Seat

Abstract

To provide an example of a seat capable of suppressing degradation of the durability of a movable part, a motor-driven component, etc. of the seat.SOLUTION: A nap seat determines timing of executing an initialization function based on a damage index D as a value related with a weight of a user. Consequently, in the nap seat, when the weight of the user is heavy and an inertia of a movable part often becomes large, timing when the initialization function can be executed increases compared with a case when the inertia often becomes small. As a result, in the nap seat 1, considerable deviation between an initial position and a reference position can be suppressed, which can suppress the degradation of the durability of the movable part, the motor-driven component, etc.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electric seat in which at least one of a seat back and a seat cushion is displaceable relative to the other.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in the electric seat for an automobile described in Patent Document 1, an initialization function of the seat position is executed when the number of times the door is locked reaches a specified number. The initialization function refers to a function of making the position serving as a reference when controlling the rotation angle of an electric motor coincide with the position when the seat contacts a stopper and the rotation of the electric motor is forcibly stopped, for example.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the initialization function according to Patent Document 1 is executed, a movable part such as a seat contacts a stopper and the rotation of an electric motor is forcibly stopped. For this reason, a large load acts on the movable part and electric components such as the electric motor when the initialization function is executed.

[0005] Therefore, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the durability of the movable part and electric components etc. may decrease. In view of this point, the present disclosure discloses an example of a seat capable of suppressing a decrease in the durability of the movable part and electric components etc.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A seat including a seat back (4) and a seat cushion (5), with at least one of the seat back (4) and the seat cushion (5) being displaceable relative to the other, preferably has at least one of the following constituent elements.

[0007] That is, the constituent element is an electric movable mechanism (8A, 5A) for displacing the movable part (4), which has a stopper (5A) that restricts the displacement range of the movable part by contacting the abutting part (4A), and a control unit (9) for controlling the operation of the movable mechanism (8A, 5A), which stores the initial position as a reference position and controls the position of the movable part (4) based on the reference position, and a weight sensor (10) for detecting information indicating the weight of the user acting on the movable part (4). The control unit (9) can execute an initialization function of displacing the movable part (4) to bring the stopper (5A) into contact with the abutting part (4A) and storing the position of the movable part (4) at that time as the reference position. Further, the control unit (9) can execute an initialization execution determination function of determining the timing for executing the initialization function using the detection signal of the weight sensor (10).

[0008] Note that the movable part (4) refers to either one of the seat back (4) and the seat cushion (5). The abutting part (4A) refers to a part of the movable part (4) or a part that is displaced in mechanical linkage with the movable part (4). The initial position refers to the position of the movable part (4) when the stopper (5A) comes into contact with the abutting part (4A).

[0009] When the user's weight is large, the inertia of the movable part (4) becomes large, so the deviation between the actual position of the movable part (4) and the position grasped by the control unit (9) becomes large. Therefore, when the user's weight is large, there is a possibility that the initial position and the reference position deviate significantly.

[0010] In contrast, in this seat, the timing for executing the initialization function is determined based on the detection signal of the weight sensor (10). Therefore, in this seat, when the user's weight is large and the inertia of the movable part (4) is large, the initialization function can be executed. Thus, in this seat, it can be suppressed that the initial position and the reference position deviate greatly from each other.

[0011] Also, when the user's weight is small and the inertia of the movable part (4) is small, it is less likely that the initial position and the reference position deviate greatly from each other. For this reason, in this seat, it becomes difficult to execute the initialization function, so it can be suppressed that the durability of the movable part, electric components, etc. deteriorates.

[0012] Therefore, in this seat, it can be suppressed that the initial position and the reference position deviate greatly from each other, and it can also be suppressed that the durability of the movable part, electric components, etc. deteriorates. Note that this seat may have the following configuration.

[0013] That is, instead of the weight sensor (10), an input unit (7) operated by the user and for inputting information indicating the weight of the user may be provided, and the control unit (9) may be capable of executing an initialization execution determination function for determining the timing of executing the initialization function using the information input to the input unit (7).

[0014] Thereby, when the user's weight is large and the inertia of the movable part (4) is large, the initialization function can be executed, so it can be suppressed that the initial position and the reference position deviate greatly from each other.

[0015] Also, instead of the weight sensor (10), a receiving unit (11) capable of receiving information indicating the user's weight by wireless communication or wired communication may be provided, and the control unit (9) may be capable of executing an initialization execution determination function for determining the timing of executing the initialization function using the information received by the receiving unit (11).

[0016] Thereby, when the user's weight is large and the inertia of the movable part (4) is large, the initialization function can be executed, so it can be suppressed that the initial position and the reference position deviate greatly from each other.

[0017] Then, in the initialization execution determination function, it is desirable that when the integrated value of the damage index since the last execution of the initialization function becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that this is the timing at which the initialization function should be executed.

[0018] Furthermore, when there are a plurality of movable parts, it is desirable that the predetermined value exists for each of the plurality of movable parts. Incidentally, the reference numerals in each of the above parentheses are examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations and the like described in the embodiments described later, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations and the like indicated by the reference numerals in the above parentheses.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] The following "Embodiments of the Invention" show an example of embodiments belonging to the technical scope of the present disclosure. That is, the invention specific matters and the like described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations, structures, and the like shown in the following embodiments.

[0021] This embodiment is an example in which the sheet according to the present disclosure is applied to a stationary type catnap sheet installed indoors. The arrows, slashes, etc. indicating directions attached to each figure are described to facilitate understanding of the relationship between the figures and the shape of members or parts.

[0022] Therefore, the nap sheet is not limited to the directions indicated in the respective figures. The directions shown in the respective figures are the directions in the state where the nap sheet according to the present embodiment is installed. The figures with diagonal lines do not necessarily show cross-sectional views.

[0023] At least the members or parts described with reference numerals are provided with at least one, unless otherwise specified such as "one". That is, when there is no such specification as "one", two or more of the members may be provided. The nap sheet disclosed herein includes at least components such as members or parts described with reference numerals, and the illustrated structural parts.

[0024] (First Embodiment) <1. Outline of Nap Sheet> As shown in FIG. 1, the nap sheet 1 includes at least a sheet body 2, electric actuators 8A and 8B, and a control unit 9. The sheet body 2 includes at least a seat back 4, a seat cushion 5, an ottoman 6, and an operation panel 7.

[0025] The seat back 4 is a part for supporting the back of the user. The seat cushion 5 is a part for supporting the buttocks of the user. The ottoman 6 is provided on the front end side of the seat cushion 5 to support the calves or the like of the user.

[0026] Each of the seat back 4 and the ottoman 6 is displaceable with respect to the seat cushion 5. Specifically, the seat back 4 is swingably connected to the rear end side of the seat cushion 5. The ottoman 6 is swingably connected to the front end side of the seat cushion 5.

[0027] Stoppers 5A to 5D are provided on the seat cushion 5 or a part (in this embodiment, the frame of the seat cushion 5) that is immovable with respect to the seat cushion 5. The stoppers 5A to 5D are parts for mechanically restricting the displacement ranges of the seat back 4 and the ottoman 6, respectively.

[0028] Specifically, contact portions 4A and 5B are provided at a part of the seat back 4 or a portion that is mechanically interlocked with the seat back 4 and displaced. Each of the contact portions 4A and 5B restricts the displacement range of the seat back 4 by contacting the corresponding stoppers 5A and 5B.

[0029] That is, when the contact portion 4A contacts the stopper 5A, the position of the seat back 4 in the most reclined state is restricted. When the contact portion 4B contacts the stopper 5B, the position of the seat back 4 in the most upright state is restricted.

[0030] In addition, contact portions 6A and 6B are provided at a part of the ottoman 6 or a portion that is mechanically interlocked with the ottoman 6 and displaced. Each of the contact portions 6A and 6B restricts the displacement range of the ottoman 6 by contacting the corresponding stoppers 5C and 5D.

[0031] That is, when the contact portion 6A contacts the stopper 5C, the position of the ottoman 6 in the lowest state is restricted. When the contact portion 6B contacts the stopper 5D, the position of the ottoman 6 in the highest state is restricted.

[0032] The operation panel 7 is an operation unit operated by the user. Various operation switches such as an operation switch (hereinafter referred to as an attitude changeover switch) for changing the attitude of the seat body 2 are provided on the operation panel 7.

[0033] The electric actuators 8A and 8B are components that constitute a movable mechanism for displacing the seat back 4 and the ottoman 6 respectively. In addition to the actuators 8A and 8B, the movable mechanism has stoppers 5A to 5D. Note that the actuators 8A and 8B according to the present embodiment are configured to have electric motors.

[0034] The nap seat 1 has a function of displacing the attitudes of the ottoman 6, the seat cushion 5, and the seat back 4, that is, the attitude of the seat body 2, between the seating attitude (see FIG. 1) and the nap attitude (see FIG. 2).

[0035] The sitting posture is the posture assumed when the user sits on the seat body 2. The dozing posture is the posture assumed when the user sleeps using the seat body 2. Specifically, in the sitting posture, the seat back 4 and the ottoman 6 are in a state of standing up from the dozing posture.

[0036] When the seat body 2 is in the sitting posture and the posture switching switch is operated, the seat body 2 becomes the dozing posture. When the seat body 2 is in the dozing posture and the posture switching switch is operated, the seat body 2 becomes the sitting posture.

[0037] <2. Control Unit and Initialization Function, etc.> As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 9 is a controller of the microcomputer type, and is configured to include a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The software executed by the CPU is pre-stored in a non-volatile storage unit (not shown) such as a ROM.

[0038] When the software is executed by the CPU, that is, the control unit 9, the operation and stop of the actuators 8A and 8B are controlled, and the initialization function unit and the initialization execution determination function unit are realized.

[0039] The dozing seat 1 also includes a weight sensor 10, a receiving unit 11, and the like. The weight sensor 10 detects information indicating the weight of the user acting on the movable parts such as the seat back 4 and the ottoman 6. Specifically, the weight sensor 10 is embedded in the seat cushion 5 and detects the load acting on the seat cushion 5.

[0040] The receiving unit 11 is a receiving unit for receiving information indicating the weight of the user by wireless communication or wired communication. Specifically, the receiving unit 11 receives the information from a portable terminal (for example, a smartphone) used by the user.

[0041] That is, a smartphone is pre - installed with an application for inputting and transmitting information indicating physical characteristics such as weight and height. When a user inputs their own weight into the smartphone via the application, the application transmits information indicating the input weight to the receiving unit 11.

[0042] And the detection signal of the weight sensor 10, the output signal of the operation panel 7, and the signal indicating the information received by the receiving unit 11 are input to the control unit 9. Note that a signal indicating the energization current value to the actuators 8A and 8B is also input to the control unit 10 according to this embodiment.

[0043] The operation panel 7 is provided with an input function for a user to input information indicating physical characteristics such as their own weight and height. That is, the operation panel 7 also functions as an input unit for inputting information indicating the user's weight.

[0044] <2.1 Initialization function unit> The initialization function unit is a functional block for executing the initialization function. Note that the initialization function unit is realized by the above - mentioned software being executed by the control unit 9. Hereinafter, the parts that are displaced when changing the postures of the seat back 4 and the ottoman 6 etc. are called movable parts.

[0045] The initialization function refers to a function of making a movable part displace to bring one of the stoppers 5A - 5D into contact with the contact part corresponding to the stopper among the contact parts 4A, 4B, 6A, 6B, and storing the position of the movable part at the time of contact (hereinafter referred to as the initial position) as the reference position.

[0046] The reference position refers to the position that serves as a reference when displacing the movable part. For example, when dividing the displacement range of the movable part into n equal parts and controlling the position of the movable part, the control unit 9 recognizes the initial position as 0 (= reference position) and grasps the sitting posture and the semi - reclining posture.

[0047] That is, "the control unit 9 executes the initialization function" means "for example, displacing the seat back 4 and storing, with reference to the position of the seat back 4 when, for example, the stopper 5A and the contact portion 4A come into contact, the position as a reference position".

[0048] In addition, when the energization current value to the actuators 8A and 8B exceeds a predetermined current value, the control unit 9 determines that any one of the stoppers 5A to 5D and the contact portion corresponding to the stopper among the contact portions 4A, 4B, 6A, and 6B are in contact.

[0049] Incidentally, the reference position determined by the contact between the stopper 5A and the contact portion 4A is a reference position indicating the limit when the seat back 4 is displaced to the reclined side. The reference position determined by the contact between the stopper 5B and the contact portion 4B is a reference position indicating the limit when the seat back 4 is displaced to the upright side.

[0050] Similarly, the reference position determined by the contact between the stopper 5C and the contact portion 6A is a reference position indicating the limit when the ottoman 6 is displaced downward. The reference position determined by the contact between the stopper 5D and the contact portion 6B is a reference position indicating the limit when the ottoman 6 is displaced upward.

[0051] <2.2 Initialization Execution Determination Function Unit> <Overview of the Initialization Execution Determination Function Unit> The initialization execution determination function unit is a functional block for executing the initialization execution determination function. Note that the initialization function unit is realized by the above software being executed by the control unit 9.

[0052] The initialization execution determination function is a function for determining the timing to execute the initialization function by using at least one of the information indicating the weight by the weight sensor 10 (hereinafter referred to as sensor information), the information indicating the weight input to the operation panel 7 (hereinafter referred to as panel information), and the information indicating the weight received by the receiving unit 11 (hereinafter referred to as received information).

[0053] Note that when neither the panel information nor the received information can be used, the initialization execution determination function uses the sensor information. However, when the panel information or the received information is available, the initialization execution determination function uses the panel information or the received information.

[0054] <Details of the Initialization Execution Determination Function> When executing the initialization execution determination function, the control unit 9 determines that it is the timing to execute the initialization function when the total value of the weights sequentially added since the last execution of the initialization function becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0055] Note that the initialization execution determination function according to the present embodiment does not directly use the user's weight, but determines the timing to execute the initialization function using a value related to the user's weight (hereinafter referred to as damage index D).

[0056] Specifically, when the user's weight is W and D, which is a function value of the weight W, is used as the damage index, the control unit 9 determines that it is the timing to execute the initialization function when the sum of the damage indices D since the last execution of the initialization function becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0057] For example, let Di = F(Wi) = 1 / (a·Wi + b). However, 0 < a < 1 and b is a real number. i means the i-th user since the last execution of the initialization function. That is, Wi indicates the weight of the i-th user since the last execution of the initialization function. Di means the damage index D of the i-th user since the last execution of the initialization function.

[0058] Then, the control unit 9 sequentially adds the damage index D each time the user uses the nap sheet 1 (D1 + D2 + ··· + Dn). When the integrated value of the damage index D becomes 1 or more, the control unit 9 determines that it is the timing to execute the initialization function.

[0059] In addition, in the present embodiment, the values of a and b when executing the initialization execution determination function for the seat back 4 are different from the values of a and b when executing the initialization execution determination function for the ottoman 6. That is, when there are a plurality of movable parts, the values of a and b exist for each of the plurality of movable parts.

[0060] <3. Features of the nap seat according to the present embodiment> When the weight of the user is large, the inertia of the seat back 4 and the ottoman 6, that is, the movable part 4, becomes large, so the deviation between the actual position of the movable part 4 and the position grasped by the control unit 9 becomes large.

[0061] Therefore, when the weight of the user is large, there is a possibility that the initial position and the reference position deviate greatly. On the other hand, in the nap seat 1 according to the present embodiment, the timing at which the initialization function is executed is determined based on the damage index D, which is a value related to the weight of the user.

[0062] Therefore, in the nap seat 1, when the weight of the user is large and the inertia of the movable part is often large, the timing at which the initialization function can be executed increases compared to the case where the inertia is often small.

[0063] Therefore, in the nap seat 1, it is possible to suppress a large deviation between the initial position and the reference position, so it is possible to suppress a decrease in the durability of the movable part and electric components (particularly, the actuators 8A and 8B).

[0064] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, the values of a and b when executing the initialization execution determination function for the seat back 4 are different from the values of a and b when executing the initialization execution determination function for the ottoman 6. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the same values may be used for the seat back 4 and the ottoman 6.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, it was determined that the timing at which the initialization function should be executed was when the sum of the damage indices D became equal to or greater than a predetermined value since the last execution of the initialization function. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0066] That is, the present disclosure may determine that the timing at which the initialization function should be executed is, for example, when the sum of the weights of the users becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, or when the sum of the damage indices Di, where the natural number determined by the weight Wi is used as the damage index Di, becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, based on, for example, the time when the initialization function was last executed.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the timing at which the initialization function is executed is determined using at least one of the sensor information, panel information, and received information. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure may have a configuration in which the timing at which the initialization function is executed is determined based on only any one of the sensor information, panel information, and received information, for example.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the hypnagogic sheet according to the present disclosure was applied to a stationary sheet. However, the application of the invention disclosed in this specification is not limited to this. That is, the present disclosure is applicable, for example, to vehicle seats used in vehicles such as automobiles, railway vehicles, ships, and aircraft.

[0069] Furthermore, the present disclosure only needs to conform to the gist of the disclosure described in the above-described embodiment and is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Therefore, a configuration in which at least two of the above-described embodiments are combined, or a configuration in which any one of the constituent elements shown in the drawings or the constituent elements described with reference numerals in the above-described embodiment is abolished may be used.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0070] 1... Hypnagogic sheet 2... Seat body 4... Seat back 5... Seat cushion 6… Ultraman 7… Operation panel 8A, 8B… Actuator 9… Control unit 10… Weight sensor 11… Receiver

Claims

1. A seat including a seat back and a seat cushion, wherein at least one of the seat back and the seat cushion is displaceable relative to the other, when one of them is a movable part and a part of the movable part or a part that is displaced mechanically in conjunction with the movable part is an abutting part, an electric movable mechanism for displacing the movable part, the movable mechanism having a stopper that restricts the displacement range of the movable part by contacting the abutting part, when the position of the movable part when the stopper and the abutting part are in contact is defined as an initial position, a control unit for controlling the operation of the movable mechanism, the control unit storing the initial position as a reference position and controlling the position of the movable part based on the reference position, and a weight sensor for detecting information indicating the weight of the user acting on the movable part, the control unit is capable of executing an initialization function of displacing the movable part to bring the stopper into contact with the abutting part and storing the position of the movable part at that time as the reference position, Furthermore, the control unit of the seat is capable of executing an initialization execution determination function for determining the timing of executing the initialization function using the detection signal of the weight sensor.

2. A seat including a seat back and a seat cushion, wherein at least one of the seat back and the seat cushion is displaceable relative to the other, when one of them is a movable part and a part of the movable part or a part that is displaced mechanically in conjunction with the movable part is an abutting part, an electric movable mechanism for displacing the movable part, the movable mechanism having a stopper that restricts the displacement range of the movable part by contacting the abutting part, when the position of the movable part when the stopper and the abutting part are in contact is defined as an initial position, a control unit for controlling the operation of the movable mechanism, the control unit storing the initial position as a reference position and controlling the position of the movable part based on the reference position, and an input unit operated by the user, the input unit being for inputting information indicating the weight of the user, the control unit is capable of executing an initialization function of displacing the movable part to bring the stopper into contact with the abutting part and storing the position of the movable part at that time as the reference position, Furthermore, the control unit of the seat is capable of executing an initialization execution determination function for determining the timing of executing the initialization function using the information input to the input unit.

3. A seat including a seat back and a seat cushion, wherein at least one of the seat back and the seat cushion is displaceable relative to the other, when one of them is a movable part and a part of the movable part or a part that is mechanically interlocked with the movable part and displaced is an abutting part, an electric movable mechanism for displacing the movable part, the movable mechanism having a stopper that restricts the displacement range of the movable part by contacting the abutting part, when the position of the movable part when the stopper and the abutting part are in contact is defined as an initial position, a control unit for controlling the operation of the movable mechanism, the control unit storing the initial position as a reference position and controlling the position of the movable part based on the reference position, and a receiving unit capable of receiving information indicating the weight of the user by wireless communication or wired communication, the control unit is capable of executing an initialization function of displacing the movable part to bring the stopper into contact with the abutting part and storing the position of the movable part at that time as the reference position, furthermore, the seat, wherein the control unit is capable of executing an initialization execution determination function for determining the timing of executing the initialization function using the information received by the receiving unit.

4. When the weight of the user or a value related to the weight of the user is used as a damage index, in the initialization execution determination function, the control unit determines that it is the timing at which the initialization function should be executed when the integrated value of the damage index since the last execution of the initialization function becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The seat according to claim 4, wherein when there are a plurality of the movable parts, the predetermined value exists for each of the plurality of movable parts.

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