Abstract:
The present invention relates to a lid device and a seat device provided therewith. This lid device, which constitutes a seat device, comprises: a lid that is capable of closing an opening formed in a seat back; and an operation part that is slidably arranged in a recessed part formed in the lid. Guide rails are formed on the respective side surfaces of the recessed part. The operation part includes: slide parts that engage with the respective guide rails; and reception parts capable of contacting the bottom surface of the recessed part.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a lid device, which is capable of closing an opening formed in a seat back, as well as to a seat device provided with the same. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    Recently, a seat device equipped with a seat back, in which a trunk-through portion (opening) is formed that enables communication between a vehicle compartment and a trunk room, has been widely used. As one such type of seat back, there is known a seat back equipped with a lid device having a lid capable of closing the opening, a key cylinder retaining section disposed on the lid and which retains a key cylinder, and an operating unit that is disposed slidably in the key cylinder retaining section (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 08-216792). 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    However, with the aforementioned conventional lid device, for example, in the case that a load of an occupant acts on the operating unit that makes up the lid device, since sliding members of the operating unit receive such a load, the sliding members become deformed. If this occurs, there is a concern that it may become impossible for the operating unit to slide smoothly, and that there is a concern that abnormal noise may be produced during sliding thereof. 
         [0004]    The present invention has been devised with the aforementioned problems in mind, and has the object of providing a lid device as well as a seat device provided with such a lid device, which is capable of closing an opening formed in the seat back, which can suppress deformation of the sliding members, even in the event that loads are applied to the seat back, whereby it becomes possible for the operating unit to slide smoothly, and generation of noise can be suppressed. 
         [0005]    The lid device according to the present invention has the following characterizing features: 
         [0006]    First Feature: A lid device comprising a lid capable of closing an opening formed in a seat back, and an operating unit, which is disposed in a recess formed in the lid, in a condition of being slidable between a closed position of being engaged with a wall portion of the opening, and an open position of being disengaged from the wall portion. A guide section, which slidably guides the operating unit, is formed in a side surface constituting the recess. The operating unit includes a sliding member engaged with the guide section, and a receiving member, which is capable of contacting a bottom surface that is oriented toward a front side of the seat back among wall surfaces that constitute the recess. 
         [0007]    Second Feature: The sliding member extends along a sliding direction of the operating unit, and the receiving member is disposed on both end portions of the sliding member. 
         [0008]    Third Feature: The guide sections are formed respectively in facing relation to each other on the side surfaces that constitute the recess, and the receiving members are disposed respectively on a pair of the sliding members that engage with each of the guide sections in a state of being capable of contacting each of the side surfaces. 
         [0009]    Fourth Feature: The receiving member is disposed across the entire length of the sliding member. 
         [0010]    Fifth Feature: The receiving member is formed integrally with the sliding member, and in a state in which a load is not applied to the operating unit, the receiving member and the bottom surface are not in contact, whereas, in a state in which a load is applied to the operating unit, the receiving member and the bottom surface are in contact. 
         [0011]    Sixth Feature: The operating unit includes an engagement pawl and a connecting member that connects the sliding members to each other. In a state of being positioned more rearwardly than the sliding members, the engagement pawl provided on the connecting member, and which engages with a wall portion of the opening. In addition, the receiving members are disposed on the engagement pawl, such that rear end surfaces of the receiving members are substantially flush with a rear end surface of the engagement pawl. 
         [0012]    Seventh Feature: The receiving member is formed on the sliding member, and a sunken portion is formed at a location that makes up the receiving member, between a region in contact with the bottom surface and a region in contact with the guide section. 
         [0013]    Eighth Feature: A rounded part having a predetermined radius of curvature is formed on a rear end portion of the receiving member, and a boundary region between the side surface and the bottom surface of the recess is formed in a shape corresponding to the rounded part so that the rounded part can be placed in surface contact therewith. 
         [0014]    Ninth Feature: The receiving member includes a buffering member in contact with the bottom surface of the recess. 
         [0015]    Tenth Feature: The operating unit includes a key cylinder arranged between the respective sliding members, an accommodating section in which the key cylinder is accommodated, and in which a cutout portion is formed that extends in an axial direction of the key cylinder, a spring member for retaining the key cylinder, a spring engaging member, which is formed by a part of a wall of the cutout portion projecting in a lateral direction of the cutout portion, and which is capable of engagement with the spring member, and a support member, which is contiguous with the sliding members and supports the accommodating section. 
         [0016]    Eleventh Feature: A projecting amount by which the spring engaging member projects is greater than or equal to 0.5 times an opening width of the cutout portion. 
         [0017]    A seat device according to the present invention comprises a seat cushion on which an occupant is seated, and a seat back connected to the seat cushion and in which an opening is formed, wherein the seat back includes a lid device according to any one of the aforementioned first through eleventh features. 
         [0018]    In accordance with the first feature of the present invention, since the receiving member that constitutes the operating unit is capable of contacting a bottom surface that is oriented toward a front side of the seat back among wall surfaces that constitute the recess, for example, in the event that a load is applied to the front (operating unit) of the seat back, the load can be received by the receiving members. Consequently, since a load applied to the sliding members of the operating unit can be reduced, deformation of the sliding members can be suppressed. Thus, the operating unit can be made to slide smoothly, and the occurrence of noise during sliding can be suppressed. 
         [0019]    According to the second feature of the present invention, since the receiving member is disposed on both end portions of the sliding members, loads applied to the sliding members can suitably be reduced. 
         [0020]    According to the third feature of the present invention, the two guide sections are formed respectively on the opposite side surfaces that constitute the recess, and the receiving members are disposed respectively on a pair of the sliding members that engage with each of the guide sections, and therefore, the loads that act on the respective sliding members can be reduced. Further, when a load is applied to the operating unit, rattling of the operating unit can be suppressed. Moreover, since the respective receiving members are capable of contacting the respective side surfaces, rattling of the operating unit can further be suppressed. 
         [0021]    According to the fourth feature of the present invention, since the receiving member is disposed across the entire length of the sliding member, a load applied to the sliding members can suitably be reduced, and rattling of the operating unit can suitably be suppressed. 
         [0022]    According to the fifth feature of the present invention, since the receiving member is formed integrally with the sliding member, the rigidity of the receiving member can be increased. Further, since the receiving member and the bottom surface are not in contact in a state in which a load is not applied to the operating unit, ease of assembly of the operating unit in the recess can be enhanced. 
         [0023]    According to the sixth feature of the present invention, since the receiving members are disposed on the engagement pawl, such that rear end surfaces of the receiving members are substantially flush with a rear end surface of the engagement pawl, the rigidity of the receiving members can further be increased. 
         [0024]    According to the seventh feature of the present invention, since the sunken portion is formed at a location that makes up the receiving member, between a region in contact with the bottom surface of the recess within the operating unit and a region in contact with the guide section, a decrease in the rigidity of the receiving member can be suppressed, and the material cost of the operating unit can be reduced. Further, when a load is applied to the operating unit, the region that constitutes the sunken portion is flexible and can absorb such a load. Consequently, damage to the operating unit can suitably be suppressed. 
         [0025]    According to the eighth feature of the present invention, because the boundary region between the side surface and the bottom surface that make up the recess is formed in a shape corresponding to the rounded part, such that the rounded part formed on rear end portion of the receiving member can be placed in surface contact therewith, a load can be received effectively by the receiving member. 
         [0026]    According to the ninth feature of the present invention, since the receiving member includes the buffering member, a load applied to the operating unit can be absorbed by the buffering member. Further, when a load is applied to the operating unit, contact noise (abnormal noise) between the bottom surface and the receiving member can be suppressed. 
         [0027]    According to the tenth feature of the present invention, since the accommodating section that houses the key cylinder is supported by the support member, which is contiguous with the respective sliding members on which the receiving members are provided, the rigidity of the accommodating section can be increased. Consequently, even in the case that the spring member, which retains the key cylinder, is latched on a spring engaging member constituted by a cutout portion of the accommodating section, when a load is applied to the operating unit, the spring member can be prevented from separating from the spring engaging member. 
         [0028]    According to the eleventh feature of the present invention, a projecting amount of the spring engaging member is greater than or equal to 0.5 times the opening width of the cutout portion. Therefore, it is more difficult for the spring member to separate away from the projecting portion. 
         [0029]    The seat device according to the present invention includes a lid device including any one of the first through eleventh features, and therefore, a seat device having the same advantages as those described above can be obtained. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a seat device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is an outline perspective view of a lid device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view, with partial omission, taken along line III-III of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view as seen from a front side of an operating unit constituting part of the lid device shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view as seen from a rear side of the operating unit; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view taken along line VI-VI of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the operating unit; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an operating unit according to a modification of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0038]    Preferred embodiments of a lid device according to the present invention, and a seat device equipped with the lid device, will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings, as viewed in a direction of a seated passenger of the vehicle, the arrow “L” indicates a left side of the seat device, the arrow “R” indicates a right side of the seat device, the arrow “Fr” indicates a frontward direction of the seat device, and the arrow “Rr” indicates a rearward direction of the seat device. 
         [0039]    A seat device  12  according to the present invention is used as a rear seat of an automobile on which three persons can be seated. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the seat device  12  is equipped with a seat cushion  14  mounted in a non-illustrated vehicle body, and which supports the buttocks and thighs of the vehicle occupants, a seat back  16 , which is supported tiltably on a rear end of the seat cushion  14  and serves to support the backs of the occupants, and three headrests  18   a  to  18   c,  which are vertically adjustable on an upper end of the seat back  16  and serve to support the heads of the occupants. 
         [0040]    The seat back  16  includes an armrest  22  that is capable of being accommodated in a rectangular hole  20 , which is formed substantially in a center portion in the widthwise direction (seat width direction, lateral direction), and a lid device  10 , which is arranged to cover the hole  20  from a back surface side thereof. The armrest  22  is disposed rotatably with respect to a non-illustrated back frame that forms a skeleton of the seat back  16 , and includes a cup holder  26 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lid device  10  is made from a resin material such as an ABS resin or the like, for example, and includes a lid frame  32 , in which an opening (trunk-through portion)  30  is formed that establishes communication between a vehicle compartment and a trunk room in a state of being positioned on the back surface side of the armrest  22 , a lid  34  capable of closing the opening  30 , and an operating unit (slide knob)  36  for opening and closing the lid  34 . 
         [0042]    The lid frame  32  is a rectangular plate member that is slightly larger than the hole  20  and can be fixed to the back frame by a pair of left and right fixing members  38 L,  38 R arranged at lower portions on both sides, and a plurality (e.g., three) of fixing hooks  40   a  to  40   c  disposed on the upper end thereof. The opening  30  of the lid frame  32  is positioned somewhat higher than the center of the lid frame  32 . 
         [0043]    The lid  34  is disposed rotatably (tiltably) on the lid frame  32  through a hinge  42 , which is disposed on a lower side wall that makes up the opening  30 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a recess  44 , which is sunken into a back surface side, is formed on an upper front surface portion of the lid  34 . 
         [0044]    The recess  44  is substantially C-shaped (gate-shaped) in cross section, and includes a pair of left and right mutually facing side surfaces  46 L,  46 R, and a bottom surface  48 , which is oriented toward a front side of the seat back  16  and connects the side surfaces  46 L,  46 R. 
         [0045]    A pair of left and right guide rails (guide sections)  50 L,  50 R for slidably guiding the operating unit  36  are formed on the respective side surfaces  46 L,  46 R. The respective guide rails  50 L,  50 R extend along the heightwise direction of the seat back  16 . Further, boundary regions  52 L,  52 R between the respective side surfaces  46 L,  46 R and the bottom surface  48  are formed with curved surfaces having a predetermined radius of curvature. 
         [0046]    The operating unit  36  is arranged in the recess  44  in a slidable condition between a closed position of being engaged or latched on an upper side wall portion that makes up the opening  30  of the lid frame  32 , and an open position of being disengaged from the upper side wall portion. The operating unit  36  is engaged with respect to the lid frame  32  in an upwardly biased state by a non-illustrated biasing member (spring member), which is interposed between the lid  34  and the operating unit  36 . 
         [0047]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 through 7 , the operating unit  36  includes a support wall (support member)  54  formed in a rectangular shape as viewed from the front, a bottomed cylinder-shaped accommodating section  56  that projects from a substantially center portion on a back surface side of the support wall  54 , a key cylinder  58  arranged in the accommodating section  56 , a spring member (clip)  60  for supporting the key cylinder  58  inside the accommodating section  56 , a pair of left and right side walls  62 L,  62 R, which extend from opposite side portions of the support wall  54  toward a side where the accommodating section  56  is positioned, a connecting wall (connecting member)  64  that connects upper ends of the respective side walls  62 L,  62 R, and an engagement pawl  66  erected on the rear end of the connecting wall  64 . 
         [0048]    As can be understood from  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the inner hole of the accommodating section  56  opens substantially in the center on an outer surface of the support wall  54 . In the accommodating section  56 , a cutout portion  68  is formed along the forward/rearward direction (axial direction of the key cylinder  58 ), and a spring engaging member (projection)  70 , which is formed by a portion of a wall constituting the cutout portion  68  projecting outwardly in a circumferential direction (lateral direction of the cutout portion  68 ) of the accommodating section  56 . 
         [0049]    An end of the spring member  60  is latched over the spring engaging member  70  (see  FIG. 5 ). Consequently, the key cylinder  58  can be retained in the interior of the accommodating section  56 . Note that the spring member  60  is omitted from illustration in  FIG. 6 . A projecting amount L by which the spring engaging member  70  projects is equal to or greater than 0.5 times the opening width W (the width of the opening that is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the accommodating section  56 ) of the cutout portion  68  (see  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0050]    In this case, since a sufficient margin of engagement of the spring member  60  with respect to the spring engaging member  70  can be assured, for example, even in the case that an occupant leans on the armrest  22  that is accommodated in the hole  20 , and loads are applied to the operating unit  36 , the spring member  60  can be prevented from separating from the spring engaging member  70 . 
         [0051]    Although in  FIG. 6  an example is shown in which the projecting length L of the spring engaging member  70  is on the order of 0.5 times the opening width W of the cutout portion  68 , in the present embodiment, the projecting amount L of the spring engaging member  70  may be the same as the opening width W of the cutout portion  68 . More specifically, in this case, since the spring engaging member  70  extends over the entire width of the cutout portion  68 , separation of the spring member  60  from the spring engaging member  70  can be suppressed more effectively. 
         [0052]    When locked by a non-illustrated key, the key cylinder  58  is locked in a state in which the operating unit  36  is in a closed state with respect to the lid  34 . On the other hand, when the key cylinder  58  is unlocked by the key, the operating unit  36  can be placed in a slidable condition with respect to the lid  34 . 
         [0053]    The respective side walls  62 L,  62 R expand out in directions mutually away from each other as the side walls  62 L,  62 R become further distanced from the support wall  54  (see  FIG. 3 ). The advantage attributable to this feature will be discussed later. Further, in a condition in which the operating unit  36  is arranged in the recess  44  of the lid  34 , the respective side walls  62 L,  62 R are placed in facing relation to the respective side surfaces  46 L,  46 R that constitute the recess  44  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0054]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , each of the substantially L-shaped (as viewed from the side) side walls  62 L,  62 R includes extended portions  72 L,  72 R, which extend rearwardly from upper regions of the support wall  54 , sliding members  74 L,  74 R, which extend upwardly contiguous with the rear ends of the extended portions  72 L,  72 R, and receiving members  76 L,  76 R, which extend in a rearward direction from rear ends of the sliding members  74 L,  74 R. 
         [0055]    On outer surfaces of the extended portions  72 L,  72 R, first sunken portions  78 L,  78 R, which extend along the support wall  54  and are bent rearwardly at upper ends thereof, and second sunken portions  80 L,  80 R, which are rectangular shaped and connected to the first sunken portions  78 L,  78 R, are formed. The first sunken portions  78 L,  78 R are formed at a greater depth than the second sunken portions  80 L,  80 R (see  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0056]    On outer surfaces of the sliding members  74 L,  74 R, grooves  82 L,  82 R are formed that are engaged with the guide rails  50 L,  50 R. The grooves  82 L,  82 R extend from lower ends to an area in the vicinity of upper ends of the sliding members  74 L,  74 R. The receiving members  76 L,  76 R are formed integrally with the sliding members  74 L,  74 R, in a condition of being disposed across the entire length of the sliding members  74 L,  74 R. Owing thereto, the rigidity of the receiving members  76 L,  76 R can be increased. 
         [0057]    The respective receiving members  76 L,  76 R are capable of contacting the respective side surfaces  46 L,  46 R constituting the recess  44 . With the present embodiment, in a state in which loads are not applied to the operating unit  36 , the respective receiving members  76 L,  76 R are placed in contact with each of the side surfaces  46 L,  46 R. In this case, rattling of the operating unit  36  can suitably be suppressed. 
         [0058]    A structure may also be provided in which the respective receiving members  76 L,  76 R are kept out of contact with the respective side surfaces  46 L,  46 R in a state in which loads are not applied to the operating unit  36 , but the respective receiving members  76 L,  76 R are placed in contact with the respective side surfaces  46 L,  46 R when loads are applied to the operating unit  36 . In this case, rattling of the operating unit  36  can be suppressed when loads are applied to the operating unit  36 , and ease in assembling the operating unit  36  in the recess  44  can be improved. 
         [0059]    On outer surfaces of the receiving members  76 L,  76 R, third sunken portions  84 L,  84 R, which have a wide rectangular shape extending in a heightwise direction (the sliding direction of the operating unit  36 ), and fourth sunken portions  86 L,  86 R, which are rectangular and extend forwardly/rearwardly while being connected to the third sunken portions  84 L,  84 R, are formed. The fourth sunken portions  86 L,  86 R are formed at a greater depth than the third sunken portions  84 L,  84 R. 
         [0060]    In the foregoing manner, since the third sunken portions  84 L,  84 R and the fourth sunken portions  86 L,  86 R are formed in the outer surfaces of the receiving members  76 L,  76 R, compared to a situation in which such sunken portions are not formed in the receiving members  76 L,  76 R, the rigidity of the receiving members  76 L,  76 R can be increased, and the material cost of the operating unit  36  can be reduced. 
         [0061]    Further, by forming the third sunken portions  84 L,  84 R and the fourth sunken portions  86 L,  86 R in each of the receiving members  76 L,  76 R, if the operating unit  36  is made from a resin material, heat can be dissipated favorably from the receiving members  76 L,  76 R and the occurrence of shrinkage or sink marks thereon can be suppressed. 
         [0062]    As can be understood from  FIG. 3 , in a condition in which the operating unit  36  is arranged in the recess  44  of the lid  34 , the rear ends of the receiving members  76 L,  76 R are placed in contact with the bottom surface  48  of the recess  44 . Further, rounded parts  88 L,  88 R having a predetermined radius of curvature are formed on rear end portions of the receiving members  76 L,  76 R. The shape of the rounded parts  88 L,  88 R corresponds to the shape of the boundary regions  52 L,  52 R between the side surfaces  46 L,  46 R and the bottom surface  48  that make up the recess  44 . 
         [0063]    The connecting wall  64  is formed in a stepped shape conforming to the shape of the upper portions of the side walls  62 L,  62 R. The connecting wall  64  includes a first connecting region  90  extending from an upper end of the support wall  54  to rear ends of the extended portions  72 L,  72 R, a second connecting region  92  erected from a rear end of the first connecting region  90 , and a third connecting region  94  extending from an upper end of the second connecting region  92  to rear ends of the receiving members  76 L,  76 R. 
         [0064]    The engagement pawl  66  is erected from the rear end of the third connecting region  94 , and is capable of engaging with an upper side wall portion that constitutes the opening  30  within the lid frame  32 . The rear end surface of the engagement pawl  66  lies substantially flush with the rear end surfaces of the receiving members  76 L,  76 R. 
         [0065]    With a seat device  12  which is constructed in the foregoing manner, for example, in the case that the armrest  22  is accommodated in the hole  20 , loads are applied to the operating unit  36  when an occupant leans against the armrest  22 . 
         [0066]    However, with the present embodiment, since the receiving members  76 L,  76 R that constitute the operating unit  36  are capable of contacting the bottom surface  48  that is oriented toward a front side of the seat back  16  among the wall surfaces that constitute the recess  44  in the lid  34 , loads applied to the operating unit  36  can be received by the receiving members  76 L,  76 R. Consequently, since loads applied to the sliding members  74 L,  74 R of the operating unit  36  can be reduced, deformation of the sliding members  74 L,  74 R can be suppressed. Thus, the operating unit  36  can be made to slide smoothly, and the occurrence of noise during sliding can be suppressed. 
         [0067]    Further, according to the present embodiment, since the receiving members  76 L,  76 R are disposed on both end portions (bottom end portion, top end portion) of the sliding members  74 L,  74 R, loads applied to the sliding members  74 L,  74 R can suitably be reduced. 
         [0068]    Furthermore, since the pair of left and right side walls  62 L,  62 R of the operating unit  36  include the receiving members  76 L,  76 R, loads applied to the respective sliding members  74 L,  74 R can be reduced. Further, when loads are applied to the operating unit  36 , rattling of the operating unit  36  can be suppressed. 
         [0069]    According to the present embodiment, since the receiving members  76 L,  76 R are disposed across the entire length of the respective sliding members  74 L,  74 R, loads applied to the sliding members  74 L,  74 R can suitably be reduced, and rattling of the operating unit  36  can suitably be suppressed. 
         [0070]    Further, the boundary regions  52 L,  52 R between the side surfaces  46 L,  46 R and the bottom surface  48  that make up the recess  44  are formed in a shape corresponding to the rounded parts  88 L,  88 R, and the rounded parts  88 L,  88 R that are formed on rear end portions of the receiving members  76 L,  76 R can be placed in surface contact with the boundary regions  52 L,  52 R. Thus, loads can be received effectively by the receiving members  76 L,  76 R. 
         [0071]    According to the present embodiment, since the receiving members  76 L,  76 R are formed integrally with the sliding members  74 L,  74 R, the rigidity of the receiving members  76 L,  76 R can be increased. Furthermore, since the receiving members  76 L,  76 R are disposed on the engagement pawl  66 , such that rear end surfaces of the receiving members  76 L,  76 R are substantially flush with a rear end surface of the engagement pawl  66 , the rigidity of the receiving members  76 L,  76 R can further be increased. According to the present embodiment, since the third sunken portions  84 L,  84 R and the fourth sunken portions  86 L,  86 R are formed at locations that make up the receiving members  76 L,  76 R, between a region in contact with the bottom surface  48  of the recess  44  within the operating unit  36  and a region in contact with the guide rails  50 L,  50 R, a decrease in the rigidity of the receiving members  76 L,  76 R can be suppressed, and the material cost of the operating unit  36  can be reduced. 
         [0072]    Furthermore, when loads are applied to the operating unit  36 , the regions that constitute the third sunken portions  84 L,  84 R and the regions that constitute the fourth sunken portions  86 L,  86 R are elastically deformed and can absorb such loads. Consequently, damage to the operating unit  36  can suitably be suppressed. 
         [0073]    According to the present embodiment, the accommodating section  56  in which the key cylinder  58  is accommodated is arranged between the pair of side walls  62 L,  62 R, and the accommodating section  56  is supported by the support wall  54  that is connected to each of the side walls  62 L,  62 R. Therefore, the rigidity of the accommodating section  56  can be increased. Consequently, even in the case that the spring member  60 , which retains the key cylinder  58 , is latched onto the spring engaging member  70  of the cutout portion  68  in the accommodating section  56 , when loads are applied to the operating unit  36 , the spring member  60  can be prevented from separating from the spring engaging member  70 . 
         [0074]    According to the present embodiment, the respective side walls  62 L,  62 R of the operating unit  36  expand outwardly in directions away from each other as the side walls  62 L,  62 R become further distanced from the support wall  54 . Therefore, when loads applied to the operating unit  36  are received by the receiving members  76 L,  76 R, the operating unit  36  can be supported in a stable condition. 
         [0075]    The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the receiving members  76 L,  76 R of the respective side walls  62 L,  62 R may include buffering members  100 L,  100 R made of rubber or the like which contact the bottom surface  48  of the recess  44 . 
         [0076]    In this case, loads applied to the operating unit  36  can be absorbed by the buffering members  100 L,  100 R. Further, when loads are applied to the operating unit  36 , contact noise (abnormal noise) between the bottom surface  48  and the receiving members  76 L,  76 R can be suppressed. 
         [0077]    Further, in the present embodiment, the receiving members  76 L,  76 R that make up the respective side walls  62 L,  62 R may be connected directly to each other. In this case, since the contact area between the receiving members and the bottom surface  48  can be increased, loads applied to the operating unit  36  can be received more suitably by the receiving members  76 L,  76 R. Furthermore, with the present embodiment, either one of the pair of side walls  62 L,  62 R may be dispensed with. 
         [0078]    In the lid device  10  according to the present embodiment, a structure may be adopted in which the receiving members  76 L,  76 R that make up the operating unit  36  are kept out of contact with the bottom surface  48  of the recess  44  in a state in which a load is not applied to the operating unit  36 , but the respective receiving members  76 L,  76 R are placed in contact with the bottom surface  48  when loads are applied to the operating unit  36 . 
         [0079]    By such a feature, deformation of the sliding members  74 L,  74 R can be suppressed when loads are applied to the operating unit  36 , and ease in assembling the operating unit  36  in the recess  44  can be improved. More specifically, upon assembly of the operating unit  36 , since a gap is formed between the bottom surface  48  and the receiving members  76 L,  76 R, manufacturing variances of the lid  34  and the operating unit  36  can be absorbed. 
         [0080]    The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modified or alternative configurations may be adopted therein without departing from the essence of the present invention.