JP2018087012A - Seat cushion length adjustment device and method for adjusting seat cushion length - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a risk of failure of a device for adjusting length of a seat cushion and obtain high-class usability.SOLUTION: A device that is disposed on a seat bottom surface of a seat cushion to adjust the length of the seat cushion by moving the seat cushion in the backward/forward direction includes an actuator that is coupled to a support section provided integrally with the seat bottom surface and an adjustment member mounted to the support section to enable displacement and slidably fitted to the seat bottom surface and that displaces the adjustment member with respect to the support section. The actuator includes an electric power driving section, a reduction gear, and a flexible spindle provided in a spindle drive of a motion conversion mechanism which is provided at an approximately central portion in a direction orthogonal to the backward/forward direction in the device and converts rotational motion of the reduction gear to linear displacement between the adjustment member and the support section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an adjustment device for a seat. In particular, the present invention relates to an adjusting device for adjusting a seat cushion using a power driving unit.

  A wide variety of sheets are provided with elements that can adjust at least a portion of the sheet. Examples of such adjustable parts are adjustable waist supports, adjustable side supports, or various massage functions. Seats that provide the user with the option to adjust at least a portion of the seat are used to enhance comfort. This may be particularly important when the user is likely to sit on the seat for a long time. A typical example is a seat used in a vehicle such as an automobile seat or other vehicle seat. For example, in the case of an automobile seat, a bus seat, or other transportation means seat, a seat occupant may spend a long time sitting on each seat.

  It is desirable to provide a seat that can adjust the size of the seat cushion to accommodate various occupant sizes. This can be achieved by increasing and / or decreasing the seat cushion length. Accordingly, in the seat cushion on which the user's thigh is placed, for example, the length measured in the front-rear direction of the seat can be adjusted.

  Motor driven adjusters offer various advantages over manual adjusters. User comfort can be enhanced. The motor drive adjustment device also provides an electrical interface suitable for automation, for example under the control of a vehicle controller that can automatically control the motor to bring the seat to the desired state. Despite the benefits offered by motor drive adjusters, packaging is a problem for many seats. In vehicle seats, it is desirable to be able to incorporate a number of elements into the seat, such as adjustable side supports combined with seat cushion length adjustment to provide various comfort features. The size and weight of the motor used in conventional seat adjustment devices may be added to the size and weight of the seat. Also, conventional motor drive adjustment devices are complex to install and may not be configured to easily adapt the features of the adjustment device to the needs of various customers. The resulting workload increases the cost of the seat. The structure of conventional adjustment devices based on linear actuators that are fairly rigid and rugged can be prone to breakage under the loads that occur when sitting on a vehicle seat or the like.

  There is a need in the art for an improved adjustment device that adjusts the seat cushion length. In particular, the industry demands a seat cushion length adjusting device having a compact structure. There is a need in the industry for a seat cushion length adjustment device that can be easily mounted on a seat such as a vehicle seat.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a seat cushion length adjusting device and a seat cushion length adjusting method as defined in the independent claims. Furthermore, a seat provided with a seat cushion length adjusting device is provided. The dependent claims define embodiments.

  A seat cushion length adjusting device according to an embodiment includes a support portion, an adjusting member, and an actuator. The adjustment member is mounted on the support portion so as to be displaceable, and is configured to be coupled to at least a part of the seat cushion. The actuator is connected to the support portion and the adjustment member. The actuator is configured to displace the adjustment member relative to the support. The actuator converts the rotational movement of the power drive unit, a reduction gear having an input unit and an output unit coupled to the power drive unit, and the output unit of the reduction gear into a linear displacement between the adjustment member and the support unit. And a motion conversion mechanism.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device can be installed in a compact installation space. The reduction gear serves as a torque increasing gear box. Thereby, a compact and lightweight electric motor can be used as an electric power drive part.

The support portion may be configured to be attached to the bottom surface of the seat. The support part may be a part of the bottom surface of the sheet.
The motion conversion mechanism may include a spindle drive. Thereby, a linear start to adjust the seat cushion length can be carried out in a compact installation space.

  The spindle drive may comprise a spindle having an external thread. The spindle drive may include a spindle nut having an internal thread that engages the external thread of the spindle.

The spindle may be a flexible spindle. As a result, the risk of failure can be reduced while accommodating the load that may occur in the sheet application.
The spindle may be a flexible spindle that is elastically deformed when an axial load less than 1200 N axial load is applied.

  The spindle includes a core and a helical wire that is wound around the core to form an external thread. Such a spindle provides high durability while providing elastic features under axial and lateral loads.

The core may include a cable formed of a plurality of metal wires. Such a spindle provides high durability while providing elastic features under axial and lateral loads.
The spindle may be mounted so as to be fixed against rotation. The spindle may be mounted on the adjustment member so that it can be displaced relative to the support portion together with the adjustment member. The spindle nut may be rotatably mounted. The spindle nut may be mounted on the support portion. The spindle nut may be rotatably supported by the housing of the actuator that houses the power drive unit and the reduction gear. This provides a compact modular design that can be easily installed.

  The spindle nut may be mounted so as to be fixed against rotation. The spindle nut may be mounted on the adjustment member so that it can be displaced relative to the support portion together with the adjustment member. The spindle nut may be rotatably mounted. The spindle nut may be mounted on the support portion. The spindle may be rotatably supported by an actuator housing that houses the power drive unit and the reduction gear. This results in a modular design that can be easily installed.

  When the spindle is rotatably mounted, the spindle may have an overmold formed integrally with the output means of the reduction gear. The output means may be a worm gear of a reduction gear.

When the spindle nut is rotatably mounted, the spindle nut may be formed integrally with the output means of the reduction gear. The output means may be a worm gear of a reduction gear.
Regardless of whether the spindle or spindle nut is rotatably mounted, the spindle may include an end stop formed on the spindle. The end stop may be made of plastic. The end stop may have a contact surface. When the spindle nut or the actuator housing is brought into contact with the contact surface of the end stopper, the end position for the displacement of the adjusting member relative to the support portion can be defined. Thereby, the moving amount | distance of the adjustment member with respect to a support part can be restrict | limited efficiently.

The end stop may further include a mounting function for mounting the spindle.
In the case of a spindle that is rotatably mounted, the mounting function may be configured to rotatably mount the spindle on the support portion or the adjustment member.

  In the case of a spindle mounted to be fixed against rotation, the mounting function is configured to mount the spindle to a support or adjustment member so as to prevent rotation of the spindle about the long axis. May be. The mounting function may be configured to pivot or deflect the spindle about an axis that traverses the long axis of the spindle.

  The motion conversion mechanism may include a rack and pinion drive. The rack and pinion drive may include a pinion connected to the output means of the reduction gear and a rack engaged with the pinion. The motion conversion mechanism including the rack and pinion drive has a simple structure.

The pinion may be rotatably mounted on the support portion. The rack may be fixed to the adjustment member.
The rack and pinion drive may comprise an additional pinion coupled to the output means of the reduction gear and an additional rack engaging the additional pinion.

The rack and the additional rack may be expanded along the displacement direction of the adjustment member and offset from each other across the displacement direction.
The pinion and, if provided, the additional pinion may be arranged in the pinion housing. The rack and, if provided, the additional rack may be configured to extend through the pinion housing.

  The reduction gear may comprise at least one worm reduction gear. The reduction gear may include a two-stage worm reduction gear. The reduction gear may include a first worm that is attached to the output shaft of the power drive unit in a torque resistant manner. The reduction gear may include a first worm wheel that engages with the first worm. The rotational axis of the first worm wheel may cross the rotational axis of the first worm. The reduction gear may include a second worm formed integrally with the first worm wheel, or may be attached to the first worm wheel by another method in terms of torque resistance. The rotation axis of the second worm may coincide with the rotation axis of the first worm wheel. The reduction gear may include a second worm wheel that engages with the second worm. The rotation axis of the second worm wheel may cross the rotation axis of the second worm. The second worm wheel may form a reduction gear output means. The reduction gear provides a reduction and torque increase suitable for adjusting the seat cushion length while providing a compact design.

The first worm, the first worm wheel, the second worm, and the second worm wheel may all be rotatably mounted on the actuator housing.
The actuator may include a housing on which the power driving unit and the reduction gear are mounted. The housing may be firmly attached to the support.

In the installed state of the seat cushion length adjusting device, the actuator housing may be mounted so as to be always stationary with respect to the seat bottom surface of the seat.
The seat cushion length adjusting device may be a modular unit configured to be mounted on the seat bottom surface of the seat. The seat cushion length adjusting device may be configured such that the motion conversion mechanism is not directly attached to the bottom surface of the seat.

The seat cushion length adjusting device may be configured such that only the support portion is mounted on the seat bottom surface of the seat using a bolt, a screw, or other mounting device.
The seat cushion length adjusting device may include a seat cushion. The adjustment member can be attached to a part of the seat cushion to linearly displace the part of the seat cushion. The seat cushion may be elastically deformed and / or at least a portion of the seat cushion may be displaceable under operation of the seat cushion length adjusting device. The seat cushion can comprise a woven or non-woven fabric and an elastic cover that can be a backing material. The backing material may have a main surface. The backing material may be configured to elastically deform when a load is applied in a direction perpendicular to the major surface. The backing material may be configured to elastically deform when a load is applied by the seat cushion length adjusting device in a direction parallel to the main surface. The backing material may be a foam such as a polyurethane (PU) foam. The backing material may comprise a fiber cushion comprising thermally activated binding fibers and matrix fibers.

The seat cushion may be configured to be inverted when the seat cushion length adjusting device adjusts the seat cushion length.
The seat cushion may form a pocket that houses at least a portion of the adjustment member.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device may include a controller that controls the start of the power driving unit. The controller may be a vehicle control unit. The controller may be configured to automatically control the motor to adjust the seat cushion length according to who is sitting on the seat among a plurality of regular drivers. The controller may be configured to automatically identify the driver based on a vehicle authentication factor used by the driver, for example, based on a key used by the driver or a keyless authentication factor.

The power driving unit may be an electric motor.
The direction of rotation of the electric motor may be reversible. Next, the seat cushion length may be selectively increased or decreased by controlling the rotation direction of the motor shaft. This can be done in a variety of ways by reversing the polarity of the power supplied to the electric motor or by supplying a control signal to the electric motor that determines the direction of rotation.

  A vehicle seat according to an embodiment includes a seat having a seat cushion and a seat cushion length adjusting device according to an embodiment. A seat cushion length adjusting device is connected to the seat cushion to adjust the seat cushion length.

  The vehicle seat may be an automobile seat. The vehicle seat may be a truck seat. The vehicle seat may be a public transport seat such as a bus, train, or aircraft seat.

  The actuator may be mounted on the bottom surface of the vehicle seat. The seat bottom surface can support both the seat cushion length adjusting device and the seat cushion. At least the power drive unit and the reduction gear of the seat cushion length adjusting device can be disposed between the seat bottom surface and the seat cushion. Further, the power driving unit and the reduction gear may be installed so that both the seat bottom surface and the adjusting member are interposed between the power driving unit and the seat cushion.

The seat cushion length adjusting device may be configured to displace the adjusting member with respect to the seat bottom surface.
The vehicle seat may have a backrest.

  According to another embodiment, a method for adjusting seat cushion length is provided. This length includes an electric power drive unit, a reduction gear having an input unit and an output unit coupled to the electric power drive unit, and a motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotational movement of the output unit of the reduction gear into a linear motion. To adjust. At least a part of the seat cushion and the motion conversion mechanism are connected to an adjustment member that is mounted on the support portion so as to be displaceable. The method comprises activating the power drive of the actuator to displace the adjustment member relative to the support.

The other features of the method and the effects obtained by each of them may correspond to the features described with reference to the seat cushion length adjusting device and the vehicle seat according to the embodiment.
The method can be performed using a seat cushion length adjustment apparatus according to any of the various embodiments described herein.

  According to another embodiment, a method for mounting a seat cushion length adjusting device according to an embodiment on a seat is provided. The method includes mounting a housing that houses the power driving unit and the reduction gear in a seat bottom or a structural member of the seat.

The method may include disposing a support portion in a recess formed on the bottom surface of the sheet and fixing the support portion to the bottom surface of the sheet.
To adjust the seat cushion length, devices and methods according to various embodiments can be utilized. In order to adjust the seat cushion length of a vehicle seat, in particular a self-propelled vehicle seat, the devices and methods according to various embodiments can be utilized.

The schematic sectional drawing of the sheet | seat which concerns on one Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the sheet of FIG. 1. The perspective view of the seat cushion length adjusting device concerning one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partial view of the seat cushion length adjusting device of FIG. 3. The figure which shows the seat cushion length adjustment apparatus of FIG. 3 of a mounting state. The perspective view of the seat cushion length adjustment apparatus which concerns on another embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partial view of the seat cushion length adjusting device of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a partial view of the seat cushion length adjusting device of FIG. 6. The perspective view of the seat cushion length adjustment apparatus which concerns on another embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partial view of the seat cushion length adjusting device of FIG. 9. The perspective view of the seat cushion length adjusting device concerning one embodiment. FIG. 12 is a partial view of the seat cushion length adjusting device of FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a partial view of the seat cushion length adjusting device of FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a partial view of an actuator for the seat cushion length adjusting device of FIG. 11.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Although some embodiments are described in a particular application field such as a self-propelled vehicle seat, the embodiments are not limited to this application field. The features of the various embodiments can be combined with each other unless otherwise noted. In the drawings, like numerals refer to like components.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle seat 1 according to an embodiment. The vehicle seat 1 may be configured as an automobile seat or another self-propelled vehicle seat.
In general, the vehicle seat 1 includes a seat 2 and a backrest 9. The sheet 2 may include a structural member that provides structural stability to the sheet 2. The structural member may be the seat bottom 3 and / or the seat frame. The seat 2 includes a seat cushion. The seat cushion may include a cover 5. The cover 5 may be a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric. The seat cushion may include an elastic backing 4 that increases comfort. The elastic backing 4 may be a chair upholstery material. The elastic backing 4 may be made of, for example, a foam material or a fiber material, or may include a foam material or a fiber material. When the seat cushion length adjusting device enlarges or reduces the seat cushion length, the cover 5 can be turned upside down. When adjusting the seat cushion length, the elastic backing 4 can be elastically deformed and / or at least a part of the elastic backing 4 can be displaced with respect to the cover 5.

  The vehicle seat 1 includes a seat cushion length adjusting device that is connected to the seat cushion and adjusts the seat cushion length. The seat cushion length adjusting device is installed in a gap defined in the seat 2 and is operable to change the outer shape of the vehicle seat 1 by reversibly changing the seat cushion length. Accordingly, the length of the seat cushion on which the thigh of the seat occupant rides can be adjusted.

  The seat cushion length can be adjusted in various ways using a seat cushion length adjusting device. For example, the cover 5 and the elastic backing 4 may be elastically deformed under the operation of the seat cushion length adjusting device. Alternatively or additionally, the elastic backing 4 may be placed in the seat under the operation of the seat cushion length adjusting device. Alternatively or additionally, the elastic backing 4 may comprise at least two parts that are displaceable relative to each other and the seat cushion length adjusting device 4 is elastic with respect to one of the parts of the elastic backing 4. You may comprise so that the other of the parts of the backing material 4 may be displaced. The seat cushion length adjusting device may be configured to adjust the distance between the opposing edges of the seat cushion.

  Hereinafter, as will be described in more detail below, the seat cushion length adjusting device generally includes a support portion 11 and an adjustment member 12 that can be displaced with respect to the support portion 11. The adjustment member 12 may be mounted on the support portion 11 so as to be displaceable so as to move in parallel with the support portion 11. The support portion 11 may be a part of the seat bottom surface 3, may be formed integrally with the seat bottom surface 11, or may be fixed to the seat bottom surface 3 by bolts, screws, or other mounting techniques.

  The seat cushion length adjustment device includes a power drive and a reduction gear assembly 20. The power drive unit and the reduction gear may be housed in a housing that is fixed to the support unit 11 or that can be formed integrally with the support unit 11. The power driving unit may be an electric motor. The power drive may be a rotary motor that has a motor shaft extending from the motor as an output shaft. The reduction gear may have input means connected to the motor shaft and output means. The reduction gear can provide deceleration, for example, a reduction in the angular speed of the output means relative to the angular speed of the input means and an increase in torque.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device includes a rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism 21. The motion conversion mechanism 21 is operable to convert the rotational motion of the output means of the reduction gear into the translational displacement of the adjustment member 12. The motion conversion mechanism 21 can take any structure among various structures. The motion conversion mechanism 21 may include a spindle drive having a spindle and a spindle nut that is screw-engaged with the spindle. The motion conversion mechanism 21 may include a rack and pinion drive.

  The adjustment member 12 is connected to the seat cushion. Any one of various coupling mechanisms can be used. The front portion of the adjustment member 12 may be housed in a pocket defined by the seat cushion, and a connection structure 13 that connects the adjustment member 12 to the front end of the seat cushion may be mounted. Alternatively or additionally, the adjustment member 12 may be attached to the seat cushion using one or more attachment techniques that form the connecting structure 13, for example, by bolts, screws, rivets, adhesives, welding, or other techniques. It may be attached to the front.

  When the power drive unit of the seat cushion length adjusting device is started, the adjusting member 12 is displaced with respect to the support unit 11. The adjustment member 12 is displaced relative to the rear end and / or the backrest 9 of the seat 2. In the case of the vehicle seat 1 installed in the vehicle, the adjustment member 12 is displaced with respect to the seat bottom surface. However, even if the power drive unit of the seat cushion length adjusting device is started, for example, Does not displace.

  By starting the power drive unit of the seat cushion length adjusting device, the seat cushion length may be changed by increment or decrement 8 according to the rotation direction of the motor shaft. By controlling the power drive unit so that the motor shaft rotates in the first direction, the seat cushion length can be increased by an increment of 8 minutes, as shown in FIG. The seat cushion length may be reduced by operating the power driving unit so that the motor shaft rotates in the second direction opposite to the first direction. Thereby, the shape of the seat 2, especially the seat cushion length, can be adjusted to correspond to various occupant sizes and various thigh lengths and seating postures.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the power driving unit of the seat cushion length adjusting device may be started to displace the front end of the seat cushion forward by a distance 8. The seat cushion length and the outer shape of the seat 2 can thereby be changed. When the power drive unit is started such that the output means shaft of the power drive unit rotates in the reverse direction, the front end of the seat cushion may be displaced rearward under the operation of the seat cushion length adjusting device.

  The controller 7 may control the operation of the actuator. The controller 7 may be connected to the actuator through an electrical connection. The controller 7 may control the start of the actuator by controlling the voltage applied to the electrical connection. The controller 7 may control the polarity of the voltage supplied to the electric motor. Control can be performed in various ways. A user interface 6 connected to the controller 7 may be provided so that the user can adjust the seat cushion length under the control of the user operation. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 7 may automatically control the actuator to set the seat cushion length to an appropriate value for each driver by recognizing a particular driver. An appropriate seat cushion length is automatically specified based on an identifier stored in the vehicle authentication element (vehicle key or corresponding key-shaped element) and a reference table storing the seat cushion length for various identifiers. be able to. The controller 7 may automatically set the seat cushion length configuration by actuating the actuator when an identifier is read from the vehicle authentication element upon request. The controller 7 may include a memory that stores the current position of the actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 7 may automatically control the actuator in response to a critical event such as a collision.

  The structure of the seat cushion length adjusting device according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The seat cushion length adjusting device can be used in the vehicle seat 1 according to an embodiment.

  In general, the actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device includes a power drive unit and a reduction gear. The reduction gear has output means for driving the rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism. The reduction gear may be a self-locking gear. Alternatively or additionally, the rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism may be self-locking. Thereby, even if the power drive unit is not started, the seat cushion length can be reliably kept at the set position.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 according to one embodiment. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 is a modular unit that can be manufactured in advance and installed on the seat bottom surface 3 as a unit. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 may be configured such that only the support portion 11 has to be fixed to the seat bottom surface 3, but the other parts of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 and the seat bottom surface 3 are connected. You don't have to.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 includes a support portion 11. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 includes an adjusting member 12 that is supported by the support portion 11 so as to be displaceable. Guide functions 14-17 can be provided on the support 11 and / or the adjustment member 12 to induce linear translational displacement of the adjustment member 12 relative to the support 11. For example, the adjustment member 12 can be guided on the support portion 11 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction on the support portion 11. The support portion 11 may have protrusions 14 and 16 that are slidably accommodated in the fitting recesses 15 and 17 of the adjustment member 12. Alternatively or additionally, the support 11 may have a recess that slidably accommodates the fitting protrusion of the adjustment member 12. The protrusions 14 and 16 and the recesses 15 and 17 may extend in a direction corresponding to the front-rear direction of the sheet. The direction in which the guide function extends can define a displacement direction in which the adjustment member 12 is displaced, and the direction corresponds to the adjustment direction of the seat cushion length.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 includes a housing 30 that houses the power driving unit 31. The reduction gear that connects the motor shaft of the power drive unit 31 and the motion conversion mechanism may be accommodated in the housing 30. The reduction gear can take any structure among various structures. The reduction gear may be a worm reduction gear. As will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4, the reduction gear may be a two-stage worm reduction gear. The reduction gear may have two or more reduction stages.

  The motion conversion mechanism of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 is operable to convert the rotation of the output means of the reduction gear into a linear displacement of the adjusting member 12 with respect to the support portion 11. For example, the motion conversion mechanism may be a spindle drive. The spindle drive includes a spindle 41 and a spindle nut 42 that is threadedly engaged with the spindle 41. The spindle 41 and the spindle nut 42 may have a long axis. One of the spindle 41 and the spindle nut 42 may be mounted so as to be rotatable about the long axis of the spindle 41. The other of the spindle 41 and the spindle nut 42 may be mounted so that it cannot rotate around the long axis of the spindle 41.

  In the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIG. 3, the spindle 41 is mounted so that the spindle 41 does not rotate. The spindle 41 is attached to the adjustment member 12 so as to prevent the spindle 41 from rotating about the long axis. It is understood that the spindle 41 bends to some extent due to twisting. However, the spindle 41 is usually fixed to the adjustment member 12 so that it cannot perform a complete rotation around the long axis.

  The spindle nut 42 is rotatably mounted on the housing 30. The spindle nut 42 is rotatable with respect to the support portion 11. When the spindle nut 42 is rotated, the spindle 41 is displaced with respect to the housing 30. When the spindle 41 is mounted on the adjustment member 12, the adjustment member 12 slides along the support portion 11 as the spindle 41 is displaced through the spindle nut 42 by the rotation of the spindle nut 42.

  The spindle 41 can be mounted in various ways. In the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIG. 3, the spindle 41 has an end stop 43 having a mounting function that is accommodated in the fitting mounting function 44 of the adjusting member 12. The mounting feature formed on the end stop 43 extends transversely to the major axis of the spindle 41 and pivots the end stop 43 within the adjustment function 44 of the adjustment member 12 by deflecting the spindle under load. May be included.

  Further, the end stop 43 may be configured to limit the movement of the adjustment member 12 with respect to the support portion 11. The end stop 43 may have a contact surface. The support part 11 or the housing 30 may be brought into contact with the contact surface of the end stop 43 to stop the linear displacement of the adjustment member 12 with respect to the support part 11.

The end stop 43 may be made of plastic. The end stop 43 may be formed at the end of the spindle 41. The end stopper 43 may be formed by, for example, injection molding.
The opposite end of the spindle 41 may be attached to the adjustment member 12. The spindle 41 has the other end stop 45 having a mounting function accommodated in the fitting mounting function 46 of the adjustment member 12. The mounting function formed on the other end stop 45 extends transverse to the long axis of the spindle 41 and deflects the spindle under load, thereby allowing the other end stop 45 within the adjustment function 46 of the adjustment member 12. It may include an axis for pivoting. The other end stopper 45 may be configured to limit the amount of movement of the adjustment member 12 relative to the support portion 11. The other end stop 45 may have a contact surface. The support portion 11 or the housing 30 may be brought into contact with the contact surface of the other end stop 45 to stop the linear displacement of the adjustment member 12 with respect to the support portion 11.

  The other end stop 45 may be made of plastic. The other end stopper 45 may be formed at the other end of the spindle 41. The other end stopper 45 may be formed by injection molding, for example. The end stop 43 and the other end stop 45 may be formed on the spindle 41 by the same injection molding process.

  The distance between the end stop 43 and the other end stop 45 can define the movement path of the adjustment member 12 relative to the support portion 11. Therefore, the maximum change amount of the seat cushion length can be easily adapted to various customer needs. For example, the length of the end stop 43 and the length of the other end stop 45 can be set in the overmolding process depending on the travel distance required by a particular customer and vary between the adjustment member 12 and the support 11. A maximum amount of displacement can be determined.

  When the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 is operated, the spindle nut 42 is rotated when the motor shaft of the power driving unit is rotated. The adjustment member 12 on which the spindle 41 is mounted is displaced linearly with respect to the support portion 11. The connecting structure 13 of the adjusting member 12 that is attached to the seat cushion or connected by other methods is displaced to change the seat cushion length.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10. The structure of the actuator will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
The housing 30 includes a recess that houses a power driving unit 31 configured as an electric motor. The housing 30 may define an opening through which the motor connector 39 projects. The connector 39 may be a connector device that can be reversibly detached from the power drive unit 31 and / or can be attached to the power drive unit 31 by pressing the connector 39 against the power drive unit 31. . Thereby, it becomes easy to connect the electric power drive part 31 to various board networks, for example.

  The housing includes at least one additional recess that rotatably supports at least one gear of the reduction gear. In the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIG. 4, the reduction gear is mounted as a two-stage worm reduction gear. The reduction gear may include a first worm 32 that is attached to the output shaft of the power drive unit 31 in a torque resistant manner. The reduction gear may include a first worm wheel 33 that engages with the first worm 32. The rotational axis of the first worm wheel 33 may cross the rotational axis of the first worm 32. The reduction gear may include a second worm 34 that is integrally formed with the first worm wheel 33 or that is attached to the first worm wheel 34 in a torque-resistant manner. The rotational axis of the second worm 34 may coincide with the rotational axis of the first worm wheel 33. The reduction gear may include a second worm wheel 35 that meshes and engages with the second worm 34. The rotational axis of the second worm wheel 35 may cross the rotational axis of the second worm 34. The second worm wheel 35 can form a reduction gear output means. The reduction gear provides a reduction and torque increase suitable for adjusting the seat cushion length while using a compactly designed power drive. The reduction gear can provide self-locking.

  The output means of the reduction gear that can be the second worm wheel 35 may be coupled to the spindle nut 42 in a torque resistant manner. The spindle nut 42 and the second worm wheel 35 may be integrally formed. The spindle nut 42 and the second worm wheel 35 may be integrally formed from a plastic material. The spindle nut 42 has a female screw having the same pitch as the male screw of the spindle 41.

  The spindle 41 may be flexible. The spindle 41 may be a flexible shaft or a flex shaft provided with a male screw. The flexible spindle may have a metal core 47 with a cable comprising one metal wire or multiple metal wires. The flexible shaft may have an external thread. The flexible shaft may have a metal spiral wire 48 on the outer surface forming a male thread. Other embodiments can also be used. For example, a rigid spindle can be used as described in detail below. The spindle 41 may be configured to elastically deform when an axial load less than 1200 N axial load is applied.

  The spindle 41 that provides the flexibility to deflect under a load applied perpendicular to the long axis of the spindle 41 improves the durability of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 and reduces the risk of breakage under load conditions.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 is manufactured in advance, for example, as a modular unit that can be attached to the seat by attaching the support portion 11 to the seat bottom surface 3 by screws, bolts, rivets, or other attaching techniques. Composed.

  FIG. 5 shows the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 mounted on the seat bottom surface 3. The seat bottom surface 3 has a recess in which at least the support portion 11 of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 can be disposed. The support portion 11 may be attached to the seat bottom surface 3 with screws or bolts 51. The upper surface of the sheet bottom surface 3 may have a notch in which the adjustment member 12 can be disposed. When the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 is started, the adjusting member 12 slides on the support portion 11 so as to effectively expand the upper surface of the seat bottom surface 3.

  It is understood that the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 configured as a modular unit can be installed with a moderate workload. For example, only a single component such as the support portion 11 needs to be mounted on the seat bottom 3 or other structural member of the seat 2. For example, it is not necessary to separately mount the spindle 41 or the spindle nut 42 on the seat bottom surface 3.

  Various modifications of the seat cushion length adjusting apparatus 10 described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 can be implemented in other embodiments. For example, the spindle 41 may be attached to the adjustment member only at one end, and the other end may be a free end. The spindle 41 may be formed as a rigid spindle. The support portion 11 of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 may include a seat bottom surface 3 and the housing 30 may be directly attached to the seat bottom surface 3. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIGS. 3 to 5 includes a spindle that is rotatably fixed and a spindle nut that is freely rotatable. In other structures, the seat cushion length adjusting apparatus 10 is rotatably fixed to the rotatable spindle. And a spindle nut.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a seat cushion length adjusting device 10 according to another embodiment. Components or features corresponding to the components or features described with reference to FIGS. 3-5 are indicated with the same reference numerals. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 may be manufactured in advance and configured as a modular unit that can be attached to the seat bottom surface 3 as a single unit. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 may be configured such that only the support portion 11 must be fixed to the seat bottom surface 3.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 includes a support portion 11 and an adjustment member 12 that is supported by the support portion 11 so as to be displaceable. The guide functions 14 to 17 may be realized by the shelf-like protrusions 15 and 17 on the adjustment member 12 and the fitting guide surfaces 14 and 16 on the support portion 11. For example, the shelf-like protrusions 15 and 17 may be guided on the outer peripheral surfaces 14 and 16 of the support portion 11.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 includes an actuator. The actuator includes a power drive unit and a reduction gear that can be configured as described with reference to FIGS.

  The actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 further includes a motion conversion mechanism operable to convert the rotation of the output means of the reduction gear into a linear displacement of the adjusting member 12 with respect to the support portion 11. The motion conversion mechanism may be a spindle drive. The spindle drive includes a spindle 61 and a spindle nut 62 that is threadedly engaged with the spindle 61. The spindle 61 and the spindle nut 62 may have a long axis. The spindle 61 may be mounted so as to be rotatable about the vertical axis. The spindle nut 62 may be mounted so as not to rotate about the long axis of the spindle 61.

  In the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIG. 5, the spindle 61 is mounted so as to be rotatable. The spindle 61 may have an end portion that is rotatably supported on the support portion 11. The spindle 61 may have an end stop 63 including a mounting function that is rotatably accommodated in the fitting mounting function 64 of the support portion 11. As will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8, the opposite end of the spindle 61 can be rotatably supported on the housing 30.

The end stop 63 may be configured to limit the movement of the adjustment member 12 with respect to the support portion 11. The end stop 63 may have a contact surface. The linear displacement of the adjustment member 12 relative to the support portion 11 may be stopped by bringing the protrusion 65 of the adjustment member 12 into contact with the contact surface of the end stop 63.
The end stop 63 may be made of plastic. The end stop 63 may be formed at the end of the spindle 61. The end stop 63 may be formed by, for example, injection molding.

  The spindle nut 62 is attached to the adjustment member 12 so as to prevent the spindle nut 62 from rotating about the long axis of the spindle 61. The spindle nut 62 may be accommodated in the protrusion 65 of the adjustment member 12. The protrusion 65 may protrude from the adjustment member 12 through the opening 66 of the support portion 11. The protrusion 65 can be formed to pass the spindle 61. The spindle nut 62 may be formed as a separate element inserted into the protrusion 65 for easy installation, but the spindle nut 62 and the protrusion 65 may be integrally formed.

  When the spindle 61 is rotated, the spindle nut 62 is displaced with respect to the housing 30 along the long axis of the spindle 61. When the spindle nut 62 is attached to the adjustment member 12, the adjustment member 12 slides along the support portion 11 as the spindle nut 62 is displaced along the spindle 61 by the rotation of the spindle 61.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the actuator used in the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIG. 6 showing a reduction gear.

  The reduction gear of the actuator may include at least one worm reduction gear. The reduction gear may include a two-stage worm reduction gear, as will be described with reference to FIG. Further, a reduction gear having one speed reduction stage or at least three speed reduction stages may be used.

  The output device of the reduction gear may be formed by the second worm wheel 35, for example. The reduction gear output means may be formed on the outer surface of the sleeve 69. The sleeve 69 may be provided at the other end of the spindle 61 in terms of torque resistance. The sleeve 69 may be formed at the other end of the spindle 61. The sleeve 69 may be made of a plastic material. The sleeve 69 may be formed on the other end of the spindle 61 by injection molding. The sleeve 69 and the end stop 63 on which the second worm wheel 35 is formed may be formed on the spindle 61 by the same injection molding process.

  The spindle 61 may be configured in the same manner as the spindle 41. The spindle 61 may be a flexible spindle. The spindle 61 may have a core 67 formed from one or several metal wires and a spiral wire 68 wound around the core 67. The spindle 61 may be configured to elastically deform when an axial load less than 1200 N axial load is applied. The spindle 61 may be a rigid spindle.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 may be attached to the seat bottom surface 3. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 may be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3 as a modular unit, and only the support portion 11 is fixed to the seat bottom surface with screws, bolts or the like. The support portion 11 may be a part of the sheet bottom surface 3. In this case, the actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 may be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3 in a two-stage process. The protrusion 65 of the adjustment member 12 passes through the opening 66 on the bottom surface of the seat, and the spindle nut 62 is attached to the protrusion 65. The housing 30 may be attached to the seat bottom surface 3.

  Regardless of whether the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 is a modular unit that can be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3 by attaching the support portion 11 to the seat bottom surface, or other mounting technology is used. At least a part of the length adjusting device 10 may be disposed in the recess of the seat bottom surface 3.

  9 and 10 show a seat cushion length adjusting device 10 according to another embodiment. In the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIGS. 9 and 10, the actuator includes an electric power drive unit and a reduction gear that can be configured as described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8. The motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotation of the output means of the reduction gear into the linear displacement of the adjustment member 12 with respect to the support portion 11 may be a spindle drive including a spindle 71 and a spindle nut 72. Similar to the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIGS. 6 to 8, the spindle nut 72 may be attached to the adjusting member 12 so as to be fixed against rotation with respect to the long axis of the spindle 71.

  The spindle 71 is rotatably mounted. The spindle 71 has a free end. The spindle 71 may be formed as a rigid spindle. The spindle 71 may be formed from an integral material such as a screw-type bolt. The other end of the spindle 71 opposite to the free end may have an overmolded sleeve 69 as described with reference to FIG.

  When the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 in FIGS. 9 and 10 is operated, the spindle 71 rotates when the motor shaft of the power driving unit 31 is rotated. The spindle nut 72 is disposed along the long axis of the spindle 71.

  The support portion 11 of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIGS. 9 and 10 may be formed by a part of the bottom surface of the seat. The bottom surface of the seat may have a recess in which the adjustment member 12 is slidably accommodated. The side surfaces 14, 16 of the recess may serve as a guide for the side surfaces 15, 17 of the adjustment member 12. The opening 66 on the bottom surface of the sheet may extend along the spindle 71. The protrusion 65 of the adjustment member 12 protrudes through the opening 66 and can fix the spindle nut 72 so as not to rotate.

  The actuator may be mounted on the seat bottom 3. The actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 can be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3 in a two-stage process. The protrusion 65 of the adjustment member 12 passes through the opening 66 on the bottom surface of the seat, and the spindle nut 62 is attached to the protrusion 65. The housing 30 may be attached to the seat bottom 3 using bolts, screws 51, or other fastening techniques.

  The rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism need not be implemented as a spindle drive and may be any one of a wide variety of other embodiments. For example, rack and pinion drive may be used as described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a seat cushion length adjusting device 10 according to another embodiment. 12 and 13 are partial detailed views of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10. FIG. 14 is a partial detail view of an actuator that can be used in the seat cushion length adjusting device 10. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 includes a support portion 11 that is configured to be attached to the seat bottom surface 3 or can include a part of the seat bottom surface 3. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 includes an adjusting member 12 having a connecting portion 13 that connects the adjusting member 12 to the front end of the seat cushion.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 includes an actuator having a power driving unit 31 disposed in the housing 80. The housing may be attached to the support portion 11. The actuator includes a reduction gear. The output means of the reduction gear drives the pinion 93. The pinion 93 may be disposed in the pinion housing 83. The pinion 93 may be attached to the shaft 90 or may be formed integrally with the shaft. The pinion 93 has outer teeth that engage with the rack 91. The rack 91 may be attached to the adjustment member 12. The shaft 90 may be connected to the output means of the reduction gear in a torque resistant manner, as will be described in more detail later with reference to FIG.

  The rack and pinion drive may include an additional rack 92 and an additional pinion 94 that engages the additional rack 92. The additional rack 92 may be attached to the adjustment member 12. The rack 91 and the additional rack 92 may be parallel to each other. The rack 91 and the additional rack 92 may be offset from each other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rack 91 and the additional rack 92. The additional pinion 94 may be disposed on an additional pinion housing 84 that can be integrally formed with the housing 82. The pinion 93 and the additional pinion 94 may have a distance greater than the maximum dimension of the housing 80 including the power drive and the reduction gear.

  When the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 is operated, when the motor shaft of the power driving unit 31 is rotated, the shaft 90 is rotated. As the pinion 91 and the additional pinion 93 rotate with the shaft 90, the rack 91 and the additional rack 92 are linearly displaced. The adjusting member 12 for mounting the rack 91 and the additional rack 92 moves relative to the support portion 11.

  14 is a partial plan view of an actuator that can be used in the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIG. The actuator includes a power driving unit 31 disposed in the housing 80. The actuator includes a reduction gear. The reduction gear may have at least one worm reduction gear. The reduction gear may be a two-stage worm reduction gear configured as detailed with reference to FIG. The output means of the reduction gear that can be formed by the second worm wheel 35 is connected to the shaft 90 in a torque resistant manner. The second worm wheel 35 may be formed integrally with the central portion 95 of the shaft 90. The second worm wheel 35 may be formed on a sleeve 95 that can be formed on the shaft 90. The part 95 with the second worm wheel 35 may be made of plastic, for example by injection molding.

  Various embodiments of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIGS. 11 to 14 can be implemented in other embodiments. For example, a rack and pinion drive may have a single rack and a single pinion that engages the rack. The rack and pinion drive may have two or more racks and two or more pinions engaged with the racks.

  According to an embodiment, the seat cushion length is adjusted using an actuator housed in the seat. The actuator may have a reduction gear having at least two reduction stages, such as a first worm reduction gear and a second worm reduction gear. The rotational motion is converted to linear motion using a spindle drive, rack and pinion drive, or another rotational-linear motion conversion mechanism.

  While embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, various embodiments can be practiced in other embodiments. For example, an actuator in which a two-stage worm reduction gear is connected between a rotary motor shaft of an electric motor and a rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism has been described. However, in other embodiments, the reduction gear is single or three or more. The worm reduction gear stage may be provided. In other embodiments, another reduction gear may be provided.

  In each of the various embodiments, the seat cushion length adjusting device can be used to displace the front end of the seat cushion in the front-rear direction, but the seat cushion length adjusting device is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion. For example, the length may be changed at the rear end of the seat cushion. The seat cushion length adjusting device may be connected to at least one side surface of the seat cushion to change the length on the side surface.

The adjusting mechanism of the embodiment may be combined with other mechanisms arranged in the seat. For example, an adjustable side bolster or ventilation mechanism may be incorporated into the seat.
Although the actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device can be mounted on the bottom surface of the vehicle seat, the actuator may be mounted on any other structural element of the vehicle seat.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the actuator is mounted to provide the power drive unit and the reduction gear so that the adjustment member is kept stationary with respect to the seat frame while moving with respect to the seat frame. However, in other embodiments, other structures can be used. Specifically, the housing that houses the power drive unit and the reduction gear may be mounted on the adjustment member so as to be displaced with respect to the seat frame together with the adjustment member. In this case, a spindle drive element or rack and a pinion drive rack are provided on the support portion to keep the stationary state.

  It is understood that various technical effects can be obtained using the seat cushion length adjusting device and method of the embodiment. The actuator has, for example, a compact structure that can be integrated into the gaps of small sized sheets. With the reduction gear, a small electric motor can be used. A lightweight and inexpensive structure can be realized.

  The seat cushion length adjustment device of some embodiments provides a modular structure that allows the seat cushion length adjustment device to be easily incorporated into a seat. The actuator can be easily adapted to various adjustment speeds and adjustment forces. For example, the reduction gear between the motor output shaft and the spindle reduction gear can be adjusted according to customer needs. Alternatively or additionally, the amount of adjustment movement can be adapted. This can be easily done by properly positioning the end stop on the spindle of the actuator.

  While exemplary embodiments have been described with respect to vehicle seats, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these specific fields of application. Rather, embodiments of the present invention can be effectively employed with a wide variety of seats to adjust seat cushion length.

Claims (11)

A device (10) which is disposed on the seat bottom (3) of the seat cushion (4, 5) and adjusts the length of the seat cushion (4, 5) by moving the seat cushion (4, 5) in the front-rear direction. ) And
A support portion (11) provided integrally with the bottom surface (3) of the seat;
An adjustment member (12) mounted on the support (11) so as to be displaceable and slidably mounted on the bottom surface (3) of the seat;
An actuator coupled to the support portion (11) and the adjustment member (12) and configured to displace the adjustment member (12) with respect to the support portion (11).
A power drive unit (31);
A reduction gear (32-35) having an input means (32) coupled to the power drive unit (31) and an output means (35);
In the device (10), provided at substantially the center in the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction, the rotational movement of the output means (35) of the reduction gear (32-35) is controlled by the adjustment member (12) and the support. A motion conversion mechanism (21; 41, 42; 61, 62; 71, 72; 91 to 94) for converting into a linear displacement with the section (11);
The motion conversion mechanism (21; 41, 42; 61, 62; 71, 72; 91 to 94) includes a spindle drive (21; 41, 42; 61, 62; 71, 72), and the spindle drive (21; 41, 42; 61, 62; 71, 72) is engaged with the spindle (41; 61; 71) extending in the front-rear direction and having an external thread, and the external thread of the spindle (41; 61; 71) A spindle nut (42; 62; 72) having an internal thread to
A device for adjusting the length of the seat cushion, wherein the spindle (41; 61) is a flexible spindle. The spindle (41; 61)
A core (47; 67);
The device for adjusting the length of a seat cushion according to claim 1, comprising a helical wire (48; 68) wound around the core (47; 67) to form the male thread.   The apparatus for adjusting the length of a seat cushion according to claim 2, wherein the core (47; 67) comprises a cable formed from a plurality of metal wires.   One of the spindle (41) and the spindle nut (62; 72) is mounted on the adjustment member (12) so as to be fixed against rotation. The apparatus which adjusts the length of the seat cushion as described in a term.   The other of the spindle (61; 71) and the spindle nut (42) is connected to the output means (35) of the reduction gear (32-35) and is rotatably mounted. To adjust the length of the seat cushion.   The seat cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the spindle (41; 61; 71) comprises an end stop (43, 45; 63) formed on the spindle (41; 61; 71). To adjust the length of the.   7. A device for adjusting the length of a seat cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reduction gear (32-35) comprises at least one worm reduction gear. The actuator includes a housing (30; 80) on which the power drive unit (31) and the reduction gear (32 to 35) are mounted.
The device for adjusting the length of the seat cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing (30; 80) is firmly attached to the support (11). A seat (2) comprising a seat cushion (4, 5);
A device (10) for adjusting the length of the seat cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the adjusting member (12) is connected to the seat cushion (4, 5) to provide a seat. A vehicle seat that adjusts the length of the cushion.   The actuator is mounted on the seat bottom surface (3) of the vehicle seat (1), and a device (10) for adjusting the length of the seat cushion is provided with the adjusting member (12) with respect to the seat bottom surface (3). The vehicle seat according to claim 9, configured to displace the vehicle. A method for adjusting the length of a seat cushion '4,5) using a device (10) for adjusting the length of a seat cushion according to any one of claims 1-8,
At least a part of the seat cushion (4, 5) and the motion conversion mechanism (21; 41, 42; 61, 62; 71, 72; 91 to 94) can be displaced to the support portion (11). linked to the loaded regulatory member (12), the running the power drive unit (31) of the actuator, a method for displacing the adjustment member (12) relative to the support (11).