Vehicle seats

Abstract

An example of a vehicle seat capable of accommodating individual differences and providing appropriate support is disclosed. [Solution] The control unit 8 can perform steering assist control by activating the pressing mechanism 7 to increase the contact pressure when the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor 34 exceeds a predetermined value and the value detected by the pressure sensor 6 falls below a reference value Po. The reference value Po is the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 6 when the driving operation state detected by the state detection unit 35 reaches a predetermined state. As a result, in the vehicle seat, the pressing mechanism (7) is controlled based on the reference value Po, making it possible to absorb individual differences and appropriately provide support functions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle seat used by a vehicle driver.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, when the driver rotates the annular steering wheel, in order to prevent the driver and the seat back from being greatly separated, the orientation of the upper part of the seat back is changed according to the steering operation.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the invention described in Patent Document 1, only the orientation of the upper part of the seat back is changed according to the steering operation. Therefore, when the physique of the driver assumed in the development stage is significantly different, the support function cannot be properly exerted.

[0005] That is, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the individual differences cannot be absorbed and the support function cannot be properly exerted. The present disclosure discloses an example of a vehicle seat in view of this point.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] It is desirable that the vehicle seat on which the person driving the vehicle sits during the driving operation includes at least one of the following constituent elements, for example. In other words, the constituent elements are a pressure sensor (6) positioned on the seat back (5) in a part corresponding to the driver's shoulder blades, a pressing mechanism (7) positioned on the seat back (5) in a part corresponding to the driver's shoulder blades, which is capable of changing the contact pressure between the part and the driver, a state detection unit (35) that directly or indirectly detects the driver's driving operation state, a storage unit (9) that stores the value detected by the pressure sensor (6), a sensor input unit (10) that receives a signal from a steering angle sensor (34) that directly or indirectly detects the steering angle of the vehicle, and a control unit (8) that controls the operation of the pressing mechanism (7).

[0007] Then, when the operating state detected by the state detection unit (35) reaches a predetermined state, the control unit (8) stores the value detected by the pressure sensor (6) in the storage unit (9). Furthermore, the control unit (8) can perform steering assist control by activating the pressing mechanism (7) to increase the contact pressure when the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor (34) exceeds a predetermined value and the value detected by the pressure sensor (6) falls below a reference value (Po). The reference value (Po) refers to the value stored in the memory unit (9).

[0008] As a result, in the vehicle seat, the pressure mechanism (7) is controlled based on a reference value (Po), which may allow it to absorb individual differences and provide appropriate support. The vehicle seat may have, for example, the following configuration.

[0009] In other words, the state detection unit (35) has an input unit (10) to which at least a signal indicating the amount of accelerator operation is input, and it is desirable that the control unit (8) considers when the accelerator is operated and the stationary vehicle moves forward as "when the driving operation state has reached a predetermined state."

[0010] In addition to the above configuration requirements, the system may also include an operating unit (11) operated by a user, and the control unit (8) may store the value detected by the pressure sensor (6) in the storage unit (9) when the operating unit (11) is operated.

[0011] As a result, when the control unit (11) is operated, the value detected by the pressure sensor (6) becomes the reference value (Po). Note that "user" includes not only the driver but also persons other than the driver (for example, a passenger in the front seat or a third party).

[0012] When steering assist control is performed, it is desirable for the control unit (8) to activate the pressing mechanism (7) so that the value detected by the pressure sensor (6) is maintained at a reference value (Po). This may enable the vehicle seat to perform its support function more effectively.

[0013] Furthermore, it is desirable that the pressing mechanism (7) be configured to include an electrostatic actuator. This allows the pressing mechanism (7) to respond quickly to changes in contact pressure.

[0014] 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]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of the control system for a vehicle seat according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a structural diagram showing the pressure sensor and pressing mechanism, etc. [Figure 4] This is a structural diagram showing the pressure sensor and pressing mechanism, etc. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows the operation of steering assist control and other related functions. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram of the control system for a vehicle seat according to the second embodiment. **Mode for Carrying Out the Invention**

[0016] The following "Embodiments of the Invention" show an example of embodiments belonging to the technical scope of the present disclosure. That is, the invention-specific matters described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations, structures, etc. shown in the following embodiments.

[0017] This embodiment is an example in which the vehicle seat according to the present disclosure is applied to a seat mounted on the driver's seat of a vehicle (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle seat). Arrows, slashes, etc. indicating directions attached to each figure are described to facilitate understanding of the relationship between the figures and the shape of members or parts.

[0018] Therefore, the vehicle seat is not limited to the directions attached to each figure. The directions shown in each figure are the directions in the state where the vehicle seat according to this embodiment is assembled to the vehicle. The figure with slashes does not always show a cross-sectional view.

[0019] At least the members or parts described with reference numerals are provided with at least one, unless otherwise specified such as "one". That is, when there is no specification such as "one", two or more of the members may be provided. The vehicle seat shown in the present disclosure includes at least one of the components such as the members or parts described with reference numerals and the structural parts shown in the drawings.

[0020] (First Embodiment) <1. Outline of Vehicle Seat> As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat 1 includes at least a seat cushion 3, a seat back 5, etc. The seat cushion 3 is a part for supporting the buttocks of the seated person. The seat back 5 is a part for supporting the back of the seated person.

[0021] The seatback 5 is equipped with pressure sensors 6 and a pressing mechanism 7, etc., in the area corresponding to the driver's shoulder blades. Specifically, the first pressure sensor 6A and the first pressing mechanism 7A, etc., are located in the area corresponding to the right shoulder blade. The second pressure sensor 6B and the second pressing mechanism 7B, etc., are located in the area corresponding to the left shoulder blade.

[0022] Hereinafter, "pressure sensor 6" refers to the first pressure sensor 6A and the second pressure sensor 6B collectively, or any of the pressure sensors. Similarly, "pressure mechanism 7" refers to the first pressure mechanism 7A and the second pressure mechanism 7B collectively, or any of the pressure mechanisms.

[0023] The pressure sensor 6 detects the surface pressure generated on the part of the seat back 5 corresponding to the driver's shoulder blades (hereinafter referred to as the target area). The pressing mechanism 7 is a mechanism for changing the contact pressure between the target area and the driver.

[0024] The pressing mechanism 7 according to this embodiment is composed of an electric actuator such as an electrostatic actuator or a piezoelectric element. The pressure sensor 6 and the pressing mechanism 7 are positioned between the skin 5A and the back pad 5B, as shown in Figure 3.

[0025] Specifically, the back pad 5B is provided with a recess 5C that is indented towards the rear from the surface portion 5A. The pressing mechanism 7 is housed in this recess 5C. The pressure sensor 6 is positioned between the surface portion 5A and the pressing mechanism 7.

[0026] The operation of the pressing mechanism 7 is controlled by the control unit 8, as shown in Figure 2. The control unit 8 receives the detection signal from the pressure sensor 6. The control unit 8 uses this detection signal to control the operation of the pressing mechanism 7 according to the software.

[0027] The control unit 8 is an electronically controlled controller having ROM, RAM, and a CPU. The above software is pre-stored in a non-volatile memory unit (not shown), such as ROM.

[0028] The control unit 8 is equipped with a storage unit 9. The storage unit 9 stores the value detected by the pressure sensor 6. The storage unit 9 is configured as a rewritable non-volatile memory device. Therefore, even when the power supply to the storage unit 9 is stopped, the storage unit 9 retains the stored value (hereinafter referred to as the reference value Po).

[0029] The control unit 8 is provided with an input unit 10. The input unit 10 is an interface into which signals transmitted from the vehicle are input. Signals transmitted from various sensors 31, 32, 34 and the start switch 33 installed in the vehicle are input to the input unit 10.

[0030] The accelerator sensor 31 detects the amount of operation of a vehicle acceleration control device, such as the accelerator pedal. In this embodiment, an internal combustion engine is assumed to be the drive source for vehicle driving. Therefore, the accelerator sensor 31 transmits a signal indicating the amount of operation of the accelerator pedal or the throttle valve.

[0031] The vehicle speed sensor 32 detects the vehicle's speed. In this embodiment, the control unit 8 utilizes the vehicle's speed when it is moving forward. The start switch 33 is a switch operated manually by the user and is used to start supplying power to the electrical components mounted on the vehicle.

[0032] The steering angle sensor 34 directly or indirectly detects the steering angle of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the steering angle sensor 34 detects the operating angle of the steering wheel (not shown). In this embodiment, the state detection unit 35 is configured with an accelerator sensor 31, a vehicle speed sensor 32, a start switch 33, etc.

[0033] The state detection unit 35 is a detection unit for directly or indirectly detecting the driver's driving operation state. Specifically, the state detection unit 35 is a detection unit for indirectly detecting whether the driver's driving posture (driving position) when seated in the vehicle seat 1 is a standard driving posture.

[0034] In this embodiment, the value detected by the pressure sensor 6 when the vehicle is in the "standard operating position" is stored in the storage unit 9. In other words, the standard value Po is the value detected by the pressure sensor 6 when the vehicle is in the "standard operating position" (hereinafter referred to as the detected pressure).

[0035] Therefore, the control unit 8 stores the detected pressure in the storage unit 9 when the driving operation state detected by the state detection unit 35 reaches a predetermined state. Specifically, the control unit 8 considers that "the driving operation state has reached a predetermined state" when the accelerator is operated and the stationary vehicle moves forward, and stores the detected pressure at that time in the storage unit 9.

[0036] <2. Control of the pressing mechanism> <2.1 Overview of Control> The control unit 8 can perform steering assist control as a control of the pressing mechanism 7. Steering assist control is a control that operates the pressing mechanism 7 to increase the contact pressure between the target part and the driver (hereinafter simply referred to as "contact pressure") when the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor 34 exceeds a predetermined value and the detected pressure falls below a reference value Po.

[0037] In this embodiment, the predetermined value for the steering angle (hereinafter referred to as the "reference steering angle") is 0 degrees. When steering assist control is performed, the control unit 8 operates the pressing mechanism 7 so that the detected pressure is maintained at the reference value Po.

[0038] Specifically, when the steering angle becomes greater than 0 and the detected pressure falls below the reference value Po, the control unit 8 displaces the pressing portion of the pressing mechanism 7 forward (see Figure 4). Then, when the pressing portion of the pressing mechanism 7 is displaced forward, if the detected pressure exceeds the reference value Po, the control unit 8 displaces the pressing portion backward according to that condition.

[0039] Furthermore, if the detected pressure is equal to or greater than the reference value Po, the pressing part is in its initial position. The initial position is the position where the displacement of the pressing part is zero. In other words, if the detected pressure is equal to or greater than the reference value Po, the control unit 8 determines that the driver's operating state is in a predetermined state, that is, the "standard driving posture".

[0040] <2.1 Control Details (See Figure 5)> Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of steering assist control, etc. This steering assist control, etc. is executed by the control unit 8 when the start switch 33 is activated. When the start switch 33 is activated, the control unit 8 determines whether the accelerator has been operated and the stationary vehicle has started to move forward (S1).

[0041] If it is determined that the accelerator has been operated and the stationary vehicle has started to move forward (S1:YES), the control unit 8 stores the detected pressure detected at the time of that determination in the storage unit 9 (S3).

[0042] Once the detected pressure is stored in the memory unit 9, the control unit 8 determines whether the steering angle has exceeded the reference steering angle (S5). If it is determined that the steering angle has exceeded the reference steering angle (S5: YES), the control unit 8 determines whether the detected pressure has fallen below the reference value Po (S7).

[0043] If it is determined that the detected pressure has fallen below the reference value Po (S7:YES), the control unit 8 executes steering assist control (S9). Then, if the start switch 33 is turned off (S11:YES), the control unit 8 stops this control.

[0044] <3. Features of the vehicle seat according to this embodiment> In this embodiment, the vehicle seat 1 activates the pressing mechanism 7 to increase the contact pressure when the steering angle exceeds the reference steering angle and the detected pressure falls below the reference value Po. As a result, the pressing mechanism 7 in the vehicle seat 1 is controlled based on the reference value Po, which can absorb individual differences and provide appropriate support.

[0045] In other words, the reference value Po is a value that changes according to the physique of the driver sitting in the vehicle seat 1. The vehicle seat 1 uses this reference value Po to control the operation of the pressing mechanism 7.

[0046] In other words, the control unit 8 controls the pressing mechanism 7 so that the contact pressure becomes the driving position when the reference value Po is determined, making it possible to provide support functions suitable for the driver.

[0047] Since the pressing mechanism 7 is composed of an electric actuator such as an electrostatic actuator, it is possible to control the pressing mechanism 7 in a swift response to changes in detected pressure. Consequently, it may be possible to perform the support function appropriately.

[0048] (Second Embodiment) In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 8 automatically determined the detection pressure to be set as the reference value Po using the state detection unit 35. In contrast, in this embodiment, the user determines the detection pressure to be set as the reference value Po.

[0049] Specifically, in the vehicle seat 1 according to this embodiment, an operation switch 11 is provided, as shown in Figure 6. The operation switch 11 is an example of an operation unit operated by the user. The signal from the operation switch 11 is input to the control unit 8.

[0050] Furthermore, the term "user" includes not only the driver but also other persons (for example, passengers in the front seat or third parties). In other words, anyone who is able to operate the control switch 11 is acceptable.

[0051] Then, when the operation switch 11 is operated, the control unit 8 stores the detected pressure detected by the pressure sensor 6 in the storage unit 9. In other words, in this embodiment, the detected pressure when the operation switch 11 is operated becomes the reference value Po.

[0052] Note that components identical to those in the above-described embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals. Therefore, redundant explanations are omitted in this embodiment. (Other embodiments) In the first embodiment described above, the state detection unit 35 was configured with an accelerator sensor 31, a vehicle speed sensor 32, and a start switch 33. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may, for example, configure the state detection unit 35 to include, in addition to the above, a sensor for detecting the position of the shift lever or shift switch, and a sensor for detecting the state of the parking brake.

[0053] In other words, the accelerator sensor 31, the vehicle speed sensor 32, and the start switch 33 can detect a reference pressure when a stationary vehicle starts moving forward, the shift lever or shift switch is in drive or first gear, and the parking brake is released, and this detected pressure may be used as the reference value Po.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the detected pressure when the accelerator is operated and the stationary vehicle moves forward was used as the reference value Po. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may, for example, use the detected pressure when the steering wheel is gripped with both hands or one hand by a grip sensor provided on the steering wheel, or the detected pressure when the steering wheel is gripped with both hands or one hand by image analysis using a camera, as the reference value Po.

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, the detection pressure when the accelerator is operated and the stationary vehicle begins to move forward was used as the reference value Po. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure may also include, for example, a configuration in which the detection pressure when the accelerator is operated and the stationary vehicle begins to move forward when the steering angle is less than the reference steering angle is used as the reference value Po.

[0056] The pressing mechanism 7 in the above-described embodiment was an electric actuator. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the disclosure may also include, for example, a pressing mechanism composed of an air bladder.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the reference value Po was automatically determined using the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 6. However, this disclosure is not limited to this. That is, the disclosure may also include a configuration in which a predetermined value, such as that obtained through testing or experimentation, is stored in the storage unit 9 as the reference value Po.

[0058] 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]

[0059] 1… Vehicle seats 3… Seat cushion 5… Seat back 6… Pressure sensor 7… Pressing mechanism 8… Control Unit 9… Storage section 10… Input section 11… Operation switch 31… Accelerator sensor 32… Vehicle speed sensor 33… Start switch 34… Steering angle sensor 35... State detection unit

Claims

1. In a vehicle seat in which the driver sits while operating the vehicle, A pressure sensor is positioned on the part of the seatback corresponding to the driver's shoulder blades, A pressing mechanism positioned on the seatback in a portion corresponding to the driver's shoulder blades, the pressing mechanism being capable of changing the contact pressure between the portion and the driver, A state detection unit that directly or indirectly detects the driver's operating state, A storage unit that stores the value detected by the pressure sensor, A sensor input unit that receives signals from a steering angle sensor that directly or indirectly detects the steering angle of the vehicle, The system includes a control unit that controls the operation of the pressing mechanism, When the operating state detected by the state detection unit reaches a predetermined state, the control unit causes the value detected by the pressure sensor to be stored in the storage unit. When the value stored in the aforementioned storage unit is used as the reference value, The control unit is capable of performing steering assist control, which involves activating the pressing mechanism to increase the contact pressure when the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor exceeds a predetermined value and the value detected by the pressure sensor falls below the reference value.

2. The state detection unit has an input unit to which at least a signal indicating the amount of accelerator operation is input, Furthermore, the vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the control unit considers the "driving operation state to be in a predetermined state" when the accelerator is operated and the stationary vehicle moves forward.

3. In a vehicle seat in which the driver sits while operating the vehicle, A pressure sensor is positioned on the part of the seatback corresponding to the driver's shoulder blades, A pressing mechanism positioned on the seatback in a portion corresponding to the driver's shoulder blades, the pressing mechanism being capable of changing the contact pressure between the portion and the driver, A storage unit that stores the value detected by the pressure sensor, A sensor input unit that receives signals from a steering angle sensor that directly or indirectly detects the steering angle of the vehicle, A control unit that controls the operation of the pressing mechanism, It includes an operating unit that is operated by the user, The control unit, when the operation unit is operated, causes the value detected by the pressure sensor to be stored in the storage unit. When the value stored in the aforementioned storage unit is used as the reference value, The control unit is capable of performing steering assist control, which involves activating the pressing mechanism to increase the contact pressure when the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor exceeds a predetermined value and the value detected by the pressure sensor falls below the reference value.

4. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the steering assist control is performed, the control unit operates the pressing mechanism so that the value detected by the pressure sensor is maintained at the reference value.

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein the pressing mechanism is configured to have an electrostatic actuator.

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