Connecting apparatuses

A connecting apparatus of the present invention includes an inner teeth member with inner teeth, a guide member with a rotation support portion rotatably supporting an outer peripheral surface of the inner teeth member, a first and second teeth member movably mounted on the guide member, and a switching member capable of switching a lock state and an unlock state by moving the first and second outer teeth members. Further the connecting apparatus includes a backlash preventing mechanism capable of preventing a backlash of the inner teeth member with respect to the guide member by the switching member pushing the inner teeth member (6) to the rotation support portion of the guide member. Space is formed between outer teeth of the second outer teeth member and the inner teeth of the inner teeth member. The space permits them to mesh with each other, and forms clearance between them in a radial direction.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a connecting apparatus used for a reclining apparatus of a vehicle seat, etc. Specifically, the present invention relates to a connecting apparatus with a preventing backlash mechanism.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a connecting apparatus used for a reclining apparatus of a vehicle seat or the like is known. (Refer to FIG. 5 in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-187867.) As shown inFIG. 6, a conventional connecting apparatus includes inner teeth member36attached one of a seat cushion and a seat back, and a guide member32attached the other one of the seat cushion and the seat back to rotatably support the inner teeth member36. On the guide member32, outer teeth members34and35meshing with inner teeth of the inner teeth member36, and switching member33are provided. The switching member33may switch a lock state in which the outer teeth members34and35mesh with the inner teeth member36by moving the outer teeth members34and35in a radial direction, and an unlock state in which the outer teeth members34and35do not mesh with the inner teeth member36.

Therefore, in the lock state the switching member, the outer teeth members34and35and the inner teeth member36are integrated. Thus their rotation are restricted by guide portions32eand32fof the guide member32for guiding the outer teeth members34and35. However, between the guide portions32eand32fand the outer teeth members34and35, clearances L are formed for the guide member32to slidably support the outer teeth members34and35. Thus, the clearances L cause a backlash, and large backlash is caused at tip end of the seat back.

Thus, a method for restricting the backlash by reducing the clearances described above may be supposed. However, the reducing the clearances causes problems such that a manufacturing of the apparatus is difficult and a production cost is high, etc. Thus, there is a need in the art for a connecting apparatus capable of securely restricting the backlash without reducing the clearances.

SUMMARY

The present invention includes a backlash preventing mechanism capable of preventing a backlash of an inner teeth member with respect to a guide member by a switching member pushing the inner teeth member to the rotation support portion of the guide member through a first outer teeth member in a lock state. In the lock state, the space is formed between outer teeth of a second outer teeth member and inner teeth of the inner teeth member, the space permits the outer teeth and the inner teeth to mesh them each other and forms clearance between them in a radial direction.

Therefore, the inner teeth member is pushed to the guide member via the first outer teeth member in the lock state. Thus, the backlash of the inner teeth member with respect to the guide member is prevented. On the other hand, the space is formed between the second outer teeth member and the inner teeth member, and the clearance is formed between them in the radial direction. Thus, the inner teeth member is securely pushed to the guide member because the second outer teeth member does not interrupt the inner teeth member. In addition, the second outer teeth member restricts a relative rotation of the inner teeth member because the second outer teeth member meshes with the inner teeth member in the lock state.

Further, the rotation support portion of the guide member of the invention may be provided with a concave portion on an inner peripheral portion thereof where the inner teeth member is pushed in the lock state. The inner teeth member may be pushed on two corners of the concave portion. As the configuration, the inner teeth member is securely supported by the two points of the guide member in the lock state. As a result, the backlash of the inner teeth member may be securely prevented.

Further, the backlash preventing mechanism may include a protruding portion protruding from one of a support surface of the guide member and the switching member to the other. The protruding portion may be provided with an inclined surface capable of gradually displacing the switching member to the first outer teeth member with respect to the guide member in the radial direction when the switching member moves from an unlock state to the lock state. As the configuration, the switching member gradually moves to the first outer teeth member. Thereby, the first outer teeth member may securely push the inner teeth member to the guide member regardless of a variety size thereof due to design errors.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

First Embodiment

A first embodiment will be explained in accordance withFIGS. 1 to 4. As shown inFIG. 4, a connecting apparatus1is used for a reclining apparatus of a vehicle seat10, and is disposed between a seat cushion11and a seat back12of the vehicle seat10. The connecting apparatus1rotatably and concentrically connects a frame11aof the seat cushion11and a frame12aof the seat back12. The connecting apparatus1switches between an unlock state in which the seat back12is capable of rotating with respect to the seat cushion11and a lock state in which the seat back12is not capable of rotating with respect to the seat cushion11.

As shown inFIG. 1, the connecting apparatus1includes a guide member2and an inner teeth member (ratchet)6rotatably mounted on the guide member2. A switching member (slide cam)3and plural outer teeth members (slide pawls)4and5are movably mounted on the guide member2.

As shown inFIG. 1, the guide member2has a disk shape and includes plural convex portions2aon an outer side surface. The convex portions2aare attached to the frame11aof the seat cushion11or the frame12aof the seat back12shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. As shown inFIG. 1, a hole2dthrough which an operating member9is rotatably inserted is formed at an axis center of the guide member2. The operating member9has an engaging portion9aat one end. A center portion8aof a coil spring8is engaged at the engaging portion9a. An end portion8bof the coil spring8is hooked to one of hooked portions2cformed on the outer side surface of the guide member2.

As shown inFIG. 2, a rotation support portion2band guide portions2eand2fare formed at an inner side surface of the guide member2. The rotation support2bare provided along an outer peripheral end of the guide member2, and stands. The inner teeth member6is rotatably set at an inner peripheral side of the rotation support member2b. An outer peripheral surface6dof the inner teeth member6is slidably guided and supported by the rotation support portion2b. The guide portions2eand2fare positioned at inner peripheral side position relative to the rotation support member2b, and stand. The guide portions2eand2fform a crossed aisle between them.

As shown inFIG. 2, the first outer teeth member4is set movably in a radial direction between a pair of the guide portions2e. The second outer teeth member5is set movably in the radial direction between a pair of the guide portions2f. The guide portions2fare located at the opposite side in the radial direction with respect to the side at which the guide portions2eare located. The switching member3is movably set between the guide portions2eand2f. The switching member3is able to move in a perpendicular direction to the movement direction of the outer teeth members4and5. Therefore, the outer teeth members4and5and the switching member3are guided and supported by the guide portions2eand2f.

As shown inFIG. 2, the switching member3includes pushing portions3aand3bfor pushing the outer teeth members4and5in the outer radial directions, and claws3dfor pulling back the outer teeth members4and5in the inner radial directions. The operating member9is inserted through a center of the switching member3. The operating member9is operated by an operating lever not shown, and includes an arm9cfitted in a fitting portion3cof the switching member3.

The operating member9is biased by a bias force of the coil spring8shown inFIG. 1, and pushes the switching member3to a lock position as shown inFIG. 2(in a left direction). The switching member3pushes the outer teeth members4and5locating at the lock positions in the outer radial directions. Thus, the outer teeth members4and5mesh with the inner teeth member6, and the connecting apparatus1is made in the lock state. The operating member9pushes the switching member3in an unlock direction that is right direction of FIG.2, when the operating member3is rotated by the operating lever. The switching member3pulls back the outer teeth members4and5in the inner radial directions by claws3d. Thereby, the outer teeth members4and5are released from meshing with the inner teeth member6, thus the connecting apparatus1is made in the unlock state.

As shown inFIG. 2, outer teeth members4and5have outer teeth4aand5aand hook portions4bor5b. The outer teeth4aand5aare provided on outer radial surfaces of the outer teeth members4and5, and mesh with the inner teeth6cof the inner teeth member6in the lock state. The hook portions4band5bare provided at inner radial portions of the outer teeth members4and5, and are pushed in the radial inner directions by the claws3dof the switching member3in the unlock state.

As shown inFIG. 1, the inner teeth member6has a disk shape and includes a ring-shape rib6bat an outer peripheral edge. As shown inFIG. 2, the rib6bis rotatably set at an inner peripheral side of the rotation support portion2bof the guide member2. The inner teeth6cis provided at an inner peripheral surface of the rib6b. As shown inFIG. 1, a plurality of convex portions6aare formed on an outer side surface of the inner teeth member6. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the convex portions6aare attached to one of members of seat cushion11and seat back12, the other one to which the guide member2is attached.

As shown inFIG. 1, a mounting member7has a circular ring shape. An outer peripheral portion of the mounting member7is calked to the outer peripheral portion of the guide member2in a state wherein the inner teeth member6is set between the mounting member7and the guide member2. Thereby, the inner teeth member6is rotatably mounted at the guide member2and is prevented from detaching from the guide member2.

As shown inFIG. 2, the guide portions2fof the guide member2are provided with support surfaces2f1. The support surfaces2f1support the switching member3to stop the first outer teeth member4from moving apart from the inner teeth member6in the lock state.

As shown inFIG. 2, the backlash prevent mechanism13is formed between the switching member3and the guide member2f. The backlash preventing mechanism13includes protruding portions2gprotruding from each supporting surface2f1of the guide portion2fto the switching member3. The protruding portions2ginclude inclined surfaces to gradually move the switching member3to the first outer teeth member4by moving the switching member3from the unlock state (at left side position ofFIG. 2) to the lock state (at right side position ofFIG. 2).

Thereby, the switching member3moves not only in a left direction but also in an upper direction, when the switching member3moves from the unlock state to the lock state. Thus, the switching member3moves to the first outer teeth member4and pushes the first outer teeth member4to the inner teeth member6. Moreover, the switching member3pushes the inner teeth member6to the rotation support member2bof the guide member2via the first outer teeth member4.

As shown inFIG. 2, an inner peripheral surface of the rotation support portion2bto which the inner teeth member6is pushed, is provided with a concave portion2b1. A width of the concave portion2b1is the same size of a width of the outer teeth member4. The outer peripheral surface6dof the inner teeth member6is pushed to corners2b2and2b3of the concave portion2b1. Thereby, a part of an outer peripheral side of the inner teeth member6locating nearby the first outer teeth member4is supported by the corners2b2and2b3at two points. A part of the inner peripheral side that is the opposite side of the part of the outer peripheral side is supported by a pair of protruding portions2gat two points through the first outer teeth member4and the switching member3. Accordingly, the backlash of the inner teeth member6with respect to the inner teeth member6is prevented.

In the lock state shown inFIG. 2, space14is formed between the second outer teeth member5and the inner teeth member6. The space14is shorter than heights of the outer teeth5aand the inner teeth6c. Thus, the space14enables the outer teeth5aand the inner teeth6cto mesh each other, and forms clearance between them. On the other hand, in the lock state, clearance is not formed between the first outer teeth member4and the inner teeth member6.

The first embodiment is comprised as described above. The connecting apparatus1includes the backlash preventing mechanism13for preventing the backlash of the inner teeth member6with respect to the guide member2by a switching member3pushing the inner teeth member6to the rotation support portion2bof the guide member2through the first outer teeth member4in the lock state. In the lock state, the space14is formed between the outer teeth5aof the second outer teeth member5and inner teeth6cof the inner teeth member6, and the space14enables them not only to mesh each other but to form the clearance between them in a radial direction as well.

Therefore, the inner teeth member6is pushed to the guide member2through the first outer teeth member4in the lock state. Thus, the backlash of the inner teeth member6with respect to the guide member2is prevented. On the other hand, the space14is formed and the clearance is formed between the second outer teeth member5and the inner teeth member6in the radial direction. Thus, the inner teeth member6is securely pushed to the guide member2because the second outer teeth member5does not interrupt. In addition, the second outer teeth member5restricts a relative rotation with respect to the inner teeth member6because the second outer teeth member5meshes with the inner teeth member6in the lock state.

As shown inFIG. 2, the rotation support portion2bof the guide member2is provided with the concave portion2b1. The inner teeth member6is pushed to two corners2b2and2b3of the concave portion2b1. Accordingly, the inner teeth member6is securely supported at the two points with respect to the guide member2in the lock state. As a result, the backlash of the inner teeth member6is securely prevented.

As shown inFIG. 2, the backlash preventing mechanism13includes the protruding portion2g. The protruding portion2gis provided with the inclined surface2g1. Accordingly, the switching member3gradually moves to the first outer teeth member4. Thereby, the first outer teeth member4may securely push the inner teeth member6to the guide member2regardless of a variety margin of error thereof.

As shown inFIG. 2, the guide member2is provided with two support surfaces2f1. Thus, the backlashes of the first outer teeth member4, the switching member3and the guide member2with respect to the inner teeth member6, may be supported at four points. Accordingly, the effect of preventing the backlash improves.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment will be explained in accordance withFIG. 5. The second embodiment is different from the above embodiment in that the second embodiment includes a switching member (rotational cam)23and outer teeth members24to26shown inFIG. 5in place of the switching member3and the outer teeth members4and5shown inFIG. 2, etc. As described below, the second embodiment will be explained mainly about the different points.

As shown inFIG. 5, the switching member23is mounted at a center of the guide member2rotatably about an axis of the center. The operating member9is fit in the center of the switching member23. The operating member9is biased in a counter clockwise direction that is a lock direction by the coil spring8shown inFIG. 1, and biases the switching member23in a lock direction. The operating member9is rotated by an operating lever (not shown) in a clockwise direction that is an unlock direction. Thereby, the operating member9rotates the switching member23in an unlock direction.

As shown inFIG. 5, an outer peripheral portion of the switching member23is provided with claws23ato23c. The claws23ato23cpushes the outer teeth members24to26in an outer radial direction when the switching member23rotates in the lock direction. Thereby, the outer teeth members24to26mesh with the inner teeth member6, and the connecting apparatus1is made in a lock state. The claws23ato23cpush hook portions24bto26bformed with the outer teeth members24to26in an inner radial direction when the switching member23is rotated in the unlock direction. Thereby, the meshing of the outer teeth members24to26with the inner teeth member6is released, and the connecting apparatus1is made in the unlock state.

The guide member2includes three guide portions2jand2kshown inFIG. 5in place of the four guide portions2eand2fshown inFIG. 2. The first outer teeth member24is set movably in a radial direction between the pair of the guide portions2j. The second outer teeth members25and26are set movably in a direction substantially perpendicular to the movement direction of the outer teeth member24between the pair of the guide portions2kand2j. As shown inFIG. 5, the outer teeth members24to26include outer teeth24ato26aon an outer peripheral surface thereof. The outer teeth24ato26amesh the inner teeth6cof the inner teeth member6in the lock state.

As shown inFIG. 5, the guide portion2kof the guide member2is provided with a support surface2k1. In the lock state, the support surface2k1supports the switching member23for the first outer teeth member24not to move in a direction in that the first outer teeth member24moves apart from the inner teeth member6.

As shown inFIG. 5, a backlash preventing mechanism22is provided between the switching member23and the guide member2. The backlash preventing mechanism22includes a claw23aand a protruding portion23dformed with the switching member23. The protruding portion23dcontacts with an inner peripheral surface2k1of the guide portion2kwhen the switching member is rotated to the lock position (position of a counter clockwise direction ofFIG. 5). The claw23apushes the inner teeth member6to the rotation support portion2bthrough the first outer teeth member24when the switching member23is moved to the lock position.

Therefore, the inner teeth member6in the lock state includes a part of the outer peripheral surface, locating nearby the first outer teeth member4and being pushed to the rotation support portion2b, and a part of the inner peripheral surface, locating at the opposite side of the part of the outer peripheral surface and being supported at the guide portion2kof the guide member2through the first teeth member24and the switching member3. As a result, the backlash of the inner teeth member6with respect to the guide member2is restricted.

In the lock state shown inFIG. 5, spaces27and28are formed between the second outer teeth members25and26and the inner teeth member6. The spaces27and28are shorter than teeth heights of outer teeth25aand26aand the inner teeth6c. The spaces27and28enable the outer teeth25aand26aand the inner teeth6cto mesh with each other, and have enough size to form clearances between the outer teeth25aand26aand the inner teeth6c.

The second embodiment is comprised as described above. The switching member23is rotatably supported by the guide member2, and moves the outer teeth members24to26in radial directions when the switching member23is rotated. Further, the second embodiment includes one first outer teeth member24and two second outer teeth members25and26. Thus, there are three outer teeth members24to26, and two of them are the second outer teeth members25and26. Thereby, deterioration of lock strength may be restricted comparing with a configuration including only one second outer teeth member.

The present invention should not be limited to the first and second embodiments, but may be configured as embodiments as described below.

(1) For example, the connectors of the first and second embodiments are used as a reclining apparatus for a vehicle seat. However, the connectors may be used as other connectors for rotatably concentrically connecting two members, and the other connectors may switch between an unlock state in which the two members may rotate and a lock state in which the two members may not rotate. Meanwhile “concentrically” includes not only a case in which rotational axes of the two members are completely the same position but also a case in which the axes are substantially the same position.

(2) The backlash preventing mechanism13of the first embodiment includes the protruding portions2gformed on the guide member2, and the protruding portions2gmove the switching member3to the first outer teeth member4. However, it may be configured having a protruding portion or the like protruding from the switching member to the guide member. And the protruding or the like moves the switching member to the first outer teeth member.

(3) The backlash preventing mechanism22of the second embodiment includes the claw23aand the protruding portion23d. And the backlash preventing mechanism22moves the first outer teeth member24in the outer radial direction a longer distance than distances of the second outer teeth members25and26. However, it may be configured having a protruding portion or the like provided between a first outer teeth member and a switching member for moving the first outer teeth member a longer distance than a distance of a second outer teeth member. And the protruding portion or the like moves the inner teeth member to a guide member through the first outer teeth member.

(4) The connector1described in the second embodiment includes two second outer teeth members25and26. However, it may include one second outer teeth member, or three or more second outer teeth members.