Vehicle seat

Abstract

To suppress an automatic operation contrary to the user's intention.SOLUTION: A control unit of a vehicle seat executes reversal control when an ON-signal is continuously output until a predetermined period of time elapses after the time of pinching detection and the predetermined period of time has elapsed. Thus, the user's discomfort can be suppressed. The ON-signal is an operation signal output from an operation switch when an electric motor 7 is operated. The time of pinching detection is the time when the ON-signal is output and the control unit determines that the electric motor is stopped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle seat to be installed in a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, the invention described in Patent Document 1 reverses the rotation of the electric motor immediately upon detecting that the movable part has pinched another member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-136325 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the rotation of the electric motor is immediately reversed after the pinch is detected, the operation may be contrary to the user's intention. If the reverse operation is contrary to the user's intention, the user may feel a strong sense of discomfort. The present disclosure discloses an example of a vehicle seat that takes this point into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] It is desirable for a vehicle seat to be installed in a vehicle to have at least one of the following configuration requirements, for example. In other words, the constituent elements are an electric motor (7) that generates a driving force to move the movable part (8), a control part (10) that controls the stopping and starting of the electric motor (7), and an operation switch (11) that is operated by a user and outputs an operation signal to the control part (10), and the control part (10) continuously outputs an ON signal until a predetermined time has elapsed from the time of pinch detection, and is capable of executing reversal control to reverse the rotation of the electric motor (7) when the time has elapsed.

[0006] This can prevent the user from feeling a strong sense of discomfort when using the vehicle seat. The "on signal" refers to an operation signal that is output by the operation switch (11) when the electric motor (7) is operated. The "detection of pinching" refers to a time when the "on signal" is output and the control unit (10) determines that the electric motor (7) is stopped.

[0007] The vehicle seat may have the following configuration, for example. That is, it is preferable that the control unit (10) is capable of executing a pinch load reduction control for reducing the absolute value of the voltage supplied to the electric motor (7) from the time of pinch detection until the start of the reverse control, as compared with the value before the pinch detection, thereby reducing the load on the electric motor (7).

[0008] It is preferable that the control unit (10) executes the reversal control or the pinch load reduction control when the vehicle is stopped. In the case where the movable portion is a seat body (2) that is displaceable in the front-rear direction of the seat, it is desirable that the control unit (10) executes reversal control or pinch load reduction control when the seat body (2) is displaced rearward.

[0009] In the case where the movable part is a seat back (5) that supports the back of a seated occupant, it is desirable that the control part (10) executes reversal control or pinch load reduction control when the seat back (5) is displaced rearward.

[0010] Furthermore, in the case where the movable part is the seat body (2) that is vertically displaceable, it is desirable that the control part (10) executes reversal control or pinch load reduction control when the seat body (2) is displaced downward.

[0011] Incidentally, the symbols in the above parentheses are examples showing the corresponding relationship with the specific configurations etc. described in the embodiments described below, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations etc. shown by the symbols in the above parentheses. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing a control device for an electric motor according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a time chart showing control of the electric motor according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a time chart showing control of an electric motor according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] 10 is a time chart showing control of an electric motor according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The following "embodiment of the invention" shows an example of an embodiment that falls within the technical scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the invention-specific matters described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the following embodiment.

[0014] This embodiment is an example in which a vehicle seat according to the present disclosure is applied to a seat mounted in a vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as a vehicle seat). At least one member or part described with a reference symbol is provided, unless otherwise specified by "one" or the like.

[0015] In other words, unless otherwise specified, such as "one", two or more members may be provided. The vehicle seat shown in the present disclosure includes at least the components such as the members or parts that are labeled and described, and at least one of the structural parts shown in the drawings.

[0016] (First embodiment) <1. Overview of vehicle seats> <1.1 Structure of vehicle seats> 1, the vehicle seat 1 at least includes a seat body 2 and a sliding device 3. The seat body 2 is a seat portion on which a user sits, and includes at least a seat cushion 4 and a seat back 5.

[0017] The seat cushion 4 is a portion for supporting the buttocks of a seated occupant. The seat back 5 is a portion for supporting the back of the seated occupant. The seat back 5 is connected to the rear end side of the seat cushion 4 so as to be able to swing.

[0018] Therefore, the seat back 5 is capable of reclining in the front-rear direction of the seat with the lower end side as the center of rotation relative to the seat cushion 4. The slide device 3 supports the seat body 2 so that it can slide.

[0019] The slide devices 3 are disposed on one end side and the other end side of the seat body 2 in the width direction to support the seat body 2. Each slide device 3 has a fixed rail 3A and a movable rail 3B.

[0020] Each fixed rail 3A is a rail member fixed to the vehicle. Each movable rail 3B is slidably attached to the corresponding fixed rail 3A. The seat body 2 is connected to each movable rail 3B via a plurality of lifter links 6.

[0021] In this embodiment, the fixed rail 3A is fixed to the vehicle with the longitudinal direction of the fixed rail 3A coinciding with the seat front-rear direction, so that the seat body 2 according to this embodiment is slidable in the seat front-rear direction.

[0022] The upper end of each lifter link 6 is pivotally connected to the seat cushion 4, and the lower end is pivotally connected to the corresponding movable rail 3B. Therefore, the lifter links 6 pivot in unison, displacing the seat cushion 4 in the up-down direction.

[0023] Therefore, the seat body 2 and the seat back 5 according to this embodiment correspond to the movable parts of the vehicle seat 1. In other words, the seat body 2 can be displaced in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction. The seat back 5 can be swung in the front-rear direction.

[0024] The vehicle seat 1 is equipped with electric motors 7A to 7C, the number of which (three in this embodiment) corresponds to the movable state of the movable parts. The first electric motor 7A exerts a driving force to displace the seat back 5. The second electric motor 7B exerts a driving force to displace the seat body 2 in the up-down direction. The third electric motor 7C exerts a driving force to displace the seat body 2 in the front-rear direction.

[0025] In the following description, when any of the three electric motors 7A to 7C is intended, it will be referred to as electric motor 7. Furthermore, a movable part that receives driving force from the electric motor 7 and is displaced, i.e., the seat body 2 or the seat back 5, will be referred to as movable part 8.

[0026] That is, when the electric motor 7 is the first electric motor 7A, the movable portion 8 becomes the seat back 5. When the electric motor 7 is the second electric motor 7B or the third electric motor 7C, the movable portion 8 becomes the seat body 2.

[0027] <1.2 Overview of moving part control> 2, the "control device for the electric motor 7" according to this embodiment is configured to include at least a control unit 10, an operation switch 11, and a rotation speed sensor 12. The control unit 10 controls the stopping and starting of the electric motor 7.

[0028] The control unit 10 according to this embodiment is a microcomputer-based electronic control unit having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. Software for executing the "reverse control" described below is pre-stored in a non-volatile storage unit such as a ROM. Signals indicating the moving state of the vehicle, such as the moving speed and acceleration of the vehicle, are input to the control unit 10.

[0029] The operation switch 11 is a seat switch operated by a user, and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 10. The operation signal is a signal for rotating the electric motor 7 in the forward or reverse direction.

[0030] That is, when an operation signal is output, the control unit 10 supplies power to the electric motor 7 in accordance with the operation signal to rotate the electric motor 7 in the forward or reverse direction. When an operation signal is not output, the control unit 10 stops the power supply to stop the electric motor 7.

[0031] The rotation speed sensor 12 is a rotation detector that detects the rotation speed of the electric motor 7. A signal detected by the rotation speed sensor 12 is input to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 uses the signal to determine whether or not the electric motor 7 is rotating.

[0032] The rotation speed sensor 12 according to this embodiment outputs a pulse signal proportional to the rotation speed of the electric motor 7. The control unit 10 grasps the rotation speed of the electric motor 7 by using the number of pulse signals received per unit time.

[0033] Hereinafter, the direction of rotation when the electric motor 7 is rotating in accordance with the operation signal from the operation switch 11 will be referred to as the direction of operation. Rotating the electric motor 7 in the direction opposite to the direction of operation will be referred to as "reversing."

[0034] Specifically, when the electric motor 7 is rotating in the forward direction by the operation signal of the operation switch 11, if the electric motor 7 is rotated in the reverse direction, the rotation direction of the electric motor 7 will be reversed. When the electric motor 7 is rotating in the reverse direction by the operation signal of the operation switch 11, if the electric motor 7 is rotated in the reverse direction, the rotation direction of the electric motor 7 will be normal.

[0035] 2. Details of electric motor control (see Fig. 3) The control unit 10 according to the present embodiment is capable of executing reverse control, which refers to control in which an ON signal is continuously output from the time of pinch detection until a predetermined time has elapsed, and the rotation of the electric motor 7 is reversed when the time has elapsed.

[0036] The ON signal refers to an operation signal that is output by the operation switch 11 when operating the electric motor 7. That is, when the control unit 10 receives the ON signal, it causes the electric motor 7 to rotate forward or reverse.

[0037] The time of pinching detection refers to the time when an ON signal is output and the control unit 10 determines that the electric motor 7 is stopped. Specifically, when the control unit 10 receives the ON signal, it supplies a voltage to the electric motor 7. Therefore, when pinching does not occur, the electric motor 7 rotates, and the control unit 10 periodically receives a pulse signal.

[0038] However, when pinching occurs, the rotation speed sensor 12 goes into a state where it does not transmit a pulse signal or transmits a pulse signal irregularly. Therefore, the control unit 10 determines that pinching has been detected when the duration of the state from the occurrence of the state exceeds a predetermined time.

[0039] The control unit 10 according to the present embodiment executes the reversal control only when the vehicle is stopped and the movable part 8 is displaced in a direction that may cause pinching. In other words, when the vehicle is moving, the control unit 10 does not execute the reversal control.

[0040] Examples of cases in which the movable part 8 is displaced in a direction that causes pinching include (a) "when the seat main body 2 is displaced rearward," (b) "when the seat main body 2 is displaced downward," or (c) "when the seat back 5" is displaced rearward.

[0041] <3. Features of the vehicle seat according to this embodiment> In the vehicle seat 1 of this embodiment, an on signal is continuously output from the time of pinch detection until a predetermined time has elapsed, and when that time has elapsed, reversal control is executed, thereby making it possible to prevent the user from feeling any significant discomfort.

[0042] Incidentally, the operation switch 11 according to this embodiment is a switch having an active-low type switch circuit that outputs a low signal (0 V) as an ON signal when the operation switch 11 is turned on.

[0043] For this reason, an ON signal is output even if the circuit of the operation switch 11 is shot. And the ON signal resulting from the circuit being shot is not the ON signal intended by the user.

[0044] However, in this embodiment, even if the electric motor 7 is operated by an on signal unintended by the user, the on signal is continuously output until a predetermined time has elapsed from the time of pinch detection, and when that time has elapsed, the reversal control is executed, thereby making it possible to prevent the user from feeling any significant discomfort.

[0045] Second embodiment In the above-described embodiment, even if pinching is detected, the same voltage as that after pinching is detected is supplied to the electric motor 7 until the reversal control is executed (see FIG. 3).

[0046] In response to this, the control unit 10 according to this embodiment executes pinch load reduction control to reduce the absolute value of the voltage supplied to the electric motor 7 from the time of pinch detection until the start of the reverse control, as shown in Fig. 4. Note that software for executing the "pinch load reduction control" is stored in advance in a non-volatile storage unit such as a ROM.

[0047] "Making the absolute value of the voltage supplied to the electric motor 7 smaller than that before pinch detection" means, for example, that if the supply voltage before pinch detection is "+12V", the supply voltage during pinch load reduction control is set to, for example, "+3V", "0V" or "-3V".

[0048] Note that "+3V" means that "3V" is applied in the forward direction. "-3V" means that "3V" is applied in the reverse direction. Also, the absolute value of the supply voltage during reversal control is greater than the absolute value of the supply voltage during pinch load reduction control.

[0049] As a result, in the vehicle seat 1 according to this embodiment, the load on the electric motor 7 is reduced. Note that, also in this embodiment, the reversal control and the pinch load reduction control are executed only when the vehicle is stopped and the movable part 8 is displaced in a direction that causes pinch.

[0050] Third embodiment In the above-described embodiment, the occurrence of pinching is detected by utilizing the rotation speed sensor 12. In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the occurrence of pinching is detected by utilizing a change in the value of the current supplied to the electric motor 7.

[0051] That is, when the electric motor 7 stops rotating while voltage is being supplied to the electric motor 7, the impedance decreases and the value of the current passing therethrough increases. Therefore, the control unit 10 determines that pinch is detected when the duration of the increase in the current value from when the current value increases exceeds a predetermined time.

[0052] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, the seat body 2 and the seat back 5 are exemplified as the movable part 8. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the present disclosure may be, for example, another movable part such as an ottoman or a headrest.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, the reversal control or the like is executed only when the movable part 8 is displaced in a direction in which pinching occurs. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be executed in a manner in which the reversal control or the like is executed regardless of the direction in which the movable part 8 moves, for example.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the reversal control, etc., is executed only when the vehicle is displaced while stopped. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may be executed, for example, when the vehicle is moving.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the vehicle seat according to the present disclosure is applied to a vehicle. However, the application of the invention disclosed in this specification is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure can be applied to, for example, seats used in vehicles such as railroad cars, ships, and aircraft, as well as stationary seats used in theaters, homes, and the like.

[0056] Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments as long as it is consistent with the gist of the disclosure described in the above-mentioned embodiments. Therefore, the present disclosure may be a configuration in which at least two of the above-mentioned embodiments are combined, or a configuration in which any of the components illustrated or the components described with reference numerals in the above-mentioned embodiments are eliminated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Vehicle seat 2. Seat body 3. Slide device 4. Seat cushion 5… Seat back 6… Lifter link 7... Electric motor 8… Movable part 10... Control section 11... Operation switch 12... Revolution speed sensor

Claims

1. In a vehicle seat to be mounted on a vehicle, an electric motor that generates a driving force for moving the movable part; A control unit that controls stopping and operating the electric motor; an operation switch operated by a user, the operation switch outputting an operation signal to the control unit; When the electric motor is operated, an operation signal output by the operation switch is set as an ON signal, and when the ON signal is output and the control unit determines that the electric motor is stopped, a pinch detection time is set. The control unit is a vehicle seat in which an on signal is continuously output until a predetermined time has elapsed from the time of entrapment detection, and when the time has elapsed, reversal control is capable of executing reversal control to reverse the rotation of the electric motor.

2. 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of executing a pinch load reduction control for reducing an absolute value of a voltage supplied to the electric motor from the time of pinch detection until the start of the reverse control, compared to an absolute value before the pinch detection.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit executes the reversal control or the pinch load reduction control when the vehicle is stopped.

4. The movable portion is a seat body that is displaceable in the front-rear direction of the seat, The vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit executes the reversal control or the pinch load reduction control when the seat body is displaced rearward.

5. The movable portion is a seat back that supports the back of a seated occupant, 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the reversal control or the pinch load reduction control when the seat back is displaced rearward.

6. The movable portion is a seat body that is displaceable in the up and down direction, The vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit executes the reversal control or the pinch load reduction control when the seat body is displaced downward.

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