28, and pop-up mechanism32; an actuator62for rotating the control lever61in the forward direction of arrow A (rotation in a first direction) and in the reverse direction of arrow B (rotation in a second direction); and a neutral-position detector63for detecting a neutral position P3of the control lever61, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5.

The control lever61is formed in the shape of the character “Y” by providing first to third branching arms65to67, and a mounting hole68is provided in the center. The mounting hole68is linked to an output shaft69of the actuator62.

The first branching arm65is connected to the unlock lever72of the forward-tilt mechanism28by way of a first control cable (control cable)71.

The second branching arm66is connected to the unlock lever75of the pop-up mechanism32by way of a second control cable (control cable)74.

A substantially curved control piece76is provided to the distal end of the second branching arm66. The neutral-position detector63is disposed above the control piece76.

A limit switch, for example, is used as the neutral-position detector63.

The third branching arm67is connected to the slide mechanism26(seeFIG. 6) by way of a third control cable78.

More specifically, the third control cable78is forked midway and two branched cables78are connected to left and right unlocking levers79and79(only the left unlocking lever79is shown inFIG. 6), respectively, provided to the slide mechanism26.

The third branching arm67is accordingly connected to the left and right unlocking levers79and79by way of the third control cable78.

The three mechanisms, i.e., the forward-tilt mechanism28, pop-up mechanism32, and slide mechanism26can be connected to a single control lever61by providing the first to third branching arms65to67to the control lever61.

The forward-tilt mechanism28, pop-up mechanism32, and slide mechanism26can thereby be controlled by the single control lever61, and the number of components can be reduced.

The actuator62for operating the control lever61, for example, houses an electric motor82in a casing81; a reduction gear (not shown) is connected to the drive shaft of the electric motor82; and the output shaft69of the reduction gear protrudes from the casing81.

The control lever61is fixed to the output shaft69by fitting the mounting hole68of the control lever61on the protruding output shaft69and threadably fastening a nut83to the thread portion69aof the output shaft69. Accordingly, the control lever61integrally rotates with the output shaft69due to the rotation of the output shaft69.

The actuator62is mounted on the left support plate51of the base27by using bolts85and85. Spacers86and86are fitted on the bolts85and85. Holding space is accordingly formed between the actuator62and the left support plate51, and the control lever61is disposed in the holding space.

The actuator62drives and rotates the control lever61forward in the manner indicated by the arrow A, and the forward-tilt mechanism28and pop-up mechanism32are unlocked.

Specifically, the control lever61is rotated from the neutral position P3in the forward direction indicated by the arrow A, causing the first branching arm65to pull the first control cable71. The unlock lever72is drawn by the first control cable71.

The unlock lever72resists the urging force of the spring88and swings about the axis of the support pin89in the direction of the arrow.

A stopper pawl72aof the unlock lever72is separated from a notched stopper pawl91aof the lock plate91, and the forward-tilt mechanism28is unlocked.

By unlocking the forward-tilt mechanism28, the seatback22is tilted forward in the direction of the arrow C by the spring force of the curled forward-tilt spring92.

The second branching arm66pulls the second control cable74by the forward rotation of the control lever61from the neutral position P3in the direction of the arrow A. The unlock lever75is drawn by the second control cable74.

The unlock lever75resists the urging force of the spring94and swings about the axis of the support pin95in the direction of the arrow.

A lock member96swings in the direction of the arrow about the axis of a support pin99because the unlock lever75is connected to the lock member96. A lock piece96aof the lock member96is pulled out of the lock groove97, and the pop-up mechanism32is unlocked.

By unlocking the pop-up mechanism32, the seat cushion23is caused to pop upward in the manner indicated by the arrow D due to the spring force of a pop-up spring98.

The control lever61is rotated forward in the direction of the arrow A to unlock the forward-tilt mechanism28and pop-up mechanism32, and the forward-tilt mechanism28and pop-up mechanism32are thereafter unlocked by the reverse rotation of the control lever61to the neutral position P3.

Specifically, the tensile force of the first control cable71is released using the first branching arm65by the reverse rotation of the control lever61to the neutral position P3.

The unlock lever72is returned to the locked position by the urging force of the spring88, and the forward-tilt mechanism28is returned to the locked state.

The tensile force of the second control cable74is released using the second branching arm66by the reverse rotation of the control lever61to the neutral position P3.

The lock lever96is returned to the locked position and the locked state of the pop-up mechanism32is released when the unlock lever75is swung to the locked position by the urging force of the spring94.

A third control cable78is pulled using the third branching arm67by the continued rotation of the control lever61in the reverse direction. Left and right unlock levers79(seeFIG. 6) are drawn by the third control cable78.

The slide mechanism26(seeFIG. 6) is thereby unlocked. The locked state of the slide mechanism26is described in detail inFIG. 6.

The above-described neutral position detector63will now be described.

The neutral-position detector63is bolted to a mounting bracket101, and the mounting bracket101is bolted to the left support plate51. The neutral-position detector63is thereby mounted above the second branching arm66.

When the control lever61is positioned in the neutral position P3, a plunger103is pressed by the control piece76of the second branching arm66, and the neutral-position detector63is kept in an ON state.

When the control lever61is rotated forward in the direction of the arrow A from the neutral position P3, the plunger103is continuously pressed by the control piece76, and the neutral-position detector63is continuously kept in an ON state.

Conversely, when the control lever61is rotated from the neutral position P3in the reverse direction in the direction of the arrow B, the control piece76is separated from the plunger103, and the neutral-position detector63is kept in an OFF state.

When the neutral-position detector63is switched on, an ON signal is transmitted to the controller36, and when the detector is switched off, an OFF signal is transmitted to the controller36.

Described next is the detection means38for detecting that the seatback22has tilted and the seat cushion23has popped up.

The detection means38is provided with a forward-tilt detector105for detecting that the seatback22has tilted, and a pop-up detector106for detecting that the seat cushion23has popped up.

A limit switch, for example, is used as the forward-tilt detector105, and the detector is mounted on the left support plate51of the base27. The forward-tilt detector105is configured so that when the seatback22is tilted from the seating position (position in the diagram) to the seatback folding position P1, a cam107rotates together with the support shaft55as indicated by the arrow, and the plunger111is pressed by the cam107.

The forward-tilt detector105is switched on, and the ON signal (detection signal) is transmitted to the controller36(seeFIG. 3).

A limit switch, for example, is used as the pop-up detector106, and the detector is mounted on the left support plate51of the base27.

The pop-up detector106is configured so that when the seat cushion23is popped up from the seating position (position in the diagram) to the seat cushion folding position P2, a cam112rotates together with the support shaft56as indicated by the arrow, and a plunger113is pressed by the cam112.

The pop-up detector106is switched on, and the ON signal (detection signal) is transmitted to the controller36.

Returning toFIGS. 2 and 3, the control means37is provided with first to third control units (control units)131to133.

A first control unit131is a pushbutton switch disposed on the upper end22aof the outside portion of the seatback22.

The seatback switch131is configured so as to transmit a switch-on signal (press signal) to the controller36when pressing force is applied to a pushbutton135and the switch is actuated.

The seatback switch131is configured so as transmit a switch-off signal (restore signal) to the controller36when the pressing force is released from the pressing button135and the switch is restored to its state prior to being pressed.

The seatback switch131is disposed on the upper end22aof the outside portion of the seatback22. The user in the vicinity of the seatback22can easily operate the seatback switch131in order to obtain loading and unloading space or meet other requirements, for example, and convenience is improved.

The second control unit132is a pushbutton switch disposed on the right side of an instrument panel18(seeFIG. 1).

The instrument panel switch132transmits a switch-on signal (press signal) to the controller36when pressing force is applied to a pushbutton136and the switch is actuated.

The third control unit133is a remote control switch.

The remote control switch133transmits a switch-on signal (press signal) to the receiver138when pressing force is applied to a button137and the switch is actuated.

The receiver138transmits a switch-on signal (press signal) to the controller36on the basis of the received signal.

The receiver138is disposed below the seatback switch131, for example.

The controller36controls the actuator62so as to rotate the control lever61in the forward direction on the basis of two signals, i.e., the switch-on signal (press signal) and the switch-off signal (restore signal) from the seatback switch131.

The controller36controls the actuator62so as to rotate the control lever61in the forward direction on the basis of the switch-on signal from the instrument panel switch132.

The controller36furthermore controls the actuator62so as to rotate the control lever61in the forward direction on the basis of the switch-on signal from the receiver138.

Additionally, the controller36controls the actuator62so as switch the rotation of the control lever61from the forward rotation direction to the reverse rotation direction on the basis of the ON signals (detection signal) from the forward-tilt detector105and the pop-up detector106.

The above-described slide mechanism26is described next with reference toFIG. 6. A symmetric arrangement is selected for the left and right slide rails41and42(seeFIG. 2for the left slide rail41) and the left and right slide units44and45(seeFIG. 2for the left slide unit44) provided to the slide mechanism26.

In view of the above, the same reference numerals are used for the constituent members of the left and right slide rails41and42and the left and right slide units44and45, the right slide rail42and right slide unit45are described, and a description of the left slide rail41and left slide unit44is omitted.

The right slide unit45shown inFIG. 6is provided with a right slider47that can move in the front/rear direction of the vehicle body along the right slide rail42. The right slider47is provided with a unlock lever79, a pivot arm116, a lock member119, a drawing means120, a slide start detector145, and other components.

The unlock lever79is connected to the third control cable78, and the lower end portion makes contact with the front end portion of the pivot arm116.

The pivot arm116is held in the locked position when the unlock lever79is not drawn by the third control cable78(the state inFIG. 6).

In the right slide unit45, the unlock lever79is drawn by way of the third control cable78when the control lever61(seeFIG. 4) rotates from the neutral position P3in the reverse direction. The unlock lever79thus drawn swingably moves in the manner depicted by the arrow about the axis of the support pin114.

When the unlock lever79swingably moves in the manner depicted by the arrow, the pivot arm116in the locked position swingably moves against the spring force of the slide spring117in the direction of the arrow (counterclockwise direction) about the axis of the support pin115.

The pivot arm116is thereby held in the unlocked position.

A locking member119is connected to the rear end portion of the pivot arm116by way of a connection pin118. The locking member119rises when the pivot arm116swingably moves in the counterclockwise direction (arrow direction) from the locked position to the unlocked position about axis of the support pin115.

When the locking member119rises, the lock pieces119aand119aof the locking member119are retracted from the locking grooves121and121, and the slide mechanism26is unlocked.

The right slider47can be allowed to move along the right slide rail42by unlocking the slide mechanism26(more specifically, the right slide unit45).

The right slider47has a drawing means120for moving the right slider47in the front/rear direction of the vehicle body, and a slide start detector145for detecting the actuation start of the drawing means.

The slide start detector145is an ON/OFF switch disposed near the front of the pivot arm116.

The slide start detector145is configured so that the connection lever146extends from the detector main body145ain the rearward direction of the vehicle body. The connection lever146is swingably disposed in the vertical direction on the detector main body145a.

The end portion of the connection lever146is rotatably connected to the front end portion116aof the pivot arm116by way of a pin147.

The connection lever146is thereby caused to swingably move in the vertical direction, and the slide start detector145is switched on and off when the pivot arm116swingably moves about the axis of the support pin115.

Specifically, the front end portion116aof the pivot arm116is disposed in an upper position when the pivot arm116is in the locked position (diagramed position). The connection lever146forms an upward slope in the rearward direction of the vehicle body, and the slide start detector145is switched off.

On the other hand, when the pivot arm116is in the unlocked position, the front end portion116aof the pivot arm116is disposed in a lower position. The connection lever146forms a downward slope in the rearward direction of the vehicle body, and the slide start detector145is switched on.

In this case, an ON signal is transmitted from the slide start detector145to the controller36(seeFIG. 3).

The controller36transmits a drive signal to the drawing means120on the basis of the ON signal from the slide start detector145.

Specifically, the slide start detector145serves to determine the actuation start of the drawing means120.

The drawing means120is configured with a casing123disposed on the right slider47by way of a mounting bracket122; a rotating drum124is rotatably housed in the casing123; and an output shaft of the electric motor125is connected to the rotating drum124by way of a reduction gear and a clutch (not shown).

The electric motor125is mounted on the casing123.

A rear outer cable127is disposed on rear side of the casing123, and a front outer cable128is disposed on the front side of the casing123.

Specifically, the rear outer cable127is configured so that a first end portion127ais mounted on the rear side of the casing123, an intermediate portion127cis curved forward, and a second end portion127bis extended to the front end portion47aof the right slider47.

The second end portion127bis mounted facing forward on the front end portion47aof the right slider47by way of a bracket141.

The front outer cable128is configured so that a first end portion128ais mounted on the front side of the casing123, an intermediate portion128cis curved rearward, and a second end portion128bis extended to the rear end portion47bof the right slider47.

The second end portion128bis mounted facing rearward on the rear end portion47bof the right slider47by way of a bracket142.

A cable126of the rotating drum124is insertably mounted in the rear outer cable127and front outer cable128.

Specifically, a first end portion126aside of the cable126wound on the rotating drum124is slidably inserted inside the rear outer cable127and is extended from the second end portion127bof the rear outer cable127toward the front of the vehicle body.

The first end portion126aof the cable126extended toward the front of the vehicle body is mounted on the front end42aof the right slide rail42(seeFIG. 2).

A second end portion126bof the cable126wound on the rotating drum124is slidably inserted inside the front outer cable128and is extended from the second end portion128bof the front outer cable128toward the rear of the vehicle body.

The first end portion126bof the cable126extended toward the front of the vehicle body is mounted on the rear end42bof the right slide rail42(seeFIG. 2).

The slide mechanism26(more specifically, the right slide unit45) is provided with the above-described clutch (not shown) disposed between the rotating drum124and the reduction gear. Intermediately disposing the clutch allows the slide mechanism26to be switched between automatic and manual operation.

In other words, the pivot arm116in the right slide unit45swingably moves in the counterclockwise direction to the unlocked position, and the slide start detector145is switched on. A signal for keeping the clutch activated and a signal for driving the electric motor125are transmitted from the controller36(seeFIG. 3) on the basis of the ON signal.

The electric motor125is driven with the clutch in an activated state, whereby the rotating drum124is rotated by the electric motor125as indicated by the arrow E.

The first end portion126aside of the cable126is accordingly wound on the rotating drum124, and the right slider47slidably moves in the forward direction of the vehicle body in the manner indicated by the arrow F.

The rotating drum124is rotated by the electric motor125in the direction opposite from the arrow E, whereby the first end portion127aside of the cable126is wound on the rotating drum124.

The right slider47is slidably moved in a corresponding manner in the direction (rearward direction of the vehicle body) opposite from the arrow F.

The right slider47(i.e., seat21(seeFIG. 2)) can thereby be automatically moved in slidable fashion in the front/rear direction of the vehicle body by using the electric motor125.

The right slider47(i.e., seat21) can be manually moved in slidable fashion in the front/rear direction of the vehicle body by deactivating the clutch, whereby the rotating drum124is disengaged from the electric motor125.

A ball screw is ordinarily used as a slide mechanism for slidably moving the seat21.

Specifically, an ordinary slide mechanism rotates a ball screw by using an electric motor to slidably move the seat along the ball screw.

In contrast, the slide mechanism26rotates the rotating drum124and winds the cable126in the below-described manner in order to slidably move the seat21(refer toFIG. 2).

The slide mechanism26can therefore slidably move the seat21more rapidly in comparison with an ordinary slide mechanism, and the noise level can be further reduced.

The folding steps of the seat21are described next with reference toFIGS. 7 to 12.

To facilitate the understanding of the present invention, a description is given with reference toFIGS. 7 to 12of an example in which the seat is folded using the seatback switch131as a typical example of a component selected from the seatback switch131, instrument panel switch132, and remote control switch133provided as control means37.

First, the steps for folding the seat21are described on the basis of the flowchart shown inFIG. 7.

ST01: Determine whether the seatback switch131is switched on. If the seatback switch131is on, advance to ST02; otherwise return to ST01.

ST02: Confirm that the seatback switch131is switched on and thereafter determine whether the seatback switch131is switched off. If the seatback switch131is off, advance to ST03; otherwise return to ST02.

ST03: Transmit to the electric motor82a drive signal for causing the control lever61to rotate in the forward direction.

ST04: Determine whether the forward-tilt detector105is switched on. If the forward-tilt detector105is switched on, advance to ST05; otherwise return to ST04.

ST05: Determine whether the pop-up detector106is switched on. If the pop-up detector106is switched on, advance to ST06; otherwise return to ST05.

ST06: Transmit to the electric motor82a drive signal for rotating the control lever61in the reverse direction.

ST07: Determine whether the slide start detector145is switched on. If the slide start detector145is switched on, advance to ST08; otherwise return to ST07.

ST08: Transmit to the electric motor82a stop signal for stopping the control lever61.

At the same time, transmit to the electric motor125a drive signal for rotating the rotating drum124.

ST09: Determine whether a fixed time T has elapsed beginning from the time the drive signal was transmitted to the electric motor125. If the fixed time T has elapsed, advance to ST10; and if the fixed time T has not elapsed, return to ST09.

ST10: Transmit to the electric motor82a drive signal for rotating the control lever61in the forward direction.

ST11: Determine whether the neutral-position detector63is switched on. If the neutral-position detector63is switched on, advance to ST12, otherwise return to ST11.

ST12: Transmit a stop signal to the electric motor82of the actuator62in order to stop the control lever61in the neutral position P3.

At the same time, transmit to the electric motor125a drive signal for stopping the rotating drum124.

The steps described inFIG. 7are described in detail with reference toFIGS. 8 to 12.

Described in detail first inFIGS. 8A and 8Bare ST01to ST03for operating the seatback switch131of the folding seat apparatus20and rotating the control lever61in the forward direction.

A finger (not shown) is placed on the pushbutton135of the seatback switch131shown inFIG. 8A, and pressing force is applied to the pushbutton135to switch on the apparatus. A switch-on signal (press signal) is transmitted to the controller36.

Next, the finger is removed from the pushbutton135, and the pressing force is released from the pushbutton135. The pushbutton135is restored to its state prior to being pressed, and a switch-off signal (restore signal) is transmitted to the controller36.

InFIG. 8B, the controller36confirms that the switch-on signal and the switch-off signal have been sequentially transmitted, and then transmits a drive signal to the electric motor82of the actuator62.

The electric motor82provides driving force and the control lever61is rotated about the axis of the output shaft69from the neutral position P3in the forward direction in the manner indicated by the arrow G.

The first control cable71is pulled by the first branching arm65in the direction indicated by the arrow, and the forward-tilt mechanism28(seeFIG. 2) is unlocked by the forward rotation of the control lever61.

The second control cable74is simultaneously pulled by the second branching arm66in the direction indicated by the arrow, and the pop-up mechanism32(seeFIG. 2) is unlocked.

In this case, the control piece76of the second branching arm66keeps the plunger103of the neutral-position detector63in the pressed state, as shown inFIG. 8B.

From this state, the control piece76of the second branching arm66moves in the direction indicated by the arrow G. The plunger103is kept pressed into the neutral-position detector63by the control piece76of the second branching arm66, and the detector is kept switched on.

Described next in detail inFIGS. 9A and 9Bare steps ST04to ST06for folding the seat21of the folding seat apparatus20for a vehicle.

The seatback22is tilted forward in the manner indicated by the arrow H, as shown inFIG. 9A, by unlocking the forward-tilt mechanism28(seeFIG. 2) in the manner shown inFIG. 8B. The seatback22is tilted and held in the seatback folding position P1.

In this case, when the seatback22is to be tilted in the manner indicated by the arrow H, the finger is removed from the pushbutton135of the seatback switch131, as shown inFIG. 8A.

The operator can thereby prevent the seatback22from starting to tilt while the pushbutton135of the seatback switch131is being operated, and the seatback switch131can be made more comfortable to operate.

With the seatback22tilted to the seatback folding position P1, the forward-tilt detector105is switched on and an ON signal (detection signal) is transmitted to the controller36.

The seat cushion23is popped up in the manner indicated by the arrow I, as shown inFIG. 9A, by unlocking the pop-up mechanism32(seeFIG. 2) as shown inFIG. 8B. The seat cushion23is popped up and held in the seat cushion folding position P2.

In this state, the pop-up detector106is switched on and an ON signal (detection signal) is transmitted to the controller36.

InFIG. 9B, a switching signal for switching the rotational direction is transmitted from the controller36to the electric motor82of the actuator62on the basis of ON signals (detection signals) from the light forward-tilt detector105and pop-up detector106

The control lever61is rotated about the output shaft69in the manner indicated by the arrow J by switching the rotational direction of the electric motor82.

The tensile force of the first control cable71is released by the first branching arm65, and the forward-tilt mechanism28(seeFIG. 2) is returned to a locked state.

At the same time, the tensile force of the second control cable74is released by the second branching arm66, and the pop-up mechanism32(seeFIG. 2) is returned to a locked state.

The control lever61thereby continues to rotate in the reverse direction in the direction of the arrow J even after having returned to the neutral position P3.

The third control cable78is pulled by the third branching arm67in the manner indicated by the arrow.

Subsequently described in detail inFIGS. 10A and 10Bis step ST07for unlocking the slide mechanism of the folding seat apparatus20for a vehicle.

The unlock lever79is drawn by pulling the third control cable78in the manner indicated by the arrow, as shown inFIG. 10A.

The unlock lever79swingably moves in the manner indicated by the arrow, and the front end portion of the pivot arm116is pressed downward by the lower end portion of the unlock lever79.

The pivot arm116swingably moves about the support pin115in the counterclockwise direction in the manner indicated by the arrows K1and K2.

The rear end portion of the pivot arm116rises in the manner indicated by the arrow K1due to the swinging movement of the pivot arm116. The rear end portion of the pivot arm116rises and causes the locking member119to rise in the manner indicated by the arrow L.

Conversely, the front end portion of the pivot arm116moves downward in the manner indicated by the arrow K2due to the swinging movement of the pivot arm116. The front end portion of the pivot arm116moves downward and causes the connection lever146to swing downward in the manner indicated by the arrow M.

The locking member119rises to cause the locking pieces119aand119aof the locking member119to retract from the locking grooves121and121and unlock the slide mechanism26, as shown inFIG. 10B.

When the connection lever146swings downward, the connection lever146forms a downward slope toward the rear of the vehicle body, and the slide start detector145is switched on.

An ON signal is transmitted from the slide start detector145to the controller36.

Subsequently described in detail inFIGS. 11A and 11Bare steps ST08to ST10for sliding the seat21of the seat apparatus20in the forward direction of the vehicle body.

FIG. 11Ashows the state in which the base27(seeFIG. 2) has been removed from the seat apparatus20in order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention.

InFIG. 11A, a stop signal is transmitted from the controller36to the actuator62(seeFIG. 9B), and a drive signal is transmitted to the left and right drawing means120and120on the basis of the ON signal transmitted from the slide start detector145.

The electric motor82of the actuator62is stopped on the basis of the stop signal transmitted to the actuator62. The control lever61(seeFIG. 9B) is thereby stopped, and the slide mechanism26is kept unlocked.

On the other hand, the clutches (not shown) of the drawing means120and120are each connected and the electric motors125and125of the drawing means120and120are driven on the basis of the drive signals transmitted to the left and right drawing means120and120.

The left and right rotating drums124and124are rotated in the manner indicated by the arrow N by the driving action of the left and right electric motors125and125.

The first end portion126a(seeFIG. 2) side of the left-side cable126is wound on the left-side rotating drum124, and the first end portion126a(seeFIG. 2) side of the right-side cable126is wound on the right-side rotating drum124.

The left and right sliders46and47accordingly slide toward the front of the vehicle body in the manner indicated by the arrow O. The seat21is thereby caused to slide in the front direction of the vehicle body.

InFIG. 11B, after a fixed time T has elapsed from the start of the sliding movement of the seat21(seeFIG. 11A), a switching signal for switching the rotational direction is transmitted from the controller36to the electric motor82of the actuator62.

As used herein, “a fixed time T” refers to the time that begins when a drive signal is transmitted to the electric motor125and ends just prior to the seat21arriving at a slide stop position.

The control lever61rotates forward in the manner indicated by the arrow P by switching the rotation direction of the electric motor82.

When the control lever61has started forward rotation, the control piece76of the second branching arm66is separated from the plunger103. The pressing force of the control piece76is released and the plunger103is accordingly kept in the OFF state.

Subsequently described in detail inFIGS. 12A and 12Bare steps ST11and ST12for folding the seat21in the forward direction of the vehicle body.

The control lever61rotates forward and arrives at the neutral position P3, as shown inFIG. 12A. At this time, the plunger103of the neutral-position detector63is pressed into the detector by the control piece76of the second branching arm66.

The neutral-position detector63is switched on, and an ON signal is transmitted to the controller36. A stop signal is transmitted from the controller36to the electric motor82of the actuator62, and a stop signal is transmitted to the left and right drawing means120and120(seeFIG. 11A).

The electric motor82of the actuator62is stopped based on the stop signal transmitted to the actuator62. The control lever61is thereby stopped in the neutral position P3.

The electric motors125and125(seeFIG. 11A) of the left and right drawing means120and120are stopped based on the stop signal transmitted to the left and right drawing means120and120. The rotating drums124and124of the left and right drawing means120and120shown inFIG. 11Aare therefore stopped.

Furthermore, the control lever61stops in the neutral position P3, whereby the tensile force of the third control cable78exerted by the third branching arm67is released. The slide mechanism26(seeFIG. 2) is thereby returned to the locked state, and the seat21(FIG. 11A) is held in place.

The seat21is disposed behind the passenger seat16in a folded state, as shown inFIG. 12b. Space152for loading and unloading passengers151can thereby easily be obtained, and the passengers151can more easily board and exit a vehicle. The space152in the vehicle interior11can easily be increased and the ease of use can be further improved.

With reference toFIG. 12A, the forward-tilt mechanism28, pop-up mechanism32, and slide mechanism26shown inFIG. 2can each be kept locked by stopping the control lever61in the neutral position P3.

The forward-tilt mechanism28, pop-up mechanism32, and slide mechanism26can be unlocked by ordinary manual operation, and can be held in any position.

Described above inFIGS. 7 to 12is an example in which the folding operation was carried out using the seatback switch131of the control means37, but instead of using the seatback switch131, the seat21can be folded in the same manner by operating the instrument panel switch132or the remote control switch133of the control means37.

As described above, in accordance with the folding seat apparatus20of the present invention, the control lever61is rotated forward by the actuator62, whereby the forward-tilt mechanism28and pop-up mechanism32are unlocked. The forward-tilt mechanism28and pop-up mechanism32are unlocked to tilt the seatback22and pop up the seat cushion23.

The forward-tilt detector105detects that the seatback22has tilted and the pop-up detector106detects that the seat cushion23has popped up.

The actuator62is controlled so that the rotation of the control lever61is switched from forward rotation to reverse rotation on the basis of detection signals from the forward-tilt detector105and pop-up detector106. The control lever61rotates in the reverse direction to unlock the slide mechanism26.

In this manner, the seat21can be made to slide while the forward-tilt mechanism28and the pop-up mechanism32are kept in a folded state by unlocking the slide mechanism26after the forward-tilt mechanism28and pop-up mechanism32have been unlocked.

The seat cushion23can thereby be prevented from interfering with the left-side passenger seat16when the seat21has slid to an intermediate point, and the seat21can be automatically folded.

Additionally, the control lever61is rotated forward by the actuator62, and the forward rotated control lever61is thereafter rotated in the reverse direction by the actuator62.

Specifically, the control lever61can be rotated forward and in reverse by using a single actuator62and offsetting the timing of the rotations.

The seat21can thereby be automatically folded and the number of actuators62can be reduced by using a single actuator62.

An example was described in the above-described embodiment in which the forward-tilt mechanism28and pop-up mechanism32were operated by rotating the control lever61forward, and the slide mechanism26was operated by reverse rotation, but no limitation is imposed by this configuration, and a configuration is also possible in which the pop-up mechanism32alone is operated by the forward rotation of the control lever61, and the slide mechanism26is operated by reverse rotation.

An example was described in the above-described embodiment in which the rotation of the control lever61in a first direction was set as forward rotation and a second direction was set as reverse rotation, but no limitation is imposed by this configuration, and the first direction of rotation can be set as reverse rotation, and rotation in the second direction can be set as forward rotation.

An example was described in the above-described embodiment in which the seat21was moved in the forward direction of the vehicle body, but no limitation is imposed by this configuration, and the seat21can be moved in the rearward direction of the vehicle body.

The above embodiment was described with reference to an example in which the forward-tilt mechanism28was used as the mechanism for tilting the seatback22forward, but no limitation is imposed by this configuration, and another forward-tilt mechanism may be used.

The above embodiment was described with reference to an example in which the pop-up mechanism32was used as the mechanism for popping up the seat cushion23, but no limitation is imposed by this configuration, and another pop-up mechanism may be used.

The above embodiment was described with reference to an example in which the unlock lever79was used as the mechanism for unlocking the slide mechanism26, but the unlock lever79is an example and no limitation is imposed thereby.

The above embodiment was described with reference to an example in which the forward-tilt detector105and cam107were used as a means for detecting the tilting of the seatback22, but no limitation is imposed by this configuration, and another detection means may be used to detect the tilting of the seatback22.

The above embodiment was described with reference to an example in which the pop-up detector106and cam112were used as the means for detecting that the seat cushion23has popped up, but no limitation is imposed by this configuration, and the popping up of the seat cushion23may also be detected by using another detection means.