Vehicle seats

Abstract

To inhibit a backlash of a second shaft member against a first shaft member.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat includes: an inner tube 42; and an outer tube 44 which is configured so that the inner tube 42 is inserted thereinto and located inside the inner tube 42. When a seat position of the vehicle seat is adjusted, the outer tube 44 rotates relative to the inner tube 42. A bearing member 46 is disposed between the inner tube 42 and the outer tube 44. The bearing member 46 includes a first contact part 56 which contacts with an outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 42 to be restricted from being displaced in a rotation radial direction relative to the inner tube 42. Further, the bearing member 46 includes a second contact part 64 which contacts with an inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 44 to be restricted from being displaced in the rotation radial direction relative to the outer tube 44.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle seat including a welded pipe and a bushing press-fitted into the end of the welded pipe. The welded pipe described in this document is formed using a pipe-shaped steel plate with a partially open side, and the open portion of the steel plate is welded together. As a result, a weld bead formed by welding is formed on the inner surface of the welded pipe along the longitudinal direction of the welded pipe. On the other hand, the bushing described in this document includes a cylindrically formed tubular portion and a press-fit rib protruding radially outward from the outer periphery of the tubular portion. The press-fit rib contacts the welded pipe when the bushing is press-fitted into the welded pipe. This forms a gap between the outer periphery of the tubular portion and the inner periphery of the welded pipe. Furthermore, by locating the weld bead of the welded pipe in this gap, the bushing can be press-fitted into the welded pipe without being affected by the weld bead. Furthermore, in the vehicle seat described in this document, a fixed shaft is inserted inside the welded pipe, and a bushing is interposed between the fixed shaft and the welded pipe. When the seat position of the vehicle seat is adjusted, the fixed shaft is displaced relative to the welded pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-73690 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in a configuration such as the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1, in which the first shaft member corresponding to the fixed shaft displaces relative to the second shaft member corresponding to the welded pipe when the seat position of the vehicle seat is adjusted, it is essential to suppress rattle of the second shaft member relative to the first shaft member, but the configuration described in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement in this regard.

[0005] In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat that can suppress rattle of a second shaft member relative to a first shaft member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle seat of the first aspect includes a first shaft member that forms a part of the skeleton of the vehicle seat; a second shaft member that forms another part of the skeleton of the vehicle seat and is formed in a cylindrical shape, into which the first shaft member is inserted, and that rotates relative to the first shaft member when the seat position of the vehicle seat is adjusted; and a bearing member that is interposed between the first shaft member and the second shaft member when the first shaft member is inserted and is inserted into the end of the second shaft member, and has a first contact portion that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft member to limit radial displacement of the bearing member relative to the first shaft member, and a second contact portion that contacts the inner peripheral surface of the second shaft member to limit radial displacement of the bearing member relative to the second shaft member.

[0007] According to the vehicle seat of the first aspect, when the seat position of the vehicle seat is adjusted, the second shaft member rotates relative to the first shaft member. A bearing member is interposed between the first shaft member and the second shaft member. The first shaft member is inserted into the bearing member. The bearing member is also inserted into an end of the second shaft member. The bearing member has a first contact portion and a second contact portion. The first contact portion contacts the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft member. This limits radial displacement of the bearing member relative to the first shaft member. The second contact portion contacts the inner peripheral surface of the second shaft member. This limits radial displacement of the bearing member relative to the second shaft member. By providing the bearing member having the first contact portion and the second contact portion between the first shaft member and the second shaft member, rattle of the second shaft member relative to the first shaft member can be suppressed.

[0008] The second aspect of the vehicle seat is the vehicle seat of the first aspect, wherein the bearing member comprises an outer cylindrical portion that is arranged outside the second shaft member and has the first contact portion, and an insertion portion that is inserted into the end of the second shaft member and has the second contact portion.

[0009] According to the vehicle seat of the second aspect, the first contact portion is provided on the outer cylindrical portion of the bearing member, and the second contact portion is provided on the insertion portion of the bearing member. This reduces the effect of the contact pressure between the first contact portion and the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft member on the contact pressure between the second contact portion and the inner peripheral surface of the second shaft member. As a result, the bearing member can be easily attached to the first shaft member and the second shaft member.

[0010] A third aspect of the vehicle seat is the vehicle seat of the second aspect, wherein the first contact portion contacts the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft member around the entire circumference in the rotational circumferential direction, and the second contact portion contacts the inner peripheral surface of the second shaft member at multiple points in the rotational circumferential direction.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the vehicle seat, the first contact portion contacts the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft member all around in the circumferential direction of rotation, and the second contact portion contacts the inner peripheral surface of the second shaft member at multiple locations in the circumferential direction of rotation. This configuration makes it possible to suppress an increase in sliding resistance between the second contact portion and the inner peripheral surface of the second shaft member.

[0012] A vehicle seat according to a fourth aspect is the vehicle seat according to the second aspect, wherein the insertion portion is formed with a slit that divides the insertion portion in the circumferential direction of rotation.

[0013] According to the vehicle seat of the fourth aspect, a slit is formed in the insertion portion of the bearing member, which makes it easier to insert the insertion portion of the bearing member into the end portion of the second shaft member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The vehicle seat according to the present invention has the excellent effect of being able to suppress rattle of the second shaft member relative to the first shaft member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are perspective views showing portions of the inner tube and outer tube where bearing members are provided, with the outer tube cut along the vertical and horizontal directions. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bearing member as viewed from the insertion section side. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bearing member as viewed from the outer cylindrical portion side. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing a cross section of a portion of the inner tube and the outer tube where the bearing member is provided, taken along the up-down direction and the left-right direction; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A vehicle seat 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Note that the arrows FR, UP, RH, and LH shown in the figures indicate the front side, upper side, right side, and left side of the seat as seen by an occupant seated in the vehicle seat 10, respectively. Hereinafter, when the directions of front-rear, up-down, and left-right are simply used in the description, they will refer to front-rear in the seat front-rear direction, up-down in the seat up-down direction, and left-right in the seat left-right direction, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, the seat left-right direction coincides with the seat width direction.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment includes a seat body 12 on which a vehicle occupant sits, and a seat support device 14 that supports the seat body 12 so that it can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction.

[0018] The seat body 12 includes a seat cushion 16 having a "seating surface 16A" on which the occupant sits, a seat back 18 that supports the occupant's back, and a headrest 20 that supports the occupant's head. The seat body 12 is supported from below by a seat support device 14.

[0019] 2, the seat support device 14 includes an upper frame 22 and a lower frame 24 that form the framework of the lower portion of the vehicle seat 10. The seat support device 14 also includes a link mechanism 26, an air spring 28, and a damper 30.

[0020] The seat body 12 is fixed to the upper frame 22. The upper frame 22 includes a pair of left and right rail members 22A spaced apart in the left-right direction, and a pair of front and rear cross members (not shown) that connect the front and rear ends of the pair of left and right rail members 22A in the left-right direction. As a result, the upper frame 22 has a rectangular frame shape when viewed from above. The upper frame 22 also includes an inner tube 42 serving as a first shaft member that connects the front ends of the pair of left and right rail members 22A in the left-right direction, rearward of the front cross member (not shown). The inner tube 42 is formed in a columnar or cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending in the left-right direction.

[0021] The front-rear center portions of the pair of left and right rail members 22A are connected to each other via a plate-shaped upper support plate portion 32 whose thickness direction is the up-down direction. As will be described later, an air spring 28 is attached to this upper support plate portion 32.

[0022] The lower frame 24 is disposed below the upper frame 22 and is fixed to a vehicle floor (not shown). The lower frame 24 includes a pair of left and right rail members 24A spaced apart in the left-right direction, and a pair of front and rear cross members (not shown) that connect the front and rear ends of the pair of left and right rail members 24A in the left-right direction. As a result, the lower frame 24 has a rectangular frame shape when viewed from above.

[0023] In addition, the central portions of the pair of rail members 24A in the fore-and-aft direction are connected to each other via a plate-shaped lower support plate portion 34 whose thickness direction is the up-down direction, and an air spring 28 is attached to this lower support plate portion 34, as described below.

[0024] The link mechanism 26 includes a pair of left and right X links 36. The upper ends of the pair of left and right X links 36 are engaged with the upper frame 22, and the lower ends of the pair of left and right X links 36 are engaged with the lower frame 24. Here, the pair of left and right X links 36, together with the upper frame 22 and the lower frame 24, form the framework of the lower portion of the vehicle seat 10. Furthermore, the X link 36 includes a first link portion 38 that slopes downward from the front to the rear, and a second link portion 40 that slopes upward from the front to the rear. The first link portion 38 and the second link portion 40 are connected at a center portion in the fore-and-aft direction so as to be rotatable about an axial direction that is the left-right direction. The pair of left and right first link portions 38 rotate relative to the pair of left and right second link portions 40, allowing the upper frame 22 to move up and down relative to the lower frame 24. That is, the pair of left and right X links 36 of the link mechanism 26 connect the upper frame 22 and the lower frame 24 in a state in which the upper frame 22 can be raised and lowered relative to the lower frame 24.

[0025] Here, the front ends of the pair of left and right first link portions 38 are connected in the left-right direction via an outer tube 44 serving as a second shaft member. This outer tube 44 is formed in a cylindrical shape with its axial direction extending in the left-right direction, and constitutes the framework of the lower portion of the vehicle seat 10. An inner tube 42 is inserted into the outer tube 44. As a result, when the pair of left and right first link portions 38 rotate relative to the pair of left and right second link portions 40, the outer tube 44 rotates relative to the inner tube 42.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3 , a bearing member 46 is provided between the left end of the outer tube 44 and the inner tube 42. Although not shown, a bearing member 46 is also provided between the right end of the outer tube 44 and the inner tube 42. The pair of left and right bearing members 46 function as members that rotatably support the outer tube 44 with respect to the inner tube 42. Note that the arrow Z direction, arrow R direction, and arrow C direction appropriately shown in the drawings indicate one side in the rotational axis direction of the outer tube 44 relative to the inner tube 42, the outer side in the rotational radial direction, and one side in the rotational circumferential direction, respectively. Furthermore, hereinafter, when simply referring to the axial direction, radial direction, or circumferential direction, unless otherwise specified, this refers to the rotational axis direction, rotational radial direction, and rotational circumferential direction of the outer tube 44 relative to the inner tube 42.

[0027] 3, 4, and 5, the bearing members 46 are made of a resin material. The pair of left and right bearing members 46 have the same configuration. Therefore, in the following, only the left bearing member 46 will be described, and a description of the right bearing member 46 will be omitted.

[0028] The bearing member 46 includes an outer cylindrical portion 48 formed in a cylindrical shape, and an insertion portion 50 that protrudes from one axial end of the outer cylindrical portion 48 toward one axial side.

[0029] 5 and 6, the radially outer surface of the outer cylindrical portion 48 is formed into a cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the outer cylindrical portion 48 is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the outer tube 44 and equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the outer tube 44.

[0030] A plurality of inner protrusions 52 are formed along the axial direction on the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical portion 48. The inner protrusions 52 protrude radially inward and are spaced apart circumferentially. In this embodiment, four inner protrusions 52 are formed on the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical portion 48. The four inner protrusions 52 are equally spaced apart circumferentially. When viewed from the axial direction, the inner protrusions 52 in this embodiment are formed into a generally trapezoidal shape whose circumferential dimension decreases radially inward. The surfaces 52A of the four inner protrusions 52 on the distal end side in the protruding direction are inclined radially outward toward the other axial side (the opposite side from the insertion portion 50). The inner diameter of a portion 54 of the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical portion 48 where the four inner protrusions 52 are not formed is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the inner tube 42. The inner diameter of a portion of the inner periphery of the outer cylindrical portion 48 where the four inner protrusions 52 are formed is also set to be larger than the outer diameter of the inner tube 42.

[0031] One axial end (the end on the insertion portion 50 side) of the inner circumferential portion of the outer cylindrical portion 48 serves as a first contact portion 56. A radially inner surface 56A of this first contact portion 56 is formed into a cylindrical surface. The inner diameter of the first contact portion 56 is set to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the inner tube 42. This allows the inner tube 42 to be inserted into the inside of the first contact portion 56 in a press-fit state.

[0032] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the insertion portion 50 includes a cylindrical base portion 58 that protrudes from a radially inner portion at one axial end of the outer cylindrical portion 48 toward one axial side. In this embodiment, the base portion 58 is formed with a plurality of slits 60 that divide the base portion 58 in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, four slits 60 are formed in the base portion 58, and the four slits 60 are equally spaced apart in the circumferential direction. This divides the base portion 58 (insertion portion 50) into four circumferential portions. In the following description, each of the four divided portions of the base portion 58 may be referred to as a base piece 62.

[0033] A radially outer surface 58A of each base portion 58 is formed into a cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the radially outer surface 58A of each base portion 58 is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube 44.

[0034] A radially inner surface 58B of each base portion 58 is formed into a cylindrical surface. The inner diameter of the radially inner surface 58B of the base portion 58 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the inner tube 42. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the radially inner surface 58B of the base portion 58 gradually increases toward one axial side (the side opposite to the outer cylindrical portion 48).

[0035] The insertion portion 50 also includes a plurality of second contact portions 64 that protrude radially outward from the radially outer surface 58A of the base portion 58. In this embodiment, four second contact portions 64 are provided, and the four second contact portions 64 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The four second contact portions 64 are also arranged at the circumferential center of each base piece 62.

[0036] The four second contact portions 64, as viewed from the axial direction, are formed into a semicircular shape with a curved radially outward side. In this embodiment, the four second contact portions 64 are configured to protrude radially outward in a range from the end portion on the other axial side of each base piece 62 to the intermediate portion in the axial direction. Furthermore, most of the outer diameter of the insertion portion 50 at the tip end portion in the protruding direction of the four second contact portions 64 is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the outer tube 44. Note that, in this embodiment, the protruding height of the end portion 64A on one axial side of each second contact portion 64 from the base piece 62 gradually decreases toward one axial side. Furthermore, the circumferential dimension of the end portion 64A on one axial side of each second contact portion 64 gradually decreases toward one axial side.

[0037] 3 and 6, the inner tube 42 is inserted into the above-described bearing member 46. The insertion portion 50 of the bearing member 46 is inserted into the end of the outer tube 44. This places the bearing member 46 between the inner tube 42 and the end of the outer tube 44.

[0038] When the inner tube 42 is inserted into the bearing member 46, the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 42 and the first contact portion 56 of the outer cylindrical portion 48 of the bearing member 46 are in contact over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction.

[0039] Furthermore, when the insertion portion 50 of the bearing member 46 is inserted into the end of the outer tube 44, the other axial end of the outer tube 44 is in contact with one axial end of the outer cylindrical portion 48 of the bearing member 46. Furthermore, when the insertion portion 50 of the bearing member 46 is inserted into the end of the outer tube 44, each base piece 62 is bent radially inward, and each second contact portion 64 is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube 44.

[0040] (Actions and Effects of This Embodiment) Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment, an occupant seated in the seat body 12 can adjust the height of the seat surface 16A of the seat body 12 by operating an operating unit not shown.

[0042] When an occupant seated in the seat body 12 operates the operating part, compressed air is supplied from the air supply source to the air springs 28, causing the upper frame 22 to rise relative to the lower frame 24. As a result, the height of the sitting surface 16A of the seat body 12 can be increased.

[0043] On the other hand, when an occupant seated in the seat main body 12 operates the operating part to release air from the air spring 28, the upper frame 22 moves downward relative to the lower frame 24. As a result, the height of the sitting surface 16A of the seat main body 12 can be lowered.

[0044] 2 and 3, when the upper frame 22 moves up and down relative to the lower frame 24, the pair of left and right first link portions 38 rotate relative to the pair of left and right second link portions 40. At this time, the outer tube 44 rotates relative to the inner tube 42, with the bearing member 46 as a support shaft.

[0045] 3 to 6, in this embodiment, the first contact portion 56 of the bearing member 46 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 42. This limits radial displacement of the bearing member 46 relative to the inner tube 42. Furthermore, the second contact portion 64 of the bearing member 46 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 44. This limits radial displacement of the bearing member 46 relative to the outer tube 44. By providing the bearing member 46 having the first contact portion 56 and the second contact portion 64 between the inner tube 42 and the outer tube 44 in this manner, rattle of the outer tube 44 relative to the inner tube 42 can be suppressed.

[0046] In this embodiment, the first contact portion 56 is provided on the outer cylindrical portion 48 of the bearing member 46, and the second contact portion 64 is provided on the insertion portion 50 of the bearing member 46. This reduces the effect of the contact pressure between the first contact portion 56 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 42 on the contact pressure between the second contact portion 64 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 44. As a result, the bearing member 46 can be easily attached to the inner tube 42 and the outer tube 44. More specifically, even if the outer diameter of the outer cylindrical portion 48 of the bearing member 46 increases due to the increased contact pressure between the first contact portion 56 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 42, the change in the outer diameter of the bearing member 46 on the insertion portion 50 side is small. Furthermore, even if the outer diameter of the insertion portion 50 side decreases due to the increased contact pressure between the second contact portion 64 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 44, the change in the inner diameter of the bearing member 46 on the outer cylindrical portion 48 side is small. This prevents an increase in the force required to insert the insertion portion 50 of the bearing member 46 into the end portion of the outer tube 44 after the inner tube 42 has been inserted into the bearing member 46. It also prevents an increase in the force required to insert the inner tube 42 into the bearing member 46 after the insertion portion 50 of the bearing member 46 has been inserted into the end portion of the outer tube 44. As a result, the bearing member 46 can be easily attached to the inner tube 42 and the outer tube 44.

[0047] In this embodiment, the first contact portion 56 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 42 around the entire circumferential direction, and the four second contact portions 64 contact the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 44 at four locations around the circumferential direction. With this configuration, an increase in sliding resistance between the second contact portions 64 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 44 can be suppressed.

[0048] In this embodiment, the slits 60 are formed in the insertion portion 50 of the bearing member 46, so that the insertion portion 50 of the bearing member 46 is divided in the circumferential direction. This makes it easier to insert the insertion portion 50 of the bearing member 46 into the end portion of the outer tube 44.

[0049] In the present embodiment, an example in which the slits 60 are formed in the insertion portion 50 of the bearing member 46 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Whether or not to form the slits 60 in the insertion portion 50 of the bearing member 46 can be determined appropriately taking into consideration the outer diameter of the insertion portion 50 of the bearing member 46, the inner diameter of the outer tube 44, etc.

[0050] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the first contact portion 56 contacts the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 42 over the entire circumferential direction, and the four second contact portions 64 contact the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 44 at four locations over the circumferential direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the second contact portion 64 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 44 over the entire circumferential direction may also be used.

[0051] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the first contact portion 56 is provided on the outer cylindrical portion 48 of the bearing member 46, and the second contact portion 64 is provided on the insertion portion 50 of the bearing member 46, but the present invention is not limited to this. The positions at which the first contact portion 56 and the second contact portion 64 are provided on the bearing member 46 may be set appropriately taking into consideration the shape and dimensions of the bearing member 46.

[0052] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above, and it goes without saying that it can be implemented in various other modified forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10 Vehicle seats 42 Inner tube (first shaft member) 44 Outer tube (second shaft member) 46 Bearing material 48 outer cylindrical part 50 Insertion section 56 1st contact part 60 slits 64 2nd contact part

Claims

1. a first shaft member that constitutes a part of the frame of the vehicle seat; a second shaft member that constitutes another part of the vehicle seat frame, is formed in a cylindrical shape, has the first shaft member inserted therein, and rotates relative to the first shaft member when the seat position of the vehicle seat is adjusted; a bearing member having: a first contact portion interposed between the first shaft member and the second shaft member when the first shaft member is inserted and when the bearing member is inserted into an end portion of the second shaft member, the first contact portion contacting an outer peripheral surface of the first shaft member to limit displacement in a rotational radial direction relative to the first shaft member; and a second contact portion contacting an inner peripheral surface of the second shaft member to limit displacement in a rotational radial direction relative to the second shaft member; Equipped with The bearing member includes an outer cylindrical portion that is disposed axially outside the second shaft member and has the first contact portion, and an insertion portion that is inserted into an end portion of the second shaft member and has the second contact portion. Vehicle seat.

2. the first contact portion is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft member over the entire circumference in the rotational circumferential direction, The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the second contact portion contacts the inner circumferential surface of the second shaft member at a plurality of locations in the rotational circumferential direction.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the insertion portion is formed with a slit that divides the insertion portion in the circumferential direction of rotation.

Images