Seat control system

Abstract

A seat control system is provided, which enables a seated person to sit in a comfortable posture state with a seat back lying down in a supine position without causing a back to be shifted and slide forward. The seat control system (1) has a seat cushion (2), a seat back (3), a reclining mechanism (6), a front link mechanism (40) that displaces a front side of a main frame (21) in an up-and-down direction about a front rotation shaft (35) as a center, a rear link mechanism (50) that displaces a sub frame (22) that supports a seat surface portion of the seat cushion in the up-and-down direction with respect to the main frame about a sub front rotation shaft (24) as a center, and a control mechanism (7). The control mechanism is configured to, from a normal seated state of a dummy (D), only actuate the front link mechanism, and from a time when a thigh angle (θ1) of the dummy becomes 22 to 30 degrees, actuate the front link mechanism while simultaneously actuating the reclining mechanism and the rear link mechanism, thereby switching to a comfortable posture state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a seat control system. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, vehicle seats, such as those in automobiles, allowed passengers to sit comfortably with the seat back reclined relative to the seat cushion. However, when the seat back is reclined, from a side view, the occupant's H-point deviates from the center axis of the seat back's tilt, causing a forward and downward shift in the occupant's back relative to the seat back. To prevent this back shift, the seat control system described in Patent Document 1 moves the seat cushion panel supporting the seat cushion upwards in conjunction with the reclining of the seat back.

[0003] Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-131747. Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0004] The seat control system described in Patent Document 1 can prevent back tilting caused by the reclining of the seat back. However, there is a problem that the seat cushion surface becomes nearly horizontal due to the upward displacement of the seat cushion panel, making it easy for the occupant to slide forward.

[0005] In view of such problems, the objective of the present invention is to provide a seat control system that enables a occupant to sit comfortably with the seat back reclined without back displacement or forward sliding. Methods for solving problems

[0006] The first technical solution of the present invention is a seat control system, comprising: a seat cushion; a seat back; a tilting mechanism for swinging the backrest frame constituting the seat back frame relative to the seat cushion frame constituting the seat cushion frame in a front-to-back direction; a tilting mechanism for displacing the front side of the seat cushion frame relative to the floor in a vertical direction with a first axis extending along the width direction of the seat as the center; a reverse tilting mechanism for displacing the seat cushion sub-frame supporting the seat surface of the seat cushion in a vertical direction with a second axis extending along the width direction of the seat as the center; and a control mechanism. The control mechanism controls the operation of the tilting mechanism, the tilting mechanism, and the reverse tilting mechanism. The control mechanism is configured such that when a occupant transitions from a normal sitting position to a comfortable supine position, from the normal sitting position, only the tilting mechanism is activated. Starting from a moment when the occupant's thigh angle reaches 20-28 degrees, the tilting mechanism is activated simultaneously with the tilting mechanism and the reverse tilting mechanism. This causes the seat back to tilt backward relative to the seat cushion frame while simultaneously displacing the seat cushion subframe upward relative to the seat cushion frame, thereby transitioning to the comfortable position.

[0007] According to the first technical solution, when the occupant transitions from a normal sitting position to a comfortable reclining position, only the tilting mechanism is activated. Starting from a point when the occupant's thigh angle reaches 20-28 degrees, the tilting mechanism, the reclining mechanism, and the reverse tilting mechanism are activated simultaneously. Therefore, from the moment the seat cushion reclines, the reclining of the seat back and the upward displacement of the rear side of the seat cushion occur simultaneously, thus allowing the occupant to be in a comfortable position with the seat back reclined, without back displacement or forward sliding.

[0008] The second technical solution of the present invention, based on the first technical solution, stops the operation of the tilting mechanism and the reverse tilting mechanism simultaneously when the hip angle of the seated person becomes 121 to 135 degrees.

[0009] According to the second technical solution, the seated person can adopt a supine weightless posture in a comfortable position (the posture in which the angle between the torso and legs, i.e., the hip angle, is about 128 degrees when a human is de-stressed in outer space), which puts the least burden on the body. Even for a long time, the posture is not easy to go out of shape, and it can make people less tired.

[0010] The third technical solution of the present invention, based on the first technical solution, further involves stopping the tilting mechanism and the reverse tilting mechanism simultaneously when the hip angle of the seated person becomes 121 to 135 degrees, and then only operating the tilting mechanism until the torso angle of the seated person becomes 59 to 75 degrees.

[0011] According to the third technical solution, the thigh angle of the seated person in a comfortable posture is more than 30 degrees. Therefore, in the event of a frontal collision in a comfortable posture, the seated person can be prevented from sliding forward, thus improving safety. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of an automobile seat according to an embodiment of the seat control system of the present invention, showing a normal sitting posture. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line II-II. Figure 3 This is a schematic side view of the car seat according to the above embodiment, showing the seat cushion tilted back using a tilting mechanism. Figure 4 This is a schematic side view of the automobile seat according to the above embodiment, showing the view from the side. Figure 3 The state after the tilting mechanism is activated while the pitching mechanism and the reverse tilting mechanism are activated simultaneously. Figure 5 This is a schematic side view of the automobile seat according to the above embodiment, showing the view from the side. Figure 4 The seat cushion is tilted backward using a tilting mechanism. Figure 6 This diagram shows the sequential operation of the tilting mechanism, pitching mechanism, and reverse tilting mechanism in the above embodiments. Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the seat control system according to the above-described embodiment. Figure 8 This is a graph showing the temporal changes in the thigh angle, torso angle, and hip angle of the seated person in the seat control system of the above embodiment. Figure 9 This is a graph showing the temporal changes of the tilt angle, reverse tilt angle, and reclining angle of the car seat in the seat control system of the above embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0013] based on Figures 1-9 The following description will explain a seat control system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the directions are based on the up / down and front / back directions shown in the figures. Here, the up / down and front / back directions are determined with reference to the car seat 10 when it is mounted on the floor F. The left / right direction corresponds to the seat width direction.

[0014] like Figure 1As shown, the car seat 10 has: a seat cushion 2 that supports the buttocks and thighs of a dummy D simulating a seated person; a seat back 3 that supports the waist and back of the dummy D; and a headrest 4 that supports the head of the dummy D.

[0015] The seat cushion 2 has a frame 20 forming a skeleton, a cushioning member covering the frame 20, and a decorative cover covering the surface of the cushioning member. The cushioning member and decorative cover are omitted here; only the frame 20 is shown. The frame 20 has a main frame 21 rotatably mounted relative to the floor F, and a sub-frame 22 rotatably mounted relative to the main frame 21. Here, the main frame 21 and the sub-frame 22 correspond to the "cushion frame" and "cushion sub-frame" in the claims, respectively.

[0016] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the main frame 21 is rectangular when viewed from above. Its lower rear end is rotatable around a rear rotation axis 35, which is supported by a pair of left and right rear supports 33 with the axis direction being the seat width direction. Specifically, the rear supports 33 are fixed to the rear upper surface of each upper rail 32 of a pair of left and right slide rails 30. Each slide rail 30 has an upper rail 32 that is slidably mounted relative to a lower rail 31 fixed to the floor F in a front-rear direction. An upper rotation axis 23 with the axis direction being the seat width direction is disposed at the front end of the main frame 21. The upper rotation axis 23 is connected to and supported by a pair of left and right front linkage mechanisms 40. The front rotation axis 36 is rotatably disposed between a pair of left and right front supports 34 fixed to the front upper surface of each upper rail 32 with the axis direction being the seat width direction. The front linkage mechanism 40 includes a front upper linkage member 41, a front lower linkage member 42, a connecting shaft 43, an electric mechanism 44, and a sector gear 45. One end of the upper front linkage member 41 is rotatably connected to one end of the lower front linkage member 42 via a connecting shaft 43. The other end of the upper front linkage member 41 is rotatably connected to the upper rotating shaft 23, and the other end of the lower front linkage member 42 is non-rotatably connected to the front rotating shaft 36. The electric mechanism 44 rotates the sector gear 45 fixed to the front rotating shaft 36, thereby causing the front rotating shaft 36, on which the sector gear 45 is fixed, to rotate relative to the pair of left and right front supports 34. The rotation of the sector gear 45 causes the front rotating shaft 36 to rotate relative to the pair of left and right front supports 34. Figure 1 When the middle link rotates clockwise, the lower front link member 42 pushes the connecting shaft 43 upward. Therefore, the upper front link member 41 rotates around the connecting shaft 43. Figure 1 It rotates counterclockwise and rises, thus pushing the rotation axis 23 upwards. Therefore, the main frame 21, with the rear rotation axis 35 as its center, ... Figure 1 When the main frame 21 rotates clockwise, its front side rises relative to the floor F. When the electric mechanism 44 moves in the opposite direction, the main frame 21 rotates around the rear axis 35. Figure 1 The mechanism rotates counterclockwise, bringing its front side closer to the floor F. When power to the electric mechanism 44 is stopped, the electric mechanism 44 ceases operation, and the main frame 21 maintains this state. Here, the rear rotation axis 35 and the front linkage mechanism 40 correspond to the "first axis" and "tilting mechanism" in the claims, respectively.

[0017] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the sub-frame 22 is a rectangular plate-like structure viewed from above. Its upper surface is the seat surface side, and the lower side of its front end, opposite to the seat surface, is rotatably supported on the main frame 21 via a secondary front rotation shaft 24 whose axial direction is the seat width direction. A secondary rear rotation shaft 25, whose axial direction is the seat width direction, is arranged at the rear end of the sub-frame 22. The secondary rear rotation shaft 25 is connected and supported by a secondary lower rotation shaft 26, which is arranged on the main frame 21 and whose axial direction is the seat width direction, via a pair of left and right rear linkage mechanisms 50. The rear linkage mechanism 50 is substantially the same mechanism as the front linkage mechanism 40, and has a rear upper linkage member 51, a rear lower linkage member 52, a connecting shaft 53, an electric mechanism (not shown), and a sector gear (not shown). One end of the rear upper linkage member 51 is connected to one end of the rear lower linkage member 52 in a rotatable manner via the connecting shaft 53. The other end of the upper rear connecting rod member 51 is rotatably connected to the secondary rear rotating shaft 25, while the other end of the lower rear connecting rod member 52 is non-rotatably connected to the secondary lower rotating shaft 26. The electric mechanism is the same as the electric mechanism 44; by actuation, it rotates the sector gear fixed to the secondary lower rotating shaft 26, which is identical to the sector gear 45, thereby causing the secondary lower rotating shaft 26, to which the sector gear is fixed, to rotate relative to the main frame 21. When the secondary lower rotating shaft 26 rotates due to the rotation of the sector gear... Figure 1 When the middle part rotates counterclockwise, the lower rear connecting rod member 52 pushes the connecting shaft 53 upward. Therefore, the upper rear connecting rod member 51 rotates around the connecting shaft 53. Figure 1 The main frame rotates clockwise and rises, pushing the secondary rear rotation axis 25 upwards. Thus, the secondary frame 21, relative to the main frame 21, rotates around the secondary front rotation axis 24. Figure 1 The middle part rotates counterclockwise, and its rear side rises relative to the main frame 21. As a result, the seat surface of the seat cushion 2 tilts forward relative to the main frame 21. When the electric mechanism moves in the opposite direction, the sub-frame 22 rotates relative to the main frame 21 around the sub-front rotation axis 24. Figure 1 The subframe 22 rotates clockwise, bringing its rear side closer to the main frame 21. As a result, the seat surface of the seat cushion 2 tilts backward relative to the main frame 21. When power to the electric mechanism is stopped, the electric mechanism ceases operation, and the subframe 22 maintains this state relative to the main frame 21. Here, the secondary front rotation shaft 24 and the rear linkage mechanism 50 correspond to the "second shaft" and "reverse tilting mechanism" in the claims, respectively.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the seat backrest 3 has a backrest frame 5 forming the skeleton, a cushioning member covering the backrest frame 5, and a decorative cover covering the surface of the cushioning member. The cushioning member and the decorative cover are omitted here; only the backrest frame 5 is shown. The backrest frame 5 is mounted to the rear end of the main frame 21 via a tilting mechanism 6 and is adjustable in tilt angle relative to the frame 20.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, a control mechanism 7 is provided on the seat cushion 2, which can control the front linkage mechanism 40, the rear linkage mechanism 50, and the tilt mechanism 6. In addition, the front linkage mechanism 40, the rear linkage mechanism 50, and the tilt mechanism 6 are all electrically controllable mechanisms.

[0020] like Figure 1 , Figures 3-4 As shown, the angle between the center line TH of the thigh of dummy D and the horizontal line H is the thigh angle θ1; the angle between the center line TO of the torso of dummy D and the vertical line V is the torso angle θ2; and the angle between the center line TH of the thigh and the center line TO of the torso is the hip angle θ3. Furthermore, the angle between the upper surface of the main frame 21 and the horizontal line H is the main frame angle θ4; the angle between the upper surface of the main frame 21 and the upper surface of the secondary frame 22 is the secondary frame angle θ5; and the angle between the upper surface of the main frame 21 and the front surface of the backrest frame 5 is the backrest frame angle θ6.

[0021] The operation of the seat control system 1 will be explained. Figure 6 In the diagram, (A) represents the normal posture; details correspond to... Figure 1 At this time, by Figure 8 The thigh angle θ1 is 10 degrees, the trunk angle θ2 is 25 degrees, and the hip angle θ3 is 115 degrees. Additionally, from... Figure 9 The main frame angle θ4 is 0 degrees, the secondary frame angle θ5 is 0 degrees, and the backrest frame angle θ6 is 110 degrees. From this state, by controlling mechanism 7, the tilt mechanism 6 and the rear linkage mechanism 50 are not activated, but only the front linkage mechanism 40 is activated, setting the thigh angle θ1 to 20 degrees. Figure 6 (B) in the text, details correspond to Figure 3 At this time, by Figure 8 The thigh angle θ1 is 20 degrees, the trunk angle θ2 is 35 degrees, and the hip angle θ3 is 115 degrees. Additionally, from... Figure 9 The main frame angle θ4 is 12 degrees, the secondary frame angle θ5 is 0 degrees, and the backrest frame angle θ6 is 110 degrees. From this state, the tilt mechanism 6 and the rear linkage mechanism 50 move together with the front linkage mechanism 40 via the control mechanism 7. With the simultaneous movement of the front linkage mechanism 40 and the rear linkage mechanism 50, the thigh angle θ1 changes relatively little, but the torso angle θ2 and hip angle θ3 change significantly, thus becoming... Figure 6 In (C), the details correspond to Figure 4At this time, by Figure 8 The thigh angle θ1 is 22 degrees, the trunk angle θ2 is 52 degrees, and the hip angle θ3 is 121 degrees. Additionally, from... Figure 9 The main frame angle θ4 is 22 degrees, the secondary frame angle θ5 is 8 degrees, and the backrest frame angle θ6 is 118 degrees. From this state, by controlling mechanism 7, the tilt mechanism 6 and the rear linkage mechanism 50 are not activated, but only the front linkage mechanism 40 is activated, setting the thigh angle θ1 to 30 degrees. Figure 6 In (D), the details correspond to Figure 5 At this time, by Figure 8 With a thigh angle θ1 of 30 degrees, a trunk angle θ2 of 61 degrees, and a hip angle θ3 of 121 degrees, this posture is considered comfortable. Additionally, due to... Figure 9 The main frame angle θ4 is 28 degrees, the secondary frame angle θ5 is 8 degrees, and the backrest frame angle θ6 is 118 degrees. Furthermore, Figure 6 In (B), the thigh angle θ1 can be varied within the range of 20 to 28 degrees. Additionally, Figure 6 In (C), the hip angle θ3 can be varied within the range of 121 to 135 degrees. Furthermore, Figure 6 In (D), the torso angle θ2 can be varied within the range of 59 to 75 degrees.

[0022] based on Figure 7 The flowchart below describes the operation of the seat control system 1. In step 101, the comfort posture switch, used to put the car seat 10 into a comfortable posture state, is turned on. Then, proceed to step 102, and determine whether the thigh angle θ1 of the dummy D is less than 20 degrees (whether the main frame angle θ4 is less than 12 degrees). If yes, proceed to step 103; otherwise, proceed to step 105. In step 103, the front linkage mechanism 40 is activated. Then, proceed to step 104, and determine whether the hip angle θ3 of the dummy D is less than 121 degrees (whether the backrest frame angle θ6 is less than 118 degrees). If yes, proceed to step 105; otherwise, proceed to step 106. In step 105, the tilt mechanism 6 and the rear linkage mechanism 50 are activated simultaneously. In step 106, the tilt mechanism 6 and the rear linkage mechanism 50 are stopped simultaneously. Next, proceed to step 107 to determine if the torso angle θ2 of dummy D is 61 degrees (and if the main frame angle is 28 degrees). If yes, proceed to step 108; otherwise, return to step 103. In step 108, stop the movement of the front linkage mechanism 40 and set the car seat 10 to a comfortable position. Furthermore, in step 102, the thigh angle θ1 can be changed within the range of 20 to 28 degrees. Additionally, in step 104, the hip angle θ3 can be changed within the range of 121 to 135 degrees. Moreover, in step 107, the torso angle θ2 can be changed within the range of 59 to 75 degrees.

[0023] The implementation method configured in this way has the following effects. Figure 6 In the process of transitioning dummy D from a normal seated position (A) to a comfortable supine position (D), in (A) to (B), the tilting mechanism 6 and the rear linkage mechanism 50 are not activated, but only the front linkage mechanism 40 is activated, setting the thigh angle θ1 to 20 degrees. This makes dummy D more difficult to slide forward than in the normal seated position (A). From this state, the tilting mechanism 6 and the rear linkage mechanism 50 are activated together with the front linkage mechanism 40, resulting in a thigh angle θ1 of 22 degrees, a torso angle θ2 of 52 degrees, and a hip angle θ3 of 121 degrees (C). As the backrest frame angle θ6 increases, the subframe angle θ5 increases, and the seat surface of the seat cushion 2 rises, thus suppressing back displacement. Furthermore, the front linkage mechanism 40 is activated only, without activating the tilting mechanism 6 and the rear linkage mechanism 50, setting the thigh angle θ1 to 30 degrees, resulting in state (D). This results in a more comfortable posture with a larger thigh angle θ1, which further suppresses forward sliding. Furthermore, it offers the following advantages: In the comfortable posture of (D), during a frontal collision, the front side of the seat cushion 2 is compressed by the inertial load of the dummy D, and the seat back 3 is lifted upwards around the rotation center of the tilting mechanism 6, supporting the spine of the dummy D and potentially preventing spinal fractures.

[0024] Alternatively, in this embodiment, the movement of the front linkage 40, the tilting mechanism 6, and the rear linkage 50 can be stopped when the hip angle θ3 is 121 degrees (C), and this state can be considered a comfortable posture. This comfortable posture is a supine weightless posture (the posture in which the torso and legs naturally form an angle of approximately 128 degrees when a human is de-stressed in space), which places minimal burden on the body. Even after a long period of time, the posture is not easily distorted, and it can reduce fatigue.

[0025] The specific embodiments have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these appearances and structures. Various changes, additions, and deletions can be made without altering the spirit of the present invention. For example, the following can be listed.

[0026] 1. In the above embodiment, a front linkage mechanism 40 is used to enable the main frame 21 to rotate around the rear rotation axis 35, and a rear linkage mechanism 50 is used to enable the sub-frame 22 to rotate around the secondary front rotation axis 24. However, it is not limited to this, and hydraulic or other driving means can also be used to make it rotate.

[0027] 2. In the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to automobile seats 10, but it can also be applied to seats in airplanes, ships, railway vehicles, etc. Symbol Explanation

[0028] 1 Seat Control System

[0029] 2. Seat cushion

[0030] 3. Seat backrest

[0031] 5 Backrest Frame

[0032] 6. Tilting Mechanism

[0033] 7. Control mechanism

[0034] 10. Car seats

[0035] 20 Framework

[0036] 21 Main Frame (Seat Cushion Frame)

[0037] 22 Subframes (Seat Cushion Subframe)

[0038] 24. Second front rotating shaft (second shaft)

[0039] 35 Rear Rotation Axis (First Axis)

[0040] 40. Front linkage mechanism (tilting mechanism)

[0041] 50 Rear Linkage Mechanism (Reverse Tilting Mechanism)

[0042] D. Dummy

[0043] F Floor

[0044] H horizontal line

[0045] TH Thigh Center Line

[0046] TO Trunk Center Line

[0047] V plumb line

[0048] θ1 Thigh angle

[0049] θ2 Trunk angle

[0050] θ3 hip angle

[0051] θ4 Main frame angle

[0052] θ5 Subframe Angle

[0053] θ6 Backrest frame angle.

Claims

1. A seat control system, comprising: Seat cushion; Seat backrest; The tilting mechanism causes the backrest frame, which forms the skeleton of the seat back, to swing in the front-back direction relative to the cushion frame, which forms the skeleton of the seat cushion. The tilting mechanism causes the front and rear sides of the seat cushion frame to be displaced relative to the floor in the vertical direction with a first axis extending along the width of the seat as the center. A reverse tilting mechanism causes the seat cushion subframe supporting the seat cushion to shift vertically relative to the seat cushion frame, centered on a second axis extending along the width of the seat on the front side; and The control mechanism controls the actions of the tilt mechanism, the tilt mechanism, and the reverse tilt mechanism. The control mechanism is configured such that when a occupant transitions from a normal sitting position to a comfortable reclining position, from the normal sitting position, only the tilting mechanism is activated. Starting from the moment when the occupant's thigh angle reaches 20-28 degrees, the tilting mechanism is activated simultaneously with the reclining mechanism and the reverse tilting mechanism, causing the seat back to tilt backward relative to the seat cushion frame while simultaneously causing the seat cushion subframe to shift upward relative to the seat cushion frame, thereby transitioning to the comfortable posture.

2. The seat control system according to claim 1, wherein, When the hip angle of the seated person reaches 121 to 135 degrees, the tilting mechanism and the reverse tilting mechanism stop operating simultaneously.

3. The seat control system according to claim 1, wherein, When the hip angle of the seated person reaches 121 to 135 degrees, after the tilting mechanism and the reverse tilting mechanism stop operating simultaneously, only the tilting mechanism is operated until the torso angle of the seated person reaches 59 to 75 degrees.

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