Vehicle seat

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat capable of making a driver surely recognize vibration generated from the vehicle seat.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat 1 includes: a seat surface angle changing actuators 10 that changes a seat surface angle θ that is an angle formed between a reference plane R set with respect to a floor 3 of a vehicle V and a seat cushion 4; vibration devices 40L and 40R provided in the seat cushion; and a control device 16 that is connected to a vehicle exterior monitoring device 13 that detects a position of an obstacle present around the vehicle, the seat surface angle changing actuator 10 and the vibration devices 40L and 40R and controls the seat surface angle changing actuators 10 and the vibration devices 40L and 40R. When the control device vibrates the vibration devices 40L and 40R based on the position of the obstacle calculated based on output of the vehicle exterior monitoring device 13, the control device 16 sets the seat surface angle θ to an angle at which the vibration by the vibration devices 40L and 40R should be suitably transmitted to a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle seat device that notifies that an obstacle such as another vehicle is approaching the host vehicle by generating vibration from a vibration device provided in the vehicle seat.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the vehicle seat device described in Patent Document 1 is used, if the vibration of the vehicle caused by the unevenness of the road surface is transmitted to the vehicle seat, the driver may mistake the vibration for the vibration of the notification from the vibration device and may not be able to perceive the vibration of the notification. Therefore, there is a desire to make the driver more surely recognize the vibration of the notification generated from the vehicle seat.

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat capable of making the driver more surely recognize the vibration generated from the vehicle seat.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1) provided on a floor (3) of a vehicle, having a seat cushion (4) that supports a user's buttocks from below, the seat surface angle (θ) being the angle formed between a reference plane (R) set with respect to the floor and the seat cushion, a seat surface angle changing actuator (10) for changing the seat surface angle, at least one vibration device (40L, 40R) provided on the seat cushion, an outside vehicle monitoring device (13) for detecting the position of an obstacle existing around the vehicle, and a control device (16) connected to the seat surface angle changing actuator and the vibration device for controlling the seat surface angle changing actuator and the vibration device. The control device calculates the position of the obstacle based on the output of the outside vehicle monitoring device, vibrates the vibration device based on the position of the obstacle, and sets the seat surface angle to an angle at which vibration by the vibration device is preferably transmitted to the user when vibrating the vibration device.

[0007] According to this aspect, the vibrating vibration device can be moved to the driver's side, making it easier for the vibration of the vibration device to be transmitted to the driver. As a result, the vibration generated from the vehicle seat can be surely recognized by the driver.

[0008] In the above aspect, when vibrating the vibration device, the control device may change the seat surface angle so that the vibration device moves upward.

[0009] According to this aspect, the vibrating vibration device can be surely moved to the driver's side. As a result, the vibration generated from the vibration device of the vehicle seat can be surely recognized by the driver.

[0010] In the above aspect, the control device calculates the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle based on the output of the outside vehicle monitoring device, and when vibrating the vibration device, the seat surface angle may be changed so that the vibration device moves more upward as the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle is shorter.

[0011] According to this aspect, the driver can be made aware of the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle.

[0012] In the above aspect, the vibration device is provided in each of the left part (111L, 112L) and the right part (111R, 112R) of the seat cushion, the seat surface angle changing actuator is provided in each of the left part and the right part of the seat cushion, and the control device controls the seat surface angle changing actuators in each of the left part and the right part so that the seat surface angles in each of the left part and the right part can be changed separately. Based on the output of the outside-vehicle monitoring device, the position of the obstacle is calculated, and the vibration device on the side where the obstacle exists among the left and right is vibrated. When vibrating the vibration device on the one side, it is preferable to change the seat surface angle on the one side so that the vibration device on the one side moves upward.

[0013] According to this aspect, the vibrating vibration device on one side can be moved toward the driver side, making it easier for the vibration of the vibration device 40 on one side to be transmitted to the driver. As a result, the driver can surely recognize the vibration generated from the vehicle seat.

[0014] In the above aspect, when vibrating the vibration device on the one side, the control device preferably changes the seat surface angle on the one side so that the vibration device on the one side moves more upward as the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle is closer.

[0015] According to this aspect, the driver can be made aware of the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle.

[0016] In the above aspect, when vibrating the vibration device on the one side, the control device preferably changes the seat surface angle on the other side so that the vibration device on the other side among the left and right moves downward.

[0017] According to this aspect, the driver can be made to more surely recognize that the vibration device is vibrating.

[0018] In the above aspect, when the control device vibrates the vibration device on one side, it is preferable to generate vibrations in which the seat surface angle on the other side among the left and right increases and decreases at a predetermined vibration cycle.

[0019] According to this aspect, the driver can surely recognize that the vibration device is vibrating.

[0020] In the above aspect, a part of the seat cushion may be divided into a left part and a right part that are adjacent to each other on the left and right and are each tiltable about a tilt axis related to the seat surface angle.

[0021] According to this aspect, since the left part and the right part are divided, it becomes easy to separately change the left seat surface angle of the left part and the right seat surface angle of the right part. Therefore, when the vibration device on one side where an obstacle exists vibrates, it is possible to further facilitate changing the seat surface angle on one side.

[0022] In the above aspect, a part of the seat cushion is divided into a left part, a central part, and a right part that are arranged side by side on the left and right, and the left part and the right part may be tiltable about a tilt axis related to the seat surface angle.

[0023] According to this aspect, since the left part and the right part are divided, it becomes easy to separately change the left seat surface angle of the left part and the right seat surface angle of the right part. Therefore, when the vibration device on one side where an obstacle exists vibrates, it is possible to further facilitate changing the seat surface angle on one side.

[0024] In the above aspect, the control device is connected to a vehicle state monitoring device that monitors the left and right turning of the vehicle, and in response to the output of the vehicle state monitoring device, detects the turning of the vehicle and the turning direction in which the vehicle is turning. When the vehicle is turning, it is preferable to change the seat surface angle outside the turning trajectory so that the portion outside the turning trajectory of the seat cushion moves upward.

[0025] According to this aspect, it becomes easy for the driver to maintain the driver's posture in an appropriate posture against the centrifugal force generated during turning.

Effects of the Invention

[0026] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1) provided on the floor (3) of a vehicle, having a seat cushion (4) that supports the user's buttocks from below, the seat surface angle (θ) being the angle formed between a reference plane (R) set with respect to the floor and the seat cushion, a seat surface angle changing actuator (10) for changing the seat surface angle, at least one vibration device (40L, 40R) provided on the seat cushion, an outside vehicle monitoring device (13) for detecting the position of an obstacle existing around the vehicle, and a control device (16) connected to the seat surface angle changing actuator and the vibration device for controlling the seat surface angle changing actuator and the vibration device. The control device calculates the position of the obstacle based on the output of the outside vehicle monitoring device, vibrates the vibration device based on the position of the obstacle, and sets the seat surface angle to an angle at which the vibration by the vibration device is preferably transmitted to the user when vibrating the vibration device.

[0027] According to this aspect, the vibrating vibration device can be moved to the driver's side, making it easier for the vibration of the vibration device to be transmitted to the driver. As a result, the vibration generated from the vehicle seat can be surely recognized by the driver.

[0028] In the above aspect, when vibrating the vibration device, the control device may change the seat surface angle so that the vibration device moves upward.

[0029] According to this aspect, the vibrating vibration device can be surely moved to the driver's side. As a result, the vibration generated from the vibration device of the vehicle seat can be surely recognized by the driver.

[0030] In the above aspect, the control device calculates the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle based on the output of the outside-vehicle monitoring device, and when vibrating the vibration device, it is preferable to change the seat surface angle so that the vibration device moves more upward as the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle becomes shorter.

[0031] According to this aspect, the driver can be made aware of the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle.

[0032] In the above aspect, the vibration device is provided in each of the left part (111L, 112L) and the right part (111R, 112R) of the seat cushion, the seat surface angle changing actuator is provided in each of the left part and the right part of the seat cushion, the control device controls the seat surface angle changing actuators in each of the left part and the right part so that the seat surface angles in each of the left part and the right part can be changed separately, calculates the position of the obstacle based on the output of the outside-vehicle monitoring device, vibrates the vibration device on the side where the obstacle exists among the left and right sides, and when vibrating the vibration device on the one side, it is preferable to change the seat surface angle on the one side so that the vibration device on the one side moves upward.

[0033] According to this aspect, the vibrating vibration device on one side can be moved to the driver side, making it easier for the vibration of the vibration device 40 on one side to be transmitted to the driver. As a result, the vibration generated from the vehicle seat can be surely recognized by the driver.

[0034] In the above aspect, when vibrating the vibration device on the one side, it is preferable to change the seat surface angle on the one side so that the vibration device on the one side moves more upward as the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle becomes closer.

[0035] According to this aspect, the driver can be made aware of the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle.

[0036] In the above aspect, when the control device vibrates the vibration device on one side, it is preferable to change the seat surface angle on the other side so that the vibration device on the other side among the left and right sides moves downward.

[0037] According to this aspect, the driver can be made to more surely recognize that the vibration device is vibrating.

[0038] In the above aspect, when the control device vibrates the vibration device on one side, it is preferable to generate vibrations in which the seat surface angle on the other side among the left and right sides increases and decreases at a predetermined vibration cycle.

[0039] According to this aspect, the driver can be made to surely recognize that the vibration device is vibrating.

[0040] In the above aspect, a part of the seat cushion may be divided into a left part and a right part that are adjacent to each other on the left and right and are each tiltable about a tilt axis related to the seat surface angle.

[0041] According to this aspect, since the left part and the right part are divided, it becomes easy to separately change the left seat surface angle of the left part and the right seat surface angle of the right part. Therefore, when the vibration device on the side where an obstacle exists vibrates, it is possible to make it even easier to change the seat surface angle on one side.

[0042] In the above aspect, a part of the seat cushion is divided into a left part, a central part, and a right part that are arranged side by side on the left and right, and the left part and the right part may be tiltable about a tilt axis related to the seat surface angle.

[0043] According to this aspect, since the left part and the right part are divided, it becomes easy to separately change the left seat surface angle of the left part and the right seat surface angle of the right part. Therefore, when the vibration device on the side where an obstacle exists vibrates, it is possible to make it even easier to change the seat surface angle on one side.

[0044] In the above aspect, the control device is connected to a vehicle state monitoring device that monitors the left and right turning of the vehicle. According to the output of the vehicle state monitoring device, the turning of the vehicle and the turning direction in which the vehicle is turning are detected. When the vehicle is turning, it is preferable to change the seat surface angle outside the turning trajectory so that the portion outside the turning trajectory of the seat cushion moves upward.

[0045] According to this aspect, it becomes easy for the driver to maintain an appropriate posture against the centrifugal force generated by turning.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0046]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0047] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the vehicle seat 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows a deformable mode of the vehicle seat 1, FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a vehicle V including the vehicle seat 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system 2 related to the vehicle seat 1. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the "front-rear direction", "left-right direction", and "up-down direction" mean the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the vehicle V. Also, a direction based on the vehicle seat 1, such as the "seat front-rear direction", means the direction as seen from a user seated on the vehicle seat 1.

[0048] <<First Embodiment>> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle seat 1 is installed on the floor 3 in the vehicle interior of the vehicle V. The vehicle seat 1 includes a seat cushion 4, a seat back 5 supported at the rear of the seat cushion 4, and a headrest 6 connected to the upper part of the seat back 5. The seat cushion 4 supports the user's buttocks from below, the seat back 5 supports the user's back from the rear in the seat front-rear direction, and the headrest 6 supports the user's head from the rear in the seat front-rear direction. The seat cushion 4 and the seat back 5 each include a frame, a pad supported by the frame, and a skin material covering the surface of the pad on the user side (not shown).

[0049] A rotating device 8 is supported on the floor 3 via a sliding device 7. The rotating device 8 rotatably supports a support member 9 with respect to the sliding device 7 around a vertical axis Z passing through substantially the center in the seat front-rear direction and the seat width direction. The front end of the seat cushion 4 or the vicinity thereof is tiltably connected to the front end of the support member 9 around a tilt axis Y1 in the seat width direction. A seat surface angle changing actuator 10 that can expand and contract in its extending direction is rotatably connected at one end to a position below and / or behind the seat of the tilt axis Y1 of the support member 9 and at the other end to a position behind the seat of the seat cushion 4 around an axis in the seat width direction. As the seat surface angle changing actuator 10, an electric cylinder, an air cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder having a motor may be used.

[0050] The angle that varies around the tilting axis Y1 formed by the reference plane R (floor surface) orthogonal to the vertical direction and the seating surface S of the seat cushion 4 is defined as the seat surface angle θ (thigh angle). The support member 9 and the seat surface angle changing actuator 10 constitute the main part of a seat surface angle changing device 11 that changes the seat surface angle θ. Since the seating surface S deforms during actual seating, strictly speaking, it is set with reference to the seat frame. When viewed from the side of the seat, the three points of the tilting axis Y1 and the two rotatable connection points of the seat surface angle changing actuator 10 to the support member 9 and the seat cushion 4 are not arranged on the same straight line, that is, they are arranged to form the vertices of a triangle. Therefore, when the seat surface angle changing actuator 10 expands and contracts, the seat surface angle θ is changed. The seat surface angle changing device 11 can tilt the seat cushion 4 around the tilting axis Y1 between a state where the front end of the seating surface S is tilted downward with respect to the reference plane R (the state where the seat surface angle θ is negative, see Fig. 1(A)) and a state where the front end of the seating surface S is tilted upward with respect to the reference plane R (the state where the seat surface angle θ is positive, see Fig. 1(C)).

[0051] In the illustrated example, the tilting axis Y1 is arranged at the front end of the seat cushion 4, but the tilting axis Y1 may be arranged at any position from the front end to the rear end of the seat cushion 4, and the seat surface angle changing device 11 may have any configuration as long as the seat cushion 4 can tilt with respect to the reference plane R.

[0052] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the system 2 includes an in-vehicle monitoring device 12 that acquires information inside the vehicle cabin, an out-of-vehicle monitoring device 13 that acquires information outside the vehicle, an input / output device 14 that receives and provides information to the user, a vehicle state monitoring device 15 that acquires information regarding the state of the vehicle V, a control device 16 that receives information from the in-vehicle monitoring device 12, the out-of-vehicle monitoring device 13, the input / output device 14, and the vehicle state monitoring device 15 and transmits the information to the input / output device 14, and a plurality of controlled devices 17 controlled by the control device 16.

[0053] The in-vehicle monitoring device 12 includes one or more in-vehicle cameras 18 that image the interior of the vehicle, a plurality of object sensors 19 provided on the vehicle seat 1, a seating sensor 20 provided on the seat cushion 4, a biological sensor 21, and a seat surface angle sensor 22.

[0054] The in-vehicle camera 18 is disposed at a position where it can image the user and the periphery of the vehicle seat 1. The in-vehicle camera 18 may be constituted by a CMOS image sensor. The in-vehicle camera 18 is preferably constituted by a compound eye camera including a plurality of imaging elements, and is capable of distance imaging based on triangulation such as stereo measurement or the light section method.

[0055] The object sensor 19 is a sensor that detects objects inside the vehicle, and may be a proximity sensor, a lidar, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like. Alternatively, the object sensor 19 may be constituted by a ToF (Time of Flight) sensor module that includes a light source and a detector and performs distance measurement by acquiring the time until the light emitted from the light source reaches the detector. The object sensor 19 may be disposed, for example, along the outer peripheral surface of the seat cushion 4, or may be provided at an appropriate position on the headrest 6. Also, the object sensors 19 may be arranged side by side in the front-rear direction on the door panel or the floor 3.

[0056] The seating sensor 20 may be a membrane switch or an electrostatic sensor provided on the seat cushion 4. The seating sensor 20 detects the pressure applied to the seat cushion 4, and the control device 16 that receives the detection result determines whether the user is seated on the vehicle seat 1. A seat belt reminder (SBR) system that issues an alarm when the user is seated on the vehicle seat 1 but not wearing the seat belt is adopted, and the seating determination using the seating sensor 20 is performed to determine whether an alarm is required.

[0057] The biological sensor 21 may be a heart rate sensor, a respiration sensor, a pressure sensor, or an electroencephalogram sensor. The heart rate sensor is provided on the front surface of the seat back 5, and is preferably disposed at a position corresponding to the user's heart. The heart rate sensor is a sensor that detects the user's heart rate. The heart rate sensor may be based on any of a touch type, an optical type, or an electrocardiogram type. The respiration sensor is a sensor that detects the user's respiration rate and the depth of respiration. The respiration sensor may be of a type that, for example, detects the pressure applied from the user at a position corresponding to the user's lungs on the front surface of the seat back 5 and reads the pressure change caused by the user's respiratory movement. The respiration sensor may be based on a method in which two sheet-like electrodes are provided along the front surface of the seat back 5 and the change in capacitance between the electrodes due to the movement of the user's chest is detected. The pressure sensor is a sensor used to detect the user's posture based on the pressure applied to the seat cushion 4 and the seat back 5. The pressure sensor is provided in a planar shape on the surfaces of the seat cushion 4 and the seat back 5 facing the user, measures the in-plane distribution (pressure distribution) of the pressure applied from the user to them, and detects the user's posture. The electroencephalogram sensor includes a magnetic sensor provided at a position facing the user's head in the headrest 6. The magnetic sensor detects the magnetic signal associated with the activity of the user's brain cells. The electroencephalogram sensor calculates the user's electroencephalogram based on the magnetic signal. As the electroencephalogram sensor, a magnetic sensor provided at a position facing the user's head in the headrest 6 may be used, and the control device 16 may calculate the user's electroencephalogram based on the magnetic signal.

[0058] The seat surface angle sensor 22 is provided between the support member 9 and the frame of the seat cushion 4 or in the seat surface angle changing actuator 10, and detects the seat surface angle θ (see FIG. 1) or information for calculating the seat surface angle θ.

[0059] The outside vehicle monitoring device 13 includes one or more outside vehicle photographing cameras 23 and a plurality of radars 24 and / or lidars 25 (LiDARs).

[0060] The outside vehicle camera 23 images the surroundings of the vehicle V, including objects existing around the vehicle V (e.g., surrounding vehicles and pedestrians), guardrails, curbs, walls, median strips, the shape of the road, road markings drawn on the road, etc. The outside vehicle camera 23 may be, for example, a digital camera using a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD or a CMOS. The outside vehicle camera 23 is provided, for example, on the ceiling inside the vehicle compartment and images the outside of the vehicle through the front glass, rear glass, or side glass. The outside vehicle camera 23 may be, for example, a stereo camera.

[0061] The radar 24 emits radio waves such as millimeter waves around the vehicle V and detects the position (distance and direction) of an object by capturing the reflected waves. The lidar 25 irradiates light such as infrared rays around the vehicle V and detects the position (distance and direction) of an object by capturing the reflected light. The radar 24 and / or the lidar 25 are attached outside the vehicle compartment of the vehicle V. The radar 24 and / or the lidar 25 include, for example, those that irradiate radio waves / light forward of the vehicle V, those that irradiate radio waves / light rearward of the vehicle V, and those that irradiate radio waves / light laterally of the vehicle V. The outside vehicle compartment monitoring device 13 may include a sonar.

[0062] The input / output device 14 receives input operations by the user and notifies the user of various information by display or sound. The input / output device 14 may include, for example, a touch panel 26 that performs both input and output. Further, in addition to or instead of the touch panel 26, the input / output device 14 may include an input device (e.g., buttons, switches, and / or a microphone 27 that receives the user's voice input) and an output device (e.g., a display and / or a speaker 28 that notifies sound). A mobile terminal such as a smartphone may be communicable with the control device 16 wirelessly or by wire and used as the input / output device 14.

[0063] The vehicle state monitoring device 15 includes a vehicle speed sensor 29, a brake sensor 30, a steering angle sensor 31, a shift lever sensor 32, and a door sensor 33. The vehicle speed sensor 29 detects the vehicle speed of the vehicle V. The brake sensor 30 includes a brake pedal sensor that detects the depression amount of the brake pedal and a parking brake sensor that detects the operation amount of the parking brake lever. The steering angle sensor 31 detects the steering angle of the steering wheel. The shift lever sensor 32 detects where the shift lever is placed, such as in parking (P), reverse (R), neutral (N), drive (D), etc. The door sensor 33 detects the open / closed state of the door of the vehicle V.

[0064] The control device 16 is a so-called Electronic Control Unit, which controls the vehicle seat 1 based on the information acquired by the in-vehicle monitoring device 12, the out-of-vehicle monitoring device 13, and the vehicle state monitoring device 15, as well as the information input by the user to the input / output device 14. The control device 16 is composed of a computer including a processor 34 constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) etc., a storage device 35 including a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and an SSD (Solid State Drive) and / or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The control device 16 is connected to the in-vehicle monitoring device 12, the out-of-vehicle monitoring device 13, the input / output device 14, the vehicle state monitoring device 15, and the device to be controlled 17 so that signals can be transmitted and received by signal lines or wirelessly. The control device 16 and the device to be controlled 17 are connected to a power source (not shown) mounted on the vehicle V and receive power supply from the power source. The control device 16 can acquire information regarding the vehicle seat 1, such as the state of the seat surface angle θ (see Fig. 1), based on the information acquired by the in-vehicle monitoring device 12 and the control history for the device to be controlled 17.

[0065] The controlled device 17 controlled by the control device 16 includes, in addition to the above-described slide device 7, rotation device 8, and seat surface angle changing device 11, a reclining device 36 that tilts the seat back 5, an airbag device 37 that protects the user during a collision of the vehicle V, a side support device 38 that changes the height of both side portions of the seat cushion 4, a seat heater 39 that warms the seat cushion 4, and a vibration device 40 that vibrates the seat cushion 4 to prompt the user's attention.

[0066] The control device 16 can calculate the seat surface angle θ from the detection value of the seat surface angle sensor 22. The seat surface angle sensor 22 may be, for example, an angle potentiometer provided between the support member 9 and the seat cushion 4. Further, the seat surface angle sensor 22 may be a stroke sensor that detects the length of the seat surface angle changing actuator 10, and the control device 16 may calculate the seat surface angle θ based on the length of the seat surface angle changing actuator 10. The control device 16 may also calculate the seat surface angle θ from the control history of the seat surface angle changing actuator 10.

[0067] The user can change the seat surface angle θ by operating the input / output device 14. The input / output device 14 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the user's operation to the control device 16. The control device 16 controls the seat surface angle changing actuator 10 based on the operation signal to change the seat surface angle θ to an angle within the changeable range. The changeable range is the range of angles at which the seat surface angle θ can be changed, and is defined by the minimum angle (see FIG. 1(A)) and the maximum angle (see FIG. 1(C)). The changeable range is set by the control device 16.

[0068] The reclining device 36 is a device that tilts the seat back 5 with respect to the seat cushion 4 around a tilting axis Y2 (see FIG. 1) extending in the seat width direction. The tilting axis Y2 extends to the rear end in the seat front-rear direction of the seat cushion 4 and the lower end of the seat back 5.

[0069] The vehicle seat 1 of the present embodiment changes the seat surface angle θ so that the user can more surely recognize the vibration generated from the vibration device 40. The vehicle seat 1 of the present embodiment is a driver's seat.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 4, the vehicle seat 1 has, as a vibration device 40, a vibration device 40L provided on the front side of the left part of the seat cushion 4 and a vibration device 40R provided on the front side of the right part of the seat cushion 4. The "vibration device 40" is a general term for the vibration device 40L and the vibration device 40R. The vibration devices 40L and 40R may be arranged in recesses formed on the surface of the pad of the seat cushion 4. The vibration devices 40L and 40R may be covered with the skin material of the seat cushion 4. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the driver from feeling discomfort with respect to the vibration devices 40L and 40R. Note that the vibration device 40 may be provided at a position other than the vibration devices 40L and 40R in the seat cushion 4. As the vibration devices 40L and 40R, a linear resonant actuator (LRA), an eccentric motor (ERM), or a piezoelectric element may be used.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 16 is connected to an outdoor vehicle monitoring device 13 (an outdoor camera 23, a radar 24, and / or a lidar 25) that detects the position of an obstacle existing around the vehicle (automobile) V. The obstacle is, for example, another vehicle approaching the vehicle V or a pedestrian approaching the vehicle V. The control device 16 detects the position of the obstacle based on the output of the outdoor vehicle monitoring device 13. The control device 16 calculates the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle based on the detected position of the obstacle. When the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle is closer than a predetermined distance threshold, the control device 16 generates vibrations from the vibration devices 40L and 40R. By generating vibrations from the vibration devices 40L and 40R, the control device 16 notifies the user that an obstacle is approaching. The vibration for notifying the user that an obstacle is approaching may be referred to as "notification vibration".

[0072] When the control device 16 vibrates the vibration device 40, it changes the seat surface angle θ so that the vibration devices 40L and 40R move upward. More specifically, while continuously vibrating the vibration device 40, the control device 16 decreases the seat surface angle θ at a predetermined angular velocity and fixes the seat surface angle θ when a predetermined change amount is achieved. Here, the closer the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle, the greater the control device 16 makes the angular velocity of the seat surface angle θ. As a result, the closer the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle, the more upward the vibration device 40 moves. The control device 16 may increase the intensity of the vibration generated from the vibration device 40 as the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle becomes closer. When the control device 16 stops the vibration of the vibration devices 40L and 40R, it returns the seat surface angle θ to the angle before the vibration devices 40L and 40R vibrate.

[0073] The more the seat surface angle θ is decreased, the more upward (toward the driver side) the vibration devices 40L and 40R move. By decreasing the seat surface angle θ, the control device 16 can move the vibrating vibration devices 40R and 40L toward the driver side, making it easier for the vibration of the vibration devices 40R and 40L to be transmitted to the driver. By changing the seat surface angle θ so that the vibration devices 40L and 40R move upward, the control device 16 sets the seat surface angle θ to an angle at which the vibration by the vibration devices 40L and 40R should be preferably transmitted to the driver (user).

[0074] When the control device 16 vibrates the vibration device 40, it decreases the seat surface angle θ so that the vibration devices 40L and 40R move upward. The reason for decreasing the seat surface angle θ is that the tilting axis Y1 of the seat cushion 4 (the tilting axis Y1 related to the seat surface angle θ) exists on the front side of the seat cushion 4. When the tilting axis Y1 exists on the front side of the seat cushion 4, the more the seat surface angle θ decreases, the more upward the vibration device 40 on the front side of the seat cushion 4 moves.

[0075] The control device 16 of the present embodiment sets the seat surface angle θ to an angle at which the vibrations from the vibration devices 40L and 40R are preferably transmitted to the driver (user). Thereby, the vibrating vibration devices 40R and 40L can be moved toward the driver side, making it easier for the vibrations of the vibration devices 40R and 40L to be transmitted to the driver. As a result, the vibrations generated from the vehicle seat 1 can be surely recognized by the driver.

[0076] When the vibration devices 40R and 40L vibrate, the control device 16 changes the seat surface angle θ so that the vibration devices 40R and 40L move upward. Thereby, the vibrating vibration devices 40R and 40L can be surely moved toward the driver side. As a result, the vibrations generated from the vibration devices 40R and 40L of the vehicle seat 1 can be surely recognized by the driver.

[0077] The control device 16 changes the seat surface angle θ so that the vibration devices 40R and 40L move further upward as the distance between the vehicle V and an obstacle becomes closer. Thereby, the driver can be made aware of the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle.

[0078] <<Second Embodiment>> As shown in FIG. 5, in the vehicle seat 1 of the present embodiment, the tilting axis Y1 related to the seat surface angle θ exists at the rear end portion of the seat cushion 4. In the present embodiment, as the seat surface angle θ increases, the front side of the seat cushion 4 moves upward. Therefore, as the seat surface angle θ increases, the vibration devices 40R and 40L move further upward. Since the tilting axis Y1 of the seat cushion 4 exists at the rear end portion of the seat cushion 4, the support member 9 and the seat surface angle changing actuator 10 are provided on the rear side of the seat cushion 4. The configuration of the vehicle seat 1 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the vehicle seat 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4 except for the positions of the support member 9 and the seat surface angle changing actuator 10.

[0079] When the control device 16 vibrates the vibration device 40, it changes the seat surface angle θ so that the vibration devices 40L and 40R move upward. More specifically, while continuously vibrating the vibration device 40, the control device 16 increases the seat surface angle θ at a predetermined angular velocity and fixes the seat surface angle θ when a predetermined change amount is achieved. The closer the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle is, the greater the control device 16 makes the angular velocity of the seat surface angle θ. When the control device 16 stops the vibration of the vibration devices 40L and 40R, it returns the seat surface angle θ to the angle before the vibration devices 40L and 40R vibrate.

[0080] <<Third Embodiment>> As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in the present embodiment, a part of the seat cushion 4 is divided into a left part 111L, a central part 111M, and a right part 111R that are arranged side by side. The left part 111L, the central part 111M, and the right part 111R are tiltable about a tilt axis Y1 (see FIG. 1) related to the seat surface angle θ. The seat surface angle changing device 11 (see FIG. 1) has seat surface angle changing actuators 10L, 10L, and 10R as seat surface angle changing actuators 10. The seat surface angle changing actuator 10L is provided under the left part 111L of the seat cushion 4. The seat surface angle changing actuator 10M is provided under the central part 111M. The seat surface angle changing actuator 10R is provided under the right part 111R.

[0081] The control device 16 can control the seat surface angle changing actuators 10L, 10M, and 10R to separately change the seat surface angles (left seat surface angle θL, central seat surface angle θM, right seat surface angle θR) of the left part 111L, the central part 111M, and the right part 111R of the seat cushion 4, respectively. The control device 16 can change the left seat surface angle θL of the left part 111L, the central seat surface angle θM of the central part 111M, and the right seat surface angle θR of the right part 111R to different angles according to the operation of the user input / output device 14.

[0082] Below the front part of the skin material of each of the left part 111L and the right part 111R, vibration devices 40L and 40R are provided. The configuration of the vehicle seat 1 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the vehicle seat 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4 except for the left part 111L, the central part 111M, the right part 111R, and the seat surface angle change actuators 10L, 10M, and 10R.

[0083] Based on the output of the vehicle exterior monitoring device 13, the control device 16 calculates the position of the obstacle and the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle. When the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle is closer than a predetermined distance threshold, the control device 16 vibrates the vibration device 40 (40L or 40R) on the side (one side) where the obstacle exists among the left and right sides. Thereby, the driver can be made aware of on which side of the vehicle V the obstacle exists.

[0084] When vibrating the vibration device 40 on one side, the control device 16 changes the seat surface angle θ so that the vibration device 40 on one side moves upward. More specifically, while continuously vibrating the vibration device 40 on one side, the control device 16 decreases the seat surface angle θ on one side at a predetermined angular velocity, and fixes the seat surface angle θ on one side when a predetermined change amount is achieved. The closer the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle is, the greater the control device 16 makes the angular velocity of the seat surface angle θ on one side. As a result, the closer the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle is, the more upward the vibration device 40 on one side moves. The control device 16 may increase the intensity of the vibration generated from the vibration device 40 on one side as the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle becomes closer.

[0085] When stopping the vibration of the vibration devices 40L and 40R, the control device 16 returns the seat surface angle θ on one side to the angle before the vibration device 40 on one side vibrates. For example, when another vehicle approaches from the right rear of the vehicle V, the control device 16 vibrates the vibration device 40L and decreases the left seat surface angle θL at a predetermined angular velocity, and fixes the left seat surface angle θL when a predetermined change amount is achieved.

[0086] When the control device 16 vibrates the vibration device 40 on one side, it increases the seat surface angle θ (left seat surface angle θL or right seat surface angle θR) on the other side (the side without an obstacle among the left and right) by a predetermined angle compared to one side. In this way, the control device 16 changes the seat surface angle θ on the other side so that the other side of the left and right parts 111L and 111R of the seat cushion 4 moves downward.

[0087] The tilting axis Y1 related to the seat surface angle θ may be arranged at any position from the front end to the rear end of the seat cushion 4. When the tilting axis Y1 related to the seat surface angle θ exists on the rear side of the seat cushion 4 (see FIG. 5), the control device 16 increases the seat surface angle θ on one side and decreases the seat surface angle θ on the other side when vibrating the vibration device 40 on one side.

[0088] When the vehicle V is turning, the control device 16 changes the seat surface angle θ (either the left seat surface angle θL or the right seat surface angle θR) of the seat cushion 4 as follows according to the turning direction. The control device 16 can detect the left and right turns of the vehicle V and the turning direction in which the vehicle V is turning based on the steering angle of the steering wheel detected by the steering angle sensor 31 (vehicle state monitoring device 15).

[0089] When the vehicle V is turning, the control device 16 changes the seat surface angle (left seat surface angle θL or right seat surface angle θR) on the outer side of the turning trajectory so that the outer part of the seat cushion 4 on the turning trajectory moves upward. For example, when the vehicle V is turning to the right, the control device 16 decreases the left seat surface angle θL on the outer side (left side) of the turning trajectory of the vehicle V by a predetermined angle, and moves the left part 111L of the seat cushion 4 (the outer part of the seat cushion 4 on the turning trajectory) upward. When the vehicle V is turning to the left, the control device 16 decreases the right seat surface angle θR on the outer side (right side) of the turning trajectory of the vehicle V, and moves the right part 111R of the seat cushion 4 (the outer part of the seat cushion 4 on the turning trajectory) upward. Thereby, it becomes easy to maintain the driver's posture in an appropriate posture against the centrifugal force generated by turning. When the tilting axis line Y1 regarding the seat surface angle θ exists on the rear side of the seat cushion 4 (see FIG. 5), when the vehicle V is turning, the seat surface angle (left seat surface angle θL or right seat surface angle θR) on the outer side of the turning trajectory is increased.

[0090] When the vibration device 40 on one side where the obstacle exists vibrates, the control device 16 of the present embodiment changes the seat surface angle θ on one side so that the vibration device 40 on one side moves upward. Thereby, the vibrating vibration device 40 on one side can be moved to the driver side, and the vibration of the vibration device 40 on one side can be made more easily transmitted to the driver. As a result, the vibration generated from the vehicle seat 1 can be surely recognized by the driver. In addition, the driver can be made to recognize on which side (left or right) of the vehicle V the obstacle exists.

[0091] The control device 16 changes the seat surface angle θ on one side so that the vibrating vibration device 40 on one side moves more upward as the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle is closer. Thereby, the driver can be made to recognize the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle.

[0092] The control device 16 changes the seat surface angle θ (left seat surface angle θL or right seat surface angle θR) of the other side so that the other side where there is no obstacle moves downward. Thereby, it is possible to make the driver more surely recognize that the vibration device 40 on one side is vibrating.

[0093] A part of the seat cushion 4 is divided into a left part 111L, a central part 111M, and a right part 111R that are arranged side by side in the left - right direction. Since the left part 111L and the right part 111R are divided, it becomes easy to change the left seat surface angle θL of the left part 111L and the right seat surface angle θR of the right part 111R separately. Therefore, when the vibration device 40 on the side where there is an obstacle vibrates, it is possible to make it even easier to change the seat surface angle θ on that side. Also, when the left seat surface angle θL of the left part 111L changes and when the right seat surface angle θR of the right part 111R changes, since the driver's buttocks are placed on the central part 111M, the driver can sit stably on the vehicle seat 1.

[0094] When the vehicle V is turning, the seat surface angle θ (left seat surface angle θL or right seat surface angle θR) on the outer side of the turning track is changed so that the outer part of the seat cushion 4 on the turning track moves upward. Thereby, it becomes easy for the driver to maintain the driver's posture in an appropriate posture against the centrifugal force generated by the turning.

[0095] <<Fourth Embodiment>> As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in this embodiment, a part of the seat cushion 4 is divided into a left part 112L and a right part 112R that are adjacent to each other on the left and right. The left part 112L and the right part 112R can tilt around a tilting axis Y1 (see FIG. 1) with respect to the seat surface angle θ. The seat surface angle changing device 11 (see FIG. 1) includes, as a seat surface angle changing actuator 10, a seat surface angle changing actuator 10L provided under the left part 112L of the seat cushion 4 and a seat surface angle changing actuator 10R provided under the right part 112R. The control device 16 can control the seat surface angle changing actuators 10L and 10R to separately change the seat surface angles (left seat surface angle θL and right seat surface angle θR) of the left part 112L and the right part 112R of the seat cushion 4, respectively.

[0096] The control device 16 can change the left seat surface angle θL of the left part 112L and the right seat surface angle θR of the right part 112R to different angles according to the operation of the user input / output device 14. Under the front part of the skin material of each of the left part 112L and the right part 112R, vibration devices 40L and 40R are provided. The configuration of the vehicle seat 1 of this embodiment is the same as that of the vehicle seat 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, except for the left part 112L, the right part 112R, and the seat surface angle changing actuators 10L and 10R.

[0097] The control device 16 calculates the position of the obstacle and the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle based on the output of the vehicle exterior monitoring device 13. When the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle is closer than a predetermined distance threshold, the control device 16 vibrates the vibration device 40 (40L or 40R) on the side (one side) where the obstacle exists among the left and right. Thereby, the driver can be made aware of on which side of the vehicle V the obstacle exists.

[0098] When the control device 16 vibrates the vibration device 40 on one side, it changes the seat surface angle θ so that the vibration device 40 on one side moves upward. More specifically, while continuously vibrating the vibration device 40 on one side, the control device 16 decreases the seat surface angle θ on one side at a predetermined angular velocity, and fixes the seat surface angle θ on one side when a predetermined change amount is achieved. When the vibrations of the vibration devices 40L and 40R stop, the control device 16 returns the seat surface angle θ on one side to the angle before the vibration device 40 on one side vibrates.

[0099] The closer the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle is, the greater the control device 16 makes the angular velocity of the seat surface angle θ on one side. As a result, the closer the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle is, the more upward the vibration device 40 on one side moves. The control device 16 may increase the intensity of the vibration generated from the vibration device 40 on one side as the distance between the vehicle V and the obstacle becomes closer.

[0100] When the control device 16 vibrates the vibration device 40 on one side, it generates vibrations in which the seat surface angle θ (left seat surface angle θL or right seat surface angle θR) on the other side (the side where there is no obstacle among the left and right) among the left and right increases and decreases at a predetermined vibration cycle.

[0101] Based on the steering angle of the steering wheel detected by the steering angle sensor 31 (vehicle state monitoring device 15), the control device 16 can detect the left and right turns of the vehicle V and the turning direction in which the vehicle V is turning. When the vehicle V is turning, the control device 16 changes the seat surface angle (left seat surface angle θL or right seat surface angle θR) on the outer side of the turning trajectory so that the outer part of the seat cushion 4 on the turning trajectory moves upward.

[0102] The control device 16 generates vibrations in which the seat surface angle θ on the side (the other side) where there is no obstacle among the left part 112L and the right part 112R of the seat cushion 4 increases and decreases at a predetermined vibration cycle. Thereby, the driver can surely recognize that the vibration device 40 is vibrating.

[0103] A part of the seat cushion 4 is divided into a left part 112L and a right part 112R that are adjacent to each other on the left and right. Since the left part 112L and the right part 112R are divided, it becomes easy to separately change the left seat surface angle θL of the left part 112L and the right seat surface angle θR of the right part 112R. Therefore, when the vibration device 40 on one side where an obstacle exists vibrates, it is possible to make it even easier to change the seat surface angle θ on that one side.

[0104] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The vehicle seat of the embodiment may be installed in a vehicle other than a car. For example, in the vehicle seat 1 of the third embodiment, when vibrating the vibration device 40 on one side where an obstacle exists, similar to the vehicle seat 1 of the fourth embodiment, vibrations in which the seat surface angle θ on the other side increases and decreases at a predetermined vibration cycle may be generated. In the vehicle seat 1 of the fourth embodiment, when vibrating the vibration device 40 on one side where an obstacle exists, similar to the vehicle seat 1 of the third embodiment, the seat surface angle θ on the other side may be changed so that the other side moves downward, among the left part 112L and the right part 112R.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0105] 1: Vehicle seat 3: Floor 4: Seat cushion 10: Seat surface angle changing actuator 10L: Seat surface angle changing actuator 10M: Seat surface angle changing actuator 10R: Seat surface angle changing actuator 13: Out-of-vehicle monitoring device 15: Vehicle state monitoring device 16: Control device 31: Steering angle sensor 40: Vibration device 40L: Vibration device 40R: Vibration device 111L: Left part 111M: Central part 111R: Right part 112L: Left part 112R: Right part R: Reference plane S: Seating surface V: Vehicle Y1: Tilting axis θ: Seating surface angle

Claims

1. A vehicle seat having a seat cushion that supports a user's buttocks from below and is provided on a floor of the vehicle, a seat angle changing actuator for changing a seat angle, which is an angle between the seat cushion and a reference plane set with respect to the floor; At least one vibration device provided on the seat cushion; a vehicle exterior monitoring device that detects the position of an obstacle present around the vehicle, and a control device that is connected to the seat angle changing actuator and the vibration device and controls the seat angle changing actuator and the vibration device, The control device includes: Calculating the position of the obstacle based on an output of the outside-vehicle monitoring device; vibrating the vibration device based on the position of the obstacle; A vehicle seat, wherein when the vibration device is vibrated, the seat angle is set to an angle at which vibrations caused by the vibration device are suitably transmitted to the user.

2. The control device includes: The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the seat angle is changed so that the vibration device moves upward when the vibration device is vibrated.

3. The control device includes: Calculating a distance between the vehicle and the obstacle based on an output of the exterior monitoring device; 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein when the vibration device is vibrated, the seat surface angle is changed such that the vibration device moves further upward as the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle becomes shorter.

4. The seat cushion has a vibration device on each of a left portion and a right portion, The seat angle changing actuator is provided on each of the left and right portions of the seat cushion, The control device includes: The seat angle changing actuators of the left and right parts are controlled to change the seat angle of each of the left and right parts separately, Calculating the position of the obstacle based on an output of the outside-vehicle monitoring device; vibrating the vibration device on one side of the left and right where the obstacle is present; The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the seating surface angle on the one side is changed so that the vibration device on the one side moves upward when the vibration device on the one side is vibrated.

5. The control device includes: The vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein when the vibration device on the one side is vibrated, the seating surface angle on the one side is changed such that the closer the distance between the vehicle and the obstacle, the more the vibration device on the one side moves upward.

6. The control device includes:

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein when the vibration device on the one side is vibrated, the seat surface angle on the other side is changed so that the vibration device on the other side among the left and right moves downward.

7. The control device includes:

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein when the vibration device on the one side is vibrated, vibration is generated in which the seat surface angle on the other side of the left and right side increases and decreases at a predetermined vibration period.

8. 5. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein a portion of the seat cushion is divided into the left portion and the right portion, each of which is tiltable about a tilt axis related to the seat surface angle and adjacent to each other on the left and right sides.

9. A portion of the seat cushion is divided into the left portion, the center portion, and the right portion, which are aligned to the left and right, The vehicle seat according to claim 4 , wherein the left portion and the right portion are tiltable about a tilt axis related to the seating surface angle.

10. The control device includes: connected to a vehicle condition monitoring device that monitors left and right turns of the vehicle; Detecting turning of the vehicle and a turning direction in which the vehicle is turning in response to an output of the vehicle state monitoring device; 5. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein, when the vehicle is turning, the seating surface angle on the outside of a turning path is changed so that a portion of the seat cushion outside the turning path moves upward.

Images