Patent ID: 7607735
Filing Date: 2009-10-27
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
1. A vehicle seat having a seat cushion, the seat cushion comprising: a central portion; first and second side support portions configured to laterally support femoral portions of a passenger, and a vertical moving mechanism having first and second drive mechanisms linked to each other and respectively linked to the first and second side support portions so as to move the first and second side support portions in synchronization with each other, wherein each of the first and second drive mechanisms comprises a screw rod and a nut threadably engaging the screw rod, each of the first and second drive mechanisms being configured to vertically move each of the first and second side support portions within a use range defined by movement of the nut along the screw thread between an uppermost use position and a lowermost use position, wherein the first drive mechanism comprises a drive force absorption mechanism comprising a first member having an elongated slot and a second member having a pin, the elongated slot and the pin being slidably engaged with each other, wherein the first drive mechanism further comprises an extension spring that is positioned between the first side support portion and the seat cushion, so that the first side support portion is biased downwardly, wherein the first side support portion is rotatably connected to the nut of the first drive mechanism via the drive force absorption mechanism such that transmission of a drive force of the first drive mechanism to the first side support portion can be prevented when the first side support portion reaches the lowermost use position, and wherein the second side support portion is rotatably connected to the nut of the second drive mechanism such that a drive force of the second drive mechanism can be transmitted to the second side support portion even after the second side support portion reaches the lowermost use position.