lever

Abstract

To provide a lever to adjust a position of a seat body of a vehicle which can be used for a long time.SOLUTION: A lever adjusting a position of a seat body of a vehicle comprises: a lever body which is rotatably arranged in the seat body; and a cover member which is befitted to cover at least a part of the lever body. The cover member includes a rib with pressure contact on an outer face of the lever body. The rib includes an inclined rib which is obliquely arranged on the outer face.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lever for adjusting the position of a seat body of a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a seat device capable of adjusting the position of a vehicle seat body. The seat device includes a seat body, a lifting mechanism, and a lever. The seat body has a seat back and a seat cushion. The lifting mechanism raises and lowers the seat cushion. The lever is operated by an occupant seated in the seat device. The lever is configured to be freely rotatable up and down. When the lever is rotated upward or downward by the occupant, the lifting mechanism raises or lowers the seat cushion. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-148215 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is desirable for a lever such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1 to be usable for a long period of time.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT It is an object of the present invention to provide a lever that can be used for adjusting the position of a vehicle seat body over a long period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The lever according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: A lever for adjusting the position of a seat body of a vehicle, A lever body rotatably provided on the seat body; a cover member fitted to cover at least a portion of the lever body, The cover member has a rib that is pressed against an outer surface of the lever body, The ribs include inclined ribs provided at an angle to the outer surface. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The inclined rib is more flexible than the vertical rib that is provided so as to be pressed perpendicularly against the outer surface of the lever body. The inclined rib is less likely to hinder the fitting of the lever body to the cover member than the vertical rib. That is, the inclined rib is more likely to reduce the load when fitting the cover member to the lever body than the vertical rib. Therefore, the cover member is more likely to be smoothly fitted to the lever body. Although the load when fitting the cover member to the lever body is small, the inclined rib is pressed against the outer surface of the lever body, so that the cover member is less likely to come off from the lever body. Furthermore, the inclined rib is more likely to bend due to the load acting in conjunction with the operation of the lever than the vertical rib, and is less likely to be worn down by the load. Therefore, a gap is less likely to be formed between the inclined rib and the outer surface of the lever body than between the vertical rib and the outer surface of the lever body. That is, the state in which the inclined rib is pressed against the outer surface of the lever body is more likely to be maintained for a long period of time than the state in which the vertical rib is pressed against the outer surface of the lever body. Therefore, the lever of the present invention is unlikely to cause rattling of the cover member relative to the lever body, and can be used for a long period of time to adjust the position of the vehicle seat body. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a right side view showing an outline of a lever according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a left side view showing an outline of the lever of the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of area A in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An embodiment of the lever of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 9. The same reference numerals in the figures indicate the same or equivalent parts. The size of the members shown in each drawing is expressed for the purpose of clarifying the description and does not necessarily indicate the actual dimensions. In the drawings, "UP" indicates the upper side of the vehicle on which the lever 1 of the embodiment is provided, "LWR" indicates the lower side, "FR" indicates the front side, "RR" indicates the rear side, "RH" indicates the right side, and "LH" indicates the left side. In the following description, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "right" and "left" respectively correspond to "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "right side" and "left side" of the vehicle.

[0010] The lever 1 of the embodiment is a lever for adjusting the position of a seat body 110 of a vehicle. Hereinafter, the lever 1 of the embodiment will be described as an example of a seat lifter lever for adjusting the height position of a seat cushion 111 described later. FIG. 1 shows a state of the right seat of a vehicle as viewed from the outside of the vehicle. The seat 100 includes a seat body 110 and a seat lifter (not shown). The seat body 110 has a seat cushion 111 and a seat back 112. The seat lifter includes the lever 1 of the embodiment and a lifting mechanism (not shown). The lever 1 of FIG. 1 is shown in a state before operation. The lever 1 is connected to the lifting mechanism and operates the lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism lifts the seat cushion 111 by rotating the lever 1 upward, and lowers the seat cushion 111 by rotating the lever 1 downward. The lifting mechanism is a known configuration. FIG. 2 shows the lever 1 as viewed from the inside of the vehicle.

[0011] <<Embodiment>> 〔lever〕 As shown in FIG. 2, the lever 1 of the embodiment includes a lever body 2 and a cover member 3. The lever body 2 is rotatably provided on the seat body 110. The cover member 3 is fitted to the lever body 2 so as to cover at least a part of the lever body 2. The cover member 3 has a rib 36 that is pressed against the outer surface of the lever body 2. One of the features of the lever 1 of the embodiment is that the rib 36 has a specific inclined rib 361a as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The inclined rib 361a shown by the solid line in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 is in a state after it has been pressed against the outer surface of the lever body 2. The inclined rib 361b shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 5 is in a state before it has been pressed against the outer surface of the lever body 2.

[0012] [Lever body] As shown in Fig. 2, the lever body 2 has a base 21 connected to the lifting mechanism, and an arm 22 connected to the base 21. The base 21 serves as the rotation center of the lever 1. With the base 21 as the rotation center, the arm 22 rotates up and down. The arm 22 is press-fitted into a storage section 31 of the cover member 3, which will be described later. The arm 22 is made of a plate material. The arm 22 extends forward from the base 21.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, the shape of arm portion 22 viewed from the side tapers from the rear end to the front end. As shown in Figs. 4, 6 to 9, the outer surface of arm portion 22 has upper surface 221, lower surface 222, right surface 223, and left surface 224. Upper surface 221 and lower surface 222 are configured as flat surfaces. Right surface 223 and left surface 224 shown in Figs. 4 and 6 are configured as flat surfaces. Each of right surface 223 and left surface 224 shown in Figs. 7 to 9 has two flat surfaces and one curved surface.

[0014] 2 and 3, the arm portion 22 has an engagement portion 220 that engages with the cover member 3. The engagement portion 220 is provided at a position close to the front end of the arm portion 22. The material of the lever body 2 in this example is metal. The engagement portion 220 in this example is formed by cutting and raising a part of the arm portion 22 made of metal so that it protrudes toward the inside of the vehicle.

[0015] [Cover material] As shown in FIG. 2, the cover member 3 has a storage section 31 and an operating section 37. The storage section 31 and the operating section 37 are formed in a continuous manner. The storage section 31, which will be described in detail later, is a section that is fitted into the arm section 22 of the lever body 2. The storage section 31 is fitted into the arm section 22 by sliding it from the front end to the rear end of the arm section 22. The storage section 31 covers at least a part of the outer surface of the arm section 22. The operating section 37 is a section that is operated by the hand of an occupant seated in the seat 100 when rotating the lever body 2 up and down. The operating section 37 is located forward of the storage section 31, i.e., forward of the lever body 2.

[0016] In this example, the storage section 31 has a cylindrical section 32, a C-shaped section 33, an engaging section 34, and a rib 36. Unlike this example, the storage section 31 may have the C-shaped section 33, the engaging section 34, and the rib 36 without having the cylindrical section 32, or may have the cylindrical section 32, the engaging section 34, and the rib 36 without having the C-shaped section 33.

[0017] The cylindrical portion 32 is configured to cover the entire outer surface of the arm portion 22. The cylindrical portion 32 houses the front end of the arm portion 22 beyond the engagement portion 220.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 to Fig. 9, the C-shaped portion 33 is configured such that a part of the outer surface of the arm portion 22 is exposed from the storage portion 31. As shown in Fig. 2, the C-shaped portion 33 is connected to the rear end of the tubular portion 32. The C-shaped portion 33 surrounds a portion of the arm portion 22 that is rearward of the tip end stored in the tubular portion 32. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 to Fig. 9, the C-shaped portion 33 has an upper portion 331, a lower portion 332, a right wall portion 333, an upper left wall portion 334, and a lower left wall portion 335. The upper portion 331, the lower portion 332, the right wall portion 333, the upper left wall portion 334, and the lower left wall portion 335 are configured as a continuous portion.

[0019] The upper portion 331 faces the upper surface 221 of the arm portion 22. The lower portion 332 faces the lower surface 222 of the arm portion 22. The right wall portion 333 faces the right surface 223 of the arm portion 22. The right wall portion 333 connects the upper portion 331 and the lower portion 332. The upper left wall portion 334 faces the upper portion of the left surface 224 of the arm portion 22. The upper left wall portion 334 is connected to the upper portion 331. The upper left wall portion 334 extends downward from the upper portion 331. The lower left wall portion 335 faces the lower portion of the left surface 224 of the arm portion 22. The lower left wall portion 335 is connected to the lower portion 332. The lower left wall portion 335 extends upward from the lower portion 332. A gap is provided between the upper left wall portion 334 and the lower left wall portion 335. A portion of the left surface 224 of the arm portion 22 is exposed between the upper left wall portion 334 and the lower left wall portion 335 .

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the engaging portion 34 is engaged with the engaging portion 220 of the arm portion 22. In this example, the engaging portion 34 is configured as a through hole. As shown in FIG. 2, the engaging portion 34 configured as a through hole is provided on a tongue portion 35 supported in a cantilever manner at the rear end of the tubular portion 32. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the tongue portion 35 is provided between the upper left wall portion 334 and the lower left wall portion 335 so as to face the left surface 224 of the arm portion 22. A gap is provided between the tongue portion 35 and the upper left wall portion 334, and a gap is provided between the tongue portion 35 and the lower left wall portion 335. By providing these gaps, the tongue portion 35 has elasticity. As shown in FIG. 2, when the arm portion 22 is pressed into the storage portion 31, the tongue portion 35 overcomes the engaging portion 220 of the arm portion 22, and the engaging portion 220 of the arm portion 22 fits into the through hole constituting the engaging portion 34. Therefore, the engaging portion 220 of the arm portion 22 and the engaging portion 34 of the storage portion 31 are engaged with each other. This engagement tends to prevent the arm portion 22 from coming out of the storage portion 31.

[0021] The rib 36 is pressed against the outer surface of the lever body 2, as shown in Figures 4 to 9. In this example, the outer surface of the lever body 2 against which the rib 36 is pressed is the outer surface of the arm portion 22. The rib 36 is configured to protrude from the inner surface of the storage portion 31 toward the outer surface of the arm portion 22. The rib 36 in this example includes an inclined rib 361a shown in Figures 4 and 5, a first vertical rib 362a shown in Figure 9, and a second vertical rib 362b shown in Figures 4, and 6 to 9.

[0022] The inclined rib 361a is a rib 36 that is obliquely provided with respect to the outer surface of the lever body 2, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Being obliquely provided with respect to the outer surface means that the inclined rib 361a is inclined with respect to a normal line of a portion of the outer surface of the arm portion 22 where the inclined rib 361a is pressed against the arm portion 22. The angle between the normal line and the inclined rib 361a is, for example, 5° to 85°, more preferably 15° to 75°, and particularly preferably 25° to 65°. The number of the inclined rib 361a is one or more. In this example, the number of the inclined rib 361a is one. Unlike this example, the number of the inclined rib 361a may be two or more.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the inclined rib 361a of this example is provided so as to be pressed against a portion of the outer surface of the arm 22 that is far from the base 21, which is the center of rotation. The inclined rib 361a is provided so as to be pressed against a surface perpendicular to the rotation direction of the lever 1 at an angle. In this example, the surface perpendicular to the rotation direction of the lever 1 is the upper surface 221 and the lower surface 222 of the arm 22. That is, the inclined rib 361a is provided so as to be pressed against at least one of the upper surface 221 or the lower surface 222 of the arm 22 at an angle. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the inclined rib 361a of this example is provided at a corner between the inner surface of the upper portion 331 and the inner surface of the right wall portion 333 so as to be pressed against a portion of the upper surface 221 of the arm 22 that is closer to the front end than the engagement portion 34. Unlike this example, an inclined rib that is pressed against a surface parallel to the rotation direction of the lever 1 at an angle may be further provided. In this example, the surfaces parallel to the rotation direction of the lever 1 are the right surface 223 and the left surface 224 of the arm portion 22.

[0024] The first vertical rib 362a is a rib 36 that is provided perpendicular to a plane perpendicular to the rotation direction of the lever 1 on the outer surface of the arm 22, as shown in FIG. 9. The second vertical rib 362b is a rib 36 that is provided perpendicular to a plane parallel to the rotation direction of the lever 1 on the outer surface of the arm 22, as shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 to FIG. 9. "Provided perpendicular to the plane" means that the first vertical rib 362a and the second vertical rib 362b are substantially aligned with the normal lines of the portions of the outer surface of the arm 22 where the first vertical rib 362a and the second vertical rib 362b are pressed against each other. "Substantially aligned with the normal lines" means that the angle between the normal line of the portion where the first vertical rib 362a is pressed against the first vertical rib 362a and the angle between the normal line of the portion where the second vertical rib 362b is pressed against the second vertical rib 362b and the second vertical rib 362b are less than 5°. The number of the first vertical rib 362a and the second vertical rib 362b is equal to or greater than 1. The first vertical rib 362a and the second vertical rib 362b may be provided so as to be pressed against any of the locations on the outer surface of the arm 22 that are far from the base 21, which is the center of rotation, and the locations that are close to the base 21.

[0025] The second vertical rib 362b shown in Fig. 4 is provided on the lower part of the inner surface of the right wall part 333 so as to be pressed vertically against the plane of the lower part of the right surface 223 of the arm part 22. The second vertical rib 362b shown in Fig. 6 is provided on the lower part of the inner surface of the right wall part 333 so as to be pressed vertically against the plane of the lower part of the right surface 223 of the arm part 22. The second vertical rib 362b shown in Fig. 7 is provided on the inner surface of the upper left wall part 334 so as to be pressed vertically against the plane of the upper part of the left surface 224 of the arm part 22. The second vertical rib 362b shown in Fig. 8 is provided on each of the upper and lower parts of the inner surface of the right wall part 333 so as to be pressed vertically against the planes of the upper and lower parts of the right surface 223 of the arm part 22. The first vertical rib 362a and the second vertical rib 362b shown in Figure 9 are provided on the lower part of the inner surface of the upper part 331 and the inner surface of the right wall part 333, respectively, so as to be vertically pressed against the lower planes of the upper surface 221 and the right surface 223 of the arm part 22, respectively.

[0026] In FIG. 4, the inner surface of the lower portion 332 and the lower surface 222 of the arm portion 22 are in contact with each other. The inner surface of the storage portion 31, excluding the inclined rib 361a, the second vertical rib 362b, and the inner surface of the lower portion 332, is not in contact with the outer surface of the arm portion 22. The inner surface of the lower portion 332 and the inclined rib 361a regulate the vertical displacement of the cover member 3 relative to the lever body 2. In FIG. 6, the inner surface of the storage portion 31, excluding the second vertical rib 362b, is not in contact with the outer surface of the arm portion 22. In FIG. 7, the inner surface of the storage portion 31, excluding the second vertical rib 362b, is not in contact with the outer surface of the arm portion 22. In FIG. 8, the inner surface of the storage portion 31, excluding the two second vertical ribs 362b, is not in contact with the outer surface of the arm portion 22. In FIG. 9, the inner surface of the storage portion 31, excluding the first vertical rib 362a and the second vertical rib 362b, is not in contact with the outer surface of the arm portion 22. 6 to 8, the cover member 3 of this example has an area where the second vertical rib 362b is provided so as to be pressed against the right surface 223, the left surface 224, and the right surface 223 of the arm portion 22 in that order from the area farthest from the base 21 to the area close to the base 21. Since the cover member 3 of this example has the above-mentioned areas, left and right displacement of the cover member 3 with respect to the lever body 2 is restricted.

[0027] The material of the cover member 3 in this example is resin. The inclined rib 361a, the first vertical rib 362a, and the second vertical rib 362b in this example are integrally provided on the inner surface of the storage section 31 by resin molding. Unlike this example, at least one of the inclined rib 361a, the first vertical rib 362a, and the second vertical rib 362b may be configured by being separately connected to the storage section 31. Unlike this example, the material of the cover member 3 may be metal. The inclined rib 361a, the first vertical rib 362a, and the second vertical rib 362b may be configured by cutting and raising a part of the cover member 3 made of metal.

[0028] The inclined rib 361a shown in FIG. 4 is more flexible than the first vertical rib 362a shown in FIG. 9. The inclined rib 361a is more easily bent by the load acting as the lever 1 is rotated up and down than the first vertical rib 362a, and is less likely to wear out due to the load. Therefore, a gap is less likely to be formed between the inclined rib 361a and the outer surface of the lever body 2 than between the first vertical rib 362a shown in FIG. 9 and the outer surface of the lever body 2. That is, the state in which the inclined rib 361a is pressed against the outer surface of the lever body 2 is more likely to be maintained for a long period of time than the state in which the first vertical rib 362a is pressed against the outer surface of the lever body 2. Therefore, the lever 1 of this example is less likely to have a vertical rattle of the cover member 3 relative to the lever body 2 than a lever without the inclined rib 361a. In particular, the lever 1 of this embodiment has the inclined rib 361a which is less susceptible to wear compared to the first vertical rib 362a, and is therefore suitable for use as a lever that is often rotated multiple times, such as a seat lifter lever, which is prone to large loads acting on the rib 36.

[0029] The rib 36 provided so as to be pressed against a portion of the outer surface of the arm 22 far from the base 21 which is the center of rotation is likely to receive a larger load as the lever 1 is rotated, compared to the rib 36 provided so as to be pressed against a portion of the outer surface of the arm 22 close to the base 21 which is the center of rotation. Also, the rib 36 pressed against a surface perpendicular to the rotation direction of the lever 1, i.e., the upper surface 221 or the lower surface 222 of the arm 22, is likely to receive a larger load as the lever 1 is rotated, compared to the rib 36 pressed against a surface parallel to the rotation direction of the lever 1, i.e., the right surface 223 and the left surface 224 of the arm 22. The lever 1 of this example is provided with the inclined rib 361a so as to be pressed against the portion where the load is likely to be large. Therefore, in the lever 1 of this example, the cover member 3 is less likely to rattle up and down relative to the lever body 2, compared to a case in which the inclined rib 361a is not provided and only the first vertical rib 362a is provided so as to be pressed against the areas where the above-mentioned load is likely to be large.

[0030] In this manner, the lever 1 of this embodiment in which the cover member 3 is less likely to rattle up and down relative to the lever body 2 can be used for adjusting the position of the seat body 110 for a long period of time.

[0031] In the lever 1 of this embodiment, in order to make the first vertical rib 362a less susceptible to wear, it is not necessary to increase the protrusion amount or width of the first vertical rib 362a or to change the material of the first vertical rib 362a. Therefore, the lever 1 of this embodiment is less likely to cause a significant increase in cost, a significant increase in weight, or a significant decrease in productivity.

[0032] The present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0033] For example, the lever may be a reclining adjuster lever for adjusting the angle of the seat back, a seat slide lever for adjusting the fore-aft position of the seat body, or a lever for rotating the seat body within a range between a position in which the seat body faces forward and a position in which it faces toward the outside of the vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1 Lever 2 Lever body 21 Base 22 Arm 220 Engagement part 221 Top surface 222 Bottom surface 223 Right side 224 Left side 3 Cover material 31 Storage area 32 Cylindrical section 33 C-shaped part 331 Top 332 Lower 333 Right wall 334 Upper left wall 335 Lower left wall 34 Engagement part 35 Tongue piece 36 Ribs 361a, 361b Inclined rib 362a First vertical rib 362b 2nd vertical rib 37 Control section 100 sheets 110 Seat body 111 Seat Cushion 112 Seat back

Claims

1. A lever for adjusting the position of a seat body of a vehicle, A lever body rotatably provided on the seat body; a cover member fitted to cover at least a portion of the lever body, The cover member has a rib that is pressed against an outer surface of the lever body, The rib includes an inclined rib provided on the outer surface at an angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to the rotation direction of the lever body. lever.

2. The lever body is A base portion that serves as a rotation center of the lever; an arm portion extending from the base portion toward the front of the vehicle so as to rotate up and down; The arm portion is The top surface and The underside and a side surface connected to the upper surface and the lower surface, The cover member is an upper portion facing the upper surface of the arm; a lower portion facing the lower surface of the arm portion; a wall portion connected to the upper portion and the lower portion so as to face the side surface of the arm portion; an engagement portion engaged with the arm portion, the orthogonal surface is at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the arm portion, 2. The lever according to claim 1, wherein the inclined rib is provided at a corner between at least one of the inner surface of the upper portion and the inner surface of the lower portion and the inner surface of the wall portion so as to be obliquely pressed against a portion of at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the arm portion that is closer to a front end than the engagement portion.

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