Multi-axis drive device and power seat

Abstract

To avoid increase in size and reduce operation sound.SOLUTION: A multiaxis drive device 40 selectively switches a rotational force transmission path from one motor 34 to multiple movable mechanisms. The multiaxis drive device 40 includes: a speed reduction mechanism 52 which reduces a speed of rotation of the motor 34; and multiple output members 60 which are connected to the multiple movable mechanisms in a manner that enables transmission of rotation and whose connection state with the speed reduction mechanism 52 is selectively switched to be selectively rotated. The speed reduction mechanism 52 is a planetary gear mechanism 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power seat, and more particularly to a multi-axis drive device that selectively switches the transmission path of rotational force from one motor to a plurality of movable mechanisms.

Background Art

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a multi-axis drive device that selectively switches the transmission path of rotational force from one motor to a plurality of movable mechanisms. This multi-axis drive device includes a plurality of input-side bevel gears, a plurality of output-side bevel gears, and a selector. The input-side bevel gears are rotatably supported with respect to the case and rotate when the power of the motor is transmitted. The plurality of output-side bevel gears are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of input-side bevel gears and are slidably supported in their respective axial directions with respect to the case. These output-side bevel gears are biased in a direction to mesh with the input-side bevel gears and are individually connected to transmit rotational force to each of the plurality of movable mechanisms. The selector is movable with respect to the case and is provided so as to be opposed to the plurality of output-side bevel gears. The selected output-side bevel gear among the plurality of output-side bevel gears is meshed with the corresponding input-side bevel gear, and the other output-side bevel gears are separated from the corresponding input-side bevel gears. In this multi-axis drive device, it is said that the meshing and backlash between the output-side bevel gear and the input-side bevel gear are appropriately maintained even when the output-side bevel gear slides in the axial direction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] If the bevel gears do not properly maintain tooth surface accuracy, gear meshing, and backlash, they will cause operating noise. Also, in the meshing of gears such as bevel gears, operating noise occurs at high rotational speeds, so it may be necessary to reduce the speed to an appropriate rotational speed. If a large reduction ratio is to be obtained with bevel gears, it is necessary to increase the size of the gears themselves. Increasing the size of the gears themselves leads to an increase in cost and mass.

[0005] In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a multi-axis drive device that can reduce operating noise while avoiding an increase in size, and a power seat including the multi-axis drive device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The multi-axis drive device according to the first aspect is a multi-axis drive device that selectively switches the transmission path of the rotational force from one motor to a plurality of movable mechanisms, and includes a speed reduction mechanism that reduces the rotation of the motor, and a plurality of output members that are rotatably connected to the plurality of movable mechanisms respectively and whose connection state with the speed reduction mechanism is selectively switched and selectively rotated. The speed reduction mechanism is a planetary gear mechanism.

[0007] In the first aspect, the plurality of output members that are rotatably connected to the plurality of movable mechanisms respectively are selectively rotated by selectively switching their connection state with a speed reduction mechanism that reduces the rotation of the motor. The above speed reduction mechanism is a planetary gear mechanism. The planetary gear mechanism can properly maintain gear meshing and backlash compared to a speed reduction mechanism using a large number of bevel gears as in the multi-axis drive device described in the background art section, and can increase the reduction ratio while avoiding an increase in size. Since reducing the rotational speed of the gears has an effect of reducing operating noise, the operating noise can be reduced by increasing the reduction ratio and reducing the rotational speed of the gears.

[0008] In the multi-axis drive device according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the internal gear of the planetary gear mechanism has a face gear formed on one surface in the axial direction, and each of the plurality of output members has a spur gear that is selectively slid in the axial direction and selectively meshes with the face gear.

[0009] In the second aspect, the plurality of spur gears of the plurality of output members are selectively slid in the axial direction. These spur gears selectively mesh with a face gear formed on one surface in the axial direction of the internal gear of the planetary gear mechanism. In this way, since the spur gear is slid in the axial direction to switch the presence or absence of meshing with the face gear, it is easy to keep the backlash between the spur gear and the internal gear constant.

[0010] The multi-axis drive device according to the third aspect, in the second aspect, includes a case having a side wall facing the outer peripheral surface of the internal gear and a bottom wall facing the other surface in the axial direction of the internal gear, and rotatably supports the internal gear, and a plurality of shaft portions are formed for respectively pivotally supporting the plurality of planetary gears of the planetary gear mechanism.

[0011] In the third aspect, the outer peripheral surface of the internal gear of the planetary gear mechanism faces the side wall of the case, and the other surface in the axial direction of the internal gear faces the bottom wall of the case. The internal gear is rotatably supported by this case. The case is formed with a plurality of shaft portions for respectively pivotally supporting the plurality of planetary gears of the planetary gear mechanism. By this case functioning (being used in combination) as a planetary carrier, a dedicated planetary carrier becomes unnecessary.

[0012] The power seat according to the fourth aspect includes a seat body having a plurality of movable mechanisms, one motor provided on the seat body, a multi-axis drive device according to any one of the first to third aspects that selectively switches the transmission path of the rotational force from the motor to the plurality of movable mechanisms provided on the seat body, and an operation unit provided on the seat body for operating the motor and the multi-axis drive device.

[0013] In the fourth aspect, a sheet body having a plurality of movable mechanisms is provided with one motor, a multi-axis drive device, and an operation unit. The motor and the multi-axis drive device are operated by the operation unit, and the multi-axis drive device selectively switches the transmission path of the rotational force from the motor to the plurality of movable mechanisms. Since the above-described multi-axis drive device is of any one of the first to third aspects, the above-described actions and effects can be obtained.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] As described above, in the multi-axis drive device and the power seat according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the operating noise while avoiding an increase in size.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14, a power seat 10 and a multi-axis drive device 40 according to an embodiment of the invention will be described. Note that in each figure, some reference numerals may be omitted for ease of viewing the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-axis drive device 40 according to the present embodiment is provided in a vehicle power seat 10 and constitutes a part of a power seat operation device 26 for operating this power seat 10. The power seat 10 is, as an example, a 4WAY power seat and includes a seat body 12.

[0017] The seat body 12 includes a slide mechanism 18 for sliding the seat cushion 14 in the seat front-rear direction with respect to a vehicle body floor portion (not shown), a recliner mechanism 20 for rotating the seat back 18 with respect to the seat cushion 14, a lifter mechanism 22 for moving the seat cushion 14 in the vertical direction with respect to the vehicle body floor portion, and a lumbar support mechanism 24 for moving the lumbar portion of the seat back 16 in the seat front-rear direction. These mechanisms are all movable mechanisms. These movable mechanisms are each not provided with a dedicated motor and are configured to operate by rotating the drive shafts of each mechanism forward and backward.

[0018] The power seat operation device 26 is provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the side portion of the seat cushion 14. This power seat operation device 10 is a seat switch for selectively operating the slide mechanism 18, the recliner mechanism 20, the lifter mechanism 22, and the lumbar support mechanism 24. This power seat operation device 26 includes a dial switch 28 which is an operation unit disposed on the side surface of the seat cushion 14, and a multi-axis drive device 40 and a motor 34 (see FIGS. 2 to 4) disposed inside the seat cushion 14.

[0019] The dial switch 28 is supported by the seat body 12 via the motor 34 and the multi-axis drive device 40. This dial switch 28 has a dial 30 supported rotatably with respect to the seat body 12, a switch knob 32 supported rotatably with respect to this dial 30, and a switch (not shown) that is turned on and off by the rotational operation of the switch knob 32. The dial 30 has a substantially cylindrical shape with the vehicle width direction as the axial direction and a small dimension in the axial direction. By the rotational operation of this dial 30, any one of the plurality of movable mechanisms is selected as the operation target. The switch knob 32 is rotatable about an axis along the vehicle width direction with respect to the dial 30. By the rotational operation of this switch knob 32, the motor 34 is rotated forward and backward.

[0020] The multi-axis drive device 40 is a device that selectively switches the transmission path of the rotational force from one motor 34 to the slide mechanism 18, the recliner mechanism 20, the lifter mechanism 22, and the lumbar support mechanism 24. This multi-axis drive device 40 is configured to be able to selectively switch the mechanical connection state between the motor 34 and each of the movable mechanisms by the operation of the dial 30. The motor 34 is disposed in the seat cushion 14 in a posture where the axial direction of the output shaft 36 is along the vehicle width direction, and is supported by a frame (not shown) of the seat cushion 14. The multi-axis drive device 40 is disposed between the motor 34 and the dial switch 28.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 9, the multi-axis drive device 40 includes a lower case 42, an inner case 48, an outer case 50, a planetary gear mechanism (planetary gear unit) 52, a plurality (here, four) of output members 60, a partition member 68, and a selector 72. The lower case 42 corresponds to the "case" in the present invention. The planetary gear mechanism 52 and the four output members 60 constitute a clutch unit. Each of the above components of the multi-axis drive device 40 is made of, for example, resin. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the four output members 60 may be referred to as output members 60A, 60B, 60C, and 60D.

[0022] The lower case 42 is disposed adjacent to the motor 34 on the outer side in the sheet width direction. The lower case 42 has a bottomed cylindrical shape with the sheet width direction as the axial direction and a small dimension in the axial direction, and is fixed to the motor 34 by means such as screwing and claw fitting. The lower case 42 is open to the outside in the sheet width direction. The output shaft 36 of the motor 34 passes through the central portion of the bottom wall 42A of the lower case 42 and is disposed inside the lower case 42. Inside the lower case 42, a pair of gear holding portions 44 protruding outward in the sheet width direction from the bottom wall 42A of the lower case 42 and a pair of shaft portions 46 are formed. The pair of gear holding portions 44 are fan-shaped when viewed from the sheet width direction and are symmetrically disposed via the central axis of the lower case 42. The pair of shaft portions 46 have a columnar shape with the sheet width direction as the axial direction and are symmetrically disposed via the central axis of the lower case 42. The gear holding portions 44 and the shaft portions 46 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the lower case 42.

[0023] The inner case 48 is disposed adjacent to the lower case 42 on the outer side in the sheet width direction. The inner case 48 has a shallow-bottomed dish-shaped case body 48A that is open to the outside in the sheet width direction and a plurality (here, four) of arm portions 48B that extend radially from the case body 48A in the radial direction of the motor 34. The four arm portions 48B are open to the outside in the sheet width direction, and the inside communicates with the inside of the case body 48A. The inner case 48 is fixed to the lower case 42 by means such as claw fitting, screwing, and adhesion.

[0024] The outer case 50 is disposed adjacent to the inner case 48 on the outer side in the sheet width direction. The outer case 50 has a shallow-bottomed dish-shaped case body 50A that opens inward in the sheet width direction, and a plurality (here, four) of arm portions 50B that extend radially from the case body 50A in the radial direction of the motor 34. The four arm portions 50B open inward in the sheet width direction, and the inside communicates with the inside of the case body 50A. The outer case 50 has a shape that is substantially symmetric in the sheet width direction with respect to the inner case 48, and is fixed to the inner case 48 by means such as claw fitting, screwing, and adhesion.

[0025] Inside the lower case 42, a planetary gear mechanism 52, which is a speed reduction mechanism for reducing the rotation of the motor 34, is accommodated. The planetary gear mechanism 52 has an internal gear 54, a pair of planetary gears 56, and a sun gear 58. The internal gear 54, the pair of planetary gears 56, and the sun gear 58 are helical gears as an example. The internal gear 54, the pair of planetary gears 56, and the sun gear 58 are arranged with the sheet width direction as the axial direction. The lower case 42 has a side wall 42B that faces (here, contacts) the outer peripheral surface of the internal gear 54, and a bottom wall 42A that faces (here, contacts) the surface of the internal gear 54 on the motor 34 side, and rotatably supports the internal gear 54. The surface of the internal gear 54 on the motor 34 side corresponds to the "surface on the other side in the axial direction" in the present invention.

[0026] When the internal gear 54 rotates relative to the lower case 42, the outer peripheral surface of the internal gear 54 is in sliding contact with the side wall 42B, and the surface of the internal gear 54 on the motor 34 side is in sliding contact with the bottom wall 42A. A lubricant such as grease is interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the internal gear 54 and the side wall 42B, and between the surface of the internal gear 54 on the motor 34 side and the bottom wall 42A. Note that rollers may be interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the internal gear 54 and the side wall 42B, and between the surface of the internal gear 54 on the motor 34 side and the bottom wall 42A.

[0027] The pair of planet gears 56 of the planetary gear mechanism 52 are pivotally supported by a pair of shaft portions 46 protruding from the bottom wall 42A of the lower case 42. Thereby, the lower case 42 functions as a planet carrier. The sun gear 58 of the planetary gear mechanism 52 is fixed to the output shaft 36 of the motor 34 that penetrates the bottom wall 42A of the lower case 42. When this sun gear 58 rotates integrally with the output shaft 36 of the motor 34, the rotation of the sun gear 58 is transmitted to the internal gear 54 via the pair of planet gears 56, and the internal gear 54 is decelerated and rotated. The rotation direction of the internal gear 54 is switched by the forward and reverse rotations of the motor 34. A face gear 54A is formed on the surface of the internal gear 54 on the side opposite to the motor 34 (corresponding to the "one face in the axial direction" in the present invention). This face gear 54A corresponds to the four output members 60A, 60B, 60C, and 60D.

[0028] The four output members 60A, 60B, 60C, and 60D are respectively connected to the slide mechanism 18, the recliner mechanism 20, the lifter mechanism 22, and the lumbar support mechanism 24 so as to be rotationally transmissible, and the connection state with the planetary gear mechanism 52 can be selectively switched and selectively rotated. The four output members 60A, 60B, 60C, and 60D are respectively housed in four spaces formed by the four arm portions 48B, 50B of the inner case 48 and the outer case 50, and are radially arranged in the radial direction of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34. Each output member 60 is composed of an output shaft 62 and an output gear 64.

[0029] The output shafts 62 of the output members 60A, 60B, 60C, and 60D are formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with the radial direction of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34 as the axial direction, and are rotatably supported by the inner case 48 and the outer case 50. The output shaft 62 of the output member 60A is connected to the slide mechanism 18 via a torque cable (transmission member) (not shown). The output shaft 62 of the output member 60B is connected to the recliner mechanism 20 via a torque cable (not shown). The output shaft 62 of the output member 60C is connected to the lifter mechanism 22 via a torque cable (not shown). The output shaft 62 of the output member 60D is connected to the lumbar support mechanism 24 via a torque cable (not shown).

[0030] The output gears 64 of each output member 60 are formed in a stepped substantially cylindrical shape having a plurality of stepped portions, and include a spur gear 64A, a cylindrical protrusion 64B coaxially extending from one axial end of the spur gear 64A, and a cylindrical tubular portion 64C coaxially extending from the other axial end of the spur gear 64A. One axial end side of the output shaft 62 is fitted inside the tubular portion 64C. The tubular portion 64C and the output shaft 62 are connected by a so-called spline fit, and the output gear 64 is connected to the output shaft 62 so as to be relatively movable in the axial direction and integrally rotatable. A compression coil spring 65 (see FIG. 7) is disposed inside the tubular portion 64C of the output gear 64, and the output gear 64 is biased inward in the radial direction of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34 with respect to the output shaft 62.

[0031] Inside the radial direction of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34 with respect to the four output members 60, a partition member 68 is disposed. The partition member 68 is disposed inside the inner case 48, and has a plate-shaped main body portion 68A with the axial direction of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34 as the plate thickness direction, and a pair of side wall portions 68B extending from the main body portion 68A to the side opposite to the motor 34. The pair of side wall portions 68B face each other in the radial direction of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34 and are curved along the circumferential direction of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34. The protruding portions 64B of the output gear 64 are respectively inserted into two insertion holes 70 formed in one of the side wall portions 68B for the two output members 60A and 60D, and the protruding portions 64B of the output gear 64 are respectively inserted into two insertion holes 70 formed in the other side wall portion 68B for the remaining two output members 60B and 60C. Each protruding portion 64B is supported rotatably and relatively movable in the axial direction with respect to each side wall portion 68B. The tip side of each protruding portion 64B extends radially inward of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34 with respect to each side wall portion 68B. Inside the radial direction of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34 with respect to each protruding portion 64B, a selector 72 is disposed.

[0032] The selector 72 has a cylindrical shape with the axial direction of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34 as the axial direction. This selector 72 is inserted into a circular bearing hole 51 formed in the central portion of the outer case 50 and is rotatably supported by the outer case 50. Inside the selector 72, a connecting portion 31 protruding from the axial center portion of the dial 30 is fitted. Thereby, the dial switch 28 is rotatably supported by the outer case 50 via the selector 72. The selector 72 rotates integrally with the dial switch 28. A flange portion 72A is formed at the end portion of the selector 72 on the motor 34 side. The outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 72A faces the protruding portions 64B of the four output gears 64 in the radial direction of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34. Two notch portions 74 and 76 are formed in this flange portion 72A.

[0033] In the multi-axis drive device 40 configured as described above, the output gears 64 of the plurality of output members 60 are selectively slid in the axial direction, and the spur gears 64A of the respective output gears 64 are selectively engaged with the face gears 54A of the internal gear 54. This will be specifically described below.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 10, in a state where the selector 72 is located at the neutral position, the protruding portions 64B of the output gears 64 of the four output members 60A, 60B, 60C, and 60D contact portions on the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 72A of the selector 72 where the notches 74 and 76 are not formed. In this state, the compression coil springs 65 of the four output members 60A, 60B, 60C, and 60D are compressed, and the biasing forces of these compression coil springs 65 press the respective protruding portions 64B against the flange portion 72A.

[0035] When the selector 72 is rotated integrally with the dial switch 28 to the first position shown in FIG. 11, the protruding portion 64B of the output gear 64 of the output member 60A enters one of the notches 74. At this time, the output gear 64 of the output member 60A slides radially inward of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34, and the spur gear 64A of the output gear 64 meshes with the face gear 54A of the internal gear 54. When the switch knob 32 of the dial switch 28 is rotated in this state and the output shaft 36 of the motor 34 is rotated, the rotation of the output shaft 36 is decelerated by the planetary gear mechanism 52 and transmitted to the output member 60A, causing the output member 60A to rotate. The rotation of the output member 60A is transmitted to the slide mechanism 18 via a torque cable (not shown), and the slide mechanism 18 is actuated.

[0036] When the selector 72 is rotated integrally with the dial switch 28 to the second position shown in FIG. 12, the protrusion 64B of the output gear 64 of the output member 60B enters the other notch 76. At this time, the output gear 64 of the output member 60B slides radially inward of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34, and the spur gear 64A of the output gear 64 meshes with the face gear 54A of the internal gear 54. In this state, when the switch knob 32 of the dial switch 28 is rotated and the output shaft 36 of the motor 34 is rotated, the rotation of the output shaft 36 is decelerated by the planetary gear mechanism 52 and transmitted to the output member 60B, causing the output member 60B to rotate. The rotation of the output member 60B is transmitted to the reclining mechanism 20 via a torque cable (not shown), and the reclining mechanism 20 is actuated.

[0037] When the selector 72 is rotated integrally with the dial switch 28 to the third position shown in FIG. 13, the protrusion 64B of the output gear 64 of the output member 60C enters the other notch 76. At this time, the output gear 64 of the output member 60C slides radially inward of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34, and the spur gear 64A of the output gear 64 meshes with the face gear 54A of the internal gear 54. In this state, when the switch knob 32 of the dial switch 28 is rotated and the output shaft 36 of the motor 34 is rotated, the rotation of the output shaft 36 is decelerated by the planetary gear mechanism 52 and transmitted to the output member 60C, causing the output member 60C to rotate. The rotation of the output member 60C is transmitted to the lifter mechanism 22 via a torque cable (not shown), and the lifter mechanism 22 is actuated.

[0038] When the selector 72 is rotated to the fourth position shown in FIG. 14 integrally with the dial switch 28, the protrusion 64B of the output gear 64 of the output member 60D enters one of the notches 74. At this time, the output gear 64 of the output member 60D slides radially inward of the output shaft 36 of the motor 34, and the spur gear 64A of the output gear 64 meshes with the face gear 54A of the internal gear 54. In this state, when the switch knob 32 of the dial switch 28 is rotated and the output shaft 36 of the motor 34 is rotated, the rotation of the output shaft 36 is decelerated by the planetary gear mechanism 52 and transmitted to the output member 60D, and the output member 60D rotates. The rotation of the output member 60D is transmitted to the lumbar support mechanism 24 via a torque cable (not shown), and the lumbar support mechanism 24 is actuated.

[0039] (Function and Effect) In the power seat 10 having the above configuration, one motor 34, a multi-axis drive device 40, and a dial switch 28 are provided on the seat body 12 having the slide mechanism 18, the reclining mechanism 20, the lifter mechanism 22, and the lumbar support mechanism 24. The motor 34 and the multi-axis drive device 40 are operated by the dial switch 28, and the transmission path of the rotational force from the motor 34 to the plurality of movable mechanisms is selectively switched by the multi-axis drive device 40.

[0040] In this multi-axis drive device 40, a plurality of output members 60 that are rotatably connected to the plurality of movable mechanisms are selectively switched in connection state with the planetary gear mechanism 52 that decelerates the rotation of the motor 34 and are selectively rotated. This planetary gear mechanism 52 can appropriately maintain the meshing and backlash between gears as compared with a reduction mechanism using a large number of bevel gears like the multi-axis drive device described in the background art section, and can increase the reduction ratio while avoiding an increase in size. Since reducing the rotational speed of the gears has the effect of reducing the operating noise, the operating noise can be reduced by increasing the reduction ratio and reducing the rotational speed of the gears.

[0041] Regarding the above effects, supplementary explanations will be given with reference to Tables 1 to 3 below. In Tables 1 to 3 below, the speed reduction mechanism of the multi-axis drive device described in the background art column is referred to as "prior art", and the one with the speed reduction ratio changed while keeping the axial distance the same as the prior art is referred to as "prior art gear ratio change", and the planetary gear mechanism 52 in the present embodiment is described as "this embodiment". Table 1 below lists the number of teeth of each gear (each gear) in the "prior art", "prior art gear ratio change", and "this embodiment".

[0042]

Table 1

[0043] Table 2 below lists the speed reduction ratio, the rotational speed of the motor, and the rotational speed of the output gear (spur gear 64A or output side bevel gear) in the "prior art", "prior art gear ratio change", and "this embodiment". As described in this Table 2, the higher the speed reduction ratio, the lower the rotational speed of the output gear.

[0044]

Table 2

[0045] Table 3 below lists the speed reduction ratio, the reduction rate, and the expected reduction of the operating noise in the "prior art", "prior art gear ratio change", and "this embodiment". As described in this Table 3, in this embodiment where the speed reduction ratio can be increased, the reduction of the operating noise can be expected.

[0046]

Table 3

[0047] Thus, in this embodiment, by changing from the conventional bevel gear speed reduction mechanism to the planetary gear mechanism 52, it is possible to achieve a large reduction in speed while avoiding an increase in the size of the device. As a result, a significant reduction in the operating noise can be expected.

[0048] Further, in this multi-axis drive device 40, a plurality of spur gears 64A provided on a plurality of output members 60 are selectively slid in the axial direction. These spur gears 64A are selectively meshed with a face gear 54A formed on one axial surface of an internal gear 54 included in the planetary gear mechanism 52. In this way, since the spur gear 64A is slid in the axial direction to switch the presence or absence of meshing with the face gear 54A, it is easy to keep the backlash between the spur gear 64A and the internal gear 54 constant.

[0049] Further, in this multi-axis drive device 40, an outer peripheral surface of an internal gear 54 included in the planetary gear mechanism 52 faces a side wall 42B of a lower case 42, and the other axial surface of the internal gear 54 faces a bottom wall 42A of the lower case 42. The internal gear 54 is rotatably supported by this lower case 42. The lower case 42 is formed with a plurality of shaft portions 46 that respectively pivotally support a plurality of planetary gears 56 included in the planetary gear mechanism 52. By the lower case 42 functioning (being used in combination) as a planetary carrier, a dedicated planetary carrier becomes unnecessary.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the case where the seat slide mechanism 18, the reclining mechanism 20, the lifter mechanism 22, and the lumbar support mechanism 24 are movable mechanisms has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of movable mechanisms such as a tilt mechanism, an ottoman mechanism, and a thigh support mechanism can also be applied as the movable mechanism.

[0051] Further, in the above embodiment, the power seat operating device 26 is configured to include a dial switch 28 that is a dial-shaped operating portion. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the power seat operating device 26 may be configured to include a lever-shaped operating portion.

[0052] In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist thereof. Of course, the scope of the rights of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0053] 10 Power seat 12 Sheet body 18 Slide mechanism 20 Reclining mechanism 22 Lifter mechanism 24 Runner support mechanism 28 Dial switch (operation unit) 34 Motor 40 Multi-axis drive device 42 Lower case (case) 42A Bottom wall 42B Side wall 46 Shaft portion 52 Planetary gear mechanism 54 Internal gear 54A Face gear 56 Planetary gear 60 Output member 64A Spur gear

Claims

1. A multi-axis drive device that selectively switches the transmission path of rotational force from a single motor to a plurality of movable mechanisms, comprising: A planetary gear mechanism that decelerates the rotation of the motor; A plurality of output members that are rotatably connected to the plurality of movable mechanisms respectively and whose connection state with the planetary gear mechanism can be selectively switched and that are selectively rotated; Comprising; The internal gear of the planetary gear mechanism has a face gear formed on one surface in the axial direction; A multi-axis drive device in which each of the plurality of output members has a spur gear that is selectively slid in the axial direction and selectively meshes with the face gear.

2. The multi-axis drive device according to claim 1, further comprising a case having side walls facing the outer peripheral surface of the internal gear and a bottom wall facing the other surface of the internal gear in the axial direction, supporting the internal gear rotatably, and formed with a plurality of shaft portions for respectively pivotally supporting a plurality of planetary gears of the planetary gear mechanism.

3. A power seat comprising: A seat body having a plurality of movable mechanisms; One motor provided on the seat body; The multi-axis drive device according to claim 1 or claim 2 provided on the seat body for selectively switching the transmission path of rotational force from the motor to the plurality of movable mechanisms; An operation unit provided on the seat body for operating the motor and the multi-axis drive device.

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