WO2008093918A1 - Apparatus for locking seat track for vehicle - Google Patents

Apparatus for locking seat track for vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008093918A1
WO2008093918A1 PCT/KR2007/003023 KR2007003023W WO2008093918A1 WO 2008093918 A1 WO2008093918 A1 WO 2008093918A1 KR 2007003023 W KR2007003023 W KR 2007003023W WO 2008093918 A1 WO2008093918 A1 WO 2008093918A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
locking
movable rail
seat track
rail
latch member
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2007/003023
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Tae-Joo Jeong
Bum-Jin Hwang
Original Assignee
Austem Co., Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Austem Co., Ltd. filed Critical Austem Co., Ltd.
Publication of WO2008093918A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008093918A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
    • B60N2/06—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable
    • B60N2/08—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable characterised by the locking device
    • B60N2/0831—Movement of the latch
    • B60N2/0837—Movement of the latch pivoting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
    • B60N2/06—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable
    • B60N2/07—Slide construction
    • B60N2/0702—Slide construction characterised by its cross-section
    • B60N2/0715—C or U-shaped
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
    • B60N2/06—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable
    • B60N2/08—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable characterised by the locking device
    • B60N2/0812—Location of the latch
    • B60N2/0818—Location of the latch inside the rail
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
    • B60N2/06—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable
    • B60N2/08—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable characterised by the locking device
    • B60N2/0831—Movement of the latch
    • B60N2/0837—Movement of the latch pivoting
    • B60N2/0843—Movement of the latch pivoting about a longitudinal axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
    • B60N2/06—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable
    • B60N2/08—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable characterised by the locking device
    • B60N2/0831—Movement of the latch
    • B60N2/0862—Movement of the latch sliding
    • B60N2/0868—Movement of the latch sliding in a transversal direction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
    • B60Y2304/00—Optimising design; Manufacturing; Testing
    • B60Y2304/05—Reducing production costs, e.g. by redesign
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
    • B60Y2304/00—Optimising design; Manufacturing; Testing
    • B60Y2304/07—Facilitating assembling or mounting

Definitions

  • the present invention relates, in general, to apparatuses for locking seat tracks for vehicles and, more particularly, to an apparatus for locking a seat track for a vehicle which is constructed such that a latch member and an elastic member are installed in a movable rail, thus reducing the size of the seat track and the number of components of the seat track, and which is able to be applied to a small vehicle, and such that the structure of the seat track is simplified, so that the manufacturing cost and time is markedly reduced, and the weight of the vehicle is reduced, and in which the latch member has a double or triple locking structure so that the locking support force of the latch member can be increased, and, in addition, elastic parts of the elastic member, which are made of plate springs, form a three-point support structure, thus reliably applying elastic force to the latch member, and, because the elastic member is fastened to the movable rail using a fastening means in a state in which the elastic member is in contact with the inner surface of the movable rail, the force of coupling the elastic member to the movable
  • a driver's seat and a passenger seat which are disposed in the front row in a vehicle, are constructed such that the seats are movable forwards or backwards to fit the body types of occupants, thus ensuring comfort of the occupants.
  • a driver's seat or a passenger seat for vehicles must be constructed such that it is adjustable forwards or backwards.
  • the seat In the particular case of the driver' s seat, the seat must be movable forwards or backwards such that a driver, who sits on the seat, can comfortably manipulate a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, etc. As such, in the case where the seat has a structure such that the driver can drive the vehicle in a comfortable position, the probability of a safety hazard existing due to the uncomfortable position of the driver is reduced.
  • a stationary rail is mounted to a bracket, which is fastened to a vehicle body frame, and a movable rail is slidably provided on the stationary rail. Furthermore, a seat track locking apparatus is provided such that the movable rail can be locked to the stationary rail at a desired position.
  • Fig. 1 is a view illustrating the locked state of an apparatus for locking a seat track for vehicles, according to a first conventional technique.
  • Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the first conventional technique.
  • Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the locked state of an apparatus for locking a seat track for vehicles, according to a second conventional technique.
  • Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus for vehicles according to the second conventional technique.
  • the seat track locking apparatus for vehicles according to the first conventional technique is provided between a stationary rail, which is mounted to the bottom of a vehicle body, and a movable rail, which is movable along the stationary rail, and serves to releasably lock the movable rail to the stationary rail.
  • the seat track locking apparatus has a pin type locking mechanism 140 such that an operating pin 143, which is provided on a sidewall of the movable rail 120 through a pin bracket locking hole 124 of the movable rail 120, is movable both through a pin insert hole 111 of the stationary rail 110 and through pin insert holes 121, 122 and 123 of the movable rail 120, so that the movable rail 120 is locked to or unlocked from the stationary rail 110.
  • This seat track locking apparatus for vehicles was proposed in Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2004-101815 (date: Dec. 4, 2004).
  • the seat track locking apparatus for vehicles according to the second conventional technique also serves to releasably lock a movable rail to a stationary rail of a seat track of a vehicle.
  • This seat track locking apparatus includes an operating bar 210, which is provided between locking apparatuses provided on opposite sides of the seat, to provide operating force, and an operating bar bracket 220, which is coupled to each end of the operating bar 210 using a coupling pin 211 and is rotatable around an operating bar pin 225 provided in the movable rail 240.
  • a pushing bent part 220a is provided on one end of the operating bar bracket 220.
  • the seat track locking apparatus further includes a detent lever 224, which is provided on the inner surface of the movable rail 240 and has a protruding part that protrudes inwards.
  • a latch hole 224a is formed in the lower end of the detent lever 224, and a lever pin 226 is supported by the protruding part of the detent lever 224.
  • the seat track locking apparatus further includes a latch 222, which is rotatably supported on the lever pin 226 and has on the upper end thereof a contact protrusion 222a that contacts the pushing bent part 220a to receive operating force for unlocking.
  • the latch 222 has on the lower end thereof a stopper 222c, which releasably locks the movable rail 240 to the stationary rail 250 through a rail hole 253 of the stationary rail 250.
  • This seat track locking apparatus was proposed in Korean Patent Registration No. 575399 (date: May. 3, 2006).
  • the conventional seat track locking apparatuses can be easily installed, but, in the case of small vehicles, it is difficult to install the conventional seat track locking apparatuses, because the passenger compartments of the vehicles are small.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for locking a seat track for a vehicle which is constructed such that a latch member and an elastic member are installed in a movable rail, thus reducing the size of the seat track and the number of components of the seat track, and being able to be applied to a small vehicle, and such that the structure of the seat track is simplified, so that the manufacturing cost and time are markedly reduced and the weight of the vehicle is reduced, and in which the latch member has a double or triple locking structure so that the locking support force of the latch member can be increased, and, in addition, elastic parts of the elastic member, which are made of plate springs, form a three-point support structure, thus reliably applying elastic force to the latch member, and, because the elastic member is fastened to the movable rail using a fastening means in a state in which the elastic member is in contact with the inner surface of the movable rail, the force of coupling the elastic member to
  • the present invention provides an apparatus for locking a seat track for a vehicle to maintain a seat at an adjusted position, including: a stationary rail (10) provided on a bottom surface of a vehicle body; a movable rail (20) coupled at an upper end thereof to the seat and provided in the stationary rail (10) so as to be movable along the stationary rail forwards and backwards, with a "T"-shaped installation slot (24) formed through an upper surface of the movable rail (20); a latch member (30) having an "L” shape and installed in the movable rail (20) by locking a connection locking part (33) of the latch member to a locking slot (24a) of the installation slot (24) of the movable rail (20), the latch member (30) being rotatable around the connection locking part (33), which serves as a rotating shaft (Cl) thereof, so that the movable rail (20) is releasably locked to the stationary rail (10) by the latch member (30); and an elastic member (40) fastened to the a stationary rail (10) provided on a bottom
  • the latch member (30) may have on a lower end thereof a plurality of locking pins (31) for locking a downward bent part (11) of the stationary rail (10) and a downward bent part (21) of the movable rail (20) to each other.
  • the latch member (30) may have on a lower end thereof a plurality of locking pins (31) for locking a downward bent part (11) of the stationary rail (10), a downward bent part (21) of the movable rail (20) and an upward bent part (22) of the movable rail (20) together.
  • a plurality of locking notches (l la) may be consecutively formed in the downward bent part (11) of the stationary rail (10).
  • first elastic parts (42) and the second elastic part (43) of the elastic member (40) may comprise plate springs, each of which has a " ⁇ " shape.
  • the elastic member (40) may be fastened in the movable rail (20) using fastening means (41), such that a support surface (44) of the elastic member is in contact with an inner surface of a sidewall of the movable rail (20), and a coupling surface (45) of the elastic member is in contact with an inner surface of an upper end of the movable rail 20.
  • the apparatus for locking a seat track for a vehicle is constructed such that a latch member and an elastic member are installed in a movable rail, thus reducing the size of the seat track and the number of components of the seat track, and making it suitable for application to a small vehicle.
  • the seat track apparatus is constructed such that the structure of the seat track is simplified, so that the manufacturing cost and time are markedly reduced, and the weight of the vehicle is reduced.
  • the latch member has a double or triple locking structure so that the locking support force of the latch member can be increased.
  • elastic parts of the elastic member which are made of plate springs, form a three-point support structure, thus reliably applying elastic force to the latch member.
  • the elastic member is fastened to the movable rail using a fastening means in a state in which the elastic member is in contact with the inner surface of the movable rail, the force of coupling the elastic member to the movable rail can be reliably maintained.
  • Fig. 1 is a view illustrating the locked state of an apparatus for locking a seat track for vehicles, according to a first conventional technique
  • Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the first conventional technique
  • Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the locked state of an apparatus for locking a seat track for vehicles, according to a second conventional technique
  • Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus for vehicles according to the second conventional technique
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the locked state of an apparatus for locking a seat track for vehicles, according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the locked state of an apparatus for locking a seat track for vehicles, according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 8 is a front view showing the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a circled portion "B" of Fig. 9;
  • Fig. 11 is a sectional view illustrating the locked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a latch member of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing an elastic member of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 15 is a side view showing the elastic member of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the locked state of an apparatus for locking a seat track for vehicles according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a front view showing the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a circled portion "B" of Fig. 9. Fig.
  • FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating the locked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a latch member of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing an elastic member of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 15 is a side view showing the elastic member of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • the seat track locking apparatus for vehicles includes a stationary rail 10, a movable rail 20, a latch member 30 and an elastic member 40, and serves to lock a seat, moved to a desired position, to a vehicle body.
  • the stationary rail 10 is fastened to the bottom surface of the vehicle to support the seat of the vehicle.
  • the stationary rail 10 has an approximate "U" shape, and a downward bent part 11, which extends a predetermined length downwards, is provided on each of opposite edges of the stationary rail 10, which are bent inwards.
  • locking notches 11a are formed in each downward bent part 11 of the stationary rail 10 at positions spaced apart from each other at regular intervals.
  • the latch member 30 fastened to the movable rail 20 is inserted into some of the locking notches 11a, thereby the movable rail 20 is locked to the stationary rail 10.
  • the movable rail 20 has an approximate upside-down "U" shape. Downward bent parts 21 form respective opposite sidewalls of the movable rail 20, and an upward bent part 22, which is bent outwards and upwards, is provided on one edge of each downwards bent part 21. Preferably, to reinforce the strength of the movable rail 20, a protruding part is formed in each upward bent part 22, such that the protruding part of the upward bent part 22 is in contact with the corresponding downward bent part 21.
  • the movable rail 20 is coupled at the upper end thereof to the seat and is provided in the stationary rail 10 so as to be slidable forwards and backwards on a sliding unit, such as balls or rollers, interposed therebetween.
  • an installation slot 24, having a "T" shape, is formed through the upper surface of the movable rail 20.
  • a plurality of locking holes 22a is formed through one downward bent part 21 of the movable rail 20 at positions adjacent to the installation slot 24.
  • a plurality of locking holes 22a is formed through the upward bent part 22, which extends from the downward bent part 21 having the locking holes 22a.
  • the latch member 30 has an approximate "L" shape and includes on the upper end thereof a second support part 34, which has an approximately rectangular shape. Furthermore, a first support part 34 is provided under the second support part 32, and a connection locking part 33, which has a recess, is formed between the first and second support parts. A locking pin 31 is provided on the lower end of the first support part 34 of the latch member 30.
  • connection locking part 33 of the latch member 30 is inserted into and locked to a locking slot 24a, which extends from the installation slot 24 in one direction, so that the latch member 30 is rotatably installed in the movable rail 20.
  • the locking pins 31, which are provided under the lower end of the second support part 32 of the latch member 30, are inserted both into the locking notches 11a, which are formed through the corresponding downward bent part 11 of the stationary rail 10, and into locking holes 21a, which are formed through the corresponding downward bent part 21 of the movable rail 20, so that the movable rail 20 is locked to the stationary rail 10.
  • the latch member 30 is constructed such that the locking pins 31 of the latch member 30 are inserted into the locking notches 11a, which are formed through the downward bent part 11 of the stationary rail 10, the locking holes 21a, which are formed through the downward bent part 21 of the movable rail 20, and the locking holes 22a, which are formed through the upward bent part 22 of the movable rail 20, so that the movable rail 20 is locked to the stationary rail 10.
  • the elastic member 40 is fastened to the inner surface of the movable rail 20 at a position corresponding to the installation slot 24, such that a support surface 44, which forms a sidewall of the elastic member 40, is in contact with the inner surface of the corresponding sidewall of the movable rail 20, and a coupling surface 45, which forms the top surface of the elastic member 40, is in contact with the inner surface of the upper end of the movable rail 20.
  • coupling holes 45a are formed through the respective opposite ends of the coupling surface 45 of the elastic member 40. Furthermore, coupling holes 23 are formed through the movable rail 20 at opposite positions of the installation slot 24. Thus, the elastic member 40 is fastened to the inner surface of the movable rail 20 using a fastening means 41, such as rivets or bolts.
  • first elastic parts 42 which elastically support the first support part 34, formed on the lower end of the latch member 30, is provided on the lower end of the elastic member 40.
  • a second elastic part 43 which elastically supports the second support part 32, formed on the upper end of the latch member 30, is provided on the upper end of the elastic member 40.
  • a plate spring which has an approximate "

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

An apparatus for locking a seat track for a vehicle is disclosed. The seat track locking apparatus of the present invention includes a stationary rail (10), which is provided on the bottom of the vehicle body, and a movable rail (20), which is slidably provided in the stationary rail. An installation slot (24) is formed in the movable rail. The seat track locking apparatus further includes a latch member (30), which is installed in the installation slot such that the latch member is rotatable around a connection locking part thereof. The seat track locking apparatus further includes an elastic member (40), which is fastened to the movable rail in the installation slot. The elastic member has first elastic parts (42), which elastically support the lower end of the latch member, and a second elastic part (43), which elastically supports the upper end of the latch member.

Description

Description APPARATUS FOR LOCKING SEAT TRACK FOR VEHICLE
Technical Field
[1] The present invention relates, in general, to apparatuses for locking seat tracks for vehicles and, more particularly, to an apparatus for locking a seat track for a vehicle which is constructed such that a latch member and an elastic member are installed in a movable rail, thus reducing the size of the seat track and the number of components of the seat track, and which is able to be applied to a small vehicle, and such that the structure of the seat track is simplified, so that the manufacturing cost and time is markedly reduced, and the weight of the vehicle is reduced, and in which the latch member has a double or triple locking structure so that the locking support force of the latch member can be increased, and, in addition, elastic parts of the elastic member, which are made of plate springs, form a three-point support structure, thus reliably applying elastic force to the latch member, and, because the elastic member is fastened to the movable rail using a fastening means in a state in which the elastic member is in contact with the inner surface of the movable rail, the force of coupling the elastic member to the movable rail can be reliably maintained. Background Art
[2] As well known to those skilled in the art, seats for vehicles allow drivers or passengers to sit thereon in comfortable positions to reduce their fatigue during travel. Among such seats, a driver's seat and a passenger seat, which are disposed in the front row in a vehicle, are constructed such that the seats are movable forwards or backwards to fit the body types of occupants, thus ensuring comfort of the occupants.
[3] In other words, in such a vehicle seat, which allows a driver or a passenger to sit thereon in a comfortable position to reduce his/her fatigue during travel, a device for adjusting the position of the seat depending on the body type of an occupant is essentially required.
[4] In particular, a driver's seat or a passenger seat for vehicles must be constructed such that it is adjustable forwards or backwards.
[5] Furthermore, recently, almost all driver's seats and passenger seats are constructed such that the positions thereof can be adjusted in response to the body types of the occupants.
[6] In the particular case of the driver' s seat, the seat must be movable forwards or backwards such that a driver, who sits on the seat, can comfortably manipulate a steering wheel, an accelerator pedal, a brake pedal, etc. As such, in the case where the seat has a structure such that the driver can drive the vehicle in a comfortable position, the probability of a safety hazard existing due to the uncomfortable position of the driver is reduced.
[7] Typically, to realize the forward and backward movable construction of the front- row seat, a stationary rail is mounted to a bracket, which is fastened to a vehicle body frame, and a movable rail is slidably provided on the stationary rail. Furthermore, a seat track locking apparatus is provided such that the movable rail can be locked to the stationary rail at a desired position.
[8] Hereinafter, conventional seat track locking apparatuses and the problems thereof will be explained with reference to the attached drawings.
[9] Fig. 1 is a view illustrating the locked state of an apparatus for locking a seat track for vehicles, according to a first conventional technique. Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the first conventional technique. Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the locked state of an apparatus for locking a seat track for vehicles, according to a second conventional technique. Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus for vehicles according to the second conventional technique.
[10] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the seat track locking apparatus for vehicles according to the first conventional technique is provided between a stationary rail, which is mounted to the bottom of a vehicle body, and a movable rail, which is movable along the stationary rail, and serves to releasably lock the movable rail to the stationary rail. The seat track locking apparatus has a pin type locking mechanism 140 such that an operating pin 143, which is provided on a sidewall of the movable rail 120 through a pin bracket locking hole 124 of the movable rail 120, is movable both through a pin insert hole 111 of the stationary rail 110 and through pin insert holes 121, 122 and 123 of the movable rail 120, so that the movable rail 120 is locked to or unlocked from the stationary rail 110. This seat track locking apparatus for vehicles was proposed in Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2004-101815 (date: Dec. 4, 2004).
[11] Meanwhile, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the seat track locking apparatus for vehicles according to the second conventional technique also serves to releasably lock a movable rail to a stationary rail of a seat track of a vehicle. This seat track locking apparatus includes an operating bar 210, which is provided between locking apparatuses provided on opposite sides of the seat, to provide operating force, and an operating bar bracket 220, which is coupled to each end of the operating bar 210 using a coupling pin 211 and is rotatable around an operating bar pin 225 provided in the movable rail 240. A pushing bent part 220a is provided on one end of the operating bar bracket 220. The seat track locking apparatus further includes a detent lever 224, which is provided on the inner surface of the movable rail 240 and has a protruding part that protrudes inwards. A latch hole 224a is formed in the lower end of the detent lever 224, and a lever pin 226 is supported by the protruding part of the detent lever 224. The seat track locking apparatus further includes a latch 222, which is rotatably supported on the lever pin 226 and has on the upper end thereof a contact protrusion 222a that contacts the pushing bent part 220a to receive operating force for unlocking. Furthermore, the latch 222 has on the lower end thereof a stopper 222c, which releasably locks the movable rail 240 to the stationary rail 250 through a rail hole 253 of the stationary rail 250. This seat track locking apparatus was proposed in Korean Patent Registration No. 575399 (date: May. 3, 2006).
[12] However, in these seat track locking apparatuses, because the components are provided outside the movable rail, there are disadvantages in that the size of the seat track is increased, which restricts the installation space in the vehicle.
[13] In other words, in the case of medium and large vehicles having large passenger compartments, the conventional seat track locking apparatuses can be easily installed, but, in the case of small vehicles, it is difficult to install the conventional seat track locking apparatuses, because the passenger compartments of the vehicles are small.
[14] In addition, in the conventional techniques, because the locking apparatus is installed outside the movable rail, the stationary rail and the movable rail have complex external shapes, and factors restricting the shapes thereof exist. Therefore, a process of manufacturing the seat track is very complicated.
[15] As well, the conventional seat track locking apparatuses have complex structures, in which many components must be assembled together. Thus, there are problems in that the weight of the seat track is increased, and the manufacturing cost and time are excessively increased. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem
[16] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for locking a seat track for a vehicle which is constructed such that a latch member and an elastic member are installed in a movable rail, thus reducing the size of the seat track and the number of components of the seat track, and being able to be applied to a small vehicle, and such that the structure of the seat track is simplified, so that the manufacturing cost and time are markedly reduced and the weight of the vehicle is reduced, and in which the latch member has a double or triple locking structure so that the locking support force of the latch member can be increased, and, in addition, elastic parts of the elastic member, which are made of plate springs, form a three-point support structure, thus reliably applying elastic force to the latch member, and, because the elastic member is fastened to the movable rail using a fastening means in a state in which the elastic member is in contact with the inner surface of the movable rail, the force of coupling the elastic member to the movable rail can be reliably maintained. Technical Solution
[17] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus for locking a seat track for a vehicle to maintain a seat at an adjusted position, including: a stationary rail (10) provided on a bottom surface of a vehicle body; a movable rail (20) coupled at an upper end thereof to the seat and provided in the stationary rail (10) so as to be movable along the stationary rail forwards and backwards, with a "T"-shaped installation slot (24) formed through an upper surface of the movable rail (20); a latch member (30) having an "L" shape and installed in the movable rail (20) by locking a connection locking part (33) of the latch member to a locking slot (24a) of the installation slot (24) of the movable rail (20), the latch member (30) being rotatable around the connection locking part (33), which serves as a rotating shaft (Cl) thereof, so that the movable rail (20) is releasably locked to the stationary rail (10) by the latch member (30); and an elastic member (40) fastened to the movable rail (20) in the installation slot (24), the elastic member (40) comprising a plurality of first elastic parts (42) to elastically support a lower end of the latch member (30), and a second elastic part (43) to elastically support an upper end of the latch member (30).
[18] Preferably, the latch member (30) may have on a lower end thereof a plurality of locking pins (31) for locking a downward bent part (11) of the stationary rail (10) and a downward bent part (21) of the movable rail (20) to each other.
[19] More preferably, the latch member (30) may have on a lower end thereof a plurality of locking pins (31) for locking a downward bent part (11) of the stationary rail (10), a downward bent part (21) of the movable rail (20) and an upward bent part (22) of the movable rail (20) together.
[20] Furthermore, a plurality of locking notches (l la) may be consecutively formed in the downward bent part (11) of the stationary rail (10).
[21] In addition, the first elastic parts (42) and the second elastic part (43) of the elastic member (40) may comprise plate springs, each of which has a " < " shape.
[22] Moreover, the elastic member (40) may be fastened in the movable rail (20) using fastening means (41), such that a support surface (44) of the elastic member is in contact with an inner surface of a sidewall of the movable rail (20), and a coupling surface (45) of the elastic member is in contact with an inner surface of an upper end of the movable rail 20.
Advantageous Effects
[23] In the present invention, the apparatus for locking a seat track for a vehicle is constructed such that a latch member and an elastic member are installed in a movable rail, thus reducing the size of the seat track and the number of components of the seat track, and making it suitable for application to a small vehicle. In addition, the seat track apparatus is constructed such that the structure of the seat track is simplified, so that the manufacturing cost and time are markedly reduced, and the weight of the vehicle is reduced. [24] Furthermore, the latch member has a double or triple locking structure so that the locking support force of the latch member can be increased. [25] In addition, elastic parts of the elastic member, which are made of plate springs, form a three-point support structure, thus reliably applying elastic force to the latch member. [26] As well, because the elastic member is fastened to the movable rail using a fastening means in a state in which the elastic member is in contact with the inner surface of the movable rail, the force of coupling the elastic member to the movable rail can be reliably maintained.
Brief Description of the Drawings [27] Fig. 1 is a view illustrating the locked state of an apparatus for locking a seat track for vehicles, according to a first conventional technique; [28] Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the first conventional technique; [29] Fig. 3 is a view illustrating the locked state of an apparatus for locking a seat track for vehicles, according to a second conventional technique; [30] Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus for vehicles according to the second conventional technique; [31] Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the locked state of an apparatus for locking a seat track for vehicles, according to an embodiment of the present invention; [32] Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; [33] Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; [34] Fig. 8 is a front view showing the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; [35] Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; [36] Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a circled portion "B" of Fig. 9;
[37] Fig. 11 is a sectional view illustrating the locked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[38] Fig. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[39] Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a latch member of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[40] Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing an elastic member of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; and
[41] Fig. 15 is a side view showing the elastic member of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[42] <Description of the elements in the drawings>
[43] 10: stationary rail 20: movable rail
[44] 30: latch member 40: elastic member
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[45] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.
[46] Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the locked state of an apparatus for locking a seat track for vehicles according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8 is a front view showing the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a circled portion "B" of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a sectional view illustrating the locked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the unlocked state of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a latch member of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing an elastic member of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 15 is a side view showing the elastic member of the seat track locking apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[47] As shown in Figs. 5 through 9, the seat track locking apparatus for vehicles according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a stationary rail 10, a movable rail 20, a latch member 30 and an elastic member 40, and serves to lock a seat, moved to a desired position, to a vehicle body.
[48] The stationary rail 10 is fastened to the bottom surface of the vehicle to support the seat of the vehicle. The stationary rail 10 has an approximate "U" shape, and a downward bent part 11, which extends a predetermined length downwards, is provided on each of opposite edges of the stationary rail 10, which are bent inwards.
[49] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 10, locking notches 11a are formed in each downward bent part 11 of the stationary rail 10 at positions spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. The latch member 30 fastened to the movable rail 20 is inserted into some of the locking notches 11a, thereby the movable rail 20 is locked to the stationary rail 10.
[50] The movable rail 20 has an approximate upside-down "U" shape. Downward bent parts 21 form respective opposite sidewalls of the movable rail 20, and an upward bent part 22, which is bent outwards and upwards, is provided on one edge of each downwards bent part 21. Preferably, to reinforce the strength of the movable rail 20, a protruding part is formed in each upward bent part 22, such that the protruding part of the upward bent part 22 is in contact with the corresponding downward bent part 21.
[51] Furthermore, the movable rail 20 is coupled at the upper end thereof to the seat and is provided in the stationary rail 10 so as to be slidable forwards and backwards on a sliding unit, such as balls or rollers, interposed therebetween.
[52] In addition, an installation slot 24, having a "T" shape, is formed through the upper surface of the movable rail 20. A plurality of locking holes 22a is formed through one downward bent part 21 of the movable rail 20 at positions adjacent to the installation slot 24. As well, a plurality of locking holes 22a is formed through the upward bent part 22, which extends from the downward bent part 21 having the locking holes 22a.
[53] As shown in Fig. 13, the latch member 30 has an approximate "L" shape and includes on the upper end thereof a second support part 34, which has an approximately rectangular shape. Furthermore, a first support part 34 is provided under the second support part 32, and a connection locking part 33, which has a recess, is formed between the first and second support parts. A locking pin 31 is provided on the lower end of the first support part 34 of the latch member 30.
[54] The connection locking part 33 of the latch member 30 is inserted into and locked to a locking slot 24a, which extends from the installation slot 24 in one direction, so that the latch member 30 is rotatably installed in the movable rail 20.
[55] As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, when a drive force is applied to the second support part 32 of the latch member 30 through a seat moving lever (not shown), the latch member 30 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction around the connection locking part 33, which serves as a rotating axis Cl. Therefore, the latch member 30 unlocks the movable rail 20, which has been in a locked state, from the stationary rail 10.
[56] Furthermore, when the drive force, which has been transmitted from the seat moving lever to the second support part 32 of the latch member 30, is removed, the latch member 30 is rotated in a clockwise direction around the rotating axis Cl by the elastic force of the elastic member 40. Therefore, the latch member 30 locks the movable rail 20, which has been in the unlocked state, to the stationary rail 10.
[57] Here, the locking pins 31, which are provided under the lower end of the second support part 32 of the latch member 30, are inserted both into the locking notches 11a, which are formed through the corresponding downward bent part 11 of the stationary rail 10, and into locking holes 21a, which are formed through the corresponding downward bent part 21 of the movable rail 20, so that the movable rail 20 is locked to the stationary rail 10.
[58] Preferably, the latch member 30 is constructed such that the locking pins 31 of the latch member 30 are inserted into the locking notches 11a, which are formed through the downward bent part 11 of the stationary rail 10, the locking holes 21a, which are formed through the downward bent part 21 of the movable rail 20, and the locking holes 22a, which are formed through the upward bent part 22 of the movable rail 20, so that the movable rail 20 is locked to the stationary rail 10.
[59] As shown in Figs. 9, 14 and 15, the elastic member 40 is fastened to the inner surface of the movable rail 20 at a position corresponding to the installation slot 24, such that a support surface 44, which forms a sidewall of the elastic member 40, is in contact with the inner surface of the corresponding sidewall of the movable rail 20, and a coupling surface 45, which forms the top surface of the elastic member 40, is in contact with the inner surface of the upper end of the movable rail 20.
[60] In detail, coupling holes 45a are formed through the respective opposite ends of the coupling surface 45 of the elastic member 40. Furthermore, coupling holes 23 are formed through the movable rail 20 at opposite positions of the installation slot 24. Thus, the elastic member 40 is fastened to the inner surface of the movable rail 20 using a fastening means 41, such as rivets or bolts.
[61] Furthermore, a plurality of first elastic parts 42, which elastically support the first support part 34, formed on the lower end of the latch member 30, is provided on the lower end of the elastic member 40. A second elastic part 43, which elastically supports the second support part 32, formed on the upper end of the latch member 30, is provided on the upper end of the elastic member 40.
[62] For example, preferably, a plate spring, which has an approximate "
<
" shape, is used as each of the first and second elastic parts 42 and 43 of the elastic member 40. In this embodiment, the two first elastic parts 42 and the second elastic part 43 elastically support the first support part 34 and the second support part 32 at three positions, thus forming a three-point support structure, thereby reliably applying the elastic force to the latch member. [63] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment must be regarded as one example provided for description of the present invention, rather than to limit the present invention.

Claims

Claims
[1] An apparatus for locking a seat track for a vehicle to maintain a seat at an adjusted position, comprising: a stationary rail (10) provided on a bottom surface of a vehicle body; a movable rail (20) coupled at an upper end thereof to the seat and provided in the stationary rail (10) so as to be movable along the stationary rail forwards and backwards, with a "T"-shaped installation slot (24) formed through an upper surface of the movable rail (20); a latch member (30) having an "L" shape and installed in the movable rail (20) by locking a connection locking part (33) of the latch member to a locking slot (24a) of the installation slot (24) of the movable rail (20), the latch member (30) being rotatable around the connection locking part (33), which serves as a rotating shaft (Cl) thereof, so that the movable rail (20) is releasably locked to the stationary rail (10) by the latch member (30); and an elastic member (40) fastened to the movable rail (20) in the installation slot (24), the elastic member (40) comprising a plurality of first elastic parts (42) to elastically support a lower end of the latch member (30), and a second elastic part (43) to elastically support an upper end of the latch member (30).
[2] The apparatus for locking the seat track for the vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the latch member (30) has on a lower end thereof a plurality of locking pins (31 ) for locking a downward bent part ( 11 ) of the stationary rail ( 10) and a downward bent part (21) of the movable rail (20) to each other.
[3] The apparatus for locking the seat track for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the latch member (30) has on a lower end thereof a plurality of locking pins (31) for locking a downward bent part ( 11 ) of the stationary rail ( 10), a downward bent part (21) of the movable rail (20) and an upward bent part (22) of the movable rail (20) together.
[4] The apparatus for locking the seat track for the vehicle according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a plurality of locking notches (1 Ia) is consecutively formed in the downward bent part (11) of the stationary rail (10).
[5] The apparatus for locking the seat track for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the first elastic parts (42) and the second elastic part (43) of the elastic member (40) comprise plate springs, each of which has a "
<
" shape.
[6] The apparatus for locking the seat track for the vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the elastic member (40) is fastened in the movable rail (20) using fastening means (41), such that a support surface (44) of the elastic member is in contact with an inner surface of a sidewall of the movable rail (20), and a coupling surface (45) of the elastic member is in contact with an inner surface of an upper end of the movable rail 20.
PCT/KR2007/003023 2007-02-02 2007-06-21 Apparatus for locking seat track for vehicle WO2008093918A1 (en)

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KR1020070011038A KR100795658B1 (en) 2007-02-02 2007-02-02 Apparatus for locking seat track for vehicle
KR10-2007-0011038 2007-02-02

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Cited By (4)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9108532B2 (en) 2010-08-04 2015-08-18 Faurecia Sièges d'Automobile Slide rail for an automotive vehicle seat with lateral locking without clearance
EP3604028A1 (en) * 2018-08-02 2020-02-05 Adient Engineering and IP GmbH Seat length adjuster
US11718204B2 (en) 2021-03-05 2023-08-08 Camaco, Llc. Anti-chuck mechanism for seat track assembly
JP7435219B2 (en) 2020-05-01 2024-02-21 トヨタ紡織株式会社 Locking device for slide device

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101136824B1 (en) * 2010-07-16 2012-04-19 (주)케이엠앤아이 Locking System of Longitudinal Adjusting for Motor Vehicle Seat Track
KR101372954B1 (en) 2012-11-28 2014-03-10 현대다이모스(주) Locking unit for sliding seat

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US5797575A (en) * 1993-07-12 1998-08-25 Norsk Hydro A.S. Vehicle seat locking system
JP2001047897A (en) * 1999-08-11 2001-02-20 Hino Motors Ltd Slide lock device of seat for vehicle
US6641104B2 (en) * 2000-10-13 2003-11-04 Keiper Gmbh & Co. Longitudinal adjustment system for seats
KR20040090250A (en) * 2003-04-17 2004-10-22 주식회사 윤 영 seat-track for vehicles

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US5797575A (en) * 1993-07-12 1998-08-25 Norsk Hydro A.S. Vehicle seat locking system
JP2001047897A (en) * 1999-08-11 2001-02-20 Hino Motors Ltd Slide lock device of seat for vehicle
US6641104B2 (en) * 2000-10-13 2003-11-04 Keiper Gmbh & Co. Longitudinal adjustment system for seats
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9108532B2 (en) 2010-08-04 2015-08-18 Faurecia Sièges d'Automobile Slide rail for an automotive vehicle seat with lateral locking without clearance
EP3604028A1 (en) * 2018-08-02 2020-02-05 Adient Engineering and IP GmbH Seat length adjuster
US11267370B2 (en) 2018-08-02 2022-03-08 Adient Engineering and IP GmbH Longitudinal seat adjuster
JP7435219B2 (en) 2020-05-01 2024-02-21 トヨタ紡織株式会社 Locking device for slide device
US11718204B2 (en) 2021-03-05 2023-08-08 Camaco, Llc. Anti-chuck mechanism for seat track assembly

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