JP3288541B2 - Seat cushion height adjustment mechanism - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a seat cushion height adjusting mechanism in which the front and rear heights of a seat cushion are individually adjusted so that the seat cushion height or seat angle can be arbitrarily adjusted and set. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, the height of a seat cushion, the angle of a seating surface (inclination) are arranged under front and rear portions of a seat cushion, respectively, under independent adjustment of the front and rear heights of the seat cushion. Angle) can be arbitrarily adjusted and set according to the occupant's body shape, preference, etc., and a seat cushion height adjustment mechanism is mounted on a seat of a vehicle or the like.

As shown in FIG. 4, as a seat cushion height adjusting mechanism 210, for example, a pinion 212 which rotates in conjunction with an operating means 220 such as an operating knob, meshes with the pinion, and rotates under the rotation of the pinion. A configuration is known in which a sector gear 214 that rotates around a fulcrum 228 and a base plate 226 such as a seat slide device 224 are disposed.

[0004] For example, on the front side, the lower end of the link 218 is pivotally attached to a predetermined position of the sector gear 214. Then, the seat cushion frame 216 serving as the base of the seat cushion is connected to the link 2 via the bracket 30.
The front portion of the seat cushion can be moved up and down under the vertical movement of the link accompanying the rotation of the sector gear 214.

[0005]

By the way, in the above configuration, in order to secure the maximum rotation range of the sector gear 214, a fulcrum 228 is usually arranged below the base plate as shown in FIG. Have been. The vertical movement range of the link 218 is determined by setting the pivot point of the link to sector gear 2.
It can be maximized by providing it at a position below 14, that is, at the same height as the fulcrum 228.

However, the rotational torque of the sector gear 214 during the upward movement of the link 218 is most efficient with respect to the rise from the lowest position shown in the figure, and the efficiency decreases with the rise of the link. In other words, in the known configuration, an increase in torque fluctuation required for operating the sector gear 214 and, consequently, the operation knob 220 and the like is inevitable, which tends to cause a decrease in operability and a decrease in quality due to the decrease.

Here, in order to reduce the torque fluctuation, it is preferable to set the pivot point of the link 218 to the sector gear 214 so that the height of the fulcrum 228 of the sector gear 214 is at the middle position in the vertical movement range. However, in the known configuration, the base plate 216 on which the sector gear 214 is provided is disposed with a step with respect to the inner surface of the seat slide device 224. Sector gear interference is inevitable.

The base plate 216 is disposed so as to be flush with the inner surface of the seat slide device 224, so that the pivot point of the link 218 can be pivoted to the fulcrum 228 of the sector gear 214.
A configuration that is set lower than that is conceivable. However, in such a configuration, since the base plate 216, that is, the sector gear 214, the link 218, etc., are moved inward of the seat,
The effective range of the cushion of the seat cushion becomes narrower,
There is a possibility that the cushioning property, that is, the riding comfort is reduced.

Further, a support link rotatable integrally with the sector gear is provided coaxially with a fulcrum of the sector gear, and by pivotally connecting the link to a free end of the support link, the pivot point of the link is lowered below the fulcrum of the sector gear. Is known. However, in such a configuration, it is necessary to add a support link of another member,
An increase in the number of parts is inevitable, and the configuration is likely to be complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a seat cushion height adjusting mechanism for suppressing the amount of torque fluctuation without increasing the number of parts.

[0011]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve this object, a sector gear extends below a fulcrum at a lowermost position inwardly of a seat and is integrally formed with a bent support piece. Is formed. One end of the link is pivotally attached to the support piece of the sector gear so as to be vertically movable with the height of the fulcrum of the sector gear as an intermediate position.

[0012]

In this configuration, the pivot point of the link to the sector gear moves by the same amount in the vertical direction with respect to the fulcrum of the sector gear, so that the torque fluctuation is reduced and the operability is improved. And for the support piece integral with the sector gear,
Since only one end of the link is pivoted, the number of parts does not increase.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a seat cushion height adjusting mechanism 10 according to the present invention includes a pinion 12
It comprises a sector gear 14 that meshes with the pinion, and a link 18 that supports a seat cushion frame 16 serving as a base of the seat cushion.

The pinion 12 is, for example, connected via a brake means 22 so as to be interlocked with an operation knob 20 serving as an operation means, and is disposed on a base plate 26 which is an extension of the upper rail of the seat slide device 24. ing. Then, at a position where the sector gear 14 meshes with the pinion 12,
The fulcrum is pivotally attached to the base plate 26.

As can be seen from FIG. 3 in addition to FIG.
The sector gear 14 is, for example, provided between the left and right base plates 26 by being fixed to a connecting rod 28 that is supported and supported by a shaft. You. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the sector gear 14 is disposed such that the lower surface 14a is located substantially horizontally at the lower limit of rotation.

The lower end of the link 18 is
, And can move up and down under the rotation of a sector gear about a fulcrum (connecting rod) 28. Further, the upper end of the link 18 is connected and fixed to the seat cushion frame 16 from below through a bracket 30 pivotally attached thereto, for example.

The corresponding link (not shown) can also be moved up and down on the side without the operation knob 20 via the support link 31 of the connecting rod 28.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present invention, the sector gear 14 extends, for example, inwardly of the seat and below the fulcrum 28 to integrally form a bent support piece 32. The link 18 is operatively connected to the sector gear by pivotally connecting the lower end to the support piece.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the present invention, the pivot point of the link 18 to the sector gear 14 can be moved up and down with the height of the fulcrum 28 of the sector gear as an intermediate position of the up and down movement range α.
A support piece 32 for the sector gear is provided. That is, according to the present invention, the link 18 moves by the same amount α1 above and below the fulcrum of the sector gear by rotation of the sector gear 14 about the fulcrum 28.

In such a configuration, the pivot point of the link 18 with respect to the sector gear 14 moves up and down by the same amount α1 across the substantially same height as the fulcrum 28 having good torque efficiency. The amount of torque fluctuation is smaller than that of a known configuration in which the upper and lower parts move only at the same height. Therefore, the improvement in the operability due to the reduction in the difference in the operation force of the operation knob 20 reliably improves the overall quality of the seat cushion height adjustment mechanism 10 and the overall seat.

Since there is no need to provide the base plate 26 flush with the inner surface of the seat slide device 24, a sufficient space between the left and right base plates 26 can be ensured. Therefore, the effective range of the cushion of the seat cushion can be sufficiently widened, and the cushioning property of the seat cushion does not decrease.

Further, since the lower end of the link 18 is only pivotally connected to the support piece 32 integral with the sector gear 14, the number of parts is not increased, and the structure is simplified and the cost is reduced. Is enough.

In the above embodiment, the height adjustment mechanism of the front side for supporting the front portion of the seat cushion so as to be able to move up and down is embodied. However, the height adjustment mechanism is not limited to only the front side. The mechanism 10 can be applied to the rear side.

In order to prevent the operation from becoming complicated, the operation knob 120 of the rear side height adjusting mechanism 110 is, as shown in FIG.
Usually, it is provided at a position adjacent to the operation knob 20 on the front side. Therefore, in the rear side height adjusting mechanism 110, the corresponding sector gear 114 and the rear link 34 are usually used.
Are connected via a connecting arm 36 so as to be interlocked.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the embodiment of the present invention, an insertion hole 38 is provided in the sector gear 14.
Are drilled in advance. As shown in FIG. 3, when this height adjustment mechanism is used as the height adjustment mechanism 110 on the rear side, this insertion hole is used, and by inserting the pivot pin 40 into the insertion hole, the corresponding sector gear is adjusted. 114, the link 34 of the rear is connected so as to be interlockable.

In the height adjustment mechanism 110 on the rear side, similarly to the front side, a bracket 42 is pivotally mounted on the upper end of the link 34, and the rear end of the seat cushion frame is connected to the link via the bracket. Connected and supported.

As in the case of the front side, a connecting rod 128 is installed between the left and right base plates 26,
The sector gear 114 is pivotally supported and fixed to a connecting shaft serving as a fulcrum. Also, on the side without the operation knob, the rear link can be moved up and down together with the bracket 42 via the supporting link of the connecting rod and the connecting arm (not shown).

As described above, when the height adjustment mechanism of the seat cushion is used on the rear side, the connecting arm 36 for connecting the rear link 34 so as to be interlockable is connected to the sector gear using the insertion hole 38. Is done. At this time, in the seat cushion height adjusting mechanism 10 of the present invention, since the lower end of the link 18 is pivotally attached to the support piece 32 located below the fulcrum 28, another insertion hole is formed in the flat surface of the sector gear. There is no such thing.

For this reason, the connecting arm 36 can be pivotally connected to any position within the effective range of the flat surface of the sector gear 14. Therefore, the degree of freedom in selecting the pivot point of the connecting arm 36 is increased, and a seat cushion height adjusting mechanism that can cope with various layouts can be obtained reliably and easily.

By providing the insertion hole 38 in the sector gear 14 in this manner, a height adjustment mechanism that can be used for both the front and rear can be obtained, so that parts can be shared, and parts management can be performed. The simplification and the reduction in the total number of parts can be sufficiently achieved.

In the embodiment, the height adjustment mechanism for supporting only the seat cushion so as to be able to move up and down is exemplified. However, it is sufficient to support the front and rear portions of the seat cushion so as to be able to move up and down. The present invention is also applicable to a height adjusting mechanism having a structure in which the seat back can be integrally tilted back and forth.

The seat cushion height adjusting mechanism of the present invention is not limited to the seat cushion height adjusting mechanism, although it is most suitable for a seat of an automobile or the like. It goes without saying that you can do it.

The embodiments described above are for explaining the present invention, and do not limit the present invention in any way.
It goes without saying that all modifications and alterations within the technical scope of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0035]

As described above, according to the seat cushion height adjusting mechanism of the present invention, the pivot point of the link with respect to the sector gear moves up and down by the same amount with the same height as the fulcrum. Since each of them moves, the amount of torque fluctuation becomes small. Therefore, the improvement of the operability due to the reduction in the difference in the operation force of the operation means surely improves the seat cushion height adjustment mechanism and, consequently, the overall quality of the seat.

Since there is no need to provide the base plate flush with the inner surface of the seat slide device, a sufficient space between the left and right base plates can be ensured. Therefore, the effective range of the cushion of the seat cushion can be sufficiently widened, and the cushioning property of the seat cushion does not decrease.

Further, since the lower end of the link is only pivotally connected to the support piece integral with the sector gear, the number of parts is not increased, and the structure is simplified and the cost is sufficiently reduced. Peel off.

Further, since the support piece is provided below the fulcrum of the sector gear, the connecting arm can be pivotally connected to any position within the effective range of the flat surface of the sector gear. Therefore, the degree of freedom in selecting the pivot point of the connecting arm is increased, and a seat cushion height adjusting mechanism that can cope with various layouts can be obtained reliably and easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a seat cushion height adjusting mechanism according to the present invention at a lowermost position.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a seat cushion height adjustment mechanism.

FIG. 3 is an overall schematic perspective view of a seat cushion height adjustment mechanism, showing an example in which the front and rear height adjustment mechanisms are mounted.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a conventional seat cushion height adjusting mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Seat cushion height adjustment mechanism 110 (at the rear side) Seat cushion height adjustment mechanism 12, 112 Pinion 14, 114 Sector gear 16 Seat cushion frame 18 Link 20, 120 Operating means (operation knob) 26 Base plate 28, 128 Connecting rod (Sector gear fulcrum) 32 Supporting piece 34 Rear link 36 Connecting arm 38 Sector gear insertion hole 40 Pivot pin

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pinion disposed on a base plate and rotated by operating an operation means; a sector gear meshing with the pinion and rotating around a fulcrum in conjunction with the pinion; and supporting a seat cushion frame from below. A seat gear height adjustment mechanism, comprising: a lower link pivotally connected to the sector gear, wherein the sector gear extends below the fulcrum at the lowermost position inside the seat and is bent. Is formed integrally with
A height adjustment mechanism for a seat cushion, wherein one end of a link is pivotally attached to a support piece of the sector gear so as to be vertically movable with a height of a fulcrum of the sector gear as an intermediate position.