Seat rotation device

Abstract

To provide a seat rotating device including a structure which enables compactification of the seat rotating device.SOLUTION: A seat rotating device rotates a seat body between a seating position where the seat body faces the front of a vehicle and a getting-on / off position where the seat body faces an opening of a door of the vehicle. The seat rotating device includes: a base plate 100 fixed to a floor FL side of the vehicle; a turn frame 200 arranged above the base plate 100 and fixed to a lower surface of the seat body so as not to rotate relative to the seat body; and a coupling unit 300 that couples the base plate 100 and the turn frame 200 to each other such that the turn frame 200 is rotatable with respect to the base plate 100 between the seating position and the getting-on / off position. The coupling unit 300 includes: a turn link 311; and a drive mechanism 321 fixed to a lower surface side of the turn link 311.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat rotation device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, seat rotation devices capable of rotating a seat body between a seating position and a boarding / exiting position have been known. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2022-147186 (Patent Document 1) discloses a seat rotation device including a base plate, a turn frame, and a drive unit (connecting unit).

[0003] The base plate is fixed to the vehicle floor, and the turn frame is fixed to the underside of the seat body. The drive unit connects the base plate and the turn frame so that the turn frame can rotate relative to the base plate between a seating position and a boarding / exiting position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-147186 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the drive unit is located at the upper rear of the turn frame (below the rear of the seat cushion). When the drive unit is located at the upper rear of the turn frame, the drive unit bulges, increasing the vertical size of the seat rotation device. As a result, when an occupant sits down, the occupant's buttocks may come into contact with the drive unit, causing discomfort to the occupant. On the other hand, by moving the seat cushion upward, the occupant's seating position is raised, eliminating the occupant's feeling of discomfort. However, the seat cushion needs to be moved upward.

[0006] The present invention provides a seat rotation device having a configuration that enables the seat rotation device to be made compact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A seat rotation device according to one aspect of the present invention is a seat rotation device capable of rotating a seat body between a seating position where the seat body faces the front of the vehicle and a boarding / exiting position where the seat body faces an opening of a door of the vehicle, the seat rotation device including: a base plate fixed to a floor side of the vehicle; a turn frame disposed above the base plate and fixed to an underside of the seat body so as not to rotate relative to the seat body; and a connection unit connecting the base plate and the turn frame so that the turn frame can rotate with respect to the base plate between the seating position and the boarding / exiting position, the connection unit connecting the base plate and the turn frame, the connection unit including a turn link that connects the base plate and the turn frame and has a fixed support part rotatably fixed to the base plate at one end so as to be rotatable relative to the base plate, and a movable support part that is rotatable with respect to the base plate around the fixed support part at the other end and fixed to the turn frame so as to be rotatable relative to the turn frame; a turn link guide rail having a shape extending in the front-to-rear direction; a turn link support slider movable along the turn link guide rail and supporting the turn link; a first guide rail fixed to the base plate, disposed at a predetermined gap in the left-to-right direction relative to the turn link guide rail, and having a shape extending linearly in the front-to-rear direction; a first support slider movable along the first guide rail and for supporting a first movable support part provided on the turn frame; a second guide rail fixed to the base plate, between the turn link guide rail and the first guide rail, having a shape extending linearly so as to gradually approach the turn link guide rail from the rear to the front; a second support slider movable along the second guide rail and for supporting the second movable support part provided on the turn frame; a rotating plate rotatably provided on the movable support part of the turn link; and a drive mechanism fixed to the underside of the turn link for rotating the rotating plate about the movable support part.

[0008] When the seat body is moved from the seating position to the boarding / alighting position, the drive mechanism rotates the rotating plate in a clockwise direction around the movable support part in a plan view, and in response to the force of the rotating plate rotating around the movable support part, the turn frame fixed to the rotating plate starts to rotate around the fixed support part as a rotation center, and the turn link support slider moves along the turn link guide rail, the first support slider moves along the first guide rail, and the second support slider moves along the second guide rail, and as a result, the turn frame moves forward and rotates towards the turn link guide rail, and the seat body moves from the seating position to the boarding / alighting position, and when the seat body is moved from the boarding / alighting position to the seating position, the drive mechanism is rotated in a counterclockwise direction in a plan view, and the seat body moves from the boarding / alighting position to the seating position by the opposite operation to the above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a seat rotating device having a configuration that allows the seat rotating device to be made compact. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the swivel seat in a seated position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the swivel seat in the entry / exit position. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view of a seat rotation device in a seating position according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a seat rotation device in a passenger entry / exit position according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a seat rotation device in a seating position according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the drive unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of turn links in a seated position in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of turn links at the boarding and disembarking position in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a movement trajectory of a turn frame according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a seat rotation device in a seating position according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a seat rotation device in a passenger entry / exit position according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following describes the rotating seat and seat rotation device of each embodiment with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, when numbers, quantities, etc. are mentioned, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to those numbers, quantities, etc., unless otherwise specified. The same reference numerals are used for the same or equivalent parts, and redundant descriptions may not be repeated. It is intended from the beginning that the configurations in the embodiments may be used in appropriate combinations.

[0012] The swivel seat shown below functions as a vehicle seat, particularly a car seat. In the drawings, "front" refers to the forward-moving side of the vehicle on which the swivel seat of the embodiment is mounted, "rear" refers to the reverse side of the vehicle, "left" refers to the left side as viewed from the forward direction, "right" refers to the right side as viewed from the forward direction, "up" refers to the upper side of the vehicle, and "down" refers to the lower side of the vehicle. This also applies to the following drawings.

[0013] The rotating seat shown below is illustrated assuming a seat located on the right side of the vehicle's direction of travel, but in the case of a seat located on the left side of the vehicle's direction of travel, the configuration shown below will be arranged symmetrically.

[0014] (Embodiment 1: Rotating Sheet 1) A schematic configuration of a swivel seat 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the swivel seat in a seating position, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of the swivel seat in a boarding / exiting position.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the swivel seat 1 includes a seat body 2 and a seat rotation device 10. The seat body 2 has a seat cushion 2a and a seat back 2b. The seat cushion 2a forms a seat portion that supports the buttocks of an occupant. The seat back 2b supports the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion 2a. The seat body 2 is placed on the floor FL of the vehicle.

[0016] A pair of seat sliders 3 are attached to the floor FL to slide the seat body 2 relative to the floor FL in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle. The pair of seat sliders 3 are arranged at an interval in the width direction (left-to-right direction) of the vehicle. Each seat slider 3 has a lower rail 3a and an upper rail 3b.

[0017] The lower rails 3a are fixed to the floor FL in a position parallel to the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The upper rails 3b are displaceable relative to the lower rails 3a in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (longitudinal direction of the lower rails 3a).

[0018] The seat rotation device 10 is capable of rotating the seat body 2 between a seating position (position shown in FIG. 1) and an entry / exit position (position shown in FIG. 2). The seating position is a position where the seat body 2 faces the front of the vehicle. The entry / exit position is a position where the seat body 2 faces the vehicle door opening (the pillar 4 side in FIGS. 1 and 2). The seat rotation device 10 is fixed to the underside of the seat body 2.

[0019] (Seat rotation device 10) Next, the configuration of the seat rotation device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 to Fig. 6. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the seat rotation device 10 in the seating position, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the seat rotation device in the getting-in / out position, Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the seat rotation device 10, and Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the drive unit.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the seat rotation device 10 comprises a base plate 100 fixed to the floor side of the vehicle, a turn frame 200 positioned above the base plate 100 and fixed to the underside of the seat body 2 so as not to rotate relative to the seat body 2, and a connecting unit 300 connecting the base plate 100 and the turn frame 200 so that the turn frame 200 can rotate relative to the base plate 100 between a seating position and a boarding / exiting position.

[0021] A turn link guide rail R1, a first guide rail R11, and a second guide rail R12 are fixed onto a base plate 100 that has been press-molded into a predetermined shape, the detailed arrangement of which will be described later. The turn link guide rail R1 has a shape that extends in the front-to-rear direction on approximately the right side of the base plate 100. In this embodiment, the turn link guide rail R1 has a shape that extends in the front-to-rear direction. The first guide rail R11 is disposed to the left of the turn link guide rail R1 with a predetermined gap therebetween, and has a shape that extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction. The second guide rail R12 has a shape that extends linearly between the turn link guide rail R1 and the first guide rail R11, gradually approaching the turn link guide rail R1 from the rear to the front.

[0022] 5, the turn link guide rail R1 guides the movement of the turn link support slider S1. The first guide rail R11 guides the movement of the first support slider S11. The second guide rail R12 guides the movement of the second support slider S12.

[0023] The turn frame 200 has a front frame 210, a rear frame 220, a right frame 230, a left frame, and a center frame 250 that connects the front frame 210 and the rear frame 220. In this embodiment, the turn frame 200 has a frame shape, but is not limited to this form. The turn frame 200 may also be configured using a plate or the like.

[0024] A turn link fixing bracket 220b for fixing the turn link 311 is provided on the right side of the rear frame 220. A first moving support part bracket 220c on which the first moving support part P11 is provided is provided on the left side of the rear frame 220. A second moving support part P12 is provided in the central region of the central frame 250.

[0025] 5, a support pin SP11 is provided on the first support slider S11 guided by the first guide rail R11. The support pin SP11 is rotatably fixed to the first moving support part bracket 220c by a nut N. A support pin SP21 is provided on the second support slider S12 guided by the second guide rail R12. The support pin SP21 is rotatably fixed to the second moving support part P12 provided in the central region of the central frame 250 by a bush B1 and a nut N.

[0026] (300 connection units) 4 to 6, the connection unit 300 will be described in detail. The connection unit 300 includes the above-mentioned turn link guide rail R1, turn link support slider S1, first guide rail R11, first support slider S11, second guide rail R12, and second support slider S12, as well as a turn link 311 and a drive mechanism 321.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the turn link 311 connects the base plate 100 and the turn frame 200, and has a fixed support part P1 rotatably fixed to the base plate 100 at one end (left side) so as to be rotatable relative to the base plate 100, and a movable support part P2 fixed to the turn frame 200 at the other end (right side) so as to be rotatable relative to the base plate 100 with the fixed support part P1 as the center of rotation.

[0028] Referring to Figure 6, the turn link 311 has a plate portion 311a located on the turn frame 200 side (upper side), a bracket portion 311b extending from the plate portion 311a at one end side of the plate portion 311a, and an attachment portion 311c descending toward the base plate 100 at the other end side of the plate portion 311a.

[0029] A through hole 311h2 to which a bushing B1 is fixed by caulking is provided in the mounting portion 311c of the turn link 311. The mounting portion 311c of the turn link 311 is rotatably fixed to the base plate 100 with a bolt B2 (see FIG. 5) using this through hole 311h2. The fixed position of this turn link 311 to the base plate 100 forms a fixed support portion P1.

[0030] A through hole 311h1 to which a bushing B1 is fixed by crimping is provided in the bracket portion 311b of the turn link 311. A sector gear plate shaft 320 is rotatably inserted into the through hole 311h1 from the underside of the bracket portion 311b. The sector gear plate shaft 320 is supported by the slider link plate 310. A through hole 310h is provided in the slider link plate 310 at a position offset from the sector gear plate shaft 320. The center position of the sector gear plate shaft 320 forms the movable support part P2.

[0031] Returning to FIG. 5, a support pin SP1 provided on the turn link support slider S1 guided by the turn link guide rail R1 is fixed to the through hole 310h by a nut N via a bush B1.

[0032] Here, the turn link support slider S1 moves linearly along the turn link guide rail R1. On the other hand, the turn link 311 rotates around the fixed support part P1. At this time, the movable support part P2, which is the center position of the sector gear plate shaft 320, and the support pin SP1 are positioned at offset positions by the slider link plate 310, so the movable support part P2 moves along a circular arc (see arrow Y11 in Figure 9).

[0033] Referring again to Figure 6, above the bracket portion 311b, a sector gear plate 315 as a rotating plate is rotatably mounted via a bushing B1 on the sector gear plate shaft 320. A rack gear 315g is provided on the end face of the sector gear plate 315. The sector gear plate 315 is fixed to the sector gear plate shaft 320 with a washer W and a nut N.

[0034] Two fixing pins 319 are firmly fixed by welding or the like to the upper surface of the sector gear plate 315, sandwiching the movable support part P2, which is the center position of the sector gear plate shaft 320. These fixing pins 319 function as turn frame mounting bolts. A switch cam 318 for detecting the rotational position of the sector gear plate 315 is fixed near the rack gear 315g on the upper surface of the sector gear plate 315 using bolt B2.

[0035] On the other hand, a drive mechanism 321 is attached to the underside of the plate portion 311a using bolts B2. A pinion gear 321a that protrudes upward is provided on the drive mechanism 321. The pinion gear 321a protrudes upward from a through-hole 311h3 provided in the plate portion 311a.

[0036] An intermediate gear shaft 312 is fixed to the upper surface of the plate portion 311a by welding. A fan-shaped stopper plate 313 and an intermediate gear 314 serving as an idle gear are axially supported on the intermediate gear shaft 312 via a bush B1. The intermediate gear 314 and the stopper plate 313 are integrated by fitting together recesses and protrusions provided on both surfaces. The pinion gear 321a meshes with the intermediate gear 314, and the intermediate gear 314 meshes with the sector gear plate 315, forming a one-stage reduction mechanism.

[0037] In this embodiment, the rotation of the pinion gear 321a (7 teeth) is transmitted to the sector gear plate 315 (50 teeth) via the intermediate gear 314 (20 teeth). The reduction ratio i at this time is i = 50 / 7. The intermediate gear 314 does not affect the reduction ratio and simply transmits the rotation, but it makes it possible to maintain an appropriate center distance between the pinion gear 321a and the sector gear plate 315 without increasing the diameters of these gears. Furthermore, the provision of the intermediate gear 314 reduces the force load on each component compared to when the pinion gear 321a is directly meshed with the sector gear plate 315.

[0038] The stopper plate 313 regulates the amount of rotation of the turn link 311 by regulating the amount of rotation of the sector gear plate 315. This regulates the seating position and the getting-on / off position of the seat body 2. The details of regulating the amount of rotation of the turn link 311 will be described later.

[0039] A protective cover 316 that covers the pinion gear 321a and the intermediate gear 314 is fixed to the upper surface of the plate portion 311a using a nut N or the like. A limit switch 317 is fixed to the upper surface of the protective cover 316 using a bolt B2. The limit switch 317 and switch cam 318 function as a detection mechanism for detecting the rotational position of the sector gear plate 315.

[0040] (Restriction on the amount of rotation of the turn link 311) Next, the restriction of the rotation amount of the turn link 311 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the turn link 311 in the seated position, and Figure 8 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the turn link 311 in the boarding and disembarking position. In Figures 7 and 8, part of the protective cover 316 is omitted to facilitate understanding of the internal configuration. The limit switch 317 fixed to the protective cover 316 is shown.

[0041] Referring to Figure 7, turn link 311 rotates around fixed support part P1 as the rotation center. The position of turn link 311 shown in Figure 7 is when swivel seat 1 is in the seating position (the position shown in Figure 1). In this state, switch cam 318 abuts limit switch 317. In this state, switch cam 318 is in the ON state, and the seating position is detected. One first radial portion 313a (see Figure 6) of fan-shaped stopper plate 313 directly abuts pinion gear 321a, restricting rotation of intermediate gear 314.

[0042] 8, when the swivel seat 1 is rotated from the seating position to the boarding / exiting position, the pinion gear 321a is rotated clockwise (direction G1 in the figure) by the drive mechanism 321. As a result, the intermediate gear 314 rotates counterclockwise (direction G2 in the figure), and the sector gear plate 315 rotates clockwise (direction G3 in the figure). When the turn link 311 starts to rotate (in the direction of arrow T in the figure), the switch cam 318 moves away from the limit switch 317. In this state, the switch cam 318 is in the OFF state, and the start of rotation of the swivel seat 1 is detected. The fan-shaped stopper plate 313 rotates together with the intermediate gear 314. The arc portion 313b of the stopper plate 313 does not abut against the pinion gear 321a and does not restrict the rotation of the intermediate gear 314.

[0043] When the turn link 311 rotates to the boarding / disembarking position, the rotation of the pinion gear 321a is stopped by the drive mechanism 321. At this time, the other second radial portion 313c (see FIG. 6) of the fan-shaped stopper plate 313 directly abuts against the pinion gear 321a, thereby restricting the rotation of the intermediate gear 314.

[0044] (Rotational movement of the turn frame 200) Next, the rotational movement of the turn frame 200 in response to the rotational movement of the turn link 311 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the movement locus of the turn frame 200.

[0045] The turn link 311 rotates around the fixed support part P1 as the center of rotation. The movable support part P2 of the turn link 311 is supported by the turn link support slider S1 and moves along the turn link guide rail R1. The turn link support slider S1 moves linearly along the turn link guide rail R1 (arrow Y1 in the figure), but the movable support part P2 is supported at a position offset by the slider link plate 310, so it moves along an arc (see arrow Y11 in Figure 9). The movable support part P2 moves an angle of α degrees from the seating position to the boarding / disembarking position. This movement angle α corresponds to the angle between the first radial line part 313a on one side and the second radial line part 313c on the other side of the fan-shaped stopper plate 313. This movement angle α can be changed as needed.

[0046] As the turn link 311 moves from the seating position to the boarding / disembarking position, two fixed pins 319 provided on the upper surface of the sector gear plate 315 simultaneously move in a clockwise direction (see arrow G3 in FIG. 8) around the movable support part P2. Because the fixed pins 319 are fixed to the turn link fixing bracket 220b of the turn frame 200, a force that rotates the turn frame 200 itself is applied to the turn frame 200. The direction in which this force acts is guided by the first support slider S11 guided by the first guide rail R11 and the second support slider S12 guided by the second guide rail R12.

[0047] The first support slider S11 supports the turn frame 200 at the position of the first moving support part P11. The second support slider S12 supports the turn frame 200 at the position of the second moving support part P12.

[0048] Based on this configuration, when the seat body 2 is moved from the seating position to the boarding / exiting position, the drive mechanism 321 rotates the sector gear plate 315 clockwise (in the direction of arrow G3 in Figure 8) around the movable support part P2 in a plan view, and in response to the force of the sector gear plate 315 rotating around the movable support part P2, the turn link 311 fixed to the sector gear plate 315 begins to rotate around the fixed support part P1 as the center of rotation.

[0049] At the same time, the turn link support slider S1 moves from the seating position to the boarding / disembarking position along the turn link guide rail R1. At the same time, the first support slider S11 moves from the seating position to the boarding / disembarking position along the first guide rail R11. At the same time, the second support slider S12 moves from the seating position to the boarding / disembarking position along the second guide rail R12. Due to this operation, the turn frame 200 rotates toward the turn link guide rail R1 side (right side) while moving forward, and the seat main body 2 moves from the seating position to the boarding / disembarking position.

[0050] On the other hand, when the seat body 2 is moved from the boarding / alighting position to the seating position, the drive mechanism 321 rotates the sector gear plate 315 counterclockwise (opposite the direction of arrow G3 in Figure 8) around the movable support part P2 in a plan view, and in response to the force of the sector gear plate 315 rotating around the movable support part P2, the turn link 311 fixed to the sector gear plate 315 begins to rotate around the fixed support part P1 as the center of rotation.

[0051] This causes the opposite operation to that described above, and the turn link support slider S1 moves from the boarding / alighting position to the seating position along the turn link guide rail R1. At the same time, the first support slider S11 moves from the boarding / alighting position to the seating position along the first guide rail R11. At the same time, the second support slider S12 moves from the boarding / alighting position to the seating position along the second guide rail R12. This operation causes the turn frame 200 to rotate toward the turn link guide rail R1 side (left side) while moving rearward, and the seat body 2 moves from the boarding / alighting position to the seating position.

[0052] When the seat body 2 returns from the boarding / exiting position to the seating position, the switch cam 318 comes into contact with the limit switch 317 (ON state), and the seating position is detected.

[0053] 9, the turn link guide rail R1 is preferably positioned so that it extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction on approximately the right side of the base plate 100 and gradually moves toward the center as it moves forward. The second guide rail R12 is preferably positioned to the left of the turn link guide rail R1 at a predetermined gap, and has a shape that extends linearly in the front-to-rear direction and gradually moves toward the center as it moves forward.

[0054] The second guide rail R12 has a shape that extends linearly between the turn link guide rail R1 and the first guide rail R11 so as to gradually approach the turn link guide rail R1 as it moves from the rear to the front, and it is preferable that the second guide rail R12 is located to the right of the turn link guide rail R1 at the boarding and disembarking position of the second support slider S12.

[0055] More specifically, the positions of the turn link guide rail R1, the first guide rail R11, and the second guide rail R12 should be such that they follow the trajectory of the support pin SP1 of the turn link support slider S1, the trajectory of the first moving support portion P11 of the first support slider S11, and the trajectory of the second moving support portion P12 of the second support slider S12 as the turn frame 200 moves.

[0056] (Actions and Effects of the Embodiments) Thus, according to the seat rotation device of this embodiment, the drive mechanism 321 is arranged in the gap between the base plate 100 formed on the underside of the plate portion 311a of the turn link 311, thereby avoiding an increase in thickness in the vertical direction and the drive mechanism 321 protruding upward, suppressing the rearward protrusion of the connecting unit 300, and enabling the seat rotation device to be made compact.

[0057] Furthermore, because a large force is applied to the turn link 311 to rotate the turn frame 200, the turn link 311 is made of a thick, wide plate, but it is possible to integrally assemble the drive mechanism 321, pinion gear 321a, and sector gear plate 315 of the connection unit 300 to this turn link 311. In this way, by allowing the turn link 311 to retain both its strength and the function of attaching the connection unit 300, it is possible to improve the efficiency of equipment placement.

[0058] Furthermore, the drive mechanism 321, pinion gear 321a, intermediate gear 314, and sector gear plate 315 of the connecting unit 300 are integrally assembled to the turn link 311. This configuration allows for unitization with gear meshing dependent on machining precision, improving ease of assembly and enabling precise assembly. This stabilizes gear meshing, suppresses abnormal operating noise, and improves quietness.

[0059] Furthermore, since the precision equipment can be assembled in advance into the turn frame 200 as a unit, assembly to the base plate 100 and the turn frame 200 can be facilitated.

[0060] Furthermore, by arranging the pinion gear 321a, intermediate gear 314, and sector gear plate 315 on the upper surface of the turn link 311 and arranging the drive mechanism 321 on the lower surface of the turn link 311 and unitizing them, it is possible to maintain the distance between the sector gear plate 315 and the drive mechanism 321 while ensuring an appropriate reduction ratio.

[0061] Furthermore, stopper plate 313 is integrally provided on intermediate gear 314, and stopper plate 313 directly contacts pinion gear 321a, thereby restricting rotation of turn link 311. With this configuration, contact occurs with a relatively small load, making it possible to suppress deformation of turn link 311.

[0062] Furthermore, two fixed pins 319 are provided on the sector gear plate 315 so as to sandwich the movable support part P2, and these two fixed pins are fixed to the turn frame 200. A large force is generated in the turn frame 200 and the sector gear plate 315 to rotate the turn frame 200, but the fixed pins 319, which are arranged so as to sandwich the movable support part P2, make it possible to transmit the rotational force to the turn frame 200.

[0063] Furthermore, an intermediate gear 314 is provided between the pinion gear 321a and the rack gear 315g, and a stopper plate 313 is fixed to the intermediate gear 314. This stopper plate 313 has a fan-shaped shape and has a first radial portion 313a that directly abuts against the pinion gear 321a when the seat body 2 is in the seating position, and a second radial portion 313c that directly abuts against the pinion gear 321a when the pinion gear 321a rotates and the seat body 2 is in the boarding / disembarking position.

[0064] The first radial line portion 313a and the second radial line portion 313c provided on the stopper plate 313 physically come into direct contact with the pinion gear 321a, thereby making it possible to restrict the rotation of the sector gear plate 315 provided with the intermediate gear 314 and the rack gear 315g.

[0065] (Embodiment 2: Seat Rotation Device 10A) Next, the configuration of a seat rotation device 10A, which is a modified example of the seat rotation device 10 of the first embodiment, will be described with reference to Figures 10 and 11. The basic configuration of this seat rotation device 10A is the same as that of the seat rotation device 10. Therefore, in the following description, only the differences will be described, and the same reference symbols will be used in the drawings to designate common configurations, and redundant description will not be repeated.

[0066] The seat rotation device 10 of the first embodiment employs a structure in which the turn link 311 and the turn link support slider S1 are connected by a slider link plate 310. With this structure, the turn link support slider S1 moves along the linear turn link guide rail R1 (arrow Y1 in FIG. 9), and the movable support part P2 moves along a circular arc trajectory centered on the fixed support part P1 (see arrow Y11 in FIG. 9).

[0067] 11, in the configuration of the seat rotation device 10A in the second embodiment, the turn link support slider S21 is directly fixed to the support pin 311p provided on the turn link 311. The sector gear plate shaft 320, which is the core of the movable support part P2, is directly provided on the turn link 311.

[0068] The turn link support slider S1 is fixed to the turn link 311 by passing a support pin 311p through a hole 330h provided in the guide plate 330 of the turn link support slider S21 and fastening a nut N3 to the support pin 311p. With this configuration, the turn link guide rail R21 that guides the turn link support slider S21 has an arc shape that follows an arc-shaped trajectory centered on the fixed support part P1 of the support pin 311p.

[0069] Even with the configuration of seat rotating device 10A in the second embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the seat rotating device in the first embodiment.

[0070] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0071] (Aspect I) This seat rotation device is capable of rotating the seat body between a seating position where the seat body faces the front of the vehicle and an entry / exit position where the seat body faces a door opening of the vehicle, a base plate fixed to the floor side of the vehicle; a turn frame disposed above the base plate and fixed to the underside of the seat body so as not to rotate relative to the seat body; a connection unit that connects the base plate and the turn frame so that the turn frame can rotate relative to the base plate between the seating position and the boarding / disembarking position, The connecting unit is a turn link that connects the base plate and the turn frame, and has a fixed support part rotatably fixed to the base plate at one end so as to be rotatable relative to the base plate, and a movable support part that is rotatable relative to the base plate around the fixed support part at the other end so as to be rotatable relative to the turn frame; A turn link guide rail fixed to the base plate and having a shape extending in the front-rear direction; a turn link support slider that is movable along the turn link guide rail and supports the turn link; a first guide rail that is fixed to the base plate, is disposed with a predetermined gap in the left-right direction relative to the turn link guide rail, and has a shape that extends linearly in the front-rear direction; a first support slider that is movable along the first guide rail and that supports a first moving support portion that is provided on the turn frame; a second guide rail that is fixed to the base plate and has a shape that extends linearly between the turn link guide rail and the first guide rail so as to gradually approach the turn link guide rail from rear to front; a second support slider that is movable along the second guide rail and that supports a second moving support portion provided on the turn frame; a rotation plate rotatably provided on the movable support portion of the turn link; a drive mechanism fixed to a lower surface side of the turn link for rotating the rotating plate around the movable support portion as a rotation center; Including, When the seat body is moved from the seating position to the boarding / exiting position, the drive mechanism rotates the turning plate clockwise around the movable support part in a plan view, whereby the turn frame fixed to the turning plate starts to rotate around the fixed support part as a rotation center in response to a force of the turning plate rotating around the movable support part, and the turn link support slider moves along the turn link guide rail, the first support slider moves along the first guide rail, and the second support slider moves along the second guide rail, whereby the turn frame rotates toward the turn link guide rail while moving forward, and the seat body moves from the seating position to the boarding / exiting position, When the seat body is moved from the boarding / exiting position to the seating position, the drive mechanism is rotated counterclockwise in a plan view, thereby moving the seat body from the boarding / exiting position to the seating position by the opposite operation to the above. Seat rotation device.

[0072] According to this seat rotation device, the drive mechanism is placed in the gap between the turn link and the base plate formed on the underside of the turn link, which avoids an increase in thickness in the vertical direction and the drive mechanism protruding upward, making it possible to make the seat rotation device more compact.

[0073] (Aspect II) A rack gear is provided on an end surface of the rotating plate, The turn link has a plate portion located on the turn frame side, The drive mechanism is disposed on a lower surface of the plate portion on the side of the base plate, and rotation of the drive mechanism is transmitted as rotation of a pinion gear to the rack gear of the rotating plate disposed on an upper surface side of the plate portion. The seat rotation device of embodiment I.

[0074] According to this aspect, the turn link and drive mechanism are arranged and transmitted to the rack gear of the rotating plate by the pinion gear, so gear meshing can be unitized in a state where it depends on machining precision, improving ease of assembly and enabling precise assembly. This stabilizes gear meshing, suppresses abnormal operating noise, and improves quietness.

[0075] (Aspect III) an intermediate gear is provided between the pinion gear and the rack gear; A stopper plate is fixed to the intermediate gear, The stopper plate has a fan-like shape and includes a first radial portion that directly contacts the pinion gear when the seat body is in the seating position, and a second radial portion that directly contacts the pinion gear when the pinion gear rotates and the seat body is in the getting-on / off position, thereby restricting rotation of the intermediate gear. The rotation device of aspect II.

[0076] According to this aspect, the first radial line portion and the second radial line portion provided on the stopper plate physically come into direct contact with the pinion gear, thereby making it possible to restrict the rotation of the rotating plate on which the intermediate gear and the rack gear are provided.

[0077] (Aspect IV) The rotating plate is provided with two fixing pins sandwiching the movable support part, The two fixing pins are fixed to the turn frame. The sheet rotation device of any one of aspects I to III.

[0078] According to this aspect, a large force is generated to rotate the turn frame, but the rotational force can be transmitted to the turn frame by the fixed pins arranged so as to sandwich the movable support part.

[0079] Although the seat rotation device of the present disclosure has been described above, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 swivel seat, 2 seat body, 2a seat cushion, 2b seat back, 3 seat slider, 3a lower rail, 3b upper rail, 4 pillar, 10 seat rotation device, 100 base plate, 200 turn frame, 210 front frame, 220 rear frame, 220b turn link fixing bracket, 220c first moving support part bracket, 230 right frame, 250 center frame, 300 connecting unit, 310 slider link plate, 310h, 311h3, 311h2, 311h1 through hole, 311 turn link, 311a plate part, 311b bracket part, 311c mounting part, 311p, SP1, SP11, SP21 support pin, 312 intermediate gear shaft, 313 stopper plate, 313a first radial line part, 313b Arc portion, 313c second radius line portion, 314 intermediate gear, 315 sector gear plate, 315g rack gear, 316 protective cover, 317 limit switch, 318 switch cam, 319 fixing pin, 320 sector gear plate shaft, 321 drive mechanism, 321a pinion gear, 330 guide plate, 330h hole, B1 bush, B2 bolt, FL floor, N, N3 nut, P1 fixed support part, P2 movable support part, P11 first movable support part, P12 second movable support part, R1 turn link guide rail, R11 first guide rail, R12 second guide rail, S1, S21 turn link support slider, S11 first support slider, S12 second support slider, W washer.

Claims

1. A seat rotation device capable of rotating a seat body between a seating position where the seat body faces the front of a vehicle and an entry / exit position where the seat body faces a door opening of the vehicle, a base plate fixed to a floor side of the vehicle; a turn frame disposed above the base plate and fixed to the underside of the seat body so as not to rotate relative to the seat body; a connection unit that connects the base plate and the turn frame so that the turn frame can rotate relative to the base plate between the seating position and the boarding / disembarking position, The connecting unit is a turn link that connects the base plate and the turn frame, and has a fixed support part rotatably fixed to the base plate at one end so as to be rotatable relative to the base plate, and a movable support part that is rotatable relative to the base plate around the fixed support part at the other end so as to be rotatable relative to the turn frame; A turn link guide rail fixed to the base plate and having a shape extending in the front-rear direction; a turn link support slider that is movable along the turn link guide rail and supports the turn link; a first guide rail that is fixed to the base plate, is disposed with a predetermined gap in the left-right direction relative to the turn link guide rail, and has a shape that extends linearly in the front-rear direction; a first support slider that is movable along the first guide rail and that supports a first moving support unit provided on the turn frame; a second guide rail that is fixed to the base plate and has a shape that extends linearly between the turn link guide rail and the first guide rail so as to gradually approach the turn link guide rail from the rear to the front; a second support slider that is movable along the second guide rail and that supports a second moving support unit provided on the turn frame; a rotation plate rotatably provided on the movable support portion of the turn link; a drive mechanism fixed to a lower surface side of the turn link for rotating the rotating plate around the movable support portion as a rotation center; Including, When the seat body is moved from the seating position to the boarding / exiting position, the driving mechanism rotates the rotating plate clockwise around the movable support part in a plan view, whereby the turn frame fixed to the rotating plate starts to rotate around the fixed support part as a rotation center in response to a force of the rotating plate rotating around the movable support part, and the turn link support slider moves along the turn link guide rail, the first support slider moves along the first guide rail, and the second support slider moves along the second guide rail, whereby the turn frame rotates toward the turn link guide rail while moving forward, and the seat body moves from the seating position to the boarding / exiting position, When the seat body is moved from the boarding / exiting position to the seating position, the drive mechanism is rotated counterclockwise in a plan view, thereby moving the seat body from the boarding / exiting position to the seating position by the opposite operation to the above. Seat rotation device.

2. A rack gear is provided on an end surface of the rotating plate, The turn link has a plate portion located on the turn frame side, The drive mechanism is disposed on a lower surface of the plate portion on the side of the base plate, and rotation of the drive mechanism is transmitted as rotation of a pinion gear to the rack gear of the rotating plate disposed on an upper surface side of the plate portion. The seat rotating device according to claim 1 .

3. an intermediate gear is provided between the pinion gear and the rack gear; A stopper plate is fixed to the intermediate gear, The stopper plate has a fan-like shape and includes a first radial portion that directly contacts the pinion gear when the seat body is in the seating position, and a second radial portion that directly contacts the pinion gear when the pinion gear rotates and the seat body is in the getting-on / off position, thereby restricting rotation of the intermediate gear. The seat rotating device according to claim 2 .

4. The rotating plate is provided with two fixing pins sandwiching the movable support part, The two fixing pins are fixed to the turn frame. The seat rotating device according to claim 1 .

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