sheet

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a seat in which a seated person can easily know a position of a sensor and can appropriately use the sensor.SOLUTION: A seat includes a seat body side S0 having a cushion pad 20 and a skin 10 covering the cushion pad 20, a sensor (pressure sensors PS1 to PS6) for acquiring information on a seated person seated on the seat body side S0, and a position display part for displaying the position of the sensor so as to be visible from the outside of the seat body side S0. The sensor is arranged between the cushion pad 20 and the skin 10, and the position display part is a thread-like member 32 sewn into the skin 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat equipped with a sensor that acquires information about an occupant sitting in the seat body. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is known a device that estimates the seating posture of a seated person by mounting a pressure sensor or the like on a driver's seat (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-064131 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional devices only evaluate and present the driver's seating posture, which is problematic in that they cannot be used effectively. An example of effective use of the device is to present the correct seating posture to the driver and prompt the driver to take action to change the current seating posture to the correct one. However, in this case, if the driver does not know the location of the sensor, the driver will not know how to move their body.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a seat that allows the seat occupant to easily know the location of the sensor and use the sensor appropriately, in order to propose new value for the seat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention, which solves the above-mentioned problems, is a seat including a seat body and a sensor provided in the seat body for acquiring information about an occupant sitting in the seat body. The seat includes a position display portion that displays the position of the sensor so that it can be seen from outside the seat body.

[0007] According to this configuration, the position of the sensor can be visually confirmed from outside the seat body by the position display unit, so that the seated person can easily know the position of the sensor and can use the sensor appropriately.

[0008] The seat body may include a cushion pad and a cover covering the cushion pad, and the sensor may be disposed between the cushion pad and the cover.

[0009] The position indicator may be exposed to the outside of the skin.

[0010] According to this, the position display portion is exposed to the outside of the skin, making it easier to see the position display portion.

[0011] The color of the position indicator may be different from the color of the skin.

[0012] According to this, the color of the position indicator is different from that of the surface, so that the position indicator can be easily seen.

[0013] The skin may have a hole at a position corresponding to the sensor, and the position display portion may be exposed to the outside of the skin through the hole.

[0014] According to this, the position indicator is exposed to the outside of the skin through the hole, making it easier to see the position indicator.

[0015] The position display unit may be the sensor.

[0016] This eliminates the need to provide a separate member from the sensor as the position display section, thereby reducing costs.

[0017] The position indicator may be disposed between the skin and the sensor, and may cause a portion of the skin to protrude beyond a surrounding portion of the portion.

[0018] With this, a part of the surface protrudes from the surrounding parts, allowing the seat occupant to easily know the position of the sensor.

[0019] The position indicator may be a light-emitting member that emits light to the outside of the skin.

[0020] This allows the seated person to easily know the position of the sensor by the light.

[0021] The device may further include a control unit that transmits information detected by the sensor to a specified target device, and the control unit may cause the light-emitting member to emit light when communication with the target device becomes possible.

[0022] This allows the light-emitting element to emit light when the control unit can communicate with the target device, that is, when the seated person uses the sensor, thereby preventing the light-emitting element from emitting light unnecessarily when not in use.

[0023] The control unit may also turn off the light emitting member when it determines, based on information from the sensor, that a person is seated.

[0024] This allows for reduced power consumption compared to, for example, a configuration in which the light emitting member continues to emit light even after the occupant sits down. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, a seated person can easily know the position of the sensor and can use the sensor appropriately.

[0026] Furthermore, by exposing the position display portion to the outside of the skin, the position display portion can be made more visible.

[0027] Furthermore, by making the color of the position indicator different from that of the surface, the position indicator can be made more visible.

[0028] Furthermore, by exposing the position indicator to the outside of the skin through a hole formed in the skin, the position indicator can be made more visible.

[0029] Furthermore, by using a sensor as the position display unit, costs can be reduced.

[0030] Furthermore, by making a part of the surface protrude from the surrounding area by the position indicator, the seat occupant can easily know the position of the sensor.

[0031] Furthermore, by using a light-emitting member that emits light to the outside of the surface as the position indicator, the seat occupant can easily know the position of the sensor by the light.

[0032] In addition, when the control unit can communicate with the target device, that is, when the seated person is using the sensor, the light-emitting element is illuminated, thereby preventing the light-emitting element from illuminating unnecessarily when not in use.

[0033] Furthermore, by turning off the light emitting member when the occupant sits down, power consumption can be reduced compared to, for example, a configuration in which the light emitting member continues to emit light even after the occupant sits down. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a seat according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration around the position display unit. [Figure 3] 3(a) is a plan view showing a position display unit according to a first modified example, and FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 3(a). [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a position display section according to a second modified example. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a position display section according to a third modified example. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a position display section according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a position display section according to a fifth modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a position display section according to a sixth modified example. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a control device according to a sixth modified example. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a position display section according to a seventh modified example. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a position display section according to an eighth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1, the vehicle seat S of this embodiment is an example of a seat and is configured as a vehicle seat to be installed in a vehicle, for example. The vehicle seat S includes a seat body S0 and a control device 100 as an example of a control unit.

[0036] The seat body S0 has a seat cushion S1 and a seat back S2. The seat cushion S1 and the seat back S2 each include a cushion pad 20 and a cover 10 that covers the cushion pad 20. The cushion pad 20 is made of urethane foam or the like and is supported by a frame (not shown). The cover 10 is made of synthetic leather, fabric, or the like.

[0037] The seat cushion S1 and the seat back S2 are provided with a plurality of pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 under the cover 10. The pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 are sensors that acquire measured values ​​to identify the movement of the seated occupant P sitting on the seat main body S0. The pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 are arranged so as to be able to detect the state of the seat surface facing the seated occupant P seated on the seat main body S0, and acquire pressure values ​​from the seated occupant P sitting on the seat main body S0.

[0038] The pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 are provided in pairs symmetrically with respect to the center of the vehicle seat S on the left and right. Specifically, the seat cushion S1 is provided with pressure sensors PS1 to PS3. The pressure sensors PS1 and PS2 are disposed on the seat cushion S1 at positions corresponding to the buttocks of the seated occupant P. The pressure sensors PS1 and PS2 constitute a first cushion sensor SC1 that measures pressure from the buttocks of the seated occupant P. The pressure sensor PS2 is disposed slightly in front of the pressure sensor PS1. Note that the first cushion sensor SC1 may include only one of the pressure sensors PS1 and PS2.

[0039] The pressure sensor PS3 is located under the thighs of the seated occupant P. The pressure sensor PS3 constitutes a second cushion sensor SC2 that measures pressure values ​​from the thighs of the seated occupant P. The pressure sensor PS3 is located far away in front of the pressure sensors PS1 and PS2.

[0040] The seat back S2 is provided with pressure sensors PS4 to PS6. Pressure sensor PS4 is provided at a position corresponding to the back of the seated occupant P. Pressure sensor PS5 is located slightly above pressure sensor PS4. Pressure sensors PS4 and PS5 together constitute a first back sensor SB1 that measures pressure from the seated occupant P's waist. Note that the first back sensor SB1 may include only one of pressure sensor PS4 and pressure sensor PS5.

[0041] The pressure sensor PS6 is disposed above and spaced apart from the pressure sensors PS4 and PS5. The pressure sensor PS6 is located in correspondence with the upper part of the back of the seated person P. The pressure sensor PS6 constitutes a second back sensor SB2 that measures pressure values ​​from the shoulder blades of the seated person P.

[0042] The pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 are elements whose electrical resistance changes depending on, for example, external pressure, and the greater the pressure value, the higher (or lower) the voltage of the detection signal.

[0043] 2, the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 are disposed between the skin 10 and the cushion pad 20. Wiring H of each of the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 is connected to the control device 100 (see FIG. 1) through a hole 21 formed in the cushion pad 20.

[0044] Paint 31, which is an example of a position indicator, is applied to positions on the outer surface 10A of the skin 10 corresponding to the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6. The paint 31 is applied to the outer surface 10A of the skin 10 and is exposed to the outside of the skin 10. The color of the paint 31 is a different color from the color of the outer surface 10A of the skin 10. Specifically, for example, if the outer surface 10A of the skin 10 is black, the color of the paint 31 can be a color that stands out against the black, such as yellow.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, such paint 31 indicates the positions of the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 so that they can be seen from outside the seat body S0 before a seat occupant sits in the vehicle seat S.

[0046] The control device 100 is connected to the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 so as to be able to acquire pressure values ​​from the respective pressure sensors PS1 to PS6. The control device 100 is capable of transmitting information detected by the respective pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 to a smartphone SP, which is an example of a target device.

[0047] The control device 100 and the smartphone SP each have a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a rewritable nonvolatile memory, etc. (not shown), and execute pre-stored programs. The smartphone SP also includes a display DSP.

[0048] A short-range communication device 3A that enables short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) is connected to the control device 100. The control device 100 can communicate with the smartphone SP via the short-range communication device 3A, and can provide predetermined screens and sounds to the smartphone SP in cooperation with an app installed on the smartphone SP, as well as acquire data entered on the smartphone SP.

[0049] In such a system consisting of the seat body S0, the control device 100, and the smartphone SP, it is possible to provide, for example, a 100-meter sprint game on the smartphone SP. In this case, the control device 100 outputs a signal to cause a character in the game displayed on the display DSP to run when the seated person alternately moves their left and right legs up and down on the seat body S0.

[0050] When playing such a game, the seat occupant can visually check the position of the paint 31 applied to the seat body S0 before sitting on the seat body S0, and can therefore easily confirm the positions of the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6. This allows the seat occupant to properly place their left and right thighs on the left and right pressure sensors PS3, allowing them to effectively use each pressure sensor PS3 and enjoy the game.

[0051] As described above, according to this embodiment, in addition to the effects described above, the following effects can be achieved. Since the paint 31, which is the position indicator, is exposed to the outside of the skin 10, the position indicator (paint 31) can be made easier to see compared to, for example, a position indicator (spacer 36: see Figure 7) that is hidden by the skin 10 as described below.

[0052] Since the color of the paint 31 is different from that of the skin 10, the position indicator (paint 31) can be more easily seen.

[0053] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be practiced by appropriately modifying it as shown in the following modified examples. Note that in the modified examples described below, the same components as those in the above embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0054] 3, a thread-like member 32 sewn into the skin 10 is exemplified as the position indicator. The thread-like member 32 may be, for example, a thread made of fibers such as cotton, wool, silk, or nylon, or may be a string made of leather or the like.

[0055] The thread-like members 32 are sewn into the skin 10, so that parts of them are exposed to the outside of the skin 10 as a pattern. The patterns formed by the thread-like members 32 are arranged at positions corresponding to the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6. Any pattern may be used, but for example, a circular pattern surrounding the pressure sensor PS1, as shown in FIG. 3(a), may be used.

[0056] The color of the thread-like members 32 is different from the color of the skin 10. Even in the first modified example configured as above, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0057] In the second modified example shown in Fig. 4, a hook-and-loop fastener 33 is exemplified as the position indicator. The hook-and-loop fastener 33 includes a first member 33A provided on the skin 10 and a second member 33B that is detachable from the first member 33A. The first member 33A is disposed at a position on the skin 10 corresponding to each of the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6. The first member 33A may be formed integrally with the skin 10, or may be fixed to the skin 10 with an adhesive or the like.

[0058] The first member 33A has a hook portion that is raised into a hook shape. The second member 33B has a loop portion that is raised into a loop shape. The loop portion of the second member 33B can be engaged with and disengaged from the hook portion of the first member 33A. Conversely to this modification, the hook portion may be provided on the second member 33B and the loop portion may be provided on the first member 33A. In this case, when the second member 33B is removed, the clothing of the seated occupant will not get caught on the loop portion of the first member 33A, which is preferable.

[0059] When the second member 33B is removed, the first member 33A is exposed to the outside of the skin 10. When the second member 33B is attached to the first member 33A, the second member 33B is exposed to the outside of the skin 10.

[0060] The color of the surface of the second member 33B exposed to the outside is a different color from the skin 10. The color of the first member 33A may be any color, but may be the same color as the skin 10, for example. In this case, when the seat occupant uses the seat main body S0 as a game controller, the positions of the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 can be made conspicuous by the second member 33B, which has a color different from the skin 10, by attaching the second member 33B to the first member 33A. Furthermore, when the seat occupant does not use the seat main body S0 as a controller, the appearance of the seat main body S0 can be improved by removing the second member 33B. Note that other effects of this modified example are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

[0061] Other examples of members that can be attached to and detached from the skin 10 include snap buttons that have a convex metal piece and a concave metal piece.

[0062] 5, a display skin 34, which is separate from the skin 10 that occupies most of the exterior of the seat body S0, is exemplified as the position display portion. In this modification, the display skin 34 is sewn integrally into the skin 10 at positions corresponding to the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6.

[0063] The display skin 34 is made of a different material or a different color from the skin 10. The display skin 34 is exposed to the outside of the skin 10. Even in the third modified example configured as described above, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0064] 6, a push button switch 35 is exemplified as the sensor and position indicator. In this modification, holes 11 are formed in the skin 10 at positions corresponding to the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6. The periphery of the holes 11 is folded inward and sewn together.

[0065] The switch 35 includes a base 35A and a push button 35B. A substrate and the like that implement the switch function are housed within the base 35A. Wiring H connected to the substrate and the like is connected to the control device 100 through the hole 21 in the cushion pad 20, as in the above embodiment.

[0066] The base 35A is disposed between the skin 10 and the cushion pad 20. The push button 35B is exposed to the outside by protruding from the base 35A through the hole 11 and outward from the skin 10. The color of the push button 35B is different from the color of the skin 10.

[0067] In this modification, the switch 35, which is a sensor, functions as the position indicator, so costs can be reduced compared to a structure in which a separate member from the sensor is provided as the position indicator. Other effects of this modification are the same as those of the above embodiment.

[0068] In a configuration in which a hole 11 is formed in the skin 10 as in this modified example, the pressure sensor PS1 may be exposed to the outside through the hole 11. Also, other members provided on the pressure sensor PS1 may be exposed through the hole 11. Furthermore, when the sensor is used as a position indicator as in this modified example, the sensor may be attached to the outer surface of the skin, for example, and the sensor may serve as the position indicator.

[0069] In the fifth modified example shown in Fig. 7, a spacer 36 disposed between the skin 10 and the pressure sensor PS1 is exemplified as the position indicator. The spacer 36 is made of, for example, resin, and causes a portion of the skin 10 to protrude beyond the surrounding area. The protrusion of the portion of the skin 10 is set to a relatively large amount so that a seated person can visually recognize that the portion protrudes. This embodiment also achieves the same effects as the above-described embodiment.

[0070] In a sixth modified example shown in Fig. 8, a surface light emitter 37, which is an example of a light emitting member, is illustrated as the position display unit. The surface light emitter 37 is a member that emits light to the outside of the skin 10, and emits light when electricity is applied. The surface light emitter 37 is disposed between the skin 10 and the pressure sensor PS1. A wiring HL of the surface light emitter 37 passes through a hole 21 in the cushion pad 20 and is connected to the control device 100.

[0071] The surface light emitter 37 may be, for example, an organic EL lighting panel. The skin 10 is made of a material, such as a mesh material, that can transmit the light from the surface light emitter 37. Small holes may be provided in the skin 10, and the light from the surface light emitter 37 may be emitted to the outside through the holes.

[0072] In this modification, the control device 100 executes the control shown in Fig. 9. The control device 100 constantly and repeatedly executes the control shown in Fig. 9.

[0073] 9, the control device 100 first determines whether communication with the smartphone SP is possible (S11). If it is determined in step S11 that communication is not possible (No), the control device 100 ends this control.

[0074] If it is determined in step S11 that communication is possible (Yes), the control device 100 energizes the surface light-emitting device 37 to cause the surface light-emitting device 37 to emit light (S12). After step S12, the control device 100 determines whether or not a person is seated on the seat body S0 based on information from each of the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 (S13).

[0075] If it is determined in step S13 that the person is not seated (No), the control device 100 ends this control. If it is determined in step S13 that the person is seated (Yes), the control device 100 stops the power supply to the surface light-emitting device 37, turns off the surface light-emitting device 37 (S14), and ends this control.

[0076] As described above, this modification provides the same effects as the above-described embodiment, as well as the following effects. When the control device 100 can communicate with the smartphone SP, that is, when the seat occupant uses the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6, the surface light-emitting device 37 emits light, so it is possible to prevent the surface light-emitting device 37 from emitting light unnecessarily when not in use. Furthermore, because the surface light-emitting device 37 does not emit light when not in use, the appearance of the seat body S0 can be improved.

[0077] Since the surface light emitter 37 is turned off after the occupant sits on the seat body S0, power consumption can be reduced compared to, for example, a configuration in which the surface light emitter 37 continues to emit light even after the occupant sits on the seat.

[0078] The light emitting member is not limited to the surface light emitting device 37, but may be, for example, an LED. In the case of a non-surface light emitting member such as an LED, it may be embedded in a cushion pad around the sensor. Alternatively, the surface light emitting device may be attached to the outer surface of the skin.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the portions of the skin 10 where the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 are provided are configured to protrude outward, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in a seventh modified example shown in Fig. 10, the cushion pad 20 may be provided with recesses 22 having a depth corresponding to the thickness of the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6, thereby making the outer surface 10A of the skin 10 flat. Even in this case, by providing position indicators such as paint 31 at positions on the skin 10 corresponding to the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6, it is possible to obtain the same effect as in the above embodiment.

[0080] 11, recesses 23 having a depth greater than the thickness of the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 may be provided in the cushion pad 20, and the portions of the skin 10 corresponding to the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 may be recessed. That is, in this modification, recesses 10B are formed in the outer surface 10A of the skin 10, at positions corresponding to the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6. In this modification, the recesses 10B function as position indicators, and therefore the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the seat is exemplified as a vehicle seat S used in a vehicle such as an automobile, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be other seats, such as a chair or recliner used indoors in a house, etc.

[0082] The information about the seated occupant is not limited to information for identifying the occupant's movements, but may also be, for example, the occupant's blood pressure.

[0083] The target device is not limited to a smartphone SP, but may be, for example, a tablet terminal.

[0084] The elements described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be implemented in any combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 31 Paint PS1~PS6 pressure sensors S Vehicle seat S0 seat body

Claims

[Claim 1] a seat body having a cushion pad and a surface covering the cushion pad; a sensor for acquiring information about an occupant sitting on the seat body; a position display unit that displays the position of the sensor so that it can be seen from outside the seat body, the sensor is disposed between the cushion pad and the skin; The seat is characterized in that the position indication portion is a display surface separate from the surface and sewn into the surface.

Images