A one-way damping structure and an adjustment assembly including the one-way damping structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a one-way damping structure, comprising a spring, a driving element and a friction generating member, wherein the spring and the driving element are connected to drive the spring through the driving element, and the spring comprises a fixed portion, a connecting portion and an annular portion, wherein the connecting portion is located between the fixed portion and the annular portion and connects the fixed portion and the annular portion, the fixed portion is fixed, and the annular portion comprises at least half a circle of a spring hole extending in a circumferential spiral and slides relative to the friction generating member to generate a friction torque. The present invention also relates to an adjustment assembly, which comprises the one-way damping structure described above. The seat height adjuster according to this embodiment utilizes the one-way damping characteristics of the one-way damping structure, which generates different torques in different rotation directions, and combines it with a traditional output structure and a mounting structure to achieve that when the seat is running downward under a load, the driver continuously and stably overcomes the fixed load to perform work, while not affecting the lifting force of the seat to adjust upward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a car seat, and more particularly to a one-way damping structure and an adjustment assembly comprising the one-way damping structure. Background Art

[0002] At present, the electric height adjustment market of seats generally adopts the structure of primary worm helical gear and secondary small tooth difference transmission, which transmits the movement and power of the motor to the output end of the product, and then adjusts the up and down movement of the seat through the seat basin height adjustment mechanism. The operation is as follows: 1) When the seat is adjusted upward, the load gravity is downward, and the electric height adjustment has been running against the load. The motor drives the helical gear to rotate through the worm, and then drives the secondary small tooth difference to move, and then drives the output gear to adjust the seat to rise. In this process, the same tooth surface of the worm is always meshed with the same tooth surface of the helical gear; 2) When the seat is adjusted downward, the load gravity is downward. At this time, there will be two situations. One is that the motor drives the helical gear to rotate through the worm, and then drives the secondary small tooth difference to move, and then drives the output gear to adjust the seat to fall; the other situation is that the seat load drives the output gear to rotate, and then drives the secondary small tooth difference to move, and then drives the helical gear to rotate, so that the helical gear reversely drives the worm. When the internal resistance of the system is unstable, the two situations occur alternately, causing the meshing tooth surfaces of the worm and the helical gear to switch with each other, thereby causing the instability of the secondary small difference gear transmission, generating abnormal noise in the downward adjustment, and unstable operation and other problems.

[0003] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem of instability when adjusting the seat downward, the currently known method is to add a circumferential spring and a wedge block structure to the product structure to increase the internal resistance of the system when the load moves downward. However, this method of increasing the internal resistance will cause the lifting capacity of the product to decrease when adjusting upward, and the control of the system internal resistance will also become more difficult. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the problem of instability when adjusting a seat downward in the prior art, the present invention provides a one-way damping structure and an adjustment assembly including the one-way damping structure.

[0005] According to the one-way damping structure of the present invention, it includes a spring, a driving element and a friction force generating member, wherein the spring and the driving element sleeve are connected to drive the spring through the driving element, and the spring includes a fixed part, a connecting part and an annular part, wherein the connecting part is located between the fixed part and the annular part and connects the fixed part and the annular part, the fixed part is fixed, and the annular part includes at least half a circle of a spring hole extending in a circumferential spiral and slides relative to the friction force generating member to generate a friction torque.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, the one-way damping structure includes a mounting shaft, the mounting shaft is formed as a friction force generating member, the annular portion is sleeved on the mounting shaft with interference fit to generate friction torque through relative sliding between the inner hole wall of the annular portion and the outer surface of the mounting shaft. In other words, the friction force generating member at this time is the mounting shaft as a friction shaft.

[0007] Preferably, the drive element has a fixing hole or a fixing groove on an end surface adjacent to the spring, and the fixing portion of the spring is received in the fixing hole or the fixing groove for fixing.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the one-way damping structure further comprises an annular bushing, the inner hole wall of the annular bushing is formed as a friction force generating member, and the friction torque is generated by relative sliding between the outer diameter surface of the annular portion and the inner hole wall of the annular bushing. That is, the friction force generating member at this time is the inner hole wall of the annular bushing as the inner wall of the friction hole.

[0009] Preferably, the outer diameter surface of the annular portion is interference-fitted with the inner hole wall of the annular bushing.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the one-way damping structure further includes a protruding structure independent of the driving element, the fixing portion is fixed on the protruding structure, the driving element includes a protruding annular portion, the annular portion is formed as a friction generating member, the annular portion is sleeved on the annular portion to generate friction torque through relative sliding of the annular portion and the annular portion. In other words, the friction generating member at this time is the annular portion serving as a friction shaft.

[0011] Preferably, the protrusion structure includes at least one protrusion, and the fixing portion is fixed through a spatial groove surrounded by the protrusion.

[0012] Preferably, the annular portion and the periphery of the driving element define an accommodation groove, and the annular portion is accommodated in the accommodation groove and sleeved on the annular portion with an interference fit.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the one-way damping structure further includes a bearing structure independent of the driving element, the bearing structure is formed as a friction force generating member, and the annular portion is sleeved on the bearing structure with interference fit to generate friction torque through relative sliding of the annular portion and the bearing structure. In other words, the friction force generating member at this time is a bearing structure serving as a friction shaft.

[0014] Preferably, the one-way damping structure comprises a mounting shaft, the driving element is sleeved on the mounting shaft, and the surface of the bearing structure facing the driving element cooperates with the surface of the driving element facing the bearing structure to support the mounting shaft.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the one-way damping structure further includes a bushing structure connected to the driving element in a torsionally rigid manner, the fixing portion is clamped by the bushing structure, the annular portion is tightened and installed in a fixing groove, and the inner cylindrical surface of the fixing groove is formed as a friction force generating member, so that the friction torque is generated by relative sliding between the outer diameter surface of the annular portion and the inner cylindrical surface of the fixing groove. In other words, the friction force generating member at this time is the inner cylindrical surface of the fixing groove as the inner wall of the friction hole.

[0016] Preferably, the bushing structure has a clamping structure and a pin protruding from the body in opposite directions, the bushing structure is connected to the driving element via the pin, and the fixing portion is clamped by the clamping structure.

[0017] Preferably, the clamping structure has a fixing protrusion for clamping the fixing portion.

[0018] The adjustment assembly according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned one-way damping structure.

[0019] Preferably, the adjustment assembly further includes an output structure, a mounting structure and a driver, wherein the one-way damping structure and the output structure are mounted on the mounting structure, and the driver is connected to the output structure via the one-way damping structure.

[0020] Preferably, the output structure is connected to a seat height adjustment mechanism, and the adjustment assembly is configured as a seat height adjuster.

[0021] Preferably, the mounting structure comprises a gear box and a cover plate which are fixedly connected, wherein the one-way damping structure and the output structure are substantially mounted between the gear box and the cover plate.

[0022] Preferably, the adjustment assembly further comprises a gasket, which is arranged between the spring and the gear box.

[0023] Preferably, the adjustment assembly also includes a mounting structure and a driver, the one-way damping structure is mounted on the mounting structure, the driver has a motor shaft, and the annular portion of the spring is sleeved on the motor shaft with an interference fit to generate friction torque through relative sliding between the inner hole wall of the annular portion and the outer surface of the motor shaft.

[0024] Preferably, the mounting structure comprises a gear box and a cover plate that are fixedly connected, wherein the one-way damping structure is mounted between the gear box and the cover plate, the gear box has a fixing groove, and the fixing portion of the spring is fixed to the fixing groove.

[0025] The seat height adjuster according to this embodiment utilizes the unidirectional damping characteristics of the spring of the unidirectional damping structure to generate different torques in different rotation directions, combined with the traditional output structure and mounting structure, to achieve the goal that when the seat is running downward with a load, the driver can continuously and stably overcome the fixed load to perform work, while not affecting the lifting force of the seat for upward adjustment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a one-way damping structure according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of a one-way damping structure;

[0028] Figure 3 It is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of line AA;

[0029] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the spring;

[0030] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A first matching state diagram of the mounting shaft and the spring;

[0031] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A second matching state diagram of the mounting shaft and the spring;

[0032] Figure 7 is a side view of an adjustment assembly including a one-way damping structure according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of line BB;

[0034] Fig. 9 yes Figure 7 A first matching state diagram of the mounting shaft and the spring;

[0035] Fig.10 yes Figure 7 A second matching state diagram of the mounting shaft and the spring;

[0036] Fig.11 is an exploded view of an annular bushing and a spring of a one-way damping structure according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 Schematic diagram of the assembly of the annular bushing and the spring;

[0038] Fig.13 yes Fig.12 Side view of

[0039] Fig.14 It is along Fig.13 A cross-sectional view of line CC;

[0040] Fig.15 yes Fig.11 A diagram of a first matching state of the annular bushing and the spring;

[0041] Fig.16 yes Fig.11 A diagram of a second mating state of the annular bushing and the spring;

[0042] Fig.17 is a schematic structural diagram of a spring of a one-way damping structure according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Fig.18 is a structural schematic diagram of a fixing structure of a one-way damping structure according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Fig.19 yes Fig.17 The spring and Fig.18 Schematic diagram of the assembly of the fixed structure;

[0045] Fig. 20 is a structural schematic diagram of a helical gear with a one-way damping structure according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Fig.21 yes Fig.17 The spring and Fig. 20 Assembly diagram of the helical gear;

[0047] Fig. 22 yes Fig.17 The spring and Fig. 20 The first mating state diagram of the helical gear;

[0048] Fig.23 yes Fig.17 The spring and Fig. 20 The second mating state diagram of the helical gear;

[0049] Fig.24 is a schematic structural diagram of a spring of a one-way damping structure according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Fig.25 is a structural schematic diagram of a bearing structure of a one-way damping structure according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Fig.26 yes Fig.24 The spring and Fig.25 Assembly diagram of the bearing structure;

[0052] Fig. 27 is a structural schematic diagram of a gearbox with a one-way damping structure according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Fig.28 yes Fig.25 The bearing structure and Fig. 27 Assembly diagram of the gearbox;

[0054] Fig.29 is a structural schematic diagram of a helical gear with a one-way damping structure according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Fig.30 yes Fig.25 The bearing structure and Fig.29 Assembly diagram of the helical gear;

[0056] Fig.31 yes Fig.25 The bearing structure and Fig.29 The first mating state diagram of the helical gear;

[0057] Fig.32 yes Fig.25 The bearing structure and Fig.29 The second mating state diagram of the helical gear;

[0058] Fig.33 is a schematic structural diagram of a spring of a one-way damping structure according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0059] Fig.34 is a first structural schematic diagram of a bushing structure of a one-way damping structure according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] Fig.35 is a second structural schematic diagram of the bushing structure of the one-way damping structure according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0061] Fig.36 is a structural schematic diagram of a helical gear with a one-way damping structure according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0062] Fig.37 yes Fig.33 Spring, Fig.34 The bushing structure and Fig.36 Assembly diagram of the helical gear;

[0063] Fig.38 is a structural schematic diagram of a gearbox with a one-way damping structure according to a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0064] Fig.39 yes Fig.33 The spring and Fig.38 Assembly diagram of the gearbox;

[0065] Fig.40 yes Fig.33 The spring and Fig.34 A first matching state diagram of the bushing structure;

[0066] Fig.41 yes Fig.33 The spring and Fig.34 A second mating state diagram of the bushing structure;

[0067] Fig.42 is a schematic diagram of a first wire of a spring according to the present invention;

[0068] Fig.43 is a schematic diagram of a second wire of a spring according to the present invention;

[0069] Fig.44 is a side view of an adjustment assembly including a one-way damping structure according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0070] Fig.45 yes Fig.44 Structural schematic diagram of a one-way damping structure;

[0071] Fig.46 It is along Fig.44 A cross-sectional view along line DD of FIG. 1 , which shows the fixing groove on the gearbox for fixing the spring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and described in detail.

[0073] like Figure 1 As shown, the one-way damping structure 1 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a spring 11, a driving element 12 and a mounting shaft 13, wherein the spring 11 and the driving element 12 are sleeved on the mounting shaft 13. Specifically, the driving element 12 comprises a worm 121 and a helical gear 122 in meshing engagement with gear teeth, wherein the spring 11 and the helical gear 122 are sleeved on the mounting shaft 13, as shown in FIG. Figure 2-Figure 3 shown.

[0074] like Figure 4 As shown, the spring 11 comprises a fixing portion 111, a connecting portion 112 and an annular portion 113, wherein the connecting portion 112 is located between and connects the fixing portion 111 and the annular portion 113. In particular, the annular portion 113 comprises at least a half circle extending circumferentially and spirally to define a spring hole.

[0075] Back to Figure 1 The bevel gear 122 has a fixing hole 122a, a connecting groove 122b and a receiving hole 122c on the end face adjacent to the spring 11. Figure 2-Figure 3 The fixing portion 111 , the connecting portion 112 and the annular portion 113 of the spring 11 are respectively accommodated in the fixing hole 122 a , the connecting groove 122 b and the accommodating hole 122 c of the bevel gear 122 .

[0076] In particular, the annular portion 113 of the spring 11 is sleeved on the mounting shaft 13 with an interference fit. In this way, one end of the spring 11 is fixed to the bevel gear 122, and the other end is interference fit with the mounting shaft 13. When the bevel gear 122 rotates around the axis L of the mounting shaft 13 under the action of an external force, the fixed portion 111 of the spring 11 rotates accordingly, and the annular portion 113 of the spring 11 and the mounting shaft 13 slide relative to each other, thereby generating a friction torque. It should be understood that the mounting shaft 13 can be fixed or rotate around the axis L, as long as the rotation of the mounting shaft 13 is not synchronized with the rotation of the bevel gear 122 and there is relative sliding, thereby generating the above-mentioned friction torque.

[0077] According to the characteristics of the spring structure, the more you turn it in the clockwise direction, the tighter it becomes, and the more you turn it in the counter-clockwise direction, the looser it becomes. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the spring 11 is subjected to the F_cw force in the counter-helical direction given by the bevel gear 122, the annular portion 113 of the spring 11 rotates along the CW direction relative to the mounting shaft 13, and only a relatively small friction torque is generated between the relatively sliding contact surfaces of the mounting shaft 13 and the spring 11; Figure 6 As shown, when the spring 11 is subjected to the F_ccw force in the helical direction given by the bevel gear 122, the annular portion 113 of the spring 11 rotates along the CCW direction relative to the mounting shaft 13, and a rated friction torque is generated between the relative sliding contact surfaces of the mounting shaft 13 and the spring 11, and the rated friction torque value can be designed and controlled as needed. Through the above process, the one-way damping structure 1 can achieve different friction torques in different directions between the relative sliding surfaces of the spring 11 and the mounting shaft 13 when the spring 11 rotates in different directions relative to the mounting shaft 13, thereby achieving the effect of one-way internal resistance.

[0078] like Figure 7-Figure 8 As shown, the adjustment assembly A according to the present invention comprises the one-way damping structure 1, the output structure 2, the mounting structure 3 and the driver 4 of the first preferred embodiment described above, wherein the one-way damping structure 1 and the output structure 2 are mounted on the mounting structure 3, and the driver 4 is connected to the output structure 2 via the one-way damping structure 1. In this embodiment, the output structure 2 is connected to the seat height adjustment mechanism, so that the seat is adjusted up and down through the driver 4, and thus, the adjustment assembly is configured as a seat height adjuster.

[0079] The mounting structure 3 includes a gear box 31 and a cover plate 32 that are fixedly connected, wherein the one-way damping structure 1 and the output structure 2 are generally mounted between the gear box 31 and the cover plate 32 .

[0080] The driver 4 is a motor connected to the worm 121 .

[0081] In particular, the adjustment assembly A further includes a gasket 5 sleeved on the mounting shaft 13, which is disposed between the spring 11 and the gear box 31. In the present embodiment, the gasket 5 is a corrugated gasket. It should be understood that the gasket 5 may be a similar elastic gasket, which is used to adjust the axial clearance between the spring 11 and the gear box 31 along the mounting shaft 13 on the one hand, and to prevent the spring 11 from axially disengaging along the mounting shaft 13 on the other hand. When the spring 11 has other fixing devices along the axial direction of the mounting shaft 13, and the axial clearance between the spring 11 and the gear box 31 is adjusted by other structures, the gasket 5 may also be a flat gasket or other structural shape gasket, or even be eliminated.

[0082] In this way, during the process of adjusting the seat height according to the seat height adjuster of this embodiment, the driver 4 drives the worm 121 to rotate, and transmits the motion and power to the bevel gear 122, so that the bevel gear 122 rotates around the mounting shaft 13; since the fixed portion 111 of the spring 11 is fixedly connected to the bevel gear 122 and the annular portion 113 is sleeved on the mounting shaft 13 with an interference fit, when the bevel gear 122 rotates relative to the mounting shaft 13, the annular portion 113 of the spring 11 rotates relatively around the mounting shaft 13 to provide resistance; after the bevel gear 122 overcomes the resistance provided by the spring 11, the motion and power are output through the output structure 2, thereby driving the seat to be adjusted upward and downward.

[0083] like Fig. 9 As shown, when the seat is adjusted downward, the bevel gear 122 drives the annular portion 113 of the spring 11 to rotate along the CCW direction relative to the mounting shaft 13, and a set friction resistance torque Tf_CW along the CW direction is generated between the spring 11 and the mounting shaft 13. The generation of the friction resistance torque Tf_CW makes the meshing tooth surface of the bevel gear 122 always close to the meshing tooth surface of the worm 121, so that the entire seat downward adjustment process runs smoothly and the speed is slowed down.

[0084] like Fig.10 As shown, when the seat is adjusted upward, the bevel gear 122 drives the annular portion 113 of the spring 11 to rotate along the CW direction relative to the mounting shaft 13, and a relatively small friction resistance torque Tf_CCW along the CCW direction is generated between the spring 11 and the mounting shaft 13. The friction resistance torque Tf_CCW is very small compared to the friction resistance torque Tf_CW and can be basically ignored, so that it has basically no effect in the seat lifting direction and has basically no effect on the seat lifting capacity and the speed in the lifting direction.

[0085] Thus, through the above two processes, the seat height adjuster according to the present embodiment increases the system internal resistance through the one-way damping structure 1 when the seat is adjusted downward, so that the entire downward operation is stable. On the other hand, when the seat is adjusted upward, basically no internal resistance is generated, and the lifting capacity of the seat is not affected. In summary, the seat height adjuster according to the present embodiment utilizes the one-way damping characteristics of the spring 11 of the one-way damping structure 1 with different torques generated in different rotation directions, combined with the traditional output structure 2 and the mounting structure 3, so that the driver 4 can continuously and stably overcome the fixed load to do work when the seat is under load and does not affect the lifting force of the seat when it is adjusted upward. Specifically, when the seat is under load and the height is adjusted downward, the driver 4 can continuously and stably do work, the internal resistance of the entire system is stable, and the abnormal sound problem caused by the unstable operation of the system due to the unstable internal resistance or too small internal resistance is eliminated; the one-way damping structure 1 only affects the downward operation process, does not affect the upward adjustment of the seat, and does not affect the lifting force; due to the increase in the damping in the seat downward adjustment direction, the entire downward operation speed is slowed down, and the difference in the up and down adjustment speeds is reduced.

[0086] In the first embodiment, the annular portion 113 of the spring 11 of the one-way damping structure 1 is sleeved on the mounting shaft 13 with an interference fit, so that the friction torque is generated by the relative sliding of the inner hole wall of the annular portion 113 of the spring 11 and the outer surface of the mounting shaft 13. Different from this, the one-way damping structure 1' according to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes an annular bushing 14', and the friction torque is generated by the relative sliding of the outer diameter surface of the annular portion 113' of the spring 11' and the inner hole wall of the annular bushing 14', such as Figure 11-Figure 14 Specifically, the annular portion 113' of the spring 11' is interference-fitted with the inner hole wall of the annular bushing 14' through the outer diameter surface of the annular portion 113'.

[0087] like Fig.15 As shown, when the spring 11' rotates in the CW direction relative to the annular bushing 14' under the action of the driving force F_cw, the outer diameter surface of the annular portion 113' of the spring 11' and the inner hole wall of the annular bushing 14' slide relative to each other and generate a rated friction torque resistance in the CCW direction on the contact surface. The torque value can be designed and controlled as needed.

[0088] like Fig.16 As shown, when the spring 11' rotates relative to the annular bushing 14' along the CCW direction under the driving force F_ccw, the outer diameter surface of the annular portion 113' of the spring 11' gradually disengages from the inner hole wall of the annular bushing 14' and generates a relatively small friction resistance torque.

[0089] Through the above process, the spring 11' rotates in different directions under the action of external force to generate friction torques of different magnitudes, thereby achieving a one-way damping effect. The damping direction can be switched by adjusting the spiral direction of the spring 11' (from right-handed to left-handed).

[0090] In the first embodiment, the fixing portion 111 of the spring 11 of the one-way damping structure 1 is fixedly connected to the bevel gear 122, and the annular portion 113 of the spring 11 is sleeved on the mounting shaft 13 with interference fit, so that the friction torque is generated by the relative sliding of the annular portion 113 and the mounting shaft 13. Different from this, the one-way damping structure 1" according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a protruding structure 15", one end of the spring 11" is fixed to the protruding structure 15", and the other end is matched with the bevel gear 122, such as Figure 17-Figure 21 shown.

[0091] like Fig.17 As shown, the shape of the spring 11" is slightly different from the spring 11 of the first embodiment, but still includes a fixed portion 111", a connecting portion 112" and an annular portion 113", wherein the connecting portion 112" is located between the fixed portion 111" and the annular portion 113" and connects the fixed portion 111" and the annular portion 113". In particular, the annular portion 113" includes at least half a circle of a circumferentially spirally extending spring hole.

[0092] like Fig.18 As shown, the protrusion structure 15" is a protrusion 151", 152", 153", 154" on the gear box 31". The fixing portion 111" and the connecting portion 112" of the spring 11" are fixed through the space groove surrounded by the protrusion 151", 152", 153", 154". Fig.19 shown.

[0093] like Fig. 20 As shown, unlike the first embodiment in which the bevel gear 122 has a fixing hole 122a, a connecting groove 122b and a receiving hole 122c, the bevel gear 122" of this embodiment includes a protruding annular portion 122d", which defines a receiving groove 122e" with the periphery of the bevel gear 122", and the annular portion 113" of the spring 11" is sleeved on the annular portion 122d" with an interference fit and received in the receiving groove 122e", as shown in FIG. Fig.21 As shown, friction torque is generated by relative sliding of the annular portion 113 ″ and the circular ring portion 122 d ″ of the spring 11 ″.

[0094] like Fig. 22As shown, when the seat is adjusted downward, the annular portion 122d" (i.e., the bevel gear 122") rotates along the CCW direction relative to the annular portion 113" of the spring 11", and a set friction resistance torque Tf_CW along the CW direction is generated between the spring 11" and the annular portion 122d". The generation of the friction resistance torque Tf_CW makes the meshing tooth surface of the bevel gear 122" always close to the meshing tooth surface of the worm, so that the entire seat downward adjustment process runs smoothly and the speed is slowed down.

[0095] like Fig.23 As shown, when the seat is adjusted upward, the annular portion 122d" (i.e., the bevel gear 122") rotates along the CW direction relative to the annular portion 113" of the spring 11", and a relatively small friction resistance torque Tf_CCW along the CCW direction is generated between the spring 11" and the annular portion 122d". The friction resistance torque Tf_CCW is very small relative to the friction resistance torque Tf_CW and can be basically ignored, so that it has basically no effect in the seat lifting direction and has basically no effect on the seat lifting capacity and the speed in the lifting direction.

[0096] Thus, through the above two processes, the seat height adjuster according to the present embodiment increases the system internal resistance through the one-way damping structure 1″ when the seat is adjusted downward, so that the entire downward operation is smooth; on the other hand, when the seat is adjusted upward, basically no internal resistance is generated, which does not affect the seat lifting capacity.

[0097] In the first embodiment, the annular portion 113 of the spring 11 of the one-way damping structure 1 is sleeved on the mounting shaft 13 with an interference fit, so that the friction torque is generated by the relative sliding of the annular portion 113 and the mounting shaft 13. Different from this, the one-way damping structure 1''' according to the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a bearing structure 16'', and the annular portion 113''' of the spring 11''' cooperates with the bearing structure 16''', such as Figure 24-Figure 30 shown.

[0098] like Fig.24 As shown, the shape of the spring 11"' is slightly different from the spring 11 of the first embodiment, but still includes a fixing portion 111"', a connecting portion 112"' and an annular portion 113"', wherein the connecting portion 112"' is located between the fixing portion 111"' and the annular portion 113"' and connects the fixing portion 111"' and the annular portion 113"'. In particular, the annular portion 113"' includes at least half a circle of a circumferentially spirally extending spring hole.

[0099] like Fig.25 As shown, the bearing structure 16"' has an outer peripheral wall 161"', and the annular portion 113"' of the spring 11"' is sleeved on the outer peripheral wall 161"' with an interference fit, as shown in FIG. Fig.26The middle of the bearing structure 16"' has a through hole 162"' for the installation shaft to pass through, and a plurality of anti-torsion structures 163"' are arranged around the through hole 162"'. In addition, the end surface of the bearing structure 16"' opposite to the anti-torsion structure 163"' is formed as a sliding surface 164"', as shown in FIG. Fig.26 shown.

[0100] like Fig. 27 As shown, the gear box 31"' has a torsion-resistant structure 311"', which cooperates with the torsion-resistant structure 163"' of the bearing structure 16"', as shown in FIG. Fig.28 It should be understood that the anti-torsion structure here mainly enables the bearing structure 16"' to be smoothly pressed into the gear box 31"' and to be fixed in position without relative rotation. The anti-torsion structure can be replaced with other anti-torsion matching features that can achieve the same function as needed, and the bearing structure 16"' can even be integrally formed on the gear box 31"'.

[0101] like Fig.29 As shown, unlike the bevel gear 122 of the first embodiment which has a connecting groove 122b and a receiving hole 122c, the bevel gear 122'' in this embodiment includes only a fixing hole 122a'', and the fixing portion 111'' of the spring 11'' is inserted into the fixing hole 122a'' for fixing, and its end surface facing the spring 11'' is formed as a sliding surface 122f''. It should be understood that the structure of the fixing portion 111'' for fixing the spring 11'' is not necessarily a fixing hole, and it may be a groove or other features that match the fixing portion 111'', as long as one end of the spring 11'' can be fixed to the bevel gear 122''.

[0102] like Fig.30 As shown, in the assembled state, the annular portion 113"' of the spring 11"' is sleeved on the outer peripheral wall 161"' of the bearing structure 16"' with an interference fit, so that the friction torque is generated by the relative sliding of the annular portion 113"' of the spring 11"' and the bearing structure 16"'; the installation shaft is inserted into the through hole 162"' of the bearing structure 16"'; the sliding surface 122f"' of the bevel gear 122"' cooperates with the sliding surface 164"' of the bearing structure 16"' to support the installation shaft.

[0103] like Fig.31 As shown, when the seat is adjusted downward, the bearing structure 16"' rotates along the CW direction relative to the annular portion 113"' of the spring 11"', and a friction resistance torque Tf_CCW along the CCW direction is generated between the annular portion 113"' and the bearing structure 16"'. The generation of the friction resistance torque Tf_CCW makes the meshing tooth surface of the bevel gear 122"' always close to the meshing tooth surface of the worm, so that the entire seat downward adjustment process runs smoothly and the speed is slowed down.

[0104] like Fig.32 As shown, when the seat is adjusted upward, the bearing structure 16"' rotates along the CCW direction relative to the annular portion 113"' of the spring 11"', and a set friction resistance torque Tf_CW along the CW direction is generated between the annular portion 113"' and the bearing structure 16"'. The friction resistance torque Tf_CW is very small relative to the friction resistance torque Tf_CCW and can be basically ignored, so that it has basically no effect in the seat lifting direction and has basically no influence on the seat lifting capacity and the speed in the lifting direction.

[0105] Thus, through the above two processes, the seat height adjuster according to the present embodiment increases the system internal resistance through the one-way damping structure 1″' when the seat is adjusted downward, so that the entire downward operation is smooth; on the other hand, when the seat is adjusted upward, basically no internal resistance is generated, which does not affect the seat lifting capacity.

[0106] In the first embodiment, the fixed portion 111 of the spring 11 of the one-way damping structure 1 is fixedly connected to the bevel gear 122, and the annular portion 113 of the spring 11 is sleeved on the mounting shaft 13 with interference fit, so that the friction torque is generated by the relative sliding of the annular portion 113 and the mounting shaft 13. Different from this, the one-way damping structure 1"" according to the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a bushing structure 17"", one end of the spring 11"" cooperates with the bushing structure 17"", such as Figure 33-Figure 38 shown.

[0107] like Fig.33 As shown, the shape of the spring 11"" is slightly different from the spring 11 of the first embodiment, but still includes a fixing portion 111"", a connecting portion 112"" and an annular portion 113"", wherein the connecting portion 112"" is located between the fixing portion 111"" and the annular portion 113"" and connects the fixing portion 111"" and the annular portion 113"". In particular, the annular portion 113"" includes a circle that extends circumferentially and spirally to define a spring hole.

[0108] like Fig.34 As shown, the bushing structure 17"" has a clamping structure 172"" and a pin 173"" protruding from the body 171"" in opposite directions. In particular, the clamping structure 172"" has a fixing protrusion 172a", and the pin 173"" is three fixing pins evenly distributed, such as Fig.35 shown.

[0109] like Fig.36As shown, unlike the bevel gear 122 of the first embodiment which has a connecting groove 122b and a receiving hole 122c, the bevel gear 122"" of this embodiment includes only a fixing hole 122a"", and the pin 173"" of the bushing structure 17"" is inserted into the fixing hole 122a"" for fixing. It should be understood that the structure of the pin 173"" used to fix the bushing structure 17"" is not necessarily a fixing hole, and it can be a groove or other feature that matches the pin 173"" as long as the bushing structure 17"" can be fixed to the bevel gear 122"". After the bushing structure 17"" is fixed to the bevel gear 122"" in a torsionally fixed manner, the spring 11"" fixes the bushing structure 17"" via the clamping structure 172"", in particular, the fixing portion 111"" is clamped and fixed by the fixing protrusion 172a"", as shown in FIG. Fig.37 shown.

[0110] like Fig.38 As shown, the gear box 31"" has a gear box groove 312"", and the spring 11"" is installed on the inner cylindrical surface of the gear box groove 312"" in a tensioned manner. In other words, the spring 11"" has a preload force that expands radially outward, so that the friction torque is generated by the relative sliding of the outer diameter surface of the annular portion 113"" of the spring 11"" and the inner cylindrical surface of the gear box groove 312"". Fig.39 shown.

[0111] like Fig.40 As shown, when the seat is adjusted downward, the bevel gear 122"" drives the annular portion 113"" of the spring 11"" to rotate relative to the gear box 31"" along the CW direction through the bushing structure 17"", and a friction resistance torque Tf_CCW along the CCW direction is generated between the outer diameter surface of the annular portion 113"" of the spring 11"" and the inner cylindrical surface of the gear box groove 312"". The generation of the friction resistance torque Tf_CCW makes the meshing tooth surface of the bevel gear 122"" always close to the meshing tooth surface of the worm, so that the entire seat can run smoothly and the speed is slowed down during the downward adjustment process.

[0112] like Fig.41 As shown, when the seat is adjusted upward, the bevel gear 122"" drives the annular portion 113"" of the spring 11"" to rotate relative to the gear box 31"" along the CCW direction through the bushing structure 17"", and a set friction resistance torque Tf_CW along the CW direction is generated between the outer diameter surface of the annular portion 113"" of the spring 11"" and the inner cylindrical surface of the gear box groove 312"". The friction resistance torque Tf_CW is very small compared to the friction resistance torque Tf_CCW and can be basically ignored, so that it has basically no effect in the seat lifting direction, and has basically no influence on the seat lifting capacity and the speed in the lifting direction.

[0113] In this way, through the above two processes, the seat height adjuster according to this embodiment increases the internal resistance of the system through the one-way damping structure 1"" when the seat is adjusted downward, so that the entire downward operation is smooth; on the other hand, when the seat is adjusted upward, basically no internal resistance is generated, which does not affect the seat lifting ability.

[0114] It should be understood that the wire used for the springs 11, 11', 11"', 11"" according to the present invention can be Fig.42 The circular cross-section wire shown can also be Fig.43 The rectangular cross-section wire described above can also be other special-shaped cross-section wires; the fixing method of the springs 11, 11', 11"', 11"" is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and it is sufficient to fix at least one end; the torque of the springs 11, 11', 11"', 11"" is generated by the relative sliding of the spring and the matching shaft to generate a friction torque. On the friction surfaces in relative contact, the positive pressure can be ensured by interference fit during assembly, or it can be generated by other methods: for example, the spring is connected to other adjustment mechanisms. When friction resistance is required, the spring can be tightened by manual or automatic adjustment to generate positive pressure between the spring and the shaft, thereby generating friction resistance. When friction resistance is not required, the spring The spring is adjusted manually or automatically so that the spring is loosened so that the positive pressure between it and the shaft disappears, and then the friction resistance disappears. It should be understood that by controlling this adjustment method, the positive pressure between the spring and the shaft can be adjusted so that this structure produces a damping structure with a variable resistance value, that is, a unidirectional variable damping mechanism; by adjusting the spiral direction of the springs 11, 11', 11'", 11'', the direction of the unidirectional damping can be switched; the resistance torque of the springs 11, 11', 11'', 11'' can be adjusted by the number of turns of the spring spiral part, and can also be set by material selection and the design of the interference fit between the spring and the shaft or the inner wall of the hole.

[0115] It should be understood that the one-way damping structure 1, 1', 1"', 1"" according to the present invention includes the most basic damping generating unit: a spring, a friction shaft or an inner wall of a friction hole, wherein the friction shaft can be a shaft, or an annular boss or a sleeve, and only needs to have an outer cylindrical surface that matches the spring, and the outer cylindrical surface can be continuous or discontinuous, and the inner wall of the friction hole can be the inner wall of the hole, or an annular groove surface, and only needs to have an inner cylindrical surface that matches the spring, and the inner cylindrical surface can be continuous or discontinuous; in the one-way damping structure 1, 1', 1"', 1"", the mating parts involved, such as a drive unit, a spring fixing unit, etc., are all changes of the structure in different application fields, and the fixing method of the spring and the drive element or the fixing element is not limited to the fixing method mentioned in this patent, as long as it is a structural feature that can achieve spring fixing, It should be included in the protection scope of this patent; in the one-way damping structure 1, 1', 1"', 1"", the damping force can be generated by dynamic friction resistance. Similarly, its static friction resistance characteristics can also be used in transmission units or other mechanisms. For example, when the spring and the friction shaft or the inner wall of the friction hole have a tendency to slide relative to each other, static friction force is generated, and in a single direction, a friction resistance with a certain limit is generated; the one-way damping structure 1, 1', 1"', 1"" can be applied to load protection and other application fields. Specifically, by utilizing the characteristic of generating unidirectional friction resistance, through a specific torque design, the damping structure unit 1, 1', 1"', 1"" can be formed into a one-way locking mechanism to form a one-way load protection, which is applied to fields such as unidirectional torque testing; the one-way damping structure 1, 1', 1"', 1"" can be made into a damping bearing form and applied to more engineering fields. It should be understood that this unidirectional damping structure 1, 1', 1"', 1"" can form a bidirectional identical damping mechanism, a bidirectional different damping mechanism, a unidirectional locking-unidirectional damping mechanism and a bidirectional locking mechanism, a unidirectional variable damping mechanism, a bidirectional variable damping mechanism, etc. through a specific torque design and a combination of the same or different types of unidirectional damping mechanism basic units.

[0116] It should be understood that the one-way damping structure 1, 1', 1"', 1"" according to the present invention is not limited to application in seat height adjustment products, but can also be applied to other similar adjustment mechanisms, such as seat back adjustment units, etc.; the one-way damping structure 1, 1', 1"', 1"" can be applied not only to electric adjustment products, but also to manual adjustment products; the one-way damping structure 1, 1', 1"', 1"" is not limited to seat transmission products, but is also suitable for the production of measuring tools and other products in other fields; the one-way damping structure 1, 1', 1"', 1"" acts on the helical teeth, and similarly, this structure can also be fixed on other structural ends with relative motion, such as a motor shaft or an output gear shaft end, such as in seat height adjustment products, and this one-way damping mechanism can be applied to the cooperation between the motor rotating shaft and the spring, and can also be applied to the output gear shaft of the seat height adjustment to achieve similar or better product effects.

[0117] like Figure 44-Figure 46 As shown, the annular portion 1130 of the spring 110 of the one-way damping structure of the adjustment assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention is sleeved on the motor shaft 410 of the driver 40, and the fixed portion 1110 of the spring 110 is fixed in the fixed groove of the gear box 310. When the motor shaft 410 is driven to rotate, a one-way friction force is generated between the inner hole wall of the annular portion 1130 and the outer surface of the motor shaft 410, thereby realizing a one-way damping characteristic. It should be understood that the direction of the friction force can be adjusted according to the spring rotation direction and the installation direction.

[0118] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The above embodiment of the present invention can also be modified in various ways. That is, all simple, equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and the description of the present invention fall within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention. The contents not described in detail in the present invention are all conventional technical contents.

Claims

1. An adjustment assembly, comprising a one-way damping structure, a mounting structure and a driver, characterized in that: The mounting structure includes a gearbox and a mounting shaft mounted on the gearbox, the one-way damping structure includes a spring and a driving element, the driving element is sleeved on the mounting shaft, the gearbox has a protrusion structure independent of the driving element, wherein the protrusion structure includes at least one protrusion, the driving element includes a protruding annular portion, the annular portion is formed as a friction force generating member, the spring and the driving element are connected to drive the spring through the driving element, the spring includes a fixing portion, a connecting portion and an annular portion, wherein the connecting portion is located between the fixing portion and the annular portion and connects the fixing portion and the annular portion, the fixing portion and the connecting portion are fixed by a space groove surrounded by the protrusion, the annular portion includes at least half a circle of a spring hole extending in a circumferential spiral and is sleeved on the annular portion to generate a friction torque through relative sliding of the annular portion and the annular portion.

2. The adjustment assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The annular portion and the periphery of the driving element define an accommodation groove, and the annular portion is accommodated in the accommodation groove and sleeved on the annular portion in an interference fit.

3. The adjustment assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The regulating assembly also includes an output structure, wherein the one-way damping structure and the output structure are mounted on the mounting structure, and the driver is connected to the output structure via the one-way damping structure.

4. The adjustment assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The output structure is connected to the seat height adjustment mechanism, and the adjustment assembly is configured as a seat height adjuster.

5. The adjustment assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mounting structure also includes a cover plate fixedly connected to the gear box, wherein the one-way damping structure and the output structure are mounted between the gear box and the cover plate.

6. The adjustment assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The adjustment assembly also includes a gasket, which is arranged between the spring and the gear box.

7. The adjustment assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The one-way damping structure is mounted on the mounting structure. The driver has a motor shaft. The annular portion of the spring is sleeved on the motor shaft with interference fit to generate friction torque through relative sliding between the inner hole wall of the annular portion and the outer surface of the motor shaft.

8. The adjustment assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: The mounting structure also includes a cover plate fixedly connected to the gear box, wherein the one-way damping structure is installed between the gear box and the cover plate, the gear box has a fixing groove, and the fixing part of the spring is fixed on the fixing groove.

Images