WO2017163867A1

WO2017163867A1 - Vehicular slide device, and rolling element circulation unit

Info

Publication number: WO2017163867A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/009121
Authority: WO
Inventors: 野村　啓介; 健貴川村; 星原　直明
Original assignee: アイシン精機株式会社
Priority date: 2016-03-22
Filing date: 2017-03-08
Publication date: 2017-09-28
Also published as: JP2017171045A

Abstract

This vehicular slide device includes a first rail, a second rail, and rolling element circulation units. The rolling element circulation units are provided with: a plurality of rolling elements; and housing parts in which first annular storage portions and second annular storage portions are provided. The first annular storage portions are each provided in a pair of facing surfaces of a first case part and a second case part which face each other. The second annular storage portions are each provided in a pair of facing surfaces of the first case part and a third case part which face each other. The rolling elements respectively roll and circulate inside the first and second annular storage portions. The first and second annular storage portions are provided so as to overlap each other in the horizontal direction when the rolling element circulation units are in a state of having been fixed to the second rail.

Description

Vehicle slide device and rolling element circulation unit

The present invention relates to a vehicle slide device and a rolling element circulation unit.

Conventionally, there are a vehicle slide device that supports a vehicle seat movably in the front-rear direction, and a rolling element circulation unit used in the slide device. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle seat slide device having a first rail, a second rail, and a rolling element circulation unit fixed to the second rail. The rolling element circulation unit has a pair of annular accommodating portions, and each of the annular accommodating portions allows each of the plurality of rolling elements to roll and circulate freely in a state where the plurality of rolling elements are arranged in an annular shape. According to this configuration, the first rail and the second rail are relatively moved by rolling and circulating in the annular housing portion in a state where the rolling element is in contact with the operation surface provided on the first rail and the annular housing portion. It moves and enables smooth sliding movement of the vehicle seat in the front-rear direction.

JP 2012-71656 A

In Patent Document 1, a rolling element circulation unit is provided between the first rail and the second rail. In addition, it is described that two annular housing portions in which a plurality of rolling elements are arranged so as to be able to roll and circulate are provided on the same surface in the facing surface where the first case and the second case face each other. Yes.

However, since the rolling element circulation unit disclosed in Patent Document 1 has two annular housing portions formed on the same surface on the opposing surface of the case, the space in which the two annular housing portions are provided is limited. For this reason, there is a concern that a plurality of rolling elements cannot smoothly roll and circulate through the annular housing portion because the size of the arc portion of the annular housing portion cannot be sufficiently secured.

This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, The objective is, when forming an annular accommodating part in a rolling element circulation unit, without enlarging a rolling element circulation unit, a 1st rail and a 2nd rail An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular slide device and a rolling element circulation unit that can smoothly move relative to each other.

To achieve the above object, a vehicle slide device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first rail, a second rail, and a rolling element circulation unit. The first rail is provided on the vehicle and has an operating surface. The second rail is supported by the first rail so as to be relatively movable in the extending direction of the first rail. The rolling element circulation unit includes a plurality of rolling elements, and a housing portion provided with a first annular accommodating portion and a second annular accommodating portion that accommodate and circulate the annular rolling elements in an annular shape. . The housing part includes a first case part, and a second case part and a third case part engaged with the first case part. The first annular housing portion is provided on a pair of opposing surfaces of the first case portion and the second case portion, and the plurality of rolling elements are arranged in a ring shape. The moving body is free to roll and circulate. The second annular housing portion is provided on a pair of opposed surfaces of the first case portion and the third case portion facing each other, and the plurality of rolling elements are arranged in a ring shape. The moving body is free to roll and circulate. The housing portion is configured such that the plurality of rolling elements housed in the first and second annular housing portions abut on the operation surface provided on the first rail and the first and second annular housing portions. It is configured. The housing portion is configured such that the plurality of rolling elements move while rolling between the operating surface and the first annular housing portion and between the operating surface and the second annular housing portion. And it is comprised so that the inside of a 2nd annular accommodating part may carry out rolling circulation. The first and second annular housing portions are provided to overlap each other in the horizontal direction in a state where the rolling element circulation unit is fixed to the second rail.

According to the above configuration, the first and second annular housing portions are in a positional relationship where they overlap each other in the horizontal direction in a state where the rolling element circulation unit is fixed to the second rail. Therefore, compared with the case where the first and second annular accommodating portions are formed so as not to overlap each other in the horizontal direction, the first and second annular accommodating portions are not changed without changing the size of the housing in the vertical direction. A large formation surface can be secured. That is, the arc portions of the first and second annular housing portions can be set large without requiring an increase in the size of the housing. Therefore, each rolling element can be smoothly rolled and circulated in each annular housing portion without requiring an increase in the size of the rolling element circulation unit, and thus the first rail and the second rail, and the first rail and the second rail. Can be moved relative to each other smoothly.

Preferably, the first and second annular housing portions are provided to overlap each other in a vertical direction in a state where the rolling element circulation unit is fixed to the second rail.
According to the said structure, a 1st and 2nd annular accommodating part becomes a positional relationship which mutually overlaps in the perpendicular direction in the state with which the rolling element circulation unit was fixed to the 2nd rail. Therefore, compared with the case where the first and second annular accommodating portions are formed so as not to overlap each other in the vertical direction, the first and second annular accommodating portions are not changed without changing the size of the housing in the horizontal direction. A large formation surface can be secured.

Preferably, the plurality of rolling elements have a first sphere having a first diameter and formed of a metal material, and a second sphere having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter and formed of a resin material. And a second sphere. The first sphere and the second sphere are arranged in each of the first and second annular accommodating portions so as to be alternately arranged.

According to the above configuration, the metal spheres having the first diameter and the resin spheres having a smaller diameter than the metal spheres are alternately arranged in the annular housing portion. Since the resin sphere has a smaller diameter than the metal sphere, the friction of the resin sphere with respect to the annular housing portion and the working surface can be suppressed, and deformation due to wear of the resin sphere can be suppressed.

Preferably, each of the first and second annular accommodating portions includes a contact surface that contacts the operating surface via the rolling element, and a non-contact surface that does not contact the operating surface via the rolling element. The contact surface has greater rigidity than the non-contact surface.

According to the above configuration, the contact surface in the annular housing portion of the rolling element circulation unit provided between the first rail and the second rail is in contact with the operating surface of the first rail via the rolling element. Yes. That is, the contact surface receives the load from the first rail via the rolling elements. The part constituting the contact surface is formed of a material having higher rigidity than the part constituting the non-contact surface that does not receive a load from the first rail. As a result, the contact surface can sufficiently receive the load applied from the first rail via the rolling elements, so that a decrease in durability of the annular housing portion can be suppressed.

A rolling element circulation unit according to a further aspect of the present invention includes a first rail having an operating surface, and a second rail supported by the first rail so as to be relatively movable in the extending direction of the first rail. Are provided in a vehicular slide device. The rolling element circulation unit includes a plurality of rolling elements and a housing portion. The housing portion is provided with a first annular housing portion and a second annular housing portion that accommodate the plurality of rolling elements and each circulates and circulates in an annular shape. The housing part includes a first case part, and a second case part and a third case part engaged with the first case part. The first annular housing portion is provided on a pair of opposing surfaces of the first case portion and the second case portion, and the plurality of rolling elements are arranged in a ring shape. The moving body is free to roll and circulate. The second annular housing portion is provided on a pair of opposed surfaces of the first case portion and the third case portion facing each other, and the plurality of rolling elements are arranged in a ring shape. The moving body is free to roll and circulate. The housing portion is configured such that the plurality of rolling elements housed in the first and second annular housing portions abut on the operation surface provided on the first rail and the first and second annular housing portions. It is configured. The housing portion is configured such that the plurality of rolling elements move while rolling between the operating surface and the first annular housing portion and between the operating surface and the second annular housing portion. And it is comprised so that the inside of a 2nd annular accommodating part may carry out rolling circulation. The first and second annular housing portions are provided to overlap each other in the horizontal direction in a state where the rolling element circulation unit is fixed to the second rail.

According to the present invention, each rolling element can be smoothly rolled and circulated within each annular housing portion without increasing the size of the rolling element circulation unit, and the first rail and the second rail can be relatively moved relative to each other. be able to.

The perspective view which shows the vehicle seat concerning one Embodiment of this invention. The front view of the vehicle slide apparatus of FIG. The perspective view which shows the 2nd rail of the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 2nd rail with which the rolling element circulation unit of the embodiment is assembled | attached. (A) The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the rolling element circulation unit of the embodiment, (b) The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the rolling element circulation unit of the embodiment. (A) Exploded perspective view of the first case, the second case, and the third case of the rolling element circulation unit of the embodiment, (b) the first case, the second case, and the third of the rolling element circulation unit of the embodiment. The exploded perspective view of a case. The front view of the rolling element circulation unit of the embodiment. Sectional drawing in alignment with the AA of FIG. 4 of the embodiment. (A) The figure which shows typically the perspective view seen from the arrow B direction of FIG. 8, (b) The figure which shows typically the perspective view seen from the arrow B direction of FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Whole vehicle seat)
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicular slide device includes a pair of left and right lower rails (the “first rail” of the present invention) 10 that are fixed in the front-rear direction of the vehicle floor 1 and a lower rail that is fixed to the vehicle seat 2. 10 includes a pair of left and right upper rails (the “second rail” of the present invention) 20 that are supported so as to be relatively movable with respect to 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a rolling element circulation unit 40 is provided between the upper rail 20 and the lower rail 10 in order to move the upper rail 20 smoothly and without backlash with respect to the lower rail 10.

(Configuration of lower rail)
As shown in FIG. 2, the lower rail 10 is located at the base portion 11 that is horizontal to the vehicle floor 1, the side portions 12 that extend upward from both ends of the base portion 11, and the lower ends of the both side portions 12. An inclined portion 13 that is inclined and connected to the base portion 11, a horizontal portion 14 that extends horizontally from the upper ends of the side portions 12 to the vehicle floor 1, and a hanging portion 15 that extends downward from the horizontal portion 14. is doing. The inner surfaces of both side portions 12 and both inclined portions 13 with which the rolling element 100 abuts are set as the operation surfaces 16.

(Upper rail configuration)
As shown in FIG. 2, the upper rail 20 includes a first rail piece 20a and a second rail piece 20b. The first rail piece 20a includes a base portion 21 that is horizontal to the floor 1 of the vehicle, and a side wall 22 that extends upward from one end of the base portion 21 that is separated from a portion where the rail pieces 20a and 20b are opposed to each other. The base portion 21 has an upright portion 23 that extends upward from the other end near the portion where the rail pieces 20a and 20b are not opposed to each other, and a connecting portion 24 that extends inwardly upward from the upright portion 23. . Similar to the first rail piece 20a, the second rail piece 20b has a base part 21, a side wall 22, a standing part 23, and a connecting part 24. The upper rail 20 having a space C surrounded by both standing portions 23 is configured by overlapping the connecting portion 24 of the first rail piece 20a and the connecting portion 24 of the second rail piece 20b. A surface of both side walls 22 facing the lower rail 10 is set as a non-operation surface 25. The non-operation surface 25 is configured to face the operation surface 16 provided on the lower rail 10.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, attachment portions 26 to which the rolling element circulation units 40 are attached are provided in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the both side walls 22 of the upper rail 20. Each attachment portion 26 is provided with two holes 27 to which the rolling element circulation unit 40 is attached. The attachment portion 26 is provided so that both non-operating surfaces 25 provided on the rail pieces 20a and 20b can be cut into a substantially rectangular shape.

As shown in FIG. 4, four rolling element circulation units 40 are attached to the upper rail 20 in the present embodiment by attaching the rolling element circulation units 40 to the holes 27. Note that the number of rolling element circulation units 40 may be changed as appropriate depending on the length of both rails and the like.

(Rolling body circulation unit)
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the rolling element circulation unit 40 includes a body 50 (the “first case portion” of the present invention) and a cover 60 (the invention of the present application) that is assembled and engaged with the body 50. “Second case part”). Further, in the body 50, the base 70 (the “third case portion” of the present invention) is engaged and assembled with the surface opposite to the surface on which the cover 60 is assembled. The body 50, the cover 60, and the base 70 constitute a housing part. A surface of the body 50 that faces the cover 60 is provided with a first annular housing path 41a that constitutes a first annular housing portion 41 in which the plurality of rolling elements 100 roll and circulate. In addition, with the installation of the first annular housing passage 41 a, a first annular housing groove 41 b constituting the first annular housing portion 41 is provided on the surface of the cover 60 that faces the body 50. That is, the first annular accommodating passage 41a and the first annular accommodating groove 41b are opposed to each other to form a space, thereby configuring the first annular accommodating portion 41 in which the plurality of rolling elements 100 roll and circulate. Further, on the surface of the body 50 that faces the base 70, a second annular accommodating passage 42a that forms a second annular accommodating portion 42 that accommodates the plurality of rolling elements 100 in a freely rolling manner is formed. Along with the installation of the second annular accommodating passage 42 a, a second annular accommodating groove 42 b is provided on the surface of the body 50 that faces the base 70. Here, the second annular accommodating passage 42a and the second annular accommodating groove 42b are opposed to each other to form a space, thereby forming a second annular accommodating portion 42 in which a plurality of rolling elements 100 roll and circulate. . The first annular housing passage 41a and the second annular housing passage 42a are each formed in a substantially elliptical shape. The body 50, the cover 60, and the base 70 are configured to be engaged with each other by, for example, an adhesive or a fitting structure.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the body 50 includes a first body 51 and a second body 56.
As shown in FIG. 6A, the first body 51 has a surface facing the cover 60 and a surface facing the base 70. The first body 51 is formed in a substantially U shape so that the second body 56 is assembled. A first non-contact surface 52 that is a part of the first annular housing passage 41 a is formed on the surface of the first body 51 that faces the cover 60. The first non-contact surface 52 does not contact the operating surface 16 of the lower rail 10 via the rolling element 100. Further, the first body 51 is formed with a first insertion hole 53 that allows the first body 51, the cover 60, and the first base 71 to be engaged with each other by inserting screws or the like (not shown). Has been. The first insertion hole 53 is provided so as to penetrate the first body 51.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, a second annular housing groove 42b is formed on the surface of the first body 51 facing the base 70. Furthermore, a notch 54 is provided at the end of the first body 51. The notch 54 is positioned between the rolling element 100 and the working surface 16 so that the rolling element 100 accommodated in the second annular housing path 42 a can contact the working surface 16 of the lower rail 10. One body 51 has an opening. In addition, on the surface of the first body 51 facing the base 70, a pair of second locking pieces 76 provided on the first base 71 are engaged on both sides of the first insertion hole 53. A second locking hole 55 is provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the second body 56 is formed in a quadrangular shape that is assembled between the ends of the first body 51 formed in a substantially U shape. A surface of the second body 56 facing the cover 60 is formed with a first contact surface 57 that is a part of the first annular housing path 41a. The first contact surface 57 contacts the operating surface 16 of the lower rail 10 via the rolling element 100. That is, the first non-contact surface 52 formed on the first body 51 and the first contact surface 57 formed on the second body 56 are connected to form the first annular housing passage 41a. ing. Further, the second body 56 is provided with a first insertion hole 58 into which a screw or the like (not shown) for engaging the cover 60 and the base 70 is inserted. The first insertion hole 58 is formed so as to penetrate the second body 56. Further, a pair of first locking pieces 59 that are locked to a pair of first locking holes 62 provided in the cover 60 are provided on both sides of the first insertion hole 58.

Here, the first body 51 is formed of a resin material, and the second body 56 is formed of a metal material. Since the second body 56 is formed with a first abutment surface 57 that abuts the operating surface 16 of the lower rail 10 via the rolling elements 100, the second body 56 is made of a material having higher rigidity than the first body 51. Preferably it is formed. Since the first body 51 does not come into contact with the operating surface 16 of the lower rail 10 via the rolling element 100, the first body 51 is made of a material having lower rigidity than the second body 56, for example, a resin material. Good.

Next, the cover 60 has a surface facing the body 50 as shown in FIGS. A first annular receiving groove 41 b is provided on the surface of the cover 60 that faces the body 50. Further, as shown in FIG. 6A, the cover 60 includes a first inclined surface 64 and a second inclined surface that match the shape of the operating surface 16 of the lower rail 10 of the cover 60 and the shape of the inclined portion 13 of the lower rail 10. 65 is formed. As shown in FIG. 6B, on the surface of the cover 60 facing the body 50, a screw for engaging the body 50 and the base 70 is provided at the center on the inner peripheral side of the first annular housing groove 41b. A second insertion hole 61 through which (not shown) is inserted is provided. The second insertion hole 61 is provided so as to penetrate the cover 60. Further, on the surface of the cover 60 facing the body 50, first locking holes for engaging a pair of first locking pieces 59 formed on the second body 56 on both sides of the second insertion hole 61. 62 is provided. Furthermore, a long hole 63 is formed in the first annular housing groove 41b on the surface of the cover 60 facing the body 50. The long hole 63 is formed so as to penetrate the first inclined surface 64. Further, the long hole 63 is set to be narrower than the diameter of the rolling element 100 so that each rolling element 100 does not come out of the first annular housing groove 41b. In addition, the long hole 63 has a shape in which both end portions in the longitudinal direction are curved and the central portion extends substantially linearly along the longitudinal direction. That is, when the rolling element 100 is exposed from the cover 60 through the long hole 63, the rolling element 100 can contact the working surface 16 of the lower rail 10. Furthermore, a second insertion hole 66 through which a screw or the like (not shown) for engaging the body 50 and the base 70 is inserted is formed at the end of the second inclined surface 65.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the base 70 is composed of a first base 71 and a second base 80.
As shown in FIG. 6A, the first base 71 includes a bottom portion 72 and wall portions 73 positioned on both end sides of the bottom portion 72. The bottom portion 72 is provided with a second contact surface 74 that forms a part of the second annular housing path 42a. A third insertion hole 75 for inserting a screw or the like (not shown) for engaging the body 50 and the cover 60 is provided on the same surface as the surface forming the second annular accommodating passage 42 a in the bottom portion 72. The third insertion hole 75 is provided so as to penetrate the first base 71. A first body 51 and a first base 71 can be integrally formed on both sides of the third insertion hole 75 by engaging with a second locking hole 55 formed in the first body 51. Two locking pieces 76 are provided. The bottom 72 is formed with a third insertion hole 77 through which a screw or the like (not shown) for engaging the body 50 and the cover 60 is inserted. Further, both wall portions 73 are provided with flange portions 78 extending outward. The both flange portions 78 are formed with through holes 79 through which, for example, screws or the like that can be fixed to the hole portions 27 of the upper rail 20 are inserted.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the second base 80 has a substantially U-shape that can be engaged with the second contact surface 74 provided on the first base 71. A surface of the second base 80 facing the body 50 is provided with a second non-contact surface 81 that forms a part of the second annular housing path 42a. The second non-contact surface 81 does not contact the operating surface 16 of the lower rail 10 via the rolling element 100. By connecting the second non-contact surface 81 and the second contact surface 74, the second annular accommodating path 42 a in the base 70 is formed.

Here, it is preferable that the first base 71 provided with the second contact surface 74 is made of a metal material, and the second base 80 provided with the second non-contact surface 81 is made of a resin material. Since the second base 80 does not come into contact with the operating surface 16 of the lower rail 10 via the rolling elements 100, the second base 80 may be made of a resin that is a material having lower rigidity than the first base 71.

In this embodiment, the rolling element 100 includes a metal sphere 101 (the present invention “first sphere”) formed of a metal material and a resin sphere 102 (the present invention “second sphere”) formed of a resin material. ). The metal sphere 101 has a diameter R1, the resin sphere 102 has a diameter R2, and the metal sphere 101 and the resin sphere 102 are provided so that “R1> R2” is satisfied. 5 (a) and 5 (b), the resin sphere 102 is indicated by hatching. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the metal spheres 101 and the resin spheres 102 are alternately arranged in the first annular housing passage 41a and the second annular housing passage 42a, respectively. . The rolling element circulation unit 40 is configured integrally by housing the rolling element 100 in the first annular accommodating path 41a and the second annular accommodating path 42a and engaging the body 50, the cover 60, and the base 70.

As shown in FIG. 7, the rolling element circulation unit 40 is configured such that each rolling element 100 accommodated in the first annular accommodating passage 41 a and the first annular accommodating groove 41 b is exposed from the long hole 63 of the cover 60. Yes. Further, each rolling element 100 accommodated in the second annular accommodating passage 42 a and the second annular accommodating groove 42 b is configured to be exposed from the cutout portion 54 of the first body 51.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rolling element circulation unit 40 has a through-hole provided in the hole 27 of the attachment portion 26 of the upper rail 20 and the flange portion 78 of the first base 71 of the rolling element circulation unit 40. A screw or the like (not shown) is inserted through the hole 79 to be fixed to the upper rail 20.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the rolling element circulation unit 40 is attached to the upper rail 20 and the rolling element 100 is in contact with the operating surface 16 of the lower rail 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the first annular housing portion 41 and the second annular housing portion 42 are provided so as to overlap each other in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. In the first body 51, the first annular housing passage 41 a and the second annular housing groove 42 b are formed so as to overlap each other on the surfaces facing the cover 60 and the base 70. That is, in a state where the rolling element circulation unit 40 is assembled to the upper rail 20, the rolling element 100 of the first annular accommodating passage 41a and the rolling element 100 of the second annular accommodating groove 42b overlap each other in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. It is a positional relationship.

(Operation of vehicle sliding device)
Next, the operation of the vehicle slide device according to the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the rolling element circulation unit 40 is attached to the attachment part 26 of the upper rail 20, the rolling element 100 accommodated in the first annular accommodation part 41 is the first of the second body 56. While abutting on the abutment surface 57, it contacts the operating surface 16 of the lower rail 10. Further, the rolling element 100 accommodated in the second annular accommodating portion 42 contacts the operating surface 16 of the lower rail 10 while contacting the second contact surface 74 of the first base 71.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the rolling element 100 abuts against the operating surface 16, the first annular housing portion so that five rolling elements 100 face the operating surface 16. 41 and the 2nd cyclic | annular accommodating part 42 are formed. FIG. 9A shows a case where two rolling balls 100 face each other and two plastic balls 102 face each other when the rolling element 100 contacts the working surface 16. Further, FIG. 9B shows a case where the lower rail 10 slides with respect to the upper rail 20. That is, when the rolling element 100 abuts against the working surface 16, three metal spheres 101 and two resin spheres 102 face each other. Therefore, at least two metal spheres 101 always face the operating surface 16.

When the upper rail 20 slides with respect to the lower rail 10, the first and second

annular accommodation portions

41 and 41 are in contact with the working surface 16, the first contact surface 57, and the working surface 16 and the second contact surface 74, respectively. Each rolling element 100 accommodated in 42 circulates while rolling.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.
(1) According to the present embodiment, the first annular housing portion 41 and the second annular housing portion 42 are provided on the surfaces of the first body 51 of the rolling element circulation unit 40 that face the cover 60 and the base 70, respectively. The first annular housing portion 41 and the second annular housing portion 42 in a state where the rolling element circulation unit 40 is attached to the upper rail 20 are in a positional relationship overlapping each other in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the size of the formation surface of the first annular housing passage 41a and the first annular housing groove 41b, and the second annular housing passage 42a and the second annular housing groove 42b enlarges the rolling element circulation unit 40 in the horizontal direction. It can be secured large without any problem.

(2) According to the present embodiment, it is possible to secure a large formation surface of the first annular housing passage 41a and the first annular housing groove 41b, and the second annular housing passage 42a and the second annular housing groove 42b. That is, the circular arc part of each annular accommodating path and the annular accommodating groove can be set large. Accordingly, when the rolling element 100 rolls and circulates in the arc portion, it is less necessary to reduce the speed at which the rolling element 100 rolls and circulates. Therefore, the rolling element 100 can smoothly roll and circulate the first annular housing portion 41 and the second annular housing portion 42. That is, the lower rail 10 and the upper rail 20 can be smoothly moved relative to each other.

(3) According to the present embodiment, it is possible to secure a large formation surface of the first annular housing passage 41a and the first annular housing groove 41b, and the second annular housing passage 42a and the second annular housing groove 42b. The approach angle when each rolling element 100 changes from the non-contact state to the contact state is made small with respect to the working surface 16 with which each rolling element 100 contacts, and each rolling element 100 is gradually brought into contact with the working surface. Thus, it is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise due to the contact sound between the rolling element 100 and the working surface 16 when the rolling element 100 rolls and circulates through the first annular accommodating part 41 and the second annular accommodating part 42.

(4) According to the present embodiment, the first annular housing passage 41a and the first annular housing groove 41b, and the second annular housing passage 42a and the second annular housing groove 42b are arranged so as to overlap each other in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction. Has been. Thereby, the enlargement to the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the rolling element circulation unit 40 can be suppressed.

(5) According to this embodiment, the first contact surface 57 of the first annular housing passage 41a and the second contact surface 74 of the second annular housing passage 42a are made of a metal material. Moreover, the 1st non-contact surface 52 of the 1st cyclic | annular accommodation path 41a and the 2nd non-contact surface 81 of the 2nd cyclic | annular accommodation path 42a are comprised by the resin material. The first contact surface 57 and the second contact surface 74 receive the load from the lower rail 10 via the rolling elements 100. On the other hand, the first non-contact surface 52 and the second non-contact surface 81 do not receive a load from the lower rail 10. As a result, the first contact surface 57 and the second contact surface 74 are formed of a metal material having higher rigidity than the first non-contact surface 52 and the second non-contact surface 81, so that the lower rail 10 A load can be sufficiently received, and a decrease in durability of the rolling element circulation unit 40 can be suppressed.

(6) According to the present embodiment, the first non-contact surface 52 and the second non-contact surface 81 are made of a resin material having lower rigidity than the first contact surface 57 and the second contact surface 74. . As a result, the impact of the rolling element 100 in contact with the first non-contact surface 52 and the second non-contact surface 81 can be mitigated, so that the rolling element 100 has the first annular housing path 41a and the second annular housing path. It is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise due to the contact sound when rolling and circulating through 42a.

(7) According to the present embodiment, only the second body 56 and the first base 71 of the rolling element circulation unit 40 are formed of a metal material, and the other portions are formed of a resin material. As a result, it is possible to reduce the weight of the rolling element circulation unit 40 as compared with the case where the rolling element circulation unit 40 is entirely formed of a metal material.

(8) According to the present embodiment, the rolling element 100 includes the metal sphere 101 and the resin sphere 102, and the metal sphere 101 is formed with a larger diameter than the resin sphere 102. According to this configuration, when the rolling element 100 rolls and circulates in the first annular accommodating path 41a and the second annular accommodating path 42a, the resin spherical body 102 is more in the first annular accommodating path 41a than the metal spherical body 101. And the frictional force with the second annular housing path 42a is reduced. Therefore, compared with the case where all the rolling elements 100 are formed of the metal spheres 101, the abnormal noise due to the contact sound when the rolling elements 100 roll and circulate in the first annular accommodating path 41a and the second annular accommodating path 42a. Can be suppressed.

(9) According to the present embodiment, the rolling element 100 includes the metal sphere 101 and the resin sphere 102, and the metal sphere 101 is formed with a larger diameter than the resin sphere 102. Accordingly, when the rolling element 100 rolls and circulates in the first annular accommodating path 41a and the second annular accommodating path 42a, the resin spherical body 102 has a diameter smaller than that of the metal spherical body 101. Friction between the first contact surface 57 and the second contact surface 74 can be suppressed. That is, it is possible to prevent the resin sphere 102 from being deformed due to wear.

(10) According to this embodiment, the diameter of the metal sphere 101 is larger than the diameter of the resin sphere 102. By setting the metal sphere 101 and the resin sphere 102 to different diameters, the tolerance can be set over a wide range, and it is not necessary to increase the manufacturing accuracy of the rolling element 100. Can be provided.

(11) According to the present embodiment, at least five rolling elements 100 face the working surface 16. Thus, since at least five rolling elements 100 can roll and circulate while facing parallel to the working surface 16 of the first annular housing portion 41, the rolling elements 100 can smoothly roll and circulate. Can do. Furthermore, since the plurality of rolling elements 100 include metal spheres 101 and resin spheres 102 that are alternately arranged, as shown in FIGS. At least two abut against the working surface 16. Accordingly, since the resin sphere 102, which is a material having lower rigidity than the metal sphere 101, does not contact the operating surface 16, it is possible to suppress the resin sphere 102 from being worn and deformed.

(12) According to this embodiment, at least two metal spheres 101 abut against the working surface 16. Accordingly, when a load from the lower rail 10 is applied to the two metal spheres 101 in contact with the operation surface 16 as compared with the case in which one metal sphere 101 is in contact with the operation surface 16. The metal sphere 101 can be prevented from being deformed.

(13) According to this embodiment, the rolling element circulation unit 40 inserts a screw or the like (not shown) through the hole portion 27 of the attachment portion 26 of the upper rail 20 and the through hole 79 of the rolling element circulation unit 40. This is fixed to the attachment portion 26. That is, the attachment portion 26 only needs to form the hole portion 27, and the upper rail 20 is not punched or bent, for example, in order to provide the rolling element circulation unit 40. Therefore, when the attachment portion 26 is formed, the process of processing the upper rail 20 can be omitted.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
-In this embodiment, the 1st annular accommodating part 41 and the 2nd annular accommodating part 42 in the state by which the rolling element circulation unit 40 was attached to the upper rail 20 are arrange | positioned so that it may mutually overlap in a horizontal direction and a perpendicular direction. . However, it does not necessarily have to be arranged so as to overlap each other in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and may be arranged so as to overlap each other only in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction according to the shapes of the lower rail 10 and the upper rail 20.

In the present embodiment, the rolling element 100 includes a metal sphere 101 and a resin sphere 102. However, the metal spheres 101 and the resin spheres 102 do not necessarily have to be configured. For example, the metal spheres 101 or the resin spheres 102 alone may be used, and the rolling elements 100 may have different diameters. Good.

In the present embodiment, the metal spheres 101 and the resin spheres 102 are alternately arranged. Here, “alternating” in the present embodiment includes, for example, a case where two resin spheres 102 are arranged between the metal spheres 101. When two resin spheres 102 are arranged between the metal spheres 101, the number of rolling elements 100 facing the operation surface 16 is appropriately changed so that the resin spheres 102 do not contact the operation surface 16. Also good. That is, the arrangement relationship between the metal sphere 101 and the resin sphere 102 is not limited to the above embodiment. Furthermore, the positional relationship in which the rolling element 100 faces the operating surface 16 is not limited to the above embodiment.

-In this embodiment, when attaching the rolling element circulation unit 40 to the attachment part 26 of the upper rail 20, for example, by interposing an elastic body (not shown) between the flange part 78 and the attachment part 26. The rattling of the rolling element circulation unit 40 may be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the first body 51 is made of a resin material, and the second body 56 is made of a metal material. The first base 71 is made of a metal material, and the second base 80 is made of a resin material. However, the body 50 may not be formed of a material having different rigidity, and the base 70 may not be formed of a material having different rigidity. For example, the body 50 and the base 70 may each be made of a metal material or a resin material.

In the present embodiment, the metal sphere 101 and the resin sphere 102 are formed with different diameters. However, the rolling element 100 may not be constituted by the metal sphere 101 and the resin sphere 102. For example, you may comprise the rolling element 100 only from the metal spherical body 101 or the resin spherical body 102. FIG.

In the present embodiment, the diameter of the metal sphere 101 is larger than the diameter of the resin sphere 102. However, the magnitude relationship between the diameters of the metal sphere 101 and the resin sphere 102 is not limited. For example, the metal sphere 101 and the resin sphere 102 may be composed of the same diameter.

In the present embodiment, the rolling element is composed of a metal sphere 101 and a resin sphere 102. The resin sphere 102 may be formed of a rubber material.

Claims

A first rail provided on the vehicle and having an operating surface;
A second rail supported by the first rail so as to be relatively movable in the extending direction of the first rail;
A rolling element circulation unit having a plurality of rolling elements, and a housing part provided with a first annular accommodating part and a second annular accommodating part that accommodate and circulate each of the rolling elements in an annular shape. Prepared,
The housing part includes a first case part, and a second case part and a third case part engaged with the first case part,
The first annular housing portion is provided on a pair of opposing surfaces of the first case portion and the second case portion, and the plurality of rolling elements are arranged in a ring shape. The moving body is free to roll and circulate.
The second annular housing portion is provided on a pair of opposed surfaces of the first case portion and the third case portion facing each other, and the plurality of rolling elements are arranged in a ring shape. The moving body is free to roll and circulate.
The housing portion is configured such that the plurality of rolling elements housed in the first and second annular housing portions abut on the operation surface provided on the first rail and the first and second annular housing portions. Is composed of
The housing portion is configured such that the plurality of rolling elements move while rolling between the operating surface and the first annular housing portion and between the operating surface and the second annular housing portion. And configured to circulate and circulate in the second annular housing portion,
The said 1st and 2nd annular accommodating part is a vehicle slide apparatus provided so that it may mutually overlap in the horizontal direction in the state in which the said rolling element circulation unit was fixed to the said 2nd rail.
2. The vehicle slide device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second annular housing portions are provided to overlap each other in a vertical direction in a state where the rolling element circulation unit is fixed to the second rail.
The plurality of rolling elements are:
A first sphere having a first diameter and formed of a metal material;
A second sphere having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter and formed of a resin material,
3. The vehicle slide device according to claim 1, wherein the first sphere and the second sphere are alternately arranged in each of the first and second annular housing portions.
Each of the first and second annular housing portions has a contact surface that contacts the operating surface via the rolling element and a non-contact surface that does not contact the operating surface via the rolling element. And
The vehicular slide device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the abutment surface has rigidity greater than that of the non-abutment surface.
The second rail includes two attachment portions respectively provided at both ends,
The rolling element circulation unit is at least one of two rolling element circulation units;
The vehicle slide device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two rolling element circulation units are respectively attached to the two attachment portions.
The first rail is a lower rail provided on the floor of the vehicle,
The vehicle slide device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second rail is an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat.
The lower rail includes a base portion that is horizontal to the floor of the vehicle, two side portions that extend upward from the both ends of the base portion, and two hanging portions that extend inward and downward from the upper ends of the two side portions, respectively. And
The vehicle slide device according to claim 6, wherein the operating surface is provided inside each of the two side portions.
A rolling element circulation unit provided in a vehicle slide device, comprising: a first rail having an operating surface; and a second rail supported by the first rail so as to be relatively movable in the extending direction of the first rail. Because
A plurality of rolling elements,
A housing portion provided with a first annular housing portion and a second annular housing portion for accommodating the plurality of rolling elements and rolling and circulating them in an annular shape,
The housing part includes a first case part, and a second case part and a third case part engaged with the first case part,
The first annular housing portion is provided on a pair of opposing surfaces of the first case portion and the second case portion, and the plurality of rolling elements are arranged in a ring shape. The moving body is free to roll and circulate.
The second annular housing portion is provided on a pair of opposed surfaces of the first case portion and the third case portion facing each other, and the plurality of rolling elements are arranged in a ring shape. The moving body is free to roll and circulate.
The housing portion is configured such that the plurality of rolling elements housed in the first and second annular housing portions abut on the operation surface provided on the first rail and the first and second annular housing portions. Is composed of
The housing portion is configured such that the plurality of rolling elements move while rolling between the operating surface and the first annular housing portion and between the operating surface and the second annular housing portion. And configured to circulate and circulate in the second annular housing portion,
The first and second annular accommodating portions are rolling element circulation units provided to overlap each other in the horizontal direction in a state where the rolling element circulation unit is fixed to the second rail.