Suspension device for automotive seat

• US 5,116,016 A
• Filed: 07/29/1991
• Issued: 05/26/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tachi-S Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Tachi-S Company Limited
• Inventors: Nagata, Kojiro
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOTKOWSKI, KAREN
• Application Number:
  US07/736,294
• Time in Patent Office: 302 Days
• Field of Search: 248/578, 248/577, 248/608, 248/588, 248/564, 248/594.5, 248/543, 248/623, 248/624, 248/622, 248/406.2, 248/565, 248/575-576, 248/419, 297/345, 297/338
• US Class Current: 248/578
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 15/063 characterised by the mounting of the spring on the damper B60G15/065, B60G15/066 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 17/021 the mechanical spring being a coil spring B60G17/0272 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/124 Mounting of coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/419 Gears
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2204/4193 worm gears
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/20 Spring action or springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 2500/30 Height or ground clearance
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/502 attached to the base of the seat B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/505 Adjustable suspension including height adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/506 Seat guided by rods
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/544 Compression or tension springs B60N2/542 takes precedence

Abstract

A suspension device for automotive seat which is provided with a hydraulic damper and a compression coil spring wound therearound, such that the coil spring is adjusted in elastic repercussion force by way of worm gear and worm wheel so as to permit a fine adjustment of the repercussion force of the coil spring. A casing may be provided for housing the worm gear and worm wheel, and an indicator is formed on the casing. Below the casing, a scale plate having a desired plural graduation lines or marks is provided, to thereby precisely set a desired reprecussion force of the spring.

Claims

1. A suspension device for automotive seat, comprising:

an upper frame on which said seat is mounted;

a lower frame fixed on a side of floor of an automobile;

a hydraulic damper provided between said upper and lower frames, said hydraulic damper having a cylinder body and a piston rod projected movably form said cylinder body;

a compression coil spring which is wound around the piston rod side of said hydraulic damper, said spring being adjustable in elastic repercussion force;

an upper support means disposed upon an upper end of said compression coil spring;

a lower annular support means attached movably about said hydraulic damper such as to be vertically movable therealong, said lower support member being disposed at a lower end of said compression coil spring;

said upper and lower support means being adapted for supporting the respective upper and lower ends of said coil spring;

a stopper fixed on said cylinder body of said hydraulic damper;

a cam means which is attached about said cylinder of said hydraulic damper, such that said cam means is rotatable about said cylinder in contact with said stopper means so as to cause vertical displacement of said lower support means;

a worm wheel which is integrally provided on said cam means;

a worm gear meshed with said worm wheel; and

an operation knob connected integrally with said worm gear,

wherein rotational operation of said knob causes said cam means to be rotated about and displaced vertically along said cylinder body, thereby effecting said vertical movement of said lower support means along said hydraulic damper and thus allowing adjustment of said coil spring in repercussion force according to a weight of an occupant sitting on said seat.

2. The suspension device as defined in claim 1, wherein said upper frame is connected via an X-shaped link to said lower frame, so that said upper frame may be raised and lowered relative to said lower frame, and wherein said hydraulic damper is disposed forwardly of said upper and lower frames in a generally perpendicular way relative to said floor.

3. The suspension device as defined in claim 1, wherein said cam means comprises a cylindrical cam movably attached about an outer peripheral surface of said cylinder, and wherein said cylindrical cam is at its lower end formed an uneven contact edge for contact with said stopper means.

4. The suspension device as defined in claim 1, wherein a casing is provided over said hydraulic damper, such that said casing supports and accommodates therein said worm gear and worm wheel, wherein said casing includes a bearing section and a flexible section, wherein said bearing section is fixed integrally to said lower annular support member, for accommodating therein said worm gear and worm wheel, and said flexible section is at its one end fixed to said bearing section and at its another end fixed to a lower end of said hydraulic damper, said flexible section being elastically expandable and collapsible, and wherein said bearing section may be moved together with said cam means and lower support member.

5. The suspension device as defined in claim 1, wherein threre is provided a casing or a dust cover for housing therein said worm gear and worm wheel, such that said casing is fixed to said lower annular support member and independent from said cam means, thus allowing said casing to be only movable vertically together with cam means, wherein an indicator is formed on said casing, and wherein a scale plate having plural graduation lines or marks is fixed to said cam means.