JP6973171B2 - Vehicle seat reclining device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat reclining device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle seat reclining device for adjusting the tilt angle of the seat back.

Conventionally, as a seat reclining device for a vehicle, a device provided with a stepped lock mechanism capable of adjusting the backrest angle of the seat back at a constant pitch angle is known (Patent Document 1). The vehicle seat reclining device described above is configured as a joint device for connecting the seat back to a state in which the backrest angle can be adjusted with respect to the seat cushion. Specifically, the vehicle seat reclining device described above includes a ratchet and a guide made of substantially disk-shaped metal members assembled so as to be able to rotate relative to each other, a lock mechanism for locking these relative rotations, and a ratchet. It is configured to include an outer peripheral ring that is mounted across the outer peripheral portion between the guide and the guide and holds them in an axially assembled state.

The lock mechanism described above has a configuration in which a plurality of poles set on the guide described above are pressed against the inner peripheral teeth formed on the outer peripheral portion of the ratchet and meshed with each other to lock the relative rotation between the ratchet and the guide. Has been done. Specifically, each of the poles described above is engaged with the ratchet in a form of being pushed out from the inside in the radial direction by turning the cam set in the center of the guide by the urging of the lock spring. In addition, each of the poles described above is pulled inward in the radial direction and disengaged from the meshed state with the ratchet by turning the cam described above in the opposite direction against the urging of the lock spring. There is.

International Publication No. 2016/129423

In the above-mentioned conventional technique, since the cam is set in a shape having play in the radial direction so that the cam can rotate smoothly with respect to the guide, when the cam is rotated in a direction resisting the urging of the lock spring, The cam may be displaced in the radial direction due to the urging force acting in the eccentric direction of the lock spring, and the pulling operation of each pole may not be performed properly. The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is to counteract the urging force of the lock spring with the cam that unlocks the vehicle seat reclining device. The purpose is to suppress the radial deviation during the rotation operation.

In order to solve the above problems, the vehicle seat reclining device of the present invention takes the following means.

The first invention is a vehicle seat reclining device, which is a ratchet and a guide assembled axially so as to be able to rotate relative to each other, and a lock mechanism provided between the ratchet and the guide to lock the relative rotation. It also has an outer peripheral ring that is mounted across the outer peripheral portion of the ratchet and the guide and holds them in an axially assembled state. The lock mechanism is supported in the circumferential direction by the guide and is pressed outward in the radial direction. The movement engages with the ratchet to lock the relative rotation between the ratchet and the guide, and the pole is pressed from the inside in the radial direction. It has a cam that meshes with the ratchet and a lock spring that urges the cam in the rotational direction to lock the pole with respect to the guide. The guide has outer peripheral support portions that support the cam from the outside in the radial direction at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction. Of the plurality of outer peripheral side support portions, the first outer peripheral side support portion and the cam located in a specific peripheral region where the cam is pressed outward in the radial direction by the urging action of the lock spring at the mounting portion with the lock spring. It has a contact structure that restricts the outward movement of the cam in the radial direction between the cams, and the diameter of the cam between the second outer peripheral side support portion located in the circumferential region deviating from the specific circumferential region and the cam. It has a gap that allows outward movement in the direction.

According to the first invention, the contact structure formed between the cam and the first outer peripheral side support portion of the guide causes the cam to rotate against the urging force of the lock spring in the radial direction. It is possible to suppress the deviation of the pole and properly perform the unlocking operation of the pole.

The second invention has the following configuration in the first invention described above. The guide has a first outer peripheral side support portion at two positions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. The cam has a mounting portion with the lock spring at a circumferential position between the first outer peripheral side support portions set at the above two positions.

According to the second invention, the displacement of the cam to the outside in the radial direction can be suppressed more stably by the two-point support by the first outer peripheral side support portions located at two points in the circumferential direction of the guide. ..

The third invention has the following configuration in the first or second invention described above. The attachment portion of the cam to the lock spring is a protrusion on which the lock spring is hooked, which is formed so as to project axially from the cam.

According to the third invention, since the cam is always affected by the urging force from the lock spring at the mounting portion, it becomes easy to manage the circumferential position where the cam is pressed outward in the radial direction.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle seat to which the vehicle seat reclining device of the first embodiment is applied. It is an exploded perspective view of the main part of FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2 as viewed from the opposite side. It is an exploded perspective view of the seat reclining device for a vehicle. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 4 as viewed from the opposite side. It is an outside view of the seat reclining device for a vehicle. It is an inside side view of the seat reclining device for a vehicle. It is a front side view of the seat reclining device for a vehicle. FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 8 showing a locked state of a vehicle seat reclining device. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 10 which showed the unlocked state of the seat reclining apparatus for a vehicle. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ratchet is turned to the free region from FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the locking operation of the vehicle seat reclining device is prevented from FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ratchet is rotated to the end position of the free region from FIG. It is an enlarged view of the XV part of FIG. It is sectional drawing which showed the state which the rotary cam is pressed against a guide wall by urging. It is sectional drawing which showed the change of the lock operation of each pole with the change of the rotation position of a ratchet separately for the cases (a) to (d). It is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the riding protrusion of each pole and the protrusion of the ratchet in FIGS. 17A to 17D. It is an outside view of each pole. It is an inside side view of each pole.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<< ● About the outline configuration of the seat reclining device 4 >>
First, the configuration of the seat reclining device (seat reclining device for vehicles) 4 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20. In the following description, when each direction such as front-back, up-down, left-right, etc. is shown, it means each direction shown in each figure. Further, when the term "seat width direction" is used, it refers to the left-right direction of the seat 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the seat reclining device 4 of this embodiment is applied to the seat 1 constituting the right seat of the automobile. The above-mentioned seat reclining device 4 is configured as a seat reclining adjusting mechanism that connects the seat back 2 which is the backrest portion of the above-mentioned seat 1 to the seat cushion 3 which is the seating portion so that the backrest angle can be adjusted. Has been done. Specifically, the above-mentioned seat reclining device 4 is provided between the above-mentioned seat back 2 and the above-mentioned seat cushion 3 in pairs on the left and right, and each of them is integrated to switch to each lock / unlock state. By doing so, the seat back 2 is configured to fix or release the backrest angle.

Specifically, the above-mentioned seat reclining device 4 has the lower end portions of the side frames 2F forming the left and right side skeletons of the above-mentioned seat back 2 and the left and right sides of the seat cushions 3 located outside these side frames in the seat width direction. It is configured to be interposed between each reclining plate 3F connected to the rear end of the frame and connected in a form that allows them to rotate or stop rotating coaxially with each other. (See FIGS. 2 to 3).

The seat reclining device 4 described above is always held in a locked state in which the backrest angle of the seat back 2 is fixed. Then, the seat reclining device 4 is released from the locked state all at once by the operation of pulling up the reclining lever 5 provided on the right side portion of the seat cushion 3 on the outside of the vehicle, and the seat back 2 is backed up. It can be switched to the unlocked state where the angle can be changed. Then, the seat reclining device 4 is returned to the locked state by urging by returning the raised operating state of the reclining lever 5 described above.

Here, between the side frames 2F on the left and right sides of the seat back 2 described above and the reclining plates 3F arranged on the outside thereof, the seat back 2 is always tilted forward with respect to the seat back 2, respectively. The return spring 6 that applies the force of the spring is hooked. Due to the rotational urging force of the return spring 6, the seat back 2 is raised to a position where it hits the back of the seated occupant by releasing the fixed state of the backrest angle by the seat reclining device 4 described above, and the back of the seated occupant. The backrest angle can be freely adjusted back and forth according to the movement of the tilting back and forth. With the above configuration, the seat back 2 can easily adjust the backrest angle.

The above-mentioned seat back 2 has a rotation region of about 180 degrees between the above-mentioned seat cushion 3 and the front-tilt position folded on the upper surface thereof and the back-tilt position when the seat back 2 is tilted substantially straight to the rear side. Can be rotated in the front-rear direction of the seat. Of these, the rotation region of about 90 degrees from the upright position where the backrest angle of the seat back 2 stands up approximately straight to the upper side to the above-mentioned rearward tilt position is obtained by releasing the pulling operation of the reclining lever 5. It is set as a "lock area A1" in which the backrest angle of the seat back 2 is returned to a fixed state. Further, in the rotation region from the above-mentioned upright position to the forward tilted position, the backrest angle of the seatback 2 is fixed even if the pulling operation of the reclining lever 5 is released. It is set as a "free area A2" that is maintained in the released state without being returned to the state.

The lock area A1 and the free area A2 described above are formed by the lock area A1 and the free area A2 set in the seat reclining device 4 described later, respectively. Due to the setting of the free area A2 described above, when the reclining lever 5 is operated while no person is sitting on the seat 1, the seat back 2 is tilted to a position where it enters the free area A2 by the urging of the return spring 6 described above. After that, the reclining lever 5 is tilted to the forward leaning posture position without continuing the operation state.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the above-mentioned seat reclining device 4 specifically includes a ratchet 10 integrally coupled to the outer surface of the side frame 2F on each side of the above-mentioned seat back 2. The seat back 2 has a guide 20 that is integrally coupled to the inner surface of the reclining plate 3F on the side, and the ratchet 10 and the guide 20 are locked or unlocked from each other's relative rotation. It is configured to fix and release the backrest angle.

<< Specific configuration of seat reclining device 4 >>
Hereinafter, the specific configuration of the seat reclining device 4 provided in the left-right pair as described above will be described in detail. Since the seat reclining devices 4 have the same configuration in which they are oriented symmetrically with each other, they are represented below and arranged on the outside (right side) of the vehicle shown in FIGS. 2 to 3. The configuration on one side will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, the seat reclining device 4 includes a substantially disk-shaped ratchet 10 and a guide 20 assembled axially to each other, three poles 30 assembled between them, and radial portions thereof. A rotary cam 40 that moves in and out, a lock spring 50 composed of a spiral spring that urges the rotary cam 40 against the guide 20 in the rotational operation direction of the lock, and a straddle between the outer peripheral portions of the ratchet 10 and the guide 20. It is configured to have a substantially cylindrical outer ring 60 that is mounted and holds them in an axially assembled state. The ratchet 10, the guide 20, the three poles 30, and the rotary cam 40 described above are each hardened by quenching after press molding to increase the structural strength. Here, the rotary cam 40 described above corresponds to the "cam" of the present invention. Hereinafter, the specific configuration of each member constituting the seat reclining device 4 described above will be described in detail in order.

《◆ About Ratchet 10》
As shown in FIG. 4, the ratchet 10 has a structure in which one metal plate member is cut into a substantially disk-like shape and is half-cut in the plate thickness direction (axial direction) in places. Has been done.

Specifically, on the outer peripheral edge portion of the disk main body 11 of the ratchet 10 described above, a cylindrical portion 12 projecting in a substantially cylindrical shape in the axial direction, which is the direction of assembly to the guide 20, is formed. Specifically, the above-mentioned cylindrical portion 12 is half-punched so that the outer peripheral edge portion of the disk body 11 protrudes in two stages in the axial direction, and the inner peripheral side thereof is smaller in the axial direction than the cylindrical portion 12. The structure is formed in a stepped cylindrical shape having a cylindrical shape with two stages inside and outside, in which an intermediate cylindrical portion 13 protruding into a substantially cylindrical shape is formed.

On the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12 described above, the inner peripheral teeth 12A having the tooth surface facing inward in the radial direction are formed so as to be continuously arranged over the entire area in the circumferential direction. The above-mentioned inner peripheral teeth 12A are formed in a tooth surface shape that allows each outer peripheral tooth 31 formed on the outer peripheral surface of each pole 30 described later to be pressed from the inside in the radial direction to be engaged. Specifically, the above-mentioned inner peripheral tooth 12A has a configuration in which each tooth surface is formed so as to be arranged at equal intervals at a pitch of 2 degrees in the circumferential direction.

Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate cylindrical portion 13, three circumferential regions (first region 13A, second region 13A, second) in which the inner diameter and the circumferential length from the central portion (central axis C) are individually set. Regions 13B and a third region 13C), a first convex portion 13D and a second convex portion 13E protruding inward in the radial direction from the boundary of a part of these regions, and the above-mentioned third region 13C. A relief recess 13F, which is recessed outward in the radial direction at the boundary position with the second convex portion 13E, is formed.

The first region 13A, the second region 13B, and the third region 13C described above are formed in an inner peripheral surface shape curved so as to draw a concentric arc around the central portion (central axis C). There is. Specifically, the first region 13A and the third region 13C are formed in an inner peripheral surface shape having an inner diameter larger than that of the second region 13B, and the first region 13A and the third region 13C are mutually formed. It is formed in the shape of an inner peripheral surface having the same inner diameter.

In the first region 13A described above, as shown in FIGS. 10, 17 (a) and 18 (a), the main pole P1 of the three poles 30 described later is rotated around the same region by the rotation of the ratchet 10. Locking of the main pole P1 that allows the main pole P1 to move radially outward to mesh with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 when placed overlapping in the direction. It constitutes the region A1.

Further, the second region 13B and the third region 13C are the remaining two of the three poles 30 when the main poles P1 are arranged so as to overlap each other in the circumferential direction in the first region 13A described above. The other region A3, which is arranged so as to overlap the two sub-poles P2 in the circumferential direction, functions to allow the meshing movement of these sub-poles P2 to the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10.

However, as shown in FIG. 12, when the above-mentioned second region 13B is arranged so that the above-mentioned main pole P1 overlaps the same region in the circumferential direction due to the rotation of the ratchet 10, FIGS. 13 and 17 (b) And as shown in FIG. 18B, the main pole P1 functions to stop the movement of the main pole P1 in the radial direction for meshing with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 on the way. It constitutes the free area A2 of.

When the main pole P1 is arranged so as to overlap the second region 13B described above in the circumferential direction, the third region 13C and the first region 13A described above are the remaining two sub poles P2 and the circumferential direction, respectively. As the other region A3 which is arranged so as to overlap with the above-mentioned region, it functions to escape the movement of each sub pole P2 synchronized with the movement of the main pole P1 described above in these regions.

That is, the intermediate cylindrical portion 13 of the ratchet 10 described above has a lock region A1 that allows the lock operation of the main pole P1 in the first region 13A described above (see FIGS. 10, 17 (a) and 18 (a)). In the second region 13B, the lock operation of the main pole P1 is blocked by riding, and the ratchet 10 can be freely rotated in the circumferential direction while being held in the unlocked state (FIG. 13, FIG. 13, 17 (b) and 18 (b)).

Then, as shown in FIGS. 10, 17 (a) and 18 (a), when the above-mentioned main pole P1 is arranged so as to overlap the first region 13A in the circumferential direction, the second region 13B and the second region 13B are arranged. The region 13C of 3 is configured to allow the remaining two sub-poles P2 to lock in synchronization with the movement of the main pole P1 as the other region A3, respectively. Further, as shown in FIGS. 13, 17 (b) and 18 (b), when the above-mentioned main pole P1 is arranged so as to overlap the second region 13B in the circumferential direction by the rotation of the above-mentioned ratchet 10. The third region 13C and the first region 13A become the other regions A3, respectively, and the remaining two sub poles P2 synchronize with the movement of the main pole P1 to allow the movement in which the lock operation is blocked in the middle. It is designed to work like this.

In this way, the intermediate cylindrical portion 13 of the ratchet 10 controls the allowable / blocking of the lock operation of the main pole P1 by the above-mentioned first region 13A and the second region 13B, and the remaining two sub poles P2 at that time are controlled. The other region (other region A3) in which the two sub-poles P2 are located is configured to allow the movement of the two sub-poles P2 to escape in synchronization with the movement of the main pole P1.

In the first convex portion 13D and the second convex portion 13E, as shown in FIGS. 17 (c) and 18 (c), the above-mentioned main pole P1 has a lock region A1 (first) due to the rotation of the ratchet 10. When transitioning from the region 13A) to the free region A2 (second region 13B), it is halfway pushed outward in the radial direction and mistakenly made a step between the first region 13A and the second region 13B. When it is pressed in the circumferential direction (when the arrangement is as shown in FIGS. 17 (b) and 18 (b)), the load due to the pressure is not concentrated only on the main pole P1 and the other two. It functions to bring two sub poles P2 into contact with each other at the same time so that they can be dispersed to the sub poles P2.

That is, in the above-mentioned first convex portion 13D and the second convex portion 13E, the main pole P1 described above is circumferentially oriented to the step between the first region 13A and the second region 13B due to the rotation of the ratchet 10. It is formed at a position where it is pressed against the remaining two sub-poles P2 in the circumferential direction when it is pressed against.

As shown in FIGS. 14, 17 (d) and 18 (d), the relief recess 13F is circumferentially above the second region 13B where the above-mentioned main pole P1 is the free region A2 due to the rotation of the ratchet 10. When it moves to the terminal position, the main pole P1 is removed from the riding state so that it can be engaged with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 at that position. The seat reclining device 4 is tilted by the relief recess 13F to the terminal position of the free region A2, that is, the seat back 2 is folded forward to the upper surface of the seat cushion 3 described in FIG. It is locked at that position so that the seat back 2 can be switched to a state in which the rotation is stopped. As a result, the seat back 2 can be locked so as not to flutter at the forward tilted position.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, a through hole 11A penetrating into a round hole shape is formed in the central portion (position on the central axis C) of the disk main body 11 of the ratchet 10 described above. An operation pin 5A inserted and mounted in the central portion (position on the central axis C) of the rotary cam 40, which will be described later, is inserted into the through hole 11A from the outside in the axial direction in a rotation-free state. It has become. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, on the outer surface of the disk main body 11 of the ratchet 10 described above, at three positions in the circumferential direction arranged on the same circumference around the center portion (central axis C). A dowel 14 is formed which is extruded in an arc shape in the axial direction and protrudes.

Each of the above-mentioned dowels 14 has a shape that can be accommodated in each of the circumferentially formed regions in which the first region 13A, the second region 13B, and the third region 13C of the above-mentioned intermediate cylindrical portion 13 are formed. Is formed in. As shown in FIG. 3, the ratchets 10 having the above configuration are assembled so that the outer surface of the disk body 11 is in surface contact with the outer surface of the side frame 2F of the seat back 2 described above, and the ratchets 10 are in contact with each other. By welding the contact points, they are integrally connected to the side frame 2F of the seat back 2 (welded points W).

Specifically, in the above-mentioned ratchet 10, each of the three dowels 14 formed on the outer surface of the disk body 11 penetrates the corresponding substantially arc shape formed on the side frame 2F of the seat back 2. It is assembled in a fitted state in the fitting hole 2F, and the peripheral regions (bonding region A4) of each of these fitted portions are joined in a state of surface contact with the side frame 2F by laser welding. It is combined (welded portion W).

More specifically, on the outer surface of the disk body 11 of the ratchet 10 described above, in the area on both sides in the radial direction and the circumferential direction of the region in which the three dowels 14 are formed, on the side frame 2F described above. A coupling region A4 is formed which is applied to the surface contact state and laser welded. As shown in FIG. 7, in each of the above-mentioned coupling regions A4, the first region 13A and the third region 13C of the above-mentioned intermediate cylindrical portion 13 formed on the outer peripheral edges thereof are larger than the second region 13B. Due to the configuration in the position extended to the outside in the radial direction, the region in each of the circumferential formation regions where the first region 13A and the third region 13C are formed is the second region. It is configured to have an expansion surface portion 11B whose area is expanded in the radial direction from the region in the formation region in the circumferential direction in which the 13B is formed.

With the above configuration, the outer surface of the disk body 11 of the ratchet 10 described above has an expansion surface portion 11B in each formation region in the circumferential direction in which the first region 13A and the third region 13C described above are formed. As a state in which the one coupling region A4 is more widely applied to the side frame 2F outward in the radial direction than the one coupling region A4 in the circumferential formation region where the second region 13B is formed. It is designed to be firmly welded.

Specifically, in the above-mentioned welding of the outer surface of the disk body 11 of the ratchet 10 to the side frame 2F, each dowel 14 is enclosed in a C shape from the outer region in the radial direction to both side regions in the circumferential direction. It is performed in a form in which a weld bead can be inserted (welded portion W). The operation pin 5A passed through the through hole 11A formed in the central portion (position on the central axis C) of the ratchet 10 described above can be passed through the side frame 2F described above to the outside in the axial direction. The through hole 2Fb is formed through the through hole.

<< About Guide 20 >>
As shown in FIG. 5, in the guide 20, one metal plate member is cut into a substantially disk-like shape having an outer diameter slightly larger than that of the ratchet 10 described above, and the plate thickness direction (axis) is obtained in some places. The structure is formed by half-cutting in the direction).

Specifically, on the outer peripheral edge portion of the disk main body 21 of the guide 20 described above, a cylindrical portion 22 projecting in a substantially cylindrical shape in the axial direction, which is the direction of assembly to the ratchet 10, is formed. The cylindrical portion 22 is formed so that its inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 12 of the ratchet 10 described above. As shown in FIG. 9, the above-mentioned guide 20 is set so that the above-mentioned cylindrical portion 12 of the ratchet 10 is inserted in the cylindrical portion 22 in the axial direction.

As a result, the guide 20 is assembled so that the ratchet 10 and the cylindrical portions 22 and 12 of each other are loosely fitted to each other in and out of the radial direction, and are supported in and out of each other so as to be relatively rotatable. It has become. The guide 20 described above is mounted via the outer peripheral ring 60 in a state in which the outer peripheral ring 60 described later is straddled from the outer peripheral side between the cylindrical portion 22 and the cylindrical portion 12 of the ratchet 10 described above. It is designed to be assembled to the ratchet 10 in a state where it is prevented from coming off in the axial direction (see FIGS. 2 to 3 and 6 to 9).

As shown in FIG. 5, on the inner surface of the disk main body 21 of the guide 20 described above, the guides 20 project substantially in a fan shape in the axial direction, which is the assembling direction to the ratchet 10, at three positions in the circumferential direction. The guide wall 23 is formed by being extruded in a semi-pulled shape. The guide walls 23 have a shape in which their radial outer peripheral surfaces are curved so as to draw concentric arcs drawn around the central portion (central axis C) of each other. Each of the guide walls 23 described above is set in a state of being loosely fitted in the cylindrical portion 12 of the ratchet 10 assembled in the cylindrical portion 22 of the guide 20 described above.

Due to the formation of each of the guide walls 23 described above, three poles 30 described later are placed inside and outside in the radial direction in the area between the arrangements of the guide walls 23 in the circumferential direction on the inner surface of the disk body 21 described above. A pole accommodating groove 24A that can be set so as to be slidable is formed. Further, in the central region on the inner surface of the disk body 21 surrounded by each of the guide walls 23 described above, a cam accommodating groove 24B capable of setting the rotary cam 40 described later in a shape that can be axially rotated is formed. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 11, each of the above-mentioned guide walls 23 has each of the corresponding poles 30 set in each of the above-mentioned pole accommodating grooves 24A in the circumferential direction facing each pole accommodating groove 24A. The regulation surface 23A, which is a side surface, is applied to face each other from both sides in the circumferential direction, and each pole 30 is supported from both sides in the circumferential direction so as to be guided so as to be slidable only inward and outward in the radial direction. It is said to be composed.

Further, each of the above-mentioned guide walls 23 faces the rotary cam 40 set in the above-mentioned cam accommodating groove 24B from the outside in the radial direction by the support surface 23B which is a radial inner peripheral surface facing the cam accommodating groove 24B. The outside of the radial direction so as to guide the rotary cam 40 to a shape that allows only circumferential rotation at the central portion (position on the central axis C) on the disk body 21 of the guide 20. It is said to be supported by. Here, each of the above-mentioned guide walls 23 corresponds to the "outer peripheral side support portion" of the present invention.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, on the formation region of the pole accommodating groove 24A in which the main pole P1 is set on the inner surface of the disk main body 21 of the guide 20 described above, the main pole protrudes in a columnar direction in the axial direction. A backlash filling pin 21C to be inserted into the wedge-shaped backlash filling hole 35 formed in the pole P1 is formed. As shown in FIG. 11, the above-mentioned backlash filling pin 21C has a wedge-shaped backlash filling when the above-mentioned main pole P1 is pulled inward in the radial direction and is disengaged from the meshing with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10. It is located in the outer region of the hole 35 in the wide radial direction so as not to hinder the movement of the main pole P1.

However, as shown in FIG. 10, the play-filling pin 21C described above has a wedge shape of the main pole P1 as the main pole P1 is pushed outward in the radial direction and meshed with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10. In the backlash filling hole 35, the hole width is narrowed to the inner region in the radial direction, and the main pole P1 can be switched to a state in which the backlash is suppressed in the circumferential direction. With the above configuration, the main pole P1 is meshed with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 in a state where the ratchet 10 is suppressed in the circumferential direction, and the ratchet 10 and the guide 20 are mutually suppressed in the circumferential direction via the main pole P1. It is designed to be locked to the state.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, each of the guide walls 23 described above has an intermediate portion that leaves a peripheral edge of a protruding region that expands its shape in the circumferential direction and the radial direction, and is in the direction of assembly to the ratchet 10. A floating island-shaped bead portion 23C is formed, which is extruded in a half-pulled shape toward the side opposite to the axial direction. Due to the formation of each bead portion 23C, each guide wall 23 can be provided with each pole 30 without reducing the contact area with each pole 30 for supporting each pole 30 from both sides in the circumferential direction by the restricting surface 23A. It is configured to have high structural strength that can be firmly supported from both sides in the circumferential direction.

Further, in the central portion (position on the central axis C) of the disk main body 21 of the guide 20 described above, a through hole penetrating into a substantially round hole shape is set in a state where the lock spring 50 described later is housed inside. 21A is formed. The through hole 21A described above is formed with a hooking hole 21Aa that extends from a part of the hole shape toward the outside in the radial direction. In the hooking hole 21Aa, the outer end portion 52 of the lock spring 50 set in the through hole 21A described above is fitted in the axial direction and is set in a state of being integrally fixed in the circumferential direction. It has become.

As shown in FIG. 4, a dowel that protrudes on the outer surface of the disk body 21 of the guide 20 described above at three positions in the circumferential direction in a substantially cylindrical shape in the axial direction. 21B is formed. These dowels 21B are formed so as to be extruded one by one on the region corresponding to the back side of each of the pole accommodating grooves 24A described above on the outer surface of the disk body 21 described above.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the guide 20 having the above configuration, each dowel 21B protruding from the outer surface of the disk body 21 described above is fitted into each corresponding fitting hole 3F formed in the reclining plate 3F. By being welded together, it is firmly and integrally bonded to the reclining plate 3F. In the reclining plate 3F described above, the operation pin 5A passed through the through hole 21A formed in the central portion (position on the central axis C) of the guide 20 described above can be passed outward in the axial direction. The through hole 3Fb is formed through the through hole.

《◆ About Pole 30》
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, each of the three poles 30 has one metal plate member cut into a substantially rectangular shape, and is half-cut in the plate thickness direction (axial direction) in places. It is said that it is a structure formed by. Specifically, in each of the poles 30 described above, the offset surface portion 30B forming the inner peripheral side region in the radial direction thereof is in the assembling direction to the ratchet 10 with respect to the main body surface portion 30A forming the outer peripheral side region. The shape is extruded in a semi-punched shape by approximately the thickness of the plate in the axial direction.

Further, a specific one of the above-mentioned three poles 30 has a shape partially different from that of the other two sub poles P2 as the main pole P1 and is functionally distinguished. The specific differences described above will be described in detail later.

As shown in FIGS. 10 to 11, each of the above-mentioned poles 30 is housed in each of the pole accommodating grooves 24A formed on the inner surface of the disk body 21 of the guide 20 described above. It is set in a shape. According to the above set, each pole 30 is supported on each of the pole accommodating grooves 24A from both sides in the circumferential direction by the regulation surface 23A of each guide wall 23 facing from both sides in the circumferential direction. It is provided as a supported state so that it can move only inward and outward in the radial direction along the line.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, when the poles 30 described above are set in the pole accommodating grooves 24A described above, the main body surface portions 30A thereof are placed on the inner surface surface of the disk main body 21 of the guide 20. It is designed to be set in a shape that can be hit. As a result, in each pole 30, the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the cylindrical portion 12 of the ratchet 10 assembled in the cylindrical portion 22 of the guide 20 described above are radially outer positions of the main body surface portion 30A. It is designed to be set facing each other.

Further, the offset surface portion 30B of each pole 30 described above is set so as to be axially separated from the inner side surface of the disk body 21 of the guide 20 described above, and is axially separated from the intermediate cylindrical portion 13 of the ratchet 10 described above. The arrangement of is set to overlap.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the radial outer peripheral surface of the main body surface portion 30A of each pole 30 described above, outer peripheral teeth 31 having tooth surfaces facing outward in the radial direction are continuously arranged over the entire circumferential direction. It is formed as. The radial outer peripheral surface on which the outer peripheral teeth 31 of each pole 30 are formed is formed into a curved surface shape along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 12 on which the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 are formed. ing.

According to the above configuration, the outer peripheral teeth 31 of each pole 30 are pressed against the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 from the inside in the radial direction, so that the whole is meshed with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10. Specifically, the outer peripheral teeth 31 of each pole 30 are configured such that the tooth surfaces are arranged at equal intervals at a pitch of 2 degrees in the circumferential direction, similarly to the inner peripheral teeth 12A of these meshing ratchets 10. ing.

However, more strictly speaking, the outer peripheral teeth 31 of each of the poles 30 described above have a shape in which the central tooth surface in the circumferential direction thereof meshes most deeply with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10, respectively, with reference to FIG. It is formed in a shape in which the tooth length becomes smaller so that the ratchet 10 enters into the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 gradually becomes shallower toward both ends in the circumferential direction.

According to the above configuration, each pole 30 has a tooth surface at a central portion where the tooth surface faces straight in the traveling direction thereof, and the direction in which the tooth surface faces from the central portion toward both ends in the circumferential direction is different from the traveling direction. Other tooth surfaces that are tilted in the direction can also be properly meshed with the tooth surface of the inner peripheral tooth 12A of the corresponding ratchet 10 by moving each pole 30 radially outward. It has become. Since the specific tooth surface shape of the outer peripheral tooth 31 is the same as that disclosed in documents such as JP-A-2015-29635, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

According to the above configuration, when the outer peripheral teeth 31 are meshed with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10, each pole 30 is meshed most deeply by the action of a force pressed from the inside in the radial direction. With the central point in the circumferential direction as the fulcrum, the configuration is such that the entire body may be pushed and tilted in either of the circumferential directions and may be affected by an unbalanced force. However, the above-mentioned action is that when the main pole P1 meshes with the ratchet 10, the backlash filling pin 21C provided in the guide 20 is pushed into the wedge-shaped backlash filling hole 35 and is loosely packed in the circumferential direction. Is properly deterred by.

As shown in FIG. 9, each of the above-mentioned poles 30 will be described later set in the central portion (position on the central axis C) of the guide 20 in the inner region in the radial direction surrounded by the main body surface portion 30A. The rotary cam 40 is set so as to face each other in the radial direction. According to the above set, each pole 30 is provided with their main body surface portions 30A arranged side by side at positions outside the radial direction of the rotary cam 40, and their offset surface portions 30B are vertically overlapped with the rotary cam 40. It is designed to be provided.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the inner peripheral surface portion of the main body surface portion 30A of each of the above-mentioned poles 30 faces the above-mentioned rotary cam 40 in the radial direction, and is radially along with the rotation of the rotary cam 40. A pressed surface portion 32 that receives an acting force that is pressed from the inside to the outside is formed. Further, in the intermediate portion of the offset surface portion 30B of each of the poles 30 described above, the corresponding pull-in pins 42 formed on the rotary cam 40 described above are inserted in the axial direction, and are radially along with the rotation of the rotary cam 40. A lead-in hole 33, which is operated so as to be pulled inward, is formed so as to penetrate in the axial direction. Further, in the intermediate portion of the main body surface portion 30A of each of the poles 30 described above, a riding protrusion 34 extruded in a semi-pulled shape in the same axial direction as the offset surface portion 30B is formed.

As shown in FIG. 10, the pressed surface portion 32 of each of the poles 30 described above is in the counterclockwise direction shown by the spring urging force of the lock spring 50 described later in which the rotary cam 40 described above is engaged with the guide 20. By being rotated in the same direction, the corresponding pressing portions 44 formed on the outer peripheral surface portion of the same rotating cam 40 are pressed from the inside to the outside in the radial direction. By the above pressing, the outer peripheral teeth 31 are pressed against the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 described above to be engaged with each other, and are held in the same meshed state. As a result, each pole 30 is integrally coupled to the ratchet 10 in the circumferential direction, and the relative rotation between the ratchet 10 and the guide 20 is locked via each pole 30.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the lead-in hole 33 of each of the poles 30 described above is directed in the clockwise direction as shown by the rotary cam 40 described above against the spring urging force of the lock spring 50 by the operation of the reclining lever 5 described above. By being turned, it is pulled inward in the radial direction by the pull-in pin 42 of the corresponding rotary cam 40 inserted inside them. By the pulling-in, the outer peripheral teeth 31 are disengaged from the meshing state with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 described above, and are held in the disengaged state (unlocked state). It has become. As a result, the rotation lock state between the ratchet 10 and the guide 20 described above is released.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the riding protrusion 34 of each of the above-mentioned poles 30 is extruded in a semi-pulled shape to the same position in the same axial direction as the offset surface portion 30B of each of the above-mentioned poles 30, and the outer circumference thereof. The surface portion 34A is provided so as to face the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate cylindrical portion 13 of the ratchet 10 described above in the radial direction. As shown in FIGS. 10, 17 (a) and 18 (a), the riding protrusion 34 of each of the above-mentioned poles 30 has the rotation position of the ratchet 10 with respect to the guide 20 in the above-mentioned state of the lock region A1. At one point, even if each of the poles 30 described above is pushed outward in the radial direction by the rotary cam 40, it is not pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate cylindrical portion 13 of the ratchet 10, and each pole 30 is the inner circumference of the ratchet 10. It is designed not to hinder the movement of meshing with the tooth 12A.

However, as shown in FIGS. 13, 17 (b) and 18 (b), the above-mentioned riding protrusion 34 of each pole 30 has the above-mentioned rotation position of the ratchet 10 with respect to the guide 20 in the above-mentioned free region A2. By being changed to the state, when each of the poles 30 described above is pushed out radially outward by the rotary cam 40, it is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate cylindrical portion 13 of the ratchet 10. Therefore, the movement of each pole 30 to mesh with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 is stopped at an intermediate position.

Specifically, the riding protrusion 34 of each pole 30 described above has a diameter from the central portion (position on the central axis C) of the guide 20 to the outer peripheral surface portion 34A of the main pole P1 and the other two sub poles P2. It is configured so that the dimensions, that is, the formation positions in the radial direction are different from each other. Specifically, the riding protrusion 34 of the main pole P1 is formed at a position protruding outward in the radial direction from the riding protrusion 34 of the other two sub poles P2.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 17 (a) and 18 (a), the riding protrusion 34 of the main pole P1 described above is the first region 13A (lock region A1) of the intermediate cylindrical portion 13 of the ratchet 10 described above. ) And in the circumferential direction, even if it is pushed out in the radial direction by the rotary cam 40, it is not pushed out to the position where it rides on the first region 13A, and the main pole P1 is inside the ratchet 10. It does not hinder the movement of meshing with the peripheral teeth 12A.

At that time, the riding protrusions 34 of the other two sub-poles P2 are also formed at positions radially inside the riding protrusions 34 of the main pole P1 described above, so that the first one described above is described. Even if the arrangement is such that the second region 13B and the third region 13C (other region A3) projecting inward in the radial direction from the region 13A overlap each other in the circumferential direction, they are pushed out in the radial direction by the rotary cam 40. At that time, it is not pushed out to the position where it rides on the second region 13B and the third region 13C, and the movement of each sub pole P2 to mesh with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 is not hindered.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 13, 17 (b) and 18 (b), the riding protrusion 34 of the main pole P1 described above is the second region 13B (free) of the intermediate cylindrical portion 13 of the ratchet 10 described above. By being arranged so as to overlap the region A2) in the circumferential direction, the rotary cam 40 pushes it outward in the radial direction to ride on the second region 13B, and the main pole P1 rides on the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10. It is designed to stop the movement of meshing with the ratchet at the middle position.

However, even at that time, even if the riding protrusions 34 of the other two sub-poles P2 are arranged so as to overlap with the corresponding third region 13C and the first region 13A (other region region A3) in the circumferential direction, respectively. When the rotary cam 40 is pushed outward in the radial direction, it is not pushed out to the position where it rides on the third region 13C and the first region 13A, and the sub-pole P2 is moved outward in the radial direction on the way. It is designed not to stop at the position.

Even in such a configuration, each sub-pole P2 is stopped from moving outward in the radial direction of the main pole P1 at an intermediate position, whereby the rotation of the rotary cam 40 is stopped and the rotation of the rotary cam 40 is further stopped in the radial direction. Since it is not pushed outward, it is held in an unlocked state in which the ratchet 10 is prevented from being pressed against the inner peripheral teeth 12A together with the main pole P1. Each of the climbing protrusions 34 formed on the two sub-poles P2 described above has an inclined surface 34B having a chamfered shape formed at a corner portion on one end side in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface portion 34A. There is.

As shown in FIGS. 13, 17 (b) and 18 (b), each of the inclined surfaces 34B described above has a free region A2 (second region 13B) in which the riding protrusion 34 of the main pole P1 described above is the ratchet 10. ), And the ratchet 10 is in the free area without operating the reclining lever 5 from the state where the riding protrusion 34 of each sub pole P2 is located on the third area 13C and the first area 13A, respectively. When the seat back 2 is turned in the direction of returning from A2 to the lock area A1 (when the seat back 2 is raised to the rear side), the riding protrusions 34 of each sub-pole P2 are formed on the first convex portions 13D and the second above-mentioned. It functions as a relief portion for allowing the ratchet to get over in the circumferential direction while escaping to the outside in the radial direction by guiding the convex portion 13E in the circumferential direction so as not to abut against the convex portion 13E.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, in the main body surface portion 30A of the main pole P1 described above, the intermediate portion deviating from the forming region of the riding protrusion 34 in the circumferential direction is directed from the outside to the inside in the radial direction. A backlash filling hole 35 is formed that penetrates the hole so that the hole shape is tapered. As shown in FIG. 11, the backlash filling hole 35 described above is a backlash filling pin 21C protruding from the inner side surface of the disk body 21 of the guide 20 when the above-mentioned main pole P1 is set on the guide 20. Is set to be inserted in the hole. According to the above set, when the play-filling hole 35 is in the unlocked state before the main pole P1 described above meshes with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10, the play-filling pin 21C described above is placed in the outer hole width in the radial direction. When it is positioned in a wide area, it does not hinder the movement of the main pole P1.

However, as shown in FIG. 10, the backlash filling hole 35 is filled with the backlash as described above as the main pole P1 is pushed outward in the radial direction and meshed with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10. The pin 21C is pressed into a region having a narrow hole width inside in the radial direction, so that the pin 21C can be switched to a state in which play is suppressed in the circumferential direction of the main pole P1. With the above configuration, the main pole P1 is meshed with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10 in a state where the ratchet 10 is suppressed in the circumferential direction, and the ratchet 10 and the guide 20 are mutually suppressed in the circumferential direction via the main pole P1. It is designed to be locked to the state.

By the way, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 5 and 19 to 20, each of the poles 30 described above has a main body surface portion such that the offset surface portion 30B and the riding protrusion 34 are arranged radially apart from each other. It is formed by being separately extruded in a semi-punch shape in the same axial direction with respect to 30A. At that time, the offset surface portion 30B of each pole 30 is an outer peripheral surface portion in which the precision control surface Q that gives accuracy to the molded surface formed by the half punching process is extruded in the shape of the half punching so that the surface faces outward in the radial direction. It is set and formed on the inner peripheral surface portion (pressed surface portion 32) side of the main body surface portion 30A, which is formed so that the surface faces inward in the radial direction by half-cutting, not on the side. With the above configuration, each pole 30 has a configuration in which the pressed surface portion 32 thereof is formed with high accuracy.

Further, the climbing protrusions 34 of each pole 30 have an outer peripheral surface portion where the accuracy control surface Q, which gives accuracy to the molded surface formed by the half punching process, is extruded in a semi-punched shape so that the surface faces outward in the radial direction. It is set and formed on the 34A side. With the above configuration, each pole 30 has a configuration in which the outer peripheral surface portion 34A and the inclined surface 34B thereof are formed with high accuracy. In this way, each pole 30 is formed by separately extruding the offset surface portion 30B and the riding protrusion 34 described above with respect to the main body surface portion 30A so as to be aligned radially apart from each other. As described above, the quality control surface Q can be set on the front and back sides of the surface Q to obtain the accuracy of the molded surface.

In addition, in the pressed surface portion 32 of each of the poles 30 described above, in detail, each region deviated from the formation portion of the riding protrusion 34 on both sides in the circumferential direction is the corresponding pressing portion of the rotary cam 40 described in FIG. It is pressed from the inside in the radial direction by 44. Therefore, in reality, the pressed surface portion 32 of each pole 30 has the accuracy control surface Q set in the regions on both sides where the arrangement in the circumferential direction does not overlap with the riding protrusion 34, and the riding protrusion 34 and the circumferential direction are actually set. The quality control surface Q is not set in the area where the arrangements overlap. With the above configuration, even if the offset surface portion 30B of each pole 30 and the riding protrusion 34 are arranged so as to overlap each other in the circumferential direction, the accuracy control surface Q can be appropriately set for each and the molding can be performed in a good condition. It has become.

《◆ About rotating cam 40》
As shown in FIG. 5, the rotary cam 40 is formed by cutting one metal plate member into a substantially disk-like shape and half-cutting in some places in the plate thickness direction (axial direction). It is said that. The rotary cam 40 described above is set in a state of being housed in a cam accommodating groove 24B formed on the inner surface of the disk body 21 of the guide 20 described above.

As shown in FIG. 9, the above-mentioned rotary cam 40 has a shape having substantially the same plate thickness as each of the above-mentioned poles 30, and the inner surface of the disk body 21 of the above-mentioned guide 20 and each pole 30. It is in a state of being sandwiched between the offset surface portion 30B extruded in a semi-pulled shape in the axial direction of the pole 30 and surrounded by the main body surface portion 30A of each pole 30 from the outer peripheral side.

As shown in FIG. 5, at the central portion (position on the central axis C) of the rotary cam 40 described above, an operation pin 5A integrally connected to the reclining lever 5 described above in FIG. 1 is provided from the inside in the axial direction. A through hole 41 is formed which is inserted and integrally mounted in the rotation direction. The above-mentioned operation pin 5A is inserted through the through hole 41 of the above-mentioned rotary cam 40 from the inside to the outside in the axial direction, and after that, is integrally connected to the above-mentioned reclining lever 5 in FIG. Has been done. With the above configuration, the operation pin 5A integrally rotates the rotary cam 40 with the pulling operation of the reclining lever 5 described above.

The operation pin 5A described above is integrally connected to the operation pin 5A inserted into the seat reclining device 4 on the other side described above in FIG. 1 via a connecting rod 5B. With the above configuration, by the operation of pulling up the reclining lever 5 described above, the operation pin 5A on the other side is also integrally rotated, and the rotary cam 40 of the seat reclining device 4 on the same side is also integrally rotated. It has become like.

As shown in FIG. 5, the above-mentioned rotary cam 40 is formed in a substantially disk shape slightly larger than the through hole 21A formed in the central portion (position on the central axis C) of the above-mentioned guide 20. The two hook pins 43 are formed so as to project in the axial direction on the outer surface facing the through hole 21A of the guide 20. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the inner end 51 of the lock spring 50, which will be described later, is hooked and integrally fixed to each of the above-mentioned hook pins 43 so as to be sandwiched between them. It has become. Further, on the inner side surface of each pole 30 of the rotary cam 40 described above facing the offset surface portion 30B, three retractable pieces are set so as to be inserted into the corresponding lead-in holes 33 formed in each pole 30. The pin 42 is formed so as to protrude in the axial direction. Here, the above-mentioned hook pin 43 corresponds to the "mounting portion" of the present invention.

The rotary cam 40 described above is assembled to the guide 20 described above in a state of being elastically supported by a lock spring 50. That is, the rotary cam 40 has a lock spring 50 between the hook pins 43 protruding from the outer surface facing the through hole 21A of the guide 20 from the state set in the cam accommodating groove 24B of the guide 20 described above. The lock spring 50 is hooked into the through hole 21Aa of the guide 20 so that the inner end 51 is hooked and the outer end 52 of the lock spring 50 is hooked into the hooking hole 21Aa extending from the through hole 21A of the guide 20. By being set in the 21A, it is assembled in a state of being elastically supported by the guide 20 via the lock spring 50.

By the above assembly, as shown in FIG. 9, the rotary cam 40 is axially between the disk main body 21 of the guide 20 and the offset surface portion 30B extruded in a semi-pulled shape in the axial direction of each pole 30. It is supported as a sandwiched state, and in the radial direction, it is provided in a form surrounded from the outside in the radial direction by the pressed surface portion 32 which is the inner peripheral surface portion of the main body surface portion 30A of each pole 30. ing.

Then, the rotary cam 40 described above is constantly counterclockwise to the guide 20 by the spring urging force of the lock spring 50 (see FIGS. 2 and 6) engaged with the guide 20 described above. It is said to be in a state of being rotationally urged in the clockwise direction. Due to the rotation in the counterclockwise direction due to the urging, the rotary cam 40 radialally presses the pressed surface portion 32 of each pole 30 by the pressing portions 44 formed so as to project at a plurality of circumferential directions on the outer peripheral surface portion thereof. It is designed to be pushed out from the inside to the outside.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the rotary cam 40 described above is shown to be on the opposite side to the urging direction described above via the operation pin 5A when the reclining lever 5 described above is pulled up in FIG. It is rotated clockwise. As a result, in the rotary cam 40, each lead-in pin 42 inserted into the lead-in hole 33 of each pole 30 moves in the circumferential direction in each lead-in hole 33 to the outside in the radial direction of each lead-in hole 33. Depending on the changing shape, each pole 30 is operated so as to be pulled inward in the radial direction.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the rotary cam 40 described above pushes each pole 30 from the inside in the radial direction by the rotational force due to the spring urging force of the lock spring 50 to mesh with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10. In the state (locked state), the inner end portion 51 of the lock spring 50 hooked on the hook pin 43 is located on the upper left side and the upper right side of the three guide walls 23 formed on the guide 20. It is designed to be positioned in the circumferential region between the two guide walls M1.

In the above state, the rotary cam 40 has a spring urging force received from the inner end portion 51 of the lock spring 50, and in addition to the rotational urging force in the counterclockwise direction shown in the figure, the eccentric urging force toward the outside in the radial direction. It is supposed to be in an acted state. Nevertheless, the rotary cam 40 is in a state of being centered at the center of the guide 20 (position on the central axis C) with the support from each pole 30 when each pole 30 meshes with the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10. It is supposed to be held as.

However, as shown in FIG. 11, the above-mentioned rotary cam 40 is rotated in the clockwise direction against the spring-forced force of the above-mentioned lock spring 50, and each pole 30 is operated to rotate in the clockwise direction, and each pole 30 is operated to rotate the inner peripheral teeth 12A of the ratchet 10. As shown in FIG. 16, due to the eccentric urging action received from the inner end portion 51 of the lock spring 50 described above by being disengaged from the meshing state with the above-mentioned two guide walls M1, the inner peripheral side of the two guide walls M1 described above. While being pressed against the support surface 23B of the above, the two guide walls M1 are slid on the support surface 23B so as to be rotated in the clockwise direction shown in the figure. At that time, unlike the other two guide walls M1, the remaining guide wall M2 is formed so that a slight radial gap T is set between the guide wall M2 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotary cam 40 described above. There is. Here, the two guide walls M1 described above correspond to the "first outer peripheral side support portion" of the present invention, and the guide wall M2 corresponds to the "second outer peripheral side support portion" of the present invention.

With such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 16, the rotary cam 40 is axially displaced (eccentric direction) in the two guide walls M1 to which the rotary cam 40 is pressed by the urging action of the lock spring 50. ), But the rotary cam 40 properly escapes the movement when the shape of the other guide wall M2 remaining at the fulcrum is rattled in a certain direction. Therefore, the rotary cam 40 can be smoothly slid and rotated in the release direction without being eccentric.

<< ◆ About the outer ring 60 >>
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, in the outer peripheral ring 60, one thin plate material is punched out in a ring shape, and the outer peripheral portion of the punched out hollow disk has a cylindrical shape in the plate thickness direction (axial direction). By being drawn into a protruding shape, it is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape with a hollow disk-shaped seat. As a result, the outer peripheral ring 60 has a hollow disk-shaped flange portion 62 whose surface faces in the axial direction, and a coupling portion 61 which protrudes in a substantially cylindrical shape in the axial direction along the outer peripheral edge portion of the flange portion 62. It is said to have a configuration.

Specifically, the above-mentioned outer peripheral ring 60 is extruded from the outer peripheral portion of the flange portion 62 in a shape in which the above-mentioned outer peripheral ring 60 protrudes in two stages in the axial direction, so that the above-mentioned outer peripheral ring 60 is pushed out from the joint portion 61 to the inner peripheral side of the joint portion 61. It is also configured to have a stepped cylindrical shape having a cylindrical shape with two steps inside and outside, in which a step portion 63 that is small in the axial direction and protrudes in a substantially cylindrical shape is formed. In the outer peripheral ring 60 described above, three poles 30, a rotary cam 40, and a lock spring 50 are set on the guide 20 described above, and a ratchet 10 is assembled, and then these assembled units are set inside a cylinder to form a joint portion 61. Is welded to the guide 20 so that the ratchet 10 and the guide 20 are mounted so as to straddle the outer peripheral portions of the guide 20.

Specifically, the outer peripheral ring 60 described above is set in a form in which the unit described above is assembled first from the ratchet 10 inside the cylinder, so that the flange portion 62 thereof is radially oriented as shown in FIGS. 9 and 15. The inner end of the ratchet 10 is placed on an inclined surface 13G having an obliquely outward surface formed on the axially outer surface portion of the intermediate cylindrical portion 13 of the ratchet 10 over substantially the entire circumferential direction. It is designed to be set in the shape of a ratchet. Then, by the above setting, the cylindrical portion 22 of the guide 20 is set in a state of being fitted in the cylindrical joint portion 61 of the outer peripheral ring 60.

Therefore, after the above set, the outer peripheral ring 60 is joined to the ratchet 10 and the guide 20 by laser welding the coupling portion 61 of the outer peripheral ring 60 to the cylindrical portion 22 of the guide 20 fitted therein by laser welding from the outer peripheral side. It will be in a state of being mounted straddling between the outer peripheral parts of the. The inclined surface 13G formed on the outer surface portion of the intermediate cylindrical portion 13 of the ratchet 10 described above has a shape that draws a prefix conical shape around the central portion (central axis C) of the ratchet 10 over the entire circumferential direction of the ratchet 10. It is formed in.

By the above assembly, the outer peripheral ring 60 is integrally connected to the guide 20 described above, and the flange portion 62 prevents the ratchet 10 from rattling in the axial direction and the radial direction with respect to the guide 20. It is designed to be held as a state. Specifically, the outer peripheral ring 60 described above is assembled in the ratchet 10 and positioned in the axial direction in a state where the flange portion 62 is set so as to be in contact with the inclined surface 13G of the ratchet 10 in the axial direction. The joint portion 61 is welded to the cylindrical portion 22 of the guide 20 and assembled. As a result, the outer peripheral ring 60 is in a state where the ratchet 10 is loosely packed in the axial direction between the flange portion 62 and the disk body 21 of the guide 20, and the ratchet 10 is axially and diameter with respect to the guide 20. It is in a state of being supported so that it can be smoothly rotated and moved when unlocked without ratcheting in the direction.

《■ Summary》
Summarizing the above, the seat reclining device 4 of this embodiment has the following configuration. That is, it is a vehicle seat reclining device (4), which is provided between the ratchet (10) and the guide (20) and the ratchet (10) and the guide (20) which are vertically assembled so as to be able to rotate relative to each other. A locking mechanism that locks these relative rotations, and an outer ring (60) that is mounted across the outer periphery of the ratchet (10) and the guide (20) and holds them in an axially assembled state. , Have.

A pole in which the locking mechanism engages with the ratchet (10) by movement supported in the circumferential direction by the guide (20) and pressed outward in the radial direction to lock the relative rotation between the ratchet (10) and the guide (20). (30), a cam (40) that presses the pole (30) from the inside in the radial direction to engage with the ratchet (10), and a lock operation of the pole (30) with respect to the guide (20) of the cam (40). It has a lock spring (50) that urges the ratchet in the direction of rotation.

The guide (20) has outer peripheral side support portions (23) for supporting the cam (40) from the outside in the radial direction at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction. Of the plurality of outer peripheral side support portions (23), a specific cam (40) is pressed outward in the radial direction by the urging action of the lock spring (50) at the mounting portion (43) with the lock spring (50). It has a contact structure between the first outer peripheral side support portion (M1) located in the circumferential region and the cam (40) to restrict the radial movement of the cam (40) to the outside, and also has a specific circumferential region. There is a gap (T) between the second outer peripheral side support portion (M2) located in the peripheral region deviating from the cam (40) and the cam (40) that allows the cam (40) to move outward in the radial direction.

With such a configuration, the cam (40) is locked by the contact structure formed between the cam (40) and the first outer peripheral side support portion (M1) of the guide (20). It is possible to appropriately perform the unlocking operation of the pole (30) by suppressing the radial deviation during the rotational operation against the urging force of (50).

Further, the guide (20) has a first outer peripheral side support portion (M1) at two positions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. The cam (40) has a mounting portion (43) with the lock spring (50) at a circumferential position between the first outer peripheral side support portions (M1) set at the above two positions. With such a configuration, the cam (40) is displaced outward in the radial direction at two points by the first outer peripheral side support portion (M1) located at two locations in the circumferential direction of the guide (20). It can be suppressed more stably by the support.

Further, the mounting portion (43) of the cam (40) with the lock spring (50) is a protruding portion on which the lock spring (50) is hooked and formed so as to project axially from the cam (40). With such a configuration, the cam (40) is always subjected to the action of the urging force from the lock spring (50) at the mounting portion (43), so that the cam (40) is radially outside. It becomes easier to manage the position in the circumferential direction that is pressed against.

<< ■ About other embodiments >>
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to one embodiment, the present invention can be carried out in various forms other than the above-mentioned embodiment. For example, the vehicle seat reclining device of the present invention can be applied to seats other than the right seat of an automobile, and is also used for vehicles other than automobiles such as railroads, and various vehicles such as aircraft and ships. It can be widely applied to seats. In addition, the seat reclining device for vehicles connects the seat back to a state in which the backrest angle can be adjusted with respect to the seat cushion, and also the seat back to the base such as a bracket fixed to the vehicle body side. It may be connected so that the angle can be adjusted.

Further, the vehicle seat reclining device may be configured such that the ratchet is connected to a member on the side fixed to the vehicle body such as a seat cushion, and the guide is connected to the seat back. Further, the plurality of poles constituting the locking mechanism of the vehicle seat reclining device may be provided by arranging two or four or more in the circumferential direction. The arrangement of the poles in the circumferential direction is not limited to those that are evenly arranged, and may be arranged in a one-sided manner.

In addition, the cam that operates to push each pole outward in the radial direction is operated by a member separate from the cam such as the release plate for the operation of pulling each pole inward in the radial direction. It may be good (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-227701). In addition, the mounting part to which the lock spring of the cam is attached has a structure in which the end of the lock spring is hooked on the protrusion formed on the cam, and the end of the lock spring is hooked on the hole or the recess formed in the cam. It may be configured to be inserted. The lock spring may be composed of another spring such as a tension spring in addition to the spiral spring.

1 Seat 2 Seat back 2F Side frame 2F Fitting hole 2Fb Through hole 3 Seat cushion 3F Reclining plate 3F Fitting hole 3Fb Through hole 4 Seat reclining device (seat reclining device for vehicles)
5 Reclining lever 5A Operation pin 5B Connecting rod 6 Return spring 10 Ratchet 11 Disc body 11A Through hole 11B Expansion surface 12 Cylindrical part 12A Inner peripheral tooth 13 Intermediate cylindrical part 13A First area 13B Second area 13C Third area 13D 1st convex part 13E 2nd convex part 13F Relief concave part 13G Inclined surface A1 Lock area A2 Free area A3 Other area A4 Bonding area 14 Dowel W Welding point 20 Guide 21 Disk body 21A Through hole 21Aa Hanging hole 21B Dowel 21C backlash filling pin 22 Cylindrical part 23 Guide wall (support part on the outer peripheral side)
23A Regulation surface 23B Support surface 23C Bead part M1 Guide wall (first outer peripheral side support part)
M2 guide wall (second outer peripheral support)
T Gap 24A Pole accommodating groove 24B Cam accommodating groove 30 Pole 30A Main body surface 30B Offset surface 31 Outer tooth 32 Pressed surface 33 Pull-in hole 34 Riding protrusion 34A Outer surface 34B Inclined surface 35 Backlash filling hole P1 Main pole P2 Sub pole Q Precision control Face 40 Rotating cam (cam)
41 Through hole 42 Pull-in pin 43 Hook pin (mounting part)
44 Pressing part 50 Rock spring 51 Inner end 52 Outer end 60 Outer ring 61 Coupling 62 Flange 63 Step C center axis

Claims (3)

It is a seat reclining device for vehicles,
Ratchets and guides that are axially assembled so that they can rotate relative to each other,
A locking mechanism provided between the ratchet and the guide to lock these relative rotations,
It has an outer peripheral ring that is mounted across the outer peripheral portion of the ratchet and the guide and holds them in an axially assembled state.
The locking mechanism engages with the ratchet by movement that is supported in the circumferential direction by the guide and is pressed outward in the radial direction to lock the relative rotation between the ratchet and the guide, and the pole in the radial direction. It has a cam that is pressed from the inside of the ratchet to engage with the ratchet, and a lock spring that urges the cam in the rotational direction to lock the pole with respect to the guide.
The guide has outer peripheral side support portions that support the cam from the outside in the radial direction at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction.
Among the plurality of outer circumferential side support portion, a first outer peripheral side of the cam is positioned at a specific circumferential region is pressed outward in the radial direction by the biasing action of the lock spring at the attachment portion of said locking spring It has a contact structure that regulates the radial eccentric movement of the cam outward by contact between the support portion and the cam and holds the cam at a position on the central axis of the guide, and also has the specification. vehicle seat reclining device having a gap to allow the radial movement of the outer of the cam between the second outer peripheral side supporting portion and the cam located in the peripheral region deviated from the circumferential region of. The vehicle seat reclining device according to claim 1.
The guide has the first outer peripheral side support portion at two positions adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction.
A vehicle seat reclining device in which the cam has a mounting portion with the lock spring at a circumferential position between the first outer peripheral side support portions set at the two positions. The vehicle seat reclining device according to claim 1 or 2.
A vehicle seat reclining device in which a mounting portion of the cam with the lock spring is a protrusion on which the lock spring is hooked, which is formed so as to project axially from the cam.

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