Slide rail and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

To provide a slide rail capable of preventing falling-off of a reinforcement member from a slider when the left and right side walls of the slider move.SOLUTION: A slide rail 1 comprises: a rail 11 provided on a floor 3; a slider 12 which is engaged with the rail so as to be slidable and which supports a seat body; and a reinforcement member 80 that prevents deformation of the slider. The slider includes a pair of left and right side walls 26, and an upper wall 25 that connects the upper ends of the side walls. The reinforcement member is disposed between the side walls and below the upper wall, and directed connected at the upper end to the upper wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide rail, and more particularly to a slide rail provided between a seat body and a floor of a vehicle seat, and a method for manufacturing the slide rail. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional slide rail includes a rail installed on the floor of a vehicle and a slider slidably supported on the rail and connected to the seat body. The slider has a pair of left and right side walls and an upper wall connecting the upper ends of the side walls, and is generally U-shaped in cross section.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a resin protector provided at the end of a slider. The protector is arranged to cover the end faces of the side walls and the end faces of the top wall (also called open faces) and seal the end of the slider.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a cap arranged to seal the end of a slider. Locking holes are provided near the rear ends of the left and right side walls of the slider, and the cap is provided with locking claws that engage with the locking holes.

[0005] The cap is further provided with a deformation prevention portion for preventing deformation of the rail. The deformation prevention portion extends toward the center of the slider in the longitudinal direction and is located in the space formed between the left and right side walls and below the top wall.

[0006] During a vehicle collision, a load may be applied to the seat body, lifting it off the floor. At this time, the slider deforms so that the left and right side walls approach each other. The deformation prevention part is located between the left and right side walls and serves to prevent the left and right side walls of the slider from deforming so as to approach each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-119613 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-67137 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The caps (reinforcing members) in Patent Document 2 are locked to the left and right side walls of the slider. Therefore, if the left and right side walls move due to deformation of the slider, the locking claws of the cap may separate from the locking holes in the left and right side walls, causing the cap to come off the slider.

[0009] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to prevent a reinforcing member from coming off a slider when the left and right side walls of the slider move in a slide rail, and to provide a method for manufacturing a slide rail that can prevent the reinforcing member from coming off a slider when the left and right side walls of the slider move. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a slide rail (1) having a rail (11) provided on a floor (3), a slider (12) that slidably engages with the rail and supports the seat body, and a reinforcing member (80) that prevents deformation of the slider, wherein the slider has a pair of left and right side walls (26) and an upper wall (25) that connects the upper ends of the side walls, and the reinforcing member is positioned between the pair of left and right side walls and below the upper wall, and is directly connected to the upper wall at its upper end.

[0011] According to this aspect, since the reinforcing member is connected to the upper wall, it is possible to prevent the reinforcing member from coming off the slider when the left and right side walls of the slider move, compared to when the reinforcing member is engaged with the left and right side walls.

[0012] In the above aspect, preferably, the reinforcing member comprises a pair of left and right vertical walls (82) arranged inside the side wall, and a horizontal wall (84) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the vertical walls, and the vertical width of the horizontal walls is smaller than the vertical width of the vertical walls.

[0013] According to this aspect, the reinforcing member can be made lightweight.

[0014] In the above aspect, preferably, the horizontal wall is located lower than the upper ends of the vertical walls.

[0015] When the seat body moves away from the floor, the lower portions of the side walls move closer to each other. According to this aspect, when the left and right side walls move closer to each other, the horizontal walls can more effectively resist the movement of the side walls than when the horizontal walls are arranged to connect the upper ends of the vertical walls.

[0016] In the above aspect, preferably, the horizontal wall connects the lower ends of the vertical walls.

[0017] According to this aspect, when the left and right side walls move toward each other, the horizontal walls can better resist movement of the side walls than when the horizontal walls are arranged to connect the upper ends of the vertical walls.

[0018] In the above aspect, preferably, each of the vertical walls is joined at its upper end to the lower surface of the upper wall.

[0019] According to this aspect, the vertical wall can be joined to the upper wall with a simple configuration.

[0020] In the above aspect, preferably, the reinforcing member comprises a pair of left and right vertical walls (82) each positioned inside the side wall, and a horizontal wall (84) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the vertical walls, and each of the vertical walls is fastened at its upper end to the upper wall by a fastening member (90).

[0021] According to this aspect, the vertical wall can be joined to the upper wall with a simple configuration.

[0022] In the above aspect, preferably, the slider includes a first piece (12A) that constitutes the lower half of the upper wall and one of the side walls, and a second piece (12B) that constitutes the upper half of the upper wall and the other side wall, and the first piece and the second piece are overlapped and fastened together to the reinforcing member by the fastening member.

[0023] According to this embodiment, the first piece and the second piece can be joined together more firmly.

[0024] In the above aspect, the seat main body is preferably connected to the slider between the two fastening members when viewed in the front-rear direction.

[0025] According to this aspect, the seat body can be connected to the slider in a stable position.

[0026] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing the slide rail, which includes the steps of joining the reinforcing member to the upper wall of the slider and engaging the slider with the rail.

[0027] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a simple method for manufacturing a slide rail that can prevent the reinforcing member from coming off the slider when the left and right side walls of the slider move. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] One aspect of the present invention is a slide rail (1) having a rail (11) provided on a floor (3), a slider (12) slidably engaged with the rail and supporting the seat body, and a reinforcing member (80) that prevents deformation of the slider, wherein the slider has a pair of left and right side walls (26) and an upper wall (25) connecting the upper ends of the side walls, and the reinforcing member is disposed between the pair of left and right side walls and below the upper wall, and is directly connected to the upper wall at its upper end.

[0029] According to this aspect, since the reinforcing member is connected to the upper wall, it is possible to prevent the reinforcing member from coming off the slider when the left and right side walls of the slider move, compared to when the reinforcing member is engaged with the left and right side walls.

[0030] In the above aspect, preferably, the reinforcing member comprises a pair of left and right vertical walls (82) arranged inside the side wall, and a horizontal wall (84) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the vertical walls, and the vertical width of the horizontal walls is smaller than the vertical width of the vertical walls.

[0031] According to this aspect, the reinforcing member can be made lightweight.

[0032] In the above aspect, preferably, the horizontal wall is located lower than the upper ends of the vertical walls.

[0033] When the seat body moves away from the floor, the lower portions of the side walls move closer to each other. According to this aspect, when the left and right side walls move closer to each other, the horizontal walls can more effectively resist the movement of the side walls than when the horizontal walls are arranged to connect the upper ends of the vertical walls.

[0034] In the above aspect, preferably, the horizontal wall connects the lower ends of the vertical walls.

[0035] According to this aspect, when the left and right side walls move toward each other, the horizontal walls can better resist movement of the side walls than when the horizontal walls are arranged to connect the upper ends of the vertical walls.

[0036] In the above aspect, preferably, each of the vertical walls is joined at its upper end to the lower surface of the upper wall.

[0037] According to this aspect, the vertical wall can be joined to the upper wall with a simple configuration.

[0038] In the above aspect, preferably, the reinforcing member comprises a pair of left and right vertical walls (82) each positioned inside the side wall, and a horizontal wall (84) extending in the left-right direction and connecting the vertical walls, and each of the vertical walls is fastened at its upper end to the upper wall by a fastening member (90).

[0039] According to this aspect, the vertical wall can be joined to the upper wall with a simple configuration.

[0040] In the above aspect, preferably, the slider includes a first piece (12A) that constitutes the lower half of the upper wall and one of the side walls, and a second piece (12B) that constitutes the upper half of the upper wall and the other side wall, and the first piece and the second piece are overlapped and fastened together to the reinforcing member by the fastening member.

[0041] According to this embodiment, the first piece and the second piece can be joined together more firmly.

[0042] In the above aspect, the seat main body is preferably connected to the slider between the two fastening members when viewed in the front-rear direction.

[0043] According to this aspect, the seat body can be connected to the slider in a stable position.

[0044] In one aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing the slide rail includes the steps of: joining the reinforcing member to the upper wall of the slider; and engaging the slider with the rail.

[0045] According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a simple method for manufacturing a slide rail that can prevent the reinforcing member from coming off the slider when the left and right side walls of the slider move. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0046] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle seat equipped with an electric slide rail according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] Perspective view of the electric slide rail [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the electric slide rail (cross-sectional view III-III in Figure 5) [Figure 4] Rail cross section [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a slider, with a portion cut away; [Figure 6] Cross section of an electric slide rail [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the screw assembly without the first bracket. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a screw assembly with the first bracket and outer case omitted; [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating deformation of the slider that may occur when the seat body is lifted from the floor. [Figure 10] A perspective view of a reinforcing member [Figure 11] XI-XI cross section of Figure 2 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An electric slide rail 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 electric slide rail moves the second structure relative to the first structure as the slider moves relative to the rail. The electric slide rail is installed, for example, between a floor and a seat of a vehicle and moves the seat relative to the floor. The electric slide rail is also installed between a base and a work holder and moves the work holder relative to the base.

[0048] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an electric slide rail 1 and a vehicle seat 2 equipped with the electric slide rail 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle seat 2 has at least one electric slide rail 1 on its lower portion, and is connected to a floor 3 of the vehicle by the electric slide rail 1. The vehicle seat 2 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 electric slide rail 1 is provided between the floor 3 and the seat cushion 5, and supports the seat cushion 5 so that it can slide relative to the floor 3. The vehicle seat 2 preferably has a pair of electric slide rails 1.

[0049] Hereinafter, the portion of the vehicle seat 2 that slides relative to the floor 3 as the electric slide rail 1 is driven will be referred to as the seat body 7. The seat body 7 includes a seat cushion 5 and a seat back 6. The seat body 7 may further include a headrest provided on the upper part of the seat back 6 and an ottoman provided in front of the seat cushion 5.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 2 , the electric slide rail 1 has a rail 11 extending in the front-rear direction and a slider 12 slidably engaged with the rail 11. The extension direction of the rail 11 is defined as the front-rear direction. The extension direction of the rail 11 may or may not coincide with the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In other words, the extension direction of the rail 11 does not limit the installation direction on the vehicle. In this embodiment, the extension direction of the rail 11 coincides with the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the slider 12 is provided above the rail 11. Therefore, the rail 11 may be referred to as a lower rail, and the slider 12 may be referred to as an upper rail.

[0051] 3 and 4, the rail 11 has a groove-shaped cross section. In detail, the rail 11 has a rail bottom wall 14 with faces facing up and down, left and right rail outer walls 15 that extend upward from the left and right edges of the rail bottom wall 14 and have faces facing left and right, left and right rail upper walls 16 that extend toward each other from the upper ends of the left and right rail outer walls 15 and have faces facing up and down, and left and right rail inner walls 17 that extend downward from the inner ends of the left and right rail upper walls 16 and have faces facing left and right.

[0052] The rail bottom wall 14, the left and right rail outer walls 15, the left and right rail upper walls 16, and the left and right rail inner walls 17 each extend in the front-to-rear direction. The left and right rail outer walls 15 and the left and right rail inner walls 17 extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the rail bottom wall 14. The lower ends of the left and right rail inner walls 17 are spaced apart from the rail bottom wall 14. The rail 11 has a rail opening 19 at its upper part that extends in the front-to-rear direction. The rail opening 19 is defined by the left and right rail inner walls 17. The rail 11 may be formed by press-forming a metal plate. The left and right edge portions of the rail bottom wall 14 may have upwardly protruding steps 21. The left and right steps 21 extend in the front-to-rear direction and have flat upper surfaces.

[0053] The left and right rail inner walls 17 are each formed with a protrusion 22 that protrudes toward each other and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The cross section of the left and right protrusions 22 may be formed in an arc or trapezoid shape. Each protrusion 22 may be located in the middle of the corresponding rail inner wall 17 in the up-down direction. The upper and lower ends of the left and right rail inner walls 17 are located outward from the protrusions 22 to the left and right.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 3 , the slider 12 is disposed at the opening edge of the rail opening 19 and includes a plate-shaped base portion 25 with its surfaces facing up and down, left and right slider inner walls 26 extending downward from the left and right side edges of the base portion 25 toward the rail bottom wall 14, left and right slider lower walls 27 extending outward to the left and right from the lower ends of the left and right slider inner walls 26, respectively, and left and right slider outer walls 28 extending upward from the left and right outer ends of the left and right slider lower walls 27. The left and right slider inner walls 26 correspond to the third and fourth side walls in the claims. The base portion 25, the left and right slider inner walls 26, the left and right slider lower walls 27, and the left and right slider outer walls 28 extend forward and backward.

[0055] The slider 12 may be formed by fastening together a number of pressed or rolled metal plates.

[0056] In this embodiment, the slider 12 is composed of a first piece 12A and a second piece 12B. The first piece 12A constitutes a base portion 25 (more specifically, the lower half of the base portion 25), a left slider inner wall 26, a left slider lower wall 27, and a left slider outer wall 28. The second piece 12B constitutes the base portion 25 (more specifically, the upper half of the base portion 25), a right slider inner wall 26, a right slider lower wall 27, and a right slider outer wall 28.

[0057] The slider 12 is formed by overlapping and fastening the first piece 12A and the second piece 12B to each other at their respective base portions 25. In other embodiments, the slider 12 may be formed from a single metal plate that is press-formed or roll-formed. The front-to-rear length of the slider 12 is set shorter than the front-to-rear length of the rail 11. The slider 12 is connected to the seat cushion 5 at the base portion 25.

[0058] The base portion 25 may be disposed above or below the left and right rail upper walls 16. The left and right slider inner walls 26 face left and right and face each other at a distance. The left and right slider inner walls 26 are disposed between the left and right rail inner walls 17. Each slider inner wall 26 faces the corresponding rail inner wall 17 on the left and right with a gap between them. Each slider lower wall 27 extends left and right, passing between the rail bottom wall 14 and the lower end of the corresponding rail inner wall 17 on the left and right. The outer wall of each slider 12 is disposed between the corresponding rail outer wall 15 and rail inner wall 17 on the left and right. A plurality of wheels 31 are rotatably supported on the outer surface of each slider outer wall 28 in the left-right direction. Each wheel 31 has a rotation axis that rotates in the left-right direction and is in contact with the rail bottom wall 14. In this embodiment, each wheel 31 is in contact with the upper surface of the step portion 21 of the rail bottom wall 14. The slider 12 can smoothly slide along the rail 11 by contacting the rail 11 via the wheels 31. With the above configuration, the slider 12 is received in the rail 11 and slidably engages with the rail 11. In other embodiments, the slider 12 may be supported on the rail 11 via a ball or roller bearing.

[0059] The left and right slider inner walls 26 are formed with recesses 33 that are recessed toward each other and extend in the front-to-rear direction. A protrusion is formed on the rear side of the recesses 33 of the slider inner walls 26. The cross section of the left and right recesses 33 as viewed from the front-to-rear direction may be formed in an arc shape or a trapezoid shape. Each recess 33 may be located in the middle of the corresponding slider inner walls 26 in the up-down direction. Each recess 33 is located in a position facing the protrusion 22 of the corresponding rail 11 on the left and right.

[0060] The slider 12 is formed by a base portion 25 and left and right slider inner walls 26 into a groove shape that opens toward the rail bottom wall 14, i.e., downward. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, a screw assembly 35 and an electric motor 36 are supported on the underside of the base portion 25. The screw assembly 35 includes screw members 38, 39 that are supported on the slider 12 and are rotatable around the front-to-rear direction. The electric motor 36 is supported on the slider 12 and rotates the screw members 38, 39.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8 , in this embodiment, the screw members 38 and 39 include a first screw member 38 and a second screw member 39. In other embodiments, the screw assembly 35 may include a single screw member. The first screw member 38 and the second screw member 39 have threads 38A and 39A on the outer circumferential surfaces of the longitudinally intermediate portions. The number of threads 38A and 39A may be determined based on the size of the electric slide rail 1 and the required strength of the electric slide rail 1 in the longitudinal direction. For example, the number of threads 38A and 39A may be increased to increase the required strength. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the screw assembly 35 includes a gear case 41 that rotatably supports the first screw member 38 and the second screw member 39 and a first bracket 42 that supports the gear case 41 on the slider 12.

[0062] 7 and 8, the gear case 41 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped box that is long in the front-to-rear direction. The gear case 41 rotatably supports a first screw member 38, a second screw member 39, and a drive shaft 43 that is connected to a rotary shaft 36A of the electric motor 36. The first screw member 38, the second screw member 39, and the drive shaft 43 each extend in the front-to-rear direction and are arranged in parallel to one another in the gear case 41. The gear case 41 has a box-shaped outer case 41A that forms an outer shell, and a front support member 41B and a rear support member 41C that are supported at the front and rear ends of the outer case 41A. The front support member 41B and the rear support member 41C are provided with a pair of front and rear first bearing portions 45 that rotatably support the front and rear ends of the first screw member 38, a pair of front and rear second bearing portions 46 that rotatably support the front and rear ends of the second screw member 39, and a pair of front and rear third bearing portions 47 that rotatably support the drive shaft 43.

[0063] The first screw member 38 is disposed along the left side of the gear case 41, and the second screw member 39 is disposed along the right side of the gear case 41. The drive shaft 43 is disposed below the intermediate portion between the first screw member 38 and the second screw member 39. The drive shaft 43 has a drive gear 43A within the gear case 41. The first screw member 38 has a first gear 38B that meshes with the drive gear 43A. The second screw member 39 has a second gear 39B that meshes with the drive gear 43A. The drive gear 43A, the first gear 38B, and the second gear 39B may each be a spur gear. When the drive shaft 43 rotates, the first screw member 38 and the second screw member 39 rotate in the same direction. The first gear 38B and the second gear 39B may be symmetrical.

[0064] 5 and 6, the gear case 41 has a case opening 48 that is an opening for laterally exposing the first screw member 38 and the second screw member 39. The threads 38A of the first screw member 38 pass through the case opening 48 formed on the left side of the gear case 41 and protrude leftward. Similarly, the threads 39A of the second screw member 39 pass through the case opening 48 formed on the right side of the gear case 41 and protrude rightward. The case opening 48 is formed in the outer case 41A.

[0065] The first bracket 42 extends longitudinally and has a first connecting portion 42A at its front end and a second connecting portion 42B at its rear end. The first bracket 42 is connected to the underside of the base portion 25 of the slider 12 at the first connecting portion 42A and the second connecting portion 42B. The first bracket 42 has a support portion 42C extending from the first connecting portion 42A to the second connecting portion 42B. The first bracket 42 may be an integrated metal member including the first connecting portion 42A, the second connecting portion 42B, and the support portion 42C. The support portion 42C has a portion located below the first connecting portion 42A and the second connecting portion 42B. The support portion 42C allows the first bracket 42 to cooperate with the base portion 25 to form a closed structure. The gear case 41 is disposed between the base portion 25 of the slider 12 and the support portion 42C. The first bracket 42 is formed by bending a metal plate. The first connecting portion 42A extends forward from the front of the gear case 41, and the second connecting portion 42B extends rearward from the rear of the gear case 41. The first connecting portion 42A and the second connecting portion 42B may be fastened to the base portion 25 by fastening members such as screws or rivets. The distance between the fastening points of the first connecting portion 42A and the second connecting portion 42B is set to be longer than the front-to-rear length of the gear case 41.

[0066] A second bracket 51 is provided behind the first bracket 42 to support the electric motor 36 on the base portion 25 of the slider 12. The second bracket 51 has a connecting portion 51A that is connected to the base portion 25 and a support portion 51B that extends downward from the connecting portion 51A to the side opposite the base portion 25. The support portion 51B is perpendicular to the connecting portion 51A, and the second bracket 51 is formed in an L shape. The electric motor 36 is connected to the support portion 51B at one end thereof. In this embodiment, the electric motor 36 is disposed below the connecting portion 51A, and the second bracket 51 cantilevers the end of the electric motor 36 that is closest to the screw members 38 and 39.

[0067] The rear end of the drive shaft 43 protrudes rearward from the rear support member 41C of the gear case 41 and extends rearward through a through-hole formed in the first bracket 42. The rotating shaft 36A of the electric motor 36 is connected to the rear end of the drive shaft 43. The rotating shaft 36A and the drive shaft 43 may be connected by a coupling. The rotating shaft 36A and the drive shaft 43 may also have mating portions that mesh with each other. The rotating shaft 36A of the electric motor 36 and the drive shaft 43 are arranged on the same straight line. The electric motor 36 is formed in a cylindrical shape and extends forward and backward.

[0068] A reducer 40 may be provided between the rotary shaft 36A of the electric motor 36 and the drive shaft 43. The reducer 40 may be, for example, a planetary gear mechanism. The reducer 40 may be provided on the surface of the support portion 51B of the second bracket 51 that faces away from the electric motor 36. In another embodiment, the reducer 40 may be supported on the rear end surface of the gear case 41. The reducer 40 is an optional component and can be omitted.

[0069] The screw assembly 35, the electric motor 36, the first bracket 42, and the second bracket 51 are disposed below the base portion 25 and between the left and right slider inner walls 26. The left and right slider inner walls 26 have slider openings 55 at positions corresponding to the screw assemblies 35. The slider openings 55 are formed in the recesses 33 of the slider inner walls 26. A left portion of the threads 38A of the first screw member 38 passes through the left case opening 48 of the gear case 41 and the slider opening 55 of the left slider inner wall 26, and protrudes to the left of the left slider inner wall 26. Similarly, a right portion of the threads 39A of the second screw member 39 passes through the right case opening 48 of the gear case 41 and the slider opening 55 of the right slider inner wall 26, and protrudes to the right of the right slider inner wall 26.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 2 , the rail 11 is formed with thread engagement portions 57, 58 that extend in the front-rear direction and engage with the screw members 38, 39. The thread engagement portions 57, 58 include a first thread engagement portion 57 formed on the left rail inner wall 17 that engages with the thread 38A of the first screw member 38, and a second thread engagement portion 58 formed on the right rail inner wall 17 that engages with the thread 39A of the second screw member 39. The first thread engagement portion 57 and the second thread engagement portion 58 are formed on the corresponding protrusion 22 of the rail inner wall 17. The first thread engagement portion 57 and the second thread engagement portion 58 include multiple engagement holes 59 formed in the protrusion 22 and aligned in the front-rear direction. The first screw member 38 engages with the multiple engagement holes 59 of the first screw engagement portion 57 at the left portion of the thread 38A of the first screw member 38, and rotates around the front-rear direction to move front-rear relative to the first screw engagement portion 57. Similarly, the second screw member 39 engages with multiple engagement holes 59 of the second screw engagement portion 58 at the right portion of the thread 39A of the second screw member 39, and moves back and forth relative to the second screw engagement portion 58 by rotating around the front-to-back direction.

[0071] The electric slide rail 1 is controlled by a control device 66. The control device 66 is provided, for example, on the floor 3. The control device 66 is an electronic control device, and is connected to a power source 68 and an operation switch 67. The operation switch 67 has a button corresponding to forward movement and a button corresponding to reverse movement. The control device 66 controls the direction and amount of rotation of the electric motor 36 based on a signal from the operation switch 67. This allows an operator to operate the electric slide rail 1 by operating the operation switch 67, and move the vehicle seat 2 forward or backward relative to the floor 3.

[0072] Each rail 11 of the left and right electric slide rails 1 is connected to the vehicle floor 3 via a bracket or directly. Each rail 11 is preferably received in a rail groove 4 formed in the floor 3. The upper surface of the rail upper wall 16 of the rail 11 is preferably arranged flush with the upper surface of the floor 3. By placing the rail 11 in the rail groove 4, it is possible to prevent the rail 11 from protruding from the floor 3. Each slider 12 of the left and right electric slide rails 1 is connected to the seat cushion 5. The sliders 12 of the left and right electric slide rails 1 may be connected to each other by a connecting member.

[0073] The rotation of the electric motor 36 is transmitted to the first screw member 38 and the second screw member 39 via the rotation shaft 36A, the drive shaft 43, the drive gear 43A, and the first gear 38B or the second gear 39B. As a result, the first screw member 38 and the second screw member 39 rotate in the same direction. When the first screw member 38 and the second screw member 39 rotate, the first screw member 38 and the second screw member 39 move back and forth relative to the first screw engagement portion 57 and the second screw engagement portion 58, and the slider 12 moves back and forth relative to the rail 11.

[0074] 5, a connecting hole 72 that penetrates vertically is provided in the center in the left-right direction of the base portion 25. In this embodiment, one connecting hole 72 is provided in the front portion and one in the rear portion of the base portion 25. The connecting hole 72 penetrates the first piece 12A and the second piece 12B that constitute the slider 12.

[0075] A bracket (not shown) is fixed to the base portion 25 by a connecting member 74 that passes through the connecting hole 72. The seat main body 7 is fixed to the bracket and thereby connected to the slider 12. For example, the connecting member 74 may be formed of a bolt, and a nut that connects to the bolt may be fixed to the bracket by welding or the like.

[0076] The inventors of the present application have found through repeated collision experiments and the like that in the event of a frontal or rear collision of the vehicle, at least one of the front and rear portions of the seat main body 7 may be lifted in a direction away from the floor 3. The inventors of the present application further conducted a detailed investigation into the deformation mode of the slider 12 that may occur when the seat main body 7 is lifted.

[0077] Fig. 9 shows an example of a cross section of the slider 12 that has been deformed when at least one of the front end and the rear end of the seat main body 7 is lifted from the floor 3. By studying the deformation of the slider 12 illustrated in Fig. 9, the inventors of the present application have found that when the front end and / or the rear end of the seat main body 7 is lifted from the floor 3 (see the white arrows), a load (see the black arrows) is applied to each of the left and right slider inner walls 26, causing the lower end portions of the slider inner walls 26 to deform so as to approach each other.

[0078] Therefore, in order to prevent such deformation of the slider 12 (upper rail), a reinforcing member 80 is provided on the slider 12 according to the present invention, as shown in FIG.

[0079] The reinforcing member 80 is a resin member that is provided at the front end portion and / or the rear end portion of the slider 12 in order to reinforce the slider 12. The reinforcing member 80 is housed in the space S between the pair of left and right slider inner walls 26 and below the base portion 25.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 10, the reinforcing member 80 has a pair of left and right vertical walls 82 and a horizontal wall 84 that extends in the left-right direction and connects the left and right vertical walls 82 together.

[0081] The vertical walls 82 are each shaped like a plate having a surface facing in the left-right direction. As shown in Figure 11, the left vertical wall 82 is disposed along the right side surface of the left slider inner wall 26, and the right vertical wall 82 is disposed along the left side surface of the right slider inner wall 26. In this embodiment, the left vertical wall 82 abuts against the lower half of the left slider inner wall 26, and the right vertical wall 82 abuts against the lower half of the right slider inner wall 26.

[0082] The upper surfaces of the left vertical wall 82 and the right vertical wall 82 abut against the lower surface of the base portion 25. As shown in Fig. 10, the upper surfaces of the left vertical wall 82 and the right vertical wall 82 each have a screw hole 86 extending downward.

[0083] 11 , the base portion 25 has through holes 88 at positions that overlap the screw holes 86 of the vertical walls 82 in the vertical direction. The left and right vertical walls 82 and the base portion 25 are fastened to each other by screws 90 (also called fastening members) that pass through the through holes 88, and the left and right vertical walls 82 are each joined to the underside of the base portion 25. As a result, the upper end of the reinforcing member 80 is directly joined to the base portion 25 and is supported by the base portion 25.

[0084] The through-holes 88 penetrate the first piece 12A and the second piece 12B, respectively. The first piece 12A and the second piece 12B are overlapped and fastened together to the reinforcing member 80 with screws 90. This allows the first piece 12A and the second piece 12B to be joined together more firmly.

[0085] The through holes 88 are located on the left and right outer sides of the connecting hole 72 in a front view. In this embodiment, the screws 90 are also located on the left and right outer sides of the connecting member 74. The seat main body 7 is connected to the slider 12 between the two screws 90 in a front-rear view (also referred to as a front view). In this way, the seat main body 7 can be connected to the slider 12 in a more stable position in the center in the left and right direction, compared to when the seat main body 7 is connected to the slider 12 on the left and right outer sides of the two screws 90.

[0086] Each of the vertical walls 82 extends toward the center of the slider 12. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, a step 92 recessed downward is provided on the top surface of each vertical wall 82 in a portion closer to the center of the slider 12 than the screw hole 86.

[0087] The horizontal wall 84 is shaped like a plate having a surface facing the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 11, the width of the horizontal wall 84 in the vertical direction is smaller than the width of the vertical wall 82 in the vertical direction.

[0088] The horizontal wall 84 connects the left and right vertical walls 82. More specifically, the horizontal wall 84 is located below the upper ends of the vertical walls 82, and connects the left and right vertical walls 82 together. In this embodiment, the horizontal wall 84 is located below the upper end of the left vertical wall 82 and below the upper end of the right vertical wall 82. Furthermore, the horizontal wall 84 connects the lower end of the left vertical wall 82 to the lower end of the right vertical wall 82. The horizontal wall 84 is located in a position that is generally aligned with the lower end portion of the slider inner side wall 26 in the up-down direction.

[0089] Next, a method for manufacturing the electric slide rail 1 will be described. A worker manufacturing the electric slide rail 1 first prepares the rail 11 and the slider 12, and then connects a bracket for connecting the seat body 7 to the slider 12. The worker then performs a step of slidably engaging the slider 12 with the rail 11. The worker then performs a step of connecting (fastening in this embodiment) the reinforcing member 80 to the base portion 25 of the slider 12, and the electric slide rail 1 is completed. In this way, the electric slide rail 1 can be manufactured by a simple method.

[0090] Next, we will explain the effects of the electric slide rail 1 configured as above. When at least one of the front and rear parts of the seat main body 7 is lifted during a frontal or rear collision of the vehicle, a load is applied to the lower end portions of the left and right slider inner walls 26 so as to move them closer to each other (see arrows), as shown in Fig. 9.

[0091] 2 and 11, a reinforcing member 80 is provided between the slider inner walls 26. Therefore, the reinforcing member 80 resists a load applied to the lower ends of the slider inner walls 26 in a direction toward each other, thereby preventing deformation of the slider 12.

[0092] The reinforcing member 80 is connected to the base portion 25 (upper wall) that connects the upper ends of the slider inner side walls 26. Therefore, compared to when the reinforcing member 80 is locked to the slider inner side walls 26, when the slider inner side walls 26 move in directions toward each other, the impact on the joint portion between the reinforcing member 80 and the slider 12 can be reduced, and separation of the reinforcing member 80 from the slider 12 can be prevented.

[0093] In this embodiment, the seat body 7 is joined to the base portion 25 at approximately the center in the left-right direction, while the reinforcing member 80 is joined to the left and right edges of the base portion 25. Therefore, compared to when the reinforcing member 80 is joined to the base portion 25 at approximately the center in the left-right direction, it is less susceptible to the influence of movement of the seat body 7, and separation of the reinforcing member 80 from the slider 12 can be more effectively prevented.

[0094] In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 80 is provided with a horizontal wall 84 that connects the lower ends of the left and right vertical walls 82. The horizontal wall 84 is provided at a position that is generally aligned with the lower end portions of the slider inner wall 26, and therefore can effectively resist movement of the lower end portions of the slider inner wall 26 in the direction toward each other. This makes it possible to effectively prevent movement of the lower end portions of the slider inner wall 26.

[0095] Furthermore, the vertical width of the horizontal wall 84 is smaller than that of the left and right vertical walls 82. Therefore, the reinforcing member 80 can be made lighter than when the vertical width of the horizontal wall 84 is equal to that of the left and right vertical walls 82. Furthermore, since the amount of material required to manufacture the reinforcing member 80 can be reduced, the manufacturing cost of the reinforcing member 80 can be reduced.

[0096] Although the description of the specific embodiment has been completed above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be widely modified and implemented. In the above embodiment, an electric slide rail 1 has been described as an example, but a motor and the like are not essential. The slide rail according to the present invention may be in any form as long as it has a rail 11, a slider 12 that can slide relative to the rail 11, and a reinforcing member 80 provided on the slider 12, and the reinforcing member 80 is directly connected to the base portion 25 (upper wall). [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1: Electric slide rail (example of slide rail) 3: Floor 11: Rail 12: Slider 12A: 1st piece 12B: 2nd piece 25: Base part (example of upper wall) 26: Inner slider wall (an example of a side wall) 80: Reinforcement member 82: Vertical wall 84: Side wall 90: Screw (an example of a fastening member)

Claims

1. A slide rail having a rail provided on a floor, a slider slidably engaged with the rail and supporting a seat body, and a reinforcing member for preventing deformation of the slider, the slider includes a pair of left and right side walls and an upper wall connecting upper ends of the side walls, The reinforcing member is disposed between the pair of left and right side walls and below the top wall, and is directly connected to the top wall at its upper end.

2. The reinforcing member includes a pair of left and right vertical walls disposed inside the side walls, and a horizontal wall extending in the left-right direction and connecting the vertical walls, The slide rail according to claim 1 , wherein the width of the horizontal wall in the vertical direction is smaller than the width of the vertical wall in the vertical direction.

3. The slide rail according to claim 2 , wherein the horizontal wall is positioned lower than the upper ends of the vertical walls.

4. The slide rail according to claim 3 , wherein the horizontal wall connects the lower ends of the vertical walls.

5. 3. The slide rail according to claim 2, wherein each of said vertical walls is joined at its upper end to the lower surface of said upper wall.

6. The reinforcing member includes a pair of left and right vertical walls disposed inside the side walls, and a horizontal wall extending in the left-right direction and connecting the vertical walls, The slide rail according to claim 1 , wherein each of the vertical walls is fastened at its upper end to the upper wall by a fastening member.

7. the slider includes a first piece that forms a lower half of the upper wall and one of the side walls, and a second piece that forms an upper half of the upper wall and the other of the side walls, 7. The slide rail according to claim 6, wherein the first piece and the second piece are overlapped and fastened together to the reinforcing member by the fastening member.

8. The slide rail according to claim 6 , wherein the seat body is connected to the slider between the two fastening members when viewed in the front-rear direction.

9. A method for manufacturing a slide rail according to claim 1, coupling the stiffening member to the top wall of the slider; and engaging the slider with the rail.

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