Four-direction adjusting foot support for automobile seat

Abstract

The utility model discloses a four-direction adjusting foot support for an automobile seat, and relates to the field of automobile seats, the four-direction adjusting foot support comprises a fixed base, a rotating support and a telescopic bracket, the fixed base is connected with an automobile seat support, and the rotating support is pivotally connected with the fixed base through a hinge shaft and is driven by a rotation driving mechanism to rotate; the telescopic bracket is connected and matched with the rotary support in a linear sliding mode through the composite guide mechanism and is driven by the telescopic driving mechanism to do linear telescopic motion. A composite guide mechanism is arranged between the rotating support and the telescopic bracket and used for restraining the movement track and reducing friction, and the protection structure covers the exterior of the moving part to achieve protection. Based on a simplified low-cost matching structure, through the synergistic effect of the composite guide mechanism and the graphite lubricating layer, the friction resistance of a kinematic pair is remarkably reduced, and low-noise and low-abrasion stable adjustment is achieved under the condition that high-frequency lubricating maintenance is not needed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle seats, particularly a four-way adjustable footrest for vehicle seats. Background Art

[0002] In the field of vehicle seat footrest adjustment technology, traditional multi-way adjustment mechanisms generally adopt a rail structure to achieve the functions of lifting and front-back movement of the footrest. Such structures usually consist of rails made of metal or engineering plastics and supporting roller and slider components, and achieve linkage adjustment through manual or electric drive. In the prior art, to achieve the stability of multi-dimensional adjustment, multiple sets of guide grooves are usually arranged inside the rails and high-precision bearings are equipped. Some high-end products also integrate a gear-rack auxiliary positioning system. Although such structures can meet the basic adjustment requirements, it is found in practical applications that they have defects such as high manufacturing costs, complex assembly processes, and obvious movement noises. In particular, the rail components need to be precisely machined to ensure the fit clearance, resulting in reduced material utilization rate and extended processing cycle.

[0003] Further analysis reveals that the deficiencies of the prior art mainly stem from the complexity of the mechanical structure and the design defects of the kinematic pairs. First, the multiple sets of precisely matched parts required by the rail system not only increase the mold development and production costs, but also impose strict requirements on the manual adjustment accuracy during the assembly process. Subtle dimensional deviations can lead to jamming or abnormal noises. Second, the noise generated by the sliding friction between the metal rail and the roller is particularly obvious in the enclosed vehicle cabin. Although conventional lubrication measures can improve it in the short term, the friction coefficient rebounds after the grease volatilizes, accelerating the wear of the parts. In addition, traditional footrest adjustment mechanisms generally lack edge protection designs, and the exposed areas between the moving parts and the seat frame are prone to accidental entrainment of the user's limbs or personal belongings, especially in the scenario of child passengers, where the potential safety risks are more prominent. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this application aims to at least overcome one deficiency existing in the prior art, and provides a four-way adjustable footrest for vehicle seats.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, this application discloses a four-way adjustable footrest for vehicle seats, including a fixed base, a rotating bracket, and a telescopic bracket. The fixed base is connected to the vehicle seat bracket. The rotating bracket is pivotally connected to the fixed base through a hinge shaft and is driven to rotate by a rotation drive mechanism. The telescopic bracket is linearly slidably connected and cooperated with the rotating bracket through a composite guiding mechanism and is driven to linearly expand and contract by a telescopic drive mechanism. A composite guiding mechanism is provided between the rotating bracket and the telescopic bracket to constrain the movement trajectory and reduce friction, and a protective structure covers the outside of the moving parts to achieve protection.

[0006] Furthermore, the rotary drive mechanism includes a motor and a worm gear transmission assembly. The worm gear is coaxially fixed with the hinge shaft, and the worm is driven by the motor and meshes with the worm gear to realize the rotation and lifting of the rotary support.

[0007] The telescopic drive mechanism includes a lead screw and nut assembly. The lead screw is driven to rotate by a motor, and the nut is fixed to the bottom of the telescopic bracket. The rotation of the lead screw drives the telescopic bracket to move linearly.

[0008] Furthermore, the composite guiding mechanism includes a primary guiding component and a secondary guiding component. The primary guiding component consists of a linear guide groove on the upper surface of the rotating bracket and a guide protrusion on the bottom of the telescopic bracket. The guide protrusion is embedded in the linear guide groove to form a sliding fit, and its contact surface is covered with a graphite layer to reduce frictional resistance. The secondary guiding component includes a T-shaped rod on the rotating bracket and a strip-shaped hollow guide position on the telescopic bracket. The T-shaped rod passes through the guide position and connects to a contact piece. The contact surface between the contact piece and the telescopic bracket is covered with a graphite layer, ensuring the linearity of the telescopic movement through double constraints.

[0009] Furthermore, the guide protrusion has a trapezoidal cross-section, which matches the inverted trapezoidal cross-section of the linear guide groove, and the two cooperate to form a self-locking sliding pair. The end of the crossbar of the T-shaped member is connected to the contact piece through an elastic element, and the elastic preload eliminates the movement gap during the extension and contraction process.

[0010] Furthermore, the protective structure includes a movable side panel and a silicone baffle on the side of the telescopic bracket, with the silicone baffle fixed to the edge of the movable side panel by a snap fastener.

[0011] Furthermore, the telescopic bracket is detachably equipped with a foot support plate.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, this application has at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0013] 1. This application, based on a simplified, low-cost mating structure, significantly reduces the frictional resistance of the moving pairs through the synergistic effect of the composite guiding mechanism and the graphite lubricating layer, achieving stable adjustment with low noise and low wear without the need for high-frequency lubrication maintenance. The self-locking sliding pair of the main guiding component and the elastic preload structure of the secondary guiding component form a dual constraint, effectively suppressing motion deviation. At the same time, the graphite layer continuously provides solid lubrication at the contact surface, overcoming the evaporation failure problem caused by the reliance on grease lubrication in traditional metal guide rails.

[0014] 2. The dynamic protective structure, through the combination of movable side guards and silicone baffles, protects moving parts. It not only prevents external objects from entering the transmission mechanism but also prevents users from accidentally touching moving parts, significantly improving the level of safety protection.

[0015] The beneficial effects listed above are not exhaustive of all advantages. Other potential beneficial effects and detailed technical implementation methods will be further disclosed in the embodiments or other descriptive sections of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0016] A better understanding of various aspects of this disclosure will be achieved by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The positions, dimensions, and extents of the structures shown in the drawings, etc., do not always represent actual positions, dimensions, and extents. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment disclosed in this application.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment disclosed in this application from another perspective.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a structure for removing the footrest plate according to an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a preliminary draft disclosed in this application after the footrest has been removed, viewed from another angle.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the telescopic bracket after removing the footrest plate and extending it, according to one embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a single telescopic bracket in one embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide further additional embodiments.

[0024] It should be understood that the same reference numerals denote the same elements in all the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the dimensions of certain features may be modified in the drawings.

[0025] It should be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. All terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail; however, where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and apparatus should be considered part of this specification.

[0026] Unless otherwise specified, the singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this specification include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “containing” used in this specification indicate the presence of the claimed feature but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features. The term “and / or” used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0027] See attached document Figures 1 to 6 This embodiment provides a four-way adjustable footrest for a car seat, which consists of a fixed base 1, a rotating bracket 2, and a telescopic bracket 3.

[0028] The fixed base 1 is used to connect with the car seat bracket (an external device, not shown in the figure) and serves to stabilize the foundation. The rotating bracket 2 is pivotally connected to the fixed base 1 via a hinge shaft and is driven to rotate by the rotating drive mechanism 4. The cooperation between the rotating bracket 2 and the telescopic bracket 3 is achieved through a composite guide mechanism, which aims to constrain the movement trajectory and reduce friction. The composite guide mechanism enables the linear sliding cooperation between the two. Under the above cooperation structure, the telescopic bracket 3 relies on the telescopic drive mechanism 5 to achieve linear telescopic movement.

[0029] More specifically, the aforementioned fixing base 1 is typically made of high-strength steel to ensure it can withstand certain loads and possesses good stability. Its surface is also treated with rust prevention to extend its service life. Its shape is generally designed to fit the car seat bracket; for example, it can be a plate-like structure with mounting holes. Fasteners such as bolts pass through these holes to firmly fix the fixing base to the car seat bracket, ensuring that the footrest device does not wobble or become unstable during vehicle operation. Of course, the specific bolt tightening methods, including torque control, are existing technologies well-known to those skilled in the art.

[0030] In real-world scenarios, such as during long-distance driving, when drivers need to rest their feet on footrests, the stability of the fixed base 1 becomes particularly important.

[0031] Specifically, the rotating bracket 2 is pivotally connected to the fixed base 1 via a hinge shaft. This hinge shaft is generally made of wear-resistant alloy material, which can ensure good performance during rotation and allow the rotating bracket 2 to rotate smoothly around the hinge shaft during installation.

[0032] It is important to understand that rotation is two of the four directions of movement of the footrest. As the driving unit to realize rotation, the rotation drive mechanism 4 mainly includes a motor and a worm gear transmission assembly. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the motor is a small DC motor suitable for automotive seat applications, which has the characteristics of stable operation and low noise. Its output shaft is connected to the worm, and the worm gear is fixed coaxially with the hinge shaft. The worm and the worm gear mesh with each other. When the motor starts, it drives the worm to rotate, which in turn drives the worm gear and the coaxial rotating bracket 2 to rotate, thereby realizing the rotation and lifting action of the rotating bracket 2, which allows the user to adjust the angle of the footrest according to their needs.

[0033] It should be understood that the circuit control principle of the motor and the basic transmission principle of the worm gear are all within the scope of existing technology, and those skilled in the art can make reasonable configurations and selections according to actual application needs.

[0034] In practical applications, different users have different leg lengths, and therefore different requirements for the extension length of the footrest. The telescopic bracket 2 in this embodiment, driven by a motor-driven lead screw and nut, enables precise extension and retraction adjustment. Users can extend or shorten the footrest to a suitable position according to their leg length, thus obtaining comfortable support.

[0035] In its specific structure, the telescopic bracket 3 is also made of robust materials, such as aluminum alloy, which ensures a certain level of strength while reducing the overall weight, thus contributing to fuel efficiency in automobiles. It connects to the rotating bracket 2 via a structural fit. The telescopic drive mechanism 5, which enables the telescopic bracket 2 to extend and retract, includes a lead screw and nut assembly. The lead screw is also made of high-strength steel, possessing excellent mechanical properties, and is driven to rotate by a motor—a small, compatible motor. The nut is fixed to the bottom of the telescopic bracket 2. When the lead screw rotates, based on the principle of screw transmission, it drives the telescopic bracket 2 to perform linear telescopic movement, thereby adjusting the length of the footrest to meet the different leg extension needs of various users. It should be understood that the specific transmission structure design of the motor-driven lead screw and the related calculations for screw transmission are standard techniques in mechanical design and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0036] More specifically, the telescopic bracket 3 is detachably equipped with a foot support plate 6.

[0037] In the specific structure, the composite guide mechanism between the rotating bracket 2 and the telescopic bracket 3 plays a crucial role in constraining and reducing friction for the normal operation of the entire footrest device. The composite guide mechanism includes a main guide component and a secondary guide component. The main guide component consists of a linear guide groove on the upper surface of the rotating bracket 2 and a guide protrusion 301 on the bottom of the telescopic bracket 3. The guide protrusion 301 has a trapezoidal cross-section, which matches the inverted trapezoidal cross-section of the linear guide groove. The two cooperate to form a self-locking sliding pair. This structural design not only ensures that the telescopic bracket moves linearly along a predetermined trajectory, but its contact surface is also covered with a graphite layer. The graphite layer has good self-lubricating properties, which can effectively reduce the frictional resistance between the two, reduce energy loss, and extend the service life of the components.

[0038] The secondary guide assembly includes a T-shaped rod 302 on the rotating bracket 2 and a strip-shaped hollow guide position 303 on the telescopic bracket 3. The crossbar end of the T-shaped rod 302 is connected to the contact piece 304 via an elastic element. The contact surface between the contact piece 304 and the telescopic bracket 3 is also covered with a graphite layer. Through double constraints, the linearity of the telescopic movement is further ensured. It should be understood that the secondary guide assembly mainly achieves linear sliding constraints while also achieving constraints on both in the direction of sliding. This prevents the telescopic bracket 3 from deviating or swaying during movement, ensuring user comfort and safety. Furthermore, the presence of the elastic element provides elastic preload during telescopic movement, thereby eliminating movement gaps and making the entire movement process smoother and more precise. In actual use, when the telescopic bracket 3 is telescopic, the composite guide mechanism can ensure the accuracy and stability of its movement. For example, if the telescopic bracket 3 sways or deviates during vehicle operation, it may cause discomfort to the user's feet or even affect driving safety. The composite guiding mechanism in this embodiment, through the dual constraints of the main and auxiliary guiding components, ensures that the telescopic bracket 3 maintains linear motion throughout its movement, without deviation or swaying, providing stable support for the user. Compared to footrests using only a single guiding structure, the composite guiding mechanism in this embodiment offers superior stability, simpler assembly, and lower cost.

[0039] Based on the above structure, to prevent users from being pinched during footrest adjustment, this embodiment incorporates side guard structures at the relative moving parts of the telescopic bracket 3 and the rotating support 2. Specifically, the side guard structures consist of movable side guards 305 installed on both sides of the telescopic bracket 3 to prevent the user's limbs from being caught in the gap. Silicone baffles 306, opposite to the movable side guards 305, are fixed to the two edges of the movable side guards 305 by snap-fit ​​fasteners, further enhancing the seal.

[0040] In practical use, the side guard structure effectively reduces the risk of pinching injuries when the user adjusts the position or angle of the footrest. For example, when the user places their foot on the footrest and adjusts the telescopic length, the side guard structure prevents the user's toes or ankles from being pinched between the telescopic bracket 3 and the rotating support 2. Simultaneously, the limiting device prevents the rotating support from excessive rotation, avoiding injury due to improper operation when adjusting the angle. Compared to traditional footrests, the protective structure of this embodiment has a significant advantage in preventing pinching. Traditional footrests typically lack effective anti-pinch designs, and users are easily injured when their limbs accidentally enter the gaps between moving parts during adjustment. This embodiment, through multiple protective measures, significantly improves the safety of the footrest, providing more reliable protection for the user.

[0041] Based on the above structure, the telescopic bracket 3 is equipped with

[0042] In summary, the four-way adjustable footrest for car seats in this embodiment, through its rational structural design, tight interlocking connections, and corresponding drive, guide, and protective measures, effectively meets the needs of car seat users for flexible adjustment of foot support position and angle. It also possesses good stability and durability, playing a crucial role in enhancing the comfort and user experience of car seats. In practical applications, compared to traditional footrest structures, this embodiment demonstrates significant advantages in terms of ease of adjustment, stability of movement, and safety, providing car seat users with a more comfortable, convenient, and safe user experience.

[0043] While exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, all changes and modifications are included within the scope of protection of this disclosure as defined by the claims. This disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and equivalents of those claims are also included.

Claims

1. A four-way adjustable footrest for a car seat, characterized by, The device comprises a fixed base, a rotating support and an extension bracket. The fixed base is connected with the automobile seat support. The rotating support is pivotally connected with the fixed base through a hinge shaft and is driven to rotate by a rotating drive mechanism. The extension bracket is linearly slidably connected with the rotating support through a composite guide mechanism and is driven to linearly extend and retract by an extension drive mechanism. The composite guide mechanism is arranged between the rotating support and the extension bracket to constrain the movement track and reduce friction. A protective structure covers the outside of the moving components to achieve protection.

2. A four-way adjustable footrest for a vehicle seat as defined in claim 1, characterized in that The rotating drive mechanism comprises a motor and a worm gear transmission assembly. The worm gear is coaxially fixed with the hinge shaft. The worm is driven by the motor and is engaged with the worm gear to realize the rotation and lifting of the rotating support.

3. The four-way adjustable footrest for an automobile seat as defined in claim 1, wherein The extension drive mechanism comprises a lead screw and a nut assembly. The lead screw is driven to rotate by the motor. The nut is fixed to the bottom of the extension bracket and is driven to linearly move by the rotation of the lead screw.

4. The four-way adjustable footrest for an automobile seat as defined in claim 1, wherein The composite guide mechanism comprises a main guide assembly and a secondary guide assembly. The main guide assembly is composed of a linear guide groove on the upper surface of the rotating support and a guide protruding block on the bottom of the extension bracket. The guide protruding block is embedded in the linear guide groove to form a sliding fit. The contact surface is covered with a graphite layer to reduce the friction resistance. The secondary guide assembly comprises a T-shaped rod on the rotating support and a strip-shaped hollow guide position on the extension bracket. The T-shaped rod passes through the guide position and is connected with a contact piece. The contact piece is covered with a graphite layer on the contact surface of the extension bracket.

5. The four-way adjustable footrest for an automotive seat as defined in claim 4, wherein, The guide protruding block has a trapezoidal cross section which matches the inverted trapezoidal cross section of the linear guide groove. The two form a self-locking sliding pair. The end of the horizontal rod of the T-shaped rod is connected with the contact piece through an elastic member. The elastic pre-tightening force eliminates the movement gap during the extension process.

6. The four-way adjustable footrest for an automobile seat as defined in claim 1, wherein The protective structure comprises a movable side stopper on the side of the extension bracket and a silica gel stopper. The silica gel stopper is fixed to the edge of the movable side stopper by a buckle.

7. The four-way adjustable footrest for an automobile seat as defined in claim 1, wherein A foot support plate is detachably mounted on the extension bracket.

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