JP4032806B2 - Reclining device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a reclining device mainly for adjusting an inclination angle of a seat back in a vehicle seat.
[0002]
[Prior art]
There are various types of vehicle seat reclining devices. As one type, the two disk-shaped housings are assembled so that they can rotate relative to each other, and this rotation is locked in multiple stages in a predetermined angular region. There is a configuration one. One of these housings is fixed to the frame of the seat cushion, and the other is fixed to the frame of the seat back. Further, in both housings, an operation member that is rotated integrally with the shaft on the operation shaft, a slide cam that slides in conjunction with the rotation of the operation member, and a slide pole are incorporated. The relative rotation of the two housings is switched to a locked or unlocked state by sliding of the slide pole.
[0003]
This type of reclining device is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-79032. In the technique disclosed in this publication, a torsion spring that exhibits elastic force is incorporated between the boss portion (cylindrical shaft portion) of the operating member and the housing inside both housings. The operating member is urged in one direction by the elasticity of the spring, and this rotational direction is a direction in which the relative rotation of the two housings is maintained in a locked state.
[0004]
On the other hand, a reclining device in which a spring is disposed outside a housing is also known (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-65327). In this case, the spring is attached so as to exert an elastic force between the operation shaft located outside the housing and the housing. That is, in this configuration, the operating member is biased through the operating shaft by the spring provided outside the housing.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the reclining device in which the spring is incorporated in the housing, there is a limit to the degree of freedom in setting the elastic force or shape of the spring incorporated therein due to space restrictions in the housing. On the other hand, in the reclining device in which the spring is provided on the outside of the housing, the degree of freedom in setting the spring characteristics is widened, but in order to complete the reclining device as a unit, it is necessary to assemble the operation shaft. . When this reclining device is used for a vehicle seat, the operation shaft has a different length and shape for each vehicle type, so various reclining devices corresponding to the operation shaft must be prepared.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a degree of freedom in setting the characteristics of a spring and to enable the reclining device to be unitized regardless of the operation shaft.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is for achieving the above object, and the invention according to claim 1 is based on an operation member and a rotation of the operation member in a pair of housings assembled so as to be capable of relative rotation. A reclining device of a type in which a cam body that operates in response to a cam body and a pole that operates by the operation of the cam body are provided, and relative rotation of both housings is switched to a locked or unlocked state by the operation of the pole. A spring that applies a rotational force to maintain the locked state is disposed on the outside of the housing. The operation member includes a cylindrical shaft portion into which an operation shaft that applies a rotational force to the operation member can be inserted. An end portion of the cylindrical shaft portion is extended to a position adjacent to the housing outside the housing where the spring is disposed. In a state where the operation shaft is inserted into the cylindrical shaft portion, the large-diameter portion of the operation shaft is received by the distal end surface of the cylindrical shaft portion, and the operation shaft is positioned in the axial direction. The spring is a spiral spring, and an inner end portion thereof is coupled to an outer surface of the cylindrical shaft portion, and an outer end portion is coupled to the housing.
As a specific example of the cam body, there is a slide cam that slides (acts) based on the rotation of the operation member as described in the embodiment. The slide pole is operated by the operation of the slide cam. In addition, a rotating cam may be used separately. In this case, the rotation of the operation member directly becomes the rotation (operation) of the rotating cam, and the slide pole is operated by the operation of the rotating cam.
[0008]
In the first aspect of the invention, the operating member and the operating shaft are separate, and the end of the cylindrical shaft portion of the operating member is held outside the housing at a position adjacent to the housing. Thus, the spring using the spiral spring that is compact in the axial direction is arranged along the outer surface of the housing, and the reclining device can be made into a compact unit. As a result, when the reclining device is used for a vehicle seat, it is possible to integrate the structure and design of the reclining device regardless of the operation shafts having different lengths and shapes for each vehicle type. Further, after assembling the components except the operating shaft, the end can be assembled in a state of hanging the scan pulling on the operating member and the housing, it is easy the work.
In addition, the operating shaft is received by the operating member itself and positioned with respect to the axial direction.
[0010]
Invention of Claim 2 is the reclining device described in Claim 1 , Comprising: The outer surface of the said cylindrical axial part in the said operation member is circular, and the part penetrated by the circular hole of the said housing is circular, and A portion connected to the inner end portion of the spring is set to be a polygon.
As a result, the cylindrical shaft portion that rotates relative to the housing is in a state of less shakiness, and the inner end portion of the spring and the cylindrical shaft portion are coupled together while being properly prevented from rotating.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 3 is the reclining device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the spring is formed by a step portion located at a boundary between a circular portion and a polygonal portion in the cylindrical shaft portion. The position in the axial direction is regulated by receiving the inner end of the shaft.
In this case, the situation in which the spring is strongly pressed against the outer surface of the housing is eliminated, and the elastic force acting on the operation member is properly maintained.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
1 is a longitudinal sectional view (a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5) showing a reclining device for a vehicle seat, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of FIG. This reclining device has a structure in which a stationary housing 10 and a rotating housing 12 each having a disk shape are combined so as to be relatively rotatable around each other. That is, the two housings 10 and 12 are held so as to be relatively rotatable and not to be detached by the ring member 18 that is caulked at the outer peripheral portion after being combined with each other. The stationary housing 10 is fixed to a seat cushion frame 60 in the vehicle seat, and the rotating housing 12 is fixed to a seat back frame 62.
[0013]
Inside the housings 10 and 12, the operation member 30 is incorporated so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis of the rotation-side housing 12. The operation member 30 includes a cylindrical shaft portion 32 and an arm portion 31 protruding in the radial direction from the cylindrical shaft portion 32. The cylindrical shaft portion 32 is inserted through the circular hole 24 of the fixed side housing 10, and its end is located outside the fixed side housing 10. An operation shaft 36 for rotating the operation member 30 is inserted into the cylindrical shaft portion 32 from the cushion frame 60 side (left side in FIGS. 1 and 2). An operation knob 38 is attached to the left end portion of the operation shaft 36 (FIG. 1). A cam body (slide cam 14) and a pole (slide pole 16), which will be described below, are incorporated in the housings 10 and 12, which are omitted in FIGS.
[0014]
3 and 4 are plan views showing the inside of both housings 10 and 12 in a partial cross section. As shown in these drawings, one slide cam 14 and a pair of slide poles 16 positioned on both sides (up and down in the drawings) are incorporated in the housings 10 and 12. The slide cam 14 is slidable in the horizontal direction of the drawing, and the slide pole 16 slides in a direction perpendicular to the cam 14 based on the slide of the slide cam 14. Further, both the slide poles 16 are provided with teeth 17 that mesh with the inner teeth 13 formed on the inner periphery of the rotation side housing 12. The slide cam 14 and the slide pole 16 are individually slid by being guided by guides 20 provided in a state of projecting at four locations on the inner wall surface of the stationary housing 10.
[0015]
The slide cam 14 receives a sliding force through the arm portion 31 of the operation member 30 when the operation member 30 rotates about the axis. The operating member 30 is urged counterclockwise in FIGS. 3 and 4 by the elastic force of the spring 40 described below. In FIG. 3, the operating member 30 is in a rotational position due to the urging force of the spring 40, and the teeth 17 of both slide poles 16 are engaged with the internal teeth 13 of the rotating housing 12, so that the relative rotation of the housings 10, 12 is locked. ing. This state is a locked state of the reclining device, and the tilting operation of the seat back with respect to the seat cushion is locked.
[0016]
Therefore, when the operation member 30 is rotated clockwise against the urging force of the spring 40, the slide cam 14 slides to the position shown in FIG. As a result, both slide poles 16 are pulled inward to disengage the individual teeth 17 from the internal teeth 13 of the rotary housing 12, and the housings 10 and 12 can be rotated relative to each other. This state is an unlocked state of the reclining device, and the inclination angle of the seat back with respect to the seat cushion can be adjusted.
[0017]
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the reclining device as seen from the direction of the stationary housing 10, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the member shown in FIG. 5 in an exploded state. In these drawings, each guide 20 of the stationary housing 10 appears in a recessed shape.
As apparent from FIGS. 5 and 6, the cylindrical shaft portion 32 of the operation member 30 penetrates through the circular hole 24 of the stationary housing 10 and protrudes outward. With respect to the outer surface of the cylindrical shaft portion 32, a portion inserted through the circular hole 24 is set to be circular, and a portion located outside the fixed-side housing 10 is set to be polygonal (square). That is, the cylindrical shaft portion 32 is supported by the circular portion 32 a with respect to the circular hole 24 of the fixed side housing 10, and the polygonal portion 32 b on the distal end side is positioned outside the housing 10. Since the polygonal portion 32b is formed by cutting the circular outer periphery, a step 32c is formed at the boundary between the circular portion 32a and the polygonal portion 32b (FIG. 2).
[0018]
The axial hole 34 of the cylindrical shaft portion 32 is set to be a polygon (square), and the small-diameter portion 36 a of the operation shaft 36 is set to an outer shape corresponding to the axial hole 34. Then, by inserting the small diameter portion 36a into the shaft hole 34, the operation member 30 and the operation shaft 36 are coupled so as to be able to transmit rotation. At this time, the end surface of the large-diameter portion 36b of the operation shaft 36 is received by the tip surface of the cylindrical shaft portion 32 , and positioning in the axial direction is performed (FIG. 2). Since the shape of the axial hole 34 of the cylindrical shaft portion 32 and the small diameter portion 36a of the operation shaft 36 is one means for transmitting rotation to each other, it is naturally possible to replace this with a serration joint or the like.
[0019]
A spring 40 (spiral spring) is disposed outside the stationary housing 10. The inner end portion 42 of the spring 40 is bent into a shape corresponding to the polygonal portion 32b of the cylindrical shaft portion 32, and the inner end portion 42 is wound around the outer surface of the polygonal portion 32b. Combined so as not to rotate with each other. And the inner end part 42 is received and positioned by the level | step-difference part 32c regarding the axial direction of the cylindrical axial part 32 (FIG. 2). On the other hand, the outer end portion 43 of the spring 40 is bent into a hook shape, and is coupled to the housing 10 side by hooking it on one of the two protrusions 26 formed on the outer surface of the stationary housing 10. Is done. As a result, the elastic force of the spring 40 directly acts on the operation member 30, and the operation member 30 receives a biasing force in a direction to maintain the reclining device in the locked state.
[0020]
A cover 50 for covering the spring 40 is attached to the outside of the stationary housing 10. The cover 50 includes an insertion hole 52 through which the cylindrical shaft portion 32 passes at the center thereof, and also includes a pair of attachment portions 54 and a protruding portion 56 at the outer peripheral portion. The cover 50 is put on the spring 40, and the two protrusions 27 formed separately from the protrusions 26 on the outer surface of the stationary housing 10 are positioned at the cut portions of the mounting portions 54 (FIG. 5). . The cover 50 is fixed to the stationary housing 10 by crushing the tips of the protrusions 27 with pressure (caulking). It should be noted that the two overhang portions 56 of the cover 50 cover portions of both protrusions 26 for selectively connecting the outer end portion 43 of the spring 40.
[0021]
In the reclining device configured as described above, the following assembling procedure can be adopted.
a. The slide bodies (the slide cam 14 and the slide pole 16) and the operation member 30 are incorporated in the housings 10 and 12.
b. The spring 40 and the cover 50 are assembled to the outer surface of the stationary housing 10.
c. Thereafter, the small diameter portion 36 a of the operation shaft 36 is inserted into the axial hole 34 of the cylindrical shaft portion 32.
That is, the reclining device can be unitized without the operation shaft 36. Therefore, the operation shaft 36 differs in length and shape depending on the vehicle type, but the structure and design of the reclining device can be integrated independently of the operation shaft 36. In addition, by disposing the spring 40 on the outside of the fixed housing 10, the spring 40 can have a degree of freedom in characteristics such as elastic force or shape.
Any of the procedures a and b may be performed first. For example, the operation member 30 can be assembled after the spring 40 is assembled to the stationary housing 10.
[0022]
Further, by supporting the circular portion 32a of the cylindrical shaft portion 32 with the circular hole 24 of the stationary housing 10, a support state with less backlash is obtained. It is difficult to circularize the portion of the cylindrical shaft portion that is supported by the housing in a configuration in which a spring is incorporated in a conventional housing. This is because, as described above, when the polygonal portion is formed by partially cutting the circular outer periphery, the circular portion cannot pass through the coupling end of the spring located in front of the housing. is there. Therefore, the outer shape of the conventional cylindrical shaft portion must be polygonal, including the portion supported by the circular hole of the housing.
[0023]
As described above, the spring 40 is positioned in the axial direction by the stepped portion 32 c of the cylindrical shaft portion 32, and the operation shaft 36 is positioned in the axial direction by the distal end surface of the cylindrical shaft portion 32. Accordingly, an appropriate clearance is ensured between the spring 40 and the outer surface of the fixed housing 10 or between the end surface of the large-diameter portion 36 b of the operation shaft 36 and the cover 50.
[0024]
Note that the cover 50 covering the outside of the spring 40 restricts the spring 40 from being detached from the stationary housing 10. The cover 50 also serves to prevent spatter and the like generated by welding when the housings 10 and 12 are individually fixed to the cushion frame 60 and the back frame 62 shown in FIG.
[0025]
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the embodiments can be easily changed or modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, the polygonal shape for connecting the polygonal portion 32b of the cylindrical shaft portion 32 and the inner end portion 42 of the spring 40 is not limited to the rectangular shape shown in the drawing, and includes a triangular shape or a hexagonal shape. In the operation member 30, the arm portion 31 and the cylindrical shaft portion 32 can be individually formed and coupled so as to be able to transmit rotation. Furthermore, the cylindrical shaft portion 32 may be divided into, for example, a circular portion 32a and a polygonal portion 32b, and these may be coupled so as to be able to transmit rotation. As for the cam body, a rotating cam may be used instead of the slide cam 14 as described above. The rotating cam is arranged on the rotation axis of the operating member and rotates together with the operating member. The rotation of the rotating cam causes the pawl to slide and controls the meshing between the pawl and the internal teeth of the rotating side housing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a reclining device for a vehicle seat. FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view showing the inside of a housing in a locked state. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a part of the inside of the housing in an unlocked state. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the reclining device viewed from the direction of the fixed housing. FIG. 6 is shown in FIG. Perspective view with parts disassembled [Explanation of symbols]
10, 12 Housing 14 Slide cam (cam body)
16 Slide pole 30 Operation member 32 Cylindrical shaft portion 32a Circular portion 32b Polygonal portion 36 Operation shaft 40 Spring 42 Inner end portion 43 Outer end portion

Claims (3)

An operation member, a cam body that operates based on the rotation of the operation member, and a pole that is operated by the operation of the cam body are provided in a pair of housings that can be relatively rotated. A reclining device of a type in which the relative rotation of both housings is switched to a locked or unlocked state by operation of a pole,
A spring that applies a rotational force that maintains the locked state to the operation member is disposed outside the housing, and the operation member is a cylindrical shape into which an operation shaft that applies a rotational force can be inserted. In the state where the end portion of the cylindrical shaft portion is extended to a position adjacent to the housing outside the housing where the spring is disposed, and the operation shaft is inserted into the cylindrical shaft portion. The large-diameter portion of the operating shaft is received by the tip surface of the cylindrical shaft portion, and the operating shaft is positioned with respect to the axial direction. The spring is a spiral spring, and the inner end portion thereof is on the outer surface of the cylindrical shaft portion. A reclining device coupled and having an outer end coupled to the housing. 2. The reclining device according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the cylindrical shaft portion of the operation member is coupled to an inner end portion of the spring in a circular shape at a portion inserted into a circular hole of the housing. A reclining device with a polygonal part. 3. The reclining device according to claim 1, wherein an inner end portion of the spring is received by a step portion located at a boundary between a circular portion and a polygonal portion in the cylindrical shaft portion, and the axial direction is set. Reclining device that regulates the position of the.

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