Vehicle seat

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat which allows an occupant to get into a position to rest safely and reduces a burden on the occupant in the event of a collision.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat 10 is provided with: a seat cushion part 100 supporting a portion from the pelvis part to the thigh part of a seated occupant P; and a seat back part 200 for supporting the back part of the occupant P. The seat back part 200 includes: a support plate part 220 which has a plate rotation shaft PA at the vehicle lower side and is formed in a flat plate shape capable of rotating in a vehicle front-back direction; a pair of support rail parts 230 which is formed in a U shape at the vehicle front side relative to the support plate part 220 and provided at both sides in a vehicle width direction; and a pair of back support parts 240 which protrudes toward the vehicle front side, expands in the vehicle width direction and a vehicle vertical direction at the vehicle rear side, and slidably engages with the support rail parts 230.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, development of autonomous driving control technologies that allow vehicles such as automobiles to travel automatically without the need for driver operation has been progressing, with the aim of reducing the burden of driving operations on drivers and improving safety.

[0003] In vehicles equipped with this type of autonomous driving control technology, it is necessary to assume that the driver, not only on the passenger side but also on the driver's side, will slide the seat toward the rear of the vehicle and tilt the seatback toward the rear of the vehicle to take a comfortable position.

[0004] As a seat that allows for the above-mentioned comfortable posture, some vehicle seats are equipped with a lifter mechanism that allows the height of the seating position to be adjusted. However, the frame members provided as such a lifter mechanism must be able to be raised and lowered, which can reduce the support strength of each frame member.

[0005] As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a technology has been disclosed in which link members arranged at a distance from each other in the width direction as skeletal members supporting the seat cushion are connected by rods in order to connect each frame member by rods while ensuring the support strength of each frame member. Specifically, for example, each link member is formed in a stepped shape that changes the distance between them, and the stepped shape forms an end abutment surface that abuts on the end face of the rod and an outer circumferential abutment surface that abuts on the outer circumferential surface of the rod. These link members are joined and connected to the rod R with their end abutment surfaces and outer circumferential abutment surfaces abutting on the end face and outer circumferential surface of the rod R, respectively (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4978282 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a technology that enables link members that link and connect a seat cushion in a lifter mechanism so that the seat cushion can be raised and lowered, to be connected by a rod while ensuring the support strength of each frame member.

[0008] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the problem that it may not take into consideration the posture of the occupant when the back seat is tilted backward in a comfortable position and the burden on the occupant when a vehicle collision occurs.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a vehicle seat that allows occupants to assume a position to rest safely and reduces the burden on occupants when a vehicle collision occurs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One or more embodiments of the present invention propose a vehicle seat that is provided with a seat cushion portion that supports the pelvis to thighs of a seated occupant, and a seat back portion that supports the back of the occupant, wherein the seat back portion is provided with a support plate portion that has a rotation axis on the underside of the vehicle and is formed in a flat plate shape that can rotate in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, a pair of support rail portions that are formed in a U-shape on the front side of the support plate portion and are provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of back support portions that protrude toward the front side of the vehicle and extend in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-and-down direction at the rear side of the vehicle, and are slidably engaged with the support rail portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] One or more embodiments of the present invention allow an occupant to safely position themselves for rest and reduce strain on the occupant in the event of a collision. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle to which a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with a seat cover and a cushion portion removed, as viewed from above the vehicle. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are perspective views of the support rail portion of the back support portion of the vehicle seat according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a front view seen from the vehicle travel direction, and (b) is a cross-sectional view along line AA seen from the direction of the arrow shown in (a). [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a back support portion of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a front view seen from the vehicle travel direction side, and (b) is a side view seen from the vehicle width direction side. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are side views seen from the vehicle width direction showing the state of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows the state before the seat is set to the driving position, and (b) shows the state when the seat is set to the driving position. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are front views seen from the vehicle travel direction, showing the state of the back support portion and support rail portion of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows the state in which the seat is positioned at the rear of the vehicle, (b) shows the state in which the seat is positioned at the front of the vehicle, and (c) shows the state in which the seat back portion 200 is tilted backward beyond a predetermined angle. [Figure 7] 1 is a side view of a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the vehicle width direction, in a state where the vehicle seat is set in a comfortable position. [Figure 8]1A and 1B are side views of the vehicle seat according to the first embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the vehicle width direction, showing the state of the vehicle seat when a collision occurs in the vehicle V, where (a) shows the state in which the driving position is set, and (b) shows the state in which the comfortable position is set. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above the vehicle, with a seat cover and a cushion portion removed. [Figure 10] 10 is a plan view of a drive unit in a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a determination unit in a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of a determination unit in a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are front views of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing the state of the back support section and the support rail section when the seat is set to a comfortable state, as viewed from the direction of vehicle travel, where (a) shows the state when the occupant is small in stature, (b) shows the state when the ottoman section is rotated toward the front of the vehicle or when a monitor installed in the vehicle is turned on, and (c) shows the state when a collision occurs in the vehicle V. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of a determination unit when a comfortable posture setting is selected in a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing the process of a determination unit when a collision occurs in a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A vehicle seat 10 and a vehicle seat 10A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. FIG. The vehicle V will be described as an electric vehicle (EV) equipped with a vehicle control device MU that uses a vehicle drive motor as a drive source and is capable of automatic driving, but it may also be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) having multiple drive sources such as an engine and a power unit, or an internal combustion vehicle having an internal combustion engine. An arrow FR shown as appropriate in the drawings indicates the vehicle traveling direction of the vehicle V shown in FIG. 1, an arrow UP indicates the upper side of the vehicle V, and an arrow RH indicates the right side when facing the vehicle traveling direction. In the following description, when up / down, front / rear, and left / right directions are used, these directions will refer to the up / down direction when facing the vehicle traveling direction, the front / rear direction with the vehicle traveling direction as the front, and the left / right direction when facing the vehicle traveling direction, unless otherwise specified. In this embodiment, a seat S1 serving as a driver's seat is provided on the left side of the vehicle V when facing the vehicle's traveling direction, and a vehicle seat 10 is provided in the seat S1. The driver's seat may be on the left side or the right side of the vehicle V when facing the vehicle's traveling direction. The vehicle seat 10 may be provided in the passenger seat S2 or in the rear seat.

[0014] First Embodiment A vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG.

[0015] <Regarding the vehicle seat 10> 1, a vehicle V is provided with a seat S1 for an occupant P and a passenger seat S2 at the rear of a front panel portion FP. The vehicle seat 10 is configured to include the seat S1 and a slide rail portion SR. The seat S1 includes a seat cushion 100, a seat back 200, and a headrest HR. The seat S1 is movably fixed to the vehicle floor via a slide rail SR provided on the vehicle underside of the seat cushion 100. The slide rail SR is fixed to a floor panel UB of the vehicle V and extends in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0016] <Regarding the seat cushion part 100> The seat cushion portion 100 supports the pelvis to thighs of the seated occupant P. As shown in FIG. 2, the seat cushion portion 100 includes a seat portion 110, a seat frame portion 120, a seat spring portion 130, an ottoman portion 140, and a seat leg portion 150.

[0017] (Regarding the seating surface 110) The surface of the seating surface 110 is covered with a seat cover SC made of a material such as cloth. A cushion urethane portion CU is provided on the vehicle underside of the seat cover SC. A seating surface spring portion 130 is provided on the vehicle underside of the seating surface 110, and the seating surface spring portion 130 supports the seating surface 110.

[0018] (Regarding the seat frame portion 120) The seat frame portion 120 forms the framework of the seat cushion portion 100 and is provided below the seat portion 110 in the vehicle. The seat frame portion 120 is made of metal or other materials and is provided around the periphery of the seat portion 110 in the shape of a substantially square frame when viewed from above the vehicle. A seat spring portion 130 is fixed and spans between the front and rear sides of the seat frame portion 120 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle. A seat back portion 200 is connected to the rear side of the vehicle of the seat frame portion 120 via a seat back rotation axis BA so that the angle can be adjusted.

[0019] A slide rail portion SR that movably fixes the seat S1 to the vehicle floor is provided on the vehicle underside of the seat frame portion 120. The slide rail portion SR is made of a metal or other material and is formed into a U-shape with an opening on the upper side of the vehicle. The seat legs 150 are engaged with the slide rail portion SR so as to be movable in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0020] (Regarding the seat spring portion 130) The seat springs 130 are connected to the seat frame 120 on the front and rear sides of the vehicle and support the seat 110. The seat springs 130 extend in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle below the seat 110. The seat springs 130 are S-shaped springs made of metal or the like that have spring properties, and multiple springs are installed between the seat frame 120 on the front side of the vehicle and the seat frame 120 on the rear side of the vehicle.

[0021] (About the ottoman part 140) When rotated toward the front of the vehicle, the ottoman portion 140 supports the calves or heels of the seated occupant P. The ottoman portion 140 has an ottoman rotation axis OA fixed to the seat frame portion 120 on the vehicle upper side of the ottoman portion 140, and is rotatably engaged with the vehicle front side of the seat frame portion 120. The surface of the ottoman portion 140 is covered with a seat cover SC made of a material such as cloth. A cushion urethane portion CU is provided inside the seat cover SC. A plate wire PW connected to the support plate portion 220 is coupled to the ottoman portion 140 on the vehicle underside.

[0022] (Regarding seat leg 150) The seat leg portions 150 are provided on both sides of the seat cushion portion 100 in the vehicle width direction at the front and rear of the vehicle. The seat leg portions 150 are made of, for example, a metal or other material and have a substantially rectangular closed cross section with long sides in the vehicle up-down direction. The upper side of the seat leg portions 150 is fixed to the seat frame portion 120, and the lower side of the seat leg portions 150 is engaged with the slide rail portions SR so as to be slidable in the vehicle front-to-rear direction.

[0023] <Regarding the seat back portion 200> The seatback 200 supports the back of the occupant P. The seatback 200 is disposed in an upright position facing the vehicle vertical direction at the rear of the seating seat S1. The seatback 200 is provided so that its angle can be adjusted in the vehicle longitudinal direction around a seatback rotation axis BA provided on the underside of the vehicle. The seat back portion 200 is configured to include a seat back frame portion 210, a support plate portion 220, a support rail portion 230, and a back support portion 240. The outer surface of the seat back portion 200 is covered with a seat cover SC made of a material such as cloth or leather. A seat back urethane portion BU is provided on the inner side of the seat cover SC.

[0024] (Regarding the seatback frame portion 210) The seatback frame portion 210 is formed in a substantially rectangular frame shape when viewed from the vehicle traveling direction side, and forms the framework of the seatback portion 200. The seatback frame portion 210 is formed by joining, by welding or the like, a frame extending in the vehicle width direction above the seatback portion 200 and frames extending in the vehicle up-down direction on both sides of the seatback portion 200 in the vehicle width direction. A seatback rotation axis BA is provided on the vehicle underside of the seatback frame portion 210, and the seatback frame portion 210 is fixed to the seat frame portion 120 so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0025] (Regarding the support plate portion 220) The support plate portion 220 has a plate rotation axis PA on the underside of the vehicle and is rotatable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The support plate portion 220 is formed as a substantially rectangular flat plate made of metal, resin, or other material, with its thickness direction in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and its long sides in the transverse direction of the vehicle, as viewed from the vehicle travel side. A plate rotation axis PA extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle is provided on the underside of the support plate portion 220. Plate wires PW that rotate the plate rotation axis PA are engaged with both end portions of the plate rotation axis PA on both sides in the transverse direction of the vehicle. A support rail portion 230, which will be described later, is fixed to the front side of the support plate portion 220. The initial position of the support plate portion 220 is a position where it is fitted between the seat back frame portions 210 on both sides in the transverse direction of the vehicle, extending in the vertical direction of the vehicle, at the same angle as the seat back frame portions 210.

[0026] (Regarding the support rail portion 230) The support rail portion 230 is formed in a U-shape with an opening on the vehicle upper side and on the vehicle front side of the support plate portion 220. The support rail portions 230 are fixed to both sides in the vehicle width direction on the vehicle front side of the support plate portion 220. Specifically, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the support rail portion 230 is formed in a U-shape with an opening that is folded back toward the front of the vehicle. The support rail portion 230 has a substantially U-shape that faces in the vehicle width direction and is made of a member such as metal. A support engagement portion 243 of the back support portion 240 is engaged with the support rail portion 230 so as to be slidable in the vehicle width direction.

[0027] A support spring portion SP serving as a biasing member is provided inside the support rail portion 230 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and is configured to follow the internal shape of the support rail portion 230. The outer end portion of the support spring portion SP in the vehicle width direction is engaged with a spring engaging portion SL1 provided at the outer end portion of the support rail portion 230 in the vehicle width direction. The inner end portion of the support spring portion SP in the vehicle width direction is engaged with a spring engaging portion SL2 provided on the outer side of the support engaging portion 243 in the vehicle width direction.

[0028] A support wire SW is provided inside the support rail portion 230 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, following the internal shape of the support rail portion 230. The outer end of the support wire SW in the vehicle width direction is engaged with a wire engaging portion WL of the support rail portion 230. The support wire SW is fixed to the floor panel portion FB from the inner end of the support rail portion 230 in the vehicle width direction via a pulley PL1 and pulleys PL2 and PL3 provided on the seat cushion portion 100.

[0029] (Regarding the back support portion 240) The back support portion 240 protrudes toward the front of the vehicle and extends in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction at the rear of the vehicle. A pair of back support portions 240 are provided symmetrically with respect to the center of the seat back portion 200 in the vehicle width direction. 4(a) and 4(b), the back support portion 240 is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle. The back support portion 240 includes a dome cushion portion 241, a support base portion 242, and a support engagement portion 243.

[0030] The dome cushion portion 241 is formed, for example, in a substantially semispherical shape using a member such as hard urethane. The dome cushion portion 241 is fitted and fixed to a support base portion 242 provided on the vehicle rear side of the dome cushion portion 241. The support base portion 242 is a substantially disk-shaped flat plate made of a member such as metal or hard resin, and has a recess formed in the center into which the dome cushion portion 241 fits. A support engagement portion 243 that engages with the support rail portion 230 is provided on the vehicle rear side of the support base portion 242.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 4(a), the support engagement portion 243 is formed in a substantially circular flat plate shape when viewed from the vehicle travel direction. As shown in Fig. 4(b), the support engagement portion 243 has a hat shape with a protruding portion facing the front of the vehicle when viewed from the vehicle width direction. The support engagement portion 243 is formed from a member such as metal or hard resin. A spring locking portion SL2 for locking the support spring portion SP is provided on the outer side of the support engagement portion 243 in the vehicle width direction, and a wire locking portion WL for locking the support wire SW is provided on the inner side of the support engagement portion 243 in the vehicle width direction.

[0032] <Actions and Effects> The operation of the vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0033] (When setting the driving position) When driving the vehicle V, the seat S1 needs to be set to fit the physique of the occupant P. The driving posture setting here can be exemplified as a setting in which the occupant P can place his / her hands on the steering wheel and the seat back 200 and the headrest HR are in close contact with the back of the occupant P. When the occupant P has a small build, as shown in Fig. 5(a), if the seat S1 is positioned on the rear side of the vehicle of the slide rail portion SR, a space is created between the back of the occupant P and the seat back portion 200. Therefore, the occupant P slides the seat S1 toward the front of the vehicle to set the seat S1 to the driving position.

[0034] When the seat S1 is slid toward the front of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 5(b), one end of the support wire SW is fixed to the floor panel portion FB, so that the support wire SW is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow AR1 via the pulley PL3. The support wire SW is pulled toward the upper side of the vehicle via the pulley PL2 on the vehicle rear side of the seat cushion portion 100 in the direction indicated by the arrow AR2. The support wire SW then pulls the back support portion 240 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction via the pulley PL1 of the support rail portion 230.

[0035] When the seat S1 is in the position shown in Fig. 5(a), the back support portion 240 is located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, as shown in Fig. 6(a). When the occupant P slides the seat S1 to the position shown in Fig. 5(b), the support wire SW is pulled in the directions indicated by arrows AR4 and AR5 in Fig. 6(b). As the support wire SW moves, the back support portion 240 moves inward in the vehicle width direction and downward in the vehicle direction. Then, as shown in Fig. 5(b), the back support portion 240 presses the seat back urethane portion BU in the direction indicated by arrow AR3, thereby pressing the seat back portion 200 against the back of the occupant P.

[0036] Furthermore, the occupant P tilts the seatback 200 forward beyond a predetermined angle, thereby causing the occupant P to set the vehicle seat 10 in a driving position. The predetermined angle of the seatback 200 here can be, for example, an angle at which the center of the headrest HR in the vertical direction of the vehicle is at the same height as the front panel FP.

[0037] When a collision occurs in the vehicle V, as shown in Fig. 8(a), the seat S1 is set in the driving position, so that the back support portion 240 presses the seat back urethane portion BU toward the front of the vehicle, pressing the seat back portion 200 against the back of the occupant P. The neck and head of the occupant P are then pressed against the seat back portion 200 and the headrest portion HR, thereby being safely protected.

[0038] (When set to a comfortable posture) When the vehicle V is stopped or when an automatic driving control device provided in the vehicle V is mainly in charge of driving, the occupant P can select the comfortable posture setting. The comfortable posture here can be exemplified by a posture in which the occupant P stretches his / her legs and also stretches his / her hips. The comfortable posture setting for the seat S1 refers to a setting of the seat S1 in which the occupant P can stretch his / her legs and also stretches his / her hips. In other words, as shown in FIG. 7, the comfortable posture setting is a setting in which the ottoman portion 140 is rotated toward the front of the vehicle and the seat back portion 200 is tilted backward at a predetermined angle.

[0039] When the occupant P selects the comfortable posture setting, the occupant P can tilt the seat back part 200 backward beyond a predetermined angle and can rotate the ottoman part 140 toward the front of the vehicle. When the occupant P tilts the seatback 200 backward beyond a predetermined angle, the seatback 200 rotates about the seatback rotation axis BA, and the support wire SW is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow AR8. As the support wire SW moves as shown in FIG. 6(c), the back support portion 240 moves toward the upper side of the vehicle on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In other words, the back support portion 240 moves toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction as shown in FIG. 6(c) as a neck support position, thereby placing the occupant P in a position to rest the head and neck.

[0040] Furthermore, when the occupant P rotates the ottoman portion 140 toward the front of the vehicle, the plate wire PW connected to the ottoman portion 140 is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow AR9, causing the plate wire PW to rotate about the plate rotation axis PA. The support plate portion 220 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow AR10, and the back support portion 240 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow AR11. Then, the back support portion 240 presses the seat back urethane portion BU in the direction indicated by the arrow AR11, thereby pressing the seat back portion 200 against the neck of the occupant P. When a collision occurs in the vehicle V, as shown in Fig. 8(b), the seat S1 is set to the comfortable position, and the back support portion 240 moves to the neck support position and presses the seat back portion 200 against the neck and back of the occupant P. The neck and head of the occupant P are then pressed against the seat back portion 200 and the headrest portion HR, thereby being safely protected.

[0041] As described above, when the driving posture and the comfortable posture are set, the neck and head of the occupant P are safely protected by the seat back portion 200 and the headrest portion HR.

[0042] As described above, the vehicle seat 10 according to this embodiment is a vehicle seat 10 provided with a seat cushion portion 100 that supports the pelvis to thighs of a seated occupant P, and a seat back portion 200 that supports the back of the occupant P. The seat back portion 200 is provided with a support plate portion 220 that has a plate rotation axis PA on the underside of the vehicle and is formed in a flat plate shape that can rotate in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, a pair of support rail portions 230 that are U-shaped on the front side of the vehicle of the support plate portion 220 and are provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of back support portions 240 that protrude towards the front side of the vehicle, have width directions and vertical directions at the rear side of the vehicle, and are slidably engaged with the support rail portions 230. In other words, when the occupant P slides the seat S1 of the vehicle seat 10 toward the front of the vehicle to set the vehicle seat 10 to the driving position, the back support portion 240 provided on the seat back portion 200 slides along the support rail portion 230, thereby pressing the seat back portion 200 against the back of the occupant P. When the occupant P selects the comfortable posture setting and rotates the ottoman portion 140 toward the front of the vehicle, the support wire SW is pulled toward the underside of the vehicle, causing the support plate portion 220 to press the seat back urethane portion BU toward the front of the vehicle via the back support portion 240, and the support plate portion 220 presses the seat back portion 200 against the neck of the occupant P. Furthermore, when a collision occurs with the vehicle V while the seat S1 is set to the driving position, the back support portion 240 presses the seat back urethane portion BU toward the front of the vehicle, thereby safely pressing the seat back portion 200 against the back of the occupant P. When a collision occurs with the vehicle V while the seat S1 is set to the comfortable position, the back support portion 240 moves to the neck support position, thereby safely pressing the seat back portion 200 against the neck and back of the occupant P. Therefore, when the occupant P selects the driving posture setting or the comfortable posture setting, the vehicle seat 10 pushes the seat back urethane portion BU toward the front of the vehicle via the back support portion 240, thereby safely protecting the neck and head of the occupant P by the seat back portion 200 and the headrest portion HR. This allows the occupant to assume a position to rest safely and reduces the burden on the occupant in the event of a collision.

[0043] <Second embodiment> A vehicle seat 10A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0044] <About the vehicle seat 10A> 9, the vehicle seat 10A according to this embodiment includes a seat S1A and a slide rail portion SR. The seat S1A includes a seat cushion portion 100A and a seat back portion 200.

[0045] (Regarding the seat cushion part 100A) The seat cushion portion 100A includes a seat portion 110, a seat frame portion 120, a seat spring portion 130, an ottoman portion 140, a seat leg portion 150, a drive portion 300, and a determination portion 400.

[0046] (Regarding the driving unit 300) The driving unit 300 is provided in the seat cushion 100A and changes the inclination and position of the support plate 220 and the position of the back support 240. The driving unit 300 changes the inclination and position of the support plate 220 and the position of the back support 240 by moving the plate wires PWA and support wires SWA connected to the support plate 220 and the back support 240.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 10, the driving section 300 includes an actuator section 310 and a driving shaft section 320.

[0048] The actuator section 310 is provided with, for example, a drive motor section 311 (drive motor section 311a and drive motor section 311b) and a clutch section 312 (clutch section 312a and clutch section 312b).

[0049] The actuator unit 310 moves the plate wires PWA and the support wires SWA in the vertical direction of the vehicle by transmitting the power of the drive motor unit 311 to the plate drive shaft 321 and the support drive shaft 322. Alternatively, the actuator unit 310 causes the plate drive shaft 321 and the support drive shaft 322 to idle by means of a clutch unit 312 provided in the actuator unit 310. A plate drive shaft 321 is connected to the clutch section 312a, and a support drive shaft 322 is connected to the clutch section 312b. A plate wire PWA is engaged with the plate drive shaft 321 via a plate bobbin 323. A support wire SWA is engaged with the support drive shaft 322 via a support bobbin 324.

[0050] The drive shaft portion 320 is configured to include a plate drive shaft 321, a support drive shaft 322, a plate bobbin 323, and a support bobbin 324. The plate bobbin 323 is fixed to the plate drive shaft 321, and the support bobbin 324 is fixed to the support drive shaft 322. A plate wire PWA is wound around the plate bobbin 323, and a support wire SWA is wound around the support bobbin 324.

[0051] The plate wire PWA extends from the plate bobbin 323 toward the upper side of the vehicle, is engaged with the support plate portion 220, extends toward the lower side of the vehicle, and is fixed to the rear side of the seat frame portion 120 via the expansion and contraction portion EX. The support wire SWA extends from the support bobbin 324 toward the upper side of the vehicle and is anchored to the wire anchoring portion WL in the back support portion 240 via a pulley PL1 in the support rail portion 230.

[0052] When a collision occurs with the vehicle V while the seat S1A is in the driving position, the drive unit 300 releases the clutch unit 312b, thereby causing the support drive shaft 322 to spin freely. When a collision occurs with the vehicle V while the seat S1A is in the comfortable position, the drive unit 300 releases the clutch units 312a and 312b, thereby causing the plate drive shaft 321 and the support drive shaft 322 to spin freely.

[0053] (Regarding the determination unit 400) The determination unit 400 acquires information relating to the physique of the occupant P, the traveling state of the vehicle V, whether or not a collision has occurred, and the state of the seatback unit 200, and controls the tilt and position of the support plate unit 220 and the position of the back support unit 240 via the drive unit 300 according to the acquired information. The determination unit 400 is connected to, for example, a vehicle control device MU mounted on the vehicle V, and acquires information relating to the traveling state of the vehicle V and the state of the vehicle seat 10A from the vehicle control device MU. As shown in FIG. 11 , the determination unit 400 includes a processor 410 and a memory 420.

[0054] (Regarding processor 410) The processor 410 is configured to include a vehicle information acquisition unit 411 and a control unit 412. The processor 410 includes the vehicle information acquisition unit 411 that acquires information from the vehicle control device MU, and the control unit 412 controls the drive unit 300 based on the information acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 411. The processor 410 is connected to the vehicle information acquisition unit 411, the control unit 412, and the memory 420 by a bus line BL.

[0055] The vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information from a vehicle control device MU provided in the vehicle V, and stores the acquired information in the memory 420. The vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information from the vehicle control device MU as the running state of the vehicle V, for example, information regarding whether the vehicle V has started running or whether a collision has occurred in the vehicle V, and stores this information in the memory 420. The vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information from the vehicle control device MU as the state of the vehicle seat 10A, such as information regarding the physique of the occupant P, information regarding whether or not the occupant P is seated in the vehicle seat 10A, or information regarding the backward tilt angle of the seat back portion 200 in the vehicle seat 10A, and stores it in the memory 420.

[0056] The control unit 412 displaces the inclination and position of the support plate unit 220 and the position of the back support unit 240 via the drive unit 300 based on the information that the vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires from the vehicle control device MU.

[0057] Specifically, for example, when vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information that vehicle V has started traveling, control unit 412 permits selection of the comfortable posture setting when the automatic driving control device provided in vehicle V is in a state where the automatic driving control device is the main driver. For example, when vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information that vehicle V has collided, control unit 412 returns the tilt angle of support plate portion 220 to the initial position and moves the position of back support portion 240 outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0058] For example, when the vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information that an occupant P is seated in the vehicle seat 10A, the control unit 412 acquires information regarding the physique of the occupant P acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 411, and moves the position of the back support portion 240 inward or outward in the vehicle width direction to match the physique of the occupant P. For example, when the information regarding the rearward tilt angle of the seatback 200 indicates that the rearward tilt angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 412 determines that the seat S1A is in a comfortable position.

[0059] The memory 420 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the ROM stores the control program of the processor 410, and the memory section 421 in the RAM stores information such as the physique of the occupant P or the inclination of the seat back section 200 of the seat S1A.

[0060] <Processing of Determination Unit 400> The processing of the determining unit 400 in the vehicle seat 10A according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 12, the vehicle information acquisition unit 411 in the determination unit 400 acquires information relating to whether or not an occupant P is seated in the seating seat S1A from the vehicle control device MU and stores the information in the storage unit 421 of the memory 420 (step S110).

[0062] When the control unit 412 acquires information indicating that the occupant P is not seated in the seating seat S1A ("NO" in step S110), the control unit 412 transitions the process to step S110.

[0063] On the other hand, when the control unit 412 acquires information that the occupant P is seated in the seating seat S1A ("YES" in step S110), the vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires physical information of the occupant P (step S120). The control unit 412 sets the driving posture in accordance with the physical information of the occupant P (step S130).

[0064] At this time, for example, if the occupant P has a small build, the control unit 412 operates the drive motor unit 311b in the drive unit 300 to wind the support wire SWA onto the support bobbin 324. The support wire SWA pulls the back support unit 240 in the directions indicated by the arrows BR1 and BR2 in FIG. 13(a), which causes the control unit 412 to move the back support unit 240 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction along the support rail unit 230 and stop it at the position shown in FIG. 13(a). Then, the back support unit 240 presses the seat back urethane unit BU, pressing the seat back unit 200 against the back of the occupant P, thereby completing the setting of the driving posture according to the occupant P's physique information.

[0065] 12, the vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information on whether the vehicle V has started traveling from the vehicle control device MU and stores the information in the storage unit 421 of the memory 420 (step S140). When the control unit 412 acquires information that the vehicle V has not started traveling ("NO" in step S140), the control unit 412 permits comfortable posture setting (step S150) and transitions the processing to processing for comfortable posture setting (step S200). Details of the processing in step S200 will be described later.

[0066] On the other hand, if the control unit 412 acquires information that the vehicle V has started driving ("YES" in step S140), the vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information from the vehicle control unit MU regarding whether the automatic driving control device is the main driver and stores the information in the memory unit 421 (step S160).

[0067] If the control unit 412 acquires information indicating that the automatic driving control device is the subject of driving ("YES" in step S160), the control unit 412 transitions the process to step S150.

[0068] On the other hand, if the control unit 412 acquires information that the automatic driving control device is not the main driver ("NO" in step S160), the control unit 412 fixes the setting of the seat S1A to the driving posture setting (step S170) and transitions the processing to S180.

[0069] The vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information regarding whether or not a collision has occurred in the vehicle V from the vehicle control device MU and stores the information in the storage unit 421 (step S180). When the control unit 412 acquires information indicating that a collision has not occurred in the vehicle V ("NO" in step S180), the control unit 412 transitions the process to step S140.

[0070] On the other hand, when the control unit 412 acquires information that a collision has occurred in the vehicle V ("YES" in step S180), the control unit 412 transitions the process to a process for when a collision has occurred (step S300). The control unit 412 ends the process when the process for when a collision has occurred (step S300) ends. Details of the process of step S300 will be described later.

[0071] (Regarding the process of setting a comfortable posture) The process when the occupant P selects the comfortable posture setting will be described with reference to FIG.

[0072] When the occupant P selects the comfortable posture setting, the vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information regarding whether the seatback 200 is tilted back more than a predetermined angle from the vehicle control device MU and stores the information in the storage unit 421 (step S210). When the control unit 412 acquires information indicating that the seatback 200 is not tilted back more than the predetermined angle ("NO" in step S210), the control unit 412 transitions the process to step S230.

[0073] On the other hand, if the control unit 412 acquires information that the seat back portion 200 is tilted backward more than a predetermined angle ("YES" in step S210), the control unit 412 moves the back support portion 240 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction (step S220). Specifically, when the occupant P tilts the seatback 200 rearward beyond a predetermined angle, the control unit 412 operates the drive motor 311b in the drive unit 300 to move the back support unit 240 along the support rail 230 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, and stops it at the position shown in FIG. 13(b). In other words, the control unit 412 moves the back support unit 240 to the neck support position, thereby placing the occupant P in a position to rest his or her head and neck. Then, the control unit 412 transitions the process to step S230, as shown in FIG. 14.

[0074] The vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information relating to whether the ottoman unit 140 has been rotated toward the front of the vehicle from the vehicle control device MU and stores the information in the storage unit 421 (step S230). When the control unit 412 acquires information indicating that the ottoman unit 140 has not been rotated toward the front of the vehicle ("NO" in step S230), the control unit 412 transitions the process to step S250.

[0075] On the other hand, if the control unit 412 acquires information that the ottoman portion 140 has been rotated toward the front of the vehicle ("YES" in step S230), the control unit 412 rotates the support plate portion 220 toward the front of the vehicle (step S240). Specifically, when the occupant P rotates the ottoman portion 140 toward the front of the vehicle, the control unit 412 operates the drive motor portion 311a in the drive unit 300 to rotate the support plate portion 220 toward the front of the vehicle, thereby causing the seatback portion 200 to assume a protruding shape toward the front of the vehicle. In other words, the control unit 412 presses the seatback portion 200 against the neck of the occupant P. Then, the control unit 412 transitions the process to step S250.

[0076] The vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information regarding whether a monitor (not shown) provided in the vehicle V is in the ON state from the vehicle control device MU, and stores the information in the storage unit 421 (step S250). When the control unit 412 acquires information indicating that the monitor is not in the ON state ("NO" in step S250), the control unit 412 ends the process of setting the comfortable posture and transitions the process to step S180.

[0077] On the other hand, if the control unit 412 acquires information that the monitor is in the ON state ("YES" in step S250), the control unit 412 rotates the support plate portion 220 toward the front of the vehicle (step S260). Specifically, when the monitor is in the ON state, the control unit 412 operates the drive motor unit 311a in the drive unit 300 to rotate the support plate unit 220 toward the front of the vehicle. The seatback unit 200 pushes the back of the occupant P toward the front of the vehicle and supports the neck and head of the occupant P toward the front of the vehicle, thereby holding the neck and head of the occupant P in a position where the occupant P can easily view the monitor. Then, the control unit 412 ends the process of setting the comfortable posture and transitions the process to step S180.

[0078] (Regarding the process when a collision occurs with vehicle V) The process when a collision occurs in the vehicle V will be described with reference to FIG.

[0079] When a collision occurs in the vehicle V, the control unit 412 controls the clutch unit 312 (clutch unit 312a and clutch unit 312b) in the drive unit 300.

[0080] The control unit 412 controls the clutch unit 312a to be released, thereby moving the angle of the support plate unit 220 to the initial position (step S310). Furthermore, the control unit 412 controls the clutch unit 312b to be released, thereby moving the position of the back support unit 240 in the directions indicated by the arrows BR3 and BR4 shown in FIG. 13(c) (step S320). Then, the control unit 412 ends the processing when a collision occurs. In other words, the seat back portion 200 moves the angle of the support plate portion 220 to the initial position and moves the position of the back support portion 240 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, thereby releasing the protruding shape of the seat back portion 200 toward the front of the vehicle, returning the seat back portion 200 to a flat state, and ending the processing when a collision occurs.

[0081] <Actions and Effects> As described above, the vehicle seat 10A according to this embodiment further includes a drive unit 300 in the seat back portion 200A that changes the inclination and position of the support plate portion 220 and the position of the back support portion 240, and a judgment unit 400 that controls the drive unit 300. The judgment unit 400 acquires information relating to the physique of the occupant P, the traveling state of the vehicle V, whether or not a collision has occurred, and the state of the seat back portion 200A, and controls the inclination and position of the support plate portion 220 and the position of the back support portion 240 via the drive unit 300 according to the acquired information. That is, when the vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information that the vehicle V will start traveling, and the control unit 412 is in a state where the automatic driving control device provided in the vehicle V is the main driver, the control unit 412 permits the selection of the comfortable posture setting and displaces the positions of the support plate unit 220 and the back support unit 240. Alternatively, when the vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information that the vehicle V will not start traveling, the control unit 412 permits the selection of the comfortable posture setting and displaces the positions of the support plate unit 220 and the back support unit 240. When the vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information that a collision has occurred in the vehicle V, the control unit 412 returns the inclination angle of the support plate portion 220 to the initial position and moves the position of the back support portion 240 outward in the vehicle width direction. When the vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information that an occupant P is seated in the vehicle seat 10A, the control unit 412 acquires information regarding the physique of the occupant P acquired by the vehicle information acquisition unit 411, and moves the position of the back support unit 240 inward or outward in the vehicle width direction according to the physique of the occupant P. Therefore, the determination unit 400 can permit the setting of a driving posture or a comfortable posture when the vehicle V is in a safe state, based on information regarding the physique of the occupant P, the traveling state of the vehicle V, whether a collision has occurred, and the state of the seatback 200A. When a collision occurs in the vehicle V, the determination unit 400 moves the angle of the support plate 220 to its initial position and moves the position of the back support 240 outward in the vehicle width direction. Then, by releasing the protruding shape of the seatback 200 toward the front of the vehicle and returning the seatback 200 to a flat state, the neck and head of the occupant P can be safely protected by the seatback 200 and the headrest HR. This allows the occupant to assume a position to rest safely and reduces the burden on the occupant in the event of a collision.

[0082] In the vehicle seat 10A according to this embodiment, when the seat back 200A is tilted further back than a predetermined position, the determination unit 400 moves the back support unit 240 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction to a neck support position. In other words, when the vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information that the seat back portion 200A is tilted further back than a predetermined position, the control unit 412 moves the back support portion 240 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, thereby moving the back support portion 240 to the neck support position. When the vehicle information acquisition unit 411 acquires information that a collision has occurred in the vehicle V, the control unit 412 moves the position of the back support part 240 outward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the seat back portion 200A is tilted backward from a predetermined position, the neck of the occupant P is supported, thereby allowing the occupant P to assume a position in which the head and neck of the occupant P can rest. Furthermore, when a collision occurs in the vehicle V, the position of the back support portion 240 can be moved outward in the vehicle width direction, thereby allowing the neck and head of the occupant P to be safely protected by the seat back portion 200 and the headrest portion HR. This allows the occupant to assume a position to rest safely and reduces the burden on the occupant in the event of a collision.

[0083] The vehicle seat 10A of the present invention can be realized by recording the processing of the processor 410 on a recording medium readable by a computer system, and having the processor 410 read and execute the program recorded on this recording medium. The computer system here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices.

[0084] "Computer system" also includes the homepage provision environment (or display environment) if the WWW (World Wide Web) system is used. The above program may be transmitted from a computer system that stores the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) like the Internet or a communication line (communication line) like a telephone line.

[0085] The program may be a program for implementing some of the functions described above, or may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0086] The above describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10. Vehicle seat 10A: Vehicle seat 100;Seat cushion part 110; Seat part 120: Seat frame 130: Seat spring part 140; Ottoman section 150; seat legs 200; seat back 210: Seat back frame 220: Support plate section 230: Support rail section 240; back support 300; Drive unit 400; Judgment Department 410;processor 411: Vehicle information acquisition unit 412;Control section 420;Memory 421;Memory part MU: Vehicle control unit P; Crew S1: Seating seat V; Vehicle

Claims

1. A vehicle seat provided with a seat cushion portion that supports the pelvis to thighs of a seated occupant, and a seat back portion that supports the back of the occupant, The seat back portion has a support plate portion formed in a flat plate shape having a rotation axis on the underside of the vehicle and rotatable in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; a pair of support rail portions formed in a U-shape on the front side of the support plate portion and provided on both sides in the vehicle width direction; a pair of back support portions that protrude toward the front side of the vehicle and extend in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction at the rear side of the vehicle, and are slidably engaged with the support rail portions; A vehicle seat comprising:

2. a drive unit for changing the inclination and position of the support plate unit and the position of the back support unit, a determination unit that controls the drive unit, The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the judgment unit acquires information regarding the occupant's physique, the vehicle's driving state, whether a collision has occurred, and the state of the seat back portion, and controls the inclination and position of the support plate portion and the position of the back support portion via the drive unit according to the acquired information.

3. 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the determining unit moves the back support portion to a neck support position when the seat back portion is tilted rearward from a predetermined position.

Images