Vehicle stand-up nap device

Abstract

To obtain a vehicle stand-up nap device which allows an occupant of a vehicle to take a nap in a standing position.SOLUTION: A vehicle stand-up nap device 10 is formed including a vehicle seat 12 which may be deformed into a normal state where an occupant P is seated and a stand-up nap usage state where the vehicle seat 12 can support the occupant P in a standing position. The vehicle seat 12 is provided with: a first support part 28 for supporting soles R of the occupant P in the standing position from below; a second support part 36 for supporting knees K of the occupant R in the standing position from the front side; a third support part 52 for supporting a hip B of the occupant P in the standing position from below; and a fourth support part 58 for supporting arms A and a head H of the occupant P in the standing position from below.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle sleeping / standing device for allowing a vehicle occupant to take a nap or the like in a standing position. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a vehicle seat structure suitable for cab-over vehicles such as trucks. This vehicle seat structure includes a pair of seats arranged in a driver's cab and spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, a first rotation mechanism provided on one of the seats that rotates the seat so that the back of the seatback of the one seat faces the opposite side of the other seat in the vehicle width direction, a second rotation mechanism provided on the other seat that rotates the other seat so that the back of the seatback of the other seat faces the seat cushion of the first seat, a reclining mechanism provided on at least the other seat that tilts the seatback of the other seat toward its back, and a sliding mechanism provided on one of the seats that slides the one seat laterally. This allows for a simple configuration to form a bed surface for occupants to take a nap or the like.

[0003] Patent Document 2 listed below discloses a structure for accommodating a human body that is suitable for office workers and the like. The structure for accommodating a human body includes a storage space for accommodating a human body, and is configured to support the human body stored in the storage space in an upright position. The structure for accommodating a human body includes a first support portion that supports the buttocks of the human body so as to support at least a portion of the weight of the human body stored in the storage space from below, a second support portion that supports the upper body so as to prevent the upper body stored in the storage space from moving in the horizontal direction, and a third support portion that supports the knees of the human body stored in the storage space so as to prevent the knees from moving forward. This allows the structure to support the human body in an upright position without requiring a large horizontal space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-142771 [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-29509 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, the occupant lies down on the bed surface, which can easily turn a nap into a deep sleep, resulting in the occupant oversleeping and missing the truck's scheduled delivery time. On the other hand, the human body storage structure disclosed in Patent Document 2 allows the user to relax even while standing and relax, and allows the user to take a nap while standing, thereby achieving the effect of refreshing in a short time without falling into a deep sleep. However, the human body storage structure disclosed in Patent Document 2 does not take into consideration its application to vehicles.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a sleeping / standing device for a vehicle that allows a vehicle occupant to take a nap or the like in an upright position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first aspect of the vehicle sleeping / standing device is a vehicle sleeping / standing device that includes a vehicle seat that can be transformed into a normal state in which a vehicle occupant can be seated and a sleeping / standing use state in which at least the lower body of a standing occupant can be supported, and is equipped with a first support part that is provided on the vehicle seat and supports the soles of the feet of the standing occupant from below, a second support part that is provided on the vehicle seat and supports the knees of the standing occupant from the front, a third support part that is provided on the vehicle seat and supports the buttocks of the standing occupant from below, and a fourth support part that is provided on the vehicle seat or the ceiling of the vehicle and supports the arms and head of the standing occupant from below.

[0008] The "standing posture" in claim 1 also includes a semi-standing posture.

[0009] The first aspect of the vehicle sleeping apparatus includes a vehicle seat that can be transformed between a normal state in which a vehicle occupant can sit and a sleeping state in which at least the lower body of a standing occupant can be supported. The vehicle seat is provided with a first support portion that supports the soles of the feet of the standing occupant from below, a second support portion that supports the knees of the standing occupant from the front, and a third support portion that supports the buttocks of the standing occupant from below. Furthermore, in this vehicle sleeping apparatus, a fourth support portion is provided on the vehicle seat or the ceiling of the vehicle that supports the arms and head of the standing occupant from below. This allows the occupant to take a nap or the like in a standing position.

[0010] In the second aspect of the vehicle sleeping / standing device, in the first aspect, the second support part includes a seat cushion of the vehicle seat and a cushion displacement mechanism that displaces the seat cushion between a normal position where an occupant can be seated and a knee support position where the knees can be supported.

[0011] In the second aspect of the vehicle standing / sleeping device, the seat cushion on which the occupant can sit is displaced from the normal position to the knee support position by the cushion displacement mechanism, so that the knees of the occupant in a standing position can be supported by the seat cushion.

[0012] In the third aspect of the vehicle sleeping / standing device, in the first or second aspect, the first support part includes a footrest of the vehicle seat and a footrest displacement mechanism that displaces the footrest between a storage position where it is stored at the front end of the vehicle seat and a foot support position where it can support the soles of the feet.

[0013] In the third aspect of the vehicle standing / lying down device, the footrest stored at the front end of the vehicle seat is displaced from the storage position to the foot support position by the footrest displacement mechanism, so that the soles of the feet of an occupant in a standing position can be supported by the footrest.

[0014] The fourth aspect of the vehicle sleeping / standing device is any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the third support part has an armrest of the vehicle seat and an armrest displacement mechanism that displaces the armrest between a storage position where it is stored in the side of the seat back of the vehicle seat and a buttocks support position where it can support the buttocks.

[0015] In the fourth aspect of the vehicle standing / sleeping device, the armrest stored on the side of the seat back is displaced from the storage position to the buttocks support position by the armrest displacement mechanism, so that the buttocks of an occupant in a standing position can be supported by the armrest.

[0016] A fifth aspect of the vehicle sleeping / standing device is any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the fourth support portion has a support plate for supporting the arms and the head, and a support plate displacement mechanism for displacing the support plate between a stored position where the support plate is stored behind the seat back of the vehicle seat and a raised position where the arms and the head can be supported.

[0017] In the fifth aspect of the vehicle standing / sleeping device, the support plate stored behind the seat back is displaced from a stored position to a raised position by a support plate displacement mechanism, so that the arms and head of an occupant in a standing position can be supported by the support plate.

[0018] In the sixth aspect of the vehicle sleeping / standing device, in the second aspect, the first support part has a back lower part that constitutes the lower part of the seat back of the vehicle seat, and a back lower part displacement mechanism that displaces the back lower part between a normal position that can support the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion of the vehicle seat and a foot support position that can support the soles of the feet.

[0019] In the sixth aspect of the vehicle standing / lying down device, the lower back portion, which constitutes the lower part of the seat back, is displaced from the normal position to the foot support position by the lower back displacement mechanism, so that the soles of the feet of an occupant in a standing position can be supported by the lower back portion.

[0020] A seventh aspect of the vehicle sleeping and standing device is the sixth aspect, wherein the third support part has an upper back part that constitutes the upper part of the seat back of the vehicle seat, and an upper back part displacement mechanism that displaces the upper back part between a normal position that can support the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion of the vehicle seat and a buttocks support position that can support the buttocks.

[0021] In the seventh aspect of the vehicle standing / sleeping device, the upper back portion that constitutes the upper part of the seat back is displaced from the normal position to the buttocks support position by the upper back displacement mechanism, so that the buttocks of an occupant in a standing position can be supported by the upper back portion.

[0022] The eighth aspect of the vehicle sleeping and standing device is the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein the fourth support portion has a support plate for supporting the arms and the head, and a support plate displacement mechanism for displacing the support plate between a stored position where it is stored behind the seat back of the vehicle seat and a raised position where it can support the arms and the head.

[0023] In the eighth aspect of the vehicle standing / sleeping device, the support plate stored behind the seat back is displaced from a stored position to a raised position by a support plate displacement mechanism, so that the arms and head of an occupant in a standing position can be supported by the support plate.

[0024] A ninth aspect of the vehicle sleeping and standing device is the sixth or seventh aspect, wherein the fourth support part is a door of a storage space provided on the ceiling of the vehicle, and the door is displaceable between a closed position that closes the opening of the storage space and an open position that opens the opening and can support the arms and head.

[0025] In the ninth aspect of the vehicle standing / lying device, the door of a storage compartment provided on the ceiling of the vehicle can be displaced from a closed position to an open position, allowing the door to support the arms and head of an occupant in a standing position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] As described above, according to the present invention, a vehicle occupant can take a nap or the like in an upright position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a normal state of a vehicle seat provided with a vehicle standing / sleeping device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing a state in which a vehicle seat provided with a vehicle sleeping-up device according to a first embodiment is used for sleeping upright. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a vehicle seat provided with a vehicle sleeping-up device according to a first embodiment is used for sleeping upright. [Figure 4] 10 is a front view showing a state in which the support plate of the fourth support part is located at a storage position. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a state in which the support plate of the fourth support part is in the middle of being unfolded. [Figure 6] 10 is a side view showing a state in which the seat cushion of the second support portion is located at a normal position. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a side view showing a state in which the seat cushion of the second support portion is positioned at a knee support position. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a cushion displacement mechanism of the second support portion. [Figure 9] 10 is a side view showing a state in which the footrest of the first support part is located at a storage position. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a side view showing a state in which the footrest of the first support part is positioned at the sole supporting position. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a footrest displacement mechanism of the first support portion. [Figure 12] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the armrest of the third support part is located at a storage position. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the armrest of the third support part is positioned at a buttocks supporting position. FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is a first side view showing a state in which a vehicle seat provided in the vehicle sleeping apparatus according to the first embodiment is in the middle of being transformed from a normal state to a sleeping state. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a second side view showing a state in which the vehicle seat provided in the vehicle sleeping apparatus according to the first embodiment is in the middle of being transformed from a normal state to a sleeping state. FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is a side view showing a normal state of a vehicle seat provided with a vehicle standing / sleeping device according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is a side view showing a state in which a vehicle seat provided with a vehicle sleeping-up device according to a second embodiment is used for sleeping upright. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a normal state of a vehicle seat provided with a vehicle standing / sleeping device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a vehicle seat provided in the vehicle sleeping apparatus according to the second embodiment is in the middle of being transformed from a normal state to a sleeping state. FIG. [Figure 20] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a vehicle seat provided with a vehicle sleeping-up device according to a second embodiment is used for sleeping upright. FIG. [Figure 21] 10 is a side view showing a state in which the upper back portion of the third support part is located at a normal position. FIG. [Figure 22] 10 is a side view showing a state in which the back support portion of the third support portion is positioned at a buttocks supporting position. FIG. [Figure 23] 10 is a side view showing a state in which the lower back portion of the first support part is located at a normal position. FIG. [Figure 24] 10 is a side view showing a state in which the lower back part of the first support part is positioned at the sole supporting position. FIG. [Figure 25] 10 is a side view showing a state in which the seat cushion of the second support portion is located at a normal position. FIG. [Figure 26] 10 is a side view showing a state in which the seat cushion of the second support portion is positioned at a knee support position. FIG. [Figure 27] 18 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 17, showing a modified example of the vehicle standing / sleeping device according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the vehicle sleeping-in position device according to the third embodiment is used while sleeping in a standing position. [Figure 29] 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle interior having a storage compartment provided on the ceiling. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a vehicle sleeping apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 15. Note that in each figure, some reference numerals may be omitted to make the drawings easier to understand. Arrows FR, LH, and UP, which are appropriately shown in each figure, respectively indicate the front, left, and top of a vehicle to which the vehicle sleeping apparatus 10 is applied. Hereinafter, when the front-rear, left-right, top-bottom directions are used in the description, they will indicate directions relative to the vehicle unless otherwise specified.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, a vehicle standing / lying down device 10 according to this embodiment is composed of a vehicle seat 12. This vehicle seat 12 is mounted on a vehicle such as a large truck or a bus, and is capable of being transformed into a normal state in which an occupant P can be seated as shown in Figure 1, and a standing / lying down use state in which an occupant P in a standing position can be supported as shown in Figures 2 and 3. This vehicle seat 12 includes a seat cushion 14 on which the occupant P sits, a seat back 16 that supports the back of the occupant P, a headrest 18 that supports the head H of the occupant P, a footrest 20 that supports the soles R of the occupant P, and armrests 22 (not shown in Figures 1 and 2) that support the arms A of the occupant.

[0030] The seat cushion 14, seat back 16, headrest 18, footrest 20, and armrest 22 are attached to a frame 24 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) shown in Fig. 3. This frame 24 has a cushion frame portion 24A to which the seat cushion 14 is attached, and a back frame portion 24B to which the seat back 16 is attached. This frame 24 is connected to the floor of the vehicle (not shown) via a suspension device 26 (not shown in Fig. 3) shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0031] The seat cushion 14 is surrounded from the front and both left and right sides by a cushion frame portion 24A. The seat back 16 is surrounded from above and both left and right sides by a back frame portion 24B. As an example, the seat back 16 is divided into an upper back portion 16A that forms the upper part of the seat back 16, and an upper back portion 16B that forms the lower part of the seat back 16. An intermediate frame portion 24B1 that forms part of the back frame portion 24B is disposed between the upper back portion 16A and the lower back portion 16B.

[0032] This vehicle seat 12 is equipped with a first support portion 28 that supports the soles R of the feet of an occupant P (see Figures 2 and 3; hereinafter simply referred to as "occupant P in standing position") who is in an upright position facing the rear of the vehicle from below, a second support portion 36 that supports the knees K of the occupant P in a standing position from the front side of the occupant P (rear side of the vehicle), a third support portion 52 that supports the buttocks of the occupant P in a standing position from below, and a fourth support portion 58 that supports the arms A and head H of the occupant P in a standing position from below.

[0033] 4 and 5, the fourth support section 58 is made up of a support plate (backboard) 60 and a support plate displacement mechanism 62. The support plate 60 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and is used to support the arms A and head H of an occupant P in an upright position. The support plate displacement mechanism 62 is configured to displace the support plate 60 between a stored position (see FIGS. 1 and 4) where it is stored behind the seat back 16, and a raised position (see FIGS. 2 and 3) where it can support the arms A and head H of an occupant P in an upright position.

[0034] The support plate displacement mechanism 62 includes two two-stage slide frames (telescopic members) 64 attached to the left and right sides of the back frame portion 24B. Each two-stage slide frame 64 is formed in an elongated shape with its longitudinal direction in the vertical direction and includes a plurality of (three in this example) frame portions 66, 68, 70 connected to each other so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. These frame portions 66, 68, 70 are connected via hinges 72, 74 so as to be rotatable relative to each other.

[0035] Each two-stage slide frame 64 is provided with a plurality of motors (not shown) that slide the frame portions 66, 68, 70 in the up-down direction and rotate them relative to each other. As a result, the support plate displacement mechanism 62 is configured to displace the support plate 60 between the above-mentioned storage position and raised position. In the storage position, the support plate 60 is stored behind the seat back 16 with its thickness direction aligned with the front-to-rear direction. In the raised position, the support plate 60 is positioned above the headrest 18 with its thickness direction aligned with the up-to-down direction.

[0036] The height of the support plate 60 in the raised position is adjusted by the rotation angle of the hinges 72, 74, etc., to suit the height of the occupant P and whether the occupant P chooses to sleep standing up or half-standing. The occupant P in a standing position can lie face down on the support plate 60 with part of the upper body, including the arms A and head H, in that position.

[0037] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the second support section 36 is made up of the seat cushion 14 and a cushion displacement mechanism 38. The seat cushion 14 has a cushion material made of foam and a cover material covering the cushion material. The cushion displacement mechanism 38 is configured to displace the seat cushion 14 between a normal position (the position shown in Figures 1 and 6) where an occupant can sit and a knee support position (the position shown in Figures 2, 3 and 7) where the seat cushion 14 can support the knees K of an occupant P in a standing position.

[0038] The cushion displacement mechanism 38 has a base plate 40, two feed screw mechanisms 42 (left and right), a motor (reference number omitted), a rotating plate 48, and a link member 50. The base plate 40 is a rectangular plate with the longitudinal direction extending in the front-to-rear direction and the plate thickness direction extending in the up-to-down direction, and is fixed to the cushion frame portion 24A.

[0039] Each of the left and right feed screw mechanisms 42 has a feed screw 44 extending in the front-to-rear direction and a feed table 46 to which the feed screw 44 is threaded. Each feed screw 44 is rotatably attached to the base plate 40, and is rotated by the driving force of a motor, thereby displacing each feed table 46 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0040] The rotating plate 48 has a rectangular plate shape with its thickness direction coinciding with the thickness direction of the seat cushion 14, and is fixed to the underside of the seat cushion 14. One end of the rotating plate 48, which is located near the front end of the seat cushion 14, is connected to each feed base 46 of the left and right feed screw mechanisms 42 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction. In this way, the seat cushion 14 is attached to the cushion frame portion 24A via the cushion displacement mechanism 38.

[0041] The link member 50 is bridged between the rotating plate 48 and the base plate 40. One end of the link member 50 is connected to an intermediate portion between one end and the other end of the rotating plate 48 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction. The other end of the link member 50 is connected to a rear end portion of the base plate 40 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction.

[0042] In the cushion displacement mechanism 38 configured as described above, when the left and right feed tables 46 are displaced rearward by rotation of the left and right feed screws 44, one end of the rotating plate 48 connected to the left and right feed tables 46 is displaced toward the rear end of the base plate 40. This causes the rotating plate 48 and link member 50 to rotate upward, and the rotating plate 48 and seat cushion 14 are displaced (raised) toward the knee support position. In the knee support position, the seat cushion 14 assumes a position inclined downward toward the front. The angle of inclination of the seat cushion 14 in the knee support position is set to, for example, about 80 degrees.

[0043] When the left and right feed screws 44 rotate and the left and right feed tables 46 are displaced forward, one end of the rotating plate 48 connected to the left and right feed tables 46 is displaced toward the front end of the base plate 40. This causes the rotating plate 48 and the link member 50 to rotate downward, and the rotating plate 48 and the seat cushion 14 are displaced (lowered) toward the normal position.

[0044] 9 to 11, the first support portion 28 is made up of a footrest 20 and a footrest displacement mechanism 30. The footrest 20 is formed in a plate shape. The footrest displacement mechanism 30 is configured to displace the footrest 20 between a storage position (position shown in FIG. 1) at the front end of the vehicle seat 12 and a sole support position (position shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 10) where the footrest 20 can support the soles R of the feet of an occupant P in a standing position.

[0045] The footrest displacement mechanism 30 includes a link mechanism 34 and a motor (not shown). The link mechanism 34 is composed of multiple link members rotatably connected to one another and connects the footrest 20 to the front end of the cushion frame portion 24A. The multiple link members are rotatable about axes extending in the left-right direction. When the link mechanism 34 is driven by a motor (not shown), the footrest 20 is displaced between the storage position and the foot support position.

[0046] When the footrest 20 is displaced from the storage position to the sole support position, as shown in Figure 9, the footrest 20 is first rotated approximately 30 degrees to a position extending diagonally downward from the front end of the cushion frame portion 24A, and then, as shown in Figure 10, the footrest 20 is rotated approximately 90 degrees upward and forward.

[0047] 12 and 13, the third support portion 52 is made up of an armrest 22 and an armrest displacement mechanism 54. The armrest 22 has a core material made of C-section steel or the like, a cushion material made of foam, and a cover material covering the cushion material, and is formed in an elongated shape with a generally C-shaped cross section. The armrest displacement mechanism 54 is configured to displace the armrest 22 between a stored position (see FIG. 12) where it is stored in the side portion (here, the left side portion) of the seat back 16, and a buttocks support position (position shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 13) where it can support the buttocks B of an occupant P in a standing position.

[0048] The armrest displacement mechanism 54 has two left and right arm members 56L, 56R and multiple motors (not shown). The left and right arm members 56L, 56R are formed into an elongated shape using, for example, a pipe material. One longitudinal end of the left arm member 56L is rotatably connected to the left side of the back frame portion 24B about an axis extending in the left-right direction, and one longitudinal end (base end) of the right arm member 56R is rotatably connected to the right side of the back frame portion 24B about an axis extending in the left-right direction.

[0049] One longitudinal end (base end) of the armrest 22 is rotatably connected to the other longitudinal end (tip end) of the left arm member 56L. The armrest 22 is rotatable relative to the left arm member 56L about an axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the arm member 56L. As shown in Figure 12, in the stored position, the left arm member 56L is housed inside the armrest 22, and the armrest 22 and arm member 56L are stored with their longitudinal directions aligned in the up-down direction.

[0050] When the armrest 22, which is in the storage position, is moved to the buttocks support position, the left and right arm members 56L, 56R are rotated forward by a plurality of motors (not shown) so that they extend forward from the back frame portion 24B. Next, the armrest 22 is rotated by a motor (not shown) about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the arm member 56L, and the other longitudinal end (tip) of the armrest 22 fits into the tip of the arm member 56R (see FIG. 13). As a result, the armrest 22 is positioned below the buttocks B of the occupant P who is in a standing position. The position height of the armrest 22 in the buttocks support position can be set to a plurality of levels according to the position height of the buttocks B of the occupant P.

[0051] In the vehicle standing / sleeping device 10 configured as described above, the operation of the multiple motors provided in the support plate displacement mechanism 62, cushion displacement mechanism 38, footrest displacement mechanism 30, and armrest displacement mechanism 54 is controlled by a control device (not shown). This control device is connected to an operation button (not shown). When the occupant P takes a nap, as shown in FIG. 14, the occupant P kneels on the seat cushion 14 facing the rear of the vehicle and operates the operation button to select standing sleeping or semi-standing sleeping. This transforms the vehicle seat 12 from the normal state to the standing sleeping state.

[0052] In this case, first, the seat back 16 is temporarily returned to the vertical standard state mode (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 14). Next, the footrest 20 is displaced from the storage position to the sole-supporting position by the footrest displacement mechanism 30, and the seat cushion 14 is displaced from the normal position to the knee-supporting position by the cushion displacement mechanism 38 (see FIG. 15). As a result, the soles R of the occupant P are supported from below by the footrest 20, and the knees K of the occupant P are supported from the front side of the occupant P by the seat cushion 14.

[0053] Next, the armrest 22 is displaced from the storage position to the buttocks supporting position by the armrest displacement mechanism 54, and the support plate 60 is displaced from the storage position to the raised position by the support plate displacement mechanism 62. As a result, the buttocks B of the occupant P are supported from below by the armrest 22, and the occupant P lies face down with his / her arms A and head H on the support plate 60, so that the occupant P is supported in an upright or semi-upright position by the vehicle seat 12. This allows the occupant P to take a nap or the like in an upright position.

[0054] As described above, according to this embodiment, it becomes possible for a truck or bus occupant P (driver) to take an appropriate nap break in the vehicle (i.e., a "standing or semi-standing nap" that allows the occupant P to feel the effects of a nap, but not to sleep too deeply, and to quickly return to driving without becoming drowsy. As a result, this contributes to preventing serious accidents caused by driver fatigue, such as when truck or bus drivers fall asleep at the wheel.

[0055] In the first embodiment, the footrest displacement mechanism 30, cushion displacement mechanism 38, armrest displacement mechanism 54, and support plate displacement mechanism 62 are configured to have motors (drive sources), but this is not limiting, and these displacement mechanisms 30, 38, 54, and 62 may be configured to be manual. This also applies to the other embodiments described below.

[0056] <Second embodiment> Next, a vehicle standing / lying device 80 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 16 to 26. Note that the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for configurations and operations that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0057] 16 to 20, a vehicle standing / lying down device 80 according to this embodiment is configured with a vehicle seat 82. This vehicle seat 82 is mounted on a vehicle such as a large truck or a bus, and can be transformed into a normal state in which an occupant P can be seated as shown in Fig. 16, and a standing / lying down use state in which an occupant P can be supported in a standing position facing the front of the vehicle (hereinafter simply referred to as "occupant P in a standing position") as shown in Fig. 17.

[0058] This vehicle seat 82 includes a first support portion 84 that supports the soles R of the feet of an occupant P in an upright position from below, a second support portion 90 that supports the knees K of the occupant P in an upright position from the front side of the occupant P (front side of the vehicle), a third support portion 96 that supports the buttocks of the occupant P in an upright position from below, and a fourth support portion 58 (not shown in FIGS. 16, 18 to 20) that supports the arms A and head H of the occupant P in an upright position from below. The fourth support portion 58 has a configuration basically similar to that of the fourth support portion 58 in the first embodiment, and is formed by a support plate 60 and a support plate displacement mechanism 62. In FIG. 17, C denotes the ceiling of the vehicle.

[0059] 17 and 20 to 22, the third support portion 96 is made up of an upper back portion 16A and an upper back portion displacement mechanism 98. The upper back portion 16A has a cushion material made of foam and a skin material covering the cushion material, and is formed in a generally plate-like shape. The upper back portion displacement mechanism 98 is configured to displace the upper back portion 16A between a normal position (the position shown in FIGS. 16, 18, and 21) at which the upper back portion 16A can support the back of an occupant P seated on the seat cushion 14, and a buttocks support position (the position shown in FIGS. 17, 20, and 22) at which the upper back portion 16A can support the buttocks B of an occupant P in a standing position.

[0060] The upper back displacement mechanism 98 has a link mechanism 100 and a motor (not shown). The link mechanism 100 is composed of multiple link members rotatably connected to each other and connects the upper back 16A to the upper part of the back frame portion 24B. The multiple link members are rotatable about axes extending in the left-right direction. When the link mechanism 100 is driven by a motor (not shown), the upper back 16A is displaced between the normal position and the buttocks support position.

[0061] 17, 20, 23, and 24, the first support portion 84 is made up of a back lower portion 16B and a back lower displacement mechanism 86. The back lower portion 16B has a cushion material made of foam and a skin material covering the cushion material, and is formed in a generally plate-like shape. The back lower portion displacement mechanism 86 is configured to displace the back lower portion 16B between a normal position (the position shown in FIGS. 16 and 19) at which the back of an occupant P seated on the seat cushion 14 can be supported, and a foot support position (the position shown in FIGS. 17, 20, and 24) at which the soles R of the feet of an occupant P in a standing position can be supported.

[0062] The lower back displacement mechanism 86 has two telescopic mechanisms 87 (see FIG. 20), one on the left and one on the right, a link mechanism 88, and a plurality of motors (not shown). The left and right telescopic mechanisms 87 are formed in an elongated shape, and one longitudinal end (upper end) is connected to the intermediate frame portion 24B1 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction. The left and right telescopic mechanisms 87 are each capable of extending and retracting in their respective longitudinal directions.

[0063] The link mechanism 88 is composed of multiple link members rotatably connected to each other and connects the extension / contraction mechanism 87 and the lower back 16B. The multiple link members are rotatable around axes that extend in the left-right direction. The left and right extension / contraction mechanisms 87 and the link mechanism 88 are driven by multiple motors (not shown), so that the lower back 16B can be displaced between the normal position and the sole-supporting position.

[0064] When the lower back portion 16B is displaced from the normal position to the sole support position, as shown in FIG. 23, the lower back portion 16B is first rotated to a position inclined downward toward the rear, and then displaced diagonally downward and backward while maintaining that position, and then, as shown in FIG. 24, the lower back portion 16B is rotated approximately 90 degrees toward the upward and forward side.

[0065] 17, 20, 25, and 26, the second support part 90 is made up of the seat cushion 14 and a cushion displacement mechanism 92. In this second support part 90, the rear end (other end) of the seat cushion 14 is connected to the rear end of the link member 50 so as to be rotatable about an axis along the left-right direction. The cushion displacement mechanism 92 has basically the same configuration as the cushion displacement mechanism 38 in the first embodiment, but has a link member 94 that is separate from the link member 50.

[0066] An intermediate portion of the link member 94 is rotatably connected to the front end (one end) of the link member 50 about an axis along the left-right direction. One end of the link member 94 is rotatably connected to the front portion of the seat cushion 14 about an axis along the left-right direction, and the other end of the link member 94 is rotatably connected to the slide base 46 about an axis along the left-right direction.

[0067] In the second support section 90 configured as described above, when the feed base 46 is displaced rearward by rotation of the feed screw 44, the link members 50, 94 rotate upward, and the seat cushion 14 is displaced (raised) toward the knee support position. At the knee support position, the seat cushion 14 assumes a position inclined downward toward the rear. When the left and right feed bases 46 are displaced forward by rotation of the left and right feed screws 44, the link members 50, 94 rotate downward, and the seat cushion 14 is displaced (lowered) toward the normal position.

[0068] In the vehicle standing / lying device 80 configured as described above, the operation of multiple motors provided in the support plate displacement mechanism 62, the upper back displacement mechanism 98, the cushion displacement mechanism 92, and the lower back displacement mechanism 86 is controlled by a control device (not shown). When the occupant P takes a nap, the occupant P kneels on the seat cushion 14 facing the front of the vehicle and operates the operation button to select standing / lying or semi-standing. This transforms the vehicle seat 12 from the normal state to the standing / lying state. As a result, the soles R of the occupant P are supported from below by the lower back 16B, the knees K of the occupant P are supported from the front of the occupant P by the seat cushion 14, and the buttocks B of the occupant P are supported from below by the upper back 16A. Then, the occupant P lies face down with his / her arms A and head H placed on the support plate 60, and the occupant P is supported by the vehicle seat 82 in a standing or semi-standing position. This allows the occupant P to take a nap or the like in an upright position.

[0069] In addition, when the ceiling C of the vehicle is low as in the modified example shown in Figure 17, the occupant P can be supported in a semi-standing position by bending the slide frame 64 at hinges 72, 74 provided on the slide frame 64 of the support plate displacement mechanism 62.

[0070] <Third embodiment> Next, a vehicle standing / lying device 110 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 28 and 29. Note that the same reference numerals as in the previously described embodiment are used for configurations and actions that are basically the same as those in the previously described embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0071] The vehicle seat support device 110 according to the third embodiment is provided with a fourth support portion consisting of a lower door 120 of a storage compartment 112 provided on the ceiling C of the vehicle, instead of the fourth support portion 58 described above. This lower door 120 corresponds to the "door" in the present invention. The vehicle seat 82 is provided with a first support portion 84, a second support portion 90, and a third support portion 96, as in the second embodiment.

[0072] As an example, the storage shed 112 is a two-tiered type, comprising an upper section 114 and a lower section 116. The upper section 114 and the lower section 116 each have an opening (reference numeral omitted) that opens toward the rear of the vehicle. The opening of the upper section 114 is configured to be opened and closed by an upper door 118 that is rotatably connected to the upper edge of the opening of the upper section 114. Similarly, the opening of the lower section 116 is configured to be opened and closed by a lower door 120 that is rotatably connected to the lower edge of the opening of the lower section 116.

[0073] The lower door 120 is displaceable between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 29) in which it closes the opening of the lower section 116, and an open position (position shown in FIG. 28) in which it opens the opening of the lower section 116 and can support the arms A and head H of an occupant P in a standing position.

[0074] 28, in this vehicle standing / sleeping device 110, the soles R of the occupant P are supported from below by the seat back lower part 16B, the knees K of the occupant P are supported from the front side of the occupant P (front side of the vehicle) by the seat cushion 14, and the buttocks B of the occupant P are supported from below by the seat back upper part 16A. When the occupant P lies face down with his / her arms A and head H on the lower door 120 that is set in the open position, the occupant P is supported in an upright position by the vehicle seat 82 and the lower door 120. This allows the occupant P to take a nap or the like in an upright position.

[0075] In the third embodiment, the lower door 120 of the storage compartment 112 is configured as the fourth support portion, but this is not limitative. For example, the fourth support portion may be configured by a support plate for supporting the arms and head of an occupant in a standing position, and a support plate displacement mechanism (lifting mechanism) for raising and lowering the support plate relative to the ceiling of the vehicle.

[0076] In addition, the present invention can be implemented in various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 10 Vehicle standing / sleeping device 12 Vehicle seats 14 seat cushion 16 Seat back 16A Upper back 16B lower back 20 Footrest 22 Armrest 28 1st support part 30 Footrest displacement mechanism 36 Second support part 38 Cushion displacement mechanism 52 Third support part 54 Armrest displacement mechanism 58 4th support part 62 Support plate displacement mechanism 80 Vehicle standing / sleeping device 82 Vehicle seats 84 1st support part 86 Back lower displacement mechanism 90 Second support part 92 Cushion displacement mechanism 96 Third support part 98 Back upper displacement mechanism 110 Vehicle standing / sleeping device 112 Storage 120 Lower door (fourth support part) C Ceiling

Claims

1. A vehicle sleeping / standing device including a vehicle seat that can be transformed into a normal state in which a vehicle occupant can be seated and a sleeping / standing state in which the device can support at least the lower body of an occupant in a standing position, a first support portion provided on the vehicle seat and configured to support the soles of the feet of an occupant in a standing position from below; a second support portion provided on the vehicle seat and configured to support the knees of an occupant in a standing position from a front side; a third support portion provided on the vehicle seat and configured to support the buttocks of an occupant in a standing position from below; a fourth support portion provided on the vehicle seat or a ceiling portion of the vehicle, the fourth support portion supporting the arms and head of an occupant in a standing position from below; A vehicle sleeping and standing device comprising:

2. The second support portion is a seat cushion for the vehicle seat; a cushion displacement mechanism that displaces the seat cushion between a normal position where an occupant can sit and a knee support position where the knees can be supported; The vehicle sleeping and standing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The first support portion is a footrest of the vehicle seat; a footrest displacement mechanism that displaces the footrest between a storage position where the footrest is stored at a front end of the vehicle seat and a sole support position where the footrest can support the soles of the feet; 3. The vehicle sleeping / standing device according to claim 2, further comprising:

4. The third support portion is an armrest of the vehicle seat; an armrest displacement mechanism that displaces the armrest between a stored position where the armrest is stored in a side portion of a seat back of the vehicle seat and a buttocks support position where the armrest can support the buttocks; The vehicle sleeping / standing device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising:

5. The fourth support portion is a support plate for supporting the arms and the head; a support plate displacement mechanism that displaces the support plate between a stored position where the support plate is stored behind a seat back of the vehicle seat and a raised position where the support plate can support the arms and the head; The vehicle sleeping / standing device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising:

6. The first support portion is a back lower portion that constitutes a lower portion of the seat back of the vehicle seat; a back-lower displacement mechanism that displaces the back lower portion between a normal position that can support the back of an occupant seated on a seat cushion of the vehicle seat and a foot-sole supporting position that can support the soles of the feet of the occupant; 3. The vehicle sleeping / standing device according to claim 2, further comprising:

7. The third support portion is a back upper portion that constitutes an upper portion of the seat back of the vehicle seat; a back upper portion displacement mechanism that displaces the back upper portion between a normal position at which the back of an occupant seated on a seat cushion of the vehicle seat can be supported and a buttocks support position at which the buttocks can be supported; The vehicle sleeping / standing device according to claim 6, further comprising:

8. The fourth support portion is a support plate for supporting the arms and the head; a support plate displacement mechanism that displaces the support plate between a stored position where the support plate is stored behind a seat back of the vehicle seat and a raised position where the support plate can support the arms and the head; The vehicle sleeping / standing device according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising:

9. the fourth support portion is a door of a storage compartment provided on a ceiling portion of the vehicle, 8. The vehicle sleeping apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the door is displaceable between a closed position that closes the opening of the storage compartment and an open position that opens the opening and can support the arms and head.

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