ECU device

Abstract

To provide an ECU device capable of accurately estimating a length of the lower limbs of a seated person seated on a vehicle seat.SOLUTION: An ECU device 1 for estimating a length z of the lower limbs of a seated person A seated on a vehicle seat 10 comprises: thigh angle information acquisition means 2 for acquiring information pertaining to a thigh angle θ of the seated person A; back-of-knee angle information acquisition means 3 for acquiring information pertaining to a back-of-knee angle φ of the seated person A; and estimation means 4 for estimating a length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A on the basis of the information pertaining to the thigh angle θ acquired by the thigh angle information acquisition means 2 and the information pertaining to the back-of-knee angle φ acquired by the back-of-knee angle information acquisition means 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ECU device and a vehicle seat. [Background technology]

[0002] Development is underway on vehicle seats that can automatically adjust the fore-aft position and tilt of the seat cushion, the length of the seat surface, etc. (hereinafter referred to as the state of the vehicle seat) so that they are optimal for an occupant sitting in the vehicle seat. In order to achieve the formation of the optimal state, it is necessary to detect or estimate at least the length of the lower limbs of the seated occupant as accurately as possible.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which, when adjusting the fore-aft position of a seat cushion, the seat cushion is moved forward or backward so that the position of the occupant's shoulders does not move forward or backward, and the floor surface on which the occupant's heels rest is slightly raised or lowered. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-290099 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is based on the premise that the average lower leg length of an adult male is 970 mm and the average lower leg length of an adult female is 900 mm, and estimates the knee angle, etc. of a person seated in a vehicle seat based on this premise. However, since each occupant has a different physique and bone structure, it cannot be said with certainty that the state of the vehicle seat adjusted in the above manner is optimal for the occupant.

[0006] In order to automatically adjust the state of a vehicle seat to an optimal state for the occupant, information on the length of the occupant's lower limbs that is estimated as accurately as possible is required, and automatic adjustment must be performed based on this information.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an ECU device and a vehicle seat that are capable of accurately estimating the length of the lower limbs of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the invention described in claim 1 is: An ECU device for estimating a length of a lower limb of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat, A sine angle information acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the sine angle of the seated occupant; A knee back angle information acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the knee back angle of the seated occupant; an estimation means for estimating a length of the lower limbs of the seated occupant based on information on the swivel angle acquired by the swivel angle information acquisition means and information on the knee-back angle acquired by the knee-back angle information acquisition means; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0009] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the ECU device described in claim 1, the sine angle information acquisition means acquires, as information regarding the sine angle, a seat pressure measured by a seat pressure sensor arranged on a seat cushion of the vehicle seat.

[0010] The invention described in claim 3 is the ECU device described in claim 2, The seat cushion includes a seat frame, a cushion pad, and a cover. The seat pressure sensor is disposed at a position avoiding a recess formed in the cushion pad of the seat cushion.

[0011] The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that, in the ECU device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the knee-back angle information acquisition means acquires, as information regarding the knee-back angle, the presence or absence of pressure detection by a pressure sensor arranged at a front end of a seat cushion of the vehicle seat, the front end of which is movable in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle seat, and the movement distance of the front end.

[0012] The invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that, in the ECU device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the knee-back angle information acquisition means acquires, as information regarding the knee-back angle, each distance to the calves of the seated occupant measured by a plurality of infrared sensors arranged at a front end of a seat cushion of the vehicle seat.

[0013] The invention as set forth in claim 6 is the ECU device as set forth in claim 1, The cyclonic angle information acquisition means acquires, as information about the cyclonic angle, a first distance to the knee or shin of the seated person measured by irradiating an infrared laser from a first infrared sensor toward the knee or shin of the seated person, The knee-back angle information acquisition means is characterized in that it acquires, as information regarding the knee-back angle, a second distance to the heel of the seated occupant, which is measured by irradiating an infrared laser from a second infrared sensor toward the heel of the seated occupant.

[0014] The invention recited in claim 7 is characterized in that, in a vehicle seat, the ECU device recited in any one of claims 1 to 6 is attached to a seat frame.

[0015] The invention described in claim 8 is A system for estimating the length of a lower limb of a seated person seated in a vehicle seat, comprising: A sine angle information acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the sine angle of the seated occupant; A knee back angle information acquisition means for acquiring information related to the knee back angle of the seated occupant; an estimation means for estimating a length of the lower limbs of the seated occupant based on information on the swivel angle acquired by the swivel angle information acquisition means and information on the knee-back angle acquired by the knee-back angle information acquisition means; The present invention is characterized by comprising: Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the invention described in claims 1, 7 and 8, the cylindrical angle information acquisition means acquires information regarding the cylindrical angle of the seated person, the knee-back angle information acquisition means acquires information regarding the knee-back angle of the seated person, and the estimation means estimates the length of the lower limbs of the seated person based on that information, so that it is possible to accurately estimate the length of the lower limbs of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat.

[0017] According to the invention described in claim 2, by using the seat pressure measured by a seat pressure sensor arranged on the upper surface side of the seat cushion of the vehicle seat as information regarding the sine angle, it is possible to accurately estimate the length of the lower limbs of a seated occupant with a simple configuration.

[0018] According to the invention described in claim 3, by positioning the seat pressure sensor in a position that avoids the hanging portion of the seat cushion, the thighs of the seated occupant come into accurate contact with the seat pressure sensor, making it possible for the seat pressure sensor to accurately measure the seat pressure.

[0019] According to the invention described in claim 4, by using the presence or absence of pressure detection by a pressure sensor arranged at the front end of the seat cushion of the vehicle seat and the movement distance of the front end of the seat cushion as information regarding the knee-back angle, it is possible to accurately estimate the length of the lower limbs of a seated occupant with a simple configuration.

[0020] According to the invention described in claim 5, by using the distances to the calves of the seated occupant measured by a plurality of infrared sensors arranged at the front end of the seat cushion of the vehicle seat as information regarding the knee-back angle, it is possible to accurately estimate the length of the seated occupant's lower legs with a simple configuration.

[0021] According to the invention described in claim 6, by using a first distance to the knee or shin of the seated person measured by a first infrared sensor as information regarding the sine angle, and using a second distance to the heel of the seated person measured by a second infrared sensor as information regarding the knee-back angle, it is possible to accurately estimate the length of the seated person's lower leg with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a vehicle seat. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of a seat frame. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an ECU device. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a seat pressure sensor on a seat cushion in the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 11 is a plan view showing a seat pressure sensor disposed at a position avoiding a groove provided in a cushion pad of a seat cushion. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a seat pressure sensor on a seat cushion in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 1A is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for moving a front end of a seat cushion in a front-rear direction, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a state in which the front end of the seat cushion has been moved forward. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing a process flow in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing a process flow in the third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the configuration of the ECU device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a sensor different from that in the embodiment is used. [Figure 14]FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a system configuration for calculating the length of the lower limb using a method different from that of the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration for calculating the length of the lower leg based on the position of the heel. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration for calculating the length of the lower leg based on the position of the heel. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example relating to adjustment of a driving position. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example relating to adjustment of a driving position. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example related to body width adjustment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example related to body width adjustment. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a cushion frame equipped with a load sensor. [Figure 22] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a seat position adjusting system. FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information input method using an information terminal. [Figure 24] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating adjustment of the position of a handle. [Diagram 25] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating adjustment of the positions of side mirrors and a rearview mirror. [Figure 26] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating the position and display adjustment of the side electronic mirror. [Figure 27] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a case where the form of a sheet is changed. [Figure 28] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating changes in the shape of the seat when climbing a slope. [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for changing the shape of a seat including an immobilizer. [Diagram 30] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of temperature adjustment. [Diagram 31] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an ECU unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are subject to various technically preferable limitations for carrying out the present invention, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0024] 1 is a vehicle seat provided in a vehicle such as an automobile. In the following, the vehicle seat 10 will be described as being mainly a driver's seat, but the vehicle seat 10 is not limited to this and may be a passenger seat, a rear seat in a two-row seat system, or a second or third row seat in a three-row seat system.

[0025] 1, the vehicle seat 10 includes a seat cushion 11 that supports the buttocks and thighs of a seated occupant, a seat back 14 whose lower end is supported by the seat cushion 11 to serve as a backrest, and a headrest 17 that is provided on the seat back 14 to support the head of the seated occupant. In addition to the above, the vehicle seat 10 may include auxiliary supports such as a neck rest, arm rest, foot rest, and ottoman.

[0026] The seat cushion 11 is mainly composed of a seat frame 18 (see Figure 2 described later) which serves as the skeleton, a cushion pad 12 provided on the seat frame 18, and a skin 13 which covers the seat frame 18 and the cushion pad 12 and forms the surface of the seat. Similarly, the seat back 14 is mainly composed of a seat frame 18 (see Figure 2 described later) which serves as the skeleton, a cushion pad 15 provided on the seat frame 18, and a skin 16 which covers the seat frame 18 and the cushion pad 15 to form the surface of the seat.

[0027] In addition, the vehicle seat 10 is capable of moving the entire vehicle seat 10 in the forward / backward direction, adjusting the height and tilt (the angle of the seat surface of the seat cushion 11) of the seat cushion 11, reclining and folding the seat back 14, and raising and lowering the headrest 17, by driving a motor (not shown), etc. In addition, the vehicle seat 10 has a lumbar support function that changes the shape of the seat back 14 that rests against the back of the seated occupant, and the seat cushion 11 and the bank portions of the seat back 14 are designed to move in the vertical and front-to-rear directions.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, a seat frame (also called a cushion frame or the like) 18 is provided below the cushion pad 12 of the seat cushion 11, etc. The seat frame 18 has a seat cushion frame 19 that constitutes the seat cushion 11 and a seat back frame 20 that constitutes the seat back 14.

[0029] The seat cushion frame 19 is configured in a frame-like shape in a plan view and includes a pair of side frames 21 that extend longitudinally and are spaced apart from one another on the left and right, a pan frame 22 made of sheet metal that connects the front ends of the pair of side frames 21, and a connecting pipe 23 made of a metal pipe that connects the rear ends of the pair of side frames 21. A seat spring 24 is installed between the pan frame 22 and the connecting pipe 23.

[0030] The seat spring 24 is made up of four spring members 24A to 24D that extend longitudinally and are aligned laterally. Each of the spring members 24A to 24D is formed by bending a metal wire in a zigzag pattern to the left and right, and has a rear end hooked onto the connecting pipe 23 and a front end connected to the pan frame 22.

[0031] The seat back frame 20 comprises a pair of side frames 20a that extend vertically and are spaced apart from each other on the left and right, an upper frame 20b that is provided spanning between the upper ends of the pair of side frames 20a, and a plate-shaped lower member 20c that is provided spanning between the lower ends of the pair of side frames 20a. In addition, a seat spring 20d consisting of a plurality of spring members is provided between the pair of side frames 20a and between the upper frame 20b and the lower member 20c. The plurality of spring members constituting the seat spring 20d extend left and right and are bent up and down in a zigzag pattern.

[0032] An ECU (Electronic Control Unit) device 1 according to the present invention is attached to the seat frame 18 at a position that does not interfere with the operation of the members constituting the vehicle seat 10, for example by screwing it with a bolt 1a. 2 shows the case where the ECU device 1 is attached to the outside of the seat frame 18, it is also possible to attach the ECU device 1 to the inside of the seat frame 18. Also, it is also possible to configure the ECU device 1 to be attached to the seat back frame 20 instead of the seat cushion frame 19.

[0033] [First embodiment] The ECU device 1 is a device for estimating the length z of the lower limbs (the length from the hip point (the hip joint) to the heel) of an occupant A seated in a vehicle seat 10. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the ECU device 1 includes a cylindrical angle information acquisition means 2, a back-of-knee angle information acquisition means 3, and an estimation means 4. In addition, various parameters and the like are stored in a memory 5 of the ECU device 1. The following description of the ECU device 1 also serves as a description of the seated occupant's lower limb length estimation system of the present invention, which is equipped with a cylindrical angle information acquisition means 2, a knee-back angle information acquisition means 3, and an estimation means 4, and estimates the length of the lower limbs of an occupant seated in a vehicle seat 10.

[0034] The cylindrical angle information acquiring means 2 of the ECU device 1 is adapted to acquire information regarding the cylindrical angle θ of the seated person A (the angle of the thigh B of the seated person A with respect to the horizontal plane). In this embodiment, the cycloid angle information acquiring means 2 acquires the seat pressure measured by a seat pressure sensor disposed on the seat cushion 11 of the vehicle seat 10 as the information relating to the cycloid angle θ.

[0035] Specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of seat pressure sensors s1 to s4 are arranged in the front-rear direction on the upper surface side of the seat cushion 11, i.e., between the cushion pad 12 and the cover 13 of the seat cushion 11. The seat pressure sensor may be disposed between the cushion pad 12 of the seat cushion 11 and the cover 13 as shown in Fig. 4, but it can also be configured to be disposed, for example, below the cushion pad 12 of the seat cushion 11 (for example, above the seat spring 24 or the pan frame 22 (see Fig. 2), i.e., between them and the cushion pad 12) (for example, see JP 2016-144985 A, etc.). Also, for example, the seat pressure sensor can be disposed so as to be embedded in the cushion pad 12 of the seat cushion 11.

[0036] Each of the seat pressure sensors s1 to s4 is electrically connected to the ECU device 1, and when it measures the seat pressures x1 to x4, it transmits the measured seat pressures x1 to x4 to the cycloid angle information acquisition means 2 of the ECU device 1, and the cycloid angle information acquisition means 2 receives and acquires them.

[0037] In reality, since the seat pressure sensors s1 to s4 are thin, the seated person A cannot feel the seat pressure sensors s1 to s4. In addition, the cushion pad 12 of the seat cushion 11 may have a recess 12A such as a groove at a position corresponding to the hanging portion 13A (see FIG. 5) of the skin 13. In such a case, if the seat pressure sensors s1 to s4 are provided in the recess 12A of the cushion pad 12, the seat pressure sensors s1 to s4 may not come into contact with the thigh B of the seated person A, and the seat pressure x may not be measured accurately. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, it is preferable to arrange the seat pressure sensors s1 to s4 at positions that avoid the recess 12A of the cushion pad 12 of the seat cushion 11.

[0038] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a weight detection sensor sw for detecting the weight of the seated occupant A is disposed on the vehicle seat 10. As shown in FIG. The cyclonic angle information acquiring means 2 also acquires the weight WT of the seated person A detected by the weight detection sensor sw as a correction value for correcting information related to the cyclonic angle θ of the seated person A. This is because as the weight WT of the seated person A increases, the seated person A sinks more into the seat cushion 11, making correction necessary.

[0039] The knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 (see FIG. 3) of the ECU device 1 is adapted to acquire information relating to the knee-back angle φ of the seated occupant A (the angle between the thigh and calf of the seated occupant A). In this embodiment, the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 acquires, as information regarding the knee-back angle φ, the presence or absence of pressure detection by the pressure sensors s11 to s13 arranged at the front end of the seat cushion 11, the front end of which is movable in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle seat 10, and the movement distance y of the front end.

[0040] More specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of pressure sensors s11 to s13 are arranged in a vertical line at the front end of the seat cushion 11 (between the cushion pad 12 and the cover 13). Each of the pressure sensors s11 to s13 is electrically connected to the ECU device 1 and outputs an ON signal when it detects a pressure.

[0041] In this embodiment, the front end of the seat cushion 11 is movable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat 10. Then, information on the moving distance y of the front end of the seat cushion 11 that has moved forward until it abuts against the calf C of the seated occupant A is transmitted to the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 of the ECU device 1. In this way, the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 receives and acquires the on signals from the pressure sensors s11 to s13 (i.e., whether or not pressure is detected by the pressure sensors s11 to s13) and the movement distance y as information related to the knee-back angle φ.

[0042] Here, a configuration for moving the front end of the seat cushion 11 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat 10 will be described by way of example. This configuration is described in JP 2017-30611 A, and reference should be made to this publication for details. In this configuration, as shown in Figures 7(A) and (B), the roller portion 30 is disposed forward of the front end of the aforementioned seat cushion frame 19 (see Figure 2), and the front end of the seat cushion 11 is moved in the fore-and-aft direction by moving the roller portion 30 in the fore-and-aft direction.

[0043] Specifically, the cushion pad 12 and the cover 13 of the seat cushion 11 are wrapped around the outer periphery 31 of the roller unit 30, and the end portion 13a of the cover 13 etc. is fixed by a fixing portion 33 provided on a rotating shaft 32. The rotating shaft 32 of the roller unit 30 extends in the left-right direction, and is rotatably supported by a support portion 34. The support portion 34 is arranged so as to be movable in the front-rear direction along the seat cushion frame 19 when a drive motor (not shown) is operated. Further, the front end portion of the seat cushion frame 19 and the rotation shaft 32 of the roller portion 30 are connected by a link structure 39 consisting of a first link 35, a second link 36, a third link 37 and a fourth link 38.

[0044] With this configuration, when the drive motor is operated, the support part 34 moves forward, and in conjunction with this, the link mechanism 39 rotates the rotation shaft 32 of the roller part 30. As a result, a part of the cushion pad 12 and the cover 13 of the seat cushion 11 that were wrapped around the roller part 30 stretch (i.e., become straight), and the front end of the seat cushion 11 moves forward. Furthermore, when the drive motor is operated in the reverse direction, the support portion 34 then moves rearward, and in conjunction with this, the link mechanism 39 rotates the rotation shaft 32 of the roller portion 30 in the reverse direction. As a result, the cushion pad 12 and the cover 13 of the seat cushion 11, which were partially stretched as described above, are wound around the roller portion 30 again, and the front end of the seat cushion 11 moves rearward.

[0045] In this way, it is possible to move the front end of the seat cushion 11 in the front-rear direction. When the roller portion 30 or the support portion 34 moves, the movement distance y is measured by a motor drive portion (not shown) of the drive motor and is transmitted to the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 of the ECU device 1. The configuration for moving the front end of the seat cushion 11 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle seat 10 is not limited to this configuration, and although not shown in the illustration, it is also possible to configure, for example, the seat cushion 11 so that a portion of the cushion pad 12 is moved parallel to the fore-and-aft direction.

[0046] The estimation means 4 (see FIG. 3) of the ECU device 1 is configured to estimate the length z of the lower limbs of the seated occupant A based on the information on the cycle angle θ acquired by the cycle angle information acquisition means 2 as described above (i.e., the seat pressures x1-x4 measured by the seat pressure sensors s1-s4 and the weight WT of the seated occupant A detected by the weight detection sensor sw) and the information on the knee-back angle φ acquired by the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 (i.e., the presence or absence of pressure detection by the pressure sensors s11-s13 and the movement distance y measured by the motor drive unit). Hereinafter, the process of estimating the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A by the estimating means 4 will be specifically described along the flow of the actual process shown in FIG.

[0047] First, the ECU device 1 performs an initial operation such as setting each part of the vehicle seat 10 to an initial state while the seat occupant A is not seated in the vehicle seat 10. That is, the motors provided in the vehicle seat 10 are driven, for example, to move the position of the entire vehicle seat 10 in the front-rear direction to its initial position, and the height and tilt of the seat cushion 11 and the reclining of the seat back 14 are reset to their initial states. Also, processing is performed to move the position of the front end of the seat cushion 11 to its initial position.

[0048] Then, when occupant A sits in the vehicle seat 10 in this state, the ECU device 1 checks whether occupant A is sitting in the correct posture in the vehicle seat 10 by checking, for example, whether occupant A's hips are touching a sensor (not shown) arranged under the seat back 14 of the vehicle seat 10 (i.e., whether occupant A is sitting deeply in the vehicle seat 10) (step S1). If the seated person A is not sitting in the vehicle seat 10 in the correct posture, a display means (not shown) is displayed or a sound is generated to urge the seated person A to sit in the correct posture.

[0049] Furthermore, when the ECU device 1 determines that the seated occupant A is seated in a correct posture, it subsequently activates the seat pressure sensors s1 to s4 disposed on the upper surface side of the seat cushion 11. The seating pressure sensors s1 to s4 measure the seating pressures x1 to x4, respectively, and transmit the measured values ​​to the cyclone angle information acquisition means 2 of the ECU device 1. In this manner, the cycle angle information acquisition means 2 acquires the seating pressures x1 to x4 from the seating pressure sensors s1 to s4 as information relating to the cycle angle θ (step S2).

[0050] In this case, as shown in Figure 4, if the sine angle θ is small when the occupant A is seated in the vehicle seat 10, not only the side of the thigh B of the occupant A close to the buttocks but also the side close to the knees will come into contact with the seat cushion 11, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4. Therefore, in this case, the seating pressure sensors s1 to s4 all measure significant values ​​different from 0 as the seating pressures x1 to x4.

[0051] As the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A increases, the cyclo angle θ increases. As the cyclo angle θ increases, the seat pressure x4 measured by the seat pressure sensor s4 decreases, and when the thigh B of the seated person A is no longer in contact with the seat pressure sensor s4, the seat pressure x4 is no longer measured by the seat pressure sensor s4. As the sine angle θ becomes larger, the seating pressure x3 measured by the seating pressure sensor s3 becomes smaller, and when the thigh B of the seated person A is no longer in contact with the seating pressure sensor s3, the seating pressure x3 is no longer measured by the seating pressure sensor s3. In addition, as the sine angle θ increases, the seating pressure applied to the seating pressure sensor s1 increases, and therefore the seating pressure x1 measured by the seating pressure sensor s1 increases.

[0052] In this way, the inventors' research has revealed that there is a strong correlation between the magnitude of the cycloid angle θ and the seating pressures x1 to x4 measured by the seating pressure sensors s1 to s4. There is also a strong correlation between the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A seated in the vehicle seat 10 and the sine angle θ. Therefore, the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A can be calculated and estimated using the seat pressures x1 to x4 measured by the seat pressure sensors s1 to s4.

[0053] Moreover, the weight detection sensor sw transmits the detected weight WT of the seated person A to the cycle angle information acquisition means 2. In this manner, the cycle angle information acquiring means 2 of the ECU device 1 acquires the weight WT of the seated occupant A as a correction value for the information relating to the cycle angle θ of the seated occupant A (step S3).

[0054] Meanwhile, the ECU device 1 activates the pressure sensors s11-s13 and the motor drive unit at the same time as activating the seat pressure sensors s1-s4, etc. Then, the drive motor is driven to move the front end of the seat cushion 11 forward. When the front end of the seat cushion 11 that has moved forward abuts against the calf C of the seated occupant A, the motor drive unit stops driving the drive motor to stop the movement of the seat cushion 11. Then, the movement distance y of the front end of the seat cushion 11 is transmitted to the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 of the ECU device 1. In this manner, the knee-back angle information acquiring means 3 acquires the movement distance y of the front end of the seat cushion 11 (step S4).

[0055] Furthermore, when the front end of the seat cushion 11 comes into contact with the calf C of the seated occupant A, not all of the pressure sensors s11 to s13 detect the pressure, but only some of the pressure sensors detect the pressure. Then, at the point in time when any one of the pressure sensors s11 to s13 outputs an ON signal, the motor drive unit stops driving the drive motor to stop the forward movement of the front end of the seat cushion 11.

[0056] In this case, when the knee-back angle φ of the seated person A is small (i.e., when the knees are raised; see the solid line in FIG. 6), the pressure sensor s13 located at the lowest position comes into contact with the calf C of the seated person A, and an ON signal is output from the pressure sensor s13. When the knee-back angle φ of the seated person A is large (i.e., when the knees are reclined; see the dashed line in FIG. 6), an ON signal is output from the pressure sensor s11 located at the highest position. When the knee-back angle φ of the seated person A is an angle between these two, an ON signal is output from the pressure sensor s12 located at the intermediate position. On the other hand, when the knee back angle φ of the seated person A is large (i.e., when the knees are reclined), even if the front end of the seat cushion 11 is moved forward as far as possible, the front end of the seat cushion 11 may not come into contact with the calf C of the seated person A, and none of the pressure sensors s11 to s13 may detect pressure.

[0057] Research by the inventors has revealed that there is a strong correlation between the magnitude of the knee-back angle φ of seated occupant A and which of the pressure sensors s11-s13 detected pressure (i.e., whether or not pressure is detected by pressure sensors s11-s13), including cases where none of the pressure sensors s11-s13 detect pressure. There is also a strong correlation between the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A seated in the vehicle seat 10 and the knee-back angle φ. Therefore, the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A can be calculated and estimated based on which of the pressure sensors s11 to s13 detected pressure (or whether none of the pressure sensors s11 to s13 detected pressure).

[0058] In this embodiment, when an ON signal is output from any of the pressure sensors s11 to s13, the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 of the ECU device 1 acquires information from that pressure sensor, and when an ON signal is not received from any of the pressure sensors s11 to s13 at the time when the travel distance y is acquired from the motor drive unit, the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 acquires information that none of the pressure sensors s11 to s13 detected pressure. In this manner, the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 acquires information regarding the presence or absence of pressure detection by the pressure sensors s11 to s13 (step S5).

[0059] In this embodiment, the pressure sensors s11 to s13 are described as sensors that output an ON signal when they detect pressure as described above. However, it is also possible to configure the pressure sensors s11 to s13 to measure pressure and have the ECU device 1 perform processing based on the pressure measured by the pressure sensors s11 to s13.

[0060] As described above, the estimation means 4 (see FIG. 3) of the ECU device 1 estimates the length z of the lower limbs of the occupant A seated in the vehicle seat 10 based on the seat pressures x1-x4 of the seat pressure sensors s1-s4 and the weight WT of the occupant A acquired by the cylindrical angle information acquisition means 2, and the movement distance y of the front end of the seat cushion 11 acquired by the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 (step S6). At this time, the estimation is performed by distinguishing between cases where any of the pressure sensors s11 to s13 has detected pressure and cases where none of the pressure sensors s11 to s13 has detected pressure.

[0061] In other words, the estimation means 4 classifies the cases into four: (a) when pressure sensor s11 detects pressure, (b) when pressure sensor s12 detects pressure, (c) when pressure sensor s13 detects pressure, and (d) when none of the pressure sensors s11 to s13 detects pressure, and calculates and estimates the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A for each case according to the following equation (1). z=(p1×x1+p2×x2+p3×x3+p4×x4+p5×WT)×p6 +p7×y+p8 …(1)

[0062] Here, p1 to p8 are parameters, which are set for each of the cases (a) to (d). For example, if the parameter p1 in each of the cases (a) to (d) is set to p1a, p1b, p1c, and p1d, the parameters p1a, p1b, p1c, and p1d are set to different values ​​(although they may also happen to have the same value). The same is true for the other parameters. The above process is then actually performed in advance on a large number of seated persons with various physiques and bone structures, and the obtained data (sitting pressures x1 to x4, body weight WT, movement distance y, and lower limb length z) is classified into the above cases (a) to (d), and the values ​​of each parameter p1 to p8 are set so that the lower limb length z can be appropriately calculated from the sitting pressures x1 to x4, body weight WT, and movement distance y in each case. The parameters p1 to p8 thus set are stored in the memory 5 of the ECU device 1, and are used in the above-mentioned process of estimating the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A.

[0063] As described above, according to the ECU device 1, vehicle seat 10, and lower limb length estimation system of this embodiment, the cycle angle information acquisition means 2 acquires information on the cycle angle θ of the seated person A (in this embodiment, the seating pressures x1 to x4 and the body weight WT), the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 acquires information on the knee-back angle φ of the seated person A (in this embodiment, the presence or absence of an on signal from the pressure sensors s11 to s13 and the movement distance y of the front end of the seat cushion 11), and the estimation means 4 estimates the lower limb length z of the seated person A based on that information. Therefore, it is possible to accurately estimate the length z of the lower limbs of the seated occupant A seated in the vehicle seat 10.

[0064] Then, based on the accurately estimated lower limb length z of the seated occupant A, the fore-and-aft position of the entire vehicle seat 10, the position, height, tilt, and length of the seat surface of the seat cushion 11 (i.e., the state of the vehicle seat) can be automatically adjusted appropriately so that the vehicle seat 10 is in an optimal state for the seated occupant A.

[0065] In the above embodiment, four rows of seat pressure sensors s1 to s4 are provided (see Figures 4 and 5), and three rows of pressure sensors s11 to s13 are provided (see Figures 6, 7(A) and (B)). However, it is also possible to increase or decrease the number of rows of seat pressure sensors or the number of rows of pressure sensors. In addition, for example, the seat pressure sensor is divided into multiple sensors (seat pressure sensors s1 to s4 in the above embodiment) and provided as a sensor. However, it is also possible to configure the seat pressure sensor to measure the seat pressure over a surface area, for example.

[0066] [Second embodiment] In the above first embodiment, the case has been described where the front end of the seat cushion 11 is actually moved forward, and the movement distance y is acquired by the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 of the ECU device 1 as information related to the knee-back angle φ. On the other hand, instead of configuring as above, as shown in FIG. 9, it is also possible to arrange an infrared sensor at the front end of the seat cushion 11, and to configure the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 to acquire the distance Y to the calf C of the seated occupant A measured by irradiating an infrared laser from the infrared sensor as information related to the knee-back angle φ.

[0067] In this case, measuring the distance from the front end of the seat cushion 11 to the calf C of the seated person A at only one point does not provide information regarding the knee-back angle φ of the seated person A (i.e., the knee-back angle φ becomes indefinite), so as shown in Figure 9, multiple infrared sensors s21, s22 are arranged at different positions in the vertical direction of the front end of the seat cushion 11, and the distances y21, y22 to the calf C of the seated person A measured by the multiple infrared sensors s21, s22 are obtained. The number of infrared sensors disposed at the front end of the seat cushion 11 may be three or more.

[0068] In this case, the estimation means 4 of the ECU device 1 can be configured to estimate the length z of the lower limbs of the seated occupant A by performing case distinction similar to the first embodiment based on the acquired distances y21, y22. The estimation means 4 may also be configured to calculate and estimate the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A according to one equation, for example, the following equation (2), without distinguishing between cases. z=(p1×x1+p2×x2+p3×x3+p4×x4+p5×WT)×p6 +p7×y21+p8×y22+p9 …(2)

[0069] In this case, too, the above process is actually performed in advance for a large number of seated persons with various physiques and bone structures, and the obtained data (sitting pressures x1 to x4, body weight WT, distances y21 and y22, and lower limb length z) are substituted into the above equation (2), and the values ​​of each parameter p1 to p9 are set so that the lower limb length z can be appropriately calculated from the sitting pressures x1 to x4, body weight WT, and distances y21 and y22. The parameters p1 to p9 thus set are stored in the memory 5 of the ECU device 1, and are used in the above-mentioned process of estimating the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A.

[0070] As described above, in the ECU device 1, vehicle seat 10, and lower limb length estimation system of this embodiment, information related to the cycle angle θ of the seated person A (in this embodiment, seating pressures x1 to x4 and body weight WT) is acquired by the cycle angle information acquisition means 2, information related to the knee-back angle φ of the seated person A (distances y21, y22) is acquired by the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3, and the lower limb length z of the seated person A is estimated based on that information by the estimation means 4. Therefore, it is possible to accurately estimate the length z of the lower limbs of the seated occupant A seated in the vehicle seat 10.

[0071] Then, based on the accurately estimated lower limb length z of the seated occupant A, the fore-and-aft position of the entire vehicle seat 10, the position, height, tilt, and length of the seat surface of the seat cushion 11 (i.e., the state of the vehicle seat) can be automatically adjusted appropriately so that the vehicle seat 10 is in an optimal state for the seated occupant A.

[0072] [Third embodiment] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the seating pressures x1 to x4 measured by the seating pressure sensors s1 to s4 are obtained as information regarding the sine angle θ of the seated person A, and the movement distance y of the front end of the seat cushion 11 and the distances y21 and y22 measured by the infrared sensors s21 and s22 are obtained as information regarding the knee-back angle φ, and the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A is estimated. On the other hand, instead of configuring in this manner, as shown in FIG. 10, it is also possible to configure the device to estimate the length z of the lower limbs of an occupant A based on a first distance Y1 to the knees or shins D of an occupant A seated in the vehicle seat 10, obtained by irradiating an infrared laser from a first infrared sensor s31 toward the knees or shins D, and a second distance Y2 to the heel E of the occupant A, obtained by irradiating an infrared laser from a second infrared sensor s32 toward the heel E of the occupant A.

[0073] That is, in this case, the cycloid angle information acquisition means 2 of the ECU device 1 acquires, as information regarding the cycloid angle θ, a first distance Y1 to the knees or shins D of the seated occupant A, which is measured by irradiating an infrared laser from the first infrared sensor s31 toward the knees or shins D. In addition, the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 of the ECU device 1 is configured to acquire, as information regarding the knee-back angle φ, a second distance Y2 to the heel E of the seated occupant A, which is measured by irradiating an infrared laser from the second infrared sensor s32 toward the heel E of the seated occupant A.

[0074] In this case, the first infrared sensor s31 is disposed at an arbitrary position in the vehicle, for example, below the steering wheel or instrument panel (not shown), etc. The second infrared sensor s32 is disposed at an arbitrary position in the vehicle, for example, below the vehicle seat 10. The same is true for the infrared sensors s21 and s22 in the second embodiment described above. Since the seated person A may have his / her legs open or closed when seated, if only one first infrared sensor s31 and one second infrared sensor s32 are placed, the emitted infrared laser may not hit the knees, shins D, or heels E of the seated person A, and the first distance Y1 to the knees or shins D or the second distance Y2 to the heels E of the seated person A may not be measured.

[0075] Therefore, it is desirable to arrange multiple first infrared sensors s31, for example, side by side in the left-right direction (for example, three first infrared sensors s31a to s31c (see Figure 10)), and configure the multiple first infrared sensors s31 to irradiate infrared lasers parallel to each other and at a predetermined interval. Similarly, it is desirable to arrange the second infrared sensors s32 in a row, for example, in the left-right direction (for example, five second infrared sensors s32a to s32e (see FIG. 10)) and configure the second infrared sensors s32 to irradiate infrared lasers parallel to each other and at a predetermined interval.

[0076] With this configuration, whether the seated person A is sitting with his / her legs apart or together, the infrared laser emitted from at least one of the first infrared sensors s31 will hit the knees or shins D of the seated person A, making it possible to reliably measure the first distance Y1 to the knees or shins D of the seated person A. In addition, since the infrared laser emitted from at least one of the second infrared sensors s32 hits the heel E of the seated person A, it is possible to reliably measure the second distance Y2 to the heel E of the seated person A.

[0077] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the estimation means 4 of the ECU device 1 is configured to perform processing for estimating the length z of the lower limbs of the seated occupant A in accordance with the processing flow shown in FIG. In this embodiment as well, the ECU device 1 first performs initial operations such as moving the fore-and-aft position of the entire vehicle seat 10 to an initial position and resetting the height and tilt of the seat cushion 11, the reclining of the seat back 14, etc. to their initial states when an occupant A is not seated in the vehicle seat 10.

[0078] Then, when occupant A sits in the vehicle seat 10 in this state, the ECU device 1 checks whether occupant A is sitting in the correct posture in the vehicle seat 10 by checking, for example, whether occupant A's hips are touching a sensor (not shown) arranged under the seat back 14 of the vehicle seat 10 (i.e., whether occupant A is sitting deeply in the vehicle seat 10) (step S11). If the seated person A is not sitting in the vehicle seat 10 in the correct posture, a display means (not shown) is displayed or a sound is generated to urge the seated person A to sit in the correct posture.

[0079] Furthermore, when the ECU device 1 determines that the seated occupant A is seated in the correct posture, it subsequently activates the first infrared sensors s31a to s31c and the second infrared sensors s32a to s32e. When activated, the first infrared sensors s31a to s31c each emit an infrared laser toward the knees and shins D of the seated occupant A, and transmit the measured first distance Y1 (hereinafter, the first distances Y1 measured by each of the first infrared sensors s31a to s31c will be referred to as Y1a to Y1c, respectively) to the circle angle information acquisition means 2 of the ECU device 1. In this manner, the circular angle information acquiring means 2 acquires the first distance Y1 (Y1a to Y1c) as information relating to the circular angle θ (step S12).

[0080] Moreover, the weight detection sensor sw transmits the detected weight WT of the seated person A to the cycle angle information acquisition means 2. In this manner, the cycloid angle information acquiring means 2 of the ECU device 1 acquires the weight WT of the seated occupant A as a correction value for the information relating to the cycloid angle θ of the seated occupant A (step S13).

[0081] In addition, when the second infrared sensors s32a to s32e are activated, they each emit an infrared laser toward the heel E of the seated occupant A, and transmit the measured second distance Y2 (hereinafter, the second distances Y2 measured by each of the second infrared sensors s32a to s32e will be referred to as Y2a to Y2e, respectively) to the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 of the ECU device 1. In this manner, the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 acquires the second distance Y2 (Y2a to Y2e) as information relating to the knee-back angle φ (step S14).

[0082] In addition, if the infrared laser emitted from the first infrared sensor s31 or the second infrared sensor s32 is not irradiated onto the seated occupant A (i.e., if the knees, shins D, or heels E of the seated occupant A are not within the irradiation range of the infrared laser), the first distance Y1 and the second distance Y2 are set to infinity (actually, the maximum value that the first distance Y1 and the second distance Y2 can take).

[0083] The estimation means 4 of the ECU device 1 estimates the length z of the lower limb of the occupant A seated in the vehicle seat 10 based on the first distance Y1 acquired by the lateral angle information acquisition means 2 and the weight WT of the occupant A, and the second distance Y2 acquired by the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3, as described above (step S15).

[0084] Specifically, the estimation means 4 extracts the minimum value from among the first distances Y1a to Y1c measured by the first infrared sensors s31a to s31c, and sets the minimum value as the first distance Y1. Similarly, the estimation means 4 extracts the minimum value from among the second distances Y2a to Y2e measured by the second infrared sensors s32a to s32e, and sets the minimum value as the second distance Y2. The estimation means 4 is configured to calculate and estimate the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A according to the following formula (3). z=p11×Y1+p12×Y2+p13×WT+p14 …(3)

[0085] Here, p11 to p14 are parameters, and the above process is actually performed in advance for a large number of seated persons with various physiques and bone structures, and the obtained data (first distance Y1, second distance Y2, body weight WT, lower limb length z) is applied to the above equation (3), and the values ​​of each of the parameters p11 to p14 are set so that the lower limb length z can be appropriately calculated from the first distance Y1, second distance Y2, and body weight WT. The parameters p11 to p14 thus set are stored in the memory 5 of the ECU device 1, and are used in the above-described process of estimating the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A.

[0086] As described above, according to the ECU device 1, vehicle seat 10, and lower limb length estimation system of this embodiment, the cycle angle information acquisition means 2 acquires information regarding the cycle angle θ of the seated person A (first distance Y1 in this embodiment), the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 acquires information regarding the knee-back angle φ of the seated person A (second distance Y2 in this embodiment), and the estimation means 4 estimates the lower limb length z of the seated person A based on that information. Therefore, it is possible to accurately estimate the length z of the lower limbs of the seated occupant A seated in the vehicle seat 10.

[0087] Then, based on the accurately estimated lower limb length z of the seated occupant A, the fore-and-aft position of the entire vehicle seat 10, the position, height, tilt, and length of the seat surface of the seat cushion 11 (i.e., the state of the vehicle seat) can be automatically adjusted appropriately so that the vehicle seat 10 is in an optimal state for the seated occupant A.

[0088] In the above embodiment, in addition to the first distance Y1 and the second distance Y2 to the knee, shin D, and heel E of the seated person A measured by the first infrared sensor s31 and the second infrared sensor s32, it is also possible to configure the system to measure the distance to any part of the body of the seated person A and to use that distance when estimating the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A, thereby improving the accuracy of estimating the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A.

[0089] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0090] [Modifications] The embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Modifications will be described below. The following modifications may be combined as far as possible.

[0091] [Variation 1] In this modified example, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the magnitude of the sine angle θ is estimated based on the balance of the seat pressures x1 to x4 measured by a plurality of seat pressure sensors s1 to s4 arranged in the front-rear direction on the upper surface side of the seat cushion 11. In addition, in this modified example, as shown in FIG. 12, the ECU device 1 is provided with a timing means 40 for measuring time, and estimates the position of the calf C based on the pressure detected by pressure sensors s11 to s13 provided at the front end of the seat cushion 11 that moves in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle seat 10 and the contact time of the seated occupant A with the front end of the seat cushion 11.

[0092] That is, since the seat pressure sensors s1 to s4 are arranged in the front-rear direction, the seat pressures x1 to x4 measured by the seat pressure sensors s1 to s4 vary in strength depending on the magnitude of the cycloid angle θ. That is, for a person with a long leg length z, the seat pressure weakens toward the front end of the seat cushion 11 (if the person is not in contact with the seat cushion, no seat pressure is applied). Therefore, the ECU device 1 estimates the magnitude of the cycloid angle θ of the seated person A based on the balance of the strength of the pressure. Therefore, as long as the seated person A is seated in the correct posture, the cycloid angle information acquisition means 2 can acquire information regarding the cycloid angle θ. Also, when the front end of the seat cushion 11 is moved to contact the calf C, any one of the pressure sensors s11 to s13 provided at the front end of the seat cushion 11 can detect the contact of the calf C. At this time, depending on the magnitude of the knee-back angle φ, one or two of the three pressure sensors s11 to s13 may not contact the calf C. In other words, a plurality of patterns in which the position of the calf C is detected by any one of the three pressure sensors s11 to s13 occurs depending on the magnitude of the knee-back angle φ. In other words, the ECU device 1 moves the front end of the seat cushion 11 to contact the calf C, identifies the pressure sensor s11 to s13 that detects the calf C, and estimates the knee-back angle φ based on the result. Therefore, as long as the seated person A is seated in a correct posture, the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 can acquire information regarding the knee-back angle φ.

[0093] The estimation means 4 of the ECU device 1 estimates the length z of the lower limb of the seated occupant A based on the information on the cycle angle θ acquired by the cycle angle information acquisition means 2 as described above (i.e., the seat pressures x1 to x4 measured by the seat pressure sensors s1 to s4 and the weight WT of the seated occupant A detected by the weight detection sensor sw), the position of the calf C, and information on the knee-back angle φ acquired by the knee-back angle information acquisition means 3 (i.e., whether or not pressure is detected by the pressure sensors s11 to s13). This makes it possible to more accurately estimate the length z of the lower limbs of the occupant A seated in the vehicle seat 10.

[0094] [Modification 2] In this modification, an ultrasonic sensor s41 is disposed at the position of the first infrared sensor s31 (s31a to s31c) and the second infrared sensor s32 (s32a to s32e) shown in Fig. 10. The ultrasonic sensor s41 detects the presence or absence of an object and the distance to the object by transmitting ultrasonic waves toward the object using a transmitter and receiving the reflected waves using a receiver, and in this modification, the object is the shin D (including the knee) and heel E of the seated person A.

[0095] Also, the ultrasonic sensor s41 may be provided in a single unit or in a plurality of units. The ultrasonic sensor s41 may be configured so that its angle can be appropriately adjusted under the control of the ECU device 1. The ultrasonic sensor s41 installed in this manner can measure the distance from the knee to the heel E of the seated occupant A, allowing the ECU device 1 to calculate the length z of the lower leg of the seated occupant A based on the measurement result. The ultrasonic sensor s41 may be installed at a position where ultrasonic waves can be emitted from the side of the seated person A (in the left-right direction of the vehicle), thereby directly deriving the length z of the lower limbs.

[0096] According to this modified example, it is assumed that the seated person A is seated in a correct posture, and by using such an ultrasonic sensor s41, the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A can be easily calculated.

[0097] [Modification 3] In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 13, for example, a first camera s42A is positioned below the steering wheel of the vehicle to capture the lower limbs (legs including thighs B, shins D, and heels E) of occupant A as the subject of photography (object), and a second camera s42B is positioned above the steering wheel to capture the face (eyes or top of the head) of occupant A as the subject of photography. In addition, the first camera s42A is preferably disposed at a position where the entire lower legs of the seated person A can be captured within the image capturing range. Furthermore, the first camera s42A and the second camera s42B may be provided in a single unit or in a multiple unit. The first camera s42A and the second camera s42B may be configured so that the angles thereof can be appropriately adjusted under the control of the ECU device 1. The information obtained by the first camera s42A can measure, for example, the position of the leg (including at least the area from the thigh B to the heel E), the condition of the leg (the scythe angle θ and the knee angle φ), and the length from the hip point to the heel E, i.e., the length z of the lower leg. Furthermore, the second camera s42B can recognize the eye height (eye point) and head height of the seated person A, and based on that, the sitting height of the seated person A can be estimated.

[0098] Assuming that the seated person A is seated in a correct posture, the length z of the lower legs (the length from the hip point (hip joint) to the heel) of the seated person A can be easily estimated by photographing the lower legs with the first camera s42A, and the sitting height of the seated person A can be estimated by photographing the face with the second camera s42B. As a result, for example, if each part of the vehicle seat 10 is configured to be automatically position-adjustable under the control of the ECU device 1, each part of the vehicle seat 10 can be automatically adjusted to an optimal position for driving based on the photographing results of the first camera s42A and the second camera s42. The camera s42 is fixed in position relative to the vehicle body, and the distance to the subject's lower limbs does not vary much if the seated person A is seated in the correct posture (fixed-point distance measurement is possible). Therefore, even with the camera s42, the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A can be easily estimated.

[0099] [Modification 4] In this modification, the ECU device 1 estimates the length z of the lower limbs of the seated occupant A based on the height information of the seated occupant A and the detection result of the sitting height. 14, the ECU device 1 is communicably connected to a seated height detection means 43 and an information terminal such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone. That is, information can be transmitted and received between the ECU device 1 and the seated height detection means 43, and information can also be transmitted and received between the ECU device 1 and the information terminal 44. The connection means between the ECU device 1 and the seat height detection means 43 and the information terminal 44 may be wired or wireless. Also, it may be by short-distance wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or may utilize various computer networks.

[0100] The seat height detection means 43 is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the seat height of the occupant A seated in the vehicle seat 10. In this modified example, the seat height detection means 43 has a position sensor (e.g., an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an electromagnetic wave sensor, a laser range finder, etc.) that detects the position of an object, and a mechanism for adjusting the position of the sensor as necessary. To explain in more detail, for example, the sitting height of the seated occupant A can be detected by a method in which a position sensor is provided on the headrest 17, a mechanism for moving the headrest 17 up and down is provided on the seat back 14, and the headrest 17 is moved up and down under the control of the ECU device 1 to detect the position of the head of the seated occupant A. However, the method is not limited to this and can be modified as appropriate.

[0101] Height information is input from an information terminal 44. The ECU device 1 calculates the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A based on the height information input from the information terminal 44 and the result of detection of the seated height by the seated height detection means 43. At this time, in order to take into account the swelling of the buttocks, the measurement around the hips may be input from the information terminal 44 as correction value information, or the weight WT detected by the weight detection sensor sw may be used as the correction value. According to this modification, the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A can be easily estimated based on the height information of the seated person A and the detection results of the sitting height.

[0102] [Modification 5] In this modified example, it is assumed that the heel E is placed at a specified position, and the ECU device 1 estimates the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A based on the balance of the seat pressures x1 to x4 measured by multiple seat pressure sensors s1 to s4. The designated position is made easy for the seated person A to understand, for example, by providing a marking on the upper surface of the floor mat 45 (see FIG. 15) indicating the position where the heel E should be placed. If the position of the heel E is specified in this manner, the position of the heel E can be kept the same even if the seated person A is a different person. Therefore, information regarding the square angle θ can be estimated from the balance of the seating pressures x1 to x4 measured by the multiple seating pressure sensors s1 to s4, and the length z of the lower limbs of the seated person A can be calculated.

[0103] 15, a floor pressure sensor 46 may be installed on the underside of a floor mat 45 to detect the position of the heel E of the seated person A. If the position of the heel E can be detected, the leg length z can be calculated even for people who cannot place their heel E at the marking position as described above. In other words, the leg length z can be calculated for people with various body types.

[0104] 16, a laser range finder 47 is used as a means for detecting the position of the heel E. Such a laser range finder 45 irradiates a laser beam toward the heel E, captures the reflected beam from the heel E side, and calculates the distance. If the installation position of the laser range finder 47 is registered in advance in the ECU device 1, the position of the heel E can be easily detected by the laser range finder 47 when the ECU device 1 calculates the length z of the lower leg. Also, for example, if a virtual coordinate system is constructed on the floor of the vehicle and the operation of a rotatable laser range finder 47 is controlled by the ECU device 1, the position of the heel E can be detected more easily.

[0105] <Configuration example> Hereinafter, configuration examples that can be appropriately combined with the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described. In addition, the following configuration examples may also be combined as far as possible. In addition, in each of the following configuration examples, elements common to the above-described embodiment and modified examples are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted or simplified.

[0106] <Configuration example 1> [About the driving position] The driving position referred to here refers to a driving posture and position that allows the driver to maintain a good field of vision at all times while driving and to operate the steering wheel and pedals with a sense of oneness with the vehicle. The driving position can be changed as appropriate by the control device 10 controlling each part of the seat 60A.

[0107] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the seat 60A in this configuration example has a seat frame 60 that forms the skeleton of the seat 60A, and the seat frame 60 is provided with various mechanisms (including a seat posture adjustment device 15) that are controlled by the control device 10 and that change the shape of the seat 60A so that a person seated in the seat 60A is in an appropriate driving position.

[0108] More specifically, the seat frame 60 has a cushion frame 61 that constitutes the framework of the seat cushion 61A and a back frame 62 that constitutes the framework of the seat back 62A. The various mechanisms described above are provided around the cushion frame 61 and the back frame 62.

[0109] As various mechanisms, the cushion frame 61 is provided with slide rails 63 that support the entire seat 60A on the floor and allow the seat 60A to slide in the front-rear direction (see arrow A1). The back frame 62 is also provided with a lumbar support 64 that receives the force of the occupant leaning against the seat back 62A and transmits it to the back frame 62, and changes the shape of the part that comes into contact with the occupant's lower back to change the support state for the lower back according to the occupant's preference. That is, the lumbar support 64 is configured to be deformable in the front-rear direction (see arrow A4). Furthermore, a reclining mechanism 65 for changing the angle of the back frame 62 relative to the cushion frame 61 is provided between the rear end of the cushion frame 61 and the lower end of the back frame 62 (see arrow A2). The cushion frame 61 is also provided with a height mechanism 66 for moving the seat cushion 61A in the up-down direction (see arrow A3). The height mechanism 66 not only moves the seat cushion 61A up and down as shown in Fig. 17, but also adjusts the up-down positions of the front and rear ends of the seat cushion 61A as shown in Fig. 18. In the example shown in Fig. 18, the height mechanism 66 has a link mechanism for adjusting the up-down positions of the front and rear ends of the cushion frame 61. The back frame 62 is connected to the cushion frame 61 via the reclining mechanism 65 , and is therefore moved up and down together with the cushion frame 61 by the height mechanism 66 . Furthermore, the back frame 62 may have a center-folding mechanism that tilts a vertical intermediate portion of the back frame 62 in the upright position in the front-rear direction. When the back frame 62 having such a center-folding mechanism is used in the seat 60A, the person sitting in the seat can, for example, lean against the seat back 62A while raising the upper part of the torso, making it easier to ensure forward visibility even in a relaxed reclining position.

[0110] When adjusting the driving position of the seat 60A, some or all of the above-mentioned mechanisms may be operated simultaneously, or each may be operated sequentially. It is preferable to change the configuration of seat 60A in the following order: adjust the fore-aft position of seat 60A using slide rail 63, adjust the angle of seat back 62A using reclining mechanism 65, adjust the height of seat 60A using height mechanism 66, and then adjust the fore-aft position of the lower back using lumbar support 64.

[0111] Furthermore, in this configuration example, the control device 10 is capable of automatically changing the driving position in accordance with the class and driving conditions of the passenger vehicle in which the seat 60A is installed. In other words, the class of the passenger vehicle in which seat 60A is installed (e.g., SUV / minivan type, sedan type, sports car type, etc.) and driving conditions (e.g., time of day, weather, road conditions, etc.) are selected by the occupant's judgment, and control device 10 calculates the optimal driving position based on the occupant's selection and the physique of the person sitting in the seat, and controls the change in the configuration of seat 60A.

[0112] Also, a mode change button (not shown) that can start a mode change may be provided inside the vehicle so that a person sitting in the seat can start changing the configuration of the seat 60A at will. With such a mode change button, for example, the position of a sports mode, a relax mode, etc. can be changed. The sports mode is a mode that changes the seat 60A of a passenger vehicle to a configuration that is preferable when driving a sports car. For example, the configuration that is preferable when driving a sports car may be a state in which the angle of the side support (so-called bank) of the seat cushion 61A and the seat back 62A is adjusted to improve the holding ability and cornering stability, or the height is lowered to bring the line of sight closer to the road. The relax mode is a mode in which the seat 60A of the passenger vehicle is changed to a configuration in which the occupant can sit in a relaxed state. More specifically, the relax mode is a mode in which the seat 60A is changed to a configuration in which the front end of the seat cushion 61A moves upward relative to the rear end, and the seat back 62A is reclined (rotates and tilts backward), as shown in FIG. In addition, seats other than the driver's seat can be switched to relaxation mode at any time, while in the driver's seat 60A, the mode can only be selected when the vehicle is in autonomous driving. Autonomous driving of a vehicle here refers to highly autonomous driving or fully autonomous driving that corresponds to "Level 4" in the automation levels established by NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) or "Level 4" and "Level 5" in the automation levels established by the Society of Automotive Engineers [SAE] in the United States.

[0113] <Configuration example 2> [About body width adjustment] The seat 70 of this configuration example includes a seat cushion 71 and a seat back 72. At least one of the seat cushion 71 and the seat back 72 has an air cell 74 incorporated therein for adjusting the body width according to the body width of the occupant. The body width here refers to the width of the occupant's body, and in particular the width around the waist when seated in the seat 70.

[0114] In this configuration example, an air cell 74 is incorporated into at least a seat back 72, as shown in FIG. The seat back 72 has a back frame 73 that constitutes the framework of the seat back 72. The back frame 73 includes a pair of left and right back side frames 73a, an upper frame 73b that connects the upper ends of the pair of left and right back side frames 73a, and a lower frame 73c that connects the lower ends of the pair of left and right back side frames 73a. Furthermore, a lumbar support 73b that supports the lumbar region of the occupant is provided between the pair of left and right back side frames 73a.

[0115] An air cell 74, which is a bag that expands when a fluid (here, air, but it may be liquid) is sealed inside, is provided on the inner surface of each of the pair of left and right back side frames 73a, 73a. The air cell 74 is connected to an air compressor (not shown) which is an air supply source. Although not shown, the air cell 74 may be provided with an internal pressure sensor that measures the internal pressure of the air cell 74. Also, instead of the internal pressure sensor, a pressure sensor that measures the amount of pressure applied to the occupant may be provided. The air cells 74 are provided on the rear side of the cover of the seat back 72, and are provided against left and right side supports 72a (so-called banks) of the seat back 72 that bulge forward.

[0116] When adjusting the body width using such air cells 74, the adjustment is performed while the person is seated in the seat 70. When the person has their arms raised and air is introduced into the air cells 74 to gradually inflate them, the air cells 74 come into gradually stronger contact with the occupant's sides via the skin. When the air cells 74 come into contact with the occupant via the skin and the pressure measured by the pressure sensor reaches an appropriate value, the air compressor stops sending air and the inflated state is maintained. This allows the distance between the left and right side supports 72a to be adjusted to an optimal dimension that matches the body width of the occupant. Also, the air cell 74 is placed in contact with the occupant's flank via the skin, and the stage at which a predetermined pressure value is obtained by the pressure sensor can be regarded as the body width of the occupant seated in the seat. In other words, the body width of the occupant can be estimated.

[0117] In the above, the installation position of the air cell 74 is described as being near the waist of a person seated in the seat 70, but this is not limited to being near the waist, and the air cell 74 may be installed in various parts of the seat 70. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the entire seat 70, and in this example, air cells 74 to 78 are provided at various positions on the seat 70.

[0118] 20 is provided with shoulder supports 72b that support the shoulders of a person seated in the seat 70. The shoulder supports 72b incorporate air cells 75, and the air cells 75 have the function of pushing the shoulders of the person seated inward and downward in the width direction by expanding.

[0119] Further, an air cell 76 is provided in correspondence with the position of the lumbar support 73d in the seat back 72. This air cell 76 has the function of pushing the lumbar region, particularly the back side, of a person seated in the seat 70 forward. That is, in the vicinity of the lumbar region, the lumbar region of the occupant can be supported from three sides by the left and right air cells 74 and the back-side air cell 76. In order to provide optimal support for the lumbar region, the support pressure by the left and right air cells 74 is adjusted as appropriate according to the amount of expansion of the back-side air cell 76.

[0120] Furthermore, side supports 71a that bulge upward are provided at both widthwise ends of the seat cushion 71, and each of these side supports 71a incorporates an air cell 77. These air cells 77 have the function of pushing the buttocks and thighs of a person seated on the seat 70 inward in the widthwise direction by bulging outward.

[0121] In addition, an ottoman portion 71b serving as a knee support portion for supporting the lower part of the knees of a seated person is provided at the front end portion of the seat cushion 71. This ottoman portion 71b includes an air cell 78 disposed at the front end of the seat cushion 71, and has the function of supporting the lower part of the knees of a seated person from below when this air cell 78 is inflated.

[0122] Each of the air cells 74-78 built into the seat 70 can estimate the body width from physique information obtained by a physique measuring means built into the seat 70 that measures the physique of the occupant (for example, various parts such as height, weight, sitting height, and leg length), and can be appropriately operated based on the estimation result under the control of the control device 10. The physique information may be obtained by the occupant inputting information to the control device 10 without relying on the physique measuring means. Furthermore, when the control device 10 controls the operation of the air cells 74 to 78, they are automatically controlled to provide an optimum pressure and width dimension according to the driving conditions and the physique of the occupant.

[0123] <Configuration example 3> [About weight measurement] The seat in this configuration example is equipped with a load sensor W, making it possible to measure the weight of a person sitting on the seat. The seat includes a cushion frame 80 that constitutes the framework of the seat cushion, and the load sensor W is incorporated in the cushion frame 80 as shown in FIG.

[0124] The cushion frame 80 has a pair of left and right cushion side frames 81, 81, a rectangular frame 82 attached to the lower ends of the pair of left and right cushion side frames 81, and a pair of left and right slide rails 83 attached to the lower end of the rectangular frame 82. The load sensor W is provided between a rectangular frame 82 and a pair of left and right slide rails 83 .

[0125] The rectangular frame 82 comprises a pair of left and right beams 82a, a front beam 82b, and a back pipe 82c, with these frame materials connected in a rectangular shape when viewed in a plane, and serves to evenly transmit the load of the occupant transmitted from the pair of left and right cushion side frames 81 to the load sensor W. The front beam 82b is provided between the front ends of the pair of left and right beams 82a and connects the front ends of the pair of left and right beams 82a together. The back pipe 82c is provided between the rear ends of the pair of left and right beams 82a and connects the rear ends of the pair of left and right beams 82a to each other.

[0126] Each of the pair of left and right slide rails 83 includes a lower rail 83a supported by legs provided at the front and rear ends, and an upper rail 83b engaged with the lower rail 3 and capable of sliding in the front-to-rear direction on the lower rail 3 relative to the lower rail 3. The pair of left and right slide rails 83 are integrated by a lower bracket 83c fixed to the lower surfaces of the left and right lower rails 3 and spanning between the left and right lower rails 3. The pair of left and right slide rails 83 are also provided with a locking mechanism 83d for locking the upper rail 83b to the lower rail 83a and for releasing the lock.

[0127] A total of four load sensors W are provided at the front and rear ends of the left and right upper rails 83b, and are fixed to the top surfaces of the upper rails 83b by fixing means such as bolts and nuts. Furthermore, a rectangular frame 82 is placed on the load sensor W via a bush 84a and a stepped collar 84b. The beam 82a of the rectangular frame 82 is formed with an L-shaped cross section and has a bottom plate portion. A through hole is formed in this bottom plate portion, through which the rod W1 protruding upward in the load sensor W is passed. A flat washer 84c, a coil spring 84d, and a spring holder 84e, all of which are formed in an annular shape, are provided on the rod W1 passed through the through hole. A nut 84f is provided on the rod W1, and the pair of left and right slide rails 83 and the rectangular frame 82 are connected via the load sensor W. In addition, the pair of left and right cushion side frames 81 are joined to the rectangular frame 82 by welding or the like.

[0128] A seat equipped with the cushion frame 80 configured in this manner makes it possible to measure the weight of a person seated on the seat. That is, the load sensor W converts information related to the detected load into an electric signal and outputs it to the control device 10. The control device 10 can derive the weight of the person seated on the seat based on the acquired information. The load sensors W are provided below the four corners of the rectangular frame 82 that supports the pair of left and right cushion side frames 81. Therefore, the load detection accuracy by the four load sensors W can be improved compared to, for example, a case where the load sensors W are not provided at the four corners. Furthermore, since four load sensors W are used, the seating balance of a person sitting on the seat can be detected. In other words, various detection results can be obtained, such as which of the first to fourth load sensors W is receiving the largest load, and the difference between normal driving and cornering. Such detection results can be reflected in the control device 10 for changes in the shape of the seat and control related to linkage with the vehicle body side.

[0129] In addition to a program for deriving weight information from information detected by the load sensor W, the storage unit 12 in the control device 10 stores various programs related to weight measurement. As various programs related to weight measurement, for example, a position correction program that calculates BMI from the derived weight information and the occupant's height information input to the control device 10 and corrects the driving position is stored in the memory unit 12. In addition, a weight information transmission program that enables communication between the control device 10 and a car navigation system or an information terminal carried by the occupant and transmits the derived weight information is stored in the storage unit 12. This makes it possible to visualize the weight information, allowing the occupant to check his or her own weight information. In addition, the control device 10 may be capable of communicating with an external advice database, and an advice program may be stored in the memory unit 12, which extracts appropriate advice data from the external database based on the derived weight information and transmits weight-related advice (advice that raises issues related to weight) to the occupant.

[0130] <Configuration Example 4> [About operating information terminals] As shown in FIG. 22, the control device 10 further includes a communication unit 16, which is communicatively connected to an information terminal 90 that is permitted to access the control device 10. The information terminal 90 is a computer such as a tablet terminal, a mobile terminal (including a smartphone), or a personal computer, and is capable of acquiring information from the control device 10 and controlling the control device 10 by performing two-way wireless communication with the control device 10 on the vehicle side. Such an information terminal 90 includes a control unit 91, a storage unit 92, an input unit 93, a display unit 94, and a communication unit 95.

[0131] The control unit 91 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a central processing unit, and executes various types of arithmetic processing based on programs and data stored in the storage unit 92, and controls each unit of the information terminal 90.

[0132] The storage unit 92 includes a storage device such as a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk device, and in addition to storing various programs and data, also functions as a work memory for the control unit 91. The storage unit 92 may include a removable information storage medium such as a flash memory or an optical disk.

[0133] The input unit 93 includes an input device such as a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and receives operation input from a user (e.g., a passenger) who operates the information terminal 90. Note that the input unit 30 in this configuration example is configured by a touch panel type input device.

[0134] The display unit 94 displays a screen based on graphic data generated by the control unit 91, and in this configuration example, since a touch panel is used as the input unit 93, a touch panel is also used as the display unit 94. Other display devices such as a liquid crystal display device may also be used as appropriate.

[0135] The communication unit 95 includes a wireless communication circuit, and enables two-way communication with the control device 10 by transmitting and receiving signals to and from the communication unit 16 in the control device 10. The communication unit 16 in the control device 10 and the communication unit 95 in the information terminal 90 may communicate with each other via any of various computer networks, or in an ad-hoc mode. In addition, the communication may be wired or wireless.

[0136] In the information terminal 90, various types of information input about the seat and the vehicle in which the seat is installed can be stored in a storage unit 92. In addition, by communicating with the control device 10 via a communication unit 95, the various types of input information can also be stored in the storage unit 12 of the control device 10. More specifically, when a person sits in the seat and changes the configuration of the seat, the configuration change information can be stored in the storage unit 12 of the control device 10 or the storage unit 92 of the information terminal 90.

[0137] The control device 10 can automatically change the configuration of the seat based on information about the person seated in the seat and information about changing the configuration of the seat. The seat configuration may be changed based on input information from the information terminal 90. That is, the information terminal 90 can control the control device 10 by performing two-way wireless communication with the control device 10, and thus can control various sensors and the seat posture adjustment device 15 connected to the control device 10 via the control device 10. At this time, the display unit 94 of the information terminal 90 can display devices that can be controlled by the information terminal 90 (for example, the above-mentioned slide rails 63, 83, lumbar support 64, reclining mechanism 65, height mechanism 66, seat back folding mechanism, position adjustment mechanism for the front and rear ends of the height mechanism 66, etc.), and the device to be controlled can be selected on the touch panel (input unit 93 and display unit 94) of the information terminal 90. Furthermore, when selecting each of the above devices and controlling their operation by the control device 10, the physical information of the occupant sitting in the seat can be input on the touch panel (input unit 93 and display unit 94) of the information terminal 90. At that time, the physical information of the occupant may be input numerically, or as shown in Fig. 23, the physical information may be input by operating computer graphics displayed on the screen of the touch panel. In the example shown in Fig. 23, height information is changed to increase the height by pinching out in the height direction of a person (computer graphics) displayed on the screen. Although not shown, height information can be changed to decrease the height by pinching in, and body width information can be changed by pinching out and in horizontally of the person displayed on the screen. Other operations (e.g., swiping or flicking) may also be used to increase or decrease weight or to switch users displayed on the screen.

[0138] As another example of automatically changing the configuration of the seat by the control device 10, there is a method of changing the configuration of the seat by registering occupant information in the information terminal 90. More specifically, occupant information refers to information that can identify the physical information of an occupant, such as height, weight, sitting height, leg length, arm length, body width, posture (such as hunched back or arched back), BMI, body fat percentage, muscle mass, etc. This occupant information is stored in advance in a storage unit 92 in the information terminal 90, and the physique and characteristics of the person sitting in the seat are inferred from this occupant information, and the form of the seat is changed to be optimal for the occupant using the information derived by inference. If there is a change in the physical information of the occupant, the physical information can be adjusted on the touch panel of the information terminal 90 as described above (see FIG. 23).

[0139] Furthermore, the storage unit 92 stores a program (for example, a program similar to the advice program described above) for managing the user's health based on the user's exercise information (frequency of exercise and content of exercise) and dietary information (information on usual meals, etc.) input on the touch panel of the information terminal 90, and information related to weight measurement using the load sensor W described above. By executing such a program, the user can grasp his / her own health condition on the information terminal 90 and can manage his / her health at home or the like by following advice.

[0140] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 23, the control device 10 in this configuration example further includes an AI (Artificial Intelligence) learning unit 17 that learns information for each user related to changing the configuration of the seat. The AI ​​learning unit 17 can calculate the difference between the seat configuration (position) set by the control device 10 and the seat configuration (position) adjusted by the user, and store the difference in the storage unit 12. In addition, the optimal seat configuration for such a user can be stored in the storage unit 12 for each user, and when the user seated in the seat is identified, the seat configuration can be changed to suit the user. In addition, the AI ​​learning unit 17 may store, for example, the positions of the steering wheel and mirrors of the vehicle in the storage unit 12 at the same time as storing the seat configuration, and change the seat configuration and the positions of the steering wheel and mirrors to suit the user.

[0141] In addition, when the user stores the seat configuration adjusted by the user, other additional conditions are also stored in the memory unit 12, so that the AI ​​learning unit 17 can learn the optimal seat configuration for each user based on the stored data. Examples of the additional conditions include environmental conditions such as weather, outside temperature, and temperature inside the vehicle, time conditions such as date and time of day, and health conditions such as the user's body temperature. In other words, when the user changes the seat configuration, the AI ​​learning unit 17 can learn the reason (condition) for changing the seat configuration. Therefore, when the user sits in the seat, if the additional conditions become the same as when they were stored, the AI ​​learning unit 17 changes the seat configuration based on the learned content.

[0142] In addition, in this configuration example, as shown in FIG. 23, the control device 10 and / or the information terminal 90 are communicatively connected to an external server 96 managed by an administrator such as an automobile manufacturer or a sales company, and are able to manage the information learned by the AI ​​learning unit 17. More specifically, the information on the seat configuration stored in the memory unit 12 by the AI ​​learning unit 17 and the information on additional conditions when the seat configuration is changed are transmitted to the external server 96 via the communication unit 16. The external server 96 constantly acquires information on an unspecified number of users, analyzes the trends and characteristics of changes in the seat configuration, and feeds back the analyzed information to each user (control device 10).

[0143] Furthermore, information on the seating posture of the occupant obtained by changing the configuration of the seat is collected and used in a usability survey of physique and seating posture. That is, the external server 96 managed by the administrator receives various information from many users, and this information is collected and analyzed as big data, which can lead to improved satisfaction of many users.

[0144] <Configuration Example 5> [About vehicle linkage] Various parts and functions of the body of a passenger car (automobile: vehicle) can be linked according to the posture and physique of the person sitting in the seat.

[0145] FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining the position adjustment of the handle 100. The position adjustment of the handle 100 is controlled by the control device 10 on the basis of information related to the posture and physique of a person seated in the seat. For example, a person P1 with a high sitting height may have high shoulders, and a person P3 with a low sitting height may have low shoulders. Also, arm length is often roughly proportional to height. In such a case, for example, the seat height of the person sitting in the seat can be detected, and the angle of the handlebars 100 can be changed up or down based on the detection result, or the arm length can be estimated from the inputted height information, and the position of the handlebars 100 can be adjusted forward or backward based on the estimation result. Incidentally, a mechanism for adjusting the position of the steering wheel 100 in this manner is known as a "tilt and telescopic steering."

[0146] The steering column 101, which houses the axis (steering shaft) of the steering wheel 100, is equipped with a drive unit (not shown) that adjusts the position of the axis of the steering wheel 100 in the up-down and back-and-forth directions. Such a drive unit is connected to the control device 10 and is controlled by the control device 10. This allows the position of the handle 100 to be automatically adjusted based on information relating to the posture and physique of the person seated in the seat. Information regarding the posture and physique of the person sitting in the seat may be input from a car navigation device 102 (see Figures 25 and 26) or from an information terminal 90 such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone.

[0147] FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the position adjustment of the side mirror 103 and the rearview mirror 104. The position adjustment of the side mirror 103 and the rearview mirror 104 is controlled by the control device 10 based on information related to the posture and physique of the person sitting in the seat. For example, a person P1 who sits tall may also have a high line of sight, and a person P3 who sits short may also have a low line of sight. In such a case, for example, the seat height of the person sitting in the seat can be detected, and the angle of the side mirror 103 and the rearview mirror 104 can be changed up / down and left / right based on the detection result. The angles of the side mirror 103 and the rearview mirror 104 can also be adjusted by detecting the eye point using a camera.

[0148] FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a side electronic mirror 105 provided in place of the side mirror 103, and explains the position and display adjustment of this side electronic mirror 105. The side electronic mirror 105 is composed of a camera attached to the side of the vehicle body so as to capture an image of the rear, and a monitor 105a provided in the passenger compartment for displaying the video captured by the camera.

[0149] The position and display adjustment of the side electronic mirror 105 is controlled by the control device 10 based on information related to the posture and physique of the person seated in the seat. More specifically, when adjusting the position of the screen displayed on the side electronic mirror 105, the camera direction is adjusted by the control device 10. When adjusting the position of the side electronic mirror 105 itself, the angle of the monitor 105a is changed up and down and left and right by the control device 10.

[0150] The camera and monitor 105a in the side mirror 103, rearview mirror 104, and side electronic mirror 105 each have a drive unit that adjusts their orientation and position. Thus, according to the configuration example shown in Fig. 25 and Fig. 26, the position and display of the side mirror 103, rearview mirror 104, and side electronic mirror 105 can be automatically adjusted based on information related to the posture and physique of the person seated in the seat. The information regarding the posture and physique of the person sitting in the seat may be input from the car navigation device 102, or may be input from an information terminal 90 such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone.

[0151] In FIG. 27, the configuration of the seat 110, including the side supports and the lumbar support, is automatically changed under the control of the control device 10. The seat 110 includes a seat cushion 111 , a seat back 112 , and a headrest 113 . The seat back 112 is configured to be deformable in the front-rear direction and has a lumbar support 114 provided therein to support the lower back of a person seated in the seat 110. The seat 110 is also provided with the above-mentioned slide mechanism (see arrow A1), reclining mechanism (see arrow A2), and height mechanism (see arrow A3) as appropriate, and the seat back 112 is provided with a folding mechanism that tilts a vertical intermediate portion of the seat back 112 in the front-rear direction. Furthermore, the height mechanism has a link mechanism for adjusting the vertical positions of the front and rear ends of a cushion frame that constitutes the framework of the seat cushion 111.

[0152] Side supports 111a that bulge upward are provided at both widthwise ends of the seat cushion 111. Side supports 112a that bulge forward are provided at both widthwise ends of the seat back 112. Side supports 113a that bulge forward are provided at both widthwise ends of the head rest 113. In addition, each side support 111a, 112a, 113a has an air cell inside which expands when a fluid is sealed inside, and the degree of expansion of each side support 111a, 112a, 113a can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount of fluid inside the air cell.

[0153] The control device 10 is capable of controlling the operation of the lumbar support 114, the side supports 111a, 112a, 113a, and other mechanisms based on the detection results of various sensors provided on the vehicle body. Various types of sensors are used, such as a sensor that detects centrifugal force when cornering, a sensor that detects the steering angle of the steering wheel, a sensor that detects sudden acceleration and braking, a sensor that detects the operation of the brakes, a sensor that detects the parking state of the vehicle, a sensor that detects drowsiness of the occupant, and a sensor that detects the angle of the vehicle body. As these various sensors, various sensors including, for example, acceleration sensors, load cells, and various position sensors can be appropriately used.

[0154] When the vehicle is cornering while traveling, the body of the person seated in the seat tends to move outward due to centrifugal force. Therefore, when the sensor detects centrifugal force, the side supports 111a, 112a, 113a located on the centrifugal outer side among the side supports 111a, 112a, 113a provided on the seat 110 are deformed based on the detection result so as to closely contact the side of the occupant's body. Furthermore, the centrifugal outer portion of the lumbar support 114 is deformed forward (to close inward). Moreover, the side supports 111a, 112a, 113a located on the centrifugal inner side and the centrifugal inner portion of the lumbar support 114 may be deformed backward (to open outward). In addition, when the vehicle approaches a curve and corners while traveling, the steering wheel is also rotated at the same time. Therefore, when the centrifugal force detection sensor is activated, the sensor that detects the steering angle of the steering wheel also detects the rotation of the steering wheel. Therefore, when the sensor that detects the steering angle of the steering wheel is activated, the side supports 111a, 112a, 113a and the lumbar support 114 are configured to deform. In addition, since the steering angle of the steering wheel differs depending on the radius of the curve, the deformation of each of the side supports 111a, 112a, 113a and the lumbar support 114 may be changed depending on the steering angle of the steering wheel.

[0155] When the vehicle suddenly starts or brakes, the buttocks and thighs of a person seated in the seat may shift on the seat cushion 111, causing a so-called "buttocks slippage." When the vehicle suddenly starts or brakes, a sensor that detects the sudden start or braking is activated to detect the sudden start or braking. Based on the detection result, the control device 10 controls the side supports 111a, 112a, 113a to deform inwardly and forwardly to close, thereby holding the body of the occupant. In addition, the control device 10 may simultaneously control the front end of the seat cushion 111 to move upward. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of rear-end slippage during sudden start or braking of the vehicle, or the distance traveled if rear-end slippage occurs.

[0156] A vehicle may be equipped with an automatic braking system that detects an obstacle using a radar or a camera and performs auxiliary braking operation to avoid a collision with the obstacle. In addition, not only automatic braking systems but also sudden braking other than emergency braking may occur while the vehicle is traveling. When such a braking operation is performed, a sensor that detects the operation of the brakes is activated and detects the operation of the brakes. Based on the detection result, the control device 10 controls the deformation of each of the side supports 111a, 112a, 113a and the lumbar support 114 so as to assume a posture that can improve the safety of the occupants. Specifically, the control device 10 deforms the lumbar support 114 to protrude forward, and causes the occupant's back to bend, bringing the neck closer to the seat back 112 or the head rest 113. Furthermore, the control device 10 controls the side supports 111a, 112a, 113a to deform so as to close inwardly forward, thereby holding the body of the occupant. This makes it easier to maintain the neck of the occupant closer to the seat back 112 or the head rest 113, and therefore makes it easier to ensure the safety of the occupant even if a collision with an obstacle cannot be avoided.

[0157] Among the operations of each part accompanying the change in the configuration of the seat 110 described above, there may be some operations that are preferably not performed while driving. In such cases, the parking state of the vehicle is detected by a sensor that detects the parking state of the vehicle, and then the control device 10 controls the seat 110 to change its configuration. As a result, for example, if the operation of various parts resulting from the change in the shape of seat 110 includes an operation that is preferably not performed while driving, the operation can be performed after checking the parking status of the vehicle, thereby improving safety. Although a sensor for detecting the parking state of the vehicle is used here, a sensor for detecting the stopping state of the vehicle may be used instead, or may be used in combination with the sensor.

[0158] Sensors that detect occupant drowsiness include those that use cameras to detect whether the occupant has their eyes closed for a certain period of time, or the body movements and posture of the seated occupant, as well as sensors that detect whether the occupant is drowsy from their breathing condition, and sensors that detect whether the occupant is drowsy from their body temperature. When a sensor that detects drowsiness of an occupant is activated, the control device 10 changes the seat 110 into a shape that allows the occupant to assume a posture that makes it easier to alleviate drowsiness, based on the detection result. Specifically, the control device 10 protrudes the lumbar support 114 forward to move the occupant's lower back forward and encourages the occupant to stretch. This makes it possible to alleviate drowsiness of the occupant.

[0159] 28(a), when climbing a slope, the vehicle body 50 may become tilted more than horizontally, and the person seated in the seat 110 may also tilt at the same time, with their back pressed against the seat back 112. In this case, it may be difficult for the person seated in the seat 110 to stand upright, which may result in poor visibility. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 28(b), when the angle of the vehicle body 50 reaches a certain level or more, the angle of the vehicle body 50 is detected by a sensor that detects the angle of the vehicle body 50, and the control device 10 performs control to tilt the seat 110 to be closer to horizontal based on the detection result. Specifically, the height mechanism 66 is configured to move the rear end of the seat cushion 111 higher than the front end. This allows the seat 110 to be tilted closer to horizontal, so that the visibility of the person seated in the seat 110 is less likely to be impaired even when going uphill.

[0160] A so-called immobilizer is installed in vehicles to prevent theft of the vehicle. As shown in Fig. 29, this immobilizer includes a control device 10, an engine key 120, a key cylinder 121, an antenna 122, and an amplifier 123, and the control device 10 is connected to an engine 124, a car navigation device 102, and a seat 110 of the vehicle. An identification code transmitter 120a called a transponder is embedded in the engine key 120, and the identification code transmitted from the transmitter 120a is received by an antenna 122, amplified by an amplifier 122, and can be transmitted to the control device 10. The control device 10 is configured to check the identification code against an identification code specific to the vehicle body, and if they match, the engine 124 can be started.

[0161] Furthermore, if the identification code matching is successful, the control device 10 operates the seat 110 to a pre-registered configuration. That is, a person who sits in the seat can change the seat 110 to a pre-registered desired configuration simply by getting into the vehicle, sitting in the seat 110, and starting the engine 124. When multiple people have registered a change in the configuration of the seat 110, the car navigation device 102 displays a screen for selecting who is seated in the seat 110, and the seated person can select an option to change the configuration of the seat 110 to the one that he or she previously registered.

[0162] The method for changing the configuration of the seat 110 when getting into the vehicle is not limited to using an immobilizer, but may also be performed by inputting information from an information terminal 90 such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone. In the case of the information terminal 90, the control device 10 and the information terminal 90 are controlled based on pairing via Bluetooth (registered trademark) and the information associated therewith. That is, the owner of the information terminal 90 can transmit user information to the control device 10 by pairing the information terminal 90 owned by the owner with the control device 10. As a result, even if multiple people have registered a change in the form of the sheet 110, the form of the sheet 110 can be changed to the form registered by the owner without any problems.

[0163] 30, the control device 10 is connected to a seat 110 equipped with a seat heater 115 and a blower 116, an air conditioner 120 in the vehicle, a body temperature sensor 121, and a temperature and humidity sensor 122. The seat heater 115 increases the temperature of the seat 110, and the blower 116 can lower the temperature of the seat 110 by blowing air.

[0164] The body temperature detection sensor 121 is a sensor for detecting the body temperature of a person seated in the seat 110, and is either built into the seat 110 or provided on the vehicle body near the seat 110. The temperature and humidity sensor 122 is a sensor that detects at least the temperature and humidity outside the vehicle and is provided outside the vehicle. The temperature and humidity sensor 122 may be provided inside the vehicle, in addition to being provided outside the vehicle.

[0165] The control device 10 is capable of appropriately controlling the operation of the seat heater 115, the blower 116, and the air conditioner 120 based on the detection results of the body temperature detection sensor 121 and the temperature and humidity sensor 122. That is, for example, the body temperature of a person seated in the seat 110 is detected by the body temperature detection sensor 121, and the control device 10 can operate, for example, the air conditioner 120 based on the detection result. At this time, the control device 10 may operate either the seat heater 115 or the blower 116 instead of the air conditioner 120, or may use both of them. Furthermore, the temperature and humidity outside or inside the vehicle are detected by the temperature and humidity sensor 122, and the control device 10 can operate either the seat heater 115 or the blower 116 based on the detection result. At this time, the control device 10 may operate the air conditioner 120 instead of either the seat heater 115 or the blower 116, or may use both of them.

[0166] The control device 10 described above, which is also called ECU, can be configured in a unitized state separated from the vehicle as shown in Fig. 31. In other words, it can be configured as an ECU unit 130 and installed in the vehicle in a retrofitted manner. Such an ECU unit 130 can be connected, via wire and / or wirelessly, to electrically adjustable locations on the seat, and is configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving information. Here, the parts of the seat that can be electrically adjusted include a variety of things, including the devices explained above (for example, the pillar drive unit, slide rails, lumbar support, reclining mechanism, height mechanism, seat back center-folding mechanism, position adjustment mechanism for the front and rear ends of the height mechanism, seat heaters, blowers, etc.), various sensors required when changing the shape of the seat, and various devices installed on the body of the vehicle (side mirrors, rearview mirrors, side electronic mirrors, immobilizers, air conditioners, etc.). Furthermore, the ECU unit 130 is capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the external server 96, and may also be provided with an AI learning section.

[0167] By applying the ECU unit 130 configured in this manner to an existing seat that simply has parts that can be electrically adjusted, the seat can be operated as an electrically adjustable seat in which each part can be automatically adjusted to suit the individual posture, physique, preferences, and other information about the occupant. The ECU unit 130 can be applied not only to the vehicle seats described above, but also to chairs, sofas and other seating (electric chairs shown in FIG. 31) equipped with the above-mentioned various devices (electric devices: also called power devices), electric beds (electric beds shown in FIG. 31), etc. Specifically, the ECU unit 130 can be applied to medical beds, office chairs, waiting room benches, dentist chairs, airplane seats, train seats, ship seats, driver's seats in public transportation, home sofas, electric wheelchairs, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0168] 1 ECU device 2. How to obtain cyclometer information 3. Means for acquiring knee back angle information 4 Estimation means 10 Vehicle seat 11 Seat cushion 11A Hanging part 18 Seat frame A. Seat D. Knee or shin E Heel s1~s4 Seat pressure sensor s11~s13 Pressure Sensors s21, s22 Infrared sensor s31 1st infrared sensor s32 2nd infrared sensor x1~x4 seating pressure y Distance traveled Y1 First distance Y2 Second distance y21, y22 Distance to calf z Leg length φ Knee back angle θ Cylindrical angle

Claims

1. An estimation means for estimating the physical build of an occupant based on information from a measurement means for measuring the physical build of an occupant seated in a seat having a deformation drive mechanism; a control means for calculating an optimal driving position based on a result of the estimation by the estimation means, and for controlling the deformation drive mechanism to change the configuration of the seat; an AI learning unit that calculates a difference between the seat configuration set by the control means and the seat configuration adjusted by a user and stores the difference in a storage unit for each user; An ECU device comprising:

2. The ECU device described in Claim 1, characterized in that the control means changes the shape of the seat based on data stored in the memory unit to suit the user once the user seated in the seat is identified.

3. The ECU device of claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the AI ​​learning unit stores the position of the vehicle's steering wheel in the memory unit at the same time as memorizing the seat shape that is optimal for a user seated in the seat, and changes the seat shape to suit the user and also changes the position of the steering wheel.

4. An ECU device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the AI ​​learning unit memorizes the seat configuration that is optimal for a user seated in the seat, while at the same time memorizing the position of the vehicle's mirrors, and changes the seat configuration and mirror positions to suit the user.

5. The AI ​​learning unit, 5. The ECU device according to claim 1, further comprising: an ECU that learns environmental conditions, time conditions, and user health conditions as additional conditions when storing the seat configuration adjusted by the user; and when the user sits in the seat, if the additional conditions become the same as when the additional conditions were stored, changes the seat configuration based on the learned contents.

6. An ECU device described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is provided with a communication unit including a wireless communication circuit and is connected to be able to communicate with an external server.

7. An ECU device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is configured as a unit separate from the vehicle and is mounted in a form that can be retrofitted to the vehicle.

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