Cable junction box, suspension device, and vehicle seat

Abstract

To provide a cable junction box capable of selectively pulling two cables to be operated among three cables to be operated by selectively pulling one of two operation cables.SOLUTION: In a cable junction box 50, when an inner wire 60B of a first operation cable 60 is pulled to one side, a first slider 54 slides to one side while being engaged with a third slider 58, and inner wires 64B, 68B of a first operated cable 64 and a third operated cable 68 are pulled to one side. When the inner wire 62B of the second operation cable 62 is pulled in one direction, the second slider 56 slides in one direction while being engaged with the third slider 58, and the inner wires 66B and 60B of the second operated cable 66 and the third operated cable 68 are pulled in one direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable junction box, and a suspension device and a vehicle seat that include the cable junction box. [Background technology]

[0002] The vehicle seat disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes an inverting mechanism for moving the seat cushion, a rotation mechanism for rotating the seat back, a cushion lock for preventing movement of the seat cushion, a back lock for preventing rotation of the seat back, a cushion operation strap for unlocking the cushion lock, a back operation lever for unlocking the back lock, a relay unit for adjusting the timing for unlocking the cushion lock and the timing for unlocking the back lock, and a remote control lever for operating the relay unit. The cushion lock, back lock, cushion operation strap, and remote control lever are each connected to the relay unit via cables. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-35060 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above prior art does not take into consideration the possibility of selectively pulling one of two operating cables to selectively pull two of three operated cables.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a cable junction box that can selectively pull two of three operated cables by selectively pulling one of two operating cables, as well as a suspension device and a vehicle seat that are equipped with the cable junction box. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A cable junction box of a first aspect comprises a case, a first slider slidably supported on the case and connecting a first operating cable and a first operated cable, a second slider slidably supported on the case and connecting a second operating cable and a second operated cable, and a third slider slidably supported on the case and to which a third operated cable is connected, wherein when the first operating cable is pulled in one direction, the first slider slides in the one direction while engaging with the third slider, and the first operated cable and the third operated cable are pulled in the one direction, and when the second operating cable is pulled in the one direction, the second slider slides in the one direction while engaging with the third slider, and the second operated cable and the third operated cable are pulled in the one direction.

[0007] In the first aspect, "pulled" means that the inner wire of each cable is pulled.

[0008] In a first aspect of the cable junction box, a first slider, a second slider, and a third slider are slidably supported on a case. The first slider connects a first operating cable and a first operated cable, and the second slider connects a second operating cable and a second operated cable. A third operated cable is connected to the third slider. When the first operating cable is pulled in one direction, the first slider slides in one direction while engaging with the third slider, and the first operated cable and the third operated cable are pulled in one direction. When the second operating cable is pulled in one direction, the second slider slides in one direction while engaging with the third slider, and the second operated cable and the third operated cable are pulled in one direction. In this manner, in this embodiment, by selectively pulling two operating cables (the first operating cable and the second operating cable), it is possible to selectively pull two of the three operated cables (the first operated cable, the second operated cable, and the third operated cable) (the first operated cable and the third operated cable).

[0009] The suspension device of the second aspect is arranged below the seat body of a vehicle seat and includes a device body that is arranged to extend and retract in the seat up and down direction to raise and lower the seat body, an air spring that extends and retracts the device body, a suspension lock that locks the extension and retraction of the device body, an operating member that can be operated by a vehicle occupant, a first operating cable and a second operating cable connected to a height control unit of the air spring, a first operated cable and a second operated cable connected to the operating member, a third operated cable connected to the suspension lock, and a first slider that moves the first operating cable. and the cable junction box of claim 1, in which a cable connects the first operated cable to the first slider, the second operating cable connects the second operated cable to the second operated cable, and the third operated cable is connected to the third slider, and when the operating member is operated in a first direction, the suspension lock is unlocked and air from an air compressor mounted on the vehicle is supplied to the air spring, and when the operating member is operated in a second direction, the suspension lock is unlocked and air is exhausted from the air spring.

[0010] In a second aspect of the suspension device, a device main body disposed below a seat main body of a vehicle seat expands and contracts in the seat up and down direction using an air spring, thereby raising and lowering the seat main body. The expansion and contraction of the device main body is locked by a suspension lock. A first operating cable and a second operating cable are connected to a height control unit of the air spring, a first operated cable and a second operated cable are connected to an operating member operable by a vehicle occupant, and a third operated cable is connected to the suspension lock. The first operating cable and the first operated cable are connected by a first slider of a cable junction box, the second operating cable and the second operated cable are connected by a second slider of the cable junction box, and the third operated cable is connected to a third slider of the cable junction box. When the operating member is operated in the first direction, the suspension lock is released and air is supplied to the air spring from an air compressor mounted on the vehicle, thereby raising the seat main body. When the operating member is operated in the second direction, the suspension lock is released and air is exhausted from the air spring, causing the seat body to descend. In this way, the suspension lock is automatically released in conjunction with the intake and exhaust of air from the air spring, so the occupant simply operates the operating member in the first or second direction, making operation easy.

[0011] A vehicle seat according to a third aspect includes a seat body having a seat cushion and a seat back, and the suspension device according to the second aspect arranged below the seat body.

[0012] In the vehicle seat of the third aspect, a suspension device is disposed below the seat body having a seat cushion and a seat back. This suspension device is the same as that of the second aspect, and therefore the above-mentioned effects can be obtained. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] As described above, according to the present invention, by selectively pulling one of the two operating cables, it is possible to selectively pull two of the three operated cables. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic side view showing a suspension device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a portion of a suspension device according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the cable junction box according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 5 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 4, showing a state in which the first operation cable is pulled. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 4, showing a state in which a second operation cable is pulled. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A vehicle seat 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Note that in each figure, some reference numerals may be omitted to make the drawings easier to understand. Arrows FR, RH, and UP, which are appropriately depicted in each figure, respectively indicate the front, right, and top of the vehicle seat 10. Hereinafter, when the front-rear, left-right, top-bottom directions are used in the description, they will indicate directions relative to the vehicle seat.

[0016] 1, a vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment includes a seat body 11 on which a vehicle occupant sits, and a suspension device 12. The seat body 11 includes a seat cushion 11A that supports the buttocks and thighs of the occupant, a seat back 11B that supports the back of the occupant, and a headrest 11C that supports the head of the occupant.

[0017] 2, the suspension device 12 is an air suspension device that includes a pair of left and right lower rails 13 (the right lower rail 13 is not shown), a pair of left and right upper rails 14 (the right upper rail 14 is not shown), a pair of left and right X links 16 (the right X link 16 is not shown), an air spring 32, and a suspension lock 36. The suspension device 12 is a shock absorber that suppresses transmission of vibrations of the vehicle body to the seat main body 11 when the vehicle is traveling, and is disposed below the seat main body 11.

[0018] The left and right lower rails 13 are made of, for example, press-formed metal plates and have an elongated shape extending in the front-to-rear direction. Each lower rail 13 has a generally U-shape with an open inner side in the left-to-right direction when viewed in the front-to-rear direction. Each lower rail 13 is fixed to the floor of the vehicle body via a bracket (not shown).

[0019] The left and right upper rails 14 are disposed above and parallel to the left and right lower rails 13, respectively. The left and right upper rails 14 are formed, for example, from press-formed metal plates and have an elongated shape with the longitudinal direction as the length. When viewed in the longitudinal direction, each upper rail 14 has a generally U-shape with an open inner side in the lateral direction. These upper rails 14 are connected to the left and right lower rails 13 via left and right X links 16. The seat body 11 is connected to these upper rails 14 via, for example, a well-known seat slide mechanism.

[0020] Each X link 16 is formed by a pair of link arms 18, 20 assembled in an X-shape. The pair of link arms 18, 20 are formed, for example, from press-formed metal plates, and are elongated with the longitudinal direction as the length and the left-right direction as the plate thickness direction. One link arm 18 is inclined upward as it approaches the front, while the other link arm 20 is inclined downward as it approaches the front. The pair of link arms 18, 20 are connected at their longitudinal middle portions via a link shaft 22. The link shaft 22 has an axial direction in the left-right direction, and the pair of link arms 18, 20 are rotatable relative to each other about the axis of the link shaft 22.

[0021] The front end of one link arm 18 of each of the left and right X links 16 is fixed to the upper slide shaft 24 and the rear end is fixed to the lower rotation shaft 26. The front end of the other link arm 20 of each of the left and right X links 16 is fixed to the lower slide shaft 28 and the rear end is fixed to the upper rotation shaft 30. The upper slide shaft 24, the lower rotation shaft 26, the lower slide shaft 28, and the upper rotation shaft 30 are made of, for example, metal pipe material, and are arranged with their axes extending in the left-right direction. The link arms 18, 20 are fixed to the upper slide shaft 24, the lower rotation shaft 26, the lower slide shaft 28, and the upper rotation shaft 30 by means of welding or the like.

[0022] The upper slide shaft 24 is inserted inside the front portions of the left and right upper rails 14 and is slidable in the front-to-rear direction relative to the left and right upper rails 14. Both left and right end portions of the lower slide shaft 28 are inserted inside the front portions of the left and right lower rails 13 and are slidable in the front-to-rear direction relative to the left and right lower rails 13.

[0023] Both left and right ends of the lower rotating shaft 26 are inserted inside the rear ends of the left and right lower rails 13 and are rotatably supported on the rear ends of the left and right lower rails 13 via bearing members. Both left and right ends of the upper rotating shaft 30 are inserted inside the rear ends of the left and right upper rails 14 and are rotatably supported on the rear ends of the left and right upper rails 14 via bearing members.

[0024] In the suspension device 12 configured as described above, the left and right X links 16 synchronously extend and retract with the lower rotation shaft 26 as a fulcrum, causing the left and right upper rails 14 to move up and down relative to the left and right lower rails 13. Specifically, when the left and right upper rails 14 move up, the left and right X links 16 extend upward so that the inclination direction of the pair of link arms 18, 20 approaches the vertical direction. At this time, the upper slide shaft 24 and the lower slide shaft 28 slide linearly rearward relative to the left and right upper rails 14 and the left and right lower rails 13, and approach the upper rotation shaft 30 and the lower rotation shaft 26.

[0025] On the other hand, when the left and right upper rails 14 descend toward the left and right lower rails 13, the left and right X links 16 contract downward so that the inclination direction of the pair of link arms 18, 20 approaches the front-rear direction. At this time, the upper slide shaft 24 and the lower slide shaft 28 slide linearly forward relative to the left and right upper rails 14 and the left and right lower rails 13, and move away from the upper rotation shaft 30 and the lower rotation shaft 26.

[0026] An upper bracket (not shown) is bridged between one link arm 18 of the left X link 16 and one link arm 18 of the right X link 16. The upper bracket is located rearward of the link shaft 22. Lower brackets (not shown) are fixed to the left and right lower rails 13 below the upper brackets. An air spring 32 is disposed between the upper and lower brackets.

[0027] The air spring 32 is cylindrical with its axis extending substantially vertically. The upper end of the air spring 32 is fixed to the upper bracket, and the lower end of the air spring 32 is fixed to the lower bracket. The air spring 32 receives a compressive load between the upper and lower brackets, urging the upper bracket upward relative to the lower bracket. The air spring 32 elastically deforms with the extension and contraction of the X-link 16, i.e., the elevation and lowering of the upper rail 14.

[0028] The suspension device 12 is provided with a damper (not shown) that absorbs vibrations of the air spring 32. This damper is, for example, a hydraulic cylinder type. The weight of an occupant seated on the seat body 11 is elastically supported by the air spring 32, and vibrations of the seat body 11 are absorbed by the damper.

[0029] The air spring 32 has a height control unit 34 (see FIG. 3). This height control unit 34 is connected to, for example, an air compressor (not shown) that constitutes an air brake device of a vehicle via an air tube. This height control unit 34 controls the supply and exhaust of compressed air to the air compressor. When compressed air is supplied to the air spring 32, the air spring 32 expands upward, thereby raising the height positions of the left and right upper rails 14 and the seat body 11. When compressed air is exhausted from the air spring 32, the air spring 32 contracts downward, thereby lowering the height positions of the left and right upper rails 14 and the seat body 11.

[0030] In this suspension device 12, the extension and contraction of the X-link 16 can be locked by a suspension lock 36 shown in Figure 2. The suspension lock 36 includes a pair of locking members 38, 40 and a lock driver 42 that moves one locking member 38 toward or away from the other locking member 40. The pair of locking members 38, 40 are made of, for example, metal, and are elongated in the vertical direction.

[0031] One locking member 38 has, for example, an upper end pivotally supported by one link arm 18 and is able to swing back and forth relative to the one link arm 18. The other locking member 40 is fixed to the other link arm 20 and faces the one locking member 38 from the rear side. One locking member 38 has a plurality of teeth (number omitted) that protrude rearward and are aligned in the vertical direction, and the other locking member 40 has a plurality of teeth (number omitted) that protrude forward and are aligned in the vertical direction.

[0032] The lock drive unit 42 is configured to include, for example, a cam or a pawl, and is capable of moving one locking member 38 between a locked position in which the teeth of one locking member 38 are engaged with the teeth of the other locking member 40, and an unlocked position in which the engagement is released. When one locking member 38 is in the locked position, extension and contraction of the X link 16, i.e., the lifting and lowering of the upper rail 14, is locked, and the suspension device 12 does not function. When one locking member 38 is in the unlocked position, extension and contraction of the X link 16, i.e., the lifting and lowering of the upper rail 14, is possible.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 1, an operation knob 44 for raising and lowering the seat main body 11 is provided on the side of the seat cushion 11A. This operation knob 44 is attached to the seat cushion 11A so as to be rotatable. This operation knob 44 corresponds to the "operating member" in the present invention. As shown in Fig. 3, this operation knob 44 is connected to the height control unit 34 and the lock drive unit 42 via a first operation cable 60, a second operation cable 62, a cable junction box 50, a first operated cable 64, a second operated cable 66, and a third operated cable 68.

[0034] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the cable junction box 50 includes a case 52, a first slider 54, a second slider 56, and a third slider 58. The case 52, the first slider 54, the second slider 56, and the third slider 58 are made of, for example, resin. The case 52 has a long box shape and is fixed to the seat cushion 11A. Note that Figures 4 to 6 show a state in which the lid of the case 52 is removed.

[0035] Outer casings 60A, 62A of the first operating cable 60 and the second operating cable 62 are secured to one longitudinal end of the case 52. The first operating cable 60 and the second operating cable 62 are arranged side by side with a gap in the radial direction. Outer casings 64A, 66A, 68A of the first operated cable 64, the second operated cable 66, and the third operated cable 68 are secured to the other longitudinal end of the case 52. The first operated cable 64, the second operated cable 66, and the third operated cable 68 are arranged side by side with a gap in the radial direction, with the third operated cable 68 being disposed between the first operated cable 64 and the second operated cable 66. The first operating cable 60 and the first operated cable 64 are arranged coaxially, and the second operating cable 62 and the second operated cable 66 are arranged coaxially.

[0036] The first slider 54 and the second slider 56 are long, roughly rectangular rod-shaped members whose longitudinal direction is the longitudinal direction of the case 52, and are housed within the case 52. The first slider 54 is disposed between the first operating cable 60 and the first operated cable 64, and the second slider 56 is disposed between the second operating cable 62 and the second operated cable 66. The first slider 54 and the second slider 56 are formed shorter than the case 52, and are slidable relative to the case 52 in the longitudinal direction.

[0037] The inner wire 60B of the first operating cable 60 is engaged with one longitudinal end of the first slider 54, and the inner wire 64B of the first operated cable 64 is engaged with the other longitudinal end of the first slider 54. This connects the inner wire 60B to the inner wire 64B. The inner wire 62B of the second operating cable 62 is engaged with one longitudinal end of the second slider 56, and the inner wire 66B of the second operated cable 66 is engaged with the other longitudinal end of the second slider 56. This connects the inner wire 62B to the inner wire 66B. Recesses 57 are formed on both widthwise sides of the longitudinal middle portions of the first slider 54 and the second slider 56.

[0038] A block-shaped third slider 58 is disposed between a longitudinal intermediate portion of the first slider 54 and a longitudinal intermediate portion of the second slider 56. The third slider 58 has a dimension in the longitudinal direction of the case 52 that is sufficiently smaller than the recesses 57 of the first slider 54 and the second slider 56. The third slider 58 is sandwiched between the recess 57 of the first slider 54 on the second slider 56 side and the recess 57 of the second slider 56 on the first slider 54 side. The third slider 58 is slidable in the longitudinal direction within the range of the recess 57 relative to the first slider 54, the second slider 56, and the case 52. An inner wire 68B of a third operated cable 68 is engaged with the third slider 58.

[0039] The inner wire 60B of the first operating cable 60 is engaged with a first locking portion (not shown) provided on the operating knob 44, and the inner wire 62B of the second operating cable 62 is engaged with a second locking portion (not shown) provided on the operating knob 44. The inner wire 64B of the first operated cable 64 is engaged with an air intake valve (not shown) provided on the height control unit 34, and the inner wire 66B of the second operated cable 66 is engaged with an exhaust valve (not shown) provided on the height control unit 34. The inner wire 68B of the third operated cable 68 is engaged with the lock drive portion 42 of the suspension lock 36.

[0040] In the vehicle seat 10 configured as described above, when the operation knob 44 is rotated in a first direction (see arrow D in FIG. 3 ), the inner wire 60B of the first operation cable 60 is pulled in one direction (to the right in FIG. 5 ), as shown in FIG. 5 . Then, the first slider 54 engages with the third slider and slides in the one direction. At this time, the third slider 58 is caught on the step of the recess 57 of the first slider 54, causing the third slider 58 to slide in the one direction together with the first slider 54, and the inner wire 64B of the first operated cable 64 and the inner wire 68B of the third operated cable 68 are pulled in the one direction. As a result, the lock drive unit 42 is driven to unlock the suspension lock 36, and the air intake valve of the height control unit 34 is driven to supply compressed air from the air compressor to the air spring 32. This causes the seat body 11 to rise.

[0041] Furthermore, when the operation knob 44 is rotated in the second direction (see arrow U in FIG. 3 ), the inner wire 62B of the second operation cable 62 is pulled to one side (to the right in FIG. 6 ), as shown in FIG. 6 . Then, the second slider 56 slides to the one side while engaging with the third slider. At this time, the third slider 58 is caught on the step of the recess 57 of the second slider 56, causing the third slider 58 to slide to the one side together with the second slider 56, and the inner wire 66B of the second operated cable 66 and the inner wire 68B of the third operated cable 68 are pulled to the one side. As a result, the lock drive unit 42 is driven to unlock the suspension lock 36, and the exhaust valve of the height control unit 34 is driven to exhaust compressed air from the air compressor. This causes the seat body 11 to descend.

[0042] In this manner, in this embodiment, by rotating the operation knob 44, the inner wires 60B, 62B of the first operation cable 60 and the second operation cable 62 are selectively pulled, thereby selectively pulling the inner wires (the inner wires 64B and 68B, or the inner wires 66B and 68B) of two of the three operated cables (the first operated cable 64, the second operated cable 66, and the third operated cable 68). As a result, the suspension lock 36 is automatically unlocked in accordance with the air intake and exhaust of the air spring 32, and the occupant simply needs to operate the operation knob 44 in the first direction or the second direction, making operation easy.

[0043] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention can be practiced with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10 Vehicle seats 11 Seat body 11A Seat cushion 11B seat back 12 Suspension device 32 air spring 36 Suspension Lock 44 Operation knob (operation member) 50 Cable Junction Box 52 cases 54 First Slider 56 Second slider 58 Third Slider 60 First operating cable 62 Second operating cable 64 First operated cable 66 Second controlled cable 68 Third controlled cable

Claims

1. Case and a first slider slidably supported on the case and connecting a first operating cable and a first operated cable; a second slider slidably supported on the case and connecting a second operating cable and a second operated cable; a third slider slidably supported on the case and connected to a third operated cable; Equipped with When the first operating cable is pulled in one direction, the first slider slides in the one direction while engaging with the third slider, and the first operated cable and the third operated cable are pulled in the one direction, When the second operating cable is pulled in the one direction, the second slider slides in the one direction while engaging with the third slider, and the second operated cable and the third operated cable are pulled in the one direction.

2. a device main body that is disposed below a seat main body of the vehicle seat and that extends and contracts in the seat up and down direction to raise and lower the seat main body; an air spring that expands and contracts the device body; a suspension lock that locks the extension and contraction of the device body; an operating member operable by a vehicle occupant; a first operating cable and a second operating cable connected to a height control unit of the air spring; a first operated cable and a second operated cable connected to the operating member; a third operated cable connected to the suspension lock; the cable junction box according to claim 1, wherein the first slider connects the first operating cable and the first operated cable, the second slider connects the second operating cable and the second operated cable, and the third slider is connected to the third operated cable; Equipped with When the operating member is operated in a first direction, the suspension lock is released and air is supplied to the air spring from an air compressor mounted on the vehicle. When the operating member is operated in a second direction, the suspension lock is released and air is exhausted from the air spring.

3. a seat body having a seat cushion and a seat back; the suspension device according to claim 2, which is disposed below the seat body; A vehicle seat comprising:

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