Seat slide device

Abstract

The present application relates to a seat slide device. In the lock release lever, a front upper support surface and a rear upper support surface facing the upper surface of the rear end of the operating handle are provided, a gap is provided between the front upper support surface and the rear upper support surface in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a front lower support surface is provided below the front upper support surface. The upper rail has a rear lower support surface positioned below the rear upper support surface. A gap is provided between the front lower support surface and the lower surface of the rear end of the operating handle, and a gap is provided between the rear lower support surface and the lower surface of the rear end of the operating handle.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-121255, filed on July 26, 2021, and claims priority to that Japanese Patent Application under 35U.SC§119, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a seat sliding device for vehicle seats. Background Technology

[0004] In a vehicle seat sliding device, an upper guide rail fixed to the seat is configured to slide on a lower guide rail fixed to the vehicle body, and a locking tooth (locking portion) of a locking member attached to the upper guide rail engages with a locking groove (locked portion) in the lower guide rail to lock the seat. Japanese Patent Application Publications Nos. 2012-126184 and 2018-052401 describe a seat sliding device with a locking release lever for operating the locking portion in the locking release direction, and a locking release lever located in front of the rotation center is partially biased upwards by an biasing member. In Japanese Patent Application Publications Nos. 2012-126184 and 2018-052401, the locking release lever is biased such that the rear end of the locking release lever contacts the locking portion without any gap (gap, interval).

[0005] In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-126184, the aforementioned biasing member is provided between the operating handle, which is inserted into the front end of the locking release lever, and the locking release lever. Furthermore, the rear end connection portion of the operating handle is supported so that it can swing about an axis in a left-right direction different from the rotation center of the locking release lever, and the operating handle is prevented from disengaging axially relative to the locking release lever.

[0006] Meanwhile, in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-052401, the aforementioned biasing member is provided on the upper guide rail. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The biasing member in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-126184 is always biased in a direction in which the lower supported portion is held in a supported state by the lower support portion and the upper supported portion is held in a supported state by the upper support portion. Therefore, when the operating handle is operated from the standby position in the lock release direction, the lock release lever immediately begins to push the locking portion in the lock release direction. Although the operating stroke of the operating handle can be shortened, the time from the start of the operating handle moving to the lock release is shortened, so the operator may feel the lock being released earlier than the operator expects.

[0008] Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Application Publications Nos. 2012-126184 and 2018-052401, since the operating handle is a rigid body used to connect the left and right seat sliding devices, the locking release lever may rotate in the locking release direction in the standby state due to the phase difference between the left and right seat sliding devices in the vertical direction (deformation caused by displacement of the installation position, collision, etc.). Therefore, from the standby position of the operating handle, a gap is provided between the operating handle and the locking release lever in the anti-lock release direction (the direction opposite to the locking release direction). Therefore, even if the operating handle moves downward within the gap due to the load of pushing the operating handle downward, the rotation of the locking release lever can be prevented.

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to enable, with a simpler structure, the operating handle to rotate relative to the lock release lever in the lock release direction and the anti-lock release direction for the standby position of the operating handle in the non-operating state.

[0010] The seat sliding device according to the invention includes: a lower guide rail extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction; an upper guide rail configured to move relative to the lower guide rail in the longitudinal direction; a locking member attached to the upper guide rail and including a locking portion configured to engage with a locked portion formed in the lower guide rail and biased in the locking direction; a lock release lever supported rotatably relative to the upper guide rail about an axis in the left-right direction and configured to move the locking portion from a locked position to a lock release position according to a lock release operation; an operating handle connected to the front end of the lock release lever; and a biasing member configured to bias the front end of the lock release lever in the lock release direction with a biasing force weaker than the biasing force biasing the locking portion in the locking direction. A front upper support surface and a rear upper support surface are provided at the front end of the lock release lever, with a gap between the front upper support surface and the rear upper support surface in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a front lower support surface is provided below the front upper support surface, with a lower surface facing the operating handle. The upper guide rail has a rear lower support surface facing the lower surface of the end of the operating handle, and the rear lower support surface is positioned below the rear upper support surface. The biasing member has one end fixed to the upper guide rail and another end that engages with the lower surface of the end of the operating handle from below at a position between the front upper support surface and the rear upper support surface, and biases the operating handle upwards. A gap is provided in the vertical direction between the front lower support surface (located in the locking release lever) and the lower surface of the end of the operating handle, and a gap is also provided in the vertical direction between the rear lower support surface (located in the upper guide rail) and the lower surface of the end of the operating handle.

[0011] For the standby position where the operating handle is in an inactive state, the present invention can, with a simpler structure, allow the operating handle to rotate relative to the locking release lever only in the locking release direction and the anti-locking release direction. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of a seat sliding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view of a seat sliding device including lower guide balls and upper guide balls disposed between the upper guide rail and the lower guide rail.

[0014] Figure 3 This is a 3D view of the lower guide rail.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a 3D view of the upper guide rail.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a 3D view of the locking mechanism.

[0017] Figure 6 It is a 3D diagram of the offset component.

[0018] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the fixed components.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a 3D view of the locking release lever.

[0020] Figure 9A This is a perspective view showing a portion of the operating handle.

[0021] Figure 9B This is a perspective view of a portion of the control handle as seen from below.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a perspective view showing the state of the locking component assembled onto the locking release lever and the operating handle.

[0023] Figure 11 This is an enlarged side sectional view of the main part of the seat sliding device according to the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 12 This is an enlarged side sectional view of the main part of the seat sliding mechanism, showing the state of the operating handle in the unlocking direction.

[0025] Figure 13 This is an enlarged side sectional view of the main part of the seat sliding mechanism, showing the state in which a load is applied to the operating handle along the anti-lock release direction.

[0026] Figure 14 The seat sliding device according to the second embodiment and Figure 11 The corresponding side sectional view.

[0027] Figure 15 The seat sliding device according to the second embodiment and Figure 10 The corresponding 3D image.

[0028] Figure 16 The seat sliding device according to the third embodiment and Figure 11 The corresponding side sectional view.

[0029] Figure 17 The seat sliding device according to the third embodiment and Figure 10 The corresponding 3D image. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] [First Implementation Method]

[0032] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The seat sliding device 101 shown according to a first embodiment of the present invention is a manual seat sliding device for manually adjusting the position of a vehicle seat in the fore-and-aft direction. The seat sliding device 101 includes: a lower guide rail 103 mounted on the floor surface of the vehicle and extending in the fore-and-aft direction; and an upper guide rail 105 mounted on the back of the seat portion (not shown) and assembled to be movable relative to each other within the lower guide rail 103 in the longitudinal direction of the lower guide rail 103. The lower guide rail 103 and the upper guide rail 105 form guide rail bodies 106, and a pair of left and right guide rail bodies 106 are provided. Note that in the following description (including the second and third embodiments), "front" refers to the front FR side of the vehicle, i.e. Figure 1 On the left side of the text, "rear" refers to the rear (RR) side of the vehicle. Figure 1 The right side of the vehicle, "left and right" refers to the left and right directions when viewing the front of the vehicle from behind.

[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, the lower guide rail 103 includes a rectangular plate-shaped lower bottom wall 103a extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. A pair of left and right lower outer walls 103b rise from the two end edges of the lower bottom wall 103a in the vehicle width direction, inclined slightly outward from the lower bottom wall 103a. A lower inclined wall 103c is formed between the lower bottom wall 103a and the lower ends of the corresponding left and right lower outer walls 103b. A pair of left and right lower upper walls 103d, extending parallel to the lower bottom wall 103a, are positioned from the upper end edges of the corresponding left and right lower outer walls 103b in a direction approaching each other.

[0034] The left and right lower inner walls 103e are configured to hang downwards from the inner edge of the corresponding left and right lower upper walls 103d toward the lower bottom wall 103a. Note that the gap between the parallel and facing lower inner walls 103e is set large enough to allow the upper guide rail 105, which is housed in the lower guide rail 103, to move.

[0035] The upper guide rail 105 includes an upper top wall 105a in the shape of a rectangular plate extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. A pair of upper side walls 105b extend from the upper top wall 105a at their two end edges in the vehicle's width direction. Upper lower inclined walls 105c rise obliquely outward and upward from the lower end edge of the corresponding upper side walls 105b. Upper upper inclined walls 105e rise obliquely upward from the upper end edge of the corresponding left and right upper lower inclined walls 105c via a bend 105d toward the lower upper wall 103d.

[0036] A lower guide ball 107 is rotatably disposed between the lower arcuate portion 103f of the lower guide rail 103 and the upper lower inclined wall 105c of the upper guide rail 105, and the lower arcuate portion 103f is formed between the lower bottom wall 103a and the lower inclined wall 103c of the lower guide rail 103. An upper guide ball 109 is rotatably disposed between the upper arcuate portion 103g of the lower guide rail 103 and the upper upper inclined wall 105e of the upper guide rail 105, and the upper arcuate portion 103g is formed between the lower outer wall 103b and the lower upper wall 103d of the lower guide rail 103.

[0037] like Figure 1 As shown, the lower guide ball 107 and the upper guide ball 109 are rotatably supported on Figure 2 The ball retainer 111 is omitted in the text. Each ball retainer 111 supports a total of four balls, namely two lower guide balls 107 and two upper guide balls 109. The ball retainer 111 supporting the lower guide balls 107 and upper guide balls 109 is disposed in a receiving portion 113 surrounded by a lower outer wall 103b, a lower inclined wall 103c, a lower upper wall 103d, and a lower inner wall 103e. Figure 2 It is located at two positions on the front and rear sides of the main body 106, and at a total of four positions in the left and right pairs of guide rail bodies 106.

[0038] With the guide rail body 106 assembled, the locking member 117 is secured to the upper top wall 105a of the front portion of the upper guide rail 105 using a fixing member 115, such as a rivet or a retaining pin. The locking member 117 is formed of a leaf spring member. The locking member 117 has a fixing hole 119a in a fixing portion 119 for the fixing member 115 to be inserted, and the fixing portion 119 is a base secured by the fixing member 115. In the upper top wall 105a of the upper guide rail 105, the peripheral portion of the upper fixing hole 105f is formed to be recessed downward relative to the other portions of the upper top wall 105a. Therefore, the head of the fixing member 115 is configured not to protrude from the other upper surface of the upper top wall 105a of the upper guide rail 105.

[0039] Figure 7 The fixing member 115 before attachment is shown. (See example.) Figure 11 As shown, Figure 11 This is an enlarged side sectional view of the main part. The fixing member 115 includes: an insertion shaft portion 115a, which is inserted from below into fixing holes 119a and upper fixing holes 105f; a second insertion shaft portion 115e, which is formed below the insertion shaft portion 115a and has a larger diameter than the insertion shaft portion 115a, and is inserted into the offset member side fixing hole 134a (described later); a large diameter portion 115b, which is formed below the second insertion shaft portion 115e and has a larger diameter than the second insertion shaft portion 115e; and a flange 115c, which is formed on the opposite side of the insertion shaft portion 115a below the large diameter portion 115b. The flange 115c forms a laterally projecting protrusion.

[0040] like Figure 11 As shown, flange 115c is positioned in the configuration described later. Figure 8 Below the support protrusions 147e in the left and right side walls 147 of the locking release lever 131 shown. (As shown) Figure 8 As shown, the support protrusion 147e is positioned slightly forward of the center position in the front-rear direction from the locking release lever 131, and is formed by cutting and raising the sidewall 147, which is part of the locking release lever 131, inward.

[0041] The upper portion of the support protrusion 147e is continuous with the sidewall 147, and the lower portion of the support protrusion 147e is cut off from the sidewall 147. The cut-off lower end surface of the support protrusion 147e faces the upper surface of the flange 115c. A gap is formed in the vertical direction between the lower end surface of the support protrusion 147e and the upper surface of the flange 115c. This gap allows the locking release lever 131 to swing the fulcrum portion 151 (see...). Figure 10 It acts as a fulcrum and swings in the front-to-back direction. Here, the swing fulcrum portion 151 is provided with a fixing member 115.

[0042] Figure 5 The fixing portion 119 of the locking member 117 shown is generally parallel to Figure 1 The upper top wall 105a shown extends in the front-rear direction, and the rear inclined portion 121 is formed to slope backward and downward from the rear end of the fixed portion 119. The rear elastic deformable portion 123 is formed to extend rearward from the rear end of the rear inclined portion 121, approximately parallel to the fixed portion 119. The rear end 125 of the rear elastic deformable portion 123 is wider in the left-right direction than the rear elastic deformable portion 123, and is rectangular in shape in the plan view. The rear elastic deformable portion 123 forms a rear offset portion.

[0043] Two rectangular holes 125a are formed in the front-rear direction near each of the left and right edges of the rear end 125. Locking teeth 125b are formed on the portions of the rear end 125 adjacent to each hole 125a in the front-rear direction; the locking teeth 125b are locking portions protruding to the left and right. Locking teeth 125b are formed at three locations on each of the left and right sides. The distal ends of the locking teeth 125b at the three locations on each of the left and right sides are configured to connect to each other via corresponding connecting portions 125c extending in the front-rear direction.

[0044] like Figure 4 As shown, near the approximate central portion in the front-rear direction of the upper guide rail 105, locking tooth receiving recesses 129 are formed, extending from the upper left and right sidewalls 105b to the lower left and right inclined walls 105c. These locking tooth receiving recesses 129 are formed at three positions on each of the left and right sides in the front-rear direction. With the guide rail body 106 assembled, the corresponding three locking teeth 125b of the locking member 117 are inserted into the three locking tooth receiving recesses 129 from below. At this time, the protrusions 126 positioned between the locking tooth receiving recesses 129 are inserted into the holes 125a of the locking member 117. In this case, to avoid interference between the upper guide rail 105 and the portion around the connection portion 125c of the rear end 125, an opening 128 continuous with the lower portion of the locking tooth receiving recess 129 and a cutout opening 130 formed in the upper inclined wall 105e are provided on each of the left and right sides of the upper guide rail 105.

[0045] Further as Figure 3As shown, multiple locking grooves 127, which are the locked parts, are arranged in the lower guide rail 103 along the front-rear direction, except for the front and rear positions near the lower left and right inner walls 103e. By inserting the locking teeth 125b of the locking member 117 from below into the locking grooves 127, the locking teeth 125b are positioned in the locking tooth receiving recesses 129, and the locking member 117 is locked to the lower guide rail 103. This prevents the upper guide rail 105, to which the locking member 117 is attached, from moving relative to the lower guide rail 103 in the front-rear direction.

[0046] The rear elastic deformation portion 123 generates an upward elastic force when the locking member 117 is attached to the upper guide rail 105, thus maintaining the locking tooth 125b inserted in the locking groove 127. In this state, operation in the locking release direction (upward)... Figure 1 The operating handle 133 shown causes the rear end 125 of the locking member 117 to be pushed downward by the lock release lever 131, thereby releasing the lock. The operating handle 133 is inserted into the upper guide rail 105 from the front and is configured to interlock with the lock release lever 131.

[0047] like Figure 5 As shown, the locking member 117 includes a support protrusion 119b that laterally protrudes from the left and right portions of the fixing portion 119 at a position corresponding to the fixing hole 119a. The support protrusion 119b is the supported portion. The support protrusion 119b protrudes laterally with the same thickness as the plate thickness of the locking member 117 including the fixing portion 119, and has a rectangular shape in the plan view.

[0048] like Figure 11 As shown, the biasing member 132 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper top wall 105a of the upper guide rail 105 together with the leaf spring forming the locking member 117 via the fixing member 115. In the biasing member 132, the base 134 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper top wall 105a, the folded portion 135 of the middle section extends rearward from the base 134 and folds forward in the middle, and the end 136 extends forward by passing under the fixing member 115 to form a generally U-shape. The biasing member 132 is formed by a leaf spring member similar to the locking member 117.

[0049] like Figure 6As shown, the base 134 of the biasing member 132 is provided with a fixing hole (biasing member side fixing hole) 134a for inserting the second insertion shaft portion 115e of the fixing member 115. The base 134 of the biasing member 132 is provided with a cutout opening 134b that is continuous with the front side of the biasing member side fixing hole 134a on the vehicle side, through which the insertion shaft portion 115a of the fixing member 115 can pass. The end 136 of the biasing member 132 extends forward from the end (lower end) of the folded portion 135, substantially parallel to the base 134. The end 136 of the biasing member 132 forms a front biasing portion.

[0050] A pressing protrusion 145, curved upwards, is formed at the end (lower end) of the biasing member 132. For example... Figure 11 As shown, press the protrusion 145 from below and... Figure 9B The recessed groove 137 shown engages and is located on the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133. The end 136 of the biasing member 132 presses the operating handle 133 upward via the pressing protrusion 145. The pressing force of the biasing member 132 on the operating handle 133 is set to be weaker than the pressing force of the locking teeth 125b of the rear elastic deformation portion 123 on the locking groove 127.

[0051] Furthermore, a pair of locking protrusions 138 are provided at the end 136 of the biasing member 132, located behind the pressing protrusion 145. A [missing information - likely a date or time] is provided on the lower surface of the rear end of the operating handle 133. Figure 9A and Figure 9B The slit 139 shown is as follows: Figure 11 As shown, the locking protrusion 138 engages with the slit 139. The locking protrusion 138 is formed to project upward from the pressing protrusion 145 to press the lower surface of the rear end of the operating handle 133.

[0052] like Figure 8 As shown, the locking release lever 131 includes left and right sidewalls 147, and an upper wall 149 connecting the upper end of the sidewalls 147 in the region surrounding the rear ends of the left and right sidewalls 147. The locking member 117 is disposed between the left and right sidewalls 147 of the locking release lever 131, except for the portion surrounding the rear end. The biasing member 132 is disposed between the left and right sidewalls 147 of the locking release lever 131. That is, the locking release lever 131 is disposed at a position overlapping the locking member 117 and the biasing member 132 in the longitudinal and vertical directions along the upper guide rail 105.

[0053] A recess 147a, serving as a support portion, is formed at the upper end of the front side wall 147 at the midpoint of the locking release lever 131 in the front-rear direction. The recess 147a is positioned above the support protrusion 147e and has an arcuate concave surface with an opening at the top. The recess 147a is located below the left and right protrusions 119b of the locking member 117, and the lower part of the protrusion 119b engages with the recess 147a. When the locking release lever 131 and the operating handle 133 swing together in the up-down direction, the protrusion 119b of the locking member 117 and the recess 147a of the release lever 131 form a swing fulcrum portion 151. The swing fulcrum portion 151 is aligned in position with the fixed portion of the locking member 117 relative to the upper guide rail 105 in the front-rear direction.

[0054] The locking release lever 131 includes a release pressing portion 153 extending rearward from the upper wall 149. A downwardly curved protrusion 153a is formed in the lower portion of the rear end side of the release pressing portion 153. The curved protrusion 153a contacts the upper surface of the rear end 125 of the rear elastically deformable portion 123 in the locking member 117. A stop protrusion 149a is formed on the upper wall 149 by cutting and raising a portion of the upper wall 149. The stop protrusion 149a serves as a stop when the locking release lever 131 and the operating handle 133 are pivoted with the swing fulcrum portion 151 acting as a fulcrum. Figure 11 When the stop moves and rotates counterclockwise, it contacts the upper top wall 105a of the upper guide rail 105.

[0055] The upper ends of the front ends of the locking release lever 131 are connected to each other via the front upper wall 157. The lower surface of the front upper wall 157 forms the front upper support surface 157a. The front lower protrusion 147b is formed at the lower front end of the left and right side walls 147 and protrudes from the two side walls 147, bending towards the sides facing each other. The ends of the left and right front lower protrusions 147b are separated from each other, forming a gap between them. The upper surface of the front lower protrusion 147b forms the front lower support surface 147c.

[0056] A rear upper wall 158 is formed on the upper part of the two side walls 147, and the rear upper wall 158 is positioned behind the front upper wall 157 and in front of the recess 147a. The lower surface of the rear upper wall 158 forms a rear upper support surface 158a. That is, a pair of upper support surfaces (front upper support surface 157a and rear upper support surface 158a) are provided at the front end of the locking release lever 131, facing the rear end of the operating handle 133. Here, a gap is provided between the pair of upper support surfaces in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In addition, at the front end of the locking release lever 131, below the front upper support surface 157a, a front lower support surface 147c is provided, facing the rear end of the operating handle 133.

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, the operating handle 133 includes a pair of left and right arms 167 respectively provided on a pair of left and right guide rail bodies 106, and a handle 168 extending in the vehicle width direction to connect the left and right arms 167 to each other. The left and right arms 167 extend in the front-rear direction and are respectively inserted into the left and right upper guide rails 105 from the front end. When the occupant operates the operating handle 133, the handle 168 is gripped by the occupant.

[0058] like Figure 10 As shown, the rear end of arm 167 is inserted between the left and right side walls 147 of the locking release lever 131. Arm 167 is formed of an integral cylindrical member including handle 168, and the rear end of arm 167 is a connecting end 169 used as a rear connecting portion, which is formed by stamping the cylindrical member.

[0059] like Figure 9A and Figure 9B As shown, the connecting end 169 has a generally rectangular cross-section, including: an upper surface 169b1; side surfaces 169b2 extending downward from the left and right ends of the upper surface 169b1; and a lower surface 169b3 disposed from the lower ends of the left and right side surfaces 169b2 toward the left and right inner sides. A recessed groove 137 extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction is provided in the lower surface 169b3 of the connecting end 169. In addition, the aforementioned slit 139 and a lower tapered surface 171 are formed on the lower surface 169b3 of the connecting end 169, the lower tapered surface 171 being disposed at the rear end of the connecting end 169 and inclined upward.

[0060] like Figure 11 As shown, rear lower protrusions 148 are formed on the left and right upper sidewalls 105b of the upper guide rail 105, respectively. The rear lower protrusions 148 are formed at the front position of the upper fixing hole 105f in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, and protrude from the two upper sidewalls 105b, bending towards each other. A generally U-shaped slit 149b is formed around the rear lower protrusions 148. The ends of the left and right rear lower protrusions 148 are separated from each other, forming a gap between them. A rear lower support surface 148a is formed on the upper surface of the rear lower protrusions 148. That is, the upper guide rail 105 is provided with a rear lower support surface 148a facing the rear end of the operating handle 133, and this rear lower support surface 148a is positioned below the rear upper support surface 158a. Furthermore, Figure 6 The width of the end 136 of the biasing member 132 shown is narrower in the left-right direction than the gap between the left and right pair of rear lower protrusions 148, so that it can pass between the left and right pair of rear lower protrusions 148 forming the rear lower support surface 148a.

[0061] The biasing member 132 engages from below with the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133 at a position (middle position) between the front upper support surface 157a and the rear upper support surface 158a, and biases the operating handle 133 upward. Therefore, the upper surface 169b1 of the operating handle 133 contacts a pair of upper support surfaces (the front upper support surface 157a and the rear upper support surface 158a). At this time, a gap C1 is provided in the vertical direction between the front lower support surface 147c provided in the locking release lever 131 and the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133, and a gap C2 is provided in the vertical direction between the rear lower support surface 148a provided in the upper guide rail 105 and the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133.

[0062] Next, the operation of the seat sliding device 101 constructed as described above will be described.

[0063] Figure 11 The diagram shows a standby state (non-operational state where the operating handle 133 is not operated) where the locking teeth 125b of the locking member 117 engage and lock into the locking groove 127 of the lower guide rail 103. In this state, the operating handle 133 is pressed against a pair of upper support surfaces (front upper support surface 157a and rear upper support surface 158a) by the pressing protrusion 145 of the biasing member 132. Since the pressing force (biasing force) of the biasing member 132 is greater than the force that causes the operating handle 133 to descend due to its own weight, and less than the force that biases the locking member 117 in the locking direction, the aforementioned standby state is maintained.

[0064] from Figure 11 The state shown begins when the occupant lifts the handle 168 of the operating handle 133. The operating handle 133 rotates about the contact point between the front upper support surface 157a (serving as a fulcrum) and the upper surface 169b1 of the operating handle 133, and the rear end of the operating handle 133 moves downward by pressing down on the pressing protrusion 145 of the biasing member 132. In this state, when the handle 168 of the operating handle 133 is further lifted, the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133 contacts the rear lower support surface 148a provided in the upper guide rail 105, and the operating handle 133 rotates about the contact point between the rear lower support surface 148a (serving as a fulcrum) and the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133. As a result, the upper surface 169b1 of the operating handle 133 rotates and lifts the front upper support surface 157a of the locking release lever 131 upward, and the locking release lever 131 causes the locking portion of the locking member 117 to rotate in the locking release direction (see...). Figure 12 ).

[0065] As a result, the locking release lever 131 around the swing fulcrum portion 151 Figure 11 The lock release lever 131 swings and rotates clockwise. During this time, due to the swinging rotation of the lock release lever 131, the curved protrusion 153a of the rear release pressing portion 153 pushes downwards against the rear end 125 corresponding to the periphery of the locking portion of the locking member 117, and the rear elastic deformation portion 123 elastically deforms downwards. That is, the release pressing portion 153 can press against the periphery of the locking tooth 125b of the locking member 117. As a result, the locking tooth 125b disengages from the locking groove 127 of the lower guide rail 103, thus releasing the lock. When the lock is released, the seat (not shown) can move back and forth with the upper guide rail 105 relative to the vehicle floor surface on the side of the lower guide rail 103, thereby ensuring the desired seat position for the occupant.

[0066] When the occupant releases his or her hand from the operating handle 133 while the seat position is confirmed, the rear elastically deformable portion 123 of the locking member 117 presses upward against the release portion 153, and the locking release lever 131 swings and rotates to return to its original position. Figure 1 The standby state is shown. At this time, the locking release lever 131 revolves around the swing fulcrum portion 151. Figure 11 It swings and rotates counterclockwise.

[0067] exist Figure 11 In the indicated state, when a load is applied to the operating handle 133 in the anti-lock release direction (downward), the operating handle 133 rotates about the contact point between the rear upper support surface 158a, which serves as a fulcrum, and the upper surface 169b1 of the operating handle 133. Furthermore, the operating handle 133 can move downward by the amount of gap C1 between the lower surface 169b3 of the operating handle 133 and the front lower support surface 147c (see [reference]). Figure 13 Furthermore, in this embodiment, the locking release lever 131 can be lowered until the support protrusion 147e of the locking release lever 131 contacts the flange 115c of the fixing member 115. This reduces the impact in the direction of pushing the operating handle 133 downward. In addition, even if a phase difference occurs between the left and right guide rail bodies 106 relative to the operating handle 133, which is a rigid body, this phase difference can be absorbed, thereby preventing the locking release lever 131 of one guide rail body 106 from rotating in the locking release direction due to the phase difference.

[0068] The functional effects of the seat sliding device 101 according to this embodiment will now be described.

[0069] (1) A seat sliding device 101 includes: a lower guide rail 103 extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction; an upper guide rail 105 configured to move relative to the lower guide rail 103 in a longitudinal direction; a locking member 117 attached to the upper guide rail 105 and including a locking portion (locking tooth 125b) configured to engage with a locked portion formed in the lower guide rail 103 and biased in a locking direction; a lock release lever 131 supported rotatably relative to the upper guide rail 105 about an axis in a left-right direction and configured to move the locking portion from a locked position to a lock release position according to a lock release operation; an operating handle 133 connected to the front end of the lock release lever 131; and a biasing member 132 configured to bias the front end of the lock release lever 131 in the lock release direction with a biasing force weaker than the biasing force biasing the locking portion in the locking direction. At the front end of the locking release lever 131, there are a front upper support surface 157a and a rear upper support surface 158a facing the rear end of the operating handle 133. A gap exists between the front upper support surface 157a and the rear upper support surface 158a in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Below the front upper support surface 157a, there is a front lower support surface 147c facing the rear end of the operating handle 133. The upper guide rail 105 has a rear lower support surface 148a facing the rear end of the operating handle 133, and this rear lower support surface 148a is positioned below the rear upper support surface 158a. The biasing member 132 has one end fixed to the upper guide rail 105 and the other end engaged from below with the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133 at a position (middle position) between the front upper support surface 157a and the rear upper support surface 158a, and biases the operating handle 133 upward. A gap C1 is provided in the vertical direction between the front lower support surface 147c in the locking release lever 131 and the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133, and a gap C2 is provided in the vertical direction between the rear lower support surface 148a in the upper guide rail 105 and the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133.

[0070] In the standby state (non-operational state where the operating handle 133 is not operated), the operating handle 133 is biased upward by the biasing member 132 and pressed against a pair of upper support surfaces (front upper support surface 157a and rear upper support surface 158a) provided in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. Therefore, the front lower support surface 147c provided in the locking release lever 131 and the rear lower support surface 148a provided in the upper guide rail 105 are located below the pair of upper support surfaces, and the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133 faces the front lower support surface 147c and the rear lower support surface 148a, with gaps C1 and C2 provided between them.

[0071] When the operating handle 133 is lifted from its non-operating standby position in the locking release direction (upwards), only the operating handle 133 rotates around the contact point between the front upper support surface 157a, which serves as a fulcrum, and the upper surface 169b1 of the rear end of the operating handle 133, until the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133 contacts the rear lower support surface 148a provided in the lower guide rail 103. When the operating handle 133 is lifted further upwards, the operating handle 133 rotates around the contact point with the rear lower support surface 148a provided in the upper guide rail 105, which serves as a fulcrum, and the upper surface 169b1 of the rear end of the operating handle 133 lifts the front upper support surface 157a of the locking release lever 131 upwards, thus the locking release lever 131 rotates in the locking release direction.

[0072] Meanwhile, when the operating handle 133 is pushed down from its standby position in the non-operation state along the anti-lock release direction (downward), the operating handle 133 rotates only around the contact point between the rear upper support surface 158a, which serves as a fulcrum, and the upper surface 169b of the rear end of the operating handle 133, until the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133 contacts the front lower support surface 147c provided in the lock release lever 131.

[0073] Therefore, it is possible to set that, starting from the standby position where the operating handle 133 is in the non-operating state, only the operating handle 133 can rotate relative to the lock release lever 131 in the lock release direction (upward) and the anti-lock release direction (downward) during the initial stage of movement.

[0074] The above structure can be achieved solely through a biasing member 132 for biasing the locking release lever 131 in the locking release direction. This simplifies the structure and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0075] (2) A fixing member 115 is provided for fixing a leaf spring (locking member 117) to the lower surface of the upper guide rail 105. The leaf spring is configured to bias the locking portion (locking tooth 125b) in the locking direction. In the biasing member 132, the base 134 is fixed to the lower surface of the upper guide rail 105 together with the locking member 117 by the fixing member 115. The folded portion 135 of the middle part extends from the base 134 toward the rear of the vehicle and folds toward the front of the vehicle in the middle. The end 136 extends toward the front of the vehicle by passing under the fixing member 115 to form a generally U-shape.

[0076] The distance from one end of the offset member 132, which is fixed by the fixing member 115, to the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133 can be set to have a sufficient length without interfering with the fixing member 115 and the operating handle 133. Furthermore, even if the length from the fixing member 115 to the pressing point (the position of the pressing protrusion 145) of the operating handle 133 in the front-rear direction is short, the offset member 132 can be easily configured. This allows for a reduction in the front dimension of the seat sliding device 101 from the fixing member 115.

[0077] (3) A recessed groove 137 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction is provided in the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133, and the upper guide rail 105 is provided with a pair of left and right sidewalls 147. The rear lower support surface 148a is formed on a protrusion (rear lower protrusion 148) that protrudes inward from the pair of left and right sidewalls 147 in the left and right direction, and a gap is formed between the ends of the pair of left and right protrusions. The base 134 of the biasing member 132 is provided with a fixing hole (biasing member side fixing hole 134a) for the fixing member 115 to be inserted, and the width of the end 136 of the biasing member 132 in the left and right direction is formed to be narrower than the gap between the pair of left and right protrusions.

[0078] The end 136 of the biasing member 132 can pass vertically between a pair of protrusions (rear lower protrusions 148) forming the rear lower support surface 148a, and can enter the recessed groove 137 provided in the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133. Therefore, even if the end 136 of the biasing member 132 moves as the operating handle 133 is rotated upward, the end 136 of the biasing member 132 will not interfere with the rear lower support surface 148a. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the end 136 of the biasing member 132 to be disengaged from the rear lower support surface 148a over a large extent, which allows the biasing member 132 to be compactly arranged.

[0079] Furthermore, although the end 136 of the biasing member 132 is configured to pass below the lower part of the fixing member 115, the end 136 of the biasing member 132 is sufficiently narrow in the left-right direction. Therefore, when fixing the fixing member 115 to the upper guide rail 105, a clamp for pressing the lower surface of the fixing member 115 can be used to stake the fixing member 115.

[0080] (4) A slit 139 is provided in the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133, and a locking protrusion 138 that engages with the slit 139 is provided at the end 136 of the biasing member 132. The locking protrusion 138 is formed to protrude upward from the pressing protrusion 145, which is provided at the end 136 of the biasing member 132 and presses the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operating handle 133.

[0081] When the locking protrusion 138 engages with the slit 139, it prevents the operating handle 133 from disengaging in the axial direction.

[0082] Furthermore, when the rear end of the operating handle 133 is inserted into the front end of the locking release lever 131, the rear end of the operating handle 133 is inserted into the front end of the locking release lever 131 by pushing down the end 136 of the biasing member 132. Since the locking protrusion 138 protrudes upward from the pressing protrusion 145, the pressing protrusion 145 does not engage with the slit 139, which prevents incorrect assembly of the operating handle 133.

[0083] [Second Implementation]

[0084] Figure 14 The seat sliding device according to the second embodiment and Figure 11 The corresponding side sectional view. Figure 15 The seat sliding device according to the second embodiment and Figure 10 The corresponding 3D image.

[0085] The differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0086] In the seat sliding device 101A, a locking pawl 132a is provided in the leaf spring (locking member 117), which is configured to prevent the operating handle 133 from disengaging in the axial direction. The locking pawl 132a, which engages with the locking hole 161, is formed at the end of the forward extension 132b extending forward from the fixed portion 119 of the locking member 117. The locking hole 161 is provided on the upper surface 169b1 of the rear end of the operating handle 133. When the operating handle 133 is inserted into the locking release lever 131, an upper tapered surface 172 is provided to avoid the locking pawl 132a. The locking pawl 132a is formed facing downward.

[0087] Rear upper protrusions 147f are formed on the upper part of the left and right sidewalls 147 of the locking release lever 131, and the rear upper protrusions 147f protrude from the two sidewalls 147 and bend towards each other. The ends of the left and right rear upper protrusions 147f are separated from each other, and a gap is formed between them. The lower surface of the rear lower protrusion 147f forms a rear upper support surface 158a. That is, the locking release lever 131 is provided with a rear upper support surface 158a on the lower surface 169b3 facing the rear end of the operating handle 133, and the rear upper support surface 158a is positioned above the rear lower support surface 148a. In addition, the width of the front extension portion 132b of the locking member 117 in the left and right direction is narrower than the gap between the left and right pair of rear upper protrusions 147f, so that it can pass between the left and right pair of rear upper protrusions 147f forming the rear upper support surface 158a.

[0088] In the second embodiment, a locking hole 161 is provided on the upper surface 169b1 of the rear end of the operating handle 133. The locking member 117 includes: an offset portion (front extension portion 132b) extending from a fixed position toward the front of the vehicle relative to the upper guide rail 105; and a locking claw 132a disposed at the end of the front extension portion 132b and engaging with the locking hole 161. The rear upper support surfaces 158a of the locking release lever 131 have a gap in the left-right direction between the rear upper support surfaces 158a, and the width of the front extension portion 132b in the left-right direction is formed to be narrower than the gap between the left and right pairs of rear upper support surfaces 158a.

[0089] When the locking claw 132a engages with the lock hole 161, it can prevent the operating handle 133 from disengaging in the axial direction.

[0090] Furthermore, when the locking release lever 131 rotates in the locking release direction, the locking claw 132a and the front extension 132b do not interfere with the rear upper support surface 158a of the locking release lever 131. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the locking claw 132a to disengage from the upper rear support surface 158a of the locking release lever 131, which allows for a compact arrangement of the locking member 117 including the locking claw 132a and the front extension 132b.

[0091] [Third Implementation Method]

[0092] Figure 16 The seat sliding device according to the third embodiment and Figure 11 The corresponding side sectional view. Figure 17 The seat sliding device according to the third embodiment and Figure 10 The corresponding 3D image.

[0093] The differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0094] In the seat sliding device 101B, a locking pawl 133a, configured to prevent the operating handle 133 from disengaging in the axial direction, is provided in the base 134 of the biasing member 132. The locking pawl 133a, engaging with a locking hole 161, is formed at the end of a forward extension 133b extending forward from the base 134 of the biasing member 132. The locking hole 161 is provided on the upper surface 169b1 of the rear end of the operating handle 133. The upper tapered surface 172 is configured to avoid the locking pawl 133a when the operating handle 133 is inserted into the locking release lever 131. The locking pawl 133a is formed facing downwards.

[0095] A rear upper protrusion 147f is formed on the upper part of the left and right sidewalls 147 of the locking release lever 131. The rear upper protrusion 147f protrudes from the two sidewalls 147 and bends towards the sides facing each other. The ends of the left and right rear upper protrusions 147f are separated from each other, forming a gap between them. The lower surface of the rear upper protrusion 147f forms a rear upper support surface 158a. That is, the locking release lever 131 is provided with a rear upper support surface 158a facing the rear end of the operating handle 133, and the rear upper support surface 158a is positioned above the rear lower support surface 148a. In addition, the width of the front extension portion 133b of the biasing member 132 in the left-right direction is narrower than the gap between the left and right pair of rear upper protrusions 147f, so that it can pass between the left and right pair of rear upper protrusions 147f forming the rear upper support surface 158a.

[0096] In the third embodiment, a locking hole 161 is provided on the upper surface 169b1 of the rear end of the operating handle 133. The biasing member 132 includes: a biasing portion (front extension portion 133b) extending from a fixed position toward the front of the vehicle relative to the upper guide rail 105; and a locking pawl 133a disposed at the end of the front extension portion 133b and engaging with the locking hole 161. The rear upper support surfaces 158a of the locking release lever 131 have a gap in the left-right direction between the rear upper support surfaces 158a, and the width of the front extension portion 133b in the left-right direction is formed to be narrower than the gap between the left and right pairs of rear upper support surfaces 158a.

[0097] When the locking pawl 133a engages with the lock hole 161, it can prevent the operating handle 133 from disengaging in the axial direction.

[0098] Furthermore, when the locking release lever 131 rotates in the locking release direction, the locking pawl 133a and the front extension 133b do not interfere with the rear upper support surface 158a of the locking release lever 131. Therefore, it is not necessary to form the locking pawl 133a to disengage from the upper rear support surface 158a of the locking release lever 131, which allows for a compact arrangement of the biasing member 132 including the locking pawl 133a and the front extension 133b.

[0099] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but these embodiments are merely illustrative to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific technical matters disclosed in the above embodiments, but also includes various modifications, variations, and alternative techniques that can be easily derived.

Claims

1. A seat slide device comprising: a lower rail extending in a vehicle front-rear direction; an upper rail configured to move in a longitudinal direction with respect to the lower rail; a lock member attached to the upper rail and including a lock portion configured to engage with a lock portion formed in the lower rail and biased in a lock direction; a lock release lever rotatably supported with respect to the upper rail about an axis in a left-right direction and configured to move the lock portion from a lock position to a lock release position according to a lock release operation; an operation handle connected to a front end of the lock release lever; and a biasing member configured to bias the front end of the lock release lever in the lock release direction with a biasing force weaker than a biasing force biasing the lock portion in the lock direction, wherein: a front upper support surface and a rear upper support surface facing an upper surface of one end of the operation handle are provided at the front end of the lock release lever, a gap exists between the front upper support surface and the rear upper support surface in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a front lower support surface facing a lower surface of one end of the operation handle is provided below the front upper support surface, the upper rail is provided with a rear lower support surface facing a lower surface of the one end of the operation handle, and the rear lower support surface is positioned below the rear upper support surface, the biasing member has one end fixed to the upper rail and the other end engaged with the lower surface of the one end of the operation handle from below at a position between the front upper support surface and the rear upper support surface, and biases the operation handle upward, and a gap is provided in an up-down direction between the front lower support surface provided in the lock release lever and the lower surface of the one end of the operation handle, and a gap is provided in the up-down direction between the rear lower support surface provided in the upper rail and the lower surface of the one end of the operation handle.

2. The seat slide device according to claim 1, wherein: a fixing member for fixing a flat spring to a lower surface of the upper rail is provided, the flat spring is configured to bias the lock portion in the lock direction, and in the biasing member, a base is fixed to the lower surface of the upper rail together with the lock member by the fixing member, a folded portion of an intermediate portion extends toward the vehicle rear from the base and folds toward the vehicle front at a middle portion, and a terminal end extends toward the vehicle front by passing below the fixing member to form a substantially U shape.

3. The seat slide device according to claim 2, wherein: a recessed groove extending in the vehicle front-rear direction is provided in a lower surface of a rear end of the operation handle, the upper rail is provided with a left-right pair of side walls, the rear lower support surface is formed on a protrusion protruding inward in the left-right direction from the left-right pair of side walls, and a gap is formed between terminal ends of the left-right pair of protrusions, and the biasing member is provided with a left-right pair of protrusions protruding upward from a lower surface of the one end of the operation handle, and a gap is formed between terminal ends of the left-right pair of protrusions. A base of the biasing member is provided with a fixing hole into which the fixing member is inserted, and a width of a tip of the biasing member in the left-right direction is formed to be narrower than a gap between a pair of left and right protrusions.

4. The seat slide device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: a slit is provided in a lower surface of the one end of the operation handle, a locking protrusion engaged with the slit is provided at the other end of the biasing member, and the locking protrusion is formed to protrude upward from a pressing protrusion provided at the other end of the biasing member and pressing a lower surface of the rear end of the operation handle.

5. The seat slide device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: an upper surface of the one end of the operation handle is provided with a lock hole, the locking member or biasing member includes a biasing portion extending toward a front side of the vehicle with respect to the upper rail from a fixed position, and a locking claw provided at a tip of the biasing portion and engaged with the lock hole, the rear upper support surfaces of the lock release lever are provided with a gap in the left-right direction between the rear upper support surfaces, and a width of the biasing portion in the left-right direction is formed to be narrower than a distance between a pair of left and right rear upper support surfaces.

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