Sliding device

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-11148 filed on Jan. 25, 2019 with the Japan Patent Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates to a sliding device that slidably supports a seat.

For example, a sliding device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6090107 (Patent Document 1) comprises a fixed rail, a movable rail, a lock lever, a spring, and so on. The lock lever is provided with locking claws.

The lock lever is pivotally displaced between a locking position and a non-locking position with its longitudinally intermediate part rotatably supported by the movable rail. The locking position is a position where the locking claws engage with the movable rail and the fixed rail. The non-locking position is a position where the engagement of the locking claws with the rails is released.

The spring is formed into a lever shape, and applies to the lock lever an elastic force to maintain the lock lever in the locking position. Specifically, the spring presses the lock lever at a longitudinal end thereof in a state where a longitudinally intermediate part of the spring is supported by the movable rail.

The present disclosure discloses an example of a sliding device with simple configuration.

A sliding device in one aspect of the present disclosure slidably supports a seat. The sliding device comprises a fixed rail, a movable rail, a lock plate, and a spring member. A seat body of the seat is fixed to the movable rail. The movable rail is slidable relative to the fixed rail. The lock plate is held by the movable rail, and is displaceable in a direction substantially orthogonal to a sliding direction. The lock plate is displaced between a locking position where the lock plate engages with the fixed rail and restricts slide of the movable rail and a non-locking position where the restriction of slide is released. The lock plate has a plate surface that crosses a displacement direction of the lock plate. The spring member applies to the plate surface an elastic force to maintain the lock plate in the locking position. The spring member comprises a spring portion that extends in the sliding direction from the lock plate and has a leading end part fixed to the movable rail. A fixing structure for fixing the leading end part in an extending direction of the spring portion to the movable rail comprises a tapered portion and a press spring portion. The tapered portion is provided in the spring member and formed into an acute angle shape. The tapered portion is fitted into a hole provided in the movable rail. The press spring portion exerts an elastic force to press the tapered portion toward the hole.

Thus, the lock plate of the sliding device is displaced between the locking position and the non-locking position in the direction substantially orthogonal to the sliding direction. The spring member of the sliding device applies the elastic force to the lock plate.

Since the tapered portion is pressed toward the hole by the press spring portion, the fixing structure is fixed to the movable rail with the position of an end in an extending direction of the spring member automatically adjusted.

The sliding device, for example, may be configured as follows.

The tapered portion may be formed by a metallic wire rod that is bent into a substantially V-shape. The hole may be formed into an elongated shape. A long axis direction of the hole may coincide with the sliding direction, and a dimension in a short axis direction of the hole may be greater than a diameter dimension of the wire rod. In an intermediate part in the long axis direction of the hole, a protrusion protruding in the short axis direction from an outer edge of the hole may be provided. This allows the sliding device to have a simple configuration which is different from the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, and inhibits the tapered portion from falling out of the hole.

The press spring portion may comprise a torsion portion and a seat portion. The torsion portion may be made from the wire rod extending from the tapered portion. The seat portion may be a substantially straight portion extending from the torsion portion in a direction crossing the long axis direction of the hole. The seat portion may be in contact with a second wall of the movable rail facing a first wall provided with the hole.

Thus, even if the tapered portion, for example, swings and is displaced in the short axis direction around the hole, the swinging can be effectively reduced.

A comb portion may be provided in the fixed rail. The comb portion may have protrusions and recesses alternately provided in series. Further, the tapered portion may be positioned below the comb portion. This can inhibit the tapered portion from interfering with the fixed rail.

An example embodiment of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle seat according a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a sliding device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a fixed rail according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a movable rail according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows an operation of a lock plate according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows an operation of the lock plate according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 shows a spring member, the lock plate and the like according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows a spring member according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows the spring member and the lock plate according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows the lock plate according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 shows a fixing structure of a first spring portion and the movable rail according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 shows the fixing structure of the first spring portion and the movable rail according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 shows the fixing structure of the first spring portion and the movable rail according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 shows the fixing structure of the first spring portion and the movable rail according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 15 shows the fixing structure of a second spring portion and the movable rail according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 16 shows a fixing structure of the second spring portion and the movable rail according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 17 shows the lock plate according to a second embodiment; and

FIG. 18 shows the lock plate and the movable rail according to the second embodiment.

Embodiments described below show some example embodiments within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Matters and the like used to define the invention recited in the claims are not be limited to a specific configuration, structure, etc. defined in the embodiments below.

The present embodiments show an example in which a sliding device of the present invention is applied to a seat mounted on a vehicle or the like (hereinafter, “vehicle seat”). Arrows and the like indicating directions are attached to each figure to make it easy to understand the relationship between the figures, the shape of members or portions, and the like.

Thus, the sliding device of the present disclosure is not limited by the directions attached to each figure. The directions shown in each figure correspond to directions in a state where the vehicle seat according to the present embodiment is assembled to a vehicle.

At least one member or portion is provided for a member or portion in the embodiments, unless explicitly specified as “only one member” or the like. In other words, unless explicitly specified as “only one member” or the like, two or more members may be provided.

First Embodiment

1. Outline of Vehicle Seat

As shown in FIG. 1 , a vehicle seat 1 according to the present embodiment comprises at least two sliding devices 10 and a seat body 2 . The seat body 2 at least comprises a seat cushion 3 and a seatback 5 .

The seat cushion 3 supports the buttocks of an occupant. The seatback 5 supports the back of the occupant. The sliding device 10 slidably supports the seat body 2 of the vehicle seat 1 .

The seat body 2 is slidably supported by the two sliding devices 10 . Specifically, the first sliding device 10 supports a first end in a seat-width axis of the seat body 2 . The second sliding device 10 supports a second end in the seat-width axis of the seat body 2 .

2. Configuration of Sliding Device

2.1 Outline of Sliding Device

The two sliding devices 10 in the present embodiment have an identical structure. The following describes the left sliding device 10 arranged at a left end in the seat-width axis. The left sliding device 10 , as shown in FIG. 2 , at least comprises a fixed rail 11 , a movable rail 12 , a lock plate 13 , a spring member 14 and an operation member 16 .

<Fixed Rail, Movable Rail, and the Like>

The fixed rail 11 is directly or indirectly fixed to the vehicle. The seat body 2 is fixed to the movable rail 12 . The movable rail 12 is slidable relative to the fixed rail 11 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , the movable rail 12 of the present embodiment is supported by the fixed rail 11 via steel balls (in the present embodiment, sixteen steel balls) 15 . The steel balls 15 are one example of spherical rolling elements that come into rolling contact with the movable rail 12 and the fixed rail 11 .

Retainers 15 A restrict movement of each steel ball 15 relative to the movable rail 12 . This allows the steel balls 15 to come into rolling contact with the movable rail 12 and the fixed rail 11 without moving relative to the movable rail 12 . Therefore, the movable rail 12 can slide relative to the fixed rail 11 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , a comb portion 11 C is provided at each of portions 11 A, 11 B of the fixed rail 11 that face respective lateral surfaces of the movable rail 12 . Each comb portion 11 C has protrusions and recesses alternately provided in series along a longitudinal direction of the fixed rail 11 .

The lateral surfaces of the movable rail 12 are surfaces substantially parallel to a sliding direction of the movable rail 12 . The movable rail 12 slides relative to the fixed rail 11 in a space between the portion 11 A and the portion 11 B of the fixed rail 11 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , comb portions 12 B, 12 C that respectively face the portions 11 A and 11 B are provided in a longitudinally intermediate part 12 A (see FIG. 2 ) of the movable rail 12 .

Each of the comb portions 12 B, 12 C has protrusions and recesses alternately provided in series along a longitudinal direction of the movable rail 12 . The protrusions and recesses of the comb portions 11 C and the protrusions and recesses of the comb portions 12 B, 12 C are generally congruent.

The protrusions of the comb portions 11 C and the comb portions 12 B, 12 C protrude downward. In other words, the recesses of the comb portions 11 C and the comb portions 12 B, 12 C have open bottoms.

A region with the comb portions 11 C is greater than regions with the comb portions 12 B, 12 C. In the present embodiment, the number of protrusions and recesses of the comb portion 12 B is greater than the number of the protrusions and recesses of the comb portion 12 C.

<Lock Plate>

As shown in FIG. 5 , the lock plate 13 is held by the movable rail 12 , and is slidable relative to the fixed rail 11 , together with the movable rail 12 . The lock plate 13 is displaceable relative to the movable rail 12 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the sliding direction (in the present embodiment, up-down direction).

In other words, the lock plate 13 is displaceable between a locking position (see FIG. 5 ) and a non-locking position (see FIG. 6 ). The lock plate 13 has plate surfaces 13 A that cross the displacement direction (in the present embodiment, up-down direction).

The locking position is a position where the lock plate 13 engages with the fixed rail 11 and restricts slide of the movable rail 12 . The non-locking position is a position of the lock plate 13 where the restriction is released and the movable rail 12 becomes slidable.

Specifically, the lock plate 13 is provided with through holes 13 B through which the protrusions of the comb portions 11 C and the comb portions 12 B, 12 C can pass. When the lock plate 13 is in the locking position (see FIG. 5 ), some of the protrusions of the comb portions 11 C and the protrusions of the comb portions 12 B, 12 C pass through the through holes 13 B.

When the lock plate 13 is displaced downward from the locking position to the non-locking position (see FIG. 6 ), the lock plate 13 is spaced apart from the comb portions 11 C and the comb portions 12 B, 12 C. Therefore, the movable rail 12 becomes slidable relative to the fixed rail 11 .

<Spring Member and Operation Member>

As shown in FIG. 7 , the spring member 14 exerts an elastic force that maintains the lock plate 13 in the locking position. The spring member 14 applies the elastic force to the plate surface 13 A of the lock plate 13 .

The spring member 14 of the present embodiment applies the elastic force to one, that faces the non-locking position, of the two plate surfaces 13 A (upper and lower) of the lock plate 13 . In other words, the spring member 14 applies an upward elastic force to the lower plate surface 13 A of the lock plate 13 in the present embodiment.

The operation member 16 receives an operation force and is displaced from its initial position (position shown by a broken line in FIG. 7 ). The operation member 16 applies the operation force to the lock plate 13 and displaces the lock plate 13 to the non-locking position.

As shown in the broken line in FIG. 7 , the initial position indicates a position where the operation member 16 is spaced apart from the lock plate 13 in the locking position, or a position where the lock plate 13 in the locking position and the operation member 16 are in contact with each other.

2.2 Coupling Structure of Spring Member and Lock Plate

As shown in FIG. 8 , the spring member 14 at least comprises a coupling portion 14 A, a first spring portion 14 B, and a second spring portion 14 C. As shown in FIG. 7 , the coupling portion 14 A is a portion where the lock plate 13 is coupled.

<Configuration of Coupling Portion and Lock Plate>

The coupling portion 14 A comprises a first restricting portion 14 D, a second restricting portion 14 E, an acting portion 14 F, and the like. The first restricting portion 14 D restricts displacement of the lock plate 13 in a first orientation in the sliding direction relative to the spring member 14 .

The second restricting portion 14 E restricts displacement of the lock plate 13 in a second orientation in the sliding direction relative to the spring member 14 . The first orientation in the sliding direction corresponds to a seat rearward direction in the present embodiment. The second orientation in the sliding direction corresponds to a seat frontward direction in the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the first restricting portion 14 D and the second restricting portion 14 E are locked and fixed in a state in contact with a first stopper 13 C and a second stopper 13 D, respectively. The first stopper 13 C and the second stopper 13 D are provided on the lock plate 13 .

The first stopper 13 C locks and fixes a first end in the sliding direction of the lock plate 13 to the spring member 14 . The second stopper 13 D locks and fixes a second end in the sliding direction of the lock plate 13 to the spring member 14 .

In other words, the first restricting portion 14 D functions as a first locked portion locked to the first stopper 13 C. The second restricting portion 14 E functions as a second locked portion locked to the second stopper 13 D. Further, the first stopper 13 C and the second stopper 13 D function as a third restricting portion and a fourth restricting portion respectively.

The third restricting portion and the fourth restricting portion restrict displacement of the lock plate 13 in the displacement direction of the lock plate 13 and a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction (in the present embodiment, seat-width axis) relative to the spring member 14 .

In other words, in the present embodiment, the first stopper 13 C is configured as a first hook, and the second stopper 13 D is configured as a second hook. The first hook has a first recess 13 E. The first recess 13 E contacts and surrounds the spring member 14 (first restricting portion 14 D) from three sides, and is open on one side.

The second hook, that is, the second stopper 13 D, has a second recess 13 F. The second recess 13 F contacts and surrounds the spring member 14 (second restricting portion 14 E) from three sides, and is open on one side.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the first hook, that is, the first stopper 13 C, is provided with a first guide groove 13 G. The first guide groove 13 G communicates with an opening of the first recess 13 E and extends in a direction crossing an opening direction D 1 of the opening.

The second stopper 13 D is provided with a second guide groove 13 H. The second guide groove 13 H communicates with an opening of the second recess 13 F and extends in a direction crossing an opening direction D 2 of the opening.

In other words, the first hook, that is, the first stopper 13 C, is provided with a substantially L-shaped groove-like opening by the first recess 13 E and the first guide groove 13 G. The second hook, that is, the second stopper 13 D, is provided with a substantially L-shaped groove-like opening by the second recess 13 F and the second guide groove 13 H.

The second stopper 13 D is provided at a position shifted in the displacement direction of the lock plate 13 and a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction (in the present embodiment, seat-width axis) relative to the first stopper 13 C. Further, in the present embodiment, the first stopper 13 C and the second stopper 13 D are substantially rotationally symmetric with each other.

In other words, in FIG. 9 , when the first stopper 13 C and the second stopper 13 D rotate 180 degrees clockwise around a midpoint of a virtual line that couples a center of the first recess 13 E and a center of the second recess 13 F, the first stopper 13 C before the rotation and the second stopper 13 D after the rotation overlap with each other, and the second stopper 13 D before the rotation and the first stopper 13 C after the rotation overlap with each other.

<Acting Portion>

Returning to FIG. 7 , the acting portion 14 F is a region of the spring member 14 that applies the elastic force of the spring member 14 to the plate surface 13 A. The acting portion 14 F is a straight portion that extends from the first stopper 13 C side to the second stopper 13 D side.

The acting portion 14 F is configured to apply the elastic force to the plate surface 13 A with the entire region from a first end (right end in FIG. 7 ) to a second end (left end in FIG. 7 ) of the acting portion 14 F. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9 , the region where the acting portion 14 F of the present embodiment applies the elastic force to the lock plate 13 is a strip-shaped region tilted with respect to the sliding direction on the plate surface 13 A.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 , the coupling portion 14 A, that is, the first restricting portion 14 D, the second restricting portion 14 E and the acting portion 14 F, are formed by bending one metallic wire rod into a preset specific shape. The first restricting portion 14 D and the second restricting portion 14 E are each formed by a bent portion obtained by bending the metallic wire rod that forms the spring member 14 .

The first restricting portion 14 D, that is, the first locked portion, is a region of the coupling portion 14 A that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the acting portion 14 F. The second restricting portion 14 E, that is, the second locked portion, is a region of the coupling portion 14 A that extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to the acting portion 14 F.

<First Spring Portion and Second Spring Portion>

As shown in FIG. 8 , the first spring portion 14 B is a region extending from the coupling portion 14 A (in the present embodiment, first restricting portion 14 D) in the first orientation and having a leading end part in its extending direction fixed to the movable rail 12 . The second spring portion 14 C is a region extending from the coupling portion 14 A (in the present embodiment, second restricting portion 14 E) in the second orientation and having a leading end part in its extending direction fixed to the movable rail 12 .

The first spring portion 14 B, the second spring portion 14 C, and the coupling portion 14 A are formed by bending one metallic wire rod into a preset specific shape. The elastic force applied to the lock plate 13 is mainly a force generated by elastic deformation of the first spring portion 14 B and the second spring portion 14 C.

The first spring portion 14 B is shifted in the seat-width axis relative to the second spring portion 14 C. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 , the first spring portion 14 B is shifted to the right in the seat-width axis relative to the second spring portion 14 C.

<Fixing Structure of First Spring Portion>

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11 to 14 , a fixing structure of the leading end part in the extending direction of the first spring portion 14 B and the movable rail 12 has a tapered portion 14 G, a press spring portion 14 H, and the like, provided in the first spring portion 14 B.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the tapered portion 14 G is formed into an acute angle shape. The tapered portion 14 G is fitted into a hole 12 F provided in a portion 12 D of the movable rail 12 . The tapered portion 14 G is positioned below the comb portion 11 C of the fixed rail 11 . The tapered portion 14 G of the present embodiment is formed by a metallic wire rod that is bent into a substantially V-shape.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 , the portion 12 D is a strip-shaped region extending in the sliding direction, which is a part of the movable rail 12 that forms a first wall substantially parallel to the sliding direction and the displacement direction of the lock plate 13 . As shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 15 , a portion 12 E is a strip-shaped region spaced apart from the portion 12 D, which is a part of the movable rail 12 that forms a second wall substantially parallel to the portion 12 D.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the hole 12 F is formed into an elongated shape. A long axis direction of the hole 12 F coincides with the sliding direction and a dimension in a short axis direction of the hole 12 F is greater than a diameter dimension of the wire rod.

In an intermediate part in the long axis direction of the hole 12 F, a protrusion 12 G protruding in the short axis direction from an outer edge of the hole 12 F is provided. In a state where the tapered portion 14 G is inserted to the hole 12 F, the tapered portion 14 G is locked to be caught by the protrusion 12 G.

As shown in FIG. 11 , the press spring portion 14 H exerts an elastic force to press the tapered portion 14 G toward the hole 12 F. The press spring portion 14 H at least comprises a torsion portion 14 J and a seat portion 14 K.

The torsion portion 14 J is a torsion spring made from a wire rod extending from the tapered portion 14 G. The seat portion 14 K is a substantially straight portion extending from the torsion portion 14 J in a direction crossing the long axis direction of the hole 12 F. As shown in FIG. 12 , the seat portion 14 K is in contact with the portion 12 E.

The tapered portion 14 G and the press spring portion 14 H are formed by bending the metallic wire rod that forms the first spring portion 14 B into a preset specific shape. In other words, the first spring portion 14 B, the tapered portion 14 G, and the press spring portion 14 H are integrally formed.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the first spring portion 14 B is supported by a first support portion 12 H and a second support portion 12 J. The first support portion 12 H and the second support portion 12 J are formed by cut and raised pieces provided in the portion 12 D.

The first support portion 12 H supports an intermediate part in the extending direction of first spring portion 14 B. The second support portion 123 supports the first spring portion 14 B on the lock plate 13 side of the first support portion 12 H, and restricts displacement of the first spring portion 14 B in the seat-width axis. When the lock plate 13 is displaced to the non-locking position, the first spring portion 14 B elastically deforms like a bow substantially around the first support portion 12 H.

<Fixing Structure of Second Spring Portion>

As shown in FIG. 15 , a fixing structure of the leading end part in the extending direction of the second spring portion 14 C and the movable rail 12 has a tapered portion 14 L provided in the second spring portion 14 C, and the like. The tapered portion 14 L is formed into an acute angle shape.

The tapered portion 14 L is fitted into a hole 12 K provided in the portion 12 E of the movable rail 12 . The tapered portion 14 L of the present embodiment is formed by a metallic wire rod that is bent into a substantially V-shape. The hole 12 K has an elongated shape, and a long axis direction of the hole 12 K coincides with the sliding direction.

The second spring portion 14 C is supported by a first support portion 12 L and a second support portion 12 M. The first support portion 12 L and the second support portion 12 M are formed by cut and raised pieces provided in the portion 12 E.

The first support portion 12 L supports the intermediate part in the extending direction of the second spring portion 14 C. The second support portion 12 M supports the second spring portion 14 C on the lock plate 13 side of the first support portion 12 L, and restricts displacement of the second spring portion 14 C in the seat-width axis. When the lock plate 13 is displaced to the non-locking position, the second spring portion 14 C elastically deforms like a bow substantially around the first support portion 12 L.

<Operation Member>

The operation member 16 receives an operation force and can be displaced from an initial position (see FIG. 7 ) to an operating position (see FIG. 16 ). As shown in FIG. 16 , the operation member 16 comprises a pressing portion 16 A. The pressing portion 16 A applies the operation force to the lock plate 13 when the operation member 16 is in the operating position.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the pressing portion 16 A (hatched range with two-dot chain line) projected on a virtual plane parallel to the plate surface 13 A of the lock plate 13 extends in a direction crossing the acting portion 14 F projected on the virtual plane so as to cut across the projected acting portion 14 F.

In other words, a part of the pressing portion 16 A projected on the virtual plane overlaps the acting portion 14 F projected on the virtual plane, and the pressing portion 16 A projected on the virtual plane exists on both of one side (upper side in FIG. 9 ) and the other side (lower side in FIG. 9 ) of the acting portion 14 F projected on the virtual plane.

A return spring 16 B shown in FIG. 16 exerts an elastic force to return the operation member 16 in the operating position to the initial position. As shown in FIG. 15 , the return spring 16 B is integrally formed with the spring member 14 . In other words, the return spring 16 B and the spring member 14 are formed by bending one metallic wire rod into a preset specific shape.

The return spring 16 B of the present embodiment is provided with a stopper 16 C. The stopper 16 C is locked to the operation member 16 . When the stopper 16 C is locked to the operation member 16 , the return spring 16 B can exert the elastic force to press the tapered portion 14 L toward the hole 12 K.

A fulcrum portion 12 N provided in the movable rail 12 forms a swinging fulcrum of the operation member 16 . In other words, the operation member 16 can swing around the fulcrum portion 12 N. The fulcrum portion 12 N is formed by a cut and raised piece obtained by cutting and raising a part of the movable rail 12 .

3. Feature of Sliding Device of the Present Embodiment

3.1 Schematic Configuration of Sliding Device

The lock plate 13 of the sliding device 10 of the present embodiment is displaced between the locking position and the non-locking position in the direction substantially orthogonal to the sliding direction. The spring member 14 of the sliding device 10 applies the elastic force to the plate surface 13 A of the lock plate 13 , unlike Patent Document 1. Therefore, the lock plate 13 operates stably.

The spring member 14 comprises the first restricting portion 14 D that restricts displacement of the lock plate 13 in the first orientation in the sliding direction relative to the spring member 14 , and the second restricting portion 14 E that restricts displacement of the lock plate 13 in the second orientation in the sliding direction relative to the spring member 14 . This restricts displacement of the lock plate 13 in the sliding direction. Thus, operation of the lock plate 13 can be stabilized.

3.2 Spring Member, Lock Plate and the Like

The spring member 14 comprises the first spring portion 14 B and the second spring portion 14 C. The first spring portion 14 B extends from the first restricting portion 14 D in the first orientation and has the leading end part in the extending direction fixed to the movable rail 12 . The second spring portion 14 C extends from the second restricting portion 14 E in the second orientation and has the leading end part in the extending direction fixed to the movable rail 12 . This can stabilize operation of the lock plate 13 .

The first restricting portion 14 D and the second restricting portion 14 E are each formed by a bent portion obtained by bending a part of the spring member 14 . This can inhibit increase in manufacturing costs of the sliding device 10 .

Both the first restricting portion 14 D and the second restricting portion 14 E restrict the displacement of the lock plate 13 in a state in contact with the lock plate 13 . This can securely restrict the displacement of the lock plate 13 , and thus operation of the lock plate 13 can be stabilized.

The lock plate 13 comprises the first stopper 13 C as the third restricting portion and the second stopper 13 D as the fourth restricting portion that restrict displacement in the direction orthogonal to the displacement direction and the sliding direction relative to the spring member 14 . This can stabilize operation of the lock plate 13 .

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the first stopper 13 C as the first hook has the first recess 13 E that contacts and surrounds the spring member 14 from three sides, and is open on one side. The second stopper 13 D as the second hook has the second recess 13 F that contacts and surrounds the spring member 14 from three sides and is open on one side. This can securely stabilize operation of the lock plate 13 .

As shown in FIG. 10 , the first stopper 13 C as the first hook is provided with the first guide groove 13 G that communicates with the opening of the first recess 13 E and extends in the direction crossing the opening direction of the opening. The second stopper 13 D as the second hook is provided with the second guide groove 13 H that communicates with the opening of the second recess 13 F and extends in the direction crossing the opening direction of the opening. This can inhibit the spring member 14 from coming off from the first stopper 13 C and the second stopper 13 D.

The spring member 14 is formed by bending one metallic wire rod into a preset specific shape. This can inhibit increase in manufacturing costs of the spring member 14 .

The return spring 16 B that exerts the elastic force to return the displaced operation member 16 to the initial position is integrated with the spring member 14 . This can inhibit increase in manufacturing costs of the sliding device 10 .

3.3 Coupling Structure of Spring Member and Lock Plate, and the Like

Since the lock plate 13 is locked and fixed to the spring member 14 by the first stopper 13 C and the second stopper 13 D, the lock plate 13 is stably fixed to the spring member 14 . Thus, operation of the lock plate 13 becomes stable.

The acting portion 14 F of the spring member 14 that applies the elastic force to the plate surface 13 A is a straight portion extending from the first stopper 13 C side to the second stopper 13 D side, and is configured to apply the elastic force to the plate surface 13 A with the entire region from the first end to the second end of the acting portion 14 F. This allows the elastic force to be stably applied to the lock plate 13 in the sliding device 10 .

The spring member 14 comprises the first restricting portion 14 D as the first locked portion that is locked to the first stopper 13 C and extends in the direction substantially orthogonal to the acting portion 14 F, and the second restricting portion 14 E as the second locked portion that is locked to the second stopper 13 D and extends in the direction substantially orthogonal to the acting portion 14 F.

This interposes the lock plate 13 between the first restricting portion 14 D and the second restricting portion 14 E in the sliding device 10 . Thus, displacement of the lock plate 13 in the sliding direction can be restricted.

The pressing portion 16 A of the operation member 16 projected on the virtual plane parallel to the plate surface 13 A extends in the direction crossing the acting portion 14 F projected on the virtual plane so as to cut across the projected acting portion 14 F.

This can inhibit large shift between the point of action of the operation force applied to the lock plate 13 and the point of action of the elastic force in the sliding device 10 . Therefore, the lock plate 13 stably operates in the sliding device 10 .

3.4 Fixing Structure of First Spring Portion

The fixing structure for fixing the leading end part in the extending direction of the first spring portion 14 B to the movable rail 12 comprises the acute angle-shaped tapered portion 14 G provided in the spring member 14 and fitted into the hole 12 F provided in the movable rail 12 , and the press spring portion 14 H that exerts the elastic force to press the tapered portion 14 G toward the hole 12 F.

Since the tapered portion 14 G is pressed toward the hole 12 F by the press spring portion 14 H, the fixing structure is fixed to the movable rail 12 with the position of an end in an extending direction of the spring member 14 automatically adjusted.

The tapered portion 14 G is formed by a metallic wire rod bent into a substantially V-shape, and the protrusion 12 G protruding in the short axis direction from the outer edge of the hole 12 F is provided in the intermediate part in the long axis direction of the hole 12 F. This inhibits the tapered portion 14 G from falling out of the hole 12 F in the sliding device 10 .

The press spring portion 14 H comprises the torsion portion 14 J formed by the wire rod extending from the tapered portion 14 G, and the substantially straight seat portion 14 K extending from torsion portion 14 J in the direction crossing the long axis direction of the hole 12 F.

The seat portion 14 K is in contact with the portion 12 E of the movable rail 12 facing the portion 12 D provided with the hole 12 F. Thus, even if the tapered portion 14 G, for example, swings and is displaced in the short axis direction around the hole 12 F, the swinging can be effectively reduced.

Second Embodiment

In the sliding device 10 in the second embodiment of the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 , a stopper function is added to the lock plate 13 . Description below explains the difference from the sliding device 10 of the above-described embodiment. The same reference numbers as in the above-described embodiment are attached to the components and the like that are the same as those of the above-described embodiment. Thus, duplicate description is not repeated in the present embodiment.

<Configuration of Stopper Function>

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 , the fixed rail 11 is provided with at least one restricting portion (in the present embodiment, two restricting portions) 11 D, 11 E. The lock plate 13 is provided with abutment portions 13 J, 13 K that can contact the restricting portions 11 D, 11 E.

Slide displacement of the movable rail 12 is restricted when any of the following states is established: (a) the restricting portion 11 D and the abutment portion 13 J come into contact with each other, (b) the restricting portion 11 E and the abutment portion 13 K come into contact with each other, and (c) both the restricting portions 11 D, 11 E and the abutment portions 13 J, 13 K come into contact with each other.

As shown in FIG. 18 , the abutment portions 13 J, 13 K are provided at positions where the abutment portions 13 J, 13 K can come into contact with the restricting portions 11 D, 11 E when the lock plate 13 is in the non-locking position.

In other words, when the lock plate 13 is in the locking position, the restricting portions 11 D, 11 E and the abutment portions 13 J, 13 K are not in contact with each other. In the present embodiment, when the movable rail 12 slides toward the seat rear side, the restricting portions 11 D, 11 E and the abutment portions 13 J, 13 K can come into contact with each other.

Gaps 11 F, 11 G are provided below the restricting portions 11 D, 11 E. The gaps 11 F, 11 G allow the lock plate 13 to be displaced in the sliding direction without interfering with the restricting portions 11 D, 11 E.

Gap dimensions T 1 , T 2 of the gaps 11 F, 11 G are greater than a plate thickness dimension of the lock plate 13 . The restricting portions 11 D, 11 E of the present embodiment are formed by cut and raised pieces each obtained by cutting and raising a part of the fixed rail 11 .

<Feature of Sliding Device of the Present Embodiment>

In the sliding device of the present embodiment, the lock plate 13 when not locked come into contact with the restricting portions 11 D, 11 E of the fixed rail 11 to restrict the slide of the movable rail 12 .

The gaps 11 F, 11 G are provided below the restricting portions 11 D, 11 E. This allows an operator to easily assemble and disassemble the sliding device by bringing the lock plate 13 lower than the restricting portions 11 D, 11 E.

Other Embodiments

In the first embodiment, the number of protrusions and recesses provided in the comb portion 12 B is greater than the number of protrusions and recesses provided in the comb portion 12 C. The present disclosure is not limited to this.

The present disclosure may be configured such that, for example, the number of protrusions and recesses provided in the comb portion 12 B is smaller than the number of protrusions and recesses provided in the comb portion 12 C, or the number of protrusions and recesses provided in the comb portion 12 B is the same as the number of protrusions and recesses provided in the comb portion 12 C.

The spring member 14 in the above-described embodiments comprises the first restricting portion (first locked portion) 14 D and the second restricting portion (second locked portion) 14 E. The restricting portions 14 D, 14 E extend in the direction substantially orthogonal to the straight acting portion 14 F. The present disclosure is not limited to this.

Instead, the present disclosure may be configured such that, for example, the first restricting portion (first locked portion) 14 D and the second restricting portion (second locked portion) 14 E are eliminated, or the first restricting portion 14 D and the second restricting portion 14 E extend in a direction crossing the acting portion 14 F at an acute or obtuse angle.

In the above-described embodiments, the first stopper (third restricting portion) 13 C and the second stopper (fourth restricting portion) 13 D are provided. The first stopper 13 C and the second stopper 13 D are formed into the first hook and the second hook provided on the lock plate 13 .

The present disclosure is not limited to this. Instead, the present disclosure may be configured such that, for example, the first stopper 13 C and the second stopper 13 D are eliminated, or each of the first stopper 13 C and the second stopper 13 D is formed into a shape other than a hook.

In the above-described embodiments, the first stopper 13 C (first hook) and the second stopper (second hook) 13 D are provided with the first guide groove 13 G and the second guide groove 13 H, respectively. The present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure may be configured such that, for example, the first guide groove 13 G and the second guide groove 13 H are eliminated.

The spring member 14 according to the above-described embodiments is formed by bending one metallic wire rod into a preset specific shape. The present disclosure is not limited to this.

The spring member 14 according to the above-described embodiments is integrated with the return spring 16 B. The present disclosure is not limited to this. In the present disclosure, for example, the return spring 16 B may be a separate member from the spring member 14 .

The acting portion 14 F according to the above-described embodiments is configured to be straight so that the elastic force is applied to the plate surface 13 A of the lock plate 13 with the entire region from the first end to the second end of the acting portion 14 F. The present disclosure is not limited to this. Instead, in the present disclosure, for example, the acting portion 14 F may have a serpentine shape.

In the above-described embodiments, the pressing portion 16 A of the operation member 16 projected on the virtual plane parallel to the plate surface 13 A extends in the direction crossing the acting portion 14 F projected on the virtual plane so as to cut across the projected acting portion 14 F. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

The fixing structure of the first spring portion 14 B and the movable rail 12 shown in the above-described embodiments has the tapered portion 14 G and the press spring portion 14 H that presses the tapered portion 14 G toward the hole 12 F, and the tapered portion 14 G and the press spring portion 14 H are integrally formed with the spring member 14 . The present disclosure is not limited to this.

In the intermediate part in the long axis direction of the hole 12 F according to the above-described embodiments, the protrusion 12 G is provided that protrudes in the short axis direction from the outer edge of the hole 12 F and is caught by the tapered portion 14 G. The present disclosure is not limited to this. Instead, the present disclosure may be configured such that, for example, the protrusion 12 G is eliminated.

The acting portion 14 F according to the above-described embodiments is a straight portion extending from the first stopper 13 C side to the second stopper 13 D side. The present disclosure is not limited to this. Instead, in the present disclosure, for example, the acting portion 14 F may be a portion bent into a rectangular wave.

The acting portion 14 F according to the above-described embodiments is configured such that the elastic force is applied to the plate surface 13 A with the entire region from the first end to the second end of the acting portion 14 F. The present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure may be configured such that, for example, the elastic force is applied to the plate surface 13 A at a part of the acting portion 14 F.

The first spring portion 14 B according to the above-described embodiments is shifted to the right in the seat-width axis relative to the second spring portion 14 C. The present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure may be configured such that, for example, (a) the first spring portion 14 B is shifted to the left in the seat-width axis relative to the second spring portion 14 C, (b) the first spring portion 14 B is located on the same side as the second spring portion 14 C, and so on.

In the above-described embodiments, the sliding device of the present disclosure is applied to a vehicle seat. Application of the present disclosure is not limited to this. The present disclosure can be also applied to a seat for use in a vehicle such as railroad vehicles, ships and boats, and aircrafts, as well as to a stationary type seat for use such as in theatres and at home.

Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments as long as the present disclosure meets the gist of the invention recited in attached claims. Thus, at least two embodiments among the embodiments described above may be combined, or any of the constituent features described in the above embodiments may be eliminated.