Seat
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024221614
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2039-05-30
AI Technical Summary
【0032】 香りを効率的に着座者に届けることができる。
Smart Images

Figure 2025031779000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a seat including a seat cushion, a seat back and a headrest. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, there is known an air-conditioned seat in which a seat back is formed with a protruding portion capable of enveloping and covering the head of a seated person from both the left and right sides, and slit-shaped air outlets are formed in the left and right protruding portions, so that air sent from a blower is blown in the left and right directions toward the head of the seated person (Patent Document 1). In this technology, a tube capable of adding a fragrance from an aroma diffuser to the air passing through the duct is connected to a duct connected to the air outlet, so that air with a fragrance that improves comfort, such as a relaxing effect, is blown near the face of the seated person, so that a comfortable air can be blown to the seated person. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-93921 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, with conventional seats, the scent emitted from the air outlets tends to diffuse, making it difficult to deliver the scent to the seated person efficiently.In addition, conventional seats also have the problem of the scent reaching people around them unnecessarily.
[0005] Therefore, the objective is to efficiently deliver the scent to the seated person. Another object is to prevent the scent from reaching unwanted places. Another object is to enable the type of scent to be changed according to preference. Another aim is to deliver an appropriate scent according to the state of the seated occupant. Another object is to enhance the effect of fragrance. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The seat comprises a seat cushion and an upper seat portion above the seat cushion, the upper seat portion including a seat back and a headrest, and comprises an air outlet for blowing out air, an air intake for drawing in air, at least one fan at the front side of the upper seat portion that forms an airflow from the air outlet to the air intake, and an aroma freshener that adds fragrance to the air blown out from the air outlet, and the air outlet and the air intake are arranged so that, when viewed from the front, at least a part of the headrest is located between the air outlet and the air intake in the direction from the air outlet to the air intake.
[0007] With this configuration, the scent-added air blown out from the air outlet is sucked in by the air intake, forming a scent flow that prevents the scent from diffusing, thereby allowing the scent to be delivered efficiently to the seated occupant.
[0008] In the seat described above, the air outlet and the air intake may be arranged such that, when viewed from the front, a straight line connecting the air outlet and the air intake overlaps with the headrest.
[0009] With this, when viewed from the front, the scent flowing from the air outlet to the air intake overlaps with the head of the occupant positioned in front of the headrest, allowing the scent to be delivered to the occupant more efficiently.
[0010] In the above-described seat, the air outlet may be disposed on one of the left and right sides of the upper part of the seat, and the air intake may be disposed on the other of the left and right sides of the upper part of the seat.
[0011] This allows the scent to flow from one side (left or right) to the other, so as to graze the seated person, thereby delivering the scent to the seated person more efficiently.
[0012] The seat described above may be a seat mounted on a vehicle, and the air outlet may be located on the inside left and right sides of the vehicle, and the air intake may be located on the outside left and right sides of the vehicle.
[0013] With this, the scent flows from the inside left and right of the vehicle to the outside left and right, thereby preventing the scent blown out from the air outlet from unnecessarily reaching the opposite left and right side of the air flow direction.
[0014] In the above-described seat, the air outlet and the air intake may be arranged in the headrest.
[0015] This allows the scent to be dispensed near the head of the seated occupant, so the scent can be delivered to the seated occupant more efficiently.
[0016] In the above-described seat, the headrest has a headrest main body positioned behind the head of the seated occupant, and a pair of left and right protrusions that protrude forward from the headrest main body and are positioned to sandwich the head of the seated occupant from the left and right, and the air outlet is positioned in one of the pair of left and right protrusions, and the air intake is positioned in the other of the pair of left and right protrusions.
[0017] This allows the scent to be released so that it brushes against the nose of the seated person, thereby delivering the scent to the seated person more efficiently.
[0018] In the above-described seat, the air outlet may be disposed in one of the seat back and the headrest, and the air intake may be disposed in the other of the seat back and the headrest.
[0019] This allows the scent to be dispensed near the head of the seated occupant, so the scent can be delivered to the seated occupant more efficiently.
[0020] In the above-described seat, the air outlet and the air intake may be arranged in an upper portion of the seat back.
[0021] This allows the scent to be dispensed near the head of the seated occupant, so the scent can be delivered to the seated occupant more efficiently.
[0022] In the above-mentioned seat, the aroma diffuser may be configured to be detachable.
[0023] This allows you to change the type of scent according to your preference.
[0024] The seat described above is equipped with a state detection sensor that is positioned on at least one of the seat cushion and the upper part of the seat and obtains measurement values to detect the state of the occupant, and a control unit, and the fragrance device has multiple types of fragrance sources, and the control unit can be configured to determine the state of the occupant based on the measurement values and switch the fragrance sources depending on the state of the occupant.
[0025] This allows the delivery of an appropriate scent according to the state of the seated occupant.
[0026] The seat may include an odor sensor positioned downstream of the air intake in the direction of the airflow, and a control unit, the fragrance device having multiple types of fragrance sources, and the control unit may be configured to determine the state of the occupant based on the detection results of the odor sensor and switch the fragrance sources depending on the state of the occupant.
[0027] This allows the delivery of an appropriate scent according to the state of the seated occupant.
[0028] The sheet may include a deodorizing filter disposed upstream of the aroma freshener in the direction of the airflow.
[0029] This can reduce the odor of the air before the fragrance is added, and can prevent the original odor of the air from mixing with the fragrance added by the fragrance device, thereby enhancing the effect of the fragrance added by the fragrance device.
[0030] In the above-described seat, the fan may have a blower fan for blowing air out of the air outlet, and a suction fan for sucking air in through the air intake.
[0031] The seat may be provided with an air passage provided within the upper portion of the seat, communicating the air intake and the air outlet, and the fan may be disposed in the air passage to blow air from the air intake toward the air outlet. Effect of the Invention
[0032] The scent can be delivered efficiently to the seated person.
[0033] In addition, by positioning the air outlet and air intake so that the straight line connecting the air outlet and air intake overlaps with the headrest, the scent can be delivered to the seated occupant more efficiently.
[0034] In addition, by locating the air outlet on one of the left and right sides of the upper part of the seat and the air intake on the other of the left and right sides of the upper part of the seat, the scent can be delivered to the seated occupant more efficiently.
[0035] In addition, when the seat is installed in a vehicle, by arranging the air outlets on the inside left and right sides of the vehicle and the air intakes on the outside left and right sides of the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the scent from unnecessarily reaching the opposite left and right sides of the air flow direction.
[0036] In addition, by placing the air outlet and intake in the headrest, the scent can be delivered to the seated person more efficiently.
[0037] In addition, by locating an air outlet on one of a pair of left and right protrusions provided on the headrest and an air intake on the other, the scent can be delivered to the seated occupant more efficiently.
[0038] In addition, by locating an air outlet on one of the seat back or headrest and an air intake on the other, the scent can be delivered to the seated occupant more efficiently.
[0039] In addition, by placing the air outlet and intake vents in the upper part of the seat back, the scent can be delivered to the occupant more efficiently.
[0040] Furthermore, by making the aroma diffuser detachable, the type of aroma can be changed according to preference.
[0041] In addition, by determining the state of the seated occupant based on the measurement value of the state detection sensor and switching the fragrance source, it is possible to deliver an appropriate fragrance according to the state of the seated occupant.
[0042] In addition, by determining the state of the seated occupant based on the detection results of the odor sensor and switching the fragrance source, it is possible to deliver an appropriate fragrance according to the state of the seated occupant.
[0043] Furthermore, by arranging the deodorizing filter upstream of the fragrance device in the direction of airflow, the effect of the fragrance added by the fragrance device can be enhanced. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0044] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an automobile equipped with a vehicle seat. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a headrest. [Figure 4] FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a deodorizing filter, a blower fan, and an aroma freshener, and FIG. 2B is a view of the aroma freshener from the outside, left and right. [Diagram 5]13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating how to attach and detach the aroma diffuser. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the vehicle seat. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by a control unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a front view of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a front view of a vehicle seat according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 11 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0045] Next, a first embodiment of the invention will be described. In this specification, front / rear, left / right, up / down are based on the front / rear, left / right, up / down as seen from the perspective of a person sitting in the seat (seat occupant). As shown in FIG. 1, the seat according to the embodiment is configured as a vehicle seat to be mounted on a vehicle, specifically, as a vehicle seat S1 to be mounted on an automobile C (see FIG. 2).
[0046] As shown in Fig. 2, a vehicle C is equipped with a vehicle seat S1 and a vehicle seat S2. The vehicle seat S2 is disposed on the right side of the vehicle seat S1 and is aligned with the vehicle seat S1 on the left and right. The vehicle seat S2 has a substantially symmetrical configuration with the vehicle seat S1.
[0047] Returning to Fig. 1, the vehicle seat S1 includes a seat cushion S10 and a seat upper part S20 that is a portion above the seat cushion S10. The seat upper part S20 includes a seat back S21 and a headrest S22. More specifically, the seat upper part S20 includes the seat back S21, the headrest S22, and left and right armrests S23.
[0048] A plurality of state detection sensors 50 are disposed on the seat cushion S10 and the seat back S21 of the seat upper portion S20. The state detection sensor 50 is a sensor that acquires a measurement value for detecting the state of an occupant sitting in the vehicle seat S1. Here, the state of the occupant is a state including the mood of the occupant, such as whether or not the occupant is excited, irritated, or sleepy.
[0049] The state detection sensor 50 is a sensor capable of sensing the state of a seated occupant, and examples thereof include a heartbeat sensor and a breathing sensor. For example, if the heart rate measured by the heartbeat sensor or the like is higher than normal, it can be assumed that the occupant is excited or irritated, and if the heart rate is lower than normal, it can be assumed that the occupant is sleepy. Also, for example, if breathing measured by a breathing sensor or the like is slower than normal, it can be assumed that the occupant is sleepy. For example, a pressure sensor can be used as the heartbeat sensor or the breathing sensor. That is, the heartbeat, breathing, and the like can be measured from changes in the measurement value (pressure value) of the pressure sensor.
[0050] The multiple condition detection sensors 50 may all be the same type of sensors, or may be a combination of different types of sensors. Specifically, for example, the multiple condition detection sensors 50 may all be heart rate sensors, may all be breathing sensors, or may be a combination of heart rate sensors and breathing sensors.
[0051] The headrest S22 is provided with a blower unit 100 and an intake unit 200. More specifically, the headrest S22 has a headrest main body 31 disposed behind the head of the seated occupant, and a pair of left and right protrusions 32 provided to protrude forward from left and right ends of the headrest main body 31. The pair of left and right protrusions 32 are disposed to sandwich the head of the seated occupant from the left and right. In other words, the head of the seated occupant is positioned between the pair of left and right protrusions 32. The blower unit 100 is disposed on the right protrusion 32, and the intake unit 200 is disposed on the left protrusion 32.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(a), the air blower unit 100 is a device that blows out scented air, and includes a case 110, a deodorizing filter 130, an air blower fan 140, and an aroma diffuser 150. Case 110 is a member that houses deodorizing filter 130, blower fan 140, and aroma diffuser 150, and has air inlet 111 for taking in air and air outlet 112 for blowing air out.
[0053] The deodorizing filter 130 is a filter for removing odors from the air taken in through the air intake port 111, and is disposed upstream of the aroma diffuser 150 in the direction of the airflow indicated by the arrow in the drawing. The blower fan 140 is a fan for blowing air out of the air outlet 112, and is disposed downstream of the deodorizing filter 130 and upstream of the aroma diffuser 150 in the direction of the airflow. In other words, the blower fan 140 is disposed between the deodorizing filter 130 and the aroma diffuser 150.
[0054] 4(a) and (b), aroma diffuser 150 is a device that adds fragrance to air blown out from air outlet 112 by blower fan 140. Aroma diffuser 150 has multiple types of aroma sources 151 and frame 152 that supports aroma sources 151. Each of the aroma sources 151 is a member made of a breathable material impregnated with different aromas, such as the aroma of sweet osmanthus, the aroma of jasmine, the aroma of mint, the aroma of grapefruit, etc. In this embodiment, the aroma diffuser 150 has six aroma sources 151 as the multiple aroma sources 151, but the number of aroma sources 151 is arbitrary. The frame 152 is supported so as to be rotatable relative to the case 110 about a shaft portion 152A.
[0055] Aroma diffuser 150 is disposed within case 110 such that one of multiple aroma sources 151 is located between blower fan 140 and air outlet 112. Aroma diffuser 150 is provided so that the aroma source 151 located between blower fan 140 and air outlet 112 can be changed by controlling the phase of frame 152 by control unit 300, which will be described later. Air blower unit 100 is configured so that, by driving blower fan 140, the aroma contained in aroma source 151 located between blower fan 140 and air outlet 112 is added to air passing through aroma source 151 and blown out from air outlet 112.
[0056] 5, the aroma diffuser 150 is detachable from the headrest S22 of the seat upper portion S20. More specifically, the air blowing unit 100 is detachable from the headrest S22, and the aroma diffuser 150 is detachable from the case 110 of the air blowing unit 100. Although not shown, the air intake unit 200 is also detachable from the headrest S22. In this embodiment, the air blowing unit 100 can be removed from the right protrusion 32 to the right side opposite the seated person, and the air intake unit 200 can be removed from the left protrusion 32 to the left side opposite the seated person.
[0057] The fragrance device 150 may be configured such that each fragrance source 151 (see FIG. 4) is detachable from the frame 152, and the fragrance sources 151 can be individually replaced with new ones or ones having different fragrances.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, intake unit 200 is a device that draws in air, and includes case 210, odor sensor 220, second deodorizing filter 230, and suction fan 240. Case 210 is a member that houses odor sensor 220, second deodorizing filter 230, and suction fan 240, and has air intake 211 for drawing in air and air exhaust 212 for discharging air.
[0059] Odor sensor 220 is a sensor that detects the odor of the air taken in through intake port 211, and is disposed downstream of intake port 211 in the direction of the airflow. In this embodiment, odor sensor 220 obtains measurement values for detecting the health and mental state of the seated occupant from, for example, the type and strength of the odor components of the seated occupant contained in the air taken in through intake port 211.
[0060] Second deodorizing filter 230 is a filter for removing odors from the air that has been taken in from air intake 211 and passed through odor sensor 220, and is disposed downstream of odor sensor 220 in the airflow direction.
[0061] The suction fan 240 is a fan for sucking air through the intake port 211, and is disposed downstream of the second deodorizing filter 230 in the direction of the airflow. The suction fan 240 and the blower fan 140 of the blower unit 100 are fans for forming an airflow from the blower port 112 toward the intake port 211 in front of the seat upper portion S20. That is, in this embodiment, the vehicle seat S1 has two fans as the "fan" according to the invention, specifically, the blower fan 140 and the suction fan 240.
[0062] Next, the arrangement of the air outlet 112 and the air intake 211 in the vehicle seat S1 of this embodiment will be described.
[0063] As shown in Fig. 1, both the air outlet 112 and the air intake 211 are disposed in the seat upper part S20. More specifically, the air outlet 112 is disposed on one of the left and right sides of the seat upper part S20, specifically on the right side, and the air intake 211 is disposed on the other of the left and right sides of the seat upper part S20, specifically on the left side. In other words, in the vehicle seat S1, the air outlet 112 is disposed on the left and right inner side of the automobile C, i.e., on the side where the adjacent vehicle seat S2 (see Fig. 2) is located, and the air intake 211 is disposed on the left and right outer side of the automobile C, i.e., on the side opposite to the side where the vehicle seat S2 is located.
[0064] More specifically, both the air outlet 112 and the air intake 211 are disposed in the headrest S22 constituting the seat upper portion S20. That is, the air outlet 112 is disposed in one of the pair of left and right protrusions 32, specifically the right protrusion 32, and the air intake 211 is disposed in the other of the pair of left and right protrusions 32, specifically the left protrusion 32. More specifically, the air outlet 112 is disposed on the outer left and right surfaces of the right protrusion 32, and the air intake 211 is disposed on the inner left and right surfaces of the left protrusion 32, and the air outlet 112 and the air intake 211 face each other in the left and right direction.
[0065] 2, the air outlet 112 and the air intake 211 are arranged such that, as viewed from the front, a part of the headrest S22, specifically, the center part excluding the left and right ends of the headrest main body 31, is located between the air outlet 112 and the air intake 211 (between the dashed dotted lines shown in FIG. 2) in the direction from the air outlet 112 to the air intake 211. Also, the air outlet 112 and the air intake 211 are arranged such that, as viewed from the front, a straight line (see arrow) connecting the air outlet 112 and the air intake 211 overlaps with the headrest S22 (the center part of the headrest main body 31).
[0066] 6, the vehicle seat S1 further includes a control unit 300. The control unit 300 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an input / output circuit, and the like, and is connected to the state detection sensor 50 and the odor sensor 220 so as to be able to acquire measured values from the state detection sensor 50 and the odor sensor 220 provided in the intake unit 200. The control unit 300 may be disposed inside the vehicle seat S1 or outside the vehicle seat S1.
[0067] The control unit 300 controls the operation of the fans 140, 240, such as turning the fans 140, 240 on and off. The control unit 300 also determines the state of the seated occupant based on the measurement value of the state detection sensor 50 and the detection result of the odor sensor 220, and switches the fragrance source 151 (see FIG. 4) depending on the state of the seated occupant. In detail, the control unit 300 rotates the frame 152 of the fragrance device 150 depending on the state of the seated occupant, and controls its phase, thereby switching the fragrance source 151 placed between the blower fan 140 and the air outlet 112.
[0068] For example, when the control unit 300 determines that the state of the seated occupant is irritated based on the measurements of the state detection sensor 50 and the odor sensor 220, it rotates the frame 152 of the aroma diffuser 150 to place the aroma source 151 containing the scent of jasmine between the blower fan 140 and the air outlet 112. In this way, the vehicle seat S1 can blow the air from the air outlet 112 with the soothing scent of jasmine added to it by driving the blower fan 140.
[0069] Furthermore, for example, when the control unit 300 determines that the state of the seated occupant is drowsy based on the measured values of the state detection sensor 50 and the odor sensor 220, it rotates the frame 152 of the aroma diffuser 150 to place the aroma source 151 containing the aroma of mint between the blower fan 140 and the air outlet 112. In this way, the vehicle seat S1 can blow the air from the air outlet 112 with the aroma of mint added, which has an awakening effect, by driving the air outlet 112.
[0070] Next, an example of the process performed by the control unit 300 will be described. 7, the control unit 300 first drives the blower fan 140 and the suction fan 240 (S101). As a result, an airflow is formed in the seat upper portion S20, specifically, in front of the headrest main body 31, from the blower port 112 to the intake port 211.
[0071] Next, the control unit 300 executes sensing to obtain measured values from the state detection sensor 50 and the odor sensor 220 (S102). After that, the control unit 300 judges the state of the seated occupant based on the obtained measured values (S103). Then, the control unit 300 rotates the frame 152 of the aroma diffuser 150 according to the state of the seated occupant, and switches the aroma source 151 arranged between the blower fan 140 and the air outlet 112 (S104). As a result, an aroma that, for example, relieves the irritation of the seated occupant or wakes up from drowsiness is added to the air flowing from the air outlet 112 toward the air intake 211.
[0072] 2, the scent-added air (see arrow) blown out of air outlet 112 is sucked into air intake 211, forming a scent flow and preventing the scent from diffusing. This allows the scent to be efficiently delivered to the occupant sitting in vehicle seat S1.
[0073] In addition, since air outlet 112 and air inlet 211 are arranged so that the straight line connecting air outlet 112 and air inlet 211 overlaps with headrest S22 when viewed from the front, the scent flowing from air outlet 112 to air inlet 211 overlaps with the head of the seated person positioned in front of headrest S22 when viewed from the front. This allows the scent to be delivered to the seated person more efficiently.
[0074] In addition, since the air outlet 112 is disposed on one of the left and right sides of the seat upper part S20 and the air inlet 211 is disposed on the other of the left and right sides of the seat upper part S20, the scent can be blown from one of the left and right sides to the other side so as to brush against the seated person. This allows the scent to be delivered to the seated person more efficiently.
[0075] In addition, since the air outlet 112 is disposed on the left and right inner side of the automobile C, and the air inlet 211 is disposed on the left and right outer side of the automobile C, the scent flows from the left and right inner side to the left and right outer side of the automobile C. This makes it possible to prevent the scent blown out from the air outlet 112 from reaching the left and right opposite side of the air flow direction unnecessarily. This makes it possible to prevent the scent from reaching the seated person sitting in the other vehicle seat S2, even if another vehicle seat S2 is disposed on the left and right opposite side of the air flow direction with respect to the vehicle seat S1, as in this embodiment. The same can be said about the vehicle seat S2 having a configuration that is approximately symmetrical to the vehicle seat S1. Therefore, the scent blown out from the air outlet 112 of the vehicle seat S1 can be efficiently delivered only to the seated person sitting in the vehicle seat S1, and similarly, the scent blown out from the air outlet 112 of the vehicle seat S2 can be efficiently delivered only to the seated person sitting in the vehicle seat S2.
[0076] In addition, since the air outlet 112 and the air intake 211 are disposed in the headrest S22, the scent can be distributed near the head of the seated occupant, thereby enabling the scent to be delivered to the seated occupant more efficiently.
[0077] In addition, since the air outlet 112 is disposed in one of the pair of left and right protrusions 32 and the air inlet 211 is disposed in the other of the pair of left and right protrusions 32, it is possible to make the scent flow so as to brush against the nose of the seated person. This allows the scent to be delivered to the seated person more efficiently.
[0078] In addition, since the fragrance device 150 is detachable, the type of fragrance can be changed according to preference. Therefore, in this embodiment, the type of fragrance can be changed for each of the vehicle seats S1, S2.
[0079] Furthermore, the control unit 300 determines the state of the seated occupant based on the measurement value of the state detection sensor 50 and switches the fragrance source 151 according to the state of the seated occupant, so that an appropriate fragrance can be delivered according to the state of the seated occupant.
[0080] Similarly, the control unit 300 determines the state of the seated occupant based on the detection result of the odor sensor 220 and switches the fragrance source 151 according to the state of the seated occupant, so that an appropriate fragrance can be delivered according to the state of the seated occupant.
[0081] In addition, since the deodorizing filter 130 is disposed upstream of the aroma freshener 150 in the airflow direction, the odor of the air before the aroma is added can be reduced. This makes it possible to prevent the original odor of the air from mixing with the aroma added by the aroma freshener 150, thereby enhancing the effect of the aroma added by the aroma freshener 150.
[0082] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following, the same points as those in the previously described embodiment will be appropriately omitted by, for example, assigning the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the points different from the previously described embodiment will be described in detail. 8, in the vehicle seat S1 of this embodiment, the air intake 211 is disposed in the headrest S22 of the seat upper part S20 as in the first embodiment, while the air outlet 115 for blowing out air is disposed in the seat back S21 of the seat upper part S20.
[0083] In detail, the seat back S21 has a seat back central portion 21 and a pair of left and right seat back side portions 22 provided on both the left and right sides of the seat back central portion 21 and protruding forward from the seat back central portion 21. The air outlet 115 is disposed in one of the pair of left and right seat back side portions 22, specifically, in front of the right seat back side portion 22. The air outlet 115 is disposed on the right side, which is one of the left and right sides, of the seat upper portion S20, similar to the air outlet 112 in the first embodiment.
[0084] 9, the air outlet 115 and the air intake 211 are arranged such that, as viewed from the front, a part of the headrest S22, specifically, a part of the center of the headrest main body 31 and the right protrusion 32, are located between the air outlet 115 and the air intake 211 in the direction from the air outlet 115 to the air intake 211. The air outlet 115 and the air intake 211 are also arranged such that, as viewed from the front, a straight line (see arrow) connecting the air outlet 115 and the air intake 211 overlaps with the headrest S22 (a part of the center of the headrest main body 31).
[0085] In this embodiment, a blower unit (not shown) having a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment is disposed in the seat back S21 to blow out scented air from the blower outlet 115. The blower outlet 115 may be, for example, an opening formed directly in the case of the blower unit, similar to the blower outlet 112 of the first embodiment, or may be connected to the air outlet of the blower unit via a duct or the like.
[0086] According to the second embodiment, the scent-added air blown out from the air outlet 115 is sucked in by the air intake 211, forming a scent flow and preventing the scent from diffusing, thereby enabling the scent to be delivered to the seated occupant efficiently.
[0087] In addition, since the air outlet 115 is disposed in the seat back S21 and the air inlet 211 is disposed in the head rest S22, the scent can be distributed near the head of the seated occupant, thereby enabling the scent to be delivered to the seated occupant more efficiently.
[0088] In this embodiment, the air outlet 115 is arranged in the seat back S21 and the air intake 211 is arranged in the head rest S22, but the air outlet may be arranged in the head rest S22 and the air intake may be arranged in the seat back S21.
[0089] Next, a third embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, in the vehicle seat S1 of this embodiment, the air outlet 115 and the air intake 215 are disposed in the upper portion of the seat back S21, that is, above the center of the seat back S21 in the up-down direction.
[0090] In detail, the air outlet 115 is disposed on one of the pair of left and right seat back side portions 22, specifically, on the front side of the upper portion of the right seat back side portion 22, and the air intake 215 is disposed on the other of the pair of left and right seat back side portions 22, specifically, on the front side of the upper portion of the left seat back side portion 22. The air outlet 115 is disposed on the right side, which is one of the left and right sides of the seat upper portion S20, and the air intake 215 is disposed on the left side, which is the other of the left and right sides of the seat upper portion S20.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 11, the air outlet 115 and the air intake 215 are positioned so that, when viewed from the front, the entire headrest S22 is located between the air outlet 115 and the air intake 215 in the direction from the air outlet 115 to the air intake 215 (between the dotted lines shown in FIG. 11).
[0092] 12, the vehicle seat S1 of this embodiment includes an air passage 410 provided in the seat upper portion S20, specifically, in the seat back S21. The air passage 410 is provided to communicate between the air intake 215 and the air outlet 115. In the air passage 410, a deodorizing filter 430, a fan 440, and a fragrance device 450 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction in which air flows in the air passage 410 (see the arrow).
[0093] The deodorizing filter 430 is a filter for removing odors from the air taken into the air passage 410 from the air intake 215 .
[0094] The fan 440 is a fan that forms an airflow from the air outlet 115 toward the air intake 215 at the front side of the seat upper portion S20 (seat back S21). In detail, the fan 440 blows air from the air intake 215 toward the air outlet 115 in the air passage 410, thereby blowing out the air from the air outlet 115 and sucking in the air from the air intake 215. The vehicle seat S1 of this embodiment is equipped with only one fan 440.
[0095] The aroma diffuser 450 adds a scent to the air blown out from the air outlet 115. The aroma diffuser 450 does not include the aroma source 151 as in the aroma diffuser 150 of the first embodiment, and is, for example, a member made of a breathable material that is impregnated with a scent.
[0096] According to the third embodiment, the scent-added air blown out from the air outlet 115 is sucked in by the air intake 215, forming a scent flow and preventing the scent from diffusing, thereby enabling the scent to be delivered to the seated occupant efficiently.
[0097] In addition, since the air outlet 115 and the air intake 215 are disposed in the upper part of the seat back S21, the scent can be distributed near the head of the seated occupant, thereby enabling the scent to be delivered to the seated occupant more efficiently.
[0098] Furthermore, since only one fan 440 is provided, the unit that forms the airflow from air outlet 115 to air intake 215 can be made more compact than when a plurality of fans are provided.
[0099] In the configuration of the first embodiment described above, the blower fan 140 and the suction fan 240 are provided as "fans," and the blower unit 100 and the intake unit 200 are provided separately, so there is no need to provide an air passage that connects the intake port and the blower port in the seat upper part S20. Therefore, the rigidity of the seat upper part S20 can be improved.
[0100] Although the embodiment of the invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified appropriately. For example, the arrangement of the air outlet and the air intake may be reversed from the arrangement of the air outlet and the air intake in each embodiment.
[0101] Also, in a configuration like the first embodiment, the control unit 300 may be configured to first drive only the suction fan 240 before driving the blower fan 140 to take in the air inside the vehicle into the intake unit 200, measure the odor with the odor sensor 220, and if the measurement value of the odor sensor 220 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, continue to drive only the suction fan 240 for a predetermined time to deodorize the interior of the vehicle with the second deodorizing filter 230, and then drive the blower fan 140 to blow out the air to which the scent has been added from the air outlet 112. Also, the control unit 300 may be configured to drive the blower fan 140 to blow out the air to which the scent has been added from the air outlet 112 without deodorizing if the measurement value of the odor sensor 220 is less than a predetermined value.
[0102] In the first embodiment, the state detection sensor 50 is disposed on both the seat cushion S10 and the seat upper portion S20, but the state detection sensor may be disposed on only one of the seat cushion and the seat upper portion. Also, the seat may be configured without the state detection sensor.
[0103] In the first embodiment, the blower unit 100 is configured to include one blower fan 140, but may be configured to include multiple blower fans. The same applies to the suction fans of the intake unit. In the first embodiment, the number of blower fans 140 and the number of suction fans 240 are the same, but they may be different. In a configuration such as the third embodiment, multiple fans 440 may be provided.
[0104] In the first embodiment, when removing the aroma diffuser 150 from the seat upper part S20, the blower unit 100 is first removed from the seat upper part S20, and then the aroma diffuser 150 is removed from the case 110 of the blower unit 100, but the aroma diffuser may be directly attached to and detached from the seat upper part such as a headrest or a seat back. Note that, for example, if the aroma diffuser 150 or at least a part of the aroma source 151 is not attached to the vehicle seat S1, the air blown out from the air outlet 112 will not be scented. However, even in this case, an air flow from the air outlet 112 to the air intake 211 is formed in front of the seat upper part S20 by driving the fans 140, 240, so that it can be used as nearby air conditioning.
[0105] In the first embodiment, the control unit 300 is configured to automatically change the scent depending on the state of the seated occupant, but the scent may be changed by the seated occupant's own operation according to the occupant's preference. Also, the scent may be switchable between a mode in which the scent is changed automatically and a mode in which the scent is changed by the seated occupant's own operation.
[0106] In the above embodiment, the air outlet is disposed in the headrest S22 or the seatback S21 of the seat upper portion S20, but it may be disposed in the armrest S23 of the seat upper portion S20, for example.
[0107] In addition, in the above embodiment, a vehicle seat S1 in which the seat back S21 and the headrest S22 are provided separately is exemplified, but the seat may also be one in which the seat back and the headrest are integrated, such as the air-conditioned seat of Patent Document 1 mentioned above.
[0108] In addition, in the above embodiment, the vehicle seat S1 mounted on an automobile C has been exemplified as the seat according to the invention, but the seat may be a vehicle seat mounted on a vehicle other than an automobile, for example, a railroad car, a ship, an airplane, etc. Furthermore, the seat is not limited to a vehicle seat, and may be, for example, a seat used in an amusement facility, a relaxation facility, or at home.
[0109] Furthermore, the elements described in the above embodiment and modified examples can be implemented in appropriate combinations. [Explanation of symbols]
[0110] 31 Headrest body 32 Protrusion 50 Status detection sensor 112,115 Ventilation vent 130 Deodorizing Filter 140 Blower fan 150 Air freshener 151 Fragrance source 211,215 Air intake 220 Odor Sensor 240 Suction Fan 300 Control section 410 Ventilation Channel 440 Fan C car S1 Vehicle seat S10 seat cushion S20 seat top S21 seat back S22 Headrest
Claims
1. Seat cushion and a seat upper portion that is a portion above the seat cushion and includes a seat back and a headrest; A seat comprising: a blower unit having a first case with an air outlet and a blower fan for blowing air out of the air outlet, the blower unit being detachable from an upper portion of the seat.
2. 2. The seat according to claim 1, further comprising an intake unit having a second case having an air intake port and an intake fan for drawing air through the air intake port, the intake unit being detachable from the headrest.
3. The air blowing unit has an aroma diffuser that adds a scent to the air blown out from the air outlet, The seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aroma diffuser has a plurality of types of aroma sources, and one of the plurality of types of aroma sources is arranged within the first case between the blower fan and the air outlet.
4. The aroma diffuser has a frame supporting the plurality of types of aroma sources, the frame is supported rotatably relative to the first case, The seat according to claim 3 , wherein the fragrance device is capable of changing a fragrance source located between the blower fan and the air outlet by changing a phase of the frame.
5. The air blowing unit has an aroma diffuser that adds a scent to the air blown out from the air outlet, The first case is A first side surface having the air outlet; a second side surface separate from the first side surface, the second side surface having an opening; the aroma diffuser is attachable to and detachable from the first case through the opening, The seat according to claim 1, wherein the opening is closed by the headrest when the blower unit is attached to the headrest.
6. The air blowing unit has an aroma diffuser that adds a scent to the air blown out from the air outlet, The seat according to claim 1 , wherein the aroma diffuser overlaps with the air outlet when viewed from the left-right direction.
7. The air outlet is disposed on one of the left and right sides of the upper portion of the seat, on a side where another seat disposed adjacent to the seat is located, 3. The seat according to claim 2, wherein the air intake is disposed on one of the left and right sides of the upper portion of the seat opposite to the side on which the other seat is located.
8. 2. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the air blowing unit is detachable from the headrest and does not protrude from the headrest when attached to the headrest.
9. 3. The seat according to claim 2, wherein the air intake unit does not protrude from the headrest when attached to the headrest.
10. The seat according to claim 5 , wherein the opening is open in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the air outlet faces.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
scent diffuser with a scent filter
DE202008006679U1
Fragrance
JP1992128750U
Seat for vehicle
JP2000333782A
Diffusion device and removable cartridge for such device
JP2017531479A
Air conditioning seat
JP2018093921A