Posture determination device

Abstract

To provide a posture determination device that determines a posture of a seated person and urges the seated person to take a normal posture according to the determined posture.SOLUTION: A posture determination device 10 having a seating part S2 and a backrest S1 includes: pressure sensors 4 provided to the seating part and the backrest for measuring the pressure received from a seated person; a storage unit 52 for storing posture information 55 indicating relationships between a measurement value of the pressure received from the seated person and a posture pattern of the seated person; and a control unit for comparing a result of the measurement by the pressure sensors with the posture information 55 stored in the storage unit, determining the posture pattern of the seated person, and detecting the hardness of the hamstring muscle of the seated person based on the determined posture pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a posture determination device for determining the posture of a seated person, and more particularly to a posture determination device capable of determining the posture of a seated person and prompting the person to assume a correct posture when the person is seated.

Background Art

[0002] While a human is performing daily activities, technologies have been developed to actively correct the posture and skeletal distortion of the human by pressing various parts of the human body. For example, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when a person sits on a vehicle seat equipped with an air cell inside, the air pressure of the air cell is adjusted by determining the physique of the seated person, and the sitting posture of the seated person is actively corrected. As a result, it becomes possible to reduce the physical and mental fatigue of the seated person while sitting on the seat.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, regarding one's own posture when sitting, the person is often not conscious of it, and for example, there is a possibility of sitting in a hunched-back state. In order to correct the posture, it is preferable to measure the state of the seated person's posture and warn the seated person of their health condition, for example, from the posture determination result, so as to prompt the person to assume a normal posture.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a posture determination device capable of determining the posture of a seated person and prompting the seated person to assume a normal posture according to the determined posture.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the posture determination device of the present invention, the above problem is solved by providing a posture determination device having a seating part and a backrest, a pressure sensor provided on the seating part and the backrest for measuring the pressure received from the seated person, a storage part for storing posture information indicating the relationship between the measured value of the pressure received from the seated person and the posture pattern of the seated person, and a control part for comparing the measurement result measured by the pressure sensor with the posture information stored in the storage part to determine the posture pattern of the seated person, and detecting the tightness of the hamstring muscle of the seated person based on the determined posture pattern. It is possible to determine the posture pattern of the seated person by comparing the measurement result by the pressure sensor with the posture information, and it becomes possible to prompt an appropriate posture pattern for the seated person based on the result. Also, by detecting the tightness of the hamstring muscle, it becomes possible to obtain information for judging, for example, the state of hunchback or the risk of low back pain.

[0007] Further, in the above posture determination device, the seating part and the backrest are provided with a pressing mechanism for pressing the back, buttocks and legs of the seated person, and the control part may control the pressing mechanism to correct the posture of the seated person based on the posture pattern. By providing a pressing mechanism for pressing the back, buttocks and legs of the seated person and the control part controlling the pressing mechanism based on the posture pattern, it becomes possible to correct the posture of the seated person according to the posture pattern.

[0008] Further, in the above posture determination device, when it is determined that the hamstring muscle of the seated person is tight, the pressing mechanism of the seating part may knead the hamstring muscle of the seated person. By kneading the hamstring muscle with the pressing mechanism, the curvature amount of the lumbar spine is improved, and for example, a hunchback posture pattern can be corrected to an optimal posture pattern.

[0009] In addition, the above-described posture determination device includes a display unit that displays information, and the control unit may determine the risk of low back pain based on the posture pattern and the detected tightness of the hamstring muscles, and display a warning screen corresponding to the risk of low back pain on the display unit. By determining the risk of low back pain for the seated person and displaying a warning screen on the display unit, it becomes possible to notify the seated person of the risk of low back pain and encourage an appropriate posture pattern.

[0010] In addition, the above-described posture determination device includes a communication unit capable of communicating with the outside, and when the control unit determines that the risk of low back pain is high, the control unit may transmit the determined result to a contact pre-registered in the storage unit via the communication unit. For example, by automatically contacting a medical institution or the like that the seated person has been seeing about the high risk of low back pain, it becomes possible to take appropriate measures before the onset of low back pain.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] It is possible to determine the posture pattern of the seated person by comparing the result measured by the pressure sensor with the posture information, and thus it becomes possible to encourage the seated person to adopt a posture pattern. Also, by detecting the tightness of the hamstring muscles, it becomes possible to obtain information such as the risk of low back pain. In addition, by providing a pressing mechanism that presses the back, buttocks, and legs of the seated person and controlling the pressing mechanism based on the posture pattern by the control unit, it becomes possible to correct the posture of the seated person according to the posture pattern. By kneading the hamstring muscles with the pressing mechanism, the amount of curvature of the lumbar spine can be improved, and for example, a hunchback posture pattern can be corrected to an optimal posture pattern. In addition, by determining the risk of low back pain for the seated person and displaying a warning screen on the display unit, it becomes possible to notify the seated person of the risk of low back pain and encourage an appropriate posture pattern. Also, by automatically contacting a medical institution or the like that the seated person has been seeing about the high risk of low back pain, it becomes possible to take appropriate measures before the onset of low back pain.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2C

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9A

Figure 9B

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9B. In the following description, the front-rear direction refers to the front-rear direction of the vehicle, that is, the direction that coincides with the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the left-right direction refers to the direction that coincides with the width direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the posture determination device 10 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a seat (hereinafter, vehicle seat) S provided in a vehicle. The vehicle seat S on which the posture determination device 10 is mounted may be any of a driver's seat, a passenger seat, and a rear seat. Then, the posture determination device 10 presses the back part of the seated person on the vehicle seat S and actively determines the person's posture pattern. Here, the posture pattern is an index related to the posture of the seated person. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the posture pattern is obtained based on the state of the arc shape BL formed by each region in the skeleton, the shoulders BN1, the waist BN2, and the sacrum BN3. FIG. 2A shows a posture pattern in an ideal spinal state, where the arc shape BL is formed in a gentle S shape. FIG. 2B shows a posture pattern in a hunchbacked spinal state. The arc shape BL is not formed in an S shape, and the back is rounded. Further, FIG. 2C shows a posture pattern in a swaybacked spinal state, where the arc shape BL is formed in an S shape with a large bend.

[0015] The basic configuration of the vehicle seat S on which the posture determination device 10 is mounted is the same as a known configuration. Specifically described, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat S includes a seat back S1 (an example of a backrest) that supports the middle back part, a seat cushion S2 (an example of a seating part) that supports the buttocks, and a headrest S3 that supports the head, among the back parts of the seated person. The headrest S3 is supported by a pair of headrest pillars HP (not shown) attached to the upper end of the seat back S1. The headrest S3 may be fixed to the seat back S1 or may be movable in the vertical direction.

[0016] The seat back S1 has a back pad BP (not shown) that contacts the back of the seated person through the skin material. Further, the seat back S1 includes a back-side pressing unit 11 of the posture determination device 10 between the back pad BP and the skin material. The back side pressing unit 11 is composed of a plurality of air cells 1, and includes a first back side pressing mechanism 11a that presses the shoulder BN1 of the seated person, a second back side pressing mechanism 11b that presses the waist BN2 and the sacrum BN3, and a third back side pressing mechanism 11c that presses the side portion of the back. And a pressure sensor 4 is provided in each of the first back side pressing mechanism 11a, the second back side pressing mechanism 11b, and the third back side pressing mechanism 11c. The back side pressing unit 11 includes an actuator 3 that adjusts the inflated state of each air cell 1. Further, the first back side pressing mechanism 11a, the second back side pressing mechanism 11b, and the third back side pressing mechanism 11d are held by a holding frame (not shown).

[0017] The seat cushion S2 has a cushion pad CP (not shown) that contacts the buttocks and legs of the seated person via the skin material. Further, the seat cushion S2 includes a leg side pressing unit 12 of the posture determination device 10 between the cushion pad CP and the skin material. The leg side pressing unit 12 includes a first leg side pressing mechanism 12a that presses the buttocks, a second leg side pressing mechanism 12b that presses the legs, and a third leg side pressing mechanism 12c that presses the side portion of the buttocks. A pressure sensor 4 is provided in the first leg side pressing mechanism 12a, the second leg side pressing mechanism 12b, and the third leg side pressing mechanism 12c. The leg side pressing unit 12 also includes an actuator 3 that adjusts the inflated state of the air cells 1 of each pressing mechanism. The first leg side pressing mechanism 12a to the third leg side pressing mechanism 12c are held by a holding frame (not shown).

[0018] And each air cell 1 presses the back pad BP located in the front by being inflated with air sealed inside, thereby pressing the back part of the seated person. As a result, a pressing force acts on the back part of the seated person.

[0019] In this embodiment, each of the air cells 1 is arranged on the front side of the back pad BP and the upper side of the cushion pad CP. In this case, since the air cell 1 hits the back side of the seated person via the skin material, the responsiveness (response sensitivity) to the pressing of the air cell 1 is good. Note that the air cell 1 may be arranged on the rear side of the back pad BP or the lower side of the cushion pad CP.

[0020] The actuator 3 adjusts the inflated state of each air cell 1 to switch the pressing states of the first to third back side pressing mechanisms 11a to 11c and the first to third leg side pressing mechanisms 12a to 12c. Specifically, the actuator 3 is connected to each air cell 1 via a tube (not shown), and fills the air cells 1 with air and extracts air from the air cells 1. As a result, the pressing states when the first to third back side pressing mechanisms 11c and the first to third leg side pressing mechanisms 12a to 12c press the back of the seated person are switched. Here, the pressing state is a concept that collectively refers to the pressing direction, the pressing location, the magnitude of the pressing force, and the like.

[0021] In the present embodiment, the actuator 3 is attached to a predetermined position of the back frame, and is attached to the back side of the seat back S1 as shown in FIG. 4, for example.

[0022] Further, the actuator 3 according to the present embodiment can adjust the inflated state for each of the air cells 1 that constitute the first to third back side pressing mechanisms 11a to 11c and the first to third leg side pressing mechanisms 12a to 12c separately for each air cell 1.

[0023] Each of the air cells 1 that constitute the first to third back side pressing mechanisms 11a to 11c may be fixed to the movable plate MP. When the air cell 1 is fixed to the movable plate MP, a movable rail MR extending along the height direction of the seat back S1 is attached to the rear surface of the movable plate MP. This movable rail MR is attached in a state where it can move relative to a fixed rail FR fixed to the front surface of the support plate PL. Further, a drive unit Gm that operates to move the movable rail MR is provided between the movable rail MR and the fixed rail FR. This drive unit Gm is a drive roller controlled by the aforementioned ECU, and by rotating, the movable rail MR moves relative to the fixed rail FR. All of the first to third back side pressing mechanisms 11a to 11c may be fixed to a single movable plate MP, or movable plates MP may be provided individually for each of the first to third back side pressing mechanisms 11a to 11c. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to move the first to third back side pressing mechanisms 11a to 11c independently of each other.

[0024] Similarly, each of the air cells 1 that constitute the first to third leg side pressing mechanisms 12a to 12c is fixed to a movable plate MP (not shown). A movable rail MR extending along the horizontal direction of the seat cushion S2 is attached to the rear surface of this movable plate MP. This movable rail MR is attached in a state where it can move relative to a fixed rail FR fixed to the front surface of the support plate PL. Further, a drive unit Gm that operates to move the movable rail MR is provided between the movable rail MR and the fixed rail FR. This drive unit Gm is a drive roller controlled by the aforementioned ECU, and by rotating, the movable rail MR moves relative to the fixed rail FR.

[0025] With the above configuration, in the posture determination device 10, it is possible to change the positions of the first to third back side pressing mechanisms 11a to 11c and the first to third leg side pressing mechanisms 12a to 12c according to the physique of the seated person M sitting on the vehicle seat S. As a result, it is possible to correct the posture pattern of the seated person regardless of their height.

[0026] As described above, in this embodiment, the pressing state when pressing each region on the back side of the seated person can be individually adjusted by each air cell 1. Also, the pressing state when pressing the regions on the leg and hip side of the seated person can be adjusted by the air cell 1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, it becomes possible to knead the hamstring muscle H and gluteus muscle D of the seated person M. The hamstring muscle is a muscle that forms the back surface of the human lower limb and is the combination of the three muscles on the back of the thigh: the biceps femoris, semimembranosus muscle, and semitendinosus muscle.

[0027] By the way, in this embodiment, the filling and extraction of air by the actuator 3 are automatically controlled by an electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as ECU) (not shown). More specifically, the vehicle seat S is equipped with a measuring device that measures index values related to the skeleton when the seated person M sits on the vehicle seat S. Here, the index value related to the skeleton is a value that changes according to the bent state of the skeleton of the seated person M, specifically, the curvature of each part of the spine. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a pressure sensor 4 as a measuring device is attached to each air cell 1. This pressure sensor 4 measures the seat surface pressure balance, weight, seat pelvic angle, etc., as an example of the above index value. The measurement result of the pressure sensor 4 is transmitted to the ECU, and the ECU calculates the seated lumbar curvature amount of the seated person M based on the measurement result of the pressure sensor 4.

[0028] After calculating the seated lumbar curvature amount of the seated person, the ECU determines the posture pattern of the seated person. Specifically, the ECU determines whether the posture of the seated person matches any of the posture patterns shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C based on the measured seat pelvic angle α.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, the ECU 50 includes a controller 51 (control unit) that controls various devices and a memory 52 (storage unit) that stores data. The memory 52 stores posture information 55 indicating the relationship between the measured value of the pressure received from the seated person M and the posture pattern of the seated person. The posture information 55 records threshold values T1 to T3 of the sitting pelvic angle α (see FIG. 4, the angle between the pelvis A and the vertical plane B with respect to the direction C in which the seat back S1 extends) according to the body weight or the like in order to determine, for example, whether there is a hunchback tendency or a swayback tendency. Further, the posture determination device 10 may include a display unit 53 that displays the result determined by the ECU 50. Further, it may include a communication unit 54 that transmits the determination result to the outside.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5, first, the controller 51 determines whether the seated person M, for example, the driver, has seated by measuring the pressure received from the pressure sensor 4 (S101). The controller 51 acquires the seat surface pressure and weight of the seated person M (S102), calculates the sitting pelvic angle α (see FIG. 4), compares it with the posture information 55 stored in the memory 52, and determines the posture pattern of the seated person M (S103). Further, based on the determined posture pattern of the seated person M, the hardness of the hamstring muscle of the seated person M is detected (S104).

[0031] The process of determining the posture pattern will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 and the graph showing the relationship between the sitting lumbar curvature amount and the sitting pelvic angle shown in FIG. 8.

[0032] Regarding FIG. 8, the sitting lumbar curvature amount and the posture pattern are related. When the sitting lumbar curvature amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value, for example, 5 mm or less, it can be determined that there is a hunchback tendency (range A). Further, when the sitting lumbar curvature amount is 0 mm or less, it can be determined that the risk of low back pain is high (range D). When the sitting lumbar curvature amount is 10 mm or more, it can be determined that there is a swayback tendency (range C). When the sitting lumbar curvature amount is in the range of 5 to 10 mm, the posture pattern is determined to be ideal. Note that the threshold value of the sitting lumbar curvature amount is an example and varies depending on the body weight, height, etc. of the seated person.

[0033] The amount of lumbar curvature in the sitting position and the sitting pelvic angle are correlated as shown in Fig. 8, and the amount of lumbar curvature in the sitting position can be estimated based on the sitting pelvic angle. The sitting pelvic angle can be measured from the pressure sensor 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, the posture pattern is determined based on the sitting pelvic angle α.

[0034] When determining the posture pattern, the sitting pelvic angle α is compared with the threshold value T1 (about 10°) recorded in the posture information 55 (S201). If the sitting pelvic angle α is less than or equal to the threshold value T1 (No in S201), it is determined that there is no tendency to arch the back, and then it is compared with the threshold value T2 (about 5°) (S202). If the sitting pelvic angle α is higher than the threshold value T2, it is determined that the sitting pelvic angle α is within the range B of the ideal posture and the amount of lumbar curvature in the sitting position is normal.

[0035] If the sitting pelvic angle α is greater than the threshold value T1 (Yes in S201), it is determined that the posture pattern has a tendency to arch the back (S204). At this time, the ECU 50 drives the actuator 3 and corrects the posture by pressing the back of the seated person M using the first to third back side pressing mechanisms 11a to 11c of the back side pressing unit 11.

[0036] If the sitting pelvic angle α is less than the threshold value T2 (Yes in S202), it is determined that the posture pattern has a tendency to hunch the back (S206). Note that there is a relationship between the tightness of the hamstring muscles and the hunchback posture. When the hamstring muscles are tight, that is, when the hamstring muscles cannot stretch, the pelvis is pulled and tilts backward, so it tends to hunch the back. Therefore, when it is determined in S206 that the posture pattern has a tendency to hunch the back, the thigh biceps and hamstring muscles are kneaded using the leg side pressing unit 12, particularly the first leg side pressing mechanism 12a (S207). By kneading the hamstring muscles, the hamstring muscles become soft and easy to stretch, and the pelvis moves forward. Therefore, the hunchback posture of the seated person can be corrected. In S205 and S207, after moving the pressing mechanism to correct the posture for a while, the process of determining the posture pattern may be terminated. Alternatively, the sitting pelvic angle α and the posture information 55 may be compared again and repeated until the posture pattern becomes ideal.

[0037] Next, the process of determining the risk of low back pain will be described. In the posture pattern, if there is a tendency to hunchback and the amount of lumbar curvature in the sitting position is a considerably low value, it can be determined that the risk of low back pain is high. For example, when the amount of lumbar curvature in the sitting position is 0 mm or less (the sitting pelvic angle is T3 or less), it can be estimated that there is an extreme hunchback. In the posture determination device 10 of the present embodiment, when it is determined that the posture pattern has a hunchback tendency, and further when the sitting pelvic angle is lower than the threshold value T3 (Yes in S303), it is determined that there is an extreme hunchback and the risk of low back pain is high (S306). In this case, a warning screen is displayed on the display which is the display unit 53 (S308). Further, if there is information on the contact destination when the risk of low back pain is high in the memory 52, for example, the email address of the attending hospital or the information of the server, the determination result by the ECU 50 that the risk of low back pain is high may be sent to the contact destination via the communication unit 54 (S309). Note that even when it is determined in S303 that although there is a hunchback, the sitting pelvic angle is higher than the threshold value T3 and the risk of low back pain is low (S304), a warning screen indicating that although the posture pattern is a hunchback, the risk of low back pain is low may be displayed on the display (S305).

[0038] As described above, the posture determination device 10 includes a display unit 53 that displays the result determined by the ECU 50. The display unit 53 is, for example, a display attached to the vehicle or a smartphone used by the seated person. The ECU 50 and the display / smartphone may be directly connected by a cable or the like, or may be wirelessly connected by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. On the display unit 53, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a warning screen 60 indicating the posture pattern determined by the ECU 50, the risk of low back pain, etc. is displayed.

[0039] In the display unit 53, as the warning screen 60, as shown in FIG. 9A, an illustration 61 showing any of the posture patterns and character information (for example, "hunchback") are simultaneously displayed so that the result determined for the seated person M can be easily understood. Also, as shown in FIG. 9A, when it is determined that there is a hunchback tendency, the future risks associated with the hunchback posture are shown in the message display section 62 on the screen. For example, as a future risk (degree of danger) due to hunchback, a warning message such as "Attention is required for shoulder stiffness, low back pain, gastrointestinal disorders due to internal organ compression, etc." is displayed in the message display section 62. Also, information about the causes of hunchback may be shown in the message display section 62. For example, "The pelvis is tilted backward", "The balance of the muscles is disrupted", etc. are displayed. Also, a message prompting an ideal posture may be shown in the message display section 62 on the screen. For example, a message such as "By being conscious of the back muscles and the pectoralis major muscles and raising the pelvis, the muscles can be exercised and an ideal posture can be maintained." is displayed. Also, an illustration of an ideal posture may be separately displayed together with the illustration of hunchback.

[0040] FIG. 9B shows another example of the warning screen displayed on the display unit 53. In the warning screen 60a, an illustration 61a of the current posture pattern is shown in the "Before" column, and an illustration 61b of the ideal posture pattern after the posture is corrected is shown in the "After" column. By visualizing the change in posture, improvement of the posture is promoted. At that time, the waist is pressed by the pressing device, and the hamstring muscles are softened by the pressing device on the seat surface, so it may be displayed on the warning screen 60a that the lumbar curvature amount is corrected and the dorsal pelvic angle becomes normal. Also, in the message display section 62a on the screen, as a message prompting an ideal posture, for example, content such as "By being conscious of the back muscles and the pectoralis major muscles and raising the pelvis, the muscles can be exercised and an ideal posture can be maintained." is displayed.

[0041] In addition, when it is determined that the risk of low back pain is high, when displaying the determination result of the low back pain risk on the display, the ECU 50 may automatically search for nearby hospitals or the like and display the result on the display for the seated person to introduce the hospital. This can save the trouble of searching for a hospital, and in case of urgency, for example, when a co-rider develops low back pain, the driver can immediately respond and take the co-rider to the introduced hospital.

[0042] And after the ECU 50 determines the posture pattern of the seated person M, it controls the actuator 3 to adjust the inflation state of the air cell 1 according to the posture pattern of the seated person by the actuator 3. For example, when it is determined that the posture pattern is a hunchback, by adjusting the air cell 1 arranged on the seat surface, the hamstring / gluteal muscles of the seated person are kneaded, and the change amount of the lumbar curvature is increased. When it is determined that the posture pattern has a tendency to be kyphotic (lordosis), the air cell 1 arranged on the seat back S1 is controlled by the actuator 3 to press the shoulders so as to reduce the lumbar curvature amount.

[0043] As described above, by using the posture determination device 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to determine the posture of the seated person and prompt the seated person to have a normal posture according to the determined posture. Furthermore, it becomes possible to prompt the improvement of the posture of the seated person by the air cells 1 provided in the seat cushion S2 and the seat back S1.

[0044] Note that the measuring instrument for measuring the index value related to the posture pattern is not limited to the pressure sensor 4, and any other measuring instrument may be used as long as it can measure the index value related to the posture pattern. For example, a shape sensor that measures the curvature of each part of the skeleton may be used.

[0045] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when a collision load is applied from the rear of the vehicle while the seated person is sitting on the vehicle seat S, the actuator 3 is configured to extract air from all the air cells 1 at once. More specifically, when the aforementioned ECU detects that a collision load from the rear has acted on the vehicle, the actuator 3 is controlled to extract the air from each air cell 1. As a result, when a load is applied to the vehicle from the rear, the body of the seated person can sink backward into the vehicle seat S, so it becomes possible to ensure the safety of the seated person in the event of a rear collision.

[0046] In the present embodiment, when the ECU 50 detects that a collision load has been applied from the rear of the vehicle, the actuator 3 extracts the air from each air cell 1 in response to an instruction from the ECU 50. However, a configuration in which the air in the air cell 1 is mechanically extracted when a collision load is applied from the rear of the vehicle may also be used.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the posture determination device 10 of the present invention has been mainly described. However, the above embodiment is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from its gist, and it goes without saying that equivalents of the present invention are included therein.

[0048] The vehicle seat S may be interlocked with the vehicle body of the vehicle on which it is mounted. For example, when the vehicle makes a sudden start or sudden braking, the side support or side support may be moved to suppress buttocks displacement.

[0049] After fixing the pelvis of the seated person M by the third leg side pressing mechanism 12c, kneading may be performed to enhance the effect of improving the posture. At this time, the position and pressure of the pressing mechanism are automatically adjusted according to the physical differences and individual differences.

[0050] A frame for supporting the pressing mechanism may be provided on the seat surface so as to exert an optimal pressure for pressing the gluteus maximus muscle and hamstring muscle of the seated person M by the first leg side pressing mechanism 12a.

[0051] In addition, when the seated person M sits down, in order to support the pelvis, the posture determination device 10 may inflate the first to third leg side pressing mechanisms 12a to 12c of the leg side pressing unit 12 to prevent buttock displacement and hold the seated person in a correct position so that they can sit down.

[0052] The actuator may be provided with a heater. When kneading the seated person M, the heater may warm the air, and the warmed air may be sent to the air cell. Also, the actuator may be provided with an air cooler, and the air cooler may cool the air and send the cold air to the air cell 1. By adjusting the temperature of the air cell 1, the seated person can receive kneading comfortably.

[0053] In addition, when inflating the air cell, not only air but also temperature-adjusted gel or liquid may be sent. By using gel or liquid, the heat storage effect is enhanced, and it becomes possible to maintain the desired temperature for a longer time.

[0054] The kneading effect may be enhanced by vibrating the air cell 1 provided in the back side pressing unit 11 and the leg side pressing unit 12. Also, a heater may be provided in the vehicle seat S, and the kneading effect may be enhanced by pre-warming the body of the seated person M with the heater.

[0055] In addition, not only the back and hamstring muscles of the seated person M but also the lumbar spine may be kneaded to increase the range of motion of the lumbar spine and enhance the posture improvement effect. For example, by stretching the lumbar spine, the range of motion of the intervertebral disc is widened by the stretching effect, and the posture improvement effect is enhanced.

[0056] Also, the vehicle seat S may be interlocked with an automatic braking system mounted on the vehicle body. For example, when suddenly accelerating or braking, the third back side pressing mechanism 11c (side support) and the second leg side pressing mechanism 12b (side support) are moved to prevent the seated person's buttock displacement. Also, for example, when the automatic brake is applied, the posture determination device 10 of the vehicle seat S, that is, the massage device and the posture correction device, may be controlled to automatically stop.

[0057] Also, the change in the posture of the seated person may be measured in real time, and the fatigue state of the seated person may be predicted based on the change in posture, and the massaging air cells (leg-side pressing units 12) may be operated to perform a massage. For example, even if the posture is normal at the beginning of driving, the person may develop a hunched back as the driving continues. By reading this change, the gluteus maximus and hamstring muscles may be massaged and softened before the person develops a hunched back, allowing the person to achieve the correct posture.

[0058] Also, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a posture determination device is mounted on a vehicle seat S. However, the posture determination device of the present invention can also be mounted on seats other than the vehicle seat S, for example, medical beds, office chairs, benches in waiting rooms, airplane seats, train seats, ship seats, bus and taxi driver seats, dental chairs, home sofas, and seats (seats) installed in commercial facilities such as movie theaters and public facilities such as hospitals.

[0059] In addition, a seat cover-type mat with an internal pressure sensor may be retrofitted onto an existing vehicle seat S to detect posture and determine flexibility of the hamstring muscles, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] M. Seat H Hamstrings D gluteus maximus BN1 Shoulder BN2 waist BN3 Sacrum BL Arc Shape S Vehicle seat S1 Seat Back S2 Seat Cushion S3 Headrest 1 Air Cell 3 Actuator 4 Pressure Sensor 10 Posture determination device 11 Back pressure unit 11a First back pressure mechanism 11b Second back pressure mechanism 11c Third back side pressing mechanism 12 Leg side pressing unit 12a First leg side pressing mechanism 12b Second leg side pressing mechanism 12c Third leg side pressing mechanism 50 ECU 51 Control unit 52 Memory unit 53 Display unit 54 Communication unit 55 Posture information 60, 60a Warning screen 61, 61a, 62b Illustration 62, 62a Message display section

Claims

1. A posture determination device having a seat and a backrest, A pressure sensor is provided on the seat and the backrest to measure the pressure received from the seated person, A storage unit that stores posture information showing the relationship between the seated pelvic angle based on the measurement results of the pressure sensor and the posture pattern of the seated person, A posture determination device comprising: a control unit that calculates the seated pelvic angle based on the measurement results of the pressure sensor, and determines the posture pattern of the seated person by comparing the seated pelvic angle with a threshold value included in the posture information.

2. The pressure sensor is The back-side pressing unit provided on the backrest comprises a first back-side pressing mechanism, a second back-side pressing mechanism, and a third back-side pressing mechanism, The posture determination device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided in a first leg-side pressing mechanism, a second leg-side pressing mechanism, and a third leg-side pressing mechanism which constitute a leg-side pressing unit provided in the seating portion.

3. The threshold includes a first threshold and a second threshold which is a value smaller than the first threshold. The control unit, If the seated pelvic angle is greater than the first threshold, it is determined that there is a tendency towards lordosis. The ideal posture is determined when the seated pelvic angle is less than or equal to the first threshold and greater than the second threshold. The posture determination device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it determines that there is a tendency towards kyphosis when the seated pelvic angle is less than or equal to the second threshold.

4. The posture determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the posture information stores the threshold value set according to the weight of the seated person.

5. The posture determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit determines whether or not the seated person is seated using the pressure sensor, and if it determines that the person is seated, it obtains the measurement result from the pressure sensor and calculates the seated pelvic angle.

6. Further comprising a display unit for displaying information, The control unit is characterized by causing the determined posture pattern to be displayed on the display unit. A posture determination device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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