Vehicle seat device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat device in which a seat design is hardly affected, required operation is simple, and getting on and off property to a rear seat is preferable.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat device 1 includes a gesture detection part 31 that detects gesture and a control part 30. The control part 30 determines whether gesture detected by the gesture detection part 31 is gesture for getting on and off. When the gesture detected by the gesture detection part 31 is determined as gesture for getting on and off, the control part 30 moves a seat forward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle seat device mounted on, for example, an automobile or the like.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a seat mounted in an automobile is configured to be able to adjust the sliding amount in the front-rear direction, the reclining angle of the seat back, and the like. There is also known a seat configured to be able to adjust the sliding amount and the reclining angle electrically.

[0003] Further, Patent Document 1 discloses a seat device in which a gesture detection unit for detecting a passenger's gesture is disposed on a side surface portion of a seat cushion. In this seat device, the sliding amount and the reclining angle are adjusted based on the passenger's gesture detected by the gesture detection unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, for example, in the case of a vehicle in which a rear seat is disposed behind the driver's seat and the front passenger seat (front seats), the presence of the front seats may deteriorate the ingress and egress to the rear seat. In this regard, the one in Patent Document 1 only enables adjustment of the sliding amount, the reclining angle, etc. by gestures, and remains only a simple seat adjustment function, and thus does not contribute to the improvement of the ingress and egress to the rear seat.

[0006] Therefore, an operation switch for moving or reclining the front seat forward is provided on the front seat, and it is conceivable to move or recline the front seat forward by operating the operation switch when getting on or off the rear seat.

[0007] Also, for example, there is a vehicle in which seats in the second row are arranged behind the front seat and seats in the third row are arranged further behind the seats in the second row. In the case of such a vehicle, the presence of the seats in the second row may deteriorate the boarding and alighting performance to the seats in the third row. Therefore, the above-described operation switch is provided on the seats in the second row, and it is conceivable to move or recline the seats in the third row forward by operating the operation switch when getting on or off the seats in the third row.

[0008] However, when providing an operation switch as described above, the operator has to reach out and operate the operation switch, and in some cases, the operability may not be good. In response to this, it is conceivable to arrange the operation switch at a position with good operability, but the positions with good operability of the operation switch are limited, and it may be difficult to actually arrange the operation switch at such a position. Also, the position of the operation switch with good operability is considered to be a high and prominent position, but there may be cases where it is not desired to arrange the operation switch at a prominent position for reasons of the seat design.

[0009] The present disclosure is made in view of such points, and its object is to hardly affect the seat design and improve the boarding and alighting performance to the rear seats while making the required operation a simple operation.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, in the present disclosure, for example, a vehicle seat device including a first seat disposed in the vehicle interior and a second seat disposed behind the first seat in the vehicle interior in the vehicle interior can be assumed. The vehicle seat device includes a gesture detection unit that detects a gesture, a storage unit that stores a getting-on and off gesture, an electric slide device that slides the first seat in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a control unit that controls the electric slide device. The control unit determines whether or not the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the getting-on and off gesture stored in the storage unit, and when it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the getting-on and off gesture, forward slide control for controlling the electric slide device so that the first seat moves forward in the vehicle can be executed.

[0011] According to this configuration, before an occupant tries to sit on the second seat, for example, when an occupant or the like makes a getting-on and off gesture, the getting-on and off gesture is detected by the gesture detection unit, so the control unit controls the electric slide device to move the first seat disposed in front of the second seat in the vehicle forward. As a result, the distance between the first seat and the second seat increases, making it easier to get into the second seat. Also, before an occupant sitting on the second seat tries to get off, when a getting-on and off gesture is made, the control unit controls the electric slide device to move the first seat forward in the vehicle, making it easier for the occupant sitting on the second seat to get off.

[0012] In this way, when getting on and off, it is only necessary to make a getting-on and off gesture for moving the first seat forward in the vehicle, so there is no need to stretch the hand forcibly, and a simple operation suffices. Also, since a physical operation switch is not required, it hardly affects the design of the seat.

[0013] The vehicle seat device may include an electric reclining device that tilts the seat back of the first seat, and a control unit that controls the electric reclining device. In this case, the control unit determines whether the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the boarding / disembarking gesture stored in the storage unit, and when it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the boarding / disembarking gesture, the control unit can execute forward reclining control to control the electric reclining device so that the seat back of the first seat tilts forward of the vehicle.

[0014] According to this configuration, before the occupant tries to sit on the second seat, when the boarding / disembarking gesture is performed, the boarding / disembarking gesture is detected by the gesture detection unit, so the control unit controls the electric reclining device to tilt the seat back of the first seat disposed in front of the vehicle of the second seat forward of the vehicle. As a result, the seat back of the first seat moves away from the second seat, facilitating the boarding operation to the second seat. Also, before the occupant sitting on the second seat tries to get off, when the boarding / disembarking gesture is performed, the control unit controls the electric reclining device to tilt the seat back of the first seat forward of the vehicle, facilitating the getting-off operation of the occupant sitting on the second seat.

[0015] Thus, at the time of boarding and disembarking, it is only necessary to perform the boarding / disembarking gesture to tilt the seat back of the first seat forward of the vehicle, so there is no need to stretch the hand forcibly, and a simple operation suffices. Also, since a physical operation switch is not required, it hardly affects the design of the seat.

[0016] The storage unit of the vehicle seat device may store a startup gesture. In this case, the control unit determines whether the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the startup gesture, and can execute at least one of the forward slide control and the forward reclining control within a predetermined time after it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the startup gesture.

[0017] According to this configuration, if the activation gesture is not performed, the first seat does not slide or recline. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first seat from unexpectedly sliding or reclining when the occupant does not intend it.

[0018] The vehicle seat device may further include a seating sensor that detects that an occupant is seated on the first seat. In this case, when the control unit detects that an occupant is seated on the first seat by the seating sensor, the control unit can refrain from executing at least one of the forward slide control and the forward reclining control.

[0019] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the first seat from sliding or reclining while the occupant is seated, thereby enhancing safety.

[0020] The vehicle seat device may further include a vehicle speed sensor that detects the speed of the vehicle. In this case, when the control unit detects that the vehicle is in motion by the vehicle speed sensor, the control unit can refrain from executing at least one of the forward slide control and the forward reclining control.

[0021] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the first seat from sliding or reclining while the vehicle is in motion, thereby enhancing safety.

[0022] An emergency stop gesture may be stored in the storage unit of the vehicle seat device. In this case, the control unit determines whether the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the emergency stop gesture. When it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit during the execution of the forward slide control is the emergency stop gesture, the control unit can stop at least one of the operation of the electric slide device and the electric reclining device.

[0023] According to this configuration, for example, a passenger or the like can stop the slide or reclining of the first seat just by performing an emergency stop gesture during the slide or reclining of the first seat, so that the safety can be improved.

[0024] It may further include a notification unit that notifies the surroundings that a gesture has been detected by the gesture detection unit. The notification unit can be configured by at least one of a speaker that notifies the surroundings of the detection of a gesture by the gesture detection unit by sound and a lamp that notifies the surroundings of the detection of a gesture by the gesture detection unit by light.

[0025] Thereby, when the operator makes a gesture, it is possible to feedback to the operator whether the gesture has been normally detected by the gesture detection unit by sound, light, or the like. If the gesture is not normally detected by the gesture detection unit for some reason, the operator may make the gesture again. If the gesture is normally detected by the gesture detection unit, the operator may just wait for the seat to slide or recline.

Effect of the Invention

[0026] As described above, it is possible to improve the boarding and alighting performance to the rear seat while hardly affecting the design of the seat and making the required operation a simple operation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0029] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a diagram showing a part of a vehicle 100 equipped with a vehicle seat device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The vehicle 100 is, for example, a passenger car or the like. The bottom of the passenger compartment 101 is composed of a floor panel 102 extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. An instrument panel 103 is provided at the front of the passenger compartment 101. A steering column 105 that supports a steering wheel 104 is provided on the driver's seat side of the vehicle 100. The driver's seat may be on the right side or the left side of the vehicle 100. The side opposite to the driver's seat in the left-right direction is the passenger seat. The driver's seat and the passenger seat are each a front seat 10. The front seat 10 is the first seat disposed in the passenger compartment 101. A rear seat 20 is disposed behind the front seat 10 in the passenger compartment 101. The vehicle seat device 1 includes the front seat 10 and the rear seat 20. In the description of this embodiment, the front side of the vehicle is simply referred to as the front, and the rear side of the vehicle is simply referred to as the rear. Also, the vehicle width direction is also referred to as the left-right direction.

[0030] The front seats 10 may be separate from each other, or may be a so-called bench seat in which the driver's seat and the passenger seat are integrated. In this embodiment, the case where the driver's seat and the passenger seat are separate from each other will be described, but the present invention can also be applied to a bench seat.

[0031] The front seat 10 includes a front seat cushion 11 and a front seat back 12. The front seat cushion 11 is a member that supports the buttocks and thighs of an occupant sitting on the front seat 10, and is formed to extend in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The front seat back 12 is a member that supports the waist, back, shoulders, etc. of an occupant sitting on the front seat 10, and is formed to extend generally in the up-down direction and the left-right direction.

[0032] The vehicle seat device 1 includes an electric reclining device 13 and an electric slide device 14. The lower end portion of the front seat back 12 is supported via the electric reclining device 13 with respect to the rear end portion of the front seat cushion 11. The electric reclining device 13 is a device for tilting the front seat back 12 in the front-rear direction about its lower end portion, and includes a reclining actuator 13a. The reclining actuator 13a has, for example, an electric motor, etc., and the front seat back 12 can be tilted in the front-rear direction by the output of the reclining actuator 13a. A conventionally well-known electric reclining device 13 can be used.

[0033] The electric slide device 14 is a device for sliding the front seat 10 in the front-rear direction, and has a slide actuator 14a and a slide rail 14b. The slide rail 14b has a floor-side member 14c fixed to the floor panel 102 and extending in the front-rear direction, and a seat-side member 14d fixed to the lower part of the front seat cushion 11 and extending in the front-rear direction. The seat-side member 14d is guided in the front-rear direction by the floor-side member 14c in a state of being engaged with the floor-side member 14c. The slide actuator 14a generates a slide force for moving the seat-side member 14d in the front-rear direction with respect to the floor-side member 14c, and the front seat 10 can be slid in the front-rear direction by the output of the slide actuator 14a. The driver's seat and the passenger seat can be configured in the same way. The driver's seat and the passenger seat can be slid or reclined independently.

[0034] The rear seat 20 includes a rear seat cushion 21 and a rear seat back 22. The rear seat cushion 21 is a member that supports the buttocks and thighs of an occupant sitting on the rear seat 20, and is formed to extend in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The rear seat back 22 is a member that supports the waist, back, shoulders, etc. of an occupant sitting on the rear seat 20, and is formed to extend generally in the up-down direction and the left-right direction. The rear seat 20 may be provided with an electric reclining device, an electric slide device, etc. similar to those of the front seat 10, or a manual reclining device, a manual slide device, etc. may be provided.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle seat device 1 includes a control unit 30, a gesture detection unit 31, a seating sensor 32, a vehicle speed sensor 33, an adjustment switch 34, and a storage unit 35. The seating sensor 32 and the vehicle speed sensor 33 may be provided as necessary. The control unit 30 is a part that controls the reclining actuator 13a of the electric reclining device 13 and the slide actuator 14a of the electric slide device 14. The control unit 30 includes, for example, a microcomputer, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output interface, etc., and operates according to a program stored in advance in the ROM, etc., to control the reclining actuator 13a and the slide actuator 14a.

[0036] The adjustment switch 34 is a switch for the occupant to adjust the front-back position of the front seat 10 or the angle (reclining angle) of the front seat back 12, and is well-known in the art. This adjustment switch 34 can be provided, for example, on the side surface of the front seat cushion 11 and is connected to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 detects the operation state of the adjustment switch 34 by the occupant. When the operation is to adjust the front-back position of the front seat 10, the control unit 30 controls the slide actuator 14a so that the front seat 10 moves in the direction corresponding to the adjustment direction. When the operation is to adjust the angle of the front seat back 12, the control unit 30 controls the reclining actuator 13a so that the front seat back 12 tilts in the direction corresponding to the adjustment direction.

[0037] The seating sensor 32 is a sensor for detecting that an occupant is seated on the front seat 10. The seating sensor 32 can be constituted by, for example, a load detection sensor built in the front seat cushion 11. This load detection sensor detects the downward load acting on the upper surface of the front seat cushion 11, and determines that an occupant is seated on the front seat 10 when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is acting, and determines that no occupant is seated on the front seat 10 when a load less than the predetermined value is acting or no load is acting. The seating sensor 32 is connected to the control unit 30. Therefore, the control unit 30 can determine whether an occupant is seated on the front seat 10 based on the detection signal of the seating sensor 32. Note that the seating sensor 32 may be constituted by other than a load detection sensor. For example, when a seat belt is worn using a seat belt sensor, it may be determined that an occupant is seated on the front seat 10, or when an occupant on the front seat 10 is detected by an in-vehicle camera or the like, it may be determined that an occupant is seated on the front seat 10.

[0038] The vehicle speed sensor 33 is a sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle 100. Such a vehicle speed sensor 33 has been conventionally provided in automobiles and the like and is well-known, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The vehicle speed sensor 33 is connected to the control unit 30. Therefore, the control unit 30 can determine whether or not the vehicle 100 is running based on the detection signal of the vehicle speed sensor 33.

[0039] The storage unit 35 is configured to be able to store various information, images, etc., and for example, a semiconductor storage memory or the like can be used. The storage unit 35 is connected to the control unit 30, and it is possible to store various information and the like output from the control unit 30 in the storage unit 35, or for the control unit 30 to read various information stored in the storage unit 35. In the present embodiment, for example, boarding and alighting gestures, starting gestures, and emergency stop gestures are stored in the storage unit 35.

[0040] The boarding and alighting gesture, the starting gesture, and the emergency stop gesture are different gestures from each other. At the time of setting, an administrator such as a driver determines the boarding and alighting gesture, the starting gesture, and the emergency stop gesture, and the storage unit 35 stores them in a distinguishable manner as to which gesture is for boarding and alighting, for starting, or for emergency stop. In addition, gestures other than the boarding and alighting gesture, the starting gesture, and the emergency stop gesture may be stored in the storage unit 35.

[0041] The gesture detection unit 31 is a part for detecting gestures, and includes, for example, one or a plurality of cameras 31a. The gesture detection unit 31 and the control unit 30 are connected, and the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 is input to the control unit 30. A gesture is an action of a human moving their hands or fingers or forming a shape with their fingers, and is a body movement or hand movement that can be discriminated visually. The camera 31a may be a color camera or a monochrome camera, but is composed of a member capable of photographing a gesture. The installation location of the camera 31a may be, for example, inside the passenger compartment 101 or outside the passenger compartment 101.

[0042] When the installation location of the camera 31a is inside the passenger compartment 101, the camera 31a can be installed, for example, on the instrument panel 103, the steering column 105, the ceiling (not shown), the center console (not shown), the inner mirror (not shown), etc. The viewing range of the camera 31a can be set, for example, so that the front seat 10 can enter, or so that the rear seat 20 can enter. The viewing range of the camera 31a can include the area where a door (not shown) is opened and a passenger gets in. Thereby, gestures made by the passenger in the front seat 10, gestures made by the passenger in the rear seat 20, and gestures made in the area where a door is opened and a passenger gets in can be photographed by the camera 31a.

[0043] When the installation location of the camera 31a is outside the passenger compartment 101, the camera 31a can be installed, for example, on a door mirror (not shown), etc. The viewing range of the camera 31a can be set, for example, so that a person near the door can enter. Thereby, gestures made by a person near the door can be photographed by the camera 31a. Incidentally, a plurality of cameras 31a can also be provided, provided inside and outside the passenger compartment 101 to have viewing ranges inside and outside the vehicle, provided a plurality of them outside the passenger compartment 101 to expand the viewing range, or provided a plurality of them inside the passenger compartment 101 to expand the viewing range.

[0044] The boarding and alighting gestures, starting gestures, and emergency stop gestures pre-determined by the administrator can be photographed by the camera 31a at the time of setting. The boarding and alighting gestures, starting gestures, and emergency stop gestures photographed by the camera 31a are stored in the storage unit 35 via the control unit 30. Each gesture is stored in a state associated with identification information for identifying whether it is for boarding and alighting, for starting, or for emergency stop, so that it can be discriminated by the control unit 30.

[0045] The control unit 30 includes a determination unit 30a that determines whether or not the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 is the getting-on-and-off gesture stored in the storage unit 35. The determination unit 30a is a part that makes the above determination by executing the above program, and may be configured by a physical arithmetic device or may be a part configured by software.

[0046] When the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 is input, the control unit 30 causes the determination unit 30a to determine whether or not the input gesture is the getting-on-and-off gesture stored in the storage unit 35. When it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 is the getting-on-and-off gesture, the control unit 30 executes forward reclining control. Before that, the control unit 30 stores the position of the front seat 10 and the tilting angle of the front seat back 12 before executing the forward reclining control. In the forward reclining control, the reclining actuator 13a of the electric reclining device 13 is controlled so that the front seat back 12 of the front seat 10 tilts forward.

[0047] Also, when it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 is the getting-on-and-off gesture, the control unit 30 executes forward slide control. Before that, the control unit 30 stores the position of the front seat 10 and the tilting angle of the front seat back 12 before executing the forward slide control. In the forward slide control, the slide actuator 14a of the electric slide device 14 is controlled so that the front seat 10 moves forward.

[0048] The control unit 30 may execute both the forward reclining control and the forward slide control, may execute only the forward reclining control, or may execute only the forward slide control. When executing both the forward reclining control and the forward slide control, the forward reclining control may be executed first and the forward slide control may be executed later, or the forward slide control may be executed first and the forward reclining control may be executed later, or the forward reclining control and the forward slide control may be executed simultaneously.

[0049] Further, when the control unit 30 determines that a getting-on / getting-off gesture has been performed after the forward reclining control, the control unit 30 controls the reclining actuator 13a of the electric reclining device 13 so that the front seat back 12 of the front seat 10 returns to the original angle (the angle before the forward reclining control). This is called the rearward reclining control. Further, when the control unit 30 determines that a getting-on / getting-off gesture has been performed after the forward slide control, the control unit 30 controls the slide actuator 14a of the electric slide device 14 so that the front seat 10 returns to the original position (the position before the forward slide control). This is called the rearward slide control. When only the forward reclining control is executed, only the rearward reclining control is executed, and when only the forward slide control is executed, only the rearward slide control is executed.

[0050] The determination unit 30a can also determine whether the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 is an activation gesture. Further, the determination unit 30a can also determine whether the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 is an emergency stop gesture. That is, when a gesture is detected by the gesture detection unit 31, the determination unit 30a determines which of the getting-on / getting-off gesture, the activation gesture, and the emergency stop gesture the detected gesture is. The gesture determination method is not particularly limited as long as it is a conventionally used determination method. For example, when determining a gesture, the similarity between the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 and the getting-on / getting-off gesture, the similarity between the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 and the activation gesture, and the similarity between the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 and the emergency stop gesture are respectively obtained. Then, if the similarity is equal to or more than a predetermined value and is the highest, it is determined that the input gesture is the gesture. If all the similarities are less than the predetermined value, it is determined that it is not any gesture.

[0051] The control unit 30 executes the forward slide control only within a predetermined time after it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 is the activation gesture. For example, the forward slide control is executed only for one minute (predetermined time) from the time when it is determined that the gesture is the activation gesture. If the predetermined time is exceeded, even if the getting-on / getting-off gesture is made thereafter, it is ignored and the front seat 10 is not moved forward. The activation gesture can also be called the wake-up gesture of the system. In short, unless the system is activated and becomes effective, the forward movement of the front seat 10 is not performed, thereby preventing an unintended operation by the occupant. The one minute as the above-mentioned predetermined time is an example, and it can be set to an arbitrary time such as several seconds.

[0052] Also, the control unit 30 executes the forward reclining control only within a predetermined time after it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 is the activation gesture. For example, the forward reclining control is executed only for a predetermined time from the time when it is determined that the gesture is the activation gesture. If the predetermined time is exceeded, even if the getting-on / getting-off gesture is made thereafter, it is ignored and the front seat back 12 is not tilted forward. In short, unless the system is activated and becomes effective, the forward tilting of the front seat back 12 is not performed, thereby preventing an unintended operation by the user.

[0053] When it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 during the execution of the forward slide control is an emergency gesture, the control unit 30 stops the operation of the electric slide device 14. That is, when the control unit 30 determines that it is a getting-on / getting-off gesture, it operates the electric slide device 14 to move the front seat 10 forward. However, there may be a case where for some reason the user wants to immediately stop the front seat 10 during the movement. In such a case, when the user makes an emergency gesture, the forward movement of the front seat 10 can be immediately stopped. After stopping the forward movement of the front seat 10, the control unit 30 may perform an operation of slightly moving it backward.

[0054] When it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 during the execution of the forward reclining control is an emergency gesture, the control unit 30 stops the operation of the electric reclining device 13. That is, when the control unit 30 determines that it is an on / off gesture, it operates the electric reclining device 13 to tilt the front seat back 12 forward. However, during this process, for some reason, the user may want to immediately stop the tilting of the front seat back 12. In such a case, when the user makes an emergency gesture, the tilting of the front seat back 12 forward can be immediately stopped. After stopping the tilting of the front seat back 12 forward, the control unit 30 may perform an operation of slightly returning it backward.

[0055] When the control unit 30 detects that a passenger is seated on the front seat 10 by the seating sensor 32, it does not execute the forward slide control. Also, when the control unit 30 detects that a passenger is seated on the front seat 10 by the seating sensor 32, it does not execute the forward reclining control. Thereby, unexpected seat movements during driving or when a passenger is seated can be prevented.

[0056] When the control unit 30 detects that the vehicle is running by the vehicle speed sensor 33, it does not execute the forward slide control. Also, when the control unit 30 detects that the vehicle is running by the vehicle speed sensor 33, it does not execute the forward reclining control. This can also prevent unexpected seat movements during driving or when a passenger is seated. Note that, for example, the stopped state of the vehicle may be detected by a parking brake sensor, or the stopped state of the vehicle may be detected by the shift lever being in the parking position.

[0057] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the flow of operations when the control unit 30 executes both forward reclining control and forward slide control. In FIG. 3(A), a user (such as an occupant) performs an activation gesture inside or outside the passenger compartment 101. The boarding / alighting gesture is performed within a predetermined time after the activation gesture is performed. If the boarding / alighting gesture is performed after the elapse of the predetermined time since the activation gesture was performed, the forward reclining control and the forward slide control are not executed.

[0058] In FIG. 3(B), the control unit 30 stores the position of the front seat 10 and the tilting angle of the front seat back 12. In (C), the control unit 30 executes forward reclining control and forward slide control. As a result, the distance between the front seat 10 and the rear seat 20 is increased, making it easier for the occupant to board the rear seat 20. In (D), a state where the occupant is seated on the rear seat 20 is shown. (E) shows the case of returning the front seat 10 to its original position, and the occupant seated on the rear seat 20 performs the boarding / alighting gesture. Then, the control unit 30 executes rearward reclining control and rearward slide control. As a result, as shown in (F), the front seat 10 returns to its original position. In (G), a state where the occupant is seated on the front seat 10 is shown.

[0059] The forward reclining control, the forward slide control, the rearward reclining control, and the rearward slide control can be executed independently on the driver's seat side and the passenger seat side. Cameras 31a are provided on the driver's seat side and the passenger seat side respectively, and the front seat 10 on the driver's seat side is controlled according to the gesture detected by the camera 31a on the driver's seat side, and the front seat 10 on the passenger seat side is controlled according to the gesture detected by the camera 31a on the passenger seat side.

[0060] FIG. 4 shows a case where a passenger sitting in the rear seat 20 gets off. In (A), the state where a passenger is sitting in the rear seat 20 is shown. In (B), the user performs an activation gesture, and within a predetermined time, performs an entry / exit gesture. In (C), the control unit 30 stores the position of the front seat 10 and the tilting angle of the front seat back 12. In (D), the control unit 30 executes forward reclining control and forward sliding control. As a result, the distance between the front seat 10 and the rear seat 20 increases, making it easier for the passenger in the rear seat 20 to get off. In (E), the state where the passenger has gotten off the rear seat 20 is shown. (F) shows a case of returning the front seat 10 to its original position, and the user performs an activation gesture inside or outside the passenger compartment 101. The activation gesture in this case may be omitted. Then, the control unit 30 executes rearward reclining control and rearward sliding control. As a result, as shown in (G), the front seat 10 returns to its original position.

[0061] FIG. 5 relates to a modification of Embodiment 1. The modification is an example of applying the present invention to a vehicle 100 equipped with, for example, a three-row seat. Inside the passenger compartment 101, a second-row seat 40 is arranged behind the front seat (not shown), and a third-row seat 50 is arranged behind the second-row seat 40. The vehicle seat device 1 according to the modification includes the second-row seat 40 and the third-row seat 50.

[0062] The seat 40 in the second row includes a second-row seat cushion 41 and a second-row seat back 42. The vehicle seat device 1 includes an electric reclining device 43 for the second-row seat 40 and an electric slide device 44. The electric reclining device 43 is a device for tilting the second-row seat back 42 in the front-rear direction about its lower end, and includes a reclining actuator 43a. The electric slide device 44 is a device for sliding the second-row seat 40 in the front-rear direction, and has a slide actuator 44a and a slide rail 44b. The slide rail 44b has a floor-side member 44c fixed to the floor panel 102 and extending in the front-rear direction, and a seat-side member 44d fixed to the lower part of the second-row seat cushion 41 and extending in the front-rear direction. Further, the seat 50 in the third row includes a third-row seat cushion 51 and a third-row seat back 52. The second-row seat 40 of the modification is controlled by the control unit 30 in the same manner as the front seat 10 described above.

[0063] (Embodiment 2) FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the vehicle seat device 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In Embodiment 2, it is different from the vehicle seat device 1 of Embodiment 1 in that it includes a feedback device 60 for notifying the operator that the gesture detection unit 31 has normally detected the gesture performed by the operator. Hereinafter, the same parts as those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted, and the parts different from those in Embodiment 1 will be described in detail.

[0064] The feedback device 60 is connected to the control unit 30 and is controlled by the control unit 30. The feedback device 60 includes a speaker 61 for gesture recognition feedback and a lamp 62 for gesture recognition feedback, but only one of the speaker 61 for gesture recognition feedback and the lamp 62 for gesture recognition feedback may be provided.

[0065] When the power is on, the control unit 30 repeatedly determines at a predetermined short time interval whether the gesture detection unit 31 has detected a gesture. When a gesture by the operator is detected by the gesture detection unit 31, the control unit 30 generates a sound from the gesture recognition feedback speaker 61 to notify the surroundings that the gesture has been detected by the gesture detection unit 31. Also, when a gesture by the operator is detected by the gesture detection unit 31, the control unit 30 lights up the gesture recognition feedback lamp 62 to notify the surroundings that the gesture has been detected by the gesture detection unit 31. In this way, the gesture recognition feedback speaker 61 and the gesture recognition feedback lamp 62 are examples of notification units that notify the surroundings that a gesture has been detected by the gesture detection unit 31.

[0066] When a gesture is detected, it may be notified by both the gesture recognition feedback speaker 61 and the gesture recognition feedback lamp 62, or only by one of them. When notifying, a signal sound may be generated from the gesture recognition feedback speaker 61, or for example, a voice such as "A gesture has been detected" may be generated. In the case of a signal sound, it may be a signal sound composed of a single tone or a signal sound composed of a plurality of tones. The sound generated by the gesture recognition feedback speaker 61 may be audible not only inside the vehicle but also outside the vehicle.

[0067] The gesture recognition feedback lamp 62 is turned off when no gesture is detected, and is turned on or blinks when a gesture is detected. The gesture recognition feedback lamp 62 is preferably provided in a visible location such as the instrument panel, center console, or dashboard inside the vehicle. The light of the gesture recognition feedback lamp 62 may be visible not only inside the vehicle but also from outside the vehicle. More than one gesture recognition feedback lamp 62 may be provided.

[0068] Further, the feedback device 60 may change the form of notification to the surroundings according to the type of gesture detected by the gesture detection unit 31 among the boarding / alighting gesture, the activation gesture, and the emergency stop gesture. When notifying that a gesture has been detected by the gesture recognition feedback speaker 61, for example, the sound when the boarding / alighting gesture is detected, the sound when the activation gesture is detected, and the sound when the emergency stop gesture is detected are changed. Thereby, it is possible to confirm by sound which gesture among the boarding / alighting gesture, the activation gesture, and the emergency stop gesture the gesture performed by the operator has been detected as. When changing the sound, any one or two or more of the pitch, length, type, volume, etc. of the sound may be changed. When the emergency stop gesture is detected, a louder sound or a more audible sound may be used than when other gestures are detected. Among the boarding / alighting gesture, the activation gesture, and the emergency stop gesture, any two of them may have the same sound and only the other one may have a different sound.

[0069] Similarly, when notifying that a gesture has been detected by the gesture recognition feedback lamp 62, for example, the light when the boarding / alighting gesture is detected, the light when the activation gesture is detected, and the light when the emergency stop gesture is detected are changed. Thereby, it is possible to confirm by light which gesture among the boarding / alighting gesture, the activation gesture, and the emergency stop gesture the gesture performed by the operator has been detected as. When changing the light, any one or two or more of the color of the light, the blinking speed, the lighting time, etc. may be changed. When the emergency stop gesture is detected, a brighter light or a more prominent light may be used than when other gestures are detected. Among the boarding / alighting gesture, the activation gesture, and the emergency stop gesture, any two of them may have the same light and only the other one may have a different light.

[0070] In the second embodiment, in addition to achieving the same operational effects as in the first embodiment, it is possible to notify the operator whether or not a gesture has been detected normally. If the gesture is not detected normally by the gesture detection unit 31, the operator may perform the gesture again. If the gesture is detected normally by the gesture detection unit 31, the operator may just wait for the seats 10 and 20 to slide or recline as they are.

[0071] The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be construed in a limiting sense. Further, modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0072] As described above, the vehicle seat device according to the present invention can be used, for example, in a vehicle having a front seat and a rear seat.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0073] 1 Vehicle seat device 10 Front seat (first seat) 13 Electric reclining device 14 Electric slide device 20 Rear seat (second seat) 30 Control unit 31 Gesture detection unit 32 Occupancy sensor 33 Vehicle speed sensor 35 Storage unit 101 Passenger compartment

Claims

1. A vehicle seat device including a first seat disposed in a vehicle interior and a second seat disposed behind the first seat in the vehicle interior, a gesture detection unit that detects a gesture, a storage unit that stores a getting-on-and-off gesture, an electric slide device that slides the first seat in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a control unit that controls the electric slide device, wherein the control unit determines whether the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the getting-on-and-off gesture stored in the storage unit, and when it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the getting-on-and-off gesture, executes forward slide control to control the electric slide device so that the first seat moves forward in the vehicle. A vehicle seat device.

2. A vehicle seat device including a first seat disposed in a vehicle interior and a second seat disposed behind the first seat in the vehicle interior, a gesture detection unit that detects a gesture, a storage unit that stores a getting-on-and-off gesture, an electric reclining device that tilts the seat back of the first seat, and a control unit that controls the electric reclining device, wherein the control unit determines whether the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the getting-on-and-off gesture stored in the storage unit, and when it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the getting-on-and-off gesture, executes forward reclining control to control the electric reclining device so that the seat back of the first seat tilts forward in the vehicle. A vehicle seat device.

3. In the vehicle seat device according to Claim 1, further including an electric reclining device that tilts the seat back of the first seat, wherein the control unit, when it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the getting-on-and-off gesture, executes the forward slide control and also executes forward reclining control to control the electric reclining device so that the seat back of the first seat tilts forward in the vehicle. A vehicle seat device.

4. In the vehicle seat device according to Claim 1, a startup gesture is stored in the storage unit, The control unit determines whether or not the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the activation gesture, and executes the forward slide control only within a predetermined time after it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the activation gesture. A vehicle seat device.

5. In the vehicle seat device according to claim 1, further comprising a seating sensor for detecting that an occupant is seated on the first seat, wherein when the control unit detects that an occupant is seated on the first seat by the seating sensor, the control unit does not execute the forward slide control. A vehicle seat device.

6. In the vehicle seat device according to claim 1, further comprising a vehicle speed sensor for detecting the speed of the vehicle, wherein when the control unit detects that the vehicle is running by the vehicle speed sensor, the control unit does not execute the forward slide control. A vehicle seat device.

7. In the vehicle seat device according to claim 1, the storage unit stores an emergency stop gesture, the control unit determines whether or not the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit is the emergency stop gesture, and when it is determined that the gesture detected by the gesture detection unit during the execution of the forward slide control is the emergency stop gesture, stops the operation of the electric slide device. A vehicle seat device.

8. In the vehicle seat device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit for notifying the surroundings that a gesture has been detected by the gesture detection unit. A vehicle seat device.

9. In the vehicle seat device according to claim 8, the notification unit is at least one of a speaker for notifying the surroundings by sound that a gesture has been detected by the gesture detection unit and a lamp for notifying the surroundings by light that a gesture has been detected by the gesture detection unit. A vehicle seat device.

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