Vehicle interior materials and vehicles

Abstract

To enable positions of protrusions to be viewed easily in a vehicle interior material including the protrusions.SOLUTION: A vehicle interior material includes: a base material 36 including a base material 39 and protrusions 40, 41 provided on a surface of the base material; and a film 37 covering a surface of the base material. The film has a sheet form and includes identification parts 42 having a different thickness from other portions. The identification parts are provided on surfaces of the protrusion parts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle interior material provided with a switch for controlling electrical components.

Background Art

[0002] There is a door trim that forms an armrest for a vehicle door, and a switch for opening and closing a window and adjusting a rearview mirror is provided on the upper surface (for example, Patent Document 1). The door trim of Patent Document 1 includes a base material, a foam layer provided on the upper surface of the base material, and a skin member that covers the surface of the foam layer. A protrusion that protrudes upward is provided at a predetermined position of the foam layer, and a membrane switch is embedded in the protrusion. The occupant can understand the position of the membrane switch by the protrusion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] From the viewpoint of design, it is desirable to reduce the protruding amount of such a protrusion. However, when the protruding amount is reduced, there is a problem that the protrusion becomes difficult to distinguish and the position of the switch becomes difficult to understand.

[0005] In view of the above background, an object of the present invention is to make it easy to visually recognize the position of a protrusion in a vehicle interior material provided with the protrusion.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an interior material for a vehicle (25) includes a base material (36) having a base portion (39) and protrusions (40, 41) provided on the surface of the base portion, and a film (37) covering the surface of the base material. The film is in a sheet shape and includes a distinguishing portion (42) having a different thickness from other portions. The distinguishing portion is provided on the surface of the protrusion portion.

[0007] According to this aspect, since the transparency and shading of the film depend on its thickness, a portion where the transparency and shading are different from other portions is provided on the surface of the protrusion. Therefore, the driver can easily visually recognize the position of the protrusion.

[0008] In the above aspect, the distinguishing portion may be thinner than other portions.

[0009] According to this aspect, when the film is bonded to the base material, by stretching the film and bonding it to the surface of the protrusion, portions with different thicknesses can be easily provided.

[0010] In the above aspect, the distinguishing portion may be provided on the ridge line (43) of the protrusion.

[0011] According to this aspect, by providing the distinguishing portion along the ridge line, the shape of the protrusion becomes clearer.

[0012] In the above aspect, the distinguishing portion may be provided along the outer edge (44) of the protrusion.

[0013] According to this aspect, the contour of the protrusion becomes clear.

[0014] In the above aspect, the base material and the film may be bonded by vacuum pressure forming.

[0015] According to this aspect, when the base material and the film are joined, since the thickness of the film becomes thinner along the outer edge and the ridge line of the protrusion, an identification part can be easily provided on the film and arranged along the outer edge and the ridge line of the protrusion.

[0016] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the film has a colored material layer that transmits light.

[0017] According to this aspect, the identification part of the film becomes clearer.

[0018] In the above aspect, on the back surface of the base material, it is preferable to provide a capacitance sensor (54) for detecting contact of the occupant with the protrusion on the back side of the protrusion.

[0019] According to this aspect, the capacitance sensor can be covered by the base material so that the position of the sensor can be understood.

[0020] In the above aspect, it is preferable that the protrusion is integrally formed with the base material.

[0021] According to this aspect, the connection between the protrusion and the base material becomes strong, and separation between the protrusion and the base material can be prevented.

Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the aspect of the present invention, it has a base material provided with a base portion and a protrusion, and a film covering the surface of the base material. The film is in a sheet shape and has an identification part with a different thickness compared to other parts. The identification part is provided on the surface of the protrusion part. According to this aspect, since a part with different transparency or shading from other parts is provided on the surface of the protrusion, the occupant can easily visually recognize the position of the protrusion.

[0023] In the above aspect, according to the aspect that the identification part is thinner than other parts, by stretching the film and joining it to the surface of the protrusion, the identification part can be easily formed and provided on the surface of the protrusion.

[0024] In the above aspect, according to the aspect in which the identification part is provided on the ridge line of the protrusion, the shape of the protrusion becomes clear.

[0025] In the above aspect, according to the aspect in which the identification part is provided along the outer edge of the protrusion, the contour of the protrusion becomes clear.

[0026] In the above aspect, according to the aspect in which the base material and the film are joined by vacuum pressure forming, when joining the base material and the film, the thickness of the film becomes thinner along the outer edge and the ridge line of the protrusion, so that an identification part can be easily provided on the film, and the identification part can be arranged along the outer edge and the ridge line of the protrusion.

[0027] In the above aspect, according to the aspect in which the film has a colored material layer that transmits light, the identification part of the film becomes clearer.

[0028] In the above aspect, according to the aspect in which a capacitance sensor for detecting contact of an occupant with the protrusion is provided on the back side of the protrusion on the back surface of the base material, the capacitance sensor can be covered with the base material so that the position of the capacitance sensor can be understood.

[0029] In the above aspect, according to the aspect in which the protrusion is integrally formed with the base material, the connection between the protrusion and the base material becomes strong, and separation between the protrusion and the base material can be prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an interior material for a vehicle (a decorative member of a door trim) of a door located on the outside of a vehicle seat for the right front seat of an automobile capable of autonomous driving will be described.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat 1 is placed on the floor 3 of the passenger compartment 2. A door 4 for the right front seat is provided on the lateral side outside the vehicle seat 1. The vehicle seat 1 includes a seat cushion 5 that supports the buttocks and thighs of the occupant, a seat back 6 that functions as a backrest provided on the rear end side of the seat cushion 5, a headrest 7 provided on the upper end side of the seat back 6, and an ottoman 8 provided at the front end of the seat cushion 5. A seating surface 9 on which the occupant sits is formed on the upper surface of the seat cushion 5, and a backrest surface 10 that supports the upper body of the occupant is formed on the front surface of the seat back. The vehicle seat 1 is provided with a plurality of electric motors 11. By driving the electric motors 11, the vehicle seat 1 is displaced between a standard position (FIG. 1) and a relaxation position (FIG. 2) in which the seat back 6 and the ottoman 8 are tilted with respect to the seat cushion 5 from the standard position.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, when the vehicle seat 1 is in the standard position, the seating surface 9 is substantially horizontal. The seat back 6 is tilted backward by about 5 to 20 degrees with respect to the vertical direction, and the backrest surface 10 faces substantially forward. Most of the ottoman 8 is disposed below the seat cushion 5 and hangs substantially vertically.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2, when the vehicle seat 1 is in the relaxation position, it is moved rearward with respect to the floor 3 compared to when it is in the standard position. The seat back 6 is reclined by about 40 degrees compared to when the vehicle seat 1 is in the standard position, and the backrest surface 10 faces forward and upward. Also, the ottoman 8 protrudes forward with respect to the seat cushion 5, forming a support surface 12 that is continuous with the seating surface 9. The feet of the seated occupant are supported by the support surface 12. Further, the front end of the seat cushion 5 is higher than the rear end, and the seating surface 9 slopes downward as it goes rearward.

[0035] The vehicle body 15 is provided with a switching device 16 that receives an input for instructing switching of the position of the vehicle seat 1 from the occupant and executes the switching, and a motor control device 17 that controls the drive of the electric motor 11. The motor control device 17 is composed of a microcomputer, ROM, RAM, peripheral circuits, input / output interfaces, various drivers, etc. The motor control device 17 receives a signal from the switching device 16 and drives the electric motor 11 according to the signal, displacing the position of the vehicle seat 1 between the standard position and the relaxation position. Also, according to the signal from the switching device 16, the displacement of the electric motor 11 is read, and the position (relaxation position or standard position) of the vehicle seat 1 is output to the switching device 16.

[0036] The switching device 16 includes a seating sensor 20 provided on the vehicle seat 1 for detecting the seating of the occupant, a relaxation switch 22 and a return switch 23 respectively provided on the inner wall 21 of the passenger compartment 2, a switching control device 24 that drives the motor control device 17 according to the inputs to both switches 22, 23 and the signal from the seating sensor 20, and a decorative member 25 that covers the relaxation switch 22 and the return switch 23 from the vehicle interior side. The relaxation switch 22 is a switch that the occupant operates when displacing the vehicle seat 1 from the standard position to the reclining position, and the return switch 23 is a switch that the occupant operates when displacing the vehicle seat 1 from the reclining position to the standard position.

[0037] The seating sensor 20 corresponds to a switch that turns on when an occupant is seated and turns off when the occupant is not seated. In the present embodiment, the seating sensor 20 is constituted by a known membrane switch in the shape of a sheet and is disposed along the seating surface 9 of the seat cushion 5 of the vehicle seat 1. The seating sensor 20 is configured to turn on when the load from above applied to the seating surface 9 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value corresponding to the load from the occupant.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, both the relaxation switch 22 and the return switch 23 are provided on the door trim 26 of the door 4 for the right front seat.

[0039] The door trim 26 is an interior member for a vehicle formed from a resin material and constitutes the inner wall 21 of the passenger compartment 2. The door trim 26 is provided so as to cover the inner side surface of the door panel 27 which is a skeletal member of the door. The door trim 26 has a trim main body portion 28 whose surface faces left and right and is disposed on the inner side of the door panel 27, and a trim edge wall portion (not shown) that protrudes outward from the periphery of the trim main body portion 28 and abuts against the edge portion on the inner side surface of the door panel 27. The trim edge wall portion extends along the periphery of the trim main body portion 28 and is fastened to the door panel 27 at a predetermined position. A speaker 29 is provided at the front lower portion of the trim main body portion 28. An opening 30 penetrating in the vehicle width direction is formed in the trim main body portion 28. The opening 30 extends in the front-rear direction and has a mode of bending rearward and upward at its rear end.

[0040] [[ID=II]] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the decorative member 25 is provided in the opening 30 of the trim main body portion 28. The decorative member 25 includes a base material 36 formed of a colorless and transparent resin and a film 37 that covers the base material 36 from the inner side of the vehicle.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the base material 36 includes a plate portion 39 having a plate shape with a main surface facing the vehicle width direction, and two protruding portions 40 and 41 protruding from the plate portion 39. The plate portion 39 extends in the front-rear direction, bends rearward and upward at its rear end, and generally has the same shape as the opening portion 30. The protruding portion 40 has a substantially cylindrical shape. One protruding portion 40 protrudes inward of the vehicle from the front end of the front portion of the plate portion 39, and the other protruding portion 41 protrudes inward of the vehicle from the inner side wall surface of the upper end of the rear portion of the plate portion 39. In the present embodiment, the protruding portions 40 and 41 and the plate portion 39 are integrally formed.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 5, the film 37 is a sheet-like member formed of a resin having a colored material layer (blue in the present embodiment) that transmits light, has permeability, and has sufficient flexibility and thinness. The film 37 is adhered to the inner side wall surface of the base material 36 via an adhesive provided on the back surface. The film 37 has a generally constant thickness, and is thinner only at the identification portion 42 compared to other portions. The identification portion 42 is provided in an annular shape along the ridge line portion 43 (mountain fold portion) of the tip ends of the protruding portions 40 and 41, and the outer edge 44 (valley fold portion) located at the base ends of the protruding portions 40 and 41.

[0043] The color of the film 37 depends on the thickness. At the identification portion 42 where the thickness is thin, the color is lighter compared to other portions. In particular, since the film 37 is formed of a resin having a colored material layer that transmits light, the difference in color becomes clearer. Since the identification portion 42 is provided along the ridge line portion 43, the color of the ridge line portion 43 of the protruding portions 40 and 41 is lighter compared to other portions. Also, since the identification portion 42 is provided along the outer edge 44 of the protruding portions 40 and 41, the color of the contour of the protruding portions 40 and 41 is lighter compared to other portions. Therefore, it becomes easier for the occupant to visually recognize the shape and position of the protruding portions 40 and 41.

[0044] In this embodiment, the film 37 is attached to the base material 36 by a vacuum pressure thermoforming method. The vacuum pressure thermoforming method is a known method in which the film 37 is set in a vacuum chamber so as to face the base material 36, the base material 36 is pushed up and pressed against the back surface of the film 37, and after the inside of the chamber is evacuated, air is introduced into the vacuum chamber to apply pressure so that the film 37 adheres closely to the base material 36. When the vacuum pressure thermoforming method is used, when the film 37 is joined to the protrusions 40 and 41, it is stretched to fit the shape, so that it becomes thin at the ridge line portions 43 and the outer edges 44 of the protrusions 40 and 41. As a result, a thin identification portion 42 can be formed on the film 37, and the identification portion 42 can be provided along the ridge line portions 43 and the outer edges 44 of the protrusions 40 and 41. However, in this embodiment, although the film 37 is attached to the base material 36 by the vacuum pressure thermoforming method, the method is not limited thereto, and any method may be used as long as the film 37 is stretched to fit the shape of the protrusions 40 and 41 and becomes thin at the ridge line portions 43 and the outer edges 44.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the decorative member 25 is arranged so as to close the entire opening 30 from the outside of the vehicle. The decorative member 25 is fitted into the opening 30 and is joined to the trim main body portion 28. In this embodiment, in order to more reliably join the decorative member 25 and the trim main body portion 28, a plurality of fastening portions 45 extending downward along the outer wall surface of the vehicle of the trim main body portion 28 are provided at the lower edge of the decorative member 25, and the fastening portions 45 are respectively fastened to the outer wall surface of the vehicle of the trim main body portion 28.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the relaxation switch 22 is coupled to the outside of the vehicle side of the protrusion 40 located on the front side of the wall surface on the outside of the vehicle of the decorative member 25 and is covered from the inside of the vehicle by the decorative member 25. As shown in FIG. 1, the relaxation switch 22 is located in front of the backrest surface 10 of the vehicle seat 1 in the standard position on the inner wall 21 of the passenger compartment 2 located on the outside of the vehicle of the vehicle seat 1. More specifically, the relaxation switch 22 is disposed at a position where the hand of the occupant can reach when seated on the vehicle seat 1 in the standard position with the chest facing forward and the forearm moved forward of the body.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the return switch 23 is coupled to the outside of the vehicle side of the protrusion 41 located on the upper rear side of the wall surface on the outside of the vehicle of the decorative member 25 and is covered from the inside of the vehicle by the decorative member 25. As shown in FIG. 2, the return switch 23 is located behind and above the relaxation switch 22 and in front of the backrest surface 10 of the vehicle seat 1 in the relaxation position. More specifically, the return switch 23 is disposed at a position where the hand can reach when the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 1 in the relaxation position with the back in contact with the backrest surface 10 and the forearm moved forward of the body. Therefore, the return switch 23 is disposed at a position where it can be visually recognized by the occupant seated on the vehicle seat 1 in the relaxation position.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, each of the relaxation switch 22 and the return switch 23 includes a substrate 51 on which a light emitting element 50 is mounted, a light shielding member 52 (see FIG. 5), a vibration motor 53, a capacitance sensor 54 (see FIG. 5), and a resin holder 55 that supports all of them. Since the return switch 23 has the same configuration as the relaxation switch 22, hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 5, the relaxation switch 22 will be described, and the description of the relaxation switch 22 will be applied to the return switch 23.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, the substrate 51 is a printed circuit board with wiring printed thereon and has a disk shape. A white surface-mount LED element serving as the light-emitting element 50 is soldered at approximately the center of the substrate. In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 50 is a white surface-mount LED element, but it may also be a colored bullet-shaped LED element. Further, a heat sink for cooling the light-emitting element 50 may be adhered to the back surface of the substrate 51.

[0050] The light-shielding member 52 is formed by applying black ink on the surface of a transparent sheet member made of a colorless transparent resin to draw predetermined patterns 60 and 61. In the enlarged views of FIGS. 1 and 2, the colorless transparent regions on the surface of the light-shielding member 52 are colored and shown. As shown in FIG. 1, on the light-shielding member 52 of the relaxation switch 22, a pattern 60 showing the shape of the vehicle seat 1 in the relaxation position, that is, the ottoman 8 protruding forward with respect to the seat cushion 5 and the backrest surface 10 tilting backward, is drawn. As shown in FIG. 2, on the light-shielding member 52 of the return switch 23, a pattern 61 showing the shape of the vehicle seat 1 in the standard position, that is, the ottoman 8 hanging down and the backrest surface facing forward, is drawn.

[0051] [[ID=ID=8]]The vibration motor 53 is a known disk-shaped brushless DC motor. The vibration motor vibrates in a direction perpendicular to the disk when a voltage is applied. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the switches 22 and 23 includes two vibration motors 53.

[0052] The capacitance sensor 54 has a substantially circular shape and is in the form of a colorless transparent sheet. The capacitance sensor 54 is a known capacitance-type sensor that includes electrodes on its surface and detects the proximity of the occupant's hand by detecting changes in the capacitance between the occupant's hand and the electrodes.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the holder 55 includes a cylindrical main body portion 65, two support portions 66 coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 65, and a flange portion 67 connected to the outer peripheral edge of the main body portion 65 and extending in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the main body portion 65.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, the main body portion 65 has a substantially cylindrical shape extending in the vehicle width direction. The inner diameters of the main body portion 65 are approximately equal to the outer diameters of the protrusions 40 and 41, respectively. The inner opening portion of the main body portion 65 is the outer wall surface of the garnish member 25 on the vehicle exterior side, and is located at a position facing the vehicle exterior side of the protrusions 40 and 41. More specifically, the opening portion of the main body portion 65 and the protrusions 40 and 41 are arranged at positions overlapping in the vehicle width direction. The inner opening edge 70 of the main body portion 65 on the vehicle interior side is adhered to the outer wall surface of the garnish member 25 along its edge. The outer opening edge 71 of the main body portion 65 on the vehicle exterior side is coupled to the surface of the substrate 51 on which the light emitting element 50 is mounted. In the present embodiment, an annular bottom wall 75 having a through hole 74 is provided at the outer opening edge 71 of the main body portion 65 on the vehicle exterior side. The light emitting element 50 is housed in the through hole 74 of the bottom wall 75, and the substrate 51 is fastened to the bottom wall 75 using a predetermined screw.

[0055] The capacitance sensor 54 and the light shielding member 52 are arranged at positions facing the inner opening portion of the main body portion 65 along the outer wall surface of the garnish member 25 on the vehicle exterior side, and are coupled to the outer wall surface of the garnish member 25 on the vehicle exterior side. In the present embodiment, a stepped portion 77 recessed outward on the vehicle exterior side is formed on the inner periphery of the inner opening edge 70 of the main body portion 65 on the vehicle interior side. The light shielding member 52 is housed in the stepped portion 77 at its edge portion and is sandwiched between the main body portion 65 and the inner wall surface of the garnish member 25 on the vehicle interior side. The capacitance sensor 54 is located on the vehicle interior side of the light shielding member 52. The inner surface of the capacitance sensor 54 on the vehicle interior side is adhered to the outer wall surface of the garnish member 25 on the vehicle exterior side, and the outer surface of the capacitance sensor 54 on the vehicle exterior side is adhered to the inner surface of the light shielding member 52 on the vehicle interior side.

[0056] In this embodiment, a thin plate-shaped diffusing material 80 is coupled to the outer surface of the vehicle of the light-shielding member 52. The diffusing material 80 is formed by adding fine particles that scatter light to a colorless and transparent resin as a base material. As shown in FIG. 5, since the diffusing material 80 is located between the light-emitting element 50 and the outer wall surface of the vehicle of the decorative member 25, the light incident on the diffusing material 80 from the light-emitting element 50 is scattered by the fine particles inside the diffusing material 80 and diffused.

[0057] The support portion 66 has a flat plate shape and projects from the side surface of the main body portion 65 by two. The support portion 66 has a main surface facing the vehicle width direction. On the inner side surface of the vehicle of the support portion 66, a housing recess 85 that is recessed substantially in a disk shape toward the outside of the vehicle is formed. A vibration motor 53 is housed in each housing recess 85. The vibration motor 53 is arranged in the housing recess 85 such that the circular surface thereof faces the vehicle width direction. The vibration motor 53 is fastened to the bottom wall of the housing recess 85 and coupled to the support portion 66, and is supported by the holder 55. The shape of the housing recess 85 is set such that when the vibration motor 53 is housed in the housing recess 85, the surface of the vibration motor 53 facing the inside of the vehicle is substantially flush with the opening edge 70 on the inside of the vehicle of the main body portion 65. In this embodiment, further, in order to facilitate the assembly of the vibration motor 53, insertion holes 86 that connect to the housing recess 85 are formed in the upper and lower walls or the front and rear walls of the support portion 66. At the time of assembly, the vibration motor 53 can be housed in the housing recess 85 through the insertion holes 86.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 4, the flange portion 67 extends in a predetermined direction in the vertical or front-rear direction from the opening edge 70 on the vehicle interior side of the main body portion 65, reaches the back surface of the trim main body portion 28, and is fastened to the back surface of the trim main body portion 28. By fastening the flange portion 67 to the trim main body portion 28, the holder 55 is coupled to the trim main body portion 28. At this time, the vibration motor 53 abuts against the vehicle exterior wall surface of the decorative member 25 on the vehicle interior side surface. Therefore, the vibration of the vibration motor 53 is easily transmitted to the decorative member 25, and the vibration is easily transmitted to the occupant who touches the decorative member 25. In the present embodiment, further, the flange portion 67 is adhered to the vehicle exterior wall surface of the decorative member 25 at the peripheral edge of the main body portion 65. As shown in FIG. 4, the flange portion 67 of the holder 55 of the relaxation switch 22 extends forward and downward, and is fastened to the back surface of the trim main body portion 28 at the front portion and the lower portion, respectively. The flange portion 67 of the holder 55 of the return switch 23 extends rearward and downward in a double strip shape, and is fastened to the back surface of the trim main body portion 28, respectively.

[0059] The switching control device 24 is composed of a microcomputer, ROM, RAM, peripheral circuits, input / output interfaces, various drivers, etc., and is connected to the light emitting elements 50, vibration motor 53, and capacitance sensor 54 of the relaxation switch 22 and the return switch 23, the seating sensor 20, and the motor control device 17 via predetermined wiring.

[0060] Next, the operation of the switching device 16 will be described. When no occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 1, both the light-emitting element 50 of the relaxation switch 22 and the light-emitting element 50 of the return switch 23 are turned off. When an occupant sits on the vehicle seat 1, the seating sensor 20 is turned on. When the seating sensor 20 is turned on and the vehicle is automatically driving, the switching control device 24 sends a signal to the motor control device 17 to check the position of the vehicle seat 1. When the switching control device 24 receives a signal corresponding to the case where the position of the vehicle seat 1 is at the standard position from the motor control device 17, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the light-emitting element 50 of the relaxation switch 22 is turned on. At this time, on the front protrusion 40, the colored portion in the enlarged view of FIG. 1 emits light, and the pattern 60 corresponding to the vehicle seat 1 in the relaxation position is displayed. At this time, even if the occupant touches the rear protrusion 41, the switching control device 24 does not react (the return switch 23 is off).

[0061] When the occupant touches the front protrusion 40, the touch is detected by the capacitance sensor 54 of the relaxation switch 22 (the relaxation switch 22 is on). When the switching control device 24 receives a signal corresponding to the touch from the capacitance sensor 54 of the relaxation switch 22, the switching control device 24 drives the vibration motor 53 of the relaxation switch 22. By driving the vibration motor 53, vibration is transmitted to the occupant, giving the occupant a pseudo-click feeling. Thereby, the occupant can recognize that the touch has been detected by the capacitance sensor 54. When it is detected by the capacitance sensor 54 that the occupant's hand has left the front protrusion 40, the light-emitting element 50 of the relaxation switch 22 is turned off, and the switching control device 24 sends a signal to the motor control device 17 to drive the electric motor 11 to displace the vehicle seat 1 to the relaxation position.

[0062] When the vehicle seat 1 is displaced and the switching control device 24 receives a signal from the motor control device 17 indicating that the vehicle seat 1 is in the relaxed position, after a predetermined time has elapsed, the switching control device 24 causes the light-emitting element 50 of the return switch 23 to light up. As a result, the colored portion in the enlarged view of FIG. 2 emits light, and a pattern 61 corresponding to the vehicle seat 1 in the standard position is displayed on the rear protrusion 41. At this time, even if the occupant touches the front protrusion 40, the switching control device 24 is configured not to react.

[0063] Thereafter, when the occupant touches the rear protrusion 41, the touch is detected by the capacitance sensor 54 of the return switch 23 (the return switch 23 is turned on). When the switching control device 24 receives a signal corresponding to the touch from the capacitance sensor 54 of the return switch 23, the switching control device 24 drives the vibration motor 53 of the return switch 23. By driving the vibration motor 53, vibration is transmitted to the occupant, giving the occupant a pseudo-click feeling. When the capacitance sensor 54 detects that the occupant's hand has left the rear protrusion 41, the switching control device 24 turns off the light-emitting element 50 of the return switch 23. The switching control device 24 further sends a signal to the motor control device 17 to drive the electric motor 11 to displace the vehicle seat 1 to the standard position.

[0064] When the displacement is completed, the switching control device 24 causes the light-emitting element 50 of the relaxation switch 22 to light up. By lighting the light-emitting element 50 of the relaxation switch 22, a pattern 60 corresponding to the vehicle seat 1 in the relaxed position is displayed on the front protrusion 40. At this time, even if the occupant touches the rear protrusion 41, the switching control device 24 is configured not to react.

[0065] When the occupant gets off the seat, the seating sensor 20 turns off. At this time, the switching control device 24 turns off both the light-emitting element 50 of the relaxation switch 22 and the light-emitting element 50 of the return switch 23 (Fig. 3). In this way, when no occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 1, the two light-emitting elements 50 turn off, so that energy consumption can be suppressed. When the seating sensor 20 is off, the switching control device 24 is configured not to react even when there is a touch on the front protrusion 40 and the rear protrusion 41 (the relaxation switch 22 and the return switch 23 are both off).

[0066] Next, the effect of the decorative member 25 (interior material for vehicles) will be described. The film 37 is formed of a resin having a colored material layer that transmits light, and the transparency and shading depend on its thickness and the properties of the ink. Since the thickness of the film 37 is smaller at the identification portion 42 than at other portions, light is more likely to transmit through the identification portion 42 than through other portions of the film 37, and the color becomes lighter. By providing the identification portion 42 along the ridge line portions 43 and the outer edge 44 on the surfaces of the protrusions 40 and 41, the colors of the ridge line portions 43 and the outer edge 44 of the protrusions 40 and 41 become lighter than those of other portions. Therefore, the occupant can easily visually recognize the positions of the protrusions 40 and 41. Even when the capacitance sensor 54 is covered by the decorative member 25 due to the provision of the protrusions 40 and 41, the occupant can easily understand the position of the capacitance sensor 54.

[0067] When the vehicle seat 1 is in the standard position and the occupant is seated, only the front protrusion 40 lights up, and a pattern 60 corresponding to the vehicle seat 1 in the relaxation position is displayed on the protrusion 40. When the vehicle seat 1 is in the relaxation position and the occupant is seated, only the rear protrusion 41 lights up, and a pattern 61 corresponding to the vehicle seat 1 in the standard position is displayed on the protrusion 41. Therefore, the occupant can easily recognize the switch to be operated and its position, and can easily understand the shape of the vehicle seat 1 after the operation and the functions of the respective switches.

[0068] Switches 22 and 23 are preferably positioned such that they can be operated by the occupant moving the forearm in front of the body. When the vehicle seat 1 is in the relaxation position, the backrest surface 10 is reclined and the upper body of the occupant faces forward and upward compared to when it is in the standard position. Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the position of the hand of the occupant who has moved the forearm in front of the body is higher when the upper body of the occupant faces forward and upward than when the upper body faces forward. The return switch 23, which is operated when the upper body of the occupant faces forward and upward, is located behind and above the relaxation switch 22, which is operated when the upper body faces forward. Therefore, the operation of the return switch 23 is easier compared to when it is located behind or below the relaxation switch 22.

[0069] Since the decorative member 25 is formed of a member that transmits the light emission of the light emitting element 50, the occupant can visually recognize the light emission from the inside of the vehicle of the decorative member 25. Also, by using the capacitance sensor 54, the touch operation of the occupant on the decorative member 25 can be detected without exposing the sensor to the decorative member 25. In this way, since both switches 22 and 23 are covered from the inside of the vehicle by the decorative member 25, the design of the door 4 is enhanced. Also, since the protrusions 40 and 41 are provided on the outside of the vehicle, the occupant can easily understand the positions of both switches 22 and 23.

[0070] Light emitted from the light-emitting element 50 enters the passenger compartment 2 from the vehicle exterior side wall surface of the decorative member 25 facing the opening of the main body portion 65. Accordingly, in the vehicle interior side wall surface of the decorative member 25, the region located on the vehicle interior side of the opening of the main body portion 65 emits light. By forming the main body portion 65 in a cylindrical shape, it is possible to cause only the portion facing the opening of the main body portion 65 to emit light, and clearly distinguish between the light-emitting region and the non-light-emitting region. Further, since the light-emitting element 50 and the vehicle exterior side wall surface of the decorative member 25 are separated from each other, it is possible to make the light intensity within the region irradiated with the light from the light-emitting element 50 more uniform. Furthermore, since the light from the light-emitting element 50 is scattered by the diffusing material 80, it is possible to make the light intensity reaching the region located on the vehicle interior side of the opening of the main body portion 65 uniform on the vehicle interior side wall surface of the decorative member 25. Therefore, it is possible to cause the region located on the vehicle interior side of the opening of the main body portion 65 to emit light without spots on the vehicle interior side wall surface of the decorative member 25.

[0071] Since the capacitance sensor 54 is coupled to the vehicle exterior side wall surface of the light-emitting region of the decorative member 25, it becomes easier for the capacitance sensor 54 to detect the touch of the occupant on the light-emitting region. Further, by arranging the light-shielding member 52 along the vehicle exterior side wall surface of the decorative member 25, diffraction of light is suppressed more than when it is arranged away from the vehicle exterior side wall surface, so that the patterns 60, 61 of the light-shielding member 52 can be displayed more clearly on the vehicle interior side wall surface of the decorative member 25. Further, by providing the vibration motor 53 on the support portion 66, the vibration motor 53 can be brought closer to the protrusions 40, 41, and vibration can be transmitted to the hand of the occupant more effectively.

[0072] With the above description of the specific embodiments completed, the present invention can be widely modified and implemented without being limited to the above embodiments. In this embodiment, the present invention has been applied to the switching device 16 for switching the position of the vehicle seat 1 in the right front seat, but it may also be applied to the switching device for the vehicle seat in the rear seat. Further, although both the relaxation switch 22 and the return switch 23 are provided on the door trim 26, they may be provided on the trim constituting the inner wall of the passenger compartment 2. For example, the return switch 23 may be provided on the body side trim, more specifically, on the center pillar garnish between the front seat door and the rear seat door.

[0073] In the above embodiment, both switches 22 and 23 are constituted by the capacitance sensor 54 that detects the touch of the crew member to the decorative member 25, but it is not limited to this mode. For example, it may be a membrane switch or a push-type switch provided on the decorative member 25.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the protrusions 40 and 41 and the plate portion 39 are integrally formed, but the protrusions 40 and 41 may be formed by being attached to the plate portion 39 after being formed separately from the plate portion 39. However, by integrally forming the protrusions 40 and 41 and the plate portion 39, the connection between the protrusions 40 and 41 and the plate portion 39 becomes strong, and separation between the protrusions 40 and 41 and the plate portion 39 can be prevented.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, the film 37 was formed of a resin having a colored material layer that transmits light. However, any mode that allows the light from the light-emitting element 50 to pass through may be used, and a grain pattern or the like may be printed on the surface. Further, although the identification portion 42 was thinner than the other portions in the above-described embodiment, it may be thicker than the other portions. In this case, the film 37 is formed using a resin that shrinks due to heat. After the film 37 and the base material 36 are adhered, a heater is installed parallel to the surface of the base material 36 and heated. Then, the surface that easily transmits the heat from the heater, that is, the portion of the film 37 facing the heater is shrunk. By heating, the contact portions of the protruding end surface of the protrusion and the outer surface of the vehicle outside of the plate portion 39 are shrunk. On the other hand, since the side surfaces of the protrusions 40 and 41 are difficult for heat to transmit and are difficult to shrink, the portions joined to the side surfaces of the protrusions 40 and 41 of the film 37 become thicker than the other portions. As a result, the identification portion 42 that is thicker than the other portions can be formed on the ridge line portion 43 and the outer edge 44.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, the light-emitting element 50 of the relaxation switch 22 was configured to always light up when the vehicle seat 1 is in the standard position. However, after the vehicle seat 1 reaches the standard position, it may be configured to turn off after a predetermined time has elapsed and turn on again when a touch is detected by the capacitance sensor 54. Similarly, the light-emitting element 50 of the return switch 23 may also be configured to turn off after a predetermined time has elapsed after the vehicle seat 1 reaches the relaxation position and turn on again when a touch is detected by the capacitance sensor 54. By configuring in this way, power consumption can be suppressed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0077] 25: Decorative member (interior material for vehicle) 36: Base material 37: Film 39: Plate portion (base portion) 40: Protrusion 41: Protrusion 42: Identification portion 43: Ridge line portion 44: Outer edge 54: Capacitance sensor

Claims

1. a base material having a base portion and protrusions provided on the surface of the base portion; a film covering the surface of the base material; a sensor for detecting contact with the protrusions; a light-emitting element provided on the back surface side of the base material; a holder provided on the back surface side of the base material for supporting the light-emitting element; a vibration generator for generating vibration in the protrusions when the contact is detected by the sensor; and the base material has translucency that allows light emitted from the light-emitting element to pass through; the vibration generator is supported by the holder; the sensor is provided outside the vehicle of the protrusions; the holder supports the light-emitting element outside the vehicle of the protrusions; an interior material for a vehicle, wherein the holder is provided with a housing recess that recesses in a direction away from the back surface of the base material so as to house the vibration generator.

2. The film is in a sheet shape and has a thinner identification portion compared to other portions, and the identification portion is provided along the edge of the protrusion. The interior material for a vehicle according to claim 1.

3. A base material having a base portion and protrusions provided on the surface of the base portion; a film covering the surface of the base material; a sensor for detecting contact with the protrusions; a light-emitting element provided on the back surface side of the base material; a holder provided on the back surface side of the base material for supporting the light-emitting element; a vibration generator for generating vibration in the protrusions when the contact is detected by the sensor; and the base material has translucency that allows light emitted from the light-emitting element to pass through; the vibration generator is supported by the holder; the sensor is provided outside the vehicle of the protrusions; the holder supports the light-emitting element outside the vehicle of the protrusions; the film is in a sheet shape and has a thinner identification portion compared to other portions, and the identification portion is provided along the edge of the protrusion. The interior material for a vehicle.

4. the holder has a cylindrical main body portion with a bottom; the light-emitting element is provided on the bottom wall of the main body portion; the main body portion is arranged to open toward the protrusions outside the vehicle of the base material and is coupled to the outer side surface of the base material outside the vehicle at the opening edge, and is arranged to extend to the back side in the front-back direction of the base material. The interior material for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the holder includes a support portion for supporting the vibration generator; the support portion is coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion. The interior material for a vehicle according to claim 4.

6. The vibration generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is in contact with the back surface of the base material, is provided in the vehicle interior material.

7. Comprising at least two of the vibration generating devices, The sensor is arranged between the two vibration generating devices when viewed in the front-back direction of the base material, and the vehicle interior material according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is provided.

8. Comprising at least two of the vibration generating devices, The light emitting element is arranged between the two vibration generating devices when viewed in the front-back direction of the base material, and the vehicle interior material according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is provided.

9. Composed of a transmissive sheet member on which a predetermined pattern is drawn, a light shielding member arranged so as to overlap the protrusion from the back surface side of the base material, And a diffusing material provided on the back surface side of the light shielding member for diffusing the light from the light emitting element, and the vehicle interior material according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is provided.

10. The diffusing material is located between the light emitting element and the protrusion, and the vehicle interior material according to claim 9 is provided.

11. A vehicle including a vehicle seat having a seat back, a seat cushion, and an ottoman, and a vehicle interior material according to any one of claims 1 to 10, An electric motor for switching the vehicle seat between a standard position and a relaxation position in which the seat back is reclined and the ottoman protrudes forward as compared with the state in the standard position, And a control device for switching the vehicle seat between the standard position and the relaxation position by controlling the electric motor based on the detection result of the sensor.

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