Seat and control method

Abstract

To eliminate operation delay of a reclining mechanism caused when respective adjusting directions of the reclining mechanism and a mechanism other than the reclining mechanism are reversed.SOLUTION: When reversing an adjustment direction (R1) of an angle by a first adjustment unit (6) and an adjustment direction (R2) of a posture by a second adjustment unit (7), a control unit (8) provides a stop period in which the adjustment of the posture by the second adjustment unit is stopped before timing of reversing a driving direction of a second drive unit, and causes the first adjustment unit to perform a preparing operation in advance during the stop period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a seat and a control method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a seat reclining device including a first gear having external teeth, a second gear having internal teeth, first and second wedge members for moving one of the first gear and the second gear relative to the other, and a cam member that abuts against the first wedge member and rotates the first and second wedge members.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the prior art as described above, when reversing the adjustment direction of the angle of the seat back with respect to the seat bottom, it is necessary to bring the cam member that was abutting against the first wedge member into contact with the second wedge member. When rotating the cam member from the position where it abuts against the first wedge member to the position where it abuts against the second wedge member, there is a period during which the cam member is not in contact with either the first or the second wedge member. Therefore, when performing control to reverse the reclining mechanism and other mechanisms, there is a problem that the operation of the reclining mechanism lags behind the operation of other mechanisms.

[0005] One aspect of this disclosure aims to eliminate the operation delay of the reclining mechanism that occurs when reversing the adjustment direction between the reclining mechanism and a mechanism other than the reclining mechanism.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a seat according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a seat having a seat surface and a backrest, comprising: a first adjustment unit having a first drive unit that adjusts the angle of the backrest relative to the seat surface in a direction corresponding to the drive direction of the first drive unit; a second adjustment unit having a second drive unit that adjusts the posture of the seat in a direction corresponding to the drive direction of the second drive unit; and a control unit that controls the first drive unit and the second drive unit, wherein the first adjustment unit requires a preparatory operation during the period from when the drive direction of the first drive unit is reversed until the direction of adjusting the angle is reversed, and when the control unit reverses the direction of adjusting the angle by the first adjustment unit and the direction of adjusting the posture by the second adjustment unit, it provides a stop period during which it stops adjusting the posture by the second adjustment unit before the timing of reversing the drive direction of the second drive unit, and causes the first adjustment unit to perform the preparatory operation in advance during the stop period.

[0007] With the above configuration, the preparatory operation of the first adjustment unit, which is the reclining mechanism, is performed in advance while the second adjustment unit, which is a mechanism other than the reclining mechanism, is stopped. Therefore, the adjustment direction of the reclining mechanism can be reversed without any delay at the same time as the adjustment direction of the mechanisms other than the reclining mechanism is reversed.

[0008] In the seat according to embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, the first adjustment unit starts the preparation operation from the scheduled end time of the stop period until the required time for the preparation operation, and completes the preparation operation at the scheduled end time.

[0009] According to the above configuration, the preparatory operation of the first adjustment unit is completed at the scheduled end time of the second adjustment unit's shutdown period, allowing the operation of the first adjustment unit, with its adjustment direction reversed, to start smoothly.

[0010] The seat according to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure comprises: the first adjustment section, a shaft that rotates in the direction of adjusting the angle; a first gear arranged radially outward from the shaft in the order of a first bearing section and external teeth; a second gear arranged radially outward from the shaft in the order of a second bearing section and internal teeth, wherein the internal teeth face the external teeth of the first gear and the second bearing section faces the first bearing section of the first gear; and a part positioned between the first bearing section and the second bearing section that meshes the external teeth of the first gear with the internal teeth of the second gear. The device comprises first and second wedge members that meet, and a striker having a projection inserted between the first bearing portion and the second bearing portion, which rotates in accordance with the rotation of the shaft, wherein the striker is movable between a first state in which the projection is positioned near the first wedge member and a second state in which the projection is positioned near the second wedge member, as the projection moves in the circumferential direction of the shaft in accordance with the rotation of the shaft, and the preparation operation is an operation that moves the projection from the first state to the second state, or from the second state to the first state.

[0011] The seat according to embodiment 4 of the present disclosure has a second adjustment unit having a first end connected to the seat surface and a second end facing the first end, and a link having a pivot axis between the first end and the second end, and the first end of the link is rotated by rotating the second end of the link in a direction corresponding to the driving direction of the second drive unit, thereby adjusting the angle of the seat surface with respect to the installation surface of the seat by the rotation of the first end.

[0012] A control method according to aspect 5 of the present disclosure is a control method for controlling a seat having a seat surface and a backrest, wherein the seat comprises: a first adjustment unit having a first drive unit that adjusts the angle of the backrest relative to the seat surface in a direction corresponding to the drive direction of the first drive unit; a second adjustment unit having a second drive unit that adjusts the posture of the seat in a direction corresponding to the drive direction of the second drive unit; and a control unit that controls the first adjustment unit and the second adjustment unit, wherein the first adjustment unit requires a preparatory operation during the period from when the drive direction of the first drive unit is reversed until the direction of adjusting the angle is reversed, and when reversing the direction of angle adjustment by the first adjustment unit and the direction of posture adjustment by the second adjustment unit, a stop period is provided during which the adjustment of the posture by the second adjustment unit is stopped before the timing of reversing the drive direction of the second drive unit, and the control unit causes the first adjustment unit to perform the preparatory operation in advance during the stop period.

[0013] With the above configuration, the preparatory operation of the first adjustment unit, which is the reclining mechanism, is performed in advance while the second adjustment unit, which is a mechanism other than the reclining mechanism, is stopped. Therefore, the adjustment direction of the reclining mechanism can be reversed without any delay at the same time as the adjustment direction of the mechanisms other than the reclining mechanism is reversed.

[0014] The control unit of the sheet according to each aspect of this disclosure may be implemented by a computer, in which case a control program that implements the control unit by a computer by operating the computer as the control unit (software element), and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded also fall within the scope of this disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to one aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to eliminate the delay in operation of the reclining mechanism that occurs when reversing the adjustment direction between the reclining mechanism and other mechanisms. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1]It is a side view showing the appearance of a seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a side view showing an example of a frame of a seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view of the frame of the seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as viewed from the front lower side. [Figure 4] It is a view showing an example of a first adjustment unit. [Figure 5] It is a view showing a control example of a seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] It is a view showing an example of rocking in a seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] It is a view used to explain the preparatory operation of the first adjustment unit. [Figure 8] It is a view showing an operation example of the first adjustment unit.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of a seat 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The seat 1 includes a seat back 2 and a seat bottom 3. The seat back 2 is the backrest of the seat 1 and is provided so as to be rotatable along the direction R1. The seat bottom 3 is the seating surface of the seat 1. The seat bottom 3 is provided so as to be rotatable along the direction R2. Hereinafter, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 1, the vertical direction and the front-rear direction of the seat 1 are defined.

[0018] Hereinafter, the seat 1 will be described as a seat seat installed on the floor surface F of a vehicle such as an automobile, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may be a seat seat installed on a moving body such as an aircraft, a railway, or a ship, a massage chair, a nursing bed, or the like.

[0019] Hereinafter, the sheet 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an example of the frame of the sheet 1. In FIG. 2, the illustration of the armrest, headrest, cushion, wiring, etc. is omitted. The sheet 1 further includes a base portion 4, a first adjustment portion 6, a second adjustment portion 7, and a control portion 8. The base portion 4 is a base having a plurality of leg portions 40, which is installed on the floor surface F and supports each part of the sheet 1.

[0020] Hereinafter, the position and angle of the seat back 2 and the seat bottom 3 with respect to the base portion 4, and the angle of the seat back 2 with respect to the seat bottom 3, etc. are referred to as the posture of the sheet 1.

[0021] The first adjustment portion 6 is a reclining mechanism, which has a first drive portion 60 and a recliner portion 61, and is used to adjust the angle of the seat back 2 with respect to the seat bottom 3, that is, the angle of the backrest with respect to the seating surface. The first drive portion 60 is constituted by a motor, and the motor shaft rotates forward or backward. The first drive portion 60 may further include a gear or the like that transmits the rotation of the motor shaft to the recliner portion 61. The recliner portion 61 rotates the seat back 2 along the direction R1 according to the drive direction of the first drive portion 60, for example, the rotation direction of the motor shaft. The details of the recliner portion 61 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0022] The second adjustment unit 7 comprises a second drive unit 70, a reduction gear 71, and a link 72, and is used to adjust the angle of the seat bottom 3 relative to the base unit 4 or floor surface F, i.e., the angle of the seat surface relative to the base unit 4 or floor surface F. The second drive unit 70 and the reduction gear 71 are supported by the base unit 4. The second drive unit 70 is composed of a motor, and the motor shaft rotates in either forward or backward direction. The reduction gear 71 has one or more gears and transmits the rotation of the motor shaft of the second drive unit 70 to the link 72. The link 72 rotates around the pivot point P2 in a direction corresponding to the driving direction of the second drive unit 70. For example, when the motor shaft of the second drive unit 70 rotates in forward direction, the seat bottom 3 rotates upward in direction R2 around the pivot point P2, and when the motor shaft of the second drive unit 70 rotates in backward direction, the seat bottom 3 rotates downward in direction R2 around the pivot point P2. However, the relationship between the rotation direction of the motor shaft of the second drive unit 70 and the rotation direction of the seat bottom 3 is not limited to this. Furthermore, the second drive unit 70 may also include a gear or the like that transmits the rotation of the motor shaft to the reduction gear 71.

[0023] The control unit 8 is, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the first drive unit 60 and the second drive unit 70. In Figure 2, the control unit 8 is fixed to the base unit 4, but the installation location of the control unit 8 is not limited to this. Furthermore, the control unit 8 may be composed of multiple synchronous control devices.

[0024] The link 72 will be described in detail using Figure 3. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the frame of the seat 1, looking up from the front and below. As shown in Figure 3, the link 72 has its first end 72A connected to the seat bottom 3 via a bracket 9, and a sector gear 171 is provided at the second end 72B opposite the first end 72A. The sector gear 171 meshes with the gears that make up the reduction gear 71. The link 72 rotates around the pivot point P1 as its axis of rotation, according to the driving direction of the second drive unit 70, for example, the rotation direction of the motor shaft. When the meshing position between the sector gear 171 and the reduction gear 71 moves upward, the first end 72A of the link 72 rotates upward around the pivot point P1 as its axis of rotation. When the meshing position between the sector gear 171 and the reduction gear 71 moves downward, the first end 72A of the link 72 rotates downward around the pivot point P1 as its axis of rotation. These rotations cause the seat bottom 3, connected to the bracket 9, to rotate around a pivot point P2 (not shown in Figure 3).

[0025] [Configuration of the reclining section 61] The details of the reclining section 61 will be explained using Figure 4. Figure 4 shows an exploded view 400A and a cross-sectional view 400B of the reclining section 61. As shown in the exploded view 400A and the cross-sectional view 400B, the reclining section 61 comprises an upper gear 161, a lower gear 162, a pair of small wedges 163A and 163B, a large wedge 164, a striker 165, a spring 166, a shaft 167, and an outer ring 168.

[0026] The upper gear 161 is an example of a first gear and is connected to the seat back 2, which is not shown in Figure 4. The upper gear 161 has external teeth 161A, a first bearing portion 161B, and a flange portion 161D. An opening 161C is provided in the first bearing portion 161B. The external teeth 161A of the upper gear 161 protrude from the flange portion 161D. The first bearing portion 161B protrudes further from the external teeth 161A.

[0027] The lower gear 162 is an example of a second gear and is connected to a seat bottom 3, which is not shown in Figure 4. The lower gear 162 has internal teeth 162A, a second bearing portion 162B, and a flange portion 162C. The flange portion 162C has a recess, and the internal teeth 162A are provided on the side wall of the recess. The second bearing portion 162B, which includes an opening 162D, is provided in the center of the recess.

[0028] The upper gear 161 is rotatably enclosed within the outer ring 168. The outer ring 168 is crimped and fastened to the lower gear 162. After crimping, the upper gear 161 has its external teeth 161A inserted into the recess of the flange portion 162C of the lower gear 162.

[0029] As shown in cross-sectional view 400B, the upper gear 161 and lower gear 162 are arranged such that the external teeth 161A of the upper gear 161 face the internal teeth 162A of the lower gear 162, and the first bearing portion 161B of the upper gear 161 faces the second bearing portion 162B of the lower gear 162. After crimping, the upper gear 161 and lower gear 162 are arranged in the order of first bearing portion 161B, second bearing portion 162B, external teeth 161A, and internal teeth 162A from the inside to the outside in the radial direction of the shaft 167. The angle of the seat back 2 with respect to the seat bottom 3 is determined by the meshing position of the external teeth 161A of the upper gear 161 and the internal teeth 162A of the lower gear 162.

[0030] Between the outer circumference of the first bearing portion 161B and the inner circumference of the second bearing portion 162B, a pair of small wedges 163A and 163B, a large wedge 164, and a pair of protrusions 165A and 165B of the striker 165 are arranged. The pair of small wedges 163A and 163B are examples of the first and second wedge members.

[0031] The ends 169A of the small wedge 163A and 169B of the small wedge 163B are positioned facing each other, with a gap S1 between the ends 169A and 169B. The radial thickness of the pair of small wedges 163A and 163B decreases as they move away from each other from their ends 169A and 169B. The large wedge 164 is positioned to sandwich the pair of small wedges 163A and 163B between itself and the first bearing portion 161B.

[0032] The spring 166 is locked to the end 169A of the small wedge 163A and the end 169B of the small wedge 163B. The spring 166 biases the small wedges 163A and 163B in a direction that widens the gap S1 between the ends 169A and 169B. The small wedges 163A and 163B, biased by the spring 166, contact the outer circumference of the first bearing portion 161B and the large wedge 164. The large wedge 164 also contacts the inner circumference of the second bearing portion 162B and the pair of small wedges 163A and 163B. The rotation of the upper gear 161 and the lower gear 162 is restricted by the frictional engagement of the first bearing portion 161B, the second bearing portion 162B, the small wedges 163A and 163B, and the large wedge 164, based on the negative force of the spring 166.

[0033] The striker 165 has a pair of projections 165A and 165B and a flange 165D. The flange 165D is provided with an opening 165C. The pair of projections 165A and 165B are inserted between the outer circumference of the first bearing portion 161B and the inner circumference of the second bearing portion 162B. Projection 165A is positioned closer to the small wedge 163A than projection 165B. A shaft 167 is inserted into the opening 165C of the striker 165. The shaft 167 rotates in a direction along the circumferential direction R3 according to the driving direction of the first drive unit 60 in Figure 2. The striker 165 rotates along the circumferential direction R3 in accordance with the rotation of the shaft 167. In the following, it is assumed that when the motor shaft of the first drive unit 60 rotates in the forward direction, the striker 165 rotates in the circumferential direction R3B, and when the motor shaft of the first drive unit 60 rotates in the negative direction, the striker 165 rotates in the circumferential direction R3A.

[0034] [Example of control of the first adjustment unit 6 and the second adjustment unit 7 by the control unit 8] Figure 5 shows an example of control of the first drive unit 60 and the second drive unit 70 by the control unit 8 shown in Figure 2. In the control example shown in Figure 5, the seat 1 is moved back and forth between the position shown in side view 601 and the position shown in side view 602 in Figure 6. In the position shown in side view 602, the seat back 2 rotates rearward along direction R1 and the front part of the seat bottom 3 rotates upward along direction R2 compared to the position shown in side view 601. By moving the seat 1 back and forth in this way, the effects of relaxing the user seated in the seat 1 and inducing drowsiness by stimulating the otoliths involved in the user's sense of balance are achieved.

[0035] As an example of the initial state of control shown in Figure 5, the seat 1 is in the position shown in the side view 601 of Figure 6, and the recliner section 61 is in the state shown in the cross-sectional view 700A of Figure 7. The state shown in the cross-sectional view 700A of Figure 7 is an example of the first state, in which the projection 165B of the striker 165 is positioned near the small wedge 163B, and the projection 165B is in contact with the end 164B of the large wedge 164.

[0036] The control unit 8 repeats the control steps 1 through 6 illustrated in Figure 5. In STEP 1, the control unit 8 rotates the motor shaft of the first drive unit 60 in Figure 2 in the forward direction, causing the striker 165 in Figure 7 to rotate along the circumferential direction R3B against the biasing force of the spring 166. The control unit 8 also rotates the motor shaft of the second drive unit 70 in Figure 2 in the forward direction, causing the sector gear 171 (Figure 3) of the link 72 to rotate downward, and the seat bottom 3 to rotate upward along direction R2.

[0037] The cross-sectional view 800A shown in Figure 8 shows the state in which the striker 165 is rotated along the circumferential direction R3B against the biasing force of the spring 166, compared to the state shown in the cross-sectional view 700A in Figure 7. Note that the external teeth 161A and internal teeth 162A are not shown in Figure 8.

[0038] As the striker 165 rotates along the circumferential direction R3B, the large wedge 164, which is pressed by the projection 165B of the striker 165, also rotates along the circumferential direction R3B. In addition, the small wedge 163B is pressed towards the inner circumference of the end 164B of the large wedge 164, and rotates along direction R3B against the biasing force of the spring 166, narrowing the gap S1.

[0039] On the other hand, around the end 164A of the large wedge 164, the rotation of the large wedge 164 creates a gap S2 between the large wedge 164 and the small wedge 163A. The creation of this gap S2 releases the frictional engagement between the first bearing portion 161B, the second bearing portion 162B, the pair of small wedges 163A and 163B, and the large wedge 164. As a result, the upper gear 161 becomes rotatable relative to the lower gear 162.

[0040] As shown in the cross-sectional view 800B of Figure 8, the biasing force of the spring 166 causes the small wedge 163A to rotate toward the gap S2 along direction R3B, widening the gap S1. At this time, the upper gear 161 rotates relative to the lower gear 162, the meshing position of the outer teeth 161A and the inner teeth 162A changes, and the angle of the seat back 2 relative to the seat bottom 3 is adjusted.

[0041] The control unit 8 rotates the large wedge 164 along direction R3B using the projection 165B of the striker 165 until the angle of the seat back 2 relative to the seat bottom 3 reaches the target angle. When the seat 1 is in the position shown in the side view 602 of Figure 6, the control unit 8 proceeds to the control of STEP 2 in Figure 5.

[0042] In STEP 2 of Figure 5, the control unit 8 in Figure 2 stops the first drive unit 60 and the second drive unit 70. By temporarily stopping the seat back 2 and seat bottom 3 before reversing the driving direction of the seat back 2 and seat bottom 3 during the oscillation of the seat 1, the impact caused by changes in acceleration can be mitigated. In addition, it is possible to suppress the motors constituting the first drive unit 60 and the second drive unit 70 from overheating.

[0043] In STEP 2 of Figure 5, while the first drive unit 60 and the second drive unit 70 of Figure 2 are stopped, the projection 165B of the striker 165 is located near the small wedge 163B and is in contact with the end 164B of the large wedge 164, as shown in the cross-sectional view 700A of Figure 7. In order to return the seat 1 to the position shown in the side view 601 of Figure 6, the angle adjustment direction by the first adjustment unit 6 must be reversed, and the recliner unit 61 must be in the state shown in the cross-sectional view 700B of Figure 7. The state shown in the cross-sectional view 700B of Figure 7 is an example of the second state, in which the projection 165A of the striker 165 is located near the small wedge 163A and the projection 165A is in contact with the end 164A of the large wedge 164.

[0044] In STEP 1 of Figure 5, the angle of the seat back 2 relative to the seat bottom 3 is adjusted by the rotation of the striker 165 shown in Figure 8 along the circumferential direction R3B. On the other hand, while the striker 165 is rotating from the first state shown in cross-sectional view 700A of Figure 7 to the second state shown in cross-sectional view 700B, the striker 165 is free-moving, and the angle of the seat back 2 relative to the seat bottom 3 shown in Figure 2 does not change. Hereinafter, the operation of moving the striker 165 from the first state to the second state, or from the second state to the first state, will be referred to as the preparation operation.

[0045] If the drive directions of the first drive unit 60 and the second drive unit 70 in Figure 2 are reversed simultaneously, the timing at which the first adjustment unit 6 begins adjustment will be delayed by the preparation time T compared to the timing at which the second adjustment unit 7 begins adjustment. The preparation time T is, for example, the time required to rotate the motor shaft of the first drive unit 60 approximately 9 times, which is approximately 0.7 seconds. This timing difference may cause discomfort to the user who is operating the seat 1 back and forth.

[0046] In STEP 3 of Figure 5, the control unit 8, while keeping the second drive unit 70 in a stopped state as shown in Figure 2, pre-rotates the first drive unit 60 in the negative direction for the required preparation time T. This allows the preparation operation to be completed within the period when the second drive unit 70 is stopped. The timing of the preparation operation can be anytime during the stop period of STEP 3 when the second drive unit 70 is stopped. The preparation operation may be started before the required time T from the scheduled end time of the stop period, or a period may be provided after the preparation operation during which the first drive unit 60 is stopped again to prevent the motor of the first drive unit 60 from overheating.

[0047] In STEP 4 of Figure 5, the control unit 8 rotates the first drive unit 60 and the second drive unit 70 in the negative direction. Since the preparatory operation of the first adjustment unit 6 is completed in advance in STEP 3, the timing at which the first adjustment unit 6 starts adjustment and the timing at which the second adjustment unit 7 starts adjustment can be synchronized.

[0048] In STEP 4 of Figure 5, the opposite operation to STEP 1 takes place. That is, the control unit 8 in Figure 2 rotates the first drive unit 60 in the negative direction, causing the striker 165 in the cross-sectional view 700B of Figure 7 to rotate along direction R3A against the biasing force of the spring 166. The small wedge 163A is pushed towards the inner circumference of the end 164A of the large wedge 164 and rotates along direction R3A together with the large wedge 164, so the gap S1 narrows. Also, the projection 165A of the striker 165 rotates the large wedge 164 along direction R3A, creating a gap between the large wedge 164 and the small wedge 163B near the end 164B. Due to the biasing force of the spring 166, the small wedge 163B rotates along direction R3A, and the gap S1 widens. At this time, the upper gear 161 rotates relative to the lower gear 162, the meshing position of the outer teeth 161A and the inner teeth 162A changes, and the angle of the seat back 2 relative to the seat bottom 3 is adjusted.

[0049] In STEP 5, similar to STEP 2, the control unit 8 in Figure 2 stops the first drive unit 60 and the second drive unit 70.

[0050] In STEP 6, the control unit 8 in Figure 2, with the second drive unit 70 stopped, pre-rotates the first drive unit 60 in the forward direction for a preparation time T. This preparation operation causes the striker 165 to move from the second state to the first state.

[0051] Subsequently, the control unit 8 in Figure 2 repeats the processes from STEP 1 to STEP 6. Since the preparatory operation of the first adjustment unit 6 is completed in STEP 6, the timing at which the adjustment by the first adjustment unit 6 starts in the following STEP 1 can be synchronized with the timing at which the adjustment by the second adjustment unit 7 starts.

[0052] [Effects] As described above, in STEP 4 of Figure 5, when the control unit 8 of the seat 1 reverses the direction of adjustment of the angle of the seat back 2 relative to the seat bottom 3 by the first adjustment unit 6 and the direction of adjustment of the angle of the seat bottom 3 relative to the base 4 by the second adjustment unit 7, it stops the adjustment by the second adjustment unit 7 in STEP 2 and STEP 3. Then, during the stop period in STEP 3, the control unit 8 completes the preparatory operation of the first adjustment unit 6. Therefore, the delay in operation of the first adjustment unit 6 that occurs when reversing the adjustment directions of the first adjustment unit 6 and the second adjustment unit 7 can be eliminated.

[0053] [Variation] In the above embodiment, the second adjustment unit 7 adjusts the angle of the seat bottom 3 relative to the base 4, but is not limited to that. For example, the seat back 2 and seat bottom 3 may be moved up and down or forward and backward according to the driving direction of the motor such as the second drive unit 70 to adjust the posture of the seat 1. Alternatively, a massage mechanism provided on the seat back 2, etc., may be adjusted.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the striker 165 in Figure 7 is configured such that, in the first state, the projection 165B of the striker 165 is in contact with the end 164B of the large wedge 164, as shown in the cross-sectional view 700A, and in the second state, the projection 165A of the striker 165 is in contact with the end 164A of the large wedge 164, as shown in the cross-sectional view 700B. However, the definitions of the first and second states are not limited to these. For example, in the first state, it is sufficient that the projection 165B of the striker 165 is close to the end 164B of the large wedge 164, and contact is not required. Also, in the second state, it is sufficient that the projection 165A of the striker 165 is close to the end 164A of the large wedge 164, and contact is not required.

[0055] The configuration of the recliner section 61 is not limited to those described above. For example, the large wedge 164 does not need to be provided. In that case, the radial thickness of the pair of small wedges 163A and 163B can be increased so that the pair of small wedges 163A and 163B contact both the outer circumference of the first bearing section 161B and the inner circumference of the second bearing section 162B. The striker 165 can be configured such that the projection 165A or 165B directly contacts the pair of small wedges 163A and 163B without going through the large wedge 164. In this case, the first state of the striker 165 is when the projection 165B of the striker 165 contacts the small wedge 163B, and the second state is when the projection 165A of the striker 165 contacts the small wedge 163A.

[0056] Furthermore, the projections 165A and 165B of the striker 165 may be provided integrally. In that case, the first state is when the projection of the striker 165 is positioned near the small wedge 163B and the projection is in contact with the end 164B of the large wedge 164. The second state is when the projection of the striker 165 is positioned near the small wedge 163A and the projection is in contact with the end 164A of the large wedge 164.

[0057] In the embodiments and modifications described above, the preparatory operation of the first adjustment unit 6 is an operation to move the striker 165 from the first state to the second state, or from the second state to the first state, but it is not limited to this. Any operation that leads to a delay between the reversal of the drive direction of the first drive unit 60 and the actual reversal of the adjustment direction by the first adjustment unit 6 may be included, other than the movement of the striker 165. For example, it may include the start-up delay of the actuator used in the first drive unit 60.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the first drive unit 60 and the second drive unit 70 are rotated forward or backward in STEP 1 and STEP 4 of Figure 5, but their drive start timings do not need to be strictly simultaneous. The timings may be slightly off as long as it does not cause discomfort to the user seated in seat 1.

[0059] In the above embodiment, as an example of control of the first drive unit 60 and the second drive unit 70 by the control unit 8, control that reciprocates between the posture shown in side view 601 and the posture shown in side view 602 was described. However, the scope of application of the control method of this disclosure is not limited to this. It can be applied to any control that requires reversing the driving direction of the first drive unit 60 and the second drive unit 70 substantially simultaneously.

[0060] [Examples of implementation using software] The function of Sheet 1 (hereinafter referred to as "the device") is a program that causes the device to function as a computer, and can be realized by a program that causes each control block of the device (particularly each part included in the control unit 8) to function as a computer.

[0061] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., memory) as hardware for executing the program. By executing the program using this control device and storage device, the functions described in each of the embodiments are realized.

[0062] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, not temporary ones. These recording media may or may not be provided by the above device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the above device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0063] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of each of the above control blocks can also be implemented by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which logic circuits functioning as each of the above control blocks are formed is also included in the scope of this disclosure. In addition, it is also possible to implement the functions of each of the above control blocks by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0064] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0065] 1 sheet 2 seatbacks 3 Seat bottom 4. Base section 6 1st adjustment section 7 Second adjustment section 8 Control Unit 40 Legs 60 First drive unit 61 Reclining section 70 Second drive unit 71 Reduction gear 72 links 161 Upper Gear 161A External teeth 161B First bearing section 162 Lower Gear 162A Internal teeth 162B Second bearing section 163A, 163B Small Wedge 164 Large Wedge 165 Striker 165A, 165B protrusion 166 Spring 167 Shaft 171 Sector Gear

Claims

1. A seat having a seat surface and a backrest, A first adjustment unit having a first drive unit, which adjusts the angle of the backrest relative to the seat surface in a direction corresponding to the driving direction of the first drive unit, A second adjustment unit has a second drive unit and adjusts the posture of the seat in a direction corresponding to the driving direction of the second drive unit, The system comprises a control unit that controls the first drive unit and the second drive unit, The first adjustment unit requires preparatory operation during the period from when the driving direction of the first drive unit reverses until the direction for adjusting the angle reverses. The control unit, When the aforementioned posture is moved back and forth between a first posture and a second posture in which the backrest is rotated further rearward than the first posture, and the direction of angle adjustment by the first adjustment unit and the direction of posture adjustment by the second adjustment unit are reversed, Prior to the timing of reversing the driving direction of the second drive unit, a stop period is provided during which the adjustment of the attitude by the second adjustment unit is stopped. A sheet for the first adjustment unit that causes the preparatory operation to start during the stop period and complete the preparatory operation during the stop period.

2. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the first adjustment unit starts the preparation operation from the scheduled end time of the stop period until the required time for the preparation operation, and completes the preparation operation at the scheduled end time.

3. The first adjustment unit is, A shaft that rotates in the direction of adjusting the angle, The first gear is arranged in the order of first bearing portion, then external teeth, facing radially outward from the shaft, A second gear is assembled such that the second bearing portion and internal teeth are arranged radially outward from the shaft, the internal teeth face the external teeth of the first gear, and the second bearing portion faces the first bearing portion of the first gear. Displaced between the first bearing portion and the second bearing portion, the first and second wedge members engage the external teeth of the first gear with the internal teeth of the second gear, A striker having a projection inserted between the first bearing portion and the second bearing portion, which rotates in accordance with the rotation of the shaft, The striker is movable between a first state in which the projection is positioned near the first wedge member and a second state in which the projection is positioned near the second wedge member, as the projection moves in the circumferential direction of the shaft in accordance with the rotation of the shaft. The seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the preparation operation is an operation to move the projection from the first state to the second state, or from the second state to the first state.

4. The second adjustment unit is, The link has a first end connected to the seat surface and a second end facing the first end, and has a pivot axis between the first end and the second end. The seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first end of the link is rotated by rotating the second end of the link in a direction corresponding to the driving direction of the second drive unit, and the angle of the seat surface with respect to the installation surface of the seat is adjusted by the rotation of the first end.

5. A control method for a seat having a seat surface and a backrest, The aforementioned sheet is A first adjustment unit having a first drive unit, which adjusts the angle of the backrest relative to the seat surface in a direction corresponding to the driving direction of the first drive unit, A second adjustment unit has a second drive unit and adjusts the posture of the seat in a direction corresponding to the driving direction of the second drive unit, The system comprises a control unit that controls the first adjustment unit and the second adjustment unit, The first adjustment unit requires preparatory operation during the period from when the driving direction of the first drive unit reverses until the direction for adjusting the angle reverses. When the posture is moved back and forth between a first posture and a second posture in which the backrest is rotated further rearward than the first posture, and the direction of angle adjustment by the first adjustment unit and the direction of posture adjustment by the second adjustment unit are reversed, a stop period is provided in which the adjustment of the posture by the second adjustment unit is stopped before the timing in which the drive direction of the second drive unit is reversed. A control method in which the control unit causes the first adjustment unit to start the preparatory operation during the stop period and to complete the preparatory operation during the stop period.

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