PARK, Seong-Ha (AUSTEM CO, LTD. R & D Center173-299 Gajwa-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon-si 404-250, KR)
OH, Bum-Suk (AUSTEM CO, LTD. R & D Center173-299 Gajwa-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon-si 404-250, KR)
PARK, Seong-Ha (AUSTEM CO, LTD. R & D Center173-299 Gajwa-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon-si 404-250, KR)
Claims
[1] A seat track for vehicles having a walk- in memory device, comprising: stationary rails provided at respective opposite positions on a bottom surface of a vehicle body; movable rails to slide along the respective stationary rails through guide bearing units, the stationary rails being coupled at upper ends thereof to a seat; a locking assembly provided in each of the movable rails, the locking assembly being locked to or unlocked from the corresponding stationary rail depending on whether a predetermined force is applied to a compression protrusion provided at a predetermined position on the locking assembly; and the walk-in memory device having a structure such that, when the movable rail coupled to the seat is returned to an original position thereof after being moved forwards, the locking assembly is locked to the corresponding stationary rail at a position appropriate for a user to get into or out of the seat, wherein the walk- in memory device comprises: a support bracket fastened to an upper part of one movable rail; a rotating cam fastened to a first end of a rotating shaft, which is rotatably coupled to the support bracket, the rotating cam being coupled at a first end thereof to a cable, with a stop protrusion provided on a second end of the rotating cam; an operating cam fastened to a second end of the rotating shaft, with an operating piece protruding from an outer edge of a first end of the operating cam, so that, when the rotating cam is rotated by pulling the cable, the operating piece pushes the compression protrusion such that the locking assembly is locked to the corresponding stationary rail; and a rotating cam locking member to rotate around a rotating pin, and including: a locking stop provided at a first position on an outer edge of the rotating cam locking member, the locking stop having a double step structure including a first stop step, extending a relatively short length from a center of the rotating cam locking member, and a second stop step, extending a relatively long length from the center thereof, so that, when the operating cam is not in a state of pushing the compression protrusion, the first stop step is locked to and supported by the stop protrusion, and, when the operating cam is in a state of pushing the compression protrusion, the second stop step is locked to and supported by the stop protrusion; and a memory piece provided at a second position on the outer edge of the rotating cam locking member and extending a predetermined length towards a lower end of a sidewall of the stationary rail, wherein: a memory bracket is provided on the sidewall of the stationary rail, so that, when the seat is returned to an original position thereof after being moved forwards, the memory piece is brought into contact with the memory bracket, thereby the rotating cam locking member is rotated such that the first stop step is locked to and supported by the stop protrusion.
[2] The seat track for vehicles having the walk-in memory device according to claim
1, wherein the operating piece of the operating cam has a sectorial shape.
[3] The seat track for vehicles having the walk-in memory device according to claim
1, further comprising: a first elastic member coupled to a second end of the operating cam to rotate the operating cam in a direction opposite a direction in which the operating cam pushes the compression protrusion.
[4] The seat track for vehicles having the walk-in memory device according to claim
1, further comprising: a second elastic member coupled to the rotating cam locking member to provide a rotating force to the rotating cam locking member such that the locking stop is locked to and supported to the stop protrusion.
[5] The seat track for vehicles having the walk-in memory device according to claim
1, wherein the walk- in memory device is provided in each of the opposite movable rails, and the rotating shafts of the respective walk- in memory devices are coupled to each other through a connection rod such that the rotating shafts are integrally rotated. |
Description
SEAT TRACK FOR VEHICLE HAVING WALK-IN MEMORY
DEVICE
Technical Field
[1] The present invention relates, in general, to seat tracks for vehicles having walk-in memory devices and, more particularly, to a seat track for vehicles having a walk-in memory device, which is constructed such that, when a seat, which has been moved forwards, is returned to its original position, a locking assembly is automatically locked to a corresponding stationary rail at a position appropriate for an occupant to easily get into or out of the seat. Background Art
[2] Generally, seat tracks for vehicles are provided under seats to make it possible for the seats to slide forwards or backwards. Typically, the seat tracks are provided under driver's seats and passenger seats of vehicles and are provided with locking assemblies, which lock the seats at predetermined positions or allow the seats to slide in response to manipulation by occupants.
[3] Meanwhile, recently, according to the development of industry and increases in leisure time and the number of people who enjoy leisure, recreational vehicles, in which relatively large numbers of people can ride, and which have space sufficient to load cargo, are gaining popularity.
[4] In the arrangement of seats in such recreational vehicles, first-row seats, including a driver's seat and a passenger seat, are provided at a front position in a passenger compartment. Second-row seats are provided behind the first-row seats. Third-row seats are provided between the second-row seats and a cargo loading space. Occupants can freely get into or out of the first-row seats and the second-row seats through front doors and rear doors, respectively. However, in the case of the third-row seats, because there is no separate door for allowing the occupants to get into or out of the third-row seats, the occupants must get into or out of the third-row seats through the rear doors. Therefore, to allow the occupants to get into or out of the third-row seats through the rear doors, walk-in devices, which move the second-row seats forwards after the seats are folded, are provided under the respective second-row seats.
[5] In particular, the term "walk-in memory device" commonly means a device which is constructed such that, when the second-row seat is returned backwards to its original position after occupants have gotten into or out of the third-row seats, the second-row seat is automatically locked to a position at which occupants can easily get into or out of the second-row seat.
[6] Fig. 1 is a side view showing one example of a conventional walk- in memory device. As shown in Fig. 1, this technique, which was disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 0442748 (date: JuI. 22, 2004), entitled 'SEAT LOCK MEMORY DEVICE FOR VEHICLES', provides a seat lock memory device 1050 constructed such that, when a front seat is returned to its original position after it has been moved forwards, a lock 1038 of a locking system 1030 is locked into a locking hole of a lower rail 1032 at a position at which an occupant can easily get into or out of the front seat. In detail, the seat lock memory device 1050 includes an operating member 1051, which is provided on the inner end of an operating shaft 1048 and is constructed such that, when the seat is returned to its original position, the lock 1038 maintains a state of being spaced apart from the lock hole of the lower rail 1032 by the set distance. The seat lock memory device 1050 further includes a memory bracket 1056, which is provided on the lower surface of the lower rail 1032 and protrudes upwards inside a seat rail 1035 to push the operating member 1051 upwards such that the lowered state of the operating member is released, and the lock 1038 thus enters a locked state.
[7] In other words, when a rear lever 1042 is operated so that a cable 1043 is pulled in the left direction of Fig. 1, a bridge 1049, which is connected to the end of the cable 1043, is rotated in the clockwise direction of Fig. 1. Then, the lock 1038 is moved away from the lock hole of the lower rail 1032 by the rotation of the bridge 1049, thus entering the unlocked state.
[8] At this time, the operating member 1051 enters a state of being placed upright, so that the walk- in operation is conducted in a state in which the lock 1038 is spaced apart from the lock hole of the lower rail 1032.
[9] Meanwhile, when the seat is returned to its original position, the operating member
1051 is brought into contact with the front end 1060 of the memory bracket 1056 and is thus rotated. Thereby, the lock 1038 is inserted into the lock hole of the lower rail 1032, thus entering the locked state.
[10] However, in the conventional walk- in memory device having the above-mentioned construction, the locking system 1030 for locking or unlocking the upper rail 1033 to or from the lower rail 1032 is integrally coupled to the seat lock memory device 1050, so that the walk- in memory device has a structure such that the locking system 1030, the seat lock memory device 1050 and the seat bracket 1045 are integrated with each other.
[11] Therefore, in a process of assembling the seat track, all of the components, that is, the lower rail 1032, the upper rail 1033, the locking system 1030 and the seat lock memory device 1050, must be assembled together through a single process, thus making the assembly of the seat track difficult and inconvenient. As a result, there is a problem in that productivity is reduced.
[12] Furthermore, in a state in which the cable 1043 is pulled by the operation of the rear lever 1043 so that the lock 1038 is removed from the lock hole of the lower rail 1032, if the user excessively moves the rear lever 1042, tension is applied to the cable 1043. In the case where events of applying such tension to the cable 1043 are repeated, there is a problem in that the cable 1043 may be damaged or broken due to accumulated fatigue of the cable 1043. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem
[13] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a seat track for vehicles having a walk- in memory device, which is modularized such that the process of assembling the seat track can be simplified, and which can prevent a cable from being damaged or broken. Technical Solution
[14] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a seat track for vehicles having a walk-in memory device, comprising: stationary rails provided at respective opposite positions on a bottom surface of a vehicle body; movable rails to slide along the respective stationary rails through guide bearing units, the stationary rails being coupled at upper ends thereof to a seat; a locking assembly provided in each of the movable rails, the locking assembly being locked to or unlocked from the corresponding stationary rail depending on whether a predetermined force is applied to a compression protrusion provided at a predetermined position on the locking assembly; and the walk-in memory device having a structure such that, when the movable rail coupled to the seat is returned to an original position thereof after being moved forwards, the locking assembly is locked to the corresponding stationary rail at a position appropriate for a user to get into or out of the seat, wherein the walk- in memory device comprises: a support bracket fastened to an upper part of one movable rail; a rotating cam fastened to a first end of a rotating shaft, which is rotatably coupled to the support bracket, the rotating cam being coupled at a first end thereof to a cable, with a stop protrusion provided on a second end of the rotating cam; an operating cam fastened to a second end of the rotating shaft, with an operating piece protruding from an outer edge of a first end of the operating cam, so that, when the rotating cam is rotated by pulling the cable, the operating piece pushes the compression protrusion such that the locking assembly is locked to the corresponding stationary rail; and a rotating cam locking member to rotate around a rotating pin, and including a locking stop provided at a first position on an outer edge of the rotating cam locking member, the locking stop having a double step structure including a first stop step, extending a
relatively short length from a center of the rotating cam locking member, and a second stop step, extending a relatively long length from the center thereof, so that, when the operating cam is not in a state of pushing the compression protrusion, the first stop step is locked to and supported by the stop protrusion, and, when the operating cam is in a state of pushing the compression protrusion, the second stop step is locked to and supported by the stop protrusion, and a memory piece provided at a second position on the outer edge of the rotating cam locking member and extending a predetermined length towards a lower end of a sidewall of the stationary rail, wherein: a memory bracket is provided on the sidewall of the stationary rail, so that, when the seat is returned to an original position thereof after being moved forwards, the memory piece is brought into contact with the memory bracket, thereby the rotating cam locking member is rotated such that the first stop step is locked to and supported by the stop protrusion.
[15] Preferably, the operating piece of the operating cam may have a sectorial shape.
[16] Furthermore, the seat track for vehicles having the walk- in memory device may further comprise: a first elastic member coupled to a second end of the operating cam to rotate the operating cam in a direction opposite a direction in which the operating cam pushes the compression protrusion.
[17] In addition, the seat track for vehicles having the walk- in memory device may further comprise: a second elastic member coupled to the rotating cam locking member to provide a rotating force to the rotating cam locking member such that the locking stop is locked to and supported to the stop protrusion.
[18] Moreover, the walk- in memory device may be provided in each of the opposite movable rails, and the rotating shafts of the respective walk- in memory devices may be coupled to each other through a connection rod such that the rotating shafts are integrally rotated.
Advantageous Effects
[19] The present invention makes it possible to modularize a walk- in memory device, which is operated in conjunction with a locking assembly coupled to a movable rail, thus simplifying a process of assembling a seat track, thereby enhancing productivity.
[20] Furthermore, in the present invention, because an operating piece, which is provided to push a compression protrusion that is provided at a predetermined position on the locking assembly coupled to the movable rail, has a sectorial shape, the intensity of tensioning force, which is applied to the cable when a walk-in lever is operated, is reduced. Therefore, the degree of fatigue of the cable is reduced, thus preventing the cable from being damaged or broken. Brief Description of the Drawings
[21] Fig. 1 is a side view showing a conventional seat track for vehicles;
[22] Fig. 2 is an exploded view showing another conventional seat track for vehicles;
[23] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a seat frame for vehicles having a seat track of Fig. 2 and a walk-in memory device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[24] Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view of the seat track for vehicles having the walk- in memory device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[25] Fig. 5 is a partial exploded perspective view of the seat track having the walk-in memory device according to the embodiment of the present invention; and
[26] Figs. 6 through 9 are side views showing the operation of the seat track having the walk- in memory device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[27] In relation to a seat track for vehicles having a walk-in memory device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a technique, disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 206-35868, filed by the applicant of the present invention, will be explained with respect to Fig. 2, along with the present invention.
[28] However, the walk-in memory device 200 of the present invention is not limited to application only to the technique of Korean Patent Application No. 206-35868, filed by the applicant of the present invention. In other words, the walk- in memory device 200 of the present invention can be applied to any seat track, as long as it is connected to the seat track such that a stationary rail 110 and a movable rail 120 are locked to or unlocked from each other depending on whether force is applied to a compression protrusion 131b formed on the end of a locking member 135 provided on the seat track.
[29] As shown in Fig. 2, the technique, which was proposed in Korean Patent Application No. 206-35868, entitled 'SEAT TRACK FOR VEHICLES HAVING INSERT TYPE LOCKING ASSEMBLY', includes a stationary rail 110, which is supported by a vehicle body frame, a movable rail 120, which slides along the stationary rail 110 through a guide bearing unit 150, and a locking assembly 130, which is provided in the movable rail 120 to releasably lock the movable rail 120 to the stationary rail 110. The locking assembly 130 includes a lever 131, which is provided in and coupled to the movable rail 110 through a hinge so as to be rotatable around the hinge shaft 132, and a locking member 135, which is provided in the movable rail 110 and is rotated in conjunction with the lever 131 around a rotating shaft 136 perpendicular to the hinge shaft 132 to lock or unlock the movable rail 110 to or from the stationary rail 120.
[30] The lever 131 is rotatably supported by the hinge shaft 132, which is inserted into a shaft hole 13 Ih formed through a medial portion of the lever 131. The hinge shaft 132
is inserted through and supported by a lever bracket 133. Therefore, the lever 131 has a structure such that it is rotatable around the hinge shaft 132 in a state in which the medial portion of the lever 131 is received in the lever bracket 133.
[31] Furthermore, the medial portion of the lever 131 is connected to a spring 134, which is fitted over the hinge shaft 132, and one end of which is supported by the lever bracket 133, so that the lever 131 is elastically biased by the spring 134 in a clockwise direction. In this construction, when a handle 140 coupled to the right end of the lever 131 is pulled upwards, an operating end 131a of the lever 131, which is opposite the right end thereof, is moved downwards and pushes an operating arm 137 such that the operating arm 137 is rotated.
[32] Meanwhile, the compression protrusion 131b, which protrudes a predetermined length upwards, is provided on the lever between the operating end 131a and the hinge shaft 132. The compression protrusion 131b extends into a through hole 120b formed through the upper surface of the movable rail 120.
[33] The lever bracket 133 is fastened to the movable rail 120 through coupling holes
133h, which are formed through the upper surface of the lever bracket 133.
[34] The locking member 135 includes the rotating shaft 136, which has the operating arm 137 protruding from an end thereof, and a claw 138, which has a shaft receiving part 138a coupled to the rotating shaft 136. The claw 138 is inserted into or removed from some of the locking holes 11Oh, which are formed through the stationary rail 110, using the elastic force of a spring 139, thus entering the locking or unlocking state.
[35] The operating arm 137, the rotating shaft 136 and the claw 138 are integrated with each other by welding or the like such that they are integrally operated.
[36] The rotating shaft 136 is rotatably supported by a bracket 135a. The bracket 135a is coupled to the movable rail 120 through coupling holes 135h.
[37] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a seat frame for vehicles having the seat track of Fig.
2 and the walk- in memory device 200. As described above, the seat track of Fig. 2 is coupled to the seat frame 300. Furthermore, the walk-in memory device 200 is coupled to the upper part of the seat track.
[38] The operation of the seat frame 300, to which the seat track is coupled, will be explained with reference to Fig. 3.
[39] When a walk- in lever (not shown) is operated, a seat bracket 103 is rotated around a reclining shaft 10 in the direction designated by the arrow a of Fig. 3.
[40] When the seat bracket 103 is rotated, a walk- in link 12, which is fastened to the reclining shaft 10, is rotated in the direction of the arrow b of Fig. 3. Then, a protrusion pin pushing part 12a of the rotated walk- in link 12 pushes a protrusion pin 22a, so that a first cable link 22 is rotated around a link rotating shaft 26 in the direction of the arrow c of Fig. 3.
[41] As such, when the first cable link 22 is rotated in the direction of the arrow c of Fig.
3, a second cable link 24, to which a cable 212 is connected, is rotated around the link rotating shaft 26 in conjunction with the first cable link, thus pulling the cable 212.
[42] When the cable 212 is pulled, a connection cable 214, which is connected to one end 212b of the cable 212, is pulled, so that a cable 210, which is disposed at a position opposite the cable 212, is pulled. Here, preferably, the end 212b of the cable 212 is supported by a cable support bracket 212a.
[43] Meanwhile, the walk-in memory device 200 is coupled to the upper part of the movable rail of the seat track, which is coupled to the seat frame 300, which is operated in the above-mentioned manner. Furthermore, when the cable 210 is pulled, the walk- in memory device 200 coupled to the cable 210 is operated by the movement thereof.
[44] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the walk-in memory device 200 includes a support bracket 270, a rotating cam 230, an operating cam 240 and a rotating cam locking member 220. Here, elastic restoring force is applied from a first elastic member 280 to the operating cam 240, and elastic restoring force is applied from a second elastic member 290 to the rotating cam locking member 220.
[45] The support bracket 270 fastened to the upper part of the movable rail 120 will be explained herein below.
[46] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the support bracket 270 is a component that has an
"L"-shaped cross-section and is fastened to the upper end of the movable rail 120. The above-mentioned components, such as the rotating cam 230, the operating cam 240 and the rotating cam locking member 220, are coupled to the support bracket 270.
[47] Meanwhile, a cable locking piece 272, to which a cable support member 210a provided on a first end of the cable 210 is locked and supported, is integrally provided on the lower part of the rear end of the support bracket 270. An elastic member locking piece 276, to which the first elastic member 280 is locked and supported, is integrally provided on the upper part of the rear end of the support bracket 270. Furthermore, an elastic member locking piece 278, to which the second elastic member 290 is locked and supported, is integrally provided at a predetermined position on the medial part of the support bracket 270.
[48] In addition, a rotating shaft hole 270hl is formed in a medial position through the support bracket 270, so that a rotating shaft 250 is rotatably fitted into the rotating shaft hole 270hl. A rotating pin hole 270h2 is formed through the support bracket 270 at a position adjacent to the rotating shaft hole 270hl, such that the rotating cam locking member 220, which will be explained in detail later herein, is rotatably coupled to the support bracket 270 by a rotating pin 252.
[49] Furthermore, a compression protrusion hole 270b, which communicates with the
through hole 120b of the movable rail 120, is formed through the surface of the support bracket 270, which contacts the upper surface of the movable rail 120, so that the compression protrusion 131b of the lever 131 extends into the compression protrusion hole 270b. A plurality of coupling holes 270a for coupling the support bracket 270 to the upper surface of the movable rail 120 is formed through the surface of the support bracket 270.
[50] As shown in Fig. 4, the components, that is, the rotating cam 230, which is fastened to the first end of the rotating shaft 250, the operating cam 240, which is fastened to the second end of the rotating shaft 250, and the rotating cam locking member 220, which is rotated around the rotating pin 252, are coupled to the support bracket 270 having the above-mentioned construction.
[51] Next, the rotating cam 230, which is fastened to the first end of the rotating shaft
250, which is rotatably coupled to the support bracket 270, will be explained herein below.
[52] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a cable coupling hole 234h is formed through the first end of the rotating cam 230, and a cable coupling member 210b, which is provided on the second end of the cable 210, is inserted into and locked to the cable coupling hole 234h, so that, when the cable 210 is pulled by the operation of the walk- in lever (not shown), the rotating cam 230 is rotated around the rotating shaft 250.
[53] Here, preferably, when the rotating shaft 250 is inserted into the rotating shaft hole
270hl of the support bracket 270, a coupling member, such as a linear bushing 260, is interposed therebetween.
[54] In other words, after the linear bushing 260 is fitted into the rotating shaft hole
270hl, the rotating shaft 250 is inserted through a hole 26Oh of the linear bushing 260. Thereafter, the first end of the rotating shaft 250 is fitted into a rotating cam center hole 23Oh, thereby the rotating cam 230 is fastened to the rotating shaft 250.
[55] Meanwhile, a stop protrusion 232 is provided on the second end of the rotating cam
230, such that a locking stop 222 of the rotating cam locking member 220, which will be explained later herein, is stopped by the stop protrusion 232. The operational relationship between the locking stop 222 and the stop protrusion 232 will be explained later herein along with the description of the rotating cam locking member 220.
[56] The rotating cam 230 is preferably constructed such that, when the rotating cam 230 is rotated by the pulling movement of the cable 210, it does not interfere with the movable rail 120 or the stationary rail 110.
[57] Next, the operating cam 240, which is fastened to the second end of the rotating shaft 250, which is rotatably coupled to the support bracket 270, will be explained herein below.
[58] The operating cam 240 is fitted over the second end of the rotating shaft 250
through an operating cam hole 24Oh, which is formed through the operating cam 240, so that the operating cam 240 is integrally rotated with the rotating cam 230. That is, when the cable 210 is pulled by the operation of the walk-in lever (not shown), the operating cam 240 is rotated using the rotating force transmitted thereto from the rotating cam 230 through the rotating shaft 250. When the operating cam 240 is rotated, an operating piece 242, which is provided on the edge of a first end of the operating cam 240, pushes the compression protrusion 131b of the lever 131, thus unlocking the locking member 135 of the locking assembly 130 from the stationary rail 110.
[59] It is preferable that the operating piece 242 have a sectorial shape and be coaxial with the rotating shaft 250.
[60] As such, because the operating piece 242 has a sectorial shape, when the operating cam 240 rotates and pushes the compression protrusion 131b, the operating piece 242 pushes the compression protrusion 131b with constant force. In other words, when the operating cam 240 rotates and the operating piece thus pushes the compression protrusion 131b, the compression protrusion 131b is compressed with constant pushing force regardless of the angle at which the operating cam is rotated, thus preventing tension from being applied to the associated components.
[61] Preferably, the first elastic member 280 is coupled to the second end of the operating cam 240 to return the operating cam to its original position, that is, in the direction opposite the direction in which it compresses the compression protrusion 131b. For this, a support pin 246 perpendicularly protrudes from the second end of the operating cam 240, so that a first end 280a of the first elastic member 280 is supported by the support pin 246, and a second end 280b of the first elastic member 280 is locked to and supported by the elastic member locking piece 276 provided on the upper part of the rear end of the support bracket 270.
[62] The operation of the first elastic member 280 will be explained along with the description of the rotating cam locking member 220, which will be explained later herein.
[63] Finally, the rotating cam locking member 220, which is provided so as to be rotatable around the rotating pin 252, will be explained herein below.
[64] A locking member hole 22Oh is formed at a central position through the rotating cam locking member 220. Thus, the rotating cam locking member 220 is rotatably coupled to the rotating pin hole 270h2, which is formed through the support bracket 270, through the rotating pin 252, which is inserted into the locking member hole 22Oh and the rotating pin hole 270h2. Furthermore, the locking stop 222, which has a double step structure including a first stop step 222a, extending a relatively short length from the center of the rotating cam locking member, and a second stop step 222b, extending a relatively long length from the center thereof, is provided at a first position on the
outer edge of the rotating cam locking member 220.
[65] In other words, as shown in Fig. 5, the locking stop 222 includes the first stop step
222a and the second stop step 222b. Here, the first stop step 222a is formed at a position adjacent to the center of the rotating cam locking member 220, and the second stop step 222b is formed at a position spaced apart from the center of the rotating cam locking member 220 by a relatively long distance.
[66] Furthermore, preferably, the first stop step 222a and the second stop step 222b are integrally connected to each other, thus forming the double step structure.
[67] The locking stop 222 having the above-mentioned structure is constructed such that, when the walk-in lever (not shown) is not in operation, as shown in Fig. 6, the first stop step 222a of the rotating cam locking member 220 is locked to and supported by the stop protrusion 232 of the rotating cam 230, and, when the walk- in lever (not shown) is operated so that the cable 210 is pulled, as shown in Fig. 7, the second stop step 222b of the rotating cam locking member 220 is locked to and supported by the stop protrusion 232 of the rotating cam 230.
[68] Meanwhile, a memory piece 224, which extends towards the lower part of the sidewall of the stationary rail 110, is provided at a second position on the outer edge of the rotating cam locking member 220. A memory bracket 228, which has an "L" shape and includes a contact flange 228a on the upper end thereof, is provided on the sidewall of the stationary rail 110. When the seat, which has been moved forwards, is returned to its original position, the memory piece 224 is brought into contact with the contact flange 228a of the memory bracket 228, so that the rotating cam locking member 220 is rotated, thus entering the state in which the first stop step 222a is locked to and supported by the stop protrusion 232.
[69] Furthermore, the second elastic member 290 is coupled to the rotating cam locking member 220 such that the second elastic member 290 is biased in the direction in which the locking stop 222 of the second elastic member 290 is locked to the stop protrusion 232 of the rotating cam 230.
[70] In detail, a first end 290a of the second elastic member 290 is supported by the elastic member locking piece 278 provided on the medial part of the support bracket 270, and a second end 290b of the second elastic member 290 is locked to a locking hole 226 formed in the rotating cam locking member 220.
[71] Here, the second end of the second elastic member 290 is inserted into the locking hole 226 of the rotating cam locking member 220 through a through hole 270h3, which is formed through the support bracket 270.
[72] Therefore, the rotating cam locking member 220 is supplied with rotating force from the second elastic member such that the locking stop 222 of the rotating cam locking member 220 is locked to and supported by the stop protrusion 232 of the
rotating cam 230.
[73] Meanwhile, the walk-in memory device 200 having the above-mentioned construction is provided on each of opposite movable rails 120. Furthermore, the rotating shafts 252 of the respective walk- in memory devices 200 are coupled to each other through a coupling rod 258 such that they are operated together.
[74] The operation of the seat track for vehicles having the walk-in memory device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 6 through 9.
[75] As shown in Fig. 6, when the walk-in lever (not shown) is not in operation, the first stop step 222a of the rotating cam locking member 220 and the stop protrusion 232 of the rotating cam 230 are locked to and supported by each other.
[76] That is, because the rotating cam 230 has a structure such that it is integrally coupled to the operating cam 240, to which the first elastic member 280 is connected, through the rotating shaft 250, the rotating cam 230 is biased in a counterclockwise direction by the elastic force of the first elastic member 280. Furthermore, the rotating cam locking member 220 is biased in a clockwise direction by the elastic force of the second elastic member 290. Therefore, the rotating cam 230 and the rotating cam locking member 220 are locked to and supported by each other.
[77] At this time, if the walk-in lever (not shown) is operated, the cable 210 is pulled, so that the rotating cam 230 is rotated in a clockwise direction. Then, the operating cam 240, which is integrally coupled to the rotating cam 230 through the rotating shaft 250, is also rotated in a clockwise direction. Thus, the operating piece 242 of the operating cam 240 pushes the compression protrusion 131b of the lever 131.
[78] As such, when the operating piece 242 pushes the compression protrusion 131b, the locking member 135 of the locking assembly 130 enters a state of being unlocked from the stationary rail 110. Then, in a state in which the lower end of the memory piece 224 is in contact with the contact flange 228a of the memory bracket 228, the movable rail 120 conducts a walk-in operation, in which the movable rail 120 slides forwards with respect to the stationary rail 110 due to a coil spring (160 of Fig. 3).
[79] As shown in Fig. 7, during the walk- in operation, the second stop step 222b enters a state of being locked to and supported by the stop protrusion 232 of the rotating cam 230. At this time, the lower end of the memory piece 224 is disposed at a position lower than the contact flange 228a. Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 8, the walk-in operation, in which the movable rail 120 slides forwards with respect to the stationary rail 110, is continued.
[80] Meanwhile, when the movable rail, to the upper surface of which the seat is coupled, is returned to its original position, as shown in Fig. 9, the lower end of the memory piece 224 is brought into contact with the contact flange 228a of the memory
bracket 228, so that the rotating cam locking member 220 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction. At this time, the rotating cam 230 is rotated by the elastic member in a counterclockwise direction.
[81] As such, when the rotating cam 230 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the operating cam 240, which is integrally coupled to the rotating cam 230 through the rotating shaft 250, is also rotated in a counterclockwise direction. Thus, the operating piece 242 of the operating cam 240 releases the compression protrusion 131b. Then, the locking member 135 of the locking assembly 130 enters a state of being locked to the stationary rail 110.
[82] Simultaneously, the stop protrusion 232 of the rotating cam 230 is locked to and supported by the first stop step 222a of the rotating cam locking member 220.
[83] In this state, the occupant manipulates the handle (140 of Fig. 2) to unlock the locking member 135 of the locking assembly 130 from the stationary rail 110, moves the movable rail to a convenient position for seating on the seat, and releases the handle such that the locking member 135 of the locking assembly 130 is locked to the stationary rail 110.
[84] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment must be regarded as one example provided for description of the present invention, rather than to limit the present invention.
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