JP7087672B2 - Lifter device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a lifter device used for a seat of an automobile or the like.

The lifter device used for the seat of an automobile or the like adjusts the height of the seat cushion with respect to the floor by operating the operation handle, and various types have been developed. According to the invention of Patent Document 1, when the operation handle is operated to the ascending side or the descending side of the seat, the height is adjusted by the amount corresponding to the operation amount for each operation, and the operation handle is adjusted to the desired height by the seated person. It is configured to repeat the operation of.

Specifically, the rotation control device is configured so that the pinion gear coupled to the link mechanism so as to raise or lower the seat is rotated by operating the seat ascending or descending side of the operation handle. In the rotation control device, the rotation shaft of the pinion gear is provided with a rotation drive mechanism for rotationally driving the pinion gear and a lock mechanism for locking the rotation of the pinion gear.

When the operation handle is operated to the ascending side or the descending side of the seat, the rotation drive mechanism rotationally drives the pinion gear so as to raise or lower the seat. The lock mechanism is unlocked by receiving the operating force of the operating handle, and when the operating force of the operating handle is no longer received, the rotation of the pinion gear is locked at that position.

When the lock mechanism is in the unlocked state during the operation of the operation handle, a rotational torque in the direction of lowering the seat from the seat side is applied to the rotation shaft of the pinion gear due to the weight of the seat itself and the weight of the occupant. Therefore, when the seat is operated to the lower side, if the operating force of the operation handle is weak, the rotational torque from the seat side is superior to the torque for rotationally driving the pinion gear by the rotary drive mechanism, and the lock mechanism rotates the pinion gear. Lock. As a result, the operation on the descending side cannot be performed smoothly.

In the invention of Patent Document 1, frictional resistance is applied to the rotating shaft of the pinion gear by a disc spring, and the rotational torque from the seat side is canceled by the frictional resistance.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-78850

However, the frictional resistance due to the disc spring is applied to the rotation shaft of the pinion gear even on the side where the seat is raised, and the operating force of the operation handle required when operating the seat on the rising side is increased. That is, when operating the seat to the ascending side, it is necessary to rotationally drive the pinion gear against the rotational force applied from the seat side by the seat's own weight and the weight of the occupant, but frictional resistance due to the disc spring is further added. The problem is that the operating force of the operating handle is large.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the frictional resistance of the pinion gear with respect to the rotation shaft of the seat in a lifter device capable of raising or lowering the seat height according to the amount of operation when the operation handle is operated to the seat raising side or the seat lowering side. It is given only at times and not when the seat is raised. As a result, the rotational torque applied from the seat side when the seat is lowered is offset by the frictional resistance without increasing the operating force when the seat is raised. As a result, the operation when the seat is lowered can be smoothly performed without impairing the operability when the seat is raised.

The lifter device of the first invention of the present invention includes a pinion gear that meshes with an input gear of a link mechanism that raises and lowers the seat, and a rotation control device that controls the rotation of the pinion gear. In the rotation control device, a rotation shaft that rotates in synchronization with the pinion gear, a support member that rotatably supports the rotation shaft, and an operation handle for raising and lowering the seat raise or lower the seat. A rotary drive mechanism that transmits the operating force of the operating handle to the rotating shaft to rotationally drive the rotating shaft in the ascending or descending direction, and the operating handle so as to raise or lower the seat. It is provided with a lock mechanism that allows the rotation of the rotation shaft and locks the rotation of the rotation shaft at the operation end position of the operation handle. It is provided between the rotating shaft or the rotating member that rotates in synchronization with the rotating shaft and the supporting member, and when the rotating shaft rotates, the rotation direction is provided between the rotating shaft or the rotating member and the supporting member. The friction member is provided with a friction member that causes the frictional resistance of the above, and the friction member does not generate the frictional resistance when the rotation direction of the rotation shaft is the direction in which the seat is raised, and the rotation direction of the rotation shaft is the direction in which the seat is lowered. In the case of, it is configured to generate the frictional resistance.

According to the first invention, the frictional resistance due to the friction member is not applied to the rotation shaft of the pinion gear when the seat is raised, but is applied when the seat is lowered. Therefore, the rotational torque applied from the seat side when the seat is lowered can be offset by the frictional resistance without increasing the operating force when the seat is raised. As a result, the operation when the seat is lowered can be smoothly performed without impairing the operability when the seat is raised.

In the second invention of the present invention, in the first invention, the friction member is a wedge member sandwiched between the rotating shaft or the rotating member and the supporting member on facing surfaces thereof, and the wedge member. The member has a wedge shape that expands in the facing direction toward the side where the rotating shaft or the rotating member rotates in the seat descending direction.

According to the second invention, the friction member is composed of a wedge member, the increase in the number of parts due to the addition of the friction member is suppressed, and the configuration of the rotation control device is not complicated, and the seat is lowered from the seat side. The applied rotational torque can be offset by frictional resistance.

In the third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the support member has a container shape so as to accommodate the rotation drive mechanism and the lock mechanism inside, and the container shape has the rotation shaft. An inner peripheral surface of concentric circles is formed, and the rotating member is arranged in the inner peripheral surface of the support member with the outer peripheral surface facing the inner peripheral surface of the support member. It is sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface of the support member and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member.

According to the third invention, the wedge member is arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the container shape of the support member and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member. Therefore, the wedge member can generate frictional resistance at a place having a large diameter, and can increase the torque change of the rotating shaft due to the frictional resistance.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, when the rotation drive mechanism rotates the rotation shaft in the downward direction of the seat, the rotation drive mechanism abuts on the wedge member and the wedge member is sandwiched between the facing surfaces. A contact portion for pressing the rotating member from a state in which the frictional resistance to the outer peripheral surface is increased to a state in which the frictional resistance is decreased is provided.

According to the fourth invention, the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member slides with respect to the wedge member, and the wedge member is sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface of the support member and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member, and the inside of the support member. When it becomes impossible to slide with respect to the peripheral surface, the contact portion of the rotation transmission mechanism abuts on the wedge member, and the wedge member is moved to a slidable state with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the support member. Therefore, even if the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member slides with respect to the wedge member, the wedge member is maintained in a slidable state with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the support member, and the seat can be lowered normally. can.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the rotation drive mechanism includes a rotation transmission plate that is rotated in the ascending direction or the descending direction according to the operation of the operation handle, and the rotating member comprises a rotation transmission plate. It is configured to engage with the rotation transmission plate in the rotation direction and be rotated by the rotation transmission plate, and when the rotation member is rotated in the downward direction, the rotation member with respect to the outer peripheral surface thereof. The inclination angle of the portion of the wedge member that abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member is smaller than the friction angle of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member at the portion of the wedge member that abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member. When the rotation transmission plate rotates in the downward direction, the rotation transmission plate abuts on the rubbish member, and the rubbish member is sandwiched between the facing surfaces to increase the frictional resistance with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member. It is provided with a contact portion that presses toward a state of making it smaller.

According to the fifth invention, since the rotating member is rotated by the rotation transmission plate, the contact portion that comes into contact with the wedge member is rotated in synchronization with the rotating member when the seat is lowered. Therefore, when the seat is lowered, the relative position of the contact portion and the rotating member in the rotation direction does not change, and the wedge member is rotated together with the rotating member. As a result, the rotating member is provided with frictional resistance between the wedge member and the inner peripheral surface of the support member when the seat is rotated in the downward direction, and the rotational torque applied from the seat side when the seat is lowered is offset by the frictional resistance. can do.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, when the rotating member is rotated in the downward direction, the portion of the wedge member that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member is tilted with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member. The angle is made larger than the friction angle of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member at the portion of the wedge member that comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member.

According to the sixth invention, when the rotating member is rotated in the downward direction of the seat, the wedge member is pushed by the rotating member and moves. Therefore, the rotating member is provided with frictional resistance between the wedge member and the inner peripheral surface of the support member when the seat is rotated in the descending direction, and the rotational torque applied from the seat side when the seat is lowered is offset by the frictional resistance. be able to.

It is a side view of the sheet to which the lifter device which is 1st Embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a side view from the inside of a sheet of 1st Embodiment. It is an exploded perspective view of the main part of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which looked at the rotation control device of 1st Embodiment from the outside of a seat. It is a perspective view which looked at the rotation control device of 1st Embodiment from the inside of a seat. It is a front view of the rotation control device of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. It is an exploded perspective view which looked at the rotation control device from the outside of a seat. FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembled state between some of the components shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a further assembled state between some of the components shown in FIG. 10. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing a further assembled state between some of the components shown in FIG. 11. It is an exploded perspective view which looked at the rotation control device from the inside of a seat. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembled state between some of the components shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing a further assembled state between some of the components shown in FIG. 14. It is a state diagram of the feed function of the rotation control device when the operation handle is in a neutral position. It is a phase diagram of the same friction function. It is a state diagram of the lock function. It is a state diagram of the feed function when the operation handle is pushed down from the neutral position to the middle position. It is a phase diagram of the same friction function. It is a state diagram of the lock function. It is a state diagram of the feed function when the operation handle is pushed down from the neutral position to the full stroke position. It is a phase diagram of the same friction function. It is a state diagram of the lock function. It is a state diagram of the feed function when the operation handle is returned from the push-down operation state to the neutral position. It is a phase diagram of the same friction function. It is a state diagram of the lock function. It is a state diagram of the feed function when the operation handle is pulled up from a neutral position to an intermediate position. It is a phase diagram of the same friction function. It is a state diagram of the lock function. It is a state diagram in which the rotation of a pinion gear in the pushing-down operation direction is stopped by a stopper. It is a state diagram in which the rotation of a pinion gear in the pulling operation direction is stopped by a stopper. It is a phase diagram corresponding to FIG. 17 of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

<Overall configuration of the first embodiment>
1 to 3 show an automobile seat (hereinafter, simply referred to as a seat) 1 to which the lifter device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied. In each figure, the arrows indicate the directions of each part when the seat is mounted on the automobile. In the following description, the description regarding the direction shall be made with reference to this direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the seat 1 is provided with a seat back 3 forming a backrest at the rear portion of the seat cushion 2 forming the seat portion, and the seat back 3 is rotatable in the front-rear direction with respect to the seat cushion 2. There is. The seat cushion 2 is provided with a lifter device 10 and a seat slide device 8 at the lower portion, and is fixed to the floor 4 of the vehicle via a bracket 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the seat slide device 8 is known, and a pair of left and right upper rails 6 are coupled to a pair of left and right lower rails 5 extending in the front-rear direction so as to be slidable back and forth. The left and right lower rails 5 are fixedly supported by a pair of front and rear brackets 7 fixed to the floor 4. A lifter device 10 is provided on the left and right upper rails 6.

As shown in FIGS. The side frame 13, the base member 14, and the link member 11 which are the skeleton members of the cushion 2 constitute a link mechanism 12 which is a four-section link. Of the plurality of link members 11, the rear link 11b on the right rear side is configured to include a sector gear (corresponding to the input gear of the present invention) 16 and is rotated in the front-rear direction by the pinion gear 18 of the rotation control device 21. It is configured as follows. The rotation axis of the rear link 11b on the right rear side with respect to the side frame 13 is composed of a torque rod 17, and the rear link (not shown) on the left rear side is also synchronized with the rear link 11b via the torque rod 17. It is configured to rotate.

The side frame 13 is provided with a through hole 13a for inserting the pinion gear 18, and the rotation control device 21 is fixed to the right wall of the side frame 13 so that the pinion gear 18 is inserted into the through hole 13a. ing. The rotation control device 21 can be rotated in the forward and reverse directions by an operation handle 20 extending in the front-rear direction on the right side of the seat cushion 2. When the operation handle 20 is rotated upward, the rotation control device 21 rotates the rear link 11b so as to rise from the base member 14, and when the operation handle 20 is rotated downward, the rotation control device 21 rotates the rear link 11b. Rotate so as to lie down on the base member 14. With the above-mentioned four-section link configuration, the front link 11a also rotates according to the rotation of the rear link 11b, and the height of the seat cushion 2 from the floor 4 is adjusted according to the operation of the operation handle 20.

<Structure of rotation control device 21 (lock mechanism 30)>
4 to 6 show a state in which the rotation control device 21 is removed from the seat cushion 2. Hereinafter, the configuration of the rotation control device 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 15.

The rotation control device 21 is assembled so that the rotation shaft 22 penetrates the central hole 23c of the support member 23, which is a base member, and the pinion gear 18 projects from the left side surface of the support member 23. Then, the support member 23 is fixed to the side frame 13 in a state where the pinion gear 18 penetrates the through hole 13a (see FIGS. 2 and 3) of the side frame 13.

The right side surface of the support member 23 is punched to the left side so as to accommodate the lock plate 31 of the lock mechanism 30 to form a guide recess 23b, and has a circular container shape as a whole. Internal teeth 34 with which poles 32 and 33, which will be described later, mesh with each other are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the guide recess 23b. A spline hole 31b is formed in the center of the lock plate 31 so as to mesh with the spline 22b of the rotating shaft 22. Therefore, the lock plate 31 is rotated synchronously with the rotation shaft 22.

On the outer peripheral portion of the right side surface of the lock plate 31, one protrusion 31d is formed so as to be dispersed vertically, and two protrusions 31e are formed so as to be dispersed back and forth. The protrusions 31e are fitted into the through holes 32a and 33a of the poles 32 and 33, and the poles 32 and 33 are swingable around the protrusions 31e. Further, the winding portion 35a of the torsion spring 35 is fitted to each protrusion 31d, and each end portion 35b of the torsion spring 35 is engaged with the poles 32 and 33 to lock the poles 32 and 33. It is urged toward the outer peripheral side of the plate 31. Therefore, the engaging ends 32c and 33c of the poles 32 and 33 are always meshed with the internal teeth 34 of the support member 23.

<Structure of rotation control device 21 (rotation member 26 and wedge member 71)>
A rotating member 26 is provided on the right side surface of the lock plate 31. A spline hole 26d is formed in the center of the rotating member 26, and the spline hole 26d is adapted to mesh with the spline 22b of the rotating shaft 22. Therefore, the rotating member 26 is rotated synchronously with the rotating shaft 22 together with the lock plate 31.

The circumscribed surface 26b formed so as to project from the outermost periphery of the rotating member 26 in three directions is arranged inside the inner peripheral surface 23d of the support member 23 in a state of being assembled to the support member 23 (see FIGS. 8 and 11). ). Further, in the circumferential direction of the rotating member 26, between the outer peripheral surfaces 26b, with the rotating member 26 assembled to the support member 23, a predetermined gap is provided between the rotating member 26 and the inner peripheral surface 23d of the support member 23. The facing outer peripheral surfaces 26a are formed so as to project in three directions (see FIGS. 8 and 11).

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, three wedge members (corresponding to the friction member of the present invention) 71 are sandwiched between the outer peripheral surface 26a of the rotating member 26 and the inner peripheral surface 23d of the support member 23. There is. The wedge member 71 has a wedge shape, and when the rotating member 26 rotates in the clockwise direction (corresponding to the direction in which the seat descends) in FIG. 11, each outer peripheral surface 26a of the rotating member 26 and the inner peripheral surface of the support member 23 A wide region of the wedge member 71 is located in the gap with 23d, and when the rotating member 26 rotates counterclockwise (corresponding to the direction in which the seat rises) in FIG. 11, it supports each outer peripheral surface 26a of the rotating member 26. It is said that the narrow region of the wedge member 71 is located in the gap between the inner peripheral surface 23d of the member 23 and the inner peripheral surface 23d. Only one wedge member 71 may be used, but if three or more wedge members 71 are evenly arranged in the circumferential direction, there is an advantage that the frictional resistance described later is stable even when the rotating shaft 22 is tilted by an external force. Further, the wedge member 71 is provided between the outer peripheral surface 26a of the rotating member 26 and the inner peripheral surface 23d of the support member 23, but is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the support member 23. It may be configured.

A compression spring 72 is inserted and arranged between the wide end portion 71b of each wedge member 71 and the member forming each circumscribed surface 26b of the rotating member 26. Therefore, each wedge member 71 is urged by the compression spring 72 so that the narrow region of the wedge member 71 is located in the gap between each outer peripheral surface 26a of the rotating member 26 and the inner peripheral surface 23d of the support member 23. There is. Further, an engaging portion 71a is formed at the narrow end portion of each wedge member 71 so as to project toward the inner peripheral side of the rotating member 26. Each engaging portion 71a is located at a position where the protrusions (corresponding to the contact portion of the present invention) 36a and 36f of the rotation transmission plate 36, which will be described later, are in contact with each other in the rotation direction of the rotation transmission plate 36. The 71 is made to move against the urging force of the compression spring 72.

As shown in FIG. 17, the angle α of the inclined surface of the wedge member 71 with respect to the contact point of each outer peripheral surface 26a of the rotating member 26 is smaller than the friction angle of each outer peripheral surface 26a on the inclined surface. Therefore, the frictional resistance between the inner peripheral surface 23d of the support member 23 and the outer peripheral surface of the wedge member 71 is more than the frictional resistance between each outer peripheral surface 26a and the inclined surface of the wedge member 71 due to the rotation of the rotating member 26. The wedge member 71 is set so as not to be interlocked with the rotation of the rotating member 26. Note that α is the contact portion of the inclined surface of the wedge member 71 with respect to the straight line connecting the contact portion where the outer peripheral surface 26a of the rotating member 26 is in contact with the inclined surface of the wedge member 71 and the rotation center of the rotating shaft 22. The angle formed by the normal.

On the right side surface of the rotating member 26, protrusions 26c are formed so as to be dispersed vertically around the spline hole 26d. Each protrusion 26c is inserted into the engagement hole 36b of the rotation transmission plate 36 described later, and the rotation of the rotation transmission plate 36 is delayed by the amount that the engagement hole 36b is formed long in the rotation direction. It is designed to be transmitted to.

<Structure of rotation control device 21 (rotation drive mechanism 50)>
A plate-shaped input member 41 that is coupled to the operation handle 20 and is rotated is provided on the right side surface of the cover 24 that is formed in the shape of a container that bulges to the right as a whole. The caulking end portion 25b of the caulking pin 25 is inserted into the central hole 41b of the input member 41 through the through hole 24e of the cover 24 and is caulked and fixed, and the cover 24 and the input member 41 are slidable with each other by the caulking pin 25. It is combined. At the lower part of the input member 41, the engaging piece 42 is formed by bending to the left side, and the engaging piece 42 is aligned with the inner peripheral side of the engaging piece 24b formed so as to project to the right side of the cover 24. Have been placed. The end portion 43a of the torsion spring 43 is arranged so as to wrap around these engaging pieces 42 and 24b. Therefore, when the input member 41 is rotated by the operation handle 20, the engaging piece 42 moves so as to be separated from the engaging piece 24b in the circumferential direction, but when the rotational operation is released, the torsion spring 43 Due to the urging force, the engaging piece 42 and the engaging piece 24b are positioned so as to overlap each other in the circumferential direction, and the input member 41 is returned to the position before the rotation operation.

Further, on the left side of the cover 24, a connecting member 53 is provided so as to be housed in the container-shaped cover 24. The cover 24 is fixed to the support member 23 by sandwiching the connecting member 53 together with the lock plate 31, the rotating member 26, and the rotation transmitting plate 36. Specifically, the leg portion 24d of the cover 24 is fixed to the through hole 23a of the support member 23 by a rivet (not shown).

The connecting member 53 includes arms 53a extending to the right in the front and rear portions, and each arm 53a penetrates through the through hole 41a of the input member 41 through the opening 24a of the cover 24. Therefore, the connecting member 53 can be rotated together with the input member 41. On the left side surface of the connecting member 53, a pair of feed claws 52 are swingably coupled by fitting the hinge portion 52b of each feed claw 52 into the through hole 53b of the connecting member 53.

On the upper side of the cover 24, a pair of release pieces 24f are integrally provided so as to be dispersed in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 15, the pair of release pieces 24f are arranged at positions facing the protrusions 52d of each feed claw 52 in a state where the connecting member 53 and each feed claw 52 are assembled to the cover 24. ..

<Structure of rotation control device 21 (rotation transmission plate 36)>
A rotation transmission plate 36 is provided on the left side of the connecting member 53, and the rotation transmission plate 36 is sandwiched between the connecting member 53 and the rotation member 26. A total of four substantially quadrangular protrusions 36a and 36e are formed on the surface of the rotation transmission plate 36 corresponding to the poles 32 and 33. Pins 32b and 33b of the poles 32 and 33 are arranged on the protrusions 36a and 36e so as to be engaged with each other. Further, on the surface of the rotation transmission plate 36, two engagement holes 36b into which the protrusions 26c of the above-mentioned rotating member 26 are inserted are formed. Here, the protrusions 36a and 36e are formed so that the surfaces of the poles 32 and 33 facing the pins 32b and 33b are inclined. As a result, when the protrusions 36a and 36e abut on the pins 32b and 33b of the poles 32 and 33, the engaging ends 32c and 33c of the poles 32 and 33 mesh with the internal teeth 34 of the support member 23. It is designed to be released from the state.

Further, on the right side surface of the rotation transmission plate 36, torsion springs 37 and 54 are provided around the central hole 36d. The end portion 37a of the torsion spring 37 is bent to the left side and is inserted into the elongated hole 36c of the rotation transmission plate 36, the elongated hole 26e of the rotating member 26, and the elongated hole 31c of the lock plate 31 so as to be engaged with each other. The torsion spring 37 maintains the rotation angle of the rotation transmission plate 36 with respect to the lock plate 31 and the rotation member 26 in the neutral position by the urging force thereof. On the other hand, the end portion 54a of the torsion spring 54 abuts on the feed claw 52 and urges each feed claw 52 to the outer peripheral side. Further, a protrusion 54b protruding toward the right side is formed in the central portion of the torsion spring 54. The protrusion 54b is inserted into and engaged with the engagement hole 53c formed in the central portion of the lower end of the connecting member 53. Therefore, the feed claw 52 is constantly pressed against the end portion 54a of the torsion spring 54, and the engaging end portion 52a is adapted to mesh with the internal teeth 51 of the rotation transmission plate 36.

As described above, FIGS. 11 and 15 show a state in which the input member 41 and the rotation drive mechanism 50 (connecting member 53, feed claw 52, internal teeth 51 of the rotation transmission plate 36, torsion spring 54) are assembled to the cover 24. Has been done. Further, FIG. 11 shows a state in which the lock plate 31, pole 32, 33, the rotating member 26, and the wedge member 71 are assembled on the support member 23, and FIG. 12 shows a state in which the rotation transmission plate 36 is further assembled. Has been done. Although FIGS. 11, 12, and 15 do not show the procedure for assembling the rotation control device 21, the rotary shaft 22 is finally fitted into the fitting hole 25a of the caulking pin 25, and the cover 24 is further supported by the support member 23. By fixing to, the assembly as the rotation control device 21 is performed. Grease is injected into the mechanism in the space closed by the cover 24 and the support member 23 for the smooth operation of each part of the mechanism.

<Structure of rotation control device 21 (stopper 60)>
An outer peripheral surface 22a is formed between the pinion gear 18 of the rotating shaft 22 and the spline 22b, and the rotating shaft side protrusion 63 is formed so as to project radially at a specific angle position of the outer peripheral surface 22a. .. With the rotary shaft 22 inserted into the central hole 23c of the support member 23, the rotary shaft side protrusion 63 is positioned so as to be exposed on the right side surface of the guide recess 23b of the support member 23.

An arcuate support member side protrusion 61 is formed on the right side surface of the guide recess 23b of the support member 23. On the other hand, around the spline hole 31b of the lock plate 31, the lock plate 31 is punched out so as to form a sliding surface portion 31a forming a concentric circle with respect to the spline hole 31b. When the lock plate 31 rotates with respect to the support member 23, the outer periphery of the support member side protrusion 61 slides on the inner circumference of the sliding surface portion 31a. Further, the engaging piece 62 is arranged so as to slide in the gap between the inner circumference of the sliding surface portion 31a and the outer peripheral surface 22a of the rotating shaft 22.

Therefore, when the rotation shaft 22 is rotated in the downward direction by the operation of the rotation control device 21 and reaches the lower limit position, the rotation shaft side protrusion 63 sandwiches the engagement piece 62 and the support member side protrusion as shown in FIG. 31. It abuts on the end of 61 and stops further rotation of the rotating shaft 22. When the upper limit position is reached with the rotating shaft 22 rotated in the ascending direction, the rotating shaft side protrusion 63 sandwiches the engaging piece 62 and the opposite end of the support member side protrusion 61. It comes into contact with the portion and further rotation of the rotating shaft 22 is stopped. As described above, the stopper 60 is configured by the support member side protrusion 61, the engaging piece 62, and the rotary shaft side protrusion 63.

Hereinafter, the height adjusting action of the seat cushion 2 by the rotation control device 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 30.

<Action of rotation control device 21 (operation handle 20 is not operated)>
FIGS. 16 to 18 show a neutral position in which the operation handle 20 is not operated and the input member 41 and the connecting member 53 are not rotated. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, the feed claw 52 is in a state in which the engaging end portion 52a is engaged with the internal teeth 51 of the rotation transmission plate 36 by the urging of the torsion spring 54. Further, as shown in FIG. 17, since the rotating member 26 is not rotated, the wedge member 71 receives the urging force of the compression spring 72, and the outer peripheral surface 26a of the rotating member 26 and the inner peripheral surface 23d of the support member 23 are received. It is in a state of being sandwiched between. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the poles 32 and 33 of the lock mechanism 30 are in a state where the engaging ends 32c and 33c are engaged with the internal teeth 34 of the support member 23 by the urging of the torsion springs 35. ing. Therefore, the lock mechanism 30 is locked, the lock plate 31 is not rotated, and the height of the seat 1 is not changed to the ascending side or the descending side.

<Action of rotation control device 21 (operation to push down the operation handle 20)>
19 to 21 show a state in which the operation handle 20 is pushed down from the neutral position to the intermediate position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 19, the connecting member 53 is rotated in the arrow direction by the rotation of the input member 41. As a result, each feed claw 52 is moved in the same direction. Therefore, the engaging end portion 52a of the feed claw 52 on the front side transmits a force to the internal teeth 51 of the rotation transmission plate 36 to rotate the rotation transmission plate 36 in the direction of the arrow. At this time, the engaging end portion 52a of the feed claw 52 on the rear side is prevented from engaging with the internal teeth 51 of the rotation transmission plate 36. That is, in this state, the tooth of the engaging end portion 52a receives the load in the normal direction of the tooth of the internal tooth 51 and is moved in the meshing release direction. Moreover, as the rotation transmission plate 36 rotates, the protrusion 52d of the feed claw 52 on the rear side rides on the release piece 24f of the cover 24, and the engaging end portion 52a is separated from the internal teeth 51.

When the rotation transmission plate 36 is rotated in this way, as shown in FIG. 20, the protrusions 36a and 36f are in contact with the engaging portion 71a of the wedge member 71. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the protrusion 36e of the rotation transmission plate 36 engages with the pin 33b of each pole 33, and the engaging end portion 33c of each pole 33 is separated from the internal teeth 34 of the support member 23. .. That is, the locked state of the lock plate 31 in the descending direction is released. After that, when the protrusion 26c of the rotating member 26 engages with the engaging hole 36b, the rotation of the rotation transmitting plate 36 can be transmitted to the rotating member 26 and the lock plate 31.

<Action of rotation control device 21 (full stroke operation of operation handle 20)>
FIGS. 22 to 24 show a state in which the operation handle 20 is pushed down from the neutral position to the full stroke position. The full stroke position is determined by the arm 53a of the connecting member 53 coming into contact with the circumferential end of the opening 24a of the cover 24 (see FIG. 22). At this time, as shown in FIG. 22, the rotation of the connecting member 53 and each feed claw 52 progresses as compared with the state of FIG. 19, and the rotation angle of the rotation transmission plate 36 is increased by the feed claw 52 on the front side.

When the rotation angle of the rotation transmission plate 36 becomes large in this way, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the rotation of the rotation transmission plate 36 is transmitted to the rotation member 26 and the lock plate 31, and the rotation member 26 and the lock plate 31 rotate. Then, the rotation shaft 22 is rotated in synchronization with the rotation as shown by the arrow. As a result, the pinion gear 18 is rotated and the seat cushion 2 is lowered. At this time, the rotation transmission plate 36 and the rotation member 26 are rotated synchronously according to the operation of the operation handle 20 by engaging the engagement hole 36b and the protrusion 26c. As a result, as shown in FIG. 23, the protrusions 36a and 36f of the rotation transmission plate 36 and the outer peripheral surface 26a of the rotation member 26 move without changing their relative positions. Therefore, each wedge member 71 moves while being pushed by the protrusions 36a and 36f while imparting an appropriate frictional resistance between the outer peripheral surface 26a and the inner peripheral surface 23d of the support member 23. That is, when the rotating member 26 rotates, the outer peripheral surface 26a tends to slide on the inclined surface of each wedge member 71. However, each wedge member 71 is pushed by the protrusions 36a and 36f to move, so that the outer peripheral surface 26a does not relatively slide on the inclined surface of the wedge member 71. Therefore, the relative positions of each outer peripheral surface 26a of the rotating member 26 and each wedge member 71 do not change, and the rotating member 26 and the wedge member 71 integrally slide on the inner peripheral surface 23d of the support member 23. It will be. Therefore, the rotating member 26 rotates while receiving the frictional resistance between the wedge member 71 and the inner peripheral surface 23d of the support member 23.

When the lock mechanism 30 unlocks the pinion gear 18 by pushing down the operation handle 20, gravity applied to the seat cushion 2 generates a rotational torque of the pinion gear 18 in the seat downward direction, and this rotational torque is used together with the pinion gear 18. The lock plate 31 and the rotating member 26 will be received. When this rotational torque exceeds the rotational torque of the connecting member 53 and the rotational transmission plate 36 by pushing down the operation handle 20, the rotational transmission plate 36 cannot disengage the pole 33 from the internal teeth 34, and the lock plate 31 and the lock plate 31 and The rotation of the pinion gear 18 is locked. However, at this time, as described above, frictional resistance is applied to the rotation of the rotating member 26, which cancels the rotational torque of the pinion gear 18 in the seat descending direction due to the gravity applied to the seat cushion 2. In this way, the rotation of the pinion gear 18 is locked during the operation of lowering the seat 1 to prevent a problem that smooth operation cannot be performed.

<Action of rotation control device 21 (when the operation of pushing down the operation handle 20 is stopped)>
FIGS. 25 to 27 show a state in which the pressing operation of the operation handle 20 is stopped and the operation is returned to the neutral position. At this time, the input member 41 is returned to the neutral position by the urging force of the torsion spring 43, and the connecting member 53 is also returned to the neutral position in synchronization. Therefore, the connecting member 53 is rotated as shown by an arrow in FIG. 25. Until the connecting member 53 is returned to the neutral position, the rear feed claw 52 is in a state where its protrusion 52d rides on the release piece 24f. When the connecting member 53 returns to the neutral position, as shown in FIG. 25, the rear feed claw 52 returns to a state in which its engaging end portion 52a meshes with the internal teeth 51 of the rotation transmission plate 36. On the other hand, in the feed claw 52 on the front side, the engaging end portion 52a slides on the internal teeth 51 of the rotation transmission plate 36 until the connecting member 53 is returned to the neutral position.

When the pushing down operation of the operation handle 20 is stopped, as described above, the rotation drive by the feed claw 52 to the rotation transmission plate 36 is released, so that the rotation transmission plate 36 has the rotation member 26 and the rotation member 26 due to the urging force of the torsion spring 37. It is returned to the initial position with respect to the lock plate 31. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26, the rotating member 26 and the wedge member 71 return to the same neutral positions as in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 27, the poles 32 and 33 are in a state in which the engaging end portions 32c and 33c are in mesh with the internal teeth 34 of the support member 23, and the lock plate 31 is in a state of being locked at that position. Become. Therefore, the pinion gear 18 also stops rotating, and the height of the seat cushion 2 is maintained at the position operated until then.

<Action of rotation control device 21 (operation to pull up the operation handle 20)>
FIGS. 28 to 30 show a state in which the operation handle 20 is pulled up from the neutral position to the intermediate position. At this time, as shown in FIG. 28, the connecting member 53 is rotated in the arrow direction by the rotation of the input member 41. As a result, each feed claw 52 is moved in the same direction. Therefore, the engaging end portion 52a of the feed claw 52 on the rear side transmits a force to the internal teeth 51 of the rotation transmission plate 36 to rotate the rotation transmission plate 36 in the same direction. At this time, the engaging end portion 52a of the feed claw 52 on the front side is prevented from engaging with the internal teeth 51 of the rotation transmission plate 36. That is, in this state, the tooth of the engaging end portion 52a receives the load in the normal direction of the tooth of the internal tooth 51 and is moved in the meshing release direction. Moreover, as the rotation transmission plate 36 rotates, the protrusion 52d of the feed claw 52 on the front side rides on the release piece 24f of the cover 24, and the engaging end portion 52a is separated from the internal teeth 51.

When the rotation transmission plate 36 is rotated in this way, the protrusions 36a and 36f are separated from the engaging portion 71a of the wedge member 71 as shown in FIG. 29. When the operation handle 20 is further pulled up from this state, the outer peripheral surface 26a of the rotating member 26 is moved to the narrow side of the wedge member 71, so that the rotating member 26 is not imparted with frictional resistance due to the wedge member 71. Further, as shown in FIG. 30, a state in which the protrusions 36a and 36e of the rotation transmission plate 36 are engaged with the pins 32b of each pole 32 and the engaging end portion 32c of each pole 32 is separated from the internal teeth 34 of the support member 23. And. That is, the locked state of the lock plate 31 in the ascending direction is released. After that, when the protrusion 26c of the rotating member 26 engages with the engaging hole 36b, the rotation of the rotation transmission plate 36 is transmitted to the lock plate 31. Therefore, as shown by the arrow of the virtual line in FIG. 30, the lock plate 31 rotates to rotate the rotation shaft 22. As a result, the pinion gear 18 is rotated and the seat 1 is raised. At this time, the engaging end portion 33c of each pole 33 is set so as not to mesh with the internal teeth 34 of the support member 23. That is, in this state, the tooth of the engaging end portion 33c receives the load in the normal direction of the tooth of the internal tooth 34 and is moved in the meshing release direction. Therefore, when the lock plate 31 rotates, the engaging end portion 33c of each pole 33 slides on the internal teeth 34 of the support member 23.

<Action of rotation control device 21 (summary)>
As described above, when the operation handle 20 is pushed down, the seat 1 is lowered by the amount corresponding to the operation. The seat 1 can be adjusted to the desired height by repeating the pushing down operation. At this time, frictional resistance is applied to the rotation of the rotary shaft 22 in the direction of lowering the seat 1 by the wedge member 71, and the rotational torque received by the rotary shaft 22 due to the gravity of the seat 1 is offset. On the contrary, when the operation handle 20 is pulled up, the seat 1 is similarly raised by the amount corresponding to the operation. The seat 1 can be adjusted to a desired height by repeating the pulling operation. When the sheet 1 is raised, the frictional resistance due to the wedge member 71 is not applied to the rotation of the rotating shaft 22.

When the seat 1 reaches the lower limit position or the upper limit position by the above operation, further rotation of the rotation shaft 22 is stopped as shown in FIG. 31 or FIG. 32.

<Effect of the first embodiment>
According to the first embodiment, the frictional resistance due to the wedge member 71 is not imparted to the rotating shaft 22 when the seat 1 is raised, but is imparted when the seat 1 is lowered. Therefore, the rotational torque applied from the seat 1 side when the seat is lowered can be offset by the frictional resistance without increasing the operating force when the seat is raised. As a result, the operation when the seat is lowered can be smoothly performed without impairing the operability when the seat is raised.

<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 33 shows a second embodiment. The feature of the second embodiment with respect to the first embodiment is that the angle α of the inclined surface of the wedge member 71 with respect to the outer peripheral surface 26a of the rotating member 26 is larger than the friction angle of each outer peripheral surface 26a on the inclined surface. That's the point. Further, in the second embodiment, the protrusion 36f provided in the first embodiment is not provided. At the same time, the shape of the protrusion 36a is changed. Other points are the same as those in the first embodiment in the second embodiment, and the same part will not be described again.

Since the angle α of the inclined surface of the wedge member 71 with respect to the outer peripheral surface 26a of the rotating member 26 is made larger than the friction angle of each outer peripheral surface 26a on the inclined surface, when the rotating member 26 is rotated by the seat lowering operation, the rotating member 26 The outer peripheral surface 26a does not slide on the inclined surface of the wedge member 71, but the wedge member 71 is interlocked to slide the wedge member 71 on the inner peripheral surface 23d of the support member 23. Therefore, the wedge member 71 rotates together with the rotating member 26, and imparts frictional resistance between the wedge member 71 and the inner peripheral surface 23d of the support member 23 to the rotation.

In this way, in order to impart frictional resistance between the wedge member 71 and the inner peripheral surface 23d of the support member 23 with respect to the rotation of the rotating member 26 in the seat lowering operation, the seat of the pinion gear 18 due to gravity applied to the seat cushion 2 The lowering operation of the seat 1 can be smoothly performed while canceling the rotational torque in the lowering direction. Therefore, the frictional resistance between the wedge member 71 and the inner peripheral surface 23d of the support member 23 is appropriately adjusted, and the angle α of the inclined surface of the wedge member 71 with respect to the outer peripheral surface 26a of the rotating member 26 is also adjusted accordingly. ..

In the second embodiment, when the rotating member 26 is rotated by the seat lowering operation, the wedge member 71 moves together with the rotating member 26. Therefore, the protrusions 36a and 36f that come into contact with the wedge member 71 when the rotating member 26 rotates are not required.

<Other embodiments>
Although the specific embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to their appearance and configuration, and various changes, additions, and deletions are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to a car seat, but it may be applied to a seat mounted on an airplane, a ship, a train, or the like, or a seat installed in a movie theater or the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, as the locking mechanism, a mechanism is used in which the engaging ends 32c and 33c of the poles 32 and 33 are engaged with the internal teeth 34, but the locking is performed by winding the coil spring around the rotating shaft. You may use what you do.

Further, in the above embodiment, the wedge member is used as the friction member, but a brake device using a roller may be used.

1 Automotive seat (seat)
2 Seat cushion 3 Seat back 4 Floor 5 Lower rail 6 Upper rail 7 Bracket 8 Seat slide device 10 Lifter device 11 Link member 11a Front link 11b Rear link 12 Link mechanism 13 Side frame 13a Through hole 14 Base member 16 Sector gear (input gear)
17 Torque rod 18 Pinion gear 20 Operation handle 21 Rotation control device 22 Rotation shaft 22a Outer peripheral surface 22b Spline 23 Support member 23a Through hole 23b Guide recess 23c Center hole 23d Inner peripheral surface 24 Cover 24a Opening piece 24b Engagement piece 24c Projection piece 24d Leg Part 24e Through hole 24f Release piece 25 Caulking pin 25a Fitting hole 25b Caulking end 26 Rotating member 26a Outer peripheral surface 26b External surface 26c Protrusion 26d Spline hole 26e Long hole 30 Lock mechanism 31 Lock plate 31a Sliding surface part 31b Spline hole 31c Long hole 31d, 31e Protrusions 32, 33 Pole 32a, 33a Through holes 32b, 33b Pins 32c, 33c Engagement end 34 Internal teeth 35 Torsion spring 35a Winding part 35b End part 36 Rotation transmission plate 36a Protrusion (contact part)
36b Engagement hole 36c Long hole 36d Center hole 36e Protrusion 36f Protrusion (contact part)
37 Torsion spring 37a End 41 Input member 41a Through hole 41b Center hole 42 Engagement piece 43 Torsion spring 43a End 50 Rotation drive mechanism 51 Internal tooth 52 Feed claw 52a Engagement end 52b Hing part 52c Pin 52d Protrusion 53 Connecting Member 53a Arm 53b Through hole 53c Engagement hole 54 Torsion spring 54a End 54b Protrusion 60 Stopper 61 Support member side protrusion 62 Engagement piece 63 Rotating shaft side protrusion 71 Rubbing member (friction member)
72 Compression spring 71a Engagement part 71b Wide end part

Claims (3)

A pinion gear that meshes with the input gear of the link mechanism that raises and lowers the seat,
A rotation control device for controlling the rotation of the pinion gear is provided.
The rotation control device is
A rotating shaft that rotates in synchronization with the pinion gear,
A support member that rotatably supports the rotating shaft,
When the operation handle for raising and lowering the seat is operated so as to raise or lower the seat, the operating force of the operation handle is transmitted to the rotating shaft to rotate the rotating shaft in the ascending or descending direction. A rotary drive mechanism to drive and
A lifter device including a lock mechanism that allows the rotation of the rotating shaft when the operation handle is operated to raise or lower the seat, and locks the rotation of the rotating shaft at the operation end position of the operation handle. And
It is provided between the rotating shaft or the rotating member that rotates in synchronization with the rotating shaft and the supporting member, and when the rotating shaft rotates, the rotation direction is provided between the rotating shaft or the rotating member and the supporting member. Equipped with a friction member that causes frictional resistance of
The friction member is configured to not generate the frictional resistance when the rotation direction of the rotary shaft is in the direction of raising the seat, and to generate the frictional resistance when the rotation direction of the rotary shaft is in the direction of lowering the seat. Has been
The friction member is a wedge member sandwiched between the rotating shaft or the rotating member and the supporting member on surfaces facing each other.
The wedge member has a wedge shape that spreads in the opposite direction toward the side where the rotation shaft or the rotation member rotates in the seat descending direction.
The support member has a container shape so as to accommodate the rotation drive mechanism and the lock mechanism inside, and the container shape has an inner peripheral surface concentric with the rotation shaft.
The rotating member is arranged in the inner peripheral surface of the support member with the outer peripheral surface facing the inner peripheral surface of the support member.
The wedge member is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface of the support member and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member.
When the rotary drive mechanism rotates the rotary shaft in the downward direction of the seat, the wedge member comes into contact with the wedge member, the wedge member is sandwiched between the facing surfaces, and the frictional resistance with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary member is increased. A lifter device provided with a contact portion that presses from a state toward a state in which frictional resistance is reduced. A pinion gear that meshes with the input gear of the link mechanism that raises and lowers the seat,
A rotation control device for controlling the rotation of the pinion gear is provided.
The rotation control device is
A rotating shaft that rotates in synchronization with the pinion gear,
A support member that rotatably supports the rotating shaft,
When the operation handle for raising and lowering the seat is operated so as to raise or lower the seat, the operating force of the operation handle is transmitted to the rotating shaft to rotate the rotating shaft in the ascending or descending direction. A rotary drive mechanism to drive and
A lifter device including a lock mechanism that allows the rotation of the rotating shaft when the operation handle is operated to raise or lower the seat, and locks the rotation of the rotating shaft at the operation end position of the operation handle. And
It is provided between the rotating shaft or the rotating member that rotates in synchronization with the rotating shaft and the supporting member, and when the rotating shaft rotates, the rotation direction is provided between the rotating shaft or the rotating member and the supporting member. Equipped with a friction member that causes frictional resistance of
The friction member is configured to not generate the frictional resistance when the rotation direction of the rotary shaft is in the direction of raising the seat, and to generate the frictional resistance when the rotation direction of the rotary shaft is in the direction of lowering the seat. Has been
The friction member is a wedge member sandwiched between the rotating shaft or the rotating member and the supporting member on surfaces facing each other.
The wedge member has a wedge shape that spreads in the opposite direction toward the side where the rotation shaft or the rotation member rotates in the seat descending direction.
The support member has a container shape so as to accommodate the rotation drive mechanism and the lock mechanism inside, and the container shape has an inner peripheral surface concentric with the rotation shaft.
The rotating member is arranged in the inner peripheral surface of the support member with the outer peripheral surface facing the inner peripheral surface of the support member.
The wedge member is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface of the support member and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member.
The rotation drive mechanism includes a rotation transmission plate that is rotated in the ascending direction or the descending direction in response to the operation of the operation handle.
The rotating member is configured to engage with the rotation transmitting plate in the rotational direction and be rotated by the rotation transmitting plate.
When the rotating member is rotated in the downward direction, the inclination angle of the portion of the rust member that abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member is the same as the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member of the rust member. It is made smaller than the friction angle of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member at the abutting portion.
When the rotation transmission plate rotates in the downward direction, the rotation transmission plate comes into contact with the wedge member, the wedge member is sandwiched between the facing surfaces, and the frictional resistance with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member is increased. A lifter device provided with a contact portion that presses toward a state of reducing the size. A pinion gear that meshes with the input gear of the link mechanism that raises and lowers the seat,
A rotation control device for controlling the rotation of the pinion gear is provided.
The rotation control device is
A rotating shaft that rotates in synchronization with the pinion gear,
A support member that rotatably supports the rotating shaft,
When the operation handle for raising and lowering the seat is operated so as to raise or lower the seat, the operating force of the operation handle is transmitted to the rotating shaft to rotate the rotating shaft in the ascending or descending direction. A rotary drive mechanism to drive and
A lifter device including a lock mechanism that allows the rotation of the rotating shaft when the operation handle is operated to raise or lower the seat, and locks the rotation of the rotating shaft at the operation end position of the operation handle. And
It is provided between the rotating shaft or the rotating member that rotates in synchronization with the rotating shaft and the supporting member, and when the rotating shaft rotates, the rotation direction is provided between the rotating shaft or the rotating member and the supporting member. Equipped with a friction member that causes frictional resistance of
The friction member is configured to not generate the frictional resistance when the rotation direction of the rotary shaft is in the direction of raising the seat, and to generate the frictional resistance when the rotation direction of the rotary shaft is in the direction of lowering the seat. Has been
The friction member is a wedge member sandwiched between the rotating shaft or the rotating member and the supporting member on surfaces facing each other.
The wedge member has a wedge shape that spreads in the opposite direction toward the side where the rotation shaft or the rotation member rotates in the seat descending direction.
The support member has a container shape so as to accommodate the rotation drive mechanism and the lock mechanism inside, and the container shape has an inner peripheral surface concentric with the rotation shaft.
The rotating member is arranged in the inner peripheral surface of the support member with the outer peripheral surface facing the inner peripheral surface of the support member.
The wedge member is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface of the support member and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member.
When the rotating member is rotated in the downward direction, the inclination angle of the portion of the rust member that abuts on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member is the same as the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member of the rust member. A lifter device that is larger than the friction angle of the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member at the contact portion.

Images