Seat Control System

Abstract

To provide a seat control system that has a seat mechanism including a front row seat, a rear row seat, and an electric seat adjuster, and a control unit, and that can execute comfort switching control to switch the seat mechanism into a comfort state including a state in which a position of the rear row seat (rear seat position) is arranged behind a predetermined threshold rear seat position and a seat back of the rear row seat is tilted rearward more than a predetermined threshold rearward tilt angle, without impairing the comfort of a front row seat occupant.SOLUTION: A seat mechanism includes a footrest on which a rear seat occupant places his or her feet, and once an operating device is operated to start comfort switching control, the comfort switching control is continued until completed regardless of the operation state of the operating device thereafter. Alternatively, a comfort state includes a state that a difference between a rear seat position and a position of the front row seat (front seat position) is greater than a predetermined threshold interval.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat control system, and more particularly to a seat control system including an electric seat adjuster that can change the position and reclining angle of a rear seat. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle seat control system (conventional system) that tilts the seatback of a rear seat backward and deploys an ottoman and footrest when a switch is operated. At this time, the conventional system also moves (slides) the front seat forward and tilts the seatback of the front seat forward. The conventional system can quickly place a user seated in a rear seat (rear seat user) in a comfortable position. Hereinafter, the process of controlling the electric seat adjusters (actuators) provided on the front and rear seats to place the rear seat user in a comfortable position is also referred to as "comfort switching control." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-289133 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if the comfort switching control is executed when a user (front seat occupant) is seated in the front seat, the front seat occupant will be forced into a cramped position. Therefore, the present invention provides a seat control system that can execute the comfort switching control without impairing the comfort of the front seat occupant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] As a means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides a seat control system that includes a seat mechanism, a first operating device operable by a user, and a control unit. The seat mechanism includes a front seat that is arranged to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction relative to a floor surface, a rear seat that is arranged on the floor surface behind the front seat and has a seat cushion and a seat back, and an electric seat adjuster that can change the rear seat position, which is the position of the rear seat in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the floor surface, and the seat back angle, which is the angle at which the seat back is tilted backward relative to the floor surface. When a predetermined comfort switching condition is met, including operation of the first operating device, the control unit starts comfort switching control that controls the seat adjuster to enter a comfort state that includes a state in which the rear seat position is rearward of a predetermined threshold rear seat position and the seat back angle is tilted backward more than a predetermined threshold rearward tilt angle.

[0006] Furthermore, in the first aspect of the present invention, the front seat includes a footrest that can be switched by the seat adjuster between an extended state in which a footrest surface on which a user seated in the rear seat can place their feet is extended and a stored state in which the footrest surface is stored. The comfort state includes the footrest being in the extended state. When the first operating device is operated when the seat mechanism is not in the comfort state, the control unit determines that the comfort switching condition is met, and when the comfort switching control is started, completes the comfort switching control regardless of whether the user operates the first operating device.

[0007] The first operating device in the first aspect of the invention may be a button displayed on a display arranged in a position operable by rear seat occupants, or may be an electric switch that switches between electrically conductive states when pressed. According to the first aspect of the invention, the footrest and the seat cushion and seat back of the rear seat can be set to the comfort state with a simple operation without continuously operating the first operating device (for example, without holding down a button displayed on a display). In addition, since the position of the front seat and the angle of the seat cushion are not changed in conjunction with the comfort switching control, the comfort switching control can be executed without impairing the comfort of the front seat occupants.

[0008] On the other hand, in the second invention, the comfortable state includes the magnitude of the difference between the rear seat position and the front seat position, which is the fore-and-aft position of the front row seat on the floor surface, being greater than a predetermined threshold interval.

[0009] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the rear seat position when the comfort switching control is executed is determined according to the front seat position. In other words, rear seat occupants can be placed in a comfortable position without changing the front seat position. Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the comfort switching control can be executed without impairing the comfort of the front seat occupants.

[0010] A third invention is a seat control system according to the first or second invention, wherein when the control unit starts the comfort switching control, it stores the rear seat position and the seat back angle at that time as values ​​representing the basic state of the seat mechanism, and when a predetermined basic switching operation is performed while the seat mechanism is in the comfort state, it starts basic switching control to control the seat adjuster so that the seat mechanism is in the basic state.

[0011] The basic state is, for example, a state of the rear row seats that is suitable for getting in and out of a vehicle to which the seat control system is applied. Before the comfort switching control is executed, the rear row occupant may have adjusted the rear row seats to make it easier for them to get in and out. According to the third invention, if the comfort switching control is executed and then the basic switching control is executed, the rear row seats can be returned to the basic state adjusted by the rear row occupant with a simple operation.

[0012] A fourth invention is a seat control system according to the third invention, wherein when at least one of the rear seat position and the seat back angle is changed by the user during the period from the completion of the comfort switching control to the performance of the basic switching operation, the control unit controls the seat adjuster so that at least one of the rear seat position and the seat back angle becomes the changed value when the comfort switching control is executed again.

[0013] The preferred comfort state is likely to differ depending on the rear seat occupant. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, if a rear seat occupant changes the rear seat to a state preferred by that occupant after the comfort switching control is executed, the change is reflected when the comfort switching control is executed again. In other words, the comfort switching control can set the seat mechanism to a comfortable state preferred by the rear seat occupant.

[0014] A fifth invention is a seat control system according to the first or second invention, wherein the rear row seat includes an ottoman whose ottoman angle, which is an angle of inclination relative to the floor surface on which a user seated in the rear row seat can rest their lower legs, can be adjusted by the seat adjuster, and the comfortable state includes a state in which the ottoman angle is smaller than a predetermined threshold inclination angle.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, even if the rear seat includes an ottoman, the ottoman can be set to an appropriate state (specifically, a state that is preferable for the rear seat occupant) by the comfort switching control.

[0016] A sixth invention is a seat control system according to the first or second invention, wherein the rear row seat has a tilt position, which is the height of the front edge of the seat cushion relative to a predetermined reference position on the seat cushion, that is adjustable by the seat adjuster, and the comfortable state includes a state in which the tilt position is higher than a predetermined threshold tilt position.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, even if the rear row seats are configured so that the tilt position can be changed, the tilt position can be set to an appropriate state by the comfort switching control.

[0018] A seventh invention is a seat control system according to the second invention, further comprising a second operating device operated by a user, wherein the front row seats include a footrest that can be switched by the seat adjuster between an expanded state in which a footrest surface is expanded for a user seated in the rear row seats to place their toes on, and a stored state in which the footrest surface is retracted, and wherein the control unit switches the footrest between the expanded state and the stored state in response to operation of the second operating device.

[0019] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the front seat includes a footrest that can be used by a rear seat occupant, the rear seat occupant can place the footrest in a desired position by operating the second operating device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a front row seat and a rear row seat (seat mechanism) in a basic state, which are included in a seat control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control unit, a seat adjuster, and the like of the seat control system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a rear-row seat operation screen displayed on a display of the seat control system. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the seat mechanism in a comfortable position. [Figure 5]4 is a flowchart showing a seat state switching processing routine executed by a control unit of the seat control system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The same reference numerals in the description refer to the same elements having the same functions, although duplicated descriptions will not be given. A seat control system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a front seat 20, a rear seat 30, and a seat adjuster (described later) shown in Figure 1, and an ECU 41 shown in Figure 2. The front seat 20 and the rear seat 30 are arranged on a floor surface 10 inside a vehicle (not shown).

[0022] The front row seat 20 is a passenger seat. As shown in Fig. 1, the rear row seat 30 is disposed adjacent to and behind the front row seat 20. The front row seat 20 includes a front row base 21, a seat cushion 22, a seat back 23, a headrest 24, a footrest 25, a front seat drive unit 26, and a footrest drive unit 27.

[0023] An upper rail (not shown) is formed on the lower part of the front row base 21. The upper rail of the front row base 21 is fitted into the lower rail 11 fixed to the floor surface 10, thereby holding the front row seat 20, including the front row base 21, so that it can move (slide) in the fore-and-aft direction. A seat cushion 22 is fixed to the front row base 21. A seat back 23 is connected to the front row base 21 at the rear of the seat cushion 22 so as to be rotatable. A headrest 24 is connected to the seat back 23 so that its height position can be adjusted.

[0024] The footrest 25 is a generally plate-shaped member that is rotatably connected to the rear surface of the seatback 23. One surface of the footrest 25 is a footrest surface 25a (see FIG. 4), and the underside of the footrest surface 25a is a decorative surface 25b. The footrest surface 25a is a surface on which a user seated in the rear seat 30 (rear seat user) places their feet. When the footrest 25 is not in use by a rear seat user, the decorative surface 25b is stored so that it is aligned with the rear surface of the seatback 23 (see FIG. 1). This state is also referred to as the "stored state" of the footrest 25. On the other hand, a state in which the footrest 25 has been rotated so that a rear seat user can place their feet on the footrest surface 25a is also referred to as the "deployed state" of the footrest 25 (see FIG. 4).

[0025] Each of the front seat drive unit 26 and the footrest drive unit 27 incorporates a well-known electric actuator (not shown, a brushed DC motor in this embodiment). The front seat drive unit 26 can change the front seat position Pf, which is the position of the front row base 21 relative to the lower rail 11 (i.e., the position of the front row seat 20 in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the floor surface 10). In this embodiment, the front seat position Pf is represented by the distance from the front end of the lower rail 11 to the front end of the front row base 21.

[0026] The footrest drive unit 27 can change the footrest angle θ, which is the rotation angle of the footrest 25. When the footrest 25 is in the stored state, the design surface 25b is aligned with the back surface of the seat back 23, and the footrest angle θ at this time is the stored angle θb. In other words, the stored angle θb changes depending on the rotation angle (rearward tilt angle) of the seat back 23. When the footrest 25 is in the unfolded state, the footrest angle θ is the unfolded angle θc (a fixed value in this embodiment) (see FIG. 4).

[0027] The rear row seat 30 includes a rear row base 31, a seat cushion 32, a seat back 33, an ottoman 34, a headrest 35, a rear seat drive unit 36, a seat back drive unit 37, a tilt drive unit 38, and an ottoman drive unit 39. An upper rail (not shown) is formed at the bottom of the rear row base 31. The upper rail of the rear row base 31 is fitted into a lower rail 12 fixed to the floor surface 10, so that the rear row seat 30 including the rear row base 31 is held movably in the front-to-rear direction.

[0028] The seat cushion 32 is fixed to the rear row base 31. The seat back 33 is connected to the rear row base 31 so as to be rotatable at the rear of the seat cushion 32. The ottoman 34 is connected to the rear row base 31 so as to be rotatable below the front end of the seat cushion 32. The ottoman 34 is used by rear seat occupants to rest their legs on. The headrest 35 is connected to the seat back 33 so as to be adjustable in height.

[0029] Each of the rear seat drive unit 36, the seatback drive unit 37, the tilt drive unit 38, and the ottoman drive unit 39 incorporates a well-known electric actuator (not shown, a brushed DC motor in this embodiment). The rear seat drive unit 36 ​​can change the rear seat position Pr, which is the position of the rear row base 31 relative to the lower rails 12 (i.e., the position of the rear row seat 30 in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the floor surface 10). In this embodiment, the rear seat position Pr is represented by the distance from the front end of the lower rails 11 to the front end of the rear row base 31. In other words, the rear seat position Pr is the sum of the distance from the front end of the lower rails 11 to the front end of the lower rails 12 and the distance from the front end of the lower rails 12 to the front end of the rear row base 31. The seatback drive unit 37 can change the seatback angle α, which is the angle of the seat back 33 relative to the floor surface 10.

[0030] The tilt drive unit 38 can change the tilt position Pt, which is the position (height) of the front edge of the seat cushion 32 relative to the lower end position (also referred to as the "reference position" for convenience). More specifically, the tilt drive unit 38 rotatably holds one end (rear end) of the tilt frame 32a contained in the seat cushion 32. When the tilt drive unit 38 rotates the tilt frame 32a so that the other end (front end) of the tilt frame 32a rises, the tilt position Pt increases. In other words, the tilt drive unit 38 changes the rotation angle of the tilt frame 32a, thereby changing the tilt position Pt.

[0031] The ottoman drive unit 39 can change the ottoman angle β, which is the inclination angle of the ottoman 34 with respect to the floor surface 10. More specifically, the ottoman 34 is fixed to the ottoman drive unit 39. The ottoman drive unit 39 is displaceably connected to the rear-row base 31. The ottoman drive unit 39 moves forward and upward with respect to the seat cushion 32 as the ottoman angle β decreases (see FIG. 4). The ottoman drive unit 39 changes the rotation angle of the ottoman 34 with respect to the rear-row base 31, thereby changing the ottoman angle β.

[0032] The front seat drive unit 26 and footrest drive unit 27 of the front row seat 20, and the rear seat drive unit 36, seatback drive unit 37, tilt drive unit 38, and ottoman drive unit 39 of the rear row seat 30 are also collectively referred to as "seat adjusters." The front row seats 20, rear row seats 30, and seat adjusters are also collectively referred to as "seat mechanisms." The rear seat position Pr, seatback angle α, tilt position Pt, ottoman angle β, and footrest angle θ are also collectively referred to as "seat mechanism parameters."

[0033] The ECU 41 shown in Figure 2 is a well-known electronic control unit (seat ECU, control unit, control device) that includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and EEPROM, and controls the seat mechanism. The CPU sequentially executes predetermined programs to read data, perform numerical calculations, and output the calculation results. The ROM stores programs executed by the CPU and maps (look-up tables), etc. The RAM temporarily stores data referenced by the CPU. The EEPROM stores data referenced by the CPU and further retains the stored data even when the ECU 41 stops operating.

[0034] The ECU 41 is connected to the front seat drive unit 26, the footrest drive unit 27, the rear seat drive unit 36, the seatback drive unit 37, the tilt drive unit 38, and the ottoman drive unit 39. In addition, the ECU 41 is connected to a front seat position sensor 51, a footrest angle sensor 52, a rear seat position sensor 53, a seatback angle sensor 54, a tilt position sensor 55, an ottoman angle sensor 56, and a display 60.

[0035] The front seat position sensor 51 acquires (detects) the front seat position Pf. The footrest angle sensor 52 acquires the footrest angle θ. The rear seat position sensor 53 acquires the rear seat position Pr. The seatback angle sensor 54 acquires the seatback angle α. The tilt position sensor 55 detects the tilt angle (not shown), which is the rotation angle of the tilt frame 32a. The ECU 41 acquires (calculates) the tilt position Pt based on the tilt angle. The ottoman angle sensor 56 detects the ottoman angle β.

[0036] The display 60 is an operation panel disposed in a rear armrest (not shown) that can be deployed and retracted by a rear seat occupant. The characters, images, etc. displayed on the display 60 are controlled by the ECU 41. In addition, the display 60 also operates as a touch panel. Specifically, the display 60 transmits to the ECU 41 a signal indicating the position on the display 60 that has been touched by the rear seat occupant (or another user).

[0037] When a rear seat occupant performs a predetermined operation on the display 60, a "rear seat operation screen" shown in Fig. 3 is displayed on the display 60. The rear seat operation screen includes buttons 61a to 66a and buttons 61b to 66b, as well as a state switching button 67. Buttons 61a to 66a and buttons 61b to 66b are also collectively referred to as "adjustment buttons."

[0038] The buttons 61a, b are operated (specifically, tapped or pressed and held) to change the front seat position Pf. The buttons 62a, b are operated to switch the footrest 25 between a stored state and an extended state. The buttons 63a, b are operated to change the rear seat position Pr. The buttons 64a, b are operated to change the seat back angle α. The buttons 65a, b are operated to change the tilt position Pt. The buttons 66a, b are operated to change the ottoman angle β.

[0039] (Comfortable switching control and basic switching control) The state switching button 67 is operated (tapped) to switch the seat mechanism (specifically, the front row seats 20 and the rear row seats 30) between a "basic state" and a "comfortable state." The basic state is a state (a state different from the comfortable state) that is suitable for rear seat passengers to get in and out of the vehicle. The comfortable state is a state in which rear seat passengers can be more relaxed, and specifically, is a state in which all of the following conditions (a1) to (e) are met.

[0040] Condition (a1): The rear seat position Pr is behind the position represented by a predetermined threshold rear seat position Prth (i.e., Prth <Pr)。 Condition (b): The seat back angle α is tilted further rearward than an angle represented by a predetermined threshold rearward tilt angle αth (ie, αth<α). Condition (c): The ottoman angle β is smaller than an angle represented by a predetermined threshold tilt angle βth (ie, β<βth). Condition (d): The tilt position Pt is higher than the height represented by a predetermined threshold tilt position Ptth (i.e., Ptth <Pt)。 Condition (e): The footrest 25 is in the deployed state (i.e., the footrest angle θ=the deployed angle θc).

[0041] When the state switching button 67 is operated (tapped) while the seat mechanism is in the basic state, the ECU 41 starts the "comfort switching control" and switches the seat mechanism to the comfort state. On the other hand, when the state switching button 67 is tapped while the seat mechanism is in the comfort state, the ECU 41 starts the "basic switching control" and switches the seat mechanism to the basic state.

[0042] For convenience, the state switching button 67 is also referred to as the "first operating device." The state in which a rear seat occupant (or another user) is touching the state switching button 67 (i.e., the state in which the first operating device is being operated and the state switching button 67 displayed on the display 60 is being touched) is also referred to as the "on state." The state in which the state switching button 67 displayed on the display 60 is not being touched is also referred to as the "off state."

[0043] For convenience, the operation of touching the state switching button 67 when the seat mechanism is in the basic state (i.e., the operation of turning on the first operating device) is also referred to as the "comfort switching operation." The conditions that are met when the comfort switching operation is performed are also referred to as the "comfort switching conditions." On the other hand, the operation of touching the state switching button 67 when the seat mechanism is in the comfort state (i.e., the operation of turning on the first operating device) is also referred to as the "basic switching operation." In other words, the ECU 41 starts comfort switching control when the comfort switching operation is performed, and starts basic switching control when the basic switching operation is performed.

[0044] As will be described later, when a comfort switching operation is performed, the ECU 41 starts the comfort switching control and completes the comfort switching control regardless of the operation state (i.e., whether the state is on or off) of the state switching button 67. Similarly, when a basic switching operation is performed, the ECU 41 starts the basic control and completes the basic switching control regardless of the operation state of the state switching button 67.

[0045] An example of the seat mechanism in the comfort state due to the execution of the comfort switching control is shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the illustration of the members and reference numerals shown in FIG. 1 is partially omitted. As understood from FIG. 4, the rear seat position Pr is the comfort rear seat position Prc which is larger than the threshold rear seat position Prth (that is, Prth < Prc). The seat back angle α is the comfort seat back angle αc which is larger than the threshold recline angle αth (that is, αth < αc). The ottoman angle β is the comfort ottoman angle βc which is smaller than the threshold tilt angle βth (that is, βc < βth). The tilt position Pt is the comfort tilt position Ptc which is larger than the threshold tilt position Ptth (that is, Ptth < Ptc). The footrest 25 is in the deployed state (that is, the footrest angle θ = the deployment angle θc).

[0046] The comfort rear seat position Prc, the comfort seat back angle αc, the comfort ottoman angle βc, the comfort tilt position Ptc, and the deployment angle θc are also referred to as "comfort state values". In other words, the comfort switching control is a process of controlling the seat adjuster so that each of the seat mechanism parameters reaches the comfort state value set such that all of the conditions (a1) to condition (d) are satisfied. In the following description, the state in which any one of the seat mechanism parameters has "reached" the comfort state value (or the basic state value to be described later) corresponding to that parameter includes a state where these values are equal to each other and a state where the difference between these values is sufficiently small.

[0047] When the comfort switching operation is performed (that is, when starting the comfort switching control), the ECU 41 stores each of the rear seat position Pr, the seat back angle α, the tilt position Pt, and the ottoman angle β at that time (that is, when the seat mechanism is in the basic state) as "basic state values" in the EEPROM of the ECU 41. The basic state value related to the footrest angle θ is the stored angle θb. After the seat mechanism becomes the comfort state by the execution of the comfort switching control, when the basic switching operation is performed, the ECU 41 executes a process of controlling the seat adjuster so that each of the seat mechanism parameters reaches the basic state value as the basic switching control.

[0048] (Comfort state update process) During the period from the completion of the comfort switching control to the execution of the basic switching operation, if the posture of the rear seat 30 is changed by operating the adjustment button, the ECU 41 executes a "comfort state update process." The comfort state update process is a process for storing (updating) the changed state of the rear seat 30 (i.e., the changed values ​​of the seat mechanism parameters) as a comfort state value in the EEPROM of the ECU 41. Note that even if the state of the footrest 25 is changed by operating the buttons 62a and 62b, the comfort state value is not updated. That is, the comfort state value related to the footrest angle θ is maintained at the deployment angle θc.

[0049] After the comfort switching control is completed, for example, if the button 64a is operated to decrease the seat back angle α, the ECU 41 stores the seat back angle α as the comfortable seat back angle αc. If a rear seat occupant operates the seat back angle α so that it becomes smaller than the threshold rearward tilt angle αth, the ECU 41 sets the comfortable seat back angle αc to a value slightly larger than the seat back angle α. In other words, even when the comfort state update process is executed, each of the comfort state values ​​is set so that conditions (a1) to (d) are met (i.e., when each of the seat mechanism parameters reaches the comfort state value, conditions (a1) to (d) are met).

[0050] When the comfort state update process has not yet been executed (for example, immediately after the vehicle including the seat mechanism is manufactured), each of the comfort state values ​​is set to an initial value determined so that each of the conditions (a1) to (d) is satisfied. That is, each of the initial values ​​of the comfort state values ​​is stored in the EEPROM of the ECU 41.

[0051] (Specific operation) Next, a specific operation of the ECU 41 will be described. The CPU of the ECU 41 (hereinafter simply referred to as "CPU") executes a "seat state switching processing routine" shown in the flowchart of Fig. 5 every time a predetermined time period Δt elapses. In this routine, the value of the switching flag Xc is set and referenced.

[0052] The switching flag Xc is set to "0" by an initial routine (not shown) that is executed when the ECU 41 starts operating. The switching flag Xc is set to "1" when the comfort switching control is executed (i.e., during the period from when the comfort switching operation is performed until the comfort switching control is completed). In addition, the switching flag Xc is set to "2" when the basic switching control is executed (i.e., during the period from when the basic switching operation is performed until the basic switching control is completed).

[0053] (Case A: The seat mechanism is in the base state and no operation is performed) 5, the CPU starts the process from step 500 and proceeds to step 505 to determine whether the value of the switching flag Xc is 0. It is assumed that the seat mechanism is currently in the basic state, neither the comfort switching control nor the basic switching control is being executed, and neither the adjustment button nor the state switching button 67 is being operated.

[0054] In this case, since the value of the switching flag Xc is "0," the CPU determines "Yes" in step 505 and proceeds to step 510 to determine whether the state switching button 67 is in the ON state. According to the above assumption, the state switching button 67 is in the OFF state, so the CPU determines "No" in step 510 and proceeds to step 535 to determine whether the seat mechanism is in the comfortable state. In other words, the CPU determines whether all of conditions (a1) to (e) are met. According to the above assumption, the seat mechanism is in the basic state, so the CPU determines "No" in step 535 and proceeds to step 595 to temporarily end the processing of this routine.

[0055] (Case B: Comfortable switching control) It is assumed that this routine is being executed for the first time after the comfort switching operation has been performed. In this case, the state switching button 67 is in the on state, so the CPU determines "Yes" in step 510 and proceeds to step 515 to determine whether the seat mechanism is in the basic state. In other words, the CPU determines whether at least one of conditions (a1) to (e) is not satisfied.

[0056] According to the above assumption, the seat mechanism is in the basic state, so the CPU determines "Yes" in step 515 and proceeds to step 520, where it sets the value of the switching flag Xc to "1." Next, the CPU proceeds to step 525, where it stores the basic state values. That is, the CPU stores each of the seat mechanism parameters (except the footrest angle θ) at this time in the EEPROM of the ECU 41 as the basic state values.

[0057] The CPU then proceeds to step 530 to transition the seat mechanism to the comfort state. That is, the CPU controls the seat adjuster so that each of the seat mechanism parameters reaches the comfort state value. More specifically, if the rear seat position Pr has not yet reached the comfort rear seat position Prc, the CPU controls the rear seat drive unit 36 ​​so that the difference between the rear seat position Pr and the comfort rear seat position Prc decreases by a predetermined amount during the time period Δt.

[0058] If the seat back angle α has not reached the comfortable seat back angle αc, the CPU controls the seat back driver 37 so that the difference between the seat back angle α and the comfortable seat back angle αc decreases by a predetermined amount during the time period Δt. If the tilt position Pt has not reached the comfortable tilt position Ptc, the CPU controls the tilt driver 38 so that the difference between the tilt position Pt and the comfortable tilt position Ptc decreases by a predetermined amount during the time period Δt.

[0059] If the ottoman angle β has not reached the comfortable ottoman angle βc, the CPU controls the ottoman drive unit 39 so that the difference between the ottoman angle β and the comfortable ottoman angle βc decreases by a predetermined amount during the time period Δt. If the footrest 25 is not in the deployed state (i.e., the footrest angle θ has not reached the deployed angle θc), the CPU controls the footrest drive unit 27 so that the difference between the footrest angle θ and the deployed angle θc decreases by a predetermined amount during the time period Δt.

[0060] The CPU then proceeds to step 595.

[0061] The next time this routine is executed, the switching flag Xc is set to "1", so the CPU determines "No" in step 505 and proceeds to step 550 to determine whether the switching flag Xc is set to "1".

[0062] In this case, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 550 and proceeds to step 555 to determine whether the comfort switching control has been completed. That is, the CPU determines whether each of the seat mechanism parameters has reached the comfort state value. At this point, since sufficient time has not passed since the comfort switching control was executed, the seat mechanism has not yet reached the comfort state. Therefore, the CPU determines "No" in step 555 and proceeds to step 530. That is, the CPU (continues) to execute the process of transitioning the seat mechanism to the comfort state.

[0063] When this routine is executed for the first time after the seat mechanism parameters have reached the comfort state values ​​as a result of repeated execution of the process of step 530, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 555 and proceeds to step 570 to set the value of the switching flag Xc to "0." Next, the CPU proceeds to step 595. That is, at this time, the comfort switching control is completed.

[0064] Next, when this routine is set (and neither the adjustment button nor the state switching button 67 has been operated), the CPU proceeds to step 535 via step 505 and step 510, determines "Yes" in step 535, and proceeds to step 540. In step 540, the CPU determines whether operation of an adjustment button has been detected. That is, the CPU determines whether any of the adjustment buttons is in the ON state. In this case, since no adjustment button has been operated, the CPU determines "No" in step 540 and proceeds to step 595.

[0065] (Case C: Comfort state update process) Assume that the posture of the rear seat 30 is then changed by operating the adjustment button. In this case, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 540 and proceeds to step 545 to update the comfort state value. That is, the CPU executes a comfort state update process according to the changed posture of the rear seat 30. Note that when the operation of the adjustment button is detected, the CPU executes a routine (not shown) to control the seat adjuster. Next, the CPU proceeds to step 595.

[0066] (Case D: Basic switching control) Assume that this routine is being executed for the first time after the basic switching operation. In this case, the seat mechanism is in the comfortable state, so the CPU determines "No" in step 515 and proceeds to step 560, where it sets the value of the switching flag Xc to "2."

[0067] Next, the CPU proceeds to step 575 and transitions the seat mechanism to the basic state. That is, the CPU controls the seat adjuster so that each of the seat mechanism parameters reaches the basic state value. The processing content of step 575 is similar to the processing of step 530, which controls the seat adjuster so that the seat mechanism parameters reach the comfort state value, so a detailed description will be omitted. As described above, since the storage angle θb changes depending on the rearward tilt angle of the seat back 23, the CPU controls the seat adjuster so that the footrest angle θ reaches the storage angle θb at that time. Next, the CPU proceeds to step 595.

[0068] When this routine is next executed, the switching flag Xc is set to "2," so the CPU determines "No" in step 550 and proceeds to step 565 to determine whether the basic switching control has been completed. That is, the CPU determines whether each of the seat mechanism parameters has reached the basic state value.

[0069] At this point, since sufficient time has not passed since the basic switching control was executed, the seat mechanism has not yet reached the basic state. Therefore, the CPU determines "No" in step 565 and proceeds to step 575. That is, the CPU (continues) to execute the process of transitioning the seat mechanism to the basic state.

[0070] When this routine is executed for the first time after the seat mechanism parameters have reached the basic state values ​​as a result of repeated execution of the process of step 575, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 565, proceeds to step 570, and sets the value of the switching flag Xc to "0." That is, at this time, the basic switching control is completed.

[0071] Second Embodiment The second embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. In the seat control system 2 according to the second embodiment, the comfortable state is a state in which all of the following conditions (a1) to (d) are met.

[0072] Condition (a1): The rear seat position Pr is behind the position represented by the threshold rear seat position Prth (i.e., Prth <Pr)。 Condition (a2): The difference between the rear seat position Pr and the front seat position Pf, that is, the inter-seat distance Ds, is greater than a predetermined threshold distance Dsth (i.e., Dsth <Ds=Pr-Pf)。 Condition (b): The seat back angle α is tilted further rearward than the angle represented by the threshold rearward tilt angle αth (ie, αth<α). Condition (c): The ottoman angle β is smaller than the angle represented by the threshold tilt angle βth (i.e., β<βth). Condition (d): The tilt position Pt is higher than the height represented by the threshold tilt position Ptth (i.e., Ptth <Pt)。

[0073] Condition (a2) will be described with reference to Fig. 4, which shows the seat mechanism in the comfort state. When starting the comfort switching control, the ECU 42 of the seat control system 2 determines the comfort rear seat position Prc so that the seat distance Ds becomes the comfort seat distance Dsc (i.e., Prc = Dsc + Pf). The comfort seat distance Dsc is a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin distance Dm to the threshold distance Dsth (i.e., Dsc = Dsth + Dm). If the seat distance Ds is changed by operating the buttons 61a, b or the buttons 63a, b during the period from the completion of the comfort switching control to the basic switching operation, a comfort state update process is executed, and the comfort seat distance Dsc included in the comfort state value is updated.

[0074] On the other hand, as can be seen from the above conditions (a1) to (d), when the comfort switching control or the basic switching control is executed, the state of the footrest 25 (i.e., either the stored state or the deployed state) is not changed. In other words, the basic state value and the comfort state value in the second embodiment do not include values ​​related to the footrest angle θ (i.e., the stored angle θb and the deployed angle θc).

[0075] It is possible to change the state of the footrest 25 at any time by operating buttons 61a and 61b displayed on the display 60 (specifically, the rear seat operation screen). In the second embodiment, the buttons 61a and 61b are also referred to as "second operating devices" for convenience.

[0076] The specific operation of the ECU 42 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Figure 5, showing differences from the first embodiment. When the CPU of the ECU 42 (hereinafter simply referred to as "CPU") proceeds to step 515, it determines whether the seat mechanism is in the basic state. That is, the CPU determines whether at least one of conditions (a1) to (d) is not satisfied. In step 535, the CPU determines whether the seat mechanism is in the comfortable state. That is, the CPU determines whether all of conditions (a1) to (d) are satisfied.

[0077] In step 530, the CPU transitions the seat mechanism to the comfortable state. However, in this step, the CPU does not change the footrest angle θ. In addition, the CPU changes the rear seat position Pr so that the conditions (a1) and (a2) are satisfied. In step 575, the CPU transitions the seat mechanism to the basic state. However, in this step, the CPU does not change the footrest angle θ.

[0078] In step 555, the CPU determines whether the comfort switching control is complete. That is, the CPU determines whether each of the seat mechanism parameters, except for the footrest angle θ, has reached the comfort state value. In step 565, the CPU determines whether the basic switching control is complete. That is, the CPU determines whether each of the seat mechanism parameters, except for the footrest angle θ, has reached the basic state value.

[0079] As described above, according to the seat control systems 1 and 2, the front seat position Pf and the rearward tilt angle of the seatback 23 are not changed when the comfort switching control is executed, so that the comfort switching control can be executed without impairing the comfort of the user seated in the front row seat 20. In addition, the comfort switching control and the basic switching control can be completed by a simple operation on the state switching button 67 (specifically, without pressing and holding the state switching button 67).

[0080] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the above system, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alternatives, improvements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention encompasses all alternatives, improvements, and modifications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The present invention is not limited to the specific structure described above, and modifications such as those described below are possible.

[0081] The first operating device was the state switching button 67 displayed on the display 60. Alternatively, the first operating device may be an electrical push button that is turned on (conductive) when pressed by the user's hand and turned off (insulated) when released. This push button may be disposed on the door trim (not shown) on the inside of the rear door of the vehicle.

[0082] The tilt drive unit 38 changes the tilt position Pt by changing the rotation angle of the tilt frame 32a. Alternatively, the tilt drive unit 38 may change the tilt position Pt by inflating or deflating an air bag (bladder) contained in the seat cushion 32.

[0083] The tilt position Pt is the height of the front edge of the seat cushion 32 relative to the lower end position (reference position) of the seat cushion 32. Alternatively, the tilt position Pt may be the height of the front edge of the seat cushion 32 relative to the position on the seat cushion 32 where the buttocks of a rear seat occupant rest (the reference position in this case).

[0084] The seat-to-seat distance Ds is the difference between the rear seat position Pr and the front seat position Pf. Alternatively, the seat-to-seat distance Ds may be the distance from the rear end position of the seat cushion 22 of the front seat 20 to the front end position of the seat cushion 32 of the rear seat 30.

[0085] The rear row seat 30 may be configured so that the lift position, which is the position (height) of the seat cushion 32 relative to the floor surface 10, can be further changed.

[0086] The footrest 25 is rotatably connected to the rear surface of the seat back 23. Alternatively, the footrest 25 may be connected to the rear of the front row base 21 or the seat cushion 32. That is, the footrest 25 may be disposed lower than the position shown in FIGS.

[0087] Once the ECUs 41 and 42 start either the comfort switching control or the basic switching control, they complete the control regardless of the operation by the rear seat occupant. Alternatively, the ECUs 41 and 42 may interrupt the comfort switching control or the basic switching control when they determine that a predetermined cancel operation has been performed during the execution of the comfort switching control or the basic switching control. The cancel operation may be, for example, an operation on an adjustment button or a cancel button (not shown) displayed on the display 60.

[0088] The seat adjusters of the front seat 20 and the rear seat 30 described above include brushed DC motors. However, the seat adjusters may be implemented by actuators other than brushed DC motors. For example, the seat adjusters may be implemented by well-known stepping motors. In this case, the ECU 41 may acquire (estimate) the seat mechanism parameters based on the number of pulse voltages applied to the stepping motors, rather than detecting the seat mechanism parameters using sensors such as the rear seat position sensor 53 and the seat back angle sensor 54 described above.

[0089] The front row seat 20 is a passenger seat, and the rear row seat 30 is a rear seat located behind the passenger seat. Alternatively, the front row seat 20 may be a driver's seat, and the rear row seat 30 may be a rear seat located behind the driver's seat. Alternatively, the front row seat 20 may be a seat located behind the passenger seat (i.e., a second row seat), and the rear row seat 30 may be a seat located behind the front row seat 20 (i.e., a third row seat).

[0090] Additionally, the front row seats 20 and the rear row seats 30 are arranged on the floor surface 10 inside the vehicle. Alternatively, the front row seats 20 and the rear row seats 30 may be used in vehicles other than cars (e.g., airplanes and ships). Alternatively, the front row seats 20 and the rear row seats 30 may be applied to theaters, facilities, and the like (e.g., planetariums).

[0091] The processes realized by the above-described ECUs 41 and 42 may be executed by a plurality of ECUs (control devices, control sections). [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1, 2...Seat control system 10...Floor 11, 12...Lower rail 20...Front row seats 21…Front row base 22...Seat cushion 23...Seat back 24...Headrest 25...Footrest 25a…footrest surface 25b...Design surface 26...Front seat drive unit 27...Footrest drive unit 30...Rear row seats 31...Back row base 32...Seat cushion 32a...Tilt frame 33...Seat back 34...Ottoman 35...Headrest 36...Rear seat drive unit 37...Seat back drive unit 38...Tilt drive unit 39...Ottoman drive unit 41, 42…ECU 51...Front seat position sensor 52...Footrest angle sensor 53...Rear seat position sensor 54...Seat back angle sensor 55...Tilt position sensor 56...Ottoman angle sensor 60...Display 61a~66a, 61b~66b...Buttons 67...Status switch button

Claims

1. a front row seat arranged to be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the floor surface; a rear seat disposed on the floor surface behind the front seat and having a seat cushion and a seat back; and a seat mechanism including an electric seat adjuster that can change a rear seat position, which is a position of the rear row seat in the front-rear direction with respect to the floor surface, and a seat back angle, which is a rearward tilt angle of the seat back with respect to the floor surface; a first controller operable by a user; a control unit that starts comfort switching control to control the seat adjuster when a predetermined comfort switching condition is met, the control unit controlling the seat adjuster so that the rear seat position is located rearward of a predetermined threshold rear seat position and the seat back angle is tilted rearward more than a predetermined threshold rearward tilt angle; A seat control system comprising: The front row seats are: a footrest that can be switched by the seat adjuster between an unfolded state in which a foot rest surface on which a user seated in the rear row seat can place their feet is unfolded and a stored state in which the foot rest surface is stored; The state of ease is the footrest is in the deployed state; The control unit When the first operating device is operated while the seat mechanism is not in the comfort state, it is determined that the comfort switching condition is satisfied; and When the comfort switching control is started, the comfort switching control is completed regardless of whether or not the user operates the first operating device. Seat control system.

2. a front row seat arranged to be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the floor surface; a rear seat disposed on the floor surface behind the front seat and having a seat cushion and a seat back; and a seat mechanism including an electric seat adjuster that can change a rear seat position, which is a position of the rear row seat in the front-rear direction with respect to the floor surface, and a seat back angle, which is a rearward tilt angle of the seat back with respect to the floor surface; a first controller operable by a user; a control unit that starts comfort switching control to control the seat adjuster when a predetermined comfort switching condition is met, the control unit controlling the seat adjuster so that the rear seat position is located rearward of a predetermined threshold rear seat position and the seat back angle is tilted rearward more than a predetermined threshold rearward tilt angle; A seat control system comprising: The state of ease is a difference between the rear seat position and a front seat position, which is a position of the front row seat on the floor surface in the front-rear direction, is greater than a predetermined threshold distance; Seat control system.

3. 3. The seat control system according to claim 1, The control unit When the comfort switching control is started, the rear seat position and the seat back angle at that time are stored as values ​​representing the basic state of the seat mechanism; When a predetermined basic switching operation is performed while the seat mechanism is in the comfortable state, basic switching control is started to control the seat adjuster so that the seat mechanism is in the basic state. Seat control system.

4. 4. The seat control system of claim 3, The control unit If at least one of the rear seat position and the seat back angle is changed by a user during a period from the completion of the comfort switching control to the execution of the basic switching operation, when the comfort switching control is executed again, the seat adjuster is controlled so that one or both of the rear seat position and the seat back angle are set to the changed value. Seat control system.

5. 3. The seat control system according to claim 1, The rear row seats are: an ottoman angle, which is an inclination angle with respect to the floor surface, can be adjusted by the seat adjuster so that a user seated in the rear row seat can rest their lower legs on the ottoman; The state of ease is The ottoman angle may be less than a predetermined threshold tilt angle. Seat control system.

6. 3. The seat control system according to claim 1, The rear row seats are: a tilt position, which is a height of a front edge portion of the seat cushion relative to a predetermined reference position on the seat cushion, is adjustable by the seat adjuster; The state of ease is the tilt position is higher than a predetermined threshold tilt position; Seat control system.

7. 3. The seat control system of claim 2, a second operating device operated by a user; The front row seats are: a footrest that can be switched by the seat adjuster between an unfolded state in which a foot rest surface on which a user seated in the rear row seat can place their feet is unfolded and a stored state in which the foot rest surface is stored; The control unit switching the footrest between the deployed state and the stored state in response to an operation on the second operating device; Seat control system.

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