Seat use state recognition device

Abstract

To provide a seat use state recognition device which enables improvement of recognition accuracy of a seat use state.SOLUTION: A seat use state recognition device 1 recognises a use state of a seat 50 provided in a movable body 100 and having a seat surface 51 and a side support part 52 which is provided at an end in a width direction of the seating surface 51 and protrudes to the upper side relative to the seating surface 51. The seat use state recognition device 1 includes: contact sensors 31a, 31b, 32, 33 which detect the presence or absence of contacts with a first detection portion of the seating surface 51, a second detection portion of a side surface on the seat surface 51 side of the side support part 52, and a third detection portion at an upper end of the side support part 52; and a determination part 11 which determines the use state of the seat 50 based on detection states of the presence or absence of the contacts with the first detection portion, the second detection portion, and the third detection portion detected by the contact sensors 31a, 31b, 32, 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat occupancy state recognition device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a device that detects the seat state, occupant position, and physique using infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, seat sensors, etc. inside the vehicle, and controls the deployment of the airbag according to the distance between the airbag and the occupant (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-188220 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a non-contact sensor such as an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor is used, there is a drawback that obstacles near the sensor can prevent proper detection of the seat status and occupant position. Furthermore, when determining the size of an occupant (e.g., whether the occupant is an adult or a child) based on the weight detected by a weight sensor installed in the seat, it is difficult to determine the size of the occupant if a child car seat is installed in the seat. Therefore, in order to resolve the above drawbacks, it is an object of the present invention to accurately recognize the size of the occupant seated in the seat and the occupancy status of the seat, such as whether a child car seat is being used. The present application aims to solve the above-mentioned problems by improving the accuracy of recognizing seat occupancy status, which in turn will further improve traffic safety and contribute to the development of sustainable transportation systems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A configuration for achieving the above object is a seat usage state recognition device that is provided on a moving body and recognizes the usage state of a seat having a seat surface and side support parts that are provided at the widthwise ends of the seat surface and protrude above the seat surface, the seat usage state recognition device comprising: a contact sensor that detects whether or not there is contact with a first detection point on the seat surface, a second detection point on the side surface of the side support part that faces the seat surface, and a third detection point at the upper end of the side support part; and a judgment unit that judges the usage state of the seat based on the detection status of whether or not there is contact with the first detection point, the second detection point, and the third detection point by the contact sensor.

[0006] In the seat occupancy state recognition device, the determination unit may be configured to determine that an object is placed on the seat surface when the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection point.

[0007] In the above-mentioned seat occupancy state recognition device, the judgment unit may be configured to judge that an occupant of a first size is seated on the seat if the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection point but not with the second detection point, and to judge that an occupant of a second size larger than the first size is seated on the seat if the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection point and the second detection point or the third detection point.

[0008] In the above-mentioned seat occupancy state recognition device, the contact sensor may further detect whether or not there is contact with a fourth detection point at the front end of the seat surface and a fifth detection point at the rear end of the seat surface, the first detection point being located between the fourth detection point and the fifth detection point, and the judgment unit may be configured to judge that a third size occupant is seated on the seat if the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection point and the fourth detection point but not contact with the fifth detection point, and to judge that a fourth size occupant, larger than the third size, is seated on the seat if the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection point and the fifth detection point.

[0009] In the above-mentioned seat occupancy status recognition device, the judgment unit may be configured to judge that an object other than an occupant is on the seat when the contact sensor does not detect contact at the fourth detection point and the fifth detection point, but detects contact at the first detection point.

[0010] In the above-mentioned seat occupancy status recognition device, the judgment unit may be configured to judge that an object other than an occupant is on the seat when the contact sensor does not detect contact at the first detection point and detects contact at the second detection point or the third detection point. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the seat occupancy state recognition device, it is possible to improve the accuracy of recognizing the seat occupancy state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a seat occupancy state recognition device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the seat occupancy status determination process. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a seat occupancy status determination map. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of contact sensors in the seat width direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a method for distinguishing between adults and children in the seat width direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a method for determining whether a child seat is installed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of contact sensors in the seat length direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a method for distinguishing between adults and children in the seat length direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [1. Configuration of the seat occupancy status recognition device] The configuration of a seat occupancy state recognition device 1 of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The seat occupancy state recognition device 1 is configured to include some of the functions of an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 5 provided in a vehicle 100, a first contact sensor 31 (31a, 31b) attached to a seat 50 provided in the vehicle 100, a second contact sensor 32 provided on the side surface of a side support portion 52 provided at an end of the seat surface 51 in the width direction (direction A-A') of the seat surface 51, the side support portion 52 being on the seat surface side, a third contact sensor 33 provided at the upper end of the side support portion 52, a fourth contact sensor 34 provided at the front end of the seat surface 51, and a fifth contact sensor 35 provided at the rear end of the seat surface 51. The side support portion 52 protrudes upward from the seat surface 51.

[0014] When a load equal to or greater than a predetermined level is applied to the detection portions (contact portions), the first contact sensor 31 to the fifth contact sensor 35 switch from an OFF state (contact non-detection state) to an ON state (contact detection state). Vehicle 100 corresponds to a moving body in the present disclosure.

[0015] The location on the seat surface 51 where contact is detected by the first contact sensor 31 corresponds to the first detection location in the present disclosure. The location on the side surface of the side support portion 52 facing the seat surface 51 where contact is detected by the second contact sensor 32 corresponds to the second detection location in the present disclosure. The location on the upper end of the side support portion 52 where contact is detected by the third contact sensor 33 corresponds to the third detection location in the present disclosure. The location on the front end of the seat surface 51 where contact is detected by the fourth contact sensor 34 corresponds to the fourth detection location in the present disclosure. The location on the rear end of the seat surface 51 where contact is detected by the fifth contact sensor 35 corresponds to the fifth detection location in the present disclosure.

[0016] The first contact sensor 31, the second contact sensor 32, the third contact sensor 33, the fourth contact sensor 34, and the fifth contact sensor 35 are connected to the ECU 5. Detection signals SS1a and SS1b of the first contact sensor 31, a detection signal SS2 of the second contact sensor 32, a detection signal SS3 of the third contact sensor 33, a detection signal SS4 of the fourth contact sensor 34, and a detection signal SS5 of the fifth contact sensor 35 are input to the ECU 5.

[0017] The ECU 5 includes a processor 10, a memory 20, an input / output interface circuit, etc., and controls the operation of the vehicle 100. The memory 20 stores a program 21 for controlling the ECU 5, data on a seat occupancy state determination map 22 (see FIG. 3 ) that associates the states (ON / OFF) of the detection signals of the first contact sensor 31 to the fifth contact sensor 35 with the occupancy state of the seat 50, etc.

[0018] By reading and executing the program 21, the processor 10 functions as a determination unit 11 that determines the occupancy state of the seat 50 based on the detection signals of the first contact sensor 31 to the fifth contact sensor 35. The ECU 5 executes processes such as controlling the activation of the airbag corresponding to the seat 50 and notifying the driver that luggage has been left on the seat 50, depending on the occupancy state of the seat 50 recognized by the usage state recognition device 1.

[0019] [2. Seat occupancy status determination process] The procedure for determining the occupancy state of seat 50, which is executed by determination unit 11, will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 2. In step S1 of Fig. 2, when determination unit 11 recognizes that any of the contact sensors has entered the ON state (contact detection state) based on the detection signals of first contact sensor 31 to fifth contact sensor 35, it proceeds to step S2.

[0020] In step S2, the determination unit 11 recognizes whether the first contact sensor 31 to the fifth contact sensor 35 are in an ON state (contact detection state) or an OFF state (contact non-detection state). In the following step S3, the determination unit 11 applies the combination of the ON / OFF states of the first contact sensor 31 to the fifth contact sensor 35 to the seat occupancy state determination map 22 shown in Fig. 3 to determine whether the occupancy state of the seat 50 is in any of the first to ninth states.

[0021] [3. Determining the state of use in the width direction] 4 to 6, the determination of the first to sixth states of the seat occupancy state determination map 22 will be described. The first to sixth states are determined based on the ON / OFF states of the first contact sensor 31 (31a, 31b), the second contact sensor 32, and the third contact sensor 33, which are arranged side by side in the width direction of the seat 50 (the direction A-A' in FIG. 1).

[0022] 4 is a cross-sectional view of seat 50 in the width direction (direction A-A' in FIG. 1), and first contact sensors 31 (31a, 31b) are provided on seat surface 51. In addition, second contact sensor 32 is provided on a side surface 52a of side support portion 52 provided at the end of seat surface 51, facing seat surface 51, and third contact sensor 33 is provided on an upper end portion 52b of side support portion 52.

[0023] R1 in Fig. 5 shows a state in which an adult Ua is seated in the seat 50, and R2 in Fig. 5 shows a state in which a child Uc is seated in the seat 50. Here, the child Uc corresponds to a first size occupant in the present disclosure, and the adult Ua corresponds to a second size occupant that is larger than the first size in the present disclosure.

[0024] As shown by R1, when an adult Ua is seated in the seat 50, the adult Ua's body comes into contact with the first contact sensor 31 (31a, 31b) and the second contact sensor 32, and the first contact sensor 31 and the second contact sensor 32 are turned ON. On the other hand, as shown by R2, when a child Uc is seated in the seat 50, the child Uc's body comes into contact with the first contact sensor 31 (31a, 31b) but does not come into contact with the second contact sensor 32, and therefore only the first contact sensor 31 is turned ON.

[0025] 3, when the first contact sensor 31 and the second contact sensor 32 are both in the ON state, it can be determined that the second state is in which an adult Ua is seated in the seat 50. When the first contact sensor 31 is in the ON state and the second contact sensor 32 is in the OFF state, it can be determined that the first state is in which a child Uc is seated in the seat 50.

[0026] 6 shows a state in which a child seat Cs is attached to the seat 50. In this case, the third contact sensor 33 is in the ON state because the child seat Cs is placed on the side support portion 52. Also, the first contact sensor 31 and the second contact sensor 32 are in the OFF state.

[0027] Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, when the first contact sensor 31 and the second contact sensor 32 are both in the OFF state and the third contact sensor 33 is in the ON state, it can be determined that the third state is in which a child seat Cs is attached to the seat 50.

[0028] Furthermore, when the first contact sensor 31 is in the OFF state and at least one of the second contact sensor 32 and the third contact sensor 33 is in the ON state, it is assumed that no occupant is seated on the seat surface 51, and that luggage or clothing is placed near the connection between the seat surface 51 and the side support portion 52 or on the side support portion 52. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3, when the first contact sensor 31 is in the OFF state and at least one of the second contact sensor 32 and the third contact sensor 33 is in the ON state, it can be determined that an object other than a person is placed on the seat 50.

[0029] In Figure 3, the conditions for both the third and fifth states are that the first contact sensor 31 and the second contact sensor 32 are both in the OFF state and the third contact sensor 33 is in the ON state, but if the third contact sensor 33 is designed to detect the level of applied pressure or weight, it may be possible to distinguish between a child seat and other objects based on the differences in the detected levels of pressure or weight.

[0030] [4. Determining the lengthwise usage status] 7 and 8, the seventh to ninth states of the seat occupancy state determination map 22 will be described. The seventh to ninth states are determined based on the ON / OFF states of the first contact sensor 31 (31a, 31b), the fourth contact sensor 34, and the fifth contact sensor 35, which are arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction of the seat 50 (the direction B-B' in FIG. 1).

[0031] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the seat 50 in the longitudinal direction (direction B-B' in FIG. 1), and shows that the first contact sensors 31 (31a, 31b) are provided on the seat surface 51. The fourth contact sensor 34 is provided on the front end 51a of the seat surface 51, and the fifth contact sensor 35 is provided on the rear end 51b of the seat surface 51. The front end 51a and rear end 51b of the seat surface 51 are raised higher than the center of the seat surface 51.

[0032] R4 in Fig. 8 shows a state in which an adult Ua is seated in the seat 50, and R5 in Fig. 8 shows a state in which a child Uc is seated in the seat 50. Here, the child Uc corresponds to a third size occupant in the present disclosure, and the adult Ua corresponds to a fourth size occupant that is larger than the third size in the present disclosure.

[0033] As shown by R4, when adult Ua is seated in seat 50, the adult Ua's body comes into contact with the first contact sensor 31 (31a, 31b) and the fifth contact sensor 35, causing the first contact sensor 31 and the fifth contact sensor 35 to be in the ON state. In addition, the adult Ua's legs touch the floor of the vehicle 100, causing the knees to be lifted and the backs of the knees to leave the seat 50, causing the fourth contact sensor 34 to be in the OFF state.

[0034] On the other hand, as shown by R5, when the child Uc is seated in the seat 50, the child Uc's body comes into contact with the first contact sensor 31, turning the first contact sensor 31 ON, but does not come into contact with the fifth contact sensor 35, turning the fifth contact sensor 35 OFF. Also, the child Uc's legs do not reach the floor of the vehicle 100 and are in a floating state, so the soles of the child Uc's thighs come into contact with the fourth contact sensor 34, turning the fourth contact sensor 34 ON.

[0035] 3, when the first contact sensor 31 and the fourth contact sensor 34 are in the ON state and the fifth contact sensor 35 is in the OFF state, it can be determined that a child Uc is seated in the seat 50. When the first contact sensor 31 and the fifth contact sensor 35 are in the ON state and the fourth contact sensor 34 is in the OFF state, it can be determined that an adult Ua is seated in the seat 50.

[0036] Also, as shown in Figure 3, when the first contact sensor 31 is in the ON state and the fourth contact sensor 34 and the fifth contact sensor 35 are in the OFF state, contact is detected only at the center of the seat surface 51, so it can be determined that an object other than an occupant is resting on the seat 50.

[0037] 5. Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the contact sensors are configured to be the first contact sensor 31 to the fifth contact sensor 35, which are disposed at locations where contact is to be detected. In another embodiment, a sheet-type contact sensor that detects pressure distribution may be used to detect contact at multiple locations.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the vehicle 100 is shown as the moving body of the present disclosure, but the moving body of the present disclosure may be any moving body having seats for passengers, such as a ship or an aircraft.

[0039] In the above embodiment, the seat occupancy state recognition device 1 is provided with the first contact sensor 31 to the fifth contact sensor 35, but the fourth contact sensor 34 and the fifth contact sensor 35 may be omitted.

[0040] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, occupants are judged by distinguishing between adults and children, but occupants may also be judged by classifying them by size (multiple sizes such as large, medium, small, etc.).

[0041] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the seat occupancy status recognition device 1 divided by main processing content to facilitate understanding of the present invention, but the configuration of the seat occupancy status recognition device 1 may be divided into other categories. Furthermore, the processing of each component may be executed by one hardware unit or multiple hardware units. Furthermore, the processing of each component shown in FIG. 2 may be executed by one program or multiple programs.

[0042] 6. Configurations Supported by the Above Embodiments The above embodiment is a specific example of the following configuration.

[0043] (Configuration 1) A seat usage state recognition device that is provided on a moving body and recognizes the usage state of a seat having a seat surface and side support parts that are provided at the widthwise ends of the seat surface and protrude above the seat surface, the seat usage state recognition device comprising: a contact sensor that detects whether or not there is contact with a first detection point on the seat surface, a second detection point on the side surface of the side support part that faces the seat surface, and a third detection point at the upper end of the side support part; and a judgment unit that judges the usage state of the seat based on the detection status of whether or not there is contact with the first detection point, the second detection point, and the third detection point by the contact sensor. According to the seat usage state recognition device of configuration 1, the accuracy of recognizing the usage state of the seat can be improved by detecting the state of the seat surface and the side support part of the seat and the presence or absence of contact at the detection points on the side of the seat surface.

[0044] (Configuration 2) The seat occupancy state recognition device according to Configuration 1, wherein the judgment unit judges that an object is placed on the seat surface when the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection point. According to the seat occupancy state recognition device of configuration 2, it is possible to recognize that an object is placed on the seat surface by detecting contact with the first detection point.

[0045] (Configuration 3) A seat occupancy state recognition device as described in Configuration 1 or Configuration 2, wherein the judgment unit judges that an occupant of a first size is seated on the seat when the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection point but not with the second detection point, and judges that an occupant of a second size larger than the first size is seated on the seat when the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection point and the second detection point or the third detection point. According to the seat occupancy status recognition device of configuration 3, the size of the width of the seat of an occupant sitting in the seat can be recognized based on the first detection point, the second detection point, and whether or not there is contact with the second detection point, which are located at different positions in the width direction of the seat.

[0046] (Configuration 4) The contact sensor further detects whether or not there is contact with a fourth detection point at the front end of the seat surface and a fifth detection point at the rear end of the seat surface, the first detection point being located between the fourth detection point and the fifth detection point, and the judgment unit determines that a third size occupant is seated on the seat if the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection point and the fourth detection point but not contact with the fifth detection point, and determines that a fourth size occupant, larger than the third size, is seated on the seat if the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection point and the fifth detection point. A seat occupancy state recognition device described in any one of configurations 1 to 3. According to the seat occupancy status recognition device of configuration 4, the size of the seat in the fore-and-aft direction of the occupant can be recognized based on whether or not there is contact with the first detection point, the fourth detection point, and the fifth detection point, which are located at different positions in the fore-and-aft direction (length direction) of the seat.

[0047] (Configuration 5) A seat occupancy status recognition device as described in Configuration 4, wherein the judgment unit determines that an object other than an occupant is on the seat when the contact sensor does not detect contact at the fourth detection point and the fifth detection point, and detects contact at the first detection point. According to the seat occupancy state recognition device of configuration 5, when contact is not detected at the fourth detection point at the front end of the seat surface and the fifth detection point at the rear end of the seat surface, but contact is detected at the first detection point between the fourth and fifth detection points on the seat surface, it can be recognized that an object other than an occupant is resting on the seat.

[0048] (Configuration 6) A seat occupancy status recognition device described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the judgment unit determines that an object other than an occupant is on the seat when the contact sensor does not detect contact at the first detection point and detects contact at the second detection point or the third detection point. According to the seat occupancy state recognition device of configuration 6, it is possible to recognize that an object other than an occupant is resting on the seat when contact is not detected at the first detection point on the seat surface but contact is detected at the second or third detection point on the side support portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1...seat occupancy state recognition device, 5...ECU, 10...processor, 11...judgment unit, 20...memory, 21...program, 22...seat occupancy state judgment map, 31 (31a, 31b)...first contact sensor, 32...second contact sensor, 33...third contact sensor, 34...fourth contact sensor, 35...fifth contact sensor, 50...seat, 51...seat surface, 52...side support unit, Ua...adult (occupant), Uc...child (occupant).

Claims

1. A seat occupancy state recognition device is provided in a moving body and recognizes an occupancy state of a seat having a seat surface and side support portions provided at widthwise ends of the seat surface and protruding above the seat surface, a contact sensor that detects whether or not there is contact with a first detection point on the seat surface, a second detection point on a side surface of the side support portion on the seat surface side, and a third detection point on an upper end of the side support portion; a determination unit that determines an occupancy state of the seat based on a detection state of whether or not the first detection point, the second detection point, and the third detection point are contacted by the contact sensor; A seat occupancy status recognition device comprising:

2. The determination unit determines that an object is placed on the seat surface when the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection point. The seat occupancy state recognition device according to claim 1.

3. The determination unit determines that an occupant of a first size is seated on the seat when the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection location and does not detect contact with the second detection location, and determines that an occupant of a second size larger than the first size is seated on the seat when the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection location and the second or third detection location.

3. The seat occupancy state recognition device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the contact sensor further detects whether or not there is contact with a fourth detection point at a front end of the seat and a fifth detection point at a rear end of the seat, the first detection point being located between the fourth detection point and the fifth detection point; The determination unit determines that an occupant of a third size is seated on the seat when the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection location and the fourth detection location but does not detect contact with the fifth detection location, and determines that an occupant of a fourth size, which is larger than the third size, is seated on the seat when the contact sensor detects contact with the first detection location and the fifth detection location.

3. The seat occupancy state recognition device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The determination unit determines that an object other than an occupant is on the seat when the contact sensor does not detect contact with the fourth detection point and the fifth detection point and detects contact with the first detection point. The seat occupancy state recognition device according to claim 4.

6. The determination unit determines that an object other than an occupant is on the seat when the contact sensor does not detect contact at the first detection point and detects contact at the second detection point or the third detection point.

3. The seat occupancy state recognition device according to claim 1 or 2.

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