Gap protection structure of a seat rail for vehicles

Abstract

Seat rail for vehicles, which includes the following parts: a lower rail (100) which is fixed to the floor of the vehicle body and in the interior of which a receiving space (100a) is formed; an upper rail (200) which is at least partially housed in the receiving space (100a) and slides along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail (100); a rolling bearing (300) rotatably coupled to the upper rail (200) and rolling along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail (100) in the receiving space (100a); and a gap prevention unit (400) which, when inserted between the lower rail (100) and the rolling bearing (300), limits rotation of the rolling bearing (300) by pressing on the rolling bearing (300), the gap prevention unit (400) comprising the following parts: an elastic moving part (410) which is elastically moved along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail (100) by the elastic force of a first spring (411) inserted on one side of the upper rail (200); and a fixing actuating part (420) which is arranged at least partially in the receiving space (100a) and presses on the rolling bearing (300) by means of the elastic restoring force of the elastic moving part (410), wherein the elastic moving part (410) comprises the following parts: a damper (412) connected to the first spring (411) and pressing the rolling bearing (300) into a state in which the first spring (411) is elastically restored; and a lever (413) rotatably coupled to a fixed pivot axis (414) pivotally connected to the upper rail (200) and rotatably coupled to a movable pivot axis (415) pivotally connected to the damper (412), wherein the fixing actuating part (420) comprises the following parts: a fixing guide (421) which rotates the lever (413) eccentrically around the fixed rotation axis (414) by pressing on one side of the lever (413); and a second spring (422) which applies an elastic restoring force in a direction in which the fixing guide (421) moves away from the lever (413).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat rail for vehicles.

[0002] In general, a vehicle seat is designed to maintain the driving posture of a vehicle occupant in an optimal condition, and the seat is designed to include the following parts: a backrest that supports the upper body of the vehicle occupant, and a seat cushion that supports the lower body, buttocks and thighs.

[0003] In addition, the seat of a vehicle is installed in such a way that it can be moved slid forward and backward along the vehicle body for a certain distance in order to efficiently utilize the body shape of a vehicle occupant and the interior space, and a seat rail performs this task.

[0004] At the same time, the seat rails consist of the following parts: a lower rail which is fixed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body with respect to the floor plate, which corresponds to the floor surface of the interior of the vehicle, and an upper rail which is fixed to the lower part of the seat cushion and which slides along the lower rail by means of a rolling bearing.

[0005] In this case, the upper rail is designed to lock in a fixed position after sliding a certain distance along the lower rail. For this purpose, a seat rail is provided with a locking device to fix the position of the upper rail relative to the lower rail.

[0006] Such seat rails with locking devices are described, for example, in JP H10-100 752 A and in US 2019 / 0 225 116 A1 or also in KR 10 1 643 889 B1.

[0007] But the conventional seat rails have a problem that seat wobble is caused due to an irregular gap between the lower rail and the upper rail in a state where a position of the upper rail is fixed by a locking device.

[0008] In order to solve this problem, on the one hand, it is necessary to eliminate the gap between the lower rail and the upper rail, and on the other hand, to eliminate the wobble of the seat rail due to the gap by inserting the upper and lower bearings fixed to the upper rail on the shaft between the lower rails. However, the conventional seat rail has a structure in which the operating force is varied for each sliding distance according to the manufacturing distribution, thus making the seat slide on the gap and the upper rail. Because it is difficult to ensure uniform quality in the manufacturing of seat rails for vehicles, and as a result, technology development is required to solve this problem.

[0009] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object is to eliminate irregular gaps between the upper rail and the lower rail to which the rolling bearing is connected by fixing a gap preventing unit in a state where it is sandwiched between the lower rail and the rolling bearing.

[0010] At the same time, one object is to selectively (targetedly) eliminate irregular gaps between the upper rail and the lower rail to which the rolling bearing is connected by, when the seat rail is locked, limiting the rotation of the rolling bearing by pressurizing the rolling bearing moving inside the lower rail, and wherein, when the seat rail is unlocked, the gap prevention unit is separated from the rolling bearing so that the rolling bearing can move freely.

[0011] The present invention is made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and may include the following parts: a lower rail fixed to the floor of the vehicle body and having an accommodation space formed therein; an upper rail at least partially accommodated in the accommodation space and rollingly moving along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail; a rolling bearing rotatably coupled to the upper rail and rollingly moving along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail in the accommodation space; and a gap preventing unit that restricts rotation of the rolling bearing by pressing the rolling bearing while being sandwiched between the lower rail and the rolling bearing.

[0012] The gap prevention unit may include the following parts: an elastic moving part that is elastically moved along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail by the elastic force of a first spring inserted on one side of the upper rail; and a fixing actuating part that is at least partially arranged in the receiving space and that presses the rolling bearing by means of the elastic restoring force of the elastic moving part.

[0013] The first spring can apply an elastic restoring force in a direction in which the elastic moving part approaches the rolling bearing.

[0014] The elastic movement part may comprise the following parts: a damper connected to the first spring and pressing on the rolling bearing while elastically restoring the first spring; and a lever rotatably coupled to a fixed pivot axis, which in turn is pivotally connected to the upper rail, and rotatably coupled to a movable pivot axis, which in turn is pivotally connected to the damper.

[0015] The fixed rotation axis and the movable rotation axis can be arranged side by side.

[0016] The upper rail may include a guide hole that guides elastic movement of the damper.

[0017] The fixing actuating part may comprise the following parts: a fixing guide that eccentrically rotates the lever about the fixed rotation axis by pressing on one side of the lever; and a second spring that applies an elastic restoring force in a direction in which the fixing guide moves away from the lever.

[0018] The lever may include the following parts: a pair of side surface parts on which the fixed rotation axis and the movable rotation axis are formed; and a connecting part arranged between the pair of side surface parts and at least a part of which is formed to be bent toward the fixing guide.

[0019] As described above, in the gap preventing unit of a seat rail for vehicles according to the present invention, there is an effect that the irregular gaps between the upper rail and the lower rail to which rolling bearings are connected can be eliminated by fixing a gap preventing unit in a state of being sandwiched between the lower rail and the rolling bearing.

[0020] In addition, there is an effect that irregular gaps between the upper rail and the lower rail to which rolling bearings are connected can be selectively (targeted) eliminated by, when the seat rail is locked, limiting rotation of the rolling bearing by pressing on the rolling bearing moving inside the lower rail, and when the seat rail is unlocked, separating the gap prevention unit from the rolling bearing so that the rolling bearing can move freely.

[0021] They show: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a gap preventing unit of a seat rail for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a gap protecting part in a gap preventing unit of a seat rail for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a front view illustrating a gap protection part in a gap prevention unit of a seat rail for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a lever in a gap preventing unit of a seat rail for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5a is a view illustrating a state in which a gap preventing member is interposed between a lower rail and a rolling bearing in a gap preventing unit of a seat rail for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5b is a view illustrating a state in which a gap preventing member is separated between a lower rail and a rolling bearing in a gap preventing unit of a seat rail for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Since the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and various embodiments, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. This is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, but should be construed to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0024] The terms used in this patent application are used only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, terms in the singular may also include terms in the plural.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries may be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the related art, and unless expressly defined in this application, they are not to be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense.

[0026] Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a gap preventing unit of a seat rail for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] With reference to Fig. 1, a gap preventing unit of a seat rail for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the following parts: a lower rail 100, an upper rail 200, a rolling bearing 300, and a gap protecting part 400.

[0029] The lower rail 100 may be attached to the underside or floor of a vehicle body and a receiving space 100a may be formed inside thereof.

[0030] The lower rail 100 may consist of a first frame 110, a second frame 120, and a third frame 130. A pair of the second frames 120 may extend from an end portion of the first frame 110, and a third frame may extend from an end portion of each second frame.

[0031] A receiving space 100a may be formed inside the lower rail 100 formed by the first frame 110, the second frame 120, and the third frame 130. At this time, the rolling bearing 300 can roll along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail 100 through the receiving space 100a.

[0032] The first frame 110 may be in contact with the rolling bearing 300. Specifically, an inner surface of the first frame 110 may come into contact with the bearing element 320 of the rolling bearing 300. At this time, the inner surface of the first frame 110 may be a surface facing the second frame 120. Accordingly, the rolling bearing 300 may roll along the longitudinal direction of the first frame 110 while being in contact with the inner surface of the first frame 110.

[0033] The second frame 120 may be arranged parallel to the first frame 110. An inner surface of the second frame 120 may be in contact with the damper 412. At this time, the inner surface of the second frame 120 may be a surface facing the first frame 110. The second frame 120 may be formed as a pair by vertically extending from one end portion and the other end portion of the third frame 130.

[0034] Specifically, the second frame 120 may include a through hole 120a and a second frame member 120b. At this time, when the first spring 411 and the second spring 422 are elastically restored, a part of a pressing member 4214 to be described later may be inserted and fixed into the through hole 120a formed on the second frame member 120b. At the same time, the damper 412 may restrict the rotation of a bearing member 320 by pressing the bearing member 320 while being sandwiched between the second frame member 120b and the bearing member 320.

[0035] The third frame 130 may be connected to the first frame 110 and the second frame 120. The third frames 130, each extending from an end portion of one side and an end portion of the other side of the first frame 110, may be arranged as a pair to face each other. The pair of third frames 130 may be formed to be vertically bent at both end portions of the first frame 110. The first frame 110 and the second frame 120 may be formed side by side with the third frame 130 sandwiched therebetween.

[0036] The upper rail 200 can slide along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail 100. At least a part of the upper rail 200 can be received in the receiving space 100a of the lower rail 100.

[0037] The upper rail 200 may include a first rail member 210 and a second rail member 220.

[0038] The second rail element 220 can be combined with the first rail element 210, and a hinge hole 230 and a guide hole 240 can be formed on the side surface of the first rail element 210 and on the side surface of the second rail element 220 corresponding to the first rail element 210. At the same time, the fixed rotation axis 414 of the lever 413 is pivotally mounted on the hinge hole 230, and the guide hole 240 can guide the elastic movement of the damper 412.

[0039] The rolling bearing 300 is rotatably coupled to the upper rail 200 and can move rollingly along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail 100.

[0040] The rolling bearing 300 may include the following parts: a shaft 310 coupled to the upper rail 200, and a bearing element 320 axially coupled to the shaft 310 to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft 310.

[0041] Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a gap protection part in a gap prevention unit of a seat rail for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a front view illustrating a gap protection part in a gap prevention unit of a seat rail for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] By arranging the gap protection part 400 in a state where it is sandwiched between the lower rail 100 and the rolling bearing 300, it can serve to eliminate irregular gaps between the upper rail and the lower rail to which the rolling bearing 300 is connected.

[0043] The gap protection part 400 can restrict the rotation of the rolling bearing 300 by pressing the rolling bearing 300 by being sandwiched between the lower rail 100 and the rolling bearing 300.

[0044] With reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the gap protection part 400 may include an elastic movement part 410 and a fixing actuating part 420.

[0045] An elastic moving part 410 that moves elastically along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail 100 may include a damper 412 and a lever 413.

[0046] The elastic moving part 410 can be elastically moved along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail 100 by the elastic force of the first spring 411 inserted into one side of the upper rail 200.

[0047] An end portion of one side of the first spring 411 can be inserted into the upper rail 200, and an end portion of the other side of the first spring 411 can be inserted into the elastic movement part 410. Specifically, an end portion of one side of the first spring 411 can be inserted into the upper rail 200, and an end portion of the other side of the first spring 411 can be inserted into the damper 412.

[0048] The first spring 411 can apply an elastic restoring force in a direction in which the elastic moving part 410 approaches the rolling bearing 300. Specifically, the first spring 411 can apply an elastic restoring force in a direction in which the damper 412 approaches the space between the rolling bearing 300 and the second frame 120.

[0049] The damper 412 connected to the first spring 411 can press the rolling bearing 300 into a state in which the first spring 411 is elastically restored.

[0050] The damper 412 may consist of a main body 4121 and a secondary body 4122.

[0051] A first spring 411 can be inserted on one side of the main body 4121. A lever 413 can be rotatably connected to the other side of the main body 4121.

[0052] The sub-body 4122 may be formed as a pair at both ends of the main body 4121 and pass through the guide hole 240. At the same time, the sub-body 4122 may be formed in a shape in which the central part is bent so that one side of the sub-body 4122 is guided on the upper rail 200 when the first spring 411 is elastically restored by a predetermined distance or more.

[0053] Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a lever in a gap preventing unit of a seat rail for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] With reference to Fig. 4, the lever 413 may include a side surface portion 4131 and a connecting portion 4132.

[0055] The lever 413 is rotatably coupled to a fixed pivot axis 414 pivotally mounted on the upper rail 200 and to a movable pivot axis 415 pivotally coupled to the damper 412. At the same time, the fixed pivot axis 414 and the movable pivot axis 415 may be provided on the side surface part 4131 and formed adjacent to each other.

[0056] When the first spring 411 elastically moves, the fixed rotation axis 414 can rotate in a state where it is combined with the hinge hole 230 of the upper rail 200. At the same time, the movable rotation axis 415 can be moved along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail 100 in conjunction with the elastic movement of the first spring 411.

[0057] The side surface parts 4131 consist of a pair arranged at both ends of the damper 412, in which a fixed rotation axis 414 and a movable rotation axis 415 may be formed.

[0058] The connecting part 4132 may be arranged between the pair of side surface parts 4131 and at least a part thereof may be formed to be bent toward the fixing operation part 420.

[0059] Specifically, at least a part of the connecting part 4132 may be formed to be bent toward the fixing guide 421. A protrusion 4132a may be formed at one end portion of the connecting part 4132 to be directed toward the fixing guide 421.

[0060] The upper rail 200 may include a guide hole 240 that guides elastic movement of the damper 412, and the damper 412 may move linearly along the guide hole 240 of the upper rail 200.

[0061] At least a part of the fixing actuating part 420 is arranged in the receiving space 100a and can guide an elastic movement of the elastic moving part 410.

[0062] By pressing one side of the lever 413, the fixing actuating part 420 may include the following parts: a fixing guide 421 that eccentrically rotates the lever 413 around the fixed rotation axis 414; and a second spring 422 that applies an elastic restoring force in a direction in which the fixing guide 421 moves away from the lever 413.

[0063] The fixing guide 421 may include a mounting bracket 4211, a support member 4212, a fixing pin 4213, and a pressing member 4214.

[0064] The mounting bracket 4211 may be mounted on the upper surface of the upper rail 200, and a plurality of mounting holes 4211a may be formed along the longitudinal direction, into which mounting pins 4213 can be inserted.

[0065] The second spring 422 may be provided along the outer peripheral surface of the fixing pin 4213. A stopper 4221 may be provided at an upper end of the second spring 422, and the stopper 4221 may be pushed upward by an elastic recovery force. When the second spring 422 is elastically recovered, the tension of the second spring 422 may be limited because the stopper 4221 comes into contact with the upper part of the mounting bracket 4211.

[0066] The support member 4212 can support the lower end of the second spring 422 when the second spring 422 is compressed. A through hole (not shown in the figures) through which the fixing pin 4213 can pass can be formed on one side of the support member 4212. The diameter of the through hole can be larger than the diameter of the fixing pin 4213 and smaller than the diameter of the second spring 422.

[0067] At a lower end of the support member 4212, a pressing member 4214 may be provided, which contacts the fixing pin 4213 when the fixing pin 4213 is moved downward. When the second spring 422 is elastically restored, the pressing member 4214 may rise upward and be inserted into the through hole 120a of the second frame 120. Specifically, the pressing member 4214 may be composed of a pressing plate (not shown in the figures) that comes into contact with the fixing pin 4213 and presses the protrusion member 4213a when the second spring 422 is compressed and the fixing pin 4213 moves downward, and a protrusion (not shown in the figures) that is inserted into the through hole 120a when the spring 422 is elastically restored and the pressing plate rises upward.

[0068] Fig. 5a is a view illustrating a locked state in a gap preventing unit of a seat rail for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5b is a view illustrating an unlocked state in a gap preventing unit of a seat rail for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] With reference to Fig. 5a, the projection element 4132a of the lever 413 can push the pressure element 4214 upward when the second spring 422 is elastically restored, so that the compressive force on the fixing pin 4213 is eliminated. That is, when the second spring 422 is elastically restored in the tensile direction and the first spring 411 is elastically restored in the compressive direction, the rotation of the rolling bearing 300 can be limited because the sub-body 4122 of the damper 412 is sandwiched between the second frame 120 and the rolling bearing 300. On the other hand, with reference to Fig. 5b, the lever 413 can be rotated by the pressing member 4214 pressing the protrusion member 4132a of the lever 413 downward, so that the second spring 422 is compressed while pressing the fixing pin 4213. That is, when the second spring 422 is compressed and the first spring 411 is tensioned, the sub-body 4122 of the damper 412 comes out of the space between the second frame 120 and the rolling bearing 300.

[0070] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 5b, when the first spring 411 is compressed while pressing the fixing pin 4213, the fixed pivot axis 414 can rotate counterclockwise while being combined with the hinge hole 230 of the upper rail 200. At the same time, in conjunction with the rotation of the fixed pivot axis 414, the movable pivot axis 415 can move in a direction in which the sub-body 4122 of the damper 412 protrudes between the second frame member 120b and the bearing member 320.

[0071] Furthermore, since the rotation of the rolling bearing 300 is not restricted in the unlocked state, the rolling bearing 300 can roll in the longitudinal direction of the lower rail 100 along the first frame 110.

[0072] Although the present invention will be described in detail by means of specific embodiments, this is to explain the present invention in detail, to which the present invention is not limited, and it is clear that a person of ordinary skill in the art can make modifications and improvements to the present invention within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0073] All simple modifications or changes of the present invention fall within the scope of the present invention, and the specific scope of the present invention is clarified by the appended claims. [List of reference symbols] 100 lower rail 100a Recording Room 110 first frame 120 second frame 120a through hole 120b second frame element 130 third frame 200 upper rail 210 first rail element 220 second rail element 230 hinge hole 240 guide hole 300 rolling bearings 310 Wave 320 bearing element 400 gap protection part 410 elastic moving part 411 first spring 412 damper 4121 Main body 4122 secondary bodies 413 levers 4131 Side panel part 4132 connecting part 4132a projection element 414 fixed rotation axis 415 movable axis of rotation 420 Fixing actuator 421 Fixing guide 4211 Mounting bracket 4211a mounting hole 4212 Support element 4213 fixing pin 4214 pressure element 422 second spring 4221 Stopper

Claims

[1] Seat rail for vehicles, which includes the following parts: a lower rail (100) which is fixed to the floor of the vehicle body and in the interior of which a receiving space (100a) is formed; an upper rail (200) which is at least partially housed in the receiving space (100a) and slides along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail (100); a rolling bearing (300) rotatably coupled to the upper rail (200) and rolling along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail (100) in the receiving space (100a); and a gap prevention unit (400) which, when inserted between the lower rail (100) and the rolling bearing (300), limits rotation of the rolling bearing (300) by pressing on the rolling bearing (300), the gap prevention unit (400) comprising the following parts: an elastic moving part (410) which is elastically moved along the longitudinal direction of the lower rail (100) by the elastic force of a first spring (411) inserted on one side of the upper rail (200); and a fixing actuating part (420) which is arranged at least partially in the receiving space (100a) and presses on the rolling bearing (300) by means of the elastic restoring force of the elastic moving part (410), wherein the elastic moving part (410) comprises the following parts: a damper (412) connected to the first spring (411) and pressing the rolling bearing (300) into a state in which the first spring (411) is elastically restored; and a lever (413) rotatably coupled to a fixed pivot axis (414) pivotally connected to the upper rail (200) and rotatably coupled to a movable pivot axis (415) pivotally connected to the damper (412), wherein the fixing actuating part (420) comprises the following parts: a fixing guide (421) which rotates the lever (413) eccentrically around the fixed rotation axis (414) by pressing on one side of the lever (413); and a second spring (422) which applies an elastic restoring force in a direction in which the fixing guide (421) moves away from the lever (413). [2] Seat rail for vehicles according to claim 1, characterized bythat the first spring (411) applies the elastic restoring force in a direction in which the elastic moving part (410) approaches the rolling bearing (300). [3] Seat rail for vehicles according to claim 1, characterized by that the fixed rotation axis (414) and the movable rotation axis (415) are formed next to each other. [4] Seat rail for vehicles according to claim 1, characterized by that the upper rail (200) comprises a guide hole (240) which guides an elastic movement of the damper (412). [5] Seat rail for vehicles according to claim 1, characterized by that the lever (413) comprises the following parts: a pair of side surface parts (4131) on which the fixed rotation axis (414) and the movable rotation axis (415) are formed; and a connecting part (4132) arranged between the pair of side surface parts (4131) and at least a part of which is formed to be bent toward the fixing guide (421).

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