Seat control device, seat control system, and seat control method

Abstract

This system suppresses discrepancies between the operating state of the seat control device as perceived by the occupant based on the appearance of the seat, and the actual operating state of the seat control device. [Solution] The seat control device 2 includes a displacement control unit 24 that displaces the seat 1 to a normal position P1 and a comfortable position P2, a displacement interruption unit 27 that interrupts the displacement of the seat 1's position by the displacement control unit 24, and an adjustment control unit 29 that adjusts the position of the seat 1 by displacing the adjustment unit 17. The seat control device 2 transitions its operating state to a normal state A1, a comfortable state A3, and an intermediate state A2 in accordance with the displacement of the seat 1's position by the displacement control unit 24. When the seat control device 2 is in the intermediate state A2, the adjustment control unit 29 does not displace the adjustment unit 17.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a seat control device, a seat control system, and a seat control method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a seat control device for controlling the posture of a seat mounted on a vehicle. The seat control device performs processing (hereinafter referred to as posture displacement processing) for displacing the seat posture between a normal posture and a comfort posture, or tilting rearward from the comfort posture and periodically swinging the seat in accordance with an instruction from a seated person on the seat. The normal posture is a posture of the seat in which the seat back is erected. The comfort posture is a posture of the seat in which the seat cushion and the seat back are tilted more rearward than in the normal posture. Further, the seat control device can temporarily suspend and resume the posture displacement processing.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, it is assumed that the seat control device is configured to transition the operating state of the seat control device to a normal state, a comfort state, and an intermediate state in accordance with the displacement of the seat posture caused by the posture displacement processing. The normal state is the operating state when the seat is in the normal posture. The comfort state is the operating state when the seat is in the comfort posture. The intermediate state is the operating state when the seat is in a posture that is in the process of being displaced between the normal posture and the comfort posture. Further, it is assumed that the seat control device can execute processing (hereinafter referred to as adjustment processing) for adjusting the position of at least a part (hereinafter referred to as adjustment portion) of the portions of the seat displaced by the posture displacement processing in accordance with an adjustment instruction from the seated person.

[0005] In such a seat control device, for example, suppose that when the displacement of the seat's posture due to posture displacement processing is interrupted, adjustment processing is performed in response to an adjustment instruction from the seated person, and the seat's posture becomes approximately the same as the normal posture. In this case, since the seat appears to be in the normal posture, the seated person perceives that the seat control device has transitioned to the normal state. On the other hand, since the seat's posture was displaced by adjustment processing rather than posture displacement processing, the operating state of the seat control device remains in an intermediate or comfortable state. In other words, if adjustment processing is performed when the displacement of the seat's posture due to posture displacement processing is interrupted, there is a risk of discrepancy between the operating state of the seat control device as perceived by the seated person based on the appearance of the seat, and the actual operating state of the seat control device.

[0006] This could prevent the occupant from operating the vehicle as intended. For example, consider a scenario where the vehicle's driving control system is configured to allow the vehicle to start when the seat control system is in its normal state, and to prohibit it when it is in a relaxed or intermediate state. In this case, the occupant might assume that once the seat's apparent position returns to the normal position, the seat control system will transition to the normal state, allowing the vehicle to start. Therefore, the occupant might adjust the seat's position to approximately the same as the normal position through adjustment processing, while the seat's positional displacement processing remains interrupted. However, in this case, the seat control system remains in an intermediate or relaxed state, and the vehicle's starting remains prohibited. Consequently, the occupant may be unable to start the vehicle as intended.

[0007] In one aspect of this disclosure, it is desirable to suppress discrepancies between the operating state of the seat control device as perceived by the occupant based on the appearance of the seat, and the actual operating state of the seat control device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of this disclosure is preferably, for example, to include at least one of the following constituent elements. Furthermore, to the extent possible, any combination of several of the following constituent elements may be applied.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure is a seat control device (2) for controlling the posture of a vehicle seat (1) having a seat cushion (11) and a seat back (12). The normal posture (P1) is defined as the seat (1) with the seat back (12) upright. The comfortable posture (P2) is defined as the seat (1) with the seat cushion (11) and seat back (12) tilted further back than the normal posture (P1). The displaceable part of the seat (1), which includes at least the seat cushion (11) and seat back (12), is defined as the displaceable part (15).

[0010] The seat control device (2) comprises a displacement control unit (24), a displacement interruption unit (27), and an adjustment control unit (29). The displacement control unit (24) displaces the displacement unit (15) in response to instructions from the seat occupant (M) of the seat (1), thereby displacing the seat (1) to a normal position (P1) and a comfortable position (P2). The displacement interruption unit (27) interrupts the displacement of the displacement unit (15) by the displacement control unit (24). The adjustment control unit (29) adjusts the position of the seat (1) in response to instructions from the seat occupant (M) by displacing the adjustment unit (17), which is at least a part of the displacement unit (15).

[0011] The seat control device (2) transitions its operating state between a normal state (A1), a comfortable state (A3), and an intermediate state (A2) in response to the displacement of the seat (1) by the displacement control unit (24). The normal state (A1) is the operating state when the seat (1) is in the normal position (P1). The comfortable state (A3) is the operating state when the seat (1) is in the comfortable position (P2). The intermediate state (A2) is the operating state when the seat (1) is in a position between the normal position (P1) and the comfortable position (P2).

[0012] The adjustment control unit (29) does not displace the adjustment unit (17) when the operating state of the seat control device (2) is in an intermediate state (A2). According to the above configuration, the adjustment control unit (29) does not displace the adjustment unit (17) when the operating state of the seat control device (2) is in an intermediate state (A2). Therefore, when the displacement of the displacement unit (15) by the displacement control unit (24) is interrupted by the displacement interruption unit (27), it is possible to suppress the displacement of the adjustment unit (17) so that the posture of the seat (1) becomes the normal posture (P1) or the comfortable posture (P2). Therefore, it is possible to suppress a discrepancy between the operating state of the seat control device (2) as perceived by the seated person (M) based on the appearance of the seat (1), and the actual operating state of the seat control device (2).

[0013] In one aspect of this disclosure, the part of the seat (1) that includes at least the seat back (12) among the displacement parts (15) is defined as the oscillating part (16). The seat control device (2) may include an oscillating control unit (25) and an oscillating interruption unit (28). The oscillating control unit (25) alternately displaces the oscillating part (16) to a first side (D1) in a predetermined direction until it reaches a predetermined first position (L1), and displaces the oscillating part (16) to a second side (D2) located on the second side (D2) opposite to the first side (D1) in a predetermined direction from the first position (L1). The oscillating interruption unit (28) interrupts the displacement of the oscillating part (16) by the oscillating control unit (25). The adjustment control unit (29) does not need to displace the adjustment unit (17) when the oscillation control unit (25) is displacing the oscillation unit (16). Also, when the displacement of the oscillation unit (16) by the oscillation control unit (25) is interrupted by the oscillation interruption unit (28), the adjustment control unit (29) may displace the adjustment unit (17) in response to instructions from the seated person (M).

[0014] According to the above configuration, the seated person (M) can adjust the posture of the seat (1) to a desired posture by displacing the adjustment unit (17) when the displacement of the rocking unit (16) by the rocking control unit (25) is interrupted by the rocking interruption unit (28). Therefore, the comfort of the seated person (M) can be improved.

[0015] In one aspect of this disclosure, the first side (D1) may be the side on which the seat back (12) tilts forward. Furthermore, the second side (D2) may be the side on which the seat back (12) tilts backward.

[0016] The seat control device (2) may include a position determination unit (S403) that determines whether or not the oscillating unit (16) is in the second position (L2). If the position determination unit (S403) determines that the oscillating unit (16) is not in the second position (L2), the adjustment control unit (29) does not need to displace the adjustment unit (17), even if the displacement of the oscillating unit (16) by the oscillating control unit (25) is interrupted by the oscillating interruption unit (28).

[0017] According to the above configuration, when the oscillating part (16) is in the second position (L2), the seated person's (M) feet are at the uppermost position within the range of motion of the seated person's (M) feet when the oscillating control unit (25) displaces the oscillating part (16). Therefore, the seated person (M) can intuitively recognize the uppermost position within that range of motion and have the adjustment control unit (29) displace the adjustment part (17).

[0018] In one aspect of the present disclosure, if the seat control device (2) includes a swing control unit (25), a swing interruption unit (28), and an adjustment control unit (29), it does not need to include a displacement control unit (24) and a displacement interruption unit (27).

[0019] According to the above configuration, when the displacement of the rocking part (16) by the rocking control unit (25) is interrupted by the rocking interruption unit (28), the adjustment control unit (29) displaces the adjustment unit (17), thereby suppressing the displacement of the seat (1). Therefore, it is possible to suppress discrepancies between the operating state of the seat control device (2) as perceived by the seated person (M) based on the appearance of the seat (1) and the actual operating state of the seat control device (2).

[0020] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the rocking interruption portion (28) may interrupt the displacement of the rocking portion (16) by the rocking control portion (25) in a state where the rocking portion (16) is located at the second position (L2). According to the above configuration, the convenience when a seated person (M) displaces the adjustment portion (17) can be improved.

[0021] One aspect of the present disclosure is a seat control system (100) comprising a vehicle seat (1), a displacement mechanism (14), and the above-described seat control device (2). The displacement mechanism (14) is configured to be operable to displace the posture of the seat (1). The seat control device (2) controls the posture of the seat (1) by operating the displacement mechanism (14). According to the seat control system (100), the same effects as those of the above-described seat control device (2) can be obtained.

[0022] Furthermore, one aspect of the present disclosure is a seat control method executed by the above-described seat control device (2). According to the seat control method, the same effects as those of the above-described seat control device (2) can be obtained.

[0023] Note that the reference signs in the above parentheses are examples showing the correspondence with specific configurations and the like described in the embodiments mentioned later, and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations and the like indicated by the reference signs in the above parentheses. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] [Figure 1] Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a normal posture and a comfortable posture of a seat. [Figure 2] Fig. 2A is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a seat in which a rocking portion is located at a first position and a second position. Fig. 2B is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a seat in which an adjustment portion is displaced. [Figure 3] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a seat control system. [Figure 4] Fig. 4 is a state transition diagram showing an operating state of a seat control device. [Figure 5] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing posture displacement processing. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing the displacement interruption process. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing the oscillation process. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the process of interrupting the oscillation. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The following "Embodiments of the Invention" are examples of embodiments that fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. In other words, the features defining the invention as described in the claims are not limited to the specific configurations and structures shown in the embodiments below.

[0026] [1. Structure] The seat control system 100 of this embodiment is a system that has the function of controlling the posture of the seat 1 (see Figure 3). The seat control system 100 is installed in a vehicle. In this embodiment, the seat control system 100 is installed in a passenger car. However, it is not limited to this, and the seat control system 100 may be installed in vehicles other than passenger cars, or in vehicles other than automobiles such as railway vehicles, ships, and aircraft. In addition, a passenger car equipped with the seat control system 100 is equipped with a driving control device that has the function of controlling the driving of the passenger car. The driving control device is configured to communicate with the seat control device 2, which will be described later.

[0027] The seat control system 100 comprises a seat 1, a seat control device 2, and an input unit 3. <Sheet 1> Seat 1 is a seat on which an occupant of a vehicle (i.e., a passenger car) can sit (see Figures 1 and 2). In this embodiment, as an example, seat 1 is assembled such that the seat width direction coincides with the left-right direction of the vehicle, the seat height direction coincides with the up-down direction of the vehicle, and the seat front-rear direction coincides with the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Hereafter, the left-right direction, the up-down direction, and the front-rear direction of the vehicle will be simply referred to as the left-right direction, the up-down direction, and the front-rear direction, respectively.

[0028] Seat 1 is, for example, the front seat of a passenger car (i.e., the driver's seat or passenger seat). However, it is not limited to this; Seat 1 may also be the rear seat of a passenger car. The seat 1 comprises a seat cushion 11, a seat back 12, an ottoman 13, a displacement mechanism 14, a displacement part 15, a swinging part 16, and an adjustment part 17. The seat cushion 11 is the part that supports the buttocks of the sitter M. The seat back 12 is the part that supports the back of the sitter M. The seat back 12 is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 11 and is rotatable about an axis that extends in the left-right direction relative to the seat cushion 11. The ottoman 13 is the part that supports the lower legs of the sitter M. The ottoman 13 is connected to the front end of the seat cushion 11 and is rotatable about an axis that extends in the left-right direction relative to the seat cushion 11.

[0029] The displacement mechanism 14 is a mechanism configured to be operable to displace the posture of the seat 1. The displacement mechanism 14 in this embodiment consists of a slider mechanism, a lifter mechanism, a tilt mechanism, a reclining mechanism, and an ottoman mechanism. Hereafter, the slider mechanism, lifter mechanism, tilt mechanism, reclining mechanism, and ottoman mechanism will be collectively referred to as the five mechanisms.

[0030] The slider mechanism is a mechanism for displacing the seat cushion 11 in the front-to-back direction. The lifter mechanism is a mechanism for displacing the seat cushion 11 in the up-and-down direction. The reclining mechanism is a mechanism for changing the angle of the seat back 12 relative to the seat cushion 11. The tilt mechanism is a mechanism for displacing the front end of the seat cushion 11 in the up-and-down direction. The rear end of the seat cushion 11 is connected to the floor of the passenger car, and the seat cushion 11 is rotatable about an axis extending left-to-right relative to the floor. Therefore, when the tilt mechanism is activated, the seat cushion 11 rotates about this axis. In addition, since the seat back 12 and ottoman 13 are connected to the seat cushion 11, the seat back 12 and ottoman 13 are displaced along with the displacement of the seat cushion 11 by the slider mechanism, lifter mechanism, and tilt mechanism.

[0031] The reclining mechanism is a mechanism for changing the angle of the seat back 12 relative to the seat cushion 11. The ottoman mechanism is a mechanism for changing the angle of the ottoman 13 relative to the seat cushion 11.

[0032] Each of the five mechanisms is equipped with an actuator (an electric motor in this embodiment), which is not shown. Each actuator operates the corresponding mechanism by outputting a driving force in response to a control signal transmitted from the seat control device 2, which will be described later.

[0033] The displacement portion 15 is a part of the seat 1 that includes at least the seat cushion 11 and the seat back 12, and is a part that can be displaced by the displacement mechanism 14 (see Figure 1). In this embodiment, the displacement portion 15 is the seat cushion 11, the seat back 12, and the ottoman 13.

[0034] The oscillating portion 16 is a part of the seat 1 that includes at least the seat back 12 of the displacement portion 15 (see Figure 2A). In this embodiment, the oscillating portion 16 consists of the seat cushion 11, the seat back 12, and the ottoman 13.

[0035] The adjustment section 17 is at least a part of the displacement section 15 in the seat 1 (see Figure 2B). In this embodiment, the adjustment section 17 is the ottoman 13.

[0036] <Seat control device 2> The seat control device 2 controls the posture of the seat 1 by activating the displacement mechanism 14 (see Figure 3). The seat control device 2 is configured to communicate with each actuator of the displacement mechanism 14 and the input unit 3, which will be described later. The seat control device 2 is primarily composed of a well-known microcomputer having a CPU 21 and memory 22, which is a semiconductor memory such as ROM and RAM. The various functions of the seat control device 2 are realized by the CPU 21 executing a program stored in memory 22, which is a non-transitional physical recording medium. When the program is executed, the processing corresponding to the program is performed. The number of microcomputers constituting the seat control device 2 may be one or more. Furthermore, the method for realizing the functions of the seat control device 2 is not limited to software; some or all of its elements may be realized using one or more hardware components. For example, if the above functions are realized by an electronic circuit, which is hardware, that electronic circuit may be a digital circuit containing many logic circuits, an analog circuit, or a combination thereof.

[0037] The memory unit 23 is a memory device for storing various types of information. As will be described later, the memory unit 23 stores information indicating the posture of the seat 1. The memory unit 23 also has information indicating the comfortable posture P2, which will be described later, pre-stored in it. Furthermore, the memory unit 23 stores the number of oscillations in the oscillation process, which will be described later.

[0038] Furthermore, the memory unit 23 stores various flags. These flags include permission information indicating whether or not a predetermined process is permitted to be executed. Hereafter, if the flag is ON, it will be said that the predetermined process is permitted to be executed, and if the flag is OFF, it will be said that the predetermined process is prohibited. In this embodiment, the memory unit 23 stores a displacement interruption permission flag indicating whether or not the displacement interruption process, which will be described later, is permitted to be executed as an interrupt. The memory unit 23 also stores an oscillation interruption permission flag indicating whether or not the oscillation interruption process, which will be described later, is permitted to be executed as an interrupt.

[0039] The seat control device 2 comprises a displacement control unit 24, a oscillation control unit 25, a target speed instruction unit 26, a displacement interruption unit 27, an oscillation interruption unit 28, and an adjustment control unit 29, as functions realized by the CPU 21 executing a program (see Figure 3).

[0040] The displacement control unit 24 performs the posture displacement processing described later. The posture displacement processing is the process of displacing the posture of the seat 1 to the normal posture P1 and the comfortable posture P2 (see Figure 1). The normal posture P1 is the posture of the seat 1 before the posture displacement processing described later is performed, in which the seat back 12 is more upright compared to the comfortable posture P2. The normal posture P1 may be, for example, the posture of the seat 1 when a passenger car is in motion. In the normal posture P1 of this embodiment, the ottoman 13 is stored below the seat cushion 11.

[0041] Comfortable posture P2 is a seat position 1 suitable for a seated person M to sleep in. In comfortable posture P2, the seat cushion 11 and seat back 12 of seat 1 are tilted further back than in normal posture P1. In addition, in comfortable posture P2 of this embodiment, the ottoman 13 is positioned to support the lower legs of the seated person M. For example, in the seated person M's posture in comfortable posture P2, the hip angle θ1 is approximately 128° and the knee angle θ2 is approximately 133°. The hip angle θ1 refers to the relative angle between the pelvis and the thigh. The knee angle θ2 refers to the relative angle between the thigh and the lower leg.

[0042] The displacement control unit 24 displaces the displacement unit 15 at the target speed indicated by the target speed indicator unit 26, which will be described later, by activating at least one mechanism (all mechanisms in this embodiment) of the displacement mechanism 14.

[0043] The operation of the displacement mechanism 14 when the displacement control unit 24 in this embodiment displaces the seat 1 from a normal posture P1 to a comfortable posture P2 will be explained in more detail. The displacement control unit 24 displaces the seat cushion 11 backward using the slider mechanism, displaces the seat cushion 11 upward using the lifter mechanism, and displaces the seat cushion 11 so that it tilts backward using the tilt mechanism. As mentioned above, the seat back 12 and ottoman 13 are displaced together with the displacement of the seat cushion 11 by the slider mechanism, lifter mechanism, and tilt mechanism. The displacement control unit 24 also rotates the seat back 12 backward relative to the seat cushion 11 using the reclining mechanism. The displacement control unit 24 also rotates the ottoman 13 relative to the seat cushion 11 using the ottoman mechanism, displacing it to a position where it can support the lower legs of the seated person M. As a result, the posture of the seat 1 is displaced from a normal posture P1 to a comfortable posture P2.

[0044] The operation of the displacement mechanism 14 when the displacement control unit 24 in this embodiment displaces the seat 1 from a comfortable position P2 to a normal position P1 will be described in the same manner. The displacement control unit 24 displaces the seat cushion 11 forward by the slider mechanism, displaces the seat cushion 11 downward by the lifter mechanism, and displaces the seat cushion 11 so that it tilts forward by the tilt mechanism. The displacement control unit 24 also rotates the seat back 12 so that it is raised forward relative to the seat cushion 11 by the reclining mechanism. The displacement control unit 24 also rotates the ottoman 13 relative to the seat cushion 11 by the ottoman mechanism and stores it below the seat cushion 11. As a result, the posture of the seat 1 is displaced from a comfortable position P2 to a normal position P1.

[0045] The oscillation control unit 25 performs the oscillation process described later. The oscillation process is the process of oscillating the oscillation part 16 of the seat 1 (see Figure 2A). Specifically, the oscillation control unit 25 operates at least one mechanism of the displacement mechanism 14 (the tilt mechanism in this embodiment) to oscillate the oscillation part 16 at the target speed indicated by the target speed indicator unit 26, which will be described later. As mentioned above, the seat cushion 11 rotates around an axis that is located at the rear end and extends in the left-right direction due to the tilt mechanism. As the seat cushion 11 rotates, the entire oscillation part 16 (i.e., the seat cushion 11, seat back 12, and ottoman 13) rotates.

[0046] The oscillation control unit 25 performs the first displacement and the second displacement alternately. Alternatively, the oscillation control unit 25 may perform the first displacement and the second displacement alternately and periodically. The first displacement is the displacement of the oscillating part 16 to the first side D1 in a predetermined direction until it reaches a predetermined first position L1. The second displacement is the displacement of the oscillating part 16 to the second side D2 until it reaches a predetermined second position L2 (see Figure 2A). The first position L1 is the position D1 to the first side of the second position L2, and the second position L2 is the position D2 to the second side of the first position L1.

[0047] In this embodiment, the first side D1 is the side on which the seat back 12 tilts forward, and the second side D2 is the side on which the seat back 12 tilts backward. In this embodiment, the first position L1 is, for example, the position of the oscillating part 16 of the seat 1 in the comfortable position P2 when it is rotated by about 4° by the tilt mechanism and displaced to the first side D1. The second position L2 is the position of the oscillating part 16 when it is rotated by about 8° by the tilt mechanism when it is positioned at the first position L1 and displaced to the second side D2.

[0048] The target speed instruction unit 26 controls the target speed according to the instruction speed set in the CPU 21, and also instructs the displacement control unit 24 and the oscillation control unit 25 to set the target speed. The target speed instruction unit 26 controls the target speed to follow the instruction speed. Furthermore, when the target speed instruction unit 26 makes the target speed follow the instruction speed, it gradually changes the target speed at a predetermined rate of change (i.e., acceleration) to reach the instruction speed. This prevents the target speed from changing abruptly even if the instruction speed changes abruptly. Therefore, it prevents the displacement control unit 24 from rapidly accelerating or decelerating the displacement unit 15, and prevents the oscillation control unit 25 from rapidly accelerating or decelerating the oscillation unit 16.

[0049] The displacement interruption unit 27 executes the displacement interruption process, described later, as an interruption to the attitude displacement process. The displacement interruption process is a process to temporarily interrupt the displacement of the displacement unit 15 caused by the attitude displacement process. When the displacement interruption process is executed, the displacement control unit 24 stores the contents of the process currently being executed in the attitude displacement process in the storage unit 23, and then interrupts the attitude displacement process. When the displacement interruption process is completed, the displacement control unit 24 resumes the attitude displacement process from the process that was being executed before the interruption, based on the contents of the process stored in the storage unit 23.

[0050] The oscillation interruption unit 28 executes the oscillation interruption process, described later, as an interruption to the oscillation process. The oscillation interruption process is a process to temporarily interrupt the displacement of the oscillation unit 16 caused by the oscillation process. When the oscillation interruption process is executed, the oscillation control unit 25 stores the contents of the process currently being executed in the oscillation process in the storage unit 23, and then interrupts the oscillation process. When the oscillation interruption process is completed, the oscillation control unit 25 resumes the oscillation process from the process that was being executed before the interruption, based on the contents of the process stored in the storage unit 23.

[0051] The adjustment control unit 29 performs an adjustment process. The adjustment process is a process to displace the adjustment unit 17. Specifically, the adjustment control unit 29 displaces the adjustment unit 17 (i.e., the ottoman 13) by activating at least one of the displacement mechanisms 14 (in this embodiment, the ottoman mechanism) (see Figure 2B).

[0052] As will be described later, the adjustment process is performed only while the oscillation interruption process is in progress. In other words, the adjustment control unit 29 does not displace the adjustment unit 17 while the oscillation process is in progress (i.e., while the oscillation control unit 25 is displacing the oscillation unit 16). On the other hand, while the oscillation interruption process is in progress (i.e., while the displacement of the oscillation unit 16 by the oscillation control unit 25 is interrupted by the oscillation interruption unit 28), the adjustment control unit 29 displaces the adjustment unit 17 in response to an adjustment instruction from the seated person M.

[0053] To put it another way, the adjustment process is performed only when the operating state of the seat control device 2 is the oscillation interruption state A5. That is, if the operating state of the seat control device 2 is a state other than the oscillation interruption state A5 (for example, an intermediate state A2), the adjustment control unit 29 does not displace the adjustment unit 17.

[0054] <Input section 3> The input unit 3 is an interface for receiving input operations from the user (i.e., the seated person M). In this embodiment, the input unit 3 is, for example, a plurality of push buttons located around the hand area of ​​the seated person M on the seat 1. The input unit 3 receives operations indicating various instructions from the user and transmits signals indicating those instructions to the seat control device 2. Hereafter, the fact that the seat control device 2 has received signals indicating various instructions from the input unit 3 will simply be described as "various instructions have been received."

[0055] [2. Operating status] The operating states of the seat control device 2 (hereinafter also simply referred to as operating states) will be explained using Figure 4. The operating states include normal state A1, intermediate state A2, comfortable state A3, oscillating state A4, oscillating interrupted state A5, and adjustment state A6.

[0056] Normal state A1 is the operating state before the attitude displacement processing described later is performed. When the displacement of the displacement unit 15 by the displacement control unit 24 is initiated in normal state A1, the seat control device 2 transitions to intermediate state A2.

[0057] Intermediate state A2 is an operating state in which the posture of seat 1 is being displaced by the displacement control unit 24 to the normal posture P1 and the comfortable posture P2. In intermediate state A2, when the posture of seat 1 reaches the comfortable posture P2 by the displacement control unit 24, the seat control device 2 transitions to the comfortable state A3. In intermediate state A2, when the posture of seat 1 reaches the normal posture P1 by the displacement control unit 24, the seat control device 2 transitions to the normal state A1.

[0058] Comfort state A3 is the operating state when the seat 1's posture is displaced to the comfort posture P2 by the displacement control unit 24. In comfort state A3, if the oscillation control unit 25 starts displacing the oscillation unit 16, the seat control device 2 transitions to the upright transition state A41, which will be described later. In comfort state A3, if the displacement control unit 24 starts displacing the displacement unit 15, the seat control device 2 transitions to the intermediate state A2.

[0059] Oscillating state A4 is the operating state when the oscillating unit 16 is displaced by the oscillating control unit 25. Oscillating state A4 includes the upright transition state A41, the upright state A42, the tilting transition state A43, and the tilted state A44. When the oscillating process is completed in oscillating state A4, the seat control device 2 transitions to the comfortable state A3.

[0060] The raised transition state A41 is the operating state when the oscillating part 16 is displaced to the first side D1. When the oscillating part 16 reaches the first position L1 in the raised transition state A41, the seat control device 2 transitions to the raised state A42.

[0061] The raised state A42 is the operating state when the oscillating part 16 is in the first position L1. When the displacement of the oscillating part 16 toward the second side D2 begins in the raised state A42, the seat control device 2 transitions to the tilted state A43.

[0062] The tilt transition state A43 is the operating state when the oscillating part 16 is displaced to the second side D2. When the oscillating part 16 reaches the second position L2 in the tilt transition state A43, the seat control device 2 transitions to the tilt state A44.

[0063] The tilted state A44 is the operating state when the oscillating part 16 is in the second position L2. In the tilted state A44, if the displacement of the oscillating part 16 toward the first side D1 begins, the seat control device 2 transitions to the upright transition state A41. In the tilted state A44, if the oscillating interruption process is executed, the seat control device 2 transitions to the oscillating interruption state A5.

[0064] Oscillation interruption state A5 is the operating state when the oscillation interruption process described later is being executed. In oscillation interruption state A5, if the adjustment control unit 29 starts displacing the adjustment unit 17, the seat control device 2 transitions to adjustment state A6. In oscillation interruption state A5, if the oscillation interruption process is completed and the oscillation process is resumed, the seat control device 2 transitions to the operating state of oscillation state A4, which is the state when the oscillation of the oscillation unit 16 is interrupted by the oscillation interruption process.

[0065] Adjustment state A6 is the operating state when the adjustment unit 17 is being displaced by the adjustment control unit 29. When the displacement of the adjustment unit 17 by the adjustment control unit 29 is completed in adjustment state A6, the seat control device 2 transitions to oscillation interruption state A5.

[0066] Furthermore, the vehicle's driving control system permits or prohibits the vehicle from starting based on the operating state of the seat control device 2. Specifically, when the operating state is normal state A1, the driving control system permits the vehicle from starting. This is because, when the operating state is normal state A1, the posture of seat 1 is assumed to be normal posture P1. The posture of the occupant M seated in seat 1 in normal posture P1 is assumed to be a posture suitable for driving the vehicle.

[0067] On the other hand, if the operating state is not the normal state A1, the driving control device will prohibit the passenger car from starting. This is because, if the operating state is not the normal state A1, it is assumed that the posture of seat 1 is not the normal posture P1. If the posture of seat 1 is not the normal posture P1, it is assumed that the posture of the occupant M is not suitable for driving the passenger car.

[0068] [3. Processing] <Posture displacement processing> The posture displacement processing performed by the CPU 21 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 5. Posture displacement processing is performed when a displacement instruction is received, while the operating state of the seat control device 2 is in the normal state A1. A displacement instruction is an instruction by the seated person M to change the posture of the seat 1 from the normal posture P1 to the comfortable posture P2.

[0069] Furthermore, posture displacement processing is permitted only when the passenger car is stationary, and prohibited while the passenger car is in motion. This is because the posture of a seated person M sitting in seat 1 in comfortable posture P2 is assumed not to be suitable for the passenger car to be in motion.

[0070] In S101, the CPU 21 stores information indicating the current orientation of seat 1 (i.e., the normal orientation P1) in the storage unit 23. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to S102. In S102, the CPU 21 allows the displacement interruption process, described later, to be executed as an interrupt. Specifically, the CPU 21 rewrites the displacement interruption permission flag in the memory unit 23 to ON. This allows the CPU 21 to execute the displacement interruption process as an interrupt while S103, described later, is being executed. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to S103.

[0071] In S103, the CPU 21 instructs the target speed instruction unit 26 to a predetermined instruction speed and uses the function of the displacement control unit 24 to displace the seat 1 from the normal position P1 to the comfortable position P2. As soon as the displacement control unit 24 starts displacing the seat 1, the seat control device 2 transitions from the normal state A1 to the intermediate state A2. Then, once the displacement control unit 24 has displaced the seat 1 to the comfortable position P2, the seat control device 2 transitions from the intermediate state A2 to the comfortable state A3. The CPU 21 then proceeds to S104.

[0072] In S104, the CPU 21 prevents the displacement interruption process, described later, from being executed via an interrupt. Specifically, the CPU 21 rewrites the displacement interruption permission flag in the memory unit 23 to OFF. As a result, the CPU 21 does not execute the displacement interruption process via an interrupt while S105 to S107 are being executed. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to S105.

[0073] In S105, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a return instruction has been given. A return instruction is an instruction from the seated person M to change the position of seat 1 from the comfortable position P2 to the normal position P1. If the CPU 21 determines that a return instruction has been given (S105: YES), it proceeds to S108. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that there is no return instruction (S105: NO), it proceeds to S106.

[0074] In S106, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a rocking instruction has been given. A rocking instruction is an instruction from the seated person M to perform a rocking motion. If the CPU 21 determines that a rocking instruction has been given (S105: YES), it proceeds to S107. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that there is no rocking instruction (S105: NO), it proceeds back to S105.

[0075] In S107, CPU21 performs oscillation processing. Details of the oscillation processing will be described later. After the oscillation processing is complete, CPU21 returns to S105. In other words, CPU21 repeats the processing from S105 to S107 until it receives a return instruction.

[0076] In S108, CPU21, in the same manner as in S102, allows the displacement interrupt process to be executed via an interrupt. This allows CPU21 to execute the displacement interrupt process via an interrupt while S109, described later, is being executed. Then, CPU21 proceeds to S109.

[0077] In S109, the CPU 21 instructs the target speed instruction unit 26 to a predetermined instruction speed and uses the function of the displacement control unit 24 to displace the seat 1 from the comfortable position P2 to the normal position P1. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to S110. As soon as the displacement control unit 24 starts displacing the seat 1, the seat control device 2 transitions from the comfortable state A3 to the intermediate state A2. Then, once the displacement control unit 24 has displaced the seat 1 to the normal position P1, the seat control device 2 transitions from the intermediate state A2 to the normal state A1.

[0078] In S110, CPU21, in the same manner as in S104, prevents the displacement interruption process from being executed via an interrupt. Then, CPU21 terminates this process.

[0079] <Displacement Interruption Processing> The displacement interruption process executed by the CPU 21 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 6. The displacement interruption process is executed when a displacement interruption instruction is received, provided that the execution of the displacement interruption process via interrupt is permitted (i.e., the displacement interruption permission flag in the memory unit 23 is ON). A displacement interruption instruction is an instruction by the seated person M to interrupt the displacement of the displacement unit 15 caused by the posture displacement process. As mentioned above, when the displacement interruption process is executed (i.e., the posture displacement process is interrupted), the displacement control unit 24 stores the contents of the process that was being executed in the memory unit 23. Specifically, for example, if the posture displacement process is interrupted while S103 is being executed, the displacement control unit 24 stores information in the memory unit 23 indicating that S103 was being executed.

[0080] Furthermore, in emergencies (for example, if an impact to seat 1 is detected, or if there is a risk that the seated person M's body will be trapped in seat 1 due to the displacement of seat 1), CPU 21 may execute the displacement interruption process even without a displacement interruption instruction. In this case, CPU 21 may forcibly execute the displacement interruption process regardless of whether or not execution of the displacement interruption process via interrupt is permitted.

[0081] In S201, the CPU 21 uses the function of the displacement interruption unit 27 to stop the displacement of the displacement unit 15 by the displacement control unit 24. Specifically, the CPU 21 stops the displacement of the displacement unit 15 by the displacement control unit 24 by instructing the target speed instruction unit 26 to set the speed to zero. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to S202.

[0082] In S202, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a transition restart instruction has been received. A transition restart instruction is an instruction from the seated person M to resume the interrupted posture displacement processing. If the CPU 21 determines that a transition restart instruction has been received (S202: YES), it terminates this process. Then, the CPU 21 resumes the processing that was being executed before the interruption in the posture displacement processing, based on the contents of the processing before the interruption stored in the memory unit 23. Specifically, for example, if the memory unit 23 has information indicating that S103 was being executed, the CPU 21 resumes the posture displacement processing from S103. On the other hand, if CPU21 determines that there is no instruction to resume the transition (S202:NO), it repeats the determination in S202.

[0083] <Oscillating process> The oscillation process performed by the CPU 21 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 7. The oscillation process is performed when an oscillation instruction is given, provided that the operating state of the seat control device 2 is the comfortable state A3 (i.e., the seat 1 is in the comfortable position P2). An oscillation instruction is an instruction from the seated person M to oscillate the oscillation unit 16.

[0084] In S301, the CPU 21 initializes the count of oscillations stored in the memory unit 23 (i.e., sets it to zero). Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to S302. In S302, the CPU 21 allows the oscillation interruption process, described later, to be executed as an interrupt. Specifically, the CPU 21 rewrites the oscillation interruption permission flag in the memory unit 23 to ON. As a result, the CPU 21 can execute the oscillation interruption process as an interrupt while S303 to S308 are being executed. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to S303.

[0085] In S303, the CPU 21 instructs the target speed instruction unit 26 to a predetermined instruction speed and, using the functions of the oscillation control unit 25, displaces the oscillation unit 16 toward the first side D1 until it reaches the first position L1. For example, the oscillation control unit 25 rotates the oscillation unit 16 toward the first side D1 at a speed of 1° per second. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to S304. As soon as the oscillation control unit 25 starts displacing the oscillation unit 16, the seat control device 2 transitions from the comfortable state A3 or the reclined state A44 to the upright transition state A41. When the oscillation unit 16 reaches the first position L1, the seat control device 2 transitions from the upright transition state A41 to the upright state A42.

[0086] In S304, the CPU 21 stops the oscillating unit 16 for a predetermined time. Specifically, the CPU 21 stops the oscillating unit 16 by instructing the target speed instruction unit 26 to set the instruction speed to zero for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds). Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to S305.

[0087] In S305, the CPU 21 instructs the target speed instruction unit 26 to a predetermined instruction speed and, using the functions of the oscillation control unit 25, displaces the oscillation unit 16 toward the second side D2 until it reaches the second position L2. For example, the oscillation control unit 25 rotates the oscillation unit 16 toward the second side D2 at a speed of 1° per second. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to S306. As soon as the oscillation control unit 25 starts displacing the oscillation unit 16, the seat control device 2 transitions from the upright state A42 to the reclined state A43. When the oscillation unit 16 reaches the second position L3, the seat control device 2 transitions from the reclined state A43 to the reclined state A44.

[0088] In S306, the CPU 21 increments the count of oscillations stored in the memory unit 23. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to S307. In S307, the CPU 21 determines whether the number of oscillations stored in the memory unit 23 has reached a predetermined target number. The target number is set, for example, to the number of oscillations necessary to promote sleep for the seated person M. If the CPU 21 determines that the number of oscillations has reached the target number (S307: YES), it proceeds to S309. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that the number of oscillations has not reached the target number (S308: NO), it proceeds to S308.

[0089] In S308, the CPU 21 stops the oscillating unit 16 for a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds), similar to S304. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds back to S303. In S309, the CPU 21 prevents the oscillation interruption process, described later, from being executed via an interrupt. Specifically, the CPU 21 rewrites the oscillation interruption permission flag in the memory unit 23 to OFF. Then, the CPU 21 terminates this process. Upon termination of this process, the seat control device 2 transitions from oscillation state A4 to comfort state A3.

[0090] <Oscillation interruption process> The oscillation interruption process executed by the CPU 21 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 8. The oscillation interruption process is executed when an oscillation interruption instruction is received, provided that the execution of the oscillation interruption process via interrupt is permitted (i.e., the oscillation interruption permission flag in the memory unit 23 is ON). An oscillation interruption instruction is an instruction by the seated person M to interrupt the oscillation process. As mentioned above, when the oscillation interruption process is executed (i.e., the oscillation process is interrupted), the oscillation control unit 25 stores the contents of the process that was being executed in the memory unit 23. Specifically, for example, if the oscillation process is interrupted while S303 is being executed, the oscillation control unit 25 stores information in the memory unit 23 indicating that S303 was being executed.

[0091] Furthermore, in emergencies (for example, if an impact to seat 1 is detected, or if there is a risk that the seated person M's body will be trapped in seat 1 due to the displacement of seat 1), CPU 21 may execute the swing interrupt process even without a swing interrupt instruction. In this case, CPU 21 may forcibly execute the swing interrupt process regardless of whether execution of the swing interrupt process via an interrupt is permitted. Furthermore, upon commencement of the oscillation interruption process, the seat control device 2 transitions from oscillation state A4 to oscillation interruption state A5.

[0092] In S401, the CPU 21 uses the function of the oscillation interruption unit 28 to stop the displacement of the oscillation unit 16 by the oscillation control unit 25. Specifically, the CPU 21 stops the displacement of the oscillation unit 16 by the oscillation control unit 25 by instructing the target speed instruction unit 26 to set the instruction speed to zero. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to S402.

[0093] In S402, the CPU 21 determines whether or not an adjustment instruction has been given. An adjustment instruction is an instruction from the seated person M to displace the adjustment unit 17. If the CPU 21 determines that an adjustment instruction has been given (S402: YES), it proceeds to S403. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that there is no adjustment instruction (S402: NO), it proceeds to S405.

[0094] In S403, the CPU 21 determines whether the oscillating part 16 is in the second position L2. If the CPU 21 determines that the oscillating part 16 is in the second position L2 (S403: YES), the process proceeds to S404. On the other hand, if the CPU 21 determines that the oscillating part 16 is not in the second position L2 (S403: NO), the process proceeds to S405.

[0095] In S404, the CPU 21 performs adjustment processing using the functions of the adjustment control unit 29. That is, the CPU 21 displaces the adjustment unit 17 by a predetermined amount in response to the adjustment instruction. Then, the CPU 21 proceeds to S405.

[0096] Furthermore, as soon as the adjustment control unit 29 starts displacing the adjustment unit 17, the seat control device 2 transitions from the oscillation interruption state A5 to the adjustment state A6. Then, when the displacement of the adjustment unit 17 by the adjustment control unit 29 is completed, the seat control device 2 transitions from the adjustment state A6 to the oscillation interruption state A5.

[0097] In S405, the CPU 21 determines whether or not a motion restart instruction has been received. A motion restart instruction is an instruction from the seated person M to restart the motion process. If the CPU 21 determines that a motion restart instruction has been received (S405: YES), it terminates this process. The CPU 21 then restarts the process that was being executed before the interruption in the motion process, based on the contents of the process before the interruption stored in the memory unit 23. Specifically, for example, if the memory unit 23 has information indicating that S303 was being executed, the CPU 21 restarts the posture displacement process from S303. On the other hand, if CPU21 determines that there is no instruction to restart the oscillation (S405:NO), it proceeds back to S402.

[0098] [4. Effects] According to the embodiment described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The seat control device 2 of this embodiment controls the posture of a vehicle seat 1 having a seat cushion 11 and a seat back 12.

[0099] The normal posture P1 is defined as the seat 1 with the seat back 12 upright, and the comfortable posture P2 is defined as the seat 1 with the seat cushion 11 and seat back 12 tilted further back than the normal posture P1. Furthermore, the displaceable part of the seat 1, which includes at least the seat cushion 11 and seat back 12, is defined as the displaceable part 15.

[0100] The seat control device 2 includes a displacement control unit 24, a displacement interruption unit 27, and an adjustment control unit 29 as functions performed by the seat control device 2. In S103 and S109, the displacement control unit 24 displaces the displacement unit 15 in response to instructions from the seated person M, thereby displacing the seat 1 to the normal position P1 and the comfortable position P2. In S201, the displacement interruption unit 27 interrupts the displacement of the displacement unit 15 by the displacement control unit 24. In S404, the adjustment control unit 29 adjusts the position of the seat 1 in response to instructions from the seated person M, by displacing the adjustment unit 17, which is at least a part of the displacement unit 15.

[0101] The seat control device 2 transitions its operating state between a normal state A1, a comfortable state A3, and an intermediate state A2, in response to the displacement of the seat 1's posture by the displacement control unit 24. The normal state A1 is the operating state when the seat 1 is in the normal posture P1. The comfortable state A3 is the operating state when the seat 1 is in the comfortable posture P2. The intermediate state A2 is the operating state when the seat 1 is in a posture that is in between the normal posture P1 and the comfortable posture P2.

[0102] The adjustment control unit 29 does not displace the adjustment unit 17 when the operating state of the seat control device 2 is in intermediate state A2. If the adjustment control unit 29 is configured to displace the adjustment unit 17 in response to instructions from the seated person M when the operating state of the seat control device 2 is in intermediate state A2, the following risks may occur. In this configuration, when the displacement of the displacement unit 15 by the displacement control unit 24 is interrupted by the displacement interruption unit 27, the adjustment unit 17 may be displaced so that the seat 1 returns to its normal position P1. In this case, since the seat appears to be in the normal position P1, the seated person M perceives that the seat control device 2 has transitioned to the normal state A1. On the other hand, since the displacement of the displacement unit 15 by the displacement control unit 24 remains interrupted, the actual operating state of the seat control device 2 remains in intermediate state A2. In other words, there is a risk of discrepancy between the operating state of the seat control device 2 as perceived by the seated person M based on the appearance of the seat 1, and the actual operating state of the seat control device 2. In such a case, the following risks may occur.

[0103] The vehicle's driving control system permits the vehicle to start if the seat control device 2 is in the normal state A1, and prohibits it if it is not in the normal state A1. In this case, the occupant M perceives that the seat control device 2 is in the normal state A1 because the seat 1 is outwardly in the normal position P1, and therefore believes that the vehicle can be started. On the other hand, the actual operating state of the seat control device 2 is in the intermediate state A2, so the driving control system prohibits the vehicle from starting. In other words, there is a risk that the occupant M may not be able to operate the vehicle as intended.

[0104] On the other hand, according to the seat control device 2 of this embodiment, the adjustment control unit 29 does not displace the adjustment unit 17 when the seat control device 2 is in an intermediate state A2. Therefore, when the seat control device 2 is in an intermediate state A2, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the adjustment unit 17 so that the seat 1 returns to its normal position P1. In other words, it is possible to suppress a discrepancy between the operating state of the seat control device 2 as perceived by the occupant M based on the appearance of the seat 1 and the actual operating state of the seat control device 2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress situations in which the occupant M is unable to operate the passenger car as intended.

[0105] (2) Furthermore, if the adjustment control unit 29 is configured to displace the adjustment unit 17 in response to instructions from the seated person M when the operating state of the seat control device 2 is in the intermediate state A2, the following risks may arise.

[0106] Suppose that when the displacement of the displacement unit 15 by the displacement control unit 24 is interrupted by the displacement interruption unit 27, the seated person M displaces the adjustment unit 17 by giving an adjustment instruction, and the posture of the seat 1 is adjusted to a posture different from the normal posture P1 (hereinafter referred to as the temporary posture). In this case, if the seat 1 continues to be used in the temporary posture, the seated person M may forget that the displacement of the displacement unit 15 by the displacement control unit 24 has been interrupted, and may mistakenly believe that the temporary posture is the posture of the seat 1 before the displacement of the displacement unit 15 by the displacement control unit 24. In such a case, if the seated person M gives a command to resume displacement and displaces the posture of the seat 1 to the comfortable posture P2, and then gives a return instruction, the seated person M may expect the posture of the seat 1 to return to the temporary posture. However, in reality, the posture of the seat 1 displaces to the normal posture P1, not the temporary posture. That is, when the seated person M gives a return instruction, there is a risk that the posture of the seat 1 cannot be returned to the posture intended by the seated person M.

[0107] On the other hand, according to the seat control device 2 of this embodiment, the adjustment control unit 29 does not displace the adjustment unit 17 when the operating state of the seat control device 2 is in intermediate state A2. Therefore, when the seat control device 2 is in intermediate state A2, it is possible to suppress the displacement of the adjustment unit 17 so that the posture of the seat 1 becomes the temporary posture described above. Consequently, when the seated person M issues a return command, it is possible to suppress the inability to return the posture of the seat 1 to the posture intended by the seated person M.

[0108] (3) The oscillating part 16 is a part of the seat 1 that includes at least the seat back 12 of the displacement part 15. The seat control device 2 of this embodiment includes a swing control unit 25 and a swing interruption unit 28 as functions performed by the seat control device 2. The swing control unit 25 alternately displaces the swing portion 16 of the seat 1 to a first side D1 and to a second side D2 opposite to the first side D1 in a predetermined direction. The swing interruption unit 28 interrupts the displacement of the swing portion 16 by the swing control unit 25.

[0109] The adjustment control unit 29 does not displace the adjustment unit 17 when the oscillation control unit 25 is displacing the oscillation unit 16, and when the displacement of the oscillation unit 16 by the oscillation control unit 25 is interrupted by the oscillation interruption unit 28, it displaces the adjustment unit 17 in response to instructions from the seated person M.

[0110] According to the seat control device 2 of this embodiment, when the displacement of the oscillating part 16 by the oscillating control device 25 is interrupted by the oscillating interruption device 28, the adjustment control device 29 displaces the adjustment part 17 in response to an instruction from the seated person M. Therefore, the seated person M can adjust the posture of the seat 1 to the desired posture by displacing the adjustment part 17, and then restart the oscillating of the oscillating part 16 by the oscillating control device 25. Thus, compared to the case where the adjustment control device 29 is configured not to displace the adjustment part 17 when the displacement of the oscillating part 16 by the oscillating control device 25 is interrupted by the oscillating interruption device 28, the comfort of the seated person M can be improved.

[0111] (4) The first side D1 is the side on which the seat back 12 tilts forward, and the second side D2 is the side on which the seat back 12 tilts backward. Furthermore, within the range of motion of the oscillating part 16 controlled by the oscillating control unit 25, the position closest to the first side D1 is defined as the first position L1, and the position closest to the second side D2 is defined as the second position L2.

[0112] In this embodiment, the seat control device 2, as a function of the position determination unit, determines whether or not the oscillating unit 16 is located at the second position L2. If the position determination unit determines that the oscillating unit 16 is not located at the second position L2, the adjustment control unit 29 does not displace the adjustment unit 17, even if the displacement of the oscillating unit 16 by the oscillating control unit 25 is interrupted by the oscillating interruption unit 28.

[0113] According to the seat control device 2 of this embodiment, the adjustment control unit 29 displaces the adjustment unit 17 in response to instructions from the seated person M when the oscillating unit 16 is in the second position L2, and does not displace the adjustment unit 17 when the oscillating unit 16 is not in the second position L2. Here, when the oscillating unit 16 is displaced to the second side D2, the seated person M's feet are displaced upward. Therefore, when the oscillating unit 16 is in the second position L2, the seated person M's feet are in the uppermost position (hereinafter referred to as the upper limit position of the feet) within the range of motion of the feet caused by the oscillating unit 16 (hereinafter referred to as the foot range of motion). As a result, the seated person M can intuitively recognize the upper limit position of the feet and adjust the position of their feet by displacing the adjustment unit 17. Therefore, even if, for example, an obstacle (such as an instrument panel) is installed above the feet of the seated person M, the seated person M can adjust the position of the adjustment unit 17 well so that their feet do not hit the obstacle at the upper limit of their feet after the rocking motion is resumed.

[0114] Furthermore, the seat control device 2 of this embodiment transitions its operating state between a swinging state A4 and a swing interruption state A5 in accordance with the displacement of the swinging part 16 by the swinging control unit 25. The swinging state A4 is the operating state when the swinging part 16 is being displaced by the swinging control unit 25. The swing interruption state A5 is the operating state when the displacement of the swinging part 16 by the swinging control unit 25 is being interrupted by the swing interruption unit 28. The adjustment control unit 29 does not displace the adjustment unit 17 when the swinging control unit 25 is displacing the swinging part 16 (i.e., when the seat control device 2 is in the swinging state A4). Also, the adjustment control unit 29 does not displace the adjustment unit 17 when the displacement of the swinging part 16 by the swinging control unit 25 is being interrupted by the swing interruption unit 28 (i.e., when the seat control device 2 is in the swing interruption state A5), unless the swinging part 16 is in the second position L2.

[0115] Therefore, when the seat control device 2 is in the swinging state A4 or the swing interruption state A5, the adjustment unit 17 is prevented from being displaced so that the seat 1 returns to the normal position P1. As a result, even though the seat control device 2 is in the swinging state A4 or the swing interruption state A5, the seat 1 appears to return to the normal position P1, which prevents the seat occupant M from perceiving that the seat control device 2 has transitioned to the normal state A1. In other words, a discrepancy can be prevented between the operating state of the seat control device 2 as perceived by the seat occupant M based on the appearance of the seat 1 and the actual operating state of the seat control device 2.

[0116] [5. Correspondence between wordings] In the above embodiment, S403 corresponds to an example of a position determination unit. [6. Other Embodiments] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can take various forms.

[0117] (1) In the above embodiment, when an instruction to interrupt the oscillation is given, the oscillation interruption process is immediately executed and the oscillation process is interrupted. That is, the oscillation interruption unit 28 interrupts the displacement of the oscillation unit 16 by the oscillation control unit 25, regardless of the position of the oscillation unit 16.

[0118] However, the oscillation interruption unit 28 is not limited to this, and may interrupt the displacement of the oscillation unit 16 by the oscillation control unit 25 when the oscillation unit 16 is in the second position L2. In other words, when an oscillation interruption instruction is given, the oscillation interruption unit 28 may continue the displacement of the oscillation unit 16 by the oscillation control unit 25 until the oscillation unit 16 reaches the second position L2, and then interrupt the displacement of the oscillation unit 16 by the oscillation control unit 25 when the oscillation unit 16 reaches the second position L2.

[0119] With this configuration, regardless of the timing of the seated person M's instruction to interrupt the swing, the swinging unit 16 remains in the second position L2 during the execution of the swing interruption process. Therefore, even if the adjustment control unit 29 is configured to displace the adjustment unit 17 only when the swinging unit 16 is in the second position L2, as in the above embodiment, the adjustment unit 17 can be displaced regardless of the timing of the seated person M's instruction to interrupt the swing. Thus, the convenience for the seated person M when displacing the adjustment unit 17 can be improved.

[0120] (2) In the above embodiment, the seat control device 2 comprises a displacement control unit 24 and a displacement interruption unit 27. However, the seat control device 2 is not limited to this and does not have to include a displacement control unit 24 and a displacement interruption unit 27. In this case, the oscillation control unit 25 may oscillate the oscillation unit 16 of the seat 1 which is in the normal position P1. Also, in the normal state A1, when the oscillation control unit 25 starts displacing the oscillation unit 16, the seat control device 2 may transition to the upright transition state A41. In the oscillation state A4, when the oscillation process is completed, the seat control device 2 may be displaced back to the normal state A1.

[0121] Even with this configuration, when the seat control device 2 is in the swinging state A4 or the swing interruption state A5, the adjustment unit 17 is prevented from being displaced so that the seat 1 returns to the normal position P1. Therefore, even though the seat control device 2 is in the swinging state A4 or the swing interruption state A5, the seat 1 appears to return to the normal position P1, which prevents the seat occupant M from perceiving that the seat control device 2 has transitioned to the normal state A1. In other words, it is possible to prevent a discrepancy between the operating state of the seat control device 2 as perceived by the seat occupant M based on the appearance of the seat 1, and the actual operating state of the seat control device 2.

[0122] (3) In the above embodiment, the adjustment unit 17 is the ottoman 13. However, the adjustment unit 17 may include parts of the displacement unit 15 other than the ottoman 13, either in place of or in addition to the ottoman 13. For example, the adjustment unit 17 may be the seat cushion 11, the seat back 12, and the ottoman 13. In this case, the adjustment control unit 29 may displace the adjustment unit 17 by operating the ottoman mechanism, the reclining mechanism, and the lifter mechanism of the displacement mechanism 14.

[0123] (4) In the above embodiment, the seat 1 is equipped with an ottoman 13. However, the seat 1 does not have to be equipped with an ottoman 13. In this case, the displacement part 15 may be the seat cushion 11 and the seat back 12, the swinging part 16 may be the seat cushion 11 and the seat back 12, and the adjustment part 17 may be the seat back 12. Alternatively, the swinging part 16 may be the seat back 12 alone. In this case, the swinging control unit 25 may displace the swinging part 16 by operating the reclining mechanism.

[0124] (5) In the above embodiment, the oscillation control unit 25 causes the oscillation unit 16 to oscillate to the first side D1 and the second side D2. In the above embodiment, the first side D1 is the side on which the seat back 12 tilts forward, and the second side D2 is the side on which the seat back 12 tilts backward. However, it is not limited to this, and the first side D1 may be, for example, the side on which the seat back 12 tilts to the right, and the second side D2 may be the side on which the seat back 12 tilts to the left.

[0125] (6) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiment may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Furthermore, some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be omitted. Furthermore, at least some of the configurations of the above embodiment may be added to or replaced with the configurations of other above embodiments.

[0126] 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]

[0127] 1...Seat, 2...Seat control device, 3...Input unit, 11...Seat cushion, 12...Seat back, 14...Displacement mechanism, 15...Displacement unit, 16...Oscillation unit, 17...Adjustment unit, 24...Displacement control unit, 25...Oscillation control unit, 27...Displacement interruption unit, 28...Oscillation interruption unit, 29...Adjustment control unit, 100...Seat control system, A1...Normal state, A2...Intermediate state, A3...Comfortable state, D1...First side, D2...Second side, M...Seatee, P1...Normal posture, P2...Comfortable posture.

Claims

1. A seat control device for controlling the posture of a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back, The seat with the seatback in an upright position is considered the normal position. The seat position in which the seat cushion and seat back are tilted further back than the normal position is defined as the comfortable position. A displaceable portion of the seat, including at least the seat cushion and the seat back, is defined as a displaceable part. A displacement control unit that, in response to instructions from the person seated in the seat, displaces the displacement unit to change the seat's posture to the normal posture and the comfortable posture, A displacement interruption unit that interrupts the displacement of the displacement unit by the displacement control unit, The system includes an adjustment control unit that adjusts the posture of the seat by displacing an adjustment unit, which is at least a part of the displacement unit, in response to instructions from the seated person, The seat control device controls the operating state of the seat control device in accordance with the displacement of the seat's posture by the displacement control unit. The normal state is the operating state when the seat is in the normal position, The comfortable state is the operating state when the seat is in the comfortable position, The seat is configured to transition between the normal position and an intermediate state, which is the operating state when the seat is in a transitional position between the normal position and the comfortable position. The adjustment control unit shall not displace the adjustment unit if the operating state of the seat control device is in the intermediate state. Seat control device.

2. A seat control device according to claim 1, In the aforementioned seat, at least the portion of the displacement portion that includes the seat back is used as a pivoting portion. A rocking control unit alternately performs the following actions: displacing the rocking part toward the first side in a predetermined direction until it reaches a predetermined first position, and displacing the rocking part toward the second side until it reaches a second position located toward the second side opposite to the first side in a predetermined direction from the first position. The system includes a rocking interruption unit that interrupts the displacement of the rocking unit by the rocking control unit, The adjustment control unit shall not displace the adjustment unit when the oscillation control unit is displacing the oscillation unit, and when the displacement of the oscillation unit by the oscillation control unit is interrupted by the oscillation interruption unit, it shall displace the adjustment unit in response to an instruction from the seated person. Seat control device.

3. A seat control device according to claim 2, The first side is the side on which the seat back tilts forward, The second side is the side on which the seat back tilts backward, The system includes a position determination unit that determines whether or not the oscillating part is located at the second position, If the position determination unit determines that the oscillating part is not in the second position, the adjustment control unit shall not displace the adjustment part, even if the displacement of the oscillating part by the oscillating control unit is interrupted by the oscillating interruption unit. Seat control device.

4. A seat control device for controlling the posture of a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back, The displaceable portion of the seat, including at least the seat cushion and the seat back, is defined as the displaceable portion. In the aforementioned seat, at least the portion of the displacement portion that includes the seat back is configured as a swinging portion. The side of the seatback that tilts forward is designated as the first side, and the side of the seatback that tilts backward is designated as the second side. A rocking control unit alternately performs the following actions: displacing the rocking part toward the first side until it reaches a predetermined first position, and displacing the rocking part toward the second side until it reaches a predetermined second position located toward the second side of the first position. A rocking interruption unit that interrupts the displacement of the rocking part by the rocking control unit, A position determination unit that determines whether the oscillating part is located at the second position, The system includes an adjustment control unit that adjusts the posture of the seat by displacing an adjustment unit, which is at least a part of the displacement unit, in response to instructions from the person sitting in the seat, The adjustment control unit, When the oscillation control unit is displacing the oscillation unit, the adjustment unit is not displaced. If the displacement of the oscillating part by the oscillating control unit is interrupted by the oscillating interruption unit, and the position determination unit determines that the oscillating part is in the second position, then the adjustment unit is displaced in response to the instruction from the seated person. If the position determination unit determines that the oscillating part is not in the second position, the adjustment control unit shall not displace the adjustment part, even if the displacement of the oscillating part by the oscillating control unit is interrupted by the oscillating interruption unit. Seat control device.

5. A seat control device according to claim 3 or claim 4, The oscillation interruption unit interrupts the displacement of the oscillation unit by the oscillation control unit when the oscillation unit is in the second position. Seat control device.

6. A seat control system comprising: a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back; a displacement mechanism that can be operated to displace the posture of the seat; and a seat control device that controls the posture of the seat by operating the displacement mechanism, The seat with the seatback in an upright position is considered the normal position. The seat position in which the seat cushion and seat back are tilted further back than the normal position is defined as the comfortable position. A displaceable portion of the seat, including at least the seat cushion and the seat back, is defined as a displaceable part. The aforementioned seat control device is A displacement control unit that, in response to instructions from the person seated in the seat, displaces the displacement unit to change the seat's posture to the normal posture and the comfortable posture, A displacement interruption unit that interrupts the displacement of the displacement unit by the displacement control unit, The system includes an adjustment control unit that adjusts the posture of the seat by displacing an adjustment unit, which is at least a part of the displacement unit, in response to instructions from the seated person, The seat control device controls the operating state of the seat control device in accordance with the displacement of the seat's posture by the displacement control unit. The normal state is the operating state when the seat is in the normal position, The comfortable state is the operating state when the seat is in the comfortable position, The seat is configured to transition between the normal position and an intermediate state, which is the operating state when the seat is in a transitional position between the normal position and the comfortable position. The adjustment control unit shall not displace the adjustment unit if the operating state of the seat control device is in the intermediate state. Seat control system.

7. A seat control method performed by a seat control device that controls the posture of a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back, The seat with the seatback in an upright position is considered the normal position. The seat position in which the seat cushion and seat back are tilted further back than the normal position is defined as the comfortable position. A displaceable portion of the seat, including at least the seat cushion and the seat back, is defined as a displaceable part. In response to instructions from the person seated in the seat, the displacement part is displaced to change the seat's posture to the normal posture and the comfortable posture. Interrupting the displacement of the aforementioned displacement part, The system includes adjusting the posture of the seat by displacing an adjustment part, which is at least a part of the displacement part, in response to instructions from the seated person, The seat control device controls the operating state of the seat control device in accordance with the displacement of the seat's posture due to the displacement of the displacement part. The normal state is the operating state when the seat is in the normal position, The comfortable state is the operating state when the seat is in the comfortable position, The seat's posture is transitioned to an intermediate state, which is an operating state when the seat is in a position between the normal posture and the comfortable posture. If the operating state of the seat control device is the intermediate state, the adjustment unit is not displaced. Seat control method.

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