Sensor unit

Abstract

To provide a sensor unit easy to attach to and detach from a seat for a person to take, and a seat with the sensor unit.SOLUTION: A sensor unit 30 comprises: a sensor module 31 including a biological sensor for detecting a biological signal of a seated person and a wireless communication unit connected to the biological sensor to wirelessly transmit the detected biological signal to the outside; and a sensor holding body 32 for holding the sensor module 31. The sensor holding body 32 has a seat attachment part to detachably attached to an attached part provided at a position on the surface of a seat cushion 1, the seated person being capable of being in contact with the position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor unit and a seat with a sensor unit, and particularly to a sensor unit attached to a seat for a person to sit on and a seat with a sensor unit.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, vehicle seats having a function of measuring the biological information of a driver during vehicle operation are known. For example, a seat having a function of measuring the heartbeat of a driver using a biological sensor that detects the bioelectric potential of the driver and quickly notifying the driver when an abnormality occurs in the change of the heartbeat is known (specifically, see Patent Document 1). Also, a seat having a function of estimating the physical state of a driver using a biological sensor that detects the sitting posture of the driver, controlling the seat movement of the seat according to the estimation result, and recovering the driver from a fatigued state is known (specifically, see Patent Document 2).

[0003] In the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of capacitance-coupled sheet-like sensors are arranged between a cushion pad and a trim cover that constitute a seat back, and it is disclosed that the heartbeat of a seated person is measured based on the bioelectric signal of the seated person detected by the sheet-like sensor. At this time, the plurality of sheet-like sensors are fixed by being attached to the cushion pad with an adhesive or the like. Also, in the seat control device described in Patent Document 2, a plurality of piezoelectric elements as body pressure distribution sensors are fixed inside the seat back and the seat cushion, respectively, and the body pressure distribution of the occupant is detected by converting the pressure corresponding to the sitting posture of the occupant into a voltage signal. When it is estimated that the physical state of the occupant is a fatigued state, it is disclosed that the seat is controlled to perform a movement to recover the fatigue of the occupant.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in vehicle seats such as those in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the biological sensor (sensor unit) is fixed to the cushion pad of the seat back (seat cushion) with an adhesive or the like, it has been difficult to remove the biological sensor from the seat. Then, it has been impossible to change the type of the sensor unit according to the demands of the user, the seated person, and to change the output function based on the biological information obtained from the biological sensor, and there has been a risk of lack of versatility of the seat. In addition, there has been a risk that the sensor unit cannot be replaced at an appropriate replacement time. In addition, if the user can easily remove the sensor unit from the vehicle seat and attach it to a work chair or the like separate from the vehicle seat, it has been expected that the output function based on the sensor unit can be utilized in various situations.

[0007] This An object of the invention is to provide a sensor unit and a seat with a sensor unit that can be easily attached to and detached from an object that a human can contact, particularly a seat for a seated person to sit on. 。

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] According to the sensor unit of the present invention, the problem is solved by providing a sensor unit attached to a seat on which a seated person sits, the sensor unit including a biological sensor that detects a biological signal of the seated person, and a sensor holder that holds the biological sensor, and the sensor holder having a seat attachment portion that is detachably attached to an attachment portion provided at a position on the seat where the seated person can contact. The sheet attachment portion includes a first cover attached to one end of the sensor holder and a second cover attached to the other end of the sensor holder. An engaging member is fixed to the extending end portion of the first cover, and an engaged member is fixed to the extending end portion of the second cover. The sheet attachment portion is attached to the attached portion by engaging the engaging member with the engaged member. The engaging member engages with the engaged member at a position facing the surface of the attached portion on the side opposite to the surface where the biological sensor is providedis solved by With the above configuration, it is possible to realize a sensor unit that can be relatively easily attached to and detached from an object that a human can come into contact with.

[0009] Thi When, it is preferable that the sheet attachment portion is attached to the seat cushion as the attached portion so as to be sandwiched between the seat cushion and the seat back. s Further, the sensor holder is configured to include a flat cushioning material that supports the biological sensor from below, and is connected to the biological sensor and includes a communication unit for transmitting the detected biological signal to the outside. The sensor holder holds the biological sensor and the communication unit, and the communication unit connects the biological sensor and the control unit and outputs the biological signal obtained from the biological sensor toward the control unit. It is a harness in which conductive wires and conductive wires are bundled, and a part of the conductive wires and the harness is arranged on the back surface of the cushioning material, and it is preferable that the cushioning material has a pedestal of a transparent resin as an underlying layer. 。

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a sensor unit that can be easily attached to and detached from an object that a human can come into contact with, particularly a seating seat, and it is also possible to realize a sensor unit that can be attached to various seats. 。

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

Figure 1

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Figure 10B

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Figure 19A

Figure 19B

Figure 20A

Figure 20B

Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat S with a sensor unit according to this embodiment is a vehicle seat, and mainly includes a seat body including a seat cushion 1, a seat back 2, a headrest 3, and an armrest 4, and a sensor unit 30 that is attached inside the seat body (seat cushion 1), detects an electrical signal according to the bioelectric potential of the occupant sitting on the seat, and transmits the detected electrical signal to the outside.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the seat cushion 1 is a seating portion that supports the occupant from below, and is configured by placing a cushion pad 10 on a cushion frame (not shown) serving as a skeleton and covering it with a skin material 20. The seat back 2 is a backrest portion that supports the occupant's back from behind, and is configured by placing a cushion pad (not shown) on a back frame (not shown) serving as a skeleton and covering it with a skin material (not shown). The headrest 3 is a head portion that supports the occupant's head from behind, and is configured by placing a cushion pad (not shown) on a headrest pillar (not shown) serving as a core material and covering it with a skin material (not shown). The armrest 4 is an arm portion that supports the occupant's arm from below, and is rotatably assembled to the outer surface in the seat width direction of the seat back 2 via a mounting bracket (not shown).

[0023] The cushion pad 10 is a cushion material made of foamed urethane or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, on the surface of the cushion pad 10, skin suspension grooves 11 extending in the seat front-rear direction are formed in the left and right lateral portions in the seat width direction, and a skin suspension groove 12 extending in the seat width direction is formed so as to connect the left and right skin suspension grooves 11. Further, on the surface of the cushion pad 10, in the portion facing the sensor unit 30, a cushion recess 13 corresponding to the outer shape of the sensor unit 30 is formed to ensure a seating feeling.

[0024] The skin material 20 is made of a stretchable cloth material, leather material, etc. For example, it is formed by sewing conductive yarns to a base cloth made of natural fibers or synthetic fibers as needed. Note that a padding material (not shown) may be attached to the back surface of the skin material 20 to improve the seating feeling of the seat cushion 1. On the surface of the skin material 20, in the front seat portion and the rear seat portion rather than the skin suspension groove 12, skin pockets 21 and 22 for housing the sensor unit 30 inside are formed respectively. Also, skin pockets 23 and 24 are formed respectively in the outer portions in the seat width direction rather than the left and right skin suspension grooves 11.

[0025] The skin pockets 21 to 24 are bag-shaped pocket portions formed by separately sewing a cloth material or the like to the back surface of the main body portion of the skin material 20, and the sensor unit 30 can be housed through the pocket openings 21a to 24a provided on the surface of the skin material 20. The front and rear skin pockets 21 and 22 are arranged at the central portion in the seat width direction of the seat cushion 1, and are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the seat respectively. Also, the left and right skin pockets 23 and 24 are arranged at positions facing each other in the front-rear direction of the seat.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the sensor unit 30 is mainly composed of a sensor module 31 including a biological sensor 31a and a bag-shaped sensor holder 32 for holding the sensor module 31, and is detachably attached to the skin pockets 21 to 24 (attachment portions) provided at positions where the seated person can come into contact in the seat cushion 1.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor module 31 mainly includes a biological sensor 31a that detects an electrical signal corresponding to the bioelectric potential of the seated person, a wireless communication unit 31b that receives the electrical signal and wirelessly transmits it to the outside, a control unit 31c that performs a process of transmitting the electrical signal detected by the biological sensor 31a to the wireless communication unit 31b, and a battery unit 31d that supplies power. Specifically, the biological sensor 31a is a sensor that detects the breathing signal (electrical signal) of the seated person, and more specifically, is a planar pressure sensor that detects the sitting pressure of the seated person. Note that the "sitting pressure" is a value that periodically changes according to the physiological activity (breathing) of the seated person when the seated person sits on the seat S with the sensor unit. The wireless communication unit 31b uses wireless communication technology to connect to an external terminal, such as a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a computer such as a PC, or an electrical device, and transmits and receives electrical signals (data signals). The control unit 31c corresponds to a microcomputer and comprehensively executes electrical control. The battery unit 31d is a relatively small button battery.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the sensor holder 32 is mainly composed of a substantially rectangular bag body, a substantially flat cushioning material 32a that supports the entire sensor module 31 from below, a cloth member 32b that is attached so as to cover the entire sensor module 31 from above, and a bag-shaped cover material 32c that houses the sensor module 31, the cushioning material 32a, and the cloth member 32b inside. The cloth member 32b is, for example, a non-woven fabric tape, and all four end portions thereof are in contact with and attached to the surface of the cushioning material 32a. Note that it may be attached with an adhesive or the like. The cover material 32c is formed by overlapping a pair of skin covers on their surfaces, making one end portion an opening portion, and sewing the remaining end portions. A pair of surface fasteners are provided on the inner surface of the opening portion of the cover material 32c as a cover closing portion 32d. In addition, the internal space of the cover material 32c is formed to have substantially the same size as the outer shape of the cushion material 32a, and the sensor module 31 is housed inside the cover material 32c without displacement.

[0029] On the surface of the sensor holder 32, a positioning display portion 32e for externally displaying the holding position of the sensor module 31 is formed as a rectangular sewing line (stitch). Note that a separate rectangular cushion material (urethane slab) may be attached instead of the sewing line. Also, on the back surface of the outer surface of the sensor holder 32, which is opposite to the surface on which the positioning display portion 32e is formed, there is provided a sheet attachment portion 32f that can be attached in contact with the surface of the skin pockets 21 to 24 (attachment portions) of the sheet cushion 1.

[0030] The sheet attachment portion 32f may be formed, for example, as a hook-and-loop fastener, or alternatively as a double-sided tape and attached to the inner surfaces of the skin pockets 21 to 24 with a detachable adhesive force. When adopting a hook-and-loop fastener, one hook-and-loop fastener (for example, the hook side) as the sheet attachment portion 32f may be configured to be detachable from the other hook-and-loop fastener (for example, the loop side) provided on the inner surfaces of the skin pockets 21 to 24.

[0031] In the above configuration, when the sensor unit 30 is connected to a known heart rate measuring device (not shown) through a network, the heart rate measuring device measures the heart rate of the seated person based on the breathing signal (electrical signal) of the seated person transmitted from the sensor unit 30, and can quickly notify the seated person when an abnormality occurs in the change of the heart rate. Regarding the specific method of calculating the heart rate based on the electrical signal from the sensor unit 30, a known calculation method (for example, the calculation method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-123359) can be used, and specific explanations are omitted.

[0032] In addition, it is also possible to change the type of biological sensor according to the demands of the user, i.e., the seated person, and to change the output function based on the biological information detected by the biological sensor. Specifically, in addition to the pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a sound sensor, a light sensor, a smell sensor, an acceleration sensor, etc. may also be adopted. In addition, as the output function, in addition to measuring the change in the heartbeat of the seated person and notifying the seated person of an abnormal heartbeat (drowsy state), measuring the seating posture of the seated person to control the seat movement of the seat and producing a relaxation mode or a skeletal correction mode, producing games or videos for the seated person based on the biological information of the seated person (for example, electrocardiogram, blood pressure, body temperature, respiration, etc.) are assumed.

[0033] <Second Embodiment of Seat with Sensor Unit> Next, the seat S2 with a sensor unit according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In the seat S2 with a sensor unit, compared with the seat S with a sensor unit, mainly the configuration of the sensor unit 130 is different. The sensor unit 130 is mainly composed of a sensor module 131 and a block-shaped sensor holder 132 that holds the sensor module 131, and is detachably attached to a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped cushion recess 113 (attachment target part) formed on the surface of the cushion pad 110 of the seat cushion 101.

[0034] The sensor module 131 has the same configuration as the sensor module 31 shown in FIG. 3. The sensor holder 132 is a pad member made of a rectangular parallelepiped block, is formed in a shape corresponding to the cushion recess 113, and a storage recess 133 for storing the sensor module 131 is formed on the surface of the sensor holder 132. At this time, the sensor holder 132 (the outer surface of the sensor holder 132) corresponds to the "seat attachment part" and is detachably attached to the cushion recess 113 (attachment target part).

[0035] Even with the above configuration, a sensor unit that can be relatively easily attached to and detached from the seating seat can be realized, and it can be attached not only to vehicle seats but also to various seats such as work stools.

[0036] <Third Embodiment of Seat with Sensor Unit> Next, the seat S3 with a sensor unit according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In the seat S3 with a sensor unit, the configuration of the sensor unit 230 is mainly different from that of the seat S with a sensor unit. The sensor unit 230 is mainly composed of a plurality of sensor modules 231 and a sheet-like sensor holder 232 that collectively holds the plurality of sensor modules 231, and is latched to the cushion pad 210 (the attached portion) of the seat cushion 201 so as to be detachable.

[0037] The sensor module 231 has the same configuration as the sensor module 31 shown in FIG. 3, and a plurality of sensor modules 231 are arranged at intervals in the seat width direction and the seat front-rear direction, and a total of four are arranged corresponding to positions where the seated person can come into contact. The sensor holder 232 is a single skin material and is formed in a shape that can cover the surface of the central portion of the cushion pad 210. On the back surface of the sensor holder 232, a plurality of sensor modules 231 are respectively attached by surface fasteners or double-sided tapes. At this time, the sensor holder 232 corresponds to the "seat attachment portion" and is latched and attached to the cushion pad 210 (the attached portion) so as to be detachable.

[0038] Even with the above configuration, a sensor unit that can be relatively easily attached to and detached from the seating seat can be realized, and it can be attached not only to vehicle seats but also to various seats such as work stools. In addition, a plurality of biological sensors can be collectively attached to the seating seat with a relatively simple configuration.

[0039] <Fourth Embodiment of Seat with Sensor Unit> Next, the seat S4 with a sensor unit according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In the seat S4 with a sensor unit, compared with the seat S with a sensor unit, the sensor unit 330 uses a wired communication method. In the sensor unit 330, as shown in FIG. 6, the sensor module 331 includes a biological sensor 331a and a wired communication unit 331b that is connected to the biological sensor 331a and transmits the detected biological signal to the outside. As shown in FIG. 7, the wired communication unit 331b is a conductive wire and a harness that bundles the conductive wires, which connect the biological sensor 331a and the ECU 340 provided in the seat cushion 301, and outputs the biological signal obtained from the biological sensor 331a toward the ECU 340. Specifically, the wired communication unit 331b bends downward from the sensor holder 332 and extends through the through hole of the cushion pad 310, further bends forward of the seat and extends along the bottom surface of the cushion frame, and is connected to the ECU 340. The ECU 340 is a control part of a known heart rate measurement device capable of calculating the heart rate of the seated person by analyzing the biological signal detected by the sensor unit 330, and is attached to the bottom surface of the cushion frame. A power battery (not shown) is provided around the ECU 340.

[0040] Even with the above configuration, a sensor unit that can be attached to and detached from the seating seat can be realized, and it becomes a sensor unit that can be exchanged in various vehicle seats.

[0041] <Fifth Embodiment of Seat with Sensor Unit> Next, the seat S5 with a sensor unit according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 - 10A, B. The sensor unit 430 of the seat S5 with a sensor unit has a wired communication method. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the sensor unit 430 is mainly composed of a sensor module 431 and a cushion-shaped sensor holder 432 that holds the sensor module 431 inside, and is detachably attached to the seat cushion 401 and the seat back 402 (the part to be attached), respectively. Hereinafter, the sensor unit 430 provided in the seat cushion 401 will be described.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 9, 10A, and 10B, the sensor module 431 has a plurality of biological sensors 431a and a wired communication unit 431b that is connected to the plurality of biological sensors 431a and transmits the detected biological signal to the outside. The biological sensor 431a is a planar pressure sensor, which is arranged at intervals in the seat width direction and the seat front-rear direction, and a total of six are arranged corresponding to the positions where the seated person can come into contact. In order to improve the detection accuracy of the sensor, four biological sensors 431a are arranged at positions corresponding to the buttocks of the seated person. The wired communication unit 431b is a conductive wire that connects the biological sensor 431a and an ECU (not shown) provided in the seat cushion 401, and a harness that bundles the conductive wires.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the sensor holder 432 is a single futon (cushion), and is mainly composed of a substantially flat cushion material 432a that supports a plurality of biological sensors 431a from below, and a bag-shaped cover material 432c that houses the sensor module 431 and the cushion material 432a inside. Sheet attachment parts 432f (surface fasteners) that can be attached to the surface of the seat cushion 401 are attached to the back surfaces of the four corners of the sensor holder 432.

[0044] On the surface of the cushion material 432a, a plurality of storage recesses 433 for housing the biosensor 431a and linear slit holes 434 provided adjacent to the respective storage recesses 433 for allowing the wired communication part 431b (conductive wire) to pass through are formed. In the above configuration, the wired communication part 431b (conductive wire) passes through the slit hole 434 from the biosensor 431a and extends to the back surface of the cushion material 432a. Further, on the back surface of the cushion material 432a, a plurality of wired communication parts 431b are bundled and extend as a harness. Note that the cushion material 432a may have a multilayer structure. In that case, it is preferable that each layer is fixed with an adhesive or the like, and it is also preferable to have a pedestal of a transparent resin as an underlying layer. By adopting a transparent resin, the wiring of the wired communication part 431b can be easily confirmed. Note that the length and width of the slit hole 434 can be adjusted as appropriate.

[0045] The cover material 432c is formed by overlapping a pair of skin covers face to face with one end being an opening and sewing the remaining ends. On the inner surface of the opening of the cover material 432c, a wire fastener is provided as a cover closing part 432d. The internal space of the cover material 432c is formed to have the same size as the outer shape of the cushion material 432a, and a plurality of biosensors 431a are housed on the surface of the cover material 432c without being misaligned. On the surface of the cover material 432c, a positioning display part 432e for externally displaying the holding position of the sensor module 431 is formed as a rectangular sewing line. Note that in addition to the positioning display part 432e, a positioning display part for confirming the front-back direction (left-right direction) of the sensor unit 430 may be separately formed.

[0046] Even with the above configuration, a sensor unit that can be easily attached to and detached from a seating seat can be realized, and it becomes a sensor unit that can be exchanged in various vehicle seats. In addition, a plurality of biological sensors can be collectively attached to and positioned on the seating sheet with a relatively simple configuration.

[0047] In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 10A, a storage recess 433 is formed on the surface of the cushion material 432a. A storage recess for housing the wired communication unit 431b may be separately formed on the back surface of the cushion material 432a as well. If it is configured in this way, when the biological sensor 431a and the wired communication unit 431b are attached to the cushion material 432a, the front and back surfaces of the cushion material 432a become substantially flush, so that the seating comfort of the seated person is improved. Although it is desirable that the front and back surfaces of the cushion material 432a be substantially flush, it is not particularly limited. Among the cushion materials 432a, the portion where the biological sensor 431a is attached may protrude slightly or may be slightly recessed.

[0048] In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 10A, a storage recess 433 for positioning the biological sensor 431a is formed on the surface of the cushion material 432a. As an alternative positioning method, a predetermined marking (triangle marking) may be applied or a jig may be used.

[0049] <Sixth Embodiment of the Seat with Sensor Unit> Next, the seat S6 with a sensor unit according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. In the seat S6 with a sensor unit, compared with the seat S5 with a sensor unit, the configuration of the seat attachment portion 533 of the sensor unit 530 is mainly different. The sensor unit 530 includes a sensor module 531 including a biological sensor 531a and a cushion-shaped sensor holder 532 that holds the sensor module 531 inside, and is attached to the seat cushion 501 and the seat back 502 (the parts to be attached) so as to be detachable respectively. Hereinafter, the sensor unit 530 provided in the seat back 502 will be described.

[0050] The sensor holder 532 is a single futon (cushion). At both ends in the longitudinal direction (vertical direction) of the sensor holder 532, seat attachment portions 533 that can be attached to the surface of the seat back 502 are respectively attached.

[0051] The seat attachment portion 533 includes an upper cover 533a that is sewn and attached to the upper end portion of the sensor holder 532 and extends toward the headrest 503 side, and a lower cover 533b that is sewn and attached to the lower end portion of the sensor holder 532 and extends toward the seat cushion 501 side. At a substantially central portion in the extending direction of the upper cover 533a, a pair of insertion holes 534 for inserting a pair of pillars 503a of the headrest 503 are formed. Further, at the extending end portion of the upper cover 533a, an engagement hook 535 (engagement member) having a substantially J-shaped cross section that is long in the seat width direction is fixed by an adhesive. At the extending end portion of the lower cover 533b, an engagement member 536 (engaged member) having a rectangular shape that is long in the seat width direction is fixed by an adhesive. The engagement hook 535 and the engagement member 536 are resin trim cords, and the engagement hook 535 can be hooked on the engagement member 536.

[0052] In the above configuration, in order to attach the sensor unit 530 to the seat back 502, first, as shown in FIG. 12, it is attached so as to cover the seat attachment portion 533 with respect to the seat back 502. Specifically, the front surface, upper surface, bottom surface, and rear surface of the seat back 502 are covered by the upper cover 533a and the lower cover 533b. At this time, the pillar 503a of the headrest 503 is inserted into the insertion hole 534 of the upper cover 533a. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, at the lower end of the back surface of the seat back 502, the engaging hook 535 of the upper cover 533a is hooked to the engaging member 536 of the lower cover 533b.

[0053] Note that the method of attaching the sensor unit 530 provided on the seat cushion 501 is the same. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the seat attachment portion 533 covers the upper surface, front surface, bottom surface, and rear surface of the seat cushion 501. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, at the rear end of the seat cushion 501, the engaging hook 535 of the rear cover 533a is hooked to the engaging member 536 of the front cover 533b.

[0054] Even with the above configuration, a sensor unit that can be easily attached to and detached from the seating seat can be realized, and it becomes a sensor unit that can be exchanged in various vehicle seats.

[0055] <Seventh Embodiment of Seat with Sensor Unit> Next, the seat S7 with a sensor unit according to the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14. In the seat S7 with a sensor unit, compared with the seat S6 with a sensor unit, the configuration of the seat attachment portion 633 of the sensor unit 630 is different. The sensor unit 630 mainly includes a sensor module 631, a cushion-shaped sensor holder 632 that holds the sensor module 631 inside, and a seat attachment portion 633 that is attached to the surface of the sensor holder 632 and can be attached to the seat cushion 601 (seat back 602). Hereinafter, the sensor unit 630 provided on the seat cushion 601 will be described.

[0056] The seat attachment portion 633 is a long skin cover attached to the surface of the sensor holder 632 by sewing or an adhesive, and covers the cushion pad 610 as a part of the skin material 620 of the seat cushion 601. Of the outer edge of the sheet attachment portion 633, wire fasteners 633a are provided over the entire length at the front end portion and both end portions in the sheet width direction, and are engaged with a set of wire fasteners 620a provided on the skin material 620, thereby enabling the sensor unit 630 to be attached to the seat cushion 601. At this time, no wire fastener 633a is provided at the rear end portion of the outer edge of the sheet attachment portion 633. By doing so, the seat S7 with a sensor unit can be easily manufactured, and the assembly work of the sensor unit 630 is also facilitated.

[0057] With the above configuration, the sensor unit 630 can be attached to the seat cushion 601 by replacing the skin material.

[0058] <Eighth Embodiment of a Seat with a Sensor Unit> Next, the seat S8 with a sensor unit according to the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15. In the seat S8 with a sensor unit, the configuration of the sheet attachment portion 733 of the sensor unit 730 is different from that of the seat S6 with a sensor unit. The sensor unit 730 includes a sensor module 731, a cushion-shaped sensor holder 732 that holds the sensor module 731 inside, and sheet attachment portions 733 that are attached to both end portions in the width direction (sheet width direction) of the sensor holder 732 and can be attached to the seat cushion 701. The seat S8 with a sensor unit is provided with resin protection covers 734 on the left and right that protect the seat cushion 701 from the outside in the sheet width direction.

[0059] The sheet attachment portion 733 is sewn and attached to both left and right end portions of the sensor holder 732, and includes a left cover 733a and a right cover 733b that extend outward in the sheet width direction. By sandwiching the extending end portions of the left cover 733a and the right cover 733b between the seat cushion 701 and the protective cover 734 respectively, the sensor unit 730 can be attached to the seat cushion 701.

[0060] <The Ninth Embodiment of the Seat with Sensor Unit> Next, the seat S9 with a sensor unit according to the ninth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 16. In the seat S9 with a sensor unit, the configuration of the seat attachment portion 833 of the sensor unit 830 is different from that of the seat S6 with a sensor unit. The sensor unit 830 includes a sensor module 831, a cushion-shaped sensor holder 832 that holds the sensor module 831 inside, and a seat attachment portion 833 that is attached to the upper end portion of the sensor holder 832 and can be attached to the seat back 802. Note that the seat S8 with a sensor unit includes a J-shaped hook 834 attached at an upper position on the back surface of the seat back 802, and a table 835 disposed at a position lower than the hook 834 and rotatably attached to the seat back 802.

[0061] The seat attachment portion 833 is a long cover that is sewn and attached to the upper end portion of the sensor holder 832 and extends upward, and includes a pair of insertion holes 833a for inserting a pair of pillars 803a of the headrest 803, and a latching hole 833b for latching to the hook 834. In addition, the extending end portion of the seat attachment portion 833 is sandwiched between the seat back 802 and the table 835. With the above configuration, the sensor unit 830 can be attached to the seat back 802 by using existing components. Note that the sensor unit 830 may be attached to the seat back 802 by using an armrest as an existing component.

[0062] <The Tenth and Eleventh Embodiments of the Seat with Sensor Unit> Next, the sheets S10 and S11 with sensor units according to the tenth and eleventh embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. The sheet S10 with a sensor unit is a sofa-type seating sheet. A cushion-shaped (futon-shaped) sensor unit 930 is detachably attached to the surface of the seat cushion 901 of the sheet S10. The sheet S11 with a sensor unit is an office chair-type seating sheet. A cushion-shaped (futon-shaped) sensor unit 1030 is detachably attached to the surface of the seat cushion 1001 of the sheet S11. These sensor units 930 and 1030 may be attached to the seat cushions 901 and 1001 using, for example, a hook-and-loop fastener.

[0063] <Other alternative embodiments> In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the sensor unit 30 is attached inside the seat cushion 1, but it can be changed without particular limitation and may be attached inside the seat back 2, inside the headrest 3, or inside or outside the armrest 4. It may also be attached inside or outside an ottoman (not shown). Also, although the sensor unit 30 is attached to the sheet for the seated person to sit on, it can be attached without particular limitation, inside or outside an object that a human can come into contact with.

[0064] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B, the sensor unit 30 has a sheet attachment portion 32f (hook-and-loop fastener or double-sided tape) that can be attached to the surface of the skin material 20 (skin pockets 21 to 24) of the seat cushion 1, but it can be changed without being particularly limited to a hook-and-loop fastener or double-sided tape. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19A, the sensor unit 30A may have a rectangular plate-shaped magnet inside as the seat attachment portion 32Af. If configured in this way, the sensor unit 30A can be detachably attached to a metal wire (for example, a metal wire for fixing the skin material) provided in a seat cushion or a cushion pad of a seat back. Alternatively, it can be detachably attached to a metal frame that forms the skeleton of the seat cushion or the seat back. Also specifically, as shown in FIG. 19B, the sensor unit 30B may have an attachment band on the outer surface (inner surface) as the seat attachment portion 32Bf. If configured in this way, the seat attachment portion 32Bf can be detachably attached to the outer surface of the armrest (the portion to be attached) with the armrest sandwiched therebetween.

[0065] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the sensor module 131 (biological sensor) is housed on the surface of the block-shaped sensor holder 132, but it is not particularly limited and may be housed in a housing recess provided on the back surface of the sensor holder 132. In that case, the sensor module 131 (biological sensor) is arranged in a state of being sandwiched between the sensor holder 132 and the cushion recess 113 provided in the seat cushion 101 (cushion pad 110) in the vertical direction. If configured in this way, the biological sensor can be attached to the seat more stably. Also, by minimizing the thickness of the block of the sensor holder 132 as much as possible, it is possible to make it easier to detect the biological signal of the seated person.

[0066] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the seat S5 with a sensor unit includes a cushion-shaped (futon-shaped) sensor unit 430, and the sensor unit 430 may further have a charging means (charging portion) using wireless communication or wired communication, or may have a remaining amount display portion for displaying the remaining charge amount. In addition, the sensor unit 430 may have a display processing unit that wirelessly communicates with the mobile phone of the seated person and causes a predetermined effect screen based on the sensing information to be displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone. In addition, the sensor unit 430 may further have a failure determination unit that determines a failure of the sensing function, and may have a failure notification unit (failure display unit) that notifies that a failure has occurred during a failure. Note that the failure display unit is preferably disposed at a position in front of the seat relative to the seating surface of the seated person. In addition, the shape of the sensor unit 430 and the shape of the biological sensor 431a are not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be a triangular shape, a circular shape, or the like, and a shape that is easy to position is preferable.

[0067] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, where the sensor unit 430 is configured as a single cushion (futon), the outer surface or the inner surface of the cushion may further have a pocket portion. At this time, an ECU, a battery, a tablet, or the like may be inserted into the pocket portion. Note that the pocket portion is preferably detachably attached to the main body portion of the sensor unit 430.

[0068] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the sensor unit 430 is detachably attached to the seat cushion 401. Therefore, the design of the independent sensor holder 432 (cover material 432c) can be changed or washed. On the other hand, the sensor unit 430 may be integrally attached to the seat cushion 401 (skin material 420). In that case, the electronic components inside the sensor unit 430 can be suitably protected (exposure to the outside can be suppressed). When the sensor unit 430 is integrally attached to the skin material 420, after storing the cushion material 432a with the biological sensor 431a shown in FIG. 10A inside the cover material 432c, it is preferable to sew the cushion material 432a, the cover material 432c, and the skin material 420 together.

[0069] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the sensor unit 430 is attached to the seat cushion 401 and the seat back 402 and senses the seating pressure of the seated person. However, it may be further attached to other seat components. Specifically, the sensor unit 430 may be attached to an armrest, an ottoman, or the like. In this way, the sensor unit 430 can sense not only the seating pressure of the seated person but also the movements of the hands and legs of the seated person. Further, the sensor unit 430 may be able to sense the seating pressure of the seated person reversibly. In this case, the sensor unit 430 can be attached to the seat cushion 401 with the back side up, and it is also possible to obtain different sensing information. Also, it is preferable that the sensor unit 430 can sense even when it is attached upside down front and back or upside down left and right. In that case, the biological sensors 431a are preferably arranged so as to be front-back symmetric (left-right symmetric). Further, the sensor unit 430 is a single cushion (futon), and for example, it may be foldable in half. When folding, the biological sensors 431a and the wired communication parts 431b are preferably arranged avoiding the fold line. Alternatively, they may be arranged so as to overlap the fold line deliberately.

[0070] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10B, a plurality of wired communication parts 431b (conductive wires) are bundled and extended on the back surface of the cushion material 432a. However, the routing direction of the wired communication parts 431b (conductive wires) and the routing direction of the harness can be changed as appropriate. Also, although the wired communication part 431b (harness) protrudes outside from the opening of the sensor holder 432, the protruding position of the wired communication part 431b does not have to be at the corner of the opening of the sensor holder 432. That is, it may be at the central portion of the opening of the sensor holder 432, or it may be at the position of a through hole separately formed at a predetermined position of the sensor holder 432.

[0071] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, when the sensor unit 530 is attached to the seat back 502, it is preferable that the sensor unit 530 is disposed at a position avoiding a reclining device (not shown). Alternatively, it may be further latched using components of the reclining device.

[0072] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 19A and B, the seats S1 to S11 with sensor units have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the seating seats. For example, shoes S12 with sensor units as shown in FIGS. 20A and B may be used. The shoes S12 with sensor units preferably include an insole 1101 (inner sole) with a sensor unit 1130 inside the shoes. Specifically, a plurality of sensor units 1130 are provided and are preferably respectively housed in storage recesses 1101a formed in the upper part of the insole 1101. In addition, a floor with a sensor unit may also be used.

[0073] In the above embodiment, as a specific example, a vehicle seat used in an automobile has been described. However, the present invention is not particularly limited. In addition to two-wheeled seats for motorcycles, vehicle seats for trains, buses, etc., and seats for vehicles such as airplanes and ships, the present invention can be used for various seats such as office chairs for work, car seats, and children's seats in shopping carts.

[0074] In the present embodiment, the sensor unit according to the present invention and the seat with the sensor unit have been mainly described. However, the above embodiment is merely an example for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and it goes without saying that equivalents of the present invention are included therein. In particular, the arrangement and configuration of the sensor unit described in the above embodiment are merely examples and do not limit the present invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0075] Sheet with sensor units S, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11 Sheet cushions 1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501, 601, 701, 901, 1001 Sheet backs 2, 402, 502, 602, 802 Headrests 3, 503, 803 Pillars 503a, 803a Armrests (parts to be attached) 4 Cushion pads 10, 110, 210, 310, 610 Skin suspension grooves 11, 12 Cushion recesses 13, 113 Skin materials 20, 620 Wire fastener 620a Skin pockets (parts to be attached) 21, 22, 23, 24 Pocket openings 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a Sensor units 30 (30A, 30B), 130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630, 730, 830, 930, 1030 Sensor modules 31, 131, 231, 331, 431, 531, 631, 731, 831 Biological sensors 31a, 331a, 431a, 531a Wireless communication parts, wired communication parts (communication parts) 31b, 331b, 431b Control unit 31c Battery unit 31d Sensor holders 32, 132, 232, 332, 432, 532, 632, 732, 832 Cushion materials 32a, 432a Fabric member 32b Cover materials 32c, 432c Cover closing parts 32d, 432d Positioning display parts 32e, 432e Sheet attachment parts (attachment parts) 32f (32Af, 32Bf), 432f Storage recesses 133, 433 434 Slit hole 533, 633, 733, 833 Sheet attachment part (attachment part) 533a Upper cover (rear cover) 533b Lower cover (front cover) 633a Wire fastener 733a Left cover 733b Right cover 833a Insertion hole 833b Hanging hole 534 Insertion hole 535 Engagement hook 536 Engagement member 734 Protection cover 834 Hook 835 Table 340 ECU S12 Shoes with sensor unit 1101 Inner sole 1101a Storage recess 1130 Sensor unit

Claims

1. A sensor unit attached to a seat on which an occupant sits, A biosensor for detecting a biosignal of the seated occupant; a sensor holder for holding the biosensor; the sensor holder has a seat mounting portion that is detachably attached to a mounting portion provided in the seat at a position where the seat occupant can contact the seat, the seat attachment portion includes a first cover attached to one end of the sensor holder and a second cover attached to the other end of the sensor holder, An engagement member is fixed to the extending end of the first cover, An engaged member is fixed to an extending end of the second cover, The seat attachment portion is attached to the attachment portion by engaging the engaging member with the engagement member, The sensor unit is characterized in that the engaging member engages with the engaged member at a position facing a surface of the mounting portion opposite to a surface on which the biosensor is provided.

2. The sensor unit according to claim 1 , wherein the seat mounting portion is attached to the seat cushion as the mounting receiving portion so as to be sandwiched between a seat cushion and a seat back.

3. the sensor holder is configured to include a flat cushion material that supports the biosensor from below, a communication unit connected to the biosensor for transmitting the detected biosignal to an outside; the sensor holder holds the biosensor and the communication unit, The communication unit is a conductive wire and a harness bundling the conductive wires, which connects the biosensor and the control unit and outputs the biosignal obtained from the biosensor to the control unit, the conductive wire and a portion of the harness are disposed on a back surface of the cushion material, 2. The sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the cushioning material has a transparent resin base as an underlying layer.

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