Drive unit

• US 7,022,018 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2003
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Koga, Yoshitaka
• Primary Examiner(s): BINDA, GREGORY JOHN
• Application Number:
  US10/442,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20040009819A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,049 Days
• Field of Search: 464/52, 464/53, 464/58, 464/60, 403/345, 403/347, 403/360, 745/026, 745/025, 297/463.1, 63/31, 295/25, 279/104, 279/906, 411/451.2, 411/451.1, 246/18, 246/971, 246/29, 247/114, 246/97, 247/11
• US Class Current: 464/52
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02253 characterised by the transmission between the electric motor and the seat or seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/067 by linear actuators, e.g. linear screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2231 Worm and worm gear articulations
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2205/20 Measures for elimination or compensation of play or backlash
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 1/08 End connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16C 2326/08 Vehicle seats, e.g. in linear movable seats in general B60N
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2001/102 the torque is transmitted via polygon shaped connections
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 1/16 comprising worm and worm-wheel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7003 One rod is encompassed by the other
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20462 Specific cable connector or guide

Abstract

A drive unit includes a cable possessing connecting portions at both ends, one of the connecting portions inserted into a groove of an output shaft at one side, and the other one of the connecting portions inserted into a groove of an input shaft at the other side, wherein rotational torque from the output shaft is transmitted to the input shaft, and at least two projected portions provided on the respective connecting portions and arranged with a predetermined distance therebetween in a longitudinal direction of the cable, wherein the respective connecting portions possess bent-shaped structures and the two projected portions of the respective connecting portions become in contact with opposed surfaces of the respective grooves.

Claims

1. A drive unit comprising:

a cable possessing connecting portions at both ends,

one of the connecting portions inserted into a groove of an output shaft, and

another one of the connecting portions inserted into a groove of an input shaft, wherein rotational torque from the output shaft is transmitted to the input shaft; and

each of the connecting portions possessing an undulating shape with respect to a longitudinal direction of the cable so that each connecting portion comprises at least two projected portions arranged with a predetermined distance therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the cable, wherein two projected portions of the respective connecting portions engage opposed surfaces of the respective grooves to transmit rotation from the output shaft to the input shaft by way of the cable.

2. A drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the respective grooves possess approximately polygonal-shaped structures, and the respective projected portions of the respective connecting portions are formed to become in contact with two adjacent inner surfaces of the respective grooves.

3. A drive unit according to claim 2, wherein the projected portions are press-formed on the respective connecting portions.

4. A drive unit according to claim 2, wherein the respective grooves possess approximately square-shaped structures.

5. A drive unit according to claim 4, wherein the respective connecting portions possess approximately square-shaped structures.

6. A drive unit according to claim 2, wherein the respective connecting portions possess approximately polygonal-shaped structures.

7. A drive unit according to claim 2, wherein a distance from a peak point of one of the projected portions of the respective connecting portions to a peak point of the other one of the projected portions is greater than a dimension between the opposed surfaces of the respective grooves that are engaged by the respective projected portions, wherein the respective connecting portions are supported with a load relative to the inner surfaces of the respective grooves.

8. A drive unit according to claim 2, wherein a distance from a peak point of one of the projected portions of the respective connecting portions to a peak point of the other one of the projected portions is greater than a diagonal dimension of the respective groove, wherein the respective connecting portions are supported with a load relative to the inner surfaces of the respective grooves.

9. A drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the projected portions are press-formed on the respective connecting portions.

10. A drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the two projected portions on one of the connecting portions are arranged substantially symmetrical to the two projected portions on the other one of the connecting portions about a central point in a longitudinal direction of the cable.

11. A drive unit according to claim 1, wherein a distance from a peak point of one of the projected portions of the respective connecting portions to a peak point of the other one of the projected portions is greater than a dimension between the opposed surfaces of the respective grooves that are engaged by the respective projected portions, wherein the respective connecting portions are supported with a load relative to the inner surfaces of the respective grooves.

12. A drive unit according to claim 1, wherein a distance from a peak point of one of the projected portions of the respective connecting portions to a peak point of the other one of the projected portions is greater than a diagonal dimension of the respective groove, wherein the respective connecting portions are supported with a load relative to the inner surfaces of the respective grooves.

13. A seat sliding apparatus comprising:

a pair of lower rails adapted to be secured to a vehicle floor;

a pair of upper rails adapted to be fixed to a cushion, each upper rail slidably engaging one of the lower rails;

a motor comprising an output shaft provided with a groove;

a speed reduction gear comprising an input shaft provided with a groove;

a cable comprising opposite end portions each provided with a connecting portion,

one of the connecting portions inserted into the groove of the output shaft;

another one of the connecting portions inserted into the groove of the input shaft;

each of the connecting portions possessing an undulating shape with respect to a longitudinal direction of the cable so that each connecting portion comprises at least two projected portions arranged with a predetermined distance therebetween in the longitudinal direction of the cable, the two projected portions of the respective connecting portions engaging surfaces of the respective grooves sufficient to transmit rotational torque from the output shaft of the motor to the input shaft of the speed reduction gear by way of the cable; and

a screw shaft operatively connected to the speed reduction gear to and one of the upper rails.

14. A seat sliding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each groove possesses an approximately polygonal shape, and the respective projected portions of the respective connecting portions contact adjacent inner surfaces of the respective grooves.

15. A seat sliding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the projected portions are press-formed on the respective connecting portions.

16. A seat sliding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein each groove possesses an approximately square shape.

17. A seat sliding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a distance from a peak point of one of the projected portions of the respective connecting portions to a peak point of the other one of the projected portions is greater than a dimension between the opposed surfaces of the respective grooves that are engaged by the respective projected portions, wherein the respective connecting portions are supported with a load relative to the inner surfaces of the respective grooves.

18. A seat sliding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a distance from a peak point of one of the projected portions of the respective connecting portions to a peak point of the other one of the projected portions is greater than a diagonal dimension of the respective groove, wherein the respective connecting portions are supported with a load relative to the inner surfaces of the respective grooves.

19. A seat sliding apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the two projected portions on one of the connecting portions are arranged substantially symmetrical to the two projected portions on the other one of the connecting portions about a central point in a longitudinal direction of the cable.