Vehicle armrest device with multiple rotation angles and operation control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to an armrest device with multiple rotation angles for a vehicle and an operation control method thereof, wherein the armrest device for a vehicle comprises: a lower arm, which is located on the side of a seat and is configured to rotate relative to the seat by the power of a lower arm motor; and an upper arm, which extends along the length direction of the lower arm and is configured to rotate relative to the lower arm by the power of the upper arm motor. The method for controlling the operation of the armrest device comprises the following steps: generating a standard posture signal of the seat by controlling a seat switch; and when the standard posture signal is generated, the seat controller sets the angles of the lower arm and the upper arm to preset angles by respectively controlling the operations of the lower arm motor and the upper arm motor, thereby arranging the armrest into a standard mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an armrest device for a vehicle and an operation control method thereof, and more particularly to the following armrest device for a vehicle and an operation control method thereof, wherein the angle of the armrest device changes differently according to the posture of a seat, an accident occurrence, and a boarding condition. Background Art

[0002] The vehicle is provided with a seat for a passenger to sit on, and the seat is provided with an armrest, and the armrest can improve the riding experience by allowing the passenger sitting on the vehicle seat to place his arms on the seat.

[0003] In the conventional armrest structure, an arm member is simply rotatably coupled to the seat, and in particular, the angle of the armrest can be adjusted by the seated passenger by rotating the armrest. Therefore, the installation angle of the armrest cannot be realized differently according to the sitting posture of the passenger, and manual operation of the armrest is also inconvenient.

[0004] In addition, in the armrest of the vehicle seat, interference with the side airbag deployed from the seat in the event of an accident should be excluded. In particular, interference with the passenger when getting in the vehicle should be excluded, and conventional armrests cannot automatically implement these modes.

[0005] The items described above as background arts are merely for improving understanding of the background of the present invention and should not be construed as admitting that these items correspond to conventional arts known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention provides an armrest device for a vehicle and an operation control method thereof, wherein the angle of the armrest device can be changed differently according to the standard posture and relaxation posture of the seat, the occurrence of a collision accident, and the boarding situation, thereby improving user convenience and product value by expanding the useful functions of the armrest.

[0007] In addition, the armrest according to the present invention can be effectively applied to a seat provided in an autonomous driving vehicle.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, an armrest device for a vehicle may include: a lower arm, located on a side of a seat and configured to rotate relative to the seat by power of a lower arm motor; and an upper arm, extending along the length direction of the lower arm and configured to rotate relative to the lower arm by power of the upper arm motor.

[0009] The lower arm motor is coupled to a motor frame fixedly coupled to a side of the seat frame, and when a first motor shaft of the lower arm motor coupled to the lower arm rotates, the lower arm rotates relative to the seat at a side of the seat.

[0010] The lower arm motor extends toward one side of the lower arm, and an extended portion of the lower arm motor is covered by a seat shield side cover coupled to the seat so as to be prevented from being exposed to the outside.

[0011] The upper arm motor may be coupled to the lower arm, a motor shaft of the upper arm motor being coupled to the upper arm so that the upper arm rotates relative to the lower arm when the motor shaft of the upper arm motor rotates,

[0012] The upper arm motor is coupled to the lower arm, is located in a hollow space inside the lower arm to prevent exposure to the outside, and a motor shaft of the upper arm motor penetrates the lower arm to be formed as one with the upper arm through a coupling nut.

[0013] The seat controller controls the operation of the lower arm motor and the upper arm motor respectively.

[0014] The armrest device may also include a mobile device bracket disposed in the upper arm, which may be embedded in the upper arm and then operated to protrude forward along the length direction of the upper arm. By using the mobile device bracket protruding forward of the upper arm, the mobile device may be supported and charged.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling the operation of an armrest device comprises the following steps: generating a standard posture signal of a seat by controlling a seat switch; and when the standard posture signal is generated, the seat controller sets the angles of the lower arm and the upper arm to preset angles by respectively controlling the operations of the lower arm motor and the upper arm motor, thereby arranging the armrest into a standard mode.

[0016] In this method, the standard posture of the seat corresponds to a state in which the seat back is rotated backward at an angle of less than 45 degrees based on a vertical line perpendicular to the ground, and the standard mode of the armrest corresponds to the following state: the lower arm is rotated forward at an angle of less than 45 degrees based on the vertical line, and the upper arm is rotated forward while keeping the angle between the upper arm and the lower arm at an obtuse angle.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling the operation of an armrest device may include the following steps: generating a relaxation posture signal of the seat by controlling a seat switch; and when the relaxation posture signal is generated, the seat controller sets the angles of the lower arm and the upper arm to preset angles by respectively controlling the operations of the lower arm motor and the upper arm motor, thereby arranging the armrest to a relaxation mode.

[0018] In the method, the relaxation posture of the seat corresponds to a state in which the seat back is rotated backward at an angle between 60 and 90 degrees based on a vertical line perpendicular to the ground, and the relaxation mode of the armrest corresponds to the following state: the lower arm is rotated at the same angle as the seat back, and the upper arm is rotated forward while maintaining an acute angle between 30 and 45 degrees between the upper arm and the lower arm.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling the operation of an armrest device may include the following steps: when a vehicle is moving, detecting the approach of surrounding vehicles by using a collision sensor of the vehicle; when a vehicle controller that receives a signal from the collision sensor determines that there is a risk of a collision accident, generating a collision danger signal before the collision accident occurs; and when the collision danger signal is generated, the seat controller sets the angles of the lower arm and the upper arm to preset angles by respectively controlling the operation of the lower arm motor and the upper arm motor, thereby arranging the armrest into a side airbag deployment mode.

[0020] When a collision risk signal is generated, the armrest can be fully deployed into the side airbag deployment mode before a collision accident occurs.

[0021] The method further includes the steps of: when the side airbag is operated within a predetermined period of time after the armrest is completely arranged in the side airbag deployment mode, the armrest continues to be in the side airbag deployment mode; and when the side airbag is not operated within the predetermined period of time after the armrest is completely arranged in the side airbag deployment mode, changing the side airbag deployment mode to the standard mode through the control of the seat controller,

[0022] The collision sensor includes one or more of an airbag sensor, a radar system, a lidar system, and a camera, and the vehicle controller may generate a collision risk signal when a surrounding vehicle approaches the vehicle at a preset distance or less.

[0023] The side airbag deployment mode of the armrest corresponds to a state in which the armrest is rotated to avoid a deployment area of ​​a side airbag deployed from a side of a seat back, and corresponds to a state in which the lower arm and the upper arm extend straight along the femoral area while being located on one side of the femoral area of ​​the seated passenger, and the upper arm is rotated forward so that an end of the upper arm protrudes forward.

[0024] The standard mode of the armrest corresponds to a state in which the lower arm is rotated forward at an angle within 45 degrees based on a vertical line perpendicular to the ground, and corresponds to a state in which the upper arm is rotated forward while keeping the angle between the upper arm and the lower arm at an obtuse angle.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling the operation of an armrest device comprises the following steps: when the vehicle is stopped, a door opening signal is generated by operating a door switch; and when the door opening signal is generated, a seat controller sets the angles of the lower arm and the upper arm to preset angles by respectively controlling the operations of the lower arm motor and the upper arm motor, thereby arranging the armrest into a boarding mode.

[0026] The method also includes the following steps: within a predetermined time period after the armrest is fully arranged in the boarding mode, the seat controller determines whether the passenger is seated on the seat by using a signal from a weight sensor arranged in the seat; and when it is determined that the passenger is seated, the boarding mode of the armrest is changed to the standard mode through an operation controlled by the seat controller.

[0027] The method also includes the following steps: within a predetermined time period after the armrest is fully arranged in the boarding mode, the seat controller determines whether the passenger is seated on the seat by using the signal of the weight sensor arranged in the seat; when it is determined that the passenger is not seated on the seat, the armrest is kept in the boarding mode through the control of the seat controller; and when the passenger is not seated on the seat and the armrest is kept in the boarding mode, when a door closing signal is generated by the operation of the door switch, the boarding mode of the armrest is changed to the standard mode through the control operation of the seat controller.

[0028] The boarding mode of the armrest corresponds to the following state: when the passenger moves from the side of the seat toward the direction in which the passenger sits in the seat, the armrest rotates to an area that does not interfere with the passenger; and corresponds to the following state: the lower arm and the upper arm extend straight along the upright direction of the seat back while being located on one side of the upright seat back, and the end of the upper arm rotates to face upward.

[0029] The standard mode of the armrest corresponds to a state in which the lower arm is rotated forward at an angle within 45 degrees based on a vertical line perpendicular to the ground, and corresponds to a state in which the upper arm is rotated forward while keeping the angle between the upper arm and the lower arm at an obtuse angle.

[0030] According to the present invention, the angle of the armrest device is automatically changed to different levels according to the standard posture and relaxed posture of the vehicle seat, the collision accident situation of the vehicle, and the passenger's boarding situation. Therefore, the user's convenience and product value can be improved by expanding the useful functions of the armrest.

[0031] In addition, according to the present invention, the armrest device can also be applied to the seat of an autonomous driving vehicle capable of realizing a relaxation mode, in which the driver can rest comfortably during the driving of the vehicle without directly driving the vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is a side view of a seat of a vehicle provided with an armrest device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 and Figure 3is a cross-sectional view of a portion where a lower arm motor and an upper arm motor are installed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view of a portion where a lower arm motor and an upper arm motor are installed Figure 1 The cross-sectional views taken along the line II and the line II-II;

[0035] Figure 4 and Figure 5 are tables and schematic diagrams for explaining how to convert an armrest device into various types of modes according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 6 and Figure 7 is a flowchart and an operation state diagram for explaining a case where the armrest device is arranged in a standard mode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 is a flowchart and an operation state diagram for explaining a case where the armrest device is arranged in a relaxation mode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Fig.10 and Fig.11 is a flowchart and an operation state diagram for explaining a case where an armrest device is arranged in a side airbag deployment mode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0039] Fig.12 and Fig.13 1 is a flowchart and an operation state diagram for explaining a case where the armrest device is arranged in a boarding mode according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The specific structure or functional description of the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in the specification or application is only for describing the embodiments according to the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments according to the present invention can be implemented in various forms, and the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments described in the specification or application.

[0041] Various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments according to the present invention, so specific embodiments will be shown in the drawings and described in the specification or application. However, it should be understood that the embodiments according to the concepts of the present invention are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and the present invention includes all modifications, equivalents and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0042] Although ordinal terms such as first, second, etc. can be used to describe various elements, the elements should not be limited by the terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element, so without departing from the protection scope of the concept according to the present invention, the first element can be named as the second element, and the second element can also be similarly named as the first element.

[0043] In the case where an element is referred to as being "connected" or "accessing" another element, it should be understood that not only is the element directly connected to or accessing the other element, but another element may also exist between them. Conversely, in the case where a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly accessing" another component, it should be understood that there is no component between them. Other expressions describing the relationship between structural elements, i.e., "between" and "only between" or "adjacent" and "directly adjacent", should be interpreted similarly to the above description.

[0044] In this specification, the terms are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, it should be understood that the term "including" or "having" represents the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, structural element, component or a combination thereof, and does not preclude the presence or increased possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, structural elements, components or a combination thereof.

[0045] Unless defined differently, all terms used herein, including technical terms or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. It should be understood that the same terms as those defined in general dictionaries have the same meanings as in the relevant technical context. Unless explicitly defined, these terms should not be interpreted ideally or excessively as formal meanings.

[0046] Hereinafter, an armrest apparatus for a vehicle and a method of controlling an operation thereof according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] A control unit (e.g., a controller or an electronic control unit (ECU)) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be implemented by an algorithm configured to control the operation of various elements of a vehicle, a non-volatile memory (not shown) configured to store data about software instructions for reproducing the algorithm, and a processor (not shown) configured to perform operations (described below) by using the data stored in the memory. Here, the memory and the processor may be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be implemented as an integrated single chip. The processor may take the form of one or more processors.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the armrest device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a lower arm 120, which is located on the side of the seat 10 of the vehicle and rotates relative to the seat 10 under the power of the lower arm motor 110; and an upper arm 140, which extends along the length direction of the lower arm 120 and rotates relative to the lower arm 120 under the power of the upper arm motor 130.

[0049] The seat 10 of the vehicle includes a seat cushion 11 and a seat back 12. When the seat back 12 is rotated forward and backward relative to the seat cushion 11, the angle of the seat back 12 can be adjusted, and the seat back 12 can be rotated by a reclining device 13.

[0050] The lower arm 120 and the upper arm 140 both extend in a straight line.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, the lower arm motor 110 is coupled to a motor frame 150, the motor frame 150 is fixedly coupled to a side of a seat frame 14 constituting a frame of the seat 10, and a motor shaft 111 of the lower arm motor 110 is coupled to the lower arm 120, so that if the motor shaft 111 of the lower arm motor 110 rotates, the lower arm 120 rotates relative to the seat 10 at one side of the seat 10. Here, the seat frame 14 coupled to the motor frame 150 may be a seat cushion frame of the seat.

[0052] The lower arm motor 110 located on one side of the seat frame 14 is coupled through the motor frame 150 to protrude to one side of the lower arm 120, and the lower arm motor 110 protruding to one side of the lower arm 120 is covered by the seat cover side cover 15 coupled to the seat 10 to prevent exposure to the outside, thereby improving the appearance of the armrest device.

[0053] The seat cowl side covers 15 are coupled to the side surfaces of the seat cushion 11 .

[0054] like Figure 3 As shown, the upper arm motor 130 is coupled to the lower arm 120 , and the motor shaft 131 of the upper arm motor 130 is coupled to the upper arm 140 , so that if the motor shaft 131 of the upper arm motor 130 rotates, the upper arm 140 rotates relative to the lower arm 120 .

[0055] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the upper arm motor 130 is coupled to the lower arm 120 to be located in the hollow space 121 inside the lower arm 120, thereby preventing exposure to the outside, and by doing so, the appearance of the armrest device can be improved. Specifically, the motor shaft 131 of the upper arm motor 130 passes through the lower arm 120, the coupling nut 160 is coupled to the end of the motor shaft 131 passing through the lower arm 120, and during the coupling of the coupling nut 160, the motor shaft 131 and the upper arm 140 are coupled to each other as one body by the coupling force of the coupling nut 160.

[0056] Therefore, if the motor shaft 131 of the upper arm motor 130 rotates, the upper arm 140 coupled to the motor shaft 131 through the coupling nut 160 rotates relative to the lower arm 120 .

[0057] The lower arm motor 110 and the upper arm motor 130 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention are controlled to be individually operated by the seat controller 240 .

[0058] The armrest device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention further includes a mobile device holder 170 disposed in the upper arm 140, and the mobile device holder 170 is embedded in the upper arm 140 and then operated to protrude forward along the length direction of the upper arm 140, and by using the mobile device holder 170 protruding forward of the upper arm 140, the mobile device 20 can be supported and / or charged, thereby further improving the convenience of the passenger.

[0059] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the angle of the armrest device 100 configured as described above is changed differently according to the posture of the vehicle seat (standard posture and relaxed posture), the collision accident situation of the vehicle, and the riding situation of the passengers, thereby improving the user's convenience and product value by expanding the useful functions of the armrest.

[0060] like Figure 4 As shown, if the seat 10 of the vehicle is mainly maintained in the standard posture and the relaxation posture, the mode of the armrest device 100 provided in the seat 10 is automatically changed to the standard mode and the relaxation mode.

[0061] The standard posture of the seat 10 may be defined as the position and state of the seat when the driver is directly driving the vehicle, while the relaxed posture of the seat 10 may be defined as the position and state of the seat when the driver is resting and not driving the vehicle in an autonomous vehicle.

[0062] In addition, if there is a risk of a collision accident during driving of the vehicle, the mode of the armrest device 100 is automatically changed to the side airbag deployment mode shortly before the accident occurs, and if a passenger gets on the vehicle while the vehicle is stopped, the mode of the armrest device 100 is automatically changed to the boarding mode before the passenger gets on.

[0063] like Figure 5 As shown, for the automatic operation of the armrest device 100 , the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a collision sensor 210 , a door switch 220 , a vehicle controller 230 , a seat controller 240 , a seat switch 250 , and a weight sensor 260 .

[0064] First, refer to Figure 6 A configuration in which the armrest device 100 is arranged in the standard mode when the seat 10 maintains the standard posture is described.

[0065] If a standard posture signal of the seat 10 is generated (step S2) due to the passenger manipulating the seat switch 250 (step S1), the seat controller 240 controls the operations of the lower arm motor 110 and the upper arm motor 130, respectively (step S3).

[0066] If a standard posture signal of the seat 10 is generated by manipulating the seat switch 250 , the seat controller 240 calculates positions of the lower arm 120 and the upper arm 140 and angles required to rotate the lower arm 120 and the upper arm 140 by using the Hall sensors of the lower arm motor 110 and the upper arm motor 130 .

[0067] If the lower arm motor 110 and the upper arm motor 130 are operated according to the control of the seat controller 240, the lower arm 120 and the upper arm 140 rotate to set the lower arm 120 and the upper arm 140 according to the angle of the standard mode set by the seat controller 240 (step S4), thereby, the armrest 100 can be completely arranged to be in the standard mode (step S5).

[0068] like Figure 7 As shown, the standard posture of the seat 10 may be defined as a state in which the seat back 12 is rotated rearwardly at an angle A1 within 45 degrees based on a vertical line L1 perpendicular to the ground 310 .

[0069] In addition, the standard mode of the armrest 100 may be defined as a state in which the lower arm 120 is rotated forward within 45 degrees based on the vertical line L1, and the upper arm 140 is rotated forward while the angle A3 between the upper arm 140 and the lower arm 120 is an obtuse angle.

[0070] Next, we will refer to Figure 8 A configuration in which the armrest apparatus 100 is arranged in the relaxation mode when the seat 10 maintains the relaxation posture is described.

[0071] If a relaxation posture signal of the seat 10 is generated (step S12) due to the passenger manipulating the seat switch 250 (step S11), the seat controller 240 controls the operations of the lower arm motor 110 and the upper arm motor 130, respectively (step S13).

[0072] If a relaxation posture signal of the seat 10 is generated by manipulating the seat switch 250 , the seat controller 240 calculates positions of the lower arm 120 and the upper arm 140 and angles required to rotate the lower arm 120 and the upper arm 140 by using the Hall sensors of the lower arm motor 110 and the upper arm motor 130 .

[0073] If the lower arm motor 110 and the upper arm motor 130 are operated according to the control of the seat controller 240, the lower arm 120 and the upper arm 140 rotate to set the lower arm 120 and the upper arm 140 according to the angle of the relaxation mode set by the seat controller 240 (step S14), thereby, the armrest 100 can be completely arranged to be in the relaxation mode (step S15).

[0074] like Fig. 9 As shown, the relaxing posture of the seat 10 may be defined as a state in which the seat back 12 is rotated rearwardly by an angle B1 of 60 to 90 degrees based on a vertical line L1 perpendicular to the ground 310 .

[0075] In addition, the relaxation mode of the armrest 100 corresponds to a state in which the lower arm 120 is rotated at the same angle as the seat back 11, and can be defined as a state in which the upper arm 140 is rotated toward the front while maintaining the angle B2 between the upper arm 140 and the lower arm 120 at an acute angle of 30 to 45 degrees.

[0076] Next, we will refer to Fig.10 A configuration is described in which the armrest apparatus 100 is arranged in a side airbag deployment mode in the event of a possible collision accident.

[0077] If the vehicle starts to move, the collision sensor 210 provided in the vehicle detects the approach of surrounding vehicles in real time (step S21), transmits the signal detected by the collision sensor 210 to the vehicle controller 230 in real time (step S22), and the vehicle controller 230 determines whether there is a danger of a collision accident by using the signal transmitted from the collision sensor 210 (step S23).

[0078] The collision sensor 230 includes at least one of an airbag sensor, a radar system, a lidar system, and a camera.

[0079] When the surrounding vehicles approach the vehicle at a preset distance or less, the vehicle controller 230 determines that there is a risk of a collision accident, and then, the vehicle controller 230 generates a collision risk signal (step S24).

[0080] The preset distance may be appropriately determined taking into account factors such as the type and / or size of the vehicle, safety standards, etc. For example, for a car, the preset distance may be determined to be within a range of 10 to 20 m.

[0081] If, in step S23, the vehicle controller 230 determines that there is no risk of a collision accident, the logic of the present invention feeds back to the steps before step S23.

[0082] Before a collision accident occurs, the collision danger signal generated in step S24 is transmitted to the seat controller 240 (step S25), and the seat controller 240 individually controls the operation of the lower arm motor 110 and the upper arm motor 130 based on the collision danger signal, and the lower arm 120 and the upper arm 140 are rotated to be set to match the angle of the side airbag deployment mode set by the seat controller 240, thereby fully arranging the armrest 100 into the side airbag deployment mode (step S26).

[0083] If a collision risk signal is generated in step S24 through the determination of step S23 , the armrest 100 is arranged in the side airbag deployment mode before a collision accident occurs.

[0084] Subsequently, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, within a predetermined period of time (a period of time determined in consideration of the deployment time of the side airbag) after the armrest 100 is completely arranged in the side airbag deployment mode as in step S26, it is determined whether the side airbag has been operated (step S27). When it is determined in the determination result that the side airbag has been operated, the armrest 100 continues to maintain the side airbag deployment mode (step S28). On the other hand, when it is determined that the side airbag is not operated, the mode of the armrest 100 is changed from the side airbag deployment mode to the standard mode through the operation controlled by the seat controller 240, and the armrest 100 is arranged in the standard mode (step S29).

[0085] Here, if Fig.11 As shown, the side airbag deployment mode of the armrest 100 corresponds to a state in which the armrest 100 is rotated to avoid the deployment area of ​​the side airbag 30 deployed from the side of the seat back 12, and can be defined as the following state: the lower arm 120 and the upper arm 140 extend straight along the femoral area 41 while being located on one side of the femoral area 41 of the seated passenger 40, and the end of the upper arm 140 is rotated to face forward.

[0086] Reference Fig.12 , describing a configuration in which the armrest device 100 is arranged in a boarding mode when a passenger boards a vehicle.

[0087] If the door is opened for passengers to sit in a stopped state of the vehicle, a door opening signal is generated by the operation of the door switch 220 (step S31), and then the door opening signal is transmitted to the seat controller 240 through the vehicle controller 230 (step S32).

[0088] If the seat controller 240 receives a door opening signal, the seat controller 240 controls the operation of the lower arm motor 110 and the upper arm motor 130 respectively based on the door opening signal, and rotates the lower arm 120 and the upper arm 140 to be set to match the angle of the boarding mode set by the seat controller 240, thereby, the armrest 100 is fully arranged in the boarding mode (step S33).

[0089] Subsequently, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the seat controller 240 determines whether the passenger has sat down in the seat 10 within a predetermined time period (a time determined in consideration of opening the door) after the armrest 100 is completely arranged in the boarding mode as in step S33 by using a signal from a weight sensor 260 provided in the seat (step S34), and when the seat controller 240 determines in the determination result that the passenger has sat down in the seat, the mode of the armrest 100 is changed from the boarding mode to the standard mode through an operation controlled by the seat controller 240, and the armrest 100 is arranged in the standard mode (step S35).

[0090] However, when the seat controller 240 determines in the determination result of step S34 that the passenger is not seated in the seat, the armrest 100 continues to maintain the boarding mode through the control of the seat controller 240 (step S36), and if the door closing signal is generated by the operation of the door switch 220 (step S37), the mode of the armrest 100 is changed from the boarding mode to the standard mode through the operation controlled by the seat controller 240, and the armrest 100 is arranged in the standard mode (step S38).

[0091] like Fig.13 As shown, the boarding mode of the armrest 100 corresponds to the following state: when the passenger 40 moves from the side of the seat 10 to the direction in which the passenger sits in the seat 10, the armrest 100 rotates to an area that does not interfere with the passenger 40, and can be defined as the following state: the lower arm 120 and the upper arm 140 extend straight along the upright direction of the seat back 12 while being located on one side of the upright seat back 12, and the end of the upper arm 140 is rotated to an upward state.

[0092] According to the armrest device 100 of the present invention, the getting-off mode can be implemented even when the passenger gets off the vehicle, and the getting-off mode is similar to the getting-on mode, and a detailed description thereof is omitted herein.

[0093] As described above, according to the present invention, the angle of the armrest device 100 can be automatically changed to different levels according to the standard posture and relaxation posture of the vehicle seat, the collision accident situation of the vehicle, and the sitting situation of the passengers, thereby improving the user's convenience and product value by expanding the useful functions of the armrest.

[0094] In addition, according to the present invention, the armrest device can also be applied to a seat of an autonomous driving vehicle capable of realizing a relaxation mode in which the driver rests comfortably during the driving of the vehicle without directly driving the vehicle.

[0095] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the present invention without departing from the technical concept of the present invention as provided in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the operation of an armrest device for a vehicle, the armrest device for a vehicle comprising: a lower arm located at a side of the seat and configured to rotate relative to the seat by power of a lower arm motor; an upper arm extending in a length direction of the lower arm and configured to rotate relative to the lower arm by power of an upper arm motor; as well as a mobile device holder configured to hold a mobile device, which is slidably disposed in the upper arm, The mobile device bracket slides out from the upper arm along the length direction of the upper arm, so that the front of the mobile device bracket is exposed to the outside to support the charging of the mobile device. The method comprises the following steps: When the vehicle is moving, the collision sensor detects the approach of surrounding vehicles; When the collision sensor detects the approach and the vehicle controller determines the risk of a collision accident, the vehicle controller generates a collision risk signal before the collision accident occurs; and When the collision danger signal is generated, the seat controller sets the angles of the lower arm and the upper arm to preset angles by respectively controlling operations of the lower arm motor and the upper arm motor, thereby arranging the armrest in a side airbag deployment mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: When a side airbag is operated within a predetermined period of time after the armrest is arranged in the side airbag deployment mode, the armrest continues to be maintained in the side airbag deployment mode; as well as When the side airbag is not operated within a predetermined period of time after the armrest is arranged in the side airbag deployment mode, the side airbag deployment mode is changed to a standard mode by control of the seat controller, Wherein, when the collision danger signal is generated, before a collision accident occurs, the armrest is arranged in the side airbag deployment mode.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The collision sensor includes at least one of an airbag sensor, a radar system, a lidar system, and a camera, and The vehicle controller generates the collision risk signal when a surrounding vehicle approaches the vehicle at a preset distance or less.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The side airbag deployment mode of the armrest corresponds to a state in which the armrest is rotated to avoid a deployment area of ​​a side airbag deployed from a side of the seat back, and corresponds to a state in which the lower arm and the upper arm extend straight along the femoral area while being located on one side of the femoral area of ​​the seated passenger, and the upper arm is rotated forward so that an end of the upper arm protrudes forward.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The standard mode of the armrest corresponds to a state in which the lower arm is rotated forward at an angle within 45 degrees based on a vertical line perpendicular to the ground, and corresponds to a state in which the upper arm is rotated forward while keeping the angle between the upper arm and the lower arm at an obtuse angle.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: When the vehicle is in a stopped state, a door opening signal is generated by operating a door switch; as well as When the door opening signal is generated, the seat controller sets the angles of the lower arm and the upper arm to preset angles by respectively controlling operations of the lower arm motor and the upper arm motor, thereby arranging the armrest in a boarding mode.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of: the seat controller determines whether a passenger is seated on the seat by using a signal of a weight sensor arranged in the seat within a predetermined period of time after the armrest is arranged in the boarding mode; as well as When it is determined that the passenger is seated, the boarding mode of the armrest is changed to the standard mode through the control of the seat controller.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of: the seat controller determines whether a passenger is seated on the seat by using a signal of a weight sensor arranged in the seat within a predetermined period of time after the armrest is arranged in the boarding mode; When it is determined that the passenger is not seated on the seat, the armrest is kept in the boarding mode through the control of the seat controller; as well as When a door closing signal is generated by the operation of the door switch without a passenger sitting on the seat and the armrest continues to be in the boarding mode, the boarding mode of the armrest is changed to the standard mode through the control operation of the seat controller.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The boarding mode of the armrest corresponds to the following state: when a passenger moves from the side of the seat toward the direction in which the passenger sits in the seat, the armrest rotates to an area that does not interfere with the passenger; And corresponds to the following state: the lower arm and the upper arm extend straightly in the direction in which the seat back stands upright while being located on one side of the upright seat back, and the upper arm is rotated upward so that the end of the upper arm protrudes upward.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The standard mode of the armrest corresponds to a state in which the lower arm is rotated forward by an angle within 45 degrees based on a vertical line perpendicular to the ground, and corresponds to a state in which the upper arm is rotated forward while keeping the angle between the upper arm and the lower arm at an obtuse angle.

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