Method for controlling vehicle seat, control device, and control execution program

Abstract

To stabilize vehicle behavior when a posture of an upper body of an occupant changes during stopping of a vehicle involved in operation of a brake pedal.SOLUTION: A control device for a vehicle seat 1 includes an occupant detection unit 6 that detects a posture of an occupant 9 seated on a driver's seat 1 of a vehicle, a support determination unit 7 that determines whether a posture of an upper body 10 of the occupant 9 has changed by a predetermined amount or more when the vehicle is stopped in association with operation of a brake pedal 13 of the vehicle as compared with a posture during normal driving, and a first movable portion 2b that is controlled to restrict movement of lower limbs 11 of the occupant 9 involved in the change in the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 when the support determination unit 7 determines that the posture has changed by the predetermined amount or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat control method, a control device, and a control execution program. [Background technology]

[0002] In the vehicle seat control device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the driver's seat of the vehicle has a seat back that supports the back of an occupant sitting in the seat. The side of the seat back is provided with a movable part that stabilizes the occupant's posture by pressing the occupant's upper body from the side. The movable part is controlled by the control device to limit the movement of the occupant's upper body in the vehicle width direction when the lateral acceleration generated while the vehicle is moving exceeds a predetermined threshold. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-142274 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, when the lateral acceleration generated while the vehicle is moving exceeds a predetermined threshold, the movement of the occupant's upper body in the vehicle width direction is restricted, stabilizing the occupant's posture and preventing deterioration of vehicle behavior. However, Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration the effect on brake pedal operation that may occur when the occupant's lower limbs move when the occupant's upper body posture changes while stopping the vehicle and operating the brake pedal. Therefore, there is a problem in that such lower limb movement prevents the occupant from properly depressing the brake pedal, resulting in deterioration of vehicle behavior.

[0005] The present invention was devised in consideration of the current situation, and one of its objectives is to provide a vehicle seat control method, control device, and control execution program that can stabilize the vehicle's behavior when the posture of the occupant's upper body changes when the vehicle is stopped and the brake pedal is operated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to a method for controlling a vehicle seat, which detects the posture of an occupant seated in the driver's seat of a vehicle, determines whether the posture of the occupant's upper body has changed by more than a predetermined amount compared to normal driving when the vehicle is stopped due to operation of the vehicle's brake pedal, and controls a movable part of the seat to restrict movement of the occupant's lower limbs in the vehicle width direction due to the change in the posture of the occupant's upper body when it is determined that the posture has changed by more than the predetermined amount. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the movable portion of the seat restricts the movement of the occupant's lower legs in the vehicle width direction, making it difficult for the occupant's feet at the distal ends of the lower legs to come off the brake pedal, and the occupant's feet can appropriately depress the brake pedal. Therefore, when the occupant's upper body posture changes while the vehicle is stopped and the brake pedal is operated, the vehicle behavior can be stabilized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an occupant seated in a seat having a first seat support of a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a part of a control device for a vehicle seat according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] An explanatory diagram showing the interior of a vehicle stopped in front of a fare adjustment machine, where (a) shows the interior of the vehicle before the occupant's upper body posture changes, and (b) shows the interior of the vehicle after the occupant's upper body posture changes. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of a control method for a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an occupant seated in a seat having second side supports according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the state inside the vehicle stopped in front of the fare adjustment machine of the second embodiment, showing the state inside the vehicle after the posture of the occupant's upper body has changed. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a control method for a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a control method for a vehicle seat according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An embodiment of a vehicle seat control device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This vehicle seat control device restricts the occupant's lower legs from moving laterally across the vehicle when the occupant's upper body posture changes during vehicle stopping due to the operation of the vehicle's brake pedal. In the following embodiment, a case will be described in which the vehicle is stopped in front of a toll payment machine installed in a parking lot as an example of a vehicle stopping location. However, the stopping location is not limited to in front of the toll payment machine, and may be other stopping locations where the occupant's lower legs may move laterally across the vehicle due to a change in the occupant's upper body posture during vehicle stopping, such as in front of a drive-through, car wash, etc.

[0010] The control device for the vehicle seat 1 is configured to include a first seat support 2, a car navigation system 3, a vehicle state detection unit 4, a surrounding situation detection unit 5, an occupant detection unit 6, a support judgment unit 7, and an alarm unit 8.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3(b), the first seat support 2 is provided as part of the seat 1 on the right side of the seat cushion 1b of the driver's seat 1 located on the right side in the vehicle width direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 3(b)). The first seat support 2 has an actuator drive unit 2a shown in FIG. 2 and a first movable unit 2b shown in FIGS. 1 and 3(b). Note that the first movable unit 2b is not shown in FIG. 3(a) for simplicity. When the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 is displaced outward in the vehicle width direction by more than a predetermined amount, the first seat support 2 moves the first movable unit 2b by driving the actuator drive unit 2a, thereby restricting the movement of the right thigh 11a of the lower limbs 11 of the occupant 9 seated in the seat 1 outward in the vehicle width direction. The mechanism that restricts the movement of the thigh 11a using the actuator drive unit 2a and the first movable unit 2b is similar to a well-known seat support mechanism that is generally provided on the side of the seat back 1a of the seat 1 to restrict displacement of the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 in the vehicle width direction. The drive of the first seat support 2 is controlled by a support determination unit 7 provided in a control device that controls the vehicle. Although not shown, a seat support including the actuator drive unit and the movable unit is provided on the left side of the seat surface 1b of the driver's seat 1, and is designed to restrict the movement of the left thigh 11b of the lower legs 11 of the occupant 9 seated in the seat 1 in the vehicle width direction inward (toward the passenger seat) when the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 moves inward in the vehicle width direction by more than a predetermined amount.

[0012] The car navigation system 3 is installed in the vehicle and displays the vehicle's position and traveling direction on a map based on signals input from a global positioning system (GPS).

[0013] The vehicle state detection unit 4 is provided in a control device that controls the vehicle, and detects information related to the vehicle speed, accelerator, brake, and shift. The information related to the vehicle speed is used not only to grasp the specific speed at which the vehicle is traveling, but also to determine whether the vehicle is stopped when the vehicle speed is zero. The information related to the accelerator is the presence or absence of an accelerator pedal signal and the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal 12. The information related to the brake is the presence or absence of a brake pedal signal, the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13, whether the parking brake is on or off, and whether the brake auto-hold is on or off. The information related to the shift is information indicating whether the shift lever is in the D range, R range, or P range.

[0014] The surrounding condition detection unit 5 is provided in the vehicle and detects objects around the vehicle driven by the occupant 9, in this embodiment, a parking lot fee payment machine 14, and detects the distance from the vehicle to the fee payment machine 14. The surrounding condition detection unit 5 has a well-known on-board camera that photographs objects located around the vehicle, and well-known millimeter-wave radar, laser radar, and sonar for detecting the distance from the vehicle to the object, etc.

[0015] The occupant detection unit 6 is provided in the vehicle and detects changes in the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9. The occupant detection unit 6 has an in-vehicle camera and a seat pressure sensor, both of which are omitted from the drawing. The in-vehicle camera is provided in a position where it can capture an image of the area including the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 seated in the driver's seat 1 of the vehicle, for example, near the top of the windshield 15 of the vehicle. The seat pressure sensor is provided on the seat surface 1b of the driver's seat 1 and is configured to be able to measure the distribution of pressure acting on the entire seat surface 1b.

[0016] The support determination unit 7 is provided in a control device that controls the vehicle, and determines whether the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 has changed by a predetermined amount or more compared to normal driving when the vehicle is stopped due to operation of the vehicle's brake pedal 13. The change in the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 is determined based on an image of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 captured by an in-vehicle camera in the occupant detection unit 6. The support determination unit 7 also stores data on the posture of the upper body 10 during normal driving when the occupant 9 has previously driven the vehicle. Here, the posture of the upper body 10 during normal driving refers to, for example, a posture when the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 is positioned within the seat back 1a of the seat 1 when driving on a straight road, with both hands of the occupant 9 firmly gripping the steering wheel 16 during such driving. Note that FIG. 3(a) shows the vehicle stopped in front of a parking lot payment machine 14, not when the vehicle is in motion, but the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 during normal driving.

[0017] In this embodiment, the "predetermined amount" when the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 changes by a predetermined amount or more is set to an amount that causes the posture of the region 10c of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9, from the shoulders 10a to the fingertips 10b, to change in the vehicle width direction, and the lower legs 11 of the occupant 9 to move in the vehicle width direction, thereby reducing the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13 by the feet 11c of the occupant 9 and affecting the behavior of the vehicle. Also, instead of the change in the posture of the region 10c in the vehicle width direction, the inclination of the spine relative to normal driving may be used as the predetermined amount, with a line that passes through the center of a line connecting the shoulders of the occupant 9 and is perpendicular to this line being defined as the spine of the occupant 9.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3(b), when a vehicle is parked in front of a parking lot fee payment machine 14, an occupant 9 opens the vehicle's window on the fee payment machine 14 side, extends body part 10c through the window toward the fee payment machine 14, and pays the fee. This causes the posture of body part 10c of the occupant 9's upper body 10 to move outward in the vehicle width direction, and accordingly, the right thigh 11a of the occupant 9's lower limbs 11 moves outward in the vehicle width direction. When the support determination unit 7 determines that the posture of body part 10c of the occupant 9 has changed by a predetermined amount or more compared to normal driving, the vehicle control device drives the actuator drive unit 2a of the first seat support 2. This drive controls the first movable part 2b of the first seat support 2 to limit the movement of the occupant 9's right thigh 11a outward in the vehicle width direction. That is, the first movable part 2b is controlled to push the right thigh 11a of the occupant 9 inward in the vehicle width direction to return the right thigh 11a of the occupant 9 to the holding position during normal driving.

[0019] In addition, when it is determined that the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13 has decreased, the first movable portion 2b of the first seat support 2 is controlled to restrict the thigh 11a of the occupant 9 further inward by pressing the side of the right thigh 11a of the lower leg 11 of the occupant 9.

[0020] When the right thigh 11a of the occupant 9 returns to the holding position during normal driving, and accordingly the posture of the part 10c of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 returns to the posture during normal driving, the restriction on the movement of the right thigh 11a by the first seat support 2 is stopped.

[0021] In addition, when the vehicle is stopped and at least one of the P range, parking brake, and brake auto-hold is on, the first movable portion 2b of the first seat support 2 is controlled so as not to restrict the movement of the lower limbs 11 of the occupant 9.

[0022] The notification unit 8 is configured as, for example, a speaker provided in the vehicle, and when the support determination unit 7 determines that the operation amount of the brake pedal 13 has decreased, the notification unit 8 notifies the occupant 9 by voice, as brake pedal information, that the operation amount of the brake pedal 13 is insufficient. Furthermore, the use of the notification unit 8 is not limited to notifying that the operation amount of the brake pedal 13 is insufficient, and the notification unit 8 may also make suggestions other than those for stopping the brake pedal 13, such as suggesting that the shift lever be put into P range.

[0023] Furthermore, when the seat pressure of the occupant 9 decreases when the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 changes, the seat 1 is controlled to restrict movement of the lower limbs 11 of the occupant 9. For example, when the seat pressure sensor of the occupant detection unit 6 detects a decrease in the seat pressure in the area corresponding to the left half of the buttocks 11d of the occupant 9, the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 is tilted outward in the vehicle width direction, and the right thigh 11a of the occupant 9 is moving outward in the vehicle width direction. In such a case, the first movable portion 2b of the first seat support 2 is controlled to push the right thigh 11a of the occupant 9 inward in the vehicle width direction.

[0024] Furthermore, when it is determined that the seatbelt has been unfastened while the vehicle is parked in D or R range, the seat 1 is controlled to preliminarily move the first movable part 2b in a direction that restricts the movement of the occupant's 9 lower limbs 11. For example, when the seatbelt is unfastened while the vehicle is parked in R range, and the occupant 9 parks the vehicle while looking diagonally rearward to the left with his or her left arm along the underside of the seatback of the passenger seat (not shown), the posture of the part of the occupant's upper body 10, from the left shoulder to the fingertips of his or her left hand, changes inward in the vehicle direction. Accordingly, the left thigh 11b of the occupant 9 also moves inward in the vehicle width direction, and further, the right thigh 11a and foot 11c of the occupant 9 also move inward in the vehicle width direction. In such a case, the movable part of the seat support (not shown), which is provided on the left side of the seat cushion 1b of the seat 1, is controlled to push the left thigh 11b of the occupant 9 outward in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, when the seat belt is unfastened while the vehicle is parked in the reverse range and the occupant 9 parks the vehicle while looking diagonally rearward to the right, the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 moves outward in the vehicle width direction, and the right thigh 11a of the occupant 9 also moves outward in the vehicle width direction. In such a case, the first movable portion 2b of the first seat support 2 is controlled to push the right thigh 11a of the occupant 9 inward in the vehicle direction.

[0025] Next, the flow of a method for controlling the vehicle seat 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. This method for controlling the vehicle seat 1 is implemented by a computer provided in the vehicle executing a control execution program.

[0026] First, in step S1, the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 seated in the driver's seat 1 of the vehicle is detected. This detection is continuously performed until the end of the flowchart of FIG.

[0027] Next, in step S2, it is determined whether at least one of the P range, parking brake, and brake auto-hold is on when the vehicle is stopped. If it is determined that it is on, the process returns to step S1.

[0028] If it is determined in step S2 that the switch is not on, it is assumed that the stopping of the vehicle involves the operation of the brake pedal 13, and the process proceeds to step S3, where it is determined whether the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9, in this embodiment, the body part 10c, has changed by a predetermined amount or more compared to normal driving. If it is determined that the posture has not changed by the predetermined amount or more, the process returns to step S1.

[0029] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S3 that the change is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the process proceeds to step S4, in which the first seat support 2 restricts the movement of the right thigh 11a of the occupant 9. More specifically, in this embodiment, when the vehicle is parked in front of the parking lot fee payment machine 14, the occupant 9 opens the vehicle's window on the fee payment machine 14 side, extends body part 10c through the window toward the fee payment machine 14, and pays the fee, causing the upper body 10 and right thigh 11a of the occupant 9 to move outward in the vehicle direction. Therefore, the first movable part 2b of the first seat support 2 is controlled to push the right thigh 11a of the occupant 9 inward in the vehicle direction.

[0030] Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not there has been a decrease in the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13. If there has been no decrease in the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13, the process returns to step S1.

[0031] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S5 that the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13 has decreased, the process proceeds to step S6, where brake pedal information is announced by voice, and the amount of pressure applied to the right thigh 11a is increased by controlling the first movable part 2b. Here, the brake pedal information indicates that the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13 is insufficient. This brake pedal information announcement causes the occupant 9 to increase the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13, and by increasing the amount of pressure applied to the right thigh 11a, the occupant 9 adjusts his / her posture, and the right foot 11c properly grips the brake pedal 13, thereby increasing the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13.

[0032] Then, in step S7, it is determined whether the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 has returned to the posture during normal driving. If it is determined that the posture has not returned to the posture during normal driving, the process returns to step S6.

[0033] If it is determined in step S7 that the driver has returned to the normal driving posture, the process proceeds to step S8, where the restriction on the movement of the right thigh 11a is stopped.

[0034] As described above, in the first embodiment, when it is determined that the posture of the part 10c of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 has changed by a predetermined amount or more, the first movable part 2b of the first seat support 2 is controlled to restrict movement of the right thigh 11a of the lower leg 11 of the occupant 9 outward in the vehicle width direction due to the change in posture of the part 10c. This makes it difficult for the right foot 11c of the lower leg 11 to leave the brake pedal 13, and the brake pedal 13 is appropriately depressed by the foot 11c of the occupant 9. Therefore, when the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 changes while the vehicle is stopped and the brake pedal 13 is operated, the behavior of the vehicle can be stabilized.

[0035] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when it is determined that the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13 has decreased, the first movable portion 2b of the first seat support 2 is controlled to press the side of the right thigh 11a of the lower leg 11 of the occupant 9, thereby restricting the thigh 11a of the occupant 9 further inward. When the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13 decreases, the right thigh 11a moves outward in the vehicle width direction, and the right foot 11c of the occupant 9 also moves outward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, by restricting the right thigh 11a of the occupant 9 further inward as in this embodiment, the right foot 11c is returned toward the brake pedal 13. This allows the occupant 9 to press the brake pedal 13 harder again, stabilizing the vehicle behavior.

[0036] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when the support determination unit 7 determines that the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13 has decreased, the notification unit 8 notifies the occupant 9 by voice that the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13 is insufficient, thereby allowing the occupant 9 to strongly depress the brake pedal 13 again and stabilize the behavior of the vehicle.

[0037] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when it is determined that the seat belt has been unfastened while the vehicle is stopped in D range or R range, the seat 1 is controlled to pre-move the first movable part 2b and other movable parts (not shown) in a direction that restricts the movement of the lower limbs 11 of the occupant 9. When the seat belt is unfastened, it is predicted that the posture of the upper body 10 will change, for example, when the occupant 9 looks back to park, so the first movable part 2b and other movable parts (not shown) are pre-moved in a direction that restricts the movement of the lower limbs 11 of the occupant 9. This prevents the right foot 11c of the occupant 9 from leaving the brake pedal 13, stabilizing the behavior of the vehicle.

[0038] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, when the seating pressure of the occupant 9 decreases as the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 changes, the seat 1 is controlled to restrict the movement of the lower limbs 11 of the occupant 9. When the seating pressure of the occupant 9 decreases as the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 changes, a part of the buttocks 11d of the occupant 9 rises from the seat surface 1b, resulting in a significant change in the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9. Therefore, in such a case, by restricting the movement of the lower limbs 11 of the occupant 9, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the operation amount of the brake pedal 13 and efficiently stabilize the behavior of the vehicle.

[0039] A vehicle seat control device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0040] In Figures 5 and 6, the first seat support 2 is omitted for clarity, but in reality, the driver's seat 1 is provided with the first seat support 2 together with the second seat support 17.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the second seat support 17 is provided at the front end of the seat cushion 1b of the seat 1 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, at a position corresponding to the front portion 11e of the right thigh 11a of the occupant 9. The second seat support 17 has an actuator drive unit (not shown) and a second movable unit 17a that can lift the front portion 11e of the right thigh 11a of the occupant 9 by driving the actuator drive unit. Even though the first movable unit 2b pushes the right thigh 11a inward in the vehicle width direction when the right thigh 11a moves outward in the vehicle width direction due to a change in the upper body 10 of the occupant 9, the second movable unit 17a is controlled so that the right thigh 11a and foot 11c move outward in the vehicle width direction, the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13 decreases and then becomes zero, and the front portion 11e of the right thigh 11a is lifted when the accelerator pedal 12 is depressed, as shown in FIG. 6 . This lifting makes the occupant 9 realize that he has unintentionally depressed the accelerator pedal 12, and he begins to depress the brake pedal 13 again.

[0042] Next, the flow of a control method for the vehicle seat 1 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Note that steps S1 to S6 of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0043] After step S6, in step S9, it is determined whether the operation amount of the brake pedal 13 has become zero. If it has not become zero, the process returns to the beginning of step S9.

[0044] If it is determined in step S9 that the depression amount of the brake pedal 13 has become zero, it is assumed that the right foot 11c of the lower leg 11 of the occupant 9 has moved outward in the vehicle direction toward the accelerator pedal 12 to the extent that the brake pedal 13 cannot be depressed, and the process proceeds to step S10 to determine whether an accelerator pedal signal has been input. If an accelerator pedal signal has not been input, the process returns to step S6.

[0045] If it is determined in step S10 that an accelerator pedal signal has been input, the process proceeds to step S11, where the second seat support 17 lifts the front part 11e of the right thigh 11a from below. This causes the occupant 9 to realize that he or she has unintentionally depressed the accelerator pedal 12, and he or she then changes his or her foot position to the brake pedal 13.

[0046] Next, in step S12, it is determined whether or not a brake pedal signal has been input. If it is determined that a brake pedal signal has not been input, the process returns to step S11.

[0047] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S12 that a brake pedal signal has been input, the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 returns to the same posture as during normal driving, and it is determined that the brake pedal 13 is being operated appropriately, so the process proceeds to step S8 and restriction on the movement of the right thigh 11a is stopped.

[0048] As described above, in the second embodiment, the second movable portion 17a is controlled so that the right thigh 11a and foot 11c move outward in the vehicle width direction, the amount of brake pedal 13 depression decreases and then becomes zero, and the front portion 11e of the right thigh 11a is lifted when the occupant 9 depresses the accelerator pedal 12. This allows the occupant 9 to realize that he or she has unintentionally depressed the accelerator pedal 12 and to depress the brake pedal 13 again, thereby stabilizing the behavior of the vehicle.

[0049] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of a method for controlling the vehicle seat 1 according to the third embodiment.

[0050] First, in step S1, the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 seated in the driver's seat 1 of the vehicle is detected. This detection is continuously performed until the end of the flowchart of FIG.

[0051] Next, in step S13, it is determined whether the vehicle is approaching the toll adjustment machine 14. This determination is made based on information on the vehicle's position and direction of travel obtained by the car navigation system 3, and the distance to the toll adjustment machine 14 obtained by the surrounding conditions detection unit 5. If it is determined that the vehicle is not approaching the toll adjustment machine 14, the process returns to step S1.

[0052] If it is determined in step S13 that the vehicle is approaching the toll payment machine 14, the process proceeds to step S2, where it is determined whether at least one of the P range, parking brake, and brake auto-hold is on when the vehicle is stopped. If it is determined that they are on, the process returns to step S1.

[0053] If it is determined in step S13 that the switch is not on, it is assumed that the vehicle has been stopped with the operation of the brake pedal 13, and the process proceeds to step S14, where it is determined whether the window on the toll adjustment machine 14 side is open. This determination is made, for example, based on an image captured by the in-vehicle camera of the occupant detection unit 6. If the window on the toll adjustment machine 14 side is not open, the process returns to step S1.

[0054] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S14 that the window on the fare adjustment machine 14 side is open, it is assumed that the occupant 9 will stick part of body part 10c out of the open window to pay at the fare adjustment machine 14, so the process proceeds to step S15, and the first seat support 2 on the fare adjustment machine 14 side is moved in advance. More specifically, the first movable part 2b of the first seat support 2 is controlled to move in advance to such an extent that it touches the side of the occupant 9's right thigh 11a.

[0055] Then, in step S3, it is determined whether the posture of the upper body 10 of the occupant 9 has changed by a predetermined amount or more compared to normal driving. If it is determined that the posture has not changed by the predetermined amount or more, the process returns to step S1.

[0056] If it is determined in step S3 that the change is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the process proceeds to step S4, where the first seat support 2 restricts the movement of the thighs 11a of the occupant 9.

[0057] Furthermore, steps S5 to S8 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] As described above, in the third embodiment, when the vehicle is stopped in front of the toll adjustment machine 14 and it is determined that the window on the toll adjustment machine 14 side is open, the first movable part 2b is controlled to move in advance in a direction that restricts the movement of the right thigh 11a of the occupant 9. When the window on the toll adjustment machine 14 side is open, it is assumed that the occupant 9 will stick part of body part 10c out through the open window to pay the fare at the toll adjustment machine 14. Therefore, by controlling the first movable part 2b as in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of operation of the brake pedal 13 and efficiently stabilize the behavior of the vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 2. First seat support 2a Actuator drive unit 2b...First movable part 6. Occupant detection section 7. Support Judgment Section 8. Notification Department 9 Crew 10. Upper body 10c...part 11...lower limbs 11a: Thighs 17. Second seat support 17a...Second movable part

Claims

1. Detects the posture of the occupant seated in the driver's seat of the vehicle, determining whether or not the posture of the upper body of the occupant has changed by a predetermined amount or more compared to that during normal driving when the vehicle is stopped due to an operation of the brake pedal of the vehicle; When it is determined that the change is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount, the movable portion of the seat is controlled so as to restrict movement of the lower limbs of the occupant in the vehicle width direction in accordance with the change in posture of the upper body of the occupant. How to control a vehicle seat.

2. 2. The vehicle seat control method according to claim 1, further comprising: when it is determined that the amount of operation of the brake pedal has decreased, restricting the occupant's lower legs further inward by pressing the sides of the thighs of the occupant's lower legs.

3. 2. The vehicle seat control method according to claim 1, further comprising: lifting the front thighs of the occupant's lower legs when it is determined that the amount of operation of the brake pedal has decreased and that the accelerator pedal has been depressed.

4. 2. The method for controlling a vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising not restricting movement of the lower legs when at least one of a P range, a parking brake, and a brake auto-hold is on when the vehicle is stopped.

5. 2. The vehicle seat control method according to claim 1, further comprising: notifying the occupant that the amount of operation of the brake pedal is insufficient when it is determined that the amount of operation of the brake pedal has decreased.

6. The vehicle seat control method according to claim 1, further comprising: when the vehicle is stopped in front of a fare adjustment machine and it is determined that the window on the fare adjustment machine side is open, moving the movable part in advance in a direction that restricts movement of the occupant's lower limbs.

7. 2. The method for controlling a vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising: moving the movable part in advance in a direction that restricts movement of the occupant's lower limbs when it is determined that the seat belt has been unfastened while the vehicle is stopped in D range or R range.

8. 2. The method for controlling a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein movement of the lower limbs of the occupant is restricted when the seating pressure of the occupant decreases as the posture of the upper body of the occupant changes.

9. a detection unit provided in the vehicle and configured to detect the posture of an occupant seated in a driver's seat of the vehicle; a determination unit provided in a control device that controls the vehicle, the determination unit determining whether or not the posture of the upper body of the occupant has changed by a predetermined amount or more compared to that during normal driving when the vehicle is stopped due to an operation of a brake pedal of the vehicle; a movable portion provided on the seat and controlled to restrict movement of the lower limbs of the occupant in accordance with a change in posture of the upper body of the occupant when the determination portion determines that the change is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount; A control device for a vehicle seat comprising:

10. A vehicle seat control execution program that causes a computer installed in the vehicle to execute the method according to claim 1.

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