JP5332636B2 - Footrest device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a footrest device provided in a vehicle or the like.

  Conventionally, as a footrest device on which a foot of an occupant seated on a seat is placed, there is one in which a footrest member is supported so as to be rotatable around an axis (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this footrest device, the occupant can place his / her foot on the footrest member by rotating the footrest member located at the retracted position downward around the axis and moving it to the use position.

JP-A-8-182576

  However, in such a footrest device, as the footrest member rotates downward with the footrest member positioned below the shaft, the footrest member is separated from the seat on which the occupant is seated. There is a problem that the mounting property of the foot on the footrest member is deteriorated.

  Then, an object of this invention is to improve the mounting property of the passenger | crew's foot | leg on a footrest member in a footrest apparatus.

  The footrest device of the present invention includes a footrest main body having a footrest member, and a feed mechanism coupled to the footrest main body, and the feed mechanism moves in accordance with the downward movement of the footrest member. And the footrest member is brought close to the sheet.

  According to the present invention, the feeding mechanism feeds the footrest member in accordance with the downward movement of the footrest member and brings the footrest member closer to the seat, so that the occupant's foot placement on the footrest member is improved. be able to.

It is a side view which shows the compartment of a vehicle provided with the footrest apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a vertical side view which shows the footrest apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the footrest member and extension member concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing the 1st bevel gear concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric system of the footrest apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the use start stage of the footrest apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows operation | movement of the footrest apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the footrest main body concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and footrest length. The movement locus | trajectory of the leg of the passenger | crew who seated on the front passenger seat concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is when leg length is longer than reference length, (b) is leg length is reference length. In the case, (c) shows a case where the leg length is shorter than the reference length. It is a graph for demonstrating the movement locus | trajectory of the passenger | crew's leg seated on the front passenger seat concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the compartment 1 of a vehicle provided with the footrest apparatus concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the footrest apparatus concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows operation | movement of the footrest apparatus concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention in order to (a)-(d).

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 10 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a side view showing a vehicle compartment provided with a footrest device, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal side view showing the footrest device, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a conical gear, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electric system of the footrest device, and FIG. 6 shows a use start stage of the footrest device. FIG. 7 is a side view showing the operation of the footrest device, FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the rotation angle of the footrest body and the footrest length, and FIG. 9 is a view of the foot of the passenger sitting on the passenger seat 10A shows a movement trajectory, FIG. 10A shows a case where the leg length is longer than the reference length, FIG. 10B shows a case where the leg length is the reference length, FIG. 10C shows a case where the leg length is shorter than the reference length, FIG. Shows the movement trajectory of the occupant's foot seated in the passenger seat It is a graph for Akira. Hereinafter, the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the vehicle and the passenger seat are applied to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an instrument panel 3 is provided in a front portion of a vehicle compartment 1 of a vehicle that is a vehicle, and an assistant, which is a seat on which an occupant 5 is seated, is located behind the instrument panel 3. A seat sheet 7 is provided. A footrest device 9 for the passenger seat 7 is disposed in front of the passenger seat 7.

  The passenger seat 7 includes a seat cushion 7 a that supports the buttocks 5 a of the occupant 5 and a seat back (not shown) that supports the back of the occupant 5. The front passenger seat 7 is variably provided in a front-rear position with respect to the floor surface 11 as an installation portion by a slide mechanism (not shown).

  The instrument panel 3 extends over substantially the entire region in the vehicle width direction inside the passenger compartment 1. The instrument panel 3 protrudes rearward from the upper part of the dash panel 13, and a space 15 is formed between the instrument panel 3 and the floor surface 11 by this configuration.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the footrest device 9 includes a footrest main body 19 positioned in front of the passenger seat 7 and a feed mechanism 21 connected to the footrest main body 19.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the footrest body 19 has a footrest member 17 on which the foot 5b of the occupant 5 seated on the passenger seat 7 is placed, and supports the footrest member 17 at the tip. A pair of left and right arm members 23 (only one arm member 23 is shown in FIG. 2).

  The footrest member 17 is formed in a bar shape elongated in the left-right direction, and is positioned in front of the passenger seat 7. Arm members 23 are fixed to the left and right ends of the footrest member 17.

  The arm member 23 is configured by inserting a hollow bar-like extending member 23b into a hollow bar-like storage member 23a. The extension member 23b can advance and retreat with respect to the storage member 23a, and the arm member 23 can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction by such a structure. The footrest member 17 is fixed to the distal end portion of the extending member 23b, while a female screw portion 23c is formed at the proximal end portion of the extending member 23b.

  The footrest body 19 is provided so as to be rotatable around a first bevel gear 29 as an axis positioned forward of the footrest member 17 with respect to the passenger seat 7. Specifically, the footrest body 19 is provided to be rotatable between a retracted position (FIGS. 1 and 6) and a use position (solid line in FIG. 7). The retracted position is a position where the footrest body 19 of the first bevel gear 29 is in a substantially horizontal state, and the footrest body 19 is a position along the lower surface of the instrument panel 3. The retracted position is a rotational position around the first bevel gear 29, and the position of the footrest member 17 in a direction (front-rear position) orthogonal to the rotational direction may be any position. The use position is a position where the footrest member 17 is rotated downward from the retracted position and the footrest member 17 is located below the first bevel gear 29.

  The feed mechanism 21 feeds the footrest member 17 in accordance with the downward movement of the footrest member 17 in a state where the footrest member 17 is positioned below the first bevel gear 29, so that the footrest member 17 becomes a sheet. It comes to come close. Further, the feed mechanism 21 supports the extending member 23b and the footrest member 17 of the footrest body 19 located at the retracted position so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the feed mechanism 21 includes a first bevel gear 29, a second bevel gear 27 that meshes with the first bevel gear 29, and the second bevel gear 27. The bevel gear 27 includes a feed screw 25 fixed to a base end portion as an end portion, and a female screw portion 23 c provided on the footrest body 19 and meshing with the feed screw 25. The first bevel gear 29, the second bevel gear 27, the feed screw 25, and the female screw portion 23c are provided for each arm member 23 (only one of them is shown in the drawing). ing). That is, the first bevel gear 29, the second bevel gear 27, the feed screw 25, and the female screw portion 23c are provided in a pair on the left and right.

  The first bevel gear 29 is formed in a conical shape, while the second bevel gear 27 is formed in a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side. The length of the first bevel gear 29 in the axial direction is longer than the length of the second bevel gear 27 in the axial direction, and the first bevel gear 29 and the second bevel gear 27 are formed. Are arranged so that their rotational axes are orthogonal to each other. The first bevel gear 29 is rotatably arranged at a position where the axial direction thereof is along the left-right direction (vehicle width direction).

  The pair of left and right feed screws 25 support the footrest body 19 so as to be movable in the contact / separation direction with respect to the passenger seat 7. Specifically, the feed screw 25 is inserted into the arm member 23 at a portion including the tip thereof, and the feed screw 25 is screwed with the female screw portion 23 c of the arm member 23. The feed screw 25 is provided coaxially with the second bevel gear 27 and moves together with the second bevel gear 27.

  In this structure, the rotational motion (rotational motion) of the feed screw 25 and the second bevel gear 27 is converted into the linear motion of the footrest member 17, while the linear motion of the footrest member 17 is the rotational motion of the feed screw 25. Converted. Specifically, when the feed screw 25 and the second bevel gear 27 are rotated forward (reversely) in forward / reverse rotation (forward / reverse rotation), the extending member 23b is pushed rearward and the passenger seat. Move in a direction approaching 7. On the other hand, when the feed screw 25 and the second bevel gear 27 are reversely rotated (reversely rotated), the footrest member 17 is pulled back forward and moved away from the passenger seat 7. Further, when the force transmission path is opposite to the above, that is, when a force is applied from the footrest body 19 to the feed screw 25, the movement is converted. For example, when the footrest member 17 is pushed forward by the occupant 5 and the footrest member 17 moves forward, the feed screw 25 and the second bevel gear 27 are rotated in the reverse direction. Further, when the footrest main body 19 is pulled out backward by the occupant 5 and the footrest main body 19 moves rearward, the feed screw 25 and the second bevel gear 27 rotate in accordance with this movement. Thus, the distance between the footrest member 17 and the first bevel gear 29 and the second bevel gear 27 (hereinafter referred to as footrest length L) is variable.

  Further, the feed screw 25 and the second bevel gear 27 can be rotated (revolved) around the first bevel gear 29 together with the footrest body 19. The second bevel gear 27 is configured to rotate around the first bevel gear 29 while maintaining meshing with the first bevel gear 29. The rotation unit 31 constituted by the feed screw 25, the second bevel gear 27, and the footrest body 19 is rotated upward by a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring, for example. It is energized. That is, the footrest main body 19 is urged by the urging member in a direction to rotate from the use position to the retracted position. The rotating unit 31 urged by the urging member in this manner abuts against a stopper portion (not shown) provided on the instrument panel 3 in a state where the footrest body 19 is located at the retracted position. Further, further upward rotation is prevented by the stopper, so that the arm member 23 is positioned at the retracted position.

  Further, the feed mechanism 21 has an actuator 33 (see FIG. 5) that supports the first bevel gear 29 so as to be movable. More specifically, the actuator 33 supports the first bevel gear 29 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the first bevel gear 29 or in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The actuator 33 can change the meshing portion of the first bevel gear 29 with the second bevel gear 27 in the axial direction of the first bevel gear 29. The actuator 33 includes, for example, an arm portion that supports the first bevel gear 29 and a drive source (none of which is shown) that moves the arm portion, and the first umbrella is moved by moving the arm portion by the drive source. The gear 29 is moved, and the first bevel gear 29 is held at the moved position.

  Further, the feed mechanism 21 has a ratchet mechanism (not shown) that restricts the rotation of the first bevel gear 29. In the ratchet mechanism, when the footrest member 17 is pushed forward and the second bevel gear 27 rotates in the reverse direction, the first bevel gear 29 rotates (reverse rotation) following the second bevel gear 27. , While preventing the rotation (forward rotation) of the first bevel gear 29 in the opposite direction. The ratchet mechanism can release the rotation prevention with respect to the first bevel gear 29 by an operation by a release operation portion (not shown).

  In the feed mechanism 21 having such a configuration, the footrest member 17 (FIG. 1) positioned in the retracted position with the footrest length L being a predetermined initial length is pushed forward by the foot 5 b of the occupant 5 seated on the passenger seat 7. Then, the extension member 23b moves forward together with the footrest member 17, and the feed screw 25 and the second bevel gear 27 rotate in reverse in accordance with this movement. At this time, since the first bevel gear 29 is allowed to rotate in the direction to follow the second bevel gear 27 by the ratchet mechanism, the footrest member 17 can be pushed in smoothly. From this state, when the footrest member 17 is pushed down by the foot 5 b of the occupant 5, the rotation unit 31 rotates (revolves) around the first bevel gear 29. At this time, force is transmitted from the second bevel gear 27 to the first bevel gear 29. At this time, since the positive rotation of the first bevel gear 29 is prevented by the ratchet mechanism, the second bevel gear 29 is prevented. The gear 27 rotates in the normal direction while rotating (revolving) around the first bevel gear 29. By the forward rotation of the second bevel gear 27, the feed screw 25 also rotates forward. Then, the rotation movement of the feed screw 25 is converted into the linear movement of the footrest member 17 by the feed screw 25 and the female screw portion 23 c, and the footrest member 17 is sent out toward the passenger seat 7. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the footrest member 17 is sent out toward the passenger seat 7 while rotating downward around the first bevel gear 29, and the passenger seat 7 as the passenger seat 7 rotates downward. Move closer to. In this way, the feed mechanism 21 performs the rotation motion of the feed screw 25 that rotates together with the second bevel gear 27 that rotates around the first bevel gear 29 while rotating around the first bevel gear 29. It converts into the linear motion of the footrest member 17 by the part 23c, and sends the footrest member 17 out. At this time, the feed mechanism 21 brings the footrest member 17 closer to the passenger seat 7 so that the movement locus of the footrest member 17 has a substantially arc shape.

  Moreover, the footrest apparatus 9 is provided with the 1st sensor 35, the 2nd sensor 41, and the control part 37, as shown in FIG.

  The first sensor 35 detects information related to the position in the front-rear direction of the footrest member 17 located at the retracted position. Specifically, the first sensor 35 detects the pushing amount (length) L1 of the footrest body 19 at the retracted position as information on the position in the front-rear direction of the footrest member 17 positioned at the retracted position. The pushing amount L1 of the footrest body 19 is, as shown in FIG. 6, from an initial position (a position of the footrest member 17 indicated by an imaginary line) which is a specified position in the front-rear direction of the footrest member 17 located at the retracted position. This is the amount of movement when the footrest member 17 is pushed forward by the occupant 5 and moved forward. As the first sensor 35, for example, a known movement amount detection sensor can be applied.

  The second sensor 41 detects information related to the position in the front-rear direction of the passenger seat 7. Specifically, the second sensor 41 detects the front and rear positions of the passenger seat 7 with respect to the floor 11. As the second sensor 41, a known position detection sensor can be applied.

  The control unit 37 is, for example, a computer having a CPU and a memory unit. The control unit 37 is connected to the actuator 33, the first sensor 35, and the second sensor 41. Thereby, the control of the actuator 33 by the control unit 37 is possible, and the outputs of the first sensor 35 and the second sensor 41 are input to the control unit 37. The control unit 37, together with the actuator 33, the first sensor 35, and the second sensor 41, constitutes a curvature setting unit 39 that variably sets the curvature of the substantially arc-shaped movement locus of the footrest member 17.

  Next, the operation procedure and operation of the footrest device 9 will be described. First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the occupant 5 seated on the passenger seat 7 adjusts the front-rear position of the passenger seat 7 and then flexes the knee to the footrest member 17 located at the initial position. In this state, the foot 5b is hung, the foot 5b is extended forward, and the footrest member 17 is pushed forward.

  Then, the control unit 37 determines the lower limb length of the occupant 5 based on the pushing amount L1 of the footrest member 17 detected by the first sensor 35 and the front and rear positions of the passenger seat 7 detected by the second sensor 41. calculate. Specifically, for example, the position where the passenger seat 7 is most advanced is defined as the initial position of the passenger seat 7, and the front-rear direction between the initial position of the passenger seat 7 and the initial position of the footrest member 17 is defined. The distance is stored in advance in the memory unit of the control unit 37 as a reference distance value. And it calculates | requires by subtracting the pushing amount L1 of the footrest member 17, and adding the position (distance from an initial position) of the passenger seat 7 from this reference distance value. Here, the function of the calculation means for calculating the lower limb length of the occupant 5 based on the information acquired by the first sensor 35 and the information acquired by the second sensor 41 is executed.

  Thus, the control part 37 which detected the leg length of the passenger | crew 5 performs the process for making the curvature of the substantially circular arc-shaped movement locus | trajectory of the footrest member 17 small, so that the leg length of the passenger | crew 5 is long. Specifically, the first bevel gear 29 is controlled by controlling the actuator 33 so that the diameter of the portion of the first bevel gear 29 that meshes with the second bevel gear 27 decreases as the lower limb length of the occupant 5 increases. Move. The reason why the curvature of the substantially arc-shaped movement trajectory of the footrest member 17 becomes smaller as the lower limb length of the occupant 5 is longer is as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the occupant 5 rotates the foot 5b. This is because the curvature of the movement trajectory of the foot 5b becomes smaller as the limb length of the occupant becomes longer. Here, FIGS. 9 and 10 show the movement trajectory of the foot 5b of the occupant 5 when the footrest member 17 is not used. In this embodiment, the substantially arc-shaped movement locus of the footrest member 17 is set in accordance with the locus of the foot 5b of the occupant 5 shown in FIGS. Thereby, in this embodiment, the relationship between the footrest length L and the rotation angle θ of the footrest body 19 is the relationship shown in FIG. The x1 line in FIG. 8 shows the case where the lower limb length is relatively long, the x2 line shows the case where the lower limb length is middle, and the x3 line shows the case where the lower limb length is relatively short. That is, the leg length is shorter in the order of line x1, line x2, and line x3.

  Next, the occupant 5 pushes down the footrest member 17 with the foot 5b. As a result, the footrest member 17 is sent out in accordance with the downward movement, moves along an arcuate locus, and moves to a use position that is closer to the passenger seat 7 than the initial position.

  Here, as the lower limb length of the occupant 5 is longer, the curvature when the curvature of the movement locus of the footrest member 17 is decreased may be continuously changed according to the lower limb length of the occupant 5 or stepwise. It may be changed. An example in which the curvature of the movement locus of the footrest member 17 is changed stepwise according to the lower limb length of the occupant 5 will be specifically described. First, a reference model having a lower limb length of a reference length that is a reference for the length of the lower limb length, a long model having a lower limb length than this reference model, and a short model having a lower limb length shorter than the reference model Are stored in the memory unit of the control unit 37. In addition, information regarding the portion of the first bevel gear 29 corresponding to each model that meshes with the second bevel gear 27 is associated with each model and stored in the memory unit of the control unit 37. At this time, of course, the diameter of the portion of the first bevel gear 29 that meshes with the second bevel gear 27 is made smaller in the order of the short model, the reference model, and the long model. Then, the control unit 37 determines which of the reference model, the long model, and the short model the lower limb length of the detected occupant 5 is closest to, and is associated with the closest model. A portion of the first bevel gear 29 that meshes with the second bevel gear 27 is meshed with the first bevel gear 29 by controlling the actuator 33. Thereby, the curvature of the movement locus of the footrest member 17 is set stepwise (three steps in this example) according to the length of the lower limb length of the occupant 5. In this embodiment, the short model is a model having a physique defined by JF05 (JIS standard), the reference model is a model having a physique defined by AM50 (SAE standard), and the long model is AM95 ( The model has a physique defined by the SAE standard. Then, while the footrest member 17 is rotated from the retracted position (initial position) to the use position, the footrest length L is increased by about 300 mm for the short model and about 150 mm for the long model.

  When the use of the footless device 1 is finished, the occupant 5 lowers his / her foot from the footrest member 17. Thereby, the rotation unit 31 including the footrest member 17 rotates upward by the urging force of the urging member and returns to the retracted position. Then, the occupant 5 positions the footrest member 17 at the initial position.

Here, the urging member stores energy by elastically deforming the footrest body 19 from the retracted position (initial position) to the use position, and uses the energy when returning to the original shape. The main body 19 is returned from the use position to the retracted position.

  As described above, the footrest device 9 of the present embodiment includes the footrest body 17 that has the footrest member 17 on which the foot 5b of the occupant 5 seated on the passenger seat 7 is placed and is positioned in front of the passenger seat 7. 19 and a feed mechanism 21 connected to the footrest body 19. The footrest body 19 has a retracted position around the first bevel gear 29 as a shaft positioned in front of the footrest member 17 in the front-rear direction of the passenger seat 7 and the footrest member 17 extends downward from the retracted position. The footrest member 17 is provided so as to be rotatable between the first bevel gear 29 and the use position positioned below the first bevel gear 29. In a state where the footrest member 17 is positioned below 29, the footrest member 17 is sent out in accordance with the downward movement of the footrest member 17 to bring the footrest member 17 closer to the passenger seat 7. Therefore, the mounting property of the foot 5b of the occupant 5 on the footrest member 17 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the feed mechanism 21 brings the footrest member 17 closer to the passenger seat 7 so that the movement locus of the footrest member 17 has a substantially arc shape. Here, since the movement locus of the foot 5b when the occupant 5 rotates the foot 5b around the knee is substantially arcuate, the movement locus of the footrest member 17 is substantially arcuate, so that the occupant It is possible to suppress the feeling of discomfort in 5 and make the movement of the foot 5b smooth.

  Moreover, since the footrest apparatus 9 of this embodiment is provided with the curvature setting part 39 which variably sets the curvature of the substantially arc-shaped movement locus of the footrest member 17, the curvature of the substantially arcuate movement locus of the footrest member 17 is obtained. Can be variably set.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the curvature setting unit 39 detects the lower limb length of the occupant 5 and reduces the curvature of the substantially arc-shaped movement trajectory of the footrest member 17 as the lower limb length of the occupant 5 increases. The footrest member 17 can be moved with a curvature suitable for the length of the lower leg.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the front passenger seat 7 is provided such that the front and rear positions are variably provided with respect to the floor surface 11 on which the front passenger seat 7 is installed, and the footrest member 17 is located at the retracted position. It can be moved in the front-rear direction. The curvature setting unit 39 acquires the first sensor 35 that acquires information about the position in the front-rear direction of the footrest member 17 located at the retracted position, and the second that acquires information about the position in the front-rear direction of the passenger seat 7. Sensor 41 and calculation means for calculating the lower limb length of the occupant 5 based on the information acquired by the first sensor 35 and the information acquired by the second sensor 41. Therefore, since the lower limb length of the occupant 5 is calculated based on the information acquired by the first sensor 35 and the information acquired by the second sensor 41, the lower limb length of the occupant 5 is detected with a relatively simple configuration. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the information regarding the position of the footrest member 17 in the front-rear direction is the amount of movement of the footrest member 17 when the footrest member 17 is moved forward from the specified position (initial position). It is. In this case, the occupant 5 pushes the footrest member 17 forward when detecting the lower limb length, but the push-in amount can be different depending on the lower limb length of the occupant 5, and thus more accurate. Can detect the leg length.

  In the present embodiment, the feed mechanism 21 includes a second bevel gear 27 whose axis is perpendicular to the axis of the first bevel gear 29 and meshes with the first bevel gear 29, and the second bevel gear 27. The feed screw 25 is provided on the same axis and to which the second bevel gear 27 is fixed. The female screw portion 23 c is provided on the footrest body 19 and meshes with the feed screw 25. The second bevel gear 27, the feed screw 25, and the female screw portion 23 c can be rotated around the first bevel gear 29 together with the footrest body 19, and the feed mechanism 21 can be The rotation motion of the feed screw 25 that rotates together with the second bevel gear 27 that rotates while rotating around the gear 29 is converted into the linear motion of the footrest member 17 by the feed screw 25 and the female screw portion 23c. Then, the footrest member 17 is sent out. Therefore, the footrest member 17 is sent out by the rotation unit 31 (the second bevel gear 27, the feed screw 25, the female screw portion 23c, and the footrest body 19) rotating around the first bevel gear 29. There is no need to use electrical energy or the like as energy for sending out the footrest member 17, which is economical.

  In this embodiment, the biasing member stores energy by turning the footrest body 19 from the retracted position to the use position, and uses this energy to return the footrest body 19 from the use position to the retracted position. The main body 19 can be easily returned from the use position to the retracted position, and the usability of the footrest device 9 is improved.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 11 to 13 show a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a side view showing a vehicle compartment provided with a footrest device, FIG. 12 is a side view showing the footrest device, and FIG. It is a side view which shows operation | movement of a footrest apparatus in order to (a)-(d). In addition, the same code | symbol is provided to the same part as 1st Embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the footrest device 9A of the present embodiment has a footrest body 19A provided with a footrest member 17 and a feed connected to the footrest body 19A, as in the first embodiment. The mechanism of the footrest body 19A and the feed mechanism 21A is different from that of the first embodiment.

  The footrest main body 19A includes a footrest member 17 and a pair of left and right arm members 23A (only one arm member is shown in the drawing) to which the footrest member 17 is fixed to the distal end portion. The arm member 23A is configured by a single bar member, and does not expand and contract like the arm member 23 of the first embodiment. The footrest body 19 </ b> A is provided so as to be rotatable around a first axis 61 as an axis positioned in front of the footrest member 17 with respect to the passenger seat 7. Specifically, the footrest body 19A is provided so as to be rotatable between a retracted position (FIGS. 12, 13A) and a use position (FIG. 13C), as in the first embodiment. Yes.

  The feed mechanism 21A includes a first rack 55 having a plurality of teeth 55a fixed to the arm member 23A, a first pinion 57 having teeth 57a meshing with the teeth 55a of the first rack 55, and a first The first elliptical gear 59 arranged coaxially with the pinion 57. The first pinion 57 and the first elliptical gear 59 are rotatably supported by a rotatable first shaft 61, and rotate around the first shaft 61. The first elliptical gear 59 is fixed to the first shaft 61, while the first pinion 57 is externally fitted so as to be rotatable with respect to the first shaft 61. Therefore, the first pinion 57 and the first elliptical gear 59 can be rotated relative to each other.

  The feed mechanism 21A includes a speed increasing mechanism (not shown) that connects the teeth 59a of the first elliptical gear 59 and the teeth 57a of the first pinion 57, and the first elliptical gear 59 provided in the speed increasing mechanism. And a rotation control mechanism (not shown) for controlling transmission of rotational motion between the first pinion 57 and the first pinion 57. The speed increasing mechanism speeds up the rotation of the first elliptical gear 59 and transmits it to the first pinion 57. For example, a ratchet mechanism or a clutch mechanism can be applied as the rotation control mechanism. With this structure, the teeth 59a of the first elliptical gear 59 are connected to the first rack 55 via the speed increasing mechanism and the first pinion 57.

  The first rack 55 and the first pinion 57 constitute a rack-and-pinion mechanism, but the first rack 55 and the first pinion 57 are also configured to function as a ratchet mechanism. . Specifically, the teeth 55a of the first rack 55 function as a pawl of the ratchet mechanism, while the first pinion 57 functions as a ratchet gear of the ratchet mechanism.

  One end of a connecting member 63 is fixed to the first shaft 61, and the other end of the connecting member 63 supports the lower surface of the arm member 23 so as to be slidable. Further, a damper stay 65 as an urging member is connected to the connecting member 63.

  The damper stay 65 stores energy by turning the footrest body 19A from the retracted position to the use position, and uses this energy to return the footrest body 19A from the use position to the retracted position. An operation lever 67 is coupled to the damper stay 65, and a return device 69 is configured by the damper stay 65 and the operation lever 67.

  Further, the footrest device 9A includes a trajectory setting mechanism 39A as a curvature setting unit. The trajectory setting mechanism 39A includes a second rack 71 having a plurality of teeth 71a fixed to the arm member 23, a second pinion 73 having teeth 73a meshing with the teeth 71a of the second rack 71, And a second elliptical gear 75 fixed to the second pinion 73. The second pinion 73 and the first elliptical gear 59 are fixed to each other by a rotatable second shaft 77, and rotate around the second shaft 77. The second elliptical gear 75 is in mesh with the first elliptical gear 59.

  The second rack 71 and the second pinion 73 constitute a rack and pinion mechanism. The second rack 71 and the second pinion 73 are also configured to function as a ratchet mechanism. . Specifically, the teeth 71a of the second rack 71 function as a pawl of the ratchet mechanism, while the second pinion 73 functions as a ratchet gear of the ratchet mechanism.

  Next, the operation procedure and operation of the footrest device 9A will be described. First, as in the first embodiment, the footrest member 17 (FIG. 11) positioned at the initial position is moved forward (in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 13B) by the occupant 5 seated on the passenger seat 7. When pushed, the footrest device 9A changes from the state of FIG. 13A to the state of FIG. 13B, and the second rack 71 moves forward and pushes the second pinion 73. As a result, the second pinion 73 and the second elliptical gear 75 rotate in the reverse direction (rotation in the direction of arrow b in FIG. 13B) and the first elliptical gear 59 rotates in the reverse direction (FIG. 13B). ) In the direction of arrow c), and the meshing portion of the first elliptical gear 59 with the speed increasing mechanism is changed. The first pinion 57 at this time is rotated by being pushed by the first rack 55, but the rotation of the first pinion 57 at this time is not transmitted to the first elliptical gear 59 by the rotation control mechanism. Therefore, the pushing of the footrest member 17 is not hindered.

  Next, when the footrest member 17 is pushed downward by the occupant 5, the connecting member 63 is rotated downward (in the direction of arrow d in FIG. 13C) around the first shaft 61 by the arm member 23A. . As a result, the first elliptical gear 59 rotates forward (rotation in the direction of arrow e in FIG. 13C). The rotation of the first elliptical gear 59 at this time is transmitted to the first pinion 57 by the rotation control mechanism. Then, the positive rotation of the first elliptical gear 59 is increased by the speed increasing mechanism and transmitted to the first pinion 57, and the first rack 55 is moved backward together with the footrest body 19A (in FIG. 13C). Pushed in the direction of arrow f). Thereby, the footrest member 17 is sent backward while moving downward, and moves to the use position while drawing an arcuate locus. That is, the feeding mechanism 21A feeds the footrest member 17 in accordance with the downward movement of the footrest member 17 in a state where the footrest member 17 is positioned below the first shaft 61, and assists the footrest member 17 as an assistant. Move closer to the seat 7.

  The arc-shaped movement trajectory of the footrest member 17 at this time has a curvature corresponding to the portion of the first elliptical gear 59 that meshes with the speed increasing mechanism. In this embodiment, the curvature of the meshing portion of the first elliptical gear 59 with the speed increasing mechanism decreases as the pushing amount of the footrest member 17 increases. That is, when the pushing amount of the footrest member 17 is small, a portion having a large curvature in the first elliptical gear 59 meshes with the speed increasing mechanism, while when the pushing amount of the footrest member 17 is large, the first A portion of the elliptical gear 59 having a small curvature meshes with the speed increasing mechanism. This is because the longer the lower limb length of the occupant 5 (the larger the physique), the larger the amount of pushing the footrest member 17 is.

  When the use of the footless device 1 is finished, the occupant 5 lowers his / her foot from the footrest member 17 and rotates the operation lever 67 upward. By this operation, the damper stay 65 extends upward (in the direction of arrow h in the figure (d)) and moves the footrest body 19 to the retracted position. In this state, the occupant 5 pushes the footrest member 17 forward (in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 13) to move the footrest member 17 to the initial position, and returns the footrest device 9A to its original state.

  As described above, the feed mechanism 21A of the present embodiment has the footrest member 17 in accordance with the downward movement of the footrest member 17 with the footrest member 17 positioned below the first bevel gear 29. And the footrest member 17 is brought close to the passenger seat 7. Therefore, the mounting property of the foot 5b of the occupant 5 on the footrest member 17 can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, since the footrest device 9A includes the trajectory setting mechanism 39A as the curvature setting unit, the curvature of the substantially arc-shaped movement trajectory of the footrest member 17 can be variably set without using electricity. This is economically advantageous.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various other embodiments can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the passenger seat is described as an example of the seat. However, the seat is not limited to this, and the rear seat may be used as the seat. Further, the movement locus of the substantially arc shape has been described as an example of the movement locus when the footrest member moves downward. However, the movement locus is not limited to this, and for example, as the movement locus when the footrest member moves downward, Alternatively, it may be a linear trajectory that faces diagonally downward.

5 Crew 5b Feet 7 Passenger seat (seat)
9, 9A Footrest device 11 Floor (installation part)
17 Foot rest member 19, 19A Footrest body 21, 21A Feed mechanism 23c Female thread portion 25 Feed screw 27 Second bevel gear 29 First bevel gear (shaft)
35 First sensor 39 Curvature setting unit 39A Trajectory setting mechanism (curvature setting unit)
41 Second sensor 61 First axis (axis)
65 Damper Paste (Biasing Member)

Claims (8)

A footrest body having a footrest member on which a foot of an occupant seated on the seat is placed, and located in front of the seat;
A feed mechanism coupled to the footrest body;
With
The footrest body is a retracted position and a position where the footrest member is rotated downward from the retracted position around an axis positioned forward of the footrest member in the front-rear direction of the seat, and the footrest member Is provided so as to be rotatable between a use position located below the shaft,
The feed mechanism is a footrest device that feeds the footrest member and moves the footrest member closer to the seat in accordance with the downward movement of the footrest member in a state where the footrest member is positioned below the shaft. .   2. The footrest device according to claim 1, wherein the feed mechanism moves the footrest member closer to the seat so that a movement locus of the footrest member is substantially arcuate.   The footrest device according to claim 2, further comprising a curvature setting unit configured to variably set a curvature of a substantially arc-shaped movement locus of the footrest member.   The footrest device according to claim 3, wherein the curvature setting unit detects a lower limb length of an occupant and decreases the curvature as the limb length of the occupant is longer. The seat is provided variably in the front-rear position with respect to the installation portion where the seat is installed,
The footrest member is movable in the front-rear direction in a state of being located at the retracted position,
The curvature setting unit includes: a first sensor that acquires information about a position in the front-rear direction of the footrest member that is located at the retracted position; a second sensor that acquires information about a position in the front-rear direction of the seat; The footrest device according to claim 4, further comprising: calculation means for calculating a leg length of an occupant based on information acquired by the first sensor and information acquired by the second sensor.   The footrest device according to claim 5, wherein the information related to the position of the footrest member in the front-rear direction is a movement amount of the footrest member when the footrest member is pushed forward from a predetermined position and moved forward. The shaft is a first bevel gear;
The feeding mechanism is provided with a second bevel gear whose axis is perpendicular to the axis of the first bevel gear and meshes with the first bevel gear, and coaxially with the second bevel gear and the first bevel gear. A feed screw to which the two bevel gears are fixed, and a female screw portion that is provided on the footrest body and meshes with the feed screw;
The second bevel gear, the feed screw, and the female screw portion are rotatable around the first bevel gear together with the footrest body,
The feed mechanism rotates the feed screw that rotates together with a second bevel gear that rotates while rotating around the first bevel gear by the feed screw and the female screw portion. The footrest device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the footrest member is converted into a linear motion of the footrest member and is sent out.   The biasing member which stores energy by rotation of the footrest main body from the retreat position to the use position, and returns the footrest main body from the use position to the retreat position using this energy is provided. The footrest apparatus as described in any one.

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