JP3119779B2 - Seat slide device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle body side rail fixed to a vehicle body side, and a seat side rail supporting the seat by being fitted to the vehicle body side rail so as to be movable in its longitudinal direction. The present invention relates to a seat slide device provided with a rolling element such as a roller capable of rolling while being in contact with each opposing surface of each rail in a gap between the vehicle body side rail and the seat side rail.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional seat slide apparatus of this type, for example, there is one as shown in FIGS.
That is, in the seat slide device 1 shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle body-side rail 2 is formed in a substantially C-shaped cross section with the opening facing upward, has a bottom surface 2a and a ceiling 2b, and has a seat-side rail 3
Is formed in an inverted T-shaped cross section and has a substantially horizontal sliding contact portion 3a and a support portion 3b extending upward. The sliding portion 3a of the seat-side rail 3 is slidably fitted in the vehicle body-side rail 2 inside the opening, and slides against the ceiling portion 2b facing each other in the gap between the rails 2 and 3. The ball 4 between the part 3a
And a roller 5 is interposed between the bottom surface portion 2a and the sliding contact portion 3a.

In the seat slide device 6 shown in FIG. 8, the vehicle body side rail 7 is formed in a substantially C-shaped cross section, and the seat side rail 8 is similarly formed in a substantially C-shaped cross section. The seat-side rail 8 is fitted over the vehicle-body-side rail 7 so as to cover it from above. A roller 5 is interposed in a large gap substantially at the center between the rails 7 and 8, and small gaps on both sides thereof are provided. Is provided with a ball 4.

[0004] In any of the seat slide devices 1 and 6, the seat side rails 3 and the vehicle side rails 2 and 7 are used.
In order that the rails 8 can slide smoothly, the rails 2 and 3 are not tightly fitted to each other, and there is a margin that the rollers 5 and the like can smoothly roll in the gaps.

[0005]

However, in such various conventional seat slide devices 1 and 6, the slide resistance when the seat rails 3 and 8 slide with respect to the vehicle body rails 2 and 7, and The amount of backlash due to the gap between the rails 2, 3,... Is closely related to each other. That is, if the extra gap between the rails 2, 3,... Is reduced to minimize the occurrence of abnormal noise due to rattling, the slide resistance is increased and the smooth sliding operation is impaired. Was.

In particular, in a seat slide apparatus having a walk-in function, if the slide resistance increases, the rail on the vehicle body side does not slide sufficiently during the walk-in operation, and the seat stops halfway, while the rattling increases. In addition, inconveniences such as generation of loud noise due to vibration during traveling occur. Further, in a long-type seat slide device in which the slide amount is long, there is a problem that a high cost is required because a high component accuracy and a high assembly accuracy are required in assembling the components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and reduces the rattling between the rails by absorbing the variation in the amount of clearance between the rails in the longitudinal direction. By doing so, the generation of abnormal noise can be suppressed, thereby eliminating the discomfort and anxiety of the occupants. In addition, the slide operation can be performed smoothly without increasing the slide resistance, and the stable slide function can be performed. And to provide a user-friendly seat slide device.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the gist of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body side rail (20) fixed to the vehicle body side (A), and a vehicle body side rail (2).
0), and a seat-side rail (30) that movably fits in the longitudinal direction to support the seat (B), and is provided in a gap between the vehicle-body-side rail (20) and the seat-side rail (30). A rolling element (40) capable of rolling while being in contact with the opposing surfaces (21, 31) of the rails (20, 30);
In the seat slide device (10) interposed with
A rolling element that protrudes from each general surface of each of the rails (20, 30) facing each other and extends in the longitudinal direction, and is pressed into a gap between the respective surface portions (21, 31). (40) A pressure-contacting rib (23, 33) is provided which is crushed and plastically deformed when subjected to a higher pressure, and absorbs the variation of the amount of clearance in the longitudinal direction between the respective surface portions (21, 31). (40) is the rib to be pressed (23, 3
3) Each rail (2) is formed of a material having a higher hardness.
The gap between the pressed ribs (23, 33) in the surface portion (21, 31) of (0, 30) and the outer peripheral portion (41) of the rolling element (40) is set between the rails (20, 30). A seat slide device (10), which is set as a grease pool in which grease that can be applied to the grease is stored.

[0009]

[Operation] The seat side rail (30) is replaced with the vehicle body side rail (20).
When movably fitted to the rails, rolling elements (40) are interposed in the gaps between the rails (20, 30). The rolling elements (4) are respectively provided on the opposing surfaces (21, 31) of the rails (20, 30) with which the rolling elements (40) are in contact with rolling.
0), which are plastically deformed when subjected to high pressure.
3, 33) are provided. When the seat-side rail (30) is fitted to the vehicle-body-side rail (20), each of the rails (2) slightly narrowed by the pressure-contacting ribs (23, 33).
The rolling element (40) is pressed into the gap between (0, 30). The rolling element (40) is formed of a material having a higher hardness than the pressed ribs (23, 33).

The seat side rail (30) is connected to the vehicle body side rail (2).
0), the seat-side rail (30) is moved in the longitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle-body-side rail (20), and the sliding between the rails (20, 30) is caused by the sliding. The rolling element (40) has a smaller diameter than each rail (20,
30) The pressed ribs (2) that unduly narrow the gap between them
3, 33), and crushes the distal end side of the protruding ribs (23, 33) that protrude excessively. The rolling element (40) is formed of a material having a higher hardness than the ribs (23, 33) to be pressed, so that the rolling element (40) does not elastically deform.

As a result, the variation in the amount of the gap generated in the longitudinal direction between the surface portions (21, 31) surrounding the gap between the rails (20, 30) is appropriately absorbed, and the rolling elements (4,
No. 0) is not deformed elastically, and an optimal gap amount is formed that can smoothly roll without rattling, so that rattling between the rails (20, 30) is reduced and generation of abnormal noise can be suppressed. it can. In addition, since the rolling element (40) abuts on the protruding rib (23, 33), not on the general surface of the surface portion (21, 31) of each rail (20, 30), the slide resistance increases. Without this, a smooth slide operation can be performed. Further, a gap between the pressure-contacting ribs (23, 33) in the surface portions (21, 31) of the rails (20, 30) and the outer peripheral portion (41) of the rolling element (40) is a grease pool. Function as As a result, the grease that can be applied between the rails (20, 30) can be prevented from disappearing early, and the durability of the seat slide device (10) can be improved.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the seat slide device 1
Reference numeral 0 denotes a vehicle-body-side rail 20 fixed to the vehicle body floor A via the leg members 11 and 12, and movably fitted to the vehicle-body-side rail 20 in the longitudinal direction (coincident with the front-rear direction in this embodiment). And a seat-side rail 30 that directly supports the seat B.

The vehicle body side rail 20 is formed in a groove-shaped cross section opened upward, and has a bottom surface portion 21 and both side wall portions 2.
2, 22. Flanges 22a, 22 bent inward and downward are provided on the upper end edges of both side walls 22, 22, respectively.
a is formed. One of the seat-side rails 30 extends above the upper opening groove of the vehicle-body-side rail 20 to both sliding contact portions 31, 31 which are slidably fitted in the vehicle-body-side rail 20 along the longitudinal direction thereof. The seat mounting support portion 32 is provided continuously. Flanges 31a, 31a bent upward are formed on the side edges of both sliding contact portions 31, 31, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sliding portions 31, 31 of the seat-side rail 30 are fitted into the vehicle-body-side rail 20 through the opening of the vehicle-body-side rail 20, and each rail 20 , 30 are combined with one another. A large gap for press-fitting and interposing a pair of rollers 40 is provided between the opposing surfaces of the bottom surface 21 of the vehicle body side rail 20 and the sliding portions 31 of the seat side rail 30. Are formed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the distance between the bottom surface 21 and the sliding portions 31, 31 facing each other is set to be substantially the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the roller 40 and to be separated by a predetermined amount. However, pressure contact ribs 23, 33 protruding from the respective general surfaces and extending in the longitudinal direction are provided on the respective surface portions of the bottom surface portion 21 and the sliding contact portions 31, 31. The upper and lower pressure contact ribs 23 and 33 have their tip ends facing each other, and the interval between the bottom surface 21 and the sliding contact portions 31 and 31 is narrowed so as to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the roller 40. It is.

Each of the ribs 23, 33 to be pressed is a roller 40 press-fitted into a gap between the bottom surface 21 and the sliding portions 31, 31.
This is a portion for crushing and plastically deforming when subjected to a strong pressure by the outer peripheral portion 41 to absorb variations in the amount of gap between the surface portions 21 and 31 in the longitudinal direction. The roller 40 is a rolling element for improving the slidability of the seat side rail 30 with respect to the vehicle body side rail 20 together with a ball 60 described later.

The roller 40 is formed of a material having a higher hardness than the pressure contact ribs 23 and 33 to which the outer peripheral portion 41 thereof is rollably pressed. Further, a fine gap generated between the outer peripheral portion 41 of the roller 40 and each of the ribs 23 and 33 to be pressed is
It also functions as a so-called grease pool for storing grease that can be applied between the rails 20 and 30. The pair of rollers 40, 40 in the state shown in FIG. 1 are interposed near the front and rear ends between the rails 20, 30, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, a ball 60 is inserted into a small gap substantially surrounded by the sliding portion 31 and the flange 31a of the seat side rail 30 and the flange 22a of the vehicle body side rail 20. Is equipped. The ball 60 is a rolling element for improving the slidability of the seat-side rail 30 with respect to the vehicle-body-side rail 20, similarly to the roller 40. Each such ball 60 is interposed in a small gap so as to be located just above the roller 40.

Although not shown, in the vicinity of the opening at the front and rear ends of the rails 20 and 30, the movement of the roller 40 and the ball 60 in the longitudinal direction of the rail is restricted within a predetermined range to prevent the roller 40 and the like from jumping out. Is preferably provided by, for example, cutting and raising.

Next, the operation will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a gap between each of the opposing surfaces of the bottom surface portion 21 of the vehicle body-side rail 20 and the sliding portions 31 of the seat-side rail 30 is provided with a pair of rollers 40, The roller 40 is formed of a material having a higher hardness than the ribs 23 and 33 provided on the rails 20 and 30. The basic configuration of these parts is not changed much from the conventional product, and the basic function of the slide is also kept as it is.

However, pressure-contact ribs 23, 33 protruding from the respective general surfaces and extending in the longitudinal direction are specially provided on the respective surface portions of the bottom surface portion 21 and the sliding contact portions 31, 31 facing each other. At this time, as shown in FIG. Set to be slightly smaller.

When the seat-side rail 30 is fitted to the vehicle-body-side rail 20, the bottom part 21 and the sliding parts 31, which are slightly narrowed by the pressure-contact ribs 23 and 33 shown in FIG.
The roller 40 is press-fitted into the gap between the roller 31. After the seat-side rail 30 is fitted to the vehicle-body-side rail 20 and the seat-side rail 30 is moved in the longitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle-body-side rail 20, the gap between the rails 20 and 30 is reduced by the roller 40 due to the sliding. Rolls.

As shown in FIGS. 3 (b) and 4, the roller 40 rolls, and the diameter of each of the rails 20, 30 is smaller than its diameter.
It strongly engages with the pressed ribs 23, 33, which unduly narrows the gap between them, and appropriately crushes the distal ends (the pressure contact allowances indicated by oblique lines in FIG. 4) of the excessively protruded pressed ribs 23, 33. I do.
The roller 40 is formed of a material having a higher hardness than the ribs 23 and 33 to be pressed, and the roller 40 is not elastically deformed. FIG. 3C shows the outer peripheral portion 41 of the roller 40.
2 shows the pressed ribs 23 and 33 in a completely crushed state.

Thus, for example, each of the rails 20, 30
Deformation such as torsion caused by inputting a large load to
Variations in the amount of clearance generated in the longitudinal direction between the surface portions 21 and 31 surrounding the clearance between the rails 20 and 30 due to errors in component dimensions and the like are appropriately absorbed.

That is, after assembling between the rails 20, 30, the roller 40 is not elastically deformed, and an optimal gap amount is formed so that the roller 40 can smoothly roll without rattling. The rattling between the rails 20 and 30 is reduced, and the generation of abnormal noise caused by the collision between the rigid bodies due to the rattling can be suppressed, and the discomfort and anxiety of the occupant due to the generation of such abnormal noise can be eliminated.

Also, the diameter of the roller 40, the rails 20, 3
Even if there are variations in the dimensional accuracy of 0 or mutual assembling accuracy, such errors are appropriately absorbed by the crushed state of the ribs 23 and 33 to be pressed. There is no need to do so, and as a result, costs can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the outer peripheral portion 41 of the roller 40 is not a general surface of the bottom surface 21 of each of the rails 20 and 30 and the sliding portions 31 and 31 but a narrow surface of the general surface. Roller 4 is used to abut against more protruding ribs 23 and 33 to be pressed.
A small gap is formed between the outer peripheral portion 41 of each of the rails 0 and each surface of each of the rails 20 and 30, and a smooth sliding operation can be performed without increasing the slide resistance.

In addition, the fine groove formed between the outer peripheral portion 41 of the roller 40 and each of the ribs 23 and 33 to be pressed has an appropriate amount of grease that can be applied between the rails 20 and 30 so that the grease can be quickly lost. Thus, the durability of the seat slide device 10 can be improved.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
The seat slide device 10a according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the shapes of the rails 70 and 80 and the manner of fitting each other. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the vehicle-body-side rail 70 is formed in a groove-shaped cross section that opens upward, and has a bottom surface portion 71 and side wall portions 72, 72. Further, flanges 72a, 72a are formed on the upper edge side of both side wall portions 72, 72.

On the other hand, the seat-side rail 80 is formed in a groove-like cross section opened downward so as to cover the vehicle-body-side rail 70 from above, and has a ceiling portion 81 and both side wall portions 82 and 8.
And 2. Flanges 82a, 82a are also formed on the lower edge sides of the side walls 82, 82.

The distance between the bottom part 71 and the ceiling part 81 of the rails 70 and 80 facing each other is set to be substantially the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the roller 40 and to be separated by a predetermined amount. Pressed ribs 73 and 83 protruding from the respective general surfaces and extending in the longitudinal direction are provided on the respective surface portions of the ceiling portion 81 and the ceiling portion 81.

The roller 40 is press-fitted into a gap surrounded by each surface portion of the bottom portion 71 and the ceiling portion 81 where the pressed ribs 73 and 83 are formed. Each pressed rib 7
Similarly to the first embodiment, the rails 3 and 83 are crushed and plastically deformed when subjected to a strong pressure from the roller 40 during the sliding operation, and are deformed in the longitudinal direction between the bottom 71 and the ceiling 81 of each of the rails 70 and 80. Absorbs the variation in the amount of gaps over the gap.

As described above, various variations can be considered in the shapes of the rails 70 and 80 on which the rollers 40 are interposed and the manner of fitting between the rails 70 and 80. Depending on the type of seat
The most suitable seat slide devices according to various embodiments can be applied. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described various embodiments, and the shapes of the rails and the manner of fitting each other may be other types.

In each of the above-described embodiments, not only each surface of each rail on which a roller as a rolling element is in rolling contact but also each surface on each rail with which a ball as a rolling element is in rolling contact. Needless to say, a pressure contact rib may be provided. The number and shape of the ribs to be pressed are not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

[0035]

According to the seat slide device of the present invention, when a high pressure is applied to the opposing surfaces between the rails by the rolling elements pressed into the gaps between the surfaces, the rails are crushed and plastically deformed. Since the pressure-contact rib is provided, the rolling element that rolls in the gap between the rails with the sliding operation crushes the distal end side of the pressure-contact rib that unduly narrows the gap amount between the rails than its diameter, Variations in the amount of gap generated in the longitudinal direction between the respective surface portions are appropriately absorbed, and an optimum amount of gap that allows the rolling element to roll smoothly without rattling is formed. Therefore, rattling between the rails is reduced and generation of abnormal noise can be suppressed, and discomfort and anxiety of the occupant due to generation of such abnormal noise can be eliminated.

Further, since the rolling element abuts not on the general surface of each surface portion of each rail but on the protruding rib to be pressed, smooth sliding operation can be performed without increasing the sliding resistance. Usability can be improved. Moreover, the roller diameter, the dimensional accuracy of each rail,
Even if there is a variation in the mutual assembly accuracy, such errors are appropriately absorbed by the degree of collapse of the pressed ribs, so that it is not necessary to increase the component accuracy, the assembly accuracy, etc. more than necessary.
Cost can be reduced. Furthermore, the gap between the pressure-contacting ribs on the surface of the vehicle-body-side rail and the outer peripheral portion of the rolling element functions as a grease pool, so that the grease that can be applied between the rails can be prevented from disappearing early, and the seat slide can be prevented. The durability of the device can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an end view showing a seat slide device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the seat slide device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view showing a deformation process of a pressed rib which is a main part of the seat slide device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view showing a state where a rib to be pressed, which is a main part of the seat slide device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, is pressed by a roller.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a seat supported on a vehicle body floor by the seat slide device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an end view showing a seat slide device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an end view showing a conventional seat slide device.

FIG. 8 is an end view showing another conventional seat slide device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 10a ... seat slide device 20, 70 ... body side rail 30, 80 ... seat side rail 23, 33, 73, 83 ... rib to be pressed 40 ... roller 41 ... outer peripheral portion 60 ... ball

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A vehicle-body-side rail fixed to a vehicle-body side, and a seat-side rail for supporting the seat by being fitted to the vehicle-body-side rail so as to be movable in a longitudinal direction thereof. In a seat slide device in which a rolling element that can roll while being in contact with each opposing surface of each rail is interposed in a gap between the seat side rail and each opposing surface of each rail, Protrudes from the general surface and extends in the longitudinal direction, and is crushed and plastically deformed when subjected to strong pressure from the rolling elements pressed into the gaps between the respective surface portions, thereby absorbing variations in the amount of the gap between the respective surface portions in the longitudinal direction. A pressure-contact rib is provided, and the rolling element is formed of a material having a higher hardness than the pressure-contact rib, and a gap between each of the pressure-contact ribs on the surface of each of the rails and an outer peripheral portion of the roller is formed between the rails. Gris that can be painted on Seat slide device being characterized in that set as the grease reservoir scan accumulation.