Driving posture setting device and method

Abstract

To provide a body-type class identification device and a body-type class identification method capable of automatically identifying a class of a subject from a plurality of classes (body-type classes) and to provide a driving posture setting device and a driving posture setting method comprising the body-type class identification device and method.SOLUTION: A body-type class identification device of the present invention includes: a class feature quantity information storage unit 41 that stores class feature quantity information in which a plurality of different classes into which body types are classified according to a size ratio of each predetermined part of a body and a plurality of predetermined feature quantities for featuring the classes are associated with each other; a first input unit 11, an eye height measurement unit 2 and a torso length ratio processing unit 32, that each serve as an example of a feature quantity acquisition unit that acquires a feature quantity of a subject for identifying the class; and a class identification unit 33 that identifies a class corresponding the feature quantity of the subject acquired by each feature quantity acquisition unit, based the class feature quantity information stored in the class feature quantity information storage unit 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention provides a body type class specification device and a body type class specification method for specifying (selecting) a body type class of a subject from a plurality of different classes (body type classes, body type groups) obtained by classifying body types according to the dimensional ratios of predetermined body parts. of The present invention relates to a driving posture setting device and a driving posture setting method that control at least the posture of a vehicle seat so that an appropriate driving posture can be achieved. [Background technology]

[0002] An appropriate driving posture for a vehicle occupant is generally recommended for driving a vehicle safely, securely, and comfortably. This driving posture can be set (adjusted) by adjusting some or all of the following: the tilt of the seat back, the position of the seat cushion in the longitudinal direction, the position (height) of the seat cushion in the vertical direction, the tilt of the seat cushion's seat surface, the vertical position of the steering wheel, and the longitudinal position of the steering wheel. When driving a vehicle, a vehicle occupant adjusts some or all of these parameters according to their own body type to adjust their driving posture. In recent years, technology for automatically adjusting driving posture has been researched and developed, and is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1.

[0003] The vehicle control system disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises a camera fixed at a predetermined position inside the vehicle cabin so that its optical axis is inclined at a predetermined fixed angle relative to a predetermined reference direction; a physical information calculation means for calculating physical information related to the driver's sitting height using at least the position of the driver's eyes in an image captured by the camera and the reclining angle and sliding amount of the driver's seat relative to the reference direction at the time the image was captured as parameters; a seat recommendation value acquisition means for acquiring recommended values ​​for the reclining angle and sliding amount according to the physical information calculated by the physical information calculation means; and a seat control means for controlling the actual reclining angle and sliding amount so that they match the recommended values ​​acquired by the seat recommendation value acquisition means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-201174 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, the vehicle control system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is unlikely to cause any inconvenience when installed in a vehicle that is sold and consumed in the country of manufacture, but the vehicle may be exported to and used in destinations in various regions or countries. In such cases, the body types of people in the destinations vary depending on the destination, for example, with Caucasians having relatively long legs or, conversely, Asians having relatively long torsos. Therefore, the vehicle control system disclosed in Patent Document 1 may not be able to obtain recommended values ​​for the reclining angle and sliding amount that suit the body types of occupants in the destination, and there is a risk that the posture of the vehicle seat may not be able to be controlled to achieve an appropriate driving posture.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a body type class specification device and a body type class specification method that can automatically specify the class of a subject from a plurality of classes (body type classes). of The present invention provides a driving posture setting device and a driving posture setting method that can control the posture of a vehicle seat so as to realize a driving posture that suits the physique of the occupant in the destination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] After extensive investigation, the inventors have found that the above object can be achieved by the present invention. That is, a body type class identification device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a class feature information storage unit that stores class feature information that associates a plurality of different classes, each of which classifies body types according to the dimensional ratios of predetermined body parts, with a plurality of predetermined feature amounts that characterize the classes; a feature acquisition unit that acquires the feature amounts of a subject for identifying the class; and a class identification unit that identifies a class corresponding to the feature amount of the subject acquired by the feature acquisition unit, based on the class feature information stored in the class feature information storage unit. Preferably, in the body type class identification device, the plurality of classes are classes classified by race, or classes classified by race and gender. Preferably, in the body type class identification device, the plurality of classes are classes classified by region, or classes classified by region and gender. Preferably, in the body type class identification device, the plurality of classes are classes classified by ethnicity (country), or classes classified by ethnicity (country) and gender.

[0008] Such a body type class identification device can automatically identify a subject's class from among multiple classes based on the features of the subject whose class is to be identified, using class feature information stored in association with each of multiple different classes into which body types are classified and multiple predetermined features that characterize the classes.

[0009] In another aspect, in the body type class identification device described above, the feature is a torso length ratio, which is the ratio of the torso length to the height and leg length of the subject, where the height is the length from the sole of the foot to the top of the head in a standing position, the leg length (foot length) is the length from the sole of the foot to the hip point in a standing position, and the torso length (sitting height) is the length from the hip point to the top of the head in a standing position.

[0010] The body has various parts, such as the head, arms, hands, neck, trunk, legs, and feet. The arms can be further divided into parts such as the upper arms and forearms, and the legs can be further divided into parts such as the thighs and shins. Meanwhile, people's body types can be classified based on various factors, such as genetic information, climate, and lifestyle, such as race (e.g., Asian, Black, and Caucasian), region (e.g., Asian, European, and North American), and ethnicity (country). Furthermore, body types generally differ depending on gender, and can also be classified by gender. For each of these various body types, for example, the dimensional proportions of specific body parts can be statistically determined for each body type. When body types are classified into multiple classes based on the dimensional proportions of specific body parts, the features characterizing the classes have been examined and investigated. As described above, since each part of the body is different, the inventor repeatedly conducted trial and error, such as investigating whether a class can be characterized by assuming, for example, head size as a feature, or whether a class can be characterized by assuming, for example, leg length as a feature. From the results of numerous investigations, the inventor discovered that the torso length ratio (= torso length / leg length), which is the ratio of torso length to height and leg length, can be a feature that characterizes the class. The above-mentioned body type class identification device is an invention discovered in this way, and can appropriately identify the class of the subject based on the subject's features.

[0011] In another aspect, in the above-mentioned body type class identification device, the feature acquisition unit includes an input unit that accepts an input of the subject's height, an eye height measurement unit that measures the eye height of the subject in a seated position, and a torso length ratio processing unit that calculates the subject's torso length based on the subject's height accepted by the input unit and the subject's eye height measured by the eye height measurement unit, calculates the subject's leg length based on the calculated torso length and the subject's height accepted by the input unit to calculate a torso length ratio, which is the ratio of the torso length to the leg length, and sets the subject's height accepted by the input unit and the calculated torso length ratio as the feature. If the seat height is adjustable, in the above-mentioned body type class identification device, the torso length ratio processing unit preferably calculates the subject's torso length based on the subject's height accepted by the input unit, the subject's eye height measured by the eye height measurement unit, and the height of the seat on which the subject is seated.

[0012] Such a body type class identification device can automatically determine the torso length ratio included in the feature amount based on input of the subject's height and measurement of eye height.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention provides a body type class identification method that stores class feature information in a class feature information storage unit, which associates each of a plurality of different classes into which body types are classified according to the dimensional ratios of each specified part of the body with a plurality of specified features that characterize the classes, and identifies a subject's class from the plurality of classes.The method includes a feature acquisition step of acquiring the features of the subject, and a class identification step of identifying a class corresponding to the subject's features acquired in the feature acquisition step, based on the class feature information stored in the class feature information storage unit.

[0014] This body type class identification method can automatically identify a subject's class from among multiple classes based on the features of the subject whose class is to be identified, using class feature relationship information that stores multiple different classes into which body types are classified and each of multiple predetermined features that characterize the classes.

[0015] A driving posture setting device according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a vehicle seat for use in a vehicle; any of the above-described body type class identification devices, the body type class identification device including the feature acquisition unit including the input unit that receives input of a height of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat as the target; a class dimension ratio information storage unit that stores class dimension ratio information that associates each of the plurality of classes with a plurality of dimension ratio information representing a dimension ratio of each predetermined second part of the body that is related to the driving posture; a seat drive unit that moves the posture of the vehicle seat; a dimension ratio identification unit that identifies the dimension ratio information corresponding to the class identified by the class identification unit based on the class dimension ratio information stored in the class dimension ratio information storage unit; and a posture control unit that controls the seat drive unit so that the posture of the vehicle seat becomes a posture corresponding to the height of the occupant received by the input unit and the driving posture based on the dimension ratio information identified by the dimension ratio identification unit.

[0016] This provides a driving posture setting device that includes the body type class identification device and can control the posture of a vehicle seat to achieve a driving posture that suits the body type of an occupant in the destination. Since the driving posture setting device includes any of the body type class identification devices described above, it can identify the occupant's class without inputting the occupant's class, eliminating the need to manufacture vehicles differently depending on the destination. This reduces the number of manufacturing steps, allowing for the benefits of mass production and lower costs. Because the driving posture setting device can identify the occupant's class, it can automatically achieve an appropriate driving posture according to the occupant's class.

[0017] A driving posture setting device according to another aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle seat used in a vehicle; the above-mentioned body type class identification device, which identifies an occupant seated in the vehicle seat as the subject; a class size ratio information storage unit that stores class size ratio information that associates each of the plurality of classes with a plurality of size ratio information representing a size ratio of each predetermined second part of the body related to the driving posture; a seat drive unit that moves the posture of the vehicle seat; a size ratio identification unit that identifies size ratio information corresponding to the class identified by the class identification unit based on the class size ratio information stored in the class size ratio information storage unit; and a posture control unit that controls the seat drive unit so that the posture of the vehicle seat becomes a posture corresponding to the height of the occupant received by the input unit and the driving posture based on the size ratio information identified by the size ratio identification unit, In a two-dimensional coordinate space having the torso length ratio as two axes, a height and torso length ratio that is most similar to the occupant's height received by the input unit and the calculated torso length ratio is selected from a plurality of heights and torso length ratios associated with each of the plurality of classes, and the class corresponding to the selected height and torso length ratio is identified as the class corresponding to the occupant's feature acquired by the feature acquisition unit. The posture control unit calculates the lengths of the second parts based on the occupant's height received by the input unit and the identified dimension ratio information, corrects the calculated lengths of the second parts based on the difference in the two-dimensional coordinate space between a first point represented by the occupant's height received by the input unit and the calculated torso length ratio and a second point represented by the most similar height and torso length ratio, and controls the seat drive unit to achieve a posture corresponding to a driving posture based on the corrected lengths of the second parts. Preferably, in the above-mentioned driving posture setting device, the most similar height and torso length ratio is the height of the occupant received by the input unit, and is the torso length ratio that is closest to the calculated torso length ratio among the torso length ratios of the plurality of classes corresponding to the height of the occupant received by the input unit.Preferably, in the above-mentioned driving posture setting device, the most similar height and torso length ratio is the height and torso length ratio that is closest in distance to the subject's height and the calculated torso length ratio received by the input unit, among a plurality of height and torso length ratios associated with each of the plurality of classes. Preferably, in the above-mentioned driving posture setting device, the posture control unit corrects only the second body parts that are correlated with torso length, excluding leg length, among the second body parts (second body parts that are not correlated with torso length are not corrected).

[0018] Such a driving posture setting device corrects the length of each second portion, and therefore can realize an appropriate driving posture for the occupant seated in the vehicle seat.

[0019] In another aspect, the driving posture setting device further includes a steering device capable of changing the posture of a steering wheel, and the posture control unit further controls the steering device so that the posture of the steering wheel becomes a posture corresponding to the driving posture based on the occupant's height received by the input unit and the dimensional ratio information specified by the dimensional ratio specifying unit. That is, the posture control unit controls the seat drive unit and the steering device so that the posture of the vehicle seat and the posture of the steering wheel become a posture corresponding to the driving posture based on the occupant's height received by the input unit and the dimensional ratio information specified by the dimensional ratio specifying unit.

[0020] Such a driving posture setting device controls not only the posture of the vehicle seat but also the posture of the steering wheel, thereby enabling a more appropriate driving posture to be achieved.

[0021] A driving posture setting method according to another aspect of the present invention includes the above-described body type class identification method, in which the target person is an occupant seated in a vehicle seat used in a vehicle, and stores class dimension ratio information in a class dimension ratio information storage unit, which associates each of the plurality of classes with a plurality of dimension ratio information representing the dimension ratios of each predetermined second part of the body related to the driving posture, and controls the posture of the vehicle seat.The driving posture setting method includes an input step of accepting an input of the occupant's height, a dimension ratio identification step of identifying the dimension ratio information corresponding to the class identified by the class identification step based on the class dimension ratio information stored in the class dimension ratio information storage unit, and a posture control step of controlling the posture of the vehicle seat so that the posture of the vehicle seat becomes a posture corresponding to the occupant's height accepted by the input unit and the driving posture based on the dimension ratio information identified in the dimension ratio identification step.

[0022] This provides a driving posture setting method that includes the body type class identification method and can control the posture of a vehicle seat so as to achieve a driving posture that suits the body type of an occupant in a destination. Since the driving posture setting method includes the body type class identification method, it can identify the occupant's class without inputting the occupant's class, eliminating the need to manufacture vehicles differently depending on the destination. This reduces the number of manufacturing steps and correspondingly reduces costs. Since the driving posture setting method can identify the occupant's class, it can automatically achieve an appropriate driving posture according to the occupant's class.

[0023] In another aspect, in the above-mentioned driving posture setting method, the posture control step further controls the posture of the steering wheel so that the posture of the steering wheel corresponds to the driving posture based on the occupant's height received in the input step and the dimension ratio information identified in the dimension ratio identification step.

[0024] This driving posture setting method controls not only the posture of the vehicle seat but also the posture of the steering wheel, thereby enabling a more appropriate driving posture to be achieved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention Driving posture setting Equipment and Driving posture setting The method is capable of automatically identifying a subject's class from among multiple classes; Service The posture of the vehicle seat can be controlled to realize a driving posture that suits the occupant's body shape on the road. 。 [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a driving posture setting device including a body type class specifying device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 4 is a diagram for explaining a second input unit of the driving position setting device. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram illustrating a first input unit and an eye height measuring unit of the driving posture setting device. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating class feature information as an example. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an appropriate driving posture. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram for explaining a method for calculating torso length, and the definitions of height, torso length, and leg length. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the driving posture setting device. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 shows, as an example, each screen displayed on the display device (part 1). [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 2) showing, as an example, each screen displayed on the display device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 3) showing, as an example, each screen displayed on the display device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. In addition, components with the same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same components, and their description will be omitted as appropriate. In this specification, when referring to a general term, a reference numeral without a subscript is used, and when referring to an individual component, a reference numeral with a subscript is used.

[0028] The driving position setting device in the embodiment is a device that controls the position of a vehicle seat so that an occupant seated in the vehicle seat can achieve an appropriate driving position. This driving posture setting device includes: a vehicle seat used in a vehicle; a body type class identification device that identifies the class of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat from a plurality of different classes (body type classes) that classify body types according to the dimensional ratios of predetermined body parts (first parts, body type classification parts); a class dimension ratio information storage unit that stores class dimension ratio information that associates each of the plurality of classes with a plurality of dimension ratio information representing the dimensional ratios of predetermined second body parts (driving posture related parts) that are related to the driving posture; a seat drive unit that moves the posture of the vehicle seat; a dimension ratio identification unit that identifies the dimension ratio information corresponding to the class identified by the class identification unit based on the class dimension ratio information stored in the class dimension ratio information storage unit; and a posture control unit that controls the seat drive unit so that the posture of the vehicle seat becomes a posture that corresponds to the occupant's height received by the input unit and the driving posture based on the dimension ratio information identified by the dimension ratio identification unit. The body type class identification device includes a class feature information storage unit that stores class feature information that associates each of the plurality of classes with a plurality of predetermined features that characterize the class, a feature acquisition unit that acquires features of a subject (e.g., an occupant) for identifying the class, and a class identification unit that identifies a class corresponding to the feature of the subject (occupant) acquired by the feature acquisition unit based on the class feature information stored in the class feature information storage unit. A driving posture setting device equipped with such a body type class identification device will be described in more detail below.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a driving posture setting device including a body type class identification device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a second input unit of the driving posture setting device. FIG. 2A is a perspective view, and FIG. 2B is a side view. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a first input unit and an eye height measurement unit of the driving posture setting device. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the area around a driver's seat (an example of a vehicle seat), and FIG. 3B is a side view thereof. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating class feature information as an example. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an appropriate driving posture. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for calculating torso length and the definitions of height, torso length, and leg length. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a method for calculating torso length, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating the definitions of height, torso length, and leg length.

[0030] In the following description, terms indicating directions such as "front," "rear," "right," "left," "up," and "down" refer to the respective directions of the vehicle when the direction of travel of the vehicle when traveling forward is defined as "front."

[0031] The driving posture setting device D in the embodiment includes, for example, an input unit 1, an eye height measurement unit 2, a control processing unit 3, a memory unit 4, a seat drive unit 5, a steering device 6, and a display device 7, as shown in FIG.

[0032] The seat drive unit 5 is connected to the control processing unit 3 and is a device that moves the posture of the vehicle seat ST under the control of the control processing unit 3. The vehicle seat ST is a device used in a vehicle on which an occupant DV sits. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the vehicle seat ST includes a seat cushion SC that forms a seat surface, a seat back SB that serves as a backrest and whose lower end (one end) is attached to the rear end (the other end) of the seat cushion SC, and a pillow-shaped headrest HR that is attached to the upper end (the other end) of the seat back SB. The vehicle seat ST incorporates the seat drive unit 5. In this embodiment, the seat drive unit 5 includes, for example, an electric reclining mechanism 51 that adjusts the tilt of the seat back SB, an electric slide mechanism 52 that adjusts the position (front-rear position) of the seat cushion SC in the front-rear direction, an electric lift mechanism 53 that adjusts the position (up-down position, height) of the seat cushion SC in the up-down direction, and an electric tilt mechanism 54 that adjusts the height of the front end (one end) of the seat cushion SC in the up-down direction to adjust the tilt of the seat surface of the seat cushion SC. Such motorized reclining mechanism 51, slide mechanism 52, lift mechanism 53, and tilt mechanism 54 are configured using known conventional means, as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2011-79472, 2019-172016, and 2006-218882. The inclination of the seat back SB is represented by the angle (reclining angle) between a normal to a horizontal plane (e.g., the vehicle floor surface FL) and a line extending substantially in the height direction of the seat back SB. Therefore, the smaller the reclining angle, the more the seat back SB assumes an upright position closer to vertical, while the larger the reclining angle, the more the seat back SB tilts backward and assumes a reclined position closer to horizontal. The inclination of the seat surface is represented by the angle between the horizontal plane and the seat surface.

[0033] The input unit 1 is connected to the control processing unit 3, and is a device that inputs various instructions (various commands), such as an instruction to move the posture of the vehicle seat ST (an instruction to adjust the posture of the vehicle seat ST), and various data necessary for operating the driving posture setting device D (body type class identification device), such as the height of the occupant DV, to the driving posture setting device D. In this embodiment, the input unit 1 includes a first input unit 11, a second input unit 12, and a third input unit 13, as shown in FIGS.

[0034] The first input unit 11 is a device that accepts input of various data such as the height. The first input unit 11 may be configured with a plurality of switches, such as a numeric keypad. In this embodiment, however, the first input unit 11 is a cylindrical dial switch that is rotatable about an axis and can be pushed in an axial direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first input unit 11 is disposed in a center console that separates the driver's seat from the passenger seat in the vehicle cabin. By rotating the dial switch, a numerical value displayed on a display device 7 (e.g., a head-up display (HUD) or a center display) increases or decreases depending on the direction of rotation (for example, a clockwise rotation increases the numerical value, and a counterclockwise rotation decreases the numerical value), as shown in FIG. 8B (described later). By pushing the dial switch, the numerical value displayed on the display device 7 is confirmed and input to the driving posture setting device D (body type class identification device).

[0035] The second input unit 12 is a device for inputting instructions to change the posture of the vehicle seat ST. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the second input unit 12 includes a seat back switch (SB switch) 121 for inputting an instruction to adjust the tilt of the seat back SB, and a seat cushion switch (SC switch) 122 for inputting instructions to adjust the front-rear position, the up-down position, and the tilt of the seat cushion SC, and is disposed on the lower side of the vehicle seat ST so that the SB switch 121 and the SC switch 122 resemble the shape of the vehicle seat ST in a side view. The SB switch 121 is configured to tilt approximately in the front-rear direction around a rotation axis at its lower end. The SC switch 122 is configured to tilt approximately in the front-rear direction around a rotation axis at its approximately central portion, with its front and rear ends each tilting approximately up-down. It is also configured to move in the front-rear direction.

[0036] In manual adjustment of the posture of the vehicle seat ST, as shown in FIG. 2A , when the SB switch 121 is tilted forward (or backward), the control processing unit 3 controls the reclining mechanism 51 to tilt the seat back SB forward (or backward) while the SB switch 121 is tilted, and gradually decrease (or increase) the reclining angle. When the SB switch 121 returns to its original neutral position, the control processing unit 3 stops the reclining mechanism 51, and the seat back SB maintains its posture at the reclined angle. As shown in FIG. 2A , when the SC switch 122 is moved forward (or backward), the control processing unit 3 controls the slide mechanism 52 to gradually move the seat cushion SC forward (or backward) while the SC switch 122 is positioned forward (or backward). When the SC switch 122 returns to its original position, the control processing unit 3 stops the slide mechanism 52, and the seat cushion SC maintains its posture in its forward / backward position. 2A, when the rear end of the SC switch 122 is tilted upward (or downward), the control processing unit 3 controls the lift mechanism 53 so that the seat cushion SC gradually rises (or falls) while the SC switch 122 is tilted upward (or downward), and when the SC switch 122 returns to its original position, the control processing unit 3 stops the lift mechanism 53, and the seat cushion SC maintains its posture at its up-down position (height). As shown in FIG. 2A, when the front end of the SC switch 122 is tilted upward (or downward), the control processing unit 3 controls the tilt mechanism 54 so that the front end of the seat cushion SC gradually rises (or falls) while the SC switch 122 is tilted upward (or downward), and when the SC switch 122 returns to its original position, the control processing unit 3 stops the tilt mechanism 54, and the seat cushion SC maintains its posture with the tilt of its seat surface.

[0037] The third input unit 13 is a device for inputting instructions to change the attitude of the steering wheel. The third input unit 13 is provided around the steering device 6 and includes a tilt switch for inputting instructions to adjust the vertical position of the steering wheel and a telescopic switch for inputting instructions to adjust the front-rear position of the steering wheel.

[0038] The eye height measuring unit 2 is a device that measures the eye height (eye height, eye position in the height direction) of an occupant DV seated in a vehicle seat ST. In this embodiment, the eye height measuring unit 2 includes, for example, an eye height data acquiring unit 21 and an eye height processing unit 36 ​​(22). The eye height data acquiring unit 21 is connected to the control processing unit 3 and is a device that acquires predetermined data for measuring the eye height of the occupant DV seated in the vehicle seat ST in accordance with the control of the control processing unit 3. In this embodiment, the eye height processing unit 36 ​​(22) is functionally configured in the control processing unit 3 by executing a control processing program described below, and determines the eye height of the occupant DV by processing the predetermined data acquired by the eye height data acquiring unit 21.

[0039] For example, the eye height data acquisition unit 21 includes a camera that generates an image of an occupant DV seated in a vehicle seat ST, and is disposed in a predetermined location, such as at one side edge (or upper edge) of a display device 7 that is disposed next to a dashboard that displays the vehicle's rotational speed, engine speed, etc., as shown in FIG. 3A. Because the face width of people varies little statistically among individuals, a statistically determined fixed value (fixed face width value) is used. The eye height processing unit 36 ​​(22) calculates the eye height based on the image of the occupant DV generated by the camera and the fixed face width value. More specifically, the eye height processing unit 36 ​​(22) first extracts the outer contour of the face from a predetermined image area in the image of the occupant DV generated by the camera where the occupant's face is expected to appear, for example, by using an edge filter or a circular Hough transform, or by facial pattern matching, and then calculates the number of pixels present within one line along the width direction with the widest width of the outer contour of the face. The predetermined image area is determined in advance based on, for example, the position of the camera, the position of the vehicle seat ST, the focal length and optical axis direction of the camera, etc., and is stored in the storage unit 4. Next, the eye height processing unit 36 ​​(22) divides the fixed face width value by the determined number of pixels to determine the actual length of the subject captured in one pixel, taking into account camera parameters such as the focal length of the camera. Next, the eye height processing unit 36 ​​(22) extracts the white of the eye from the predetermined image area (or the image area within the outer contour of the face) using image processing such as a white filter, determines the pixel position of the white of the eye, determines the number of pixels from the bottom edge of the image of the occupant DV (or the pixel position through which the optical axis of the camera passes (usually the central pixel position of the image)) to the determined pixel position of the white of the eye, and multiplies this determined number of pixels by the actual length of the subject captured in the determined one pixel to determine the eye height. Note that if the optical axis of the camera is not horizontal but has an angle, this angle is taken into account in calculating the eye height. Furthermore, if the pixel is rectangular rather than square, the actual length of the subject reflected in one pixel in the width direction (horizontal direction) is converted from the aspect ratio to the actual length of the subject reflected in one pixel in the vertical direction, and this is used to calculate the eye height.

[0040] The eye height is measured from a predetermined reference position. The reference position for the eye height may be, for example, the position of the floor surface of the vehicle, the position of the seat surface of the seat cushion SC, or the position of the hip point HP according to the posture of the vehicle seat ST, but in this embodiment, it is the position in the height direction where the eye height data acquisition unit 21 is disposed, as shown in Figures 3B and 6A.

[0041] In the above description, the actual length of the subject captured in one pixel is calculated using camera parameters, but since the camera parameters are known in advance, a function (or table) that converts the number of pixels in one line into the actual length of the subject captured in one pixel can be created in advance, and the actual length of the subject captured in one pixel can be calculated using this function from the number of pixels in one line.

[0042] Alternatively, for example, the eye height data acquisition unit 21 may include a camera that generates an image of the occupant DV seated in the vehicle seat ST and a rangefinder (e.g., an infrared pulse rangefinder) that measures the distance to the occupant DV seated in the vehicle seat ST, and these may be arranged in the same manner as described above. The eye height processing unit 36 ​​(22) calculates the eye height of the occupant DV based on the image of the occupant DV generated by the camera and the distance to the occupant measured by the rangefinder. In this case, the eye height processing unit 36 ​​(22) calculates the actual length of the subject captured in one pixel from the measured distance to the occupant DV and the camera parameters of the camera, and then calculates the eye height of the occupant DV in the same manner as described above. Note that a so-called stereo camera may be used instead of the rangefinder. In this case, one of the stereo cameras can be used as the camera of the eye height data acquisition unit 21 (can be used for both purposes).

[0043] The steering device 6 is a mechanism for steering the steered wheels by changing the attitude of the steering wheel. The steering device 6 includes, for example, a steering wheel, a steering shaft connected to the steering wheel, a steering angle sensor that detects the steering angle generated in the steering shaft by operating the steering wheel, and a steering angle drive mechanism that applies a steering angle to the steered wheels in accordance with the steering angle detected by the steering angle sensor. The steering shaft includes a tilt mechanism connected to a control processing unit 3 and electrically moves the steering wheel up and down under the control of the control processing unit 3, and a telescopic mechanism connected to the control processing unit 3 and electrically moves the steering wheel forward and backward under the control of the control processing unit 3. Such electrically powered tilt mechanism and telescopic mechanism are configured using known conventional means and are disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2020-19327 and 2019-23050.

[0044] In manual adjustment of the steering wheel attitude, when the TR switch is instructed to raise (or lower) the vertical position of the steering wheel, the control processing unit 3 gradually raises (or lowers) the vertical position of the steering wheel using the tilt mechanism of the steering device 6, and when the TR switch is reset, the control processing unit 3 stops the tilt mechanism of the steering device 6, and the steering wheel maintains its attitude at that vertical position.When the TS switch is instructed to move the fore-and-aft position of the steering wheel forward (or backward), the control processing unit 3 gradually moves the fore-and-aft position of the steering wheel forward (or backward) using the telescopic mechanism of the steering device 6, and when the TS switch is reset, the control processing unit 3 stops the telescopic mechanism of the steering device 6, and the steering wheel maintains its attitude at that vertical position.

[0045] The display device 7 is connected to the control processing unit 3 and displays predetermined information, such as height input via the first input unit 11, under the control of the control processing unit 3, and is, for example, a center display or head-up display of a liquid crystal display (LCD).

[0046] The storage unit 4 is connected to the control processing unit 3 and is a circuit that stores various predetermined programs and various predetermined data under the control of the control processing unit 3. The various predetermined programs include, for example, a control processing program that controls each of the units 1, 2, 4 to 7 of the driving posture setting device D (body type class identification device) according to the function of each unit, and a torso length calculation program that calculates the torso length of the occupant DV based on the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 and the eye height of the occupant DV measured by the eye height measurement unit 2, calculates the leg length of the occupant DV based on the calculated torso length and the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11, and calculates a torso length ratio that is the ratio of the torso length to the leg length, and uses the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 and the calculated torso length ratio as a feature that characterizes the class into which the body type is classified. The storage unit 4 includes a length ratio processing program, a class identification program that identifies a class corresponding to the feature of the occupant DV processed by the torso length ratio processing program based on class feature information stored in a class feature information storage unit 41 (described later), a dimension ratio identification program that identifies dimension ratio information corresponding to the class identified by the class identification program based on class dimension ratio information stored in a class dimension ratio information storage unit 42 (described later), and a posture control program that controls the seat drive unit 5 so that the posture of the vehicle seat ST is adjusted to a driving posture based on the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 and the dimension ratio information identified by the dimension ratio identification program. The various predetermined data include data necessary for executing these programs, such as the class feature information and the class dimension ratio information. The storage unit 4 includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as a read-only memory (ROM) or a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The storage unit 4 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) that stores data generated during execution of the predetermined program and serves as a so-called working memory of the control processing unit 3. The storage unit 4 functionally includes a class feature information storage unit 41 and a class dimension ratio information storage unit 42.

[0047] The class feature information storage unit 41 stores class feature information. The class feature information is information that associates a plurality of different classes (body type classes, groups, and body type groups) into which body types are classified according to the dimensional ratio of each predetermined body part (each first body part, body type classification body part) with a plurality of predetermined features that characterize the class. The body type classification body parts are body parts that are appropriately set from the perspective of classifying body types, such as arms, trunk, and legs. As described above, for each of the variously classified body types, the dimensional ratio of each predetermined body part can be statistically determined for each body type. Therefore, the plurality of classes may be, for example, classes classified by race or classes classified by race and gender, or may be, for example, classes classified by region or classes classified by region and gender, or may be, for example, classes classified by ethnicity (country) or classes classified by ethnicity (country) and gender. In this embodiment, the feature amounts are height and torso length ratio, which were found from the results of numerous investigations conducted through trial and error. The torso length ratio is the ratio of torso length to leg length (torso length / leg length). The greater the torso length ratio (torso length / leg length>1), the longer the torso length becomes (torso length>leg length). The smaller the torso length ratio (torso length / leg length<1), the longer the leg length becomes (torso length<leg length). As shown in FIG. 6B , the height is the length from the sole of the foot to the top of the head in a standing position, the leg length (foot length) is the length from the sole of the foot to the hip point HP in a standing position, and the torso length (sitting height) is the length from the hip point HP to the top of the head in a standing position.

[0048] In this embodiment, body types are classified into six classes (first to sixth classes) as shown in FIG. 4 , and the feature quantities are height and torso length ratio as described above. Based on the survey results, the torso length ratio is a function of height. The horizontal axis of FIG. 4 represents height, and the vertical axis represents torso length ratio. The first class ASM represents Asian men (e.g., Japanese men) and is represented by a straight line (first function line) with a downward-sloping profile in which the torso length ratio decreases as height increases. The second class ASF represents Asian women (e.g., Japanese women) and is represented by a straight line (second function line) with a downward-sloping profile in which the torso length ratio decreases slightly as height increases. The third class EPM represents European men (e.g., German men) and is represented by a straight line (third function line) with a upward-sloping profile in which the torso length ratio increases slightly as height increases. The fourth class EPF represents European women (e.g., German women) and is represented by a straight line (fourth function line) with a downward-sloping profile in which the torso length ratio decreases as height increases. The fifth class, NAM, represents North American men (e.g., American men) and is a straight line (fifth function line) with an upward-sloping profile in which the body length ratio increases slightly with height. The sixth class, NAF, represents North American women (e.g., American women) and is a straight line (sixth function line) with an upward-sloping profile in which the body length ratio increases with height. The first class, ASM, has the steepest slope, the second class, ASF, has the smallest slope, and the fourth class, EPF, has a slope between the slopes of the first and second classes, ASM, and ASF. The sixth class, NAF, has the steepest slope, the fifth class, NAM, has the smallest slope, and the third class, EPM, has a slope between the slopes of the fifth and sixth classes, NAM, and NAF. The height ranges within each class vary depending on the height distribution of each class.

[0049] Each feature amount (first to sixth feature amount) of the first to sixth classes is expressed by a function line of the body length ratio to height (first to sixth function lines). The first class ASM is associated with the first function line of the first feature amount, the second class ASF is associated with the second function line of the second feature amount, the third class EPM is associated with the third function line of the third feature amount, the fourth class EPF is associated with the fourth function line of the fourth feature amount, the fifth class NAM is associated with the fifth function line of the fifth feature amount, and the sixth class NAF is associated with the sixth function line of the sixth feature amount, and these are stored as class feature amount information in the class feature amount information storage unit 41. Note that, although function lines are used in the above description, tables of body length ratio to height may also be used (first to sixth tables corresponding to the first to sixth function lines).

[0050] The class dimension ratio information storage unit 42 stores class dimension ratio information. The class dimension ratio information is information that associates each of the plurality of classes with a plurality of dimension ratio information representing the dimension ratio of each predetermined second body part (driving posture-related body part) related to driving posture. An appropriate driving posture is known, and for example, as shown in FIG. 5, it is a posture in which the driver can place their heels on the floor, switch between the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal, place their wrists on the steering wheel, and visually check the vehicle speed and rotation speed on the dashboard without being interfered with by the steering wheel, and ensure a good forward visibility. This appropriate driving posture is defined by an ankle angle φ1, a knee angle φ2, a hip angle φ3, an armpit angle φ4, and an elbow angle φ5. These ankle angle φ1, knee angle φ2, hip angle φ3, armpit angle φ4, and elbow angle φ5 are each set within a predetermined range from a plurality of samples so as to achieve the above-mentioned posture. Such a method for calculating an appropriate driving posture is also known, and the driving posture-related parts are, for example, arms (upper arms and forearms), hands, trunk, legs (thighs and shins), feet, and buttocks. The dimensional ratios of each of these second parts are statistically determined in advance with respect to, for example, torso length. For example, publicly available human body dimension data may be used. Note that, values ​​that are not correlated with torso length, such as buttock thickness and arm length, are included in the dimension ratio information as fixed values. In this embodiment, first to sixth dimension ratio information are prepared in advance according to the first to sixth classes, and the first to sixth dimension ratio information is associated with each of the first to sixth classes and stored as class dimension ratio information in the class dimension ratio information storage unit 42.

[0051] The control processing unit 3 is a circuit that controls each of the units 1, 2, 4 to 7 of the driving posture setting device D (body type class identification device) according to the function of each unit, identifies the class of the occupant DV seated in the vehicle seat ST, and controls the posture of the vehicle seat ST so that an appropriate driving posture according to the identified class can be achieved for the occupant DV. The control processing unit 3 is configured, for example, with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and its peripheral circuits. By executing the control processing program, the control processing unit 3 is functionally configured to include a control unit 31, a torso length ratio processing unit 32, a class identification unit 33, a dimension ratio identification unit 34, a posture control unit 35, and an eye height processing unit 36 ​​(22).

[0052] The control unit 31 controls each of the units 1, 2, 4 to 7 of the driving posture setting device D (body type class identification device) according to the function of each unit, and controls the entire driving posture setting device D (body type class identification device).

[0053] The eye height processing unit 36 ​​(22) processes the predetermined data acquired by the eye height data acquisition unit 21 as described above to determine the eye height of the occupant DV.

[0054] The torso length ratio processing unit 32 calculates the torso length of the occupant DV based on the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 and the eye height of the occupant DV measured by the eye height measurement unit 2 (the eye height of the occupant DV calculated by the eye height processing unit 36 ​​(22)), calculates the leg length of the occupant DV based on the calculated torso length and the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11, and calculates a torso length ratio, and uses the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 and the calculated torso length ratio as the feature amount. In this embodiment, since the height and inclination of the seat surface of the seat cushion SC are changeable, the torso length ratio processing unit 32 calculates the torso length of the occupant DV based on the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11, the eye height of the occupant DV measured by the eye height measurement unit 2, and the height and inclination of the seat surface of the vehicle seat ST on which the occupant DV is seated.

[0055] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the torso length H6 is calculated by subtracting the sum of a fourth distance (seat height) H4 from the floor surface FL to the seat surface of the vehicle seat ST and a fifth distance (fifth height) H5 from the seat surface of the vehicle seat ST to the hip point HP from the sum of a first distance (first height) H1 from the floor surface FL on which the vehicle seat ST is mounted to the position of the eye height data acquisition unit (camera in the above example) 21, a second distance (eye height of the occupant DV) H2 from the position of the eye height data acquisition unit (camera in the above example) 21 to the position of the eyes of the occupant DV, and a third distance (third height) H3 from the position of the eyes of the occupant DV to the position of the top of the occupant DV (H6 = (H1 + H2 + H3) - (H4 + H5)). The first distance H1 is given as a design value. The eye height H2 of the occupant DV is given by measurement using the eye height measurement unit 2. The third distance H3 is given by, for example, the human body dimension data, which is statistically determined in advance. The fourth distance H4 is calculated from the design values ​​(seat height at a lift amount of 0 and seat inclination at a tilt amount of 0), the state value of the lift mechanism 53 (current lift amount), and the state value of the tilt mechanism 54 (current tilt amount). The current lift amount and current tilt amount are obtained by the torso length ratio processing unit 32 from, for example, the lift mechanism 53 and the tilt mechanism 54. Alternatively, for example, the current lift amount and current tilt amount are calculated from the control values ​​(control commands) of the posture control unit 35, which control the current lift amount and current tilt amount, which are obtained from the posture control unit 35 by the torso length ratio processing unit 32. The fifth distance H5 is calculated from, for example, the buttocks thickness, which is given by the human body dimension data, which is statistically determined in advance. The design values ​​and fifth distance H5 used to calculate the first distance H1, the third distance H3, and the fourth distance H4 are stored in advance in the storage unit 4 as one of the various predetermined data. In calculating the torso length, the third distance H3 and the fifth distance H5 are set to fixed values ​​independent of the class (for example, the average value of each class). The leg length is calculated by subtracting the calculated torso length from the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 (leg length = height - torso length).

[0056] The class identification unit 33 identifies a class corresponding to the feature amounts (height and torso length ratio in this embodiment) of the occupant DV processed by the torso length ratio processing unit 32, based on the class feature amount information stored in the class feature amount information storage unit 41. More specifically, in a two-dimensional coordinate space with the height and torso length ratio as the two axes, the class identification unit 33 selects a height and torso length ratio that is most similar to the torso length ratio calculated by the height and torso length ratio processing unit 32 of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11, from among a plurality of heights and torso length ratios associated with a plurality of classes, and identifies the class corresponding to the selected height and torso length ratio as the class corresponding to the torso length ratio (feature amount of the occupant DV) calculated based on the height received by the first input unit 11 and the eye height measured by the eye height measurement unit 2. The most similar height and torso length ratio is, for example, the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11, and is the torso length ratio closest to the torso length ratio calculated by the torso length ratio processing unit 32 among the torso length ratios of a plurality of classes corresponding to the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, when the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 is TL and the torso length ratio calculated by the torso length ratio processing unit 32 is RT, the class identification unit 33 selects, as the most similar height and torso length ratio, the height TL of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11, and the torso length ratio RC closest to the torso length ratio RT calculated by the torso length ratio processing unit 32 among the torso length ratios of a plurality of classes corresponding to the height TL of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11, and identifies a third class EPM having this height TL and torso length ratio RC. In the above description, the class identification unit 33 fixes the height and selects the closest torso length ratio from the torso length ratios of each class, but the class of the function line that is closest in distance may be identified by calculating the distance between the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 and the torso length ratio calculated by the torso length ratio processing unit 32 and each function line of each class. In other words, the most similar height and torso length ratio may be the height and torso length ratio that is closest in distance to the torso length ratio calculated by the height and torso length ratio processing unit 32 of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11, among multiple height and torso length ratios associated with each of the multiple classes.

[0057] The dimension ratio identification unit 34 identifies dimension ratio information corresponding to the class identified by the class identification unit 33, based on the class dimension ratio information stored in the class dimension ratio information storage unit 42. In the above example shown in Figure 4, third dimension ratio information corresponding to the third class EPM identified by the class identification unit 33 is identified.

[0058] The posture control unit 35 controls the seat drive unit 5 so that the posture of the vehicle seat ST corresponds to the driving posture based on the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 and the dimension ratio information specified by the dimension ratio specification unit 34. As in Patent Document 1, an appropriate driving posture may be achieved by controlling the posture of the vehicle seat ST. However, in this embodiment, in order to achieve a more appropriate driving posture, the posture control unit 35 also controls the steering device 6 so that the posture of the steering wheel corresponds to the driving posture based on the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 and the dimension ratio information specified by the dimension ratio specification unit 34. That is, the posture control unit 35 controls the seat drive unit 5 and the steering device 6 so that the posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel correspond to the driving posture based on the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 and the dimension ratio information specified by the dimension ratio specification unit 34. More specifically, the posture control unit 35 first determines the dimensions of each predetermined second body part related to the driving posture from the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 and the dimension ratio information determined by the dimension ratio determination unit 34. For example, when determining the dimensions of the thigh, the thigh dimension is determined by multiplying the dimension ratio of the thigh in the dimension ratio information determined by the dimension ratio determination unit 34 by the torso length determined by the torso length ratio processing unit 32 based on the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11. In this case, as in the example shown in FIG. 4 , if the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 as a feature and the torso length ratio determined by the torso length ratio processing unit 32 do not match the feature of each class and the class is determined by selecting the most similar feature, the dimensions of each predetermined second body part related to the driving posture may be corrected based on the difference.More specifically, the posture control unit 35 determines the length of each of the second parts based on the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 and the dimension ratio information identified by the dimension ratio identification unit 34, and corrects the determined length of each of the second parts based on the difference in the two-dimensional coordinate space of the height and body length ratio between a first point (point MP in the example shown in Figure 4) represented by the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 and the body length ratio determined by the body length ratio processing unit 32, and a second point (point CP in the example shown in Figure 4) represented by the most similar height and body length ratio. For example, when the difference is x [%] with respect to the feature of the class, if the torso length ratio calculated by the torso length ratio processing unit 32 is greater than the torso length ratio as one of the feature of the class, the calculated length of each second part is corrected to be longer by x [%], and if the torso length ratio calculated by the torso length ratio processing unit 32 is smaller than the torso dimension ratio as one of the feature of the class, the calculated length of each second part is corrected to be shorter by x [%]. Here, since the second parts that are not correlated with torso length as described above have fixed values, the posture control unit 35 corrects only the second parts (e.g., the vertical length of the face, etc.) that are correlated with torso length excluding leg length among the second parts (second parts that are not correlated with torso length, such as buttocks thickness and arm length, are not corrected and their fixed values ​​are used as they are). Then, the posture control unit 35 determines the posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel according to the driving posture based on the corrected lengths of the driving posture-related parts by known conventional means, and controls the seat drive unit 5 and the steering device 6 so that the posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel become the determined posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel. For information on the posture of the vehicle seat and the posture of the steering wheel according to the driving posture, see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2017-33320, 2016-165961, and 2019-38320.

[0059] The first input unit 11, the eye height measurement unit 2, and the torso length ratio processing unit 32 correspond to an example of a feature acquisition unit that acquires the feature of the subject for identifying the class. The occupant DV corresponds to an example of a subject in a body type class identification device. The vehicle seat ST corresponds to an example of a seat in a body type class identification device. The class feature information storage unit 41, the first input unit 11, the eye height measurement unit 2, and the torso length ratio processing unit 32 (an example of a feature acquisition unit), and the class identification unit 33 correspond to an example of a body type class identification device.

[0060] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the driving posture setting device. FIGS. 8 to 10 are diagrams showing, as examples, screens displayed on the display device. FIG. 8A shows a top screen (first top screen) for registering an occupant, FIG. 8B shows a height input screen for inputting height using the first input unit 11, and FIG. 8C shows an eye height measurement precaution screen for displaying precautions for measuring eye height. FIG. 9A shows a top screen (second top screen) for manually adjusting the posture of the vehicle seat and the posture of the steering wheel, FIG. 9B shows a seat slide guide screen for guiding how to adjust the fore-aft position of the vehicle seat, and FIG. 9C shows a seat cushion guide screen for guiding how to adjust the cushion of the vehicle seat. FIG. 10A shows a telescopic guide screen for guiding how to adjust the fore-aft position of the steering wheel, FIG. 10B shows a tilt guide screen for guiding how to adjust the up-down position of the steering wheel, and FIG. 10C shows an occupant information edit screen for editing occupant information.

[0061] When the vehicle starts operating, the driving posture setting device D (body type class identification device) initializes the necessary components and starts its operation. By executing the control processing program, the control processing unit 3 is functionally configured with a control unit 31, a body length ratio processing unit 32, a class identification unit 33, a dimension ratio identification unit 34, a posture control unit 35, and an eye height processing unit 36 ​​(22). Then, in response to, for example, the start of operation of the vehicle or the operation of a switch (not shown) that inputs an instruction to start setting the driving posture, the following operations related to setting the driving posture are started.

[0062] In FIG. 7, the driving posture setting device D first causes the control unit 31 of the control processing unit 3 to display on the display device 7 a top screen (first top screen) for occupant registration (S1).

[0063] For example, the driving posture setting device D further has a registration function and an authentication function (detection function) for the occupant DV, and this first top screen 91, as shown in FIG. 8A, has an "OK" button 911 for inputting whether or not the occupant DV authenticated by the driving posture setting device D is acceptable, occupant name display areas 912, 913 for displaying the names of occupants registered in the driving posture setting device D and the occupants authenticated by the driving posture setting device D (authentication results), and a "New Registration" button 914 for inputting an instruction to perform a new registration of an occupant DV. For example, occupant registration information that associates occupant names with authentication results is stored in the storage unit 4, and when processing S1 is executed, the occupant names registered (stored) in the occupant registration information are displayed in the occupant name display areas 912, 913, and face authentication is performed by a known conventional method based on an image of the occupant DV captured by the camera of the eye height data acquisition unit 21, and if the authentication result obtained by this execution is in the occupant registration information, the frame of the occupant name display area 912 (or the occupant name display area 913) that displays the occupant name associated with the authentication result is highlighted. For example, the frame is highlighted by changing a thin frame line to a thick frame line. When the dial switch of the first input unit 11 is rotated, the highlighted frame moves cyclically in the order of "OK" button 911, occupant name display area 912, occupant name display area 913, "New Registration" button 914, "OK" button 911, ..., and when the dial switch is pushed, the content of the highlighted frame is input to driving posture setting device D. In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the frame of the "New Registration" button 914 is highlighted, and it is assumed here that the dial switch is pushed in this display state. Data of such first top screen 91, together with data of screens described later, is stored in advance in storage unit 4 as one of the various predetermined data.

[0064] When the dial switch is pushed, a driving posture adjustment precautions screen (not shown) is displayed, which displays precautions to take when adjusting the driving posture, such as "Please keep the vehicle stopped until completion." After a predetermined time has passed or a transition instruction is input (for example, by pressing the "OK" button displayed on the driving posture adjustment precautions screen (not shown), the driving posture setting device D causes the control unit 31 to display on the display device 7 a height input screen for inputting height using the first input unit 11, and accepts input of the height of the occupant DV (S2).

[0065] This height input screen 92 includes an input candidate numeric value display area 921 for displaying and inputting input candidate numeric values, as shown in Fig. 8B, for example. This input candidate numeric value display area 921 may be configured to display one numeric value, but in the example shown in Fig. 8B, it is configured with five sub-input candidate numeric value display areas, first to fifth, 921-1 to 921-5, to display multiple numeric values, in this example, five numeric values. When the dial switch of the first input unit 11 is rotated, the highlighted frame moves sequentially from the fifth sub-input candidate numeric display area 921-5 to the first sub-input candidate numeric display area 921-1 according to the direction of rotation. For example, when rotated counterclockwise, the highlighted frame moves sequentially from the fifth sub-input candidate numeric display area 921-5 to the first sub-input candidate numeric display area 921-1, and when it reaches the first sub-input candidate numeric display area 921-1, the numerical value displayed in the input candidate numeric display area 921 increases sequentially. On the other hand, when rotated clockwise, the highlighted frame moves sequentially from the first sub-input candidate numeric display area 921-1 to the fifth sub-input candidate numeric display area 921-5, and when it reaches the fifth sub-input candidate numeric display area 921-5, the numerical value displayed in the input candidate numeric display area 921 decreases sequentially. 8B, the first to fifth sub-input candidate numeric value display areas 921-1 to 921-5 respectively display "170 cm" to "174 cm," and the frame of the first sub-input candidate numeric value display area 921-1 displaying "170 cm" is highlighted. Here, it is assumed that the dial switch is pushed in this display state. As a result, "170 cm" is input to the driving posture setting device D as the height of the occupant DV.

[0066] When the driving posture setting device D receives the input of the height of the occupant DV, the control unit 31 displays, on the display device 7, an eye height measurement caution screen 93 shown in FIG. 8C, for example, to display cautions to be taken when measuring eye height, and the eye height measurement unit 2 measures the eye height of the occupant (S3).

[0067] After measuring the eye height of the occupant DV, the driving posture setting device D uses the torso length ratio processing unit 32 of the control processing unit 3 to calculate the torso length of the occupant DV based on the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 by process S2 and the eye height of the occupant DV measured by the eye height measurement unit 2 (S4), calculates the leg length of the occupant DV based on the torso length calculated by process S3 and the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 by process S2 to calculate the torso length ratio, and uses the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 by process S2 and the calculated torso length ratio as features that characterize the class (S5).

[0068] After calculating the torso length ratio, the driving posture setting device D causes the class identification unit 33 of the control processing unit 3 to identify a class corresponding to the feature amount (height and torso length ratio in this embodiment) of the occupant DV processed by the torso length ratio processing unit 32 in process S5, based on the class feature amount information stored in the class feature amount information storage unit 41 (S6). As described above, for example, in the example shown in Fig. 4, if the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 in process S2 is TL and the torso length ratio calculated by the torso length ratio processing unit 32 in process S5 is RT, the class identification unit 33 selects the torso length ratio RC, which is the height TL of the occupant DV and is closest to the torso length ratio RT of the occupant DV, from the torso length ratios of the multiple classes corresponding to this height TL, and identifies a third class EPM having these height TL and torso length ratio RC.

[0069] After identifying the occupant class, the driving posture setting device D uses the dimension ratio identification unit 34 of the control processing unit 3 to identify dimension ratio information corresponding to the class identified by the class identification unit 33 in process S6 based on the class dimension ratio information stored in the class dimension ratio information storage unit 42, and uses the posture control unit 35 of the control processing unit 3 to control the seat drive unit 5 and the steering device 6 so that the posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel become postures that correspond to the height of the occupant DV received by the first input unit 11 in process S2 and the driving posture based on the dimension ratio information identified by the dimension ratio identification unit 34 as described above (S7).

[0070] In this way, the class of occupant DV is automatically identified from multiple body type classes, and the posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel are controlled so as to achieve a driving posture that suits the body type of occupant DV. Therefore, this processing may end here, but in this embodiment, the posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel can be manually adjusted according to the preferences of occupant DV.

[0071] That is, following the above-mentioned process S7, the driving posture setting device D causes the control unit 31 of the control processing unit 3 to display on the display device 7 a top screen (second top screen) for manually adjusting the posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel (S8).

[0072] 9A, the second top screen 94 includes a "Confirm" button 941 for inputting an instruction to determine (confirm) each of the current postures of the vehicle seat ST and the steering wheel, a "Reference" button 942 for inputting an instruction to display each guide screen that provides guidance on how to adjust the driving posture, and an explanation display area 943 for displaying an explanation for the second top screen 94. In the explanation display area 943, for example, an explanation such as "Adjust the driving position to your liking and press Confirm when complete. You can check how to adjust by pressing Reference" is displayed.

[0073] On this second top screen 94, when the "Confirm" button 941 is selected by rotating the dial switch of the first input unit 11 (the frame of the "Confirm" button 941 is highlighted), and the dial switch is pushed, the posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel are confirmed at their current positions, and then processing S9 is executed.

[0074] On the other hand, on the second top screen 94, when the "Reference" button 942 is selected by rotating the dial switch (the frame of the "Reference" button 942 is highlighted) and the dial switch is pushed, a seat slide guide screen is displayed on the display device 7 to guide the user on how to adjust the fore-and-aft position of the vehicle seat ST.

[0075] 9B, the seat slide guide screen 95 includes a "Next" button 951 for inputting an instruction to display the next guide screen, an "Exit" button 952 for inputting an instruction to confirm the current posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel and to end this manual adjustment, a "<" button 953 for inputting an instruction to return to the previous screen, a first illustration display area 954 for displaying an illustration (image) (first illustration) for guiding how to adjust the fore-aft position of the vehicle seat ST, and a first guidance display area 955 for displaying a guidance message (first guidance message) for guiding how to adjust the fore-aft position of the vehicle seat ST. In the first guidance display area 955, for example, a guidance message such as "Adjust the fore-aft position of the seat so that it does not put strain on your ankles when you shift from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal" is displayed.

[0076] On this seat slide guide screen 95, when the "Exit" button 952 is selected by rotating the dial switch of the first input unit 11 and the dial switch is pushed, the posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel are confirmed at their current positions, and then processing S9 is executed.

[0077] On the other hand, on the seat slide guide screen 95, when the "Next" button 951 is selected by rotating the dial switch and the dial switch is pushed, a seat cushion guide screen for guiding the user on how to adjust the seat cushion of the vehicle seat ST is displayed on the display device 7.

[0078] 9C , the seat cushion guide screen 96 includes a "Next" button 961, an "Exit" button 962, and a "<" button 963, which are similar to the above-described "Next" button 951, "Exit" button 952, and "<" button 953, respectively; a second illustration display area 964 that displays an illustration (second illustration) for guiding the user how to adjust the seat cushion of the vehicle seat ST; and a second guidance display area 965 that displays a guidance message (second guidance message) for guiding the user how to adjust the seat cushion of the vehicle seat ST. In the second guidance display area 965, for example, a guidance message such as "With your right foot on the accelerator pedal, adjust the height of the front end of the seat to a comfortable position without depressing the accelerator pedal" is displayed.

[0079] On this seat cushion guide screen 96, the "Exit" button 962 is selected by rotating the dial switch of the first input unit 11, and when the dial switch is pushed, the posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel are confirmed at their current positions, and then processing S9 is executed.

[0080] On the other hand, when the "Next" button 961 is selected by rotating the dial switch on the seat cushion guide screen 96 and the dial switch is pushed, a telescopic guide screen is displayed on the display device 7 to guide the user on how to adjust the fore-and-aft position of the steering wheel.

[0081] 10A, the telescopic guide screen 97 includes a "Next" button 971, an "Exit" button 972, and a "<" button 973, which are similar to the above-described "Next" button 951, "Exit" button 952, and "<" button 953, respectively, a third illustration display area 974 that displays an illustration (third illustration) for guiding how to adjust the fore-aft position of the steering wheel, and a third guidance display area 975 that displays a guidance message (third guidance message) for guiding how to adjust the fore-aft position of the steering wheel. In the third guidance display area 975, for example, a guidance message such as "With your arms resting on top of the steering wheel, adjust the fore-aft position of the steering wheel so that the steering wheel and wrist positions are aligned" is displayed.

[0082] On this telescopic guide screen 97, when the "Exit" button 972 is selected by rotating the dial switch of the first input unit 11 and the dial switch is pushed, the posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel are confirmed at their current positions, and then processing S9 is executed.

[0083] On the other hand, when the "Next" button 971 is selected on the telescopic guide screen 97 by rotating the dial switch and the dial switch is pushed, a tilt guide screen is displayed on the display device 7 to guide the driver in adjusting the up and down position of the steering wheel.

[0084] 10B , for example, this tilt guide screen 98 includes a “Next” button 981, an “Exit” button 982, and a “<” button 983, which are similar to the above-described “Next” button 951, “Exit” button 952, and “<” button 953, respectively; a fourth illustration display area 984 that displays an illustration (fourth illustration) for guiding how to adjust the vertical position of the steering wheel; and a fourth guidance display area 985 that displays a guidance message (fourth guidance message) for guiding how to adjust the vertical position of the steering wheel. In this fourth guidance display area 985, for example, a guidance message such as “Adjust the vertical position of the steering wheel so that all meter displays are visible, with the top of the steering wheel as the reference point.” Note that on this tilt guide screen 98, when the “Next” button 981 is operated by the dial switch of the first input unit 11, a non-illustrated guide screen for guiding how to adjust the door mirrors, a non-illustrated guide screen for guiding how to adjust the head-up display, and the like are displayed, and the “Next” button is not displayed on the final guide screen of these guide screens.

[0085] Returning to Figure 7, in process S9, the driving posture setting device D registers (stores) the current posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel using the control unit 31 of the control processing unit 3, displays an occupant information editing screen for editing occupant information on the display device 7, and when it accepts input operation using the dial switch of the first input unit 11 on the "Complete" button 991 described below, it associates the current posture of the vehicle seat ST and the posture of the steering wheel with the occupant name and further registers and stores them in the occupant registration information, and terminates this process.

[0086] 10C , the occupant information editing screen 99 includes a “Done” button 991 for inputting an instruction to update the occupant registration information, store it in the storage unit 4, and terminate this process, an “Edit Driver Name” button 992 for inputting an instruction to input and edit the occupant name, a “Change Icon” button 993 for inputting an instruction to change the icon, and an occupant name input / edit field 994 for inputting and editing the occupant name. When the “Done” button 991 is selected by rotating the dial switch of the first input unit 11 and the dial switch is pushed, the confirmed current posture of the vehicle seat ST (the reclining angle of the vehicle seat ST, the fore-and-aft position of the seat cushion SC, the up-and-down position of the seat cushion SC, and the inclination of the seat surface) and the posture of the steering wheel (the up-and-down position and the fore-and-aft position of the steering wheel) are associated with the occupant name displayed in the occupant name input / edit field 994, and are further registered in the occupant registration information and stored.

[0087] As described above, the body type class identification device provided in the driving posture setting device D in the embodiment and the body type class identification method implemented therein can automatically identify the class of the occupant DV from among multiple classes based on the features of the occupant DV that identify the class, using class feature information that stores multiple different classes into which body types are classified and associates each with a multiple number of predetermined features that characterize the classes.

[0088] In the body type class identification device and body type class identification method, the feature amounts are the height and the torso length ratio found as described above, and therefore the class of the occupant DV can be appropriately identified based on the feature amounts of the occupant DV.

[0089] The body type class specifying device and body type class specifying method can automatically determine the torso length ratio included in the feature amount based on the input of the height of the occupant DV and the measurement of the eye height.

[0090] According to this embodiment, a driving posture setting device and a driving posture setting method are provided that are equipped with the above-mentioned body type class identification device and body type class identification method and can control the posture of a vehicle seat so as to achieve a driving posture that suits the body type of an occupant in the destination. Because the above-mentioned driving posture setting device and driving posture setting method are equipped with the above-mentioned body type class identification device and body type class identification method, the occupant DV class can be identified without inputting the class, eliminating the need to manufacture vehicles differently depending on the destination. This reduces the manufacturing process, allowing for the benefits of mass production and lower costs. The above-mentioned driving posture setting device and driving posture setting method can identify the occupant DV class, so that an appropriate driving posture according to the occupant DV class can be automatically achieved.

[0091] The driving posture setting device and the driving posture setting method correct the lengths of the second portions, and therefore can realize an appropriate driving posture according to the occupant DV seated in the vehicle seat ST.

[0092] The driving posture setting device and the driving posture setting method described above control not only the posture of the vehicle seat ST but also the posture of the steering wheel, thereby enabling a more appropriate driving posture to be achieved.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the reclining mechanism 51, the sliding mechanism 52, the lift mechanism 53, and the tilt mechanism 54 of the seat drive unit 5 are controlled to control the posture of the vehicle seat ST, but at least one of the reclining mechanism 51, the sliding mechanism 52, the lift mechanism 53, and the tilt mechanism 54 of the seat drive unit 5 may be controlled. Similarly, the telescopic mechanism and the tilt mechanism of the steering device 6 are controlled to control the posture of the steering wheel, but at least one of the telescopic mechanism and the tilt mechanism of the steering device 6 may be controlled. Here, if the tilt mechanism 54 is not provided and the tilt of the seat surface of the seat cushion SC is fixed, a design value for the seat surface tilt is used in calculating the torso length. If the lift mechanism 53 is not provided and the height of the seat surface of the seat cushion SC is fixed, a design value for the seat surface height is used in calculating the torso length.

[0094] In order to express the present invention, the present invention has been properly and sufficiently described above through the embodiments with reference to the drawings, but it should be recognized that those skilled in the art can easily change and / or improve the above-mentioned embodiments. Therefore, unless the changes or improvements made by those skilled in the art are at a level that causes departure from the scope of the claims described in the claims, such changes or improvements are interpreted as being included in the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] D Driving posture setting device equipped with body type class identification device 1 Input section 2. Eye height measurement unit 3 Control processing section 4 Storage section 5 Seat drive unit 6. Steering device 7 Display device 11 First input section 12 Second input section 13 Third input section 21 Eye height data acquisition unit 22(36) Eye height processing section 31 Control Unit 32 Body length ratio processing section 33 Class Specific Section 34 Dimension ratio specification section 35 Attitude control unit 41 Class feature information storage unit 42 Class dimension ratio information storage section

Claims

1. a class feature information storage unit that stores class feature information that associates each of a plurality of different classes into which body types are classified according to dimensional ratios of predetermined body parts with each of a plurality of predetermined feature amounts that characterize the class; a feature acquisition unit that acquires features of a subject for identifying the class; a class identification unit that identifies a class corresponding to the feature of the subject acquired by the feature acquisition unit based on the class feature information stored in the class feature information storage unit; a vehicle seat for use in a vehicle; a class dimension ratio information storage unit configured to store class dimension ratio information in which each of the plurality of classes is associated with a plurality of dimension ratio information pieces representing dimension ratios of predetermined second body parts related to a driving posture; a seat driving unit that moves the position of the vehicle seat; a dimension ratio specifying unit that specifies dimension ratio information corresponding to the class specified by the class specifying unit based on the class dimension ratio information stored in the class dimension ratio information storage unit; a posture control unit that controls the seat drive unit so that the posture of the vehicle seat becomes a posture corresponding to a driving posture based on a height of an occupant received by an input unit described later and dimension ratio information specified by the dimension ratio specifying unit, the subject is an occupant seated in the vehicle seat, the feature amount is a torso length ratio, which is a ratio of the torso length to the height and leg length of the subject; The feature amount acquisition unit an input unit that accepts input of the subject's height; an eye height measuring unit for measuring the eye height of the subject in a seated position; a body length ratio processing unit that calculates a body length of the subject based on the height of the subject received by the input unit and the eye height of the subject measured by the eye height measurement unit, calculates a leg length of the subject based on the calculated body length and the height of the subject received by the input unit, and calculates a body length ratio that is a ratio of the body length to the leg length, and uses the height of the subject received by the input unit and the calculated body length ratio as the feature amount, the class identification unit selects, in a two-dimensional coordinate space having the height and the torso length ratio as two axes, a height and torso length ratio that is most similar to the height of the occupant received by the input unit and the calculated torso length ratio from a plurality of heights and torso length ratios associated with each of the plurality of classes, and identifies the class corresponding to the selected height and torso length ratio as a class corresponding to the feature of the occupant acquired by the feature acquisition unit; The posture control unit calculates the lengths of the second parts based on the height of the occupant received by the input unit and the specified dimensional ratio information, corrects the calculated lengths of the second parts based on a difference in the two-dimensional coordinate space between a first point represented by the height of the occupant received by the input unit and the calculated torso length ratio and a second point represented by the most approximate height and torso length ratio, and controls the seat drive unit to achieve a posture corresponding to a driving posture based on the corrected lengths of the second parts. Driving posture setting device.

2. Further provided with a steering device capable of changing the attitude of the steering wheel, The posture control unit further controls the steering device so that the posture of the steering wheel corresponds to a driving posture based on the height of the occupant received by the input unit and the dimension ratio information specified by the dimension ratio specifying unit. The driving position setting device according to claim 1 .

3. A driving posture setting method for controlling the posture of a vehicle seat used in a vehicle, comprising: storing in a class feature information storage unit class feature information that associates each of a plurality of different classes, which classify body types according to the dimensional ratios of each predetermined part of the body, with each of a plurality of predetermined feature amounts that characterize the classes; storing in a class feature information storage unit class dimension ratio information that associates each of the plurality of classes with each of a plurality of dimension ratio information that represent the dimensional ratios of each predetermined second part of the body that is related to the driving posture; a feature acquisition step of acquiring features of a subject for identifying the class; a class identifying step of identifying a class corresponding to the feature of the subject acquired in the feature acquiring step based on the class feature information stored in the class feature information storage unit; a seat driving step of moving the posture of the vehicle seat; a dimension ratio specifying step of specifying dimension ratio information corresponding to the class specified in the class specifying step based on the class dimension ratio information stored in the class dimension ratio information storage unit; a posture control step of controlling the seat driving step so that the posture of the vehicle seat becomes a posture corresponding to a driving posture based on the height of an occupant received in an input step described later and dimension ratio information specified in the dimension ratio specifying step, the subject is an occupant seated in the vehicle seat, the feature amount is a torso length ratio, which is a ratio of the torso length to the height and leg length of the subject; The feature amount acquiring step includes: an input step of receiving an input of the height of the subject; an eye height measuring step of measuring the eye height of the subject in a seated position; a body length ratio processing step of determining a body length of the subject based on the height of the subject received in the input step and the eye height of the subject measured in the eye height measurement step, determining a leg length of the subject based on the determined body length and the height of the subject received in the input step, and determining a body length ratio which is a ratio of the body length to the leg length, and using the height of the subject received in the input step and the determined body length ratio as the feature quantity, the class identification step includes selecting a height and a body length ratio that is most similar to the occupant's height received in the input step and the calculated body length ratio from a plurality of heights and body length ratios associated with each of the plurality of classes in a two-dimensional coordinate space having the height and the body length ratio as two axes, and identifying the class corresponding to the selected height and body length ratio as the class corresponding to the occupant's feature amount acquired in the feature amount acquisition step; The posture control step calculates the lengths of the second parts based on the height of the occupant received in the input step and the specified dimension ratio information, corrects the calculated lengths of the second parts based on a difference in the two-dimensional coordinate space between a first point represented by the height of the occupant received in the input step and the calculated torso length ratio and a second point represented by the most approximate height and torso length ratio, and controls the seat drive step so that the seat assumes a posture corresponding to the driving posture based on the corrected lengths of the second parts. How to set driving posture.

4. The posture control step further includes controlling the posture of the steering wheel so that the posture of the steering wheel corresponds to a driving posture based on the occupant's height received in the input step and the dimension ratio information specified in the dimension ratio specification step. The driving posture setting method according to claim 3.

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