seat

Abstract

To provide a seat that allows the occupant to recognize the location of the vibration source as accurately as possible. [Solution] The seat 1A comprises a seat portion 3 and a backrest 4, two pairs of vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, 6R, and vibration absorbing materials 7 and 8, and constitutes the driver's seat of the vehicle. The vibration absorbing material 7 is disposed at the boundary between the first region E1 and the second region E2 of the seat portion 3 and is disposed in the middle of the pair of vibrators 5L and 5R. The vibration absorbing material 7 suppresses the propagation of vibrations of vibrator 5R to the second region E2 and the propagation of vibrations of vibrator 5L to the first region E1. The vibration absorbing material 8 is disposed at the boundary between the first region E3 and the second region E4 of the backrest 4 and is disposed in the middle of the pair of vibrators 6L and 6R. The vibration absorbing material 8 suppresses the propagation of vibrations of vibrator 6R to the second region E4 and the propagation of vibrations of vibrator 6L to the first region E3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat provided with a vibrator.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an information presentation system has been proposed in which a vibrator is provided in a seat of a vehicle or the like, and some information is presented to a seated person by vibrating the vibrator (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, Patent Document 1 discloses an information presentation system that detects dangerous objects (obstacles such as other vehicles, people, and fixed objects) around the host vehicle, and presents information regarding the direction of the dangerous object (existing direction and moving direction) to the driver by a plurality of vibrators according to the states (position, speed, etc.) of the host vehicle and the dangerous object.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a seat in which a vibrator is disposed inside as described above, vibration by the vibrator disposed in a predetermined region may propagate to other regions, so that there is a risk that the seated person may misidentify the position of the vibration source and may not be able to correctly recognize the presented information.

[0005] Therefore, an example of the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a seat that can make the seated person recognize the vibration source position as accurately as possible.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The seat of the present invention as described in claim 1 is a seat having a first region and other regions, characterized by comprising a first vibrator disposed in the first region and propagation suppression means for suppressing the propagation of vibrations of the first vibrator to the other region. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a seat according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing the vibrator installed in the seat shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing a seat according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing a seat according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the vibrator and vibration absorber installed in the seat. [Figure 6] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the function of the seat. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the function of a seat in a modified example of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing a seat according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the vibrator and vibration absorber installed in the seat. [Figure 10] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the function of the seat. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The seat according to an embodiment of the present invention has a first region and other regions, and comprises a first vibrator disposed in the first region, and propagation suppression means for suppressing the propagation of vibrations of the first vibrator to the other region. With this configuration, the seated person can more accurately recognize the location of the vibration source.

[0009] Furthermore, the propagation suppression means may be a vibration absorbing material provided around the first transducer. With such a configuration, the vibration range of the first transducer can be limited to a narrow range, allowing the seated person to more accurately perceive the location of the vibration source.

[0010] Furthermore, the seat according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a second oscillator arranged in another region, and the propagation suppression means may suppress the propagation of vibrations of the second oscillator to the first region.

[0011] Furthermore, the propagation suppression means may be a vibration absorbing material provided around the second transducer. With this configuration, the vibration range of the second transducer can be limited to a narrow range, allowing the seated person to more accurately perceive the location of the vibration source.

[0012] Furthermore, the propagation suppression means may be a vibration absorbing material disposed inside the seat in the center of the seat's width direction. With this configuration, if a first vibrator is disposed on one side of the seat's width direction and a second vibrator is disposed on the other side, a single vibration absorbing material can suppress the propagation of unwanted vibrations from both the first and second vibrators, thus reducing the number of parts in the seat.

[0013] Furthermore, the propagation suppression means may be a divided groove formed by dividing the internal member of the seat into left and right halves in the center of the seat's width direction. With this configuration, the propagation of unwanted vibrations can be suppressed without using a dedicated vibration absorbing material, thus reducing the number of parts in the seat.

[0014] Furthermore, the seat according to the embodiment of the present invention may be installed as a seat in a vehicle. [Examples]

[0015] [Example 1] The "seat" according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The seat 1A shown in FIG. 1 includes a seat portion 3, a backrest 4, two pairs of vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, 6R, vibration absorbers (propagation suppression means) 7, 8, and control means, and constitutes the driver's seat of a vehicle. The arrow X shown in FIG. 1 and the like indicates the front-rear direction of the seat 1A, the arrow Y indicates the width direction of the seat 1A, and the arrow Z indicates the up-down direction of the seat 1A.

[0016] The seat portion 3 is for supporting the buttocks and thighs of the seated person, and has a seat member constituting its surface, a cushion member (cushion member) provided inside the seat member, and the like. The seat portion 3 has a first region E1 and a second region E2 when viewed from the seating surface. The first region E1 is the right half of the seat portion 3 (the right half as viewed from the seated person sitting on the seat 1A). The second region E2 is the left half of the seat portion 3 (the left half as viewed from the seated person sitting on the seat 1A).

[0017] The backrest 4 extends so as to intersect the upper surface of the seat portion 3, and has a seat member constituting its surface, a cushion member (cushion member) provided inside the seat member, and the like. The cushion members of the seat portion 3 and the backrest 4 are constituted by, for example, urethane foam. The backrest 4 has a first region E3 and a second region E4 when viewed from the seating surface. The first region E3 is the right half of the backrest 4 (the right half as viewed from the seated person sitting on the seat 1A). The second region E4 is the left half of the backrest 4 (the left half as viewed from the seated person sitting on the seat 1A).

[0018] The above-mentioned "seating surface" means the surface that the seated person contacts when sitting on the seat. In the seat portion 3, the upper surface corresponds to it, and in the backrest 4, the front surface corresponds to it.

[0019] The transducer (first transducer) 5R is located in the first region E1 inside the cushioning material of the seat 3. The transducer (second transducer) 5L is located in the second region E2 inside the cushioning material of the seat 3. The transducer (first transducer) 6R is located in the first region E3 inside the cushioning material of the backrest 4. The transducer (second transducer) 6L is located in the second region E4 inside the cushioning material of the backrest 4.

[0020] The two pairs of oscillators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R have the same configuration, and as shown in Figure 2, the magnetic circuit 520 is housed in the case 510. The case 510 is a low cylindrical frame 511, with one end opening closed by a circular first plate wall 513 having multiple through holes 512 in the center, and the other end opening closed by a circular second plate wall 514.

[0021] From approximately the center of the first plate wall 513, a cylindrical bobbin 515 is erected toward the second plate wall 514, surrounding a plurality of through holes 512, and a voice coil 516 is provided on the outer circumference of the bobbin 515. In this way, the voice coil 516 is fixed to the first plate wall 513 via the bobbin 515. The plurality of through holes 512 are provided in the region 513a that corresponds to the inside of the voice coil 516 in a plan view when viewed from a direction intersecting the first plate wall 513.

[0022] The magnetic circuit 520 comprises a ring-shaped plate 521 and magnet 522 and a disc-shaped yoke 523. The plate 521 and magnet 522 are arranged coaxially with a gap between them and the voice coil 516. The plate 521, i.e., the magnetic circuit 520, is supported via a damper 530 on the inner wall surface of the cylindrical frame 511 so as to be vibrable in the direction D1 toward and toward the first plate wall 513.

[0023] When an AC signal is applied to the voice coil 516, the magnetic circuit 520 vibrates in the direction D1 of approaching and separating from the first plate wall 513. In addition, the case 510 vibrates as a reaction to this vibration via the damper 530.

[0024] The oscillators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R in this embodiment have an external magnetic circuit configuration, but the oscillator configuration is not limited to this, and for example, an internal magnetic circuit configuration may also be used.

[0025] These transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R are arranged so that the first plate wall 513 faces the seated person. In the seat 3, the pair of transducers 5L and 5R are arranged symmetrically with respect to a central axis that passes through the center of the width of the seat 3 and is parallel to the front-to-back direction of the seat 1A. Similarly, in the backrest 4, the pair of transducers 6L and 6R are arranged symmetrically with respect to a central axis that passes through the center of the width of the backrest 4 and is parallel to the direction from the lower end to the upper end of the backrest 4.

[0026] The vibration-absorbing material 7 is formed in a rectangular prism shape and is disposed inside the seat portion 3 in the width direction center. Furthermore, the longitudinal direction of the vibration-absorbing material 7 coincides with the front-to-back direction of the seat 1A. That is, the vibration-absorbing material 7 is disposed along a central axis that passes through the center of the seat portion 3 in the width direction and is parallel to the front-to-back direction of the seat 1A. In other words, the vibration-absorbing material 7 is disposed at the boundary between the first region E1 and the second region E2 of the seat portion 3 and is disposed in the middle of the pair of vibrators 5L and 5R. The vibration-absorbing material 7 is made of a material that does not easily transmit vibrations to the cushioning member inside the seat portion 3, and in this embodiment, it is made of urethane foam.

[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the dimension of the seat portion 3 of the vibration absorbing material 7 in the thickness direction is approximately the same as the thickness of the transducers 5L and 5R (the dimension in the direction of arrow D1 of the cylindrical frame 511 in Figure 2). However, the dimension of the seat portion 3 of the vibration absorbing material 7 in the thickness direction can be changed as appropriate, and may be approximately the same as the thickness of the seat portion 3.

[0028] Such a vibration-absorbing material 7 suppresses the propagation of vibrations from the oscillator 5R to the second region E2, and also suppresses the propagation of vibrations from the oscillator 5L to the first region E1.

[0029] The vibration absorbing material 8 is formed in a rectangular prism shape and is disposed inside the backrest 4 in the center of its width. Furthermore, the longitudinal direction of the vibration absorbing material 8 coincides with the direction from the lower end to the upper end of the backrest 4. That is, the vibration absorbing material 8 is disposed along a central axis that passes through the center of the backrest 4 in its width and is parallel to the direction from the lower end to the upper end of the backrest 4. In other words, the vibration absorbing material 8 is disposed at the boundary between the first region E3 and the second region E4 of the backrest 4, and is positioned between the pair of vibrators 6L and 6R. The vibration absorbing material 8 is made of a material that does not easily transmit vibrations to the cushioning member inside the backrest 4, and in this embodiment, it is made of urethane foam.

[0030] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vibration absorbing material 8 has a dimension in the thickness direction of the backrest 4 that is approximately the same as the thickness of the vibrators 6L and 6R (the dimension in the direction of arrow D1 of the cylindrical frame 511 in Figure 2). However, the dimension in the thickness direction of the backrest 4 in this vibration absorbing material 8 can be changed as appropriate, and may be approximately the same as the thickness of the backrest 4.

[0031] Such vibration-absorbing material 8 suppresses the propagation of vibrations from the oscillator 6R to the second region E4, and also suppresses the propagation of vibrations from the oscillator 6L to the first region E3.

[0032] The control means described above independently controls the vibration of each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R by controlling the current flowing through them. The control means also performs a control function that notifies the vehicle if it deviates from its lane while driving by vibrating the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R.

[0033] With the above configuration of seat 1A, vibrations emitted by each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R are transmitted well to the occupant, and transmission in the width direction of seat 1A is suppressed by vibration absorbing materials 7 and 8, allowing the occupant to more accurately perceive the location of the vibration source. In other words, the occupant can more accurately perceive whether the vibrating transducer is on the right or left side. Therefore, the information that each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R vibrates convey can be correctly perceived by the occupant. Furthermore, since one vibration absorbing material 7 can suppress the transmission of unwanted vibrations (vibrations that propagate in the width direction of seat 1A) from the right and left transducers 5R and 5L, and one vibration absorbing material 8 can suppress the transmission of unwanted vibrations from the right and left transducers 6R and 6L, the number of parts in seat 1A can be reduced.

[0034] [Example 2] The "seat" according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 3. In Figure 3, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in Embodiment 1 described above, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0035] The seat 1B of this embodiment, shown in Figure 3, comprises a seat portion 3 and a backrest 4, two pairs of transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, propagation suppression means, and control means, and constitutes the driver's seat of the vehicle, just like in Embodiment 1.

[0036] The above-mentioned propagation suppression means consists of a dividing groove P1 that divides the cushioning member inside the seat 3 into left and right sections at the center of the width direction of the seat 3, and a dividing groove P2 that divides the cushioning member inside the backrest 4 into left and right sections at the center of the width direction of the backrest 4. The dividing grooves P1 and P2 are formed in positions corresponding to the vibration absorbing materials 7 and 8 of Embodiment 1.

[0037] The divided groove P1 is formed recessed from the upper surface of the cushioning member of the seat portion 3, and the inside of the divided groove P1 is hollow. In this embodiment, the depth of the divided groove P1 (depth in the thickness direction of the seat portion 3) is approximately the same as the thickness of the transducers 5L and 5R (dimension in the direction of arrow D1 of the cylindrical frame 511 in Figure 2), but the depth of this divided groove P1 can be changed as appropriate, and it may be formed over the entire thickness direction of the cushioning member of the seat portion 3. In addition, in the present invention, instead of the divided groove P1, a cavity may be formed by hollowing out the central part in the thickness direction of the cushioning member of the seat portion 3.

[0038] Such segmented grooves P1 suppress the propagation of vibrations from the oscillator 5R to the second region E2, and also suppress the propagation of vibrations from the oscillator 5L to the first region E1.

[0039] The divided groove P2 is formed recessed from the front surface of the cushioning member of the backrest 4, and the inside of the divided groove P2 is hollow. In this embodiment, the depth of the divided groove P2 (depth in the thickness direction of the backrest 4) is about the same as the thickness of the transducers 6L and 6R (dimension in the direction of arrow D1 of the cylindrical frame 511 in Figure 2), but the depth of this divided groove P2 can be changed as appropriate, and it may be formed over the entire thickness direction of the cushioning member of the backrest 4. In addition, in the present invention, instead of the divided groove P2, a cavity may be formed by hollowing out the central part in the thickness direction of the cushioning member of the backrest 4.

[0040] Such segmented grooves P2 suppress the propagation of vibrations from the oscillator 6R to the second region E4, and also suppress the propagation of vibrations from the oscillator 6L to the first region E3.

[0041] With the seat 1B configured as described above, vibrations emitted by each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R are transmitted well to the occupant, while propagation in the width direction of the seat 1B is suppressed by the divided grooves P1 and P2, allowing the occupant to more accurately perceive the location of the vibration source. In other words, the occupant can more accurately perceive whether the vibrating transducer is on the right or left side. Therefore, the information that each vibration of each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R signifies can be correctly perceived by the occupant. Furthermore, by forming divided grooves P1 and P2 in the seat 3 and backrest 4, the propagation of unwanted vibrations (vibrations propagating in the width direction of the seat 1B) from the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R can be suppressed without using a dedicated vibration absorbing material as described in Example 1, thus reducing the number of parts in the seat 1B.

[0042] [Example 3] The "seat" according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. In Figures 4 to 6, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in Embodiments 1 and 2 described above, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0043] The seat 1C of this embodiment shown in Figure 4 comprises a seat 3 and a backrest 4, two pairs of transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, a vibration absorbing material (propagation suppression means) 9, and a control means, and constitutes the driver's seat of the vehicle, just like in Embodiment 1.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5, the vibration absorbing material 9 is formed in an annular shape and is provided around each of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, i.e., on the outer circumference of the cylindrical frame 511. Although Figure 5 only shows the vibration absorbing material 9 provided around transducer 5L, the vibration absorbing materials 9 provided around the other transducers 5R, 6L, and 6R have the same configuration as shown in Figure 5.

[0045] The vibration-absorbing material 9 surrounding the transducers 5L and 5R is made of a material that does not easily transmit vibrations to the cushioning material inside the seat 3, and in this embodiment, it is made of urethane foam. In this embodiment, the dimension of the vibration-absorbing material 9 surrounding the transducers 5L and 5R in the thickness direction of the seat 3 is approximately the same as the thickness of the transducers 5L and 5R (the dimension in the direction of arrow D1 on the cylindrical frame 511 in Figure 2), but the dimension of the vibration-absorbing material 9 in the thickness direction of the seat 3 can be changed as appropriate, and may be approximately the same as the thickness of the seat 3. Furthermore, the vibration-absorbing material 9 covers the entire outer surface of the cylindrical frame 511 of the transducers 5L and 5R.

[0046] The vibration-absorbing material 9 surrounding the transducer 5R suppresses the propagation of vibrations from the transducer 5R located inside to the second region E2. The vibration-absorbing material 9 surrounding the transducer 5L suppresses the propagation of vibrations from the transducer 5L located inside to the first region E1.

[0047] The vibration-absorbing material 9 surrounding the transducers 6L and 6R is made of a material that does not easily transmit vibrations to the cushioning material inside the backrest 4, and in this embodiment, it is made of urethane foam. In this embodiment, the dimension of the vibration-absorbing material 9 surrounding the transducers 6L and 6R in the thickness direction of the backrest 4 is approximately the same as the thickness of the transducers 6L and 6R (the dimension in the direction of arrow D1 on the cylindrical frame 511 in Figure 2), but the dimension of the vibration-absorbing material 9 in the thickness direction of the backrest 4 can be changed as appropriate, and may be approximately the same as the thickness of the backrest 4. Furthermore, the vibration-absorbing material 9 covers the entire outer surface of the cylindrical frame 511 of the transducers 6L and 6R.

[0048] The vibration-absorbing material 9 surrounding the transducer 6R suppresses the propagation of vibrations from the transducer 6R located inside to the second region E4. The vibration-absorbing material 9 surrounding the transducer 6L suppresses the propagation of vibrations from the transducer 6L located inside to the first region E3.

[0049] With seat 1C configured as described above, as shown in Figure 6, vibrations emitted by each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R are transmitted well to the seated person, and transmission in the radial direction of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R is suppressed by the vibration absorbing material 9, allowing the seated person to more accurately perceive the location of the vibration source. In other words, the seated person can more accurately perceive whether the vibrating transducer is on the right or left side. Therefore, the information that the vibrations of each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R represent can be correctly perceived by the seated person. Furthermore, by providing vibration absorbing material 9 around each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, the vibration range of each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R can be limited to a narrow range, allowing the seated person to more accurately perceive the location of the vibration source.

[0050] In the above-described Example 3, vibration absorbing material 9 was provided around all of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and vibration absorbing material 9 may be provided around one of the pair of transducers 5L and 5R, or around one of the pair of transducers 6L and 6R. In this case as well, a certain effect can be obtained in suppressing the propagation of unwanted vibrations.

[0051] [Modified version of Example 3] A modified example of Embodiment 3 of the present invention, specifically the "seat," will be described with reference to Figure 7. In Figure 7, the same components as those in Embodiment 3 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0052] The seat 101C shown in Figure 7 comprises a seat portion 3 and a backrest 4, two pairs of transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, vibration absorbing materials (propagation suppression means) 109 provided around each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, and control means, and constitutes the driver's seat of the vehicle, just as in Embodiment 3.

[0053] The vibration absorbing material 109 has the same configuration as the vibration absorbing material 9 of Example 3, except that the dimensions of the vibrators 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R in the thickness direction are larger than those of the vibration absorbing material 9 of Example 3.

[0054] The vibration-absorbing material 109 surrounding the transducers 5L and 5R is formed to a thickness approximately the same as the thickness of the seat portion 3. Inside this vibration-absorbing material 109, cavities S1 and S2 exist above and below the transducers 5L and 5R. In this invention, these cavities S1 and S2 may be filled with urethane foam or the like, or with a cushioning material made of the same material as the seat portion 3.

[0055] The vibration-absorbing material 109 surrounding the transducers 6L and 6R is formed to a thickness approximately the same as the thickness of the backrest 4. Inside the vibration-absorbing material 109, cavities S3 and S4 exist before and after the transducers 6L and 6R. In this invention, these cavities S3 and S4 may be filled with urethane foam or the like, or with a cushioning material made of the same material as the backrest 4.

[0056] According to the seat 101C with the above configuration, the vibration absorbing material 109, which is formed with a greater thickness than the vibration absorbing material 9 of Example 3, can further suppress the propagation of unwanted vibrations of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R (vibrations that propagate in the radial direction of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R) than the vibration absorbing material 9 of Example 3.

[0057] [Example 4] The "seat" according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. In Figures 8 to 10, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in Embodiments 1 to 3 described above, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0058] The seat 1D of this embodiment shown in Figure 8 comprises a seat 3 and a backrest 4, two pairs of transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, vibration absorbing materials (propagation suppression means) 10 provided around each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, a frame member 11 supporting the vibration absorbing materials 10, and a control means, and constitutes the driver's seat of the vehicle, just like in Embodiment 1.

[0059] The vibration absorbing material 10 is a vibration damping spring, and three are provided for each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R. As shown in Figure 9, one end of the vibration absorbing material 10 is attached to the outer circumference of the cylindrical frame 511, and the other end is attached to the frame member 11. The frame member 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is arranged around the outer circumference of each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R. The three vibration absorbing materials 10 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R. In Figure 9, only the vibration absorbing material 10 and frame member 11 provided around transducer 5L are shown, but the vibration absorbing material 10 and frame member 11 provided around the other transducers 5R, 6L, and 6R have the same configuration as in Figure 9. Note that in Figure 9, the vibration absorbing material 10 is shown schematically.

[0060] The vibration-absorbing material 10 surrounding the transducer 5R suppresses the propagation of vibrations from the inner transducer 5R to the second region E2. The vibration-absorbing material 10 surrounding the transducer 5L suppresses the propagation of vibrations from the inner transducer 5L to the first region E1. The vibration-absorbing material 10 surrounding the transducer 6R suppresses the propagation of vibrations from the inner transducer 6R to the second region E4. The vibration-absorbing material 10 surrounding the transducer 6L suppresses the propagation of vibrations from the inner transducer 6L to the first region E3.

[0061] With the seat 1D configured as described above, as shown in Figure 10, vibrations emitted by each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R are transmitted well to the seated person, and the vibration is suppressed in the radial direction of the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R by the vibration absorbing material 10, allowing the seated person to more accurately perceive the location of the vibration source. In other words, the seated person can more accurately perceive whether the vibrating transducer is on the right or left side. Therefore, the information that the vibrations of each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R represent can be correctly perceived by the seated person. Furthermore, by providing the vibration absorbing material 10 around each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R, the vibration range of each transducer 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R can be limited to a narrow range, allowing the seated person to more accurately perceive the location of the vibration source.

[0062] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments 1 to 4, and includes other configurations that can achieve the objectives of the present invention, as well as the following modifications.

[0063] For example, in the above embodiments 1 to 4, seats 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D were configured to have two pairs of transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the seat may also be configured to have one transducer arranged in one area, and propagation suppression means that suppresses the propagation of the vibration of the transducer to other areas. Even in this case, the seated person can more accurately recognize the location of the vibration source.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above embodiments 1 to 4, the seat 3 and backrest 4 were configured to have a first region and a second region adjacent to each other in the width direction of the seat, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The seat may have a configuration in which the first region and the second region are adjacent to each other in the front-to-back direction, or the backrest may have a configuration in which the first region and the second region are adjacent to each other in the up-to-down direction. Moreover, the seat or backrest may have a configuration in which multiple regions are arranged in a grid pattern.

[0065] Furthermore, in Examples 1 to 4, the vibration-absorbing materials 7 and 8, the segmented grooves P1 and P2, the vibration-absorbing material 9, and the vibration-absorbing material 10 were used individually as propagation suppression means. However, in the present invention, these multiple types of propagation suppression means may be used in combination. For example, in Example 1, the vibration-absorbing material 9 may be provided around the transducers 5L and 5R, and the vibration-absorbing material 9 and the vibration-absorbing material 7 may be used to suppress the propagation of unwanted vibrations (vibrations that propagate in the width direction of the seat) from the transducers 5L and 5R. Alternatively, in Example 2, the vibration-absorbing material 10 and the frame material 11 may be provided around the transducers 5L and 5R, and the vibration-absorbing material 10 and the segmented groove P1 may be used to suppress the propagation of unwanted vibrations from the transducers 5L and 5R.

[0066] Furthermore, in the above embodiments 1 to 4, vibrators were provided on both the seat 3 and the backrest 4, but in the present invention, vibrators may be provided on only one of the seat 3 or the backrest 4.

[0067] Furthermore, in the above embodiments 1 to 4, the transducers 5L, 5R, 6L, and 6R had the same configuration and size. However, in order to obtain the required vibration strength, the size of the transducers installed in the backrest 4 and the size of the transducers installed in the seat 3 may be different. Also, if there are three or more transducers installed in the backrest 4 and the seat 3, the sizes of the transducers in the backrest 4 and the seat 3 may be different.

[0068] Furthermore, while the above-described examples 1 to 4 described cases in which the seats are installed in a vehicle, the seats of the present invention may also be used to constitute seats in places other than vehicles, such as seats in movie theaters or theaters.

[0069] Furthermore, while the best configurations and methods for carrying out the present invention are disclosed in the above description, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, although the present invention is particularly illustrated and described with respect to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the embodiments described above in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed configurations without departing from the scope of the technical idea and objectives of the present invention. Therefore, the descriptions of shapes, materials, etc. disclosed above are illustrative to facilitate understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. Accordingly, descriptions of components with some or all of these limitations removed are included in the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0070] Seats 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 101C 5R, 6R oscillator (first oscillator) 5L, 6L transducer (second transducer) 7,8,9,10,109 Vibration absorbing material (means for suppressing vibration propagation) E1,E3 1st area E2,E4 2nd area P1, P2 Divided grooves (propagation suppression means)

Claims

[Claim 1] A seat having a first area and other areas, A first oscillator disposed in the first region, The system comprises propagation suppression means for suppressing the propagation of the vibration of the first oscillator to the other region. A seat characterized by the following features.

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