JP2023167809A - Seat reclining device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a seat reclining device for a vehicle which can properly latch a lock spring.SOLUTION: A seat reclining device 4 for a vehicle includes a lock spring 50 consisting of a spiral spring which energizes a rotary cam 40 rotatably assembled with a guide 20 in a rotational direction for locking. The guide 20 includes: a storage hole 21A which stores the lock spring 50 in an axial direction; a locking hole 21Aa which extends from the storage hole 21A to lock an outer end part 52 of the lock spring 50; and a diameter reduction part 21Ab formed by reducing diameter at a part of the storage hole 21A which is abutted from an outer side in a radial direction to a wound part 53 extending in a spiral shape from an inner end part 51 of the lock spring 50 locked at the rotary cam 40 to the outer end part 52. The diameter reduction parts 21Ab are, when the seat reclining device 4 for a vehicle is locked, abutted to the wound part 53 in a sandwiching state in a radial direction from a plurality of portions in the rotational direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat reclining device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle seat reclining device that includes a locking mechanism that can adjust the angle of the seat back.

Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle seat reclining device that can adjust the backrest angle of a seat back at a predetermined pitch angle (Patent Document 1). This vehicle seat reclining device includes a ratchet connected to a seat back and a guide connected to a seat cushion, which are assembled in the axial direction so that they can rotate relative to each other.

A locking mechanism is provided between the ratchet and the guide to releasably lock their relative rotation. The locking mechanism includes a rotating cam provided at the center of the guide, and a pawl that is pushed outward in the radial direction by rotation of the rotating cam and engages with the ratchet. The rotary cam is normally pushed and held in a rotational direction that engages the pawl with the ratchet by the biasing force of a lock spring consisting of a spiral spring hooked between the rotary cam and the guide.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-22400

The lock spring is set in a housing hole drilled in the center of the guide, and its inner end is held by a rotating cam and its outer end is locked and held by a locking hole extending from the housing hole. be done. Therefore, when transporting the vehicle seat reclining device alone in an assembled state, there is a risk that the lock spring may come off and fall out of the accommodation hole due to vibration or the like. Therefore, the present invention provides a vehicle seat reclining device that can appropriately prevent a lock spring from coming off.

As a means for solving the above problems, the vehicle seat reclining device of the present invention takes the following measures. That is, a first aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat reclining device, which includes a ratchet and a guide that are assembled in the axial direction so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and a rotary cam that is rotatably assembled to the guide. , a pawl that is assembled to the guide and is engaged with the ratchet to lock rotation when the rotary cam rotates in one direction; and a spiral spring that urges the rotary cam to rotate in the one direction with respect to the guide. a lock spring, wherein the guide has a housing hole that accommodates the lock spring in the axial direction, a locking hole that extends from the housing hole and locks an outer end of the lock spring, and the lock spring. a diameter-reduced portion in which a portion of the accommodation hole is reduced in diameter so as to be applied from the outside in the radial direction to a winding portion that spirally extends from the inner end portion toward the outer end portion of the cam; In the vehicle seat reclining device, the reduced diameter portion is sandwiched in the radial direction from a plurality of locations in the rotational direction of the winding portion in a locked state in which the pawl is engaged with the ratchet.

According to the first invention, the reduced diameter portion of the guide is applied to the wound portion of the lock spring so as to sandwich it in the radial direction, thereby making it difficult for the wound portion to be misaligned in the axial direction with respect to the guide. As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately prevent the lock spring from falling out of the accommodation hole.

A second invention of the present invention is the vehicle seat reclining device according to the first invention, wherein the diameter reducing portions are provided at two positions in the rotational direction sandwiching the rotation center of the guide.

According to the second invention, the number of contacts in the reduced diameter portion can be minimized. Thereby, it is possible to secure a longer effective flexible length on the inner end side of the winding portion of the lock spring, which can be bent even if it is pressed between the diameter-reduced portions.

A third invention of the present invention is that in the first or second invention, the outermost portion of the reduced diameter portion that is closest to the outer end of the winding portion is The seat reclining device for a vehicle is arranged such that the outer end portion is placed against a corner portion of the bent portion.

According to the third invention, the reduced diameter portion can be placed closer to the outer end of the winding portion. Thereby, it is possible to ensure a longer effective flexible length on the inner end side of the winding portion, which can be bent even if it is pressed between the diameter-reduced portions.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is the vehicle seat reclining device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the outer portion of the lock spring in the axial direction is located within the accommodation hole.

According to the fourth invention, in addition to preventing the lock spring from falling off, it is possible to appropriately hold the lock spring so that it does not protrude from the accommodation hole.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a vehicle seat reclining device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of FIG. 1 in an enlarged manner. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2 viewed from the opposite side. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicle seat reclining device. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 4 viewed from the opposite side. FIG. 2 is an outer side view of the vehicle seat reclining device. FIG. 2 is a front side view of the vehicle seat reclining device. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing an unlocked state from FIG. 8. FIG. FIG. 7 is an outer side view of a vehicle seat reclining device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is an outer side view of a vehicle seat reclining device according to a third embodiment.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated using drawing.

(First embodiment)
<<Schematic configuration of vehicle seat reclining device 4>>
First, the configuration of a vehicle seat reclining device (hereinafter referred to as a recliner) 4 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 1 to 9. In the following description, when directions such as front, back, top, bottom, left, and right are indicated, the respective directions shown in each figure are referred to. In addition, when referring to "the sheet width direction", it refers to the left-right direction of the sheet 1, which will be described later. In addition, in the following description, if a specific reference figure is not shown or if there is no code corresponding to the reference figure, any of the figures in FIGS. 1 to 9 will be referred to as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 1, a recliner 4 according to the present embodiment is applied to a seat 1 forming a right seat of an automobile. The recliner 4 is configured as a reclining adjustment mechanism that connects the seat back 2, which forms the backrest portion of the seat 1, to the seat cushion 3, which forms the seating portion, so that the angle of the backrest can be adjusted. Specifically, the recliners 4 are provided in a pair on the left and right between the seat back 2 and the seat cushion 3. The recliners 4 fix or release the backrest angle of the seat back 2 by being switched to the locked/unlocked state at the same time.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each recliner 4 is connected to the lower end of each side frame 2F forming the left and right side skeletons of the seat back 2, and to the left and right sides of the seat cushion 3 located on the outside in the seat width direction. and each reclining plate 3F connected to the rear end of the side skeleton. Thereby, each recliner 4 connects each side frame 2F of the seat back 2 to each reclining plate 3F so that they can rotate relative to each other around the same axis.

As shown in FIG. 1, each recliner 4 is normally held in a locked state in which the backrest angle of the seat back 2 is fixed. The locked state of each recliner 4 is released all at once by the user pulling up a reclining lever 5 provided on the vehicle outer (right side) side of the seat cushion 3. Thereby, each recliner 4 is switched to an unlocked state in which the backrest angle of the seat back 2 can be adjusted in the seat longitudinal direction. When the operation of the reclining lever 5 is returned, each recliner 4 is biased and returned to the locked state again.

A return spring 6 is hooked between each side frame 2F of the seat back 2 and each reclining plate 3F located on the outside thereof, each of which applies a rotational urging force to the seat back 2 in a forward tilting direction. Due to the rotational biasing force of these return springs 6, the seat back 2 is lifted up to a position where it touches the back of the seated occupant by releasing the fixed state of the backrest angle by each recliner 4.

When the back of the seated occupant is tilted back and forth, the seatback angle of the seat back 2 is adjusted back and forth to follow the movement of the seated occupant. By setting the return spring 6 in this manner, the backrest angle of the seat back 2 can be easily adjusted.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each recliner 4 specifically has a ratchet 10 coupled to an outer surface of each side frame 2F of the seat back 2, and a ratchet 10 coupled to an inner surface of each reclining plate 3F. It has a guide 20. Each recliner 4 is configured to fix or release the backrest angle of the seat back 2 by switching between locking and releasing the rotation of the ratchet 10 relative to the guide 20.

《Configuration of each part》
Hereinafter, the specific configuration of each part of each recliner 4 will be explained in detail. Note that each recliner 4 has a mutually symmetrical configuration. Therefore, as a representative example of these, the structure of the recliner 4 disposed on the outside (right side) of the vehicle shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the recliner 4 includes a substantially disc-shaped ratchet 10 and a guide 20 that are assembled to each other in the axial direction. Further, the recliner 4 includes three pawls 30 installed between the ratchet 10 and the guide 20, and a rotating cam 40 that moves these in and out in the radial direction.

The recliner 4 also includes a lock spring 50 made of a spiral spring that biases the rotating cam 40 against the guide 20 in the direction of rotation of the lock. Further, the recliner 4 includes a substantially cylindrical outer circumferential ring 60 that is mounted across the outer circumferential portions of the ratchet 10 and the guide 20.

The outer ring 60 functions as a retaining ring that holds the ratchet 10 and the guide 20 in an axially assembled state so that they can rotate relative to each other. The ratchet 10, guide 20, three pawls 30, and rotary cam 40 are each configured to have high structural strength by being hardened by quenching after press molding.

《Ratchet 10》
As shown in FIG. 4, the ratchet 10 is made of a single metal disc-shaped member cut into a substantially disc-shaped shape. The ratchet 10 has a structure in which various parts of the ratchet 10 are half punched in the thickness direction (axial direction). Specifically, the ratchet 10 has a main body plate 11 whose outer peripheral edge is half-blanked into a stepped cylindrical shape that protrudes in two steps toward the right side (axial direction) in the drawing, which is the direction of assembly to the guide 20. The structure is said to be

The outermost cylindrical portion subjected to the half-blanking process is formed as a cylindrical portion 12 having internal teeth 12A formed over the entire inner circumferential surface thereof. Further, an intermediate cylindrical portion 13 is formed between the cylindrical portion 12 and the main body plate 11, and connects the two in a stepped manner. The internal teeth 12A of the cylindrical portion 12 have a tooth surface shape that allows each external tooth 31 formed on the outer peripheral surface of each pawl 30, which will be described later, to mesh with each other from the inside in the radial direction. The internal teeth 12A have a shape in which each tooth surface is arranged at equal intervals of 2 degrees in the rotation direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, a through hole 11A is formed in the center of the main body plate 11 of the ratchet 10 (a position on the rotation center C), which penetrates in the axial direction in a circular hole shape. An operating pin 5A inserted into the center of a rotary cam 40, which will be described later, is inserted into the through hole 11A from the left side in the figure in a freely rotating state.

The ratchet 10 has three half-cut dowels 14 formed on the outer surface of the main body plate 11 so as to protrude toward the left side in the figure. The ratchet 10 is integrated into the side frame 2F by fitting and welding the three dowels 14 into the corresponding three fitting holes 2Fa formed in the side frame 2F of the seat back 2. combined. The side frame 2F is formed with a through hole 2Fb that penetrates in the axial direction in a circular hole shape at a position axially opposite to the through hole 11A formed in the center of the ratchet 10. The operation pin 5A described above is inserted through the through hole 2Fb in the axial direction from the left side in the figure.

《Guide 20》
As shown in FIG. 5, the guide 20, like the ratchet 10 described above, is made of a single metal disc-shaped member cut into a substantially disc-shaped shape. The guide 20 is cut into a substantially disk-like shape having an outer diameter slightly larger than that of the ratchet 10, and has a configuration in which half-blanking is performed at various locations in the plate thickness direction (axial direction). Specifically, in the guide 20, a cylindrical portion 22 that protrudes in a cylindrical shape toward the left side (axial direction) in the figure, which is the direction of assembly to the ratchet 10, is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the main body plate 21 by half punching. It is considered to be a composition.

The cylindrical portion 22 is formed to have an inner diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 12 of the ratchet 10. The guide 20 is set in such a manner that the cylindrical portion 12 of the ratchet 10 is loosely fitted into the cylindrical portion 22 in the axial direction.

As a result, the guide 20 is assembled with the ratchet 10 in such a manner that the cylindrical portions 22, 12 of the guide 20 and the ratchet 10 fit loosely in and out in the radial direction and support each other so as to be able to rotate relative to each other. The guide 20 is fitted with an outer circumferential ring 60, which will be described later, between the cylindrical portion 22 and the cylindrical portion 12 of the ratchet 10 so as to straddle it from the outer circumferential side. (See Figures 2 and 3, and Figures 6 and 7).

As shown in FIG. 5, on the inner surface of the main body plate 21 of the guide 20, approximately fan-shaped protrusions are formed at three positions in the rotation direction toward the left side (axial direction) in the figure, which is the direction in which the guide 20 is assembled to the ratchet 10. The guide wall 23 is formed by half punching. These guide walls 23 have radially outer circumferential surfaces curved to draw an arc of the same circle around the rotation center C of the guide 20. Each guide wall 23 is set so as to fit loosely in the axial direction into the cylindrical portion 12 of the ratchet 10 that is assembled into the cylindrical portion 22 of the guide 20.

Due to the formation of each guide wall 23, three poles 30, which will be described later, are slid only radially inward and outward, one each, on the inner surface of the main body plate 21 of the guide 20 in the region between these rotational direction arrangements. Concave pole accommodating grooves 24A that can be movably set are formed respectively. Further, at the center of the inner surface of the main body plate 21 surrounded by each guide wall 23, a cam housing groove 24B is provided, in which a rotating cam 40, which will be described later, can be set so as to be rotatable around a rotation center C. is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, each guide wall 23 controls each corresponding pole 30 set in each pole accommodating groove 24A in the rotation direction by each regulating surface 23A that is both side surfaces in the rotation direction. Support from both sides. Thereby, each guide wall 23 is configured to support each pole 30 set therebetween from both sides in the rotational direction so that it can slide only inward and outward in the radial direction.

Further, each guide wall 23 supports the rotary cam 40 set in the cam housing groove 24B between them from the outside in the radial direction by the support surface 23B that is the inner peripheral surface thereof. Thereby, each guide wall 23 supports the rotary cam 40 set between them so as to be rotatable at approximately the center (rotation center C) position on the main body plate 21 of the guide 20. There is.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the center of the main body plate 21 of the guide 20 (a position above the rotation center C), there is a substantially round housing hole 21A in which a lock spring 50, which will be described later, is incorporated. It is formed to penetrate in the direction. A locking hole 21Aa is formed in a part of the accommodation hole 21A in the rotation direction thereof so that the hole shape of the accommodation hole 21A is partially elongated outward in the radial direction. The outer end portion 52 of the lock spring 50 incorporated in the accommodation hole 21A is fitted into the locking hole 21Aa in the axial direction and is locked integrally in the rotational direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the guide 20 has three half-cut dowels 21B formed on the outer surface of the main body plate 21 so as to protrude toward the right side in the figure. The guide 20 is integrally coupled to the reclining plate 3F by fitting the three dowels 21B into three corresponding fitting holes 3Fa formed in the reclining plate 3F and welding them. . The reclining plate 3F is formed with a through hole 3Fb that extends through the reclining plate 3F in a round shape in the axial direction at a position axially facing the accommodation hole 21A formed in the center of the guide 20. The above-mentioned operation pin 5A is inserted through the through hole 3Fb in the axial direction from the left side in the figure.

《Paul 30》
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the three poles 30 is made of a single metal plate member cut into a substantially rectangular shape. Each of the poles 30 has a structure in which various parts are half-blanked in the plate thickness direction (axial direction). Specifically, each pawl 30 has an offset surface portion 30B that forms a radially inner portion of the pawls 30 relative to a main body surface portion 30A that forms a radially outer portion of the pawls 30 on the left side (axis) in the figure, which is the direction of assembly into the ratchet 10. It has a configuration in which it is half-blanked in the direction (direction).

As shown in FIG. 8, each pole 30 is set in a state in which one pole is accommodated in each pole accommodation groove 24A formed on the main body plate 21 of the guide 20, respectively. With the above set, each pole 30 is planarly supported from both sides in the rotation direction by the regulating surfaces 23A of each guide wall 23 facing into each pole accommodation groove 24A from both sides in the rotation direction. Thereby, each pole 30 is supported by the guide 20 so as to be movable only inward and outward in the radial direction along each regulating surface 23A.

Specifically, when each pole 30 is set in each pole accommodating groove 24A, the main body surface portion 30A thereof is set in a state in which the main body surface portion 30A is in contact with the main body plate 21 of the guide 20 in the axial direction. Thereby, each pawl 30 is in a state in which the internal teeth 12A of the cylindrical portion 12 of the ratchet 10 set in the cylindrical portion 22 of the guide 20 face each other in the radial direction at the radially outer position of the main body surface portion 30A. is set to The offset surface portion 30B of each pole 30 is set apart from the main body plate 21 of the guide 20 in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the radially outer peripheral surface of the main body surface portion 30A of each pawl 30, external teeth 31 with tooth surfaces facing radially outward are continuously arranged over the entire area in the rotational direction. is formed. The outer circumferential surface of each pawl 30 on which these external teeth 31 are formed has a convex curved surface shape that curves along the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 12 on which the internal teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 described above are formed.

The external teeth 31 of each pawl 30 have a shape in which each tooth surface is arranged at equal intervals at a pitch of 2 degrees in the rotational direction, similar to the internal teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 with which these teeth mesh. With the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 8, each pawl 30 is pushed into the internal teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 from the inside in the radial direction, so that the external teeth 31 mesh with the internal teeth 12A. There is.

A rotary cam 40, which will be described later and is set at the center of the guide 20, is set in the inner circumferential area of the main body surface 30A of each pawl 30 so as to face each other in the radial direction. With the above set, each pole 30 is provided such that each main body surface portion 30A faces the rotating cam 40 in the radial direction, and each offset surface portion 30B faces the rotating cam 40 in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the body surface portion 30A of each pole 30 has an uneven pressed surface portion 32 formed on its inner peripheral surface portion, which is pressed from the inside in the radial direction by the rotation of the rotary cam 40. . Further, as shown in FIG. 5, in the middle part of the offset surface part 30B of each pole 30, each retraction pin 42 that protrudes in the axial direction is formed at three positions in the rotational direction of the rotary cam 40. A lead-in hole 33 to be inserted is formed to penetrate in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 8, each pawl 30 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing by the urging force of a lock spring 50, which will be described later, so that the pressed surfaces 32 of the pawls 30 are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the rotary cam 40. It is pressed from the inside in the radial direction by each pressing portion 44 having a corresponding uneven shape formed in the radial direction. As a result, the external teeth 31 of each pawl 30 are pressed against and engaged with the internal teeth 12A of the ratchet 10, and the pawls 30 are held in this state.

Due to this engagement, each pawl 30 becomes integrally connected to the ratchet 10 in the rotational direction. As a result, the relative rotation between the ratchet 10 and the guide 20 is locked via each pawl 30.

As shown in FIG. 9, each pawl 30 rotates its retraction hole 33 by rotating the rotary cam 40 in the clockwise direction in the figure against the biasing force of the lock spring 50 by operating the reclining lever 5. Each cam 40 is retracted radially inward by a corresponding retraction pin 42 . As a result, each pawl 30 has its external teeth 31 disengaged from the internal teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 and is held in that state. Thereby, the rotation lock state between the ratchet 10 and the guide 20 is released.

《Rotating cam 40》
The rotating cam 40 is made of a single metal plate member cut into a substantially disk shape. The rotating cam 40 has a shape having substantially the same plate thickness as each pole 30, and has a configuration in which various parts thereof are half-blanked in the plate thickness direction (axial direction). The rotating cam 40 is set in a cam accommodating groove 24B formed on the main body plate 21 of the guide 20.

The rotating cam 40 is set to be sandwiched between the main body plate 21 of the guide 20 and the offset surface portion 30B of each pole 30 in the axial direction. Thereby, the rotary cam 40 is set in such a state that the pressed surface portion 32, which is the inner circumferential surface portion of the main body surface portion 30A of each pawl 30, is located on the outside in the radial direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the center of the rotating cam 40 (a position above the rotation center C), there is a through hole through which the aforementioned operation pin 5A is inserted in the axial direction from the left side in the figure and integrally connected in the rotation direction. 41 is formed. The operating pin 5A is inserted into the through hole 41 of the rotary cam 40 so as to penetrate in the axial direction, and is integrally connected to the reclining lever 5 described above in FIG. 1 at the tip thereof. With the above assembly, the operating pin 5A rotates the rotary cam 40 integrally with the lifting operation of the reclining lever 5.

The operating pin 5A is integrally connected to the operating pin 5A, which is inserted into the recliner 4 on the other side described above in FIG. 1, via the connecting rod 5B. Thereby, when the reclining lever 5 is pulled up, both operation pins 5A are rotated at the same time, and the rotary cams 40 of both recliners 4 are rotated at the same time.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rotary cam 40 is formed in a substantially disk shape that is slightly larger than the accommodation hole 21A formed at the center of the guide 20 (a position above the rotation center C). Two hook pins 43 are formed on the outer surface of the rotary cam 40 facing the accommodation hole 21A of the guide 20, and project in the axial direction into the accommodation hole 21A. As shown in FIG. 6, the inner end portion 51 of the lock spring 50 is hooked and fixed between these hook pins 43.

As shown in FIG. 5, on the inner surface facing the offset surface portion 30B of each pawl 30 of the rotary cam 40 in the axial direction, a retraction pin 42 to be incorporated into the retraction hole 33 of each pawl 30 is installed in the axial direction. It is formed to protrude. The rotating cam 40 is assembled to the guide 20 so as to be elastically supported via the lock spring 50 as follows.

First, the rotary cam 40 is set in the cam housing groove 24B of the guide 20. Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the lock spring 50 is assembled into the accommodation hole 21A of the guide 20, and its inner end 51 is hooked between the respective hook pins 43 of the rotary cam 40, and the outer end 52 is It is hooked into a hooking hole 21Aa extending from the housing hole 21A of the guide 20. As described above, the rotating cam 40 is assembled to the guide 20 in a state where it is elastically supported via the lock spring 50.

With the above assembly, the rotating cam 40 is always urged to rotate in the counterclockwise direction shown in FIG. 8 with respect to the guide 20 by the lock spring 50. Due to this rotational bias, the rotating cam 40 normally presses the pressed surface portion 32 of each pawl 30 from the inside in the radial direction by each pressing portion 44 that bulges out from a plurality of locations on the outer circumferential surface portion in the rotational direction. Thus, each pawl 30 is held in a state where it is meshed with the internal teeth 12A of the ratchet 10.

As shown in FIG. 9, the rotating cam 40 is rotated in the clockwise direction in the figure via the operating pin 5A when the reclining lever 5 is pulled up. As a result, the rotating cam 40 pulls each pawl 30 inward in the radial direction by the retracting pins 42 inserted into the retracting holes 33 of each pawl 30, and removes it from the meshing state with the internal teeth 12A of the ratchet 10. remove.

《Outer ring 60》
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the outer ring 60 is made of a single thin metal plate member punched into a ring plate shape. The outer circumferential ring 60 is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape having a flange portion 62 serving as a hollow disk-shaped seat by drawing the outer circumferential edge thereof into a shape that protrudes in a cylindrical shape in the axial direction. Specifically, the outer circumferential ring 60 includes a hollow disk-shaped flange portion 62 that faces straight in the axial direction, and a coupling portion 61 that protrudes in a substantially cylindrical shape from the outer peripheral edge of the flange portion 62 in the axial direction. The configuration is as follows.

Specifically, the outer circumferential edge of the outer circumferential ring 60 has a stepped cylindrical shape that protrudes in two steps in the axial direction. As a result, the squeezed outer cylindrical portion is formed as a substantially cylindrical coupling portion 61, and the inner cylindrical portion connects the coupling portion 61 and the flange portion 62 in a stepped manner. It is formed as a stepped portion 63.

The outer circumferential ring 60 is mounted so as to straddle the outer circumferential portions of the ratchet 10 and the guide 20 as described below, and holds them in a state where they are prevented from coming off in the axial direction. First, the three pawls 30, the rotating cam 40, and the lock spring 50 are set on the guide 20, respectively. Next, the ratchet 10 is assembled to the guide 20, and these are set within the cylinder of the outer ring 60.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the axially protruding end portion of the coupling portion 61 is crimped onto the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 22 of the guide 20 over the entire circumference (crimped portion 61A). As described above, the coupling portion 61 of the outer circumferential ring 60 is integrally coupled to the cylindrical portion 22 of the guide 20. Further, the flange portion 62 is set in such a state that the ratchet 10 is applied from the outside in the axial direction over the entire circumference. As a result, the outer ring 60 is installed so as to straddle the outer circumferential portions of the ratchet 10 and the guide 20, and holds them in a state where they are prevented from coming off in the axial direction.

《Lock Spring 50》
As shown in FIG. 6, the lock spring 50 is a spiral spring. Specifically, the lock spring 50 has an inner end 51 that is latched to the rotating cam 40, an outer end 52 that is latched to the latching hole 21Aa extending from the accommodation hole 21A of the guide 20, and an inner end. It has a winding part 53 extending spirally from 51 toward the outer end part 52.

The inner end portion 51 is bent radially inward from the inner end of the winding portion 53 . The inner end portion 51 is inserted from the outside in the axial direction between the two hooking pins 43 formed on the rotating cam 40 and is hooked thereon, so that the inner end portion 51 becomes integral with the rotating cam 40 in the rotational direction. It's hooked.

The outer end portion 52 is bent radially outward from the outer end of the winding portion 53 . The outer end portion 52 is inserted from the outside in the axial direction into the locking hole 21Aa that extends slenderly from the housing hole 21A of the guide 20 to the outside in the radial direction and is hooked thereon, thereby rotating counterclockwise in the figure with respect to the guide 20. It is hooked in a state where it becomes integral with the direction.

The winding portion 53 is formed in a spiral shape extending from the inner end portion 51 in the clockwise direction in the drawing for a length of one and a half turns or more and two turns or less. The outer end 52 of the lock spring 50 is screwed in the tightening direction and is hooked to the hooking hole 21Aa, so that the outer end 53 has an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the accommodation hole 21A of the guide 20. It is accommodated in the accommodation hole 21A in a state where it is wound tightly to form a diameter.

However, the outer circumferential surface (the outermost wound surface) of the wound portion 53 is pinched from the outside in the radial direction by the reduced diameter portion 21Ab that bulges out from two locations in the rotational direction on the inner peripheral surface of the accommodation hole 21A. It is said to be in a state where it is applied to a certain state. The reduced diameter portions 21Ab are formed at two positions in the rotation direction sandwiching the rotation center C of the guide 20.

Specifically, the reduced diameter portion 21Ab includes a first reduced diameter portion B1 that is applied from the outside in the radial direction to the corner of the bending back where the outer end portion 52 of the winding portion 53 is bent back, and a first reduced diameter portion B1 that is connected to the rotation center C. It is composed of two points: a second reduced diameter portion B2 formed at a position facing each other in the radial direction. The first diameter-reducing portion B1 and the second diameter-reducing portion B2 are states in which the rotary cam 40 is rotated to the lock position where each pawl 30 (see FIG. 8) is engaged with the ratchet 10 by the rotational force of the lock spring 50. In the (initial state), the elastic force exerted between the inner end 51 and the outer end 52 of the winding section 53 causes them to be pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the winding section 53, respectively.

Due to the above pressing, the winding portion 53 is restrained from deflecting outward in the radial direction of the winding region pressed between the first reduced diameter portion B1 and the second reduced diameter portion B2. However, the winding region of the winding portion 53 from the point where it contacts the second reduced diameter portion B2 to the inner end portion 51 is not constrained as described above, and thus is allowed to deflect outward in the radial direction. Therefore, in this region, the rotating cam 40 can be appropriately urged to rotate in the rotational direction of the lock by the winding portion 53.

The lock spring 50 is configured to be sandwiched between the first reduced diameter part B1 and the second reduced diameter part B2 of the guide 20 as described above, so that it can be removed from the accommodation hole 21A of the guide 20 in the axial direction. It's getting harder. Therefore, when transporting the recliner 4 alone in an assembled state, it is possible to appropriately prevent the lock spring 50 from coming off and falling out of the accommodation hole 21A due to the action of vibration or the like. As a result, when welding the guide 20 of the recliner 4 to the reclining plate 3F described above in FIG. 2 after transportation, the step of inspecting whether the lock spring 50 has come off can be omitted.

The lock spring 50 is set so as to be completely housed in the housing hole 21A of the guide 20 so as not to protrude outward in the axial direction (see FIG. 7). In other words, the outer portion of the lock spring 50 in the axial direction is positioned within the accommodation hole 21A of the guide 20. With the above configuration, the lock spring 50 can efficiently apply a rotation biasing force to the rotary cam 40 without causing large friction with the reclining plate 3F described above in FIG. 2. Therefore, the lock spring 50, which is provided so as not to protrude in the axial direction inside the accommodation hole 21A as described above, is held in the accommodation hole 21A by the first reduced diameter part B1 and the second reduced diameter part B2 provided in the guide 20. It can be held appropriately so as not to protrude outward in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the reduced diameter portion 21Ab, the first reduced diameter portion B1 (corresponding to the “outermost portion” of the present invention), which is applied to the portion closest to the outer end portion 52 of the winding portion 53, is The outer end 52 of the winding portion 53 is placed against the corner of the bent portion. For this reason, the first reduced diameter portion B1 and the second reduced diameter portion B2 opposing the first reduced diameter portion B1 can be arranged closer to the outer end portion 52 of the winding portion 53. As a result, it is possible to ensure a long effective flexible length (the winding region from the point where it contacts the second diameter reduced portion B2 to the inner end portion 51) in which the winding portion 53 is allowed to bend.

To summarize the above, the recliner 4 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. Note that the reference numerals given in parentheses below are the reference numerals corresponding to the respective configurations shown in the above embodiments.

That is, the vehicle seat reclining device (4) includes a ratchet (10) and a guide (20) that are assembled in the axial direction so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and a rotary cam () that is rotatably assembled to the guide (20). 40), a pawl (30) that is assembled to the guide (20) and is engaged with the ratchet (10) to lock the rotation when the rotating cam (40) rotates in one direction; ) and a lock spring (50) made of a spiral spring that urges rotation in the one direction.

The guide (20) has an accommodation hole (21A) that accommodates the lock spring (50) in the axial direction, and a hook that extends from the accommodation hole (21A) and that hooks the outer end (52) of the lock spring (50). For the hole (21Aa) and the winding part (53) extending spirally from the inner end (51) to the outer end (52) that is hooked on the rotating cam (40) of the lock spring (50). It has a reduced diameter part (21Ab) formed by reducing a part of the accommodation hole (21A) so that it can be applied from the outside in the radial direction. In a locked state where the pawl (30) meshes with the ratchet (10), the reduced diameter portion (21Ab) is applied to the winding portion (53) in a radial pinch manner from a plurality of locations in the rotational direction.

According to the above configuration, the reduced diameter part (21Ab) of the guide (20) is applied to the winding part (53) of the lock spring (50) so as to sandwich it in the radial direction, so that the winding part (53) ) is less likely to shift in the axial direction. As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately prevent the lock spring (50) from falling out of the accommodation hole (21A).

Further, the reduced diameter portions (21Ab) are provided at two positions in the rotational direction sandwiching the rotation center (C) of the guide (20). According to the above configuration, the number of contacts of the reduced diameter portion (21Ab) can be minimized. As a result, the effective flexible length of the inner end (51), which can be bent even when pressed and pinched by the reduced diameter part (21Ab) by the winding part (53) of the lock spring (50), is increased. can be secured.

In addition, the outermost portion (B1) of the reduced diameter portion (21Ab) that is applied to the portion closest to the outer end (52) of the winding portion (53) is located at the outer end (52) of the winding portion (53). is arranged so that it is applied to the corner of the bend that is being bent back. According to the above configuration, the reduced diameter portion (21Ab) can be arranged closer to the outer end (52) of the winding portion (53). Thereby, it is possible to ensure a longer effective flexible length of the inner end portion (51), which can be bent in the winding portion (53) even if it is pressed between the diameter-reduced portions (21Ab).

Further, the outer portion of the lock spring (50) in the axial direction is located within the accommodation hole (21A). According to the above configuration, in addition to preventing the lock spring (50) from falling off, it is possible to appropriately hold the lock spring (50) so that it does not protrude from the accommodation hole (21A).

(Second embodiment)
Next, the configuration of a recliner 4 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. 10. The recliner 4 according to the present embodiment has a reduced diameter portion 21Ac that bulges out from above the inner circumferential surface of the accommodation hole 21A and is applied to the winding portion 53 of the lock spring 50 in a sandwiching manner from the outside in the radial direction at three locations in the rotation direction. The structure is such that it bulges out from the area.

Specifically, the reduced diameter part 21Ac is a first reduced diameter part C1 (the "outermost part" of the present invention) that is applied from the outside in the radial direction to the corner of the bending back where the outer end 52 of the winding part 53 is bent back. ), and a second diameter-reducing portion C2 and a third diameter-reducing portion C3, which are arranged separately at positions on each side sandwiching an extension line of a line segment connecting this and the rotation center C. It consists of three points. The third reduced diameter portion C3 is a portion of the reduced diameter portion 21Ac that is located closest to the inner end 51 of the winding portion 53 in the rotational direction. The second reduced diameter portion C2 is located between the third reduced diameter portion C3 and the first reduced diameter portion C1.

The first diameter reduction portion C1, the second diameter reduction portion C2, and the third diameter reduction portion C3 are each formed in a state (initial state) in which the rotary cam 40 is rotated to the lock position by the rotational bias of the lock spring 50. The elastic force exerted between the inner end 51 and the outer end 52 of the winding part 53 causes them to be pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the winding part 53, respectively.

Due to the above-mentioned pressing, the winding portion 53 is restrained from deflecting outward in the radial direction of the winding region pressed between the first reduced diameter portion C1, the second reduced diameter portion C2, and the third reduced diameter portion C3. Ru. However, the winding region of the winding portion 53 from the point where it contacts the third reduced diameter portion C3 to the inner end portion 51 is not constrained as described above, and thus is allowed to deflect outward in the radial direction. Therefore, in this region, the rotating cam 40 can be appropriately urged to rotate in the rotational direction of the lock by the winding portion 53.

The configuration other than the above is substantially the same as the configuration shown in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components as those shown in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations will be omitted.

To summarize the above, the recliner 4 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. Note that the reference numerals given in parentheses below are the reference numerals corresponding to the respective configurations shown in the above embodiments.

That is, the guide (20) extends spirally from the inner end (51) to the outer end (52) of the lock spring (50) and is hooked to the rotating cam (40). It has a reduced diameter part (21Ac) formed by reducing a part of the accommodation hole (21A) so that it can be applied from the outside in the radial direction. In a locked state where the pawl (30) meshes with the ratchet (10), the reduced diameter portion (21Ac) is applied to the winding portion (53) in a radial sandwich manner from a plurality of locations in the rotational direction.

According to the above configuration, the reduced diameter part (21Ac) of the guide (20) is applied to the winding part (53) of the lock spring (50) so as to sandwich it in the radial direction, so that the winding part (53) ) is less likely to shift in the axial direction. As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately prevent the lock spring (50) from falling out of the accommodation hole (21A).

In addition, the outermost part (C1) of the reduced diameter part (21Ac) that is applied to the part closest to the outer end (52) of the winding part (53) is located at the outer end (52) of the winding part (53). is arranged so that it is applied to the corner of the bend that is being bent back. According to the above configuration, the reduced diameter portion (21Ac) can be arranged closer to the outer end (52) of the winding portion (53). Thereby, it is possible to ensure a longer effective flexible length of the inner end portion (51) that can be bent in the winding portion (53) even if it is pressed between the diameter-reduced portions (21Ac).

(Third embodiment)
Next, the configuration of a recliner 4 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. 11. The recliner 4 according to the present embodiment has a reduced diameter portion 21Ad that bulges out from above the inner circumferential surface of the accommodation hole 21A and presses against the wound portion 53 of the lock spring 50 from the outside in the radial direction. It is configured to bulge out so as to come in planar contact over most of the area in the rotational direction of the surface (the outermost winding surface).

Specifically, in the reduced diameter portion 21Ad, most of the inner circumferential surface of the accommodation hole 21A bulges out in a spirally curved shape along the outer circumferential surface (the outermost wound surface) of the winding portion 53. It is formed by The reduced diameter portion 21Ad is a wide area in the rotational direction between the corner of the bending back where the outer end 52 of the winding portion 53 is bent back and the location where the arrangement in the rotational direction overlaps with the inner end 51 of the winding portion 53. It comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface (the outermost winding surface) of the winding portion 53 in a planar manner.

Even with such a configuration, the winding portion 53 extends approximately from a location away from contact with the reduced diameter portion 21Ad (a location on the outer peripheral surface where the arrangement in the rotational direction overlaps with the inner end portion 51) to the inner end portion 51. The winding area for one turn is the area where outward deflection in the radial direction is allowed. Therefore, in this region, the rotating cam 40 can be appropriately urged to rotate in the rotational direction of the lock by the winding portion 53.

The configuration other than the above is substantially the same as the configuration shown in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components as those shown in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations will be omitted.

To summarize the above, the recliner 4 according to this embodiment has the following configuration. Note that the reference numerals given in parentheses below are the reference numerals corresponding to the respective configurations shown in the above embodiments.

That is, the guide (20) extends spirally from the inner end (51) to the outer end (52) of the lock spring (50) and is hooked to the rotating cam (40). It has a reduced diameter part (21Ad) formed by reducing a part of the accommodation hole (21A) so that it can be applied from the outside in the radial direction. In a locked state where the pawl (30) meshes with the ratchet (10), the reduced diameter portion (21Ad) is applied to the winding portion (53) in a pinched manner in the radial direction from a plurality of locations in the rotational direction.

According to the above configuration, the reduced diameter part (21Ad) of the guide (20) is applied to the winding part (53) of the lock spring (50) so as to sandwich it in the radial direction, so that the winding part (53) ) is less likely to shift in the axial direction. As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately prevent the lock spring (50) from falling out of the accommodation hole (21A).

《Other embodiments》
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above using three embodiments, the present invention can be implemented in various forms in addition to the above embodiments.

1. The vehicle seat reclining device of the present invention can be widely applied not only to automobile seats but also to seats used in vehicles other than automobiles such as railways, or vehicles other than vehicles such as aircraft and ships. It is possible. In addition, vehicle seat reclining devices connect the seat back to the seat cushion so that the angle of the backrest can be adjusted. It may also be possible to connect them so that they can be adjusted.

2. The vehicle seat reclining device may be configured such that the ratchet is coupled to a base fixed to the vehicle body, such as a seat cushion, and the guide is coupled to the seat back.

3. Two or four or more pawls for locking the relative rotation between the ratchet and the guide may be provided side by side in the rotational direction. The arrangement of the respective poles in the rotational direction is not limited to being evenly arranged, but may be arranged offset.

4. The diameter-reducing portions, which are sandwiched between the wound portions of the lock spring from the outside in the radial direction, may be arranged at four or more positions in the rotational direction. Further, the reduced diameter portion may be formed by the accommodation hole having a shape other than a perfect circle, such as an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, or other irregular shapes, and does not necessarily have to be the same as shown in the above embodiments 1 and 2. It does not have to be formed as a partially protruding protrusion.

The outermost part of the reduced diameter part, which is the part closest to the outer end of the winding part, is the part that is closest to the outer end of the winding part, and the outer end of the winding part is bent in the direction of rotation from the corner of the bend back to the side closest to the inner end. It may be arranged so that it can be applied to distant locations.

5. The accommodation hole may be configured to accommodate the lock spring so as to extend outward in the axial direction.

1 Seat 2 Seat back 2F Side frame 2Fa Fitting hole 2Fb Through hole 3 Seat cushion 3F Reclining plate 3Fa Fitting hole 3Fb Through hole 4 Recliner (vehicle seat reclining device)
5 Reclining lever 5A Operation pin 5B Connecting rod 6 Return spring 10 Ratchet 11 Main body plate 11A Through hole 12 Cylindrical part 12A Internal teeth 13 Intermediate cylindrical part 14 Dowel 20 Guide 21 Main body plate 21A Accommodation hole 21Aa Latching hole 21Ab Reduced diameter part B1 No. 1 Reduced diameter part (outermost point)
B2 Second reduced diameter part 21Ac Reduced diameter part C1 First reduced diameter part (outermost part)
C2 Second reduced diameter part C3 Third reduced diameter part 21Ad Reduced diameter part 21B Dowel 22 Cylindrical part 23 Guide wall 23A Regulating surface 23B Support surface 24A Pole accommodation groove 24B Cam accommodation groove 30 Pole 30A Main body surface part 30B Offset surface part 31 External tooth 32 Pressed surface part 33 Retraction hole 40 Rotating cam 41 Through hole 42 Retraction pin 43 Hook pin 44 Pressing part 50 Lock spring 51 Inner end part 52 Outer end part 53 Winding part 60 Outer ring 61 Joint part 61A Caulking part 62 Flange part 63 Step part C Center of rotation

Claims (4)

A vehicle seat reclining device,
a ratchet and a guide assembled in the axial direction so as to be rotatable relative to each other;
a rotating cam rotatably assembled to the guide;
a pawl assembled to the guide and engaged with the ratchet by rotation of the rotating cam in one direction to lock the rotation;
a lock spring made of a spiral spring that urges the rotating cam to rotate in the one direction with respect to the guide;
The guide is latched to a housing hole that axially accommodates the lock spring, a latching hole that extends from the accommodating hole and that latches an outer end of the lock spring, and the rotating cam of the lock spring. a diameter-reduced portion in which a portion of the accommodation hole is reduced in diameter so as to be applied from the outside in the radial direction to a winding portion extending spirally from the inner end toward the outer end;
In the vehicle seat reclining device, the diameter-reducing portion is applied to the winding portion in a radial direction from a plurality of locations in a rotational direction in a locked state in which the pawl is engaged with the ratchet. The vehicle seat reclining device according to claim 1,
A seat reclining device for a vehicle, wherein the reduced diameter portion is provided at two positions in a rotational direction sandwiching the rotation center of the guide. The vehicle seat reclining device according to claim 1 or 2,
The outermost part of the reduced diameter part that is closest to the outer end of the winding part is arranged to hit a corner of the bending part where the outer end of the winding part is bent back. Vehicle seat reclining device. The vehicle seat reclining device according to claim 1 or 2,
A vehicle seat reclining device, wherein an axially outer portion of the lock spring is located within the accommodation hole.

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