Connection guide

Abstract

To improve workability of assembling a shaft to a support member.SOLUTION: A guide member 40 includes a guide body 42 having a rectangular block shape. The guide body 42 is fit between flanges of a guide rail. A fitting hole 50 to which a shaft is fit is opened in a surface 44A of the guide body 42, an inner groove 52 is formed in an inner peripheral surface of the fitting hole 50, and thereby, an arrangement part is formed that contacts an outer peripheral surface of the shaft in between the inner groove 52. As a result, in the guide body 42, when the shaft is fit to the fitting hole 50, the arrangement part 54 is pressed by the outer peripheral surface of the shaft to elastically deform so as to reduce a groove width of the inner groove 52, which facilitates fitting of the shaft to the fitting hole 50 and adjusts an axial center position of the shaft with respect to the center of the fitting hole 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection guide. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a seat height adjustment device using an X-link. The height adjustment device includes a lower frame and an upper frame, each of which has a pair of side frames connected to their front ends and a rear frame connected to their rear ends. The height adjustment device also connects the upper and lower frames via a link mechanism using a pair of left and right X-links. In the link mechanism, rolling elements are attached to the rear ends of each of the two links, arranging the rolling elements vertically, and fixed blocks are pivotally attached to the front ends of each of the two links, arranging the fixed blocks vertically.

[0003] Each side frame has a generally U-shaped cross section with an opening facing inward to function as a guide rail. A fixed block is fixed to the front end of each side frame, and rolling elements are housed in the rear end of each side frame so that they can roll freely. The front and rear frames are each cylindrical, and the front frame is pivotally attached to the front ends of two links that are pivotally attached to the fixed blocks, while the rear frame is pivotally attached to the rear ends of two links that are attached to the rolling elements. As a result, in the height adjustment device, the rolling elements roll back and forth within the side frames, causing the upper frame to move up and down relative to the lower frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-23580 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In an X-link, one possible method for connecting and fixing the tip of a shaft to a guide rail is to fit a connecting guide into the guide rail and then insert the shaft into the connecting guide, and connect and fix the shaft to the guide rail via the connecting guide. However, with this method, if a gap occurs between the shaft and the insertion hole into which it is inserted, the shaft will rattle, making the connection between the guide rail and the shaft unstable and potentially hindering smooth operation of the X-link.

[0006] One way to prevent this is to fit the shaft into the insertion hole of the connecting guide, but in this case, it is difficult to adjust the inner diameter of the insertion hole and the outer diameter of the shaft, which can easily lead to a decrease in assembly efficiency and leaves room for improvement in assembling the shaft to the rail-shaped support member.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connection guide that can improve the workability when connecting a shaft to a support member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a connection guide according to claim 1 includes: a resin guide body in the shape of a block to be fitted between a pair of flanges of a support member having a band-shaped rib with a pair of flanges extending from widthwise ends of the rib, the resin guide body having an insertion hole opened on a surface of the support member opposite the rib, into which a cylindrical shaft is fitted; a fixing portion provided on the guide body for fixing the guide body fitted into the support member to the support member; and a plurality of positioning portions provided along the circumferential surface of the insertion hole of the guide body, each extending in the axial direction of the insertion hole on the inner circumferential surface, elastically pressing against the outer circumferential surface of the shaft fitted into the insertion hole to position the shaft in the insertion hole. The guide body is provided with a pair of outer grooves arranged on each of the flange-side surfaces of the support member with the axis of the insertion hole in between, each of which extends along the axis of the insertion hole. .

[0009] In the connection guide according to claim 1, the guide body is block-shaped, and is fitted between a pair of flanges of a support member, the flanges of which extend from widthwise ends of a strip-shaped rib, and is fixed to the support member by a fixing portion. The guide body also has an insertion hole that opens on the surface of the support member opposite the rib, and a cylindrical shaft is inserted into the insertion hole. This fixes the shaft to the support member via the guide body.

[0010] The insertion hole has an inner peripheral surface provided with a plurality of arrangement portions arranged along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole, whereby recesses and protrusions are formed alternately on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole.

[0011] Here, if the outer diameter of the shaft is slightly larger (relatively) than the inner diameter of the insertion hole, when the placement portion is pressed by the outer surface of the shaft, the periphery of the insertion hole elastically deforms, widening the space between the placement portions, and the inner diameter of the insertion hole widens (expands) in accordance with the outer diameter of the shaft.

[0012] This allows the shaft to be fitted into the fitting hole without adjusting the inner diameter of the fitting hole or the outer diameter of the shaft, thereby improving the workability of assembling the shaft to the support member. In the connection guide according to claim 1, the guide body has an outer groove portion on each surface facing the flange of the support member. The outer groove portions are arranged in pairs across the axis of the insertion hole, and each extends along the axis of the insertion hole. Because the outer diameter of the shaft is slightly larger (relatively) than the inner diameter of the insertion hole, when the shaft attempts to widen the inner diameter of the insertion hole, the guide body tends to expand around the insertion hole, but the flange of the support member restricts the expansion of the guide body. Here, the guide body has a pair of outer peripheral groove portions across the axis of the insertion hole, allowing elastic deformation between the outer peripheral groove portions to narrow the opening width. This allows the inner diameter of the insertion hole to expand (expand) in accordance with the outer diameter of the shaft without being restricted by the flange of the support member, effectively improving the workability of assembling the shaft to the support member.

[0013] The connection guide of claim 2 is the connection guide of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the insertion hole is provided with inner groove portions arranged at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, each extending in the axial direction of the insertion hole on the inner surface, and the arrangement portion is the circumferential surface between the inner groove portions on the inner surface.

[0014] In the connection guide according to claim 2, a plurality of inner grooves are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole, and each space between adjacent inner grooves in the circumferential direction functions as a positioning section. This allows the shaft to be inserted into the insertion hole without adjusting the inner diameter of the insertion hole or the outer diameter of the shaft, improving the workability of assembling the shaft to the support member. Furthermore, the contact area with the shaft inserted into the insertion hole can be increased, allowing the shaft to be effectively connected to the support member.

[0019] Claim 3 The connection guide according to claim 1 or Claim 2 In the connection guide of the above, the insertion hole of the guide body has a bottom, and a bottom groove is provided in the bottom surface of the insertion hole in an annular shape along the inner circumferential surface.

[0020] Claim 3 In the connecting guide according to the present invention, the insertion hole has a bottom, and a bottom groove is formed in an annular shape along the inner periphery of the bottom surface of the insertion hole. When the insertion depth of the shaft into the insertion hole is slightly longer than the depth of the insertion hole, the tip of the shaft abuts against the bottom surface of the insertion hole and presses against the bottom surface. This allows the bottom surface of the insertion hole to elastically deform (expand) so as to narrow the groove width of the bottom groove. This allows the shaft to be inserted into the insertion hole without adjusting the depth of the insertion hole or the length of the shaft, thereby further effectively improving the ease of assembly of the shaft into the support member.

[0021] Claim 4 The connection guide according to the present invention is 3 In any one of the connection guides described above, the insertion hole of the guide body has a bottom, and a circular protrusion that follows the inner surface of the insertion hole on the outer surface opposite to the opening side of the insertion hole.

[0022] Claim 4In the connecting guide according to the present invention, the insertion hole has a bottom, and a ring-shaped protrusion is provided on the surface of the insertion hole opposite the opening side, i.e., on the surface of the support member rib side, along the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole. Here, because the insertion depth of the shaft into the insertion hole is slightly longer than the depth of the insertion hole, when the tip of the shaft presses against the bottom surface of the insertion hole and presses the guide body toward the rib of the support member, the protrusion is elastically deformed.

[0023] As a result, even if the movement of the guide body is restricted by the ribs of the support member, the shaft can be inserted into the insertion hole without adjusting the depth of the insertion hole or the length of the shaft, thereby further effectively improving the workability of assembling the shaft to the support member.

[0024] Claim 5 The connection guide according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support members are arranged in pairs in the axial direction of the shaft with the flange sides facing each other, and the shafts have a length such that the ends in the axial direction reach between the flanges of the corresponding support members. The ends of the shaft in the axial direction are fitted into the fitting holes. .

[0025] Claim 5 In the connecting guide according to the present invention, the support members are arranged in pairs in the axial direction of the shaft, with the flange sides of the support members facing each other. The shafts are long enough that the axial ends reach between the flanges of the corresponding support members. The guide body is fitted between the flanges of each of the support members and fixed thereto.

[0026] Here, the shafts are connected by being fitted at their tip ends into the fitting holes of the guide body and spanning the pair of support members, which improves the workability when connecting the shafts to the support members. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] According to the present invention, the shaft can be inserted into the insertion hole and assembled to the support member without adjusting the inner diameter of the insertion hole of the guide body or the outer diameter of the shaft, thereby improving the workability of assembling the shaft to the support member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outline of a suspension frame. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of a suspension frame. [Figure 4] 1(A) and 1(B) are perspective views showing an outline of a connection guide as viewed from different directions. [Figure 5] (A) and (B) are plan views of the guide member as seen from the front side, where (A) shows a state in which the shaft is not inserted, and (B) shows a state in which the shaft is inserted. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the guide member as seen from the side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 shows a perspective view of the exterior of a vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment. In the drawing, the arrow FR indicates the front side in the longitudinal direction of the seat, the arrow UP indicates the upper side in the vertical direction of the seat, and the arrow HL indicates the left side in the width direction of the seat. The front, upper, and left sides of the vehicle seat 10 correspond to the front, upper, and left sides of the vehicle, respectively, and in the following description, the terms "front, rear," "up, down," and "left" refer to the front, rear, upper, lower, and left and right of the vehicle seat 10 unless otherwise specified. In addition, in the following description, some reference numerals and descriptions thereof are omitted to make the drawings easier to understand.

[0030] A vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment is installed in a vehicle (not shown) and is seated by an occupant in the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle seat 10 includes a seat cushion 12 that supports the thighs and buttocks of the seated occupant, a seat back 14 that supports the back of the occupant, and a headrest 16 that supports the head of the occupant.

[0031] The seat cushion 12 has a cushion pad 12A attached to the upper side of a seat frame (not shown) serving as a framework member. The seat back 14 has a back pad 14A attached to the front side of a back frame (not shown) serving as a framework member, and a headrest 16 attached to the upper part of the seat back 14.

[0032] In the vehicle seat 10, the lower end of the back frame is rotatably connected to the rear end of the seat frame, and the seat back 14 of the vehicle seat 10 is tiltable relative to the seat cushion 12 (reclining mechanism). The vehicle seat 10 is also provided with a slide mechanism that allows movement in the front-to-rear direction relative to the vehicle body, and an elevation mechanism (lift mechanism) that allows the seat back 14 and headrest 16 to move up and down together with the seat cushion 12.

[0033] On the other hand, a suspension frame 20 is disposed on the vehicle seat 10 below the seat cushion 12. Fig. 2 shows an outline of the suspension frame 20 in a perspective view seen from the rear, diagonally upward, left.

[0034] 2, the suspension frame 20 has a lower frame 22 disposed at the bottom (vehicle body side) and an upper frame 24 disposed above the lower frame 22, with a suspension mechanism 26 disposed between the lower frame 22 and the upper frame 24. The suspension frame 20 has the lower frame 22 attached to the vehicle body, and the seat frame of the seat cushion 12 supported (attached) to the upper frame 24 via a slide mechanism.

[0035] The lower frame 22 includes a front frame 22F on the front side, a rear frame 22R on the rear side, and side frames and guide rails 22S as support members disposed on both sides in the width direction. The lower frame 22 is framed in a substantially rectangular shape with both ends of the front frame 22F in the longitudinal direction (seat width direction) connected to the front ends of the guide rails 22S and both ends of the rear frame 22R in the longitudinal direction (seat width direction) connected to the rear ends of the guide rails 22S.

[0036] The upper frame 24 includes a front frame 24F on the front side, side frames arranged on both sides in the seat width direction, and guide rails 24S as support members. The upper frame 24 is framed in a generally U-shape, with both longitudinal ends (seat width direction) of the front frame 24F connected to the front ends of the guide rails 24S. Figure 3 shows an outline of the main parts of the suspension frame 20 in a perspective view viewed diagonally from the upper rear left. Note that Figure 3 shows the upper rear side of the suspension frame 20 as an example.

[0037] 2 and 3, each of the guide rails 22S (not shown in FIG. 3) and 24S has a generally U-shaped cross section along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction (seat width direction), and the guide rails 22S and 24S have a pair of flanges 34B extending from each end of a long, strip-shaped rib 34A in the width direction. The opening side of each of the guide rails 22S and 24S (the side opposite the rib 34A, the flange 34B side) is located on the inner side in the seat width direction. Note that the guide rails 22S and 24S have different external shapes depending on their positions, but have the same basic structure.

[0038] As shown in Fig. 2, the suspension mechanism 26 is provided with an X-link 28 on each side in the seat width direction. Each of the X-links 28 is disposed adjacent to the guide rails 22S, 24S on the inner side in the seat width direction. In the drawing, the left side in the seat width direction is designated as X-link 28L and the right side in the seat width direction is designated as X-link 28R, but the X-links 28L and 28R have the same basic configuration, and therefore, in the following description, the X-links 28L and 28R will not be distinguished from each other and will be referred to as X-link 28.

[0039] Each of the X links 28 (28L, 28R) includes a pair of an outer link (outer link arm) 30A and an inner link (inner link arm) 30B, each of which is shaped like a long, generally plate. The longitudinal direction of the outer link 30A and the inner link 30B is the front-to-rear direction, with the outer link 30A being disposed on the guide rail 22S, 24S side (outside in the seat width direction), and the inner link 30B being disposed inside the outer link 30A in the seat width direction. The outer link 30A and the inner link 30B are connected to each other by a link shaft 32 (the X link 28R side is not shown) at their midpoints in the seat front-to-rear direction so as to be able to rotate relative to each other.

[0040] The suspension mechanism 26 is provided with a plurality of substantially cylindrical (pipe-shaped, columnar) shafts 36 serving as connecting members. The axis of each of the shafts 36 is aligned with the seat width direction, and the shafts 36 are arranged vertically at the front and rear of the seat. In the suspension mechanism 26, the shafts 36 connect the front ends of the outer links 30A, the rear ends of the outer links 30A, the front ends of the inner links 30B, and the rear ends of the inner links 30B, which are arranged in pairs in the seat width direction. The outer links 30A and the inner links 30B are each rotatable about the axis of the shaft 36 when connected by the shafts 36. The shafts 36 between the front ends of the outer links 30A and the front ends of the inner links 30B are not shown in the drawings.

[0041] In the suspension mechanism 26, guide rollers (not shown) are rotatably attached to the tip of a shaft 36 protruding from the front end of each of the outer links 30A and the tip of a shaft 36 protruding from the front end of each of the inner links 30B. The guide rollers of the shafts 36 at the front ends of the outer links 30A are inserted between the flanges 34B of the guide rails 22S of the lower frame 22 and are capable of rolling within the guide rails 22S in the front-rear direction of the seat. In addition, the guide rollers of the shafts 36 between the front ends of the inner links 30B are inserted between the flanges 34B of the guide rails 24S of the upper frame 24 and are capable of rolling within the guide rails 24S in the front-rear direction of the seat.

[0042] The rear end of the outer link 30A is rotatable around the shaft 36 located above and behind the seat and is engaged with the shaft 36. The rear end of the inner link 30B is rotatable around the shaft 36 located below and behind the seat and is engaged with the shaft 36.

[0043] Meanwhile, guide member 40 serving as a connecting guide is attached to the rear end of each of guide rails 22S, 24S, with guide member 40A attached to the rear end of guide rail 22S and guide member 40B attached to the rear end of guide rail 24S. Shaft 36 protruding from the rear end of outer link 30A is connected to guide rail 24S via guide member 40B. Shaft 36 protruding from the rear end of inner link 30B is connected to guide rail 22S via guide member 40A (one of which is not shown).

[0044] As a result, in the suspension mechanism 26, each of the shafts 36 on the front and lower side of the seat is moved in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat within the guide rail 22S, causing the outer link 30A and the inner link 30B to rotate around the link shaft 32, and the shaft 36 on the front and upper side of the seat is moved in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat within the guide rail 24S, thereby moving the upper frame 24 up and down.

[0045] The suspension mechanism 26 also includes dampers (air dampers, air suspensions) and air springs (both not shown) as lifting and lowering means and shock-absorbing means. For example, the air springs urge the upper frame 24 upward and generate a reaction force against the load that the upper frame 24 receives from the seat frame. The air springs are expanded upward when air is supplied by a supply means (not shown), thereby lifting the seat cushion 12 together with the upper frame 24. The air springs are contracted when air is discharged, thereby lowering the seat cushion 12 together with the upper frame 24. This causes the vehicle seat 10 to lift and lower (move up and down).

[0046] The damper also absorbs vibrations (vertical vibrations) of the upper frame 24 caused by vibrations of the air springs, as well as rapid displacements in the vertical direction. This allows the vehicle seat 10 to move up and down gently together with the upper frame 24 when the air springs expand and contract. The damper also acts to absorb vertical movement of the upper frame 24 by gently expanding and contracting the upper frame 24 in response to the load received by the occupant seated in the vehicle seat 10 and changes in the load received as the vehicle travels. Known configurations can be applied as such lifting and lowering means and buffering means.

[0047] Next, the guide member 40 according to this embodiment will be described. The guide member 40A used to attach the shaft 36 to the guide rail 22S on the rear side of the seat and the guide member 40B used to attach the shaft 36 to the guide rail 24S have the same basic configuration. Below, the guide member 40 will be described using the guide member 40B attached to the guide rail 24S as an example. Note that below, an example will be given in which the guide member 40 is disposed at the rear end of the guide rail 24S, and directions relative to the guide member 40 will be described corresponding to the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions of the vehicle seat 10.

[0048] 4(A) and 4(B) show perspective views of the guide member 40, with (A) showing a rear left oblique view and (B) showing a rear right oblique view. Also, FIGS. 5(A) and 5(B) show plan views of the guide member 40 as seen from the left in the seat width direction, with (A) showing a state in which the shaft 36 is not inserted and (B) showing a state in which the shaft 36 is inserted. Also, FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the guide member 40 cut in the front-rear direction as seen from one side in the seat width direction.

[0049] 3 to 6, the guide member 40 includes a guide body 42, which has a generally rectangular block shape that is long in one direction when viewed overall. The longitudinal direction of the guide body 42 is the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 24S (the seat front-rear direction), and one surface intersecting the longitudinal direction is a front surface 44A, and the side opposite to the front surface 44A is a back surface 44B.

[0050] The guide body 42 is inserted between the flanges 34B of the guide rail 24S with the back surface 44B facing the rib 34A of the guide rail 24S. As a result, one of a pair of side surfaces 44C of the guide body 42 faces the upper flange 34B of the guide rail 24S, and the other side surface 44C faces the lower flange 34B.

[0051] The width of the guide body 42, which is the distance between the pair of side surfaces 44C, is approximately the same as the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of flanges 34B of the guide rail 24S. This allows the guide body 42 to be fitted (inserted) between the flanges 34B at a predetermined longitudinal position of the guide rail 24S, thereby preventing gaps from forming between the side surfaces 44C and the inner surfaces of the flanges 34B. The shape of the side surfaces 44C of the guide body 42 (as viewed from above) is the same as the shape of the flanges 34B of the guide rail 24S as viewed from above, and the shape of the side surfaces 44C of the guide body 42 is curved to approach the back surface 44B from the longitudinal center toward the front of the seat. When the guide body 42 is fitted between the pair of flanges 34B, the peripheral edge of the side surfaces 44C overlaps or slightly protrudes from the peripheral edge of the flanges 34B.

[0052] Each of the flanges 34B of the guide rail 24S has a mounting hole 46 formed at a predetermined position at the rear end, and the mounting holes 46 are formed to pass through in the thickness direction (vertical direction) of each of the flanges 34B with their axes overlapping. Also, a through hole 48 is formed at the rear end of the guide body 42 as a fixing part, and the through hole 48 is formed to pass through from one side surface 44C to the other side surface 44C.

[0053] When the guide main body 42 is fitted between the flanges 34B of the guide rail 24S, it is positioned so that the axis of the insertion hole 48 overlaps the axis of the mounting hole 46 of the flange 34B. As a result, the guide main body 42 is fastened and fixed to a predetermined position on the guide rail 24S by screwing a nut onto a mounting bolt (both not shown, see the guide member 40A side in FIG. 2) that is inserted through the mounting hole 46 of one flange 34B, passed through the insertion hole 48 of the guide main body 42, and protrudes from the mounting hole 46 of the other flange 34B.

[0054] Meanwhile, an insertion hole 50 is formed in the guide body 42 forward of the insertion hole 48. The insertion hole 50 has an axial direction that intersects the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 24S at a substantially right angle, an inner diameter that corresponds to the outer diameter of the shaft 36, and is open to the surface 44A of the guide body 42.

[0055] In this embodiment, the insertion hole 50 of the guide body 42 has a bottom provided with a bottom surface 50A. By making the insertion hole 50 of the guide body 42 have a bottom, when the shaft 36 is pushed (inserted) into the insertion hole 50, the tip of the shaft 36 is prevented from contacting the surface of the rib 34A of the guide rail 24S.

[0056] In the guide body 42, a plurality of inner grooves 52 are formed as inner groove portions on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 50, and the inner grooves 52 are formed at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 50. For example, the intervals between the centers of the groove widths of adjacent inner grooves 52 are the same, and the inner grooves 52 are formed at approximately equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 50.

[0057] In this embodiment, four inner grooves 52 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 50, with the angle θ between the inner grooves 52 adjacent in the circumferential direction of the insertion hole 50 being approximately 90 degrees (θ=90°=π / 4) centered on the axis P of the insertion hole 50. Also, in this embodiment, the positions of the inner grooves 52 relative to the center P of the insertion hole 50 are rear-upper diagonal side, rear-lower diagonal side, front-lower diagonal side, and front-upper diagonal side when viewed from the surface 44A side.

[0058] Each of the inner grooves 52 is formed such that its longitudinal direction (groove direction) follows the axial direction of the insertion hole 50, and each of the inner grooves 52 is formed so as to extend from the open end of the surface 44A of the guide body 42 to the bottom surface 50A of the insertion hole 50. In the guide body 42, a plurality of inner grooves 52 are formed on the inner peripheral surface, and the spaces between the inner grooves 52 form arrangement portions 54, and the surface of the arrangement portions 54 (the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 50) is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 36 placed in the insertion hole 50.

[0059] A bottom groove 56 is formed on the bottom surface 50A of the insertion hole 50 along the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 50. The bottom groove 56 extends in the circumferential direction of the insertion hole 50 and has an annular shape. The groove width (opening width) of the bottom groove 56 is smaller (narrower) than the thickness (wall thickness) of the shaft 36. Therefore, when the tip of the shaft 36 reaches the bottom surface 50A, the peripheral edge of the bottom surface 50A on the bottom groove 56 side is pressed against the shaft 36. The cross-sectional shape of the inner groove 52 and the bottom groove 56 along the groove width direction (direction intersecting the extension direction of the inner groove) may be triangular, trapezoidal, or rectangular, with the width of the groove bottom narrower than the opening width. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the inner groove 52 and the bottom groove 56 is approximately U-shaped.

[0060] An outer groove 58 is formed as an outer groove portion on each of the side surfaces 44C of the guide body 42, and the outer grooves 58 are formed in pairs on each of the side surfaces 44C on either side of the axis of the insertion hole 50. In the present embodiment, as an example, the center-to-center spacing of the groove width of the outer grooves 58 is narrower than the diameter dimension of the insertion hole 50, and the outer grooves 58 are positioned so as to overlap, for example, with the inner groove 52 in the insertion hole 50 when viewed from above the guide body 42.

[0061] Each of the outer grooves 58 extends along the axial direction of the insertion hole 50 so as to reach the end of the back surface 44B from the end of the front surface 44A on the side surface 44C. The cross-sectional shape of the outer groove 58 along the groove width direction may be a substantially trapezoidal shape, a substantially triangular shape, or the like.

[0062] A protruding portion 60 is formed on the back surface 44B of the guide main body 42, with its tip protruding toward the rib 34A of the guide rail 24S. The protruding portion 60 is formed in a substantially annular shape with its center overlapping the center P of the insertion hole 50 and extending along the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole 50, and the protruding portion 60 is formed at a position on the back surface 44B of the guide main body 42 that overlaps with the bottom groove 56 in the insertion hole 50. As a result, when the guide main body 42 is disposed between the pair of flanges 34B of the guide rail 24S, the protruding portion 60 abuts against the rib 34A of the guide rail 24S.

[0063] The vehicle seat 10 configured as described above is provided with a suspension frame 20 having a suspension mechanism 26. The suspension mechanism 26 has a pair of X links 28. The X links 28 have guide rollers attached to the front ends of the outer link 30A and the inner link 30B, which are capable of rolling within the guide rail 22S of the lower frame 22 and the guide rail 24S of the upper frame 24, respectively. Furthermore, the rear ends of the inner link 30B and the outer link 30A of the X links 28 are attached to the guide rail 22S of the lower frame 22 and the guide rail 24S of the upper frame 24, respectively.

[0064] The suspension frame 20 is also provided with a lifting means and a buffer means. As a result, in the suspension frame 20, the upper frame 24 is able to move up and down parallel to the lower frame 22, and the upper frame 24 is able to absorb impacts. Therefore, in the vehicle seat 10, the seat cushion 12 is able to move up and down (raise and lower), and vibrations during raising and lowering and when the vehicle is running are absorbed, providing the occupant with a comfortable seating posture and seating feel.

[0065] In the suspension mechanism 26, in a pair of X links 28, the front ends of the outer links 30A, the front ends of the inner links 30B, the rear ends of the outer links 30A, and the rear ends of the inner links 30B are each connected by a shaft 36. Of these, the shaft 36 connecting the rear ends of the outer links 30A and the shaft 36 connecting the rear ends of the inner links 30B are each connected to guide rails 24S and 22S via guide members 40 (40B, 40A).

[0066] Here, the connection of the shaft 36 to the guide rail 24S will be described as an example. The guide body 42 of the guide member 40 (40B) is used to connect the shaft 36 to the guide rail 24S, and the guide body 42 is arranged with its back surface 44B facing the guide rail 24S (rib 34A side) and fitted between the flanges 34B of the guide rail 24S at a predetermined position on the rear end of the guide rail 24S. This causes the axis of the mounting hole 46 in the flange 34B of the guide rail 24S to overlap with the axis of the insertion hole 48 of the guide body 42, so that the guide body 42 can be fastened and fixed to the predetermined position of the guide rail 24S.

[0067] Further, the shaft 36 is attached to the guide body 42. The shaft 36 may be attached to the guide body 42 before or after the guide body 42 is attached to the guide rail 24S.

[0068] The guide body 42 has an insertion hole 50 opened in a surface 44A facing away from the guide rail 24S, and the tip of the shaft 3 is pushed (inserted) into the insertion hole 50. In the guide body 42, inner grooves 52 and arrangement portions 54 that protrude radially inward from the inner grooves 52 are alternately formed along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 50.

[0069] As a result, the shaft 36 is fitted into the fitting hole 50 while being in sliding contact with the arrangement portions 54. When the shaft 36 is fitted into the fitting hole 50, the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 36 presses the arrangement portions 54. At this time, since the inner grooves 52 are formed on both circumferential sides of each of the arrangement portions 54, each of the arrangement portions 54 in the guide main body 42 elastically deforms so as to narrow the groove width of the inner groove 52. As a result, in the guide main body 42, the inner diameter of the fitting hole 50 is widened in accordance with the outer diameter of the shaft 36, making it easy to fit (press-fit) the shaft 36 into the fitting hole 50.

[0070] Furthermore, in the guide body 42, the positioning portions 54 of the insertion hole 50 press the shaft 36 by elastic force while making surface contact, so that the shaft 36 can be securely held in the insertion hole 50. Furthermore, in the guide body 42, the positioning portions 54 are arranged approximately evenly in the circumferential direction of the insertion hole 50, so that the outer periphery of the shaft 36 can be pressed approximately evenly over approximately the entire circumference. This allows the axis of the shaft 36 to overlap with the center P (axis) of the insertion hole 50. As a result, the guide body 42 prevents the axis of the shaft 36 from shifting or tilting with respect to the center of the insertion hole 50, allowing the shaft 36 to be properly positioned in the insertion hole 50, and therefore the shaft 36 can be properly positioned with respect to the guide body 42.

[0071] On the other hand, in the guide body 42, when the inner diameter of the insertion hole 50 is expanded by the shaft 36, a bulge occurs on the side surface 44C, but when the side surface 44C abuts against the flange 34B of the guide rail 24S, the bulge of the side surface 44C is restricted, and the expansion of the insertion hole 50 is restricted.

[0072] Here, outer grooves 58 are formed in guide body 42 so as to sandwich the portion of side surface 44C that is most likely to bulge. Therefore, when the portion of guide body 42 on side surface 44C sandwiched between outer grooves 58 abuts against flange 34B, this portion elastically deforms in a direction narrowing the groove width of outer groove 58. In other words, outer grooves 58 are formed in guide body 42 so that the portion of side surface 44C between outer grooves 58 abuts against flange 34B, thereby allowing elastic deformation in a direction narrowing the groove width.

[0073] As a result, even when the side surface 44C of the guide body 42 abuts against the flange 34B, the inner diameter of the insertion hole 50 is not restricted from expanding in accordance with the outer diameter of the shaft 36, making it even easier to insert (press-fit) the shaft 36 into the insertion hole 50.

[0074] Meanwhile, in the guide body 42, a bottom groove 56 is formed in the bottom surface 50A of the bottomed insertion hole 50. Also, in the guide body 42, an annular protrusion 60 is formed on the back surface 44B at a position corresponding to the insertion hole 50.

[0075] If the axial length of the shaft 36 placed in the insertion hole 50 of the guide body 42 is too long, the tip of the shaft 36 will come into contact with the bottom surface 50A of the insertion hole 50, restricting the insertion of the shaft 36 into the insertion hole 50. Furthermore, when the shaft 36 presses against the bottom surface 50A of the insertion hole 50, the back surface 44B will bulge and come into contact with the rib 34A of the guide rail 24S, restricting the insertion of the shaft 36 into the insertion hole 50.

[0076] Here, in the guide body 42, when the tip of the shaft 36 reaches the bottom surface 50A and presses against the bottom surface 50A, the bottom surface 50A can elastically deform in a direction narrowing the groove width of the bottom groove 56. Also, in the guide body 42, when the bottom surface 50A of the insertion hole 50 is pressed by the tip of the shaft 36, the protrusion 60 formed on the back surface 44B abuts against the rib 34A of the guide rail 24S, causing elastic deformation (crushing), allowing the back surface 44B to bulge toward the rib 34A.

[0077] As a result, in the guide main body 42, even if the tip of the shaft 36 reaches the bottom surface 50A of the insertion hole 50, it is possible to effectively prevent the insertion of the shaft 36 into the insertion hole 50 from being restricted. Furthermore, in the guide main body 42, even if the tip of the shaft 36 is in contact with the bottom surface 50A of the insertion hole 50 and the shaft 36 is inserted between the flanges 34B of the guide rail 24S, the back surface 44B or the protruding portion 60 is pressed by the rib 34A, causing similar elastic deformation in the protruding portion 60 and the bottom surface 50A. As a result, even if the tip of the shaft 36 is in contact with the bottom surface 50A of the insertion hole 50 and the shaft 36 is inserted between the flanges 34B of the guide rail 24S, it is possible to prevent the shaft 36 from shifting in the axial direction.

[0078] In this way, the guide body 42 can easily adjust the misalignment of the axis, inclination of the axis, or misalignment in the axial direction of the shaft 36 inserted into the insertion hole 50, allowing the shaft 36 to be properly attached (inserted). This improves the workability of assembling the shaft 36 and the guide member 40 (guide body 42).

[0079] By using the guide member 40 (guide body 42) to connect the guide rail 24S and the shaft 36, it is possible to easily assemble the shaft 36 to the guide rail 24S, thereby improving the workability of assembling the shaft 36 to the guide rail 24S and assembling the suspension mechanism 26 using the shaft 36 to the suspension frame 20.

[0080] In the embodiment described above, the bottom groove 56 is formed on the bottom surface 50A of the insertion hole 50 in the guide body 42, and the protrusion 60 is provided on the back surface 44B. However, the guide body may be provided with at least one of the bottom groove and the protrusion.

[0081] Also, in this embodiment, the description has been given taking as an example the assembly of the shaft 36 to the guide rail 24S of the suspension frame 20. However, the connecting guide can be applied to the connection of any configuration of support member and shaft, as long as the shaft is assembled to a support member having a pair of flanges extending from the widthwise ends of a band-shaped rib. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10 Vehicle seats 20 suspension frame 22S, 24S guide rail (support member) 26 Suspension mechanism 28 X-Link 34A Rib 34B flange 36 Shaft 40 (40A, 40B) Guide member 42 Guide body 48 Insertion hole (fixed part) 50 Insertion hole 52 Inner groove (inner groove part) 54 Placement section 56 bottom groove 58 Outer groove (outer groove part) 60 Protrusion

Claims

1. a block-shaped resin guide body that is fitted between a pair of flanges of a support member having a band-shaped rib extending from an end portion in the width direction of the support member, and that has an insertion hole on a surface of the support member opposite the rib, into which a cylindrical shaft is inserted; a fixing portion provided on the guide body for fixing the guide body, which is fitted into the support member, to the support member; a plurality of positioning portions provided along a circumferential direction on an inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole of the guide body, each extending in an axial direction of the insertion hole on the inner peripheral surface, and elastically pressing against an outer peripheral surface of the shaft inserted into the insertion hole to position the shaft within the insertion hole; Including, The guide body is provided with outer grooves arranged in pairs on each of the flange-side surfaces of the support member with the axis of the insertion hole in between, and each of the outer grooves extending along the axis of the insertion hole. Connection guide.

2. an inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole is provided with inner grooves spaced at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, the inner grooves extending in the axial direction of the insertion hole; The arrangement portion is a circumferential surface between the inner groove portions on the inner circumferential surface. The connection guide according to claim 1 .

3. The guide body has a bottomed insertion hole, and a bottom groove is provided in the bottom surface of the insertion hole in an annular shape along the inner circumferential surface. The connection guide according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The guide body has a bottomed insertion hole, and an annular protrusion is provided on an outer surface opposite to an opening side of the insertion hole and extending along an inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole. The connection guide according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The support members are arranged in pairs in the axial direction of the shaft, with the flange sides facing each other, The shaft has a length such that each end in the axial direction reaches between the flanges of the corresponding support member, The ends of the shaft in the axial direction are fitted into the fitting holes, respectively. The connection guide according to claim 1 or 4.

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