JP5734750B2 - Stepped lifter device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a stepped lifter device capable of lowering a lifting body (for example, a seat seat surface) in a stepped manner by a reciprocating swinging motion of an input member, and further raising the lifting body in a stepped manner in the upward direction. The present invention relates to a stepped lifter device that can perform.

  For example, devices for raising and lowering the seat surface of a vehicle are roughly classified into a stepless lifter device that raises and lowers the seat surface steplessly and a stepped lifter device that raises and lowers the seat surface stepwise.

JP 7-195969 A JP 2000-190762 A US Pat. No. 5,466,047

  Among these, the stepless lifter device has the advantage of being excellent in operability without being affected by weight, but the mechanism is complicated and the cost is high. On the other hand, the conventional stepped lifter device has a relatively simple configuration, but has a problem in operability (usability) and is practically not practically used.

  Based on such a technical background, the applicant of the present invention is an inexpensive lifter device (stepped lowering device) having a simple structure and excellent operability, which can lift and lower (especially lower) the lifting body in particular with a step. We are developing. This stepped lifter device performs an ascending / descending operation by a reciprocating motion of the input member, unlocks the initial (first term) stroke from the neutral position of the input member, and allows the lifting / lowering work to be performed in the latter term stroke. However, the conventional device has a problem that after the input member is lowered, it cannot be re-locked unless it is lifted and returned to the unlocked position. For example, if a large load is applied to the seating surface of the seat, the seating surface may drop greatly at the moment when the lock is released in the initial stroke of the input member.

  In the present invention, based on the awareness of such a problem, when the input member is lifted / lowered (especially lowered), after the lock is released at the initial stroke, before the lifting / lowering operation (lowering operation) is completed, the re-locking is performed. An object is to obtain a stepped lifter device (stepped lowering device) capable of returning the lock mechanism to a possible state.

The stepped lowering device according to the present invention includes a lifting link having a pivoting portion to the base and a pivoting portion to the lifting body; and is pivotally attached to either one of the base and the lifting body via a pivoting shaft , A toothed link having a link pinion and a link ratchet positioned on an arc centered on the pivot shaft and swinging in conjunction with the elevating link; of the elevating body and the base, the arc center of the link pinion A toothed link supported on a member having a pivot shaft so as to be reciprocally swingable between a neutral position and a lowered position; with a rotation biasing member in a direction meshing with the link ratchet A lock mechanism having a lock pole that receives a force , and preventing the toothed link from rotating downward when the lock pole and the link ratchet are engaged with each other; the toothed link swinging from the neutral position toward the lowered position Each time A lock release mechanism that disengages the lock pawl of the lock mechanism and the link ratchet and allows the downward rotation of the toothed link; the toothed state in a state that allows the downward rotation of the toothed link by the lock release mechanism A lifting mechanism that swings the toothed link through the link pinion and lowers the lifting body by the downward swing of the link; and the locking mechanism before the toothed link reaches the downward swing end. A lock return mechanism for returning the lock pole to a position where it can be engaged with the link ratchet by the rotational biasing force;
It is characterized by having.

  In the stepped lifter device of the present invention, the input member can be further reciprocally swung between a neutral position and a raised position, and the locking mechanism is configured to engage the toothed link in a meshed state between the lock pole and the link ratchet. The lock release mechanism disengages the lock pawl and link ratchet of the lock mechanism each time the input member is swung upward from the neutral position. Each time the input member is swung in the raised position direction in a state in which the link is allowed to move upward and the lifting mechanism is allowed to lift and rotate the toothed link by the unlocking mechanism. Including a lifting mechanism that swings the toothed link via a pinion to raise the lifting body, and the lock return mechanism is configured so that the input member reaches the rising swing end before the input member reaches the lifting swing end. The lock pole of the click mechanism can be returned to the meshing possible position of the link ratchet by force with the rotation.

  In a preferred embodiment, the lock pole of the lock mechanism is provided with a pair of a lower lock pole and an upper lock pole that prevent the toothed link from rotating downward and upward when engaged with the link ratchet. The input member engages with the lower lock pole and the upper lock pole respectively when the input member is swung from the neutral position to the lowered position direction and the raised position direction. A lower canceling member and an upper canceling member that disengage from the link ratchet, and the lower canceling member and the upper canceling member are disposed before the input member reaches the lower swinging end and the upper swinging end. Disengage the lock pole from the upper lock pole and allow the lower lock pole and the upper lock pole to rotate in the meshing direction of the link ratchet To configure the serial lock return mechanism.

  In the stepped lifter device of the present invention, it is practical to further include a damping mechanism that applies a constant load to the lifting and lowering of the lifting body in conjunction with the toothed link.

  According to the present invention, when the input member is moved up and down (particularly lowered), the lock mechanism is brought into a state where the lock can be re-locked after the lock is released at the initial stroke and before the lifting and lowering operation (lowering operation) ends. A stepped lifter device (stepped lowering device) can be obtained.

It is a side view of the principal part which shows one Embodiment which applied the stepped lifter apparatus (stepped lowering apparatus) by this invention to the up-and-down position adjustment apparatus of a vehicle seat. It is a side view which shows one Embodiment of the stepped lifter apparatus by this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the stepped lifter apparatus by this invention. It is a top view of the assembly state of the stepped lifter apparatus by this invention. It is a rear view of the assembly state of the stepped lifter apparatus by this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the VI-VI line of FIG. 2 in the assembly state of the stepped lifter apparatus. It is sectional drawing which follows the VII-VII line of FIG. 2 in the assembly state of the stepped lifter apparatus. It is sectional drawing which follows the VIII-VIII line of FIG. 2 in the assembly state of the stepped lifter apparatus. It is a side view which shows the locked state (initial position) of the specific height position of the stepped lifter apparatus, (A) is a figure which shows the main elements of a lock mechanism and a lock reset mechanism, (B) is the motion of an up-down direction It is a figure which shows the main elements of a transmission mechanism. It is a side view which shows the 1st step (lock-off waiting state) of the downward operation of the vertical position adjustment apparatus of the vehicle seat, (A) is a figure which shows the main elements of a lock mechanism and a lock reset mechanism, (B) It is a figure which shows the main elements which transmit the raising / lowering operation of an input member to a raising / lowering mechanism. It is a side view which shows the 2nd stage (lock-off state) of the same lowering operation, (A) is a figure which shows the main elements of a lock mechanism and a lock return mechanism, (B) is the raising / lowering mechanism for raising / lowering operation of an input member It is a figure which shows the main elements to transmit. It is a side view which shows the 3rd step (lock-off max state) of the descent | fall operation | movement, (A) is a figure which shows the main elements of a lock mechanism and a lock return mechanism, (B) is the raising / lowering mechanism of raising / lowering operation of an input member It is a figure which shows the main elements transmitted to. It is a side view which shows the 4th stage (lock-on standby state) of the descent | fall operation | movement, (A) is a figure which shows the main elements of a lock mechanism and a lock | rock return mechanism, (B) is the raising / lowering mechanism of raising / lowering operation of an input member It is a figure which shows the main elements transmitted to. It is a side view which shows the 5th stage (lock-on state) of the descent | fall operation | movement, (A) is a figure which shows the main elements of a lock mechanism and a lock reset mechanism, (B) is the raising / lowering mechanism for raising / lowering operation of an input member. It is a figure which shows the main elements to transmit. FIG. 6A is a side view showing a sixth stage of the lowering operation (initial position return state), FIG. 9A is a diagram showing main elements of the lock mechanism and the lock return mechanism, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the main elements transmitted to. It is a side view showing a locked state (initial position) at a height position lowered by one step from a specific height position of the stepped lifter device, (A) is a diagram showing the main elements of the lock mechanism and the lock return mechanism, (B) is a figure which shows the main elements which transmit the raising / lowering operation of an input member to a raising / lowering mechanism. It is a side view which shows the locked state (initial position) of the specific height position of the stepped lifter apparatus, (A) is a figure which shows the main elements of a lock mechanism and a lock reset mechanism, (B) is the raising / lowering of an input member It is a figure which shows the main elements which transmit operation to a raising / lowering mechanism. It is a side view which shows the 1st step (lock-off waiting state) of the raising operation of the stepped lifter device, (A) is a diagram showing the main elements of the lock mechanism and the lock return mechanism, (B) is the input member It is a figure which shows the main element which transmits raising / lowering operation to a raising / lowering mechanism. It is a side view which shows the 2nd step (lock-off state) of the raising operation, (A) is a figure which shows the main elements of a lock mechanism and a lock return mechanism, (B) is the raising / lowering mechanism of raising / lowering operation of an input member It is a figure which shows the main elements to transmit. It is a side view which shows the 3rd stage (lock-off max state) of the same raising operation, (A) is a figure which shows the main elements of a lock mechanism and a lock reset mechanism, (B) is the raising / lowering mechanism of raising / lowering operation of an input member It is a figure which shows the main elements transmitted to. It is a side view which shows the 4th stage (lock-on standby state) of the same raising operation, (A) is a figure which shows the main elements of a lock mechanism and a lock return mechanism, (B) is a raising / lowering mechanism for raising / lowering operation of an input member It is a figure which shows the main elements transmitted to. It is a side view which shows the 5th stage (lock-on state) of the same raising operation, (A) is a figure which shows the main elements of a lock mechanism and a lock return mechanism, (B) is the raising / lowering mechanism of raising / lowering operation of an input member It is a figure which shows the main elements to transmit. It is a side view which shows the 6th stage (initial position return state) of the same raising operation, (A) is a figure which shows the main elements of a lock mechanism and a lock return mechanism, (B) is the raising / lowering mechanism of raising / lowering operation of an input member It is a figure which shows the main elements transmitted to. It is a side view showing a locked state (initial position) at a height position raised one step from a specific height position of the stepped lifter device, (A) is a diagram showing the main elements of the lock mechanism and the lock return mechanism, (B) is a figure which shows the main elements which transmit the raising / lowering operation of an input member to a raising / lowering mechanism. It is a side view which shows other embodiment of the stepped lifter apparatus by this invention.

The illustrated embodiment shows an embodiment in which the stepped lifter device (lifter device that can be adjusted stepwise) of the present invention is applied to a vehicle seat vertical position adjusting device. 1 is a side view of the stepped lifter device according to the embodiment assembled to a vehicle seat, FIG. 2 is a side view of the stepped lifter device, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the stepped lifter device. .
The shaft 11 that is rotatably supported on the base plate (lifting body) 13 fixed to the inner surface 51 of the lower bracket 50 on which the seat (seat surface) is supported is made to have a different axial position. The lifting link 10X and the toothed link 10T are integrally coupled, and the lower end portion of the lifting link 10X is pivotally attached to the floor bracket (base) 14 integral with the floor surface by the shaft 12. Therefore, when the toothed link 10T swings about the shaft 11, the lifting link 10X swings about the shaft 11, and the base plate 13 moves up and down with respect to the base portion 14. In the present embodiment, the base plate 13 is moved up and down by swinging the toothed link 10T forward and backward.

The entire structure around the toothed link 10T will be described with reference to FIGS. A toothed link 10T pivotally mounted on a base plate 13 by a shaft (pivot shaft) 11 includes a link pinion 15 positioned on an arc centered on the shaft 11 and a link ratchet 16 having a smaller diameter than the link pinion 15. It is integrally formed. Further, the toothed link 10T is formed with an arc guide 10P centered on the shaft 11, and the guide pin 10Q having both ends fixed to the base plate 13 and the second auxiliary bracket 18 is relative to the arc guide 10P. It fits freely.

  First and second auxiliary brackets 17 and 18 fixed on the back and front surfaces of the base plate 13 on the base plate 13 (the member having the shaft 11 serving as the center of the arc (base circle) of the link pinion 15 and the link ratchet 16). The shaft 21 is rotatably supported via the.

  On the shaft 21, serration portions 21a and 21b are formed between both shaft portions rotatably supported by the first and second auxiliary brackets 17 and 18 (FIG. 8). An input pinion 22 that meshes with the link pinion 15 of the toothed link 10T is coupled to the serration portion 21a coaxially (in a relatively non-rotatable manner), and the bidirectional motion transmission ratchet 23 and the damping gear 30 are coaxially integrated to the serration portion 21b. Are connected to each other (incapable of relative rotation). Further, between the serration portions 21 a and 21 b of the shaft 21, a round shaft portion 21 d that is inserted into the shaft hole of the base plate 13 so as to be relatively rotatable, and a flange portion 21 e that contacts the base plate 13 and is positioned in the axial direction are formed. Has been. At both ends of the shaft 21, nuts and washers for retaining are attached (FIG. 8).

  A first auxiliary lever (inner input member) 201 is positioned between the base plate 13 and the first auxiliary bracket 17, and a second auxiliary lever (support plate) 204 is positioned outside the second auxiliary bracket 18. The first auxiliary lever 201 and the second auxiliary lever 204 are supported on the round shaft portion of the shaft 21 so as to be relatively rotatable (FIG. 4). The first auxiliary lever 201 includes an inner arm 201a along the inner surface of the base plate 13 and an outer connecting arm 201b in which a free end portion of the inner arm 201a is bent in a direction passing through an arc opening 13a1 formed in the base plate 13. The outer connection arm 201b passes through a through hole 204a formed on the free end side of the second auxiliary lever 204 (FIG. 4). The first auxiliary lever 201 and the second auxiliary lever 204 always rotate integrally around the shaft 21. The second auxiliary lever 204 constitutes a support plate having one end supported by the shaft (operation shaft) 21 and the other end coupled to the outer connection arm 201b of the first auxiliary lever (inner input member) 201. Yes.

  The control lever 20 is coupled to the first auxiliary lever 201. The control lever 20 is bent in an approximately perpendicular direction inwardly from an operation portion (outer arm) 20a along the outer surface 52 of the lower bracket 50 and a rear end portion thereof, and passes through a through hole (arc hole) 50a of the lower bracket 50. A connecting arm 20b is provided, and the inner connecting arm 20b is overlapped with the outer connecting arm 201b of the first auxiliary lever 201, and further joined together through a semi-cylindrical member (joining member) 203 (see FIG. 4). That is, the semi-cylindrical member 203 is joined by joining both ends of the radial cut surface to the flat inner connection arm 20b and positioning the outer connection arm 201b inside the semi-cylindrical member 203. Since the inner connecting arm 20b and the outer connecting arm 201b are coupled by the semi-cylindrical member 203, the coupling portion has a box cross section, and further improvement in strength is achieved. The inner connection arm 20b further includes an angle portion 20c bent substantially at a right angle with respect to the inner connection arm 20b. The angle portion 20c is fixed to the outer surface of the semi-cylindrical member 203 (see FIG. 1 and 4).

  The control lever 20, the first auxiliary lever 201, and the second auxiliary lever 204 as a whole constitute an input member that swings around the shaft 21, of which the inner arm 201a and the outer connection arm 201b are connected to each other. The first auxiliary lever 201 having the inner input member constitutes the inner input member, and the control lever 20 having the operation portion 20a and the inner connection arm 20b constitutes the outer input member.

  The control lever 20 is always held at a neutral position by a neutral position return spring (torsion spring) 19. That is, the neutral position return spring 19 has a central coil portion fitted into a spring shaft 192 fixed to the base plate 13, and the leg portions 19 a and 19 b are connected to the outer connection arm 201 b and the base plate 13 of the first auxiliary lever 201. The control lever 20 is held in a neutral position when it is engaged so as to sandwich the protruding spring hooking projection 13c (FIG. 4) and no operating force is applied. And the neutral position return spring 19 will return the control lever 20 to a neutral position, if the operating force which raised / lowered the control lever 20 up / down was released.

  On the first auxiliary lever 201, a pair of upward motion transmission latches (hereinafter referred to as “upward latches”) 27 and a downward motion transmission latch (hereinafter referred to as “lowering latches”) 28 that selectively engage with the bidirectional motion transmission ratchet 23 are shafts. 27a and a shaft 28a are pivotally mounted (FIGS. 2 and 3).

  The ascending latch 27 and the descending latch 28 are symmetrically positioned on the upper and lower tooth surfaces of the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet 23, and are provided with engaging claw portions 27b and 28b at the front end portions thereof and forced release pins 27c and 28c at the intermediate portion. It has. Between the pair of forced release pins 27c and 28c, a torsion spring 278 for rotating and energizing the latches 27 and 28 in the direction in which the meshing claws 27b and 28b mesh with the teeth 23a of the bidirectional motion transmitting ratchet 23 is inserted. Yes. The central coil portion of the torsion spring 278 is fitted to a pin 205 that is implanted in the first auxiliary lever 201.

  The forcible release pin (control pin) 27c of the ascending latch 27 and the forcible release pin (control pin) 28c of the descending latch 28 are fitted into position restricting cam holes (control cam grooves) 270 and 280 formed in the base plate 13. Yes. The position restriction cam holes 270 and 280 have standby surfaces 271 and 281 and restriction release surfaces 272 and 282 (FIG. 3), and the standby surfaces 271 and 281 are forced release pins at the neutral position of the control lever 20 and in the vicinity thereof. 27c and the forcible release pin 28c are brought into contact with each other, and the ascending latch 27 and the descending latch 28 are respectively held at the meshing standby positions with the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet 23 (FIGS. 9B, 16B, 17). B), see FIG. On the other hand, when the control lever 20 is moved up and down from the neutral position, the restriction release surface 272 does not restrict the rotation of the lift latch 27 by the torsion spring 278, and the meshing claw portion 27b of the lift latch 27 and the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet. 23, the lowering latch 28 is moved to the non-engagement position with the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet 23 (see FIG. 10B), and the control lever 20 is moved up and down from the neutral position to the lowering direction. In some cases, the restriction release surface 282 does not restrict the rotation of the lowering latch 28 by the torsion spring 278, and allows the meshing claw portion 28 b of the lowering latch 28 and the teeth 23 a of the bidirectional movement transmitting ratchet 23 to engage with each other. Move to the non-meshing position with the transmission ratchet 23 (see FIG. 18B)When the control lever 20 is moved up and down from the neutral position, the lifting latch 27 first meshes the meshing claw 27b with the teeth 23a (FIG. 11B), and then the lifting latch 27 transmits the bidirectional motion. The teeth 23a of the ratchet 23 are pushed to rotate the input pinion 22 in the upward direction (FIGS. 12B to 14B). When the control lever 20 is moved up and down in the downward direction from the neutral position, the lowering latch 28 first engages the engaging claw 28b with the teeth 23a (FIG. 19B), and then the lowering latch 28 transmits the bidirectional motion. The teeth 23a of the ratchet 23 are pushed to rotate the input pinion 22 in the downward direction (FIGS. 20B to 22B). As a result, the toothed link 10T having the link pinion 15 meshing with the input pinion 22 is reversed. The base plate 13 moves up and down by rotating.

  The control lever 20, the raising latch 27, and the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet 23 swing the toothed link 10T in the upward direction via the link pinion 15 every time the control lever 20 is moved up and down from the neutral position to the upward position. An ascending mechanism (elevating mechanism) for moving the base plate 13 in a stepped manner is configured. Similarly, the control lever 20, the lowering latch 28 and the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet 23 move the toothed link 10T in the lowering direction via the link pinion 15 every time the control lever 20 is moved up and down from the neutral position to the lowering position. A lowering mechanism (elevating mechanism) that swings and lowers the base plate 13 in a stepped manner is configured.

  Further, the forcible release pin 27c and the position restricting cam hole (control cam groove) 270 of the ascending latch 27 and the forcible release pin 28c and the position restricting cam hole (control cam groove) 280 of the descending latch 28 are neutralized by the control lever 20. Each time the lifting / lowering operation is performed from the position to the raised position, the meshing claw portion 28b of the lowering latch 28 is disengaged from the teeth 23a of the bidirectional motion transmitting ratchet 23 to disengage the meshing claw portion 27b of the lifting latch 27 and the bidirectional motion transmitting ratchet 23. Each time the toothed link 10T is rotated in the ascending direction by meshing the teeth 23a, and the control lever 20 is moved up and down from the neutral position toward the descending position, the meshing claw portion 27b of the ascending latch 27 and the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet 23 is disengaged from the teeth 23a of the lowering latch 28 and the teeth 23a of the bilateral motion transmitting ratchet 23. Meshing by configuring the latch control mechanism for rotating the same toothed links 10T in the down direction.

  On the other hand, in the process of returning to the neutral position after the control lever 20 reaches the ascending end or the descending end, the ascending latch 27 and the descending latch 28 are idled with respect to the bidirectional motion transmitting ratchet 23 (FIGS. 17 and 23). That is, the base plate 13 always moves up and down when the raising latch 27 or the lowering latch 28 rotates the input pinion 22 via the bidirectional motion transmitting ratchet 23 regardless of the raising / lowering operation direction from the neutral position of the control lever 20. When the base plate 13 moves up and down, the control lever 20 is always swung.

Between the base plate 13 and the second auxiliary bracket 18, a lower lock pole 24 and an upper lock pole 25 that engage with the link ratchet 16 are pivotally attached by shafts 24 a and 25 a, respectively (FIGS. 3 and 9A). ). Engagement claw portions (tip claw portions and engagement claw portions) 24b and 25b that engage with and disengage from the link ratchet 16 are formed at the front end portions of the lower lock pole 24 and the upper lock pole 25, respectively. Are mounted with torsion springs (elastic urging members) 24c and 25c for urging the lower lock pole 24 and the upper lock pole 25 in a direction in which the engaging claws 24b and 25b engage with the link ratchet 16. On the lower lock pole 24 and the upper lock pole 25, control pins 24d and 25d parallel to the shafts 24a and 25a are planted.

  The control pin 24d of the lower lock pole 24 and the control pin 25d of the upper lock pole 25 extend to the opposite side of the base plate 13 (the first auxiliary lever 201 side of the control lever 20). Corresponding to the control pin 24d and the control pin 25d, the upper cancellation claw 241 and the lower cancellation claw 251 are pivotally attached by shafts 241a and 251a, respectively. The upper canceling claw 241 and the lower canceling claw 251 have pressing claws 241b and 251b that engage and disengage with the control pins 24d and 25d, spring hooking claws 241c and 251c, and protrusions 241d and 251d on both sides of the shafts 241a and 251a. A tension spring 245 is stretched between the spring hooking claws 241c and 251c. The protrusions 241d and 251d abut against the first auxiliary lever 201, so that the upper canceling claws 241 and the lower canceling claws 251 Rotation is regulated.

  The position of the shaft 24a of the lower lock pole 24 and the tooth shape of the engagement claw portion 24b are such that when the engagement claw portion 24b and the link ratchet 16 are engaged with each other, the downward rotation of the toothed link 10T (see FIGS. 9, 14 to 16, 17 and FIGS. 22 to 24 are set so as not to permit (lock the toothed link 10T). Similarly, the position of the shaft 25a of the upper lock pole 25 and the tooth shape of the meshing claw portion 25b are such that when the meshing claw portion 25b and the link ratchet 16 are meshed with each other, the toothed link 10T is turned upward (see FIGS. 9 and 14). 16, 17, and 22 to 24 are not allowed (the toothed link 10 </ b> T is locked). On the contrary, when the toothed link 10T rotates in the downward direction with the meshing claw portion 24b of the lower lock pole 24 and the link ratchet 16 disengaged, the meshing claw portion 25b of the upper lock pole 25 is rotated downward. The engagement claw portion 25b is rotated about the shaft 25a while being kept in contact with the link ratchet 16 by the rotation biasing force of the torsion spring 25c and meshes with the next tooth of the link ratchet 16 (FIGS. 11 to 14)) When the toothed link 10T rotates in the upward direction in a state where the engagement claw portion 25b of the upper lock pole 25 and the link ratchet 16 are disengaged, the engagement claw portion 24b of the lower lock pole 24 rises. Rotation is allowed (rotating around the shaft 24a while maintaining contact with the link ratchet 16 by the rotation urging force of the torsion spring 24c. Mesh with the next tooth of the jet 16 (FIGS. 19 to 22)). The torsion springs 24c and 25c for rotating and biasing the lower lock pole 24 and the upper lock pole 25, and the lower lock pole 24 and the upper lock pole 25 in the direction of meshing with the link ratchet 16, are the lower lock pole 24 and the upper lock pole. 25 and the link ratchet 16 are engaged to constitute a lock mechanism that prevents the toothed link 10T from rotating up and down.

  The damping gear 30 coupled to the shaft 21 so as not to rotate relative to the shaft 21 has a sector gear 30a on its peripheral surface, and the gear 61 of the spring brake 60 supported on the first auxiliary bracket 17 meshes with the sector gear 30a. (FIGS. 3, 4, and 5). The spring brake 60 is a well-known one, and includes a rotating body 62 having a gear 61 that meshes with the sector gear 30a, a friction case 63 fixed on the first auxiliary bracket 17, and a coil spring 64 positioned on the inner surface of the friction case 63. The both ends of the coil spring 64 are locked to the rotating body 62. When the gear 61 and the rotating body 62 are rotated in response to the rotation of the sector gear 30a, the coil spring 64 is reduced in diameter to reduce friction with the friction case 63, and rotate relative to each other while generating a certain frictional resistance.

  9 to 24 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the stepped lifter mechanism configured as described above. 9 to 24, (A) in each figure shows main elements of the lock mechanism and the lock return mechanism (control lever 20 (first auxiliary lever 201), lower lock pole 24, upper lock pole 25, upper cancel claw 241). The side view showing the lower cancel claw 251 and the toothed link 10T), (B) in each figure shows the main elements (the control lever 20 (first auxiliary lever 201), the ascending operation) that transmits the lifting operation of the input member to the lifting mechanism. It is a side view showing a latch 27, a lowering latch 28, an input pinion 22, a bidirectional motion transmission ratchet 23, and a toothed link 10T). In FIG. 9 to FIG. 24, the main elements are drawn with solid lines ignoring the vertical (front and back) positional relationship of the members. 9 to 24, the lower lock pawl 24, the upper lock pawl 25, the upper cancel pawl 241, the lower cancel pawl 251 and the ascending latch 27 and the descending latch 28, the lower lock pawl 24, the upper cancel pawl 241, and the upper lock. The pole 25 and the lower canceling claw 251 are hatched with different directions and intervals, and the rising latch 27 and the lowering latch 28 are hatched with different directions.

  First, the lowering operation will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 shows a locked state in which the control lever 20 is in the neutral position. At this time, the meshing claw portion 24b of the lower lock pole 24 and the meshing claw portion 25b of the upper lock pole 25 are both in the engagement position (meshing position) with the link ratchet 16, and the rotation of the toothed link 10T is prevented (locked). )doing. Further, the ascending latch 27 and the descending latch 28 are respectively in meshing standby positions (meshing) with the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet 23 in which the forcible release pins 27c and 28c are restrained by the meshing waiting surfaces 271 and 281 of the position restricting cam holes 270 and 280, respectively. In the previous position).

In this initial position, when the control lever 20 is slightly swung in the downward direction around the shaft 21 (a ° from FIG. 9A), the upper canceling mechanism is pivotally attached to the first auxiliary lever 201 by the shaft 241a. The pressing claw 241b of the claw 241 comes into contact with the control pin 24d of the lower lock pole 24, and enters a lock-off standby state (FIG. 10A). Further, when the control lever 20 (the first auxiliary lever 201) is lowered and rotated until the rotation angle from the initial position becomes b °, the pressing claw 241b pushes the control pin 24d and the lower lock pole 24 is centered on the shaft 24a. By rotating in the clockwise direction, the engagement between the engagement claw portion 24b and the link ratchet 16 is released, and a lock-off state is established (FIG. 11A). Therefore, the downward rotation of the toothed link 10T is possible (allowed). As described above, when the toothed link 10T rotates downward, the upper lock pole 25 does not prevent the rotation.
The control pin 24d of the upper cancel pawl 241 and the lower lock pole 24 is engaged with the lower lock pole 24 and the link ratchet 16 when the control lever 20 is swung downward from the neutral position (lock mechanism lock). The lock release mechanism which cancels | releases is comprised.

  Further, when the control lever 20 (first auxiliary lever 201) is rotated in the downward direction, the pressing claw 241b from the lock-off max state (FIG. 12A, the state where the control lever 20 is rotated by c ° from the initial position). Gets over the control pin 24d and shifts to a lock-on standby state (FIG. 13A, the state where the control lever 20 is rotated by d ° from the initial position). In the lock-on standby state in which the pressing claw 241b has passed the control pin 24d, the force that has caused the lower lock pole 24 to rotate in the unlocking direction disappears, and the lower urging force of the torsion spring 24c causes the lower lock pole 24 to It rotates in the direction of meshing with the link ratchet 16. This lock-on standby state is a state in which the lower lock pole 24 is in contact with and engaged with the link ratchet 16 (a state before complete engagement, an incomplete engagement state). Then, the lower lock pole 24 and the upper lock pole 25 are both linked in the state where the control lever 20 is further rotated in the downward direction (the state rotated by e ° from the initial position, the lock-on state, FIG. 14A). It meshes correctly with the ratchet 16 to prevent (lock) the toothed link 10T from rotating. The control pin 24d of the upper cancel pawl 241 and the lower lock pawl 24 is engaged with the link ratchet 16 by the rotational biasing force of the torsion spring 24c before the control lever 20 reaches the descending swing end. A lock return mechanism for returning to a possible position is configured.

  When the operating force is released after the control lever 20 reaches the descending swinging end, the control lever 20 returns to the neutral position by the force of the neutral position return spring 19 (FIG. 16A, return state), and the neutral position. Before returning to the position, the pressing claw 241b gets over the control pin 24d and returns to the initial position (FIGS. 15A and 16A). At this time, the pressing claw 241b tries to rotate the lower lock pole 24 counterclockwise via the control pin 24d. However, since the engagement claw portion 24b and the link ratchet 16 are engaged with each other, the urging force of the tension spring 245 is applied. On the contrary, the upper canceling claw 241 rotates counterclockwise, and the pressing claw 241b gets over the control pin 24d.

  On the other hand, while the control lever 20 moves from the neutral position (FIG. 9B) to the lock-off position (FIG. 11B), the lowering latch 28 pivotally mounted on the first auxiliary lever 201 by the shaft 28a. The forcible release pin 28c is restrained by the restriction release surface 282 of the position restriction cam hole 280 and is free to move in the direction of the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet 23. The engagement claw 28b is moved by the urging force of the torsion spring 278. It moves to a position where it engages with the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet 23. On the contrary, the ascending latch 27 pivotally mounted on the first auxiliary lever 201 by the shaft 27 a is not connected to the bidirectional motion transmitting ratchet 23 because the forcible release pin 27 c is restrained by the standby surface 271 of the position restricting cam hole 270. It moves to a meshing position, and the meshing claw part 27b leaves | separates from the bidirectional | two-way motion transmission ratchet 23 (FIG. 9 (B), FIG. 11 (B)).

  When the control lever 20 is further rotated in the downward direction at the lock-off position in FIG. 11, the meshing claw portion 28b of the downward latch 28 engages with the teeth 23a of the bidirectional motion transmission ratchet 23 and pushes it. Since the bidirectional motion transmission ratchet 23 is integrated with the input pinion 22 via the shaft 21, when the bidirectional motion transmission ratchet 23 rotates downward, the input pinion 22 rotates downward and the link pinion 15 meshing with the input pinion 22 is moved. The toothed link 10T having the rotation rotates in the downward direction, and the base plate 13 is lowered (FIGS. 12B to 14B). In this embodiment, when the control lever 20 rotates by e ° from the initial position, the toothed link 10T rotates by f °.

  As described above, each time the control lever 20 is rotated in the downward direction, the input pinion 22 rotates in the upward direction via the bidirectional motion transmission ratchet 23 and the shaft 21, and the link pinion 15 that meshes with the input pinion 22 is provided. The toothed link 10T rotates in the downward direction. In the lock-on state of FIG. 14, the lower lock pole 24 (and the upper lock pole 25) mesh with the link ratchet 16 and the downward rotation of the toothed link 10 </ b> T is prevented, so that the control lever 20 is lowered from the neutral position. Each time the elevating operation is performed once in the direction, the toothed link 10T performs a downward direction stepped rotation transmission operation in which the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet 23 and the link ratchet 16 are lowered by one tooth.

  The input pinion 22 is integrated with the damping gear 30 via the shaft 21, and the damping gear 30 meshes with the gear 61 of the spring brake 60. The spring brake 60 itself is a well-known brake mechanism (attenuation mechanism), and acts to apply a brake (resistance) to the rotation of the attenuation gear 30, so that even if a large load is applied to the base plate 13, the base plate 13 Can be prevented from falling shockingly.

  Next, the ascending operation will be described. The following ascending operation corresponds to the explanation in which the lower lock pawl 24 is replaced with the upper lock pawl 25, the upper canceling pawl 241 is replaced with the lower canceling pawl 251 and the lowering latch 28 is replaced with the ascending latch 27 in the above description of the descending operation. To do.

  In FIG. 17, when the control lever 20 is pivoted slightly about the shaft 21 in the upward direction (a ° from FIG. 18A), the lower cancel claw pivotally attached to the first auxiliary lever 201 by the shaft 251a. The pressing claw 251b of 251 comes into contact with the control pin 25d of the upper lock pole 25 and enters a lock-off standby state (FIG. 18A). Further, when the control lever 20 (first auxiliary lever 201) is raised and rotated until the rotation angle from the initial position becomes b °, the pressing claw 251b pushes the control pin 25d, and the upper lock pole 25 is centered on the shaft 25a. By rotating in the counterclockwise direction, the meshing claw portion 25b and the link ratchet 16 are disengaged, and the lock-off state is established (FIG. 19A). Therefore, the upward rotation of the toothed link 10T is possible (allowed). As described above, when the toothed link 10T rotates upward, the lower lock pole 24 does not prevent the rotation.

  Further, when the control lever 20 (first auxiliary lever 201) is rotated in the upward direction, the pressing claw 251b from the lock-off max state (FIG. 20A, the state where the control lever 20 is rotated by c ° from the initial position). Gets over the control pin 25d and shifts to a lock-on standby state (FIG. 21A, a state where the control lever 20 is rotated by d ° from the initial position). In the lock-on standby state in which the pressing claw 251b gets over the control pin 25d, the force that has caused the upper lock pawl 25 to rotate in the unlocking direction disappears, and the upper biasing force of the torsion spring 25c causes the upper lock pawl 25 to move. It rotates in the direction of meshing with the link ratchet 16. This lock-on standby state is a state in which the upper lock pawl 25 is in contact with and engaged with the link ratchet 16 (a state before complete engagement, an incomplete engagement state). When the control lever 20 is further rotated in the upward direction (rotated by e ° from the initial position, lock-on state), both the lower lock pole 24 and the upper lock pole 25 are correctly engaged with the link ratchet 16. Then, the rotation of the toothed link 10T is prevented (locked) (FIG. 22A).

  When the operating force is released after the control lever 20 reaches the upward swing end, the control lever 20 returns to the neutral position by the force of the neutral position return spring 19 (FIG. 24A, return state), and the neutral position. Before returning to the position, the pressing claw 251b goes over the control pin 25d and returns to the initial position (FIGS. 23A and 24A). At this time, the pressing claw 251b tries to rotate the upper lock pole 25 in the clockwise direction via the control pin 25d. However, since the engagement claw portion 24b and the link ratchet 16 are engaged with each other, the pressing claw 251b is against the urging force of the tension spring 245. Thus, the lower cancel claw 251 rotates clockwise, and the pressing claw 241b gets over the control pin 25d.

  On the other hand, while the control lever 20 moves from the neutral position (FIG. 17B) to the lock-off position (FIG. 19B), the ascending latch 27 pivoted on the first auxiliary lever 201 by the shaft 27a. The forcible release pin 27c is restrained by the restriction release surface 272 of the position restriction cam hole 270 and is free to move in the direction of the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet 23. The engagement claw 27b is moved by the urging force of the torsion spring 278. It moves to a position where it engages with the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet 23. On the other hand, the lowering latch 28 pivotally attached to the first auxiliary lever 201 by the shaft 28 a is not connected to the bidirectional motion transmitting ratchet 23 because the forcible release pin 28 c is restrained by the standby surface 281 of the position restricting cam hole 280. It moves to a meshing position, and the meshing claw part 28b leaves | separates from the bidirectional | two-way motion transmission ratchet 23 (FIG. 17 (B), FIG.19 (B)).

  In the lock-off position of FIG. 19, when the control lever 20 is further rotated in the upward direction, the meshing claw portion 27b of the upward latch 27 is engaged with the tooth 23a of the bidirectional motion transmission ratchet 23 and pushed. Since the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet 23 is integrated with the input pinion 22 via the shaft 21, when the bi-directional motion transmission ratchet 23 is raised and rotated, the input pinion 22 is raised and rotated, and the link pinion 15 meshing with the input pinion 22 is moved. The toothed link 10T having the rotation rotates in the upward direction, and the base plate 13 is lifted (FIGS. 20B to 22B). In this embodiment, when the control lever 20 rotates by e ° from the initial position, the toothed link 10T rotates by f °.

  As described above, each time the control lever 20 is rotated in the upward direction, the input pinion 22 rotates in the upward direction via the bidirectional motion transmission ratchet 23 and the shaft 21 and has the link pinion 15 that meshes with the input pinion 22. The toothed link 10T rotates in the upward direction. In the lock-on state of FIG. 22, the upper lock pole 25 (and the lower lock pole 24) mesh with the link ratchet 16 and the upward rotation of the toothed link 10 </ b> T is prevented, so that the control lever 20 is lifted from the neutral position. Each time the lifting / lowering operation is performed once in the direction, the toothed link 10T performs an upward stepped rotation transmission operation in which the bidirectional movement transmission ratchet 23 and the link ratchet 16 rise by one tooth.

  In the above embodiment, although the raising / lowering link 10X and the toothed link 10T were provided separately, both links can also be made into the same member. Alternatively, a mode in which the toothed link and the lifting link as separate members are coupled to the same shaft 11 while being separated in the axial direction is also possible. In the above case, a plurality of elevating links can be provided and separated from the same shaft 11 and coupled. Furthermore, the aspect which spaces apart the axis | shaft of the toothed link provided separately and the raising / lowering link is also possible.

  FIG. 25 is a side view of the embodiment, and on the base plate (elevating body) 13 on which the seat (seat surface) is supported, the elevating link 10X1 and the toothed link with the shaft 11X and the shaft 11 separated in the front-rear direction. Each 10T is pivotally attached. A lower end portion of the lifting link 10X1 is pivotally attached to a floor surface bracket (base) 14 integral with the floor surface by a shaft 12, and the upper portion of the lifting link 10X1 and the toothed link 10T is interposed via shafts 10A and 10B. The connecting link 10C is pivotally attached to both ends. Therefore, when the toothed link 10T swings about the shaft 11, the lifting link 10X1 swings about the shaft 11X via the connecting link 10C, and the base plate 13 moves up and down with respect to the base portion 14. In the present embodiment, the base plate 13 is moved up and down by swinging the toothed link 10T forward and backward.

  In the above embodiment, the control lever 20 that can be swung around the shaft is used as the input member, but a rotating handle can also be used.

  In the above embodiment, the toothed link 10T having the link ratchet 16 positioned on the arc centered on the shaft 11 is pivotally attached to the shaft 11 on the base plate 13 side. Even if the toothed link 10T having a link ratchet located on an arc centered on the axis is pivotally connected, the present invention is established. In this aspect, a motion transmission lever mechanism including the lifting link 10X, the toothed link 10T, the control lever 20, the first auxiliary lever 201, the semi-cylindrical member 203, and the second auxiliary lever 204 mounted on the base plate 13 in the illustrated embodiment. A lock mechanism including the lower lock pole 24, the upper lock pole 25 and the link ratchet 16, and an upward direction rotation transmission mechanism including the bidirectional motion transmission ratchet 23, the upward latch 27 and the downward latch 28 may be installed on the base 14 side. .

  Although the above embodiment includes the damping gear 30 that rotates in conjunction with the toothed link 10T as a damping mechanism that applies a constant load to the rotation of the toothed link 10T, the spring brake 60 is linked to the damping gear 30. Further, it may be interlocked by a shaft (shaft 21) or the like instead of the gear. The present invention is not limited to the spring brake 60, and for example, an oil damper may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to an apparatus for adjusting the vertical position of a vehicle seat, but the present invention can also be applied to a lifting device for a normal chair or work table (lifting body). Furthermore, an embodiment in which the movement of the lifting body from the descending end to the ascending end is performed by spring force (or manually) (that is, the stepped ascending is not performed) is possible. Elements necessary for climbing can be removed.

10X lifting link 10T toothed link 11 12 shaft 13 base plate (lifting body)
13a1 Arc opening 14 Floor bracket (base)
15 Link pinion 16 Link ratchet 17 First auxiliary bracket 18 Second auxiliary bracket 19 Neutral position return spring (torsion spring)
192 Spring shaft 20 Control lever (input member, outer input member)
20a Operation unit (operation unit)
20b Inner connecting arm (inner extension)
201 1st auxiliary lever (inner input member)
201a Inner arm 201b Outer connection arm 201c Forcible release projection 203 Semi-cylindrical member (coupling member)
204 Second auxiliary lever (support plate)
205 Connecting link pin 21 axis (operation axis)
21a 21b Serration unit 22 Input pinion 23 Bidirectional motion transmission ratchet (motion transmission ratchet)
23a Teeth 24 Lower lock pole (lock pole)
24a shaft 24b meshing claw portion 24c torsion spring 24d control pin 241 upper cancel claw (upper cancellation member)
241a Shaft 241b Pressing claw 241c Spring hooking claw 245 Tension spring 25 Upper lock pole (lock pole)
25a shaft 25b meshing claw portion 25c torsion spring 25d control pin 251 lower cancel claw (lower cancel member)
251a Shaft 251b Pressing claw 251c Spring hooking claw 27 Ascending direction motion transmission latch (raising latch)
28 Downward motion transmission latch (downward latch)
27a 28a Shaft 27b 28b Engagement claw portion 27c 28c Forced release pin 270 280 Position regulating cam hole 278 Torsion spring 30 Damping gear 30a Sector gear 46a Latch energizing spring 50 Lower bracket 50a Through hole 51 Inner surface 52 Outer surface 60 Spring brake (damping mechanism)
61 Gear 62 Rotating body 63 Friction case 64 Coil spring

Claims (4)

A lifting link having a pivot point to the base and a pivot point to the lift;
It is pivotally attached to one of the base and the lifting body via a pivot shaft, and has a link pinion and a link ratchet located on an arc centered on the pivot shaft, and is linked to the lift link. Toothed link swinging
A toothed link supported on a member on the side having a pivot shaft serving as a center of the arc of the link pinion so as to be capable of reciprocating between a neutral position and a lowered position;
A lock mechanism having a lock pole that receives a rotation urging force by a rotation urging member in a direction meshing with the link ratchet, and preventing the toothed link from rotating downwardly when the lock pole and the link ratchet are engaged. ;
A lock release mechanism that disengages the lock pawl of the lock mechanism and the link ratchet each time the toothed link is swung from the neutral position toward the lowered position;
Elevation that causes the toothed link to swing through the link pinion and lowers the lifting body by the downward swing of the toothed link in a state that allows the downward rotation of the toothed link by the unlocking mechanism. A lock return mechanism for returning the lock pole of the lock mechanism to a position where it can be engaged with the link ratchet by the rotational biasing force before the toothed link reaches the descending swing end;
A stepped lifter device comprising: The stepped lifter device according to claim 1,
The input member can be reciprocally swung between a neutral position and a raised position.
The locking mechanism prevents the toothed link from rotating upward in the meshed state of the lock pole and the link ratchet,
The lock release mechanism disengages the lock pawl of the lock mechanism and the link ratchet each time the input member is swung upward from the neutral position, and allows the toothed link to rotate upward. ,
The lifting mechanism swings the toothed link via the link pinion every time the input member is swung in the upward position direction in a state in which the toothed link is allowed to lift and rotate by the unlocking mechanism. Including a lifting mechanism that moves and raises the lifting body,
The lock return mechanism is a stepped lifter device that returns the lock pole of the lock mechanism to a position where it can be engaged with the link ratchet before the input member reaches the ascending swing end. The stepped lifter device according to claim 2,
The lock pole of the lock mechanism is provided with a pair of a lower lock pole and an upper lock pole that prevent the toothed link from rotating downward and upward when engaged with the link ratchet,
The input member is engaged with the lower lock pole and the upper lock pole respectively when the input member is swung from the neutral position to the lowered position direction and the raised position direction. A lower canceling member and an upper canceling member for disengaging the link ratchet are provided,
The lower cancel member and the upper cancel member are each a lock that disengages the link ratchet between the lower lock pole and the upper lock pole every time the input member is swung from the neutral position to the lowered position direction and the raised position direction. A release mechanism, and before the input member reaches the lower oscillating end and the upper oscillating end, the lower lock pole and the upper lock pole are disengaged, A stepped lifter device that constitutes the lock return mechanism that allows the biasing rotation in the meshing direction with the link ratchet. The stepped lifter device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising:
A stepped lifter device provided with a damping mechanism that applies a constant load to the lifting and lowering of the lifting body in conjunction with the toothed link.