Automatic seat position adjustment system

Abstract

This provides an example of an automatic seat position adjustment system that can optimize seat posture regardless of differences in vehicle type or seat shape. [Solution] The system includes a body angle calculation unit 20A that calculates the body angle of a user of the vehicle seat using the posture of the vehicle seat and the physical characteristics of the user of the vehicle seat, a body angle storage unit 20B that stores the body angle calculated by the body angle calculation unit 20A, and a posture changing unit 20C that changes the posture of the vehicle seat so that the body angle of the person using the vehicle seat becomes the "stored body angle" using the body angle stored in the body angle storage unit 20B. As a result, the posture of the vehicle seat can be automatically changed based on the user's body angle in this automatic seat position adjustment system.Therefore, it is possible to prevent the automatically changed posture of the vehicle seat from becoming an unoptimal seating posture for the person sitting in it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a system for automatically adjusting the posture of a seat, such as a seat position.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the posture of a seat, such as a seat position, is automatically adjusted based on a specific distance. The specific distance refers to a predetermined distance around the seat associated with the physical characteristics of the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above specific distance is the distance between a specific part of the vehicle seat (for example, the front end of the seat cushion) and a vehicle component (for example, the accelerator pedal). Therefore, the seat position reproduced based on the specific distance may not be the optimal seating posture for the occupant.

[0005] That is, for example, even if the seat position is such that the distance from the front end of the seat cushion to the accelerator pedal is the same, if the shape and size of the seat cushion are different, it may not match the optimal seating posture for the occupant. The present disclosure discloses an example of a seat position automatic adjustment system in view of this point.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The seat position automatic adjustment system preferably includes at least one of the following constituent elements, for example. In other words, the constituent elements are: a body angle calculation unit (20A) that calculates the body angle of a user using the posture of the vehicle seat and the physical characteristics of the user of the vehicle seat; a body angle storage unit (20B) that stores the body angle calculated by the body angle calculation unit (20A); and a posture changing unit (20C) that changes the posture of the vehicle seat so that the body angle of the person using the vehicle seat becomes the "stored body angle" using the body angle stored in the body angle storage unit (20B).

[0007] As a result, the automatic seat position adjustment system can automatically change the posture of the vehicle seat based on the user's body angle. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the automatically changed vehicle seat posture from becoming an unoptimal seating posture for the occupant.

[0008] The automatic seat position adjustment system may also have the following configuration, for example: In other words, it is desirable that the system is equipped with a portable computing device (20), the portable computing device (20) having a human body angle memory unit (20B) and capable of realizing the function of a human body angle calculation unit (20A), and that the portable computing device (20) can work in cooperation with the vehicle seat to realize the function of a posture change unit (20C).

[0009] This can help prevent the automatically adjusted seat position from becoming an unoptimal seating position for the occupant, even if the vehicle used by the user changes. Furthermore, it is desirable that the posture change unit (20C) be able to operate when the portable computing device (20) is located inside the vehicle.

[0010] Furthermore, the human body angle is information that includes at least one of the following angles: foot angle, knee angle, thigh angle, hip angle, lumbar flexion angle, and neck angle. Incidentally, the symbols in each of the parentheses above are just examples showing the correspondence with the specific configurations etc. described in the embodiments described later, and this disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations etc. indicated by the symbols in the parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the automatic seat position adjustment system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the angles of the human body. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The following "Embodiments of the Invention" are examples of embodiments that fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. In other words, the features defining the invention as described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the embodiments below.

[0013] This embodiment is an example in which the automatic seat position adjustment system according to this disclosure is applied to a vehicle seat (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle seat) in which a driver sits.

[0014] (First Embodiment) <1. Overview of the Automatic Seat Position Adjustment System> The automatic seat position adjustment system according to this embodiment is a system that automatically adjusts the posture of a vehicle seat 1, as shown in Figure 1. The "posture of the vehicle seat 1" refers to, for example, the "position of the seat cushion 3" or the "tilt state of the seat back 5."

[0015] The seat cushion 3 is the part that supports the seated person's buttocks. The seat back 5 is the part that supports the seated person's back. The vehicle seat 1 is also equipped with a sliding device 3A, a lifter device 3B, a recliner 5A, etc., as shown in Figure 2.

[0016] The slide device 3A is an electric device that displaces the vehicle seat 1 horizontally with respect to the vehicle. The lifter device 3B is an electric device that displaces the seat cushion 3 vertically. The recliner 5A is an electric device that changes the angle of the seat back 5.

[0017] That is, the slide device 3A and the lifter device 3B are devices that change the "position of the seat cushion 3". The recliner 5A is a device that changes the "tilt state of the seat back 5".

[0018] The operations of the slide device 3A, the lifter device 3B, and the recliner 5A are controlled by a control unit 10 provided in the vehicle seat 1. The control unit 10 is a controller configured by a computer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like.

[0019] Software for automatically adjusting the posture of the vehicle seat 1 is pre-stored in a non-volatile storage unit (not shown) provided in the control unit 10. Then, the control unit 10 executes a function (hereinafter referred to as an automatic adjustment function) of automatically adjusting the posture of the vehicle seat 1 in cooperation with the portable terminal device 20.

[0020] The portable terminal device 20 is a portable computing device such as a smartphone carried by a person using the vehicle seat 1. Software for executing the automatic adjustment function is pre-installed in the portable terminal device 20. Note that the portable terminal device 20 and the control unit 10 can communicate with each other via wireless communication or wired communication.

[0021] <2. Operation of the Automatic Adjustment Function> <2.1 Calculation and Determination of the Human Body Angle> The seat position automatic adjustment system has a function of calculating the human body angle. The human body angle is the "angle of a specific part of the user when sitting". That is, as will be described later, the human body angle is an angle calculated using at least the current posture of the vehicle seat 1 and the physical characteristics (e.g., height and weight) of the user of the vehicle seat 1.

[0022] The portable terminal device 20 can communicate with the vehicle via wireless or wired communication. Therefore, the vehicle's control unit (not shown) is pre-installed with software for the portable terminal device 20 to acquire positional information.

[0023] Positional relationship information refers to information indicating the relative distance between vehicle components and the vehicle seat 1. Vehicle components refer to operating parts that the driver operates when operating the vehicle, such as the accelerator pedal, brake pedal, and steering wheel, and are installed in the vehicle.

[0024] In this embodiment, the calculation of the human body angle is performed when the user instructs the automatic seat position adjustment system, i.e., the portable terminal device 20, to "calculate the human body angle," and the user's portable terminal device 20 is located inside the vehicle.

[0025] In other words, with the portable terminal device 20 inside the vehicle, the user first adjusts the posture of the vehicle seat 1 themselves. Then, when the user finds a posture that they find comfortable, the user instructs the portable terminal device 20 to "calculate the body angle."

[0026] When the command "Calculate human body angle" is given, the human body angle calculation unit 20A of the portable terminal device 20 calculates the human body angle. The human body angle calculation unit 20A calculates and determines the human body angle using positional relationship information, the posture of the vehicle seat 1, and information indicating physical characteristics.

[0027] The human body angle calculation unit 20A utilizes the height and weight previously entered by the user into the portable terminal device 20 as physical characteristics, and also communicates with the vehicle to obtain positional information from the vehicle.

[0028] Once the "calculation of human body angles" is complete, the portable terminal device 20 stores the calculated human body angles in the human body angle storage unit 20B built into the portable terminal device 20. The human body angle storage unit 20B is composed of a rewritable non-volatile storage unit built into the portable terminal device 20.

[0029] <2.2 Execution of Automatic Adjustment Function (Posture Change Unit)> When the portable terminal device 20 is inside a vehicle and the body angle is stored in the body angle memory unit 20B, the posture change unit 20C is activated when the user instructs the portable terminal device 20 to execute the automatic adjustment function.

[0030] The posture changing unit 20C uses the body angles stored in the body angle memory unit 20B to automatically change the posture of the vehicle seat 1 so that the body angle of the person using the vehicle seat 1 becomes the "stored body angle".

[0031] The human body angle calculation unit 20A and the posture change unit 20C are realized by the execution of software pre-installed in the portable terminal device 20. The posture change unit 20C then works in cooperation with the control unit 10 of the vehicle seat 1 and the vehicle's control unit to realize this function.

[0032] <3. Details of human body angles (see Figure 3)> The human body angles according to this embodiment specifically include information that includes at least one (in this embodiment, all) of the following angles: foot angle, knee angle, thigh angle, hip angle, lumbar flexion angle, and neck angle.

[0033] The foot angle θ1 refers to the relative angle between the lower leg and the sole of the foot. The knee angle θ2 refers to the relative angle between the thigh and the lower leg. The thigh angle θ3 refers to the relative angle between the vehicle's longitudinal direction and the thigh. The hip angle θ4 refers to the relative angle between the pelvis and the thigh. The lumbar flexion angle θ5 is the difference between the neck angle θ6 and the hip angle. The neck angle θ6 refers to the relative angle between the head and the chest.

[0034] <4. Features of the automatic seat position adjustment system according to this embodiment> In the automatic seat position adjustment system according to this embodiment, the posture of the vehicle seat 1 can be automatically changed based on the angle of the user's body. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the automatically changed posture of the vehicle seat 1 from becoming an unoptimal seating posture for the occupant.

[0035] The portable terminal device 20 works in cooperation with at least the vehicle seat 1 to realize an automatic adjustment function (function of the posture change unit 20C). This makes it possible to prevent the automatically adjusted posture of the vehicle seat from becoming an unoptimal seating posture for the occupant, even if the vehicle used by the user changes.

[0036] In other words, for example, if user A primarily uses the first vehicle, and user A calculates and determines the body angle using the seat of the first vehicle, the optimal body angle for user A is stored in user A's portable terminal device 20 (body angle storage unit 20B).

[0037] Then, when user A boards the second vehicle, if the automatic adjustment function (posture change unit 20C) is activated, the body angle stored in the body angle memory unit 20B is reproduced in the seat of the second vehicle.

[0038] The body angle is an inherent variable that does not change unless there is a significant change in the user's physical characteristics. Therefore, if the body angle stored in the body angle memory unit 20B is reproduced in the seat of the second vehicle, user A can enjoy the second vehicle in the same optimal posture as when using the first vehicle.

[0039] Furthermore, the above effects and benefits can also be obtained when multiple users share a single vehicle, as described below. In other words, in the automatic seat position adjustment system according to this embodiment, if the body angle of the person using the vehicle is stored in the portable terminal device 20, the posture of the vehicle seat is automatically adjusted to match that body angle.

[0040] Therefore, even if the optimal seating posture for user A differs from that of user B, the vehicle seat 1 is automatically adjusted to the optimal seating posture for the actual user sitting in it, that is, to the body angle optimized for that user.

[0041] Specifically, when user A uses the vehicle, the posture of seat 1 is automatically adjusted to match the body angle for user A. When user B uses the vehicle, the posture of seat 1 is automatically adjusted to match the body angle for user B.

[0042] (Other embodiments) In the embodiment described above, the human body angle storage unit 20B was provided in the portable terminal device 20. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may also include a configuration in which the human body angle storage unit 20B is provided in a storage device that can communicate with the portable terminal device 20, such as a remote server. In this configuration, the calculated human body angle is stored in association with the user.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the portable terminal device 20 obtained relative positional relationship information between the vehicle components and the vehicle seat 1 by communicating with the vehicle. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0044] In other words, the disclosure may be configured such that, for example, location relationship information is stored in a storage device that can communicate with a portable terminal device 20 such as a remote server, and the portable terminal device 20 acquires the location relationship information by communicating with the remote server.

[0045] In this configuration, it is desirable that the type of vehicle seat, that is, information indicating what type of vehicle the seat is installed in, and its positional relationship information are stored in a remote server or the like in an associated state.

[0046] In the above-described embodiment, the posture change unit 20C was configured to be executable when the portable terminal device 20 was inside the vehicle. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may also be configured such that, for example, when the human body angle is stored in the human body angle memory unit 20B, the posture change unit 20C is executed by remote operation from outside the vehicle.

[0047] In the above-described embodiment, the human body angle was calculated and determined by the portable terminal device 20. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may also include a configuration in which, for example, the control unit 10 (vehicle seat) or a remote server is provided with a human body angle calculation unit, and the portable terminal device 20 or the remote server is provided with a human body angle storage unit.

[0048] In the embodiment described above, the human body angle calculation unit was executed when the user instructed the portable terminal device 20 to "calculate human body angles". However, this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure may also be configured such that, for example, the human body angle calculation unit is automatically executed periodically.

[0049] In the embodiment described above, the body angle was calculated using the height and weight entered by the user into the portable terminal device 20 as physical characteristics. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure may also be configured such that, for example, the body angle is calculated using an image of the user taken by a camera as physical characteristics.

[0050] In the embodiments described above, a vehicle seat according to this disclosure was applied to a vehicle. However, the application of the invention disclosed herein is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure can also be applied, for example, to seats used in vehicles such as railway cars, ships and aircraft, as well as to stationary seats used in theaters, homes, etc.

[0051] Furthermore, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but is sufficient to be consistent with the intent of the disclosures described in the embodiments described above. Therefore, it may be a configuration in which at least two of the embodiments described above are combined, or a configuration in which any of the illustrated components or components described with reference numerals in the embodiments described above are omitted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 3A… Slide device 3B... Lifter device 5A… Reclining chair 10… Control Unit 20… Portable terminal device 20A... Human body angle calculation unit 20B…Human body angle memory section 20C… Attitude change section

Claims

1. In an automatic seat position adjustment system that automatically adjusts the seat posture, A body angle calculation unit that calculates the body angle of a user using the posture of the vehicle seat and the physical characteristics of the user of the vehicle seat, A human body angle storage unit stores the human body angles calculated by the human body angle calculation unit, A posture changing unit that uses the body angles stored in the body angle memory unit to change the posture of the vehicle seat so that the body angle of the person using the vehicle seat becomes the "stored body angle". An automatic seat position adjustment system equipped with this system.

2. Equipped with a portable computing device, The portable computing device has the human body angle storage unit and is capable of realizing the functions of the human body angle calculation unit. Furthermore, the portable computing device is capable of realizing the function of the posture changing unit in cooperation with at least the vehicle seat, as described in claim 1 of the automatic seat position adjustment system.

3. The automatic seat position adjustment system according to claim 2, wherein the posture changing unit can be operated when the portable computing device is located inside the vehicle.

4. The automatic seat position adjustment system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the human body angle is information including at least one angle from among the foot angle, knee angle, thigh angle, hip angle, lumbar flexion angle, and neck angle.

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