Vehicular seat device

Abstract

To provide a vehicular seat device that is configured to enable a vehicle interior space in a vehicle to be utilized in various applications and also to improve safety of an occupant who utilizes the vehicle interior space.SOLUTION: A seat device 1 is provided with a front seat 2 and a rear seat 3. The rear seat 3 has: a rear-seat seat cushion 31 as a seating part; a rear-seat seat back 32 as a backrest part; and a rear-seat reclining device 34 that displaces the rear-seat seat back 32, between in an erected attitude in which the rear-seat seat back 32 is erected to enable an occupant to sit on the rear-seat seat cushion 31 and a tilted attitude in which the rear-seat seat back 32 is tilted forward or backward with respect to the rear-seat seat cushion 31, where the front seat 2 supports the rear seat 3 in the tilted attitude from below.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat apparatus, and more particularly to a vehicle seat apparatus having a front seat and a rear seat. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, technology for using the space inside a moving vehicle for various purposes other than simply as a seating space while moving has been attracting attention. To explain by giving a specific example, a vehicle generally has a front seat (first row seat), a rear seat (second row seat) arranged behind the front seat, and a luggage space formed further rearward. Therefore, when no passenger is seated in the rear seat, it is conceivable to form a rest space in which the passenger can lie down and rest by using the first row seat and the space behind it. As another example, it is conceivable to form a work space in which the passenger can operate a PC (personal computer) and perform work by using the second row seat and the luggage space.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle that can create a rest space or a work space inside the vehicle by using a luggage board with a horizontal surface. Specifically, the second row seats are folded and stored downward, and the luggage board is deployed above the second row seats to create a bed or a work desk. This allows the interior space inside the vehicle to be used effectively for various purposes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-165339 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 allows passengers to use the space inside the vehicle for various purposes, improving convenience for passengers, further improvements are needed. In other words, there is a need not only to improve convenience but also to improve the safety of passengers who use the space inside the vehicle.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a vehicle seat device that enables the interior space of a vehicle to be used for various purposes while improving the safety of occupants using the interior space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The above problem is solved by the seat device of the present invention, which is a vehicle seat device having a front seat and a rear seat, wherein the rear seat has a rear seat cushion which serves as a seating portion, a rear seat back which serves as a backrest portion, and a rear seat rotating device which displaces the rear seat back between an upright position in which the rear seat back is upright so that an occupant can sit on the rear seat cushion and a reclined position in which the rear seat back is reclined forward or backward relative to the rear seat cushion, and the front seat supports the rear seat in the reclined position from below.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the passenger can sit on the upper surface of the rear seat that has been tilted, and use the interior space behind the rear seat for various purposes. Also, the front seat supports the rear seat that has been tilted from below, so that the passenger can be reliably supported in the rear seat, and the safety of the passenger can be improved.

[0009] In addition, the front seat has a front seat cushion that serves as a seating area, a front seat back that serves as a backrest area, and a forward tilting device that displaces the front seat back between an upright position in which the front seat back stands up to allow an occupant to sit on the front seat cushion and a forward tilted position in which the front seat back is tilted forward relative to the front seat cushion, and in the forward tilted position, the rear end of the front seat supports from below the front end of the rear seat in the tilted position. According to the above configuration, the front seat is displaced to a forward tilted position to support the front end of the rear seat from below. Therefore, the occupant sitting on the rear seat displaced to a tilted position can be reliably supported, and other occupants can be prevented from sitting on the front seat. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the danger of the vehicle moving unexpectedly while an occupant is working on the rear seat, and to improve the safety of the occupant sitting on the rear seat.

[0010] In addition, the front seat may have a sliding device that slides in the fore-and-aft direction, and when the front seat slides rearward in the forward-leaning position, the rear end of the front seat may support the front end of the rear seat in the reclined position from below. According to the above configuration, by sliding the front seat rearward, the rear end of the front seat is positioned below the rear seat in a reclined position, thereby enabling the rear seat to be supported with high stability, thereby improving the safety of occupants seated in the rear seat.

[0011] In addition, the front seat has a front seat cushion that serves as a seating area, a front seat back that serves as a backrest area, and a front seat rotation device that displaces the front seat back between an upright position in which the front seat back stands up to allow an occupant to sit on the front seat cushion and a rearward tilted position in which the front seat back is tilted rearward relative to the front seat cushion, and the tip of the front seat back, which is located at the upper end of the front seat back in the upright position, supports from below the front end of the rear seat in the tilted position in the rearward tilted position. According to the above-described configuration, an occupant seated on the rear seat that has been displaced into a reclined position can be reliably supported, thereby improving the safety of the occupant.

[0012] In addition, the front seat has a sliding device that slides in the fore-and-aft direction, and the front seat rotation device displaces the front seat back to the rearward tilted position when the front seat is in the rearward tilted position and is positioned in a non-interference position where it does not interfere with the rear seat, and the sliding device slides the front seat in the rearward tilted position rearward from the non-interference position, and the tip of the front seat back that has slid rearward supports the front end of the rear seat in the reclined position from below. According to the above configuration, the front seat is displaced to a rearward tilted position from a non-interference position and then slides rearward, thereby making effective use of the limited interior space within the vehicle and improving the safety of the occupants.

[0013] In addition, the front seat has a front headrest that supports the head of the occupant in the upright position and is detachable from the front seat back, and the rear seat back has a front headrest attachment / detachment portion on the front side of the rear seat in the reclined position, to which the front headrest can be attached and detached. According to the above configuration, the front seat headrest detached from the front seat back can be attached to the front side of the rear seat in the reclined position, so that the lumbar region of the occupant who sits on the reclined rear seat facing in the opposite direction to the traveling direction of the vehicle can be supported by the front seat headrest, thereby improving the support for the lumbar region of the occupant sitting in the rear seat.

[0014] The rear seat back may further include an occupant detection sensor that detects a seating state of an occupant who is tilted forward relative to the seat cushion and seated on the rear seat back in the forward tilted position. According to the above configuration, it is possible to detect an occupant seated on the upper surface of the rear seat back in a reclined position, thereby making it possible to improve the safety of the occupants by restricting the departure of the vehicle based on the detection results.

[0015] In addition, the rear seat back may have a rear seat back frame forming the skeleton of the rear seat back, a rear seat back padding material covering the back side of the rear seat back frame, and a rear seat upholstery material covering the rear seat back frame and the rear seat back padding material, and the occupant detection sensor may be disposed between the rear seat back padding material and the rear seat upholstery material. According to the above configuration, by disposing an occupant detection sensor between the rear seat back pad material and the rear seat covering material, it is possible to detect an occupant sitting on the rear seat back with high sensitivity and improve the safety of the occupants by restricting the departure of the vehicle based on the detection results.

[0016] In addition, the rear seat back may have a rear seat back frame that forms the skeleton of the rear seat back, a rear seat back pad material that covers the back side of the rear seat back frame, and a rear seat covering material that covers the rear seat back frame and the rear seat back pad material, and the occupant detection sensor may be disposed between the rear seat back pad material and the rear seat back frame. According to the above configuration, by disposing the occupant detection sensor between the rear seat back padding material and the seat back frame, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection by the occupant detection sensor, detect occupants with higher reliability, and improve occupant safety by restricting the departure of the vehicle based on the detection results.

[0017] In addition, the rear seat may be equipped with a posture detection sensor that detects the forward leaning posture of the rear seat back, and a sensor control unit that disables the detection of the seated state by the occupant detection sensor, and the sensor control unit may disable the detection of the seated state by the occupant detection sensor based on the fact that the posture detection sensor does not detect the forward leaning posture. According to the above configuration, the posture detection sensor detects the forward leaning posture of the rear seat, and if the posture detection sensor does not detect the forward leaning posture, the detection of the seating state by the occupant detection sensor is disabled, thereby making it possible to suppress the effects of malfunction of the occupant detection sensor.

[0018] In addition, the rear seat may have a base portion attached to a floor of the vehicle in which the rear seat is provided, and a rear seat lifting device that raises and lowers the rear seat cushion and the rear seat back relative to the base portion. According to the above configuration, the rear seat has a rear seat lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the rear seat cushion and the rear seat back, so that the line of sight of the passengers seated in the rear seat can be raised, thereby improving the satisfaction of the rear seat occupants. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the seat device of the present invention, it is possible to improve the safety of passengers using the interior space of a vehicle while enabling the interior space to be used for multiple purposes. It is also possible to improve the safety of passengers seated in the rear seats. In addition, it is possible to effectively utilize the limited space inside the vehicle interior and improve the safety of the occupants. It is also possible to improve the support for the lumbar region of passengers seated in the rear seats. In addition, by restricting the start of the vehicle based on the detection result of the occupant detection sensor, it is possible to improve the safety of the occupants. In addition, it is possible to suppress the influence of malfunction of the occupant detection sensor. In addition, the line of sight of passengers seated in the rear seats can be raised, which can improve the satisfaction of passengers in the rear seats. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an interior space in which a seat device is disposed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an indoor space used as a work space. [Diagram 3] This is a perspective view of the front seat as seen diagonally from the rear. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front seat frame as viewed obliquely from the rear. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear seat in an upright position, as viewed obliquely from the front. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rear seat in a forward-tilting position, as seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 7] 2 is a perspective view of the rear seat frame as viewed obliquely from the front. FIG. [Figure 8A] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a rear seat in which an occupant detection sensor is disposed between a seat back cover material and a seat back pad material. [Figure 8B] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a rear seat in which an occupant detection sensor is disposed between a seat back pad material and a rear seat back frame. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] 13 is an explanatory diagram of a rear seat support structure according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a rear seat support structure according to a second modified example, showing a state in which the front seat is located in a non-interference position. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a rear seat support structure according to a second modified example, showing a state in which the front seat has been moved rearward. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a rear seat support structure according to a third modified example. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of a start prohibition control process. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of an occupant detection sensor energization control process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, a vehicle seat device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is for the purpose of making the present invention easier to understand, and does not limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof. In the following description, the contents regarding the materials, shapes and sizes of the seat components are merely examples and do not limit the present invention.

[0022] In the following, a vehicle seat device 1 mounted on a vehicle V will be given as an example of a vehicle seat device, and a configuration example thereof will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to seats mounted on vehicles that have wheels and run on land, such as automobiles and trains, and may also be applied to seats mounted on aircraft, ships, and other vehicles that move on non-ground surfaces, for example.

[0023] In the following description, the term "seat front-rear direction" refers to the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat (front seat 2 and rear seat 3) constituting the vehicle seat device 1, and is the same as the front-rear direction as seen by a person seated in the vehicle seat. The term "seat width direction" refers to the width direction of the vehicle seat, and is the same as the left-right direction as seen by a person seated in the vehicle seat. The term "up-down direction" refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle seat, and is the same as the vertical direction when the vehicle V is traveling on a horizontal plane. The term "outside" simply refers to the side closer to the outside in the direction from the center of the vehicle seat to the outside, and the term "inside" refers to the side closer to the center in the direction from the outside to the center of the vehicle seat.

[0024] <Indoor space R> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an interior space R of a vehicle V in which a vehicle seat device 1 according to this embodiment is arranged. As shown in FIG. 1, the interior space R is formed between a ceiling C and a floor F of the vehicle V. In the interior space R, a front seat 2 on which an occupant sits, a rear seat 3, and a luggage board 5 on which luggage can be loaded are arranged. In addition, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 4 that controls the front seat 2 and the rear seat 3 is arranged inside an interior member located in front of the front seat 2. In other words, the vehicle seat device 1 mainly includes the front seat 2, the rear seat 3, and the ECU 4.

[0025] The front seats 2 are first-row seats, and consist of a driver's seat and a passenger seat arranged side by side. An occupant of the vehicle V sits in the driver's seat and can drive the vehicle V by operating a steering wheel H and a foot pedal P fixed to an interior member. The front seat 2 mainly comprises a front seat cushion 21 and a front seat back 22. The front seat 2 also has a front seat reclining device 24 that supports the front seat back 22 so that it can be tilted relative to the front seat cushion 21.

[0026] The rear seats 3 are second-row seats located behind the front seats 2, and are composed of rear seats arranged side by side. By sitting in the rear seats 3, passengers can travel to their destination together with the passenger sitting in the driver's seat. The rear seat 3 mainly comprises a rear seat cushion 31 and a rear seat back 32. The rear seat 3 also has a rear seat reclining device 34 that supports the rear seat back 32 so that it can be tilted relative to the rear seat cushion 31. An occupant sits on the rear seat back 32 in a forward-leaning position and uses a luggage board 5 located behind the rear seat 3, allowing the interior space R to be used for various purposes. This will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a state in which an occupant sitting on the rear seat 3 uses the interior space R as a work space. In detail, as shown in FIG. 2, the occupant can sit on the rear seat back 32 facing the opposite direction to the traveling direction of the vehicle V with the rear seat back 32 in a forward inclined position with respect to the rear seat cushion 31. The occupant can also operate a notebook PC on the luggage board 5 located on his / her lap to perform PC work. In this way, the occupant can use the interior space R of the vehicle V not only as a seating space when moving to a destination, but also as a work space to operate the PC and perform work, thereby realizing an expansion of the uses of the interior space R. In addition, as described later, the rear seat cushion 31 located at the front end of the rear seat 3 is supported from below by the front seat 2. In this way, the front seat 2 supports the front end of the rear seat 3 from below, so that the occupant who sits on the rear seat back of the rear seat 3 and uses the interior space R as a work space can be reliably supported, thereby improving the safety of the occupant.

[0028] Returning to FIG. 1, the ECU 4 is communicatively connected to an external information communication terminal T via publicly available electric communication means. The ECU 4 can transmit information about the occupant (e.g., the occupant's biometric information or an occupant detection signal) to the external information communication terminal T. The external information communication terminal T is a smartphone operated by a person who monitors the occupant's biometric information, but is not limited to this. The external information communication terminal T may be a tablet terminal. Note that in FIG. 1, the ECU 4 is disposed in an interior member of the vehicle V, but is not limited to this. The ECU 4 may be disposed below the floor F. The electric communication means is a mobile wireless communication line such as LTE or 5G, but is not limited thereto. Of course, a known in-vehicle communication system can be used.

[0029] <Front seat 2> 3 is a perspective view of the front seat 2 seen obliquely from the rear. The front seat 2 mainly comprises a front seat body 20 having a front seat cushion 21, a front seat back 22, and a front seat headrest 23, a front seat reclining device 24, and a front seat slide rail device 25.

[0030] The front seat cushion 21 is a support member that supports the buttocks of a seated person and serves as a seating portion that supports the seated person from below. The front seat cushion 21 mainly comprises a front seat cushion frame 21a (see FIG. 4) that forms the framework of the front seat cushion 21, a seat cushion pad material 21b, and a seat cushion cover material 21c.

[0031] The front seat back 22 is a support member that supports the back of a seated occupant, and serves as a backrest that supports the back of the seated occupant from behind. The front seat back 22 mainly comprises a front seat back frame 22a (see FIG. 4) that forms the framework of the front seat back 22, a seat back pad material 22b, and a seat back skin material 22c that covers them. As shown in FIG. 4, the front seat back frame 22a constitutes the front seat frame 2a together with the front seat cushion frame 21a.

[0032] The front headrest 23 is a support member that supports the head of a seated occupant from behind. The front headrest 23 mainly comprises a front headrest pillar (not shown) that serves as a core material, a padding material (not shown) that covers the front headrest pillar, and a skin material (not shown) that covers the front headrest pillar and the padding material.

[0033] The front seat reclining device 24 connects the front seat back 22 to the front seat cushion 21 so as to be rotatable. More specifically, the front seat reclining device 24 can displace the front seat back 22 between an upright position in which the front seat back 22 is upright, and a forward tilted position in which the front seat back 22 is tilted forward or a rearward tilted position in which the front seat back 22 is tilted rearward. In the upright position, an occupant can sit on the front seat cushion 21. Also, as described later, in the forward tilted position or rearward tilted position, the front seat back 22 can support the front end of the rear seat 3 from below. The front seat reclining device 24 corresponds to a front seat rotation device.

[0034] The front seat slide rail device 25 connects the front seat body 20 to the floor F so that the front seat body 20 can slide in the front-rear direction. The front seat slide rail device 25 has a known structure (the structure of a general slide rail mechanism). In detail, the front seat slide rail device 25 has a lower rail 25a fixed to the floor F, and an upper rail 25b which can slide in the front-rear direction relative to the lower rail 25a. The front seat slide rail device 25 corresponds to a slide device.

[0035] <Rear seat 3> 5 and 6 are perspective views of the rear seat 3 as viewed obliquely from the front. In detail, Fig. 5 shows the rear seat 3 in an upright position where the rear seat back 32 is upright and an occupant can sit on the rear seat cushion 31. Meanwhile, Fig. 6 shows the rear seat 3 in a forward-tilted position where the rear seat back 32 is tilted forward relative to the rear seat cushion 31 and the rear surface (back surface) in the upright position becomes the upper surface. Note that Fig. 6 shows a state where the rear seat headrest 33 has been removed from the rear seat back 32.

[0036] The rear seat 3 mainly comprises a rear seat body 30 having a rear seat cushion 31, a rear seat back 32, and a rear seat headrest 33, a rear seat reclining device 34, a rear seat slide rail device 35, and a rear seat lifting device 36.

[0037] The rear seat cushion 31 is a support member that supports the buttocks of a seated occupant and serves as a seating portion that supports the seated occupant from below. The rear seat cushion 31 mainly comprises a rear seat cushion frame 31a (see FIG. 7) that forms the framework of the rear seat cushion 31, a seat cushion pad material 31b, and a seat cushion cover material 31c. 5, the rear seat 3 has a configuration in which two rear seat bodies 30 are arranged on the left and right, but is not limited to this. The rear seat 3 may be a bench seat. In this case, the rear seat 3 has a single rear seat cushion 31 that is continuous in the seat width direction.

[0038] The rear seat cushion 31 also has a first rear seat occupant detection sensor 31d built in its upper surface side. The first rear seat occupant detection sensor 31d detects the load on the buttocks of an occupant sitting on the rear seat 3 in an upright position and outputs a detection signal to the ECU 4. The first rear seat occupant detection sensor 31d is a pressure sensor, but is not limited to this. The first rear seat occupant detection sensor 31d may be a proximity sensor.

[0039] The rear seat back 32 is a support member that supports the back of a seated occupant, and serves as a backrest that supports the back of the seated occupant from behind. The rear seat back 32 mainly comprises a rear seat back frame 32a (see FIG. 7) that forms the framework of the rear seat back 32, a seat back pad material 32b that covers the rear seat back frame 32a, and a seat back skin material 32c that covers these. The rear seat back frame 32a, together with the rear seat seat cushion frame 31a and the rear seat headrest pillar 33a, constitutes the rear seat frame 3a. The seat back pad material 32b corresponds to the rear seat back pad material, and the seat back skin material 32c corresponds to the rear seat skin material.

[0040] The rear seat back 32 also has a second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d built in on its back surface (see FIG. 6). The second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d detects the load on the buttocks of an occupant sitting on the rear seat back 32 in a forward-leaning position, and outputs a detection signal to the ECU 4. The second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d is a pressure sensor, but is not limited to this. The second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d may be a non-contact proximity sensor.

[0041] 8A shows a side cross-sectional view of the rear seat 3 with the rear seat back 32 in a forward tilted position. As shown in FIG. 8A, the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d is disposed between the seat back pad material 32b and the seat back cover material 32c on the upper side of the rear seat back 32 in a forward tilted position. This makes it possible to reliably detect an occupant seated on the upper surface of the rear seat back 32 with high sensitivity, and by restricting unintentional starting of the vehicle V based on the detection result, it is possible to improve the safety of the occupant who sits on the rear seat 3 and works. In addition, it is possible to provide a comfortable interior space R for the seated occupant based on the detection result.

[0042] FIG. 8B shows a modified example of the arrangement of the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d. As shown in FIG. 8B, the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d is disposed between the rear seat back frame 32a and the seat back pad material 32b on the upper side of the rear seat back 32 of the rear seat 3 in a forward tilted position. By disposing the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d between the rear seat back frame 32a and the seat back pad material 32b in this manner, it is possible to suppress the output of a detection signal due to a malfunction of the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d caused by a load such as light luggage. Therefore, it is possible to improve the safety of the occupants by detecting the occupants with high reliability and restricting the start of the vehicle V based on the detection result. It is also possible to provide a comfortable interior space R for the seated person based on the detection result.

[0043] Returning to FIG. 5, the rear seat back 32 has a built-in posture detection sensor 32e on both sides in the seat width direction. The posture detection sensor 32e detects the forward tilt posture of the rear seat 3 and outputs a detection signal. More specifically, the posture detection sensor 32e detects that the rear seat back 32 is in a forward tilt posture tilted forward relative to the rear seat cushion 31 and outputs a detection signal. The posture detection sensor 32e is an angle sensor provided near the rotation shaft of the rear seat reclining device 34, but is not limited to this. The posture detection sensor 32e may be a contact detection sensor provided on the outer periphery of the rotation shaft of the rear seat back 32.

[0044] The rear headrest 33 is a support member that supports the head of a seated occupant from behind. The rear headrest 33 mainly comprises a rear headrest pillar 33a (see FIG. 7) that serves as a core material, a padding material (not shown) that covers the rear headrest pillar 33a, and a skin material (not shown) that covers the rear headrest pillar 33a and the padding material.

[0045] The rear seat reclining device 34 rotatably connects the rear seat back 32 to the rear seat cushion 31. More specifically, the rear seat reclining device 34 displaces the rear seat back 32 between an upright position in which the rear seat back 32 stands up and a forward tilted position in which the rear seat back 32 tilts forward relative to the rear seat cushion 31. In the upright position, the passenger can sit on the rear seat cushion 31. In the forward tilted position, the passenger can sit on the upper surface of the rear seat back 32 (the rear surface in the upright position).

[0046] The rear seat reclining device 34 may also slide the base end of the rear seat back 32, where it is connected to the rear seat cushion 31, forward and tilt the rear seat back 32 backward to displace the rear seat back 32 into a rearward tilted position. In the rearward tilted position, the passenger can sit on the upper surface of the rear seat back 32 (the front surface in an upright position). The rear seat reclining device 34 corresponds to a rear seat rotation device.

[0047] The rear seat slide rail device 35 connects the rear seat main body 30 to the floor F so that the rear seat main body 30 can slide in the front-rear direction. The rear seat slide rail device 35 has a known structure (the structure of a general slide rail mechanism). In detail, the rear seat slide rail device 35 has a lower rail 35a fixed to the floor F, and an upper rail 35b which can slide in the front-rear direction relative to the lower rail 35a. The rear seat slide rail device 35 corresponds to a base portion.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 9, the rear seat lifting device 36 connects the rear seat cushion 31 and the rear seat back 32 to the rear seat slide rail device 35 so that they can be raised and lowered. In detail, the rear seat lifting device 36 has a link mechanism 36a, and by driving the link mechanism 36a, the rear seat cushion 31 and the rear seat back 32 are raised and lowered with a maximum displacement width of 200 mm. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, even if a small-sized passenger (e.g., a child) is seated on the rear seat 3, the rear seat cushion 31 and the rear seat back 32 can be raised, making it possible to use the interior space R for various purposes. In addition, the rear seat lifting device 36 raises the line of sight of the passenger and provides the passenger with a view outside the window that can be seen from above, thereby improving the passenger's satisfaction.

[0049] <Support structure for rear seat 3> Next, the support structure of the rear seat 3 when the luggage board 5 is used as a work desk and the interior space R is used as a working space will be described. As described above, an occupant sitting on the rear seat back 32 of the rear seat 3 in a forward-leaning position can use the interior space R for various purposes. In addition, the rear seat 3 to which the weight of the occupant is applied is supported from below by the front seat 2, thereby improving the safety of the occupant while working.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a state in which the front seat 2 supports the rear seat 3 from below. As shown in FIG. 2, the front seat 2 supports the rear seat 3 in a forward tilted position from below. To explain in more detail, the front seat 2 is displaced between an upright position in which the front seat back 22 stands up and an occupant can sit on the front seat cushion 21, and a forward tilted position in which the front seat back 22 is tilted forward with respect to the front seat cushion 21. In addition, as described above, the front seat 2 has the front seat slide rail device 25 and can slide in the front-rear direction. Therefore, by sliding the front seat back 22 in a forward tilted position and backward, the front seat 2 can position its rear end portion below the front end portion of the rear seat 3 in a forward tilted position and support the rear seat 3. Specifically, the base end portion of the front seat back 22 supports the front end portion of the rear seat cushion 31 of the rear seat 3 from below, but is not limited thereto. The upper end of the front seat reclining device 24 may support the front end portions of the left and right bank portions formed on the rear seat cushion 31 of the rear seat 3 from below.

[0051] The rear seat 3 is installed so as to be able to stand independently on the floor F. However, the front seat 2 and the rear seat 3 cooperate to support the weight of an occupant who sits on the rear seat 3 and works, thereby improving the safety of the occupant. In addition, since the front seat 2 is in a forward tilted position, other passengers cannot sit on the front seat cushion 21 of the driver's seat. Therefore, when one passenger is sitting in the rear seat 3 and working, it is possible to prevent a danger to the passenger sitting in the rear seat 3 and working by another passenger sitting in the driver's seat and inadvertently starting the vehicle V. 2, it is preferable to use the interior space R as a working space with the rear seat headrest 33 of the rear seat 3 detached from the rear seat back 32. This makes it possible to prevent interference between the front seat 2 and the rear seat 3 and a decrease in the support force of the front seat 2 for the rear seat 3.

[0052] <First Modification> In the above embodiment, the rear seat 3 is supported from below by the front seat 2 in a completely reclined forward position, but the present invention is not limited to this. The rear seat 3 may be supported from below by the front seat 2 in a partially reclined forward position.

[0053] FIG. 10 shows a support structure of the rear seat 3 according to a modified example. The front seat back 22 of the front seat 2 slides rearward in a forward inclined position tilted forward at an angle of about 45 degrees, thereby supporting the front end of the rear seat 3 from below. Even in such a case, as in the above-described embodiment, the safety of the occupant who sits on the rear seat 3 and works can be improved. In addition, since other occupants cannot sit on the front seat cushion 21 of the driver's seat, it is possible to prevent the vehicle V from inadvertently starting due to driving by other occupants, which may endanger the occupant who sits on the rear seat 3 and works.

[0054] <Second Modification> In the above embodiment, the rear seat 3 is supported by the front seat 2 in a forward tilted position, but the present invention is not limited to this. The front seat 2 may be displaced to a rearward tilted position in which the front seat back 22 is tilted backward with respect to the front seat cushion 21, and support the rear seat 3 from below.

[0055] 11 and 12 show the support structure of the rear seat 3 according to the second modified example. The front seat back 22 of the front seat 2 according to the second modified example tilts rearward with respect to the front seat cushion 21 to support the rear seat 3 from below. As shown in FIG. 11, first, the front seat body 20 of the front seat 2 slides forward via the front seat slide rail device 25, and then the front seat back 22 is tilted backward. In detail, the front seat 2 slides to a non-interference position where the front seat headrest 23 (the rear end when tilted backward) located at the tip of the front seat back 22 does not interfere with the rear seat 3 even if the front seat back 22 is tilted backward. Then, the front seat back 22 of the front seat 2 tilts backward. This makes it possible to suppress the front seat back 22 from interfering with the rear seat 3. The movement amount when the front seat body 20 slides forward is set in advance, but is not limited to this. The movement amount of the front seat body 20 may be determined based on the position of the rear seat 3 in the front-rear direction.

[0056] 12, the front seat 2 slides rearward from the non-interference position and supports the front end of the rear seat 3 from below. More specifically, the front seat headrest 23 located at the tip of the front seat 2 supports the front end of the rear seat 3 from below. However, without being limited to this, the front seat 2 may support the front end of the rear seat 3 by the front seat headrest 23 and the front seat back 22. As a result, as in the above-mentioned embodiment, the rear seat 3 is supported by the front seat 2, and therefore it is possible to improve the safety of an occupant who sits in the rear seat 3 and performs work.

[0057] <Third Modification> In the above embodiment, the front seat headrest 23 has been described as being fixed to the front seat back 22, but the present invention is not limited to this. The front seat headrest 23 may be removably attached to the front seat back 22 and attached to a front seat headrest attachment / detachment portion 32f provided on the front side of the rear seat back 32 in a forward tilting position. The front seat headrest attachment / detachment portion 32f is an insertion hole into which the headrest pillar of the front seat headrest 23 can be inserted.

[0058] 13 shows the support structure of the rear seat 3 according to the third modified example. The front seat headrest 23 is removed from the front seat back 22 and attached to the rear seat back 32. Specifically, the headrest pillar of the front seat headrest 23 is inserted into the front seat headrest attachment / detachment portion 32f formed on the front side of the rear seat back 32 in a forward tilted position. At this time, the front seat headrest 23 can support the waist of the occupant who sits in the rear seat 3 to perform work from behind. Therefore, by attaching the front seat headrest 23 to the rear seat back 32, it is possible to improve the seating comfort of the occupant who sits in the rear seat 3 to perform work.

[0059] <Flow of start prohibition control process> Next, the flow of the start inhibition control process executed by the ECU 4 will be described. The ECU 4 is responsible for controlling the vehicle seat device 1 and can communicate with a control device provided in the vehicle V. The ECU 4 is a control circuit having a processor, a nonvolatile memory, and a volatile memory. The ECU 4 reads out programs stored in the nonvolatile memory into the volatile memory and sequentially executes the programs to perform a start inhibition control process and an occupant detection sensor electrification control process, which will be described later.

[0060] First, the start inhibition control process will be described. Fig. 14 shows a flow of a start inhibition control process executed by the ECU 4 when an occupant seated in the driver's seat performs a start operation of the vehicle V. As shown in Fig. 14, first, the ECU 4 acquires information on the seating state of the rear seat 3 (step S10). Specifically, the ECU 4 acquires an output signal of the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d. Next, the ECU 4 determines whether or not an occupant is seated on the rear seat 3 (step S11). Specifically, the ECU 4 determines whether or not an occupant is seated on the rear seat back 32 tilted forward, based on the output signal of the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d.

[0061] If it is determined that an occupant is seated in the rear seat 3 (step S11: Yes), the ECU 4 outputs a start prohibition signal to the control device of the vehicle V to instruct the prohibition of starting the vehicle V (step S12), and ends the start prohibition control process. This makes it possible to prevent a danger to the occupant seated in the rear seat back 32 when the vehicle V starts due to a start operation by another occupant seated in the driver's seat while the occupant is seated on the rear seat back 32.

[0062] On the other hand, when it is not determined that an occupant is seated (step S11: No), the ECU 4 outputs a start permission signal indicating permission to start the vehicle V to the control device of the vehicle V (step S13). As a result, when no occupant is seated on the rear seat back 32, the vehicle V can be started by the driving operation of the occupant seated in the driver's seat.

[0063] <Occupant detection sensor current control process flow> Next, the flow of the occupant detection sensor current supply control process executed by the ECU 4 will be described. 15 shows a flow of the occupant detection sensor energization control process executed by the ECU 4 when the posture of the rear seat back 32 changes, that is, when the rear seat 3 changes from an upright posture to a forward-leaning posture, or from a forward-leaning posture to an upright posture. As shown in FIG. 15, first, the ECU 4 acquires information on the posture of the rear seat back 32 (step S20). Specifically, the ECU 4 acquires an output signal of the posture detection sensor 32e.

[0064] Next, the ECU 4 determines whether or not the rear seat back 32 is in a forward tilted position (step S21). Specifically, the ECU 4 determines whether or not the rear seat back 32 is in a forward tilted position based on the output signal of the position detection sensor 32e. When it is determined that the rear seat back 32 is in a forward tilted position (step S21: Yes), the ECU 4 controls the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d to be energized (step S22) and ends the occupant detection sensor energization control process. Specifically, the ECU 4 controls the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d to be energized by connecting a power supply line to the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d.

[0065] On the other hand, if it is not determined that the rear seat 3 is in a forward tilted position (step S21: No), the ECU 4 controls to stop energization of the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d (step S23) and ends the occupant detection sensor energization control process. This makes it possible to prevent a malfunction in which starting of the vehicle V is prohibited or permitted based on the output signal of the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d when the rear seat back 32 is in an upright position and an occupant cannot sit on the rear seat back 32. The ECU 4 corresponds to a sensor control unit.

[0066] Although the vehicle seat device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above-mentioned embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof.

[0067] In the above embodiment, when it is determined that the rear seat 3 is in the upright position based on the output signal of the position detection sensor 32e, the ECU 4 cuts off the power supply to the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d. However, this is not limited to the above. It is sufficient to prevent a malfunction by invalidating the output signal of the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d when the rear seat 3 is in the upright position, and the ECU 4 may not acquire the output signal of the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d when the rear seat 3 is in the upright position. This makes it possible to reduce the control load of the ECU 4.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the vehicle V is prohibited from starting when an occupant is detected by the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d, but the present invention is not limited to this. When an occupant is detected by the second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32d, the air conditioning device of the vehicle V may be operated to deliver comfortable air to the seated occupant.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the rear seat cushion 31 has been described as having an occupant detection sensor made up of a pressure sensor, but this is not limited thereto. The rear seat cushion 31 may have a biometric sensor and detect an occupant based on an output signal of the biometric sensor. This allows the ECU 4 to obtain biometric information of the occupant seated in the rear seat 3. In addition, kneading members for stimulating the buttocks and thighs of the passenger seated in the rear seat 3, and a vibration imparting device for imparting vibrations may be built into the rear seat 3. This makes it possible to improve the comfort and convenience of the passenger.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the front seats 2 are described as first row seats and the rear seats 3 are described as second row seats, but this is not limiting. As long as the relative positional relationship between the front seats 2 and the rear seats 3 is maintained, the front seats 2 may be second row seats and the rear seats 3 may be third row seats. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Vehicle seat device 2 Front seats 2a Front seat frame 20 Front seat body 21 Front seat cushion 21a Front seat cushion frame 21b Seat cushion pad material 21c Seat cushion covering material 22 Front seat back 22a Front seat back frame 22b Seat back pad material 22c Seat back covering material 23 Front seat headrest 24 Front seat reclining device (front seat rotation device) 25 Front seat slide rail device (slide device) 25a Lower rail 25b upper rail 3. Rear seat 3a Rear seat frame 30 Rear seat body 31 Rear seat cushion 31a Rear seat cushion frame 31b Seat cushion pad material 31c Seat cushion covering material 31d First rear seat occupant detection sensor 32 Rear seat back 32a Rear seat back frame 32b Seat back pad material (rear seat back pad material) 32c Seat back covering material (rear seat covering material) 32d Second rear seat occupant detection sensor 32e Attitude detection sensor 32f Front seat headrest attachment / detachment part 33 Rear seat headrest 33a Rear seat headrest pillar 34 Rear seat reclining device (rear seat rotation device) 35 Rear seat slide rail device (base part) 35a Lower rail 35b upper rail 36 Rear seat lifting device 36a Link mechanism 4 ECU (control unit) 5 Luggage Board C Ceiling F Floor H steering P Foot Pedal R Indoor space T Information and communication terminal V Vehicle

Claims

1. A vehicle seat device having a front seat and a rear seat, The rear seat is The rear seat cushion serves as the seating area, The rear seat back serves as the backrest, a rear seat rotation device that displaces the rear seat back between an upright position in which the rear seat back is upright so that an occupant can sit on the rear seat cushion and a tilted position in which the rear seat back is tilted forward or backward with respect to the rear seat cushion, The vehicle seat apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the front seat supports the rear seat from below in the reclined position.

2. The front seat is: The front seat cushion serves as the seating area, The front seat backs serve as the backrests, a front seat rotation device that displaces the front seat back between an upright position in which the front seat back is upright so that an occupant can sit on the front seat cushion and a forward inclined position in which the front seat back is inclined forward with respect to the front seat cushion, 2. The vehicle seat apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, in the forward tilted position, a rear end portion of the front seat supports a front end portion of the rear seat in the reclined position from below.

3. The front seat has a sliding device that slides in the front-rear direction, 3. The vehicle seat apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the front seat is slid rearward in the forward tilted position, the rear end portion of the front seat supports the front end portion of the rear seat in the tilted position from below.

4. The front seat is: The front seat cushion serves as the seating area, The front seat backs serve as the backrests, a front seat rotation device that displaces the front seat back between an upright position in which the front seat back is upright so that an occupant can sit on the front seat cushion and a rearward tilted position in which the front seat back is tilted rearward with respect to the front seat cushion, 2. The vehicle seat device according to claim 1, wherein a tip portion of the front seat back, which is located at an upper end portion of the front seat back in the upright position, supports a front end portion of the rear seat in the reclined position from below in the rearward reclining position.

5. The front seat has a sliding device that slides in the front-rear direction, the front seat rotation device displaces the front seat back to the rearward tilted position when the front seat back in the rearward tilted position is located at a non-interference position where it does not interfere with the rear seat, The sliding device slides the front seat, which is in the rearward tilted position, rearward from the non-interference position, 5. The vehicle seat apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the tip portion of the front seat back that has slid rearward supports from below the front end of the rear seat in the reclined position.

6. the front seat has a front seat headrest that supports the head of the occupant in the standing position and is removable from the front seat back; 5. The vehicle seat apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the rear seat back has a front headrest attachment / detachment portion, to which the front headrest can be attached / detached, at a front side in the reclining position.

7. 2. The vehicle seat device according to claim 1, wherein the rear seat back has an occupant detection sensor that detects a seating state of an occupant who is tilted forward relative to the rear seat cushion and seated on the rear seat back in the forward tilted position.

8. the rear seat back includes a rear seat back frame that forms a framework of the rear seat back, a rear seat back padding material that covers a back side of the rear seat back frame, and a rear seat cover material that covers the rear seat back frame and the rear seat back padding material, 8. The vehicle seat apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the occupant detection sensor is disposed between the rear seat back pad material and the rear seat covering material.

9. the rear seat back includes a rear seat back frame that forms a framework of the rear seat back, a rear seat back padding material that covers a back side of the rear seat back frame, and a rear seat cover material that covers the rear seat back frame and the rear seat back padding material, 8. The vehicle seat apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the occupant detection sensor is disposed between the rear seat back pad material and the rear seat back frame.

10. The rear seat is a posture detection sensor that detects the reclining posture of the rear seat back; a sensor control unit that disables detection of a seated state by the occupant detection sensor, 8. The vehicle seat apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sensor control unit disables detection of a seated state by the occupant detection sensor on the basis that the attitude detection sensor does not detect the reclining attitude.

11. The rear seat includes a base portion attached to a floor of a vehicle in which the rear seat is provided; 2. The vehicle seat apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rear seat lifting device for lifting and lowering the rear seat cushion and the rear seat back relative to the base portion.

Images