Seat apparatus for vehicle

Abstract

To provide a seat device for a vehicle capable of accurately transmitting a turning direction to a seated person while keeping quietness in a cabin when the vehicle turns.SOLUTION: A left speaker 30 that outputs a sound from a left side of a center portion of a headrest 28 in a left-right direction, a right speaker 32 that outputs a sound from a right side of the center portion of the headrest in the left-right direction, a behavior detection device that detects a turning behavior of a vehicle, and a control device 50 that performs control such that the left speaker outputs a sound when the turning behavior is a left turn and the right speaker outputs a sound when the turning behavior is a right turn are provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART There is known a notification device in which speakers are arranged at four locations on the front, rear, left and right sides of a vehicle cabin, and the sound output of the speakers is controlled according to the vehicle behavior, thereby informing occupants of the vehicle behavior by sound (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] WO2006 / 006553 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The speakers are attached to the instrument panel, side door lining, rear tray, etc., so that the warning sound reaches the entire vehicle cabin. Therefore, there is a risk that the warning sound will disrupt the quietness of the vehicle cabin. Conversely, if the warning sound is made quiet to maintain the quietness of the vehicle cabin, there is a risk that the warning sound will not be properly conveyed to the occupants.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to ensure that when a vehicle turns, the turning direction is accurately communicated to passengers, particularly seated passengers, while maintaining quietness in the vehicle interior.

[0006] A vehicle seat device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle seat device (10) including a seat body (20) having a seat cushion (22), a seat back (26) connected to a rear portion of the seat cushion, and a headrest (28) attached to the seat back, and further including a left speaker (30) that outputs sound from the left side of the center of the headrest in the left-right direction, a right speaker (32) that outputs sound from the right side of the center of the headrest in the left-right direction, behavior detection devices (60, 62) that detect the turning behavior of the vehicle, and a control device (50) that controls the left speaker to output sound when the turning behavior is a left turn, and the right speaker to output sound when the turning behavior is a right turn.

[0007] According to this configuration, the turning direction of the vehicle can be accurately communicated to the occupant seated in the seat body while maintaining quietness in the vehicle interior.

[0008] A vehicle seat device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle seat device (10) including a seat body (20) having a seat cushion (22), a seat back (26) connected to a rear portion of the seat cushion, and a headrest (28) attached to the seat back, and further including: a left speaker (30) that outputs sound from the left side of the center of the headrest in the left-right direction; a right speaker (32) that outputs sound from the right side of the center of the headrest in the left-right direction; behavior detection devices (60, 62) that detect the turning behavior of the vehicle; and a control device (50) that controls the sound output of the left speaker and the right speaker so that a sound image moves from the right side of the headrest to the left side when the turning behavior is a left turn, and so that a sound image moves from the left side of the headrest to the right side when the turning behavior is a right turn.

[0009] According to this configuration, the direction of the movement of the sound image allows the turning direction of the vehicle to be accurately conveyed to the occupant seated in the seat body while maintaining quietness in the vehicle interior.

[0010] In the above-mentioned vehicle seat device, preferably, the behavior detection device includes an acceleration detection device (60) that detects the lateral acceleration of the vehicle, and the control device increases the moving speed of the sound image when the lateral acceleration is large compared to when the lateral acceleration is small.

[0011] With this configuration, the seated occupant can recognize the degree of lateral acceleration from the moving speed of the sound image.

[0012] In the above-mentioned vehicle seat device, preferably, the behavior detection device includes a steering angle detection device (62) that detects the steering angle of the vehicle, and the control device increases the moving speed of the sound image when the steering angle is large compared to when the steering angle is small.

[0013] With this configuration, the seated person can recognize the degree of rotation from the speed at which the sound image moves.

[0014] In the above-mentioned vehicle seat device, the control device preferably includes an input unit that inputs navigation information including current location information of the vehicle and driving route information on map data of the vehicle from a navigation device installed in the vehicle, and when the curvature of the road on the driving route at the current location or a predetermined distance ahead of the current location is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the moving speed of the sound image is made faster than when the curvature is less than the predetermined value.

[0015] With this configuration, the seated person can recognize the curvature of the road when traveling along a curve from the moving speed of the sound image.

[0016] The above vehicle seat device preferably further comprises a vehicle speed detection device (64) for detecting the traveling speed of the vehicle, and the control device increases the moving speed of the sound image in accordance with the traveling speed.

[0017] With this configuration, the seated person can recognize the vehicle speed from the speed at which the sound image moves. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the vehicle seat device of the present invention, the turning direction of the vehicle can be accurately conveyed to the occupant seated in the seat body while maintaining quietness in the vehicle interior. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a vehicle seat device according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram of a control system for a vehicle seat device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart of a control system for a vehicle seat device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] Flowchart of a control system for a vehicle seat device according to another embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] An embodiment of a vehicle seat device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat device 10 of this embodiment has a seat body 20 mounted on a floor panel (not shown) of a vehicle such as an automobile by left and right slide rail devices 12 extending in the front-rear direction.

[0022] The seat body 20 has a seat cushion 22 that forms a seat surface, and a seat back 26 that forms a backrest surface and is connected to the rear of the seat cushion 22 by an electric reclining device 24 so that the angle of inclination about a horizontal axis can be changed. A headrest 28 is attached to the upper part of the seat back 26.

[0023] A left speaker 30 and a right speaker 32 are incorporated into the headrest 28. The left speaker 30 outputs sound toward the left ear of the seated person from a porous sound output portion 30A formed in the surface of the headrest 28 to the left of the center in the left-right direction. The right speaker 32 outputs sound toward the right ear of the seated person from a porous sound output portion 32A formed in the surface of the headrest 28 to the right of the center in the left-right direction.

[0024] The left speaker 30 and the right speaker 32 may be provided for each seat body 20 constituting a front seat, a rear seat, etc. arranged in the vehicle compartment.

[0025] A control device 50 is provided under the seat cushion 22. The control device 50 may be shared by a plurality of seat bodies 20.

[0026] The control system of the seat device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The control device 50 is an electronic information processing device including a microcomputer, and has an input section 52, an arithmetic processing section 54, and an output section 56.

[0027] The input unit 52 is connected to an on-board acceleration sensor (acceleration detection device) 60, a steering angle sensor (steering angle detection device) 62, and a vehicle speed sensor (vehicle speed detection device) 64 as behavior detection devices that detect the behavior of the automobile (vehicle).

[0028] The acceleration sensor 60 outputs vector information relating to the lateral acceleration of the vehicle to the input unit 52. The steering angle sensor 62 outputs vector information relating to the turning direction and steering angle of the vehicle to the input unit 52. The vehicle speed sensor 64 outputs information relating to the traveling speed of the vehicle to the input unit 52.

[0029] An in-vehicle navigation device 70 is connected to the input unit 52. The navigation device 70 detects the current location of the vehicle on map data by receiving GPS signals, and displays on a monitor the driving route on the map data of the vehicle from the current location to a destination set by the user, and outputs navigation information including information about the driving route to the input unit 52. In other words, the input unit 52 receives navigation information including information about the driving route on the map data from the navigation device 70.

[0030] The calculation processing unit 54 determines whether the vehicle is turning left or right based on the input information from the input unit 52, which can be determined from the left-right acceleration and steering angle, and generates a control command to cause the left speaker 30 to output sound when the vehicle is turning left, and generates a control command to cause the right speaker 32 to output sound when the vehicle is turning right, and passes these control commands to the output unit 56.

[0031] Furthermore, the calculation processing unit 54 corrects the above-mentioned control command so that the sound pressure level of the sound output from the left speaker 30 or the right speaker 32 becomes higher as the left-right acceleration and its change (differential value) become larger, the steering angle and its change (differential value) become larger, and the vehicle speed becomes higher.

[0032] Based on the navigation information input to the input unit 52, the calculation processing unit 54 generates a control command to cause the left speaker 30 to output sound when the road on the driving route at the current location of the vehicle or a predetermined distance ahead from the current location is a left-turning curve, and generates a control command to cause the right speaker 32 to output sound when the road is a right-turning curve, and passes the control command to the output unit 56.

[0033] Furthermore, based on the navigation information, when the curvature of the road on the travel route at the current location or a predetermined distance ahead from the current location is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (when there is a sharp curve), the calculation processing unit 54 corrects the control command so that the sound pressure level of the sound output from the left speaker 30 and the right speaker 32 is higher than when the curvature is less than the predetermined value (when there is a gentle curve), and passes the control command to the output unit 56. The predetermined distance from the current location may be a distance equivalent to a point several tens of seconds before the automobile enters the curved road, and may be set relative to the vehicle speed.

[0034] A speaker control unit 58 is connected to the output unit 56. The left speaker 30 and the right speaker 32 are individually connected to the speaker control unit 58. The speaker control unit 58 includes an amplifier and the like, and individually controls the sound output of the left speaker 30 and the right speaker 32 based on a control command.

[0035] Due to the above control, when turning left, the left speaker 30 outputs sound. As a result, the occupant of the seat main body 20 hears the sound emitted from the sound output unit 30A at the left ear. When turning right, the right speaker 32 outputs sound. As a result, the occupant of the seat main body 20 hears the sound emitted from the sound output unit 32A at the right ear.

[0036] The sound output from the left speaker 30 and the right speaker 32 may be a repeated single sound, a rhythmic sound, a piece of music, a voice, etc. The voice may be driving guidance such as "Turn left" or "Turn right."

[0037] As a result, the occupant of the seat body 20 can recognize the turning direction by the sound output from the left speaker 30 or the right speaker when turning. By making the occupant aware of the turning direction in this way, the occupant is less likely to experience motion sickness compared to when the occupant is not aware of this, and this also has the effect of reducing motion sickness.

[0038] In the seat device 10 of this embodiment, navigation information is used to detect turning in advance, and so prior to turning, that is, immediately before the vehicle changes from straight driving to curved driving, sound is output from the left speaker 30 or the right speaker 32 depending on the turning direction.

[0039] This allows the occupant of the seat body 20 to recognize the turning direction prior to turning by the sound output from the left speaker 30 or the right speaker 31. In this way, by making the occupant aware of the turning direction prior to turning, the occupant is less likely to experience motion sickness.

[0040] The control device 50 controls the sound pressure level of the sound output from the left speaker 30 or the right speaker to be higher as the left / right acceleration / deceleration, steering angle and its change become larger, or as the curve becomes sharper.

[0041] This allows the occupant to recognize the left / right acceleration / deceleration, steering angle and its changes, or the degree of curve based on the sound pressure level of the sound output from the left speaker 30 or the right speaker, and this recognition makes it even less likely that the occupant will experience car sickness.

[0042] The sound output from the left speaker 30 or the right speaker is directed toward the left or right ear of the occupant from a sound output part 30A or 32A provided on the headrest 28, so that the turning direction of the car is accurately conveyed to the occupant seated in the seat body 20 while maintaining quietness in the vehicle interior.

[0043] If there are multiple seat bodies 20 in the vehicle cabin, the notification of the vehicle's turning direction by the above-mentioned sound is made individually to each seat body 20. As a result, even if there are multiple seat bodies 20 in the vehicle cabin, the vehicle's turning direction can be accurately and individually communicated to the occupants seated in each seat body 20 while maintaining quietness in the vehicle cabin.

[0044] Next, the operation of the seat device 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 3. The control routine shown in this flowchart is executed by the control device 50.

[0045] This control routine is executed when the vehicle is turning, which is a time when car sickness is likely to occur. First, it is determined whether the vehicle is turning left (step S10). When the vehicle is turning left, sound is output from the left speaker 30 (step S11). When the vehicle is not turning left, that is, when the vehicle is turning right, sound is output from the right speaker 32 (step S12).

[0046] Next, it is determined whether the steering angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, for example, 35 degrees (step S13). If the steering angle is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the sound level of the left speaker 30 or the right speaker is increased according to the vehicle speed (step S14).

[0047] If the steering angle is less than the predetermined value, it is then determined whether the acceleration in the left and right direction is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S15). If the acceleration in the left and right direction is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the sound level of the sound output from the left speaker 30 or the right speaker is increased according to the vehicle speed (step S14).

[0048] If the acceleration in the left / right direction is less than a predetermined value, it is then determined whether the curve radius is less than a predetermined value (step S16). The predetermined value of the curve radius is set according to the vehicle speed so that it decreases as the vehicle speed increases. For example, if the vehicle speed is 60 km / h, it is set to 60 m. If the curve radius is less than the predetermined value, the sound level of the sound output from the left speaker 30 or the right speaker is increased according to the vehicle speed (step S14).

[0049] If the curve radius is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the routine ends without increasing the sound level of the sound output from the left speaker 30 and the right speaker.

[0050] In another embodiment, the control device 50 controls the sound output of the left speaker 30 and the right speaker 32 so that the sound image moves from the right side of the headrest 28 to the left side when the turning behavior is a left turn, and so that the sound image moves from the left side of the headrest 28 to the right side when the turning behavior is a right turn.

[0051] In this embodiment, when turning left, the occupant of the seat main body 20 hears the sounds output from the left speaker 30 and the right speaker 32 close to their ears, as if the sound image were moving from the right sound output unit 32A to the left sound output unit 30A. Also, when turning right, the occupant of the seat main body 20 hears the sounds output from the left speaker 30 and the right speaker 32 close to their ears, as if the sound image were moving from the left sound output unit 30A to the right sound output unit 32A.

[0052] The occupant can recognize the direction in which the vehicle is turning from the direction in which this sound image is moving. In this way, the turning direction of the vehicle is accurately communicated to the occupant seated in the seat body 20 while maintaining quietness in the vehicle interior.

[0053] In this embodiment, the calculation processing unit 54 generates a control command based on the navigation information input to the input unit 52 to cause the left speaker 30 and the right speaker 32 to output sound so that the sound image moves from the right side of the headrest 28 to the left side when the current location of the vehicle or the road on the travel route a predetermined distance ahead from the current location curves left, and passes the control command to the output unit 56. In this case, too, the predetermined distance from the current location may be a distance equivalent to a point several tens of seconds before the vehicle enters the curved road, and may be set relative to the vehicle speed.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the calculation processing unit 54 corrects the control command based on the navigation information so that the moving speed of the sound image becomes faster when the curvature of the road on the current location or the driving route a predetermined distance ahead from the current location is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (when there is a sharp curve) compared to when the curvature is less than the predetermined value (when there is a gentle curve), and passes the control command to the output unit 56.

[0055] The control device 50 performs control such that the moving speed of the sound image increases as the acceleration / deceleration in the left and right direction, the steering angle, and the change therein increases.

[0056] This allows the seated occupant to recognize the left / right acceleration / deceleration, steering angle and its change, or the degree of curve based on the speed at which the sound image moves, and this awareness makes it even less likely that the occupant will get car sick.

[0057] The sound output from the left speaker 30 and the right speaker is directed toward the left and right ears of the occupant from sound output parts 30A and 32A provided in the headrest 28, so the turning direction of the car is accurately conveyed to the occupant seated in the seat body 20 while maintaining quietness in the vehicle interior.

[0058] Next, the operation of the seat device 10 according to another embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 4. The control routine shown in this flowchart is executed by the control device 50.

[0059] This control routine is executed when the vehicle is turning, which is a time when car sickness is likely to occur, and first determines whether the vehicle is turning left (step S20). When the vehicle is turning left, sound is output from the left speaker 30 and the right speaker 32 as if the sound image is moving from right to left (step S21). When the vehicle is not turning left, that is, when the vehicle is turning right, sound is output from the left speaker 30 and the right speaker 32 as if the sound image is moving from left to right (step S22).

[0060] Next, it is determined whether the steering angle is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, for example, 35 degrees (step S23). If the steering angle is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the moving speed of the sound image is increased (speeded up) according to the vehicle speed (step S24).

[0061] If the steering angle is less than the predetermined value, it is next determined whether the acceleration in the left-right direction is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S25). If the acceleration in the left-right direction is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the moving speed of the sound image is increased according to the vehicle speed (step S24).

[0062] If the acceleration in the left / right direction is less than a predetermined value, it is then determined whether the curve radius is less than a predetermined value (step S26). The predetermined value of the curve radius is set according to the vehicle speed so that it decreases as the vehicle speed increases. For example, if the vehicle speed is 60 km / h, it is set to 60 m. If the curve radius is less than the predetermined value, the moving speed of the sound image is increased according to the vehicle speed (step S24).

[0063] If the curve radius is equal to or greater than the predetermined value, the routine ends without increasing the moving speed of the sound image.

[0064] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the left speaker 30 and the right speaker 32 do not necessarily have to be provided on both the left and right sides of the headrest 28, as long as the sound output units 30A and 32A are provided on both the left and right sides of the headrest 28.

[0065] Furthermore, not all of the components shown in the above embodiments are necessarily essential, and they can be selected as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10: Seat device 12: Slide rail device 20: Seat body 22: Seat cushion 24: Electric reclining device 26: Seat back 28: Headrest 30: Left speaker 30A: Sound output section 32: Right speaker 32A: Sound output section 50: Control device 52: Input section 54: Processing unit 56: Output section 58: Speaker control unit 60: Acceleration sensor (behavior detection device) 62: Steering angle sensor (behavior detection device) 64: Vehicle speed sensor (vehicle speed detection device) 70: Navigation device

Claims

[Claim 1] A vehicle seat device including a seat body having a seat cushion, a seat back connected to a rear portion of the seat cushion, and a headrest attached to the seat back, a left speaker that outputs sound from the left side of the center of the headrest in the left-right direction; a right speaker that outputs sound from a position to the right of the center of the headrest in the left-right direction; a behavior detection device that detects the turning behavior of a vehicle; a control device that controls the left speaker to output sound when the turning behavior is a left turn, and the right speaker to output sound when the turning behavior is a right turn.

Images