JP2010201031A - Connecting device for vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connecting device for a vehicle seat, the ring member and a first connecting member of which can be easily and surely welded. <P>SOLUTION: This connecting device 1 for a vehicle seat includes first and second connecting members 2 and 3, a ring member 4 for holding the first and second connecting members 2 and 3 in the direction of the rotation axis, and a locking mechanism member for locking the first and second connecting members 2 and 3 at a prescribed relative angle. The ring member 4 includes a ring body 4a for covering the peripheral surfaces of the first and second connecting members 2 and 3, and a regulating member 4b protruded from the ring body 4a toward one side of the second connecting member 3 so as to regulate the separation of the second connecting member 3 from the first connecting member 2 in the axis direction. The ring body 4a and the first connecting member 2 are welded with a laser B irradiating a path slantwise where both an axial direction component and a diameter direction component are joined, being clear of the location by the second connecting member 3 and the locking mechanism member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle seat coupling device that couples two members of a vehicle seat so that the angle can be relatively adjusted.

  The vehicle seat has, for example, a seat cushion, a seat back, and a connecting device (reclining device) that connects these so that the angle can be adjusted (see Patent Document 1). The conventional coupling device has first and second disk-shaped coupling members that are stacked so as to be relatively rotatable, and a ring member that holds the first and second coupling members in the direction of the rotation axis. As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) of Patent Document 1, the ring member includes a ring main body that covers the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second connecting members, and one side surface of the second connecting member from the ring main body. There is a restricting portion that overhangs and restricts the second connecting member from moving away from the first connecting member in the axial direction. The ring main body and the first connecting member are welded by a laser irradiated radially from the radially outer side to the center side.

  Alternatively, the ring member protrudes from one end of the ring main body to one side surface of the second connecting member and the ring main body covering the outer peripheral surface of the second connecting member as shown in FIG. Has a regulatory department. The ring main body has a standing surface along the side surface of the first connecting member at the other end, and the standing surface is welded by a laser irradiated in the axial direction from one side in the rotational axis direction.

JP 2006-204896 A

  However, when the laser is irradiated from the radially outer side to the center side, the laser passes through the ring member and the first connecting member, and other members (for example, the second connecting member, the locking mechanism member, etc.) located on the extension line thereof. ) May be reached. As a result, the other members are welded to the first connecting member or the like, and the first and second connecting members may not be able to rotate or the locking mechanism that locks them may not operate. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to adjust the intensity of the laser. In that case, it is necessary to perform the welding sufficiently and precisely adjust the intensity so as not to reach other members. When the laser is irradiated in the axial direction from one side of the rotation axis direction, the shape of the connecting member is restricted, such as the necessity to make the diameter of the first connecting member larger than the diameter of the second connecting member. Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the connection apparatus for vehicle seats which can weld a ring member and a 1st connection member easily and reliably.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a vehicle seat coupling device having the configuration described in each claim. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first and second connecting members that are stacked to be relatively rotatable, the ring member for holding the first and second connecting members in the direction of the rotation axis, A locking mechanism member for locking the second connecting member at a predetermined relative angle is provided. The ring member includes a ring main body that covers the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second connecting members, and extends from the ring main body to one side surface of the second connecting member so that the second connecting member extends axially from the first connecting member. It has a regulation part that regulates the separation. The ring main body and the first connecting member are welded by a laser irradiated to an oblique path having an axial component and a radial component and where the second connecting member and the locking mechanism member are not located.

  Therefore, even if the laser penetrates the ring main body and the first connecting member, the laser does not irradiate the second connecting member or the locking mechanism member. Therefore, the problem that the second connecting member or the locking mechanism member is welded to the ring main body or the first connecting member does not occur. Therefore, it is possible to reliably and easily weld only the ring main body and the first connecting member without precisely adjusting the intensity of the laser.

  According to invention of Claim 2, the ring main body has the overhang | projection part extended from the 1st connection member to the opposite side of a 2nd connection member in the axial direction. And a laser is irradiated from the inner peripheral surface side of an overhang | projection part, and a ring main body and a 1st connection member are welded. Therefore, the laser can be irradiated in the vicinity of the corner with the corner formed between the projecting portion of the ring body and the first connecting member as a target. Therefore, since the laser irradiation position can be easily determined, the ring body and the first connecting member can be reliably and easily welded.

It is a perspective view of a vehicle seat. It is a disassembled perspective view of a connection device. It is sectional drawing of a connection apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the connection apparatus in a lock release state. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 5 during laser welding. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional enlarged view of a coupling device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a coupling device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a coupling device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a coupling device according to a third embodiment. It is the XI-XI sectional view taken on the line of FIG.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle seat 10 is a seat that is mounted on a vehicle such as a vehicle, and a pair of connecting devices (reclining devices) 1 that connect a seat cushion 11 and a seat back 12 so that the angle can be adjusted. have.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the coupling device 1 holds the first coupling member (guide member) 2, the second coupling member (internal tooth member) 3, and the coupling members 2 and 3 in the rotation axis direction. The ring member 4 is provided. The first and second connecting members 2 and 3 are disk-shaped and have annular portions 2a and 3a and bottom portions 2b and 3b. An annular portion 3a is rotatably installed on the inner peripheral side of the annular portion 2a. The bottom portions 2b and 3b are disk-shaped, and a locking mechanism member (5, 6 or the like) for locking the first and second connecting members 2 and 3 is disposed between them.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ring member 4 has a cylindrical ring main body 4a and an annular restricting portion 4b standing at one end of the ring main body 4a. The restricting part 4b projects radially from one end of the ring body 4a to one side surface of the second connecting member 3. As a result, the restricting portion 4b restricts the second connecting member 3 from moving away from the first connecting member 2 in the axial direction.

  The ring body 4a includes a first cylindrical portion 4a1 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the first connecting member 2, a second cylindrical portion 4a3 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the second connecting member 3, and an upright portion 4a2 that connects them. Have. The standing portion 4a2 is annular and is erected at one end portion of the first cylindrical portion 4a1. The other end portion of the first cylinder portion 4a1 has an overhang portion 4a4 extending from the first cylinder portion 4a1 to the opposite side of the second connecting member 3 in the axial direction. The overhanging portion 4 a 4 has an annular shape having the same diameter as the first cylindrical portion 4 a 1, and forms a corner portion 4 a 5 with the first connecting member 2.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the ring body 4 a and the first connecting member 2 are welded at substantially the entire circumference by the laser B. The laser B is irradiated on an oblique path having an axial component B1 and a radial component B2 and having an angle B3 with respect to the axis. The angle B3 is limited by the shape of the connecting member 2, but may be set to, for example, 3 to 87 °, preferably 45 ± 5 °.

  The laser B is irradiated from the diameter center side to the diameter outer side, for example, penetrates the connecting member 2 and reaches the ring body 4a. Preferably, the ring body 4a and the vicinity of the corner 4a5 of the connecting member 2 are irradiated and the ring body 4a and the connecting member 2 are irradiated. The laser B is irradiated on a path where the second connecting member 3 and the locking mechanism member (5, 6 etc.) are not located. The first connecting member 2 and the ring member 4 are coupled so as not to move by welding. On the other hand, the second connecting member 3 is restricted in movement in the axial direction by the restricting portion 4 b and the first connecting member 2 and is held rotatably with respect to the ring member 4.

  The locking mechanism for locking the first and second connecting members 2 and 3 at a predetermined relative angle includes a plurality of external tooth members (lock mechanism members) 5 and a rotating cam (locking) as shown in FIGS. A mechanism member) 6 and a switching member (lock mechanism member) 7; The external tooth member 5 is installed between a plurality of guide portions 2 b 1 formed on the bottom 2 b of the first connecting member 2, and is held so as to be movable in the radial direction with respect to the first connecting member 2. The rotating cam 6 is rotatably held at the shaft center of the connecting member 2 and between the guide portions 2b1.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the switching member 7 has a protruding portion 7 a that protrudes in the radial direction at one end, and the protruding portion 7 a is inserted into the hole 6 a of the rotating cam 6. The other end 7b of the switching member 7 passes through the central hole 2b6 of the first connecting member 2, and the central end 8a of the spring 8 is locked. The outer end portion of the spring 8 is locked to one of the locking portions 2 b 2 formed on the first connecting member 2. The switching member 7 is biased by the spring 8, and the protruding portion 7a biases the rotating cam 6 in one rotation direction. The rotating cam 6 is urged in one rotation direction, thereby pushing the pair of legs 5b of the external tooth member 5 radially outward by the shoulder 6b as shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the external tooth member 5 is pushed radially outward so that the external teeth 5 a formed on the radially outer side surface are formed on the internal peripheral surface of the second connecting member 3. Engage with. Thereby, the 1st and 2nd connection members 2 and 3 are locked so that rotation is impossible. When the release lever 15 shown in FIG. 1 is operated, the switching member 7 rotates in the other rotation direction against the urging force of the spring 8 as shown in FIGS. When the rotating cam 6 rotates in the other rotation direction, the claw 6c formed on the rotating cam 6 pushes the claw 5c of the external tooth member 5 in the radial center direction. As a result, the outer teeth 5a are separated from the inner teeth 3a1, and the connecting members 2 and 3 are rotatable.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the first and second connecting members 2, 3 have mounting convex portions 2 b 3, 3 b 1 that are attached to the mounting holes 13 a, 14 a of the brackets 13, 14. The brackets 13 and 14 are attached to the frame of the seat cushion 11 or the seat back 12 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, the connecting device 1 is provided between the seat cushions 11 of the seat back 12 and connects them so that the angle can be adjusted (see FIG. 1).

  As described above, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the connecting device 1 connects the first and second connecting members 2, 3, the ring member 4, and the first and second connecting members 2, 3 to a predetermined relative relationship. It has a locking mechanism member (5-7) for locking at an angle. The ring member 4 has a ring body 4a and a restricting portion 4b. The ring body 4a and the first connecting member 2 are welded by a laser B irradiated to an oblique path having an axial component B1 and a radial component B2 and where the second connecting member 3 and the locking mechanism member are not located. Is done.

  Therefore, even if the laser B passes through the ring body 4a and the first connecting member 2, the second connecting member 3 or the locking mechanism members (5 to 7) are not irradiated. Therefore, the problem that the second connecting member 2 or the locking mechanism member is welded to the ring body 4a or the first connecting member 2 does not occur. Therefore, it is possible to reliably and easily weld only the ring main body 4a and the first connecting member 2 without precisely adjusting the intensity of the laser B.

  Moreover, the ring main body 4a has the overhang | projection part 4a4 extended to the other side of the 2nd connection member 3 in the axial direction from the 1st connection member 2, as shown in FIG. And the laser B is irradiated from the inner peripheral surface side of the overhang | projection part 4a4, and the ring main body 4a and the 1st connection member 2 are welded. Therefore, the laser B can be irradiated in the vicinity of the corner 4a5 with the target of the corner 4a5 formed between the projecting portion 4a4 of the ring body 4a and the first connecting member 2. Therefore, since the irradiation position of the laser B can be easily determined, the ring main body 4a and the first connecting member 2 can be reliably and easily welded.

(Embodiment 2)
The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment has a structure similar to that of the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the first and second connecting members 22 and 23 have substantially the same diameter, and the ring member 24 shown in FIG. 7 is used instead of the ring member 4 shown in FIG. It is different in having it. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting device 21 according to the second embodiment includes first and second connecting members 22 and 23 and a ring member 24 that are rotatably stacked. Between the first and second connecting members 22 and 23, a locking mechanism member (external gear member 25, rotating cam 26, switching member 27) that can lock them at a predetermined relative angle, and unlocking. An unlocking member (second switching member) 28 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the ring member 24 has a cylindrical ring main body 24a and an annular restricting portion 24b standing on one end of the ring main body 24a. First and second connecting members 22 and 23 are installed on the inner peripheral side of the ring body 24a. One end portion of the ring body 24a is provided with an overhanging portion 24a1 that extends from the first connecting member 22 to the opposite side of the second connecting member 23 in the axial direction. The overhang portion 24 a 1 is annular and forms a corner portion 24 a 2 with the first connecting member 22.

  The ring body 24a and the first connecting member 22 are welded by the laser B as shown in FIG. The laser B is irradiated obliquely having an axial component and a radial component. For example, the laser B penetrates the connecting member 22 to reach the ring main body 24a or is irradiated to the ring main body 24a and the vicinity of the corner 24a2 of the connecting member 22 to weld them. The laser B is emitted in a path where the second connecting member 23, the locking mechanism member (the external tooth member 25, the rotating cam 26, the switching member 27) and the unlocking member 28 are not located. Then, the first connecting member 22 and the ring body 24a are welded over substantially the entire circumference by the laser B.

  The rotating cam 26 rotates in one direction to push the outer tooth member 25 radially outward, so that the outer teeth 25a of the outer tooth member 25 become inner teeth 23a formed on the inner peripheral surface of the second connecting member 23. Engage. The lock release member 28 is attached to the rotary cam 26 and rotates in the other direction together with the rotary cam 26 to push a not-shown convex portion formed on the external tooth member 25 toward the center in the radial direction. As a result, the outer teeth 25a are disengaged from the inner teeth 23a, and the first and second connecting members 22, 23 can be rotated relative to each other.

(Embodiment 3)
A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The third embodiment has a structure similar to that of the first embodiment. However, the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the first and second connecting members 32 and 33 rotate relative to each other at an eccentric position. Hereinafter, Embodiment 3 will be described focusing on the differences.

  The connecting device 31 includes first and second connecting members 32 and 33 and a ring member 34 as shown in FIGS. The first connecting member 32 integrally includes an annular portion 32a having external teeth 32a1 on the outer peripheral surface and a rib portion 32b having a larger diameter than the annular portion 32a. Convex portions 32b1 and concave portions 32b2 are alternately formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rib portion 32b. On one side surface of the rib portion 32b, an attachment convex portion 33b1 attached to the attachment hole 13a of the bracket 13 is formed.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the second connecting member 33 includes an annular portion 33a having inner teeth 33a1 on the inner peripheral surface, a bottom portion 33b located on the inner peripheral side of the annular portion 33a, and the center of the bottom portion 33b. The cylindrical portion 33c is integrally formed. Inner teeth 33a1 having a larger number than outer teeth 32a1 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the annular portion 33a. Accordingly, the outer teeth 32a1 and the inner teeth 33a1 can mesh with each other and the first and second connecting members 32 and 33 can rotate relative to each other in an eccentric state.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the ring member 34 has a cylindrical ring main body 34a and an annular restricting portion 34b erected on one end edge of the ring main body 34a. The ring body 34a includes a cylindrical portion 34a1 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the second connecting member 33, and a plurality of insertion portions 34a2 that extend in the axial direction from the cylindrical portion 34a1. The insertion part 34 a 2 is inserted into the recess 32 b 2 of the first connecting member 32 and covers a part of the outer peripheral surface of the first connecting member 32. As shown in FIG. 11, a protruding portion 34a3 extending from the first connecting member 32 to the opposite side of the second connecting member 33 is formed at the distal end of the insertion portion 34a2. Therefore, a corner portion 34 a 4 is formed between the overhang portion 34 a 3 and the first connecting member 32.

  The ring body 34a and the first connecting member 32 are welded by the laser B as shown in FIG. The laser B is irradiated obliquely having an axial component and a radial component. The laser B penetrates the connecting member 32 to reach the ring main body 34a, or is irradiated to the vicinity of the corner 34a4 of the ring main body 34a and the connecting member 32 to weld them.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the coupling device 31 includes a lock mechanism member (a pair of wedges 35 and a lock spring 36) and a lock release member 37. The wedge 35 has an arc shape and is installed between the cylindrical wall 33c inserted into the support hole 32a2 of the first connecting member 32 and the wall surface of the support hole 32a2. The locking spring 36 biases the pair of wedges 35 and pushes one end of the wedge 35 between the cylindrical wall portion 33c and the wall surface of the support hole 32a2. As a result, the first and second connecting members 32 and 33 are pushed by the wedge 35, and the backlash between the external teeth 32a1 and the internal teeth 33a1 becomes zero. As a result, the first and second connecting members 32 and 33 cannot be rotated relative to each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the unlocking member 37 includes a shaft portion 37a inserted into the cylindrical portion 33c, a flange portion 37b standing on the shaft portion 37a and covering the wedge 35, and a wedge protruding from the flange portion 37b. A push portion 37c is provided. The wedge pressing portion 37c is installed between the hole forming surfaces of the cylindrical portion 33c and the support hole 32a2. When the unlocking member 37 is rotated by a motor or the like, the wedge pressing portion 37c presses one wedge 35, and one wedge 35 is released from the cylindrical portion 33c and the support hole 32a2. Then, one wedge 35 rotates along the cylindrical portion 33c and pushes another wedge 35, and the other wedge 35 pushes the cylindrical portion 33c and the hole forming surface of the support hole 32a2. As a result, the first and second connecting members 32 and 33 rotate relative to each other at an eccentric position.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments, and may be the following forms.
(1) The connection devices 1, 21 and 31 according to the first to third embodiments are provided between the seat cushion 11 and the seat back 12 and connect them so that the angle can be adjusted. However, the connecting device may be provided between the seat main body and a member (footrest, arm rest, headrest, etc.) that is attached to be tiltable with respect to the seat main body, and these may be connected so that the angle can be adjusted.
(2) The laser B of the first to third embodiments is irradiated on an oblique path having an axial component and a radial component and outward from the radial center. However, the laser is irradiated on the oblique path from the radially outer side toward the radially central side, and the ring main bodies 4a, 24a, 34a and the first connecting members 2, 22, 32 are welded by the laser. May be.

1, 2, 31 ... connecting devices 2, 22, 32 ... first connecting members 3, 23, 33 ... second connecting members 3a1, 23a, 33a1 ... internal teeth 4, 24, 34 ... ring members 4a, 24a, 34a ... Ring main bodies 4a4, 24a1, 34a3 ... Overhang portions 4b, 24b, 34b ... Restricting portions 4a5, 24a2, 34a4 ... Corner portions 5, 25 ... External teeth members (lock mechanism members)
5a, 25a ... external teeth 6, 26 ... rotating cam (lock mechanism member)
7, 27 ... Switching member (lock mechanism member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle seat 11 ... Seat cushion 12 ... Seat back 28, 37 ... Lock release member 34a1 ... Cylindrical part 34a2 ... Insertion part 35 ... Wedge (lock mechanism member)
36 ... Spring for locking (member for locking mechanism)
B ... Laser B1 ... Axial component B2 ... Radial component

Claims (4)

A vehicle seat coupling device that couples two members of a vehicle seat so that the angle can be relatively adjusted,
A first and a second connecting member, which are stacked so as to be relatively rotatable, a ring member for holding the first and the second connecting members in the rotation axis direction, and the first and the second connecting members. A locking mechanism member for locking at a relative angle;
The ring member includes a ring main body that covers outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second connecting members, and the second connecting member projects from the ring main body to one side surface of the second connecting member. Having a regulating part that regulates the axial separation from the connecting member;
The ring main body and the first connecting member are welded by a laser irradiated to an oblique path having an axial component and a radial component and where the second connecting member and the locking mechanism member are not positioned. A vehicle seat coupling device. The vehicle seat coupling device according to claim 1,
The ring body has a projecting portion extending in the axial direction from the first connecting member to the opposite side of the second connecting member, and the ring body is irradiated with laser from the inner peripheral surface side of the projecting portion. And the first connecting member are welded to each other. The connection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a vehicle seat connection device is provided between the vehicle seat cushion and the seat back so as to be adjustable in angle.
A locking mechanism that locks the first and second connecting members at a predetermined angle includes an external tooth member that is movably provided on one of the two connecting members and has external teeth, and the external tooth member in the radial direction. A vehicle seat coupling device comprising a switching member that moves and switches the outer teeth between a position that engages with an inner tooth formed on the other inner peripheral surface of the two coupling members and a position that is distant. The connection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a vehicle seat connection device is provided between the vehicle seat cushion and the seat back so as to be adjustable in angle.
One of the first and second connecting members has inner teeth on the inner peripheral surface, and the other one of the two connecting members has outer teeth on the outer peripheral surface that are fewer in number than the inner teeth. The vehicle seat coupling device is characterized in that the outer teeth mesh with the inner teeth and relatively rotate at a position where the both coupling members are eccentric.

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