Seat slider kit for the driver's seat.

Abstract

DEPCT63 The seat slider mechanism for the driver's seat, which engages after the engine starts, prevents the driver's seat from being seated. Slide to the non-driving position and enable safe driving operations; it is installed at... The driver's seat 1 can be adjusted between positions, allowing for a driving position suitable for various driving styles. The unsuitable driving position when driver's seat 1 is in the unsuitable driving position. The engine will be suppressed and cannot be started, and the vehicle can be driven when driver's seat 1 is in the correct position. The engine will be allowed to start after the engine has started, stopper 27 is extended to... The forward-leaning driver's seat position 1, where the driver can drive, will be prevented from sliding to... Autonomous driving position The image chosen is image number 3. -----------------------------------------------------------

Description

Driver's seat slide device

[0001] The present invention relates to a driver's seat slide device that allows the driver's seat to slide between a driving position suitable for driving and a non-driving position unsuitable for driving.

[0002] The driver's seat and passenger seat of a vehicle are provided so as to be slidable in the fore-and-aft direction. Generally, the passenger seat is designed to be able to slide a long distance to the vicinity of the rear seats to improve convenience when getting in and out of the vehicle and when loading and unloading items. However, the driver's seat is also designed to be able to slide a long distance to improve usability when getting in and out of the rear seats and when a child seat is installed in the rear seats. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a seat slide device that allows the driver's seat to slide close to the rear seats.

[0003] However, when the driver's seat is located near the rear seats, safety issues arise, such as the driver being unable to fasten the seat belt, the airbag being ineffective, and reduced visibility and maneuverability. Therefore, when the driver's seat is in this non-driving position, it is not suitable for the driver to drive. Therefore, Patent Document 2 discloses that, for safety reasons, engine start is prohibited when the driver's seat is in a non-driving position that is not suitable for driving. When the driver's seat slides forward from the non-driving position near the rear seats to a driving position, safety can be ensured by fastening the airbag or seat belt, etc. When the driver's seat is in this driving position that is suitable for driving, engine start is permitted.

[0004] JP 2000-344136 A JP 2007-168469 A

[0005] However, if the driver mistakenly operates the driver's seat slide lever after the engine has started, the driver's seat will slide from the driving position to the non-driving position, making it impossible for the driver to drive. In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a driver's seat slide device that can ensure safe driving by restricting the driver's seat from sliding to the non-driving position after the engine or motor has started.

[0006] The driver's seat slide device of the present invention is provided with a driver's seat that is slidable between a driving position suitable for driving and a non-driving position unsuitable for driving, and is equipped with a restricting part that restricts the driver's seat from sliding to the non-driving position after starting the engine. As a result, even if the driver's seat slides due to an erroneous operation while driving, it will not slide to the non-driving position.

[0007] The restricting unit restricts the driver's seat from sliding to the non-driving position when the vehicle is ready to start even if the engine is stopped, and allows the driver's seat to slide to the non-driving position when the vehicle is not ready to start when the engine is stopped. When the vehicle is ready to start, the driver can drive immediately once the engine starts. When the vehicle is not ready to start, the driver's seat can be slid to the non-driving position.

[0008] According to the present invention, the driver's seat does not slide from the driving position to the non-driving position while driving, preventing the driver from becoming unable to drive, thereby improving driving safety.

[0009] A side view of the driver's seat and rear seats in the vehicle of the present invention. A plan view of the driver's seat, passenger seat, and rear seats in the vehicle. A diagram showing the position of the sliding driver's seat. A control block diagram of the driver's seat slide device. A flow chart of slide regulation when the engine is started. A flow chart of slide regulation when the engine is stopped.

[0010] 1 and 2 show a vehicle equipped with a seat slide device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle is provided with a driver's seat 1 and a passenger seat 2 that are slidable in the fore-and-aft direction, and left and right rear seats 3 that are slidable in the fore-and-aft direction. A seat slide device for sliding the driver's seat 1 and the passenger seat 2 is provided on a floor 4 of the vehicle.

[0011] The driver's seat 1 is formed by a seat cushion 5, a seat back 6, and a headrest 7. The seat back 6 is rotatably supported by the seat cushion 5 and can be reclined. The seat cushion 5 is supported by a seat base 8. The seat base 8 is provided so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the floor 4. The passenger seat 2 has the same structure as the driver's seat 1.

[0012] The rear seat 3 is formed by a seat cushion 5, a seat back 6, and a headrest 7, and is storable. The seat back 6 is rotatable relative to the seat cushion 5, and the seat cushion 5 is slidable and rotatable relative to the floor 4. The rear seat 3 is storable by tilting the seat back 6 forward and rotating the seat cushion 6 forward.

[0013] The driver's seat slide device includes seat rails 10 that support the driver's seat 1 so that it can slide in the front-rear direction, a locking mechanism (not shown) that locks the driver's seat 1 in a predetermined position relative to the seat rails 10, and a release lever 11 that releases the locking mechanism. The passenger seat slide device has the same configuration.

[0014] The seat rails 10 are formed as a pair of left and right rails, each consisting of a lower rail fixed to the floor 4 and an upper rail attached to the seat base 8, with the upper rail slidably supported by the lower rail. The locking mechanism is a known one, as described in JP 2012-158201 A, for example, and is released by operating an operating lever 12 provided below the seat cushion 5, allowing the driver's seat 1 to slide.

[0015] The release lever 11 is provided on the seat back 6 so that the driver's seat 1 can be slid from the rear seat 3. The release lever 11 is rotatably attached via a support shaft 13 in a recess formed in the rear surface of the seat back 6. One end of a wire 14 is connected to the release lever 11, and the other end of the wire 14 is connected to an operating lever 12. When the release lever 11 is operated, the wire 14 is pulled, which activates the operating lever 12 and releases the lock.

[0016] The seat rails 10 are provided close to the rear seats, and the driver's seat 1 and passenger seat 2 are capable of long-distance sliding. However, when the driver's seat 1 slides close to the rear seat 3, safety issues such as seat belts arise, hindering driving. That is, when the driver's seat 1 slides long, it may slide to a position that is inappropriate for driving. As shown in FIG. 3 , the driver's seat 1 slides within a sliding range X and a sliding range Y. In the sliding range X, the driver's seat 1 is positioned in a driving position that is suitable for driving. In the sliding range Y, the driver's seat 1 is positioned in a non-driving position that is inappropriate for driving due to safety issues.

[0017] As shown in Figure 4, the driver's seat slide device includes a start control unit 21 that prohibits the engine 20 from starting when the driver's seat 1 is in a non-driving position and allows the engine 20 to start when the driver's seat 1 is in a driving position, a restriction unit 22 that restricts the driver's seat 1 from sliding to the non-driving position, a driving condition detection unit 23 that detects the driving condition of the vehicle, and a control unit 24 that activates the restriction unit 22 depending on the driving condition.

[0018] The start control unit 21 outputs a prohibition signal to the control unit 24 when the driver's seat 1 is in the non-driving position, and outputs an enable signal to the control unit 24 when the driver's seat 1 is in the driving position. When the enable signal is input, the control unit 24, which is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), instructs the engine ECU 26 to start the engine 20 when the start button 25 is turned on. When the prohibition signal is input, the control unit 24 instructs the engine ECU 26 not to start the engine 20 even when the start button 25 is turned on. As an example of the start control unit 21, a device using two switches that turn on and off depending on the position of the driver's seat 1, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-168469, can be used. Alternatively, a position detection switch that detects the position of the driver's seat 1 may be used. The position detection switch is turned on to output the enable signal when the driver's seat 1 is in the driving position, and is turned off to output the prohibition signal when the driver's seat 1 is in the non-driving position.

[0019] The restricting unit 22 includes a stopper 27 that prevents the driver's seat 1 from sliding to the non-driving position. The stopper 27 is provided so as to be retractable relative to the driver's seat 1, and is driven by an actuator 28. The actuator 28 is a solenoid, a motor, or a cylinder, and is operated by a drive signal from the control unit 24.

[0020] The stopper 27 is movably provided outside the lower rail and is positioned to abut against the driver's seat 1 when the driver's seat 1 reaches the rear end of the sliding range X. When the stopper 27 moves to the protruding position, the stopper 27 enters the lower rail, and the upper rail of the driver's seat 1 abuts against the stopper 27. This prevents the driver's seat 1 from sliding rearward, restricts the driver's seat 1 from sliding to the non-driving position, and allows the driver's seat 1 to slide only within the sliding range X. When the stopper 27 moves to the retracted position, it retracts from within the lower rail, allowing the upper rail to slide rearward and the driver's seat 1 to slide to the non-driving position. Note that when the stopper 27 is in the protruding position, the stopper 27 does not protrude outside the seat rail. Therefore, the stopper 27 does not interfere with rear seat occupants or with loading and unloading luggage.

[0021] When starting the engine 20, the control unit 24 controls the restriction unit 22 according to the position of the driver's seat 1. After starting the engine 20, the control unit 24 controls the restriction unit 22 according to the driving conditions of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 5 , when the start button 25 is turned on (S1), the control unit 24 checks the position of the driver's seat 1 (S2). Here, the position of the driver's seat 1 is checked by a signal output from the start control unit 21. When the prohibition signal is input, the control unit 24 determines that the driver's seat 1 is in a non-driving position, prevents the engine 20 from starting, and issues a warning by sound, display, etc. (S3). The warning is issued by issuing a sound, turning on or flashing a warning lamp, displaying a warning on the instrument panel, etc.

[0022] When the driver's seat 1 is in the driving position, an enabling signal is input from the start control unit 21, so the control unit 24 instructs the engine ECU 26 to start the engine 20 (S4) and activates the restricting unit 22 (S5). When the control unit 24 drives the actuator 28, the stopper 27 moves to the protruding position. This restricts the driver's seat 1 from sliding to the non-driving position. However, because the driver's seat 1 is slidable within the sliding range X, the position of the driver's seat 1 can be adjusted.

[0023] Once the engine 20 has started and the vehicle is running, the control unit 24 checks the driving condition via the driving condition detection unit 23. During this time, the stopper 27 is in the protruding position, restricting the driver's seat 1 from sliding to the non-driving position. The driving condition detection unit 23 detects the shift position 30, the on / off state of the parking brake 31, the opening and closing of the door 32, the input from the vehicle speed sensor 33, and the input from the seating sensor 34 of the driver's seat 1.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 6 , the control unit 24 determines whether the vehicle is being driven based on information detected by the driving status detection unit 23 (S10). For example, the control unit 24 determines whether the vehicle is being driven based on multiple pieces of information, such as whether the shift position 30 is in D, R, or N range, the parking brake 31 is off, the door 32 is closed, there is input from the vehicle speed sensor 33, and the driver is seated in the driver's seat 1. If the vehicle is being driven, the control unit 24 continues to operate the restriction unit 22. If the vehicle is not being driven, i.e., if there is no input from the vehicle speed sensor 33 and the vehicle is stopped, the control unit 24 checks whether the engine 20 is stopped (S11). If the engine 20 is not stopped, the vehicle is ready to start immediately, and the control unit 24 continues to operate the restriction unit 22.

[0025] When the engine 20 is stopped, the control unit 24 checks whether the stop is due to an idle stop (S12). When the idle stop is activated, the engine 20 stops, but the start button 20 is not turned off. When the idle stop is activated, the engine 20 automatically restarts after a while, allowing the vehicle to start (S13). In this case, the control unit 24 continues to operate the restricting unit 22. When the engine 20 is not stopped due to an idle stop, i.e., when the start button 25 is turned off, the control unit 24 determines that the vehicle is not in a state where it can start, turns off the restricting unit 22, and releases the restriction on sliding (S14). The stopper 27 moves to the retracted position, allowing the driver's seat 1 to slide to the non-driving position.

[0026] If, while the idle stop is operating, the parking brake 31 is engaged, the door 32 is opened, the seat belt is unfastened, or the start button 25 is turned off, the vehicle will no longer be in a state in which it can start (S13). In such a situation, the engine 20 will not automatically restart. When the control unit 24 confirms that such a situation has occurred, it turns off the restricting unit 22 (S14). The stopper 27 moves to the retracted position, the restriction on the sliding of the driver's seat 1 is released, and the driver's seat 1 can slide to the non-driving position.

[0027] The driver's seat 1 can also be slid by operating the release lever 11. Therefore, as another embodiment of the restricting unit 22, a configuration is adopted in which the operation of the release lever 11 can be disabled. When the operation of the release lever 11 is disabled, the lock by the locking mechanism is not released, and sliding of the driver's seat 1 is restricted. Specifically, a connector connecting the release lever 11 and the wire 14 is configured to be detachable. The connector moves by turning on and off the power supply, switching between connection and disconnection. When power is supplied to the connector, the wire 14 and the release lever 11 are disconnected, and operation of the release lever 11 is disabled. In other words, the release lever 11 is in a swing-free state, and this operation is not transmitted to the operating lever 12. When power is turned off to the connector, the wire 14 and the release lever 11 are connected, and operation of the release lever 11 is enabled. When the release lever 11 is operated, the lock is released, and the driver's seat 1 can be slid.

[0028] The control unit 24 turns on the power supply to the coupler when the vehicle is being driven, and turns off the power supply to the coupler when the vehicle is not being driven or when the engine is stopped and the vehicle is not ready to start. As a result, even if the release lever 11 is operated from the rear seat 3 while the vehicle is being driven, the driver's seat 1 is not unlocked and the driver's seat 1 does not slide.

[0029] Incidentally, when the release lever 11 is operated, the driver's seat 1 slides even if the driver is sitting in the driver's seat 1. Even when the vehicle is stopped, the driver does not want the seat to slide unexpectedly. Therefore, when the control unit 24 detects that the driver is sitting in the driver's seat 1, it turns on the power to the coupler, and when the driver is not sitting, it turns off the power to the coupler. As a result, when the driver is sitting in the driver's seat 1, even if the release lever 11 is operated from the rear seat 3, the driver's seat 1 is not unlocked and the driver's seat 1 does not slide. Therefore, as long as the driver is sitting in the driver's seat 1, it is possible to prevent the driver's seat 1 from sliding from the rear seat 3, not only while driving but also when the vehicle is stopped.

[0030] Furthermore, if an external impact is applied to the vehicle due to a collision or the like, the restriction on sliding of the driver's seat 1 is released. The acceleration generated in the vehicle is detected by an acceleration sensor. When acceleration due to the impact is detected, the control unit 24 turns off the restricting unit 22 and releases the restriction on sliding. The stopper 27 moves to the retracted position, allowing the driver's seat 1 to slide to the non-driving position. By sliding the driver's seat 1 rearward, the driver can easily exit the vehicle.

[0031] Here, the vehicle to which the driver's seat slide device is applied may be a hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, or a fuel cell vehicle equipped with a motor. In the case of a motor, when the start button 25 is turned on, the motor is energized and ready to run. Here, the state in which the motor is energized is considered to be the start of the motor. If starting of the motor is prohibited, even if the start button 25 is operated, the motor is not energized and is not ready to run.

[0032] As described above, the driver's seat slide device of the present invention is a seat slide device for a driver's seat 1 in which the driver's seat 1 is slidably disposed between a driveable position suitable for driving and a non-driveable position unsuitable for driving, and is equipped with a start control unit 21 that prohibits the start of a prime mover such as an engine or motor when the driver's seat 1 is in the non-driveable position and allows the start of the prime mover when the driver's seat 1 is in the driveable position, and is provided with a restricting unit 22 that restricts the driver's seat 1 from sliding to the non-driveable position after the prime mover has started. This makes it possible to prevent the driver's seat 1 from sliding to a position unsuitable for driving while driving, thereby increasing safety.

[0033] The restricting unit 22 restricts the sliding of the driver's seat 1 to the non-driving position when the vehicle is ready to start even when the engine is stopped, and allows the driver's seat 1 to slide to the non-driving position when the vehicle is not ready to start when the engine is stopped. As a result, if the vehicle is to start immediately after the engine is stopped, the driver's seat 1 does not slide to the non-driving position, allowing the driver to perform driving operations reliably. Also, if the vehicle is not to start immediately, sliding the driver's seat 1 to the non-driving position makes it easier for the driver to get in and out of the car and to easily load and unload items into the rear seat.

[0034] The restricting unit 22 allows the driver's seat 1 to slide to the non-driving position when the vehicle is not ready to start when the engine 20 is stopped by the idle stop. Also, when the vehicle is ready to start even after the engine 20 has stopped by the idle stop, the restricting unit 22 restricts the driver's seat 1 from sliding to the non-driving position. When waiting at a traffic light, the driver's seat 1 does not slide to the non-driving position, so the vehicle can start immediately.

[0035] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and many modifications and variations can be made to the above embodiment within the scope of the present invention. The restricting portion 22 is provided with a pin that protrudes from the driver's seat 1, and a stopper 27 fixed to the floor 4 or the lower rail. The control portion 24 protrudes the pin when the vehicle is being driven, and retracts the pin when the vehicle is not being driven. When the pin protrudes, the driver's seat 1 slides and abuts against the stopper 27, restricting the sliding of the driver's seat 1.

[0036] The driver's seat 1 may be configured to slide using a motor. When a slide switch is turned on, the driver's seat 1 slides. The position of the driver's seat 1 can be detected by the number of rotations of the motor. The restricting unit 22 confirms the position of the driver's seat 1 from the number of rotations of the motor, and outputs a prohibition signal to the control unit 24 when the driver's seat 1 moves beyond a driving position. The control unit 24 stops the motor in response to the input of the prohibition signal.

[0037] The driving position varies depending on the driver. Therefore, the stopper 27 may be provided so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction. The stopper 27 may be moved manually or automatically by a motor. By moving the stopper 27 in the fore-and-aft direction according to the driver, the driving position according to the driver can be set. Alternatively, multiple stoppers 27 may be provided arranged at equal intervals in the fore-and-aft direction. The control unit 24 detects the position of the driver's seat 1 adjusted by the driver and causes one of the multiple stoppers 27 to extend or retract depending on the position of the driver's seat 1. For example, when the driver's seat 1 is located forward, the front stopper 27 moves to the protruding position, restricting the sliding of the driver's seat 1.

[0038] When the driver's seat is in the non-driving position, the engine may be allowed to start. However, operations to start the vehicle are prohibited. That is, the shift lever is locked and cannot be operated, and the parking brake cannot be released. When the driver's seat is slid from the non-driving position to the driving position, if it is detected that the driver's seat is in the driving position, operations to start the vehicle are permitted, and the vehicle is ready to start.

[0039] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-165032, filed on August 30, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0040] The above descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms described. Numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above description.

[0041] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Driver's seat 2 Passenger's seat 3 Rear seat 10 Seat rail 11 Release lever 12 Operation lever 20 Engine 21 Start control unit 22 Restriction unit 23 Driving condition detection unit 24 Control unit 27 Stopper

Claims

DEPCT631. A seat sliding mechanism for the driver's seat, specifically designed to allow the driver's seat to slide between the steerable driving position and the unsteerable absorption position, and an inhibitor is installed to prevent the driver's seat from sliding to the absorption position after the engine has started.

2. A seat sliding mechanism for the driver's seat specified in Claim 1, specifically designed to prevent the driver's seat from sliding to the absorption position when the vehicle is steerable even after the engine has stopped, and to allow the driver's seat to slide to the absorption position when the vehicle is not steerable after the engine has stopped.

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