Occupant support device

Abstract

To support an arm of an occupant when the occupant moves his / her hand to a center side in a right-left direction of the occupant.SOLUTION: In a vehicle seat device 14, a hand rest 36 supports a hand of an occupant 26 when the occupant 26 is seated on a seat 16 and the hand rest 36 is positioned at an usage position. A projection panel 24A of an armrest 24 is projected in an inward side in a right-left direction of the seat 16 to support an arm of the occupant 26. This can support an arm of the occupant 26 when the occupant 26 moves his / her hand to a center side in a right-left direction of the occupant 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an occupant support device in which a hand rest supports the hands of an occupant and an arm rest supports the arms of the occupant. [Background technology]

[0002] The display work area described in Patent Document 1 below is installed in front of the seats (behind the front seats), and the display work area is provided with a hand rest.

[0003] Here, in the case where an armrest is provided in this display work area, it is preferable that the armrest can support the user's arm when the user moves his / her hand toward the center in the left-right direction of the user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-212648 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVETION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an occupant support device that can support an occupant's arm when the occupant moves his / her hand toward the center in the left-right direction of the occupant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention provides an occupant support device comprising a handrest that is installed at the front of a vehicle seat and positioned in a usage position to support the hands of an occupant seated in the seat, and an armrest that is positioned on the left or right side of the seat and has a protruding portion that protrudes inward in the left-right direction of the seat to support the arms of the occupant.

[0007] In the passenger support device according to the first aspect of the present invention, a hand rest is provided on the front side of a vehicle seat, and the hand rest is arranged in a use position to support the hands of a passenger seated on the seat. Further, an arm rest is arranged on the left or right side of the seat.

[0008] Here, the protruding portion of the armrest protrudes inward in the left-right direction of the seat to support the occupant's arm, thereby making it possible to support the occupant's arm when the occupant moves his / her hand toward the center in the left-right direction of the occupant.

[0009] An occupant support device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the occupant support device according to the first aspect of the present invention, further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the use position of the hand rest.

[0010] In the passenger support device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the adjustment mechanism adjusts the height of the use position of the hand rest, so that the height of the use position of the hand rest can be appropriately set.

[0011] The third aspect of the present invention is an occupant support device according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the adjustment mechanism adjusts the use position of the hand rest to a height within the height range from the lower end of the occupant's sternum to the upper end of the acromion.

[0012] In the passenger support device of the third aspect of the present invention, the adjustment mechanism adjusts the use position of the hand rest to a height within the height range from the lower end of the passenger's sternum to the upper end of the acromion, so that the hand rest can support the passenger's hands at a high position.

[0013] The fourth aspect of the present invention is an occupant support device according to the second or third aspect of the present invention, wherein the adjustment mechanism adjusts the use position of the hand rest to a height within a height range of 320 mm or more and 500 mm or less from the hip point of the occupant.

[0014] In the passenger support device of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the adjustment mechanism adjusts the use position of the hand rest to a height within a range of 320 mm to 500 mm from the passenger's hip point, so that the hand rest can support the passenger's hands at a high position.

[0015] An occupant support device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the occupant support device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, in which the occupant has a physique equivalent to JM50.

[0016] In the passenger support device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the passenger is assumed to have a physique equivalent to JM50, and therefore the position at which the hand rest is used can be adapted to that of an adult. Effect of the Invention

[0017] As described above, the occupant support device of the present invention can support the occupant's arm when the occupant moves his / her hand toward the center in the left-right direction of the occupant. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a vehicle seat device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the left. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing the vehicle seat device of FIG. 1, as viewed from the front left side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the hand rest device according to the embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the left. [Figure 4] 4(A) is a side view from the left showing the hand rest in the adjustment mechanism of the hand rest device in FIG. 3 when the hand rest is placed in a storage position, and (B) is a side view from the left showing the main parts of the adjustment mechanism. [Diagram 5] 4(A) is a side view from the left showing the hand rest in the adjustment mechanism of the hand rest device in FIG. 3 when the hand rest is positioned in the first use position, and (B) is a side view from the left showing the main parts of the adjustment mechanism. [Figure 6] 5(A) is a side view from the left showing the hand rest in the adjustment mechanism of the hand rest device in Figure 3 when it is positioned in the second use position, and (B) is an oblique view from the rear and left showing the hand rest when the rotation restriction on the hand rest in the adjustment mechanism of the hand rest device in Figure 3 is released. [Figure 7]FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a vehicle seat device of a first comparative example as viewed from the front and left, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing a vehicle seat device of a second comparative example as viewed from the front and left. [Figure 8] 3 is a graph showing cumulative car sickness sensory scores for a vehicle seat device of a first comparative example, a vehicle seat device of a second comparative example, and the vehicle seat device of FIG. 2; [Figure 9] 3 is a graph showing ease of viewing a smartphone screen for a vehicle seat device of a first comparative example, a vehicle seat device of a second comparative example, and the vehicle seat device of FIG. 2; [Figure 10] 3 is a graph showing neck fatigue for a vehicle seat device of a first comparative example, a vehicle seat device of a second comparative example, and the vehicle seat device of FIG. 2. [Figure 11] 3 is a graph showing shoulder fatigue for the vehicle seat device of the first comparative example, the vehicle seat device of the second comparative example, and the vehicle seat device of FIG. 2. [Figure 12] 3 is a graph showing arm fatigue for the vehicle seat device of the first comparative example, the vehicle seat device of the second comparative example, and the vehicle seat device of FIG. 2. [Figure 13] 8, (B) is a table showing the scores for the visibility of the smartphone screen in FIG. 9, and (C) is a table showing the scores for the fatigue sensation in FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12. [Figure 14] 4 is a table showing the number of people at a height at which the hand rest of the vehicle seat device of FIG. 1 can see ahead with hand peripheral vision and the number of people at a height at which the hand rest does not cause numbness in the arm. [Figure 15] 4 is a graph showing the number of people at a height where they can see ahead with their hand peripheral vision (solid line) and the number of people at a height where they do not feel numbness in their arms (dashed line) for the hand rest of the vehicle seat device of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a side view from the left of a vehicle seat device 14 to which an occupant support device 12 (including a hand rest device 10) according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and Fig. 2 shows a perspective view from the front and left of the vehicle seat device 14. In the drawings, the front of the vehicle seat device 14 is indicated by an arrow FR, the left of the vehicle seat device 14 is indicated by an arrow LH, and the upper side of the vehicle seat device 14 is indicated by an arrow UP.

[0020] The vehicle seat device 14 in this embodiment is provided in a passenger compartment of a vehicle (automobile), and the front, left and upper sides of the vehicle seat device 14 face toward the front, left and upper sides of the vehicle, respectively.

[0021] 1 and 2, the vehicle seat device 14 is provided with a seat 16, a seat cushion 18 is provided under the seat 16, and a seat back 20 is provided above the rear end of the seat cushion 18. The tilt position of the seat back 20 in the front-rear direction relative to the seat cushion 18 is adjustable, and the seat back 20 is tilted, for example, 23° rearward relative to the seat cushion 18. A headrest 22 is provided on the upper side of the seat back 20, and a pair of rod-shaped stays 22A are fixed to the lower end of the headrest 22. The stays 22A extend downward and are fixed to the upper end of the headrest 22, whereby the headrest 22 is supported by the seat back 20.

[0022] On the left and right sides of the lower part of the seat back 20, there are provided arm rests 24 in the shape of a substantially long rectangular parallelepiped constituting the occupant support device 12, and the arm rests 24 extend forward. On the front part of the arm rest 24, there is provided a rectangular protruding plate 24A as a protruding part, and the protruding plate 24A protrudes inward in the left-right direction of the seat 16, is disposed above the seat cushion 18, and protrudes forward from the arm rest 24. The position of the protruding plate 24A relative to the arm rest 24 may be adjustable, and the protruding plate 24A may be detachable from the arm rest 24.

[0023] When an occupant 26 is seated on the seat 16, the seat cushion 18 supports the buttocks and thighs of the occupant 26, the seat back 20 supports the back of the occupant 26, the headrest 22 supports the head of the occupant 26, and the armrest 24 (including the protruding plate 24A) supports the arms (including the elbows) of the occupant 26. The protruding plate 24A is adapted to support the elbows of the occupant 26 at least one of a position 80 mm inward from the left-right center of the armrest 24 to the left-right direction of the seat 16 and a position 200 mm outward from the left-right center of the seat 16 to the left-right direction.

[0024] A front seat 28 is provided in front of the seat 16 as an attachment target, and the front seat 28 is provided with a seat cushion 18, a seat back 20, and a headrest 22 (including a stay 22A) similar to those of the seat 16.

[0025] The hand rest device 10 (see FIG. 3) constituting the passenger support device 12 is provided on the front seat 28.

[0026] The hand rest device 10 is provided with a pair of mounting bodies 30 each having a substantially long rectangular parallelepiped shape. The front part of the body 30 is attached to the stay 22A of the headrest 22 in the front seat 28, so that the hand rest device 10 is attached to the front seat 28 and disposed in front of the seat 16. The mounting body 30 extends rearward, and a cylindrical central shaft 32 is fixed non-rotatably to the rear part of the mounting body 30. The base end of a substantially cylindrical rotating shaft 34 is supported by the central shaft 32, and the rotating shaft 34 is rotatable in one direction A and the other direction B about the central shaft 32.

[0027] A roughly rectangular plate-shaped hand rest 36 (hand rest, table) is rotatably supported at the tip ends of the pair of rotating shafts 34, and the rotational position of the hand rest 36 is adjustable relative to the rotating shafts 34. The rear side of the hand rest 36 forms a rectangular, planar support surface 36A.

[0028] An adjustment mechanism 38 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) is provided between the rear portion of the left mounting body 30 and the base end portion of the left rotating shaft 34.

[0029] The adjustment mechanism 38 is provided with a case 40 in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box, and the case 40 is fixed to the base end of the rotating shaft 34. The central axis 32 passes through the case 40, and the case 40 is rotatable integrally with the rotating shaft 34 around the central axis 32. In addition, a substantially triangular prism-shaped restricting protrusion 40A is integrally provided within the case 40 as a restricted portion.

[0030] A substantially disk-shaped gear 42 is provided as a locking member in the case 40. The gear 42 is passed through by the central shaft 32 and fixed to the central shaft 32 to be unrotatable. A restricting groove 42A is formed on the outer periphery of the gear 42 as a restricting portion, and the restricting groove 42A extends in the circumferential direction of the central shaft 32. A restricting protrusion 40A of the case 40 is inserted into the restricting groove 42A, and the restricting protrusion 40A of the case 40 abuts against one end face of the restricting groove 42A to restrict rotation of the case 40 and the rotating shaft 34 in one direction A (see FIG. 6A), and the restricting protrusion 40A abuts against the other end face of the restricting groove 42A to restrict rotation of the case 40 and the rotating shaft 34 in the other direction B (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). A first groove 42B and a second groove 42C having a triangular cross section are formed on the outer periphery of the gear 42 as locking portions, and the second groove 42C is disposed on the one direction A side of the first groove 42B.

[0031] An L-shaped locking plate 44 is provided in the case 40 as a locked member, and a central portion of the locking plate 44 is supported in the case 40. The locking plate 44 is rotatable in a locking direction C and an unlocking direction D about the central portion, and the locking plate 44 is biased in the locking direction C. A triangular plate-shaped claw portion 44A is formed at one end of the locking plate 44 as a locked portion, and the claw portion 44A of the locking plate 44 is meshed with the first groove 42B of the gear 42 by a biasing force. Therefore, the rotation of the claw portion 44A in the other direction B is locked by the first groove 42B, and the rotation of the case 40 and the rotating shaft 34 in the other direction B is restricted, and the hand rest 36 is disposed in the first use position.

[0032] Furthermore, by rotating the case 40 and the rotating shaft 34 in the one direction A, the lock plate 44 is rotated in the unlocking direction D against the biasing force, and the claw portion 44A is released from the first groove 42B. Then, the lock plate 44 is rotated in the locking direction C by the biasing force, and the claw portion 44A is engaged with the second groove 42C of the gear 42. Therefore, the rotation of the claw portion 44A in the other direction B is locked by the second groove 42C, and the rotation of the case 40 and the rotating shaft 34 in the other direction B is restricted, and the hand rest 36 is disposed in the second use position (see FIG. 6(A)). Furthermore, when the hand rest 36 is disposed in the second use position, as described above, the restricting protrusion 40A of the case 40 abuts against one end face of the restricting groove 42A of the gear 42, and the rotation of the case 40 and the rotating shaft 34 in the one direction A is restricted, and the hand rest 36 is disposed in the second use position. Rotation in one direction A from the position is restricted.

[0033] When the hand rest 36 is disposed in the first use position and the second use position, the support surface 36A of the hand rest 36 supports the hands of the occupant 26.

[0034] A generally L-shaped release plate 46 is provided as a release member within the case 40, and a central portion of the release plate 46 is supported within the case 40. The release plate 46 is rotatable about the central portion, and is biased to one side in the rotation direction. The other end of the lock plate 44 is disposed between one side portion and the other side portion of the release plate 46, and one side portion of the release plate 46 is abutted against the other end portion of the lock plate 44 by the biasing force. An operation piece 46A is provided integrally with one side portion of the release plate 46, and the operation piece 46A protrudes from the release plate 46.

[0035] A roughly cylindrical button 48 is provided at the rear of the mounting body 30 as an operating member, and the axial direction of the button 48 is in the left-right direction. The button 48 is movable in the left-right direction within a predetermined range, and the button 48 is biased to the left. The left end of the button 48 is coaxially enlarged in diameter, and the left end of the button 48 is exposed to the left side of the mounting body 30 and can be pressed rightward against the biasing force. The button 48 is inserted into the case 40, and is disposed to the right of the operating piece 46A of the release plate 46.

[0036] When the button 48 is pressed rightward against the biasing force at the left end, the button 48 presses the operating piece 46A of the release plate 46 rightward, causing the release plate 46 to rotate against the biasing force, and the other end of the lock plate 44 is pressed by the other side portion of the release plate 46, causing the lock plate 44 to rotate in the unlock direction D against the biasing force (see FIG. 6B). This makes it impossible for the claw portion 44A of the lock plate 44 to mesh with the first groove 42B and the second groove 42C of the gear 42. As a result, with the button 48 pressed rightward, the case 40 and the rotating shaft 34 are rotated in the other direction B, causing the hand rest 36 to be located in the stored position (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). Furthermore, when the hand rest 36 is positioned in the storage position, as described above, the regulating protrusion 40A of the case 40 abuts against the other end face of the regulating groove 42A of the gear 42, thereby restricting rotation of the case 40 and the rotating shaft 34 in the other direction B, thereby restricting rotation of the hand rest 36 from the storage position in the other direction B.

[0037] Furthermore, when the button 48 is not pressed rightward from the state where the hand rest 36 is disposed in the storage position, the case 40 and the rotating shaft 34 are rotated in one direction A, whereby the lock plate 44 is rotated in the locking direction C by the biasing force, and the claw portion 44A of the lock plate 44 meshes with the first groove 42B of the gear 42, and the hand rest 36 is disposed in the first use position (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). Note that between the storage position and the first use position of the hand rest 36, the claw portion 44A of the lock plate 44 cannot mesh with the gear 42, and the rotation of the case 40 and the rotating shaft 34 is not restricted.

[0038] When the hand rest 36 is disposed in the first use position or the second use position, the rotation position of the hand rest 36 relative to the rotating shaft 34 is set to the support position, and when the hand rest 36 is disposed in the storage position, the rotation position of the hand rest 36 relative to the rotating shaft 34 is set to the storage position (see FIG. 3). In the support position, the hand rest 36 is oriented such that the support surface 36A faces downward and opposite to the rotating shaft 34 compared to the storage position.

[0039] When the hand rest 36 is disposed in the first use position, if the occupant 26 has a physique equivalent to JM50 (JIS D4607:1994, three-dimensional seated human body model for measuring interior dimensions of an automobile), the center of the support surface 36A of the hand rest 36 is disposed at a height of 320 mm from the hip point HP of the occupant 26 (the height of the lower end of the sternum (lower end of the xiphoid process) of the occupant 26, the lower limit of the appropriate height). When the hand rest 36 is disposed in the second use position, if the occupant 26 has a build equivalent to JM50, the center of the support surface 36A of the hand rest 36 is disposed at a height of 500 mm from the hip point HP of the occupant 26 (the height of the upper end of the acromion of the occupant 26, the upper limit of the appropriate height).

[0040] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0041] In the vehicle seat device 14 configured as described above, when the occupant 26 is seated in the seat 16 and the hand rest 36 is positioned in the first use position and the second use position, the support surface 36A of the hand rest 36 supports the hands of the occupant 26.

[0042] Here, the height of the use position of the hand rest 36 is adjusted to the first use position or the second use position by the adjustment mechanism 38. Therefore, the height of the use position of the hand rest 36 can be set appropriately.

[0043] Furthermore, when the hand rest 36 is disposed in the first use position, if the occupant 26 has a build equivalent to JM50, the center of the support surface 36A of the hand rest 36 is disposed at a height of 320 mm from the hip point HP of the occupant 26 (the height of the lower end of the sternum (the lower end of the xiphoid process) of the occupant 26). Therefore, if the occupant 26 is a small adult, the support surface 36A of the hand rest 36 supports the hand of the occupant 26 holding a smartphone (not shown), so that the height of the center of the smartphone screen, which is assumed to be 80 mm above the center of the support surface 36A, can be set to the height of the lower end of the occupant 26's sternum (the lower end of the xiphoid process).

[0044] Furthermore, when the hand rest 36 is disposed in the second use position, if the occupant 26 has a build equivalent to JM50, the center of the support surface 36A of the hand rest 36 is disposed at a height of 500 mm from the hip point HP of the occupant 26 (the height of the upper end of the acromion of the occupant 26). Therefore, if the occupant 26 is a large adult, the support surface 36A of the hand rest 36 supports the hand of the occupant 26 holding the smartphone, so that the height of the center of the smartphone screen, which is assumed to be 80 mm above the center of the support surface 36A, can be set to the height of the upper end of the acromion of the occupant 26.

[0045] In this way, by setting the height of the center of the smartphone screen to the height of the upper end of the acromion of the occupant 26, the line of sight of the occupant 26 on the smartphone screen can be directed substantially forward. Therefore, the occupant 26 can see the scenery outside the vehicle and obtain information on the movement of the vehicle relative to the ground, thereby suppressing car sickness of the occupant 26. Furthermore, the need for the occupant 26 to bend his / her neck to see the smartphone screen can be reduced, making it easier for the occupant 26 to see the smartphone screen and reducing neck fatigue of the occupant 26. Furthermore, by preventing the occupant 26 from excessively raising the hand holding the smartphone, fatigue of the shoulders and arms of the occupant 26 can be reduced.

[0046] In addition, the armrest 24 on the left or right side of the seat 16 supports the arm (particularly the elbow) of the occupant 26 holding the smartphone. This can further reduce fatigue in the shoulders and arms of the occupant 26.

[0047] Furthermore, the protruding plate 24A of the armrest 24 protrudes inward in the left-right direction of the seat 16 to support the arm of the occupant 26. Therefore, even when the occupant 26 moves the hand holding the smartphone toward the center in the left-right direction of the occupant 26 to make it easier to view the smartphone screen, the protruding plate 24A can support the arm (especially the elbow) of the occupant 26.

[0048] Moreover, the protruding plate 24A is configured to support the elbow of the occupant 26 at least one of a position 80 mm inward in the left-right direction of the seat 16 from the left-right center of the armrest 24 and a position 200 mm outward in the left-right direction from the left-right center of the seat 16. Here, when the occupant 26 moves the screen of the smartphone held in his / her hand to the left-right center of the occupant 26, the elbow of the occupant 26 is supported at least one of a position 80 mm inward in the left-right direction of the seat 16 from the left-right center of the armrest 24 and a position 200 mm outward in the left-right direction from the left-right center of the seat 16, on average, so that the posture of the occupant 26 becomes comfortable. Therefore, when the occupant 26 moves the screen of the smartphone held in his / her hand to the left-right center of the occupant 26, the protruding plate 24A supports the elbow of the occupant 26 at that position, so that the posture of the occupant 26 becomes comfortable.

[0049] (First Comparative Example) FIG. 7(A) shows a perspective view of a vehicle seat device 60 of a first comparative example as viewed from the front and left.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7(A), a vehicle seat device 60 of the first comparative example is not provided with the hand rest device 10 and the arm rest 24 of the present embodiment.

[0051] (Second Comparative Example) FIG. 7(B) shows a perspective view of a vehicle seat device 70 of a second comparative example as viewed from the front and left.

[0052] 7(B), the hand rest device 10 of the present embodiment is not provided in the vehicle seat device 70 of the second comparative example, and the arm rest 24 is not provided with the protruding plate 24A.

[0053] (First Experimental Example) FIG. 8 is a graph showing cumulative car sickness sensory scores for the vehicle seat device 60 of the first comparative example, the vehicle seat device 70 of the second comparative example, and the vehicle seat device 14 of this embodiment.

[0054] In the first experimental example, the car sickness sensory scores of occupants 26 of a moving vehicle were accumulated for 30 minutes to investigate the cumulative car sickness sensory scores (see FIG. 13(A)). FIG. 8 shows the average of multiple occupants 26, and the error bars in FIG. 8 indicate the standard deviation.

[0055] 8, the cumulative car sickness sensory score is high in the first comparative example, high (slightly lower than the first comparative example) in the second comparative example, and low in this embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, car sickness of the occupant 26 can be suppressed.

[0056] (Second Experimental Example) FIG. 9 is a graph showing the ease of viewing a smartphone screen for the vehicle seat device 60 of the first comparative example, the vehicle seat device 70 of the second comparative example, and the vehicle seat device 14 of the present embodiment.

[0057] In a second experimental example, the occupants 26 were asked to rate the ease of viewing the smartphone screen (see FIG. 13(B)). FIG. 9 shows the average of multiple occupants 26, and the error bars in FIG. 9 represent the standard deviation.

[0058] 9, the score is negative in the first comparative example, negative in the second comparative example (a slightly smaller negative score than the first comparative example), and positive in this embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the smartphone screen can be easily viewed by the occupant 26.

[0059] (Third Experimental Example) FIG. 10 is a graph showing neck fatigue for the vehicle seat device 60 of the first comparative example, the vehicle seat device 70 of the second comparative example, and the vehicle seat device 14 of the present embodiment.

[0060] In a third experimental example, the scores for neck fatigue of the occupants 26 (see FIG. 13(C)) were investigated. In FIG. 10, the average of multiple occupants 26 is shown, and the error bars in FIG. 10 are standard deviations.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 10, the score was high in the first comparative example and low in the second comparative example (the 1) and is low in this embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the feeling of fatigue in the neck of the occupant 26 can be reduced.

[0062] (Fourth Experimental Example) FIG. 11 is a graph showing shoulder fatigue for the vehicle seat device 60 of the first comparative example, the vehicle seat device 70 of the second comparative example, and the vehicle seat device 14 of the present embodiment.

[0063] In a fourth experimental example, the evaluation score (see FIG. 13(C)) of the shoulder fatigue of the occupant 26 was investigated. In FIG. 11, the average of a number of occupants 26 is shown, and the error bars in FIG. 11 are the standard deviation.

[0064] 11, the score is high in the first comparative example, high (similar to the first comparative example) in the second comparative example, and low in this embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the shoulder fatigue of the occupant 26 can be reduced.

[0065] (Fifth Experimental Example) FIG. 12 is a graph showing arm fatigue for the vehicle seat device 60 of the first comparative example, the vehicle seat device 70 of the second comparative example, and the vehicle seat device 14 of the present embodiment.

[0066] In the fifth experimental example, the ratings of the fatigue in the arms of the occupants 26 (see FIG. 13(C)) were investigated. In FIG. 12, the average of the multiple occupants 26 is shown, and the error bars in FIG. 12 are the standard deviation.

[0067] 12, the score is high in the first comparative example, high (slightly lower) in the second comparative example, and low in this embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, the sense of fatigue in the arms of the occupant 26 can be reduced.

[0068] (Sixth Experimental Example) FIG. 14 is a table showing the number of people at a height where the hand rest 36 of the vehicle seat device 14 of this embodiment allows them to see ahead with their hand peripheral vision and the number of people at a height where they do not feel numbness in their arms, and FIG. 15 is a graph showing the number of people at a height where the hand rest 36 of the vehicle seat device 14 of this embodiment allows them to see ahead with their hand peripheral vision (solid line) and the number of people at a height where they do not feel numbness in their arms (dashed line).

[0069] In the sixth experimental example, when the height of the hand rest 36 (at the center of the support surface 36A) that supports the hands of the occupant 26 was changed in the vehicle seat device 14 of this embodiment, the number of occupants 26 who could see ahead with their hand peripheral vision and the number of occupants 26 who did not feel numbness in their arms were investigated.

[0070] 14 and 15, as the height of the hand rest 36 from the hip point HP of the occupant 26 was increased from 250 mm to 390 mm, the number of occupants 26 who could see ahead with their hand peripheral vision increased. When the height of the hand rest 36 from the hip point HP of the occupant 26 was 320 mm or more, the majority of the occupants 26 could see ahead with their hand peripheral vision. Furthermore, when the height of the hand rest 36 from the hip point HP of the occupant 26 was 280 mm, 310 mm, and 360 mm, the rate of increase in the number of occupants 26 was large.

[0071] Furthermore, as the height of the hand rest 36 from the hip point HP of the occupant 26 was reduced from 570 mm to 420 mm, the number of occupants 26 who did not feel numbness in their arms increased. When the height of the hand rest 36 from the hip point HP of the occupant 26 was 500 mm or less, the majority of the occupants 26 did not feel numbness in their arms. Also, when the height of the hand rest 36 was 540 mm and 500 mm, the rate of increase in the number of such occupants 26 increased significantly. The reason why the occupant 26 felt numbness in their arms was that at least a part of the occupant's 26 forearm was higher than the occupant's 26 heart.

[0072] In this embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 38 adjusts the use position of the hand rest 36 to two height stages. However, the adjustment mechanism 38 may adjust the use position of the hand rest 36 to three or more height stages.

[0073] In this embodiment, the lowest use position (first use position) of the hand rest 36 is set to the lower limit of the appropriate height of the hand rest 36 (the center of the support surface 36A is 320 mm above the hip point HP of the occupant 26 who has a build equivalent to JM50). However, the lowest use position of the hand rest 36 may be set to be higher than the lower limit of the appropriate height of the hand rest 36.

[0074] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the highest use position (second use position) of the hand rest 36 is set to the upper limit of the appropriate height of the hand rest 36 (the center of the support surface 36A is 500 mm above the hip point HP of the occupant 26 with a build equivalent to JM50). However, the highest use position of the hand rest 36 may be set lower than the upper limit of the appropriate height of the hand rest 36.

[0075] In this embodiment, the lower limit of the appropriate height of the hand rest 36 is set to a height of 320 mm from the hip point HP of the occupant 26 whose physique corresponds to JM50 when the center of the support surface 36A is positioned. However, the lower limit of the appropriate height of the hand rest 36 may be set to a height of 280 mm or 310 mm from the hip point HP of the occupant 26 whose physique corresponds to JM50 when the center of the support surface 36A is positioned.

[0076] Furthermore, this embodiment has been described based on the case where the occupant 26 has a physique equivalent to JM50. However, this embodiment can accommodate a wide range of physiques of the occupant 26, such as the case where the occupant 26 has a physique equivalent to JF05, the case where the occupant 26 has a physique equivalent to JM95, the case where the occupant 26 has a physique equivalent to AM50 (equal to JM95), or the like.

[0077] In this embodiment, two rotating shafts 34 support the hand rest 36. However, one or three or more rotating shafts 34 may support the hand rest 36.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the hand rest device 10 is attached to the head rest 22. However, the hand rest device 10 may be attached to the seat back 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 10 Hand rest device 12 Passenger support device 16 sheets 24 Armrest 24A Protruding plate (protruding part) 26 Crew 36 Hand Rest 38 Adjusting mechanism

Claims

1. A hand rest is provided at a front side of a vehicle seat and disposed at a usage position to support the hands of an occupant seated in the seat; An armrest is disposed on the left or right side of the seat, and has a protruding portion protruding inward in the left-right direction of the seat to support an occupant's arm; An occupant support device comprising:

2. The passenger support device according to claim 1 , further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the use position of the hand rest.

3. The occupant support device according to claim 2 , wherein the adjustment mechanism adjusts the use position of the hand rest to a height within a range from a lower end of the sternum to a higher end of the acromion of the occupant.

4. 4. The occupant support device according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism adjusts the use position of the hand rest to a height within a range of 320 mm to 500 mm from a hip point of the occupant.

5. 3. The occupant support device according to claim 1, wherein the occupant has a physique equivalent to JM50.

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