JP6626913B2 - Seat cushion length adjusting device and method for adjusting seat cushion length - Google Patents

Description

  The invention relates to an adjustment device for a seat. The invention particularly relates to an adjustment device for adjusting a seat cushion using a power drive.

  A wide variety of seats are provided with elements that allow at least a portion of the seat to be adjusted. Examples of such adjustable portions are an adjustable waist support, an adjustable side support, or various massage functions. Seats that provide the user with the option of adjusting at least a portion of the seat are used to increase comfort. This may be particularly important when the user is likely to sit in the seat for an extended period of time. A representative example is a seat used in a vehicle, such as an automobile seat or other vehicle seat. For example, in the case of car seats, bus seats, or other transport seats, a seat occupant may spend a long time sitting on each seat.

  It is desirable to provide a seat that can adjust the size of the seat cushion to accommodate various occupant sizes. This can be achieved by increasing and / or decreasing the seat cushion length. Thus, in the seat cushion on which the user's thighs ride, for example, the length measured in the front-back direction of the seat can be adjusted.

  Motorized adjustments offer various advantages over manual adjustments. User comfort can be improved. The motor drive adjuster also provides an electrical interface suitable for automation, for example under the control of a vehicle controller that can automatically control the motor to bring the seat into a desired state. Despite the advantages offered by motor drive regulators, packaging is a problem for many seats. In vehicle seats, it is desirable to be able to incorporate a number of elements into the seat, such as adjustable side supports in combination with seat cushion length adjustments, to provide various comfort features. The size and weight of the motor used in conventional seat adjusters may add to the size and weight of the seat. Also, conventional motor drive adjusters are complex to install and may not be able to be configured to easily adapt the features of the adjuster to various customer needs. The resulting workload increases the cost of the seat. Conventional adjustment device constructions based on fairly rigid and rugged linear actuators can also be susceptible to failure under the loads that occur when sitting on a vehicle seat or the like.

  There is a need in the art for an improved adjustment device for adjusting seat cushion length. In particular, there is a need in the art for a seat cushion length adjustment device having a compact structure. There is a need in the art for a seat cushion length adjustment device that can be easily mounted on a seat, such as a vehicle seat.

  According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a seat cushion length adjusting device and a seat cushion length adjusting method as defined in the independent claims. There is further provided a seat including a seat cushion length adjustment device. The dependent claims define an embodiment.

  A seat cushion length adjusting device according to one embodiment includes a support portion, an adjusting member, and an actuator. The adjustment member is displaceably mounted on the support portion and is configured to be connected to at least a part of the seat cushion. The actuator is connected to the support and the adjustment member. The actuator is configured to displace the adjustment member with respect to the support. The actuator converts the rotational movement of the power drive, a reduction gear having input means and output means coupled to the power drive, and the output means of the reduction gear into a linear displacement between the adjustment member and the support. And a motion converting mechanism.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device can be installed in a compact installation space. The reduction gear acts as a torque increasing gearbox. Thereby, a compact and lightweight electric motor can be used as the electric power drive unit.

The support may be configured to be mounted on the seat bottom surface. The support may be a part of the seat bottom.
The motion conversion mechanism may include a spindle drive. As a result, a linear start for adjusting the seat cushion length can be performed in a compact installation space.

  The spindle drive may include a spindle having an external thread. The spindle drive may include a spindle nut having an internal thread that engages an external thread of the spindle.

The spindle may be a flexible spindle. Thereby, the risk of failure can be reduced while coping with the load that can occur in the seat application.
The spindle may be a flexible spindle that elastically deforms when an axial load less than a 1200 N axial load is applied.

  The spindle includes a core and a helical wire wound around the core to form an external thread. Such spindles provide high durability while providing elastic characteristics under axial and lateral loads.

The core may include a cable formed of a plurality of metal wires. Such spindles provide high durability while providing elastic characteristics under axial and lateral loads.
The spindle may be mounted so that it is fixed against rotation. The spindle may be mounted on the adjusting member so as to be displaceable with respect to the support together with the adjusting member. The spindle nut may be rotatably mounted. The spindle nut may be mounted on the support. The spindle nut may be rotatably supported on a housing of the actuator that houses the power drive and the reduction gear. This results in a compact modular design that is easy to install.

  The spindle nut may be mounted so as to be fixed against rotation. The spindle nut may be mounted on the adjusting member so as to be displaceable with respect to the support together with the adjusting member. The spindle nut may be rotatably mounted. The spindle nut may be mounted on the support. The spindle may be rotatably supported by a housing of the actuator that houses the power driver and the reduction gear. This results in a modular design that can be easily installed.

  When the spindle is rotatably mounted, the spindle may have an overmold integrally formed with the output means of the reduction gear. The output means may be a worm gear of a reduction gear.

When the spindle nut is rotatably mounted, the spindle nut may be formed integrally with the output means of the reduction gear. The output means may be a worm gear of a reduction gear.
Regardless of whether the spindle or spindle nut is rotatably mounted, the spindle may include a stop formed on the spindle. The end stop may be made of plastic. The end stop may have an abutment surface. When the spindle nut or the actuator housing abuts against the abutment surface of the end stop, an end position for the displacement of the adjusting member with respect to the support can be defined. Thereby, the movement amount of the adjustment member with respect to the support portion can be limited cost-effectively.

The end stop may further comprise a mounting function for mounting the spindle.
In the case of a rotatably mounted spindle, the mounting feature may be such that the spindle is rotatably mounted on a support or adjustment member.

  In the case of a spindle mounted to be fixed against rotation, the mounting function is configured to mount the spindle on a support or adjustment member to prevent rotation of the spindle about its long axis. You may. The mounting feature may be configured to pivot or deflect the spindle about an axis transverse to the long axis of the spindle.

  The motion conversion mechanism may include a rack and a pinion drive. The rack and pinion drive may include a pinion coupled to the output means of the reduction gear, and a rack engaged with the pinion. The motion conversion mechanism including the rack and the pinion drive has a simple structure.

The pinion may be rotatably mounted on the support. The rack may be fixed to the adjustment member.
The rack and pinion drive may include an additional pinion coupled to the output means of the reduction gear, and an additional rack engaging the additional pinion.

The rack and the additional rack may be expanded along the direction of displacement of the adjustment member and offset from each other across the direction of displacement.
The pinion and, if provided, the additional pinion may be located in the pinion housing. The rack and, if provided, additional racks, may be configured to extend through the pinion housing.

The reduction gear may include at least one worm reduction gear. The reduction gear may include a two-stage worm reduction gear. The reduction gear may include a first worm that is non-rotatably mounted on the output shaft of the power driver. The reduction gear may include a first worm wheel that engages the first worm. The axis of rotation of the first worm wheel may be transverse to the axis of rotation of the first worm. The reduction gear may include a second worm formed integrally with the first worm wheel, or may be non-rotatably mounted to the first worm wheel. The axis of rotation of the second worm may coincide with the axis of rotation of the first worm wheel. The reduction gear may include a second worm wheel that engages the second worm. The axis of rotation of the second worm wheel may be transverse to the axis of rotation of the second worm. The second worm wheel may form the output means of the reduction gear. The reduction gear provides a compact design while providing a reduction and an increase in torque suitable for adjusting the seat cushion length.

The first worm, the first worm wheel, the second worm, and the second worm wheel may all be rotatably mounted on the actuator housing.
The actuator may include a housing on which the power drive and the reduction gear are mounted. The housing may be rigidly attached to the support.

In the installed state of the seat cushion length adjusting device, the housing of the actuator may be mounted so as to be always stationary with respect to the seat bottom surface of the seat.
The seat cushion length adjustment device may be a modular unit configured to be mounted to the seat bottom surface of the seat. The seat cushion length adjusting device may be configured such that the motion conversion mechanism is not directly mounted on the seat bottom surface.

The seat cushion length adjustment device may be configured such that only the support portion is mounted on the seat bottom surface of the seat using bolts, screws, or other mounting devices.
The seat cushion length adjusting device may include a seat cushion. The adjustment member can be mounted on a portion of the seat cushion to linearly displace the portion of the seat cushion. The seat cushion may be elastically deformed and / or at least a portion of the seat cushion may be displaceable under operation of the seat cushion length adjustment device. The seat cushion can include a woven or non-woven fabric and an elastic cover, which can be a backing material. The backing material may have a major surface. The backing material may be configured to elastically deform when a load is applied in a direction perpendicular to the main surface. The backing material may be configured to elastically deform when a load is applied by the seat cushion length adjustment device in a direction parallel to the main surface. The backing material may be a foam, such as a polyurethane (PU) foam. The backing material may include a fiber cushion that includes thermally activated binding fibers and matrix fibers.

The seat cushion may be configured to be turned upside down when the seat cushion length adjusting device adjusts the seat cushion length.
The seat cushion may form a pocket that houses at least a portion of the adjustment member.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device may include a controller that controls starting of the electric power drive unit. The controller may be a vehicle control unit. The controller may be configured to automatically control the motor to adjust the seat cushion length depending on who among the plurality of authorized drivers sits on the seat. The controller may be configured to automatically identify the driver based on a vehicle authentication factor used by the driver, for example, based on a key or keyless authentication factor used by the driver.

The power driver may be an electric motor.
The direction of rotation of the electric motor may be reversible. Next, the seat cushion length may be selectively increased or decreased by controlling the rotation direction of the motor shaft. This can be done in various ways by reversing the polarity of the power supplied to the electric motor or by supplying a control signal to the electric motor to determine the direction of rotation.

  A vehicle seat according to one embodiment includes a seat having a seat cushion and a seat cushion length adjusting device according to one embodiment. A seat cushion length adjusting device is connected to the seat cushion to adjust the seat cushion length.

  The vehicle seat may be an automobile seat. The vehicle seat may be a truck seat. The vehicle seat may be a public transport seat, such as a bus, train, or aircraft seat.

  The actuator may be mounted on the seat bottom of the vehicle seat. The seat bottom can support both the seat cushion length adjustment device and the seat cushion. At least the power driver and the reduction gear of the seat cushion length adjusting device can be arranged between the seat bottom surface and the seat cushion. Further, the electric power drive unit and the reduction gear may be installed so that both the seat bottom surface and the adjustment member are interposed between the electric power drive unit and the seat cushion.

The seat cushion length adjusting device may be configured to displace the adjusting member with respect to the seat bottom surface.
The vehicle seat may have a backrest.

  According to another embodiment, a method for adjusting a seat cushion length is provided. An actuator comprising a power drive, a reduction gear having input means and output means coupled to the power drive, and a motion conversion mechanism for converting rotational motion of the output means of the reduction gear into linear motion. It is adjusted using. At least a portion of the seat cushion and the motion conversion mechanism are connected to an adjustment member displaceably mounted on the support. The method comprises actuating a power driver of the actuator to displace the adjustment member relative to the support.

The other features of the method and the effects obtained by each may correspond to the features described with reference to the seat cushion length adjustment device and the vehicle seat according to the embodiment.
The method can be performed using a seat cushion length adjustment device according to any of the various embodiments described herein.

  According to another embodiment, a method is provided for mounting a seat cushion length adjustment device according to one embodiment on a seat. The method comprises mounting a housing that houses the power driver and a reduction gear in a seat bottom or seat structural member.

The method may include arranging the support portion in a concave portion formed on the seat bottom surface and fixing the support portion to the seat bottom surface.
Devices and methods according to various embodiments can be utilized to adjust the seat cushion length. Devices and methods according to various embodiments can be used to adjust the seat cushion length of a vehicle seat, particularly a motor vehicle seat.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sheet according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the sheet of FIG. 1. The perspective view of the seat cushion length adjustment device concerning one embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partial view of the seat cushion length adjusting device in FIG. 3. The figure which shows the seat cushion length adjustment apparatus of FIG. 3 in a mounting state. The perspective view of the seat cushion length adjustment device concerning another embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partial view of the seat cushion length adjusting device in FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a partial view of the seat cushion length adjusting device in FIG. 6. The perspective view of the seat cushion length adjustment device concerning another embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partial view of the seat cushion length adjusting device in FIG. 9. The perspective view of the seat cushion length adjustment device concerning one embodiment. FIG. 12 is a partial view of the seat cushion length adjusting device in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a partial view of the seat cushion length adjusting device in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a partial view of an actuator for the seat cushion length adjusting device in FIG. 11.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Although some embodiments are described in a particular application such as a motor vehicle seat, the embodiments are not limited to this application. The features of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, unless otherwise noted. In the drawings, like reference numbers refer to like components.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle seat 1 according to one embodiment. The vehicle seat 1 may be configured as an automobile seat or another self-propelled vehicle seat.
Generally, the vehicle seat 1 includes a seat 2 and a backrest 9. Sheet 2 may include structural members that provide structural stability to sheet 2. The structural member may be the seat bottom 3 and / or the seat frame. The seat 2 includes a seat cushion. The seat cushion may have a cover 5. Cover 5 may be woven or non-woven. The seat cushion may include an elastic backing 4 that enhances comfort. The elastic backing 4 may be a chair upholstery material. The elastic backing 4 may, for example, consist of a foam or fibrous material or may comprise a foam or fibrous material. When the seat cushion length adjusting device increases or decreases the seat cushion length, the cover 5 can be turned upside down. When adjusting the seat cushion length, the elastic backing 4 can be elastically deformed and / or at least a part of the elastic backing 4 can be displaced with respect to the cover 5.

  The vehicle seat 1 includes a seat cushion length adjusting device connected to the seat cushion to adjust the seat cushion length. The seat cushion length adjusting device is installed in a gap defined in the seat 2 and is operable to change the outer shape of the vehicle seat 1 by reversibly changing the seat cushion length. The length of the seat cushion on which the seat occupant's thighs ride can thereby be adjusted.

  The seat cushion length can be adjusted in various ways using a seat cushion length adjustment device. For example, the cover 5 and the elastic backing 4 may be elastically deformed under the operation of the seat cushion length adjusting device. Alternatively or additionally, the elastic backing 4 may be placed in the seat under the action of the seat cushion length adjusting device. Alternatively or additionally, the elastic backing 4 may comprise at least two mutually displaceable parts, wherein the seat cushion length adjusting device 4 is provided with an elasticity against one of the parts of the elastic backing 4. You may comprise so that the other of the parts of the backing material 4 may be displaced. The seat cushion length adjusting device may be configured to adjust a distance between opposed edges of the seat cushion.

  As will be described in more detail below, the seat cushion length adjustment device generally includes a support portion 11 and an adjustment member 12 that is displaceable with respect to the support portion 11. The adjustment member 12 may be mounted on the support 11 so as to be displaceable so as to move in parallel with the support 11. The support portion 11 may be a part of the seat bottom surface 3, may be formed integrally with the seat bottom surface 11, or may be fixed to the seat bottom surface 3 by bolts, screws, or other mounting techniques.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device includes a power driver and a reduction gear assembly 20. The electric power drive unit and the reduction gear may be housed in a housing that can be fixed to the support unit 11 or formed integrally with the support unit 11. The power driver may be an electric motor. The power driver may be a rotary motor, which has a motor shaft extending from the motor as an output shaft. The reduction gear may have input means connected to the motor shaft and output means. The reduction gear can provide a reduction, eg, a reduction in the angular velocity of the output means relative to the angular velocity of the input means, and an increase in torque.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device includes a rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism 21. The motion conversion mechanism 21 is operable to convert the rotational motion of the output means of the reduction gear into a translational displacement of the adjustment member 12. The motion conversion mechanism 21 can have any structure among various structures. The motion conversion mechanism 21 may include a spindle drive having a spindle and a spindle nut screw-engaged with the spindle. The motion conversion mechanism 21 may include a rack and a pinion drive.

  The adjustment member 12 is connected to the seat cushion. Any of various connection mechanisms can be used. A front portion of the adjustment member 12 may be housed in a pocket defined by the seat cushion, and may be provided with a connection structure 13 for connecting the adjustment member 12 to a front end of the seat cushion. Alternatively or additionally, the adjustment member 12 may be attached to the seat cushion using one or more mounting techniques to form the connecting structure 13, for example, by bolts, screws, rivets, adhesives, welding, or other techniques. It may be attached to the front part.

  When the electric power drive of the seat cushion length adjusting device is started, the adjusting member 12 is displaced with respect to the support 11. The adjustment member 12 is displaced with respect to the rear end of the seat 2 and / or the backrest 9. In the case of the vehicle seat 1 installed in the vehicle, while the adjusting member 12 is displaced with respect to the seat bottom surface, for example, even if the electric power drive unit of the seat cushion length adjusting device is started, the seat bottom surface is, No displacement.

  By starting the electric power drive of the seat cushion length adjusting device, the seat cushion length may be changed by increment or decrement 8 according to the rotation direction of the motor shaft. By controlling the electric power drive unit so that the motor shaft rotates in the first direction, the seat cushion length can be increased by 8 increments as shown in FIG. The seat cushion length may be reduced by operating the power driver to rotate the motor shaft in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Thereby, the shape of the seat 2, especially the seat cushion length, can be adjusted to correspond to various occupant sizes, and various thigh lengths and sitting postures.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electric drive of the seat cushion length adjusting device may be started to displace the front end of the seat cushion forward by a distance 8. The seat cushion length and the contour of the seat 2 can thereby be changed. When the power drive is started such that the output means shaft of the power drive rotates in the opposite direction, the front end of the seat cushion may be displaced rearward under operation of the seat cushion length adjustment device.

  The controller 7 may control the operation of the actuator. The controller 7 may be connected to the actuator through an electrical connection. The controller 7 may control the activation of the actuator by controlling the voltage applied to the electrical connection. The controller 7 may control the polarity of the voltage supplied to the electric motor. Control can be performed in various ways. A user interface 6 coupled to the controller 7 may be provided so that the user can adjust the seat cushion length under the control of the user's movement. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 7 may automatically control the actuator so that when a specific driver is recognized, the seat cushion length is set to an appropriate value for each driver. An appropriate seat cushion length is automatically specified based on the identifier stored in the vehicle authentication element (vehicle key or corresponding key-shaped element) and a reference table storing the seat cushion length for various identifiers. be able to. The controller 7 may automatically set the configuration of the seat cushion length by activating the actuator when the identifier is read from the vehicle authentication element on demand. The controller 7 may include a memory for storing the current position of the actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 7 may automatically control the actuator in response to a critical event such as a collision.

  The structure of the seat cushion length adjusting device according to the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The seat cushion length adjusting device can be used in the vehicle seat 1 according to one embodiment.

  Generally, the actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device includes a power driver and a reduction gear. The reduction gear has output means for driving the rotary-linear motion conversion mechanism. The reduction gear may be a self-locking gear. Alternatively or additionally, the rotary-to-linear motion conversion mechanism may be self-locking. Thereby, even if the electric power drive unit is not started, the seat cushion length can be reliably maintained at the set position.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 according to one embodiment. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 is a modular unit that can be manufactured in advance and installed on the seat bottom surface 3 as a single unit. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 may be configured so that only the support portion 11 must be fixed to the seat bottom surface 3, but other parts of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 and the seat bottom surface 3 are connected. You don't have to.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 includes a support portion 11. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 includes an adjusting member 12 that is displaceably supported by a support portion 11. Guide features 14-17 may be provided on the support 11 and / or the adjustment member 12 to guide a linear translational displacement of the adjustment member 12 relative to the support 11. For example, the adjustment member 12 can be guided on the support 11 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction on the support 11. The support part 11 may have protrusions 14 and 16 slidably received in the fitting recesses 15 and 17 of the adjustment member 12. Alternatively or additionally, the support 11 may have a recess for slidably receiving the fitting projection of the adjustment member 12. The projections 14, 16 and the recesses 15, 17 may extend in a direction corresponding to the front-back direction of the seat. The direction in which the guide function extends can define a displacement direction in which the adjustment member 12 is displaced, and that direction corresponds to the adjustment direction of the seat cushion length.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 includes a housing 30 that accommodates a power driver 31. The reduction gear that connects the motor shaft of the power driver 31 and the motion conversion mechanism may be housed in the housing 30. The reduction gear can have any structure among various structures. The reduction gear may be a worm reduction gear. As described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4, the reduction gear may be a two-stage worm reduction gear. The reduction gear may have two or more reduction stages.

  The motion conversion mechanism of the seat cushion length adjustment device 10 is operable to convert the rotation of the output means of the reduction gear into a linear displacement of the adjustment member 12 with respect to the support 11. The motion conversion mechanism may be, for example, a spindle drive. The spindle drive includes a spindle 41 and a spindle nut 42 that is in threaded engagement with the spindle 41. The spindle 41 and the spindle nut 42 may have a long axis. One of the spindle 41 and the spindle nut 42 may be mounted so as to be rotatable about the long axis of the spindle 41. The other of the spindle 41 and the spindle nut 42 may be mounted so that it cannot rotate around the long axis of the spindle 41.

  In the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIG. 3, the spindle 41 is mounted so that the spindle 41 does not rotate. The spindle 41 is mounted on the adjusting member 12 so as to prevent the spindle 41 from rotating around the long axis. It is understood that the torsion causes the spindle 41 to flex to some extent. However, usually, the spindle 41 is fixed to the adjustment member 12 so that it cannot perform a complete rotation about the long axis.

  The spindle nut 42 is rotatably mounted on the housing 30. The spindle nut 42 is rotatable with respect to the support 11. When the spindle nut 42 is rotated, the spindle 41 is displaced with respect to the housing 30. When the spindle 41 is mounted on the adjustment member 12, the adjustment member 12 slides along the support portion 11 as the spindle 41 is displaced through the spindle nut 42 by the rotation of the spindle nut 42.

  The spindle 41 can be mounted in various ways. In the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIG. 3, the spindle 41 has an end stop 43 having a mounting function housed in the fitting and mounting function 44 of the adjustment member 12. The mounting feature formed on the end stop 43 extends across the longitudinal axis of the spindle 41 and pivots the end stop 43 within the adjustment feature 44 of the adjustment member 12 by deflecting the spindle under load. May be included.

  Further, the end stopper 43 may be configured to restrict the movement of the adjustment member 12 with respect to the support portion 11. The end stop 43 may have a contact surface. The linear displacement of the adjustment member 12 with respect to the support 11 may be stopped by bringing the support 11 or the housing 30 into contact with the contact surface of the end stop 43.

The end stop 43 may be made of plastic. The end stopper 43 may be formed at an end of the spindle 41. The end stopper 43 may be formed by, for example, injection molding.
The opposite end of the spindle 41 may be mounted on the adjustment member 12. The spindle 41 has another end stop 45 having a mounting function housed in the fitting mounting function 46 of the adjustment member 12. The mounting function formed on the other end 45 extends transversely to the long axis of the spindle 41 and deflects the spindle under load so that the other end 45 May be included. The other end stop 45 may be configured to limit the amount of movement of the adjustment member 12 with respect to the support portion 11. The other end stop 45 may have a contact surface. The support portion 11 or the housing 30 may be brought into contact with the contact surface of the other end stop 45 to stop the linear displacement of the adjustment member 12 with respect to the support portion 11.

  The other end stop 45 may be made of plastic. The other end stop 45 may be formed at the other end of the spindle 41. The other end stopper 45 may be formed by, for example, injection molding. The end stop 43 and the other end stop 45 may be formed on the spindle 41 by the same injection molding process.

The distance between the end stop 43 and the other end stop 45 can define the path of travel of the adjustment member 12 relative to the support 11. Therefore, the maximum change amount of the seat cushion length can be easily adapted to various customer needs. For example, the length of the length and the other end stop 45 of the end stop 43, in accordance with the moving distance required by a particular customer, and set in the overmolding process, between the adjusting member 12 and the support portion 11 Various maximum displacement amounts can be determined.

  When the motor shaft of the electric power drive unit is rotated during the operation of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10, the spindle nut 42 is rotated. The adjustment member 12 on which the spindle 41 is mounted is linearly displaced with respect to the support 11. The connection structure 13 of the adjustment member 12 mounted on the seat cushion or otherwise connected is displaced to change the seat cushion length.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10. The structure of the actuator will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
Housing 30 includes a recess for accommodating a power driver 31 configured as an electric motor. The housing 30 may define an opening through which the connector 39 of the motor projects. The connector 39 may be a connector brace that is reversibly detachable from the power driver 31 and / or can be attached to the power driver 31 by pressing the connector 39 against the power driver 31. . This makes it easier to connect the power driver 31 to, for example, various board networks.

The housing includes at least one additional recess rotatably supporting at least one gear of the reduction gear. In the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIG. 4, the reduction gear is implemented as a two-stage worm reduction gear. The reduction gear may include a first worm 32 that is non-rotatably mounted on the output shaft of the power drive unit 31. The reduction gear may include a first worm wheel 33 that fits with the first worm 32. The rotation axis of the first worm wheel 33 may cross the rotation axis of the first worm 32. The reduction gear may include a second worm 34 formed integrally with the first worm wheel 33 or otherwise non-rotatably mounted on the first worm wheel 34. The rotation axis of the second worm 34 may coincide with the rotation axis of the first worm wheel 33. The reduction gear may include a second worm wheel 35 in meshing engagement with a second worm 34. The rotation axis of the second worm wheel 35 may cross the rotation axis of the second worm 34. The second worm wheel 35 can form output means of a reduction gear. The reduction gear provides reduced speed and increased torque suitable for adjusting the seat cushion length, while using a compact design power driver. The reduction gear can provide self-locking.

The output means of the reduction gear, which may be the second worm wheel 35, may be non-rotatably connected to the spindle nut 42. The spindle nut 42 and the second worm wheel 35 may be formed integrally. The spindle nut 42 and the second worm wheel 35 may be integrally formed from a plastic material. The spindle nut 42 has a female screw having the same pitch as the male screw of the spindle 41.

  The spindle 41 may be flexible. The spindle 41 may be a flexible shaft or a flex shaft provided with external threads. The flexible spindle may have a metal core 47 with a cable containing one or more metal wires. The flexible shaft may have external threads. The flexible shaft may have a metal spiral wire 48 on the outer surface forming an external thread. Other embodiments can be used. For example, a rigid spindle can be used as described in more detail below. The spindle 41 may be configured to elastically deform when an axial load of less than 1200 N is applied.

  The spindle 41, which provides flexibility to deviate under a load applied perpendicular to the long axis of the spindle 41, improves the durability of the seat cushion length adjustment device 10 and reduces the risk of breakage under load conditions.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 is a modular unit that is manufactured in advance and can be mounted on a seat by mounting the support portion 11 to the seat bottom surface 3 by, for example, screws, bolts, rivets, or other mounting techniques. Be composed.

  FIG. 5 shows the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 mounted on the seat bottom surface 3. The seat bottom surface 3 has a concave portion in which at least the support portion 11 of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 can be arranged. The support portion 11 may be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3 with screws or bolts 51. The upper surface of the seat bottom surface 3 may have a notch in which the adjustment member 12 can be arranged. When the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 is started, the adjusting member 12 slides on the support portion 11 so as to effectively expand the upper surface of the seat bottom surface 3.

  It is understood that the seat cushion length adjustment device 10 configured as a modular unit can be installed with a moderate workload. For example, only a single component such as the support portion 11 needs to be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3 or another structural member of the seat 2. For example, it is not necessary to separately mount the spindle 41 or the spindle nut 42 on the seat bottom surface 3.

  Various modifications of the seat cushion length adjustment device 10 described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 can be implemented in other embodiments. For example, the spindle 41 may be mounted on the adjustment member only at one end, and the other end may be a free end. The spindle 41 may be formed as a rigid spindle. The support portion 11 of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 may include the seat bottom surface 3 and the housing 30 may be directly mounted on the seat bottom surface 3. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIGS. 3 to 5 includes a spindle rotatably fixed and a rotatable spindle nut. In other structures, the rotatable spindle and the rotatable spindle are fixed. A spindle nut.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a seat cushion length adjusting device 10 according to another embodiment. Components or features corresponding to those described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 may be manufactured in advance and configured as a modular unit that can be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3 as one unit. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 may be configured so that only the support portion 11 must be fixed to the seat bottom surface 3.

  The seat cushion length adjustment device 10 includes a support portion 11 and an adjustment member 12 supported by the support portion 11 so as to be displaceable. The guide functions 14 to 17 may be realized by the ledges 15 and 17 on the adjustment member 12 and the fitting guide surfaces 14 and 16 on the support portion 11. For example, the ledges 15 and 17 may be guided on the outer peripheral surfaces 14 and 16 of the support 11.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 includes an actuator. The actuator includes a power drive unit and a reduction gear that can be configured as described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, for example.

  The actuator of the seat cushion length adjustment device 10 further includes a motion conversion mechanism operable to convert the rotation of the output means of the reduction gear into a linear displacement of the adjustment member 12 with respect to the support 11. The motion conversion mechanism may be a spindle drive. The spindle drive includes a spindle 61 and a spindle nut 62 that is in threaded engagement with the spindle 61. The spindle 61 and the spindle nut 62 may have a long axis. The spindle 61 may be mounted so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis. The spindle nut 62 may be mounted so that it cannot rotate around the long axis of the spindle 61.

  In the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIG. 5, the spindle 61 is mounted so as to be rotatable. The spindle 61 may have an end rotatably supported on the support 11. The spindle 61 may have an end stop 63 including a mounting function rotatably housed in the fitting mounting function 64 of the support portion 11. As will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 8, the opposite end of the spindle 61 can be rotatably supported by the housing 30.

The end stop 63 may be configured to limit the movement of the adjustment member 12 with respect to the support portion 11. The end stop 63 may have a contact surface. The linear displacement of the adjustment member 12 with respect to the support 11 may be stopped by bringing the protrusion 65 of the adjustment member 12 into contact with the contact surface of the end stop 63.
The end stop 63 may be made of plastic. The end stop 63 may be formed at the end of the spindle 61. The end stopper 63 may be formed by, for example, injection molding.

  The spindle nut 62 is mounted on the adjusting member 12 so as to prevent the spindle nut 62 from rotating around the long axis of the spindle 61. The spindle nut 62 may be housed in the protrusion 65 of the adjustment member 12. The protrusion 65 may project from the adjustment member 12 through the opening 66 of the support 11. The protrusion 65 can be formed so as to allow the spindle 61 to pass therethrough. The spindle nut 62 may be formed as a separate element inserted into the protrusion 65 for easy installation, but the spindle nut 62 and the protrusion 65 may be formed integrally.

  When the spindle 61 is rotated, the spindle nut 62 is displaced with respect to the housing 30 along the long axis of the spindle 61. When the spindle nut 62 is mounted on the adjustment member 12, the adjustment member 12 slides along the support 11 as the spindle nut 62 is displaced along the spindle 61 by the rotation of the spindle 61.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of an actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of an actuator used in the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIG. 6 showing a reduction gear.

  The actuator reduction gear may include at least one worm reduction gear. The reduction gear may include a two-stage worm reduction gear as described with reference to FIG. Alternatively, a reduction gear having one reduction stage or at least three reduction stages may be used.

The output means of the reduction gear may be formed by, for example, the second worm wheel 35. The output means of the reduction gear may be formed on the outer surface of the sleeve 69. The sleeve 69 may be provided at the other end of the spindle 61 so as not to rotate . The sleeve 69 may be formed at the other end of the spindle 61. Sleeve 69 may be made of a plastic material. The sleeve 69 may be formed at the other end of the spindle 61 by injection molding. The sleeve 69 forming the second worm wheel 35 and the end stop 63 may be formed on the spindle 61 by the same injection molding process.

  The spindle 61 may be configured in the same manner as the spindle 41. The spindle 61 may be a flexible spindle. The spindle 61 may have a core 67 formed of one or several metal wires, and a spiral wire 68 wound around the core 67. The spindle 61 may be configured to elastically deform when an axial load of less than 1200 N is applied. Spindle 61 may be a rigid spindle.

  The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 may be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 may be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3 as a modular unit, and only the support portion 11 is fixed to the seat bottom surface with screws or bolts. The support portion 11 may be a part of the seat bottom surface 3. In this case, the actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 may be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3 in a two-stage process. The protrusion 65 of the adjustment member 12 passes through the opening 66 on the seat bottom surface, and the spindle nut 62 is mounted on the protrusion 65. The housing 30 may be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3.

  Regardless of whether the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 is a modular unit that can be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3 by mounting the support portion 11 on the seat bottom surface, or whether other mounting technologies are used, At least a part of the length adjusting device 10 may be arranged in a concave portion of the seat bottom surface 3.

  9 and 10 show a seat cushion length adjusting device 10 according to another embodiment. In the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIGS. 9 and 10, the actuator includes a power drive unit and a reduction gear that can be configured as described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8. The motion conversion mechanism that converts the rotation of the output means of the reduction gear into a linear displacement of the adjustment member 12 with respect to the support portion 11 may be a spindle drive including a spindle 71 and a spindle nut 72. Similarly to the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIGS. 6 to 8, the spindle nut 72 may be mounted on the adjusting member 12 so as to be fixed against rotation with respect to the long axis of the spindle 71.

  The spindle 71 is rotatably mounted. The spindle 71 has a free end. The spindle 71 may be formed as a rigid spindle. The spindle 71 may be formed from an integral material such as a screw bolt. The other end of the spindle 71 opposite the free end may have an overmold sleeve 69 as described with reference to FIG.

  9 and 10, when the motor shaft of the electric power drive unit 31 is rotated, the spindle 71 rotates. The spindle nut 72 is arranged along the long axis of the spindle 71.

  9 and 10 may be formed by a part of the seat bottom surface. The seat bottom surface may have a recess in which the adjustment member 12 is slidably received. The sides 14, 16 of the recess may serve as guides for the sides 15, 17 of the adjustment member 12. The opening 66 in the seat bottom surface may extend along the spindle 71. The protrusion 65 of the adjustment member 12 protrudes through the opening 66 and can fix the spindle nut 72 so as not to rotate.

  The actuator may be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3. The actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 can be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3 in a two-stage process. The protrusion 65 of the adjustment member 12 passes through the opening 66 on the seat bottom surface, and the spindle nut 62 is mounted on the protrusion 65. Housing 30 may be mounted to seat bottom surface 3 using bolts, screws 51, or other fastening techniques.

  The rotary-to-linear motion conversion mechanism need not be implemented as a spindle drive, but may be any one of a wide variety of other embodiments. For example, rack and pinion drive may be used as described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a seat cushion length adjusting device 10 according to another embodiment. 12 and 13 are partial detailed views of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10. FIG. 14 is a partial detailed view of an actuator that can be used in the seat cushion length adjusting device 10. The seat cushion length adjustment device 10 includes a support portion 11 that is configured to be mounted on the seat bottom surface 3 or that can include a part of the seat bottom surface 3. The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 includes an adjusting member 12 having a connecting portion 13 that connects the adjusting member 12 to a front end of the seat cushion.

The seat cushion length adjusting device 10 includes an actuator having a power driver 31 disposed in the housing 80. The housing may be mounted on the support 11. The actuator includes a reduction gear. The output means of the reduction gear drives the pinion 93. The pinion 93 may be arranged in the pinion housing 83. The pinion 93 may be mounted on the shaft 90 or may be formed integrally with the shaft. The pinion 93 has outer teeth that engage the rack 91. The rack 91 may be mounted on the adjustment member 12. The shaft 90 may be non-rotatably coupled to the output means of the reduction gear, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG.

  The rack and pinion drive may include an additional rack 92 and an additional pinion 94 that engages the additional rack 92. An additional rack 92 may be mounted on the adjustment member 12. The rack 91 and the additional rack 92 may be parallel to each other. The rack 91 and the additional rack 92 may be mutually offset in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rack 91 and the additional rack 92. The additional pinion 94 may be located on an additional pinion housing 84, which may be formed integrally with the housing 82. The pinion 93 and the additional pinion 94 may have a distance greater than the largest dimension of the housing 80 including the power drive and the reduction gear.

  When the motor shaft of the electric power drive unit 31 is rotated during the operation of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10, the shaft 90 is rotated. The rotation of the pinion 91 and the additional pinion 93 together with the shaft 90 causes the rack 91 and the additional rack 92 to be linearly displaced. The adjustment member 12 for mounting the rack 91 and the additional rack 92 moves with respect to the support 11.

FIG. 14 is a partial plan view of an actuator that can be used in the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIG. The actuator includes a power driver 31 disposed on the housing 80. The actuator includes a reduction gear. The reduction gear may have at least one worm reduction gear. The reduction gear may be a two-stage worm reduction gear configured as detailed with reference to FIG. The output means of the reduction gear, which can be formed by the second worm wheel 35, is non-rotatably connected to the shaft 90. The second worm wheel 35 may be formed integrally with the central portion 95 of the shaft 90. The second worm wheel 35 may be formed on a sleeve 95 that can be formed on the shaft 90. The part 95 with the second worm wheel 35 may be made of plastic, for example by injection molding.

  Various embodiments of the seat cushion length adjusting device 10 of FIGS. 11 to 14 can be implemented in other embodiments. For example, a rack and pinion drive may have a single rack and a single pinion that engages the rack. The rack and pinion drive may have more than one rack and more than one pinion engaged with the rack.

  According to embodiments, the seat cushion length is adjusted using an actuator contained within the seat. The actuator may have a reduction gear having at least two reduction stages, such as a first worm reduction gear and a second worm reduction gear. The rotary motion is converted to linear motion using a spindle drive, rack and pinion drive, or another rotary-linear motion conversion mechanism.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, various embodiments can be implemented by other embodiments. For example, although an actuator in which a two-stage worm reduction gear is connected between a rotary motor shaft of an electric motor and a rotation-linear motion conversion mechanism has been described, in other embodiments, a single reduction gear or three or more reduction gears are used. May be provided. In other embodiments, another reduction gear may be provided.

  In each of the various embodiments, the seat cushion length adjusting device can be used to displace the front end of the seat cushion in the front-rear direction, but the seat cushion length adjusting device can be connected to the rear end of the seat cushion. Thus, for example, the length may be changed at the rear end of the seat cushion. The seat cushion length adjustment device may be connected to at least one side of the seat cushion to change the length on the side.

The adjustment mechanism of the embodiment may be combined with another mechanism arranged in the seat. For example, an adjustable side bolster or ventilation mechanism may be incorporated into the seat.
Although the actuator of the seat cushion length adjusting device can be mounted on the bottom surface of the vehicle seat, the actuator may be mounted on any other structural element of the vehicle seat.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the actuator is mounted to provide the electric power drive unit and the reduction gear so that the adjustment member is kept stationary with respect to the seat frame while moving with respect to the seat frame. However, in other embodiments, other structures can be used. Specifically, the housing accommodating the power driver and the reduction gear may be mounted on the adjusting member so as to be displaced with respect to the seat frame together with the adjusting member. In this case, a rotatably fixed element or a rack of a spindle drive and a rack driven by a pinion are provided on the support portion to keep a stationary state.

  It is understood that various technical effects can be obtained using the seat cushion length adjusting device and method of the embodiment. The actuator has, for example, a compact structure that can be integrated into the gap of a small dimension sheet. The reduction gear allows the use of a small electric motor. A lightweight and inexpensive structure can be realized.

  The seat cushion length adjustment device of some embodiments provides a modular structure that allows the seat cushion length adjustment device to be easily incorporated into a seat. The actuator can be easily adapted to various adjustment speeds and forces. For example, the reduction gear between the motor output shaft and the spindle reduction gear can be adjusted according to customer needs. Alternatively or additionally, the adjustment travel can be adapted. This can be easily accomplished by properly positioning the end stop on the actuator spindle.

  Although exemplary embodiments have been described with respect to vehicle seats, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to such specific applications. Rather, embodiments of the present invention can be effectively employed to adjust seat cushion length in a wide variety of seats.

Claims (9)

An apparatus (10) which is arranged on the seat bottom surface (3) of the seat cushion (4, 5) and moves the seat cushion (4, 5) in the front-rear direction to adjust the length of the seat cushion (4, 5). )
A support portion (11) provided on the seat bottom surface (3);
An adjustment member (12) movably mounted on the support portion (11) and slidably mounted on the seat bottom surface (3);
An actuator coupled to the support (11) and the adjustment member (12), the actuator being configured to displace the adjustment member (12) with respect to the support (11);
A power driver (31);
Reduction gears (32-35) having input means (32) coupled to said power driver (31) and output means (35);
The device (10) is provided at a substantially central portion in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction, and controls the rotational movement of the output means (35) of the reduction gears (32 to 35) by the adjusting member (12) and the support. A motion conversion mechanism (21, 41, 42) for converting to a linear displacement between the portion (11) and
The motion conversion mechanism (21, 41, 42) includes a spindle drive (21, 41, 42), and the spindle drive (21, 41, 42) extends in the front-rear direction and has a flexible spindle. and (41), and a spindle nut (42) having an internal thread of the male screw and engagement of the spindle (41),
In the spindle (41) at one end, while being mounted against the adjustment member (12) by one end stop (43), at the other end, against the adjusting member (12) by the other end stop (45) The maximum displacement between the adjustment member (12) and the support (11) is determined based on the length of the one end (43) and the length of the other end (45). A device that determines the maximum amount of change in the length of the seat cushion.   The device for adjusting the length of a seat cushion according to claim 1, wherein the spindle (41) is non-rotatably fixed with respect to the adjusting member (12). The spindle nut (42) is mounted rotatably in the spindle (41), and, according to claim 1 or 2 is non-rotatably coupled to the output means of the speed reduction gear (32-35) (35) A device to adjust the length of the seat cushion. Said reduction gear (32 to 35) is to adjust the length of the seat cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 3 comprising at least one of the worm reduction gear device. The actuator comprises a housing (30) on which the power driver (31) and the reduction gears (32-35) are mounted, wherein the housing (30) is rigidly attached to the support (11). Item 5. An apparatus for adjusting the length of a seat cushion according to any one of Items 1 to 4 . The device for adjusting the length of a seat cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the spindle (41) is formed of metal, and the both end stops (43, 45) are formed of plastic. Ends stop (43, 45) is an apparatus for adjusting the length of the seat cushion of claim 1 to 6 is molded to the spindle (4 1). The length of the seat cushion according to either end stop (43, 45) to any one of claims 1 to 7 comprising a mounting feature for attaching the spindle (4 1) to the rotating non ability for the regulatory member (12) A device that adjusts the height. Said support (11) is an apparatus for adjusting the length of the seat cushion according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is integrally mounted to the seat pan (3).