Crew neck heating system

Abstract

It contributes to improving passenger comfort. [Solution] The occupant neck heating system is configured to heat the neck area of ​​an occupant P sitting in a vehicle seat by heating the electric heating element 30, which is provided on the headrest 20 of the vehicle seat, and by heating the electric heating element 30 when an electric current is applied.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an occupant neck heating system.

Background Art

[0002] A vehicle seat is provided with a seat heater (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The seat heater described in Patent Document 1 is incorporated in a seat cushion and a seat back. The seat heater includes a seat base material and heater wires that are fixed to the seat base material and generate heat when energized.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the seat heater described in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to warm the neck area of the occupant, so there is room for improvement in enhancing the comfort of the occupant.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Each aspect of an occupant neck heating system for solving the above problems is described. [Aspect 1] An occupant neck heating system comprising a heating wire heater provided on at least one of a headrest of a vehicle seat and a cushion configured to be disposed adjacent to a front surface of an upper end portion of a seat back of the vehicle seat, configured to heat the neck area of an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat by generating heat in the heating wire heater when energized. Occupant neck heating system.

[0006] According to this configuration, the heating element is heated by the application of electricity, which warms the neck area of ​​the occupant sitting in the vehicle seat. Therefore, it contributes to improving occupant comfort. [Aspect 2] The electric heating element is built into the headrest. The crew neck heating system according to Embodiment 1.

[0007] This configuration allows power to be supplied to the electric heating element built into the headrest via wires routed inside the seatback. Therefore, the electric heating element can be easily installed.

[0008] [Aspect 3] The aforementioned headrest is The headrest body and The headrest body has a pair of side support portions that are rotatably provided on both sides of the headrest body in the width direction, The electric heating element is built into the headrest body. The crew neck heating system according to Embodiment 2.

[0009] According to this configuration, in a headrest having a headrest body and a pair of side support parts, an electric heating element is built into the headrest body, which is located in the center in the width direction and is in easy contact with the occupant's head. Therefore, the area around the occupant's neck can be effectively heated.

[0010] [Aspect 4] A radiant heater is provided on at least one of the pair of side support portions, The system is configured to heat the area around the occupant's neck by radiant heat emitted from the radiant heater when power is applied. The crew neck heating system according to embodiment 3.

[0011] According to this configuration, when power is applied, infrared rays are emitted from the radiant heaters installed in the side support section. When the infrared rays hit the area around the occupant's neck, that area is heated by radiant heat. This allows the occupant's neck area to be heated even if their head is not in contact with the headrest. Furthermore, by appropriately changing the rotation angle of the side support section relative to the headrest body, the distance between the occupant and the side support section and the orientation of the side support section relative to the occupant can be changed. Therefore, the occupant's neck area can be heated effectively.

[0012] [Aspect 5] A control unit that controls the energization of the radiant heater, The side support portion on which the radiant heater is provided is equipped with a contact sensor that detects whether or not the occupant is in contact with the front surface of the side support portion, The control unit is configured to suppress the supply of power to the radiant heater provided on the side support when the contact sensor detects contact of the occupant with the side support. The crew neck heating system according to Embodiment 4.

[0013] According to this configuration, when contact between an occupant and the front of a side support section equipped with a radiant heater is detected, the control unit suppresses the power supply to the radiant heater in the side support section. This prevents heat from being directly transferred from the radiant heater to the occupant's head or other parts of their body.

[0014] [Aspect 6] The aforementioned cushion is It comprises a cushion body and a mounting part that can be detachably attached to the vehicle seat, The electric heating element is built into the cushion body. A neck heating system for an occupant according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5.

[0015] According to the same configuration, a cushion can be detachably attached to a vehicle seat via an attachment portion. Therefore, by attaching a cushion to an existing vehicle seat, the neck area of an occupant can be heated.

[0016] [Aspect 7] Comprising a radiant heater provided on a headrest of a vehicle seat, configured to heat the neck area of an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat by radiant heat from infrared rays emitted from the radiant heater when energized. An occupant neck area heating system.

[0017] According to the same configuration, infrared rays are emitted from a radiant heater provided on the headrest when energized. When the infrared rays hit the neck area of the occupant, the area is heated by the radiant heat. Thereby, even if the occupant's head or the like is not in contact with the headrest, the neck area of the occupant can be heated. Therefore, it contributes to an improvement in the comfort of the occupant.

[0018] [Aspect 8] The headrest has a headrest body, and a pair of side support portions rotatably provided on the headrest body on both sides in the width direction of the headrest body, and the radiant heater is provided on at least one of the pair of side support portions. The occupant neck area heating system according to Aspect 7.

[0019] According to the same configuration, by appropriately changing the rotation angle of the side support portion with respect to the headrest body, the distance between the occupant and the side support portion and the orientation of the side support portion with respect to the occupant can be changed. Therefore, the neck area of the occupant can be effectively heated.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it contributes to an improvement in the comfort of the occupant.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat in a first embodiment of a neck heating system for occupants. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view of the headrest of the vehicle seat shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the occupant neck heating system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the headrest and cushion in a second embodiment of the occupant neck heating system. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cushion shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along line 7-7 in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment with an occupant seated in the seat. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] <First Embodiment> The following describes a first embodiment of the occupant neck heating system, which is implemented as an occupant neck heating system in the rear seat (hereinafter referred to as seat 10) of an automobile, with reference to Figures 1 to 4.

[0023] <Sheet 10> As shown in Figure 1, the seat 10 comprises a seat cushion 11, a seat back 12, and a headrest 20. The seat 10 also includes a pair of armrests 13.

[0024] <Headrest 20> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the headrest 20 includes a headrest body 21, a pair of side support portions 22 rotatably provided on both sides of the headrest body 21 in the width direction, and a pair of headrest stays 24.

[0025] The headrest body 21 is located above the seat back 12. The side support portion 22 is rotatably mounted around a rotation axis 23 provided inside the side support portion 22.

[0026] A pair of headrest stays 24 protrude downward from the lower end of the headrest body 21. The headrest 20 is attached to the seat back 12 by inserting and securing a pair of headrest stays 24 into openings that open at the upper end of the seat back 12.

[0027] <Electric heating element heater 30> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the headrest 20 is provided with an electric heating element 30. In this embodiment, the electric heating element 30 is built into the headrest body 21. The electric heating element 30 is provided adjacent to the inner surface of the front portion of the surface of the headrest body 21.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, the electric heating element heater 30 comprises an electrically insulating and flexible sheet substrate 31 and an electric heating element 32 fixed to the sheet substrate 31. The electric heating element 32 has a well-known configuration and generates heat when electricity is applied.

[0029] <Radiant Heater 40> As shown in Figures 2 and 3, radiant heaters 40 are provided on both of the pair of side support sections 22. The radiant heaters 40 are provided adjacent to the inner surface of the front portion of the surface of the side support section 22.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the radiant heater 40 has an electrically insulating and flexible sheet substrate 41, and a heating element 42 and a contact sensor 43 fixed to the sheet substrate 41. The heating element 42 has a well-known configuration and generates heat and emits infrared rays when power is applied.

[0031] The contact sensor 43 detects whether or not the occupant P is in contact with the front surface of the side support portion 22 on which the contact sensor 43 is provided. The contact sensor 43 in this embodiment is a well-known capacitive type sensor.

[0032] <Control Unit 50> As shown in Figure 4, the control unit 50 controls the energization of the electric heating element heater 30 and the radiant heater 40, and is electrically connected to the electric heating element 32 of the electric heating element heater 30 and the heat-generating part 42 of the radiant heater 40. The control unit 50 in this embodiment is a seat ECU.

[0033] In this embodiment, a pair of headrest stays 24 constitute part of a circuit that electrically connects the battery (not shown in the figure) with the electric heating element heater 30 and the radiant heater 40. The control unit 50 is electrically connected to the first switch 61 and the second switch 62. Additionally, the control unit 50 is electrically connected to the contact sensor 43.

[0034] The first switch 61 is configured to switch the energization mode of the electric heating element heater 30. The second switch 62 is configured to switch the energization mode of the radiant heater 40.

[0035] The first switch 61 and the second switch 62 are provided, for example, on the armrest 13. The control unit 50 is configured to supply power from the battery to the heating element heater 30 when the first switch 61 is turned ON, and to stop supplying power from the battery to the heating element heater 30 when the first switch 61 is turned OFF.

[0036] The control unit 50 is configured to supply power from the battery to the radiant heater 40 when the second switch 62 is turned ON, and to stop supplying power from the battery to the radiant heater 40 when the second switch 62 is turned OFF. The control unit 50 is also configured to suppress the supply of power to the radiant heater 40 provided on the side support section 22 when the contact sensor 43 detects contact of the occupant P to the side support section 22 on which the contact sensor 43 is located. In this embodiment, the control unit 50 is configured to stop the supply of power to the radiant heater 40 when the contact sensor 43 detects contact of the occupant P to the side support section 22. Alternatively, instead of stopping the supply of power to the radiant heater 40, the power supplied to the radiant heater 40 may be reduced.

[0037] In this embodiment of the occupant neck heating system, the system is configured to heat the neck area of ​​the occupant P seated in the seat 10 by generating heat in an electric heating wire heater 30 when power is applied. In addition, the system is configured to heat the neck area of ​​the occupant P by radiant heat from infrared rays emitted from a radiant heater 40 when power is applied.

[0038] <Operation and Effects of This Embodiment> (1-1) By energizing the heating element 30, the area around the neck of the occupant P sitting in the seat 10 is heated. This contributes to improving the comfort of the occupant P.

[0039] (1-2) The electric heating element 30 is built into the headrest 20. Therefore, it is possible to supply power to the electric heating element 30 built into the headrest 20 through electric wires (not shown in the diagram) routed inside the seat back 12. Therefore, the electric heating element 30 can be easily installed.

[0040] (1-3) In a headrest 20 having a headrest body 21 and a pair of side support parts 22, an electric heating element 30 is built into the headrest body 21, which is located in the center in the width direction and is easily contacted by the head H of the occupant P. This allows for effective heating of the area around the occupant P's neck.

[0041] (1-4) When power is applied, infrared rays are emitted from the radiant heater 40 provided on the side support section 22. When the infrared rays hit the area around the neck of the occupant P, that area is heated by radiant heat. As a result, the area around the occupant P's neck can be heated even if the occupant P's head H is not in contact with the headrest 20. In addition, by appropriately changing the rotation angle of the side support section 22 relative to the headrest body 21, the distance between the occupant P and the side support section 22 and the orientation of the side support section 22 relative to the occupant P can be changed. Therefore, the area around the occupant P's neck can be heated effectively.

[0042] (1-5) When contact between the occupant P and the front of the side support section 22, which is equipped with a radiant heater 40, is detected, the control unit 50 suppresses the supply of power to the radiant heater 40 provided on the side support section 22. This prevents heat from being directly transferred from the radiant heater 40 to the occupant P's head H, etc.

[0043] <Second Embodiment> A second embodiment of the crew neck heating system will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 8. Note that components identical to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, thus omitting redundant explanations.

[0044] <Cushion 70> As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the heating system includes a cushion 70 configured to be positioned adjacent to the front of the upper end of the seat back 12 of the seat 10. Note that the headrest 20 is not shown in Figure 8.

[0045] The cushion 70 has a cushion body 71 and a mounting portion 72 that can be detachably attached to the seat 10. As shown in Figure 7, the cushion body 71 has a bag-shaped outer layer 73 and a soft pad 74 placed inside the outer layer 73.

[0046] The mounting portion 72 is attached to the back surface of the outer layer 73. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 72 is an annular band. As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the pair of headrest stays 24 are inserted through the central holes of the mounting portion 72 and attached to the seat back 12, so that the cushions 70 are positioned adjacent to each other on the front surface of the upper end of the seat back 12.

[0047] <Electric heating element heater 80> As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the cushion 70 is provided with an electric heating element heater 80. The electric heating element heater 80 is built into the cushion body 71. The electric heating element heater 80 is provided adjacent to the inner surface of the front portion of the outer skin 73 of the cushion body 71.

[0048] The electric heating element heater 80 comprises an electrically insulating and flexible sheet substrate 81 and an electric heating element 82 fixed to the sheet substrate 81. As shown in Figure 5, the heating system has a power cable 83.

[0049] The power cable 83 is connected to the heating element 82. A connector 84 is connected to the end of the power cable 83. The connector 84 is, for example, a USB connector. By connecting the connector 84 to a terminal on the vehicle (for example, a USB connector), power is supplied to the heating element 82 via the power cable 83.

[0050] In this embodiment of the occupant neck heating system, the system is configured to heat the neck area of ​​the occupant P seated in the seat 10 by generating heat in an electric heating element heater 80 when electricity is applied. <Operation and Effects of This Embodiment> (2-1) As shown in Figure 8, the cushion 70 is sandwiched between the occupant P's shoulders S and neck N and the seat back 12, causing it to flex and deform to conform to the shape of the shoulders S and neck N, as well as the front of the seat back 12. When electricity is applied, the heating element 80 generates heat, warming the neck and shoulder area of ​​the occupant P sitting in the seat 10. This contributes to improving the comfort of the occupant P.

[0051] (2-2) The cushion 70 can be detachably attached to the seat 10 via the mounting portion 72. Therefore, by attaching the cushion 70 to the existing seat 10, it is possible to heat the neck area of ​​the occupant P while suppressing a decrease in the occupant P's comfort.

[0052] <Example of changes> This embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0053] In the first embodiment, the battery is electrically connected to the heating element heater 30 and the radiant heater 40 via a pair of headrest stays 24. However, instead of the pair of headrest stays 24, the battery may be electrically connected to the heating element heater 30 and the radiant heater 40 via an electrical cable.

[0054] In the first embodiment, the arrangement of the first switch 61 and the second switch 62 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the first switch 61 and the second switch 62 can be installed on the instrument panel or center cluster of an automobile. Alternatively, the first switch 61 and the second switch 62 can be installed on a remote controller for performing various operations on the seat 10, or on a smartphone.

[0055] The switches for operating the electric heating element heater 30 and the radiant heater 40 may be configured as a single switch. In the first embodiment, the contact sensor 43 can be omitted.

[0056] In the first embodiment, radiant heaters 40 are provided on both of the pair of side support portions 22, but the radiant heaters 40 may be provided on either one of the pair of side support portions 22.

[0057] In the first embodiment, the radiant heater 40 can be omitted. The headrest 20 is not limited to having side support portions 22, and may also be one that does not have side support portions 22.

[0058] The seat 10 in the second embodiment does not have to be the same as the seat 10 exemplified in the first embodiment. That is, the seat 10 may include a headrest 20 that does not have an electric heating element heater 30 and a radiant heater 40.

[0059] The shape of the mounting portion 72 of the cushion 70 is not limited to that exemplified in the second embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate, such as using hook-and-loop fasteners or hooks. In the first embodiment, the electric heating element 30 can be omitted. That is, the headrest 20 may be equipped only with a radiant heater 40. In this case, the radiant heater 40 may be provided on the headrest body 21 instead of, or in addition to, the side support portion 22. Alternatively, the radiant heater 40 may be provided on a headrest that does not have a side support portion 22. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10...sheets 11…Seat cushion 12... Seat back 13…Armrest 20…Headrest 21... Headrest body 22...Side support section 23…Rotation axis 24... Headrest stay 30… Electric heating element 31…Sheet base material 32…Heating wire 40... Radiant heater 41…Sheet base material 42…Fever-generating part 43... Contact sensor 50…Control Unit 61…First switch 62...Second switch 70... Cushion 71…Cushion body 72…Mounting part 73...epidermis 74…Soft pad 80… Electric heating element 81…Sheet base material 82…Heating wire 83... Power cable 84…Connection terminals P... Crew H…Head N...Neck Shoulder…S

Claims

1. The vehicle seat has a heating element provided on at least one of the headrest and a cushion configured to be positioned adjacent to the front of the upper end of the seat back of the vehicle seat, The system is configured to heat the area around the neck of an occupant sitting in the vehicle seat by generating heat in the heating element when power is applied. Crew neck heating system.

2. The electric heating element is built into the headrest. The crew neck heating system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned headrest is The headrest body and The headrest body has a pair of side support portions that are rotatably provided on both sides of the headrest body in the width direction, The electric heating element is built into the headrest body. The crew neck heating system according to claim 2.

4. A radiant heater is provided on at least one of the pair of side support portions, The system is configured to heat the area around the occupant's neck by radiant heat emitted from the radiant heater when power is applied. The crew neck heating system according to claim 3.

5. A control unit that controls the energization of the radiant heater, The side support portion on which the radiant heater is provided is equipped with a contact sensor that detects whether or not the occupant is in contact with the front surface of the side support portion, The control unit is configured to suppress the supply of power to the radiant heater provided on the side support when the contact sensor detects contact of the occupant with the side support. The crew neck heating system according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned cushion is It comprises a cushion body and a mounting part that can be detachably attached to the vehicle seat, The electric heating element is built into the cushion body. A neck heating system for an occupant according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Equipped with a radiant heater installed in the headrest of the vehicle seat, The system is configured to heat the area around the neck of the occupant seated in the vehicle seat by radiant heat emitted from the radiant heater when power is applied. Crew neck heating system.

8. The aforementioned headrest is The headrest body and The headrest body has a pair of side support portions that are rotatably provided on both sides of the headrest body in the width direction, The radiant heater is provided on at least one of the pair of side support portions. The crew neck heating system according to claim 7.

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