Sliding device

Abstract

Provided is a sliding device capable of reducing the number of machining sites and parts and achieving both an increase in the pitch between balls and an increase in the amount of movement of an upper rail. A slide device (1) is provided with: a lower ball (4) and a holder (6) disposed in a lower gap (41) between a lower rail (2) and an upper rail (3); a lower retaining part (8) on the side of the lower guide rail (2); and an upper retaining part (7b) on the side of the upper guide rail (3). The holder (6) is provided with: a first ball holding section (30A); a second ball holding part (30B); a connecting part (31) for connecting the holding parts; a pair of lower facing surfaces (36, 37); and a pair of upper facing surfaces (34, 35). The pair of lower facing surface portions (36, 37) are disposed so as to face each other in the front-rear direction with the lower retaining portion (8) therebetween. The pair of upper facing surface sections (34, 35) are disposed so as to face each other in the front-rear direction across the upper retaining section (7b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sliding device which supports a seat slidably and locks the seat at a desired position. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a sliding device has been widely used in automobile seats and the like, and the sliding device supports the seat so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction and locks the seat at a desired position.

[0003] Such a sliding device has a structure as described in Patent Document 1, for example. The sliding device includes: a lower rail fixed to a floor surface of a car along the front-rear direction of a seat; an upper rail fixed to the seat side and guided on the lower rail to be movable in the front-rear direction X; a plurality of balls arranged in a gap between the lower rail and the upper rail and held by the lower rail and the upper rail and capable of rolling as the upper rail moves; and a retainer having a ball retaining portion arranged in the gap and retaining the balls at the front and rear ends.

[0004] In addition, the sliding device comprises: a pair of lower anti-slip portions (lower protrusion prevention portions), which are arranged at both ends of the long side direction of the lower guide rail to prevent the retaining parts holding the ball from detaching; and a pair of upper anti-slip portions (upper protrusion prevention portions), which are arranged at both ends of the long side direction of the upper guide rail.

[0005] In the above-mentioned sliding device, as a structure for preventing the retaining member for retaining the ball from being disengaged, a pair of lower side anti-slipping parts and a pair of upper side anti-slipping parts need to be provided at both ends of the lower rail and the upper rail in the long side direction, respectively. As a result, there is a problem that the number of processing parts and parts for preventing the retaining member from being disengaged increases.

[0006] In addition, since a pair of lower anti-slip portions on the lower guide rail side and a pair of upper anti-slip portions on the upper guide rail side are configured to be located on both sides of the long side direction separated by the retaining member, there is a problem that the length of the retaining member is limited and the spacing between the front and rear balls retained by the retaining member cannot be expanded.

[0007] In addition, if the spacing between the balls is narrow, the support of the upper rail becomes unstable and becomes a cause of looseness. Here, it can be considered to lengthen the overall length of the upper rail and the lower rail to match the spacing between the ball retaining parts at the front and rear ends of the retainer to eliminate the looseness of the upper rail. However, in this case, the upper rail and the lower rail are prone to warping, which may cause the rails to rub against each other or make the assembly of the upper rail difficult. In addition, if these rails are lengthened, the installation position of the sliding device will be limited or the weight of the sliding device will increase, so this is not ideal.

[0008] On the other hand, if the spacing between the balls is increased by lengthening the retainer without changing the length of the upper and lower rails, the movable range of the retainer in the upper and lower rails becomes smaller, thereby causing a problem of reducing the amount of movement of the upper rail.

[0009] Therefore, when the above-mentioned structure is adopted, it is difficult to achieve both an increase in the distance between the balls and an increase in the amount of movement of the upper rail.

[0010] Prior art literature

[0011] Patent Literature

[0012] Patent Document 1: Korean Patent Gazette No. 10-0813697 Summary of the invention

[0013] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned situation, and an object thereof is to provide a sliding device that can reduce the number of processed parts and components and can achieve both an increase in the spacing between balls and an increase in the movement amount of the upper guide rail.

[0014] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the sliding device of the present invention is a sliding device that supports the seat to slide freely, and includes: a lower guide rail, which is an elongated member and is fixed to the installation surface where the seat is installed; an upper guide rail, which has a portion fixed to the seat and is guided to move freely in the front-rear direction based on the lower guide rail, and together with the lower guide rail, forms at least one gap extending in the long side direction; a plurality of balls are arranged in the gap and are clamped by the lower guide rail and the upper guide rail, and can roll with the movement of the upper guide rail; a retaining member is arranged in the gap to retain the plurality of balls at a position separated from the interval in the long side direction; a lower anti-slip portion is arranged on the lower guide rail to prevent the retaining member from slipping out of the gap detachment; and an upper anti-slip portion, which is arranged on the upper guide rail to prevent the retaining member from detaching from the gap; wherein the retaining member includes: a first ball retaining portion, which retains at least one of the balls arranged in the gap in a rolling manner; a second ball retaining portion, which is arranged in the gap at a distance from the first ball retaining portion in the long side direction, and retains at least one of the balls in a rolling manner; a connecting portion, which connects the first ball retaining portion and the second ball retaining portion in a state of being spaced apart from each other; a pair of lower facing surface portions, which are arranged facing each other in the long side direction with the lower anti-slip portion therebetween; and a pair of upper facing surface portions, which are arranged facing each other in the long side direction with the upper anti-slip portion therebetween.

[0015] The above-mentioned “separated by the lower anti-slipping part” means a state where the lower anti-slipping part is located between a pair of lower facing face parts in a manner that the pair of lower facing face parts are separated by a gap larger than the length of the long side direction of the lower anti-slipping part, and does not mean that the pair of lower facing face parts clamp the lower anti-slipping part. Similarly, the above-mentioned “separated by the upper anti-slipping part” means a state where the upper anti-slipping part is located between a pair of upper facing face parts in a manner that the pair of upper facing face parts are separated by a gap larger than the length of the long side direction of the upper anti-slipping part, and does not mean that the pair of upper facing face parts clamp the upper anti-slipping part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 This is an overall perspective view of a structure in which two sliding devices according to embodiments of the present invention are installed under a seat.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An overall stereogram of the sliding device.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of a sliding device.

[0020] Figure 5 It means in Figure 4 A three-dimensional view of the structure of an upper guide rail mounted with a bracket as part of a locking mechanism, the bracket having an upper anti-slip portion.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A three-dimensional view of the retaining member.

[0022] Figure 7 It simply means Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the configuration of the retaining member, 4 lower balls, and 2 upper balls in the sliding device.

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 The invention is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the front side of the retainer, in which the retainer and two lower balls are arranged in the lower gap and one upper ball is arranged in the upper gap.

[0024] Fig. 9 yes Figure 4 A top view of a lower rail, a pair of retainers, and a bracket as part of the locking mechanism on the upper rail side.

[0025] Fig.10 It is schematically indicated Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of the retaining member, the lower anti-slip portion on the lower guide rail side, and the upper anti-slip portion on the upper guide rail side.

[0026] Fig.11 Yes means Figure 4 A top view showing a state in which the upper anti-slip portion on the upper guide rail side moves to the rearmost position and abuts against the stopper on the lower guide rail side and does not abut against the upper facing surface portion of the retainer.

[0027] Fig.12 Yes means Figure 4 A top view showing a state in which the upper anti-slip portion on the upper guide rail side moves to the position on the front end side and abuts against the stopper on the lower guide rail side and does not abut against the upper facing surface portion of the retainer.

[0028] Fig.13 In the figure, (a) is a schematic representation of Fig.12 (b) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the upper anti-slip portion on the upper guide rail side moves to the front end side and does not abut against the upper opposing surface portion of the retaining member, (a) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the upper anti-slip portion does not abut against the upper opposing surface portion on the front side of the retaining member, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the lower anti-slip portion of (a) does not abut against the lower opposing surface portion on the rear side of the retaining member.

[0029] Fig.14 In the figure, (a) is a schematic diagram showing the maximum movement amount in the sliding device of the present embodiment, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing the maximum movement amount in a sliding device with a structure in which a retaining member has an anti-slip portion at each of the front and rear ends of the lower guide rail and the upper guide rail.

[0030] Fig.15 In the figure, (a) is a schematic diagram showing that the movement amount of the upper guide rail increases when the retaining member in the sliding device of the present embodiment is lengthened, and (b) is a schematic diagram showing that the movement amount of the upper guide rail decreases when the retaining member is lengthened in the sliding device having an anti-slip portion of the retaining member at the front and rear ends of the respective lower guide rail and upper guide rail.

[0031] Fig.16 This is a modified example of the sliding device of the present invention and is a schematic diagram schematically showing a structure in which a pair of lower facing surface parts and a pair of upper facing surface parts of a holder are arranged at different positions in the longitudinal direction.

[0032] Fig.17 (a) to (c) represent Fig.16 A schematic diagram showing a situation where the movement amount on the front side of the sliding device is different from the movement amount on the rear side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the sliding device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] like Figure 1As shown, the sliding device 1 involved in this embodiment is a device that supports a seat S as a car seat in a manner that allows the seat S to slide freely in the front-rear direction X of the seat S. The seat S includes a seat cushion S1 and a seat back S2 that stands up from the rear of the seat cushion S1. A pair of sliding devices 1 extend in the front-rear direction X and are spaced apart from each other in the width direction Y of the seat S, and are arranged between the lower side surface of the seat cushion S1 and the bottom surface F of the car. In addition, the arrangement of the sliding device 1 of the present invention is not limited to the front-rear direction of the seat S, and it can also be arranged in the left-right direction in order to enable the seat S to move in the left-right direction (width direction).

[0035] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the sliding device 1 has a structure for supporting the seat S to slide freely, and comprises: a lower rail 2 extending along the front-rear direction X; an upper rail 3 slidably combined with the lower rail 2; a plurality of lower side balls 4 and a plurality of upper side balls 5, which support the upper rail 3 to slide freely; a retaining member 6, which retains the plurality of lower side balls 4 in a rolling manner; a lower anti-slip portion 8 for preventing the retaining member from detaching; an upper bracket 7, which has an upper anti-slip portion 7b for preventing the retaining member from detaching (refer to Figure 5 A pair of stoppers 9, 10 limit the movement range of the upper bracket 7 and the upper guide rail 3. In this embodiment, the long side direction of the lower guide rail 2 is consistent with the front-rear direction X.

[0036] In this embodiment, a total of four lower balls 4, two at the front and two at the rear, are held by the holder 6. The upper balls 5 are not held by the holder but are arranged in the areas corresponding to the two lower balls 4 at the front and rear sides of the holder 6 in the front-rear direction X. In addition, the number of lower balls 4 held at the front and rear sides of the holder 6 only needs to be at least one each.

[0037] The lower rail 2 is an elongated member fixed to the bottom surface F of the automobile along the front-rear direction X. Specifically, the lower rail 2 includes: a bottom wall portion 11, which is a flat plate extending in the front-rear direction X and fixed to the bottom surface; a pair of outer wall portions 12, which stand upward Z1 from both side edges of the bottom wall portion 11; a pair of upper wall portions 13, which extend from the upper edges of the pair of outer wall portions 12 toward the center of the width direction Y of the lower rail 2; and a pair of inner wall portions 14, which extend downward Z2 from the end portions of the pair of upper wall portions 13 on the center side in the width direction Y. A pair of space portions 15 extending in the front-rear direction X are formed based on the bottom wall portion 11, the pair of outer wall portions 12, the pair of upper wall portions 13, and the pair of inner wall portions 14.

[0038] The upper guide rail 3 is constructed as follows: it has a portion fixed to the seat S, and is guided to move freely in the front-to-rear direction X based on the lower guide rail 2, and together with the lower guide rail 2, it forms at least one gap extending along the front-to-rear direction X. In this embodiment, the at least one gap is a pair of lower side gaps 41 and a pair of upper side gaps 42.

[0039] Specifically, the upper rail 3 includes: an upper wall portion 21, which is a flat plate extending in the front-rear direction X and is fixed to the seat S; a pair of side wall portions 22, which extend downward Z2 from both side edges of the upper wall portion 21; and a pair of folded portions 23, which are folded back from the lower edges of the pair of side wall portions 22 toward the outer sides in the width direction Y of the upper rail 3. The pair of folded portions 23 are respectively inserted into the pair of space portions 15 of the lower rail 2.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the pair of folding parts 23 includes: a lower part 23a, which is bent upward in a U-shape Z1 and has an outer side surface that contacts the lower side ball 4; and an upper part 23b, which is bent inward in the width direction from the lower part 23a toward the upper side in an L-shape, and then bent outward in the width direction, and has an upper side surface that contacts the upper side ball 5. The lower side gap 41 is formed between the lower part 23a of the folding part 23 and the connection part 16 connecting the bottom wall part 11 and the outer wall part 12 on both sides in the width direction of the upper guide rail 3. In addition, the upper side gap 42 is formed between the upper part 23b of the folding part 23 and the connection part 17 connecting the inner wall part 14 and the upper wall part 13 on both sides in the width direction of the upper guide rail 3.

[0041] A plurality of lower balls 4 are disposed in each of a pair of lower gaps 41 and are clamped by the lower rail 2 and the upper rail 3, and are capable of rolling as the upper rail 3 moves. Similarly, a plurality of upper balls 5 are disposed in each of a pair of upper gaps 42 and are clamped by the lower rail 2 and the upper rail 3, and are capable of rolling as the upper rail 3 moves.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the holder 6 is a member that is disposed in each of the pair of lower gaps 41 and holds the plurality of lower balls 4 at positions spaced apart in the front-rear direction X. The specific structure of the holder 6 will be described in detail later.

[0043] like Figure 4 and Fig. 9 As shown, the lower anti-slip portion 8 is provided on the lower rail 2 and prevents the retainer 6 from being disengaged from the lower gap 41. In the present embodiment, the lower anti-slip portion 8 is provided at the middle position of the outer wall portions 12 on both sides of the lower rail 2 in the front-rear direction X. Specifically, the lower anti-slip portion 8 is formed by punching out a portion near the lower end of the outer wall portion 12 and standing up toward the inner side of the width direction of the lower rail 2.

[0044] like Figure 5 As shown, the upper anti-slip portion 7b is a portion provided on the upper rail 3 and preventing the retainer 6 from being disengaged from the lower gap 41. Figures 3 to 5 and Fig. 9 A portion of the upper bracket 7 is shown.

[0045] The upper bracket 7 is a bracket for holding a locking mechanism (not shown) for fixing the upper guide rail 3 at a desired position in the front-rear direction X. Figures 3 to 4 As shown, it is arranged at a middle position in the front-rear direction X on the inner side of the upper guide rail 3 .

[0046] Specifically, if Figure 5 As shown, the upper bracket 7 comprises: a pair of side wall portions 7a, which abut against the inner side surfaces of a pair of side wall portions 22 of the upper guide rail 3; a pair of flange-shaped upper anti-slip portions 7b, which extend from the lower ends of the side wall portions 7a to the outside of the width direction Y of the upper guide rail 3; and an upper wall portion 7c, which abuts against the lower side surface of the upper wall portion 21 of the upper guide rail 3.

[0047] The side wall 7a has a rectangular opening 7d which communicates with the opening 22a formed on the side wall 22 of the upper rail 3 and the opening 23c formed on the folded portion 23, and allows components (locking plate, etc.) of a locking mechanism (not shown) to pass therethrough.

[0048] like Figures 6 to 8 As shown in the figure, the holder 6 includes a first ball holding portion 30A, a second ball holding portion 30B, a connecting portion 31, a pair of lower facing surface portions 36, 37, and a pair of upper facing surface portions 34, 35, and is integrally formed of a synthetic resin or a metal material, etc. In addition, since the first ball holding portion 30A and the second ball holding portion 30B have the same structure, in the following description, the first ball holding portion 30A is used as a representative example to explain the specific structure.

[0049] The first ball retaining portion 30A has a structure for retaining at least one lower ball 4 arranged in the lower gap 41 in a rolling manner. Specifically, the first ball retaining portion 30A includes: an inner retaining portion 32 located on a side close to the connecting portion 31; an outer retaining portion 33 located on a side away from the connecting portion 31; and a connecting portion 38 connecting the inner retaining portion 32 and the outer retaining portion 33. The inner retaining portion 32 and the outer retaining portion 33 respectively have retaining holes 32a and 33a for retaining the lower ball 4 in a rolling manner. The retaining holes 32a and 33a are through holes that can retain the lower ball 4 in a rolling manner in a state where the lower ball 4 is partially exposed from the upper and lower parts.

[0050] The connecting portion 38 ensures that the distance between the centers of the two lower balls 4 held by the inner holding portion 32 and the outer holding portion 33 is a predetermined distance D (see Figure 8 ) to connect the inner retaining portion 32 and the outer retaining portion 33.

[0051] like Figure 8 As shown, in the present embodiment, the predetermined interval D is an interval that allows the upper balls 5 arranged in the upper gap 42 on the side where the holder 6 is not arranged to move in the front-rear direction X.

[0052] like Figures 7 to 8 As shown, in the present embodiment, at least one upper ball 5 is arranged in the upper gap 42 in a region corresponding to a specified interval D between two lower balls 4 in the front-rear direction X. The upper ball 5 can roll in the region corresponding to the above-mentioned interval D, and at the position where the lower ball 4 exists, the upper gap 42 is narrowed to a certain extent due to the influence of the deflection of the upper guide rail 3, and therefore, it cannot come out of the above-mentioned region.

[0053] In the sliding device 1 of this embodiment, the upper balls 5 are arranged only in a region corresponding to a predetermined interval D between two lower balls 4, and the sliding device 1 has a simple structure without a retainer for rottingly retaining the upper balls 5.

[0054] The second ball holding portion 30B is arranged in the lower gap 41 at a distance from the pair of first ball holding portions 30A in the front-rear direction X, and has a structure for rollingly holding at least one lower ball 4. Specifically, the second ball holding portion 30B has the same structure as the first ball holding portion 30A and includes the inner holding portion 32, the outer holding portion 33, and the connecting portion 38.

[0055] like Figure 6 As shown, the connection portion 31 is a rod-shaped portion that connects the first ball holding portion 30A and the second ball holding portion 30B in a state where they are spaced apart from each other, and in the present embodiment, is a rod-shaped portion having a rectangular cross section.

[0056] The cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion 31 perpendicular to the front-rear direction X is set to be smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the first ball retaining portion 30A and the second ball retaining portion 30B. Specifically, the connecting portion 31 of the present embodiment has a rectangular cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the first ball retaining portion 30A and the second ball retaining portion 30B.

[0057] like Figure 6 and Fig. 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , a pair of lower facing surfaces 36 and 37 are provided in the group of the first ball holding portion 30A and the second ball holding portion 30B, and are arranged to face each other with a gap in the front-rear direction X. In other words, the pair of lower facing surfaces 36 and 37 are as shown in FIG. Fig. 9As shown in the figure, they are arranged to face each other in the front-rear direction X with the lower anti-slip portion 8 interposed therebetween. Here, "with the lower anti-slip portion 8 interposed therebetween" means that the lower anti-slip portion 8 is located between the pair of lower facing surface portions 36 and 37 in such a manner that the pair of lower facing surface portions 36 and 37 are separated by a gap A2 greater than the length A3 in the long side direction of the lower anti-slip portion 8, and does not mean that the pair of lower facing surface portions 36 and 37 sandwich the lower anti-slip portion 8. In addition, the pair of lower facing surface portions 36 and 37 may be provided on the connecting portion 31.

[0058] In the present embodiment, a pair of lower facing surface portions 36 and 37 are disposed facing each other on both sides of the connection portion 31 in the front-rear direction X. Specifically, the lower facing surface portion 36 on the front side X1 is formed by the rear end portion of the first ball holding portion 30A, and the lower facing surface portion 37 on the rear side X2 is formed by the front end portion of the second ball holding portion 30B. The pair of lower facing surface portions 36 and 37 protrude from the side surface of the connection portion 31 toward the width direction outer side Y1 of the slide device 1 (that is, toward the width direction outer side of the lower guide rail 2).

[0059] The pair of upper facing surfaces 34, 35 are provided in the set of the first ball holding portion 30A and the second ball holding portion 30B, and are arranged to face each other with a gap in the front-rear direction X. In other words, the pair of upper facing surfaces 34, 35 are arranged as follows: Fig. 9 As shown in the figure, they are arranged to face each other in the front-rear direction X with the upper anti-slip portion 7b interposed therebetween. Here, "with the upper anti-slip portion 7b interposed therebetween" means that the upper anti-slip portion 7b is located between the pair of upper facing face portions 34 and 35 in such a manner that the pair of upper facing face portions 34 and 35 are separated by a gap A1 greater than the length A4 of the long side direction of the upper anti-slip portion 7b, and does not mean that the pair of upper facing face portions 34 and 35 clamp the upper anti-slip portion 7b. In addition, the pair of upper facing face portions 34 and 35 may also be provided on the connecting portion 31.

[0060] In the present embodiment, a pair of upper facing surface portions 34 and 35 are disposed facing each other on both sides of the connection portion 31 in the front-rear direction X. Specifically, the upper facing surface portion 34 on the front side X1 in the front-rear direction X protrudes from the outer holding portion 33 of the first ball holding portion 30A toward the inner side Y2 in the width direction (that is, in the direction toward the inner side in the width direction of the lower guide rail 2). In addition, the upper facing surface portion 35 on the rear side X2 protrudes from the outer holding portion 33 of the second ball holding portion 30B toward the inner side Y2 in the width direction (that is, in the direction toward the inner side in the width direction of the lower guide rail 2).

[0061] In the sliding device 1 of this embodiment, as Figures 9 to 10As shown, the lower anti-slip portion 8 is arranged in the area between a pair of lower facing surface portions 36 and 37. In addition, the upper anti-slip portion 7b is arranged in the area between a pair of upper facing surface portions 34 and 35. Thus, when the lower anti-slip portion 8 and the upper anti-slip portion 7b are located within the range of the front-to-back direction X of the retainer 6, the moving range of the retainer 6 is limited to the overlapping range of the lower guide rail 2 and the upper guide rail 3, and as a result, the retainer 6 can be prevented from slipping off. Specifically, Fig.14 In the state I of (a), when the upper guide rail 3 reaches the frontmost position, the upper anti-slip portion 7b approaches the upper facing surface portion 34 on the front side, and the lower anti-slip portion 8 approaches the lower facing surface portion 37 on the rear side. Fig.14 In state III of (a), when the upper guide rail 3 reaches the rearmost position, the upper anti-slip portion 7b approaches the upper facing surface portion 35 on the rear side, and the lower anti-slip portion 8 approaches the lower facing surface portion 36 on the front side. Thus, even if the upper guide rail 3 moves to either side of the front or rear, the retainer 6 can be prevented from slipping off.

[0062] like Figure 4 , Fig. 9 , Figures 11 to 12 As shown, a pair of stoppers 9 and 10 are provided on the lower guide rail 2 at intervals from each other in the front-to-back direction X. In the present embodiment, the pair of stoppers 9 and 10 are formed by partially punching and raising the bottom wall portion 11 of the lower guide rail 2, but they may also be separate protrusions or the like. The pair of stoppers 9 and 10 are arranged at positions (positions near the middle in the width direction) at the front and rear ends of the lower guide rail 2 that can abut against the upper anti-slip portion 7b, and can limit the range of movement of the upper guide rail 3 in the front-to-back direction X by abutting against the upper anti-slip portion 7b.

[0063] In this embodiment, if Figures 11 to 13 As shown, the arrangement of the pair of lower facing surfaces 36, 37 and the pair of upper facing surfaces 34, 35 in the retaining member 6 is set in the following manner: the upper anti-slip portion 7b is brought into contact with the stopper 9 or 10 to limit the movement of the upper guide rail 3 in the front-rear direction X, and the upper anti-slip portion 7b is located close to the upper facing surface 34 or 35 (a position where a gap g21 or g22 is generated), and the lower facing surface 36 or 37 is located where it does not abut against the lower anti-slip portion 8 and a gap g11 or g12 is generated. Specifically, when such an arrangement of the pair of lower facing surfaces 36, 37 and the pair of upper facing surfaces 34, 35 is adopted, as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown, based on the movement of the upper rail 3 and the upper bracket 7 to the rear X2, the upper anti-slip portion 7b contacts the stopper 10 on the rear side X2 and is located close to the upper facing surface portion 35 (where a gap g21 is generated), and the lower facing surface portion 36 on the front side X1 is located where it does not contact the lower anti-slip portion 8 and a gap g11 is generated. Figures 12 to 13As shown, based on the upper guide rail 3 and the upper bracket 7 moving forward X1, the upper anti-slip portion 7b abuts against the stopper 9 on the front side X1 and is located close to the upper facing surface portion 34 (a position where a gap g22 is generated), and the lower facing surface portion 37 on the rear side X2 is located at a position where it does not abut against the lower anti-slip portion 8 and a gap g12 is generated.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to ensure the maximum movement amount (maximum stroke amount) of the upper rail 3, Figure 6 The length of the connecting portion 31 shown is set as follows: Fig. 9 The value of twice the length obtained by subtracting the length A3 of the lower anti-slip portion 8 in the long-side direction from the interval A2 of the pair of lower facing surfaces 36, 37 shown (i.e., 2×(A2-A3)), and the value of twice the length obtained by subtracting the length A4 of the upper anti-slip portion 7b in the long-side direction from the interval A1 of the pair of upper facing surfaces 34, 35 (i.e., 2×(A1-A4)) are respectively the lengths that are greater than the maximum movement amount S0 of the upper guide rail 3. By setting the length of the connecting portion 31 as described above, the maximum movement amount of the upper guide rail 3 can be ensured without being limited by the length of the connecting portion 31, and when the stoppers 9, 10 limit the movement of the upper guide rail 3 in the long-side direction, the upper anti-slip portion 7b is prevented from contacting with the pair of upper facing surfaces 34, 35 and the pair of lower facing surfaces 36, 37 is prevented from contacting with the lower anti-slip portion 8 to generate a gap.

[0065] In this embodiment, if Figures 9 to 10 As shown, a configuration is adopted in which the interval A2 of a pair of lower facing surfaces 36, 37 and the interval A1 of a pair of upper facing surfaces 34, 35 are different, that is, the pair of lower facing surfaces 36, 37 and the pair of upper facing surfaces 34, 35 are arranged at different positions in the front-to-back direction X. Therefore, even if the lengths of the upper anti-slip portion 7b or the lower anti-slip portion 8 in the long side direction are different, by adjusting the intervals of these facing surfaces 34, 35 or the intervals of the facing surfaces 36, 37, it is possible to achieve the same situation as when they are arranged at the same front-to-back positions. In addition, considering the basic configuration of the sliding device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 , Fig.14 (a) Fig.15 As shown in (a), it is sufficient to consider a configuration in which a pair of lower facing surface parts 36, 37 and a pair of upper facing surface parts 34, 35 are arranged at the same position in the front-rear direction X.

[0066] (Features of this embodiment)

[0067] (1) In the sliding device 1 of this embodiment, as Figure 6 and Fig. 9As shown, the retaining member 6 connecting the first ball retaining portion 30A and the second ball retaining portion 30B by the connecting portion 31 also includes: a pair of lower facing surface portions 36, 37 and a pair of upper facing surface portions 34, 35, as two types of facing surface portions that are spaced apart from each other and arranged facing each other in the front-to-back direction X (that is, the long side direction of the lower guide rail 2). The pair of lower facing surface portions 36, 37 are arranged facing each other in the front-to-back direction X with the lower anti-slip portion 8 interposed therebetween. The pair of upper facing surface portions 34, 35 are arranged facing each other in the front-to-back direction X with the upper anti-slip portion 7b interposed therebetween. In this structure, the lower anti-slip portion 8 provided on the lower guide rail 2 is arranged in the area between the pair of lower facing surface portions 36, 37, and the upper anti-slip portion 7b provided on the upper guide rail 3 is arranged in the area between the pair of upper facing surface portions 34, 35.

[0068] Thus, the lower anti-slip portion 8 and the upper anti-slip portion 7b can be respectively in contact with the lower facing surface portions 36, 37 and the upper facing surface portions 34, 35 in a state where they are arranged within the range of the front-rear direction X of the retainer 6, so as to achieve anti-slip of the retainer 6. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide anti-slip portions of the retainer 6 on both front and rear sides of the lower guide rail 2 and the upper guide rail 3 in the front-rear direction X. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in the number of processing locations and parts for anti-slip of the retainer 6.

[0069] In particular, in the sliding device 1 of the present embodiment, the lower anti-slip portion 8 is formed by punching and rising the outer wall portion 12 of the lower guide rail 2, and the upper anti-slip portion 7b constitutes a part of the upper bracket 7 for holding the locking mechanism, so that the increase in the number of parts can be suppressed. Fig.14 As shown in (b), after the retaining member 60 is assembled, special anti-slip parts 70 and 80 need to be installed on the front and rear sides of the lower guide rail 2 and the upper guide rail 3 to prevent the retaining member 60 from slipping off. There are problems such as an increase in the number of parts and an increase in working hours. However, in the sliding device of this embodiment, such a problem will not occur.

[0070] In the sliding device 1 of this embodiment, as Fig.14 As shown in (a), the lower anti-slip portion 8 and the upper anti-slip portion 7b are arranged within the range of the front-rear direction X of the retainer 6, so that the maximum movement amount (maximum stroke amount) L1 of the upper guide rail 3 is not limited by the full length of the retainer 6. In this regard, in the conventional sliding device, Fig.14 As shown in (b), since the anti-dropout parts 70 and 80 of the retainer 60 are provided on the front and rear sides of the lower rail 2 and the upper rail 3, the maximum movement amount (maximum stroke amount) L2 of the upper rail 3 cannot be fully ensured due to the full length limitation of the retainer 60 (that is, L2 <L1)。

[0071] Furthermore, in the sliding device 1 of the present embodiment, the lower anti-slip portion 8 and the upper anti-slip portion 7b are arranged within the range of the front-rear direction X of the holder 6, and therefore, the lower anti-slip portion 8 and the upper anti-slip portion 7b do not restrict the interval between the first ball holding portion 30A and the second ball holding portion 30B of the holder 6, that is, the interval between the balls. Therefore, the interval between the balls can be increased by lengthening the interval between the lower facing surface portions 36 and 37 of the holder 6 or the interval between the upper facing surface portions 34 and 35.

[0072] Here, if the spacing between the balls is narrow, the support becomes unstable and looseness easily occurs. However, in the sliding device 1 of the present embodiment, Fig.15 As shown in (a), only the length of the connecting portion 31 can be lengthened to expand the spacing between the balls to eliminate the shaking, without lengthening the lower rail 2 and the upper rail 3. As a result, there is no possibility of warping of the lower rail 2 and the upper rail 3, which will not cause friction between these rails or assembly difficulties.

[0073] In addition, in the above-mentioned structure, the lower anti-slip portion 8 and the upper anti-slip portion 7b are arranged within the range of the front-rear direction X of the retainer 6. Fig.15 As shown in (a), by lengthening the interval between the lower facing surfaces 36 and 37 of the retainer 6 or the interval between the upper facing surfaces 34 and 35, specifically by lengthening the connecting portion 31 (specifically, by extending the length of the connecting portion 31 from L31 in state I to L32 in state II), the movement amount of the retainer 6 can be increased, and the relative movement amount of the upper guide rail 3 with respect to the retainer 6 can also be increased. As a result, the movement amount of the upper guide rail 3 can be greatly increased (specifically, the movement amount of the upper guide rail 3 is increased by L33.).

[0074] In addition, in the conventional sliding device, Fig.15 As shown in (b), if the connection portion 31 of the retainer 6 is lengthened (specifically, if the length of the connection portion 31 is extended from L41 in state I to L42 in state II), the range in which the retainer 6 can move between the pair of lower anti-slip portions 80 and the pair of upper anti-slip portions 70 becomes narrower, thereby reducing the movement of the retainer 6 and the upper guide rail 3. As a result, the movement of the upper guide rail 3 is greatly reduced (the movement is reduced by L43).

[0075] In this embodiment, the maximum movement amount (maximum stroke amount) of the upper rail 3 can be expanded to substantially the entire length of the lower rail 2, so there is no need to lengthen the length of the lower rail 2 and the upper rail 3 in order to increase the maximum movement amount. Therefore, the installation position of the slide device 1 is not restricted or the weight of the slide device 1 is not increased.

[0076] As described above, according to the slide device 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of processed parts and components, and to achieve both an increase in the pitch between the lower balls 4 and an increase in the amount of movement of the upper rail 3 .

[0077] (2) In the sliding device 1 of this embodiment, as Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , a pair of lower facing surfaces 36, 37 are arranged facing each other on both sides of the front-rear direction X of the connecting portion 31. Furthermore, a pair of upper facing surfaces 34, 35 are arranged facing each other on both sides of the front-rear direction X of the connecting portion 31. In this structure, the retaining member 6 can move within a range where the pair of lower facing surfaces do not abut against the lower anti-slip portion, that is, within a range inside the pair of lower facing surfaces 36, 37. Furthermore, the upper guide rail 3 is as shown in FIG. Figures 9 to 10 As shown, the upper retaining portion 7b can move relatively within the range where the upper retaining portion 7b does not contact the pair of upper facing surfaces 34, 35, that is, within the range inside the pair of upper facing surfaces 34, 35 with respect to the holder 6. Thus, the upper rail 3 can greatly increase the amount of movement.

[0078] (3) In the sliding device 1 of this embodiment, as Figure 2 , Figure 4 ,as well as Fig. 9 As shown, a pair of stoppers 9 and 10 are provided on the lower rail 2 at a distance from each other in the front-rear direction X, and limit the movement range of the upper rail 3 in the front-rear direction X by contacting the upper anti-slip portion 7b.

[0079] The arrangement of the pair of lower facing surfaces 36, 37 and the upper facing surfaces 34, 35 in the retainer 6 is as follows: Figures 11 to 13 As shown, the upper anti-slip portion 7b is set in the following manner: the upper anti-slip portion 7b is located close to both the stopper 9 (or 10) and the upper facing surface portion 34 (or 35), and the lower facing surface portion 36 (or 37) is located at a position where it does not abut against the lower anti-slip portion 8 and a gap is generated.

[0080] According to this structure, the upper anti-slip portion 7b on the upper guide rail 3 side abuts against the stopper 9 (or 10) on the lower guide rail 2 side to restrict the movement of the upper guide rail 3 in the front-to-back direction X, and even if the upper anti-slip portion 7b is located close to the upper facing surface portion 34 (or 35) of the retainer 6, the lower facing surface portion 36 (or 37) of the retainer 6 does not abut against the lower anti-slip portion 8. Therefore, even if the upper guide rail 3 is slid rapidly, the two end portions of the retainer 6 in the front-to-back direction X will not be subjected to a large tensile load due to being pulled in different directions by the upper anti-slip portion 7b and the lower anti-slip portion 8, and the deformation of the retainer 6 can be reduced.

[0081] Furthermore, in this structure, a reinforcing portion for imparting strength to the holder 6 is unnecessary, and the degree of freedom of the cross-sectional shape of the holder 6 is increased.

[0082] (4) In the sliding device 1 of the present embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion 31 perpendicular to the front-rear direction X is set to be smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first ball retaining portion 30A and the second ball retaining portion 30B. According to this structure, the retainer 6 can be miniaturized and lightweight, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0083] In addition, in the present embodiment, the pair of lower facing surfaces 36, 37 and the upper facing surfaces 34, 35 in the retainer 6 are arranged in such a manner that the upper anti-slip portion 7b contacts the stopper 9 (or 10) and the pair of lower facing surfaces 36, 37 are located close to the upper facing surface 34 (or 35), and the lower facing surface 36 (or 37) is located at a position where it does not contact the lower anti-slip portion 8 and a gap is formed, so that both the lower anti-slip portion 8 and the upper anti-slip portion 7b do not contact the retainer 6 at the same time. As a result, a strong tensile load is not applied to the retainer 6, so the cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion 31 can be further reduced, and the retainer 6 can be further miniaturized and lightweight.

[0084] (5) In the sliding device 1 of this embodiment, Figure 6 The length of the connecting portion 31 shown is set as follows: Fig. 9 The value of twice the length obtained by subtracting the length A3 of the long side direction of the lower anti-slip portion 8 from the interval A1 of the pair of lower facing surface portions 36, 37 shown, and the value of twice the length obtained by subtracting the length A4 of the long side direction of the upper anti-slip portion 7b from the interval A2 of the pair of upper facing surface portions 34, 35 are respectively set to a length greater than the maximum movement amount S0 of the upper guide rail 3. Thus, the movement amount of the upper guide rail 3 is not limited by the length of the connecting portion 31, and as a result, the movement amount of the upper guide rail 3 can be ensured to the maximum extent.

[0085] (6) In the slide device 1 of the present embodiment, the upper anti-slip portion 7b constitutes a part of the upper bracket 7 for holding the locking mechanism for fixing the upper guide rail 3 at a desired position in the front-rear direction X. Therefore, the retainer 6 can be prevented from slipping off by using a part of the upper bracket 7 for holding the locking mechanism for fixing the upper guide rail 3, so that the retainer 6 can be prevented from slipping off without increasing the number of parts of the slide device 1.

[0086] In addition, the upper anti-detachment portion is not limited to the upper bracket, and as long as it is a member arranged between a pair of upper facing surface parts, it can also be composed of a member or structure for other purposes not used for anti-detachment of the retainer.

[0087] (Variation Example)

[0088] (A) In the present invention, there is no particular limitation on the relative positional relationship between the pair of lower facing surfaces and the pair of upper facing surfaces. Fig.16As shown, the pair of lower facing surfaces 36, 37 may be arranged at positions different from those of the pair of upper facing surfaces 34, 35 in the front-rear direction X, in other words, may be arranged at positions offset in the front-rear direction X. Fig.16 In the modified example shown, the pair of upper facing surfaces 34, 35 may be arranged to face rearward (ie, Fig.16 That is, the upper facing surface 34 on the front side is located behind the lower facing surface 36, and the upper facing surface 35 on the rear side is located behind the lower facing surface 37. In addition, the interval A3 between the pair of upper facing surfaces 34 and 35 and the interval A4 between the pair of lower facing surfaces 36 and 37 may be set differently.

[0089] Specifically, if Fig.17 As shown in (a), when the upper guide rail 3 reaches the frontmost position, the upper anti-slip portion 7b is close to the upper facing surface 34 on the front side, and the lower anti-slip portion 8 is close to the lower facing surface 37 on the rear side. The forward movement amount of the upper guide rail 3 at this time is Fig.17 The state of the intermediate position shown in (b) (that is, the state where the upper anti-detachment portion 7b is in the intermediate position C) is represented by S1. In this modification, the forward movement amount S1 is short because the interval between the upper facing surface portion 34 and the lower facing surface portion 37 is narrow.

[0090] On the other hand, Fig.17 As shown in (c), when the upper guide rail 3 reaches the rearmost position, the upper anti-slip portion 7b approaches the upper facing surface portion 35 on the rear side, and the lower anti-slip portion 8 approaches the lower facing surface portion 36 on the front side. The rearward movement amount of the upper guide rail 3 at this time is represented by S2. In this modified example, the rearward movement amount S2 is wider based on the expansion of the interval between the upper facing surface portion 35 and the lower facing surface portion 36.

[0091] Therefore, in this modification, the front movement amount S1 can be set shorter and the rear movement amount S2 can be set longer and shorter. If this modification is adopted, it can be well applied to a sliding device such as a step-in sliding device in an automobile seat, etc., which is required to ensure a large front movement amount.

[0092] (B) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the lower anti-slip portion 8 is formed by punching and raising the lower rail 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the lower anti-slip portion may be formed by using a member for other purposes not used for preventing the retainer from slipping off.

[0093] (C) In the above embodiment, the holder 6 is arranged in the lower gap 41 , but may be arranged in the upper gap 42 , or may be arranged in both the lower gap 41 and the upper gap 42 .

[0094] (D) In ​​the above embodiment, a sliding device 1 having one lower anti-slip portion 8 and one upper anti-slip portion 7b is cited as an example for explanation, but the present invention is not limited to this, as long as there is at least one lower anti-slip portion and at least one upper anti-slip portion. Therefore, in the case where the strength cannot be ensured by only using the anti-slip portion of the existing component, more than two lower anti-slip portions or more than two upper anti-slip portions may be provided. Even in this case, as long as more than two lower anti-slip portions are arranged within the range between a pair of lower facing surfaces of the retainer or more than two upper anti-slip portions are arranged within the range between a pair of upper facing surfaces of the retainer, the effect of the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0095] (E) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the movement of the upper guide rail 3 in the front-to-back direction X is limited by the abutment between the upper anti-slip portion 7b and the stoppers 9 and 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. The movement of the upper guide rail 3 in the front-to-back direction X may also be limited by the abutment between the upper guide rail 3 itself or components other than the upper anti-slip portion 7b and the stoppers 9 and 10.

[0096] (F) In the above embodiment, the slide device 1 is applied to an example of a slide device that moves along the front-rear direction of the seat S, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the present invention also includes a slide device in which the lower rail and the upper rail are configured to extend along the width direction of the seat and slide the seat along the width direction (left-right direction).

[0097] <Summary of Implementation Methods>

[0098] The embodiments are summarized as follows.

[0099] The sliding device of the present embodiment is a sliding device that supports a seat to slide freely, and includes: a lower guide rail, which is an elongated member and is fixed to a setting surface where the seat is set; an upper guide rail, which has a portion fixed to the seat and is guided to move freely in the front-rear direction based on the lower guide rail, and forms at least one gap extending in the long side direction together with the lower guide rail; a plurality of balls are arranged in the gap and clamped by the lower guide rail and the upper guide rail, and can roll with the movement of the upper guide rail; a retaining member is arranged in the gap and retains the plurality of balls at positions separated from each other in the long side direction; a lower anti-detachment portion is arranged on the lower guide rail and prevents the retaining member from detaching from the gap; and , an upper anti-slip portion is arranged on the upper guide rail to prevent the retaining member from escaping from the gap; wherein the retaining member includes: a first ball retaining portion, which retains at least one of the balls arranged in the gap in a rolling manner; a second ball retaining portion, which is arranged in the gap at a distance from the first ball retaining portion in the long side direction, and retains at least one of the balls in a rolling manner; a connecting portion, which connects the first ball retaining portion and the second ball retaining portion in a state of being spaced apart from each other; a pair of lower facing surface portions, which are arranged facing each other in the long side direction with the lower anti-slip portion therebetween; and a pair of upper facing surface portions, which are arranged facing each other in the long side direction with the upper anti-slip portion therebetween.

[0100] In this structure, the retaining member that connects the first ball retaining portion and the second ball retaining portion by the connecting portion further includes, as two types of facing surfaces that are spaced apart from each other and arranged facing each other in the long side direction, a pair of lower facing surfaces that are arranged facing each other in the long side direction with the lower anti-slip portion sandwiched therebetween, and a pair of upper facing surfaces that are arranged facing each other in the long side direction with the upper anti-slip portion sandwiched therebetween. In this structure, the lower anti-slip portion provided on the lower guide rail is arranged in the region between the pair of lower facing surfaces, and the upper anti-slip portion provided on the upper guide rail is arranged in the region between the pair of upper facing surfaces.

[0101] Therefore, the lower anti-slipping part and the upper anti-slipping part can be respectively in contact with the lower facing surface part and the upper facing surface part in a state of being arranged within the range of the long side direction of the retainer, so as to achieve the anti-slipping of the retainer. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the anti-slipping part of the retainer on the front and rear sides of the long side direction of the lower guide rail and the upper guide rail. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase of the processing parts and the number of parts for the anti-slipping of the retainer.

[0102] In addition, in the above structure, the lower anti-slipping part and the upper anti-slipping part are arranged within the range of the long side direction of the retainer, so the lower anti-slipping part and the upper anti-slipping part do not limit the interval between the first ball retaining part and the second ball retaining part of the retainer, that is, the interval between the balls. Therefore, by lengthening the interval between the lower facing surface part and the upper facing surface part of the retainer, the interval between the balls can be enlarged.

[0103] Moreover, in the above structure, the lower anti-slip portion and the upper anti-slip portion are arranged within the range of the long side direction of the retainer, so that the movement amount of the retainer can be increased by lengthening the interval between the lower facing surface portion and the upper facing surface portion of the retainer, and the relative movement amount of the upper guide rail relative to the retainer can also be increased. As a result, the movement amount of the upper guide rail can be greatly increased. Therefore, it is possible to take into account both the enlargement of the spacing between the balls and the increase in the movement amount of the upper guide rail.

[0104] The above-mentioned “separated by the lower anti-slipping portion” means a state where the lower anti-slipping portion is located between a pair of lower facing face portions in a manner that the pair of lower facing face portions are separated by a gap larger than the length of the long side direction of the lower anti-slipping portion, and does not mean that the pair of lower facing face portions clamp the lower anti-slipping portion. Similarly, the above-mentioned “separated by the upper anti-slipping portion” means a state where the upper anti-slipping portion is located between a pair of upper facing face portions in a manner that the pair of upper facing face portions are separated by a gap larger than the length of the long side direction of the upper anti-slipping portion, and does not mean that the pair of upper facing face portions clamp the upper anti-slipping portion.

[0105] In the above sliding device, it is preferable that the pair of lower facing surface parts are arranged to face each other on both sides of the longitudinal direction of the connecting part, and the pair of upper facing surface parts are arranged to face each other on both sides of the longitudinal direction of the connecting part.

[0106] According to this structure, the retainer can move within a range where the pair of lower facing surfaces do not abut against the lower anti-slipping portion, that is, within a range between the pair of lower facing surfaces. Moreover, the upper guide rail can move relatively to the retainer within a range where the upper anti-slipping portion does not abut against the pair of upper facing surfaces, that is, within a range between the pair of upper facing surfaces. As a result, the upper guide rail can significantly increase the amount of movement.

[0107] In the above-mentioned sliding device, it is more ideal that the sliding device also includes: a pair of stop members, which are arranged on the lower guide rail at a distance from each other in the long side direction, limiting the movement range of the upper guide rail in the long side direction; wherein the configuration of the pair of lower facing surfaces and the upper facing surfaces in the retaining member is set in the following manner: when the stop members limit the movement of the upper guide rail along the long side direction, the upper anti-slip portion is located at a position close to the upper facing surfaces, and the lower facing surfaces are located at a position where they do not abut against the lower anti-slip portion and a gap is generated.

[0108] According to this structure, when the stopper restricts the movement of the upper rail in the long-side direction, the upper anti-slip portion on the upper rail side is located close to the upper facing surface of the retainer, and the lower facing surface of the retainer does not abut against the lower anti-slip portion. Therefore, even if the upper rail slides rapidly, the two ends of the retainer in the long-side direction will not be subjected to a large tensile load due to being pulled in different directions by the upper anti-slip portion and the lower anti-slip portion, thereby reducing the deformation of the retainer.

[0109] In the above sliding device, preferably, a cross-sectional area of ​​a cross section of the connecting portion perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is set smaller than cross-sectional areas of the first ball retaining portion and the second ball retaining portion.

[0110] According to this structure, the size and weight of the holder can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0111] In addition, as described above, the pair of lower facing surfaces and the upper facing surfaces in the retaining member are configured in the following manner: when the stop member limits the movement of the upper guide rail along the long side direction, the upper anti-slip portion is located close to the upper facing surface portion, and the lower facing surface portion is located at a position where it does not abut against the lower anti-slip portion and a gap is generated. In this case, both the lower anti-slip portion and the upper anti-slip portion do not contact the retaining member at the same time, and a strong tensile load is not applied to the retaining member. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion can be further reduced, and the retaining member can be further miniaturized and lightweight.

[0112] In the above-mentioned sliding device, it is more ideal that a value obtained by subtracting twice the length of the lower anti-slip portion in the long side direction from the interval between the pair of lower facing surface portions of the retaining member, and a value obtained by subtracting twice the length of the long side direction from the interval between the pair of upper facing surface portions, are respectively set to lengths greater than the maximum movement amount of the upper guide rail.

[0113] In this structure, since the value of twice the length obtained by subtracting the length of the lower anti-slip portion in the long side direction from the interval between the pair of lower facing surface portions of the retaining member and the value of twice the length obtained by subtracting the length of the upper anti-slip portion in the long side direction from the interval between the pair of upper facing surface portions are respectively set to lengths greater than the maximum movement amount of the upper guide rail, the movement amount of the upper guide rail is not limited by the length of the connecting portion. As a result, the movement amount of the upper guide rail can be ensured to the maximum extent, and when the stop member limits the movement of the upper guide rail along the long side direction, the upper anti-slip portion is prevented from abutting against the pair of upper facing surface portions and the pair of lower facing surface portions are prevented from abutting against the lower anti-slip portion to produce a gap.

[0114] In the above-mentioned sliding device, it is preferable that the pair of lower facing surface portions are arranged at positions different from those of the pair of upper facing surface portions in the longitudinal direction.

[0115] Thus, even if the lengths of the upper and lower anti-slip portions in the longitudinal direction are different, by adjusting the interval between the facing surface portions, it is possible to achieve the same result as when they are arranged at the same front and rear positions.

[0116] In the above-mentioned sliding device, preferably, the upper anti-slip portion constitutes a part of a locking mechanism for fixing the upper rail at a desired position in the longitudinal direction.

[0117] According to this structure, a part of the locking mechanism for fixing the upper rail can be utilized to prevent the retainer from falling off, so there is no need to increase the number of parts of the sliding device and to add processing parts to prevent the retainer from falling off. In addition, since the number of parts of the sliding device is not increased, the cost and weight increase can be suppressed.

[0118] In the above-mentioned sliding device, it is preferable that the lower anti-slip portion is formed by providing a punched-out rising portion in a part of the lower rail.

[0119] According to this configuration, the retainer can be prevented from falling off by only providing the punched-out rising portion in a part of the lower rail, so the retainer can be prevented from falling off without increasing the number of parts of the sliding device.

[0120] According to the sliding device of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of processed parts and components, and to achieve both an increase in the pitch between the balls and an increase in the amount of movement of the upper rail.

Claims

1. A sliding device that supports a seat to slide freely, characterized in that include: The lower rail is an elongated member fixed to the setting surface where the seat is set; an upper rail having a portion fixed to the seat, being guided to be movable in the front-rear direction based on the lower rail, and forming at least one gap extending in the longitudinal direction together with the lower rail; A plurality of balls are arranged in the gap and clamped by the lower rail and the upper rail, and are capable of rolling as the upper rail moves; A retainer is arranged in the gap to retain the plurality of balls at positions separated from each other in the longitudinal direction; A lower anti-slip portion, disposed on the lower guide rail, to prevent the retaining member from escaping from the gap; as well as, The upper anti-slip portion is arranged on the upper guide rail to prevent the retaining member from escaping from the gap; wherein, The retaining member comprises: a first ball holding portion for holding at least one of the balls arranged in the gap in a rotatable manner; a second ball holding portion, arranged in the gap at a distance from the first ball holding portion in the longitudinal direction, and holding at least one of the balls in a rollable manner; A connecting portion connecting the first ball holding portion and the second ball holding portion in a state where they are spaced apart from each other; a pair of lower facing surface portions, arranged facing each other in the long side direction with the lower anti-slip portion interposed therebetween; and A pair of upper facing surface portions are arranged facing each other in the long side direction with the upper anti-slip portion interposed therebetween; wherein, The lower anti-slip portion is arranged in the area between the pair of lower facing surface portions. The upper anti-detachment portion is arranged in a region between the pair of upper facing surface portions.

2. The sliding device according to claim 1, characterized in that The pair of lower facing surface portions are arranged facing each other on both sides of the long side direction of the connecting portion, and The pair of upper facing surface portions are arranged to face each other on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion.

3. The sliding device according to claim 1, characterized in that Also includes: A pair of stoppers are provided on the lower rail at intervals from each other in the long side direction to limit the movement range of the upper rail in the long side direction; wherein, The configuration of the pair of lower facing surfaces and the upper facing surfaces in the retaining member is set in the following manner: when the stop member restricts the movement of the upper guide rail along the long side direction, the upper anti-slip portion is located close to the upper facing surfaces, and the lower facing surfaces are located at a position where they do not abut against the lower anti-slip portion and a gap is generated.

4. The sliding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A cross-sectional area of ​​the connection portion in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is set smaller than cross-sectional areas of the first ball holding portion and the second ball holding portion.

5. The sliding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A value obtained by subtracting twice the length of the long side length of the lower anti-slip portion from the interval between the pair of lower facing surface portions of the retaining member, and a value obtained by subtracting twice the length of the long side length of the upper anti-slip portion from the interval between the pair of upper facing surface portions are respectively set to lengths greater than the maximum movement amount of the upper guide rail.

6. The sliding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The pair of lower facing surface portions are arranged at positions different from those of the pair of upper facing surface portions in the longitudinal direction.

7. The sliding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The upper anti-slip portion constitutes a part of a locking mechanism for fixing the upper rail at a desired position in the longitudinal direction.

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