JP2007151682A - Vehicle seat reclining device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle seat reclining device capable of reducing a width direction dimension. <P>SOLUTION: A locking mechanism 20 comprises: a lower plate 21 held on a seat cushion side; an upper plate 26 held on a seat back side; a cam 31 for regulating or allowing turning of the upper plate to the lower plate accompanying rotation; and a spring 33 wound around the rotary shaft O of the cam and locked to the lower plate and the cam respectively at one end 33a and the other end 33b, for energizing the cam in a rotating direction on the side of regulating the turning of the upper plate to the lower plate. The lower plate 21 is provided with a through-hole 21a opened so as to house the spring on the inner peripheral side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle seat reclining device.

  Conventionally, as a vehicle seat reclining device for inclining a seat back with respect to a seat cushion, for example, a device described in Patent Document 1 is known. This vehicle seat reclining device includes an upper plate (2) having a tooth portion (25a), and a lower plate (1) on which a plurality of pole gears (33) are mounted so as to be movable in the radial direction, and has a central axis. The rotation of the cam (32) provided on the upper plate restricts or allows the upper plate to rotate relative to the lower plate by engaging or releasing the teeth of the upper plate and the teeth (33a) of the pole gear. Thereby, the rotation of the seat back relative to the seat cushion is restricted or allowed, and the seat back can be adjusted and held at a required inclination angle suitable for occupant seating or the like.

The vehicle seat reclining device includes a spring (5) wound around the rotation axis of the cam and having one end and the other end engaged with a groove (32f) of the lower plate and the cam, respectively. By this spring, the cam is urged to the side where the teeth of the upper plate and the teeth of the pole gear mesh.
JP 2000-342368 A

  By the way, in patent document 1, the recessed part (16) for accommodating a spring in the lower plate is provided around the center axis | shaft, and this lower plate becomes a shape protruding outside as much as this recessed part, and cross-sectional shape Therefore, the size in the width direction (axial direction) was forced to increase.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat reclining device capable of further reducing the size in the width direction.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a first plate held on either the seat cushion side or the seat back side, and a seat rotatably supported by the first plate. A second plate held on either the cushion side or the seat back side, a cam that restricts or allows rotation of the second plate relative to the first plate with rotation, and a winding around the rotation axis of the cam A spring that is rotated and has one end and the other end locked to the first plate and the cam, respectively, and biases the cam in a rotational direction that restricts rotation of the second plate relative to the first plate; In the vehicular seat reclining device, the first plate is characterized in that it has a through-hole that is opened so that the spring fits inside.

  According to this configuration, the spring is accommodated in a manner in which the position in the axial direction overlaps with the first plate by being accommodated on the inner peripheral side of the through hole. Accordingly, the first plate is free from the outward bulge for accommodating the spring, and the width direction (axial direction) dimension in the cross-sectional shape is further reduced. In addition, the weight is further reduced by eliminating the protrusion of the first plate. Further, for example, even after the first and second plates and the cam are assembled, if the spring is elastically deformed so as to be accommodated on the inner peripheral side of the through hole, the spring is inserted from the through hole. Thus, the spring can be assembled. Accordingly, the degree of freedom in the procedure for assembling the spring is increased. Furthermore, the internal structure (cam or the like) of the vehicle seat reclining device is easily visually confirmed from the outside through the through hole.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle seat reclining device according to the first aspect, the skeleton of the seat cushion or the seat back on which the first plate is held is joined to the first plate. A gist includes a bracket, and the gist includes a lid wall portion that has an insertion hole through which a shaft that transmits an operating force to the cam is inserted, and closes the through hole.

According to this configuration, when the through hole is closed by the lid wall portion, the spring that falls within the inner periphery of the through hole is prevented from falling off.
The gist of the invention according to claim 3 is that, in the vehicle seat reclining device according to claim 1 or 2, the insertion hole forms a bearing of the shaft.

  According to this configuration, the shaft is pivotally supported by the bearing formed by the insertion hole, so that the axial misalignment is suppressed.

  According to the first to third aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat reclining device that can further reduce the size in the width direction.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 are an exploded perspective view and a sectional view showing a vehicle seat reclining device mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile. The vehicle seat reclining device basically includes a pair of the structures shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 in the width direction of the vehicle seat, and here, a structure that is arranged on the right side toward the front of the vehicle. Shown as a representative. Therefore, the following description will be made on behalf of the structure disposed on the right side as common to the structures disposed on each side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle seat reclining device includes a seat cushion frame 11 made of a metal plate that forms a skeleton of a seat cushion, and the seat cushion frame 11 includes a metal plate that forms a skeleton of a seat back. A seat back frame 12 is connected via a lock mechanism 20 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis O. The lock mechanism 20 is for switching between a state in which the rotation of the seat back frame 12 with respect to the seat cushion frame 11 is restricted and a state in which the seat back frame 12 is permitted, and basically the rotation of the seat back frame 12 with respect to the seat cushion frame 11. Maintains a dynamic regulation state.

Next, the lock mechanism 20 will be described.
The lower plate 21 as the first plate fixed to the inner side surface of the seat cushion frame 11 by welding is formed by half blanking (half blanking) of a metal plate, as shown in FIG. It is formed in a ring shape having a through hole 21a in the center. The lower plate 21 is formed with a locking hole 21b that is continuous with the through hole 21a and is recessed radially outward.

  Further, the lower plate 21 is formed with a recess 22 that is circularly recessed on the opposite side of the seat cushion frame 11. And in this recessed part 22, the several (3) convex part 23 which protrudes from the bottom wall is formed for every predetermined angle. Each convex portion 23 includes two molded portions 23a and 23b divided in the circumferential direction, and has a side surface 23c that extends flat in the radial direction so as to be parallel to the adjacent convex portions 23. is doing. The lower plate 21 forms a guide groove 24 extending in the radial direction between the adjacent side surfaces 23c.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the upper plate 26 fixed to the inner side surface of the seat back frame 12 by welding is formed by half-cutting a metal plate and has an outer diameter equivalent to the inner diameter of the recess 22. And a ring shape having a shaft insertion hole 26a at the center. The upper plate 26 is mounted such that its outer peripheral surface is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the recess 22. That is, the upper plate 26 is pivotally supported by the lower plate 21. Accordingly, the seat back frame 12 is rotatably connected to the seat cushion frame 11 via the lower plate 21 and the upper plate 26 (lock mechanism 20).

  The upper plate 26 is formed with a first recess 27 that is concentric with the shaft insertion hole 26a and is circularly recessed on the opposite side (lower plate 21 side) of the seat back frame 12. An inner tooth 27 a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first recess 27. In a state where the upper plate 26 is mounted on the lower plate 21, the internal teeth 27 a face the radial direction of the guide groove 24. The first recess 27 is formed with a second recess 28 having an inner diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter and concentrically recessed.

  In a state where the upper plate 26 is mounted on the lower plate 21, a ring-shaped holder 29 made of a metal plate is mounted on these outer peripheral portions, and the lower plate 21 and the upper plate 26 are relative to each other by the holder 29. It is prevented from coming off in the axial direction while being allowed to rotate.

  In a state where the upper plate 26 is mounted on the lower plate 21, a cam 31 formed by half punching of a metal plate rotates in the internal space formed by the concave portion 22 and the first and second concave portions 27 and 28. The shaft O is accommodated so as to be rotatable. As shown in FIG. 1, the cam 31 has a plurality of (three) cam portions 31a extending in the radial direction at predetermined angles, and each cam portion 31a has an upper plate 26 side parallel to the axial direction. A pin-like protrusion 31b is formed so as to protrude from the surface. The cam 31 includes a protruding wall portion 31c having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 21a and protruding in a columnar shape on one axial side (lower plate 21 side). The wall 31c is formed with a fitting hole 31d having a flat circular cross section (oval shape) that penetrates the center of the wall 31c in the axial direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the protruding wall portion 31c is formed with a groove portion 31e that extends in parallel with the radial direction and opens toward the fitting hole 31d. In the state where the cam 31 is accommodated between the lower plate 21 and the upper plate 26 (internal space), the groove portion 31e (projecting wall portion 31c) extends in the axial direction of the through hole 21a (and the locking hole 21b). It is arranged to match the position.

  As shown in FIG. 1, each guide groove 24 is provided with a pole gear 32 formed in a rectangular plate shape having a width slightly smaller than the circumferential width thereof. The radial movement is guided by sliding contact with the side surface 23 c of the convex portion 23. In addition, external teeth 32a meshing with the internal teeth 27a (see FIG. 2) of the upper plate 26 are formed at the distal end portion of each pole gear 32, and the base end portion of each pole gear 32 penetrates in the thickness direction. A cam hole 32b is formed. The cam hole 32b is inclined with respect to the circumferential direction around the rotation axis O, and the pole gear 32 is engaged with the cam hole 32b by inserting the projection 31b of the cam 31 therein.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, each pole gear 32 is provided with a step portion in the axial direction between the external tooth 32a and the cam hole 32b, and the end face of the step portion facing the radial direction is a pole cam. A surface 32c is formed. The pole cam surface 32c extends across the side surface of the pole gear 32 and has an inclination angle with respect to the pitch circle of the external teeth 32a. The pole gear 32 is engaged with the pole cam surface 32c when the tip end surface of the cam portion 31a comes into contact therewith.

  That is, when the cam 31 rotates to one side (clockwise direction in FIG. 1) in a state where the cam 31 and the pole gear 32 are accommodated between the lower plate 21 and the upper plate 26 (internal space), the pole gear 32 has a cam hole. When 32 b is pressed by the protrusion 31 b of the cam 31, it moves so as to be drawn in the radial direction along the guide groove 24. At this time, the engagement between the outer teeth 32 a of the pole gear 32 and the inner teeth 27 a of the upper plate 26 is released, so that the upper plate 26 can rotate with respect to the lower plate 21. And the rotation permissible state of the upper plate 26 with respect to the lower plate 21 is set.

  On the other hand, when the cam 31 rotates to the other side (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1), the pole gear 32 has the cam hole 32b pressed against the projection 31b of the cam 31, and the pole cam surface 32c is the tip surface of the cam portion 31a. When it is pressed, it moves so as to jump out in the radial direction along the guide groove 24. At this time, the outer teeth 32a of the pole gear 32 and the inner teeth 27a of the upper plate 26 mesh with each other, and the upper plate 26 cannot rotate with respect to the lower plate 21. Then, the rotation restriction state of the upper plate 26 with respect to the lower plate 21 is set.

  A spring 33 is housed in the center of the lower plate 21, that is, on the inner peripheral side of the through hole 21a. The spring 33 is wound in the illustrated counterclockwise direction from the inner peripheral side toward the outer peripheral side. The one end 33a arranged on the outer peripheral side is bent radially outward and inserted and locked into the locking hole 21b of the lower plate 21, and the other end 33b arranged on the inner peripheral side is It is bent inward in the radial direction and is inserted and locked in the groove 31e of the cam 31. The spring 33 that fits on the inner peripheral side of the through hole 21a is accommodated in such a manner that the position of the lower plate 21 and the axial direction overlap with each other so that the lower plate 21 does not protrude in the axial direction. The spring 33 is wound around the rotation axis O of the cam 31, that is, on the outer peripheral side of the protruding wall portion 31c so as to open the fitting hole 31d in the axial direction. The spring 33 is configured such that the cam 31 is rotated to the other side (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1) with respect to the lower plate 21, that is, the rotation restriction state of the upper plate 26 with respect to the lower plate 21 is set. Energize to.

  Therefore, the cam 31 basically maintains the rotation restriction state of the upper plate 26 relative to the lower plate 21 and the rotation restriction state of the seat back frame 12 relative to the seat cushion frame 11 by the biasing force of the spring 33. . When the cam 31 rotates in the illustrated clockwise direction with respect to the lower plate 21 against the spring 33, the cam 31 switches to a state in which the upper plate 26 is allowed to rotate with respect to the lower plate 21.

  The seat cushion frame 11, the through hole 21a of the lower plate 21 in which the spring 33 is accommodated, the fitting hole 31d of the cam 31, and the shaft insertion hole 26a of the upper plate 26 are sequentially connected as a shaft made of a metal rod. The shaft 34 has a flange 34a extending outward, and has a flat cross-sectional shape (oval shape) that protrudes from the flange 34a on one side in the axial direction (seat cushion frame 11 side) and fits into the fitting hole 31d. ) And a connecting portion 34c that protrudes further on one side in the axial direction continuously to the fitting portion 34b. The seat cushion frame 11 includes a lid wall portion 11a that closes the through hole 21a in the vicinity of the spring 33, and the lid wall portion 11a has an outer diameter in the longitudinal direction of the fitting portion 34b. The insertion hole 11b through which the fitting portion 34b is inserted is formed in a circular shape having the same inner diameter. That is, the spring 33 that is accommodated on the inner peripheral side of the through hole 21 a is prevented from dropping in the axial direction by the lid wall portion 11 a of the seat cushion frame 11. The insertion hole 11b forms a bearing for the connecting shaft 34 (fitting portion 34b).

  The connecting shaft 34 is axially positioned with respect to the flange 34a adjacent to the seat cushion frame 11 by mounting an annular push nut 35 at the tip portion protruding from the shaft insertion hole 26a. . At this time, the fitting portion 34b is arranged in accordance with the position of the fitting hole 31d in the axial direction (see FIG. 2) and is connected so as to rotate integrally with the cam 31. The shaft insertion hole 26a has an inner diameter equivalent to the outer diameter of the connecting portion 34c, and forms a bearing for the connecting shaft 34 (connecting portion 34c).

  In addition, the connecting shaft 34 is connected at the connecting portion 34c so as to rotate integrally with the corresponding connecting portion 34c of the opposite connecting shaft 34 forming a pair. Accordingly, when the connecting shafts 34 on both sides rotate in conjunction with each other, the cams 31 on both sides that fit in the fitting portions 34b of the corresponding connecting shafts 34 in the fitting holes 31d also rotate together.

  Further, the connecting shaft 34 is integrally provided with a mounting portion 34d that protrudes from the flange 34a to the other side in the axial direction (opposite side of the seat cushion frame 11), and one side connecting shaft 34 shown in FIG. The operation lever 36 is attached so that the attachment portion 34d is inserted therethrough and connected to the connection shaft 34 so as to rotate integrally therewith. The operating lever 36 is configured to operate the cam 31 on both sides via the connecting shaft 34 against the spring 33 in the clockwise direction in the figure with respect to the lower plate 21, that is, the upper plate 26 with respect to the lower plate 21. This is for inputting an operation force for switching to the rotation-permitted state.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the present embodiment, the spring 33 is housed in such a manner that the position in the axial direction overlaps with the lower plate 21 by being accommodated on the inner peripheral side of the through hole 21a. Therefore, the lower plate 21 can eliminate the outward protrusion for accommodating the spring 33, and can further reduce the size in the width direction (axial direction) in the cross-sectional shape. In addition, the weight of the lower plate 21 can be reduced by eliminating the protrusion of the lower plate 21. Further, for example, even after the lower plate 21, the upper plate 26 and the cam 31 are assembled, if the spring 33 is elastically deformed so as to be accommodated in the inner peripheral side of the through hole 21a, the spring 33 is This can be assembled by inserting from the through hole 21a. Accordingly, the degree of freedom in the procedure for assembling the spring 33 can be increased. Furthermore, the internal structure (cam 31 and the like) of the vehicle seat reclining device can be easily visually confirmed from the outside through the through hole 21a. For this reason, the engagement state (lock state) of the cam 31 and the pole gear 32 can be easily confirmed.

(2) In the present embodiment, the through hole 21a is closed by the lid wall portion 11a, so that the spring 33 that falls within the inner peripheral side of the through hole 21a can be prevented from falling off.
(3) In the present embodiment, since the connecting shaft 34 is pivotally supported by a bearing formed by the insertion hole 11b, the axial misalignment can be suppressed. In particular, the connecting shaft 34 is pivotally supported at the two points of the shaft insertion hole 26a and the insertion hole 11b, so that the axial misalignment can be more reliably suppressed. In addition, since the connecting shaft 34 is pivotally supported adjacent to the operation lever 36, it is possible to suitably suppress the shaft misalignment against an unbalanced load during operation.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the embodiment, instead of the projecting wall portion 31c and the groove portion 31e for locking the other end 33b of the spring 33, a pin-like projecting portion projects to the lower plate 21 side in parallel to the axial direction on the cam 31. It may be formed.

In the embodiment, the connecting shaft 34 (fitting portion 34b) may be loosely inserted without being pivotally supported in the insertion hole 11b.
In each of the above embodiments, the lower plate 21 and the upper plate 26 are held on the seat cushion side and the seat back side, respectively, but these relationships may be reversed.

The disassembled perspective view which shows one Embodiment of this invention. Sectional drawing which shows the same embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  O ... Rotating shaft, 11 ... Seat cushion frame, 11a ... Lid wall part, 11b ... Insertion hole, 12 ... Seat back frame, 20 ... Lock mechanism, 21 ... Lower plate as first plate, 21a ... Through hole, 21b ... Lock hole, 26 ... Upper plate as second plate, 31 ... Cam, 31a ... Cam portion, 31c ... Projection wall portion, 31d ... Fitting hole, 31e ... Groove portion, 32 ... Pole gear, 33 ... Spring, 33a ... One end 33b ... the other end, 34 ... a connecting shaft as a shaft, 34b ... a fitting part, 36 ... an operating lever.

Claims (3)

A first plate held on either the seat cushion side or the seat back side, and a second plate supported rotatably on the first plate and held on the other side of the seat cushion side or the seat back side; A cam that restricts or allows the second plate to rotate with respect to the first plate as it rotates, and is wound around the rotation axis of the cam and has one end and the other end on the first plate and the cam, respectively. A vehicle seat reclining device having a spring that is locked and biases the cam in a rotational direction on a side that restricts rotation of the second plate relative to the first plate.
The vehicle seat reclining device, wherein the first plate has a through hole that is opened so that the spring fits on an inner peripheral side. The vehicle seat reclining device according to claim 1,
A bracket that is joined to the first plate by forming a skeleton of the seat cushion or the seat back that holds the first plate;
The vehicle seat reclining device, wherein the bracket includes an insertion hole through which a shaft for transmitting an operation force to the cam is inserted, and includes a lid wall portion that closes the through hole. The vehicle seat reclining device according to claim 2,
The vehicle seat reclining device, wherein the insertion hole forms a bearing of the shaft.

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