Seat control system

Abstract

This seat control system provides a seat that allows the occupant to sit with the seat back reclined upwards and assume a comfortable posture without causing back slippage or forward sliding. [Solution] The seat control system 1 comprises a seat cushion 2, a seat back 3, a reclining mechanism 6, a front link mechanism 40 that displaces the front of the main frame 21 vertically around a rear rotation axis 35, a rear link mechanism 50 that displaces the subframe 22 that supports the seat surface of the seat cushion 2 vertically relative to the main frame 21 around a sub-front rotation axis 24, and a control mechanism 7. The control mechanism 7 operates the front link mechanism 40 while simultaneously operating the reclining mechanism 6 and the rear link mechanism 50 when the dummy D's thigh angle θ1 becomes 22 to 30 degrees from a normal seated position, thereby transitioning the dummy D to a comfortable position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat control system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in vehicle seats equipped in vehicles such as automobiles, there are seats in which the seat back can be reclined backward with respect to the seat cushion and the occupant can take a comfortable posture while sitting. In such a seat, during the process of reclining the seat back backward, a backward shift occurs in which the occupant shifts downward and forward with respect to the seat back due to a shift in the H point of the occupant and the central axis of the inclination of the seat back when viewed from the side. In order to avoid the occurrence of such a shift, in the seat control system described in Patent Document 1, a cushion panel that supports the seat surface of the seat cushion is displaced upward in conjunction with the backward inclination of the seat back.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the seat control system described in Patent Document 1 above, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a shift that occurs as the seat back reclines. However, there is a problem that the seat surface of the seat cushion approaches horizontal due to the upward displacement of the cushion panel, making it easier for the occupant to slide forward.

[0005] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a seat control system that allows an occupant to sit in a state where the seat back is reclined backward without causing a shift or forward sliding and to take a comfortable posture state.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The first invention of the present invention is a seat control system comprising: a seat cushion; a seat back; a reclining mechanism that swings a back frame forming the skeleton of the seat back in the front-rear direction relative to a cushion frame forming the skeleton of the seat cushion; a tilt mechanism that displaces the front side of the cushion frame in the vertical direction about a first axis extending in the seat width direction relative to the floor; a reverse tilt mechanism that displaces the rear side of a cushion subframe supporting the seat surface portion of the seat cushion in the vertical direction about a second axis extending in the seat width direction relative to the cushion frame; and the reclining mechanism The seat is equipped with a reclining mechanism, a tilt mechanism, and a control mechanism that controls the operation of the reverse tilt mechanism. When a seated person transitions from a normal seated position to a supine comfortable position, the control mechanism operates only the tilt mechanism from the normal seated position until the seated person's side angle reaches 20 to 28 degrees. From this point, the reclining mechanism and the reverse tilt mechanism are operated simultaneously while the tilt mechanism is activated, causing the seat back to tilt backward relative to the cushion frame, and at the same time, the cushion subframe is displaced upward relative to the cushion frame, thereby transitioning the person to the comfortable position.

[0007] According to the first invention, when a sitter transitions from a normal seated position to a supine, comfortable position, only the tilt mechanism is activated until the sitter's thigh angle reaches 20-28 degrees. At this point, the reclining mechanism and the reverse tilt mechanism are activated simultaneously while the tilt mechanism is still in operation. As a result, from the moment the seat cushion's seat surface is tilted backward, the seat back tilts backward and the rear of the seat cushion's seat surface is displaced upward, both simultaneously. This allows the sitter to assume a comfortable position with the seat back reclined without causing back slippage or forward sliding.

[0008] The second invention of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first invention described above, when the hip angle of the seated person reaches 121 to 135 degrees, the operation of the reclining mechanism and the reverse tilt mechanism are stopped simultaneously.

[0009] According to the second invention, a seated person can assume a supine, weightless posture (a posture in which the hip angle, the angle between the torso and legs naturally formed when a person is relaxed in outer space, is approximately 128 degrees) in a comfortable position, which minimizes strain on the body, makes it less likely for the posture to collapse even over long periods, and reduces fatigue.

[0010] The third invention of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first invention described above, when the hip angle of the seated person reaches 121 to 135 degrees, the operation of the reclining mechanism and the reverse tilt mechanism are stopped simultaneously, and then only the tilt mechanism is operated until the torso angle of the seated person reaches 59 to 75 degrees.

[0011] According to the third invention, the thigh angle of the seated person in a comfortable position can be set to 30 degrees or more, so that when a frontal collision occurs in a comfortable position, the forward sliding of the seated person is suppressed and safety is enhanced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic side view of an automotive seat related to a seat control system according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the side. It shows the normal seating position. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic side view of the automobile seat according to the above embodiment, viewed from the side. It shows the seat cushion tilted backward by the tilt mechanism. [Figure 4] This is a schematic side view of the automobile seat according to the above embodiment, viewed from the side. It shows the state after the tilt mechanism is activated and the reclining mechanism and reverse tilt mechanism are activated simultaneously, starting from the state in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is a schematic side view of the automobile seat according to the above embodiment, viewed from the side. It shows the seat cushion tilted further backward using the tilt mechanism from the state shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the operation of the tilt mechanism, reclining mechanism, and reverse tilt mechanism in the above embodiment in chronological order. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the seat control system of the above embodiment. [Figure 8] This figure shows the time-series changes in the seat angle, torso angle, and hip angle of the seated person in the seat control system of the above embodiment. [Figure 9] This figure shows the time-series changes in the tilt angle, reverse tilt angle, and recline angle of the automotive seat in the seat control system of the above embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] A seat control system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on Figures 1 to 9. In the following description, the explanation of direction will be based on the up, down, front, and rear directions shown in each figure. Here, the up, down, front, and rear directions are defined based on the automobile seat 10 when the automobile seat 10 is mounted on the floor F. The left and right direction corresponds to the seat width direction.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the automobile seat 10 includes a seat cushion 2 that supports the buttocks and thighs of a dummy D that mimics a person sitting in it, a seat back 3 that supports the waist and back of the dummy D, and a headrest 4 that supports the head of the dummy D.

[0015] The seat cushion 2 comprises a frame 20 that forms the skeleton, a cushioning material fitted over the frame 20, and a trim cover that covers the surface of the cushioning material. Here, the cushioning material and trim cover are omitted, and only the frame 20 is shown. The frame 20 comprises a main frame 21 that is rotatably mounted to the floor F, and a subframe 22 that is rotatably mounted to the main frame 21. Here, the main frame 21 and the subframe 22 correspond to the "cushion frame" and "cushion subframe" in the claims, respectively.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main frame 21 has a rectangular frame shape when viewed from above, and its rear lower end is rotatable around a rear rotation shaft 35 whose axial direction is in the seat width direction, which is supported by a pair of left and right rear brackets 33. Specifically, the rear brackets 33 are fixed to the rear upper surface of each upper rail 32 of a pair of left and right slide rails 30, each having an upper rail 32 that is slidably mounted in the front-rear direction to a lower rail 31 fixed to the floor F. An upper rotation shaft 23 whose axial direction is in the seat width direction is disposed at the front end of the main frame 21. The upper rotation shaft 23 is supported by a pair of left and right front link mechanisms 40 that connect it to a front rotation shaft 36 whose axial direction is in the seat width direction, which is rotatably disposed between a pair of left and right front brackets 34 fixed to the front upper surface of each upper rail 32. The front link mechanism 40 includes a front upper link member 41, a front lower link member 42, a connecting shaft 43, an electric mechanism 44, and a sector gear 45. One end of the front upper link member 41 is rotatably connected to one end of the front lower link member 42 by a connecting shaft 43. The other end of the front upper link member 41 is rotatably connected to the upper rotation shaft 23, and the other end of the front lower link member 42 is non-rotatably connected to the front rotation shaft 36. The electric mechanism 44 rotates a sector gear 45 fixed to the front rotation shaft 36 by operation, thereby rotating the front rotation shaft 36, to which the sector gear 45 is fixed, relative to a pair of left and right front brackets 34. As the front rotation shaft 36 rotates clockwise in Figure 1 due to the rotation of the sector gear 45, the front lower link member 42 pushes up the connecting shaft 43. Then, the front upper link member 41 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 1 around the connecting shaft 43 and rises, pushing up the upper rotation shaft 23. As a result, the main frame 21 rotates clockwise in Figure 1 around the rear rotation shaft 35, and its front side lifts up relative to the floor F. When the electric mechanism 44 is operated in the opposite direction, the main frame 21 rotates counterclockwise around the rear rotation shaft 35 in Figure 1, and the front side approaches the floor F. When the power supply to the electric mechanism 44 is stopped, the electric mechanism 44 stops operating at that point, and the main frame 21 maintains that state. Here, the rear rotation shaft 35 and the front link mechanism 40 correspond to the "first axis" and "tilt mechanism" in the claims, respectively.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the subframe 22 is a rectangular plate-like body when viewed from above. Its upper surface is the seating surface side, and the lower side of its front end, i.e., the side opposite the seating surface, is rotatably supported relative to the main frame 21 by a sub-front rotation shaft 24 whose axial direction is in the seat width direction. A sub-rear rotation shaft 25, whose axial direction is in the seat width direction, is disposed on the rear end side of the subframe 22. The sub-rear rotation shaft 25 is supported by a pair of left and right rear link mechanisms 50 that connect it to a sub-lower rotation shaft 26 disposed on the main frame 21, whose axial direction is in the seat width direction. The rear link mechanism 50 is substantially the same mechanism as the front link mechanism 40 and includes a rear upper link member 51, a rear lower link member 52, a connecting shaft 53, an electric mechanism (not shown), and a sector gear (not shown). One end of the rear upper link member 51 is connected to one end of the rear lower link member 52 by the connecting shaft 53 so as to be rotatable relative to it. The other end of the rear upper link member 51 is rotatably connected to the sub-rear rotation shaft 25, and the other end of the rear lower link member 52 is non-rotatably connected to the sub-lower rotation shaft 26. The electric mechanism is the same as the electric mechanism 44, and when operated, it rotates a sector gear similar to the sector gear 45 fixed to the sub-lower rotation shaft 26, thereby rotating the sub-lower rotation shaft 26, to which the sector gear is fixed, relative to the main frame 21. As the sub-lower rotation shaft 26 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 1 due to the rotation of the sector gear, the rear lower link member 52 pushes up the connecting shaft 53. Then the rear upper link member 51 rotates clockwise in Figure 1 around the connecting shaft 53 and rises, pushing up the sub-rear rotation shaft 25. As a result, the subframe 22 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 1 around the sub-front rotation shaft 24 relative to the main frame 21, and its rear side lifts relative to the main frame 21. Then the seat surface of the seat cushion 2 tilts forward relative to the main frame 21. When the electric mechanism is operated in the opposite direction, the subframe 22 rotates clockwise around the sub-front rotation axis 24 relative to the main frame 21 in Figure 1, and its rear side approaches the main frame 21. As a result, the seat surface of the seat cushion 2 tilts backward relative to the main frame 21. When power to the electric mechanism is stopped, the electric mechanism stops operating at that point, and the subframe 22 maintains that position relative to the main frame 21.Here, the sub-previous rotation shaft 24 and the rear link mechanism 50 respectively correspond to the "second shaft" and the "reverse tilt mechanism" in the claims.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat back 3 includes a back frame 5 forming a skeleton, a cushioning material covering the back frame 5, and a trim cover covering the surface of the cushioning material. Here, the cushioning material and the trim cover are omitted, and only the back frame 5 is shown. The back frame 5 is attached to the rear end of the main frame 21 via a reclining mechanism 6 and is adjustable in the tilt angle with respect to the frame 20.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, a control mechanism 7 is disposed in the seat cushion 2 to control the front link mechanism 40, the rear link mechanism 50, and the reclining mechanism 6. The front link mechanism 40, the rear link mechanism 50, and the reclining mechanism 6 are all electric mechanisms capable of electric control.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 to 4, the angle formed by the thigh center line TH of the dummy D and the horizontal line H is the side angle θ1, the angle formed by the torso center line TO of the dummy D and the vertical line V is the torso angle θ2, and the angle formed by the thigh center line TH and the torso center line TO of the dummy D is the hip angle θ3. Also, the angle formed by the upper surface of the main frame 21 and the horizontal line H is the main frame angle θ4, the angle formed by the upper surface of the main frame 21 and the upper surface of the sub-frame 22 is the sub-frame angle θ5, and the angle formed by the upper surface of the main frame 21 and the front surface of the back frame 5 is the back frame angle θ6.

[0021] The operation of the seat control system 1 will now be explained. In Figure 6, (A) is the normal posture, and details correspond to Figure 1. In this case, from Figure 8, the thigh angle θ1 is 10 degrees, the torso angle θ2 is 25 degrees, and the hip angle θ3 is 115 degrees. Also, from Figure 9, the main frame angle θ4 is 0 degrees, the subframe angle θ5 is 0 degrees, and the back frame angle θ6 is 110 degrees. From here, the control mechanism 7 activates only the front link mechanism 40 without activating the reclining mechanism 6 and the rear link mechanism 50, resulting in a thigh angle θ1 of 20 degrees, which is shown as (B) in Figure 6, and details correspond to Figure 3. In this case, from Figure 8, the thigh angle θ1 is 20 degrees, the torso angle θ2 is 35 degrees, and the hip angle θ3 is 115 degrees. Also, from Figure 9, the main frame angle θ4 is 12 degrees, the subframe angle θ5 is 0 degrees, and the back frame angle θ6 is 110 degrees. From here, the control mechanism 7 activates the reclining mechanism 6 and the rear link mechanism 50 together with the front link mechanism 40. Because the front link mechanism 40 and the rear link mechanism 50 operate simultaneously, the change in the thigh angle θ1 is small, but the changes in the torso angle θ2 and the hip angle θ3 are large, resulting in (C) in Figure 6, details of which correspond to Figure 4. At this point, from Figure 8, the thigh angle θ1 is 22 degrees, the torso angle θ2 is 52 degrees, and the hip angle θ3 is 121 degrees. Also, from Figure 9, the main frame angle θ4 is 22 degrees, the subframe angle θ5 is 8 degrees, and the back frame angle θ6 is 118 degrees. From here, the control mechanism 7 activates only the front link mechanism 40 without activating the reclining mechanism 6 and the rear link mechanism 50, resulting in a thigh angle θ1 of 30 degrees, which is shown in (D) in Figure 6, details of which correspond to Figure 5. In this case, as shown in Figure 8, the thigh angle θ1 is 30 degrees, the torso angle θ2 is 61 degrees, and the hip angle θ3 is 121 degrees, and this posture is the comfortable posture. Also, as shown in Figure 9, the main frame angle θ4 is 28 degrees, the subframe angle θ5 is 8 degrees, and the back frame angle θ6 is 118 degrees. Note that in Figure 6 (B), the thigh angle θ1 may be changed within the range of 20 to 28 degrees. Also, in Figure 6 (C), the hip angle θ3 may be changed within the range of 121 to 135 degrees. Furthermore, in Figure 6 (D), the torso angle θ2 may be changed within the range of 59 to 75 degrees.

[0022] The operation of the seat control system 1 will be explained based on the flowchart in Figure 7. In step 101, the comfort position switch is turned ON to set the car seat 10 to a comfortable position. Then, the system proceeds to step 102 to determine if the thigh angle θ1 of dummy D is 20 degrees or less (if the main frame angle θ4 is 12 degrees or less). If YES, the system proceeds to step 103; otherwise, it proceeds to step 105. In step 103, the front link mechanism 40 is activated. Then, the system proceeds to step 104 to determine if the hip angle θ3 of dummy D is 121 degrees or less (if the back frame angle θ6 is 118 degrees or less). If YES, the system proceeds to step 105; otherwise, it proceeds to step 106. In step 105, the reclining mechanism 6 and the rear link mechanism 50 are activated simultaneously. In step 106, the operation of the reclining mechanism 6 and the rear link mechanism 50 is stopped simultaneously. Next, proceed to step 107 to determine if the torso angle θ2 of dummy D is 61 degrees (main frame angle is 28 degrees). If YES, proceed to step 108; otherwise, return to step 103. In step 108, stop the operation of the front link mechanism 40 and set the automobile seat 10 to a comfortable position. Note that in step 102, the thigh angle θ1 may be changed within the range of 20 to 28 degrees. Also, in step 104, the hip angle θ3 may be changed within the range of 121 to 135 degrees. Furthermore, in step 107, the torso angle θ2 may be changed within the range of 59 to 75 degrees.

[0023] As described above, this embodiment provides the following effects. In Figure 6, when dummy D transitions from a normal seated position (A) to a supine comfortable position (D), in (A) and (B), the reclining mechanism 6 and rear link mechanism 50 are not activated, and only the front link mechanism 40 is activated to set the thigh angle θ1 to 20 degrees. This makes dummy D less prone to sliding forward than in the normal seated position (A). From here, the reclining mechanism 6 and rear link mechanism 50 are activated together with the front link mechanism 40 to set the thigh angle θ1 to 22 degrees, the torso angle θ2 to 52 degrees, and the hip angle θ3 to 121 degrees to state (C). This increases the subframe angle θ5 along with the back frame angle θ6, causing the seat surface of the seat cushion 2 to rise, thus suppressing back slippage. Furthermore, the reclining mechanism 6 and rear link mechanism 50 are not activated, and only the front link mechanism 40 is activated to set the thigh angle θ1 to 30 degrees to state (D). This results in a more comfortable posture with a larger thigh angle θ1, further suppressing forward sliding. In addition, in the comfortable posture (D), if a forward impact occurs, the front of the seat cushion 2 is pressed by the inertial load of dummy D, and the seat back 3 rises upward around the rotation center of the reclining mechanism 6, supporting the spine of dummy D and potentially preventing spinal fractures.

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation of the front link mechanism 40, the reclining mechanism 6, and the rear link mechanism 50 may be stopped when the hip angle θ3 is 121 degrees (C), and this state may be considered the comfortable posture state. This comfortable posture state is a supine weightless posture (a posture in which the angle between the torso and legs is approximately 128 degrees, which is naturally formed when a person relaxes in outer space), and it places the least strain on the body, making it less likely for the posture to collapse even over long periods of time and reducing fatigue.

[0025] Although specific embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to their appearance and configuration, and various modifications, additions, and deletions are possible without altering the essence of the invention. For example, the following can be made.

[0026] 1. In the above embodiment, a front linkage mechanism 40 was used to rotate the main frame 21 around the rear rotation axis 35, and a rear linkage mechanism 50 was used to rotate the subframe 22 around the sub-front rotation axis 24. However, the invention is not limited to this, and rotation may be performed using a driving means such as fluid pressure.

[0027] 2. In the above embodiment, the present invention was applied to an automobile seat 10, but it may also be applied to seats in airplanes, ships, railway vehicles, etc. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0028] 1. Seat control system 2 seat cushions 3 Seatback 5 Backframe 6. Reclining mechanism 7 Control mechanism 10 Automotive Seats 20 frames 21 Main frame (cushion frame) 22 Subframe (Cushion Subframe) 24 Sub-front rotation axis (second axis) 35 Rear rotation axis (first axis) 40 Front link mechanism (tilt mechanism) 50 Rear linkage mechanism (reverse tilt mechanism) D Dummy F Floor H horizontal line TH thigh center line TO fuselage center line V vertical line θ1 rhythm angle θ² Torso angle θ3 Hip angle θ4 Mainframe angle θ5 Subframe angle θ6 Back frame angle

Claims

1. A seat control system, The seat cushion comprises a seat back, a reclining mechanism that swings the back frame, which forms the skeleton of the seat back, in the front-rear direction relative to the cushion frame, which forms the skeleton of the seat cushion, a tilt mechanism that displaces the front side of the cushion frame vertically around a first axis extending in the seat width direction relative to the floor, a reverse tilt mechanism that displaces the rear side of the cushion subframe, which supports the seat surface of the seat cushion, vertically around a second axis extending in the seat width direction relative to the cushion frame, and a control mechanism that controls the operation of the reclining mechanism, the tilt mechanism, and the reverse tilt mechanism. A seat control system in which, when a seated person transitions from a normal seated position to a supine, comfortable position, the control mechanism operates only the tilt mechanism from the normal seated position until the seated person's thigh angle reaches 20 to 28 degrees, and then simultaneously operates the reclining mechanism and the reverse tilt mechanism while operating the tilt mechanism to tilt the seat back backward relative to the cushion frame, and at the same time displace the cushion subframe upward relative to the cushion frame, thereby transitioning to the comfortable position.

2. In claim 1, A seat control system that simultaneously stops the operation of the reclining mechanism and the reverse tilt mechanism when the hip angle of the seated person reaches 121 to 135 degrees.

3. In claim 1 A seat control system that, when the hip angle of the seated person reaches 121 to 135 degrees, simultaneously stops the operation of the reclining mechanism and the reverse tilt mechanism, and then operates only the tilt mechanism until the torso angle of the seated person reaches 59 to 75 degrees.

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