slide rail

Abstract

To provide a slide lock device capable of smoothly operating.SOLUTION: A slide device has a rail 11 and a slider 12. The rail is provided with a plurality of locking holes 15 arranged side by side in an extending direction of the rail. A slide lock device has a casing 31 connected to the slider, at least one lock member 32 rotatably supported on the casing between a release position and a lock position, an energizing member 33 energizing the lock member to the lock position, and an operation member 34 displaceably supported on the casing and abutting on the lock member. The locking member has at least one protruding portion 32B that engages with the locking hole when the locking member is in the lock position and disengages from the locking hole when the locking member is in the unlocked position. The operation member presses the lock member when moving from an initial position to a post-operation position, and moves the lock member from the lock position to the release position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide lock device and a method for assembling a slide device. [Background technology]

[0002] A slide device that supports an automobile seat so that it can slide on a floor is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a slide lock device having a rail, a slider slidably supported on the rail, and a lock device that fixes the position of the slider relative to the rail. The slide lock device has a casing coupled to the slider, a pair of locking members supported on the casing so as to be displaceable between an unlocked position and a locked position, a biasing member that biases the locking members to the locked position, and an operating member supported on the casing so as to be displaceable and in contact with the locking members. The operating member is driven by a lever operated by a user, and moves the locking members from the locked position to the unlocked position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 125343 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the slide lock device of Patent Document 1, the operating member is supported by the casing so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction, and the locking member is supported so as to be displaceable in the horizontal direction. The vertical movement of the operating member is converted into the horizontal movement of the locking member by a cam. Therefore, the locking member may be pressed against the casing by receiving a vertical load, and the locking member may not be able to move smoothly in the horizontal direction.

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a slide lock device that can operate smoothly. Also, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for assembling a slide device that can operate smoothly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a slide lock device (30) for a slide device (1), the slide device having a rail (11) and a slider (12) slidably supported on the rail, the rail having a plurality of engagement holes (15) arranged in a line in the extending direction of the rail, the slide lock device having a casing (31) coupled to the slider, at least one lock member (32) supported on the casing so as to be rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position, and a locking member (32) for locking the slider (12) and the locking member (32) rotatably supported on the casing between an unlocked position and a locked position. The device includes a biasing member (33) that biases a member to the locked position, and an operating member (34) that is displaceably supported on the casing and abuts against the locking member, the locking member having at least one protrusion (32B) that engages with the engagement hole when the locking member is in the locked position and disengages from the engagement hole when the locking member is in the released position, and the operating member presses the locking member when moving from an initial position to a post-operation position, thereby moving the locking member from the locked position to the released position.

[0007] According to this aspect, since the locking member is rotatably supported by the casing, when the locking member is pressed by the operating member, the locking member can smoothly move from the locked position to the released position, thereby providing a slide lock device that can operate smoothly.

[0008] In the above aspect, the operating member may be supported by the casing so as to be rotatable between the initial position and the post-operation position.

[0009] According to this aspect, the operating member is rotatably supported by the casing, and therefore can be moved smoothly from the initial position to the post-operation position.

[0010] In the above aspect, the protrusion may extend spirally about the rotation axis of the locking member, and the casing may have a spiral groove (31C) that slidably receives the protrusion.

[0011] According to this aspect, the convex portion slides along the spiral groove, so that the locking member can smoothly rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0012] In the above aspect, the protrusion may protrude from the casing when the locking member is in the locked position, and the protrusion may be located within the casing when the locking member is in the released position.

[0013] According to this aspect, the gap between the casing and the rail can be reduced.

[0014] In the above aspect, the locking member has an arm portion (32C) protruding in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the locking member, and the operating member presses the arm portion in a first direction parallel to a tangential direction centered on the rotation axis of the locking member, and the arm portion and the operating member may not overlap in the first direction when the locking member reaches the release position.

[0015] According to this aspect, even if an excessive load is applied to the operating member, the load is not transmitted to the arm member, thereby preventing damage to the locking member.

[0016] In the above aspect, the pair of locking members may be arranged parallel to each other, and when each of the locking members is in the locked position, the pair of arm portions may extend in directions approaching each other, and the operating member may abut against each of the pair of arm portions.

[0017] According to this aspect, since a pair of locking members are provided, the locking members can be engaged with the rails with good stability.

[0018] In the above aspect, the slider has an upper wall and a pair of side walls extending downward from the upper wall, the casing is joined to a bottom surface of the upper wall and disposed between the pair of side walls, and an opening (12F) through which the convex portion can pass is formed in a portion of the pair of side walls facing the casing.

[0019] According to this aspect, the slide lock device can be disposed in the slider with good space efficiency.

[0020] In the above aspect, the operating member may pass through an operating hole (36) formed in the upper wall and protrude above the upper wall.

[0021] According to this aspect, the slide lock device can be disposed in the slider with good space efficiency.

[0022] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for assembling a slide device (1), the slide device having a rail (11), a slider (12) slidably supported on the rail, and a slide lock device (30) provided on the slider and engaging with the rail, the rail having a plurality of engagement holes (15) arranged side by side in the extending direction of the rail, the slide lock device having a casing (31) coupled to the slider, at least one lock member (32) supported on the casing so as to be rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position, and a biasing mechanism for biasing the lock member to the locked position. The slide lock device may include a biasing member (33) and an operating member (34) displaceably supported on the casing and in contact with the locking member, the locking member having at least one convex portion (32B) that engages with the engagement hole when the locking member is in the locked position and disengages from the engagement hole when the locking member is in the released position, and the method may include a step of attaching the locking member, the biasing member, and the operating member to the casing to assemble the slide lock device, a step of attaching the casing to the slider, and a step of attaching the slider to the rail.

[0023] According to this aspect, the slide lock device can be assembled to the inside of the slider with good work efficiency.

[0024] In the above aspect, the casing may include a plurality of casing members (31A, 31B), and the step of assembling the slide lock device may include a step of attaching the biasing member to the locking member, a step of supporting the locking member to which the biasing member is attached and the operating member on one of the plurality of casing members, and a step of connecting the plurality of casing members to each other.

[0025] According to this aspect, the slide lock device can be assembled with high work efficiency. Effect of the Invention

[0026] One aspect of the present invention is a slide lock device (30) for a slide device (1), the slide device having a rail (11) and a slider (12) slidably supported on the rail, the rail having a plurality of engagement holes (15) arranged side by side in the extending direction of the rail, the slide lock device having a casing (31) coupled to the slider, at least one locking member (32) rotatably supported on the casing between an unlocked position and a locked position, a biasing member (33) that biases the locking member to the locked position, and an operating member (34) displaceably supported on the casing and in contact with the locking member, the locking member having at least one protrusion (32B) that engages with the engagement hole when the locking member is in the locked position and that disengages from the engagement hole when the locking member is in the unlocked position, and the operating member presses the locking member when moving from an initial position to a post-operation position, moving the locking member from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0027] According to this aspect, since the locking member is rotatably supported by the casing, when the locking member is pressed by the operating member, the locking member can smoothly move from the locked position to the released position, thereby providing a slide lock device that can operate smoothly.

[0028] In the above aspect, the operating member may be supported by the casing so as to be rotatable between the initial position and the post-operation position.

[0029] According to this aspect, the operating member is rotatably supported by the casing, and therefore can be moved smoothly from the initial position to the post-operation position.

[0030] In the above aspect, the protrusion may extend spirally about the rotation axis of the locking member, and the casing may have a spiral groove (31C) that slidably receives the protrusion.

[0031] According to this aspect, the convex portion slides along the spiral groove, so that the locking member can smoothly rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0032] In the above aspect, the protrusion may protrude from the casing when the locking member is in the locked position, and the protrusion may be located within the casing when the locking member is in the released position.

[0033] According to this aspect, the gap between the casing and the rail can be reduced.

[0034] In the above aspect, the locking member has an arm portion (32C) protruding in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the locking member, and the operating member presses the arm portion in a first direction parallel to a tangential direction centered on the rotation axis of the locking member, and the arm portion and the operating member may not overlap in the first direction when the locking member reaches the release position.

[0035] According to this aspect, even if an excessive load is applied to the operating member, the load is not transmitted to the arm member, thereby preventing damage to the locking member.

[0036] In the above aspect, the pair of locking members may be arranged parallel to each other, and when each of the locking members is in the locked position, the pair of arm portions may extend in directions approaching each other, and the operating member may abut against each of the pair of arm portions.

[0037] According to this aspect, since a pair of locking members are provided, the locking members can be engaged with the rails with good stability.

[0038] In the above aspect, the slider has an upper wall and a pair of side walls extending downward from the upper wall, the casing is joined to a bottom surface of the upper wall and disposed between the pair of side walls, and an opening (12F) through which the convex portion can pass is formed in a portion of the pair of side walls facing the casing.

[0039] According to this aspect, the slide lock device can be disposed in the slider with good space efficiency.

[0040] In the above aspect, the operating member may pass through an operating hole (36) formed in the upper wall and protrude above the upper wall.

[0041] According to this aspect, the slide lock device can be disposed in the slider with good space efficiency.

[0042] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for assembling a slide device (1), the slide device having a rail (11), a slider (12) slidably supported on the rail, and a slide lock device (30) provided on the slider and engaging with the rail, the rail having a plurality of engagement holes (15) arranged side by side in the extending direction of the rail, the slide lock device having a casing (31) coupled to the slider, at least one lock member (32) supported on the casing so as to be rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position, and a biasing mechanism for biasing the lock member to the locked position. The slide lock device may include a biasing member (33) and an operating member (34) displaceably supported on the casing and in contact with the locking member, the locking member having at least one convex portion (32B) that engages with the engagement hole when the locking member is in the locked position and disengages from the engagement hole when the locking member is in the released position, and the method may include a step of attaching the locking member, the biasing member, and the operating member to the casing to assemble the slide lock device, a step of attaching the casing to the slider, and a step of attaching the slider to the rail.

[0043] According to this aspect, the slide lock device can be assembled to the inside of the slider with good work efficiency.

[0044] In the above aspect, the casing may include a plurality of casing members (31A, 31B), and the step of assembling the slide lock device may include a step of attaching the biasing member to the locking member, a step of supporting the locking member to which the biasing member is attached and the operating member on one of the plurality of casing members, and a step of connecting the plurality of casing members to each other.

[0045] According to this aspect, the slide lock device can be assembled with high work efficiency. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0046] [Figure 1]Diagram of vehicle seat configuration [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric slide rail according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 3] Cross-sectional view of an electric slide rail according to the first embodiment [Figure 4] Rail cross section [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slide lock device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a slide lock device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the inner surface (lower surface) of an upper casing member; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slide lock device with an upper casing member omitted; [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sliding device according to a first embodiment in a locked state; [Figure 10] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sliding device according to a first embodiment in a released state; [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a slide lock device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a slide lock device according to a second embodiment (with the upper casing omitted); [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a slide lock device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a locking member of the slide locking device according to the second embodiment; [Figure 15] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a slide lock device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] 11A and 11B are explanatory views of a slide lock device according to a third embodiment, as viewed from above, showing a locked state and an unlocked state, respectively. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to a third embodiment in a locked state, as viewed from the front. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to a third embodiment in an unlocked state, as viewed from the front. [Figure 19] 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams illustrating a slide lock device according to a fourth embodiment, as viewed from the front, showing (A) a locked state and (B) an unlocked state; [Figure 20]13A and 13B are explanatory views showing a slide lock device according to a fifth embodiment, as viewed from above, illustrating a locked state and an unlocked state, respectively. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to a sixth embodiment in an unlocked state, as viewed from the front. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to a seventh embodiment, viewed from above. [Diagram 23] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to an eighth embodiment in a locked state, as viewed from the front. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to a ninth embodiment in a locked state, as viewed from the front. [Diagram 25] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to a tenth embodiment in a locked state, viewed from the front. [Figure 26] FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a slide lock device according to an eleventh embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the slide lock device according to the eleventh embodiment, seen from below. [Figure 28] FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a slide lock device according to a twelfth embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to a twelfth embodiment in a locked state, as viewed from the front. [Diagram 30] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to a twelfth embodiment in an unlocked state, as viewed from the front. [Diagram 31] 13 is an exploded perspective view of a slide lock device according to a thirteenth embodiment. [Diagram 32] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to a thirteenth embodiment in a locked state, as viewed from the front. [Diagram 33] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to the thirteenth embodiment in an unlocked state, as viewed from the front. [Diagram 34] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to a fourteenth embodiment in a locked state, as viewed from the front. [Diagram 35] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to a fourteenth embodiment in an unlocked state, as viewed from the front. [Diagram 36] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a slide lock device according to a fifteenth embodiment. [Figure 37]FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a slide lock device according to a fifteenth embodiment, with a casing omitted; [Figure 38] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an operating member of the slide lock device according to the fifteenth embodiment; [Figure 39] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to a fifteenth embodiment in a locked state, viewed from the front. [Diagram 40] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a slide lock device according to a fifteenth embodiment in an unlocked state, as viewed from the front. [Diagram 41] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an electric slide rail according to a sixteenth embodiment; [Diagram 42] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a screw assembly according to a sixteenth embodiment; [Diagram 43] FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of a screw assembly according to a sixteenth embodiment; [Diagram 44] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a main part of a screw assembly according to a seventeenth embodiment; [Diagram 45] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a main part of a screw assembly according to a seventeenth embodiment; [Figure 46] FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a screw assembly according to the seventeenth embodiment. [Figure 47] An explanatory diagram showing the locking holes of the rail [Figure 48] An explanatory diagram of an example of a slider of an electric slide rail, seen from the left [Figure 49] An explanatory diagram of the slider of the electric slide rail seen from above [Figure 50] An explanatory diagram of an example of a slider of an electric slide rail, seen from the left [Figure 51] An explanatory diagram of an example of a slider of an electric slide rail, seen from the left [Figure 52] An explanatory diagram of an example of a slider of an electric slide rail, seen from the left [Diagram 53] An explanatory diagram of an example of a slider of an electric slide rail, viewed from above. [Figure 54] An explanatory diagram of an example of an electric slide rail seen from above [Figure 55] An explanatory diagram of an example of an electric slide rail seen from above [Figure 56]An explanatory diagram of an example of an electric slide rail seen from above [Figure 57] An explanatory diagram of an example of an electric slide rail seen from above [Figure 58] An explanatory diagram of an example of a vehicle seen from above [Figure 59] An explanatory diagram of an example of a vehicle seen from above [Figure 60] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a vehicle seat equipped with an electric slide rail, viewed from the left. [Figure 61] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a vehicle seat equipped with an electric slide rail, viewed from below. [Figure 62] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a vehicle seat equipped with an electric slide rail, viewed from the left. [Figure 63] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a vehicle seat equipped with an electric slide rail, viewed from the left. [Figure 64] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a vehicle seat equipped with an electric slide rail, viewed from the left. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The slide device has a rail and a slider that can slide relative to the rail. The rail is coupled to a first structure, and the slider is coupled to a second structure. The slider moves relative to the rail, causing the slide device to move the second structure relative to the first structure. The slide device is provided, for example, between a floor and a seat of a vehicle, and moves the seat relative to the floor. In addition, the electric slide rail is provided between a base and a work holder, and moves the work holder relative to the base.

[0048] (First embodiment) As shown in Fig. 1, the slide device 1 is provided between a floor 2 of a vehicle and a vehicle seat 3. The vehicle seat 3 has a seat cushion 5 that supports the buttocks of an occupant, and a seat back 6 that extends upward from the rear of the seat cushion 5 and supports the back of the occupant. The slide device 1 is provided between the floor 2 and the seat cushion 5, and supports the seat cushion 5 so that it can slide relative to the floor 2. A cover 7 is provided on the side of the seat cushion 5 to hide the gap between the seat cushion 5 and the floor 2.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 2, the slide device 1 has left and right rails 11 extending in the front-rear direction, and left and right sliders 12 slidably supported on the rails 11. The extension direction of the rails 11 is defined as the front-rear direction. The extension direction of the rails 11 may or may not match the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In other words, the extension direction of the rails 11 does not limit the mounting direction on the vehicle. In this embodiment, the extension direction of the rails 11 matches the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the sliders 12 are provided above the rails 11. Therefore, the rails 11 may be referred to as lower rails, and the sliders 12 may be referred to as upper rails.

[0050] 3 and 4, the rail 11 has a groove-shaped cross section. In detail, the rail 11 has a rail bottom wall 11A with faces facing up and down, left and right rail outer walls 11B extending upward from left and right edges of the rail bottom wall 11A with faces facing left and right, left and right rail upper walls 11C extending in directions approaching each other from upper ends of the left and right rail outer walls 11B with faces facing up and down, and left and right rail inner walls 11D extending downward from inner ends of the left and right rail upper walls 11C with faces facing left and right.

[0051] The rail bottom wall 11A, the left and right rail outer walls 11B, the left and right rail upper walls 11C, and the left and right rail inner walls 11D each extend in the front-rear direction. The left and right rail outer walls 11B and the left and right rail inner walls 11D extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the rail bottom wall 11A. The lower ends of the left and right rail inner walls 11D are spaced apart from the rail bottom wall 11A. The rail 11 has a rail opening 11E extending in the front-rear direction at its upper portion. The rail opening 11E is defined by the left and right rail inner walls 11D. The rail 11 may be formed by press-molding a metal plate. The left and right edge sides of the rail bottom wall 11A may have a step portion 11F that is raised upward. The left and right step portions 11F extend in the front-rear direction and have flat upper surfaces.

[0052] The left and right rail inner walls 11D are each formed with a protrusion 11G that protrudes toward each other and extends in the front-rear direction. The left and right protrusions 11G may be formed in an arc-like or trapezoidal cross section. Each protrusion 11G may be disposed in the middle of the corresponding rail inner wall 11D in the up-down direction. The upper and lower ends of the left and right rail inner walls 11D are disposed outwardly of the protrusions 11G to the left and right.

[0053] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the rail 11 has a number of locking holes 15 arranged in the extending direction of the rail 11, i.e., in the front-to-rear direction. The locking holes 15 are formed in the protrusions 11G of the corresponding rail inner side walls 11D. The locking holes 15 extend parallel to one another. The locking holes 15 extend vertically. It is preferable that the locking holes 15 are inclined forward or backward.

[0054] Left and right rail grooves 17 recessed downward are formed in the floor 2. The rails 11 are preferably disposed in the corresponding rail grooves 17.

[0055] 3, the slider 12 is disposed at the opening end of the rail opening 11E and has a plate-shaped slider upper wall 12A with its faces facing up and down, left and right slider inner walls 12B extending downward from the left and right side edges of the slider upper wall 12A toward the rail bottom wall 11A, left and right slider lower walls 12C extending outward to the left and right from the lower ends of the left and right slider inner walls 12B, respectively, and left and right slider outer walls 12D extending upward from the left and right outer ends of the left and right slider lower walls 12C. The slider upper wall 12A, the left and right slider inner walls 12B, the left and right slider lower walls 12C, and the left and right slider outer walls 12D extend forward and backward.

[0056] The slider 12 may be formed by fastening together a plurality of press-formed or roll-formed metal plates. In another embodiment, the slider 12 may be formed from a single press-formed or roll-formed metal plate. The front-rear length of the slider 12 is set to be shorter than the front-rear length of the rail 11. The slider 12 is connected to the seat cushion 5 at the slider upper wall 12A.

[0057] The slider upper wall 12A may be disposed above the left and right rail upper walls 11C, or may be disposed below the left and right rail upper walls 11C. The left and right slider inner walls 12B face each other with a distance between them. The left and right slider inner walls 12B are disposed between the left and right rail inner walls 11D. Each slider inner wall 12B faces the corresponding rail inner wall 11D on the left and right with a gap therebetween. Each slider lower wall 12C passes between the rail bottom wall 11A and the lower end of the corresponding rail inner wall 11D on the left and right and extends left and right. Each slider 12 outer wall is disposed between the corresponding rail outer wall 11B and rail inner wall 11D on the left and right. A plurality of wheels 18 are rotatably supported on the outer surface side of each slider outer wall 12D in the left and right direction. Each wheel 18 has a rotation axis that rotates in the left and right direction and is grounded on the rail bottom wall 11A. In this embodiment, each wheel 18 is in contact with the upper surface of step 11F of rail bottom wall 11A. By contacting rail 11 via wheels 18, slider 12 can smoothly slide along rail 11. With the above configuration, slider 12 is received in rail 11 and slidably engages with rail 11. In other embodiments, slider 12 may be supported by rail 11 via a ball or roller bearing.

[0058] The left and right slider inner side walls 12B are formed with recesses 12E that are recessed toward each other and extend in the front-rear direction. A protrusion is formed on the rear side of the recesses 12E of the slider inner side walls 12B. The cross sections of the left and right recesses 12E viewed from the front-rear direction may be formed in an arc shape or a trapezoid shape. Each recess 12E may be disposed in a middle part in the up-down direction of the corresponding slider inner side walls 12B. Each recess 12E is disposed in a position facing the protrusion 11G of the corresponding rail 11 on the left and right.

[0059] The slider 12 is formed into a groove shape that opens toward the rail bottom wall 11A, i.e., downward, by a slider upper wall 12A and left and right slider inner walls 12B. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a slide lock device 30 is supported on the lower surface of the slider upper wall 12A.

[0060] 5 to 10, the slide lock device 30 has a casing 31 coupled to the slider 12, at least one locking member 32 supported on the casing 31 so as to be rotatable between an unlocked position and a locked position, a biasing member 33 that biases the locking member 32 to the locked position, and an operating member 34 that is displaceably supported on the casing 31 and abuts against the locking member 32. In this embodiment, a pair of the locking member 32 and the biasing member 33 are provided on the left and right.

[0061] The casing 31 may be formed by combining a plurality of casing members 31A, 31B. In this embodiment, the casing 31 includes a lower casing member 31A and an upper casing member 31B that are joined to each other. The left and right locking members 32 are rotatably supported between the lower casing member 31A and the upper casing member 31B. The casing 31 is joined to the bottom surface of the slider upper wall 12A and disposed between the pair of slider inner side walls 12B. This allows the slide lock device 30 to be disposed in the slider 12 with good space efficiency. A slider opening 12F is formed in the portion of the pair of slider inner side walls 12B that faces the casing 31.

[0062] The pair of locking members 32 are arranged parallel to each other. Each locking member 32 has a shaft portion 32A extending in the front-rear direction. That is, the rotation axis of each locking member 32 extends in the front-rear direction. The front and rear ends of the shaft portion 32A are rotatably supported by the casing 31. Each locking member 32 has at least one protrusion 32B protruding radially from the shaft portion 32A. In this embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 32B protrude from the shaft portion 32A to one side in the radial direction.

[0063] 6 and 7, the multiple protrusions 32B may extend in a spiral shape centered on the rotation axis of the locking member 32. The multiple protrusions 32B are formed discontinuously from one another. The multiple protrusions 32B are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. The casing 31 may have a spiral groove 31C that slidably receives the multiple protrusions 32B.

[0064] 6 and 8, each locking member 32 has an arm portion 32C that protrudes from the shaft portion 32A in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the locking member 32. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the arm portion 32C extends from the shaft portion 32A in a direction opposite to the protrusion portion 32B.

[0065] A casing opening 31D is formed on each of the left and right side portions of the casing 31. The locking member 32 rotates between a locked position where the multiple protrusions 32B pass through the casing opening 31D and protrude outward from the casing 31, and an unlocked position where the multiple protrusions 32B are located within the casing 31. When the locking member 32 is in the unlocked position, the multiple protrusions 32B are located above the shaft portion 32A. When each of the locking members 32 is in the locked position, the pair of arm portions 32C extend in directions approaching each other, i.e., in the horizontal direction from the shaft portion 32A toward the center of the casing 31. The locked position of the locking member 32 is preferably determined by at least one of the multiple protrusions 32B abutting against the casing 31.

[0066] Each of the biasing members 33 is provided between the casing 31 and the corresponding locking member 32, and biases the locking member 32 toward the locked position. The biasing member 33 may be, for example, a torsion coil spring. The biasing member 33 may be supported by the shaft portion 32A of the locking member 32.

[0067] The operating member 34 has a main body 34A having a sector shape with its surface facing left and right, and a pressing portion 34B provided at the lower end of the main body 34A. The operating member 34 is disposed at the center of the casing 31 in the left-right direction. A support shaft 34C protruding in the left-right direction is provided at the rear end of the main body 34A. The support shaft 34C is disposed at the center of the main body 34A formed in a sector shape when viewed from the left-right direction. The support shaft 34C is rotatably supported by the casing 31, so that the operating member 34 is supported by the casing 31 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending left and right. The upper end of the main body 34A passes through an insertion hole 35 formed in the upper casing member 31B and protrudes above the casing 31. The slider upper wall 12A of the slider 12 is formed with an operating hole 36 penetrating vertically. The upper end of the main body 34A of the operating member 34 passes through the operating hole 36 and protrudes above the slider 12. The pressing portion 34B is disposed inside the casing 31. The left-right width of the pressing portion 34B is formed to be larger than the left-right width of the operating portion. When the locking member 32 is in the locked position, the operating member 34 is in the initial position. At this time, the pressing portion 34B is disposed above the left and right arm portions 32C and abuts against the arm portions 32C. The operating member 34 may be biased to the initial position by a biasing member 37.

[0068] An operating lever 41 is rotatably provided on the left and right sliders 12. The operating lever 41 has a lever center portion 41A extending in the left-right direction below the front portion of the seat cushion 5, and left and right lever side portions 41B extending rearward from the left and right ends of the lever center portion 41A. The middle portions in the front-rear direction of the left and right lever side portions 41B are supported on the corresponding sliders 12 so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 41C extending in the left-right direction. The rear ends of the left and right lever side portions 41B abut against the upper end of the operating portion from above. The rear ends of the left and right lever side portions 41B are preferably urged upward by an urging member 33 (not shown).

[0069] 9, when the operating member 34 is in the initial position, the left and right locking members 32 are in the locked position. When the left and right locking members 32 are in the locked position, the multiple protrusions 32B pass through the casing opening 31D and the slider opening 12F and enter the corresponding locking holes 15 of the rail 11 and are locked in the locking holes 15. This restricts the movement of the slider 12 relative to the rail 11.

[0070] When the user pulls the lever center portion 41A of the operating lever 41 upward, the rear ends of the left and right lever side portions 41B push the upper end of the main body portion 34A downward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the operating member 34 rotates and moves downward, moving from the initial position to the post-operation position. At this time, the pressing portion 34B of the operating member 34 presses the locking member 32, moving the locking member 32 from the locked position to the unlocked position. Specifically, the pressing portion 34B of the operating member 34 presses the left and right arm portions 32C downward, causing the left and right locking members 32 to rotate from the locked position to the unlocked position. As a result, the multiple protrusions 32B are released from the locking holes 15 of the rail 11 and move into the casing 31. As a result, the slider 12 becomes movable relative to the rail 11.

[0071] The operating member 34 presses the arm portion 32C in a first direction parallel to a tangential direction centered on the rotation axis of the locking member 32, and when the locking member 32 reaches the release position, the arm portion 32C and the operating member 34 do not overlap in the first direction. In this embodiment, the first direction is the vertical direction. According to this aspect, even if an excessive load is applied to the operating member 34, the load is not transmitted to the arm portion 32C. Therefore, damage to the locking member 32 is prevented.

[0072] When the locking member 32 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, at least one of the protrusions 32B slides along the spiral groove 31C, thereby allowing the locking member 32 to rotate smoothly from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0073] In the slide lock device 30, the lock member 32 is rotatably supported by the casing 31, so that when the lock member 32 is pressed by the operating member 34, the lock member 32 can move smoothly from the locked position to the unlocked position. This makes it possible to provide a slide lock device 30 that can operate smoothly.

[0074] When the locking member 32 is in the locked position, the multiple protrusions 32B protrude from the casing 31, and when the locking member 32 is in the unlocked position, the multiple protrusions 32B are located within the casing 31, thereby making it possible to reduce the gap between the casing 31 and the rail 11.

[0075] The pair of locking members 32 are arranged parallel to each other, and the operating member 34 abuts against each of the pair of arm portions 32C, so that the locking members 32 can engage with the rail 11 with good stability.

[0076] The method of assembling the slide device 1 includes the steps of assembling the slide lock device 30 by attaching the lock member 32, the biasing member 33, and the operating member 34 to the casing 31, attaching the casing 31 to the slider 12, and attaching the slider 12 to the rail 11. According to this embodiment, the slide lock device 30 can be assembled to the inside of the slider 12 with good work efficiency. The steps of assembling the slide lock device 30 include the steps of attaching the biasing member 33 to the lock member 32, supporting the lock member 32 to which the biasing member 33 is attached and the operating member 34 on one of the multiple casing 31 members, and connecting the multiple casing 31 members to each other. The multiple casing 31 parts include a lower casing member 31A and an upper casing member 31B.

[0077] Second embodiment 11 to 15 show a slide lock device 100 according to a second embodiment. The slide lock device 100 according to the second embodiment is different from the slide lock device 30 according to the first embodiment in the configurations of a casing 31, a locking member 32, an operating member 34, a biasing member 33, etc. The configurations of the rail 11 and the slider 12 on which the slide lock device 100 is provided are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted.

[0078] The slide lock device 100 has a casing 101 connected to the slider 12, left and right locking members 102 supported on the casing 101 so as to be slidable between an unlocked position and a locked position, a pair of front and rear biasing members 103 that bias the locking members 102 to the locked position, and an operating member 104 supported on the casing 101 so as to be displaceable and in contact with the locking members 102.

[0079] The casing 101 has a lower casing member 106, an upper casing member 107, and a pair of front and rear guide members 108. The lower casing member 106 and the upper casing member 107 are joined to each other to form the outer shell of the hollow casing 101. Casing openings 109 are formed on the left and right sides of the casing 101, respectively.

[0080] The pair of guide members 108 are sandwiched between the lower casing member 106 and the upper casing member 107. A pair of left and right guide holes 108A are formed in each guide member 108. Each guide hole 108A penetrates the guide member 108 from front to rear and extends left to right.

[0081] A pair of left and right locking members 102 are arranged parallel to each other. Each locking member 102 has a main body portion 102A extending in the front-rear direction. A guide shaft 102B is provided at the front and rear ends of the main body portion 102A. Each guide shaft 102B is engaged with a guide hole 108A formed in the front and rear guide members 108. The front and rear guide members 108 support the left and right locking members 102 on the casing 101 so as to be slidable in the left and right direction. In addition, a guide protrusion 102C protruding downward is provided at the lower part of each main body portion 102A. A guide groove 106A extending left and right is formed on the upper surface of the lower casing member 106. The left and right guide protrusions 102C are engaged with the guide groove 106A.

[0082] Each locking member 102 has a plurality of protrusions 102D protruding outwardly to the left and right from the main body 102A. A pair of front and rear receiving holes 102E are formed on the inner surface of each main body 102A. Each biasing member 103 is a compression coil spring extending to the left and right. The left and right ends of the front biasing member 103 are received in the left and right receiving holes 102E located on the front side. The left and right ends of the rear biasing member 103 are received in the left and right receiving holes 102E located on the rear side. The biasing members 103 bias the locking members 102 in directions away from each other.

[0083] The locking member 102 slides between a locked position where the multiple protrusions 102D pass through the casing opening 31D and protrude outward from the casing 101, and an unlocked position where the multiple protrusions 102D are positioned within the casing 101. The locked and unlocked positions of each locking member 102 are determined by a guide member 108. When the locking member 102 is in the locked position, the slide locking device 100 is in a locked state, and when the locking member 102 is in the unlocked position, the slide locking device 100 is in a unlocked state. Each locking member 102 is urged to the locked position by a urging member 103.

[0084] The operating member 104 has an operating shaft 104A extending vertically, a connecting shaft 104B extending front-rear from the lower part of the operating shaft 104A, and a pair of front and rear cam members 104C coupled to the front and rear ends of the connecting shaft 104B. The upper end of the operating shaft 104A passes through an operating hole 107A formed in the upper part of the upper casing member 107 and protrudes above the casing 101. The operating member 104 is supported by the casing 101 so as to be slidable up and down. The front and rear cam members 104C are disposed between the front and rear biasing members 103.

[0085] Each cam member 104C has a central portion 104D connected to the connecting shaft 104B, left and right cam arm portions 104E extending downward and outward from the upper end of the central portion 104D, and a stopper portion 104F extending outward and outward from the lower end of the central portion 104D. A cam surface 104G facing inward and downward is provided at the tip of each cam arm portion 104E. A pair of front and rear cam surfaces 102F facing upward and outward are provided at the upper portion of the main body portion 102A of the left and right locking members 102. The pair of front and rear cam surfaces 104G face the corresponding cam surfaces 102F.

[0086] The operating member 104 is movable between an initial position and a post-operation position that is located below the initial position. A biasing member (not shown) is provided between the lower end of the operating shaft 104A and the casing 101. The biasing member biases the operating member 104 to the initial position.

[0087] When the operating member 104 is in the initial position, the cam surface 104G is separated upward from the cam surface 102F. At this time, each stopper portion 104F of the operating member 104 presses the inner surface of the main body portion 102A of the corresponding locking member 102 outward to the left and right, and each locking member 102 is maintained in the locked position. The left and right side portions of each stopper portion 104F are preferably inclined upward and inward to the left and right. When the left and right locking members 102 are in the locked position, the multiple protrusions 102D pass through the casing opening 109 and the slider opening 12F and enter the corresponding locking holes 15 of the rail 11, and are locked in the locking holes 15. This restricts the movement of the slider 12 relative to the rail 11.

[0088] The upper end of the operating shaft 104A abuts against the rear end of the lever side portion 41B of the operating lever 41. When the user pulls the lever center portion 41A of the operating lever 41 upward, the rear ends of the left and right lever side portions 41B push the upper end of the operating shaft 104A downward. This causes the operating member 104 to slide downward and move from the initial position to the post-operation position. At this time, each stopper portion 104F of the operating member 104 separates from each main body portion 102A, allowing the locking member 102 to move from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0089] When the operating member 104 moves further downward toward the post-operation position, each cam surface 104G presses the corresponding cam surface 102F downward and inward to the left and right. This causes the left and right locking members 102 to move from the locking position to the release position. This causes the multiple protrusions 102D to disengage from the locking holes 15 of the rail 11 and move into the casing 101. This allows the slider 12 to move relative to the rail 11.

[0090] The angle of each cam surface 104G and each cam surface 102F with respect to the horizontal plane (a plane perpendicular to the axis of the operating shaft 104A) is preferably 16 degrees or more and 27 degrees or less, more preferably 20 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less. This allows the stroke of the operating member 104 to be increased. This allows the stroke of each locking member 102 to be increased, and the length of insertion of each protrusion 102D into the locking hole 15 to be increased. Also, when the locking member 102 is in the release position, the distance between each protrusion 102D and the locking hole 15 can be increased.

[0091] Third embodiment 16 to 18, a slide lock device 130 according to the third embodiment is different from the slide lock device 100 according to the second embodiment in the configurations of a lock member 102 and an operation member 104. In the slide lock device 130, the same configurations as those of the slide lock device 100 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0092] In the slide lock device 130, left and right lock members 131 are supported by the casing 101 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. Also, an operating member 132 is supported by the casing 101 so as to be slidable in the up-down direction.

[0093] Each locking member 131 has a main body 131A extending forward and backward, and a connecting portion 131B extending in the left-right direction from the front end or rear end of the main body 131A toward the center of the casing 101. A plurality of protrusions 131C are provided on the side surface of the main body 131A. The configurations of the main body 131A and the protrusions 131C may be similar to the configurations of the main body 102A and the protrusions 102D.

[0094] In one locking member 131, the connecting portion 131B may be provided at the front end of the main body portion 131A, and in the other locking member 131, the connecting portion 131B may be provided at the rear end of the main body portion 131A. A cam groove 131D is formed in each connecting portion 131B. As shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the cam groove 131D extends upward from the main body portion 131A side toward the protruding end of the connecting portion 131B. In this embodiment, the cam groove 131D extends linearly. The cam groove 131D penetrates the connecting portion 131B from front to rear.

[0095] The left and right locking members 131 are movable between a locked position where the multiple protrusions 131C protrude outwardly to the left and right from the casing 101 and a released position where the multiple protrusions 131C are retracted into the casing 101.

[0096] The operating member 132 has an operating shaft 132A extending vertically, and a connecting shaft 132B extending forward and backward from the lower end of the operating shaft 132A. The upper end of the operating shaft 132A protrudes upward from the casing 101. The connecting shaft 132B is disposed within the casing 101. The operating member 132 is supported by the casing 101 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

[0097] The front end of the connecting shaft 132B engages with one of the cam grooves 131D of the left and right locking members 131. The rear-front end of the connecting shaft 132B engages with the other cam groove 131D of the left and right locking members 131. When the left and right locking members 131 are in the locked position, the operating member 132 is in the initial position.

[0098] The slide lock device 130 has a biasing member 134 that biases the left and right locking members 131 toward the locked position. The biasing member 134 may be, for example, a compression coil spring. The biasing member 134 may be provided, for example, between the left and right main body portions 131A. The biasing member 134 may bias the left and right locking members 131 toward the locked position via the operating member 132.

[0099] A state in which the left and right locking members 131 are in the locked position is referred to as a locked state of the slide lock device 130. A state in which the left and right locking members 131 are in the unlocked position is referred to as an unlocked state of the slide lock device 130. When the slide lock device 130 is in the locked state, the left and right protrusions 131C protrude outwardly to the left and right of the casing 101 and are locked into the locking holes 15 of the rail 11. This restricts the movement of the slider 12 relative to the rail 11. When the slide lock device 130 is in the unlocked state, the left and right protrusions 131C retract into the casing 101 and move away from the locking holes 15 of the rail 11. This allows the slider 12 to move relative to the rail 11.

[0100] When a user operates the operating lever 41, the rear end of the lever side portion 41B of the operating lever 41 pushes the upper end of the operating shaft 132A downward, and the operating member 132 moves downward. As a result, the front and rear ends of the connecting shaft 132B push the corresponding cam grooves 131D downward, and the left and right locking members 131 move to the release position.

[0101] The slide lock device 130 according to the third embodiment can omit the guide member 108 and the cam member 104C, and therefore can reduce the number of parts, compared to the slide lock device 100 according to the second embodiment. Furthermore, the slide lock device 130 according to the third embodiment can increase the stroke of the lock member 131, similar to the slide lock device 100 according to the second embodiment.

[0102] (Fourth embodiment) As shown in Fig. 19, the slide lock device 150 according to the fourth embodiment is different from the slide lock device 130 according to the third embodiment in the shape of the cam groove 131D. The cam groove 131D extends in an arc shape from the main body portion 131A side toward the protruding end of the connection portion 131B. The cam groove 131D is formed in an arc shape that is convex toward the front and outward to the left and right. As a result, the operating member 132 requires a relatively large operating force when it starts to move from the initial state toward the post-operation position, and the required operating force becomes smaller as it approaches the post-operation position.

[0103] Fifth embodiment 20, the slide lock device 160 according to the fifth embodiment is different from the slide lock device 130 according to the third embodiment in the connection portion 131B of the lock member 131 and the operation member 132. Cam grooves 131D penetrating vertically are formed in the front and rear connection portions 131B. When viewed from above, each cam groove 131D extends rearward from the main body portion 131A side toward the protruding end of the connection portion 131B.

[0104] The operating member 161 has an operating shaft 161A that is provided on the casing 101 so as to be vertically movable, a transmission member 162 that extends in the front-rear direction and is provided on the casing 101 so as to be vertically movable, and pins 163 provided on the front and rear ends of the transmission member 162. Each pin 163 protrudes into a corresponding cam groove 131D.

[0105] The transmission member 162 is provided with a cam surface 162A that comes into sliding contact with the lower end of the operating shaft 161A. The cam surface 162A is preferably inclined downward toward the rear. When the operating shaft 161A moves downward, the lower end of the operating shaft 161A presses the cam surface 162A, and the transmission member 162 moves forward. At this time, each pin 163 presses the corresponding cam groove 131D, and the lock member 131 moves from the locked position to the released position.

[0106] Sixth embodiment As shown in FIG. 21, the slide lock device 170 according to the sixth embodiment is different from the slide lock device 130 according to the third embodiment in that the lock member 131 and the operation member 132 are different. Each lock member 131 has a first rack 171 extending in the left-right direction. The operation member 132 has an operation shaft 132A extending in the up-down direction, left and right second racks 172 provided on the left and right side surfaces of the operation shaft 132A and extending up and down, and left and right pinions 173 rotatably supported by the casing 101. The left pinion 173 is screwed into the left first rack 171 and the left second rack 172. The right pinion 173 is screwed into the right first rack 171 and the right second rack 172.

[0107] When the operating shaft 132A is in the initial position, the left and right locking members 131 are in the locked position. When the operating shaft 132A moves from the initial position to the post-operation position, the left and right pinions 173 that mesh with the left and right second racks 172 rotate. As a result, the left and right locking members 131 having the first racks 171 that mesh with the pinions 173 move from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0108] Seventh embodiment As shown in FIG. 22, the slide lock device 180 according to the seventh embodiment is different from the slide lock device 130 according to the third embodiment in the lock member 131 and the operation member 132. The operation member 181 has an operation shaft 182 and a screw shaft 183. The operation shaft 182 extends vertically and is supported by the casing 101 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. The upper end of the operation shaft 182 protrudes upward from the casing 101. A rack 182A extending vertically is provided at the lower part of the operation shaft 182. The screw shaft 183 extends horizontally and has male screws 183A formed at its left and right ends. The left and right male screws 183A have mutually different rotation directions (screw forward directions). Female screw holes 184 extending in the horizontal direction are formed on the mutually facing surfaces of the main body parts 131A of the left and right lock members 131, respectively. The left and right male threads 183A of the screw shaft 183 are screwed into corresponding left and right female thread holes 184. A pinion 183B that meshes with the rack 182A is provided in the center of the screw shaft 183.

[0109] The upper end of the operating shaft 182 abuts against the rear end of the lever side portion 41B of the operating lever 41. When the user operates the operating lever 41, the operating shaft 182 is pushed downward by the operating lever 41, and the operating shaft 182 moves downward. This rotates the pinion 183B meshing with the rack 182A, and the screw shaft 183 rotates. As a result, the left and right male screws 183A screw into the corresponding female screw holes 184, and the left and right locking members 131 move in directions approaching each other. In other words, the left and right locking members 131 move from the locked position to the unlocked position. When the user stops operating the operating lever 41, the left and right locking members 131 move from the unlocked position to the locked position by the biasing force of the biasing member 134, and the operating shaft 182 moves to the initial position.

[0110] Eighth embodiment As shown in FIG. 23, the slide lock device 190 according to the eighth embodiment is different from the slide lock device 130 according to the third embodiment in the lock member 131 and the operation member 132. The left and right lock members 131 are rotatably supported by a support shaft 191 supported by the casing 101, and are displaceable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The support shaft 191 is provided on the upper part of the casing 101 and extends in the front-rear direction. In the left and right lock members 131, the connection parts 131B extend upward and inwardly to the left and right from the upper part of the main body part 131A. The left and right connection parts 131B have a width in the front-rear direction. The upper ends of the connection parts 131B are rotatably supported by the support shaft 191.

[0111] The operating member 132 has an operating shaft 132A extending vertically, and left and right arms 192 and left and right stoppers 193 provided on the operating shaft 132A. The operating member 132 may be provided in front of and behind the support shaft 191. The operating shaft 132A is supported by the casing 101 so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction. The upper end of the operating shaft 132A protrudes above the casing 101. The left and right stoppers 193 protrude laterally to the left and right from the lower end of the operating shaft 132A. The left and right arms 192 are disposed within the casing 101 and protrude laterally to the left and right from the upper portion of the operating shaft 132A. A biasing member 195 is provided between the lower end of the operating shaft 132A and the casing 101 to bias the operating shaft 132A upward (to the initial position).

[0112] When the operating member 132 is in the initial position, the left and right stoppers 193 abut against the inner surfaces of the main body parts 131A of the left and right locking members 131, and maintain the left and right locking members 131 in the locked position. When the user operates the operating lever 41, the operating shaft 132A is pushed downward by the operating lever 41, and the operating shaft 132A moves downward. As a result, the left and right stoppers 193 move away from the corresponding main body parts 131A, and the left and right locking members 131 can move to the unlocked position. In this state, when the operating member 132 moves further downward, the left and right arms 192 push the corresponding connecting parts 131B downward. As a result, the left and right locking members 131 rotate around the support shaft 191 and move from the locked position to the unlocked position. As a result, the left and right locking members 131 move away from the locking holes 15 of the rail 11, and the slider 12 can move relative to the rail 11. When the user stops operating the operating lever 41, the left and right locking members 131 are returned to the locked position by the biasing force of the biasing member 134, and the operating member 132 is returned to the initial position by the biasing force of the biasing member 195.

[0113] Ninth embodiment As shown in Fig. 24, the slide lock device 200 according to the ninth embodiment is different from the slide lock device 130 according to the third embodiment in the lock member 131 and the operation member 132. The operation shaft 132A of the operation member 132 is connected to the left and right lock members 131 by the left and right links 201. Each link 201 has a first shaft 201A rotatably coupled to the operation shaft 132A and a second shaft 201B rotatably coupled to the lock member 131. The first shaft 201A and the second shaft 201B extend parallel to each other in the front-rear direction.

[0114] A guide pin 203 protruding in the front-rear direction is provided on at least one of the front and rear ends of the main body 131A of the locking member 131. Left and right guide slots 204 for slidably receiving the left and right guide pins 203 are formed in the casing 101. Each guide slot 204 is inclined downward toward the inside of the left and right directions.

[0115] When a user operates the operating lever 41, the operating shaft 132A is pushed downward by the operating lever 41, and the operating shaft 132A moves downward. As a result, the left and right locking members 131 connected to the operating shaft 132A via the link 201 move from the locked position to the unlocked position. That is, the left and right locking members 131 are pulled by the operating shaft 132A and move inwardly to the left and right of the casing 101. At this time, the left and right guide pins 203 are guided by the left and right guide slots 204, so that the inclination of the left and right locking members 131 is suppressed.

[0116] Tenth embodiment As shown in FIG. 25, the slide lock device 210 according to the tenth embodiment is different from the slide lock device 130 according to the third embodiment in the lock member 131 and the operation member 132. The left and right lock members 131 have a rotation shaft 211 protruding forward and backward from the lower part of the front end and the rear end of the main body part 131A, and an arm part 212 extending left and right inward from the lower part of the main body part 131A. The front and rear rotation shafts 211 are rotatably supported by the casing 101. As a result, the left and right lock members 131 rotate around the front and rear rotation shafts 211 between the lock position and the release position. The left and right main body parts 131A are urged to the lock position by the urging member 134.

[0117] The operating member 132 has an operating shaft 132A extending vertically and a cam 213 provided at the lower end of the operating shaft 132A. The cam 213 has a pair of left and right recesses 213A in the vertical middle. The left and right recesses 213A are recessed inwardly from the left and right side surfaces of the cam 213. The cam 213 has a pair of left and right upper protrusions 213B protruding outwardly to the left and right above the left and right recesses 213A, and a pair of left and right lower protrusions 213C protruding outwardly to the left and right below the left and right recesses 213A. Each recess 213A and the corresponding upper protrusion 213B are connected by a smooth curved surface. Each recess 213A and the corresponding lower protrusion 213C are connected by a smooth curved surface. The operating member 132 is biased to the initial position by a biasing member 215.

[0118] When the operating member 132 is in the initial position, the arm portions 212 of the left and right locking members 131 are located in the corresponding recesses 213A, and the left and right locking members 131 are located in the locked position. When the user operates the operating lever 41, the operating shaft 132A is pushed downward by the operating lever 41, and the operating shaft 132A moves downward. At this time, the left and right upper convex portions 213B push the corresponding arm portions 212 downward, so that the left and right locking members 131 rotate toward the unlocked position. Then, when the operating member 132 reaches the post-operation position, the left and right locking members 131 reach the unlocked position.

[0119] Eleventh embodiment As shown in Figs. 26 and 27, the slide lock device 220 according to the eleventh embodiment is different from the slide lock device 130 according to the third embodiment in the casing 101, the lock member 131, and the operation member 132. The casing 221 has an upper wall 221A with a surface facing up and down, a front wall 221B extending downward from the front edge of the upper wall 221A with a surface facing front and rear, and a rear wall 221C extending downward from the rear edge of the upper wall 221A with a surface facing front and rear. Each of the front wall 221B and the rear wall 221C is formed with a guide slot 221D penetrating front and rear and extending left and right. A rectangular hole 221E penetrating up and down is formed in the center of the upper wall 221A. The rectangular hole 221E is preferably formed in a rectangular shape.

[0120] First guide pins 223 protruding in the front-rear direction are provided at the front and rear ends of the main body parts 131A of the left and right locking members 131. The front and rear first guide pins 223 are received in the corresponding guide slots 221D. As a result, the left and right locking members 131 are supported by the casing 101 so as to be slidable left and right, and can slide between a locked position and an unlocked position. A guide arm 224 extending downward is provided at the lower end of each main body part 131A. A locking portion 224A bent outwardly left and right is provided at the lower end of each guide arm 224.

[0121] The operating member 132 has an operating shaft 226, a cam plate 227, and a biasing member 228. The operating shaft 226 extends vertically. The operating shaft 226 is formed into a rectangular column. In this embodiment, the operating shaft 226 has a rectangular cross section. The operating shaft 226 has a twisted portion 226A in the middle in the vertical direction. The operating shaft 226 rotates 90 degrees at the twisted portion 226A around an axis extending in the vertical direction. The operating shaft 226 has a stopper 226B protruding laterally from a portion above the twisted portion 226A.

[0122] An upper portion of the operating shaft 226 is inserted into the rectangular hole 221E so as to be movable in the vertical direction. By engaging with the rectangular hole 221E, the rotation of the operating shaft 226 about an axis extending in the vertical direction is restricted. The stopper 226B is disposed below the upper wall 221A. By abutting against the upper wall 221A, the stopper 226B determines the initial position of the operating shaft 226. The upper end of the operating shaft 226 abuts against the rear end of the lever side portion 41B of the operating lever 41.

[0123] The cam plate 227 is a plate-like member whose surface faces up and down. The cam plate 227 may be formed in a circular shape. An insertion hole 227A penetrating in the up and down direction is formed in the center of the cam plate 227. A pair of cam slots 227B are formed around the insertion hole 227A of the cam plate 227. The pair of cam slots 227B are formed in a rotationally symmetric shape with respect to the axis of the cam plate 227. Each cam slot 227B penetrates the cam plate 227 in the up and down direction. The cam slot 227B extends in the circumferential direction of the cam plate 227 and has a first end 227C and a second end 227D. The distance between the first end 227C and the center of the cam plate 227 is greater than the distance between the second end 227D and the center of the cam plate 227.

[0124] The lower part of the operating shaft 226 is inserted into the insertion hole 227A so as to be movable up and down. The insertion hole 227A is engaged with the lower part of the operating shaft 226, so that the operating shaft 226 cannot rotate relative to the insertion hole 227A.

[0125] Into each cam slot 227B, a guide arm 224 of a corresponding lock member 131 is inserted. The movement of the cam plate 227 in the vertical direction relative to each lock member 131 is restricted by a main body portion 131A and an engaging portion 224A of each lock member 131.

[0126] The biasing member 228 is provided between the stopper 226B and the cam plate 227. The biasing member 228 may be a compression coil spring. The biasing member 228 biases the operating shaft 226 upward with respect to the cam plate 227. That is, the biasing member 228 biases the operating shaft 226 to the initial position.

[0127] When the operating shaft 226 is in the initial position, the lower part of the operating shaft 226 is located inside the insertion hole 227A. At this time, the left and right guide arms 224 are located at the first ends 227C of the corresponding cam slots 227B. As a result, the left and right locking members 131 are located at locking positions spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

[0128] When the user operates the operating lever 41, the operating shaft 226 is pushed downward by the operating lever 41, and the operating shaft 226 moves downward. As a result, the operating shaft 132A moves downward relative to the cam plate 227, and the twisted portion 226A enters the insertion hole 227A. As a result, the cam plate 227 rotates, and the left and right guide arms 224 move from the first end 227C to the second end 227D within the corresponding cam slots 227B. As a result, the left and right locking members 131 move in directions approaching each other in the left-right direction. In other words, the left and right locking members 131 move from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0129] Twelfth embodiment As shown in Figs. 28 to 30, the slide lock device 240 according to the twelfth embodiment is different from the slide lock device 220 according to the eleventh embodiment in the casing 101, the lock member 131, and the operation member 132. A support hole 241 and left and right guide slots 242 are formed in each of the front wall 221B and the rear wall 221C of the casing 221. The support hole 241 and the left and right guide slots 242 penetrate the front wall 221B and the rear wall 221C in the front-rear direction. The left and right guide slots 242 are arranged at intervals from each other and extend left and right. The left and right guide slots 242 are preferably arranged on a straight line extending left and right. The support hole 241 is arranged between the left and right guide slots 242. The support hole 241 has a circular cross section. An insertion hole 243 penetrating vertically is formed in the upper wall 221A.

[0130] First guide pins 223 protruding in the front-rear direction are provided at the front and rear ends of the main body 131A of the left and right locking members 131. The front and rear first guide pins 223 are received in corresponding guide slots 242. As a result, the left and right locking members 131 are supported by the casing 101 so as to be slidable left and right, and are slidable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A plurality of biasing members 245 are provided between the left and right locking members 131 to bias the left and right locking members 131 to the locked position.

[0131] The operating member 132 has an operating shaft 247, a camshaft 248, a pair of front and rear cam plates 249, and an urging member 251. The operating shaft 247 extends vertically and is inserted into the insertion hole 243 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. A pressing portion 247A is provided at the lower end of the operating shaft 247. The pressing portion 247A is wider in the left-right direction than the upper portion of the operating shaft 247. A stopper 247B is provided at the middle portion of the operating shaft 247 in the vertical direction, protruding in the radial direction. The stopper 247B is disposed below the upper wall 221A. The stopper 247B cannot pass through the insertion hole 243. The urging member 251 is preferably provided between the stopper 247B and the upper wall 221A. The urging member 251 urges the operating member 132 to the initial position. The urging member 251 is preferably a tension coil spring. The upper end of the operating shaft 247 abuts against the rear end of the lever side portion 41B of the operating lever 41.

[0132] The camshaft 248 extends in the front-rear direction. The front and rear ends of the camshaft 248 are rotatably supported in the front and rear support holes 241. The camshaft 248 has a curved portion 248A at its middle portion that protrudes in the radial direction.

[0133] A pair of front and rear cam plates 249 are coupled to the front and rear ends of the camshaft 248. Each cam plate 249 rotates integrally with the camshaft 248. The front cam plate 249 may be disposed in front of or behind the front wall 221B. The rear cam plate 249 may be disposed in front of or behind the rear wall 221C.

[0134] The cam plate 249 is a plate-like member whose surface faces forward and backward. The cam plate 249 is preferably formed in a circular shape. A coupling hole 249A penetrating from front to rear is formed in the center of the cam plate 249. The front end or rear end of the camshaft 248 is inserted into the coupling hole 249A and is coupled to the coupling hole 249A so as to be non-rotatable.

[0135] A pair of cam slots 249B are formed around the coupling hole 249A of the cam plate 249. The pair of cam slots 249B are formed in a rotationally symmetric shape centered on the axis of the cam plate 249. Each cam slot 249B penetrates the cam plate 249 in the front-rear direction. The cam slot 249B extends in the circumferential direction of the cam plate 249 and has a first end 249C and a second end 249D. The distance between the first end 249C and the center of the cam plate 249 is greater than the distance between the second end 249D and the center of the cam plate 249. The cam slot 249B may extend linearly from the first end 249C to the second end 249D.

[0136] In each cam slot 249B, a first guide pin 223 of the corresponding locking member 131 is inserted. As shown in Fig. 29, when the left and right locking members 131 are in the locked position, each first guide pin 223 is located in a first position of the corresponding cam slot 249B. At this time, the curved portion 248A of the camshaft 248 is located on the left or right side with respect to the rotation axis of the camshaft 248.

[0137] When the user operates the operating lever 41, as shown in FIG. 30, the operating shaft 247 is pushed downward by the operating lever 41, and the operating shaft 247 moves downward. As a result, the pressing portion 247A at the lower end of the operating shaft 247 pushes the curved portion 248A of the camshaft 248 downward. This causes the camshaft 248 and the front and rear cam plates 249 to rotate. At this time, the first guide pins 223 of the left and right locking members 131 move from the first end 249C to the second end 249D within the corresponding cam slots 249B. This causes the left and right locking members 131 to move in directions approaching each other in the left-right direction. That is, the left and right locking members 131 move from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0138] Thirteenth embodiment 31 to 33, a slide lock device 270 according to the 13th embodiment is different from the slide lock device 220 according to the 11th embodiment in a casing 221, a lock member 131, and an operation member 132. In addition to a guide slot 221D, left and right support holes 271 are formed in each of the front wall 221B and the rear wall 221C. An insertion hole 272 penetrating vertically is formed in the upper wall 221A.

[0139] First guide pins 223 protruding in the front-rear direction are provided at the front and rear ends of the main body 131A of the left and right locking members 131. The front and rear first guide pins 223 are received in the corresponding guide slots 221D. As a result, the left and right locking members 131 are supported by the casing 101 so as to be slidable left and right, and are slidable between the locked position and the released position. A plurality of biasing members 245 are provided between the left and right locking members 131 to bias the left and right locking members 131 to the locked position. A locking recess 274 recessed left and right inward is formed in the lower part of the outer surface of each main body 131A.

[0140] The operating member 132 has an operating shaft 275, a pair of left and right levers 276, and a biasing member 277. The operating shaft 275 extends vertically and is inserted into the insertion hole 272 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. A stopper 275A is provided at the middle part of the operating shaft 275 in the vertical direction, protruding in the radial direction. The stopper 275A is disposed below the upper wall 221A. The stopper 275A cannot pass through the insertion hole 272. The biasing member 277 is preferably provided between the stopper 275A and the upper wall 221A. The biasing member 277 biases the operating member 132 to the initial position. The biasing member 277 is preferably a tension coil spring. The upper end of the operating shaft 275 abuts against the rear end of the lever side part 41B of the operating lever 41.

[0141] The left and right levers 276 connect the operating member 132 and the left and right locking members 131, and move the left and right locking members 131 in response to movement of the operating member 132. The left and right levers 276 extend in the front-rear direction. A protrusion 276A extending in the front-rear direction is provided at the front and rear ends of each lever 276. Each protrusion 276A may be formed in a cylindrical shape. Each protrusion 276A is rotatably inserted into the corresponding support hole 271. As a result, each lever 276 is supported by the casing 101 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the front-rear direction.

[0142] Each lever 276 has a base 276B extending left and right when viewed from the front, a first piece 276C protruding upward from one end of the base 276B, and a second piece 276D protruding upward from the other end of the base 276B. They are formed in a groove shape that opens upward. The first piece 276C of the left lever 276 abuts against the lower end of the operating shaft 275 from below, and the second piece 276D of the left lever 276 abuts against the locking recess 274 of the left locking member 131 from the left. The first piece 276C of the right lever 276 abuts against the first piece 276C of the left lever 276 from below, and the second piece 276D of the right lever 276 abuts against the locking recess 274 of the right locking member 131 from the right.

[0143] As shown in Fig. 32, when the operating member 132 is in the initial position, the left and right locking members 131 are in the locked position. When the user operates the operating lever 41, as shown in Fig. 33, the operating shaft 275 is pushed downward by the operating lever 41, and the operating shaft 275 moves downward. This causes the left and right levers 276 to rotate and push the left and right locking members 131 inward to the left and right. In other words, the left and right levers 276 move the left and right locking members 131 from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0144] Fourteenth embodiment 34 and 35, a slide lock device 290 according to the fourteenth embodiment differs from the slide lock device 130 according to the third embodiment in a casing 101, a locking member 131, and an operating member 132. An upper surface of a bottom wall 291 of the casing 101 is provided with an inclined surface 292 that slopes downward inwardly to the left and right.

[0145] An inclined surface 293 that slopes downward toward the left and right inward direction is provided on the lower surface of the main body portion 131A of the left and right locking members 131. The left and right locking members 131 are biased by a biasing member 134 to the locked position.

[0146] The operating member 132 has an operating shaft 132A that extends vertically, and a pressing portion 295 provided at the lower end of the operating shaft 132 A. The pressing portion 295 is preferably formed in a plate shape.

[0147] As shown in FIG. 34, when the left and right locking members 131 are in the locked position, the operating member 132 is pushed upward by the locking members 131 and is located in the initial position.

[0148] When the user operates the operating lever 41, the operating shaft 132A is pushed downward by the operating lever 41, and the operating shaft 132A moves downward. As a result, the left and right locking members 131 are pushed by the pressing portion 295 and move downward relative to the casing 101. At this time, the left and right locking members 131 are guided by the inclined surface 292 and move inward to the left and right. In other words, the left and right locking members 131 move to the release position.

[0149] Fifteenth embodiment 36 to 40, the slide lock device 300 according to the fifteenth embodiment is different from the slide lock device 100 according to the second embodiment in the configurations of the lock member 102, the operation member 104, the guide member 108, etc. The same configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0150] As shown in Fig. 36, the casing 101 is fastened to the lower surface of the slider upper wall 12A by a bracket 301. The bracket 301 extends in the front-rear direction, and is fastened to the slider upper wall 12A at its front and rear ends. A central portion 301A in the front-rear direction of the bracket 301 is recessed downward. The casing 101 is fixed to the upper surface of the central portion.

[0151] The operating member 104 has an operating shaft 104A and a connecting member 303 extending forward and backward from the lower end of the operating shaft 104A. A pressing shaft 304 extending in the front-rear direction is provided at the front end and rear of the connecting member 303. A pair of front and rear stoppers 305 is provided at the lower part of the front and rear parts of the connecting member 303. Each stopper 305 extends downward from the connecting member 303 and also extends to both the left and right sides. The operating member 104 is biased upward, i.e., toward the initial position, by a biasing member 306.

[0152] The front and rear guide members 108 are formed with second guide holes 307 for receiving the front and rear pressing shafts 304. Each second guide hole 307 extends vertically. Each pressing shaft 304 can move vertically within the corresponding second guide hole 307.

[0153] Left and right cam members 310 are provided between the front end of the connecting member 303 and the front guide member 108. Similar left and right cam members 310 are provided between the rear end of the connecting member 303 and the rear guide member 108. The left cam member 310 moves the left locking member 102 to the right, i.e., to the release position, when the pressing shaft 304 moves downward. The right cam member 310 moves the right locking member 102 to the left, i.e., to the release position, when the pressing shaft 304 moves downward. The left and right cam members 310 are supported by the casing 101 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction.

[0154] The left cam member 310 has a cam surface 310A disposed below the pressing shaft 304, and a locking portion 310B that locks the guide shaft 102B of the left lock member 102. The cam surface 310A is inclined downward toward the left. The locking portion 310B may be a hook that locks the guide shaft 102B or a hole into which the guide shaft 102B enters. The right cam member 310 is formed symmetrically with respect to the left cam member 310. When viewed from the front, the left and right cam members 310 overlap. When viewed from the front, the left and right cam surfaces 310A intersect with each other.

[0155] 39, when the operating member 104 is in the initial position, the pressing shaft 304 is separated upward from the cam surfaces 310A of the cam members 310. At this time, the left and right locking members 102 are positioned in the locked position by the biasing members 103. Also, each stopper 305 of the operating member 104 abuts against the inner surface of the main body portion 102A of the corresponding locking member 102, and each locking member 102 is maintained in the locked position.

[0156] When the user pulls the lever center portion 41A of the operating lever 41 upward, the rear ends of the left and right lever side portions 41B push the upper end of the operating shaft 104A downward. As a result, as shown in Figure 40, the operating member 104 slides downward and moves from the initial position to the post-operation position. At this time, each stopper 305 of the operating member 104 moves away from each main body portion 102A, and the locking member 102 becomes able to move from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0157] When the operating member 104 moves further downward toward the post-operation position, each pressing shaft 304 presses the corresponding cam surface 310A downward. This causes the left and right cam members 310 to move inwardly to the left and right, and the locking member 102 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position. This causes the multiple protrusions 102D to disengage from the locking holes 15 of the rail 11 and move into the casing 101. This allows the slider 12 to move relative to the rail 11.

[0158] When the locking member 102 reaches the release position, the pressing shaft 304 leaves the end of the cam surface 310A. This prevents the locking member 102 from receiving a load after it reaches the release position. The cam member 310 also has a recess 310C recessed downward on the side of the cam surface 310A. The recess 310C prevents the pressing shaft 304 and the cam member 310 from coming into contact with each other in the vertical direction even if the pressing shaft 304 moves further downward.

[0159] Sixteenth embodiment An electric slide rail 401 according to the sixteenth embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 41 to 43. The electric slide rail 401 has a rail 11 and a slider 12 that is slidable relative to the rail 11. The electric slide rail 401 moves the vehicle seat 3 relative to the floor 2 as the slider 12 moves relative to the rail 11. The configurations of the vehicle seat 3, the rail 11, and the slider 12 are similar to those of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0160] As shown in Fig. 41, an electric slide rail 401 has a rail 11 extending in the front-rear direction, and a slider 12 slidably engaged with the rail 11. As shown in Figs. 41 and 42, a screw assembly 403 and an electric motor 404 are supported on the lower surface of the slider upper wall 12A. The screw assembly 403 includes screw members 406, 407 supported by the slider 12 rotatably around the front-rear direction. The electric motor 404 is supported by the slider 12, and rotates the screw members 406, 407.

[0161] In this embodiment, the screw members 406, 407 include a first screw member 406 and a second screw member 407. In other embodiments, the screw assembly 403 may have a single screw member.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 43, the first screw member 406 has a shaft portion 406A extending in the front-rear direction and a screw thread 406B formed on the outer peripheral surface of the middle portion of the shaft portion 406A in the longitudinal direction. Similarly, the second screw member 407 has a shaft portion 407A extending in the front-rear direction and a screw thread 407B formed on the outer peripheral surface of the middle portion of the shaft portion 407A in the longitudinal direction. The number of the screw threads 406B, 407B may be determined according to the size of the electric slide rail 401 and the required strength in the longitudinal direction of the electric slide rail 401. For example, when the required strength is to be increased, the number of the screw threads 406B, 407B may be increased. As shown in FIG. 41, the screw assembly 403 has a gear case 411 that rotatably supports the first screw member 406 and the second screw member 407, and a first bracket 412 that supports the gear case 411 on the slider 12.

[0163] As shown in Figs. 42 and 43, the gear case 411 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped box shape that is long in the front-rear direction. The gear case 411 rotatably supports the first screw member 406, the second screw member 407, and a drive shaft 413 that is connected to a rotating shaft of the electric motor 404. The first screw member 406, the second screw member 407, and the drive shaft 413 each extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged in parallel to each other in the gear case 411. The gear case 411 has a box-shaped case body 411A that opens toward the rear, and a lid 411B that is connected to the rear end of the case body 411A. The case body 411A and the lid 411B are fastened to each other by screws.

[0164] The front and rear ends of the shaft portion 406A of the first screw member 406, the front and rear ends of the shaft portion 407A of the second screw member 407, and the front and rear ends of the drive shaft 413 are each supported rotatably and movably in the front-rear direction by the gear case 411. The front and rear ends of the shaft portion 406A of the first screw member 406, the front and rear ends of the shaft portion 407A of the second screw member 407, and the front and rear ends of the drive shaft 413 may each be supported by the gear case 411 via bearings 415.

[0165] The first screw member 406 is disposed along the left side of the gear case 411, and the second screw member 407 is disposed along the right side of the gear case 411. The drive shaft 413 is disposed below an intermediate portion between the first screw member 406 and the second screw member 407.

[0166] The drive shaft 413 has a drive gear 413A in the gear case 411. The first screw member 406 has a first gear 406C that meshes with the drive gear 413A. The second screw member 407 has a second gear 407C that meshes with the drive gear 413A. Each of the drive gear 413A, the first gear 406C, and the second gear 407C may be a spur gear. When the drive shaft 413 rotates, the first screw member 406 and the second screw member 407 rotate in the same direction as each other. The first gear 406C and the second gear 407C may be symmetrical.

[0167] The first gear 406C is supported so as to be displaceable in the front-rear direction (axial direction) relative to the shaft portion 406A of the first screw member 406 and to be non-rotatable relative to the shaft portion 406A. For example, a square hole may be formed at the center of the first gear 406C, and the shaft portion 406A may have a square center column portion that fits into the square hole and is non-rotatable and movable in the front-rear direction. Similarly, the second gear 407C is supported so as to be displaceable in the front-rear direction (axial direction) relative to the shaft portion 407A of the second screw member 407 and to be non-rotatable relative to the shaft portion 407A. The first gear 406C and the second gear 407C have a length in the front-rear direction. As a result, even if the first gear 406C moves in the front-rear direction, the meshing between the first gear 406C and the drive gear 413A is maintained. Similarly, even if the second gear 407C moves in the front-rear direction, the meshing between the second gear 407C and the drive gear 413A is maintained.

[0168] The screw assembly 403 has a first biasing member 406D that biases the first screw member 406 in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the first biasing member 406D is supported on the rear end of the shaft portion 406A. The first biasing member 406D is disposed between the screw thread 406B and the first gear 406C. The first biasing member 406D biases the shaft portion 406A and the screw thread 406B forward with respect to the gear case 411.

[0169] The screw assembly 403 has a second biasing member 407D that biases the second screw member 407 in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the second biasing member 407D is supported on the front end of the shaft portion 407A. The second biasing member 407D is disposed between the screw thread 406B and the front bearing 415. The second biasing member 407D biases the shaft portion 407A and the screw thread 407B rearward with respect to the gear case 411. The first biasing member 406D and the second biasing member 407D may be at least one disc spring, compression coil spring, leaf spring, rubber, or the like.

[0170] A first buffer member 406E may be provided in the gap between the first screw member 406 and the gear case 411 in the front-rear direction. The first buffer member 406E may be provided at an end of the shaft portion 406A opposite to the first biasing member 406D. In this embodiment, the first buffer member 406E is supported at the front end of the shaft portion 406A. The first buffer member 406E is disposed between the screw thread 406B and the front bearing 415.

[0171] A second buffer member 407E may be provided in the gap between the second screw member 407 and the gear case 411 in the front-rear direction. The second buffer member 407E may be provided at the end of the shaft portion 407A opposite to the second biasing member 407D. In this embodiment, the second buffer member 407E is supported at the rear end of the shaft portion 407A. The second buffer member 407E is disposed between the screw thread 407B and the rear bearing 415. The first buffer member 406E and the second buffer member 407E may be made of rubber, nonwoven fabric, or the like.

[0172] 41 and 42, the gear case 411 has a case opening 418 which is an opening for exposing the first screw member 406 and the second screw member 407 to the side. The thread 406B of the first screw member 406 passes through a case opening 418 formed in the left side of the gear case 411 and protrudes to the left. Similarly, the thread 407B of the second screw member 407 passes through a case opening 418 formed in the right side of the gear case 411 and protrudes to the right. The case opening 418 is formed in the case main body 411A.

[0173] The first bracket 412 extends forward and backward and has a first connecting portion 412A provided at the front end and a second connecting portion 412B provided at the rear end. The first bracket 412 is connected to the lower surface of the slider upper wall 12A of the slider 12 at the first connecting portion 412A and the second connecting portion 412B. The first bracket 412 has a support portion 412C extending from the first connecting portion 412A to the second connecting portion 412B. The first bracket 412 may be an integral metal member including the first connecting portion 412A, the second connecting portion 412B, and the support portion 412C. The support portion 412C has a portion located below the first connecting portion 412A and the second connecting portion 412B. The support portion 412C allows the first bracket 412 to cooperate with the slider upper wall 12A to form a closed structure. The gear case 411 is disposed between the slider upper wall 12A and the support portion 412C of the slider 12. The first bracket 412 is formed by bending a metal plate. The first joint portion 412A extends forward from the front of the gear case 411, and the second joint portion 412B extends rearward from the rear of the gear case 411. The first joint portion 412A and the second joint portion 412B may be fastened to the slider upper wall 12A by fastening members such as screws and rivets. The distance between the fastening points of the first joint portion 412A and the second joint portion 412B is set to be longer than the front-rear length of the gear case 411.

[0174] A second bracket 421 is provided behind the first bracket 412 to support the electric motor 404 on the slider upper wall 12A of the slider 12. The second bracket 421 has a connecting portion 421A connected to the slider upper wall 12A and a support portion 421B extending from the connecting portion 421A to the side opposite to the slider upper wall 12A, i.e., downward. The support portion 421B is perpendicular to the connecting portion 421A, and the second bracket 421 is formed in an L-shape. The electric motor 404 is connected to the support portion 421B at one end thereof. In this embodiment, the electric motor 404 is disposed below the connecting portion 421A, and the second bracket 421 supports the end of the electric motor 404 on the side of the screw members 406 and 407 in a cantilever manner.

[0175] The rear end of the drive shaft 413 protrudes rearward from the rear support member 411C of the gear case 411, and extends rearward through a through hole formed in the first bracket 412. The rotating shaft of the electric motor 404 is connected to the rear end of the drive shaft 413. The rotating shaft of the electric motor 404 and the drive shaft 413 may be coupled by a coupling. The rotating shaft of the electric motor 404 and the drive shaft 413 may have a fitting portion that meshes with each other. The rotating shaft of the electric motor 404 and the drive shaft 413 are arranged on the same straight line. The electric motor 404 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends forward and backward.

[0176] A reducer may be provided between the rotating shaft of the electric motor 404 and the drive shaft 413. The reducer may be, for example, a planetary gear mechanism. The reducer may be provided on a surface of the support portion 421B of the second bracket 421 that faces away from the electric motor 404. In another embodiment, the reducer may be supported on the rear end surface of the gear case 411. The reducer is an optional configuration and can be omitted.

[0177] The rotating shaft of the electric motor 404 and the drive shaft 413 may be connected via a flexible shaft. This makes it possible to dispose the rotating shaft of the electric motor 404 and the drive shaft 413 offset from each other. In this way, the degree of freedom in the layout of the screw assembly 403 and the electric motor 404 is improved.

[0178] The screw assembly 403, the electric motor 404, the first bracket 412, and the second bracket 421 are disposed below the slider top wall 12A and between the left and right slider inner walls 12B. The left and right slider inner walls 12B have slider openings 12F that are openings at positions corresponding to the screw assembly 403. The slider openings 12F are formed in the recesses 12E of the slider inner walls 12B. The left part of the threads 406B of the first screw member 406 passes through the left case opening 418 of the gear case 411 and the slider openings 12F of the left slider inner wall 12B, and protrudes to the left of the left slider inner wall 12B. Similarly, a right portion of the thread 407B of the second screw member 407 passes through a right case opening 418 of the gear case 411 and a slider opening 12F of the right slider inner wall 12B, and protrudes to the right of the right slider inner wall 12B.

[0179] The rail 11 is formed with locking holes 15 that extend in the front-rear direction and engage with the screw members 406, 407. The first screw member 406 engages with the multiple locking holes 15 at the left part of the thread 406B, and moves forward and backward relative to the locking holes 15 by rotating. Similarly, the second screw member 407 engages with the multiple locking holes 15 at the right part of the thread 407B, and moves forward and backward relative to the locking holes 15 by rotating.

[0180] The rotation of the electric motor 404 is transmitted to the first screw member 406 and the second screw member 407 via the rotating shaft, the drive shaft 413, the drive gear 413A, and the first gear 406C or the second gear 407C. As a result, the first screw member 406 and the second screw member 407 rotate in the same direction. When the first screw member 406 and the second screw member 407 rotate, the first screw member 406 and the second screw member 407 move back and forth relative to the locking hole 15 and the locking hole 15, and the slider 12 moves back and forth relative to the rail 11.

[0181] In the electric slide rail 401 according to the present embodiment, since the electric motor 404 and the screw assembly 403 are fixed to the slider 12, the inclination of the first screw member 406 and the second screw member 407 relative to the locking hole 15 is suppressed. Therefore, the first screw member 406 can be engaged with the locking hole 15 at an appropriate angle, and the first screw member 406 rotates smoothly. The same applies to the second screw member 407. As a result, it is possible to provide an electric slide rail 401 that can operate smoothly. In addition, since the electric motor 404 is attached to the slider 12 that is received in the rail 11, the external shape of the electric slide rail 401 can be reduced in size. In addition, since the electric motor 404 is disposed inside the slider 12, the distance between the electric motor 404 and the screw assembly 403 can be shortened, and the drive shaft 413 that connects the electric motor 404 and the screw assembly 403 can be shortened. As a result, the deflection of the drive shaft 413 is suppressed, and the screw assembly 403 can rotate smoothly.

[0182] Since the screw assembly 403 has both the first screw member 406 and the second screw member 407, the screw assembly 403 can be made compact while engaging with both the locking hole 15 and the locking hole 15. Also, since the direction of the reaction force that the first screw member 406 receives from the locking hole 15 is opposite to the direction of the reaction force that the second screw member 407 receives from the locking hole 15, the first screw member 406 and the locking hole 15 are securely engaged, and the second screw member 407 and the locking hole 15 are securely engaged.

[0183] The first screw member 406 and the second screw member 407, together with the gear case 411 and the first bracket 412, constitute the screw assembly 403, which can be easily attached to the slider 12.

[0184] Since the first biasing member 406D biases the screw thread 406B forward, the screw thread 406B can abut against the front edge of the locking hole 15 when the electric motor 404 is stopped. Moreover, since the second biasing member 407D biases the screw thread 407B backward, the screw thread 407B can abut against the rear edge of the locking hole 15 when the electric motor 404 is stopped. As a result, rattling of the screw assembly 403 with respect to the rail 11 is suppressed.

[0185] The first buffer member 406E suppresses collision between the first screw member 406 and the bearing 415 in the front-rear direction, thereby suppressing the generation of collision noise. The second buffer member 407E suppresses collision between the second screw member 407 and the bearing 415 in the front-rear direction, thereby suppressing the generation of collision noise.

[0186] Seventeenth embodiment An electric slide rail 450 according to a seventeenth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 44 and Fig. 45. As shown in Fig. 44, in the electric slide rail 450, a first lock plate 451 is provided between the thread 406B of the first screw member 406 and the first gear 406C. The first lock plate 451 has a plate portion 451A with a surface facing forward and backward and fixed to the gear case 411, an insertion hole 451B penetrating the plate portion 451A in the forward and backward directions, and at least one protrusion 451C protruding from the plate portion 451A toward the thread 406B side. The shaft portion 406A of the first screw member 406 passes through the insertion hole 451B.

[0187] At least one protrusion 454 protruding rearward is provided at the rear end of the screw thread 406B. The first biasing member 406D is provided between the plate portion 451A of the first lock plate 451 and the screw thread 406B. The first biasing member 406D biases the screw thread 406B forward relative to the first lock plate 451.

[0188] 45, a second lock plate 461 is provided between the thread 407B of the second screw member 407 and the front bearing 415. The second lock plate 461 has a plate portion 461A with its surface facing forward and backward and fixed to the gear case 411, an insertion hole 461B penetrating the plate portion 461A in the forward and backward directions, and at least one protrusion 461C protruding from the plate portion 461A toward the thread 407B. The shaft portion 407A of the second screw member 407 passes through the insertion hole 461B.

[0189] At least one protrusion 464 protruding forward is provided at a front end of the screw thread 407B. The second biasing member 407D is provided between the plate portion 461A of the second lock plate 461 and the screw thread 407B. The second biasing member 407D biases the screw thread 407B rearward with respect to the second lock plate 461.

[0190] When a predetermined front load is not applied to the slider 12, the convex portion 451C of the first lock plate 451 and the convex portion 454 of the thread 406B are separated in the front-rear direction by the biasing force of the first biasing member 406D. Therefore, the first screw member 406 can rotate relative to the first lock plate 451 and the gear case 411. Similarly, when a predetermined rear load is not applied to the slider 12, the convex portion 461C of the second lock plate 461 and the convex portion 464 of the thread 407B are separated in the front-rear direction by the biasing force of the second biasing member 407D. Therefore, the second screw member 407 can rotate relative to the second lock plate 461 and the gear case 411. Note that, when the electric motor 404 is rotating, the first screw member 406 and the second screw member 407 can rotate relative to the gear case 411 in the same manner.

[0191] When a predetermined forward load is applied to the slider 12, the gear case 411 and the first lock plate 451 move forward against the biasing force of the first biasing member 406D, and the convex portion 451C of the first lock plate 451 and the convex portion 454 of the thread 406B mesh with each other in the circumferential direction. This makes the first screw member 406 unrotatable relative to the first lock plate 451 and the gear case 411. Similarly, when a predetermined backward load is applied to the slider 12, the gear case 411 and the second lock plate 461 move backward against the biasing force of the second biasing member 407D, and the convex portion 461C of the second lock plate 461 and the convex portion 464 of the thread 407B mesh with each other in the circumferential direction. This makes the second screw member 407 unrotatable relative to the second lock plate 461 and the gear case 411. In this way, when a predetermined front-rear load is applied to the slider 12, the rotation of the first screw member 406 or the second screw member 407 is restricted, so that the movement of the slider 12 relative to the rail 11 is restricted.

[0192] (18th embodiment) An electric slide rail 470 according to the eighteenth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 46. As shown in Fig. 46, the first screw member 406 may be divided into a front portion 471 and a rear portion 472. The front portion 471 and the rear portion 472 are connected to each other so as to be relatively movable in the front-rear direction and to be unrotatable with each other. For example, a square hole 471A may be formed at the rear end of the front portion 471, and a square pillar 472A may be provided at the front end of the rear portion 472 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction and to be unrotatable when inserted into the square hole 471A.

[0193] The front portion 471 is urged rearward with respect to the gear case 411 by a front biasing member 474. The rear portion 472 is urged forward with respect to the gear case 411 by a rear biasing member 475. As a result, the thread 406B of the front portion 471 abuts against the rear edge of the locking hole 15 of the rail 11, and the thread 406B of the rear portion 472 abuts against the front edge of the locking hole 15 of the rail 11. This suppresses rattling of the screw assembly 403 with respect to the rail 11. The same applies to the second screw member 407.

[0194] The axial length of the first screw member 406 including the front portion 471 and the rear portion 472 may be set to be shorter than the axial length of the electric motor 404. The axial length of the first screw member 406 including the front portion 471 and the rear portion 472 may be set to be longer than the axial length of the electric motor 404. The same applies to the second screw member 407.

[0195] As shown in FIG. 47, the locking hole 15 at the rear end of the rail 11 may have an expansion portion 477 whose width is expanded forward. Before the slider 12 to which the screw assembly 403 is attached is assembled to the rail 11, the front part 471 and the rear part 472 are positioned in the closest state by the front side biasing member 474 and the rear side biasing member 475. Therefore, the distance between the rear end of the thread 406B of the front part 471 and the front end of the thread 406B of the rear part 472, i.e., the pitch, is short. Therefore, if a plurality of locking holes 15 are arranged at equal intervals, when the slider 12 is inserted into the rail 11 from the rear, the thread 406B at the front end of the rear part 472 cannot be smoothly inserted into the locking hole 15 at the rear end. In this embodiment, since the locking hole 15 at the rear end has the expansion portion 477, the thread 406B at the front end of the rear part 472 can be smoothly inserted into the locking hole 15 at the rear end. After the screw thread 406B at the front end of the rear portion 472 is inserted into the locking hole 15 at the rear end, the rear portion 472 moves rearward from the front portion 471 against the biasing force of the rear biasing member 475 in accordance with the spacing between the multiple locking holes 15. The same applies to the second screw member 407.

[0196] When the slider 12 is inserted into the rail 11 from the front, it is preferable that the locking hole 15 at the front end of the rail 11 has an expanded portion (not shown) whose width is expanded toward the rear.

[0197] The positions of the wheels 18 in the slider 12 according to the sixteenth to eighteenth embodiments will be described. As shown in Fig. 48 and Fig. 49, the wheels 18 include left and right front wheels 18A and left and right rear wheels 18B. When viewed from the left and right direction, the left and right front wheels 18A are disposed forward of the screw assembly 403. When viewed from the left and right direction, the left and right rear wheels 18B are disposed at positions overlapping with the electric motor 404.

[0198] Since the left and right front wheels 18A are arranged to avoid the screw assembly 403 and the electric motor 404, the left and right width of the slider 12 can be prevented from increasing.

[0199] Since the left and right rear wheels 18B are disposed at positions overlapping the electric motors 404 when viewed in the left-right direction, the front-rear length of the slider 12 can be prevented from becoming long.

[0200] 50, in another embodiment, the multiple wheels 18 may include left and right front wheels 18A, left and right rear wheels 18B, and left and right intermediate wheels 18C. When viewed from the left and right direction, the left and right front wheels 18A may be disposed at the front end of the slider 12. When viewed from the left and right direction, the left and right intermediate wheels 18C may be disposed at positions overlapping with the screw assembly 403. When viewed from the left and right direction, the left and right rear wheels 18B may be disposed between the screw assembly 403 and the electric motor 404.

[0201] Since the left and right front wheels 18A are disposed at positions overlapping the screw assemblies 403 when viewed from the left-right direction, the front-rear length of the slider 12 can be prevented from becoming long.

[0202] When viewed from the left-right direction, the left and right rear wheels 18B are disposed between the screw assembly 403 and the electric motor 404, which makes it possible to prevent the front-rear length of the slider 12 from becoming long. The left and right rear wheels 18B can be supported by utilizing the space between the screw assembly 403 and the electric motor 404.

[0203] 51, in another embodiment, the screw assembly 403 and the electric motor 404 may be arranged in reverse order. That is, the electric motor 404 may be arranged in front of the screw assembly 403. In this case, the left and right front wheels 18A may be arranged at positions overlapping with the electric motor 404 when viewed in the left-right direction. The left and right rear wheels 18B may be arranged rearward of the screw assembly 403.

[0204] As shown in FIG. 52, in another embodiment, a pair of front and rear electric motors 404 may be disposed in front of and behind the screw assembly 403. In this case, it is preferable that a drive shaft 413 extends forward and rearward from the screw assembly 403 and is connected to the front and rear electric motors 404. When viewed from the left-right direction, the left and right front wheels 18A may be disposed at positions overlapping with the front electric motor 404. It is preferable that the left and right rear wheels 18B are disposed rearward of the screw assembly 403. It is preferable that the front-rear length of each of the front and rear electric motors 404 is longer than the front-rear length of the screw assembly 403. This makes it possible to increase the torque of the front and rear electric motors 404.

[0205] As shown in Fig. 3, when viewed from above, a gap is formed between the rail inner side wall 11D of the rail 11 and the slider inner side wall 12B of the slider 12. Through this gap, an operator can visually check the first screw member 406 and the second screw member 407 from above. The upper part of the protrusion 11G of the rail inner side wall 11D and the upper part of the recess 12E of the slider inner side wall 12B form parallel inclined surfaces facing each other. This prevents foreign matter from entering the gap between the slider inner side wall 12B of the slider 12 and the rail inner side wall 11D.

[0206] 53, in another embodiment, at least one confirmation window 481 may be formed penetrating the slider upper wall 12A in the up-down direction. The confirmation window 481 may be disposed above at least one of the screw assembly 403, the electric motor 404, and the drive shaft 413. An operator can visually check the screw assembly 403, etc. through the confirmation window 481.

[0207] 54, the left and right sliders 12 may be connected to each other by a first wire 501 and a second wire 502. The first wire 501 connects the front end of the left slider 12 to the rear end of the right slider 12. The second wire 502 connects the front end of the right slider 12 to the rear end of the left slider 12.

[0208] The first wire 501 is wound around a first pulley 503 and a second pulley 504. The first pulley 503 is provided at the front end of the left rail 11, and the second pulley 504 is provided at the rear end of the right rail 11. The second wire 502 is wound around a third pulley 505 and a fourth pulley 506. The third pulley 505 is provided at the front end of the right rail 11, and the fourth pulley 506 is provided at the rear end of the left rail 11.

[0209] The first wire 501 and the second wire 502 extend through the inside of the rail 11. The first wire 501, the second wire 502, and the first to fourth pulleys 503 to 506 may be disposed below the floor 2. The first wire 501 and the second wire 502 cause the left and right sliders 12 to move in synchronization with each other. The first wire 501 and the second wire 502 may be other linear members such as a belt.

[0210] 55, sensors 510 for detecting tension may be provided between the left and right sliders 12 and the first wire 501 and second wire 502. The left and right electric motors 404 may be controlled based on the tension detected by the sensors 510. For example, the left and right electric motors 404 may be controlled so that the tension detected by the sensors 510 becomes smaller.

[0211] As shown in Fig. 56, a sensor 520 may be provided to measure the rotation speed of the left and right electric motors 404. The left and right electric motors 404 may be controlled so that their rotation speeds are the same. The sensor 520 may be, for example, a variable resistor, a rotary encoder, or a Hall element. Also, a slider position sensor may be provided to detect the position of the slider 12 corresponding to the left and right rails 11.

[0212] As shown in Figure 57, a wire 530 is connected to the rear ends of the left and right sliders 12. The wire 530 passes through the inside of the rail 11 and extends rearward. A reel 531 around which the wire 530 is wound is provided behind the rail 11. The reel 531 is biased in a direction in which the wire 530 is wound up. A variable resistor 532 that measures the number of rotations is provided on the reel 531. In this embodiment, the positions of the left and right sliders 12 are detected based on the number of rotations of the left and right reels 531.

[0213] The electric slide rails 401, 450, 470 of the above-described embodiments are provided in a vehicle 600 as shown in Fig. 58 and Fig. 59. As shown in Fig. 58, the vehicle 600 has left and right front wheels 601, left and right rear wheels 602, and a passenger compartment 603. A driver's seat 605, a first seat 606, a second seat 607, and a third seat 608 are provided in the passenger compartment 603. The first seat 606 may be referred to as a passenger seat, the second seat 607 as a center seat, and the third seat 608 as a rear seat.

[0214] The driver's seat 605 may be provided on the left or right side of the front part of the passenger compartment 603. The first seat 606 may be provided on the side opposite to the driver's seat 605 in the left-right direction of the passenger compartment 603. The second seat 607 may be provided between the driver's seat 605 and the first seat 606. The third seat 608 may be disposed behind the driver's seat 605.

[0215] The power slide rail 606A of the first seat 606, the power slide rail 607A of the second seat 607, and the power slide rail 608A of the third seat 608 may be the power slide rails 401, 450, and 470 described above.

[0216] The left and right rails 11 of the electric sliding rail 606A of the first seat 606 may extend in the front-rear direction from the front of the passenger compartment 603 to the rear wheels 602. The rear ends of the left and right rails 11 of the electric sliding rail 606A may be located rearward of the front ends of the rear wheels 602.

[0217] The left and right rails 11 of the electric sliding rail 607A of the second seat 607 may extend in the front-rear direction from the front of the passenger compartment 603 to the rear wheels 602. The rear ends of the left and right rails 11 of the electric sliding rail 607A may be located rearward of the front ends of the rear wheels 602.

[0218] The left and right rails 11 of the electric slide rail 607A of the third seat 608 may extend in the front-rear direction from the rear of the driver's seat 605 to the rear wheels 602. The rear ends of the left and right rails 11 of the electric slide rail 607A may be located rearward of the front ends of the rear wheels 602.

[0219] The rear ends of the left and right rails 11 of each of the electric slide rails 606A, 607A, 608A may be disposed at the rear end of the vehicle interior 603.

[0220] As shown in FIG. 59, the second seat 607 may be omitted. The left and right rails 11 of the electric slide rail 606A of the first seat 606 may be provided inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. For example, the left and right rails 11 of the electric slide rail 606A of the first seat 606 may be inclined left and right inward toward the rear. The left and right rails 11 of the electric slide rail 606A of the first seat 606 may be arranged to avoid the wheel house 611 of the rear wheel 602. One of the front ends of the left and right rails 11 of the electric slide rail 606A of the first seat 606 may be arranged in front of the wheel house 611 of the rear wheel 602. The same applies to the left and right rails 11 of the electric slide rail 608A of the third seat 608.

[0221] Each of the electric slide rails 606A, 608A may be connected to the seat cushion of each of the seats 606, 608 via a lateral slide device 615. The lateral slide device 615 has a lower rail extending in the left-right direction and an upper rail connected to the lower rail so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. The lower rail is connected to the left and right sliders 12 of each of the electric slide rails 606A, 608A. The upper rail is connected to the seat cushion of each of the seats 606, 608. The lateral slide device 615 also allows each of the seats 606, 608 to move in the lateral direction. This makes it possible to further avoid interference with the wheel house 611 of the rear wheel 602.

[0222] 60 and 61, a vehicle seat 702 on which an electric slide rail 701 is provided may be rotatable around an axis X extending in the vertical direction. The electric slide rail 701 may be any one of the electric slide rails 401, 450, and 470 in the above-mentioned embodiments. The configuration of the electric slide rail 701 is denoted by the same reference numerals as the electric slide rails 401, 450, and 470, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0223] The vehicle seat 702 has a rotation device 705 provided between the left and right sliders 12 and the seat cushion 5, and supporting the seat cushion 5 rotatably relative to the left and right sliders 12. The rotation device 705 has a base portion 711 coupled to the left and right sliders 12, a rotation portion 712 provided on the seat cushion 5 and supported by the base portion 711 rotatably about an axis X, and an electric motor 713 that rotates the rotation portion 712 relative to the base portion 711. A lifting device 715 may be provided between the rotation portion 712 and the seat cushion 5. The lifting device 715 lifts and lowers the seat cushion 5 relative to the rotation portion 712.

[0224] The base portion 711 has left and right lower side plates 711A connected to the left and right sliders 12, and a disk-shaped lower center plate 711B connected to the left and right lower side plates 711A. The rotating portion 712 has a disk-shaped upper center plate 712A supported by the lower center plate 711B so as to be rotatable about the axis X, and an upper plate 712B connected to the upper center plate 712A. The seat cushion 5 is preferably connected to the upper plate 712B.

[0225] A control device 720 is provided on the underside of the seat cushion 5 to control the electrical devices provided in the seat cushion 5 and the seat back 6. The control device 720 is an electronic control device, and is a computing device having a microprocessor (MPU), a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory, and an interface. The control device 720 realizes various applications by the microprocessor executing programs stored in the non-volatile memory. The electrical devices may include a seat heater, a blower, an electric slide rail 701, and a lifting device 715.

[0226] When viewed from the left-right direction, the axis X of the rotation device 705 is disposed at a position overlapping with the left and right screw assemblies 403 of the electric slide rail 701. When viewed from the left-right direction, the left and right screw assemblies 403 of the electric slide rail 701 are disposed behind the electric motor 713.

[0227] When viewed from the left-right direction, the left and right electric motors 404 of the electric slide rail 701 are disposed rearward of the electric motor 713. When viewed from the left-right direction, the left and right electric motors 404 of the electric slide rail 701 are disposed rearward of the control device 720.

[0228] 61, when viewed from above, the left and right screw assemblies 403 of the electric slide rail 701 are disposed radially outward from the lower center plate 711B and the upper center plate 712A, centered on the axis X. In other words, when viewed from above, the left and right screw assemblies 403 of the electric slide rail 701 are disposed laterally outward from the lower center plate 711B and the upper center plate 712A.

[0229] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 62, the left and right screw assemblies 403 and the left and right electric motors 404 of the electric slide rail 701 may be disposed forward of the axis X of the rotation device 705 when viewed in the left-right direction.

[0230] When viewed from the left-right direction, the left and right electric motors 404 of the electric slide rail 701 may be disposed forward of the electric motor 713. When viewed from the left-right direction, the left and right electric motors 404 of the electric slide rail 701 may be disposed forward of the control device 720.

[0231] 63 , when viewed from the left-right direction, the axis X of the rotation device 705 is disposed at a position overlapping with the left and right electric motors 404 of the electric slide rail 701. When viewed from the left-right direction, the rear ends of the left and right electric motors 404 of the electric slide rail 701 may be disposed rearward of the axis X of the rotation device 705. When viewed from the left-right direction, the left and right screw assemblies 403 of the electric slide rail 701 may be disposed forward of the electric motor 713. When viewed from the left-right direction, the rear ends of the left and right electric motors 404 of the electric slide rail 701 may be disposed forward of the electric motor 713.

[0232] When viewed from the left-right direction, the rear ends of the left and right electric motors 404 of the electric slide rail 701 may be disposed rearward of the control device 720.

[0233] 64 , when viewed from the left-right direction, the axis X of the rotation device 705 passes between the rear ends of the left and right screw assemblies 403 of the electric slide rail 701 and the front ends of the left and right electric motors 404. When viewed from the left-right direction, the left and right screw assemblies 403 of the electric slide rail 701 may be disposed rearward of the electric motor 713. When viewed from the left-right direction, the left and right electric motors 404 of the electric slide rail 701 may be disposed rearward of the electric motor 713. When viewed from the left-right direction, the rear ends of the left and right electric motors 404 of the electric slide rail 701 may be disposed rearward of the control device 720.

[0234] Although the specific embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified in a wide range of ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0235] 1: Slide device 2: Floor 3: Vehicle seats 11: Rail 11A: Rail bottom wall 11B: Rail outer wall 11C: Rail top wall 11D: Rail inner wall 12: Slider 12A: Slider upper wall 12B: Inner wall of slider 12F: Slider opening 15: Locking hole 30: Slide lock device 31: Casing 31A: Lower casing member 31B: Upper casing member 31C: Spiral groove 31D: Casing opening 32: Locking member 32A:Shaft part 32B: Convex 32C: Arm section 33: Pressing member 34: Operation member 34A: Main body 34B: Pressing part 34C: Support shaft 35: Insertion hole 36: Operation hole 37: Pressing member

Claims

1. A slide rail, Rails and a slider slidably supported on the rail; a screw assembly supported by the slider; The slider has a plate-shaped slider upper wall whose surface faces up and down, The screw assembly is supported on the lower surface of the slider upper wall, The rail has a plurality of locking holes arranged in an extending direction of the rail, the locking holes being engaged with the screw assemblies. At least one confirmation window is formed in the slider upper wall, penetrating the slider upper wall in the vertical direction. The inspection window is located above the screw assembly of the slide rail.

2. A slide rail, Rails and a slider slidably supported on the rail; a screw assembly supported by the slider; an electric motor supported by the slider; a drive shaft that transmits the rotational force of the electric motor to the screw assembly; The slider has a plate-shaped slider upper wall whose surface faces up and down, the screw assembly and the electric motor are supported on a lower surface of the slider upper wall; The rail has a plurality of locking holes arranged in an extending direction of the rail, the locking holes being engaged with the screw assemblies. At least one confirmation window is formed in the slider upper wall, penetrating the slider upper wall in the vertical direction. The slide rail, wherein the confirmation window is disposed above at least one of the screw assembly and the electric motor.

3. A slide rail as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the slider, both ends of the confirmation window are positioned inward of both ends of the screw assembly.

4. A slide rail as described in Claim 2, wherein the confirmation window is positioned away from the electric motor in the extension direction of the slider.

5. A slide rail as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein two of the confirmation windows are formed at positions that overlap with the screw assembly when viewed in a plane.

Images