JP7745438B2 - Multi-axle drive and power seat - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a power seat and a multi-axis drive device suitable for use in a power seat.

The power seat operating device described in Patent Document 1 below includes a dial member rotatably mounted on the side of the seat cushion and a switch member rotatably mounted relative to the dial member. Rotating the dial member rotates an operating shaft of a multi-axis drive device. The multi-axis drive device includes an input member that rotates with the rotation of a motor, and multiple output members that are each engageable and disengageable with the input member. The multiple output members are connected to the seat slide mechanism, reclining mechanism, and ottoman mechanism, which are multiple movable mechanisms provided in the power seat, so that rotation can be transmitted. When the operating shaft is rotated by rotating the dial member, the engagement and disengagement states of the multiple output members with respect to the input member are switched, and the movable mechanism to be operated is selected. Rotating the switch member transmits the rotation of the motor to the selected movable mechanism, activating the selected movable mechanism. This allows multiple movable mechanisms to be selectively activated with a single motor.

Patent No. 6126104

In the above prior art, both the dial member that selects the movable mechanism to be operated and the switch member that activates the motor are configured to be rotated. This creates the problem that it is difficult to intuitively operate a movable mechanism that operates linearly, such as a seat slide mechanism.

In consideration of the above, the present invention aims to provide a multi-axis drive device that can switch rotation transmission paths with a linear slide operation, and a power seat equipped with such a multi-axis drive device.

A first aspect of the multi-axis drive device comprises an input member that rotates when a motor rotates; multiple output members that are each capable of engaging and disengaging with the input member and that rotate when engaged with the input member when the output members rotate; and an operating unit that selectively switches the engaged and disengaged states of the multiple output members with respect to the input member. The operating unit has a first operating member that can be linearly slid; a first operating force transmission unit that includes at least one sliding member that slides linearly when the sliding force of the first operating member is transmitted; and a switch that is turned on when the sliding member included in the first operating force transmission unit slides, thereby operating the motor.

In the first aspect of the multi-axis drive device, the engagement and disengagement states of multiple output members relative to the input member can be selectively switched by operating the operating unit. When the input member rotates due to rotation of the motor, the output member engaged with the input member rotates. The operating unit has a first operating member that can be slid linearly. When the first operating member is slid, a slide member included in the first operating force transmission unit slides linearly. This switches the engagement and disengagement state of at least one output member relative to the input member, turns on a switch, and operates the motor. According to this aspect, the rotation transmission path can be switched by slidably operating the first operating member linearly. Sliding the first operating member can be used, for example, to operate the seat slide mechanism of a power seat.

In the second aspect of the multi-axis drive device, the operating unit is an elongated second operating member that can be rotated around one longitudinal end as the center of rotation, and includes at least one sliding member that linearly slides when the rotational operating force of the second operating member is transmitted, and a second operating force transmission unit that switches the engagement/disengagement state of at least one output member relative to the input member, and the switch is turned on by sliding the sliding member included in the second operating force transmission unit to operate the motor.

In the second aspect of the multi-axis drive device, when the long second operating member is rotated around one longitudinal end as the center of rotation, the slide member included in the second operating force transmission unit slides linearly. This switches the engagement/disengagement state of at least one output member relative to the input member, and turns on a switch to operate the motor. Rotating this second operating member can be used, for example, to operate the reclining mechanism of a power seat.

A third aspect of the multi-axis drive device is the first or second aspect, wherein the first operating member is elongated and rotatable around one longitudinal end as the center of rotation, the operating unit includes at least one sliding member that linearly slides when the rotational operating force of the first operating member is transmitted, and has a third operating force transmission unit that switches the engagement/disengagement state of at least one of the output members relative to the input member, and the switch is turned on by sliding the sliding member included in the third operating force transmission unit to operate the motor.

In the third aspect of the multi-axis drive device, when the long first operating member is rotated around one longitudinal end as the center of rotation, the slide member included in the third operating force transmission unit slides linearly. This switches the engagement/disengagement state of at least one output member relative to the input member, and also turns on a switch to operate the motor. This rotation of the first operating member can be used, for example, to operate the lifter mechanism of a power seat.

The multi-axis drive device of the fourth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the slide member has a first slide member to which the operating force of the operating member is transmitted and which slides linearly, and a second slide member to which the operating force of the operating member is transmitted via the first slide member and which slides linearly in a direction different from the sliding direction of the first slide member.

In the fourth aspect of the multi-axis drive device, the first slide member slides linearly when the operating force of the operating member is transmitted to it. The second slide member slides linearly in a direction different from the sliding direction of the first slide member when the operating force of the operating member is transmitted to it via the first slide member. This sliding of the second slide member can switch the engagement/disengagement state of the output member relative to the input member. In this way, because the first slide member and the second slide member slide in different directions, the degree of freedom in setting the operating direction of the operating member is improved, for example.

A fifth aspect of the multi-axis drive device is the fourth aspect, wherein the operating unit has a rotating member that rotates when the first sliding member slides, and the second sliding member slides when the rotating member rotates.

In the fifth aspect of the multi-axis drive device, the sliding of the first sliding member rotates the rotating member, and the rotation of the rotating member slides the second sliding member. Because the device has a rotating member in this way, the operating force is smoothly transmitted from the first sliding member to the second sliding member.

The sixth aspect of the multi-axis drive device is the fourth aspect, wherein when the first slide member slides, the first slide member and the second slide member slide against each other, causing the second slide member to slide.

In the sixth aspect of the multi-axis drive device, when the first slide member slides, the first slide member and the second slide member slide against each other, causing the second slide member to slide. This allows for the transmission of operating force from the first slide member to the second slide member to be achieved with a simple configuration.

A seventh aspect of the power seat includes multiple movable mechanisms that operate when rotation is transmitted, one motor, and a multi-axis drive device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which the input member rotates when the motor rotates, and the multiple output members are connected to the multiple movable mechanisms so that rotation can be transmitted to each of them.

In the seventh aspect of the power seat, multiple output members provided by the multi-axis drive device are connected to multiple movable mechanisms so that rotation can be transmitted to each of them. When the input member provided by the multi-axis drive device rotates due to rotation of the motor, one of the multiple output members that is engaged with the input member rotates, and the rotation is transmitted to the movable mechanism connected to that output member. Because the above-mentioned multi-axis drive device is any one of the first to sixth aspects, the aforementioned effects are achieved.

As described above, the multi-axis drive device and power seat of the present invention allow the rotation transmission path to be switched with a linear sliding operation.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a power seat according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a multi-axis drive device according to a first embodiment. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of a main part of a multi-axis drive device according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the outside in the left-right direction of a seat. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the configuration of a main part of a multi-axis drive device according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the inside in the left-right direction of a seat. FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the main part of the multi-axis drive device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the vicinity of a limit switch in the multi-axis drive device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of a main part of the multi-axis drive device according to the first embodiment, and shows a non-operating state. FIG. 8 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 7, illustrating a state in which the first knob is slid toward the front of the seat. FIG. 8 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 7 for explaining the rotation operation of the first knob. FIG. 8 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 7 for explaining the rotation operation of the second knob. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a main part of a multi-axis drive device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the configuration of a main part of a multi-axis drive device according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the outside in the left-right direction of the seat. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the configuration of a main part of a multi-axis drive device according to a second embodiment, as viewed from the inside in the left-right direction of the seat. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a main part of a multi-axis drive device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the main part of the multi-axis drive device according to the second embodiment, viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 14. FIG. 10 is a side view showing the configuration of the main parts of the multi-axis drive device according to the second embodiment, in which the first knob is slid toward the front of the seat.

First Embodiment
A power seat 10 and a multi-axis drive device 30 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 10. Note that in each figure, some reference numerals may be omitted to make the drawings easier to understand.

As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-axis drive device 30 according to this embodiment is provided in a power seat 10 for a vehicle and constitutes a power seat operating device for operating the power seat 10. The power seat 10 is, as an example, a 3-way power seat and includes a seat body 12. Note that the arrows FR, UP, and LH shown appropriately in each figure indicate the front, upper, and left directions of the power seat 10, respectively.

The seat body 12 is equipped with a seat slide mechanism 18 that slides the seat cushion 14 in the front-to-rear direction relative to the vehicle floor (not shown), a reclining mechanism 20 that rotates the seat back 16 relative to the seat cushion 14, and a lifter mechanism 22 that moves the seat cushion 14 up and down relative to the vehicle floor. All of these mechanisms are movable mechanisms. Each of these movable mechanisms does not have its own dedicated motor, but is operated by forward and reverse rotation of the drive shaft of each mechanism.

The multi-axis drive unit 30 is a device that selectively switches the transmission path of rotational force from a single motor (not shown) located inside the seat cushion 14 to the seat slide mechanism 18, reclining mechanism 20, and lifter mechanism 22. This multi-axis drive unit 30 is provided on the outer side of the seat cushion 14 in the vehicle width direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-axis drive device 30 includes a case 32, which serves as a housing, and a first knob 62 and a second knob 64 supported by the case 32. The case 32 is disposed inside the seat cushion 14 and is fixed to a frame (not shown) of the seat cushion 14. The first knob 62 and the second knob 64 are disposed on the sides of the seat cushion 14 and are exposed to the outside of the seat cushion 14. The first knob 62 is shaped like an elongated block extending in the front-to-rear direction of the seat. The second knob 64 is shaped like an elongated block extending in the up-down direction of the seat and is disposed on the rear side of the seat relative to the first knob 62. The first knob 62 corresponds to the "first operating member" in this invention, and the second knob 64 corresponds to the "second operating member" in this invention.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the multi-axis drive device 30 has one pinion 34 (not shown in Figure 5), multiple (three here) input members 36A, 36B, 36C, multiple (three here) output members 42A, 42B, 42C, multiple (five here) slide members 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, multiple (two here) rotating members 82, 84, one switch link 86, and one limit switch 88. The case 32, the first knob 62 and the second knob 64, the slide members 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, the rotating members 82, 84, the switch link 86, and the limit switch 88 constitute the operating unit 60 of the multi-axis drive device 30. In the following description, the input members 36A, 36B, and 36C may be referred to as "input members 36," and the output members 42A, 42B, and 42C may be referred to as "output members 42."

The pinion 34 is, for example, a helical gear, and is arranged with its axis aligned with the left-right direction of the seat. The pinion 34 is connected to the output shaft of a motor (not shown) supported on the frame of the seat cushion 14 and rotates integrally with the motor output shaft. Three input members 36A, 36B, and 36C are arranged in a line circumferentially around the pinion 34 and rotatably supported by the case 32. In this embodiment, for example, one input member 36A is arranged on the front side of the pinion 34, and two input members 36B and 36C are arranged on the rear side of the pinion 34. These input members 36A, 36B, and 36C each have a helical gear portion 38 meshed with the pinion 34 and a bevel gear portion 40 coaxially arranged on one axial side of the helical gear portion 38 (outside the left-right direction of the seat). The helical gear portion 38 rotates due to the rotation of the pinion 34, and the bevel gear portion 40 rotates integrally with the helical gear portion 38.

The three output members 42A, 42B, and 42C are connected to the slide mechanism 18, reclining mechanism 20, and lifter mechanism 22, respectively, so as to be capable of transmitting rotation. The connection state with the three input members 36A, 36B, and 36C is selectively switched to selectively rotate the output members. In this embodiment, as an example, one output member 42A is disposed in front of the seat relative to the pinion 34 and the three input members 36A, 36B, and 36C, and two output members 42B and 42C are disposed in rear of the seat relative to the pinion 34 and the three input members 36A, 36B, and 36C. Each of the output members 42A, 42B, and 42C has an output gear 44 and an output shaft 54, and is generally cylindrical with a stepped shape. The output members 42A, 42B, and 42C are disposed with their axes aligned with the fore-and-aft direction of the seat, and are rotatably supported by the case 32.

Each output gear 44 of the output members 42A, 42B, and 42C has a cylindrically formed tubular portion 46, a bevel gear portion 48 coaxially and integrally attached to one axial end of the tubular portion 46, and a convex portion 50 coaxially protruding from the bevel gear portion 48 opposite the tubular portion 46. The tubular portion 46 of each output gear 44 is supported by the case 32 via bearings 52, and is supported so as to be rotatable about its axis and movable in the axial direction relative to the case 32. Each output gear 44 is movable in the axial direction between an engagement position where the bevel gear portion 48 engages (meshes) with the bevel gear portion 40 of the input member 36A, 36B, or 36C, and a disengagement position where the engagement is released. That is, the output gears 44 of the output members 42A, 42B, and 42C are respectively provided so as to be engageable with and disengageable from the input members 36A, 36B, and 36C, and when engaged with the input members 36A, 36B, and 36C, they rotate in response to the rotation of the input members 36A, 36B, and 36C. Note that while this embodiment includes three input members 36A, 36B, and 36C, this is not limiting. For example, a single input member having a larger diameter than the input members 36A, 36B, and 36C and including a helical gear portion and a bevel gear portion may also be used.

One axial end of the output shaft 54 is fitted inside the cylindrical portion 46 of each output gear 44 of the output members 42A, 42B, and 42C. The cylindrical portion 46 and output shaft 54 are connected by a so-called spline fit, and each output gear 44 is connected to the output shaft 54 so that it can move axially relative to the output shaft 54 and rotate integrally with it. A compression coil spring 56 (see Figure 5) is arranged inside the cylindrical portion 46 of each output gear 44, biasing each output gear 44 toward the above-mentioned engaged position.

The output shaft 54 of the output member 42A is connected to the slide mechanism 18 via a torque cable (transmission member) not shown. The output shaft 54 of the output member 42B is connected to the reclining mechanism 20 via a torque cable not shown. The output shaft 54 of the output member 42C is connected to the lifter mechanism 22 via a torque cable not shown. The multi-axis drive device 30 according to this embodiment is configured to engage the output member 42 connected to the movable mechanism to be operated with the input member 36. This is explained in detail below.

The slide member 72, the slide member 74, and the rotating member 82 constitute the first operating force transmission unit 66. The slide member 72 corresponds to the "first slide member" in this invention, and the slide member 74 corresponds to the "second slide member" in this invention.

The slide member 72 is plate-shaped with its length aligned with the seat's front-to-rear direction and its thickness aligned with the seat's left-to-right direction, and is supported relative to the case 32 so that it can slide linearly in the seat's front-to-rear direction. Rack teeth 72A are formed on the lower edge of the slide member 72. A protrusion 72B that protrudes outward in the seat's left-to-right direction is formed on the front end of the slide member 72. The protrusion 72B passes through a horizontally elongated hole (not shown) formed in the case 32, extends outward from the seat cushion 14, and fits into a circular fitting hole 62A (see Figures 6 to 9) formed on the front end of the first knob 62.

The slide member 74 is plate-shaped with its length aligned with the vertical direction of the seat and its thickness aligned with the left-right direction of the seat, and is supported relative to the case 32 so that it can slide linearly in the vertical direction of the seat. Rack teeth 74A are formed on the upper side of the front edge of the slide member 74. A cam portion 74B is formed on the lower side of the front edge of the slide member 74, protruding in a roughly trapezoidal shape toward the front of the seat when viewed from the left-right direction of the seat.

The rotating member 82 has a first sector gear portion 82A that meshes with the rack teeth 72A of the slide member 72 and a second sector gear portion 82A that meshes with the rack teeth 74A of the slide member 74, which are integrally and coaxially arranged, and is rotatably supported relative to the case 32. The rotating member 82 is biased to the neutral position shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6 by a biasing member (e.g., a torsion coil spring) (not shown). When the rotating member 82 is in the neutral position, the cam portion 74B of the slide member 74 engages with the convex portion 50 of the output member 42A, thereby positioning the bevel gear portion 48 of the output member 42A in the disengaged position described above.

The slide member 76, the slide member 78, and the rotating member 84 constitute the second operating force transmission unit 68. The slide member 76 corresponds to the "first slide member" in this invention, and the slide member 78 corresponds to the "second slide member" in this invention.

The slide member 76 is plate-shaped, with its longitudinal direction aligned with the seat's longitudinal direction and its thickness direction aligned with the seat's lateral direction. It is supported relative to the case 32 so that it can slide linearly in the seat's longitudinal direction. Rack teeth 76A are formed on the lower edge of the slide member 76. A protrusion 76B that protrudes outward in the seat's lateral direction is formed at the rear end of the slide member 76. The protrusion 76B passes through a vertically elongated hole (not shown) formed in the case 32 and extends outward from the seat cushion 14. It fits into a vertically elongated hole 64A (see Figures 6 to 9) formed in the upper end of the second knob 64. The lower end of the second knob 64 is formed with a circular hole 64B into which the support shaft 32A protruding from the case 32 fits. This allows the second knob 64 to rotate in the seat's longitudinal direction around the lower end (one longitudinal end) where the support shaft 32A fits into the hole 64B.

The slide member 78 is plate-shaped with its length aligned with the vertical direction of the seat and its thickness aligned with the left-right direction of the seat, and is supported relative to the case 32 so that it can slide linearly in the vertical direction of the seat. Rack teeth 78A are formed on the upper side of the rear edge of the slide member 78. A cam portion 78B is formed on the lower side of the rear edge of the slide member 78, protruding in a generally trapezoidal shape toward the rear of the seat when viewed from the left-right direction of the seat.

The rotating member 84 has a first sector gear portion 84A that meshes with the rack teeth 76A of the slide member 76 and a second sector gear portion 84B that meshes with the rack teeth 78A of the slide member 78, which are integrally and coaxially formed, and is rotatably supported relative to the case 32. The rotating member 84 is biased to the neutral position shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6 by a biasing member (e.g., a torsion coil spring) (not shown). When the rotating member 84 is in the neutral position, the cam portion 78B of the slide member 78 engages with the convex portion 50 of the output member 42B, thereby positioning the bevel gear portion 48 of the output member 42B in the disengaged position described above.

The slide member 80 constitutes the third operating force transmission unit 70. The slide member 80 is plate-shaped, with its longitudinal direction aligned with the up-down direction of the seat and its thickness direction aligned with the left-right direction of the seat. It is supported relative to the case 32 so that it can slide linearly in the up-down direction of the seat. A protrusion 80A is formed on the upper side of the slide member 80, protruding outward in the left-right direction of the seat. The protrusion 80A passes through a vertically elongated hole (not shown) formed in the case 32 and extends outward from the seat cushion 14. It fits into a horizontally elongated hole 62B (see Figures 6 to 9) formed on the rear end of the first knob 62. The first knob 62 is supported on the case 32 via the slide member 80 having this protrusion 80A and the slide member 72 having the aforementioned protrusion 72B. The first knob 62 can be slid in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat and rotated in the up-and-down direction of the seat around its front end (one longitudinal end) as the rotation center.

A cam portion 80B is formed on the lower rear edge of the slide member 80, protruding in a generally trapezoidal shape toward the rear of the seat when viewed from the left-right direction of the seat. This slide member 80 is biased to the neutral position shown in Figures 3, 4, and 6 by a biasing member (e.g., a spring) not shown. When the slide member 80 is in the neutral position, the cam portion 80B of the slide member 80 engages with the protrusion 50 of the output member 42C, causing the bevel gear portion 48 of the output member 42C to be positioned in the disengaged position described above.

When the first knob 62 is slid toward the front or rear of the seat, the slide member 72 slides toward the front or rear of the seat, the rotating member 82 rotates in one direction around its axis or the other, and the slide member 74 slides toward the upper or lower side of the seat. This disengages the cam portion 74B of the slide member 74 from the convex portion 50 of the output member 42A, and the bevel gear portion 48 of the output member 42A is moved to the aforementioned engaged position by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 56. This causes the bevel gear portion 48 of the output member 42A to mesh with the bevel gear portion 40 of the input member 36A.

When the second knob 64 is rotated toward the front or rear of the seat, the slide member 76 slides toward the front or rear of the seat, the rotating member 84 rotates in one direction about its axis or the other about its axis, and the slide member 78 slides toward the bottom or top of the seat. This disengages the cam portion 78B of the slide member 78 from the convex portion 50 of the output member 42B, and the bevel gear portion 48 of the output member 42B is moved to the aforementioned engaged position by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 56. This causes the bevel gear portion 48 of the output member 42B to mesh with the bevel gear portion 40 of the input member 36B.

When the first knob 62 is rotated upward or downward, the slide member 80 slides upward or downward. This disengages the cam portion 80B of the slide member 80 from the convex portion 50 of the output member 42C, and the bevel gear portion 48 of the output member 42C is moved to the aforementioned engaged position by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 56. This causes the bevel gear portion 48 of the output member 42C to mesh with the bevel gear portion 40 of the input member 36C.

As shown in FIG. 10, the front side of the slide member 72 is formed with a pair of front and rear protrusions 72C that protrude inward in the left-right direction of the seat, the front side of the slide member 76 is formed with a pair of front and rear protrusions 76C that protrude above the seat, and the upper side of the slide member 80 is formed with a pair of upper and lower protrusions 80C that protrude forward of the seat. These protrusions 72C, 76C, 80C correspond to the switch link 86.

The switch link 86 is located at the front and upper ends of the case 32 and is supported relative to the case 32 so that it can rotate about an axis in the left-right direction of the seat. The switch link 86 is biased to the neutral position shown in FIG. 10 by the biasing force of a biasing member (e.g., a torsion coil spring) not shown. The switch link 86 has an arm 86A that protrudes below the seat and an arm 86B that protrudes rearward of the seat.

When the slide member 72 slides toward the front or rear of the seat, one or the other of a pair of protrusions 72C engages with the arm 86A protruding toward the bottom of the seat. This causes the switch link 86 to rotate in one direction around the axis or the other. Furthermore, when the slide member 72 slides toward the front or rear of the seat, one or the other of the pair of protrusions 76C engages with the arm 86A protruding toward the bottom of the seat. This causes the switch link 86 to rotate in one direction around the axis or the other. When the slide member 80 slides toward the top or bottom of the seat, one or the other of the pair of protrusions 80C engages with the arm 86B protruding toward the rear of the seat. This causes the switch link 86 to rotate in one direction around the axis or the other.

The switch link 86 has an arm 86C that protrudes above the seat and an arm 86D that protrudes forward of the seat. These arms 86C and 86D correspond to a limit switch 88. The limit switch 88 is located above and in front of the seat relative to the switch link 86 and is supported by the case 32. This limit switch 88 is a two-circuit, two-contact limit switch and has a lever 88A that protrudes rearward and downward of the seat. This limit switch 88 is electrically connected to the aforementioned motor (not shown).

When the switch link 86 rotates in one direction around its axis, one of the arms 86C, 86D engages with the lever 88A of the limit switch 88, causing the lever 88A to rotate in one direction around its axis. This turns on one circuit of the limit switch, causing the motor to rotate in the forward direction. When the switch link 86 rotates in the other direction around its axis, the other of the arms 86C, 86D engages with the lever 88A of the limit switch 88, causing the lever 88A to rotate in the other direction around its axis. This turns on the other circuit of the limit switch, causing the motor to rotate in the reverse direction.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the sliding member 72 is slid toward the front or rear of the seat by sliding the first knob 62, two of the three protrusions 82C (see FIG. 10) on the rotating member 82 fit into recesses 77, 81 formed on the sliding member 76 and sliding member 80, thereby restricting the sliding of the sliding members 76, 80. This prevents the first knob 62 and the second knob 64 from being rotated accidentally. Similarly, when the sliding member 76 is slid toward the front or rear of the seat by rotating the second knob 64, one of the two protrusions 84C (see FIG. 6) on the rotating member 84 fits into a recess 83 formed on the sliding member 80, thereby restricting the sliding of the sliding member 80. This prevents the first knob 62 from being rotated accidentally. Note that a flat portion 84D is formed between the two protrusions 84C on the outer periphery of the rotating member 84.

(Action and effect)
Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

In the multi-axis drive device 30 provided in the power seat 10 configured as described above, the engagement and disengagement states of the three output members 42 with respect to the three input members 36 can be selectively switched by operating the operating unit 60. When the three input members 36 are rotated by the rotation of a motor (not shown), the output member 42 engaged with one of the three input members 36 rotates.

The operating unit 60 includes a first knob 62 that can be slid linearly. When the first knob 62 is slid in the seat fore-and-aft direction, the slide members 72, 74 included in the first operating force transmission unit 66 slide linearly. This causes the bevel gear portion 48 of the output member 42A to engage with the bevel gear portion 40 of the input member 36A, and the limit switch 88 is turned on, activating the motor. This transmits the rotation of the motor to the seat slide mechanism 18 via the input member 36A, the output member 42A, and a torque cable (not shown), activating the seat slide mechanism. Thus, according to this embodiment, the rotation transmission path can be switched by linearly sliding the first knob 62, allowing the fore-and-aft position of the power seat 10 to be adjusted intuitively.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the second knob 64, which is elongated in the seat vertical direction, is rotated in the seat front-rear direction around its lower end as the center of rotation, the slide members 76, 78 included in the second operating force transmission unit 68 slide linearly. This causes the bevel gear portion 48 of the output member 42B to engage with the bevel gear portion 40 of the input member 36B, and the limit switch 88 is turned on, activating the motor. As a result, the rotation of the motor is transmitted to the reclining mechanism 20 via the input member 36B, the output member 42B, and a torque cable (not shown), activating the reclining mechanism 20. Thus, according to this embodiment, the reclining mechanism 20 can be activated by rotating the second knob 64 in the seat front-rear direction, allowing the reclining angle of the seat back 16 to be adjusted intuitively.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the first knob 62, which is elongated in the fore-and-aft direction of the seat, is rotated in the seat up-and-down direction around its front end as the center of rotation, the slide member 80 that constitutes the third operating force transmission unit 70 slides linearly. This causes the bevel gear portion 48 of the output member 42C to engage with the bevel gear portion 40 of the input member 36C, and the limit switch 88 is turned on, activating the motor. This transmits the rotation of the motor to the lifter mechanism 22 via the input member 36C, the output member 42C, and a torque cable (not shown), activating the lifter mechanism 22. Thus, according to this embodiment, the lifter mechanism 22 can be activated by rotating the first knob 62 in the seat up-and-down direction, allowing the up-and-down position of the seat cushion 14 to be adjusted intuitively.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in the first operating force transmission unit 66, the operating force of the first knob 62 is transmitted to the slide member 72, causing it to slide linearly, and the operating force of the first knob 62 is transmitted to the slide member 74 via the slide member 72, causing it to slide linearly in a direction different from the sliding direction of the slide member 72. This sliding of the slide member 74 can switch the engagement and disengagement state of the output member 42A with respect to the input member 36A. In this way, because the slide members 72 and 74 slide in different directions, the degree of freedom in setting the operating direction of the first knob 62, for example, is improved.

Similarly, in this embodiment, in the second operating force transmission unit 68, the operating force of the second knob 64 is transmitted to the slide member 76, causing it to slide linearly, and the operating force of the second knob 64 is transmitted to the slide member 78 via the slide member 76, causing it to slide linearly in a direction different from the sliding direction of the slide member 76. This sliding of the slide member 78 can switch the engagement and disengagement state of the output member 42B with respect to the input member 36B. In this way, because the slide member 76 and the slide member 78 slide in different directions, the degree of freedom in setting the operating direction of the second knob 64, for example, is improved.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first operating force transmission unit 66 has a rotating member 82 that rotates as the slide member 72 slides, and the rotation of the rotating member 82 causes the slide member 74 to slide. Furthermore, the second operating force transmission unit 68 has a rotating member 84 that rotates as the slide member 76 slides, and the rotation of the rotating member 84 causes the slide member 78 to slide. Because the second operating force transmission unit 68 has rotating members 82 and 84 in this manner, the operating force is smoothly transmitted from the slide members 72 and 76 to the slide members 74 and 78.

Second Embodiment
Next, a multi-axis drive device 90 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 16. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used to designate the same configurations and operations as in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The multi-axis drive device 90 according to the second embodiment is configured to detach the output member 42 connected to a movable mechanism that is not to be operated from the input member 36. In this multi-axis drive device 90, the first operating force transmission unit 66 is composed of slide members 72, 92, and 94; the second operating force transmission unit 68 is composed of slide members 76, 92, and 96; and the third operating force transmission unit 70 is composed of slide members 80, 98, 94, and 96; and the rotating member 100. Slide members 72, 76, and 98 correspond to the "first slide member" in this invention, and slide members 92, 94, and 96 correspond to the "second slide member" in this invention.

The slide member 72 is biased toward the neutral position shown in Figures 11 to 13 by the biasing force of a biasing member (e.g., a spring) not shown. A sliding recess 72D is formed on the lower edge of the slide member 72. This sliding recess 72D has a triangular shape that protrudes upward from the seat when viewed from the left-right direction.

The slide member 92 is plate-shaped with its longitudinal direction aligned with the vertical direction of the seat and its thickness direction aligned with the left-right direction of the seat. The slide member 92 is supported relative to the case 32 so that it can slide linearly in the vertical direction of the seat, and is biased toward the upper side of the seat by the biasing force of a biasing member (e.g., a spring) not shown. The upper end of the slide member 92 is formed with a triangular sliding protrusion 92A that protrudes toward the upper side of the seat when viewed from the left-right direction of the seat. The lower end of the slide member 92 is formed with a cam portion 92B that protrudes toward the rear of the seat.

The slide member 94 is plate-shaped with its length aligned with the vertical direction of the seat and its thickness aligned with the left-right direction of the seat, and is longer than the slide member 92. The slide member 94 is supported on the case 32 so that it can slide linearly in the vertical direction of the seat, and is biased toward the upper side of the seat by the biasing force of a biasing member (e.g., a spring) not shown. The upper end of the slide member 94 is formed with a triangular sliding protrusion 94A that protrudes toward the upper side of the seat when viewed from the left-right direction of the seat. The lower end of the slide member 94 is formed with a cam portion 94B that protrudes toward the rear of the seat.

Slide member 76 is positioned inside slide member 72 in the left-right direction of the seat. This slide member 76 is biased to the neutral position shown in Figures 11 to 13 by the biasing force of a biasing member (e.g., a spring) not shown. A sliding recess 76D is formed on the lower edge of slide member 76, and a sliding recess 76E is formed on the outer side surface of slide member 76 in the left-right direction of the seat. These sliding recesses 76D, 76E are triangular in shape and convex upward toward the seat when viewed from the left-right direction of the seat.

The slide member 96 is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped with its longitudinal direction aligned with the vertical direction of the seat, and is supported relative to the case 32 so that it can slide linearly in the vertical direction of the seat. The slide member 96 is biased toward the upper side of the seat by the biasing force of a biasing member (e.g., a spring) not shown. The upper end of the slide member 96 is formed with a pair of triangular sliding protrusions 96A aligned in the left-right direction of the seat, each protruding upward when viewed from the left-right direction of the seat. The lower end of the slide member 96 is formed with a cam portion 96B that protrudes toward the front of the seat.

The slide member 98 is plate-shaped, with its longitudinal direction aligned with the seat's longitudinal direction and its thickness aligned with the seat's transverse direction. It is supported on the case 32 so that it can linearly slide in the seat's longitudinal direction. The slide member 98 is positioned outside the seat's transverse direction relative to the slide member 72 and inside the seat's transverse direction relative to the slide member 80. It is biased toward the neutral position shown in Figures 11 to 13 by the biasing force of a biasing member (e.g., a spring) (not shown). The upper edge of the slide member 98 is formed with rack teeth 98A and a pair of front and rear protrusions 98B. The front and rear protrusions 98B are formed on the front portion of the slide member 98, closer to the seat front than the rack teeth 98A, and protrude upward from the seat. The lower edge of the slide member 98 is formed with a sliding recess 98C, and the inner side of the slide member 98 in the transverse direction is formed with a sliding recess 98D. The sliding recesses 98C and 98D are triangular in shape and protrude upward when viewed from the left-right direction of the seat.

The rotating member 100 has a first sector gear portion 100A that meshes with rack teeth 80D formed on the rear edge of the slide member 80, and a second sector gear portion 100B that meshes with rack teeth 98A formed on the upper edge of the slide member 98, which are integrally and coaxially formed, and is rotatably supported relative to the case 32. The rotating member 100 is biased to the neutral position shown in Figures 11 to 13 by a biasing member (e.g., a torsion coil spring) not shown.

When the slide members 72, 76, 98 and the rotating member 100 are in a neutral position (hereinafter referred to as the "neutral state"), the sliding convex portion 92A of the slide member 92 fits into the sliding recess 76E of the slide member 76 and the sliding recess 72D of the slide member 72. Also, in the neutral state, the sliding convex portion 94A of the slide member 94 fits into the sliding recess 72D of the slide member 72 and the sliding recess 98D of the slide member 98. Furthermore, in the neutral state, one of the pair of sliding convex portions 96A of the slide member 96 fits into the sliding recess 76D of the slide member 76, and the other of the pair of sliding convex portions 96A fits into the sliding recess 98C of the slide member 98. In this neutral state, the cam portions 92B, 94B, and 96B of the slide members 92, 94, and 96 are positioned above the seat relative to the convex portions 50 of the output members 42A, 42B, and 42C, respectively, and the bevel gear portions 48 of the output members 42A, 42B, and 42C are engaged with the bevel gear portions 40 of the input members 36A, 36B, and 36C, respectively.

When the first knob 62 is slid toward the front or rear of the seat, the slide member 72, whose protrusion 72A engages with the first knob 62, slides toward the front or rear of the seat, and the sliding recess 72D slides against the sliding protrusions 92A and 94A. This causes the slide members 92 and 94 to slide downward, and the cam portions 92B and 94B engage with the respective protrusions 50 of the output members 42B and 42C. As a result, the bevel gear portions 48 of the output members 42B and 42C disengage from the respective bevel gear portions 40 of the input members 36B and 36C. Figure 16 illustrates the state in which the first knob 62 is slid toward the front of the seat. Furthermore, when the slide member 72 slides toward the front or rear of the seat, one or the other of the pair of protrusions 72C engages with the arm portion 86A of the switch link 86, turning on one or the other circuit of the limit switch 88 and causing the motor to rotate forward or reverse. As a result, the rotation of the motor is transmitted to the output member 42A, whose bevel gear portion 48 is engaged with the bevel gear portion 40 of the input member 36A, and the seat slide mechanism 18 is activated. At this time, the bevel gear portions 48 of the output members 42B and 42C are disengaged from the bevel gear portions 40 of the input members 36B and 36C, so even if the first knob 62 and the second knob 64 are rotated accidentally, the rotation of the motor is not transmitted to the reclining mechanism 20 and the lifter mechanism 22.

When the second knob 64 is rotated toward the front or rear of the seat, the slide member 76, whose protrusion 76A engages with the second knob 64, slides toward the front or rear of the seat, causing the sliding recesses 76D and 76E to slide against the sliding protrusions 92A and 96A. This causes the slide members 92 and 96 to slide downward, and the cam portions 92B and 96B engage with the respective protrusions 50 of the output members 42A and 42C. As a result, the bevel gear portions 48 of the output members 42A and 42C disengage from the respective bevel gear portions 40 of the input members 36A and 36C. Furthermore, when the slide member 76 slides toward the front or rear of the seat, one or the other of the pair of protrusions 76C engages with the arm portion 86A of the switch link 86, turning on one or the other circuit of the limit switch 88 and causing the motor to rotate forward or reverse. As a result, the rotation of the motor is transmitted to the output member 42B, whose bevel gear portion 48 is engaged with the bevel gear portion 40 of the input member 36B, thereby operating the reclining mechanism 20. At this time, the bevel gear portions 48 of the output members 42A and 42C are disengaged from the bevel gear portions 40 of the input members 36A and 36C, so even if the first knob 62 is accidentally slid or rotated, the rotation of the motor is not transmitted to the seat slide mechanism 18 and the lifter mechanism 22.

When the first knob 64 is rotated upward or downward, the slide member 80, whose protrusion 80A engages with the first knob 64, slides upward or downward. As a result, the rotating member 100 rotates in one direction or the other about its axis, the slide member 98 slides forward or backward, and the sliding recesses 98C, 98D slide against the sliding protrusions 94A, 96A. This causes the slide members 94, 96 to slide downward, and the cam portions 94B, 96B engage with the respective protrusions 50 of the output members 42A, 42B. As a result, the bevel gear portions 48 of the output members 42A, 42B disengage from the respective bevel gear portions 40 of the input members 36A, 36B. Furthermore, when the slide member 98 slides toward the front or rear of the seat, one or the other of the pair of protrusions 98B engages with the arm 86A of the switch link 86, turning on one or the other circuit of the limit switch 88 and causing the motor to rotate forward or backward. This transmits motor rotation to the output member 42C, whose bevel gear portion 48 is engaged with the bevel gear portion 40 of the input member 36C, thereby activating the lifter mechanism 22. At this time, because the bevel gear portions 48 of the output members 42A and 42B are disengaged from the bevel gear portions 40 of the input members 36A and 36B, motor rotation is not transmitted to the slide mechanism 18 or reclining mechanism 20 even if the first knob 62 is erroneously slid or the second knob 64 is erroneously rotated.

In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the rotation transmission path can be switched by linearly sliding the first knob 62, allowing for intuitive adjustment of the fore-aft position of the power seat 10. Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, the reclining angle of the seat back 16 and the vertical position of the seat cushion 14 can be adjusted intuitively by rotating the second knob 64 in the fore-aft direction of the seat and the first knob 62 in the up-down direction of the seat. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the slide member 72 slides, the slide member 72 and the slide members 92 and 94 slide against each other, causing the slide members 92 and 94 to slide. This allows for the transmission of operating force from the slide member 72 to the slide members 92 and 94 to be achieved with a simple configuration. This also applies to the relationship between the slide member 76 and the slide members 92 and 96, and the relationship between the slide member 98 and the slide members 94 and 96.

In the above embodiments, the seat slide mechanism 18, reclining mechanism 20, and lifter mechanism 22 are described as movable mechanisms, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other types of movable mechanisms, such as a lumbar support mechanism, tilt mechanism, ottoman mechanism, or thigh support mechanism, can also be applied.

The present invention can be modified and implemented in various ways without departing from its spirit. It goes without saying that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

10 Power seat 18 Seat slide mechanism 20 Reclining mechanism 22 Lifter mechanism 30 Multi-axis drive device 36A, 36B, 36C Input member 42A, 42B, 42C Output member 60 Operation unit 62 First knob (first operation member)
64 Second knob (second operating member)
66: First operating force transmission portion 68: Second operating force transmission portion 70: Third operating force transmission portion 72: Slide member (first slide member)
74 Slide member (second slide member)
76 Slide member (first slide member)
78 Slide member (second slide member)
80 Slide member 82, 84 Rotating member 88 Limit switch (switch)
90 Multi-axis drive device 92 Slide member (second slide member)
94 Slide member (second slide member)
96 Slide member (second slide member)
98 Slide member (first slide member)
100 Rotating member

Claims (6)

an input member that rotates due to rotation of the motor;
a plurality of output members each of which is provided so as to be engageable with and disengageable from the input member, and which rotate in response to rotation of the input member when engaged with the input member;
an operation unit that selectively switches an engagement/disengagement state of the plurality of output members with respect to the input member;
Equipped with
The operation unit includes:
a first operating member that is elongated, can be slid linearly , and can be rotated around one end in the longitudinal direction ;
a first operating force transmission unit including at least one slide member that linearly slides upon receiving a slide operating force of the first operating member, and that switches an engaged/disengaged state of the at least one output member relative to the input member;
a third operating force transmission unit including at least one slide member that linearly slides upon receiving the rotational operating force of the first operating member, and that switches an engaged/disengaged state of the at least one output member relative to the input member;
a switch that is turned on by sliding of the slide member included in the first operating force transmission unit to operate the motor, and that is turned on by sliding of the slide member included in the third operating force transmission unit to operate the motor ;
A multi-axis drive device having: The operation unit includes:
a second operating member that is elongated and can be rotated around one end in the longitudinal direction as a rotation center;
a second operating force transmission unit including at least one slide member that linearly slides upon receiving the rotational operating force of the second operating member, and that switches an engaged/disengaged state of the at least one output member relative to the input member;
The multi-axis drive device according to claim 1 , wherein the switch is turned on by sliding the slide member included in the second operating force transmission unit to operate the motor. The operation force transmission unit includes:
a first slide member that linearly slides upon receiving the operating force of the operating member;
a second slide member to which an operating force of the operating member is transmitted via the first slide member and which linearly slides in a direction different from the sliding direction of the first slide member;
3. The multi-axis drive device according to claim 1, further comprising : 4. The multi-axis drive device according to claim 3, wherein the operation force transmission unit has a rotating member that rotates as the first sliding member slides, and the second sliding member slides as the rotating member rotates. 4. The multi-axis drive device according to claim 3, wherein when the first slide member slides, the first slide member and the second slide member slide relative to each other, thereby causing the second slide member to slide. a plurality of movable mechanisms that are actuated by the transmission of rotation;
One motor;
The multi-axis drive device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the input member rotates due to rotation of the motor, and the plurality of output members are connected to the plurality of movable mechanisms so as to be able to transmit rotation, respectively;
Power seats equipped.