Method of controlling a walk-in operation of a vehicle seat

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for controlling the walk-in operation of a vehicle seat. When an operation signal of a walk-in switch (70) is generated during the walk-in operation or walk-back operation of the seat, the method determines whether the walk-in switch (70) is malfunctioning by taking into account the number of signal generation and the signal filtering time. If malfunction is detected, the walk-in operation or walk-back operation continues to be performed, and the walk-in operation or walk-back operation is stopped only if it is a normal operation according to the user's intention.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling the walk-in operation of a vehicle seat, and more specifically, to a technology associated with the method for controlling the walk-in operation of a vehicle seat that prevents erroneous walk-in operation when a walk-in switch is operated during walk-in operation or walk-back operation of the seat. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, assuming the driver's seat and passenger seat are the first row of seats, there exists a vehicle (recreational vehicle) with a second and third row of seats located behind the first row of seats.

[0003] When the vehicle has a third row of seats, the second row of seats is equipped with a walk-in feature that makes it easier for passengers to sit in the third row and get out of the vehicle.

[0004] The walk-in function of the seats refers to the technology that ensures sufficient space between the second-row seats and the third-row seats when the user operates the walk-in switch in the initial state where the second-row seats are behind the seat rails and the seat backs are upright. This is achieved by sliding the second-row seats forward along the seat rails and rotating and folding the seat backs.

[0005] As high-quality and convenience specifications are considered important for vehicles, electric (powered) specifications that allow users to access the seat's walk-in function by operating a walk-in switch have been gradually added.

[0006] In the case of electric walk-in operation, when the user operates the walk-in switch, the seat sliding motor and seat adjuster motor operate under the control of the seat controller. Through the operation of the motors, the second-row seats slide forward along the seat rails, and the seat backs automatically rotate forward and fold down.

[0007] Typically, the walk-in switch is located at the top of the back of the second-row seats so that passengers in the third row can easily operate it.

[0008] Passengers in the third row should disembark after the second-row walk-in mechanism has been activated or while the second-row walk-in mechanism is in operation. In this situation, passengers should smoothly alight while holding onto the back of the second-row seat. During this process, passengers in the third row often accidentally activate the walk-in switch.

[0009] When a passenger in the third row accidentally activated the walk-in switch while exiting the vehicle, the second-row seats moved backward along the seat rails and returned to their initial position, with the seatbacks upright again. As a result, the passenger exiting the third row became trapped between the door and the second-row seats that were returning via the walk-in switch, leading to injury.

[0010] The foregoing description, provided as background, is intended only to help understand the background of the present invention and does not imply that the present invention falls within the scope of related technologies known to those skilled in the art.

[0011] As a related technology, there is KR 10-2013-0024625A. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Technical issues

[0013] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for controlling the walk-in operation of a vehicle seat. This method determines whether the walk-in switch is malfunctioning when a walk-in switch signal is generated during the walk-in operation or walk-back operation of the seat. If malfunction is detected, the walk-in operation or walk-back operation of the seat continues to be performed. The walk-in operation or walk-back operation is stopped only if the operation is performed normally according to the user's intention. This can prevent passengers from being injured due to incorrect walk-in operation.

[0014] Technical solution

[0015] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a method for controlling the walk-in operation of a vehicle seat. The method includes: a first determining step, determining whether a walk-in switch signal is generated during the walk-in operation of the vehicle seat; a second determining step, determining the number of times the signal is generated when the determining result of the first determining step indicates that a walk-in switch signal has been generated; and a third determining step, determining whether the forward sliding position of the seat and the tilt angle of the seat back meet the conditions for a passenger to disembark when the determining result of the second determining step indicates that the conditions for a passenger to disembark are not met, wherein the walk-in operation of the vehicle seat continues to be performed under the control of the seat controller, and the walk-in operation is completed.

[0016] The method may further include: a fourth determining step, in which, when the determining result of the third determining step indicates that the passenger's disembarkation conditions are met, it is determined whether the duration of the signal generation exceeds a filtering time, wherein, when the determining result of the fourth determining step indicates that the duration of the signal generation exceeds the filtering time, the seat controller determines the passenger's intention, and the seat controller performs control to stop the seat's walk-in operation.

[0017] When the determination result in the fourth determination step indicates that the duration of signal generation does not exceed the filtering time, the step-in operation of the vehicle seat can continue to be performed under the control of the seat controller, and the step-in operation can be completed.

[0018] If the determination result of the first determination step is that no signal of the walk-in switch is generated, the walk-in operation of the vehicle seat can continue to be performed under the control of the seat controller, and the walk-in operation can be completed.

[0019] When the determination result of the second determination step indicates that two or more walk-in switch signals have been generated, the seat controller can determine the application passenger's intention, and the seat controller can execute control to stop the walk-in operation of the seat.

[0020] The method may further include: a fifth determining step, determining whether a walk-in switch signal is generated during a walk-back operation after the completion of the walk-in operation; a sixth determining step, determining the number of times the signal is generated when the determination result of the fifth determining step indicates that a walk-in switch signal has been generated; and a seventh determining step, determining whether the duration of the signal generation exceeds a filtering time when the determination result of the sixth determining step indicates that a walk-in switch signal has been generated once, wherein when the determination result of the seventh determining step indicates that the duration of the signal generation exceeds the filtering time, the seat controller determines the intent of the passenger, and the seat controller executes control to stop the walk-in operation of the seat.

[0021] When the determination result in the seventh determination step indicates that the duration of signal generation does not exceed the filtering time, the vehicle seat walk-in return operation can continue to be executed under the control of the seat controller, and the walk-in return operation can be completed.

[0022] When the determination result of the sixth determination step indicates that two or more walk-in switch signals have been generated, the seat controller can determine the application passenger's intention, and the seat controller can execute control to stop the seat's walk-in return operation.

[0023] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for controlling the walk-in operation of a vehicle seat, the method comprising: generating a walk-in switch signal during a walk-in operation or a walk-back operation of the seat; and determining whether the walk-in switch is malfunctioning by taking into account the number of times the walk-in switch signal is generated and the signal filtering time, wherein when the determination result indicates that the walk-in switch signal is malfunctioning, the walk-in operation or walk-back operation of the vehicle seat continues to be executed under the control of a seat controller until the walk-in operation or walk-back operation is completed, and wherein when the determination result indicates that the walk-in switch signal is a normal operation according to the user's intention, the walk-in operation or walk-back operation of the seat is stopped under the control of the seat controller.

[0024] When a step-in switch signal is generated during a step-out operation or step-back operation of the seat, and the duration of the step-in switch signal generation does not exceed the filtering time, the seat controller can determine that the passenger has misoperated the step-in switch, and the seat controller can execute control to continue the step-in operation or step-back operation until the step-in operation or step-back operation is completed.

[0025] When a step-in switch signal is generated during a step-out operation or step-back operation of the seat, and the duration of the step-in switch signal generation exceeds the filtering time, the seat controller can determine the passenger's intention to stop the step-out operation or step-back operation, and the seat controller can execute control to stop the step-out operation or step-back operation.

[0026] When two or more walk-in switch signals are generated within a predetermined time during the walk-in or walk-back operation of the seat, the seat controller can determine the passenger's intention to stop the walk-in or walk-back operation, and the seat controller can execute control to stop the walk-in or walk-back operation.

[0027] Beneficial effects

[0028] According to the method for controlling the walk-in operation of a vehicle seat of the present invention, when a walk-in switch signal is generated during the walk-in operation or walk-back operation of the seat, the method determines whether the walk-in switch is malfunctioning by taking into account the number of signal generation and the signal filtering time. If malfunction occurs, the walk-in operation or walk-back operation continues to be performed, and the walk-in operation or walk-back operation is stopped only if it is a normal operation according to the user's intention. This can prevent passengers from being injured due to erroneous walk-in operation. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a method for controlling the walk-in operation of a vehicle seat according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The diagrams and flowcharts are based on the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The descriptions of specific structures or functions of embodiments of the present invention disclosed in this specification or application are provided for illustrative purposes only. Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limiting the present invention to the embodiments described in this specification or application.

[0032] Since various modifications and forms can be made to embodiments of the present invention, specific embodiments will be shown in the accompanying drawings and described in detail in this specification or application. However, the description of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the embodiments according to the concept of the present invention to the specific embodiments, but should be understood as encompassing all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0033] Terms such as “first” and / or “second” may be used to describe various constituent elements, but these constituent elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one constituent element from other constituent elements. For example, without departing from the scope of the concept according to the invention, a first constituent element may be referred to as a second constituent element, and similarly, a second constituent element may be referred to as a first constituent element.

[0034] When a component is described as "connected" or "attached" to another component, it should be understood that one component can be directly connected to or attached to another component, and that there may be an intermediate component between the two components. When a component is described as "directly connected to" or "directly attached to" another component, it should be understood that there is no intermediate component between the components. Other expressions used to explain the relationship between components, namely "between" and "exactly between," or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to," should be interpreted in a similar manner.

[0035] The terminology used in this specification is for describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless explicitly described in the context as having different meanings. In this specification, it should be understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” “including,” “containing,” “having,” “comprise,” or other variations thereof are open-ended and thus specify the presence of the stated features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Unless expressly defined in this specification, terms such as those defined in common dictionaries shall be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and shall not be interpreted as having an overly ideal or formal meaning.

[0037] The control unit (controller) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by a non-volatile memory (not shown) configured to store an algorithm for controlling the operation of various components in the vehicle or to store data related to software commands for executing the algorithm, the processor being configured to perform the following operations using the data stored in the corresponding memory. In this case, the memory and processor can be implemented as different chips. Alternatively, the memory and processor can be implemented as a single chip integrating the memory and processor. The processor can be configured as one or more processors.

[0038] In the following description, a method for controlling the walk-in operation of a vehicle seat according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the second-row seats 10 of the vehicle include a seat cushion 11 and a seat back 12. The seat cushion 11 is coupled to a seat rail 20 and slides forward or backward along the seat rail 20. The seat back 12 can rotate forward or backward relative to the seat cushion 11 so that the angle of the seat back 12 can be adjusted.

[0040] The seat rail 20 includes a fixed rail, a movable rail, a seat sliding motor 30, and a connector. The fixed rail is connected to the vehicle floor and extends in a longitudinal direction. The movable rail is configured to move along the fixed rail. The seat sliding motor 30 is configured to generate power for moving the movable rail. The connector includes gears configured to transmit power from the sliding motor 30 to the movable rail. The movable rail is connected to the seat cushion 11.

[0041] Furthermore, the angle of the backrest 12 can be adjusted by an adjuster and a seat adjuster motor 40, which is configured to generate power for operating the adjuster.

[0042] The operation of the seat sliding motor 30 and the seat angle adjuster motor 40 is controlled by the seat controller 50. The signal of the walk-in switch 70 located at the upper end of the backrest 12 of the second-row seat 10 is input to the seat controller 50.

[0043] The attached diagram shows the third row of seats, marked 60.

[0044] Therefore, when a passenger operates the walk-in switch 70 of the second-row seat 10, the seat sliding motor 30 and the seat adjuster motor 40 operate under the control of the seat controller 50. The second-row seat 10 slides forward along the seat guide rail 20 through the operation of motors 30 and 40, and the seat back 12 rotates and folds forward, thereby performing the walk-in operation. Furthermore, a walk-back operation, the opposite of the walk-in operation, can also be performed.

[0045] Reference Figure 3 The flowchart in the figure describes a method for controlling the walk-in operation of a vehicle seat according to the present invention.

[0046] When a passenger in the third-row seat 60 operates the walk-in switch 70 of the second-row seat 10 to get off the vehicle (step S1), the seat sliding motor 30 and the seat adjuster motor 40 operate under the control of the seat controller 50. The second-row seat 10 slides along the seat rail 20, and the seat back 12 rotates forward and folds down, thereby performing the walk-in operation (step S2).

[0047] Even when a passenger in the third row seat 60 operates the walk-in switch 70 during the walk-in operation of the second row seat 10, a signal is generated, and the seat controller 50 determines whether the walk-in switch 70 signal is generated (first determination step, step S3).

[0048] When the determination result of the first determination step (step S3) indicates that a signal for the walk-in switch 70 has been generated, the seat controller 50 determines the number of times the signal has been generated (second determination step, step S4).

[0049] However, when the determination result of the first determination step (step S3) indicates that no signal of the walk-in switch 70 is generated, the walk-in operation of the vehicle seat continues to be performed under the control of the seat controller 50 (step S5), and then the walk-in operation is finally completed (step S6).

[0050] When the determination result of the second determination step (step S4) indicates that a signal for a walk-in switch has been generated, the seat controller 50 determines whether the position of the seat sliding forward and the tilt angle of the seat back 12 meet the conditions for the passenger to get off the vehicle (third determination step, step S7).

[0051] Under the minimum disembarkation conditions for passengers in the third-row seats 60, the forward sliding position of the second-row seats 10 can be defined as the minimum sliding position in which passengers in the third-row seats 60 can disembark. Furthermore, the forward folding angle of the seatback 12 of the second-row seats 10 can be defined as the minimum turning angle in which passengers in the third-row seats 60 can disembark.

[0052] The seat controller 50 can use the rotational speeds of the seat slide motor 30 and the seat adjuster motor 40 to determine the minimum disembarkation conditions for passengers in the third-row seats 60. Alternatively, the seat controller 50 can use position sensors, rotation sensors, camera sensors, etc., to determine the minimum disembarkation conditions for passengers in the third-row seats 60.

[0053] When the determination result of the third determination step (step S7) indicates that the passenger's disembarkation conditions are not met, the vehicle seat walk-in operation continues to be performed under the control of the seat controller 50, thereby continuing the walk-in operation (step S5), and then finally completing the walk-in operation (step S6).

[0054] However, when the determination result of the third determination step (step S7) is that the passenger's disembarkation conditions are met, the seat controller 50 determines whether the signal generation duration of the walk-in switch 70 exceeds the filtering time (fourth determination step, step S8).

[0055] The filtering time associated with the signal from the walk-in switch 70 can be set to approximately 5 seconds, but this filtering time can be changed as needed.

[0056] When the determination result of the fourth determination step (step S8) indicates that the duration of signal generation exceeds the filtering time, the seat controller 50 determines the applicant's intention to stop the walk-in operation, and the seat controller 50 executes control to stop the walk-in operation of the seat, and the walk-in operation of the seat stops immediately (step S9).

[0057] However, when the determination result in the fourth determination step (step S8) indicates that the duration of signal generation has not exceeded the filtering time, the vehicle seat walk-in operation continues to be performed under the control of the seat controller 50 and the walk-in operation is completed (steps S5 and S6).

[0058] In other words, if a signal for the step-in switch 70 is generated during the step-in operation and the signal duration does not exceed the filtering time, the seat controller 50 determines that a passenger in the third-row seat 60 has mistakenly operated the step-in switch 70 while alighting. In this situation, if the step-in operation suddenly stops, the passenger alighting from the third-row seat 60 may collide with the second-row seat 10 and be injured. To prevent this, the step-in operation continues until it is complete.

[0059] Furthermore, when the determination result of the second determination step (step S4) indicates that two or more walk-in switch signals are generated within a predetermined time (e.g., 2 to 3 seconds) (step S10), the seat controller 50 determines the passenger's intention to stop the walk-in operation, thereby the seat controller 50 executes control to stop the walk-in operation of the seat, and immediately stops the walk-in operation of the seat (step S9).

[0060] Furthermore, when a signal is generated by the operation of the step-in switch 70 after the step-in operation is completed (step S6) (step S11), the seat sliding motor 30 and the seat angle adjuster motor 40 operate under the control of the seat controller 50. The second row seat 10 returns to its initial position while sliding backward along the seat guide rail 20. The seat back 12, which has been rotated forward and folded, rotates backward to restore and straighten, so as to perform the step-in return operation of the second row seat 10 (step S12).

[0061] Even when a passenger operates the walk-in switch 70 during the walk-in return operation of the second row seat 10, a signal is generated, and the seat controller 50 determines whether the walk-in switch 70 signal is generated (fifth determination step, step S13).

[0062] When the determination result of the fifth determination step (step S13) indicates that a signal for the walk-in switch 70 has been generated, the seat controller 50 determines the number of times the signal has been generated (sixth determination step, step S14).

[0063] However, when the determination result of the fifth determination step (step S13) indicates that no signal of the walk-in switch 70 is generated, the walk-in return operation of the vehicle seat continues to be executed under the control of the seat controller 50 (step S15), and then the walk-in return operation is finally completed (step S16).

[0064] When the determination result of the sixth determination step (step S14) indicates that a signal of a walk-in switch has been generated, the seat controller 50 determines whether the duration of the signal generation of the walk-in switch 70 exceeds the filtering time (seventh determination step, step S17).

[0065] Even in this case, the filtering time associated with the signal of the walk-in switch 70 can be set to approximately 5 seconds, but this filtering time can be changed as needed.

[0066] When the determination result of the seventh determination step (step S17) indicates that the duration of signal generation exceeds the filtering time, the seat controller 50 determines the intention of applying the passenger's stop walk-back operation, and the seat controller 50 executes control to stop the seat walk-back operation, and immediately stops the seat walk-back operation (step S18).

[0067] However, when the determination result in the seventh determination step (step S17) indicates that the duration of signal generation has not exceeded the filtering time, the vehicle seat walk-in return operation continues to be executed under the control of the seat controller 50, and the walk-in return operation is completed (steps S15 and S16).

[0068] In other words, if a signal from the step-back switch 70 is generated during the step-back operation and the signal duration does not exceed the filtering time, the seat controller 50 determines that the passenger has mistakenly operated the step-back switch 70. In this situation, if the step-back operation of the seat suddenly stops, passengers in the third-row seats 60 who are getting on or off the vehicle may collide with the second-row seats 10 and be injured. To prevent this, the step-back operation continues until it is completed.

[0069] Furthermore, when the determination result of the sixth determination step (step S14) indicates that two or more walk-in switch signals are generated within a predetermined time (e.g., 2 to 3 seconds) (step S19), the seat controller 50 determines the passenger's intention to stop the walk-in return operation, thereby the seat controller 50 executes control to stop the walk-in return operation of the seat, and the walk-in return operation of the seat stops immediately (step S18).

[0070] As described above, the method for controlling the walk-in operation of a vehicle seat according to the present invention determines whether the walk-in switch 70 is malfunctioning when a signal of the walk-in switch 70 is generated during the walk-in operation or walk-back operation of the seat, taking into account the number of signal generation and the signal filtering time. In the case of malfunction, the walk-in operation or walk-back operation continues to be performed, and the walk-in operation or walk-back operation is stopped only in the case of normal operation according to the user's intention. This can prevent passengers from being injured due to malfunctioning walk-in operation.

[0071] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations can be made to the invention without departing from the technical spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0072] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0073] 10: Second row seats

[0074] 11: Seat Cushion

[0075] 12: Chair back

[0076] 20: Seat rails

[0077] 30: Sliding motor

[0078] 40: Seat Adjuster Motor

[0079] 50: Seat controller

[0080] 60: Third row seats

[0081] 70: Walk-in switch.

Claims

1. A method for controlling walk-in operation of a vehicle seat, the method comprising: The first determining step is to determine whether a signal for a walk-in switch is generated during the walk-in operation of the vehicle seat, the walk-in switch being disposed at the upper end of the vehicle seat. The second determining step involves determining the number of times the signal is generated when the determining result of the first determining step indicates that the signal of the walk-in switch has been generated. The third determining step involves determining whether the forward sliding position of the vehicle seat and the tilt angle of the backrest meet the passenger's disembarkation conditions when the determining result of the second determining step indicates that the signal of the walk-in switch has been generated. The passenger's disembarkation conditions are based on the minimum sliding position and minimum rotation angle of the vehicle seat that allow the passenger to disembark from the vehicle. as well as The fourth determination step involves determining whether the duration of the signal exceeds the filtering time if the determination result of the third determination step indicates that the passenger's disembarkation conditions are met. If the determination result in the third determination step indicates that the passenger's disembarkation conditions are not met, the step-in operation of the vehicle seat continues under the control of the seat controller until the step-in operation is completed. If the determination result in the fourth determination step indicates that the duration exceeds the filtering time, the seat controller determines that the passenger's intention to stop the walk-in operation is correctly applied through the signal, and stops the walk-in operation of the vehicle seat. When the determination result of the second determining step indicates that the signal of the walk-in switch has been generated two or more times, the seat controller stops the walk-in operation of the vehicle seat.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the determination result of the fourth determining step indicates that the duration has not exceeded the filtering time, the step-in operation of the vehicle seat continues to be performed under the control of the seat controller until the step-in operation is completed.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the determination result of the first determining step indicates that no signal of the walk-in switch is generated, the walk-in operation of the vehicle seat continues to be performed under the control of the seat controller until the walk-in operation is completed.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The fifth determining step is to determine whether the signal of the walk-in switch is generated during the walk-back operation after the completion of the walk-in operation. The sixth determining step involves determining the number of times the signal was generated when the determining result of the fifth determining step indicates that the signal of the walk-in switch was generated. as well as The seventh determination step involves determining whether the duration of the signal generated by the walk-in switch exceeds the filtering time, based on the determination result from the sixth determination step. If the determination result in the seventh determination step indicates that the duration exceeds the filtering time, the seat controller stops the walk-in operation of the vehicle seat.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein if the determination result in the seventh determining step indicates that the duration has not exceeded the filtering time, the step-back operation of the vehicle seat continues to be performed under the control of the seat controller until the step-back operation is completed.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein when the determination result of the sixth determining step indicates that the signal of the walk-in switch has been generated two or more times, the seat controller stops the walk-in return operation of the vehicle seat.

7. A method for controlling a walk-in operation or a walk-back operation of a vehicle seat, the method comprising: A signal for a step-in switch is generated during the step-in operation or the step-back operation of the vehicle seat, the step-in switch being located at the upper end of the vehicle seat. as well as The number of times the signal is generated and the signal filtering time of the walkie-talkie switch are taken into account to determine whether the walkie-talkie switch is malfunctioning. If the result indicates that the signal from the walk-in switch is a malfunction, the walk-in operation or the walk-back operation of the vehicle seat continues under the control of the seat controller until the walk-in operation or the walk-back operation is completed. When the determination result indicates that the signal of the walk-in switch is operating normally, the walk-in operation or the walk-back operation of the vehicle seat is stopped under the control of the seat controller. When a signal of the walk-in switch is generated during the walk-in operation or the walk-back operation of the seat, and the duration of the walk-in switch signal exceeds the signal filtering time, the seat controller determines that the passenger's intention to stop the walk-in operation or the walk-back operation is correctly applied, and stops the walk-in operation or the walk-back operation. If the signal of the walk-in switch is generated two or more times within a predetermined time during the walk-in operation or the walk-back operation of the vehicle seat, the seat controller stops the walk-in operation or the walk-back operation.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein when a signal of the step-in switch is generated during the step-in operation or the step-back operation of the vehicle seat and the duration of the signal of the step-in switch does not exceed the signal filtering time, the seat controller continues to perform the step-in operation or the step-back operation until the step-in operation or the step-back operation is completed.

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