Warning seat mat

Abstract

The warning seat mat for preventing driver operation errors and accidents of a vehicle includes a mat body (2) on which an operator who controls the forward or reverse movement of the vehicle can sit, a pressure sensor (20) that detects pressure acting on the seat surface of the mat body (2), and an LED light (22) and a speaker (30) that transmit a warning message to alert the operator based on the output of the pressure sensor (20). The mat body (2) incorporates a battery power supply (40) that supplies drive current to the LED light (22) and the speaker (30), and a control unit (50) that receives a pressure sensor signal, supplies electrical energy from the battery power supply, and outputs a drive signal to turn on the LED light (22) and the speaker (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a warning seat mat for a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] In the premises of an automobile dealership or repair shop (automobile dealer), measures to prevent accidents that occur when moving a vehicle are carried out as guidance and education for operators, but research and development of tools and devices to reduce accident occurrences are not known. Conventionally, as a device for warning a vehicle operator, a device that alerts attention, such as making a sound when a seat belt is not worn, is known.

[0003] The automobile seat mat disclosed in Patent Document 1 has magnet pieces fitted through a large number of through holes formed in a substrate, and a vibrator is fixed between the substrate and an outer cover. The electrical energy of the drive source of this vibrator is not built into the mat, but is supplied by wiring from a cigarette lighter unit provided in the vehicle. The lumbar support futon disclosed in Patent Document 2 is a futon made of a material like a soft cotton towel with a width and thickness suitable for sitting on the buttocks to compensate for the sunken part of the buttocks and not sinking too much. This futon uses a soft sponge.

[0004] Both Patent Documents 1 and 2 are mats and futons for vehicles, which reduce fatigue and do not give warnings to alert operators.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0006] Generally, there is a problem of frequent accidents occurring on the premises of car dealerships, and no effective solution has yet been found to reduce the likelihood of such accidents. Solving this problem largely depends on training and education for operators. While car dealerships want to prevent accidents on their premises, it is difficult to ensure that all employees practice safe driving. Achieving "accident elimination" has become a key challenge for many dealerships.

[0007] At car dealerships and repair shops, frequent vehicle movement leads to a high incidence of accidents, ranging from collisions between workers to personal injury. According to information from insurance companies, most of these accidents are due to human error, or in other words, inattention, and dealerships are troubled by the persistent occurrence of such accidents. Statistical data on these accidents suggests that the causes generally fall into one of the following categories: improper driver operation, inattentive driving, distracted driving, inattention to surrounding conditions, failure to check for safety, or exceeding safe speed limits. In the automotive repair industry, the number of fatalities and injuries from work-related accidents remained almost unchanged at 586 in 2020 (according to the "Revised Handbook for Safe Maintenance Work" by the Japan Federation of Automotive Repair Promotion Associations and the Japan Federation of Automotive Repair and Commercial Associations).

[0008] Accidents involving vehicles in transit include many new and used cars for maintenance, vehicles entrusted to us by owners, vehicles undergoing inspections and general maintenance, and the locations where these accidents occur range widely from showrooms and factories to vehicle storage areas. Accidents that occur while moving vehicles within a repair shop often result from insufficient safety checks of the front, rear, and sides, such as failing to notice people or other vehicles around the vehicle due to neglecting possible checks. Many accidents involving vehicles being moved within a repair shop are due to drivers failing to perform necessary safety checks before starting, resulting in a lack of awareness of surrounding people or vehicles. Repair shops have many employees working, increasing the risk of personal injury accidents. While these can range from minor self-inflicted accidents to serious personal injury accidents, repair shops present a dangerous environment where personal injury among workers is more likely.

[0009] The majority of accidents are caused by driver negligence, and it is a dangerous behavior that can easily lead to serious accidents, so caution is necessary. Once such an accident occurs, in addition to losing the trust of vehicle owners and users, car dealerships risk suffering significant losses.

[0010] Traditionally, car dealerships have been working to raise drivers' safety awareness by providing safe driving instruction to employees, as well as conducting preventative training for employees who have caused accidents. While accidents involving new employees are common, and efforts are being made to eliminate accidents on company premises, including safe driving education during new employee training, these efforts primarily focus on instruction, education, and awareness campaigns regarding safe driving.

[0011] Therefore, in order to achieve "accident elimination," more effective measures are needed than the conventional, stagnant safe driving awareness campaigns. This disclosure is made in view of the foregoing, and its purpose is to provide a warning seat mat that prevents driver error and accidents in vehicles.

[0012] A warning seat mat according to a first aspect of this disclosure is a warning seat mat used in a vehicle seat, A mat body on which an operator who controls the forward or reverse movement of the vehicle can sit, A pressure sensor is provided on the mat body to detect the pressure acting on the seat surface of the mat body, A warning means that, when it predicts the vehicle will move forward or backward based on the pressure sensor signal which is the output of the pressure sensor, transmits a warning display to alert the operator. A power supply built into the mat body and supplying drive current to the warning means, The system employs a configuration comprising: a control unit that, upon receiving the pressure sensor signal and determining whether the vehicle is moving forward or backward, outputs a drive signal that supplies electrical energy from the power supply to turn on the warning means.

[0013] A warning seat mat according to a second aspect of this disclosure is a warning seat mat used in a vehicle seat, A mat body on which an operator who controls the forward or reverse movement of the vehicle can sit, A pressure sensor is provided on the mat body to detect the pressure acting on the seat surface of the mat body, When the pressure sensor detects that the operator has moved away from the mat body, a warning means transmits a warning display to alert the operator, A power supply built into the mat body and supplying drive current to the warning means, The configuration includes a control unit that receives the pressure sensor signal and outputs a drive signal to supply electrical energy from the power supply and turn on the warning means when the operator moves away from the mat body.

[0014] According to the warning seat mat of the first aspect of this disclosure, when placed under the buttocks of a person sitting in a vehicle seat, a pressure sensor detects that a person is sitting in the seat. When the pressure sensor detects that a person is sitting in the seat, it activates a warning means of the warning seat mat. According to the warning seat mat of the first aspect of this disclosure, the manner in which the warning means are activated (turned on) appeals to one or more of the five human senses. For example, a speaker corresponding to the warning means emits a warning sound, and an LED light corresponding to the warning means illuminates, thereby prompting the driver to pay attention to safe driving. This reduces the number of vehicle malfunctions and accidents occurring within the premises.

[0015] According to the warning seat mat of the first aspect of this disclosure, since the power supply is built into the mat itself, when an operator sits in the driver's seat of a vehicle, it is assumed that the operator anticipates movement such as moving the vehicle forward or backward. At this time, the warning means is activated to alert the operator seated in the driver's seat and those around them, drawing their attention. In addition, it acts to raise the operator's safety awareness at the same time as the operator sits in the driver's seat, so the operator pays attention to driving and contributes to reducing the occurrence of accidents. The activation of the warning means also draws attention to those around the operator, thus raising safety awareness among those other than the operator and reducing the occurrence of accidents.

[0016] When not in use, even if a number of warning seat mats are stacked separately from the vehicle, no mat drive signal is output, so the warning seat mats will not give a warning display, which is convenient for storage. According to the warning seat mat of the present disclosure, there is no need to route the wiring from the vehicle body. It notifies the operator only when necessary and does not unnecessarily activate the warning display around when not needed. Therefore, it is simple, easy to use, a handy device, and can reduce the occurrence of accidents.

[0017] In the first aspect of the present disclosure, it is a system that gives a warning while sitting on the warning seat mat and stops the warning when leaving the warning seat mat.

[0018] According to the warning seat mat of the second aspect of the present disclosure, when a person sitting on the vehicle seat leaves, the pressure sensor detects that the person has left the seat. When the pressure sensor detects that the person has left the seat, the warning means of the warning seat mat is driven. According to the warning seat mat of the second aspect of the present disclosure, the mode in which the warning means is driven (turned on) appeals to one or more of the five human senses. For example, a speaker corresponding to the warning means emits a warning sound, and an LED light corresponding to the warning means irradiates light to prompt the driver to pay attention to safe driving. Specifically, the warning is stopped while sitting on the seat, and a warning is generated when leaving the seat. This唤起了未拉手刹、未熄火的确认。

[0019] It should be noted that there seems to be an inaccuracy in the original Chinese text of item . The last sentence "唤起了未拉手刹、未熄火的确认。" is rather unclear in its current form. I have translated it as best as possible based on the context, but it might need further clarification in the original text.According to the warning seat mat of the second aspect of the present disclosure, since the power source is built into the mat body, when the operator leaves the driver's seat of the vehicle, a warning by the warning means is executed to the operator and the surrounding people, alerting the operator and the surrounding people. At the same time, since it acts to enhance the operator's safety awareness at the same time as the operator's action of leaving the driver's seat, the operator contributes to reducing forgetfulness and leaving children unattended. The activation of the warning means also alerts the surrounding people, so it can enhance the safety awareness of people other than the operator and reduce forgetfulness and leaving children unattended.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] The above objects, other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description when referring to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a warning seat mat according to an embodiment, [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the usage state of a warning seat mat according to an embodiment, [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view showing the state of a warning seat mat according to an embodiment when a person is driving a vehicle, [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of a warning seat mat according to an embodiment, [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of a warning seat mat according to an embodiment, [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the usage state of a warning seat mat according to an embodiment in a compound, [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view for explaining the usage state of a warning seat mat according to an embodiment in a compound, [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front view showing a warning seat mat according to another embodiment, [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of a warning seat mat according to another embodiment, [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the position of a pressure sensor according to another embodiment, [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a plan view showing the position of the pressure sensor in another embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a plan view showing the position of the pressure sensor in another embodiment. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a plan view showing the position of the pressure sensor in another embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of a warning seat mat in another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0021] The following describes warning seat mats according to several embodiments, based on the drawings. In addition, substantially identical components in multiple embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0022] (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. The warning seat mat 1 comprises a mat body 2 that can be placed along the seat of the vehicle. The mat body 2 comprises a seat mat body 3 that is placed on the seat surface of the seat 11 installed in the vehicle 10, and a leg mat body 4 that is connected to the front end of the seat mat body 3.

[0023] Within the seat cushion body 3, a pressure sensor 20 is installed in the area where the operator's buttocks may come into contact and where their body weight is applied. The leg mat body 4 is formed in conjunction with the front end of the seat mat body 3. This connecting portion constitutes a flexible connecting portion 5. The flexible connecting portion 5 is made of a material and structure that can withstand repeated bending. The flexible connecting portion 5 may be included at the upper end of the leg mat body 4, or it may be configured as a connecting member between the front end of the seat mat body 3 and the upper end of the leg mat body 4. The mat body 2 has a flexible connecting portion 5 that connects to the front end of the seat mat body 3, and a leg mat body 4 that can hang down from the flexible connecting portion 5.

[0024] In its natural state, as shown in Figure 3, the leg mat body 4 is spaced apart from the legs of the seated operator in the front-to-back direction and is located midway between the legs in the left-to-right direction. The front surface 7 of the leg mat body 4 faces this spaced-apart position. A speaker 30 is installed inside the leg mat body 4 so that an output area for generating a warning sound is formed from the front surface 7 of the leg mat body 4. The speaker 30 is positioned so as not to interfere with the output of the warning sound. In addition, an LED light 22, which is equivalent to a lighting means capable of emitting warning light, is provided on the front surface 7 of the leg mat body 4. The LED light 22 is positioned so as not to interfere with the output of the warning light.

[0025] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pressure sensor 20 is provided in the square-shaped area depicted in a shaded pattern. As shown in Figure 3, the seat cushion body 3 includes a pressure sensor 20, a battery power supply 40, a USB input port 23, and a volume control switch 25. The specific locations of the battery power supply 40, USB input port 23, and volume control switch 25, which are input to the control unit 50 built into the seat cushion body 3, are not shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the specific locations of the battery power supply 40, USB input port 23, and volume control switch 25 are not specified. The volume of the volume control switch 25 can be adjusted in, for example, three steps. The leg mat body 4 is equipped with a speaker 30 that acts as a warning means and an LED light 22 that acts as a warning means that emits a warning light. The speaker 30 and LED light 22 are positioned midway between the legs of the seated operator and in a position that is not in contact with the legs (separated). The LED light 22 is positioned above and the speaker 30 below in the center of the leg mat body 4. As a result, when a warning display is activated, the warning light is not blocked and the warning sound is not muffled.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 50 is built into the seat mat body 3. The control unit 50 is a microcontroller equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, I / O, etc. As shown in Figure 4, it performs predetermined processing based on information input from various input devices (pressure sensor 20, USB input port 23, memory card port 24, volume control switch 25) and outputs predetermined alarm messages using output devices (LED light 22, speaker 30). A USB device (not shown) inserted into USB input port 23 may contain stored data. Here, the USB input port 23 functions as a connection power supply port that allows charging of the power supply 40 from an external source. The memory card port 24 allows for the insertion of a memory card that stores multiple voices, multiple warning phrases, multiple languages, etc., enabling selection of the sound emitted by the speaker. For example, the warning sound emitted from the speaker 30 can be selected from multiple voices.

[0027] Next, the operation of the warning seat mat 1 will be explained based on a flowchart. First, the operator or staff member places the warning seat mat 1 on the seat surface of the driver's seat of the vehicle in question. Next, the operator gets into the driver's seat inside the vehicle. At this time, as shown in Figure 5, the pressure sensor 20 determines whether it has detected a pressure value above a predetermined value (S101). If it has detected a pressure value above a predetermined value, the speaker 30 turns on based on a command from the control unit 50 (S102, S103), and the LED light 22 turns on (S104). The speaker 30 emits a warning sound such as "Pay attention ahead! Pay attention ahead!". The LED light 22 emits, for example, a flashing light signal. This draws attention to the operator and those around them. The operator pays attention to the vehicle's movement, such as moving it forward or backward. If the system is designed so that the warning sound leaks out of the cabin through the windows, people outside the vehicle will be able to anticipate the vehicle's movement, such as moving it forward or backward, when they hear the warning sound and hear the flashing light signal.

[0028] Next, we will explain the function of warning mats during the period from when a car enters a car dealership's premises until it leaves. When the vehicle owner / user arrives at the car dealership, they drive the vehicle 10 to be repaired or inspected to the reception area 35 located outside the dealership premises 28, as shown in Figure 6. After reception, the dealership's operator moves to the entrance 281 of the premises 28 and stops. At this entrance 281, the warning seat mat 1 is placed on top of the driver's seat 11 of the vehicle. At this point, the warning seat mat is ready to operate.

[0029] When an operator gets into the driver's seat 11 at the entrance 281 of the premises 28, the operator's weight acts on the warning seat mat 1, activating a warning display. This prompts the operator to pay attention to the vehicle's operation. The vehicle is then moved to an appropriate location within the premises 28, for example, to the lift area 282, and repairs are performed by lifting the vehicle, for example, as shown in Figure 7. The warning display remains activated as long as the operator is seated in the driver's seat. This prevents the vehicle from moving forward or backward unintentionally.

[0030] During the lift operation, the operator is away from the driver's seat. During this period, the warning indicator is not displayed. Because the operator is away from the vehicle during this time, operator error is prevented. After the lift operation is complete, when the vehicle is moved from the lift area 282 in the direction of arrow 29 shown in Figure 6, the warning seat mat 1 will resume operation from the moment the operator sits in the driver's seat of the vehicle. The warning display will be activated from the moment the operator sits down to alert the operator.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the operator gets into the driver's seat and moves the vehicle to the parking area 283 in the direction of arrow 29. The warning seat mat 1 also activates the warning during this movement period. When the operator leaves the driver's seat at station 283, the warning display stops. This means that the warning display remains in a deactivated state when no operator error occurs, and the activation of the warning display is stopped, so no unnecessary notifications are made to the surroundings. This also means that warning sounds and warning lights are not activated to alert workers in the workplace within the premises, so workers in premises 28 are not unnecessarily bothered. Next, the warning sound continues to be emitted while the operator is boarding the vehicle at the station 283 and moving it to the exit 284. This prevents unexpected forward or reverse movement and alerts the operator to safely move the vehicle to the exit 284 in the premises 28. When the vehicle has moved to the exit 284, the operator disembarks and moves away from the warning seat mat 1, and the warning seat mat 1 stops operating.

[0032] In this way, warning seat mats 1 are placed on the seat surface of the vehicle driver's seat throughout the entire area of ​​the premises 28, thus reducing accidents caused not only by the vehicle operator but also by anyone sitting on the mat. Since a warning is issued to the operator immediately before the vehicle starts moving, prompting them to avoid inattention, it has the effect of increasing the operator's awareness of safe driving. Since vehicles are often operated by people other than the owner within the dealership premises, warning displays are used to alert drivers to prevent accidental operation by the vehicle operator. Therefore, by simply placing the warning seat mat of this embodiment on the driver's seat, it is expected that the number of accidents during normal repair and inspection operations within the dealership premises 28 can be significantly reduced.

[0033] According to this embodiment of the warning seat mat, it can be stored in a location separate from the vehicle when not in use. Since the warning mechanism automatically remains off without needing to turn off the power switch, it is a user-friendly product that is easy to maintain. According to the warning seat mat of this embodiment, the mat body 2 is mechanically separable from the vehicle seat 11, and the power supply is housed in the mat body 2. The battery power supply that provides the electrical energy to turn the warning indicator on and off is housed in the mat body 2. Therefore, for example, when an operator enters the vehicle's interior and sits in the seat, the warning seat mat 1 activates and displays a warning to the operator. This alerts the operator before the vehicle begins to move forward or backward, thereby reducing unintended forward and reverse movements and increasing the deterrent effect against accidents.

[0034] Before the operator manually controls the vehicle's forward or reverse movement, the system predicts the vehicle's movement without requiring the operator to turn on the drive key switch, and alerts the operator seated in the driver's seat to the driving operation. According to this embodiment of the warning seat mat, activation can be started with a simple operation by simply placing the warning seat mat on the driver's seat. This warning seat mat is easy to install, easy to use as a cushion type, and is expected to be an effective tool for reducing accidents. According to the warning seat mat of this embodiment, the battery power supply is built-in, so no wiring is required inside the vehicle.

[0035] In addition to the mandatory warning sounds from the warning seat mats, proactively providing appropriate driving guidance through voice prompts is expected to be effective in reducing accidents. Since the warning display output device is installed on the warning seat mat 1, not only the operator who has boarded the vehicle, but also people around the vehicle on the premises can be alerted by warning sounds, warning lights, etc., by slightly opening the window of the vehicle door. The device of this embodiment is small in size, easy to handle and operate, and easy to use as a standalone unit. As a warning device, it is simple and easy to use, separate from the vehicle, and can be set up only when needed within the premises, making it a promising tool for reducing the number of accidents.

[0036] Even after a series of tasks such as vehicle maintenance have been completed within the premises, if an emergency or critical situation requires the operator to move the vehicle forward or backward, the system predicts that the likelihood of the vehicle moving forward or backward has increased once the operator is seated in the driver's seat. This system displays a warning to the operator to draw their attention, thus significantly reducing the expected rate of unexpected accidents.

[0037] According to the warning seat mat, simply sitting in the driver's seat triggers voice, alarm sounds, and lights, continuously issuing warnings until the driver exits the vehicle. The warning display stops only after confirming that the driver no longer intends to move forward or backward. It has what is known as an automatic start and stop function. Since accidents are generally caused by unintended forward or reverse movement, a reliable warning display that alerts the operator and those around them when the probability of forward or reverse movement increases can significantly reduce the accident rate. According to this embodiment of the warning seat mat, a simple and easy-to-use function can be provided at a low price.

[0038] For example, when a vehicle is brought in for service, a protective vinyl cover is placed over the seats, and at the same time, the warning seat mat (warning mat) of this embodiment is installed. Furthermore, when the vehicle is returned to the customer after the work is completed, the vinyl cover is removed from the seats and the mat is collected at the same time. This significantly improves the probability of preventing accidents, as it clearly defines the entire process and time period, starting from both the entry and exit points within the premises, and ensures that even if an unexpected operator boards the vehicle, the vehicle is managed after entry, even if it is operated by a specific operator. While devices typically have a power switch, this embodiment is switchless.

[0039] (Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 shows a front view of the leg mat body. In the second embodiment, the seat mat body has the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and the leg portion of the leg mat body 4 is equipped with a speaker 30, an LED light 22, and a key pocket 45. The key pocket 45 stores the vehicle key. Furthermore, the key pocket 45 may have a function that reacts when a vehicle key is stored inside.

[0040] According to a second embodiment of this disclosure, when a warning seat mat is brought into the vehicle interior, the seat mat body is placed on the driver's seat surface, and the leg mat body is left hanging down, the vehicle key may be placed in the key pocket 45 through the opening at the top, and a warning display may be activated in the surrounding area. For example, in one embodiment, in addition to the pressure sensor provided on the mat body, a sensor may be provided on the mat body as shown in Figure 8 to detect when a vehicle key is placed in the key pocket 45. According to this embodiment, when the operator's seating is detected and the vehicle key is detected, this is interpreted as a prediction of the vehicle moving forward or backward, and a warning display is continuously emitted from the speaker on the mat for the duration that the key is stored in the key pocket.

[0041] (Third embodiment) In the first embodiment, the warning seat mat lacked a built-in battery power switch; however, in this embodiment, a power switch is provided on the mat body. The power switch may be located at any position on the mat body. A position away from the operator's body is preferable. The specific location of the power switch is not shown. The presence of a power switch allows you to manually select whether to turn the warning seat mat on or off.

[0042] According to this third embodiment, the operator gets into the vehicle and sits in the driver's seat. When the operator turns on the power switch of the warning seat mat, as shown in Figure 9, the system determines whether the power switch is on (S100), whether the pressure sensor 20 has detected a pressure value above a predetermined value (S101), and if a pressure value above the predetermined value is detected, the speaker 30 turns on (S102, S103) and the LED light 22 turns on (S104) based on a command from the control unit 50. As a result, the warning seat mat 1 activates a warning display to alert the operator. The operator recognizes the need for safe driving and performs tasks such as moving the vehicle within the premises. When the operator has finished working with the vehicle within the premises, the operator turns off the power to the warning seat mat and gets out of the vehicle. According to the third embodiment, the presence of a power switch prevents false detection by the pressure sensor, which could cause the power to turn on even when no one is seated. For example, simply placing a mobile phone on the warning seat mat on the driver's seat prevents the pressure sensor from reacting and turning on the power. Furthermore, the warning seat mats can be stored by stacking them like cushions when not in use. In this case, the presence of a power switch on the warning seat mats prevents the warning display from being unintentionally turned on due to the weight of the stacked warning seat mats.

[0043] In other embodiments, if the power switch is provided on the leg mat body, the risk of accidental operation can be reduced because it is located away from the operator's legs. This disclosure also states that the power switch may be provided on the seat mat body.

[0044] (Fourth Embodiment) Unlike the system in the first embodiment described above, which issues a warning when the user is sitting on the warning seat mat and stops the warning when the user leaves the mat, the fourth embodiment has a mode in which the timing of the warning is reversed while keeping the hardware the same. In the fourth embodiment, the warning is stopped while the child is sitting on the warning seat mat, and the warning is activated when the child leaves the seat mat. This serves to remind the child to check for forgotten items or to avoid leaving a child unattended.

[0045] Within the seat cushion body 3, a pressure sensor 20 is installed in the area where the operator's buttocks may come into contact and where their body weight is applied. The operation of warning seat mat 1 will be explained based on a flowchart. First, the operator or staff member places the warning seat mat 1 on the seat surface of the driver's seat of the vehicle in question. Next, the operator gets into the driver's seat inside the vehicle. Then, the operator leaves the driver's seat inside the vehicle. At this time, as shown in Figure 14, the pressure sensor 20 determines whether it has detected a pressure value below a predetermined pressure value corresponding to the seated state, from the detected pressure value corresponding to the seated state (S201). When it detects a pressure value below the predetermined value, the speaker 30 turns on based on a command from the control unit 50 (S202, S203), and the LED light 22 turns on (S204). The speaker 30 emits warning sounds such as "Be careful not to leave anything behind!" or "Be careful not to leave anything behind!". The LED light 22 emits, for example, a flashing light signal. This draws attention to the operator and those around them. The operator is instructed to be careful not to leave anything behind or leave a child behind. If a rule is established to allow the warning sound to leak out of the vehicle through the window, people outside the vehicle will be instructed to check for forgotten items or children when they hear the warning sound and flashing light signal.

[0046] (Other embodiments) Other embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 13. The form of the pressure sensor in this disclosure may vary from that of the pressure sensor provided in the warning seat mat, as shown in Figures 10 to 13. To prevent the pressure sensor from failing to detect pressure depending on how the operator sits when sitting on the warning seat mat, the form of the pressure sensor provided on the seat mat body 53 does not have to be rectangular. It may be a cross-shaped pressure sensor 54 as shown in Figure 10, a pressure sensor 55 arranged in the shape shown in Figure 11, a U-shaped pressure sensor 56 as shown in Figure 12, or a spiral-shaped pressure sensor 57 as shown in Figure 13. The area on which the pressure sensor is arranged is not limited to these positions on the seat mat body.

[0047] The pressure sensor in this disclosure is provided inside the seat mat body, but it may also be provided on the upper surface of the mat body. The warning means of this disclosure may include warning sounds, warning lights, or any other means that attract the operator's attention through one of their five senses. The warning means of this disclosure only needs to appeal to one or more of the five human senses. The number and types of warning means of this disclosure may be one or more. Furthermore, the activation of the warning means may be set to end after a predetermined time from the start. The pressure sensor in this disclosure may also be a sensor known as a weight sensor. The weight sensor turns on, for example, when it detects a weight above a predetermined value, and turns off when it detects a weight below a predetermined value. This provides a warning at the same time as sitting down.

[0048] The warning seat mat of this disclosure has functions in the seat and leg portions, but in this disclosure, functions that are in the seat portion may also be in the leg portion, and furthermore, functions that were in the leg portion may also be in the seat portion. For example, in the first embodiment, the volume switch was in the seat portion, but in this embodiment, the volume switch may be in the leg portion.

[0049] In this disclosure, the control unit, upon receiving a signal from a pressure sensor, performs calculations based on multiple pressure input signals. During calculations, if it is determined that an operator is seated on the seat based on the group of input signals, the warning display is activated. For example, the warning display remains off when the operator simply touches the top surface of the warning mat (when the operator is not in a position to operate the vehicle forward or reverse). According to the warning seat mat of this disclosure, it may be provided with a replaceable memory card port for inserting a memory card containing audio recordings emitted by a speaker.

[0050] In a second aspect of this disclosure, the hardware is the same as in the first aspect, but the software has a different timing for issuing warnings compared to the first aspect. According to the warning seat mat of the second aspect of this disclosure, a warning sound or other warning display is generated when the driver leaves the seat, thereby alerting the operator or those around them immediately after they leave the seat. Examples of the warnings given to the operator or those around them include preventing the engine from being left on, leaving items behind in the vehicle, leaving children unattended in a bus used for transporting children to and from school, or leaving behind the cash box containing the last day of business in a taxi. (Other disclosures)

[0051] The vehicles described herein can also be applied to passenger cars, trucks, buses, large vehicles such as forklifts, special vehicles, and trains. While the warning seat mats were described in the context of being provided in vehicles, they can also be applied to seat mats used by operators of moving objects such as ships and airplanes, when they are not in vehicles. If this warning seat mat is used for purposes other than in a vehicle, for example, in an office, it can also serve to remind the operator and those around them not to forget to perform a computer security check when leaving the office for the last time, such as at the end of the workday.

[0052] Thus, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence.

[0053] This disclosure is described based on embodiments. However, this disclosure is not limited to such embodiments and structures. This disclosure also includes various modifications and variations within the scope of equivalents. Furthermore, various combinations and forms, as well as other combinations and forms that include only one, more, or fewer elements, fall within the scope and idea of ​​this disclosure.

Claims

1. A warning seat mat for use in a vehicle seat, comprising: A mat body (2) that can be separated from the vehicle and on which an operator who operates the forward or reverse movement of the vehicle can sit; A pressure sensor (20) provided on the mat body for detecting a pressure acting on the seat surface of the mat body; a warning means (22, 30) provided on the mat body, which transmits a warning display to alert the operator when the pressure sensor detects that the operator has left the mat body; A power source (40) built into the mat body and supplying a drive current to the warning means; A warning seat mat comprising: a control unit (50) provided in the mat body, which receives a signal from the pressure sensor and outputs a drive signal to supply electrical energy from the power source and turn on the warning means when an operator leaves the mat body.

2. The warning seat mat according to claim 1, wherein the mat body has a seat mat body (3), a flexible connecting portion (5) connected to the front end of the seat mat body, and a leg mat body (4) that can hang down from the flexible connecting portion.

3. 3. The seat mat for warning according to claim 1, wherein the control unit automatically turns on the warning means when the control unit detects that the pressure sensor signal is less than a predetermined pressure value.

4. 2. The warning seat mat according to claim 1, further comprising a switch power source for switching on and off the power supply to said warning means.

5. 2. The warning seat mat according to claim 1, wherein the warning means is a speaker (30) that emits a warning sound.

6. 6. The warning seat mat according to claim 5, further comprising a memory card port (24) in said mat body into which a memory card recording a plurality of sounds can be inserted so that the sound to be emitted by said speaker can be selected.

7. 3. The warning seat mat according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a USB connection port (23) for enabling charging of the power source from an external source.

8. 6. The warning seat mat according to claim 5, further comprising a volume adjustment switch (25) for adjusting the volume of the speaker.

9. 3. The warning seat mat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the warning means is an illuminator (22) that emits a warning light.

10. 3. The warning seat mat according to claim 1, further comprising a key pocket (45) in which a vehicle key can be stored in the mat body.

11. A warning seat mat as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the mat body is provided with a power switch for turning on and off the supply of driving current to the warning means.

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