Seat slide device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seat slide device including a lever member, a locking member, a biasing member, and an operating member. The biasing member is formed of a bar member and includes a front acting portion configured to contact a front end of the lever member to upwardly bias the front end of the lever member, a rear acting portion configured to contact a rear end of the lever member to upwardly bias the rear end of the lever member, and an intermediate support portion formed between the front acting portion and the rear acting portion and engaged with an engagement portion formed in an upper rail. The engagement portion supports the intermediate support portion at a position rearward of a rotation center (a shaft member) of the lever member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a seat slide device for a vehicle seat. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a seat slide device for a vehicle, an upper rail fixed to a seat is provided so as to be slidably movable on a lower rail fixed to a vehicle body, and a lock tooth (lock portion) of a lock member attached to the upper rail engages with a lock groove (locked portion) in the lower rail to lock the seat. The seat slide device is provided with a lever member for operating the lock portion toward a lock release direction, a front side portion of the lever member being biased upward from a center of rotation by a biasing member. An operation member is connected to a front end of the lever member, and the lever member is configured to rotate integrally upward by lifting the operation member upward.

[0003] In JP2014-83890A, the lever member is rotatably supported about an axis in a left-right direction with respect to the upper rail, and a lock portion provided at a rear end of the lever member is biased toward a direction (lock direction) of engagement with the lock groove by a first biasing member, the lock groove being provided so as to be continuous in a vehicle front-rear direction. The lock groove is provided in the lower rail. In addition, the operation member is connected to the front end of the lever member, and the lever member is configured to rotate integrally upward by lifting the operation member upward. Between the operation member and the lever member, a second biasing member is provided to prevent movement of the operation member in a removal direction with respect to the lever member, and to bias the operation member toward the lock release direction by a biasing force weaker than that of the first biasing member. Here, in JP2014-83890A, because the biasing forces are different from each other, the first biasing member and the second biasing member are constituted by separate members.

[0004] Meanwhile, JP2013-18400A discloses a structure in which the above two biasing members are constituted by one member (spring member). In JP2014-83890A, in order to change the biasing force between the front end and the rear end of the biasing member, the middle portion of the biasing member is engaged with the upper rail at two points in a manner that cannot move, and by changing the length and the displacement amount of the front end and the rear end, the front end side is made to have a weak biasing force and the rear end side is made to have a strong biasing force. SUMMARY

[0005] However, in the structure of JP2013-18400A, the middle portion of the biasing member is engaged with the upper rail at two points, which not only complicates the shape of the biasing member, but also makes it difficult to assemble the biasing member to the upper rail.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present application is to simplify the shape of the biasing member and improve the ease of assembly of the biasing member to the upper rail.

[0007] The seat slide device according to the present application includes 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 lever member rotatably supported with respect to the upper rail about an axis in a left-right direction, a locking member provided in a rear end of the lever member and including a locking portion configured to be movable between a locked position in which the locking portion engages with a locked portion formed in the lower rail and a locked release position in which the locking portion is distanced from the locked portion, a biasing member configured to bias the locking portion in a direction of the locked position, and an operation member connected with a front end of the lever member. The biasing member is formed of a rod-shaped member and includes a front acting portion configured to be in contact with the front end of the lever member to bias the front end of the lever member upward, a rear acting portion configured to be in contact with the rear end of the lever member to bias the rear end of the lever member upward, and an intermediate support portion formed between the front acting portion and the rear acting portion and engaged with an engagement portion formed in the upper rail. The engagement portion is positioned rearward of a rotation center of the lever member and supports the intermediate support portion in a manner to prevent the intermediate support portion from moving downward.

[0008] The present application makes it possible to simplify the shape of the biasing member and improve the ease of assembly of the biasing member to the upper rail. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a seat slide device according to a first embodiment of the present application.

[0010] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the upper rail is assembled to the lower rail together with the lever member and the biasing member.

[0011] Figure 3 is a sectional view of a seat slide device including lower guide balls and upper guide balls provided between the upper rail and the lower rail.

[0012] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the lower rail.

[0013] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the upper rail.

[0014] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the locking member.

[0015] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the lever member.

[0016] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a biasing member.

[0017] Figure 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which the biasing member is assembled to the lever member.

[0018] Figure 10 is a rear view of the lever member and the biasing member viewed from the rear.

[0019] Figure 11A is a perspective view of a part of the operating member viewed from below.

[0020] Figure 11B is a rear view of the rear end of the operating member viewed from the rear.

[0021] Figure 12 is a plan view of the lever member and the biasing member viewed from above.

[0022] Figure 13A is a side sectional view of an enlarged main part of the seat slide device, which shows one support part.

[0023] Figure 13B is a side sectional view of an enlarged main part of the seat slide device, which shows another support part.

[0024] Figure 14 is a side sectional view of an enlarged main part of the seat slide device.

[0025] Figure 15 is a side sectional view of an enlarged main part of the seat slide device, which shows a state in which the operating member is operated in a lock release direction.

[0026] Figure 16 is a side sectional view of an enlarged main part of the seat slide device, which shows a state in which a load in a lock release prevention direction acts on the operating member.

[0027] Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view of a seat slide device according to the second embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 18 is a perspective view of a lever member.

[0029] Figure 19 is a perspective view of a biasing member.

[0030] Figure 20 is a rear view of the rear end of the operating member viewed from the rear.

[0031] Figure 21 is a plan view of the lever member and the biasing member viewed from above.

[0032] Figure 22A This is a plan view of the lever assembly viewed from above before the operating components are attached.

[0033] Figure 22B This is an enlarged side sectional view of the main part of the seat sliding mechanism, showing its state before the operating components are attached.

[0034] Figure 23 This is an enlarged side sectional view of the main part of the seat sliding mechanism.

[0035] Figure 24 This is an enlarged side sectional view of the main part of the seat sliding mechanism, showing the state in which the operating member is operated in the locking release direction.

[0036] Figure 25 This is an enlarged side sectional view of the main part of the seat sliding mechanism, showing the state of the load acting on the operating member in the direction of anti-lock release. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] [First Implementation Method]

[0039] Figures 1 to 3 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 and an upper guide rail 105. The lower guide rail 103 is mounted on the floor surface of the vehicle and extends in the fore-and-aft direction. The upper guide rail 105 is mounted on the back of the seat portion (not shown) and is assembled to allow relative movement within the lower guide rail 103 in its longitudinal direction. 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 other 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 text refers to the left and right directions when viewed from behind the vehicle towards the front.

[0040] like Figure 3As 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, slightly inclined outwards from the lower bottom wall 103a in the upward direction. 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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 hang down from the two end edges of the upper top wall 105a in the vehicle width direction. An upper lower inclined wall 105c rises obliquely outward and upward from the lower end edge of the corresponding left and right upper side walls 105b. An upper upper inclined wall 105e rises obliquely upward from the upper end edge of the corresponding left and right upper lower inclined walls 105c via a bent portion 105d toward the lower upper wall 103d.

[0043] 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.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the lower guide ball 107 and the upper guide ball 109 are rotatably supported on Figure 3 The ball retainers 111 are 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 retainers 111 supporting the lower guide balls 107 and upper guide balls 109 are disposed in the housing portion 113 enclosed by the lower outer wall 103b, the lower inclined wall 103c, the lower upper wall 103d, and the lower inner wall 103e. Figure 3It 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.

[0045] like Figure 14 As shown, in the assembled state of the guide rail body 106, the lever member 131 is rotatably supported on the upper sidewall 105b on the front side of the upper guide rail 105 by the shaft member 115. The shaft member 115 extends across the left and right upper sidewalls 105b of the upper guide rail 105. The locking member 117 is provided at the end of the lever member 131 at the rear side of the rotation center (shaft member 115). At the same time, the operating member 133 is connected to the end of the lever member 131 at the front side of the rotation center (shaft member 115).

[0046] like Figure 6 As shown, the locking member 117 is a flat plate with a convex shape, and two rectangular holes 125a are formed in the front-rear direction near each of the left and right edges of the locking member 117. Locking teeth 125b are formed on the portions of the locking member 117 adjacent to the corresponding holes 125a in the front-rear direction; the locking teeth 125b are locking portions protruding to the left and right. The locking teeth 125b are formed at three locations on each of the left and right sides. The 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.

[0047] In this embodiment, among the three locking teeth 125b located on the right side in the vehicle width direction, the foremost locking tooth 125b forms a main locking tooth 125m, which is formed to be wider than the other locking teeth 125b in the front-rear direction. The main locking tooth 125m is only one of the multiple locking teeth provided on each of the six positions on the left and right sides.

[0048] At the center of the locking member 117 in the left-right direction, the front fixing hole 117a, the upper protrusion 117b protruding upward from the locking member 117, the lower protrusion 117c protruding downward from the locking member 117, and the rear fixing hole 117d are arranged in this order from front to back. The upper protrusion 117b is formed by making a portion of the locking member 117 protrude downward, and the lower protrusion 117c is formed by cutting the locking member 117 and making the locking member 117 bulge downward.

[0049] like Figure 5As shown, the lock tooth receiving recesses 129 are formed in the vicinity of the approximate center portion in the front-rear direction of the upper guide rail 105 in a manner extending from the left and right upper portion side walls 105b to the left and right upper portion lower inclined walls 105c, and are formed at three positions in the front-rear direction on each of the left and right sides. In the state of assembling the guide rail body 106, the respective three lock teeth 125b of the lock member 117 are inserted into the three lock tooth receiving recesses 129 from below. At this time, the protrusions 126 positioned between the lock tooth receiving recesses 129 are inserted into the holes 125a of the lock member 117. In this case, in order to avoid interference between the upper guide rail 105 and the portion surrounding the connecting portion 125c of the lock member 117, an opening 128 continuous with the lower portion of the lock tooth receiving recess 129 and a notch opening 130 formed in the upper upper inclined wall 105e are provided on each of the left and right sides of the upper guide rail 105.

[0050] Further, the left and right upper portion side walls 105b of the upper guide rail 105 are provided with a support hole 105f through which the shaft member 115 is inserted, and an engaging portion 105g for engaging the biasing member 132 to be described later. In the upper portion side wall 105b, the engaging portion 105g is provided on the rear side from the rotation center (shaft member 115) of the lever member 131. The engaging portion 105g is formed by cutting the upper portion side wall 105b and protruding the upper portion side wall 105b toward the inner side.

[0051] Further, as shown, Figure 4 As shown, in addition to the positions in the vicinity of the front and rear portions of the left and right lower inner walls 103e, a plurality of lock grooves 127, which are locked portions, are provided in the lower guide rail 103 in the front-rear direction. By inserting the lock teeth 125b of the lock member 117 into the lock grooves 127 from below, with the lock teeth 125b positioned in the lock tooth receiving recesses 129, the lock member 117 is set to be locked to the lower guide rail 103. This makes it possible to prevent the upper guide rail 105 to which the lock member 117 is attached from moving in the front-rear direction with respect to the lower guide rail 103.

[0052] The biasing member 132 generates an elastic force upward in the state where the lock member 117 is attached to the upper guide rail 105, and thus, it is possible to maintain the state where the lock teeth 125b are inserted in the lock grooves 127. By operating the operation member 133 in the lock release direction (upward) in this state, Figure 1 As shown, the operation member 133 causes the lock member 117 to be pushed downward via the lever member 131, and thus the lock is released. The operation member 133 is inserted into the upper guide rail 105 from the front side, and is set to interlock with the lever member 131.

[0053] As shown, Figure 7As shown, the lever member 131 includes left and right side walls 147 extending in the longitudinal direction with respect to the upper rail 105 and facing each other with a predetermined gap in the left and right direction, and a lower wall 134 connecting lower ends of the left and right side walls 147 to each other in a region other than the end portion of the front side of the left and right side walls 147.

[0054] A left and right pair of recessed grooves 147a (which are support portions) are formed at upper ends of the left and right side walls 147 on the front side of the intermediate position in the front and rear direction of the lever member 131. In the left and right pair of recessed grooves 147a, the bottom surface of the right recessed groove 147a is formed as a semicircular arc-shaped surface (see Figure 13A ) having a radius slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member 115, and the bottom surface of the left recessed groove 147a is formed as a flat surface (see Figure 13B ) extending in the vehicle front and rear direction. The recessed grooves 147a are engaged with the shaft member 115 from below, and the lever member 131 is biased upward at the respective front and rear ends so as to maintain a state in which the recessed grooves 147a are engaged with the shaft member 115, and thus the bottom surfaces of the left and right pair of recessed grooves 147a are in contact with the shaft member 115 at one point in the up and down direction. Here, the radius of the aforementioned arc-shaped surface is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the shaft member 115, so that engagement with the shaft member 115 does not become a press fit due to dimensional variation.

[0055] Although not shown, in another embodiment, one of the left and right pair of support portions can be formed as a circular hole, and the other support portion can be formed as an elongated hole extending in the vehicle front and rear direction.

[0056] At the lower wall 134 of the rear end of the lever member 131, a front protrusion 134a protruding downward from the lower wall 134, a positioning hole 134b, and a rear protrusion 134c protruding downward from the lower wall 134 are provided in this order from the front. The front protrusion 134a and the rear protrusion 134c are formed by cutting the lower wall 134 and making the lower wall 134 protrude downward.

[0057] The front protrusion 134a and the rear protrusion 134c of the lever member 131 are inserted into the front fixing hole 117a and the rear fixing hole 117d of the lock member 117, respectively, and the upper protrusion 117b of the lock member 117 is inserted into the positioning hole 134b of the lever member 131 by a press fit. In this state, the lock member 117 is fixed to the rear end of the lever member 131 by staking the front protrusion 134a and the rear protrusion 134c (see Figure 9 and Figure 10 ).

[0058] The lower end surface of the front end of the lever member 131 facing the lower end of the opposite side is connected to each other by a front lower wall 147b, which is a front lower support portion extending in the left-right direction. The upper surface of the front lower wall 147b forms a front lower support surface 147c. At the upper end of the front end of the two side walls 147, a front upper protrusion 157 is formed as a front upper support portion extending in the left-right direction from the two side walls 147 in a manner of being bent toward the opposite sides facing each other. The tips of the left and right front upper protrusions 157 are separated from each other, forming a gap therebetween. The lower surface of the front upper protrusion 157 forms a front upper support surface 157a.

[0059] At the upper portion of the two side walls 147, which is positioned rearward of the front upper protrusion 157 and forward of the recessed groove 147a, a rear upper protrusion 158 is formed as a rear upper support portion extending in the left-right direction from the two side walls 147 in a manner of being bent toward the opposite sides facing each other. The lower surface of the rear upper protrusion 158 forms a rear upper support surface 158a. That is, a pair of upper support surfaces (the front upper support surface 157a and the rear upper support surface 158a) facing the upper surface 169b1 of the rear end of the operation member 133 are provided at the front end of the lever member 131. Here, the pair of upper support surfaces are provided with a gap therebetween in the vehicle front-rear direction. Further, the front lower support surface 147c facing the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operation member 133 is provided below the front upper support surface 157a of the front end of the lever member 131.

[0060] The front end of the lever member 131 is formed into a substantially square cross section by the front upper support surface 157a, the front lower support surface 147c, and the two side walls 147, and the rear end of the operation member 133 is inserted inside the front end of the lever member 131.

[0061] Further, on the two side walls 147, a movement prevention protrusion 147d protruding from the two side walls 147 toward the two sides facing each other is formed, which is positioned rearward of the rear upper protrusion 158 and forward of the recessed groove 147a. The movement prevention protrusion 147d is formed by protruding a portion of the two side walls 147 inward.

[0062] Further, on the two side walls 147, a left and right pair of recesses 147e is provided, which is positioned rearward of the recessed groove 147a and forward of the front protrusion 134a, and a narrow portion 147f is formed, which has a gap between the two side walls 147 narrower than the gap between the front ends and the gap between the rear ends.

[0063] As Figure 8As shown, the biasing member 132 is formed as a pair of elongated rods extending substantially parallel to each other and extends in the front-rear direction along the upper side walls 105b of the upper rail 105. The biasing member 132 has a front biasing member 135 including a front acting portion 135a that contacts the front end of the lever member 131 to bias the front end of the lever member 131 upward. In addition, the biasing member 132 has a rear biasing member 136 including a rear acting portion 136a that contacts the rear end of the lever member 131 to bias the rear end of the lever member 131 upward. In addition, the biasing member 132 has an intermediate support portion 137 formed between the front acting portion 135a and the rear acting portion 136a and engaged with the engagement portion 105g provided on the upper side walls 105b of the upper rail 105.

[0064] The rear biasing member 136 has a connecting portion 136b extending from the intermediate support portion 137 to the rear acting portion 136a along the left and right upper side walls 105b, and the left and right pair of rear acting portions 136a are connected to each other by the connecting portion 136b at the rear end of the rear biasing member 136. Thus, the rear biasing member 136 (biasing member 132) is formed in a substantially U-shape in plan view. The connecting portion 136b of the rear biasing member 136 contacts the lower surface of the lock member 117 from below, and thus the rear acting portion 136a (connecting portion 136b) biases the lock member 117 upward (in the lock position direction). The connecting portion 136b of the rear biasing member 136 is positioned between the lower protrusion 117c and the rear protrusion 134c, thereby defining the range of movement of the rear biasing member 136 (biasing member 132) in the front-rear direction.

[0065] The rear end of the rear biasing member 136 (rear acting portion 136a, connecting portion 136b) is positioned below the lever member 131 and the lock member 117, and the intermediate portion (intermediate support portion 137) extends above the lever member 131 by the recess 147e (between the narrow portion 147f and the upper side wall 105b).

[0066] Meanwhile, the front biasing member 135 has a holding portion 135b at the front end. The holding portion 135b extends from the intermediate support portion 137 to the front acting portion 135a along the left and right upper side walls 105b and is folded downward to be engaged with the engagement hole 133a provided in the lower surface of the operation member 133. The front acting portion 135a of the front biasing member 135 contacts the operation member 133 from below, and the front acting portion 135a biases the front end of the lever member 131 upward via the operation member 133.

[0067] The front biasing member 135 extends forward between the two side walls 147 with the rear end (the intermediate support portion 137) positioned above the lever member 131 and the front end (the front acting portion 135a) bent inward toward each other.

[0068] The front biasing member 135 and the rear biasing member 136 are integrally formed (one member).

[0069] As Figure 1 shown, the operation member 133 includes a left and right pair of arms 167 provided for the left and right pair of guide rail bodies 106, respectively, and a handle 168 extending in the vehicle width direction to connect the left and right pair of arms 167 to each other. The left and right pair of arms 167 extend in the front-rear direction and have rear ends inserted into the left and right upper guide rails 105, respectively, from front ends. The handle 168 is grasped by the occupant when the occupant operates the operation member 133.

[0070] As Figure 14 shown, the rear ends of the arms 167 are inserted between the left and right side walls 147 of the lever member 131. The arms 167 are formed by a cylindrical member including the handle 168 as a whole, and the above-mentioned rear ends of the arms 167 are connection ends 169 that serve as rear connection portions formed by mold pressing of the cylindrical member.

[0071] As Figure 11A and Figure 11B shown, the connection ends 169 include upper surfaces 169b1, side surfaces 169b2 extending downward from left and right ends of the upper surfaces 169b1, and lower surfaces 169b3 provided toward the left and right inner sides from lower ends of the left and right side surfaces 169b2. A left and right pair of recessed portions 171 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction are provided in upper and lower inner surfaces of the connection ends 169. In addition, the engagement hole 133a is formed in the lower surfaces 169b3 of the connection ends 169 so as to span the left and right recessed portions 171.

[0072] The connection ends 169 of the operation member 133 have protrusions 172 above and below where the middle portions of the cylindrical member protrude inward in the left and right directions, and the pair of front ends of the biasing member 132 are provided at portions (the recessed portions 171) of the connection ends 169 where the gaps in the up and down directions are large.

[0073] In a state before the operation member 133 is attached to the lever member 131, the front ends (abutting portions) of the biasing member 132 are configured to be in contact with the front upper support surface 157a of the lever member 131. In a state where the operation member 133 is attached to the lever member 131 (see Figure 14The front end (abutting portion) of the biasing member 132 is inserted inside the operation member 133 and contacts the lower surface (inner surface of the upper surface 169b1) of the operation member 133 from below, thereby biasing the operation member 133 upward.

[0074] As shown in Figure 14 , the lever member 131 is rotatably supported at the upper side wall 105b of the upper rail 105 by the shaft member 115, and the biasing member 132 is engaged by the engagement portion 105g so as to prevent the biasing member 132 from moving downward. In addition, on the upper side walls 105b on the left and right of the upper rail 105, a rear lower protrusion 148, which is a rear lower support portion protruding from the two upper side walls 105b in a manner of being bent toward the two sides facing each other, is formed at a position in front of the support hole 105f in the vehicle front-rear direction. The rear lower protrusion 148 is formed by cutting the upper side wall 105b and protruding the upper side wall 105b toward the inside.

[0075] The biasing member 132 is engaged with the lower surface (inner surface of the upper surface 169b1) of the rear end of the operation member 133 from below at a position below the front upper support surface 157a, thereby biasing the operation member 133 upward. Therefore, the upper surface 169b1 of the operation member 133 is in contact with the 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 up-down direction between the front lower support surface 147c provided in the lever member 131 and the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operation member 133, and a gap C2 is provided in the up-down direction between the rear lower support surface 148a provided in the upper rail 105 and the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operation member 133.

[0076] In this regard, as shown in Figure 14 , regarding the length L1 between the contact point (support point P0) between the engagement portion 105g and the intermediate support portion 137 of the biasing member 132 and the contact point (front acting point P1) between the front end of the lever member 131 and the front acting portion 135a of the biasing member 132, and the length L2 between the contact point (support point P0) between the engagement portion 105g and the intermediate support portion 137 of the biasing member 132 and the contact point (rear acting point P2) between the rear end of the lever member 131 and the rear acting portion 136a of the biasing member 132, the length L1 is shorter than the length L2 (L1 < L2).

[0077] The rotational moment at the support point P0 is [F1*L1 = F2*L2] according to the moment balance [M0 = F1*L1 - F2*L2 = 0]. Here, the length L1 between the support point P0 and the front action point P1 is set to be shorter than the length L2 between the support point P0 and the rear action point P2 (L1 < L2). This makes the force F1 (biasing force) acting on the front action point P1 larger than the force F2 (biasing force) acting on the rear action point P2 (F1 > F2).

[0078] That is, the force F1 by which the front biasing member 132 (front biasing member 135) biases the front end of the lever member 131 toward the lock release direction is set to be larger than the force F2 by which the biasing member 132 (rear biasing member 136) biases the rear end of the lever member 131 (lock member 117) toward the lock direction.

[0079] Here, the length between the rotation center Q of the lever member 131 and the contact point (front action point P1) between the front end of the lever member 131 and the front action portion 135a of the biasing member 132 is defined as "L3". In addition, the length between the rotation center Q of the lever member 131 and the contact point (rear action point P2) between the rear end of the lever member 131 and the rear action portion 136a of the biasing member 132 is defined as "L4". At this time, the above-described lengths L3 and L4 are set so that the rotational moment (Mb = F2*L4) on the rear end side at the rotation center Q of the lever member 131 is larger than the rotational moment (Ma = F1*L3) on the front end side.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the length L3 is shorter than the length L1 (L1 > L3), and the length L2 is shorter than the length L4 (L3 < L1 < L2 < L4). This makes the rotational moment (Mb = F2*L4) on the rear end side at the rotation center Q of the lever member 131 larger than the rotational moment (Ma = F1*L3) on the front end side.

[0081] As a result, the rotational moment at the rotation center Q of the lever member 131 serves as a biasing force that biases the rear end of the lever member 131 (lock member 117) toward the lock direction.

[0082] Next, the operation of the seat slide device 101 configured as described above will be described.

[0083] Figure 14The standby state is shown, in which the locking teeth 125b of the locking member 117 are engaged with the locking grooves 127 of the lower rails 103, and are locked to the locking grooves in the locked position (non-operation state in which the operation member 133 is not operated). In this state, the operation member 133 is pressed against a pair of upper support surfaces (front upper support surface 157a and rear upper support surface 158a) by the front end (abutment portion) of the biasing member 132. The pressing force (biasing force) of the front end of the biasing member 132 is greater than the force that moves the operation member 133 downward by its own weight. At the same time, the rotational torque for rotationally biasing the locking member 117 toward the locking release position direction is smaller than the rotational torque toward the locking position direction that is generated by the pressing force (biasing force) at the rear end of the biasing member 132, and thus the above-described standby state is maintained.

[0084] From Figure 14 the state shown, when the occupant lifts the handle 168 of the operation member 133, the operation member 133 pivots about the contact point (as a fulcrum) between the front upper support surface 157a and the upper surface 169b1 of the operation member 133, and the rear end of the operation member 133 moves downward by pushing the front end (abutment portion) of the biasing member 132 downward. In this state, when the handle 168 of the operation member 133 is further lifted, the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operation member 133 comes into contact with the rear lower support surface 148a provided in the upper rail 105, and the operation member 133 pivots about the contact point (as a fulcrum) between the rear lower support surface 148a and the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operation member 133. As a result, the upper surface 169b1 of the operation member 133 pivots upward and lifts the front upper support surface 157a of the lever member 131, and the lever member 131 pivots the locking portion of the locking member 117 toward the locking release position direction (see Figure 15 ).

[0085] Thus, the lever member 131 swings and rotates clockwise about the shaft member 115 in Figure 14 . At this time, the lever member 131 pushes the locking member 117 downward due to the swing rotation, and the biasing member 132 (rear biasing member 136) is elastically deformed downward. As a result, the locking teeth 125b move away from the locking grooves 127 of the lower rails 103, and thus the locking is released (locked release state). When the locking is released, the seat (not shown) can be moved forward and rearward with the upper rail 105 relative to the floor surface of the vehicle on the lower rail 103 side, and the seat position desired by the occupant is fixed.

[0086] When the occupant releases his or her hand from the operation member 133 in the state in which the seat position is determined, the biasing member 132 (rear biasing member 136) presses the locking member 117 upward, and the lever member 131 swings and rotates to return toFigure 14 The standby state is shown. At this time, the lever member 131 rotates around the shaft member 115... Figure 14 It swings and rotates counterclockwise.

[0087] exist Figure 14 In the indicated state, when a load is applied to the operating member 133 in the anti-lock release direction (downward), the operating member 133 rotates around the contact point (as a fulcrum) between the rear upper support surface 158a and the upper surface 169b1 of the operating member 133, and the operating member 133 can move downward by the amount of gap C1 between the lower surface 169b3 of the operating member 133 and the front lower support surface 147c (see...). Figure 16 At this time, the lever member 131 rotates downward about the interlocking position of the main locking tooth 125m, and the lower surface of the front end side of the two side walls 147 contacts the rear lower support surface 148a to prevent the lever member 131 from moving downward, thereby preventing the recessed groove 147a from moving away from the shaft member 115.

[0088] The operational effects of the seat sliding device 101 according to this embodiment will now be described.

[0089] (1) The seat sliding device 101 includes: a lower guide rail 103 extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction; an upper guide rail 105 configured to move relative to the lower guide rail 103 in the longitudinal direction; a lever member 131 rotatably supported relative to the upper guide rail 105 about an axis in the left-right direction; a locking member 117 disposed in the rear end of the lever member 131, the locking member 117 including a locking portion (locking tooth 125b) configured to move between a locked position and a locked-out position, in the locked position engaging with a locked portion (locking groove 127) formed in the lower guide rail 103, and in the locked-out position moving away from the locked portion; a biasing member 132 configured to bias the locking portion toward the locked position direction; and an operating member 133 connected to the front end of the lever member 131. The biasing member 132 is formed of a rod-shaped member and includes: a front acting portion 135a configured to contact the front end of the lever member 131 to bias the front end of the lever member 131 upward; a rear acting portion 136a configured to contact the rear end of the lever member 131 to bias the rear end of the lever member 131 upward; and an intermediate support portion 137 formed between the front acting portion 135a and the rear acting portion 136a and engaged with a connecting portion 105g formed in the upper guide rail 105. The connecting portion 105g is positioned behind the rotation center (shaft member 115) of the lever member 131 and supports the intermediate support portion 137 in a manner that prevents downward movement of the intermediate support portion 137.

[0090] The contact point between the engagement portion 105g and the intermediate support portion 137 of the biasing member 132 is defined as a support point P0, the contact point between the front end of the lever member 131 and the front acting portion 135a of the biasing member 132 is defined as a front acting point P1, and the contact point between the rear end of the lever member 131 and the rear acting portion 136a of the biasing member 132 is defined as a rear acting point P2. Further, the biasing force acting on the front acting point P1 is defined as a front biasing force F1, the biasing force acting on the rear acting point P2 is defined as a rear biasing force F2, the length between the support point P0 and the front acting point P1 is defined as a length L1, and the length between the support point P0 and the rear acting point P2 is defined as a length L2. The rotational moment at the support point P0 is [F1*L1=F2*L2] according to the moment balance [M0=F1*L1-F2*L2=0].

[0091] Here, the rotation center Q of the lever member 131 is provided to the front side of the support point P0 in the vehicle front-rear direction. Therefore, the length L3 between the rotation center Q and the front acting point P1 is shorter than the above-described length L1 (L3

[0092] Therefore, the moment (Ma=F1*L3) on the front acting point P1 side is smaller than the moment (Mb=F2*L4) on the rear acting point P2 side. For this reason, regarding the moment at the rotation center Q, the moment (Mb=F2*L4) on the rear acting point P2 side is large, which functions as a biasing force toward the locking direction.

[0093] As a result, the front acting portion 135a and the rear acting portion 136a of the biasing member 132 contact the lever member 131 from below, and the intermediate portion of the biasing member 132 is elastically deformed upward and engaged to the engagement portion 105g of the upper rail 105, so it is possible to simplify the shape of the biasing member 132 and improve the ease of assembly of the biasing member 132 to the upper rail 105.

[0094] (2) The length L1 between the contact point (support point P0) between the engagement portion 105g and the intermediate support portion 137 of the biasing member 132 and the contact point (front acting point P1) between the front end of the lever member 131 and the front acting portion 135a of the biasing member 132 is shorter than the length L2 between the contact point (support point P0) between the engagement portion 105g and the intermediate support portion 137 of the biasing member 132 and the contact point (rear acting point P2) between the rear end of the lever member 131 and the rear acting portion 136a of the biasing member 132.

[0095] The rotational moment at the support point P0 is balanced according to [F1*L1=F2*L2]. Here, the length L1 is set to be shorter than the length L2 (L1L2), and a biasing force [F1>F2] is obtained.

[0096] As a result, a rotational moment in the locking direction is generated at the rear end of the lever member 131, and the upward biasing force of the biasing member 132 can be enhanced at the front end of the lever member 131.

[0097] (3) The lever member 131 includes a pair of left and right side walls 147 extending in the longitudinal direction with respect to the upper rail 105 and facing each other with a predetermined gap in the left-right direction, a front upper support portion (front upper protrusion 157) provided at the upper end of the front end of at least one side wall 147 and protruding toward the opposite side wall 147 in the left-right direction, and a front lower support portion (front lower wall 147b) provided at the lower end of the front end of at least one side wall 147 and protruding toward the opposite side wall 147 in the left-right direction. The front end of the lever member 131 is formed into a substantially square cross section by the pair of left and right side walls 147 and the front upper support portion and the front lower support portion, and the rear end of the operation member 133 is inserted inside the front end of the lever member 131. The biasing member 132 includes a rear biasing portion (rear biasing member 136) extending from the intermediate support portion 137 to the rear acting portion 136a, contacting the rear end of the lever member 131 from below, and biasing the rear end of the lever member 131 upward, and a front biasing portion (front biasing member 135) extending from the intermediate support portion 137 to the front acting portion 135a, contacting the rear end of the operation member 133 from below, and biasing the front end of the lever member 131 upward via the operation member 133.

[0098] The front acting portion 135a of the biasing member 132 biases the front end of the lever member 131 upward via the operation member 133, and can ensure a sufficient biasing force of the biasing operation member 133. In addition, it is possible to suppress the click sound between the operation member 133 and the lever member 131.

[0099] (4) The left and right pair of side walls 147 of the lever member 131 include a pair of recesses 147e positioned between the rotation center (the shaft member 115) and the engagement member 117 of the lever member 131 in the vehicle front and rear direction, and narrow the gap between the left and right pair of side walls 147. The rear acting portion 136a of the biasing member 132 is positioned below the lever member 131, the middle portion of the biasing member 132 between the rear acting portion 136a and the front acting portion 135a extends above the lever member 131 through the recesses 147e, and the front acting portion 135a of the biasing member 132 is bent inward in the left and right direction and extends forward between the left and right pair of side walls 147 of the lever member 131.

[0100] In a state before the operation member 133 is attached to the lever member 131, the biasing member 132 can be temporarily held by its own elasticity, because the front end is in contact with the lower surface of the front upper support portion (the front upper protrusion 157) positioned on the upper end side of the side wall 147, the rear end is in contact with the lower surface of the lock member 117, and the middle portion is in contact with the upper surface of the side wall 147 extending in the left and right direction with respect to the recesses 147e.

[0101] For this reason, in a state where the lever member 131 and the biasing member 132 are temporarily assembled, after the lever member 131 and the biasing member 132 are rotatably provided on the upper rail 105, only the middle portion of the biasing member 132 needs to be moved to be attached to the engagement portion 105g of the upper rail 105, which results in good ease of assembly.

[0102] Further, the attachment of the above-described biasing member 132 can be performed only by inserting a jig through the recesses 147e and pushing down the middle portion of the biasing member 132, which results in extremely good operability.

[0103] (5) The upper rail 105 includes the shaft member 115 provided to span the left and right two side walls (the left upper side wall 105b and the right upper side wall 105b) of the upper rail 105, the lever member 131 includes the recessed groove 147a which is opened upward and provided at the upper end of the left and right pair of side walls 147 extending in the longitudinal direction with respect to the upper rail 105. The recessed groove 147a is engaged with the shaft member 115 from below, and the front end and the rear end of the lever member 131 are biased upward by the biasing member 132 to maintain the state where the recessed groove 147a is engaged with the shaft member 115, and the lever member 131 is rotatably supported with respect to the upper rail 105.

[0104] In a state where the shaft member 115 is attached to the upper rail 105, the recessed groove 147a of the lever member 131 engages with the shaft member 115 from below, and only by attaching the intermediate portion of the biasing member 132 to the engagement portion 105g in this state, the recessed groove 147a is biased upward in a manner not to depart from the shaft member 115, which results in good assembly easiness.

[0105] [Second Embodiment]

[0106] Figures 17 to 25 A seat slide device 101A according to a second embodiment of the present application is shown.

[0107] Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment in shape, structure, and the like will mainly be described.

[0108] As shown in Figure 18 the lower ends of the front ends of the lever member 131A are connected to each other by a front lower wall 147b, which is a front lower support portion extending in the left-right direction facing the lower ends of the opposite sides. The upper surface of the front lower wall 147b forms a front lower support surface 147c. At the upper ends of the front ends of the two side walls 147, a front upper protrusion 157 is formed as a front upper support portion extending in the left-right direction from the two side walls 147 in a manner bent toward the opposite sides facing each other. The distal ends of the left and right front upper protrusions 157 are separated from each other, forming a gap therebetween. The lower surface of the front upper protrusion 157 forms a front upper support surface 157a.

[0109] At the upper portions of the two side walls 147, which are positioned rearward of the front upper protrusion 157 and forward of the recessed groove 147a, a rear upper protrusion 158 is formed as a rear upper support portion extending in the left-right direction from the two side walls 147 in a manner bent toward the opposite sides facing each other. The lower surface of the rear upper protrusion 158 forms a rear upper support surface 158a. That is, a pair of upper support surfaces (the front upper support surface 157a and the rear upper support surface 158a) facing the upper surface 169b1 of the rear end of the operation member 133A are provided at the front end of the lever member 131. Here, the pair of upper support surfaces are provided with a gap therebetween in the vehicle front-rear direction. Further, the front lower support surface 147c facing the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operation member 133A is provided below the front upper support surface 157a at the front end of the lever member 131A.

[0110] The front end of the lever member 131A is formed into a substantially square cross section by the front upper support surface 157a, the front lower support surface 147c, and the two side walls 147, and the rear end of the operation member 133A is inserted inside the front end of the lever member 131A.

[0111] Further, on the two side walls 147, movement prevention protrusions 147d protruding from the two side walls 147 toward each other are formed on the two side walls 147, the movement prevention protrusions 147d are positioned behind the rear protrusions 158 and in front of the recessed grooves 147a. The movement prevention protrusions 147d are formed by protruding a portion of the two side walls 147 inward.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 13, the biasing member 132A is formed as a pair of elongated rod-shaped members extending substantially parallel to each other and extends in the front-rear direction along the upper side walls 105b of the upper rails 105 within the upper rails 105. The biasing member 132A has a front biasing member 135 including a pair of left and right front acting portions 135a that contact the front end of the lever member 131A to bias the front end of the lever member 131A upward. Further, the biasing member 132A has a rear biasing member 136 including a pair of left and right rear acting portions 136a that contact the rear end of the lever member 131A to bias the rear end of the lever member 131A upward. Further, the biasing member 132A has a pair of left and right intermediate support portions 137 formed between the front acting portions 135a and the rear acting portions 136a and engaged with a pair of engaging portions 105g provided on the upper side walls 105b of the upper rails 105. Figure 19 The rear biasing member 136 has a connecting portion 136b extending from the intermediate support portions 137 to the rear acting portions 136a along the left and right upper side walls 105b, and the pair of rear acting portions 136a are connected to each other by the connecting portion 136b at the rear end of the rear biasing member 136. Thus, the rear biasing member 136 (the biasing member 132A) is formed in a substantially U-shape in plan view. The connecting portion 136b of the rear biasing member 136 contacts the lower surface of the lock member 117 from below, and thus the rear acting portions 136a (the connecting portion 136b) bias the lock member 117 upward (in the lock position direction). The connecting portion 136b of the rear biasing member 136 is positioned between the lower protrusion 117c and the rear protrusion 134c, thereby defining the range of movement of the rear biasing member 136 (the biasing member 132A) in the front-rear direction.

[0113] The rear end of the rear biasing member 136 (the pair of rear acting portions 136a, the connecting portion 136b) is positioned below the lever member 131 and the lock member 117, and the intermediate portion (the pair of intermediate support portions 137) extends above the lever member 131A by the recess 147e.

[0114]

[0115] ​Meanwhile, the front biasing member 135 extends from the intermediate support portions 137 to the front acting portions 135a along the left and right upper side walls 105b. The left and right pair of front acting portions 135a of the biasing member 132A are biased apart from each other in the left and right directions by the elastic force of the biasing member 132A, and are also biased upward. The left and right pair of front acting portions 135a of the front biasing member 135 respectively contact the operating member 133A from below, and each of the front acting portions 135a biases the front end of the operating member 133A upward.

[0116] At the front (tip) of the respective front acting portions 135a, a guide portion 138 inclined with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction is formed to guide the front acting portions 135a into the connection end 169 of the operating member 133A when the operating member 133A is attached to the lever member 131A. In addition, the left and right pair of front acting portions 135a respectively contact the front end of the lever member 131A at different positions with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction between the front upper support surface 157a and the rear upper support surface 158a on the front. Further, among the left and right pair of front acting portions 135a, the front acting portion 135a provided on the front side has an extension portion 139 extending from one side to the other side in the left and right directions in the flat portion 170a of the operating member 133A in which the extension portion 139 is provided.

[0117] The front biasing member 135 extends forward between the two side walls 147 with the rear end (pair of intermediate support portions 137) positioned above the lever member 131A, and the front end (pair of front acting portions 135a, guide portion 138, and extension portion 139) bent inward to approach each other.

[0118] The front biasing member 135 and the rear biasing member 136 are integrally formed (one member).

[0119] As Figure 23 shown, the rear end of the arm 167 of the operating member 133A is inserted between the left and right side walls 147 of the lever member 131. The arm 167 is formed by a cylindrical member including the handle 168 as a whole, and the rear end of the arm 167 described above is the connection end 169 serving as a rear connection portion formed by press molding of the cylindrical member.

[0120] As Figure 20As shown, the connecting end 169 includes an upper surface 169b1, side surfaces 169b2 extending downward from both left and right ends of the upper surface 169b1, and lower surfaces 169b3 provided at lower ends of the left and right side surfaces 169b2. The connecting end 169 is formed in a substantially semicircular cross section having a flat portion 170a at an upper portion and an arc-shaped portion 170b protruding downward at a lower portion. The left and right pairs of front acting portions 135a of the front biasing member 135 are provided at both left and right ends of the flat portion 170a.

[0121] In addition, as shown in Figure 22A and Figure 22B As shown, an inner surface of the upper portion of the connecting end 169 is provided with an operating member-side protrusion 173 protruding downward from the flat portion 170a. The operating member-side protrusion 173 is formed by cutting the flat portion 170a of the connecting end 169 and causing the flat portion 170a of the connecting end 169 to protrude toward the lower side.

[0122] An inclined surface 174 is formed at a rear portion of the operating member-side protrusion 173 so that the extension portion 139 can straddle the operating member-side protrusion 173 when the operating member 133A is attached to the lever member 131A. In addition, an engaging surface 175 is formed at a front portion of the operating member-side protrusion 173 so that the operating member 133A is attached to the lever member 131A and the operating member 133A is prevented from moving forward in a state in which the extension portion 139 and the operating member-side protrusion 173 engage with each other.

[0123] In a state before the operating member 133A is attached to the lever member 131A, the front end (abutting portion) of the biasing member 132A is configured to be in contact with the front upper support surface 157a or the rear upper support surface 158a of the lever member 131A. That is, the left and right pairs of front acting portions 135a of the biasing member 132A are in contact with the front upper support surface 157a or the rear upper support surface 158a of the lever member 131A. In addition, the left and right pairs of movement prevention protrusions 147d formed in the lever member 131A are in contact with the left and right pairs of front acting portions 135a in the left and right directions. In a state in which the operating member 133A is attached to the lever member 131A (see Figure 23 ), the front end (abutting portion) of the biasing member 132A is in contact with the lower surface (inner surface of the upper surface 169b1) of the operating member 133A from below, thereby biasing the operating member 133A upward.

[0124] Next, an example of a procedure for assembling the operating member 133A to the rail body 106 (lever member 131A) will be described.

[0125] (1) Before attaching the operating member 133A

[0126] The left and right pair of front acting portions 135a are positioned at the corner portions of the upper support surfaces (front upper support surfaces 157a, rear upper support surfaces 158a) of the lever member 131A and the left and right side walls 147, and are respectively inclined to face the center in the left and right direction and the up and down direction, so that the respective guide portions 138 enter the connection end 169 of the operation member 133 (see Figure 22A ).

[0127] (2) When the operation member 133A is attached

[0128] When the operation member 133A is moved rearward, the left and right pair of front acting portions 135a are pushed downward by the guide portions 138 and moved closer to the inner side in the left and right direction, thereby entering the connection end 169 of the operation member 133A. The extension portion 139 on the left side in the vehicle width direction of the front acting portion 135a passes over the operation member side protrusion 173 by being pushed downward by the inclined surface 174 of the operation member side protrusion 173.

[0129] (3) After the operation member 133A is attached

[0130] The engagement surface 175 of the operation member side protrusion 173 faces the front acting portion 135a on the left side in the vehicle width direction, thereby preventing the operation member 133A from moving forward (toward the removal direction). In addition, the rear end surface of the operation member 133A faces the movement prevention protrusion 147d, thereby preventing the operation member 133A from further moving rearward (toward the pushing direction).

[0131] As shown in Figure 23 , the lever member 131A is rotatably supported by the shaft member 115 at the upper side walls 105b of the upper rails 105, and the biasing member 132A is engaged by the engagement portions 105g so as to prevent the biasing member 132A from moving downward. In addition, on the left and right upper side walls 105b of the upper rails 105, at positions in front of the support holes 105f in the vehicle front and rear direction, rear lower protrusions 148 are formed, which are rear lower support portions protruding from the two upper side walls 105b in a manner of being bent toward the two sides facing each other. The rear lower protrusions 148 are formed by cutting the upper side walls 105b and bulging the upper side walls 105b toward the inner side.

[0132] The pair of front acting portions 135a of the biasing member 132A engage from below the lower surface of the rear end of the operation member 133A (the inner surface of the upper surface 169b1) at a position between the front upper support surface 157a and the rear upper support surface 158a on the front portion, thereby biasing the operation member 133A upward. As a result, the upper surface 169b1 of the operation member 133A is in contact with the 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 up-down direction between the front lower support surface 147c provided in the lever member 131A and the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operation member 133A, and a gap C2 is provided in the up-down direction between the rear lower support surface 148a provided in the upper rail 105 and the lower surface 169b3 of the rear end of the operation member 133A.

[0133] In this regard, as shown in FIG. 6, on one side (the right side in the vehicle width direction), the length L1b between the contact point (the support point P0) between the engaging portion 105g and the intermediate support portion 137 of the biasing member 132 and the contact point (the front acting point P1) between the front end of the lever member 131 and the front acting portion 135a of the biasing member 132, and the length L2 between the contact point (the support point P0) between the engaging portion 105g and the intermediate support portion 137 of the biasing member 132 and the contact point (the rear acting point P2) between the rear end of the lever member 131 and the rear acting portion 136a of the biasing member 132, the length L1b is shorter than the length L2 (L1b < L2). Figure 23 In contrast, on the other side (the left side in the vehicle width direction), the length L1a between the contact point (the support point P0) between the engaging portion 105g and the intermediate support portion 137 of the biasing member 132A and the contact point (the front acting point P1a) between the front end of the lever member 131A and the front acting portion 135a of the biasing member 132A, and the length L2 between the contact point (the support point P0) between the engaging portion 105g and the intermediate support portion 137 of the biasing member 132 and the contact point (the rear acting point P2) between the rear end of the lever member 131A and the rear acting portion 136a of the biasing member 132A, the length L1a is approximately the same as the length L2 (L1a ≈ L2).

[0134] In contrast, on the other side (the left side in the vehicle width direction), the length L1a between the contact point (the support point P0) between the engaging portion 105g and the intermediate support portion 137 of the biasing member 132A and the contact point (the front acting point P1a) between the front end of the lever member 131A and the front acting portion 135a of the biasing member 132A, and the length L2 between the contact point (the support point P0) between the engaging portion 105g and the intermediate support portion 137 of the biasing member 132 and the contact point (the rear acting point P2) between the rear end of the lever member 131A and the rear acting portion 136a of the biasing member 132A, the length L1a is approximately the same as the length L2 (L1a ≈ L2).

[0135] When the biasing force acting on the front action points P1a and P1b is the front biasing forces F1a and F1b and when the biasing force acting on the rear action point P2 is the rear biasing force F2, the rotational moment at the support point P0 is [F1a*L1a+F1b*L1b=F2*L2] in accordance with the moment balance [M0=(F1a*L1a+F1b*L1b)-F2*L2=0]. In the present embodiment, the length L1b between the support point P0 and one of the front action points P1b is set to be shorter than the length L2 between the support point P0 and the rear action point P2 (L1b

[0136] Here, the length between the rotational center Q of the lever member 131A and the contact point (front action point P1a) between the front end of the lever member 131A and the other front action portion 135a of the biasing member 132A is defined as "L3a". In contrast, the length between the rotational center Q of the lever member 131A and the contact point (rear action point P1b) between the front end of the lever member 131A and the one front action portion 135a of the biasing member 132A is defined as "L3b". In addition, the length between the rotational center Q of the lever member 131A and the contact point (rear action point P2) between the rear end of the lever member 131A and the rear action portion 136a of the biasing member 132A is defined as "L4". At this time, the lengths L3a, L3b, and L4 are set so that the rotational moment on the rear end side (Mb=F2*L4) in the lever member 131A is greater than the total rotational moment on the front end side (Ma1+Ma2=F1a*L3a+F1b*L3b).

[0137] In the present embodiment, the length L3a is shorter than the length L1a (L1a>L3a), the length L3b is shorter than the length L1b (L1b>L3b), and the length L2 is shorter than the length L4 (L2

[0138] As a result, the rotational moment at the rotational center Q of the lever member 131A serves as a biasing force that biases the rear end of the lever member 131A (the lock member 117) in the locking direction.

[0139] Next, the operation of the lock mechanism 100 will be described. Figure 24 andFigure 25 The operation of the seat slide device 101A configured as described above will be described. However, the operation is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

[0140] The operation effect of the seat slide device 101A according to the second embodiment will be described below. The operation effect that is the same as that of the above-described first embodiment will not be described.

[0141] In the second embodiment, the biasing member 132A is formed of a pair of rod-shaped members extending substantially parallel to each other, and includes a pair of front acting portions 135a configured to contact the front end of the lever member 131A to bias the front end of the lever member 131A upward, a pair of rear acting portions 136a configured to contact the rear end of the lever member 131A to bias the rear end of the lever member 131A upward, a pair of intermediate support portions 137 configured to engage with a pair of engagement portions 105g formed at the same position with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction and the vehicle up-down direction, and a connecting portion 136b configured to connect respective rear ends of the pair of rear acting portions 136a so that the biasing member 132A is formed in a substantially U shape in a plan view. The length L1b between the contact point between the at least one engagement portion 105g and the intermediate support portion 137 of the biasing member 132A and the contact point between the front end of the lever member 131A and the at least one front acting portion 135a is shorter than the length L2 between the contact point between the at least one engagement portion 105g and the intermediate support portion 137 of the biasing member 132A and the contact point between the rear end of the lever member 131A and the at least one rear acting portion 136a.

[0142] A rotational moment in the locking direction is generated at the rear end of the lever member 131A, and the upward biasing force of the biasing member 132A can be enhanced at the front end of the lever member 131A.

[0143] The rotational moment at the support point P0 is [F1a*L1a+F1b*L1b=F2*L2] according to the moment balance. Here, the length L1b is set to be shorter than the length L2 (L1b

[0144] As a result, a rotational moment in the locking direction is generated at the rear end of the lever member 131A, and the upward biasing force of the biasing member 132A can be enhanced at the front end of the lever member 131.

[0145] Although the embodiments of the present application have been described above, these embodiments are merely illustrative for the purpose of understanding the present application, and the present application is not limited to these embodiments. The technical scope of the present application is not limited to the specific technical matters disclosed in the above-described embodiments, and also includes various modifications, changes, alternative techniques, and the like that can be easily derived therefrom.

[0146] For example, although in the above-described embodiments, the rear end portions of the left and right pair of rear acting portions 136a are connected to each other by the connecting portions 136b, the rear ends of the lever members 131 can be individually biased upward without connection. Also, the biasing member 132 is formed of a left and right pair of rod-shaped members, however, the biasing member 132 can be provided only on the left side or the right side (one side).

[0147] Also, the length LI between the support point PO and the front acting point PI is shorter than the length L2 between the support point PO and the rear acting point P2, however, the length LI and the length L2 can be substantially the same length. In a case where the front biasing force Fl can be smaller, such as when the front end of the lever member 131 is not biased upward by the operating member 133 (for example, when another biasing member is provided), the length LI can be longer than the length L2.

[0148] Also, the front acting portion 135a of the biasing member 132 is inserted into the operating member 133, however, the outer lower surface (lower surface 169b3) can be biased upward from the lower side.

[0149] Also, the upper protrusions 157 and 158 are provided at the upper ends of the two side walls 147, respectively, however, they can be provided only at the upper end of one side wall 147.

[0150] Also, the lower ends of the front ends of the lever members 131 are connected to each other by the front lower walls 147b, however, the front upper protrusions 157 can be connected to each other. In this case, the lever members 131 have an inverted U shape having an open lower end, in which the lower wall 134 connecting the lower ends of the left and right side walls 147 serves as an upper wall connecting the upper ends thereof.

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 lever member rotatably supported with respect to the upper rail about an axis in a left-right direction; a lock member provided in a rear end of the lever member and including a lock portion configured to be movable between a locked position in which the lock portion engages with a locked portion formed in the lower rail and a lock release position in which the lock portion is distanced from the locked portion; a biasing member configured to bias the lock portion in a locked position direction; and an operation member connected with a front end of the lever member, wherein the biasing member is formed of a rod-shaped member and includes: a front acting portion configured to indirectly contact with the front end of the lever member to bias the front end of the lever member upward; a rear acting portion configured to indirectly contact with the rear end of the lever member to bias the rear end of the lever member upward; and an intermediate support portion formed between the front acting portion and the rear acting portion and engaged with an engaging portion formed in the upper rail, and the engaging portion is positioned rearward of a rotation center of the lever member and is supported in a manner that continuously contacts with the intermediate support portion to prevent the intermediate support portion from moving downward.

2. The seat slide device according to claim 1, wherein a length between a contact point between the engaging portion and the intermediate support portion of the biasing member and an indirect contact point between the front end of the lever member and the front acting portion of the biasing member is shorter than a length between the contact point between the engaging portion and the intermediate support portion of the biasing member and an indirect contact point between the rear end of the lever member and the rear acting portion of the biasing member.

3. The seat slide device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lever member includes: a left-right pair of side walls extending in a longitudinal direction with respect to the upper rail and facing each other across a predetermined gap in a left-right direction; a front upper support portion provided at an upper end of a front end of at least one side wall and protruding toward an opposite side wall in the left-right direction; and a front lower support portion provided at a lower end of the front end of at least one side wall and protruding toward the opposite side wall in the left-right direction, the front end of the lever member is formed into a substantially square cross section by the left-right pair of side walls and the front upper support portion and the front lower support portion, a rear end of the operation member is inserted inside the front end of the lever member, and the biasing member includes: a rear biasing portion extending from the intermediate support portion to the rear acting portion, contacting the rear end of the lever member from below, and biasing the rear end of the lever member upward, and a front biasing portion extending from the intermediate support portion to the front acting portion, contacting the rear end of the operation member from below, and biasing the front end of the lever member upward via the operation member.

4. The seat slide device according to claim 3, wherein the left and right pair of side walls of the lever member include a pair of recesses positioned between the rotation center of the lever member and the lock member in the vehicle front-rear direction and narrow the gap between the left and right pair of side walls, the rear acting portion of the biasing member is positioned below the lever member, the intermediate portion of the biasing member between the rear acting portion and the front acting portion extends above the lever member through the recess, and the front acting portion of the biasing member is bent inward in the left-right direction and extends forward between the left and right pair of side walls of the lever member.

5. The seat slide device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper rail includes a shaft member provided across the left and right pair of side walls of the upper rail, the lever member includes a recessed groove that opens upward and is provided at the upper end of the left and right pair of side walls extending in the longitudinal direction with respect to the upper rail, and the recessed groove engages with the shaft member from below, and the front and rear ends of the lever member are biased upward by the biasing member to maintain the state in which the recessed groove engages with the shaft member, and the lever member is rotatably supported with respect to the upper rail.

6. The seat slide device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the biasing member is formed of a left and right pair of rod-shaped members extending substantially parallel to each other, and includes: a pair of front acting portions configured to indirectly contact the front end of the lever member to bias the front end of the lever member upward; a left and right pair of rear acting portions configured to indirectly contact the rear end of the lever member to bias the rear end of the lever member upward; a left and right pair of intermediate support portions configured to engage with a pair of engagement portions formed at the same position with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction and the up-down direction; and a connecting portion configured to connect the respective rear ends of the left and right pair of rear acting portions such that the biasing member is formed in a substantially U shape in a plan view, and a length between a contact point between the at least one engagement portion and the intermediate support portion of the biasing member and a contact point between the front end of the lever member and the at least one front acting portion is shorter than a length between the contact point between the at least one engagement portion and the intermediate support portion of the biasing member and a contact point between the rear end of the lever member and the at least one rear acting portion.

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