Posture determination device

Abstract

To provide a posture determination device that determines a posture of a seated person and urges the seated person to take a normal posture according to the determined posture.SOLUTION: A posture determination device 10 having a seating part S2 and a backrest S1 includes: pressure sensors 4 provided to the seating part and the backrest for measuring the pressure received from a seated person; a storage unit 52 for storing posture information 55 indicating relationships between a measurement value of the pressure received from the seated person and a posture pattern of the seated person; and a control unit for comparing a result of the measurement by the pressure sensors with the posture information 55 stored in the storage unit, determining the posture pattern of the seated person, and detecting the hardness of the hamstring muscle of the seated person based on the determined posture pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a posture determination device that determines the posture of a seated occupant, and more particularly to a posture determination device that determines the posture of an occupant while seated and encourages the occupant to maintain correct posture. [Background technology]

[0002] Technologies have been developed that actively correct the posture and skeletal distortion of a person by, for example, pressing various parts of the person's body while the person is performing daily activities. For example, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when a person sits in a vehicle seat equipped with an air cell inside, the physique of the occupant is determined and the expansion pressure of the air cell is adjusted to actively correct the seated posture of the occupant. This makes it possible to reduce the physical and psychological fatigue of the occupant while sitting in the seat. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-104865 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] By the way, when sitting, people are often not aware of their posture, and may be sitting with a hunched back, for example. In order to correct the posture, it is preferable to measure the posture of the seated person and, for example, to warn the seated person about the health condition based on the posture judgment result so as to encourage the seated person to adopt a normal posture.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a posture judgment device that can judge the posture of a seated occupant and encourage the seated occupant to adopt a normal posture based on the judged posture. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The above-mentioned problem is solved by the posture determination device of the present invention, which has a seating section and a backrest. ,before The seat backrest is provided with a measuring instrument for measuring an index value relating to a posture pattern of the seated occupant, a memory unit for storing posture information indicating a relationship between the measurement value measured by the measuring instrument and the posture pattern of the seated occupant, a control unit for calculating a sitting lumbar curvature of the seated occupant based on the measurement result of the measuring instrument, air cells provided on the seating portion and the backrest for kneading or pressing the back, buttocks and legs of the seated occupant, and actuators for adjusting the inflation state of the air cells, wherein the control unit determines the posture pattern of the seated occupant from the measurement value, and the control unit controls the actuator to adjust the inflation state of the air cells based on the posture pattern of the seated occupant. When the control unit determines that the posture pattern of the seated person is a hunched back, the control unit causes the actuator to adjust the inflated state of the air cell to knead the buttocks or legs of the seated person. This is solved by:

[0008] In the above posture determination device, When the control unit determines that the posture pattern of the seated occupant has a tendency to bend over, the control unit causes the actuator to adjust the inflated state of the air cell to press against the shoulders of the seated occupant. good 。

[0009] In the above posture determination device, The expansion of the air cells is adjusted to fix the pelvis of the seated person, and then the seated person is kneaded or pressed. good 。

[0010] In the above posture determination device, A frame for supporting the air cell is provided. good. In the above-described posture determination device, the actuator may include a heater, and when adjusting the inflation of the air cell, the actuator may send air heated by the heater to the air cell. In the above posture determination device, the actuator may vibrate the air cell when kneading. In addition, in the above-mentioned posture determination device, the actuator and the measuring instrument measure the posture changes of the seated occupant in real time, and the control unit predicts the fatigue state of the occupant based on the posture changes and operates the air cell. Effect of the Invention

[0011] By comparing the results measured by the pressure sensor with posture information, it is possible to determine the posture pattern of the seated person, and ultimately to encourage the seated person to adopt a certain posture pattern. Also, by detecting the stiffness of the hamstring muscles, it is possible to obtain information such as the risk of lower back pain. In addition, a pressing mechanism is provided that presses against the back, buttocks and legs of the seated person, and the control unit controls the pressing mechanism based on the posture pattern, making it possible to correct the posture of the seated person according to the posture pattern. By kneading the hamstring muscles with the pressing mechanism, the amount of curvature of the lumbar vertebrae is improved, and for example, a hunched posture pattern can be corrected to an optimal posture pattern. In addition, by determining the risk of back pain for the seated person and displaying a warning screen on the display unit, it is possible to inform the seated person of the risk of back pain and encourage them to adopt an appropriate posture pattern. In addition, by automatically notifying a regular medical institution that there is a high risk of back pain, it will be possible to take appropriate measures before back pain actually develops. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle seat equipped with a posture determination device of the present invention; [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 shows a posture pattern that is an ideal spinal state. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing posture patterns that are the state of the spine that tends to hunch over. [Figure 2C] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing posture patterns that are a state of the spine that tends to arch. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a posture determination device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between a seat occupant and a vehicle seat. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process performed by the posture determination device. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a process for determining a posture pattern. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a process for determining a risk of lower back pain. [Figure 8] 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of lumbar curvature in a sitting position and the pelvic angle in a sitting position. [Figure 9A] FIG. 13 illustrates a warning screen. [Figure 9B] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a warning screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 9B. In the following description, the front-rear direction refers to the front-rear direction of the vehicle, i.e., the direction that coincides with the traveling direction of the vehicle, and the left-right direction refers to the direction that coincides with the width direction of the vehicle and the vehicle seat.

[0014] A posture determination device 10 according to this embodiment is mounted on a seat (hereinafter, referred to as a vehicle seat) S provided in a vehicle, as shown in Fig. 1. The vehicle seat S on which the posture determination device 10 is mounted may be any one of a driver's seat, a passenger seat, and a rear seat. The posture determination device 10 presses the back of the seated person seated on the vehicle seat S to actively determine the posture pattern of the person. Here, the posture pattern is an index related to the posture of the seated person, and in this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 2A to 2C, the posture pattern is obtained based on the state of the arc shape BL formed by each region of the skeleton, the shoulders BN1, the waist BN2, and the sacrum BN3. Fig. 2A shows a posture pattern in an ideal spine state, in which the arc shape BL is formed in a gentle S-shape. Fig. 2B shows a posture pattern in a spine state with a tendency to hunchback, in which the arc shape BL is not formed in an S-shape, and the back is rounded. Fig. 2C shows a posture pattern in a spine state with a tendency to arch the back, in which the arc shape BL is formed in a large S-shape.

[0015] The basic configuration of the vehicle seat S on which the posture determination device 10 is mounted is similar to that of a known configuration. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle seat S includes a seat back S1 (an example of a backrest) that supports the back of the seated person, a seat cushion S2 (an example of a seating part) that supports the buttocks, and a headrest S3 that supports the head. The headrest S3 is supported by a pair of headrest pillars HP (not shown) attached to the upper end of the seat back S1, and the headrest S3 may be fixed to the seat back S1 or may be movable in the up and down direction.

[0016] The seat back S1 has a back pad BP (not shown) that contacts the back of the seated occupant via a skin material. The seat back S1 further includes a back pressure unit 11 of the posture determination device 10 between the back pad BP and the skin material. The back pressure unit 11 is composed of a plurality of air cells 1, and includes a first back pressure mechanism 11a for pressing the shoulders BN1 of the seated person, a second back pressure mechanism 11b for pressing the lower back BN2 and the sacrum BN3, and a third back pressure mechanism 11c for pressing the sides of the back. Each of the first back pressure mechanism 11a, the second back pressure mechanism 11b, and the third back pressure mechanism 11c is provided with a pressure sensor 4. The back pressure unit 11 includes an actuator 3 for adjusting the inflated state of each air cell 1. The first back pressure mechanism 11a, the second back pressure mechanism 11b, and the third back pressure mechanism 11d are held by a holding frame (not shown).

[0017] The seat cushion S2 has a cushion pad CP (not shown) that contacts the buttocks and legs of a seated person via a skin material. The seat cushion S2 further includes a leg-side pressing unit 12 of the posture determination device 10 between the cushion pad CP and the skin material. The leg-side pressing unit 12 includes a first leg-side pressing mechanism 12a that presses the buttocks, a second leg-side pressing mechanism 12b that presses the legs, and a third leg-side pressing mechanism 12c that presses the sides of the buttocks. The first leg-side pressing mechanism 12a, the second leg-side pressing mechanism 12b, and the third leg-side pressing mechanism 12c are provided with pressure sensors 4. The leg-side pressing unit 12 also includes an actuator 3 that adjusts the inflation state of the air cell 1 of each pressing mechanism. The first leg-side pressing mechanism 12a to the third leg-side pressing mechanism 12c are held by a holding frame (not shown).

[0018] When each air cell 1 is inflated with air sealed therein, it pushes out the back pad BP located in front of it and presses against the back of the seated occupant, thereby applying a pressing force to the back of the seated occupant.

[0019] In this embodiment, the air cells 1 are disposed on the front side of the back pad BP and on the upper side of the cushion pad CP. In this case, the air cells 1 press against the back side of the seated person via the covering material, so that the air cells 1 have good responsiveness (response sensitivity) to pressure. The air cells 1 may be disposed on the rear side of the back pad BP or on the lower side of the cushion pad CP.

[0020] The actuator 3 adjusts the inflated state of each air cell 1 to switch the pressing state of the first back side pressing mechanism 11a to the third back side pressing mechanism 11c and the first leg side pressing mechanism 12a to the third leg side pressing mechanism 12c. To be more specific, the actuator 3 is connected to each air cell 1 via a tube (not shown) and fills air into each air cell 1 and releases air from each air cell 1. This switches the pressing state when the first back side pressing mechanism to the third back side pressing mechanism 11c and the first leg side pressing mechanism 12a to the third leg side pressing mechanism 12c press the back of the seated person. Here, the pressing state is a general concept that refers to the pressing direction, the pressing location, the magnitude of the pressing force, and the like.

[0021] In this embodiment, the actuator 3 is attached to a predetermined position of the back frame, for example, on the rear side of the seat back S1 as shown in FIG.

[0022] Furthermore, the actuator 3 according to this embodiment is capable of adjusting the inflation state of each of the air cells 1 constituting the first back side pressing mechanism 11a to the third back side pressing mechanism 11c and the first leg side pressing mechanism 12a to the third leg side pressing mechanism 12c separately.

[0023] The air cells 1 constituting each of the first back pressure mechanism 11a to the third back pressure mechanism 11c may be fixed to the movable plate MP. When the air cells 1 are fixed to the movable plate MP, a movable rail MR extending along the height direction of the seat back S1 is attached to the rear surface of the movable plate MP. This movable rail MR is attached in a state in which it can move relative to the fixed rail FR fixed to the front surface of the support plate PL. Furthermore, a drive unit Gm that operates to move the movable rail MR is provided between the movable rail MR and the fixed rail FR. This drive unit Gm is a drive roller controlled by the above-mentioned ECU, and by rotating, the movable rail MR moves relative to the fixed rail FR. All of the first back pressure mechanism 11a to the third back pressure mechanism 11c may be fixed to one movable plate MP, or a movable plate MP may be provided individually for each of the first back pressure mechanism 11a to the third back pressure mechanism 11c. With this configuration, it becomes possible to move the first back side pressing mechanism 11a to the third back side pressing mechanism 11c independently of each other.

[0024] The air cells 1 constituting each of the first leg side pressing mechanism 12a to the third leg side pressing mechanism 12c are also fixed to a movable plate MP (not shown). A movable rail MR extending along the horizontal direction of the seat cushion S2 is attached to the rear surface of the movable plate MP. The movable rail MR is attached in a state in which it can move relatively to a fixed rail FR fixed to the front surface of the support plate PL. Furthermore, a drive unit Gm that operates to move the movable rail MR is provided between the movable rail MR and the fixed rail FR. The drive unit Gm is a drive roller controlled by the above-mentioned ECU, and by rotating, the movable rail MR moves relative to the fixed rail FR.

[0025] With the above-mentioned configuration, the posture determination device 10 can change the positions of the first back pressure mechanism 11a to the third back pressure mechanism 11c and the first leg pressure mechanism 12a to the third leg pressure mechanism 12c according to the build of the occupant M seated in the vehicle seat S. As a result, it is possible to correct the posture pattern of the seated occupant regardless of the height.

[0026] As described above, in this embodiment, the pressure state when pressing each area on the back side of the seated person can be adjusted individually by each air cell 1. Also, the pressure state when pressing the areas on the legs and buttocks side of the seated person can be adjusted by the air cell 1. Therefore, it becomes possible to massage the hamstring muscles H and gluteal muscles D of the seated person M as shown in FIG. 4. The hamstring muscles are the muscles that make up the posterior surface of the human lower leg, and are a combination of three muscles on the posterior surface of the thigh: the biceps femoris, the semimembranosus, and the semitendinosus.

[0027] In this embodiment, the actuator 3 automatically controls the filling and discharging of air by an electronic control unit (hereinafter, ECU) (not shown). More specifically, the vehicle seat S is equipped with a measuring device that measures an index value related to the skeleton when the seated person M sits on the vehicle seat S. Here, the index value related to the skeleton is a value that changes according to the bending state of the skeleton of the seated person M, specifically, the curvature of each part of the spine. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a pressure sensor 4 is attached to each air cell 1 as a measuring device. The pressure sensor 4 measures the seat pressure balance, weight, sitting pelvic angle, etc., which are examples of the above-mentioned index values. The measurement result of the pressure sensor 4 is transmitted to the ECU, and the ECU calculates the sitting lumbar curvature amount of the seated person M based on the measurement result of the pressure sensor 4.

[0028] After calculating the amount of lumbar curvature of the seated person, the ECU determines the posture pattern of the seated person. Specifically, the ECU determines whether the posture of the seated person corresponds to any one of the posture patterns shown in Fig. 2A to Fig. 2C based on the measured sitting pelvic angle α.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 3, the ECU 50 includes a controller 51 (controller) for controlling various devices, and a memory 52 (storage unit) for storing data. The memory 52 stores posture information 55 indicating the relationship between the measured value of the pressure received from the seated occupant M and the posture pattern of the seated occupant. The posture information 55 records threshold values ​​T1 to T3 of the sitting position pelvis angle α (see Fig. 4, the angle between the pelvis A and a vertical plane B relative to the direction C in which the seat back S1 extends) according to the body weight, etc., in order to determine whether the occupant has a tendency to hunchback or arched back. The posture determination device 10 may also include a display unit 53 for displaying the result of the determination made by the ECU 50. The posture determination device 10 may also include a communication unit 54 for transmitting the result of the determination to the outside.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 5, the controller 51 first measures the pressure received from the pressure sensor 4 to determine whether or not a seated person M, for example, a driver, is seated (S101). The controller 51 acquires the seating pressure and weight of the seated person M (S102), calculates the sitting position pelvic angle α (see Fig. 4), and compares it with the posture information 55 stored in the memory 52 to determine the posture pattern of the seated person M (S103). In addition, the controller 51 detects the stiffness of the hamstring muscles of the seated person M based on the determined posture pattern of the seated person M (S104).

[0031] The process of determining the posture pattern will be described with reference to the flow shown in FIG. 6 and the graph shown in FIG. 8 showing the relationship between the amount of lumbar curvature in a sitting position and the pelvic angle in a sitting position.

[0032] FIG. 8 will now be described. The sitting lumbar curvature amount and posture pattern are related to each other, and when the sitting lumbar curvature amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value, for example, 5 mm or less, it can be determined that there is a tendency to hunchback (range A). Furthermore, when the sitting lumbar curvature amount is equal to or less than 0 mm, it can be determined that there is a high risk of back pain (range D). Furthermore, when the sitting lumbar curvature amount is equal to or more than 10 mm, it can be determined that there is a tendency to arch the back (range C). When the sitting lumbar curvature amount is within the range of 5 to 10 mm, the posture pattern is determined to be ideal. Note that the threshold value of the sitting lumbar curvature amount is an example, and varies depending on the weight, height, etc. of the person sitting.

[0033] The sitting lumbar curvature amount and the sitting pelvic angle are correlated as shown in Fig. 8, and the sitting lumbar curvature amount can be estimated from the sitting pelvic angle. The sitting pelvic angle can be measured by the pressure sensor 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, the posture pattern is determined by the sitting pelvic angle α.

[0034] When judging the posture pattern, the sitting pelvic angle α is compared with a threshold value T1 (about 10°) recorded in the posture information 55 (S201). If the sitting pelvic angle α is equal to or less than the threshold value T1 (No in S201), it is judged that there is no tendency for the back to arch, and then it is compared with a threshold value T2 (about 5°) (S202). If the sitting pelvic angle α is higher than the threshold value T2, it is judged that the sitting pelvic angle α is within the range B of the ideal posture, and the sitting lumbar curvature amount is normal.

[0035] If the sitting pelvis angle α is greater than the threshold T1 (Yes in S201), the posture pattern is determined to have a tendency toward a curvature of the back (S204). At this time, the ECU 50 drives the actuator 3 to correct the posture by pressing the back of the seated person M using the first back pressing mechanism 11a to the third back pressing mechanism 11c of the back pressing unit 11.

[0036] If the sitting pelvis angle α is smaller than the threshold T2 (Yes in S202), the posture pattern is determined to have a tendency to hunchback (S206). Note that there is a relationship between the stiffness of the hamstring muscles and a hunchback posture. When the hamstring muscles are stiff, that is, when the hamstring muscles cannot be stretched, the pelvis is pulled and tilts backward. This makes it easy to have a tendency to hunchback. Therefore, if the posture pattern is determined to have a tendency to hunchback in S206, the gluteus maximus and hamstring muscles are kneaded using the leg side pressing unit 12, particularly the first leg side pressing mechanism 12a (S207). By kneading the hamstring muscles, the hamstring muscles become soft and easy to stretch, and the pelvis moves forward. Therefore, the hunchback posture of the seated person can be corrected. After the posture is corrected by moving the pressing mechanism for a while in S205 and S207, the process of determining the posture pattern may be terminated. Also, the sitting position pelvic angle α may be compared with the posture information 55 again, and this may be repeated until the posture pattern becomes ideal.

[0037] Next, the process of determining the risk of lower back pain will be described. In the posture pattern, if the person has a tendency to hunchback and the amount of lower back pain caused by sitting is quite low, it can be determined that the risk of lower back pain is high. For example, if the amount of lower back pain caused by sitting is 0 mm or less (sitting pelvis angle is T3 or less), it can be estimated that the person has an extremely hunchback. In the posture determination device 10 of this embodiment, if the posture pattern is determined to be a tendency to hunchback and the sitting pelvis angle is lower than the threshold T3 (Yes in S303), it is determined that the person has an extremely hunchback and the risk of lower back pain is high (S306). In this case, a warning screen is displayed on the display unit 53 (S308). Furthermore, if the memory 52 contains contact information for cases where the risk of lower back pain is high, such as the email address or server information of a regular hospital, the contact information may be sent via the communication unit 54 to indicate that the risk of lower back pain is high, which is the result of the determination by the ECU 50. In addition, even if it is determined in S303 that the posture pattern is hunched but the sitting pelvic angle is higher than the threshold value T3 and the risk of back pain is low (S304), a warning screen may be displayed on the display to inform the user that the posture pattern is hunched but the risk of back pain is low (S305).

[0038] As described above, the posture determination device 10 includes a display unit 53 that displays the results determined by the ECU 50. The display unit 53 is, for example, a display mounted on the vehicle or a smartphone used by the seated person. The ECU 50 and the display / smartphone may be directly connected by a cable or the like, or may be wirelessly connected by wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. The display unit 53 displays a warning screen 60 that shows the posture pattern determined by the ECU 50, the risk of lower back pain, and the like, as shown in FIG. 9A, for example.

[0039] In the display unit 53, as a warning screen 60, an illustration 61 showing one of the posture patterns and text information (e.g., "slouching") are simultaneously displayed as shown in FIG. 9A so that the result of the judgment can be easily understood by the seated person M. Also, as shown in FIG. 9A, if it is judged that the person has a tendency to slouching, future risks associated with the slouching posture are displayed in a message display unit 62 on the screen. For example, a warning message such as "Pay attention to stiff shoulders, lower back pain, and gastrointestinal disorders caused by pressure on internal organs" is displayed in the message display unit 62 as a future risk (danger level) due to slouching. Also, information on the cause of the slouching posture may be displayed in the message display unit 62. For example, "Your pelvis is tilted backwards," "Your muscles are out of balance," and the like are displayed. Also, a message encouraging an ideal posture may be displayed in the message display unit 62 on the screen. For example, a message such as "By being conscious of your back muscles and pectoral muscles and raising your pelvis, your muscles will be trained and you will be able to maintain an ideal posture" is displayed. Also, an illustration of an ideal posture may be displayed separately together with the illustration of the slouching posture.

[0040] FIG. 9B shows another example of a warning screen displayed on the display unit 53. In the warning screen 60a, an illustration 61a of the current posture pattern is shown in the "Before" column, and an illustration 61b of the ideal posture pattern after the posture is corrected is shown in the "After" column. The change in posture is visualized to encourage improvement of posture. At that time, the warning screen 60a may display that the amount of lumbar curvature is corrected and the spine-pelvis angle becomes normal by pressing the lower back with the pressing device and softening the hamstring muscles with the pressing device of the seat. In addition, the message display section 62a of the screen displays a message encouraging the ideal posture, such as "By paying attention to the back muscles and pectoral muscles and raising the pelvis, the muscles will be trained and the ideal posture can be maintained."

[0041] If the risk of lower back pain is judged to be high, when the result of the judgment of the risk of lower back pain is displayed on the display, the ECU 50 may automatically search for nearby hospitals, etc., and show the result on the display to the seated person, and introduce the hospital to them. This saves the driver the trouble of searching for a hospital, and in the case of an emergency, for example, if a passenger develops lower back pain, the driver can immediately take the passenger to the introduced hospital.

[0042] Then, after determining the posture pattern of the seated occupant M, the ECU 50 controls the actuator 3 to adjust the inflation state of the air cells 1 according to the posture pattern of the seated occupant. For example, if the posture pattern is determined to be hunched, the air cells 1 arranged on the seat surface are adjusted to massage the hamstrings / gluteus muscles of the seated occupant and increase the amount of change in the amount of lumbar curvature. If the posture pattern is determined to be a tendency to arch the back (arched lower back), the air cells 1 arranged on the seat back S1 are controlled by the actuator 3 to press the shoulders and reduce the amount of lumbar curvature.

[0043] In this way, by using the posture determination device 10 of this embodiment, the posture of the seated occupant can be determined and the seated occupant can be encouraged to maintain a normal posture according to the determined posture. Furthermore, the air cells 1 provided in the seat cushion S2 and the seat back S1 can encourage the seated occupant to improve their posture.

[0044] In addition, the measuring instrument for measuring the index value related to the posture pattern is not limited to the pressure sensor 4, and other measuring instruments may be used as long as they are capable of measuring the index value related to the posture pattern. For example, a shape sensor that measures the curvature of each part of the skeleton may be used.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when a collision load is applied from the rear of the vehicle while the seated occupant is seated in the vehicle seat S, the actuator 3 is configured to release air from all the air cells 1 at once. More specifically, when the above-mentioned ECU detects that a collision load from the rear has acted on the vehicle, the actuator 3 is controlled to release air from each air cell 1. As a result, when a load is applied to the vehicle from the rear, the body of the seated occupant can slip behind the vehicle seat S, making it possible to ensure the safety of the seated occupant in the event of a rear collision.

[0046] In this embodiment, when the ECU 50 detects that a collision load has been applied from the rear of the vehicle, the actuator 3 releases air from each air cell 1 in response to a command from the ECU 50. However, the configuration may also be such that the air is mechanically released from the air cell 1 when a collision load is applied from the rear of the vehicle.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the posture determination device 10 of the present invention has been mainly described. However, the above embodiment is for facilitating understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof.

[0048] The vehicle seat S may be linked to the body of the vehicle it is mounted in. For example, when the vehicle suddenly starts or brakes, the side supports or thigh supports may be moved to suppress slippage of the seat back.

[0049] The third leg side pressing mechanism 12c may fix and knead the pelvis of the seated person M to enhance the effect of improving posture. At this time, the position and pressure of the pressing mechanism are automatically adjusted according to the difference in physique and individual differences.

[0050] In order for the first leg-side pressing mechanism 12a to exert an optimum pressure for pressing the gluteus maximus and hamstring muscles of the seated person M, a frame for supporting the pressing mechanism may be provided on the seat surface.

[0051] In addition, when the seated person M is seated, the posture determination device 10 may inflate the first leg side pressing mechanism 12a to the third leg side pressing mechanism 12c of the leg side pressing unit 12 to support the pelvis and prevent the buttocks from slipping out, thereby holding the seated person in the correct position.

[0052] The actuator may be equipped with a heater, and when kneading the seated occupant M, the heater may heat the air and send the heated air to the air cell 1. Also, the actuator may be equipped with an air cooler, and the air may be cooled by the air cooler and the cold air may be sent to the air cell 1. By adjusting the temperature of the air cell 1, the seated occupant can be kneaded comfortably.

[0053] In addition, when inflating the air cells, temperature-adjusted gel or liquid may be delivered in addition to air. The use of gel or liquid increases the heat storage effect, making it possible to maintain the desired temperature for a longer period of time.

[0054] The kneading effect may be enhanced by vibrating the air cells 1 provided in the back side pressing unit 11 and the leg side pressing unit 12. Also, the kneading effect may be enhanced by providing a heater in the vehicle seat S and warming the body of the seated person M in advance with the heater.

[0055] In addition, the range of motion of the lumbar spine may be increased and the posture improvement effect may be enhanced by kneading not only the back and hamstring muscles of the seated person M but also the lumbar spine. For example, by stretching the lumbar spine, the range of motion of the intervertebral discs is increased by the stretching effect, and the posture improvement effect is enhanced.

[0056] The vehicle seat S may also be linked to an automatic braking system installed in the vehicle body. For example, the third back pressure mechanism 11c (side support) and the second leg pressure mechanism 12b (thigh support) are moved during sudden acceleration and braking to prevent the seated person's buttocks from slipping out of place. For example, when the automatic brake is applied, the posture determination device 10 of the vehicle seat S, i.e., the massage device and posture correction device, may be controlled to automatically stop.

[0057] Also, the change in the posture of the seated person may be measured in real time, and the fatigue state of the seated person may be predicted based on the change in posture, and the massaging air cells (leg-side pressing units 12) may be operated to perform a massage. For example, even if the posture is normal at the beginning of driving, the person may develop a hunched back as the driving continues. By reading this change, the gluteus maximus and hamstring muscles may be massaged and softened before the person develops a hunched back, allowing the person to achieve the correct posture.

[0058] Also, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a posture determination device is mounted on a vehicle seat S. However, the posture determination device of the present invention can also be mounted on seats other than the vehicle seat S, for example, medical beds, office chairs, benches in waiting rooms, airplane seats, train seats, ship seats, bus and taxi driver seats, dental chairs, home sofas, and seats (seats) installed in commercial facilities such as movie theaters and public facilities such as hospitals.

[0059] In addition, a seat cover-type mat with an internal pressure sensor may be installed on an existing vehicle seat S as a retrofit, so that posture can be detected and the flexibility of the hamstring muscles can be determined. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] M. Seat H Hamstrings D gluteus maximus BN1 Shoulder BN2 waist BN3 Sacrum BL Arc Shape S Vehicle seat S1 Seat Back S2 Seat Cushion S3 Headrest 1 Air Cell 3 Actuator 4 Pressure Sensor 10 Posture determination device 11 Back pressure unit 11a First back pressure mechanism 11b Second back pressure mechanism 11c Third back pressure mechanism 12 Leg side pressure unit 12a First leg side pressing mechanism 12b Second leg side pressing mechanism 12c Third leg pressure mechanism 50 ECU 51 Control section 52 Storage section 53 Display section 54 Communications Department 55 Posture information 60, 60a Warning screen 61, 61a, 62b Illustrations 62, 62a Message display section

Claims

1. A posture determination device having a seat and a backrest, A measuring device provided on the backrest for measuring an index value related to a posture pattern of a seated occupant; a storage unit that stores posture information indicating a relationship between the measurement value measured by the measuring device and the posture pattern of the seated occupant; A control unit that calculates a sitting lumbar curvature amount of the seated occupant based on the measurement result of the measuring device; and Air cells provided in the seating portion and the backrest for kneading or pressing the back, buttocks and legs of the seated person; an actuator for adjusting the inflation state of the air cell; The control unit determines the posture pattern of the seated occupant from the measurement value, The control unit controls the actuator to adjust the inflation state of the air cell based on the posture pattern of the seated occupant, A posture determination device characterized in that, when the control unit determines that the posture pattern of the seated occupant is hunched, it causes the actuator to adjust the inflation state of the air cell to knead the buttocks or legs of the seated occupant.

2. The posture determination device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the control unit determines that the posture pattern of the seated occupant has a tendency to bend over, the control unit causes the actuator to adjust the inflation state of the air cell to press against the shoulders of the seated occupant.

3. 3. The posture determining device according to claim 1, wherein the air cells are adjusted in size to fix the pelvis of the seated occupant, and then the seated occupant is kneaded or pressed.

4. The attitude determination device according to claim 1 , further comprising a frame for supporting the air cell.

5. the actuator comprises a heater; 5. The attitude determination device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator supplies air heated by the heater to the air cell when adjusting the expansion of the air cell.

6. The posture determination device according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator vibrates the air cell when kneading.

7. The measuring instrument measures a change in the posture of the seated occupant in real time, 7. The posture determination device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit predicts a fatigue state of the seated occupant based on the change in posture and activates the air cell.

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