WO2017163866A1

WO2017163866A1 - Vehicular slide device, and rolling element circulation unit

Info

Publication number: WO2017163866A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/009120
Authority: WO
Inventors: 野村　啓介; 健貴川村; 星原　直明
Original assignee: アイシン精機株式会社
Priority date: 2016-03-22
Filing date: 2017-03-08
Publication date: 2017-09-28
Also published as: JP2017171044A

Abstract

This vehicular slide device includes a first rail, a second rail, working surfaces, and rolling element circulation units. The second rail is supported on the first rail so as to be capable of relative movement in the extension direction of the first rail. The working surfaces are provided to the first rail, and face the second rail. The rolling element circulation units are provided with: a plurality of rolling elements which come into contact with the working surfaces, and roll; and annular storage portions which enable the plurality of rolling elements to roll and circulate while the plurality of rolling elements are in an annularly arranged state. The rolling element circulation units are provided between the first rail and the second rail. The annular storage portions include: regions including contact surfaces which come into contact with the working surfaces via the rolling elements; and regions including non-contact surfaces which do not come into contact with the working surfaces via the rolling elements. The annular storage portions are formed from at least two materials having different rigidities. The regions including the contact surfaces are formed from a material having a higher rigidity than the regions including the non-contact surfaces.

Description

Vehicle slide device and rolling element circulation unit

The present invention relates to a vehicle slide device and a rolling element circulation unit.

Conventionally, there are a vehicle slide device that supports a vehicle seat movably in the front-rear direction, and a rolling element circulation unit used in the slide device. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle seat slide device having a first rail, a second rail, and a rolling element circulation unit fixed to the second rail. The rolling element circulation unit has a pair of annular accommodating portions, and each of the annular accommodating portions allows each of the plurality of rolling elements to roll and circulate freely in a state where the plurality of rolling elements are arranged in an annular shape. According to this configuration, the rolling element circulates while being in contact with the operating surface provided on the first rail and the annular housing portion, so that the first rail and the second rail move relative to each other. Allows smooth sliding movement of the vehicle seat in the direction.

JP 2012-71565 A

In addition, the rolling element circulation unit described in Patent Document 1 includes a first case, a second case that is assembled by engaging with the first case, and a plurality of units that are accommodated in accommodating portions provided in both cases. And rolling elements. The first case is made of a metal material, and the second case is made of a resin material. Further, the plurality of rolling elements are constituted by a metal sphere and a resin sphere, and the metal sphere and the resin sphere are alternately arranged in the annular housing portion. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of the contact sound between rolling elements is enabled.

However, when the metal sphere disclosed in Patent Document 1 circulates in contact with the annular housing portion of the first case as the first rail and the second rail move relative to each other, the metal sphere is made of a metal material. There was a concern that the contact sound would be generated by rubbing against the formed annular housing portion of the first case.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to form a rolling element and an annular shape that are generated when the rolling element rolls and circulates in the annular accommodating portion in accordance with the relative movement of the first rail and the second rail. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular slide device and a rolling element circulation unit capable of suppressing the contact sound with the housing portion without reducing the durability of the rolling element circulation unit.

To achieve the above object, a vehicle slide device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first rail, a second rail, an operating surface, and a rolling element circulation unit. The second rail is supported by the first rail so as to be relatively movable in the extending direction of the first rail. The operating surface is provided on the first rail and faces the second rail. The rolling element circulation unit includes a plurality of rolling elements that roll in contact with the operating surface, and an annular housing that allows the rolling elements to freely roll and circulate in a state where the plurality of rolling elements are annularly arranged. And is provided between the first rail and the second rail. The annular housing portion includes a portion including a contact surface that contacts the operating surface via the rolling element, and a portion including a non-contact surface that does not contact the operating surface via the rolling element. It is out. The annular housing portion is formed of at least two materials having different rigidity. The part including the contact surface is formed of a material having higher rigidity than the part including the non-contact surface.

According to the above configuration, the contact surface in the annular housing portion of the rolling element circulation unit provided between the first rail and the second rail is in contact with the operating surface of the first rail via the rolling element. Yes. That is, the contact surface receives the load from the first rail via the rolling elements. The part constituting the contact surface is formed of a material having higher rigidity than the part constituting the non-contact surface that does not receive a load from the first rail. As a result, the contact surface can sufficiently receive the load applied from the first rail via the rolling elements, and therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in durability of the annular housing portion. On the other hand, since the load is not applied to the portion constituting the non-contact surface, the portion constituting the non-contact surface can be formed of a material having lower rigidity than the portion constituting the corresponding contact surface. Thereby, since the impact which a rolling element contact | abuts on a non-contact surface is relieve | moderated, the contact sound at the time of a rolling element rolling and circulating through an annular accommodating part can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in durability of the annular housing portion by using the annular housing portion formed of a material having different rigidity, and further, the rolling element rolls and circulates in the annular housing portion. It is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise due to the contact sound.

Preferably, the rolling element circulation unit is in contact with the operating surface of the first rail via the rolling element and engages with the second rail to form the annular housing portion; And a second case portion engaged with and assembled to the first case. The site | part which forms the said contact surface in the said 1st case part is formed of the material which has higher rigidity than the other site | part in the said 1st case part.

According to the above configuration, the rolling element circulation unit is configured by the first case portion and the second case portion, and the contact surface of the annular housing portion formed in the first case portion is the other of the first case portion. It is comprised with the material which has rigidity higher than a site | part. That is, in the first case portion, the contact surface that receives a load from the first rail via the rolling elements is formed of a material having high rigidity, and other portions that do not receive the load from the first rail are more than the contact surface. Made of low rigidity material. As a result, by forming the first case part where the material having high rigidity is required and the part where the material is not so made of different rigid materials, it is possible to further generate abnormal noise without impairing the durability of the first case part. It can suppress suitably.

Preferably, the contact surface is made of a metal material, and portions of the rolling element circulation unit other than the contact surface are made of a resin material.
According to the above configuration, the contact surface that receives the load from the first rail is formed of a metal material having high rigidity, and the portion other than the contact surface that does not require high rigidity is formed of the resin material. The rolling element circulation unit can be reduced in weight without reducing the durability of the moving element circulation unit.

Preferably, the plurality of rolling elements have a first sphere having a first diameter and formed of a metal material, and a second sphere having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter and formed of a resin material. And a second sphere. The first sphere and the second sphere can roll and circulate in a state where the first sphere and the second sphere are alternately arranged in the annular housing portion so as to form an annular shape.

According to the above configuration, the metal spheres having the first diameter and the resin spheres having a smaller diameter than the metal spheres are alternately arranged in the annular housing portion. Since the resin sphere is smaller in diameter than the metal sphere, the friction between the resin sphere and the annular housing portion and the working surface can be suppressed, compared to the case where both spheres are set to the same diameter. Wear and deformation of the sphere can be suppressed.

A rolling element circulation unit according to a further aspect of the present invention includes a first rail and a second rail supported by the first rail so as to be relatively movable in the extending direction of the first rail. It is provided in a slide device for use. The first rail has an operating surface facing the second rail. The rolling element circulation unit includes a plurality of rolling elements that roll in contact with the operating surface, and an annular housing that allows the rolling elements to freely roll and circulate in a state where the plurality of rolling elements are annularly arranged. Part. The annular housing portion includes a portion including a contact surface that contacts the operating surface via the rolling element, and a portion including a non-contact surface that does not contact the operating surface via the rolling element. It is out. The annular housing portion is formed of at least two materials having different rigidity. The part including the contact surface is formed of a material having higher rigidity than the part including the non-contact surface.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the contact sound when the rolling element rolls and circulates through the rolling element circulation unit without suppressing the deterioration of the durability of the rolling element circulation unit.

The perspective view which shows the seat of the vehicle concerning one Embodiment of this invention. The front view of the vehicle slide apparatus of FIG. The perspective view which shows the 2nd rail of the embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 2nd rail with which the rolling element circulation unit of the embodiment is assembled | attached. (A) The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the rolling element circulation unit of the embodiment, (b) The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the rolling element circulation unit of the embodiment. The disassembled perspective view of the base part of the rolling element circulation unit of the embodiment. The front view of the rolling element circulation unit of the embodiment. Sectional drawing in alignment with the AA of FIG. 4 of the embodiment. (A) The figure which shows typically the perspective view seen from the arrow B direction of FIG. 8, (b) The figure which shows typically the perspective view seen from the arrow B direction of FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Whole vehicle seat)
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle slide device is fixed to a pair of left and right lower rails (the “first rail” of the present invention) 10 fixed in the front-rear direction of a vehicle floor 1, and fixed to a vehicle seat 2. A pair of left and right upper rails (the “second rail” of the present invention) 20 is supported so as to be relatively movable. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a rolling element circulation unit 40 is provided between the upper rail 20 and the lower rail 10 in order to move the upper rail 20 smoothly and without backlash with respect to the lower rail 10.

(Configuration of lower rail)
As shown in FIG. 2, the lower rail 10 includes a base portion 11 that is horizontal to the vehicle floor 1, side portions 12 that extend upward from both ends of the base portion 11, and a hanging portion that extends inward and downward from the upper ends of both side portions 12. 13. The upper and lower ends of the side portions 12 are provided with inclined portions 14 that are inclined inward. The inner surface of the both side portions 12 is set as the working surface 15.

(Upper rail configuration)
As shown in FIG. 2, the upper rail 20 includes two rail pieces 20a and 20b. One rail piece 20 a includes a base portion 21 that is horizontal to the vehicle floor 1, a side wall 22 that extends upward from one end of the base portion 21 that is spaced from the other rail piece 20 b, and the other rail piece 20 b of the base portion 21. Is provided with an upright portion 23 extending upward from the other end in the vicinity, and a connecting portion 24 extending inwardly upward from the upright portion 23. Similar to the rail piece 20 a, the other rail piece 20 b has a base portion 21, a side wall 22, an upright portion 23, and a connecting portion 24. The upper rail 20 having the space C surrounded by the two standing portions 23 is configured by overlapping the connecting portions 24 of the two rail pieces 20a and 20b. The outer surfaces of the side walls 22 are referred to as non-operation surfaces 25. The non-operating surface 25 is configured to face the operating surface 15 provided on the lower rail 10.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, attachment portions 26 to which the rolling element circulation units 40 are attached are provided in the vicinity of both ends in the longitudinal direction of the both side walls 22 of the upper rail 20. Each attachment portion 26 is provided with two holes 27 to which the rolling element circulation unit 40 is attached.

As shown in FIG. 4, four rolling element circulation units 40 are attached to the upper rail 20 in the present embodiment by attaching the rolling element circulation units 40 to both hole portions 27. Note that the number of the rolling element circulation units 40 may be changed as appropriate depending on the length of the lower rail 10 and the upper rail 20 or the like.

(Configuration of rolling element circulation unit 40)
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the rolling element circulation unit 40 includes a base portion 50 (the “first case portion” of the present invention) and a cover portion 60 that is engaged and assembled with the base portion 50. (The present invention “second case portion”). An annular accommodation path 42 that forms part of a pair of annular accommodation portions 41 in which a plurality of rolling elements 70 can be accommodated in a rolling manner is formed on the surface of the base portion 50 that faces the cover portion 60. The annular accommodating passage 42 is formed by a groove portion that extends annularly and has a semicircular cross section. Further, the two annular accommodating paths 42 are arranged side by side so as to be positioned up and down in the attached state to the upper rail 20. Furthermore, an annular receiving groove 61 corresponding to the annular receiving path 42 is formed on the surface of the cover portion 60 that faces the base portion 50. The annular accommodating groove 61 constitutes an annular accommodating portion 41 together with the annular accommodating path 42. The rolling element 70 moves so as to roll and circulate between the annular accommodating passage 42 and the annular accommodating groove 61. In addition, the base part 50 and the cover part 60 are comprised so that integration is mutually possible with an adhesive agent, a fitting structure, etc., for example.

As shown in FIG. 6, the base portion 50 includes a first base portion 51 and a second base portion 56.
The first base portion 51 is formed with a contact surface 55 that forms a part of the pair of annular accommodating passages 42. The contact surface 55 is in contact with the operating surface 15 of the lower rail 10 via a plurality of rolling elements 70. The first base portion 51 is provided with flange portions 52 that extend from both ends of the contact surface 55. A through hole 53 is provided in the vicinity of the end portions of both flange portions 52. The first base portion 51 can be fixed to the attachment portion 26 by inserting, for example, a screw (not shown) through the through hole 53 and the hole portion 27 provided in the attachment portion 26 of the upper rail 20. . Further, the engaging piece 66 of the cover part 60 is inserted into the both flange parts 52 together with the communication hole 59 of the second base part 56, so that the second base part 56 and the cover part 60 can be fixed. A hole 54 is provided.

The second base portion 56 is formed with a non-contact surface 57 that forms part of the pair of annular accommodating passages 42. The non-contact surface 57 is configured not to contact the operating surface 15 of the lower rail 10 via the plurality of rolling elements 70. Further, a partition wall portion 58 is formed between the pair of annular accommodating passages 42 in the second base portion 56 so as to isolate the rolling elements 70 accommodated in both annular accommodating passages 42 from each other. That is, the contact surface 55 of the first base portion 51 and the non-contact surface 57 of the second base portion 56 together form a pair of annular housing paths 42. Further, both ends of the second base portion 56 are provided with communication holes 59 that can be fixed by inserting the locking pieces 66 of the cover portion 60 together with the insertion holes 54 of the first base portion 51.

In the present embodiment, the first base portion 51 provided with the contact surface 55 is formed of a metal material, and the second base portion 56 provided with the non-contact surface 57 is formed of a resin material. That is, both the annular accommodating paths 42 are formed of a material having a contact surface 55 higher than the non-contact surface 57. The first base portion 51 only needs to be formed of a material having higher rigidity than the second base portion 56, and the material may be changed as appropriate.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a pair of annular receiving grooves 61 are formed on the surface of the cover portion 60 that faces the base portion 50. Both annular housing grooves 61 are configured by a groove portion having a semicircular cross section formed in an annular shape so as to correspond to the pair of annular housing paths 42 provided in the base portion 50. A wall portion 62 is formed between the annular housing grooves 61 so as to isolate the rolling elements 70 housed in the annular housing grooves 61 from each other. The wall portion 62 corresponds to the partition wall portion 58 provided in the base portion 50.

Further, on the surface of the cover part 60, a flat part 63 that faces the operating surface 15 of the lower rail 10 in a state where the rolling element circulation unit 40 is mounted on the attachment part 26 of the upper rail 20 is formed. Slope portions 64 are formed at the upper and lower positions of the flat portion 63 so as to follow the inclined portion 14 of the lower rail 10.

The inclined surface portion 64 is provided with a long hole 65 that allows the rolling element 70 to be exposed to and contact the operating surface 15 of the lower rail 10. Both the long holes 65 are set to be narrower than the diameter of the rolling element 70 so that the rolling element 70 that is rolling and circulating in the annular housing portion 41 does not come out. Further, the long hole 65 has a shape in which both ends in the longitudinal direction are curved and the central portion extends substantially linearly along the longitudinal direction. The rolling element 70 accommodated in the annular accommodating portion 41 is exposed so that the rolling element 70 can contact the operating surface 15.

The cover portion 60 is inserted into both insertion holes 54 of the first base portion 51 and both communication holes 59 of the second base portion 56 at both ends of the surface facing the base portion 50 of the cover portion 60, so A locking piece 66 that can be engaged with 50 is provided. The locking piece 66 may be provided with a claw or the like for preventing the removal from the insertion hole 54 and the communication hole 59.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the rolling elements 70 are accommodated in a pair of annular accommodating portions 41 formed in the base portion 50, respectively. In this embodiment, the rolling element 70 is composed of a metal sphere 71 (the present invention “first sphere”) and a resin sphere 72 (the present invention “second sphere”), and the metal sphere 71 and the resin sphere. 72 are alternately arranged in each annular housing portion 41. 5 and 6, the resin sphere 72 is indicated by hatching. In the present embodiment, the resin sphere 72 and the metal sphere are formed with a smaller diameter than 71. That is, assuming that the diameter of the metal sphere 71 is the first diameter R1 and the diameter of the resin sphere 72 is the second diameter R2, the metal sphere 71 and the resin sphere 72 so that “R1> R2” is satisfied. Is formed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the rolling element circulation unit 40 accommodates a plurality of rolling elements 70 in a pair of annular accommodating portions 41 provided in the base portion 50, and engages the cover portion 60 with the base portion 50. It is comprised integrally by. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rolling element circulation unit 40 is fixed by inserting a screw or the like (not shown) through the hole portion 27 of the attachment portion 26 of the upper rail 20 and the through hole 53. Has been.

(Operation of vehicle sliding device)
Next, the operation of the vehicle slide device according to the present embodiment will be described.
When the rolling element circulation unit 40 is attached to the attachment portion 26 of the upper rail 20, the rolling element 70 is exposed from each of the long holes 65, so that the rolling element 70 is attached to the base portion 50 as shown in FIG. 8. It contacts the operating surface 15 while contacting the contact surface 55. Here, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the rolling element 70 abuts against the operating surface 15, the annular accommodating portion 41 is arranged so that five rolling elements 70 abut against the operating surface 15. Is formed. FIG. 9A shows a case where two rolling spheres 70 are in contact with the working surface 15 and two metal spheres 71 and three resin spheres 72 are in contact with each other. Further, FIG. 9B shows a case where the lower rail 10 slides with respect to the upper rail 20. That is, when the rolling element 70 contacts the working surface 15, three metal balls 71 and two resin balls 72 contact each other. Therefore, at least two metal spheres 71 always face the operating surface 15.

When the upper rail 20 slides relative to the lower rail 10, the rolling elements 70 interposed between the operating surface 15 and the contact surface 55 circulate and circulate, so that each rolling element 70 in the annular housing portion 41 rolls. Circulate while moving. For this reason, the upper rail 20 can smoothly slide relative to the lower rail 10.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.
(1) According to the present embodiment, the contact surface 55 in the annular accommodating path 42 of the rolling element circulation unit 40 provided between the lower rail 10 and the upper rail 20 is operated by the lower rail 10 via the rolling element 70. It is in contact with the surface 15. That is, the contact surface 55 receives the load from the lower rail 10 via the rolling elements 70. The portion constituting the contact surface 55 is formed of a metal material having higher rigidity than the portion constituting the non-contact surface 57 that does not receive a load from the lower rail 10. Thus, the load applied from the lower rail 10 via the rolling elements 70 can be sufficiently received, and the deterioration of the durability of the annular housing path 42 can be suppressed.

(2) Further, since a load from the lower rail 10 is not applied to the portion constituting the non-contact surface 57, the portion constituting the non-contact surface 57 has lower rigidity than the portion constituting the contact surface 55. It can be formed of a resin material. Thereby, since the impact when the rolling element 70 comes into contact with the non-contact surface 57 can be reduced, the generation of abnormal noise due to the contact sound when the rolling element 70 rolls and circulates in the annular accommodating path 42 is prevented. Can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the rolling element circulation unit 40 configured in this way, it is possible to suitably suppress the generation of abnormal noise when the rolling element 70 circulates and circulates without impairing the durability of the base portion 50. .

(3) According to the present embodiment, only the contact surface 55 that receives the load from the lower rail 10 of the base portion 50 is formed of the metal material, and the portion other than the contact surface 55 of the base portion 50 is formed of the resin material. ing. Thus, the weight can be reduced as compared with the case where the base portion 50 is entirely formed of a metal material.

(4) According to this embodiment, the contact surface 55 that receives the load from the lower rail 10 of the base portion 50 is formed of a metal material. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the durability of the base portion 50, compared to the case where the base portion 50 is formed of a metal material.

(5) According to the present embodiment, the plurality of rolling elements 70 include the metal spheres 71 and the resin spheres 72 arranged alternately. The metal sphere 71 is formed with a larger diameter than the resin sphere 72. According to this configuration, when the rolling element 70 circulates in the annular accommodating path 42, the resin sphere 72 has less frictional force with the annular accommodating path 42 than the metal sphere 71. Therefore, compared with the case where all the rolling elements 70 are formed of the metal spheres 71, it is possible to suppress the generation of abnormal noise due to the contact sound when the rolling elements 70 roll and circulate in the annular housing path 42.

(6) According to this embodiment, the rolling element 70 is configured by the metal sphere 71 and the resin sphere 72, and the metal sphere 71 is formed with a larger diameter than the resin sphere 72. Thereby, when the rolling element 70 rolls and circulates in the annular accommodating path 42, the resin sphere 72 has a diameter smaller than that of the metal sphere 71, so that friction with the contact surface 55 can be suppressed. . That is, it is possible to prevent the resin sphere 72 from being worn and deformed.

(7) According to the present embodiment, at least five rolling elements 70 face the working surface 15. As a result, at least five rolling elements 70 can roll and circulate while facing parallel to the working surface 15, so that the rolling elements 70 can smoothly roll and circulate. Further, since the plurality of rolling elements 70 include metal spheres 71 and resin spheres 72 that are alternately arranged, as shown in FIGS. At least two abut against the working surface 15. Accordingly, since the resin sphere 72, which is a material having lower rigidity than the metal sphere 71, is prevented from coming into contact with the operating surface 15, the resin sphere 72 is prevented from being worn and deformed by the operating surface 15. be able to.

(8) According to this embodiment, at least two metal spheres 71 face the working surface 15. Thus, when a load from the lower rail 10 is applied to the two metal spheres 71 facing the operation surface 15 as compared with the case where one metal sphere 71 faces the operation surface 15. The metal spherical body 71 can be prevented from being deformed.

(9) According to this embodiment, the rolling element circulation unit 40 inserts a screw or the like (not shown) through the hole portion 27 of the attachment portion 26 of the upper rail 20 and the through hole 53 of the rolling element circulation unit 40. This is fixed to the attachment portion 26. That is, the attachment portion 26 only needs to form the hole portion 27, and the upper rail 20 is not punched or bent, for example, in order to provide the rolling element circulation unit 40. Therefore, when the attachment portion 26 is formed, the process of processing the upper rail 20 can be omitted.

(10) According to this embodiment, at least two metal spheres 71 abut against the working surface 15. As a result, the load from the lower rail 10 is applied to the two metal spheres 71 facing the operation surface 15 as compared with the case where one metal sphere 71 abuts against the operation surface 15. The metal spherical body 71 can be prevented from being deformed.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the present embodiment, the rolling element 70 includes a metal sphere 71 and a resin sphere 72. However, it is not always necessary to be configured by the metal sphere 71 and the resin sphere 72. For example, the metal sphere 71 or the resin sphere 72 may be used alone.

In the present embodiment, the metal spheres 71 and the resin spheres 72 are alternately arranged. Here, “alternate” in the present embodiment includes, for example, a case where two resin spheres 72 are arranged between the metal spheres 71. When two resin spheres 72 are arranged between the metal spheres 71, the number of rolling elements 70 in contact with the operation surface 15 is appropriately changed so that the resin spheres 72 do not contact the operation surface 15. Also good. That is, the arrangement relationship between the metal sphere 71 and the resin sphere 72 is not limited to the above embodiment. Furthermore, the positional relationship in which the rolling element 70 abuts against the operating surface 15 is not limited to the above embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the pair of annular housing portions 41 are integrally formed with the base portion 50 and the cover portion 60. However, the pair of annular accommodating portions 41 are not necessarily formed integrally with the base portion 50 and the cover portion 60. For example, the base part 50 and the cover part 60 are divided into two, one annular housing part 41 is provided in one half of the base part 50 and the cover part 60, and the other annular housing part 41 is provided in the base part 50 and the cover part 60. You may provide in the other half part.

In the present embodiment, when the rolling element circulation unit 40 is attached to the attachment portion 26 of the upper rail 20, for example, an elastic body (not shown) is interposed between the flange portion 52 and the attachment portion 26. The rattling of the rolling element circulation unit 40 may be suppressed.

In the present embodiment, the rolling element circulation unit 40 is configured such that a flange portion 52 is provided on the base portion 50 and the flange portion 52 is attached to the attachment portion 26 of the upper rail 20. However, for example, the rolling element circulation unit 40 may be configured such that the cover portion 60 is provided with an equivalent flange portion, and the cover portion 60 and the base portion 50 are attached to the attachment portion 26.

In the present embodiment, the rolling element circulation unit 40 is configured such that a flange portion 52 is provided on the base portion 50 and the flange portion 52 is attached to the attachment portion 26 of the upper rail 20. However, for example, a claw portion (not shown) for engaging the rolling element circulation unit 40 with the attachment portion 26 is formed on the attachment portion 26, so that the rolling element is not used without using screws or the like (not shown). The circulation unit 40 may be engaged with the upper rail 20.

In the present embodiment, the rolling element circulation unit 40 is configured by the base portion 50 and the cover portion 60. However, for example, the rolling element circulation unit 40 may be configured to be divided in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rolling element circulation unit 40.

In the present embodiment, it is described that the metal sphere 71 has a larger diameter than the resin sphere 72. However, the size relationship between the diameters of the metal sphere 71 and the resin sphere 72 is not limited. For example, the metal sphere 71 and the resin sphere 72 may be configured with the same diameter.

Claims

The first rail;
A second rail supported by the first rail so as to be relatively movable in the extending direction of the first rail;
An operating surface provided on the first rail and facing the second rail;
A plurality of rolling elements that roll in contact with the operating surface; and an annular housing that allows the plurality of rolling elements to roll and circulate freely in a state where the plurality of rolling elements are annularly arranged, A rolling element circulation unit provided between the first rail and the second rail,
The annular housing portion includes a portion including a contact surface that contacts the operating surface via the rolling element, and a portion including a non-contact surface that does not contact the operating surface via the rolling element. And
The annular housing is formed of at least two materials of different stiffness;
A vehicle slide device in which a portion including the contact surface is formed of a material having higher rigidity than a portion including the non-contact surface.
The rolling element circulation unit is
A first case portion that contacts the working surface of the first rail via the rolling element and engages the second rail to form the annular housing portion;
A second case portion that is engaged with and assembled with the first case portion,
The vehicle slide device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the first case portion that forms the contact surface is formed of a material having higher rigidity than other portions of the first case portion.
3. The vehicle slide device according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface is formed of a metal material, and a portion of the rolling element circulation unit other than the contact surface is formed of a resin material.
The plurality of rolling elements are:
A first sphere having a first diameter and formed of a metal material;
A second sphere having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter and formed of a resin material,
4. The vehicle slide according to claim 1, wherein the first sphere and the second sphere are capable of rolling and circulating in a state where they are alternately arranged in the annular housing portion so as to form an annular shape. 5. apparatus.
The second rail includes two attachment portions respectively provided at both ends,
The rolling element circulation unit is at least one of two rolling element circulation units;
The vehicle slide device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two rolling element circulation units are respectively attached to the two attachment portions.
The rolling element circulation unit is
A base portion and a cover portion facing the base portion,
The vehicular slide device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an annular housing path that forms a part of the annular housing portion is formed on a surface of the base portion that faces the cover portion.
The annular receiving passage is at least one of two annular receiving passages;
The vehicle slide device according to claim 6, wherein the two annular accommodation paths are arranged in parallel in the rolling element circulation unit.
The first rail is a lower rail provided on the floor of the vehicle,
The vehicle slide device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second rail is an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat.
The lower rail includes a base portion that is horizontal to the floor of the vehicle, two side portions that extend upward from the both ends of the base portion, and two hanging portions that extend inward and downward from the upper ends of the two side portions, respectively. And
The vehicle slide device according to claim 8, wherein the operating surface is provided inside each of the two side portions.
A rolling element circulation unit provided in a vehicle slide device including a first rail and a second rail supported by the first rail so as to be relatively movable in an extending direction of the first rail, The first rail has an operating surface facing the second rail;
A plurality of rolling elements that roll in contact with the working surface;
An annular housing portion that allows the plurality of rolling elements to roll and circulate in a state where the plurality of rolling elements are annularly arranged;
The annular housing portion includes a portion including a contact surface that contacts the operating surface via the rolling element, and a portion including a non-contact surface that does not contact the operating surface via the rolling element. And
The annular housing is formed of at least two materials of different stiffness;
A rolling element circulation unit in which a portion including the contact surface is formed of a material having higher rigidity than a portion including a non-contact surface.