Air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle and vehicle seat unit equipped with the same

Abstract

To obtain a vehicular air suspension type seat support device which enables simplification of an operation related to change of a height of a seating surface of a vehicular seat, and to obtain a vehicular seat unit including the vehicular air suspension type seat support device.SOLUTION: A vehicular air suspension type seat support device 10 includes a control lever 158. A first operation cable 66 and a second operation cable 68 are connected to the control lever 158. A first operation or a second operation is conducted to the control lever 158 to adjust a height of a seating surface 16A of a seat 14 steplessly.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air suspension type seat supporting device for a vehicle and a vehicle seat unit including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an invention related to a suspension for a seat. In this suspension for a seat, when the upper frame is lowered a predetermined distance from a set height, the arm member opens the first intake side valve via the intake control cam to supply air to the air tank, thereby raising the upper frame to the set height, and the height of the seat (vehicle seat) can be maintained at the set height position. On the other hand, when the upper frame is raised a predetermined distance, the arm member opens the first exhaust side valve via the exhaust control cam to exhaust air from the air tank, thereby lowering the upper frame to the set height, and the height of the seat can be maintained at the set height position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-30473 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the prior art described in Patent Document 1 above, when changing the set height of the seat, it is necessary to release the arm member and then open or close the second intake side valve or the second exhaust side valve.

[0005] In other words, the prior art described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of simplifying the operation for changing the height of the seat surface of the vehicle seat.

[0006] In consideration of the above, the present invention aims to provide an air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle, which can simplify the operation related to changing the height of the seat surface of a vehicle seat, and a vehicle seat unit equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle according to the present invention as described in claim 1 comprises an upper frame capable of supporting a vehicle seat on which an occupant sits, a lower frame disposed below the seat of the upper frame and capable of being supported on a floor portion of the vehicle, a connecting portion connecting the upper frame and the lower frame in a state in which the upper frame is movable relative to the lower frame in the seat up-down direction, and an air spring capable of supporting the upper frame from below the seat and capable of adjusting the height of the seating surface of the vehicle seat in the seat up-down direction by expanding and contracting in the seat up-down direction according to the amount of air contained therein; A valve including an intake valve rod and an exhaust valve rod, and capable of supplying air to the air spring by pressing the intake valve rod and discharging air from the air spring by pressing the exhaust valve rod; a first arm having one end connected to a first operating cable and the other end rotatably supported relative to a connecting shaft portion, and capable of rotating relative to the connecting shaft portion by operating the first operating cable to press the intake valve rod; a second arm having one end connected to a second operating cable and the other end rotatably supported relative to the connecting shaft portion, and capable of rotating relative to the connecting shaft portion by operating the second operating cable to press the exhaust valve rod; and a second arm connected to the first operating cable and the second operating cable, and capable of operating the first arm via the first operating cable by a first operation and the second arm via the second operating cable by a second operation. At the same time, a single actuator is configured to return to the initial position after the first operation and the second operation by the biasing force of the biasing portion. and an operation unit.

[0008] According to the present invention described in claim 1, a vehicle seat on which an occupant sits is supported by an upper frame. Meanwhile, a lower frame is disposed below the seat of the upper frame, and the lower frame is supported by a floor portion of the vehicle. The upper frame and the lower frame are connected by a connecting portion in a state in which the upper frame is movable relative to the lower frame in the up-down direction of the seat.

[0009] The upper frame is supported from below the seat by air springs that expand and contract in the vertical direction of the seat depending on the amount of air they contain, allowing the height of the seat cushion of the vehicle seat to be adjusted in the vertical direction.

[0010] On the other hand, the supply of air to the air spring and the exhaust of air from the air spring are performed by a valve. This valve has an air intake valve rod and an exhaust valve rod, and air is supplied to the air spring by pressing the air intake valve rod, and air is exhausted from the air spring by pressing the exhaust valve rod.

[0011] The air inlet valve rod can be operated by a first operating cable and a first arm. More specifically, one end of the first arm is connected to the first operating cable, and the other end of the first arm is supported rotatably with respect to the connecting shaft. The first arm rotates with respect to the connecting shaft to press the air inlet valve rod. Therefore, by operating the first operating cable, the air inlet valve rod can be pressed by the first arm, and air can be supplied from the valve to the air spring.

[0012] On the other hand, the exhaust valve rod can be operated by the second operating cable and the second arm. In detail, one end of the second arm is connected to the second operating cable, and the other end of the second arm is supported rotatably with respect to the connecting shaft. In addition, the second arm rotates with respect to the connecting shaft to press the exhaust valve rod. Therefore, by operating the second operating cable, the exhaust valve rod can be pressed by the second arm, and air can be discharged from the air spring through the valve.

[0013] Here, the present invention includes an operating unit to which a first operating cable and a second operating cable are connected, and by performing a first operation on the operating unit, the first arm is operated via the first operating cable to supply air to the air spring, thereby steplessly raising the height of the seat surface of the vehicle seat.

[0014] In addition, by performing a second operation on the operating unit, the second arm can be operated via a second operating cable to release air from the air spring and continuously lower the height of the seat surface of the vehicle seat.

[0015] The vehicle seat unit of the present invention as described in claim 2 is the invention as described in claim 1, and comprises the air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle as described in claim 1, and a vehicle seat supported from the underside of the seat by the air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle.

[0016] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, as described above, by performing the first operation and the second operation on the operating portion, the height of the seat surface of the vehicle seat can be adjusted steplessly. Effect of the Invention

[0017] As described above, the air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle and the vehicle seat unit equipped with the same according to the present invention have the excellent effect of simplifying the operation for changing the height of the seat surface of the vehicle seat. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 3 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a height interlocking portion that constitutes a part of the air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a height control unit that constitutes a part of an air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a side view seen from the right side in a vehicle width direction, showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle seat unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a side view seen from the inside in the vehicle width direction, showing a schematic configuration of a control lever that constitutes a part of an air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of a state during air supply by a height control unit constituting a part of an air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of a state during exhaust by a height control unit constituting a part of an air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a side view showing a schematic state of the height interlocking portion and the height control unit when the height of the seat surface of the vehicle seat supported by the air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle according to this embodiment is at the upper limit position. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a side view showing a schematic state of the height interlocking portion and the height control unit when the height of the seat surface of the vehicle seat supported by the air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle according to this embodiment is at the lower limit position. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of an air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a vehicle seat unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] An example of an embodiment of a vehicle air suspension type seat support device according to the present invention and a vehicle seat unit equipped with the same will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Note that an arrow FR shown appropriately in each figure indicates the front side of a "vehicle seat unit 12 (hereinafter referred to as seat unit 12)" equipped with an "air suspension type seat support device 10 for a vehicle (hereinafter referred to as support device 10)" according to this embodiment, an arrow UP indicates the upper side of the seat unit 12, and an arrow RH indicates the right side of the seat unit 12.

[0020] First, the configuration of a "vehicle seat 14 (hereinafter referred to as the seat 14)" constituting a part of the seat unit 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The seat 14 includes a seat cushion 16 having a "seating surface 16A" on which an occupant sits, a seat back 18 supporting the back of the occupant, and a headrest 20 supporting the head of the occupant. The seat 14 is supported by a support device 10 from below the seat.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 9, the support device 10 includes an “upper frame 22”, a “lower frame 24”, a “link mechanism 26” as a connecting portion, an “air spring 28”, and a damper 30.

[0022] The upper frame 22 supports the seat 14 from below the seat, and includes a pair of rail members 32 and a pair of lateral members (not shown), and is generally shaped like a rectangular frame in a plan view. In detail, the rail members 32 extend in the front-rear direction of the seat and are spaced apart from each other in the seat width direction, and the lateral members connect the ends of the rail members 32 together and are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction of the seat.

[0023] In addition, the central portions of the pair of rail members 32 in the front-to-rear direction of the seat are connected to each other via a plate-shaped upper support plate portion 34 whose thickness direction is the top-to-bottom direction of the seat, and an air spring 28 is attached to this upper support plate portion 34, as described below.

[0024] The lower frame 24 is disposed below the seat of the upper frame 22, and includes a pair of rail members 36 and a pair of lateral members (not shown), and is generally formed into a rectangular frame shape in a plan view. In more detail, the rail members 36 extend in the seat front-rear direction and are disposed at intervals from each other in the seat width direction, and the lateral members connect the ends of the rail members 32 together and are disposed at intervals from each other in the seat front-rear direction. The lower frame 24 is fixed to a vehicle floor (not shown) via a pair of front legs 38 and a pair of rear legs 40.

[0025] In addition, the central portions of the pair of rail members 36 in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat are connected to each other via a plate-shaped lower support plate portion 42 whose thickness direction is in the vertical direction of the seat, and an air spring 28 is attached to this lower support plate portion 42, as described below.

[0026] 1, the link mechanism 26 includes a first link arm 44 and a second link arm 46. The first link arm 44 includes a pair of link plates 48 spaced apart in the seat width direction and a pair of link pipes 50 connecting the link plates 48 together, and is annular when viewed in the seat vertical direction.

[0027] Specifically, the link plate 48 extends from the front side of the seat to the rear side of the seat with an upward gradient when viewed in the seat width direction, and is shaped like a plate with its thickness direction aligned with the seat width direction.

[0028] On the other hand, the link pipes 50 extend in the seat width direction, are arranged at intervals from each other in the seat front-rear direction, and connect the ends of the link plates 48 together.

[0029] Both ends of the link pipe 50 arranged on the front side of the seat are supported by rollers (not shown) relative to the rail members 36 of the lower frame 24 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction of the seat. On the other hand, both ends of the link pipe 50 arranged on the rear side of the seat are supported by rollers (not shown) relative to the rail members 32 of the upper frame 22 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction of the seat.

[0030] The second link arm 46 includes a pair of link plates 52 spaced apart in the seat width direction and a pair of link pipes 54 connecting the link plates 52 together, and is ring-shaped when viewed in the vertical direction of the seat.

[0031] Specifically, the link plate 52 extends from the front side of the seat to the rear side of the seat with a downward gradient when viewed in the seat width direction, and is shaped like a plate with its thickness direction aligned with the seat width direction.

[0032] On the other hand, the link pipes 54 extend in the seat width direction and are arranged at intervals from each other in the seat front-rear direction, and connect the ends of the link plates 52 to each other.

[0033] Both ends of the link pipe 54 arranged on the front side of the seat are supported via rollers (not shown) relative to the rail members 32 of the upper frame 22 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction of the seat. On the other hand, both ends of the link pipe 54 arranged on the rear side of the seat are supported via rollers (not shown) relative to the rail members 36 of the lower frame 24 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction of the seat.

[0034] Further, the first link arm 44 and the second link arm 46 are integrated on both sides in the seat width direction by link plates 48 and 52 being connected by connecting members 56 so as to be rotatable about the seat width direction.

[0035] When the link mechanism 26 configured as described above is deformed so that the link pipe 50 and the link pipe 54 approach each other in the seat fore-and-aft direction, the upper frame 22 moves toward the upper side of the seat, and thus the seating surface 16A of the seat 14 moves toward the upper side of the seat. On the other hand, when the link mechanism 26 is deformed so that the link pipe 50 and the link pipe 54 move away from each other in the seat fore-and-aft direction, the upper frame 22 moves toward the lower side of the seat, and thus the seating surface 16A moves toward the lower side of the seat.

[0036] That is, the link mechanism 26 connects the upper frame 22 and the lower frame 24 together in a state in which the upper frame 22 is movable relative to the lower frame 24 in the seat up-down direction. A left side cover (not shown) is disposed on the left side of the upper frame 22 and the lower frame 24 in the seat width direction, and a right side cover 156 (see FIG. 3) is disposed on the right side of the upper frame 22 and the lower frame 24 in the seat width direction. The left side cover and the right side cover 156 are each attached to the seat 14.

[0037] Air spring 28 has an outer shape that is cylindrical and extends in the up-down direction of the seat, with its upper end on the seat upper side fixed to upper support plate portion 34 of upper frame 22 and its lower end on the seat lower side fixed to lower support plate portion 42 of lower frame 24. Compressed air is supplied to air spring 28 from, for example, an air compressor (air supply source) that constitutes part of the vehicle's air brake device. Air spring 28 supports upper frame 22 and therefore seat 14 from below the seat, and is capable of absorbing load caused by the up-and-down movement of seat 14.

[0038] Furthermore, the air springs 28 expand toward the upper side of the seat when air is supplied thereto, and contract toward the lower side of the seat when air is discharged therefrom. As a result, in this embodiment, the upper frame 22 moves toward the upper side of the seat when the air springs 28 expand, and the upper frame 22 moves toward the lower side of the seat when the air springs 28 contract. In other words, the air springs 28 expand and contract in the seat up-down direction according to the amount of air contained therein, thereby making it possible to adjust the height of the seating surface 16A of the seat 14 supported by the upper frame 22.

[0039] The damper 30 is an oil-type cylinder damper, and connects the upper frame 22 and the lower frame 24. The damper 30 is capable of damping vibrations generated in the seat 14.

[0040] Here, in this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the first feature is that the height of the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 can be adjusted by adjusting the amount of air contained in the air spring 28 by the height control unit 58. The second feature is that the behavior of the height control unit 58 can be changed according to the height of the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 by the height interlocking part 60. The configurations of the height control unit 58 and the height interlocking part 60 constituting the main part of this embodiment will be described in detail below. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the description will be given on the premise that the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 is in an intermediate position between the upper limit position and the lower limit position in the seat vertical direction.

[0041] The height control unit 58 is composed of a "valve 62", a housing 64, a "first operating cable 66", a "second operating cable 68", a "first arm 70", a "second arm 72", a connecting member 74, and a "control lever 158" as an operating part.

[0042] The valve 62 includes a casing 76, a first port 78, a second port 80, an "intake valve rod 82", and an "exhaust valve rod 84". The casing 76 is made of metal, and a flow path through which air flows is formed inside the casing 76, and an air exhaust hole 86 that can communicate with the flow path is provided on the inner surface in the sheet width direction.

[0043] A first port 78 and a second port 80 are provided on a back surface 76A of the casing 76 behind the seat, and an intake valve rod 82 and an exhaust valve rod 84 are provided on a front surface 76B of the casing 76 in front of the seat.

[0044] More specifically, the first port 78 is disposed in a portion of the back surface 76A above the seat, and is connected to the above-mentioned air supply source via a hose 88. On the other hand, the second port 80 is disposed in a portion of the back surface 76A below the seat, and is connected to the air spring 28 via a hose 90.

[0045] The intake valve rod 82 is disposed in a portion above the seat on the front surface 76B, and is capable of being inserted and removed in the seat front-rear direction relative to the casing 76. A biasing member (not shown) is disposed inside the casing 76, and the intake valve rod 82 is biased toward the outside of the casing 76 by the biasing member.

[0046] When the air inlet valve rod 82 is pressed towards the casing 76, the valve 62 opens an air inlet valve (not shown) disposed within the casing 76, and the first port 78 and the second port 80 communicate with each other via the flow path. In other words, in this embodiment, when the air inlet valve rod 82 is pressed, compressed air from the air supply source is supplied to the air spring 28 via the valve 62.

[0047] On the other hand, the exhaust valve rod 84 is disposed in a portion of the front surface 76B below the seat, and can be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction of the seat relative to the casing 76. In addition, a biasing member (not shown) is disposed inside the casing 76, and the exhaust valve rod 84 is biased toward the outside of the casing 76 by the biasing member.

[0048] When the exhaust valve rod 84 of the valve 62 is pressed toward the casing 76, an exhaust valve (not shown) disposed within the casing 76 is opened, and the second port 80 and the air exhaust hole 86 are connected via the flow path. In other words, in this embodiment, when the exhaust valve rod 84 is pressed, the air within the air spring 28 is exhausted from the air exhaust hole 86 of the valve 62.

[0049] The housing 64 is arranged on the inner surface in the seat width direction of the upper seat side portion (front seat side portion) of the link plate 52 on the left side in the seat width direction of the second link arm 46, and includes a base portion 92 attached to the link plate 48, and a case portion (not shown) that covers the base portion 92 from the inner side in the seat width direction.

[0050] The base portion 92 is mainly composed of a plate-shaped base plate portion 92A whose thickness direction is the sheet width direction. The base plate portion 92A is provided with a plurality of positioning projections 92B, a first guide recess 92C, a second guide recess 92D, a first positioning recess 92E, a second positioning recess 92F, a guide groove portion 94, a first inserted portion 96, and a second inserted portion 98.

[0051] The positioning protrusions 92B are cylindrical and protrude inward in the seat width direction from the base plate 92A, and as an example, two are arranged at intervals in the seat front-rear direction and the seat up-down direction. These positioning protrusions 92B are used to position the valve 62, and are also used to fix the case part by fastening a fastening member (not shown) from the seat width direction inside of the case part.

[0052] The first guide recess 92C is provided in a portion of the base plate portion 92A above the seat so as not to overlap with the valve 62 when viewed from the seat width direction. When viewed from the seat width direction, the first guide recess 92C is oval-shaped with the seat front-rear direction as its longitudinal direction, and is recessed outward in the seat width direction, so that it is possible to guide a portion of the first operation cable 66 in the seat front-rear direction, as will be described later.

[0053] The second guide recess 92D is provided in a portion of the base plate portion 92A below the seat so as not to overlap with the valve 62 when viewed from the seat width direction. This second guide recess 92D is oval-shaped with the seat front-rear direction as the longitudinal direction when viewed from the seat width direction, and is recessed outward in the seat width direction, so that it is possible to guide a part of the second operation cable 68 in the seat front-rear direction, as will be described later. Note that the case portion is also provided with a first guide recess 92C and a second guide recess 92D, similar to the base portion 92.

[0054] The first positioning recess 92E is disposed on the seat rear side of the first guide recess 92C, has a rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction being the seat front-rear direction as viewed from the seat width direction, and is recessed outward in the seat width direction. This first positioning recess 92E is capable of positioning a part of the first operation cable 66, as described later.

[0055] The second positioning recess 92F is disposed on the seat rear side of the second guide recess 92D, has a rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction being the seat front-rear direction as viewed from the seat width direction, and is recessed outward in the seat width direction. This second positioning recess 92F is capable of positioning a part of the second operation cable 68, as described later.

[0056] The guide groove portion 94 is disposed on the seat front side of the positioning protrusion portion 92B, below the seat side of the first guide recess 92C and above the seat side of the second guide recess 92D, so as not to overlap with the valve 62 as viewed from the seat width direction. This guide groove portion 94 extends so as to protrude toward the seat rear side along a circumference centered on the seat front side of the base portion 92 as viewed from the seat width direction. Also, a part of the connecting member 74 is inserted into this guide groove portion 94 in the seat width direction, as described later.

[0057] The first insertion portion 96 is disposed on the seat front side of the guide groove portion 94, and is circular when viewed in the seat width direction. This first insertion portion 96 is used for mounting components of the height control unit 58, as described later.

[0058] The second inserted portion 98 is disposed above the first inserted portion 96 and has a circular shape smaller than the first inserted portion 96 when viewed in the seat width direction. The first inserted portion 96 is used for mounting components of the height control unit 58, as described below.

[0059] The first operation cable 66 includes a control cable 100, an outer casing 102, and a cable end 104. The control cable 100 is made of a steel wire, and one end of the control cable 100 is connected to the cable end 104, and the other end of the control cable 100 is connected to a control lever 158, as described below.

[0060] The outer casing 102 is made of an elastic material and has a cylindrical shape, and covers the control cable 100. An outer end cap 106 is attached to the end of the outer casing 102 on the cable end 104 side, and the outer end cap 106 is positioned by being engaged with a first positioning recess 92E of the housing 64.

[0061] The cable end 104 includes a main body 104A and an arm 104B. In detail, the main body 104A includes a cylindrical base 104A1 having an axial direction that coincides with the sheet width direction, and a pair of cylindrical or cylindrical guide projections 104A2 that protrude from the base 104A1 to one and the other sides in the sheet width direction and have an axial direction that coincides with the sheet width direction.

[0062] The guide protrusion 104A2 is inserted into the first guide recess 92C of the base part 92 and the case part, and the cable end 104 is capable of sliding in the extending direction of the first guide recess 92C and rotating about the seat width direction. A latching part (not shown) is provided on the main body 104A of the cable end 104, and one end of the control cable 100 is latched to the latching part. A plate-shaped spring retainer 108 with its thickness direction aligned with the seat front-rear direction is in contact with the seat rear side of the cable end 104.

[0063] One end of a coil spring 110 extending in the seat front-rear direction is engaged with the spring retainer 108, and the control cable 100 is inserted through the spring retainer 108 and the coil spring 110. The other end of the coil spring 110 is engaged with a front partition portion 92E1 that partitions the seat front side of the first positioning recess 92E of the housing 64. As a result, the cable end 104 is biased toward the seat front side by the coil spring 110.

[0064] On the other hand, the arm portion 104B includes an arm plate portion 104B1 and a pair of locking projections 104B2. The arm plate portion 104B1 extends from the base portion 104A1 toward the front side of the seat with its plate thickness direction being the seat width direction, and its tip is semicircular. The locking projections 104B2 are provided at the tip of the arm plate portion 104B1 and protrude from the tip to one side and the other side in the seat width direction. The locking projections 104B2 are cylindrical with their axial direction being the seat width direction, and are locked to the first arm 70 as described later.

[0065] The second operation cable 68 includes a control cable 112, an outer casing 114, and a cable end 116. The control cable 112 has a similar configuration to the control cable 100, with one end connected to the cable end 116 and the other end connected to a control lever 158, as described below.

[0066] The outer casing 114 has a similar configuration to the outer casing 102, and an outer end cap 118 is attached to the end of the outer casing 114 on the cable end 116 side. The outer end cap 118 is positioned by being engaged with the second positioning recess 92F of the housing 64.

[0067] Cable end 116 includes a main body portion 116A and an arm portion 116B and has a similar configuration to cable end 104, and is disposed symmetrically with respect to cable end 104 in the seat up-down direction.

[0068] The guide protrusion 116A1 provided on the main body 116A is inserted into the second guide recess 92D of the base 92 and the case, and the cable end 104 is capable of sliding in the extension direction of the second guide recess 92D and rotating around the seat width direction. One end of the control cable 112 is engaged with an engaged portion (not shown) of the main body 116A. Furthermore, a spring retainer 120 having a similar structure to the spring retainer 108 is in contact with the seat rear side of the cable end 116.

[0069] One end of a coil spring 121 having a similar configuration to the coil spring 110 is engaged with the spring retainer 120, and a control cable 112 is inserted through the spring retainer 120 and the coil spring 121. The other end of the coil spring 121 is engaged with a front partition portion 92F1 that partitions the seat front side of the second positioning recess 92F of the housing 64. As a result, the cable end 116 is biased toward the seat front side by the coil spring 121.

[0070] On the other hand, a locking protrusion 116B1 provided on arm portion 116B is locked to second arm 72, as described below.

[0071] The first arm 70 is generally prismatic, and includes a main body portion 70A that constitutes its main portion, a pair of first connecting pieces 70B, and a pair of second connecting pieces 70C.

[0072] Specifically, the first arm 70 extends from the guide groove portion 94 of the base portion 92 toward the front side of the seat with an upward gradient when viewed in the seat width direction. A first recess 122 is provided at one end of the main body portion 70A on the seat front side, which is recessed toward the front side of the seat and is open toward the inside in the seat width direction and toward the upper side of the seat.

[0073] A first connecting piece 70B is provided at one end of the main body 70A on the seat front side, and a second connecting piece 70C is provided at the other end of the main body 70A on the seat rear side.

[0074] The first connecting pieces 70B are spaced apart from each other in the seat width direction and are hook-shaped with an open front side of the seat. The first connecting pieces 70B are engaged with the locking projection 104B2 of the cable end 104.

[0075] On the other hand, the second connecting pieces 70C are arranged at intervals from each other in the sheet width direction, and are plate-shaped with a plate thickness direction being the sheet width direction and a portion opposite to the main body 70A being semicircular. Also, the second connecting piece 70C is formed with an insertion receiving portion (not shown) that is circular as viewed from the sheet width direction and penetrates in the sheet width direction.

[0076] The second arm 72 has a similar configuration to the first arm 70, including a main body portion 72A that constitutes its main portion, a pair of first connecting piece portions 72B, and a pair of second connecting piece portions 72C, but is arranged symmetrically to the first arm 70 in the vertical direction of the seat.

[0077] Specifically, the second arm 72 extends from the guide groove portion 94 of the base portion 92 toward the front side of the seat with a downward slope when viewed in the seat width direction. A second recess 126 provided at one end portion of the main body portion 72A of the second arm 72 on the seat front side is recessed toward the front side of the seat and is open toward the outside in the seat width direction and toward the lower side of the seat.

[0078] In addition, the first connecting piece portion 72B is engaged with the locking protrusion portion 116B1 of the cable end 116, and the second connecting piece portion 72C is arranged to overlap alternately with the second connecting piece portion 70C of the first arm 70 in the seat width direction.

[0079] The "connecting shaft portion 74A" of the connecting member 74 is inserted in the seat width direction through the inserted portion of the second connecting piece portion 70C and the inserted portion of the second connecting piece portion 72C. The connecting shaft portion 74A is also inserted through the guide groove portion 94 of the base portion 92. The above-mentioned first recess 122 can be considered to be provided on the opposite side of the connecting shaft portion 74A in the first arm 70 when the connecting shaft portion 74A is used as a reference. The second recess 126 can be considered to be provided on the opposite side of the connecting shaft portion 74A in the second arm 72 when the connecting shaft portion 74A is used as a reference.

[0080] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the control lever 158 has a knob portion 160 arranged on the outer side of the right side cover 156 in the seat width direction, and a tension transmission portion 162 arranged on the inner side of the right side cover 156 in the seat width direction.

[0081] The knob portion 160 includes a cylindrical connecting portion 160A whose axial direction is the seat width direction, and a plate-shaped operation plate portion 160B extending toward the front side of the seat from the connecting portion 160A. The connecting portion 160A is fixed to a connecting shaft 164 that is inserted through the right side cover 156 in the seat width direction.

[0082] The tension transmission part 162 includes a rotating part 166 and a torsion spring 168. The rotating part 166 includes a cylindrical main body part 166A having a longitudinal direction in the seat width direction, a plate-shaped first extension part 166B extending from the main body part 166A to the front lower side of the seat, and a plate-shaped second extension part 166C extending from the main body part 166A to the front upper side of the seat. The rotating part 166 is configured to rotate around the seat width direction together with the knob part 160 by fixing the main body part 166A to the connecting shaft 164.

[0083] The torsion spring 168 has a coil portion 168A whose axial direction is the seat width direction, a first arm portion 168B extending from the coil portion 168A to the front lower side of the seat, and a second arm portion 168C extending from the coil portion 168A to the front upper side of the seat.

[0084] The coil portion 168A is attached to the main body portion 166A of the rotating portion 166, and the tip of the first arm portion 168B is fixed to a first fixed portion 166B1 provided on the front side of the seat at the tip of the first extension portion 166B, and the tip of the second arm portion 168C is fixed to a second fixed portion 166C1 provided on the front side of the seat at the tip of the second extension portion 166C.

[0085] A first locking portion 166B2 is provided on the seat rear side of the tip of the first extending portion 166B, and the other end of the control cable 100 of the first operation cable 66 is locked to the first locking portion 166B2.

[0086] Meanwhile, a second locking portion 166C2 is provided on the seat rear side of the tip portion of the second extending portion 166C, and the other end of the control cable 112 of the second operation cable 68 is locked to the second locking portion 166C2.

[0087] A base plate 170 attached to a frame (not shown) of the seat cushion 16 is disposed on the outer side in the seat width direction of the tension transmission portion 162. This base plate 170 is generally in the form of a plate with its thickness direction aligned with the seat width direction, and includes a bulging portion 170A located on the lower rear side of the seat at the tip of the first arm portion 168B, and a through portion 172 into which the tip of the second arm portion 168C is inserted.

[0088] In the height control unit 58 configured as described above, when the occupant performs a first operation on the control lever 158, that is, when the occupant rotates the knob portion 160 of the control lever 158 counterclockwise (toward the seat upper side) as viewed from the right side in the seat width direction, the control cable 100 of the first operation cable 66 is pulled. When the control cable 100 is pulled, the first arm 70 rotates counterclockwise about the connecting shaft portion 74A of the connecting member 74 as the center as viewed from the inside in the seat width direction, as shown in FIG. 5. When the first arm 70 rotates, the main body portion 70A of the first arm 70 presses the air intake valve rod 82 of the valve 62, and compressed air from the air supply source is supplied to the air spring 28.

[0089] When the occupant performs a second operation on the control lever 158, that is, when the occupant rotates the knob portion 160 of the control lever 158 clockwise (toward the seat lower side) as viewed from the right side in the seat width direction, the control cable 112 of the second operation cable 68 is pulled. When the control cable 112 is pulled, the second arm 72 rotates clockwise about the connecting shaft portion 74A of the connecting member 74 as the center as viewed from the inside in the seat width direction, as shown in Fig. 6. When the second arm 72 rotates, the exhaust valve rod 84 of the valve 62 is pressed by the main body portion 72A of the second arm 72, and the air in the air spring 28 is discharged.

[0090] When the control lever 158 rotates, the displacement of the torsion spring 168 is limited by at least one of the bulging portion 170A and the through portion 172 of the base plate 170, so that a biasing force is generated in the torsion spring 168. As a result, in this embodiment, when the occupant releases the knob portion 160 of the control lever 158, the control lever 158 is returned to its initial position by the biasing force of the torsion spring 168. In addition, in order to make it easier to understand the configuration of the height control unit 58, the height interlocking portion 60 is not shown in Figures 2, 5, and 6.

[0091] 1, the configuration of the height interlocking part 60 will be described. The height interlocking part 60 is configured to include the base part 92, the first crank gear 128, the second crank gear 130, the first link 132, the second link 134, and the crank support part 136.

[0092] The first crank gear 128 includes a first gear portion 128A and a first crank portion 128B. The first gear portion 128A is generally in the form of a disk with a thickness direction in the seat width direction and a circular insertion portion 138 formed in the center, and has teeth 128A1 provided along the outer periphery on the upper side of the seat.

[0093] This first gear portion 128A is supported for rotation in the seat width direction relative to the base portion 92 by a screw bolt 142 fastened to the shaft portion 140A of a T-nut 140 which is inserted into the inserted portion 138 and the first inserted portion 96 of the base portion 92 from the inside in the seat width direction, from the outside in the seat width direction of the link plate 52.

[0094] The first crank portion 128B is plate-shaped with its thickness direction aligned with the seat width direction, and extends from the first gear portion 128A toward the seat front side. An insertion portion (not shown) is formed at the tip of the first crank portion 128B, and the first crank portion 128B is connected to the crank support portion 136 via the insertion portion.

[0095] The second crank gear 130 includes a second gear portion 130A and a second crank portion 130B, and is disposed above the seat of the first crank gear 128. In detail, the second gear portion 130A is generally in the form of a disk whose thickness direction is the seat width direction and whose diameter is smaller than that of the first gear portion 128A, and has teeth 130A1 that engage with teeth 128A1 of the first gear portion 128A along the outer periphery below the seat.

[0096] A cylindrical protrusion (not shown) having an axial direction parallel to the seat width direction is provided at the center of the second gear portion 130A on the outer side in the seat width direction. The protrusion is inserted into the second insertion portion 98 of the base portion 92, so that the second gear portion 130A is supported rotatably around the seat width direction relative to the base portion 92.

[0097] In addition, a cylindrical shaft portion (not shown) extending from the second gear portion 130A toward the inside in the seat width direction is provided in the center of the second gear portion 130A, and a second crank portion 130B is provided at the tip of the shaft portion.

[0098] The second crank portion 130B is plate-shaped with its thickness direction aligned with the seat width direction, and extends from the seat width direction inner end of the shaft portion provided on the second gear portion 130A to the opposite side to the first gear portion 128A (the upper side of the seat).

[0099] A circular insertion portion 144 is provided at the tip of the second crank portion 130B on the outer circumferential side of the second gear portion 130A, and the second crank portion 130B is connected to the first link 132 via the insertion portion 144.

[0100] On the other hand, a cylindrical protrusion 130B1 is provided at the base end of the second crank portion 130B on the center side of the second gear portion 130A, protruding inward in the seat width direction from the base end and having an axial direction in the seat width direction. This protrusion 130B1 is inserted into an insertion receiving portion (not shown) provided in the case portion of the housing 64.

[0101] The first link 132 has a plate-thickness direction that is the seat width direction and is rectangular when viewed from the seat width direction. One end of the first link 132 is provided with a cylindrical protrusion 132A that protrudes inward from the one end in the seat width direction and has an axial direction that is the seat width direction. The protrusion 132A is inserted into the insertion portion 144 of the second crank portion 130B, so that the one end of the first link 132 is connected to the second crank portion 130B so as to be rotatable around the seat width direction.

[0102] The other end of the first link 132 is provided with a cylindrical protrusion 132B that protrudes from the other end toward the inside in the seat width direction and has an axial direction in the seat width direction. The first link 132 extends from the second crank portion 130B toward the seat lower side and the guide groove portion 94 side of the housing 64 when viewed from the seat width direction, and is connected to the second link 134 via the protrusion 132B. The above-mentioned first arm 70 is located outside the first link 132 in the seat width direction.

[0103] The second link 134 is plate-shaped with its thickness direction being the seat width direction and extending convexly toward the rear side of the seat along a circumference centered on the seat front side of the base portion 92 when viewed from the seat width direction.

[0104] A circular insertion portion 146 is provided at one end of this second link 134, and the protrusion 132B of the first link 132 is inserted into the insertion portion 146, thereby connecting one end of the second link 134 to the other end of the first link 132 so as to be rotatable around the sheet width direction.

[0105] Meanwhile, the other end of the second link 134 is provided with an inserted portion (not shown) and a circular recess 148 surrounding the inserted portion when viewed from the inside in the seat width direction, and a connecting shaft portion 74A of the connecting member 74 is inserted into the inserted portion, and a head portion 74B of the connecting member 74 is accommodated in the recess 148. In other words, the other end of the second link 134 is connected to the connecting shaft portion 74A so as to be rotatable around the seat width direction, and the second link 134 is extended from the first link 132 toward the seat lower side.

[0106] The crank support 136 includes a link pipe bracket 150 and an intermediate link 152. The link pipe bracket 150 includes a joint piece 150A and a support piece 150B. More specifically, the joint piece 150A is joined to the left side of the link pipe 50 in the seat width direction on the seat front side of the first link arm 44 so as to extend along the link pipe 50. On the other hand, the support piece 150B is formed in a plate shape with its plate thickness direction being the seat width direction, and extends from the joint piece 150A to the rear upper side of the seat. The intermediate link 152 is attached to the tip of the support piece 150B.

[0107] The intermediate link 152 extends from the support piece portion 150B toward the front and upper side of the seat, and one end of the intermediate link 152 is connected to the support piece portion 150B so as to be rotatable around the width direction of the seat, and the other end of the intermediate link 152 is connected to the tip of the first crank portion 128B of the first crank gear 128 via a connecting member 154 so as to be rotatable around the width direction of the seat.

[0108] <Actions and Effects of the Present Embodiment> Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0109] 9, in this embodiment, the seat 14 on which an occupant sits is supported by an upper frame 22. Meanwhile, a lower frame 24 is disposed below the seat of the upper frame 22, and the lower frame 24 is supported by the floor of the vehicle. The upper frame 22 and the lower frame 24 are connected by a link mechanism 26 in a state in which the upper frame 22 is movable relative to the lower frame 24 in the up-down direction of the seat.

[0110] Additionally, the upper frame 22 is supported from below the seat by air springs 28, which expand and contract in the up-down direction of the seat according to the amount of air contained therein. By expanding and contracting the air springs 28 in the up-down direction of the seat, the height of the seating surface 16A of the seat 14 can be adjusted in the up-down direction of the seat.

[0111] On the other hand, the supply of air to the air spring 28 and the exhaust of air from the air spring 28 are performed by a valve 62, as shown in Figures 2, 5 and 6. This valve 62 is equipped with an intake valve rod 82 and an exhaust valve rod 84, and air is supplied to the air spring 28 by pressing the intake valve rod 82, and air is exhausted from the air spring 28 by pressing the exhaust valve rod 84.

[0112] The air inlet valve rod 82 can be operated by the first operating cable 66 and the first arm 70. More specifically, one end of the first arm 70 is connected to the first operating cable 66, and the other end of the first arm 70 is supported rotatably with respect to the connecting shaft portion 74A of the connecting member 74. The first arm 70 rotates with respect to the connecting shaft portion 74A to press the air inlet valve rod 82. For this reason, by operating the first operating cable 66, the air inlet valve rod 82 can be pressed by the first arm 70, and air can be supplied from the valve 62 to the air spring 28.

[0113] On the other hand, the exhaust valve rod 84 can be operated by the second operating cable 68 and the second arm 72. In detail, one end of the second arm 72 is connected to the second operating cable 68, and the other end of the second arm 72 is supported rotatably with respect to the connecting shaft portion 74A. In addition, the second arm 72 rotates with respect to the connecting shaft portion 74A to press the exhaust valve rod 84. Therefore, by operating the second operating cable 68, the exhaust valve rod 84 can be pressed by the second arm 72, and air can be discharged from the air spring 28 through the valve 62.

[0114] 3 and 4, the present embodiment is provided with a control lever 158, to which a first operating cable 66 and a second operating cable 68 are connected. By performing a first operation on the control lever 158, the first arm 70 is operated via the first operating cable 66 to supply air to the air spring 28, thereby making it possible to steplessly raise the height of the seating surface 16A of the seat 14.

[0115] In addition, by performing a second operation on the control lever 158, the second arm 72 can be operated via the second operating cable 68 to release air from the air spring 28 and continuously lower the height of the seating surface 16A of the seat 14.

[0116] By the way, air spring 28 expands toward the upper side of the seat when air is supplied from valve 62, and if air continues to be supplied to air spring 28, seat surface 16A of seat 14 will rise to the upper limit position. At this time, if first arm 70 is pressed against air intake valve rod 82 by operating first operating cable 66 to supply air to air spring 28, it is considered that the pressure inside the air spring will become excessively high.

[0117] Furthermore, air spring 28 contracts toward the lower side of the seat by discharging air through valve 62, and as air continues to be discharged from air spring 28, seat surface 16A of seat 14 descends to its lowest position. At this time, if exhaust valve rod 84 is pressed by second arm 72 by operating second operating cable 68 to discharge air from air spring 28, it is considered that the pressure inside air spring 28 will become excessively low. In such a case, it is considered that the vibration absorbing performance of air spring 28 will not be fully exhibited.

[0118] Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a height interlocking portion 60 is provided, and the height interlocking portion 60 changes the position of the connecting shaft portion 74A of the connecting member 74 in accordance with the height of the seat surface 16A of the seat 14.

[0119] 7, when the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 reaches its upper limit position, the height interlocking unit 60 moves the connecting shaft 74A to a first limit position where the pressure of the intake valve rod 82 by the first arm 70 is limited and the pressure of the exhaust valve rod 84 by the second arm 72 is permitted. Therefore, when the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 reaches its upper limit position, even if the first arm 70 is rotated relative to the connecting shaft 74A by operating the first operating cable 66, the supply of air from the valve 62 to the air spring 28 can be suppressed.

[0120] 8, when the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 reaches the lower limit position, the height interlocking unit 60 moves the connecting shaft 74A to a second limit position where the pressing of the exhaust valve rod 84 by the second arm 72 is limited and the pressing of the intake valve rod 82 by the first arm 70 is permitted. Therefore, when the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 reaches the lower limit position, even if the second arm 72 is rotated relative to the connecting shaft 74A by operating the second operating cable 68, it is possible to prevent air from being discharged from the air spring 28 through the valve 62.

[0121] 2, in this embodiment, the intake valve rod 82 is disposed above the seat with respect to the exhaust valve rod 84, and the connecting shaft portion 74A is disposed between the intake valve rod 82 and the exhaust valve rod 84 in the seat height direction. Therefore, the first arm 70 pressing the intake valve rod 82 is in a state of extending from the connecting shaft portion 74A to the upper side of the seat, and the second arm 72 pressing the exhaust valve rod 84 is in a state of extending from the connecting shaft portion 74A to the lower side of the seat.

[0122] 9, the link mechanism 26 includes a first link arm 44 and a second link arm 46. The first link arm 44 extends from the front side of the seat to the rear side of the seat with an upward gradient when viewed in the seat width direction. The second link arm 46 extends from the front side of the seat to the rear side of the seat with a downward gradient when viewed in the seat width direction, and is connected to the first link arm 44 so as to be rotatable around the seat width direction.

[0123] Therefore, when the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 moves toward the seat upper side due to the expansion of the air spring 28, the upper portions of the first link arm 44 and the second link arm 46 approach each other, and the lower portions of the seat move toward each other. Also, when the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 moves toward the seat lower side due to the contraction of the air spring 28, the upper portions of the first link arm 44 and the second link arm 46 approach each other.

[0124] Returning to FIG. 1, the height interlocking unit 60 includes a base portion 92, a first crank gear 128, a second crank gear 130, a first link 132, and a second link 134. The base portion 92 is disposed in a portion of the second link arm 46 above the seat, and is provided with a guide groove portion 94 that extends convexly toward the rear side of the seat along a circumference centered on the front side of the seat of the base portion 92 when viewed in the seat width direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the connecting shaft portion 74A is inserted into the guide groove portion 94 in the seat width direction, and the movement direction of the connecting shaft portion 74A is limited to the extension direction of the guide groove portion 94.

[0125] The first crank gear 128 includes a first gear portion 128A and a first crank portion 128B extending from the first gear portion 128A. The first gear portion 128A is supported by the base portion 92 on the seat front side of the guide groove portion 94 so as to be rotatable around the seat width direction. On the other hand, the first crank portion 128B has an end portion disposed on the seat front side of the first gear portion 128A and supported by a crank support portion 136 provided on a portion of the first link arm 44 on the seat lower side so as to be rotatable around the seat width direction.

[0126] Therefore, as the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 moves in the seat up-down direction, the first link arm 44 and the second link arm 46 rotate relative to each other, and the first gear portion 128A moves relative to the portion of the first link arm 44 on the seat lower side, but the end of the first crank portion 128B remains in the vicinity of the initial position. As a result, in this embodiment, the first gear portion 128A rotates about the seat width direction as the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 moves in the seat up-down direction.

[0127] The second crank gear 130 includes a second gear portion 130A and a second crank portion 130B extending from the second gear portion 130A to the opposite side to the first gear portion 128A. The second gear portion 130A is supported by the base portion 92 on the seat front side of the guide groove portion 94 and on the seat upper side of the first gear portion 128A so as to be rotatable around the seat width direction, and is engaged with the first gear portion 128A. Therefore, when the first gear portion 128A rotates around the seat width direction, the second gear portion 130A also rotates around the seat width direction.

[0128] One end of the first link 132 is connected to the second crank portion 130B so as to be rotatable around the seat width direction, and extends from the second crank portion 130B toward the seat lower side and the guide groove portion 94 side. One end of the second link 134 is connected to the other end of the first link 132 so as to be rotatable around the seat width direction, and the other end of the second link 134 is connected to the connecting shaft portion 74A so as to be rotatable around the seat width direction. The second link 134 extends from the first link 132 toward the seat lower side.

[0129] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the air spring 28 expands toward the upper side of the seat, the first gear portion 128A rotates clockwise as viewed from the seat width direction while moving toward the upper side of the seat relative to the end of the first crank portion 128B, as shown in Fig. 7. Also, the second gear portion 130A rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the seat width direction in conjunction with the first gear portion 128A, and as a result, the connection portion between the second crank portion 130B and the first link 132 moves toward the rear of the seat, and accordingly, the connection portion between the first link 132 and the second link 134 also moves toward the rear of the seat.

[0130] Also, the other end of the second link 134 is connected to the connecting shaft 74A as described above, and the connecting shaft 74A is inserted into the guide groove 94 as described above. Therefore, when the air spring 28 expands toward the upper side of the seat, the connecting shaft 74A is guided by the guide groove 94 and moves toward the lower side of the seat. Then, when the position of the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 reaches the upper limit position, the connecting shaft 74A reaches the lower limit position, i.e., the first limit position.

[0131] At this time, the first arm 70 moves overall toward the lower side of the seat, and even if the first arm 70 rotates toward the air intake valve rod 82 by operating the first operating cable 66, the air intake valve rod 82 fits into the first recess 122 provided on the opposite side of the connecting shaft portion 74A of the first arm 70, and the supply of air to the air spring 28 is restricted.

[0132] On the other hand, when the air spring 28 contracts toward the lower side of the seat, the first gear portion 128A rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the seat width direction while moving toward the lower side of the seat relative to the end of the first crank portion 128B, as shown in Fig. 8. Also, the second gear portion 130A rotates clockwise as viewed from the seat width direction in conjunction with the first gear portion 128A, and as a result, the connection portion between the second crank portion 130B and the first link 132 moves toward the front of the seat, and accordingly, the connection portion between the first link 132 and the second link 134 also moves toward the front of the seat.

[0133] Also, the other end of the second link 134 is connected to the connecting shaft 74A as described above, and the connecting shaft 74A is inserted into the guide groove 94 as described above. Therefore, when the air spring 28 contracts toward the lower side of the seat, the connecting shaft 74A is guided by the guide groove 94 and moves toward the upper side of the seat. Then, when the position of the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 reaches the lower limit position, the connecting shaft 74A reaches the upper limit position, i.e., the second limit position.

[0134] At this time, the second arm 72 moves overall toward the upper side of the seat, and even if the second arm 72 rotates toward the exhaust valve rod 84 by operating the second operating cable 68, the exhaust valve rod 84 fits into the second recess 126 provided on the opposite side of the second arm 72 from the connecting shaft portion 74A, restricting the discharge of air from the air spring 28. Note that in Figures 5 to 8, a portion of the first arm 70 and the second arm 72 is not shown in order to make it easier to understand the relationship between the first recess 122, the second recess 126, the intake valve rod 82, and the exhaust valve rod 84.

[0135] In this manner, in this embodiment, when the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 reaches the upper limit position or the lower limit position, it is possible to prevent the vibration absorbing performance of the air spring 28 from decreasing.

[0136] Furthermore, by providing the first recess 122 in the first arm 70, it is possible to increase the accuracy with which the first arm 70 limits the pressure applied to the intake valve rod 82 when the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 reaches its upper limit position. Furthermore, by providing the second arm 72 with the second recess 126, it is possible to increase the accuracy with which the second arm 72 limits the pressure applied to the exhaust valve rod 84 when the seat surface 16A reaches its lower limit position.

[0137] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by adjusting the gear ratio (reduction ratio) between the first gear portion 128A and the second gear portion 130A, the amount of movement of the connecting shaft portion 74A relative to the amount of movement of the seat surface 16A of the seat 14 can be adjusted, and the support device 10 can be adopted for vehicle seats of various specifications.

[0138] Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to simplify the operation for changing the height of the seating surface 16A of the seat 14. Also, when the seating surface 16A of the seat 14 is in the upper limit position or the lower limit position, the vibration absorbing performance can be ensured.

[0139] <Supplementary explanation of the above embodiment> (1) In the embodiment described above, the main components of the height control unit 58 and the height interlocking portion 60 are disposed on the portion of the second link arm 46 above the seat, but the components may be disposed on the portion of the first link arm 44 above the seat. Also, the main components of the height control unit 58 and the height interlocking portion 60 may be attached to the upper frame 22, and the crank support portion 136 may be attached to the lower frame 24.

[0140] (2) In the embodiment described above, the occupant performs operations related to the adjustment of the seating surface 16A of the seat 14 using the control lever 158, but this is not limited to the above. For example, a configuration may be provided in which a first operation unit connected to the first operation cable 66 and a second operation unit connected to the second operation cable 68 are provided. Also, a limiting unit may be provided that can limit the simultaneous operation of the first operation unit and the second operation unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 10. Air suspension type seat support device for vehicles 12 Vehicle seat unit 14 Vehicle seats 16A Seat 22 Upper Frame 24 Lower frame 26 Link mechanism (connection part) 28 Air spring 62 Valve 66 First operating cable 68 Second operating cable 70 First Arm 72 Second Arm 74A Connecting shaft part 82 Air supply valve stem 84 Exhaust valve stem 158 Control lever (operation part)

Claims

1. An upper frame capable of supporting a vehicle seat on which an occupant sits; a lower frame disposed below the seat of the upper frame and capable of being supported by a floor portion of a vehicle; a connecting portion that connects the upper frame and the lower frame together in a state in which the upper frame is movable relative to the lower frame in a seat up-down direction; an air spring capable of supporting the upper frame from a lower side of the seat and capable of adjusting the height of the seat surface of the vehicle seat in the vertical direction of the seat by expanding and contracting in the vertical direction of the seat according to an amount of air contained therein; A valve including an air intake valve rod and an exhaust valve rod, and capable of supplying air to the air spring by pressing the air intake valve rod and exhausting air from the air spring by pressing the exhaust valve rod; A first arm has one end connected to a first operating cable and the other end rotatably supported on a connecting shaft portion, and is capable of rotating with respect to the connecting shaft portion by operating the first operating cable to press the air intake valve rod; A second arm having one end connected to a second operating cable and the other end supported rotatably with respect to the connecting shaft portion, and capable of rotating with respect to the connecting shaft portion by operating the second operating cable to press the exhaust valve rod; a single operation unit that is connected to the first operation cable and the second operation cable, that can operate the first arm via the first operation cable by a first operation, that can operate the second arm via the second operation cable by a second operation, and that returns to an initial position after the first operation and the second operation by a biasing force of a biasing unit; An air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle having the above structure.

2. The air suspension type seat support device for a vehicle according to claim 1, a vehicle seat supported from a lower side of the seat by the vehicle air suspension type seat support device; A vehicle seat unit comprising:

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