Vehicle interior system

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle interior system that achieves enhanced enjoyment by increasing options for methods of operating an electric device.　A vehicle interior system (100) comprises: an interior member (S) that is provided in a vehicle; an electric device (6) that is provided on the interior member (S); a cushion body (Cs) that can be held by an occupant H; and a control unit (10) that controls the electric device (6). The cushion body (Cs) has a sensor (25) that measures a force applied to the cushion body (Cs). The cushion body (Cs) and the control unit (10) can communicate with each other. The control unit (10) operates the electric device (6) on the basis of the measurement value measured by the sensor (25).

Description

Vehicle interior systems

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle interior system, and more particularly to a vehicle interior system equipped with a powered device.

[0002] Conventionally, when an electric device provided in a vehicle, such as an electric reclining device or sliding device, is operated, the operation is performed using an operation switch provided on the vehicle seat. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle control device that enables the seat layout to be changed using a mobile information terminal equipped with a touch panel.

[0003] JP 2013-62694 A

[0004] In recent years, there has been a demand for improved entertainment value in vehicle interiors while traveling. Although it has been possible to change the position and configuration of vehicle seats using operating switches or mobile information terminals, the methods of operation were limited and the entertainment value was lacking.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide an interior system for a vehicle that increases the options for operating an electric device and improves entertainment value.

[0006] The above problem is solved by the vehicle interior system of the present invention, which includes an interior member provided in a vehicle, an electric device provided in the interior member, a cushion body that can be held by an occupant, and a control unit that controls the electric device, wherein the cushion body has a sensor that measures the force applied to the cushion body, the cushion body and the control unit are capable of communicating, and the control unit operates the electric device based on the measurement value measured by the sensor.

[0007] By operating the electric device based on the measured force applied to the cushion body measured by the sensor, the options for operating the electric device are increased, making it possible to provide a vehicle seat that is more entertaining.

[0008] In the above configuration, the cushion body may be provided with a plurality of sensors, at least one of which is a pressure sensor, and the control unit may operate the electric device based on the position of the pressure sensor that measured the pressure. Because the electric device can be operated based on the position of the pressure sensor that measured the pressure, more intuitive operation is possible.

[0009] In the above configuration, the pressure sensor may be capable of measuring the strength of pressure applied to the cushion body, and the control unit may change the amount of operation of the electric device based on the strength of pressure applied to the pressure sensor. Because the amount of operation of the electric device can be changed based on the strength of pressure applied to the pressure sensor, fine adjustments can be made by the occupant's force, allowing the electric device to be operated intuitively.

[0010] In the above configuration, the cushion body may have a main body and an extension extending from the main body, the main body having a first tilt sensor that measures the tilt of the main body, the extension having a second tilt sensor that measures the tilt of the extension, and the control unit may calculate a relative tilt angle of the extension with respect to the main body from the tilt of the main body and the tilt of the extension, and operate the electric device based on the relative tilt angle. Because the electric device can be operated based on the relative tilt angle of the extension with respect to the main body, options for operation are increased, improving entertainment value.

[0011] In the above configuration, the cushion body may be composed of at least a first cushion body and a second cushion body, and the control unit may operate the electric device based on measurements taken by the sensor of the first cushion body and the sensor of the second cushion body. Operating the electric device with multiple cushion bodies allows multiple occupants to enjoy operation together, improving entertainment value.

[0012] In the above configuration, the first cushion body and the second cushion body each have a main body portion and an extension portion extending from the main body portion, the main body portion has a first tilt sensor that detects the tilt of the main body portion, the extension portion has a second tilt sensor that detects the tilt of the extension portion, the control unit calculates a first relative tilt angle of the extension portion relative to the main body portion from the tilt of the main body portion of the first cushion body and the tilt of the extension portion, and calculates a second relative tilt angle of the extension portion relative to the main body portion from the tilt of the main body portion of the second cushion body and the tilt of the extension portion, and operates the electric device when a difference between the first relative tilt angle and the second relative tilt angle is within a predetermined threshold. For example, by keeping the difference between the first relative tilt angle and the second relative tilt angle within the predetermined threshold, occupants using the cushion bodies can feel a sense of unity with each other, thereby improving entertainment value.

[0013] In the above configuration, the interior member may be a vehicle seat on which the occupant can sit, the electric device may operate all or part of the vehicle seat, the sensor of the cushion body may be a pressure sensor, and the control unit may operate the electric device based on a measurement value of the pressure sensor. By operating all or part of the vehicle seat using the pressure sensor of the cushion body, intuitive operation is possible, thereby improving entertainment value.

[0014] In the above configuration, the interior member may be a vehicle seat on which the occupant can sit, the vehicle seat having a seat back and side support parts provided on the seat back, the electric device may be a side support movable part that operates the side support parts, the sensor may be a pressure sensor, and the control unit may operate the side support parts to move closer to the seated occupant when the force applied to the pressure sensor of the cushion body becomes stronger, and operate the side support parts to move away from the seated occupant when the force applied to the pressure sensor of the cushion body becomes weaker. By using the cushion body to move the side support parts closer to or farther away from the occupant, the occupant can experience a sensation of being embraced by the vehicle seat, and can feel a greater sense of unity with the vehicle seat or the cushion body.

[0015] In the above configuration, the interior member may include a first display unit for the interior member that displays an image of a character, the sensor may be a pressure sensor, and the control unit may change the image of the character displayed on the first display unit based on a measurement value of the pressure sensor. By changing the image of the character displayed on the first display unit, for example, the character can be felt closer to the user through the cushion.

[0016] In the above configuration, the cushion may have a second display unit for the cushion that displays an image of the character and an audio output unit that outputs the sound of the character, and the control unit may change the image of the character displayed by the second display unit and output the sound of the character to the audio output unit based on the measurement value of the pressure sensor. By displaying the character on the cushion or outputting the sound from the cushion, for example, the occupant H can feel closer to the character, thereby improving the entertainment value.

[0017] In the above configuration, the vehicle may further include a collision detection sensor that detects a collision of the vehicle, and the control unit may stop the interlocking operation between the cushion body and the electric device when the collision detection sensor detects a collision of the vehicle. By stopping the interlocking operation between the cushion body and the electric device when a collision is detected, it is possible to prevent force from being applied to the cushion body due to the impact of the collision, which would cause the electric device to operate unintentionally by the occupant, thereby improving safety.

[0018] According to the present invention, a vehicle seat can be provided in which the electric device is operated based on the measured value of the force applied to the cushion measured by a sensor, thereby increasing the options for operating the electric device and improving entertainment value. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the electric device can be operated based on the position of the pressure sensor that measures the pressure, allowing for more intuitive operation. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the amount of operation of the electric device can be changed based on the strength of the pressure applied to the pressure sensor, allowing for fine adjustments by the occupant's force, allowing for intuitive operation of the electric device. Since the electric device can be operated based on the relative tilt angle of the extension portion with respect to the main body portion, the options for operation are increased, improving entertainment value. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the electric device can be operated using multiple cushions, allowing multiple occupants to enjoy operation together, improving entertainment value. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the difference between the first relative tilt angle and the second relative tilt angle is set within a predetermined threshold, allowing occupants using the cushion to feel a sense of unity with each other, improving entertainment value. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the pressure sensor of the cushion body can be used to operate all or part of the vehicle seat, allowing intuitive operation and improving entertainment value. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the cushion body can be used to move the side support parts closer to or farther away from the occupant, providing a feeling of being embraced by the vehicle seat and allowing the occupant to feel more one with the vehicle seat or the cushion body. Furthermore, according to the present invention, by changing the image of a character displayed on the first display unit, for example, the character can be made to feel closer to the occupant through the cushion body. Furthermore, according to the present invention, by displaying a character on the cushion body or outputting sound from the cushion body, for example, the occupant can feel closer to the character, improving entertainment value. Furthermore, according to the present invention, by stopping the linked operation of the cushion body and the electric device when a collision is detected, it is possible to prevent the electric device from being operated unintentionally by the occupant due to force being applied to the cushion body due to the impact of the collision, thereby improving safety.

[0019] 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a vehicle interior system. FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle interior system, showing a state in which an occupant holds a cushion body. FIG. 3 is a view showing a sensor provided on the cushion body. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle interior system. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a process flow for operating an electric device by operating the cushion body. FIG. 6 is an explanatory view illustrating the operation of a side support section by operating the cushion body. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view illustrating the operation of a reclining device by operating the cushion body. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view illustrating the operation of an ottoman by operating the cushion body. FIG. 9 is a view showing a vehicle interior system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a process flow for operating an electric device using two cushion bodies. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a vehicle seat device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a front view of the vehicle seat device, showing a state in which an occupant is embracing the cushion body. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle seat device. FIG. 14 is a view showing the configuration of the vehicle seat device, showing a state in which the vehicle seat is in a normal position. FIG. 15 is a view showing the vehicle seat device when the vehicle seat is in a fetal position. FIG. 16 is a view showing the vehicle seat device when the vehicle seat is in a relaxed position. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle seat apparatus with a vehicle seat in a fetal position, showing a state in which an air cell of the vehicle seat is inflated. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a cushion body. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram explaining a processing flow when respiratory induction is performed by the vehicle seat apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the vehicle seat apparatus. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the cushion body. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat of a first example in a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining the configuration of the vehicle seat. FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining the configuration of an ottoman. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the seat body in a normal state. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the seat body in a relaxed state. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the seat body in a fetal position. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the vehicle seat. FIG. 13 is a control flow diagram for footrest deployment processing. FIG. 14 is a diagram explaining the configuration of a vehicle seat of a second example in a third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram explaining the configuration of a vehicle seat of a third example in a third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram explaining the configuration of a vehicle seat of a fourth example in a third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a diagram explaining the configuration of a vehicle seat of a fifth example in a third embodiment.1 is a diagram showing a state in which a footrest is raised and lowered. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a vehicle seat device of a sixth example in the third embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the vehicle seat and the footrest device are in operation. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the footrest device. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a vehicle interior system of a first example in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 6 is a front view of the vehicle interior system of the first example in the fourth embodiment, illustrating a state in which an occupant holds a cushion body. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle interior system. FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a process of notifying an occupant of a traveling direction by the vehicle interior system. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a vehicle interior system of a second example in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a front view of the vehicle interior system of the second example in the fourth embodiment, illustrating a state in which an occupant holds a cushion body. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a vehicle interior system of a third example in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle interior system of a third example in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the vehicle interior system of the third example in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a front view of the vehicle interior system, illustrating a cushion body deforming in the left-right direction. FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicle interior system, showing a cushion body that deforms in an upward oblique direction; FIG. 2 is a front view of a vehicle interior system, showing a cushion body that is placed on laps; FIG. 3 is a front view of a vehicle interior system, showing a cushion body that has a support portion; FIG. 4 is a front view of a vehicle interior system, showing a cushion body that has a center-of-gravity altering member; FIG. 5 is a front view of a vehicle interior system, showing a state in which an air cell provided in a door encourages an occupant's posture; FIG. 6 is a front view of a vehicle interior system, showing a light provided in an interior member.

[0020] <<<First Embodiment>>> <<First Example>> The configuration of a vehicle interior system according to a first example of a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof. Furthermore, in the following description, details regarding the materials, shapes, and sizes of components constituting the vehicle interior system are merely examples and do not limit the present invention.

[0021] In the following, a vehicle interior system 100 including a vehicle seat S mounted on a vehicle V will be cited as an example of a vehicle interior system, and an example configuration thereof will be described. In the following description, the "front-rear direction" refers to the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat S of the vehicle interior system 100, which is the direction that coincides with the traveling direction of the vehicle when traveling. The "seat width direction" refers to the width direction of the vehicle seat S, which is the direction that coincides with the left-right direction as seen by an occupant seated in the vehicle seat S. The "up-down direction" refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle seat S, which is the direction that coincides with the vertical direction when the vehicle is traveling on a horizontal plane. The term "outside" simply refers to the side closer to the outside in the direction from the center of the vehicle seat S to the outside, and the term "inside" refers to the side closer to the center in the direction from the outside to the center of the vehicle seat S.

[0022] In addition, the shape, position, posture, etc. of each part of the vehicle seat S that constitutes the vehicle interior system 100 described below will be explained assuming that the vehicle seat S is in a seated position, unless otherwise specified.

[0023] <Configuration of Vehicle Interior System 100> First, the configuration of the vehicle interior system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the vehicle interior system 100. FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle interior system 100, illustrating a state in which an occupant H holds the cushion Cs. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a sensor 25 provided on the cushion Cs. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the vehicle interior system 100. FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process for operating an electric device by operating the cushion Cs. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the side support portion 2c by operating the cushion Cs. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the reclining device 7 by operating the cushion Cs. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of the ottoman 5 by operating the cushion Cs. Note that, for convenience of illustration, a portion of the vehicle seat S in FIG. 1 is illustrated with the upholstery Tr removed.

[0024] The vehicle interior system 100 includes a vehicle seat S provided in a vehicle, an electric device 6 provided in the vehicle seat S, a cushion Cs on which an occupant H can be held, and a seat control unit 10 that controls the electric device 6. The cushion Cs has a sensor 25 (see FIG. 3 ) that measures a force applied to the cushion Cs. The cushion Cs and the seat control unit 10 are capable of communicating with each other, and the seat control unit 10 is configured to operate the electric device 6 based on a measurement value measured by the sensor 25 of the cushion Cs.

[0025] <Vehicle seat S> The vehicle seat S is placed on the floor of a vehicle (vehicle body floor FL) and is seated by an occupant H (hereinafter also referred to as a seated person). In this embodiment, the vehicle seat S is used as a front seat corresponding to the front seat of the vehicle. However, the vehicle seat S is not limited to this, and can also be used as a rear seat, and in a vehicle with three rows of seats in the front-to-rear direction, can also be used as a middle seat in the second row or a rear seat in the third row.

[0026] 1 and 2, the vehicle seat S includes a seat cushion 1 that supports the buttocks and thighs of an occupant H, a seat back 2 that supports the back of the occupant H, and a headrest 3 that supports the head of the occupant H. The vehicle seat S also includes an ottoman 5 that supports the legs of the occupant H at the front end of the seat cushion 1. The seat cushion 1, seat back 2, headrest 3, and ottoman 5 may be collectively referred to as a seat body Sh. The seat cushion 1 and the seat back 2 are configured by a pad P covered with a cover skin Tr.

[0027] The seat cushion 1 and the seat back 2 are connected to sandwich a reclining device 7. The reclining device 7 allows the seat back 2 to rotate relative to the seat cushion 1, and the reclining angle thereof can be adjusted. The reclining device 7 is an electric device 6 equipped with an actuator (not shown) and the like, and controls the reclining angle (reclining angle) of the seat back 2 relative to the seat cushion 1 based on a control signal from a seat control unit 10.

[0028] An ottoman movable part 5a is provided at the front end of the seat cushion 1, and the ottoman movable part 5a connects the upper end of the ottoman 5 to the front end of the seat cushion 1. The ottoman 5 is attached to the seat cushion 1 so that the rotation angle of the ottoman 5 relative to the seat cushion 1 can be adjusted by the ottoman movable part 5a. The ottoman movable part 5a is an electric device 6, and is operated based on a control signal from the seat control part 10.

[0029] <Slide rail device 8> The slide rail device 8 is installed below the seat cushion 1 of the vehicle seat S. The slide rail device 8 attaches the vehicle seat S to the vehicle floor FL in a state in which the seat body Sh is slidable in the front-to-rear direction. The slide rail device 8 is composed of a lower rail 8a fixed to the floor surface of the vehicle and an upper rail 8b that is slidable relative to the lower rail 8a. The slide rail device 8 is an electric device 6, and is operated based on a control signal from the seat control unit 10.

[0030] <Height Adjustment Device 9> The height adjustment device 9 is provided between the seat body Sh and the slide rail device 8. The height adjustment device 9 can change the position of the seat body Sh from the floor surface in the up-down direction. The height adjustment device 9 is an electric device 6, and changes the height of the seat body Sh based on a control signal from the seat control unit 10. Note that the vehicle seat S may be provided with a rotation device between the seat body Sh and the height adjustment device 9 that rotates the seat body Sh around an axis extending perpendicular to the floor surface.

[0031] The vehicle seat S may also be provided with a tilt device that tilts the seat cushion 1 by raising and lowering the front end of the seat cushion 1, a center-folding device that tilts the upper part of the seat back 2 forward and backward to fold the seat back, and an armrest device that is configured to automatically rotate, extend, and retract, or bend, as the electric device 6. The electric device 6 may also include a device for raising and lowering the window W provided in the door D1, a device for moving the center console back and forth, and a tilting device that tilts a display unit provided on the back of the vehicle seat S.

[0032] <Vibrating bodies 1a, 2a> Vibrating bodies 1a, 2a are provided on the seating surfaces of the seat cushion 1 and the seat back 2, respectively. The vibrating bodies 1a, 2a are, for example, made of eccentric motors, and function as alarm means by generating vibrations that can be sensed by the seated occupant H. For example, when the vibrating bodies 1a, 2a detect that a danger is approaching a moving vehicle, they vibrate to alert the seated occupant of the impending danger. The vibrating body 2a has multiple vibration patterns using vibration intensity, frequency, or vibration time as parameters, and can provide a variety of alerts to the seated occupant. The vibrating bodies 1a, 2a are also electrically powered devices 6, and are configured to generate vibrations based on control signals from the seat control unit 10.

[0033] <Air Cells 1b, 2b> Air cells 1b, 2b are provided on the seating surfaces of the seat cushion 1 and the seat back 2, respectively. The air cells 1b, 2b are pressing devices that protrude (overhang) toward the occupant H and partially press against the back of the occupant H. By kneading the occupant's back, for example, the air cells 1b, 2b promote blood circulation in the seated occupant. The air cells 1b, 2b are connected to an air pump (not shown) via a tube and are operated by injecting air from the air pump. The air pumps of the air cells 1b, 2b are also an electric device 6, which is connected to the seat control unit 10 and configured to perform a pressing operation based on a control signal from the seat control unit 10. The pressing devices are not limited to the air cells 1b, 2b, and may be mechanical devices using rotating rollers, lumbar supports, or the like, that press against the back of the seated occupant.

[0034] <Side Support Portions 1c, 2c> Side portions of the seat cushion 1 and seat back 2 of the vehicle seat S of this embodiment are provided with side support portions 1c, 2c that support the seated occupant H from the sides. The side support portions 1c, 2c move forward or upward to hold down the occupant H and suppress movement of the occupant left and right (in the seat width direction). The side support portions 1c, 2c are realized by rotating the bank portions of the seat cushion 1 and the seat back 2 in the front-rear direction or up-down direction using actuators. The side support portions 1c, 2c may be configured to support the occupant H from the sides by inflating air cells provided in the bank portions. The side support portions 1c, 2c are electric devices 6 that are connected to the seat control unit 10 and are configured to operate based on control signals from the seat control unit 10.

[0035] <Seat control unit 10> The seat control unit 10 is a device also called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), and includes a control circuit for controlling the various electrically powered devices 6. The seat control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a data calculation and control processing device, and ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), SSD, and HDD (Hard Disk Drive) as storage devices. The seat control unit 10 also includes a communication interface for receiving information and signals from the electrically powered devices 6 and transmitting signals for operation. The components are connected to each other via a bus for mutual communication. The seat control unit 10 may be provided within the vehicle seat S or as an external device to the vehicle seat S. The seat control unit 10 may also be a control device for an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS).

[0036] The communication device 11 is a device for wireless communication with devices that are not connected by a cable, for example, a cushion Cs (described later) or a portable terminal carried by an occupant. The communication device 11 includes a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) unit or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) unit, and is capable of wireless communication using radio waves conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) standards.

[0037] <Cushion Cs> Next, the cushion Cs of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The cushion Cs is a cushion or stuffed toy that can be held or embraced by the occupant H, and is provided separately from the vehicle seat S. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cushion Cs has an appearance modeled after a koala. The cushion Cs has a main body 30 corresponding to the koala's head and torso, and four extensions 35 extending from the main body 30 and corresponding to the koala's limbs. The cushion Cs is constructed by covering a polyurethane sponge with a skin. Multiple sensors 25 are provided inside the cushion Cs. The main body 30 is provided with a first pressure sensor 31 that measures the pressure and load applied when the occupant H holds it, and a first tilt sensor 32 that measures the tilt of the main body 30. In addition, each of the four extension portions 35 is provided with a second pressure sensor 36 that measures the pressure received when the occupant H grips the extension portion 35, and a second tilt sensor 37 that measures the tilt of the extension portion 35.

[0038] In addition to the sensor 25, the cushion Cs includes a cushion control unit 20, a communication device 21, a second monitor 22 (second display unit) that is a display device, a speaker 23 (audio output unit) that outputs audio, and a start switch 24. The cushion control unit 20 is connected to the sensor 25 and processes the measurement values ​​received from the sensor 25. Like the seat control unit 10, the cushion control unit 20 includes a CPU, memory, and input / output interface, and is connected to the communication device 21. A control circuit for controlling the communication device 21, second monitor 22, speaker 23, and sensor 25 is built into the cushion control unit 20.

[0039] The cushion Cs also has a start switch 24 on the main body 30 for starting the cushion control unit 20 and the like. The start switch 24 is configured as a button switch, a slide switch, or a capacitance touch switch. If the start switch 24 is a touch switch, the cushion control unit 20 can be started by, for example, stroking the main body 30 on which the start switch 24 is provided with a hand.

[0040] The communication device 21 is provided with a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) unit, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) unit, or the like. The cushion body Cs can operate the electric device 6 provided in the vehicle seat S by transmitting and receiving signals to and from the seat control unit 10 by wireless communication via the communication device 21. The cushion body Cs may be connected to the seat control unit 10 in a wired manner using a cable or the like.

[0041] When not in use by the occupant H, the cushion Cs may be attached to another interior member. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the cushion Cs may be stored in a cushion storage section 14 provided in the door D1 of the vehicle. Alternatively, an unused cushion Cs may be stored on the back of the vehicle seat S or in the floor or ceiling of the vehicle seat S. The cushion Cs is configured to be powered by a built-in battery 26. The battery 26 may be charged from a power supply section 14a provided in the cushion storage section 14. If power is supplied wirelessly, the built-in battery 26 can be conveniently charged simply by placing the cushion C in the cushion storage section 14.

[0042] As described above, the cushion Cs is provided with a plurality of sensors 25. The cushion control unit 20 of the cushion Cs receives measurement information (measured values) measured by the sensors 25 and then transmits the information to the seat control unit 10. The seat control unit 10 operates the reclining device 7 and the like provided in the vehicle seat S based on the received measured values. If the cushion Cs and the seat control unit 10 are directly connected and capable of communication via a cable or the like, the seat control unit 10 may receive the measured values ​​directly from the sensors 25 without going through the cushion control unit 20.

[0043] The seat control unit 10 is configured to control the electric devices 6 according to the position of the sensor 25 provided on the cushion body Cs and the measurement value received by the sensor 25. Furthermore, the first pressure sensor 31 and the second pressure sensor 36, which are the sensors 25 provided on the cushion body Cs, are configured to be able to measure the strength of pressure applied to the cushion body Cs. Therefore, the seat control unit 10 is configured to be able to select the electric devices 6 to be operated based on the positions of the first pressure sensor 31 and the second pressure sensor 36, and to be able to change the amount of operation of the electric devices 6. Note that the pressure sensors are made of sponge bodies that can recognize forces applied in three dimensions, and can determine, for example, whether a part of the cushion body Cs (such as the extension portion 35) is bending rearward from a reference plane.

[0044] This process will be described with reference to Fig. 5. First, the seat control unit 10 determines whether the occupant H is holding the cushion Cs (step S101). Whether the cushion Cs is being held is determined, for example, by whether the activation switch 24 for the cushion Cs has been pressed. Alternatively, it may be determined by whether the first pressure sensor 31 for the cushion Cs measures a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0045] When it is determined that the cushion Cs is held by the occupant H (Yes in step S101), the seat control unit 10 acquires a measurement value from the sensor 25 (step S102). For example, the seat control unit 10 receives a pressure measurement value from the first pressure sensor 31 of the main body 30 of the cushion Cs. The seat control unit 10 may also receive tilt information from the first tilt sensor 32.

[0046] Next, the seat control unit 10 operates the electric devices 6 based on the measurement values ​​(step S103). The seat control unit 10 has pre-registered data indicating which electric devices 6 to operate based on the received measurement values, and the seat control unit 10 operates the electric devices 6 based on the data stored in the storage unit. The user can change which electric devices 6 to operate.

[0047] Specific operations of the vehicle interior system 100 will now be described. For example, as shown in Fig. 6 , when an occupant H hugs the cushion body Cs and pressure is applied to the first pressure sensor 31 of the main body 30, the seat control unit 10 may be configured to determine that pressure has been applied to the first pressure sensor 31 and, based on this, operate the side support movable parts 2d provided on the seat back 2 of the vehicle seat S. By operating the side support movable parts 2d, the side support parts 2c move closer to the seated occupant, and the occupant H can experience the sensation of being hugged by the vehicle seat S.

[0048] At this time, the amount of movement of the side support portions 2c may be changed depending on the force with which the occupant H hugs the cushion body Cs. For example, if the occupant H hugs the cushion body Cs tightly, the amount of movement of the side support portions 2c is increased so as to press the occupant H more strongly. If the hugging force is weak, the amount of movement of the side support portions 2c is decreased. When the pressure measured by the first pressure sensor 31 of the main body portion 30 disappears, the side support portions 2c may be returned to their original state. Also, at this time, the side support movable portions 1d provided on the seat cushion 1 may be operated so that the side support portions 1c move upward.

[0049] 7 , when the occupant H grips the upper extension 35a of the cushion Cs, which corresponds to the arm, the seat control unit 10 may detect that the pressure is measured by the second pressure sensor 36 and operate the reclining device 7 to tilt backward the seat back 2. The seat control unit 10 may change the angle at which the seat back 2 is tilted backward depending on the force with which the occupant H grips the extension 35, i.e., the force measured by the second pressure sensor 36.

[0050] Furthermore, when the occupant H grips the lower extension portion 35b of the cushion body Cs, which corresponds to the legs, the seat control unit 10 may detect that the pressure is measured by the second pressure sensor 36 and operate the ottoman movable portion 5a to raise the ottoman 5. Furthermore, the seat control unit 10 may change the angle at which the ottoman 5 is raised depending on the force with which the occupant H grips the extension portion 35, i.e., the magnitude of the pressure measured by the second pressure sensor 36.

[0051] In this way, in the vehicle interior system 100, the seat control unit 10 is configured to be able to operate the electric device 6 based on the positions of the pressure sensors that measure the pressure. Because the electric device 6 can be operated based on the positions of the pressure sensors that measure the pressure (first pressure sensor 31, second pressure sensor 36), more intuitive operation is possible. Furthermore, because the amount of operation of the electric device 6 can be changed based on the strength of pressure applied to the pressure sensors, fine adjustments can be made by the occupant's strength, allowing the electric device 6 to be operated intuitively.

[0052] As described above, the main body 30 is provided with a first tilt sensor 32 that measures the tilt of the main body 30, and the extension 35 is provided with a second tilt sensor 37 that measures the tilt of the extension 35. The seat control unit 10 calculates the relative tilt of the extension 35 with respect to the main body 30 by receiving the tilt of the main body 30 measured by the first tilt sensor 32 and the tilt of the extension 35 measured by the second tilt sensor 37. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the relative tilt angle α1 of the upper extension 35a with respect to the main body 30 can be calculated from the second tilt sensor 37 of the upper extension 35a, which corresponds to the arm portion of the cushion Cs, and the first tilt sensor 32 of the main body 30. In other words, the seat control unit 10 can detect the tilt of the arm of the cushion Cs.

[0053] Furthermore, the relative tilt angle α2 of the lower extension portion 35b with respect to the main body portion 30 can be calculated from the second tilt sensor 37 of the lower extension portion 35b, which corresponds to the leg portion of the cushion body Cs, and the first tilt sensor 32 of the main body portion 30. In other words, the seat control portion 10 can detect the tilt of the leg portion of the cushion body Cs.

[0054] Therefore, the seat control unit 10 can operate the electric device 6 based on the relative inclination angles α1, α2 of the extension portion 35 with respect to the main body portion 30. This increases the options for operating the electric device 6, improving entertainment value.

[0055] For example, as shown in Figure 7, when an occupant H raises the upper extension portion 35a in the direction of arrow C, the seat control unit 10 calculates the relative tilt angle α1, and when the relative tilt angle α1 reaches a predetermined value or greater, the seat control unit 10 operates the reclining device 7, for example, to tilt the seat back 2 backward in the direction of arrow D.

[0056] In addition, the angle by which the seat back 2 is tilted backward may be set according to the magnitude of the relative tilt angle α1. That is, when the occupant H raises the arm portion (upper extension portion 35a) of the cushion body Cs significantly, the seat back 2 is tilted backward more significantly.

[0057] 8 , for example, when the occupant H lies on his / her back on the cushion Cs and rotates his / her legs (the lower extension 35b) in the direction of arrow E, i.e., raises his / her legs, the seat control unit 10 may calculate the relative tilt angle α2. When the relative tilt angle α2 reaches a predetermined value or greater, the seat control unit 10 may operate the ottoman movable unit 5a to rotate the ottoman 5 of the vehicle seat S in the direction of arrow F. At this time, the seat control unit 10 may change the height to which the ottoman 5 is raised depending on the magnitude of the relative tilt angle α2. That is, when the occupant H raises his / her legs on the cushion Cs higher, the seat control unit 10 raises the ottoman 5 higher.

[0058] In the above example, the seat control unit 10 operates one of the multiple electric devices 6, but it may also operate multiple electric devices 6 or all of the electric devices 6 depending on the measurement value of the pressure sensor.

[0059] Furthermore, when the seat control unit 10 receives the measurement value of the sensor 25 from the cushion Cs, it may display an image of a character of the cushion Cs on a first monitor 12 (first display unit) provided in the vehicle cabin as an interior component in a position visible to the occupant H. At this time, the image of the character to be displayed may be changed based on the measurement of the pressure sensor. The first monitor 12 is provided, for example, on an instrument panel IP located in front of the vehicle seat S. For example, when the occupant H tightly hugs the cushion Cs, the first monitor 12 displays an image of the character being hugged tightly, and when the hugging force weakens, the first monitor 12 displays an image of the character in a relaxed state.

[0060] The first monitor 12 may be attached to a center console, a steering wheel, a meter, the back of a vehicle seat, or the side of the door D1. Alternatively, the first monitor 12 may display an image using a projection device. Alternatively, the first monitor 12 may be a portable information terminal owned by the occupant H.

[0061] By displaying a character image of the cushion body Cs on the first monitor 12 located in a position where the occupant H can see it, or by changing the character image based on the measurement value of the sensor 25, the character of the cushion body Cs can be felt closer to the occupant H.

[0062] Furthermore, the seat control unit 10 may display an image of a character on the cushion Cs on the second monitor 22 for the cushion Cs provided on the cushion Cs, or may output the character's voice from the speaker 23, depending on the measurement value of the sensor 25. At this time, the seat control unit 10 may change the image of the character displayed on the second monitor 22 or change the voice of the character output from the speaker 23, depending on the measurement value of the sensor 25. By displaying an image of the character on the second monitor 22 of the cushion Cs or outputting the voice of the character from the speaker 23 of the cushion Cs, the occupant H can feel closer to the character, thereby improving the entertainment value.

[0063] Furthermore, if the vehicle interior system 100 is equipped with a collision detection sensor 13 that detects a vehicle collision, the seat control unit 10 may stop the interlocking operation between the cushion body Cs and the electric device 6 when the collision detection sensor 13 detects a vehicle collision. By stopping the interlocking operation between the cushion body Cs and the electric device 6 when a vehicle collision is detected, it is possible to prevent force from being applied to the cushion body Cs due to the impact of the collision, which may cause the electric device 6 to move unintentionally by the occupant H, thereby improving safety.

[0064] Second Embodiment Next, a vehicle interior system 100A according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. The vehicle interior system 100A differs from the vehicle interior system 100 of the first embodiment in that it uses a plurality of cushion bodies Cs to operate a plurality of electrically powered devices 6 provided in the vehicle interior. The configurations of the cushion bodies Cs and the electrically powered devices 6 are similar to those of the vehicle interior system 100 of the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] The vehicle interior system 100A shown in FIG. 9 includes a first vehicle seat SA and a second vehicle seat SB aligned in the left-right direction. A first cushion CsA is provided for the first vehicle seat SA, and a second cushion CsB is provided for the second vehicle seat SB. That is, in the vehicle interior system 100A, an occupant HA seated in the first vehicle seat SA operates the first cushion CsA, and an occupant HB seated in the second vehicle seat SB operates the second cushion CsB. The first cushion CsA and the second cushion CsB each have a plurality of sensors 25, similar to the cushion Cs of the first embodiment. The seat control unit 10 can operate the electric device 6 provided in the vehicle based on measurements taken by the sensors 25. Hereinafter, when there is no need to distinguish between the first cushion CsA and the second cushion CsB, they may be simply referred to as cushion Cs. By operating the electric device 6 with a plurality of cushion bodies Cs, a plurality of occupants HA and HB can enjoy operating the electric device 6 together, improving entertainment value.

[0066] Although the occupants HA and HB may independently operate the electric device 6 using the first cushion body CsA and the second cushion body CsB, the occupants HA and HB may cooperate to operate the electric device 6 as described below. For example, if the pose of the first cushion body CsA created by the occupant HA moving the first cushion body CsA and the pose of the second cushion body CsB created by the occupant HB moving the second cushion body CsB are substantially the same, a specific electric device 6, such as the reclining device 7, may be operated. Operating the electric device 6 using two cushion bodies Cs can improve entertainment value.

[0067] The process of operating an electrically powered device using these two cushion bodies Cs will be described with reference to Figure 10. First, the seat control unit 10 determines whether the occupant HA is holding the first cushion body CsA or the occupant HB is holding the second cushion body CsB (step S201). This determination is made, for example, by determining whether the activation switches 24 for the first cushion body CsA and the second cushion body CsB are pressed. Alternatively, this determination may be made by determining whether the first pressure sensors 31 for the first cushion body CsA and the second cushion body CsB measure pressures equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0068] If it is determined that the first cushion body CsA and the second cushion body CsB are being held (Yes in step S201), the seat control unit 10 calculates the relative tilt angle of each cushion body Cs. Specifically, the seat control unit 10 measures the tilt of the main body 30 and the extension 35 of the first cushion body CsA using the first tilt sensor 32 of the main body 30 of the first cushion body CsA and the second tilt sensor 37 of the extension 35. Based on the received tilt measurement values, the seat control unit 10 calculates the relative tilt of the extension 35 with respect to the main body 30 of the first cushion body CsA as a first relative tilt angle β1 (step S202).

[0069] Next, the inclination of the main body 30 of the second cushion body CsB and the inclination of the extension portion 35 are measured using the first inclination sensor 32 of the main body 30 of the second cushion body CsB and the second inclination sensor 37 of the extension portion 35, and the seat control unit 10 calculates the relative inclination of the extension portion 35 with respect to the main body 30 of the second cushion body CsB as a second relative inclination angle β2 from the received inclination measurement value (step S203).

[0070] Next, the seat control unit 10 compares the value of the first relative tilt angle β1 with the value of the second relative tilt angle β2 and determines whether the difference is within a predetermined threshold (step S204). If the difference between the first relative tilt angle β1 and the second relative tilt angle β2 is within the predetermined threshold, for example, within 3 degrees (Yes in step S204), the seat control unit 10 activates the pre-registered electric device 6 (step S205). For example, the seat control unit 10 tilts the reclining device 7 backward to notify the occupants HA and HB that the poses of the first cushion body CsA and the second cushion body CsB are substantially the same. The seat control unit 10 may also use the slide rail device 8 to slide the first vehicle seat SA and the second vehicle seat SB forward. The seat control unit 10 may also use the height adjustment device 9 to raise the seat cushions 1 of the first vehicle seat SA and the second vehicle seat SB.

[0071] If the difference between the first relative tilt angle β1 and the second relative tilt angle β2 is greater than a predetermined threshold, for example, greater than 3 degrees (No in step S204), the seat control unit 10 determines that the first cushion body CsA and the second cushion body CsB are in different poses and terminates the process. In this case, the seat control unit 10 may cause the electric device 6 to perform an operation different from the operation performed in step S205. For example, the seat back 2 may be tilted forward using the reclining device 7, or the first vehicle seat SA and the second vehicle seat SB may be slid rearward using the slide rail device 8. Furthermore, the seat cushions 1 of the first vehicle seat SA and the second vehicle seat SB may be lowered using the height adjustment device 9. In this way, by playing a game in which the difference between the first relative tilt angle β1 and the second relative tilt angle β2 is kept within a predetermined threshold, occupants using the cushion bodies can feel a sense of unity with each other, thereby improving entertainment value.

[0072] Furthermore, the vehicle interior system 100 of this embodiment may be manufactured by a manufacturing method including preparing an interior member (vehicle seat S) to be provided in the vehicle V, an electric device 6 to be provided in the interior member, a cushion body Cs on which an occupant H can be held, and a control unit (seat control unit 10) to control the electric device 6, providing a sensor 25 to the cushion body Cs that measures a force applied to the cushion body Cs, enabling communication between the cushion body Cs and the control unit, and operating the electric device 6 by the control unit based on the measurement value measured by the sensor 25.

[0073] The first and second examples of the first embodiment of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the electric device 6 provided on the vehicle seat S is configured to operate when the cushion Cs is moved by the occupant H, but the type of electric device 6 that operates is not limited to this. Other devices provided on the vehicle V in which the vehicle seat S is installed may also be configured to operate. For example, the cushion Cs may be used to open a window W of the vehicle V by lifting the extension 35 corresponding to an arm or hand. The cushion Cs may also be tilted to adjust the strength or temperature of the airflow from an air conditioner provided in the vehicle V. Instead of using an infrared remote control, the vehicle seat S may be moved in the direction in which the occupant H points the arm (extension 35) of the cushion Cs.

[0074] The seat control unit 10 may also operate a lighting device provided in the vehicle V. For example, the color tone and intensity of the lighting may be changed when the occupant H tightly hugs the cushion Cs. Specifically, the lighting may be increased when the measurement value of the pressure sensor of the cushion Cs exceeds a predetermined threshold, and decreased when the hugging force exceeds the predetermined threshold and then decreases. Furthermore, the color of the lighting may be changed to a cool color when the measurement value of the pressure sensor of the cushion Cs exceeds a predetermined threshold, or changed to a warm color when the measurement value exceeds the predetermined threshold and then decreases.

[0075] Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a vehicle seat device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0076] [Technical Field] The second embodiment relates to a vehicle seat device, and more particularly to a vehicle seat device including a vehicle seat having a movable portion.

[0077] [Background Art] Conventionally, vehicle seats have been known that include a detection unit for detecting the biometric information of an occupant, a control unit that estimates the occupant's fatigue level based on the detected biometric information, and supports the occupant's breathing and sleep (see, for example, JP 2018-79840 A).

[0078] [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, the vehicle seat described in JP 2018-79840 A is based on biometric information of the occupant acquired from the occupant's back or buttocks by a detection unit provided in the seat, but errors occur due to the thickness of the seat's cover or pad, and there are cases where the biometric information cannot be accurately detected. Furthermore, because measures are taken only from the back side using movable parts such as air cells provided in the seat, there are cases where the effect of supporting the occupant in recovering from fatigue, irregular breathing, etc. is insufficient. Therefore, there has been a demand for a device that can acquire more accurate biometric information and is more effective in supporting the occupant in recovering from fatigue, irregular breathing, etc.

[0079] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and its object is to provide a vehicle seat device that detects the occupant's biological information more accurately and supports the occupant's recovery.

[0080] [Means for solving the problem] The problem is solved by a vehicle seat device of the present invention, which includes a vehicle seat on which an occupant sits, a cushion body that can be embraced by the occupant, and a control unit, wherein the vehicle seat has a seat detection unit that detects biometric information of the occupant when the occupant sits, and a seat movable unit at a portion that comes into contact with the occupant, the cushion body has a cushion detection unit that detects biometric information of the occupant when the occupant embraces it, and a cushion movable unit at a portion that comes into contact with the occupant, the control unit acquires the biometric information from the seat detection unit and the cushion detection unit, and is capable of controlling the seat movable unit and the cushion movable unit, and the control unit links the seat movable unit and the cushion movable unit based on the acquired biometric information.

[0081] The cushion body can be held by the occupant and has a cushion detection unit that detects biological information, making it possible to detect the occupant's biological information more accurately. Also, by having a cushion movable unit that works in conjunction with the seat movable unit, it is possible to press on the occupant from the front as well as the back and buttocks, thereby improving the effect of helping the occupant recover from fatigue, irregular breathing, etc.

[0082] In the above configuration, the seat movable part and the cushion movable part may be configured by air cells, and the control unit may contract the cushion movable part when inflating the seat movable part, and may expand the cushion movable part when contracting the seat movable part. Alternately expanding and contracting the cushion movable part and the seat movable part can further enhance the recovery effect.

[0083] In the above configuration, the seat movable part and the cushion movable part may be configured by air cells, and the control unit may inflate and deflate the seat movable part and the cushion movable part at the same time. By inflating and deflating the seat movable part and the cushion movable part at the same time, the recovery effect can be further enhanced.

[0084] In the above configuration, the control unit may be configured to cause the seat movable part and the cushion movable part to expand and contract at a constant rhythm, thereby further enhancing the recovery effect.

[0085] In the above configuration, the control unit may be configured to cause the seat movable part and the cushion movable part to expand and contract at a random rhythm, thereby further enhancing the recovery effect.

[0086] In the above configuration, the seat movable part and the cushion movable part may be configured by air cells, and the control unit may control the loop time from the start of inflation to the completion of deflation of the seat movable part to be different from the loop time from the start of inflation to the completion of deflation of the cushion movable part. By making the loop time of the seat movable part different from the loop time of the cushion movable part, the recovery effect can be further improved.

[0087] In the above configuration, the cushion may include a pressure sensor as the cushion detection unit, the seat movable unit and the cushion movable unit may be configured with air cells, and the control unit may change the size of inflation of the seat movable unit or the cushion movable unit based on pressure information detected by the pressure sensor. By changing the size of inflation based on the pressure information detected by the pressure sensor, for example, the size of inflation of the seat movable unit or the cushion movable unit can be changed by the occupant tightly embracing the cushion, thereby further improving the recovery effect.

[0088] In the above configuration, the seat detection unit or the cushion detection unit may include a physique detection sensor that detects the physique of the occupant, the seat movable unit and the cushion movable unit may be configured with air cells, and the control unit may change the size of the inflation of the seat movable unit and the cushion movable unit based on the detected physique information of the occupant. By changing the size of the inflation based on the physique information of the occupant, it is possible to perform an action according to the physique of the occupant, thereby further improving the recovery effect.

[0089] In the above configuration, the seat movable part and the cushion movable part may be configured by air cells, and the control unit may operate the seat movable part and the cushion movable part so that the occupant can perform a predetermined breathing technique. By operating the seat movable part and the cushion movable part so that the occupant can perform the predetermined breathing technique, the recovery effect can be further enhanced.

[0090] In the above configuration, the vehicle seat may include a foldable seat back and a foldable seat cushion, and the control unit may acquire the biological information from the cushion detection unit, and when it determines that the occupant's condition is abnormal based on the biological information, may transition the seat back and the seat cushion to a foldable state and place the vehicle seat in a fetal position. By placing the vehicle seat in a fetal position when the occupant's condition is abnormal, the occupant can be placed in the fetal position, thereby further enhancing the recovery effect.

[0091] [Effects of the Invention] The present invention provides a vehicle seat that detects the occupant's biometric information more accurately and supports the occupant's recovery. Furthermore, by alternately inflating and deflating the cushion movable part and the seat movable part, the recovery effect can be further enhanced. Furthermore, by inflating and deflating the seat movable part and the cushion movable part at the same time, the recovery effect can be further enhanced. Furthermore, by inflating and deflating the seat movable part and the cushion movable part at a constant rhythm, the recovery effect can be further enhanced. Furthermore, by inflating and deflating the seat movable part and the cushion movable part at a random rhythm, the recovery effect can be further enhanced. Furthermore, by making the loop time of the seat movable part and the loop time of the cushion movable part different from each other, the recovery effect can be further enhanced. Furthermore, by changing the inflation size based on pressure information detected by a pressure sensor, for example, the inflation size of the seat movable part or the cushion movable part can be changed by the occupant tightly hugging the cushion body, thereby further enhancing the recovery effect. Furthermore, by changing the inflation size based on the occupant's physical information, it is possible to perform actions according to the occupant's physical size, thereby further enhancing the recovery effect. Furthermore, by operating the seat movable parts and cushion movable parts so that the occupant can perform a predetermined breathing technique, it is possible to further enhance the recovery effect. Furthermore, by placing the vehicle seat in the fetal position when the occupant's condition is abnormal, it is possible to place the occupant in the fetal position, thereby further enhancing the recovery effect.

[0092] [Modes for Carrying Out the Invention] <<First Example>> The configuration of a vehicle seat device SD2 according to a first example of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof. Furthermore, in the following description, details regarding the materials, shapes, and sizes of the components constituting the vehicle seat device SD2 are merely examples and do not limit the present invention.

[0093] In the following description, a vehicle seat device SD2 equipped with a vehicle seat S20 mounted on a vehicle will be used as an example of the vehicle seat device SD2, and an example configuration thereof will be described. In the following description, the term "front-rear direction" refers to the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat S20 of the vehicle seat device SD2, which corresponds to the direction of travel when the vehicle is traveling. The term "seat width direction" refers to the width direction of the vehicle seat S20, which corresponds to the left-right direction as seen by an occupant seated in the vehicle seat S20. The term "up-down direction" refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle seat, which corresponds to the vertical direction when the vehicle is traveling on a horizontal plane. The term "outside" simply refers to the side closer to the outside in the direction from the center of the vehicle seat S20 to the outside, and the term "inside" refers to the side closer to the center in the direction from the outside to the center of the vehicle seat S20.

[0094] The shape, position, and posture of each part of the vehicle seat S20 described below will be described assuming that the vehicle seat S20 is in an occupied state, unless otherwise specified.

[0095] <Configuration of Vehicle Seat Device SD2> First, the configuration of the vehicle seat device SD2 will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 15. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the vehicle seat device SD2, and Figure 12 is a front view of the vehicle seat device SD2, showing an occupant H2 seated in the vehicle seat S20 embracing the cushion Cs2. Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle seat device SD2. Figure 14A is a view showing the configuration of the vehicle seat device SD2, showing the vehicle seat S20 in a normal position, Figure 14B is a view showing the vehicle seat device SD2 with the vehicle seat S20 in the fetal position, showing the air cell 241 of the cushion Cs2 inflated, and Figure 14C is a view showing the vehicle seat device SD2 with the vehicle seat S20 in a relaxed position. 15 is a diagram showing the vehicle seat apparatus SD2 with the vehicle seat S20 in the fetal position and the air cells 211 of the vehicle seat S20 inflated. Note that, for convenience of illustration, part of the vehicle seat S20 in FIG. 11 is shown with the cover Tr2 removed.

[0096] The vehicle seat device SD2 includes a vehicle seat S20 on which an occupant H2 sits, a cushion Cs2 that can be embraced by the occupant H2, and a control unit Ct2. The vehicle seat S20 includes a seat detection unit 256 that detects biological information of the occupant H2 when the occupant H2 sits in the vehicle seat, and a seat movable unit 210 that comes into contact with the occupant H2. The cushion Cs2 also includes a cushion detection unit 235 that detects biological information of the occupant H2 when the occupant H2 embraces the cushion, and a cushion movable unit 240 that comes into contact with the occupant H2. The seat control unit 250 is configured to link the seat movable unit 210 and the cushion movable unit 240 based on the detected biological information of the occupant H2. The biological information is information acquired from the occupant H2, and includes information on the pulse wave and pulse rate of the occupant H2, the heart rate per unit time, the respiratory rate, the body temperature of the occupant H2, information on the pressure that the occupant H2 applies to the vehicle seat S20 and the cushion Cs2, etc. The biological information may also include information on the fingerprints, irises, face shape, and voice of the occupant H2.

[0097] <Vehicle seat S20> The vehicle seat S20 is placed on the floor of a vehicle and is a seat on which a vehicle occupant H2 (hereinafter also referred to as a seated person) sits. In this embodiment, the vehicle seat S20 is used as a rear seat corresponding to the rear seat of the vehicle. However, the vehicle seat S20 is not limited to this, and can also be used as a front seat, and in a vehicle with three rows of seats in the front-to-rear direction, can also be used as a middle seat in the second row or a rear seat in the third row.

[0098] 11 and 12, the vehicle seat S20 includes a seat cushion 201 that supports the buttocks and thighs of the occupant H2, a seat back 202 that supports the back of the occupant H2, and a headrest 203 that supports the head of the occupant H2. The vehicle seat S20 also includes armrests 204 on the sides of the seat back 202 that support the arms of the occupant H2, and an ottoman 205 at the front end of the seat cushion 201 that supports the legs of the occupant H2. The seat cushion 201, seat back 202, headrest 203, armrest 204, and ottoman 205 may be collectively referred to as a seat main body Sh2.

[0099] The seat cushion 201 and the seat back 202 are connected to sandwich a reclining device 207. The reclining device 207 allows the seat back 202 to rotate relative to the seat cushion 201, and the reclining angle thereof is adjustable. The reclining device 207 may be an electric device, and the reclining angle (reclining angle) of the seat back 202 relative to the seat cushion 201 is controlled based on a control signal from the seat control unit 250.

[0100] The seat cushion 201 has a tilting portion 201d at the rear end of the seat cushion 201, which allows the entire seat cushion 201 to be tilted relative to the floor surface. In addition, a rotation device 206 is provided at the front end of the seat cushion 201, and the rotation device 206 connects the upper end of an ottoman 205 to the front end of the seat cushion 201. The ottoman 205 is attached to the seat cushion 201 so that the rotation angle relative to the seat cushion 201 can be adjusted by the rotation device 206. The tilting portion 201d and the rotation device 206 are electrically driven devices that operate based on control signals from the seat control unit 250.

[0101] <Headrest 203> The headrest 203 is attached to the upper end of the seat back 202 so as to support the head of the occupant H2. The headrest 203 is provided with a headrest pillar 203a extending downward, and the headrest 203 is connected to the upper end of the seat back 202 by the headrest pillar 203a. The headrest pillar 203a is held by a holder provided at the upper end of the seat back 202, and the height of the headrest 203 can be changed by changing the position at which the holder holds the headrest pillar 203a.

[0102] <Armrest 204> The armrest 204 is rotatably attached to the side of the seat back 202 for the occupant H2 to rest their arms, mainly their elbows. When the occupant H2 uses the armrest 204, the front end of the armrest 204 extends forward to put it in use, as shown in Fig. 11. When not in use, the armrest 204 is rotated downward, and the front end of the armrest 204 is lowered to put it in a stored state.

[0103] <Rail Device 208> A rail device 208 is installed under the vehicle seat S20. The rail device 208 mounts the vehicle seat S20 to the floor of the vehicle in a state in which the seat body Sh2 can slide in the front-to-rear direction. The rail device 208 is composed of a lower rail 208a fixed to the floor of the vehicle and an upper rail 208b that can slide relative to the lower rail 208a. The rail device 208 is an electrically operated device that operates based on a control signal from the seat control unit 250.

[0104] <Height Adjustment Device 209> The height adjustment device 209 is provided between the seat body Sh2 and the rail device 208. The height from the floor surface can be changed by the height adjustment device 209. The height adjustment device 209 is an electric device, and changes the height of the seat body Sh2 based on a control signal from the seat control unit 250. The vehicle seat S20 may also be provided with a rotation device that rotates the seat body Sh2 around an axis extending vertically between the seat body Sh2 and the height adjustment device 209.

[0105] <Bent Portions 201c, 202c> The seat cushion 201 of the vehicle seat S20 is configured to be able to be bent in the center. More specifically, the seat cushion 201 is divided into a front seat cushion portion 201a and a rear seat cushion portion 201b, which are connected by a bent portion 201c. An electric actuator (not shown) is provided in the bent portion 201c, and as shown in FIG. 14B , by driving the actuator of the bent portion 201c, the front end of the front seat cushion portion 201a can be automatically raised. By raising the front seat cushion portion 201a, the thighs of the occupant H2 are lifted.

[0106] In this embodiment, the seat back 202 of the vehicle seat S20 is also configured to be foldable. More specifically, the seat back 202 is divided into an upper seat back portion 202a and a lower seat back portion 202b, which are connected by a foldable portion 202c. An electric actuator is provided in the foldable portion 202c, and as shown in FIG. 14B , the upper seat back portion 202a can be automatically rotated forward by driving the actuator of the foldable portion 202c. By rotating the upper seat back portion 202a forward, the chest of the occupant H2 can be moved forward.

[0107] The folding portion 201c of the seat cushion 201 and the folding portion 202c of the seat back 202 are both controlled by the seat control unit 250. By driving the folding portion 201c of the seat cushion 201 and the folding portion 202c of the seat back 202, the seat control unit 250 can place the occupant H2 in a generally curled up fetal position (hereinafter referred to as the fetal position) as shown in Fig. 14B.

[0108] It is not necessary to provide the folding portion 201c in the seat cushion 201. For example, as in a vehicle seat device SD2A shown in Fig. 18, by tilting a seat cushion 201A that does not have a folding portion, the vehicle seat S20 can be placed in the fetal position, and the occupant H2 can also be placed in the fetal position.

[0109] <Ottoman 205> As described above, in the vehicle seat S20 of this embodiment, the ottoman 205 is provided at the front of the seat cushion 201 via the pivoting device 206. The pivoting device 206 allows the ottoman 205 to be fixed in an inclined position relative to the seat cushion 201. The ottoman 205 has a main body 205a and a foot portion 205b that is pivotable relative to the main body 205a. The main body 205a supports the calves of the occupant H2. The foot portion 205b is pivotably provided on the main body 205a by a pivoting portion 205d. In the pivoted state, the foot portion 205b is movable in the extension direction of the main body 205a by the lifting portion 205c (see FIG. 14B ). Since the foot portion 205b is rotated 90 degrees relative to the direction in which the main body portion 205a extends, the occupant H2 can place his / her feet on the foot portion 205b and sit in a stable position. The lifting / lowering portion 205c and the rotating portion 205d of the ottoman 205 are electrically operated devices that operate based on control signals from the seat control portion 250.

[0110] <Seat Movable Part 210> A seat movable part 210 is provided on each seating surface of the seat cushion 201 and the seat back 202. The seat movable part 210 is a pressing device that protrudes (overhangs) toward the occupant H2 and thereby partially presses the back of the occupant H2. In this embodiment, the pressable seat movable part 210 is realized by an air pump and an air cell 211 connected to the air pump via a tube. The air cell 211 is connected to the seat control unit 250. When air is injected into the air cell from the air pump in response to a drive signal from the seat control unit 250, the air cell expands toward the occupant H2 and presses the back of the occupant H2. Meanwhile, the seat control unit 250 stops injecting air into the air pump, causing the air to escape from the air cell due to the weight of the occupant H2, thereby releasing the pressing state of the back of the occupant H2.

[0111] 11, the air cells 211 are provided at the left and right bank portions of the front seat cushion portion 201a and the rear seat cushion portion 201b that constitute the seat cushion 201, and at the center portion sandwiched therebetween. Also, the air cells 211 are provided at the left and right bank portions of the upper seat back portion 202a and the lower seat back portion 202b that constitute the seat back 202, and at the center portion sandwiched therebetween. By arranging the air cells 211 in this manner, it becomes possible to press against the back, buttocks, and thighs of the occupant H2.

[0112] Note that a posture air cell 211a is provided at the front end of the seat cushion 201. The posture air cell 211a can be inflated to lift the thighs of the occupant H2, and for example, as shown in Fig. 14B, when the vehicle seat S20 is in the fetal position, the posture air cell 211a can be inflated to lift the knees of the occupant H2 higher.

[0113] The seat movable part 210 provided on the seating surface of the vehicle seat S20 may be provided with a vibrator in addition to or instead of the air cell 211. The seat movable part 210 may also be provided with a pressing device that mechanically presses the back of the occupant H2 using a roller, a lumbar support, or the like. For example, the pressing device may be configured to cause the roller or lumbar support to protrude upward or forward using a motor. By increasing the amount of protrusion of the roller or lumbar support toward the occupant H2, the back of the occupant H2 is pressed. By decreasing the amount of protrusion, the pressure on the back of the occupant H2 is released. The operation of the pressing device may be controlled based on a control signal from the seat control part 250.

[0114] <Seat Detector 256> As described above, the seating surface of the vehicle seat S20 is provided with a seat detector 256 that acquires biological information of the occupant H2 when the occupant H2 is seated. The seat detector 256 is provided in the seat back 202 and includes a heartbeat sensor 258 that measures the heartbeat of the occupant H2. The heartbeat sensor 258 is a sensing device that uses capacitively coupled electrodes to measure the electrocardiographic signal of the seated occupant in a non-contact manner. Here, the electrocardiographic signal refers to an action potential signal that occurs in conjunction with the heartbeat of the seated occupant, and the electrocardiographic signal detected by the heartbeat sensor is input to the seat control unit 250. In this embodiment, the heartbeat sensor 258 is provided in the seat back 202, but it may also be provided in the seat cushion 201.

[0115] A breathing sensor 257 may be provided as the seat detection unit 256. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the breathing sensor 257 is provided on the seating surface of the seat cushion 201. The breathing sensor 257 is a resistance pressure-sensitive sensor (pressure sensor) that detects electrical resistance that changes in response to the breathing of an occupant H2 seated in the vehicle seat S20. Pressure applied to the electrode on the upper surface of the breathing sensor 257 causes the electrode on the upper surface to deform downward, increasing contact resistance and decreasing the electrical resistance value between the electrodes. An electrical signal related to this electrical resistance value is input from the breathing sensor 257 to the seat control unit 250. The seat control unit 250 calculates pressure based on the electrical signal related to the electrical resistance value and obtains breathing data based on the calculated pressure.

[0116] The breathing sensor 257 may be used as a seating sensor for a seat belt reminder. The breathing sensor 257 may also be used as a physique sensor. For example, the seat control unit 250 may estimate the weight of the occupant H2 from the pressure information acquired by the breathing sensor 257 and estimate the approximate physique of the occupant H2 as physique information.

[0117] <Heat-generating Device> A heater 212 may be provided on the seating surface of the vehicle seat S20 as a heat-generating device. The heater 212 generates heat based on a control signal input from the seat control unit 250 and warms the back, buttocks, etc. of the occupant H2. The heater 212 is also provided in the main body 205a of the ottoman 205. Note that the heater 212 does not have to be mounted on the vehicle seat S20, and the function of warming the body of the occupant H2 may be achieved by an air conditioning device equipped in the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle seat S20 may be provided with a blower device that blows air to the buttocks and back of the occupant H2. By providing the blower device and blowing air to the buttocks and back, it is possible to lower the body temperature of the occupant H2 and prevent stuffiness.

[0118] <Seat control unit 250> The seat control unit 250 is a device also called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit), and includes a CPU 251, a memory 252, an input / output interface 253, and a communication unit 254. The seat control unit 250 is a device (computer) that controls various devices mounted in the vehicle seat device SD2. The seat control unit 250 may be built into the vehicle seat S20, or may be provided as an external device to the vehicle seat S20. The seat control unit 250 corresponds to the control unit Ct2 of the present invention.

[0119] The CPU 251 is a central processing unit that executes various types of arithmetic processing based on programs and data stored in the memory 252. The CPU 251 controls the operation of the seat movable section 210, the reclining device 207, and the like that are connected via the input / output interface 253, in accordance with body signals (biological information) of the occupant H2 that are input from a breathing sensor 257 and a heartbeat sensor 258 via the input / output interface 253 or the communication unit 254, and processing results based on those signals. Note that the memory 252 not only stores various programs and data, but also functions as a working memory for the CPU 251.

[0120] The input / output interface 253 is connected to the breathing sensor 257, the heart rate sensor 258, the seat movable section 210, the reclining device 207, the folding section 201c, the folding section 202c, the rotation device 206, the height adjustment device 209, and the rail device 208, and transmits and receives data to and from each device. The communication unit 254 is a device for wireless communication with devices not connected by cables, such as mobile terminals owned by the occupant, and in this embodiment, is provided for communication with the cushion Cs2 described below. The communication unit 254 includes a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) unit or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) unit, and is capable of wireless communication using radio waves conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) standards.

[0121] The vehicle seat S20 is also provided with a seat operation input unit 255, and the occupant H2 can operate various electric devices provided in the vehicle seat S20 by pressing switches provided in the seat operation input unit 255. For example, by operating the reclining device 207, the occupant H2 can tilt the seat back 202 or change the tilt angle of the ottoman 205.

[0122] <Cushion Cs2> Next, the cushion Cs2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16. The cushion Cs2 is a cushion that can be embraced by the occupant H2 and is independent of the vehicle seat S20. As shown in FIG. 11, the cushion Cs2 is formed by covering a pad P2 with a cover Tr2. The cushion Cs2 also includes a cushion detection unit 235 that detects biological information of the occupant H2 when embraced. The cushion Cs2 also includes a cushion movable unit 240 in a portion that comes into contact with the chest or abdomen of the occupant H2 when embraced.

[0123] The cushion body Cs2 includes a cushion body control unit 230 that controls various devices and detectors provided on the cushion body Cs2. The cushion body control unit 230 corresponds to the control unit Ct2 of the present invention.

[0124] Like the seat control unit 250, the cushion control unit 230 includes a CPU 231, a memory 232, an input / output interface 233, and a communication unit 234. The cushion control unit 230 is built into the cushion Cs2 and is driven by power supplied from a battery 246 in the cushion Cs2. The cushion control unit 230 is connected to the cushion movable unit 240 and the cushion detection unit 235 via cables via the input / output interface 233, enabling data transmission and reception. The communication unit 234 is also provided with a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) unit, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) unit, or the like, and is capable of communicating with the seat control unit 250 via wireless communication to coordinate with the operation of the vehicle seat S20. The cushion Cs2 may also be connected to the seat control unit 250 of the vehicle seat S20 via a cable or the like.

[0125] When not in use by the occupant H2, the cushion Cs2 may be attached to an interior member of the vehicle. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the cushion Cs2 may be stored in a cushion storage section Da2 provided in the vehicle door D2. The cushion Cs2 may also be stored in the floor or ceiling of the vehicle. The cushion Cs2 is configured to be powered by a built-in battery 246. The battery may be charged from a power supply section Db2 provided in the cushion storage section Da2. Wireless power supply is convenient because the built-in battery can be charged simply by placing the cushion Cs2 in the cushion storage section Da2.

[0126] <Pocket portion 243> The front surface of the cushion body Cs2 is provided with a pocket portion 243 into which the occupant can insert their hands. As shown in Fig. 12 or 14A, the occupant H2 can firmly embrace the cushion body Cs2 by inserting their hands into the pocket portion 243.

[0127] The pocket portion 243 may have a groove formed therein, so that the occupant H2 can insert his / her fingers into the groove. The pocket portion 243 may also be attached in a direction that follows the outer shape of the cushion body Cs2.

[0128] <Cushion detection unit 235> As shown in Figure 16, the cushion body Cs2 is provided with a pocket portion 243 and a cushion detection unit 235 that detects the biological information of the occupant H2 at a position that comes into contact with the chest and abdomen of the occupant H2.

[0129] <Pocket Sensor 236> A pocket sensor 236 is disposed in the pocket 243 as the cushion detection unit 235. The pocket sensor 236 includes a pulse wave sensor 236a and a temperature sensor 236b. When the hand of the occupant H2 inserted in the pocket 243 touches the pulse wave sensor 236a, a pulse wave signal of the occupant H2 can be acquired. The pulse wave signal acquired by the pulse wave sensor 236a is transmitted to the cushion control unit 230. The pulse wave signal may be transmitted to the seat control unit 250 of the vehicle seat S20 via the cushion control unit 230. The cushion control unit 230 estimates the state of the occupant H2 based on the received pulse wave signal.

[0130] A temperature sensor 236b is also provided in the pocket 243. The temperature sensor 236b can measure the temperature of the fingertips or hands of the occupant H2. If the temperature sensor 236b detects that the fingertips are cold, a pocket heater 244 provided in the pocket 243 may be operated to warm the occupant's hands.

[0131] <Chest Sensor 237 and Abdomen Sensor 238> A chest sensor 237 and an abdomen sensor 238 are provided on the back side of the cushion body Cs2 (the portion facing the occupant H2 when held), as cushion detection units 235. The chest sensor 237 is disposed in a position that contacts the chest of the occupant H2 when the cushion body Cs2 is held. The abdomen sensor 238 is disposed in a position that contacts the abdomen of the occupant H2 when the cushion body Cs2 is held.

[0132] The chest sensor 237 is composed of a pressure sensor 237a, a temperature sensor 237b, and a heartbeat sensor 237c. The abdomen sensor 238 is composed of a pressure sensor 238a and a temperature sensor 238b. When the cushion Cs2 is hugged by the occupant H2, pressure is applied to the pressure sensors 237a and 238a. The cushion control unit 230 receives pressure signals (pressure information) from the pressure sensor 237a of the chest sensor 237 and the pressure sensor 238a of the abdomen sensor 238, and can thereby determine whether the cushion Cs2 is being hugged. Furthermore, based on the pressure information, it can determine whether the cushion Cs2 is being hugged tightly.

[0133] Furthermore, when the occupant H2 is holding the cushion Cs2, the chest sensor 237 and the abdomen sensor 238 are in contact with the chest and abdomen of the occupant H2, and are able to detect changes in pressure caused by breathing of the occupant H2. Therefore, the cushion control unit 230 can obtain the breathing state of the occupant H2 from signals from the chest sensor 237 and the abdomen sensor 238.

[0134] The chest sensor 237 further includes a heartbeat sensor 237c, which is capable of detecting the heartbeat of the occupant H2 when the occupant H2 embraces the cushion body Cs2.

[0135] <Temperature Sensors 237b, 238b> The temperature sensor 237b of the chest sensor 237 can measure the body temperature of the chest of the occupant H2. In addition, the temperature sensor 238b of the abdomen sensor 238 can measure the body temperature of the abdomen of the occupant H2. Information about the measured body temperature is sent to the cushion control unit 230. The cushion control unit 230 can operate various devices based on the received body temperature information.

[0136] For example, if it is determined that the body temperature of the chest of the occupant H2 is low, the cushion control unit 230 may operate a back heater 245 provided in the cushion Cs2 to warm the chest of the occupant H2. At this time, the cushion control unit 230 may communicate with a seat control unit 250 of the vehicle seat S20 to operate a heater 212 provided in the seat cushion 201 and the seat back 202 of the vehicle seat S20. For example, if it is determined that the body temperature of the abdomen of the occupant H2 is high based on the received abdominal body temperature information, the cushion control unit 230 may communicate with the seat control unit 250 to operate a blower device or the like provided in the vehicle seat S20 because the abdomen may be stuffy.

[0137] When warming the chest and abdomen of the occupant H2, the heater 212 of the vehicle seat S20, the pocket heater 244 of the cushion Cs2, and the back heater 245 (hereinafter collectively referred to as heaters) may be divided into levels of temperature. Areas with a relatively high body temperature are heated by setting the heater temperature to level 1 (approximately 30°C), and areas with a low body temperature are heated by setting the heater temperature to a higher level 2 (approximately 34°C).

[0138] For example, if the temperature sensor 236b of the pocket portion 243 detects that the fingertips are cold, the pocket heater 244 on the front surface of the cushion body Cs2 is set to level 2 to warm the occupant. If the temperature sensor 237b of the chest sensor 237 detects that the chest temperature is warm, the heater 212 of the seat back 202 is set to level 1. If the temperature sensor 238b of the abdomen sensor 238 detects that the abdomen or feet are cold, the temperature of the heater 212 mounted on the seat cushion 201 or ottoman 205 may be set to level 2 to warm the occupant's abdomen and feet. In this way, by detecting the body temperature of each part of the occupant H2 using multiple temperature sensors and setting the heater to a temperature according to the body temperature, it is possible to adjust the temperature for each part of the occupant H2.

[0139] When dividing the heater temperature into levels, the detected temperature may be divided into ranges using a plurality of thresholds and set in stages. For example, the first threshold may be 30°C, the second threshold may be 33°C, and the third threshold may be 36°C, and the range from the first threshold to the second threshold may be set as heater level 1, and the range from the second threshold to the third threshold may be set as heater level 2.

[0140] <Pulse Wave Sensor 236a and Heart Rate Sensor 237c> The cushion Cs2 may measure the pulse wave and heart rate of the occupant H2 using the pulse wave sensor 236a in the pocket portion 243 and the heart rate sensor 237c located on the back portion. The cushion control unit 230 determines whether the occupant H2 is excited based on the acquired pulse wave and heart rate information. The cushion control unit 230 may transmit the determination result to, for example, the seat control unit 250 of the vehicle seat S20, and operate various devices provided in the vehicle seat S20.

[0141] For example, if the cushion control unit 230 determines that the occupant H2 is in an excited state based on information about the pulse wave and heart rate measured by the cushion control unit 230, the cushion control unit 230 transmits the determination result to the seat control unit 250 of the vehicle seat S20, and performs a breathing induction process to calm the occupant H2. Details of the breathing induction process will be described later. When performing the breathing induction process, it is preferable to control the vehicle seat S20 from the normal position shown in FIG. 14A to assume the fetal position as shown in FIG. 14B. Specifically, the tilting portion 201d of the seat cushion 201, the folding portion 201c, the folding portion 202c of the seat back 202, and the lifting / lowering portion 205c of the ottoman 205 are driven to deform the vehicle seat S20 to assume the fetal position.

[0142] The air cells 211 of the vehicle seat S20 and the air cells 241 of the cushion Cs2 perform a breathing induction process, and when the cushion control unit 230 determines that the pulse wave and breathing of the occupant H2 have stabilized, the vehicle seat S20 may be transformed into a relaxed position as shown in Fig. 14C. The vehicle seat S20 may also be transformed into a relaxed position by a switch operation or voice operation by the occupant H2.

[0143] <Cushion Movable Part 240> As shown in FIG. 16 , a cushion movable part 240 is provided inside the cushion body Cs2. When the cushion movable part 240 is held by the occupant H2, the cushion movable part 240 protrudes (overhangs) toward the occupant H2, thereby partially pressing against the chest or abdomen of the occupant H2. The cushion movable part 240 is controlled by the cushion body control unit 230. In this embodiment, the pressurizable cushion movable part 240 is realized by an air pump and an air cell 241 connected to the air pump via a tube, similar to the seat movable part 210 of the vehicle seat S20. When air is injected into the air cell 241 from the air pump in response to a drive signal from the cushion body control unit 230, the air cell 241 expands toward the occupant H2 and presses against a portion of the abdomen or chest of the occupant H2. On the other hand, when the cushion body control unit 230 stops injecting air into the air pump, the air in the air cell 241 is released by the force of the occupant H2 hugging the cushion body Cs2, and the pressure on the abdomen or chest of the occupant H2 is released.

[0144] The air cell 241 does not have to be a single unit, and multiple air cells 241 may be stacked in the pressing direction (front-rear direction) as shown in FIG. 16 . In this embodiment, a main first air cell 233a is arranged in order with a second air cell 241b and a third air cell 241c formed to be slightly smaller. By using multiple air cells 241, the size of the cushion body Cs2 to be inflated can be adjusted more precisely. Furthermore, by stacking multiple air cells, the chest or abdomen of the occupant H2 can be pressed with a stronger pressing force.

[0145] For example, the magnitude of the inflation of the cushion Cs2 can be divided into stages depending on the force with which the occupant H2 embraces the cushion Cs2. The magnitude of the embracing force is calculated from pressure information detected by the chest sensor 237 and the abdominal sensor 238. A first threshold and a second threshold are set in advance, and the cushion control unit 230 inflates or deflates only the first air cell 241a when the embracing force is smaller than the first threshold, and inflates or deflates both the first air cell 241a and the second air cell 241b between the first threshold and the second threshold. When the embracing force is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the cushion control unit 230 inflates or deflates the first air cell 241a, the second air cell 241b, and the third air cell 241c.

[0146] By configuring the pressing device with multiple air cells 241, when the occupant H2 strongly embraces the cushion body Cs2, the air pressure at which the air cells 241 inflate can be increased, and a stronger push back can be achieved. The air pressure at which the cushion body Cs2 is inflated or deflated can be adjusted according to the force with which the occupant H2 embraces the cushion body Cs2, and for example, the breathing induction process described below can be more appropriately executed.

[0147] The cushion body Cs2 may detect the physique of the seated occupant H2 and change the degree of inflation of the cushion. The physique of the occupant H2 may be detected, for example, by measuring the size of the hand inserted in the pocket 243 based on the position at which the temperature sensor 236b of the pocket sensor 236 detects the temperature. The physique of the occupant H2 may be estimated as physique information from the detected hand size. In this case, the temperature sensor 236b functions as a physique detection sensor of the present invention.

[0148] The cushion control unit 230 may also estimate the physique of the occupant H2 based on information obtained from a breathing sensor 257 (pressure sensor) provided as a seat detection unit 256 on the seat cushion 201 of the vehicle seat S20. For example, the weight and physique of the occupant H2 are estimated as physique information from the pressure information obtained from the breathing sensor 257. In this case, the breathing sensor 257 functions as a physique detection sensor of the present invention.

[0149] By changing the size of the cushion Cs2 to be inflated based on the physique information of the occupant H2, it is possible to press the occupant H2 with a more appropriate force. For example, the air cells 211 of the vehicle seat S20 and the air cells 241 of the cushion Cs2 are inflated to a larger size for a person with a larger physique, and to a smaller size for a person with a smaller physique.

[0150] <Vibrator 242> The cushion body Cs2 may be provided with a vibrator 242 as the cushion movable part 240. In this embodiment, the vibrator 242 is provided on the rear side and is disposed between the air cell 241 and a rear heater 245 (described later). By vibrating the vibrator 242 in accordance with the physical condition of the occupant H2, it is possible to calm breathing and enhance the effect of fatigue recovery. The vibrator 242 may also be used to wake up a sleeping occupant H2.

[0151] <Pocket Heater 244 and Back Heater 245> As shown in FIG. 16 , the cushion Cs2 has a pocket heater 244 inside the pocket 243 and a back heater 245 on the back surface. The pocket heater 244 is configured to warm the hands of the occupant H2 inserted into the pocket 243. The back heater 245 provided on the back surface is configured to warm the chest or abdomen of the occupant H2 when the occupant H2 is hugged. The pocket heater 244 and the back heater 245 may generate heat when the occupant H2 hugs the cushion Cs2. For example, the pocket heater 244 may be powered on when the occupant H2 inserts their hands into the pocket 243 and powered off when the occupant H2 removes their hands from the pocket heater 244. This improves power efficiency and reduces power consumption when the cushion Cs2 is not in use.

[0152] Furthermore, if the occupant H2 is holding the cushion Cs2 with a strong force, the temperatures of the pocket heater 244 and the back heater 245 provided on the cushion Cs2 may be increased, and the temperature of the heater 212 provided on the vehicle seat S20 may be decreased. By adjusting the temperature of the heater 212 etc. of the vehicle seat device SD2 in this manner, it is possible to mainly warm the front upper body of the occupant H2 while preventing overheating.

[0153] <Breathing induction process executed by the control unit Ct2> Next, the breathing induction process executed by the vehicle seat device SD2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the process executed when the vehicle seat device SD2 performs breathing induction when the occupant H2 is holding the cushion Cs2.

[0154] The breathing induction process is realized by the seat control unit 250 controlling various devices and the seat movable unit 210 provided in the vehicle seat S20 while transmitting a control signal to the cushion control unit 230, and the cushion control unit 230, upon receiving the control signal, controlling the cushion movable unit 240 provided in the cushion Cs2 and the like. Note that the breathing induction process may also be executed by the cushion control unit 230. That is, the cushion control unit 230 may transmit a control signal to the seat control unit 250, and the seat movable unit 210 provided in the vehicle seat S20 and the like may be controlled based on the control signal received by the seat control unit 250. Hereinafter, the controlling entities (the seat control unit 250 and the cushion control unit 230) will be collectively referred to as the control unit Ct2.

[0155] 17 , the control unit Ct2 detects that the occupant H2 is embracing the cushion Cs2 based on biological information acquired by the cushion detection unit 235 of the cushion Cs2 (step S2101). More specifically, the control unit Ct2 detects that the occupant H2 is embracing the cushion Cs2 by receiving a pulse wave signal from the pulse wave sensor 236a of the pocket sensor 236 of the cushion detection unit 235. The control unit Ct2 may detect that the occupant H2 is embracing the cushion Cs2 based on pressure information received from the chest sensor 237 and the abdominal sensor 238. At this time, the control unit Ct2 may set the inflation size of the air cells based on the pressure information. If the control unit Ct2 has not received biological information (No in step S2101), it determines that the cushion Cs2 is not being embraced, and terminates the breathing guidance process.

[0156] When the control unit Ct2 acquires the biological information and detects that the cushion Cs2 is being hugged (Yes in step S2101), the control unit Ct2 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the condition of the occupant based on the biological information from the pocket sensor 236 and the chest sensor 237 (step S2102). That is, the control unit Ct2 acquires information such as the pulse wave and pulse rate acquired from the pulse wave sensor 236a of the pocket sensor 236 and the respiratory rate from the heart rate sensor 237c of the chest sensor 237, and determines whether or not the condition of the occupant is normal.

[0157] If the condition of the occupant H2 is abnormal, such as if the pulse wave or pulse rate is higher than the reference value or breathing is irregular (No in step S2102), the control unit Ct2 starts operation of the air cells 241 of the cushion Cs2 and the air cells 211 of the vehicle seat S20. At this time, the control unit Ct2 may control the folding portion 201c of the seat cushion 201, the folding portion 202c of the seat back 202, the reclining device 207, the lifting / lowering portion 205c of the ottoman 205, etc. to place the vehicle seat S20 in the fetal position and the occupant H2 in the fetal position. If the control unit Ct2 determines that the condition of the occupant H2 is normal, that is, if the control unit Ct2 determines that the brain waves and pulse rate of the occupant H2 are normal and that breathing is stable, the breathing guidance process ends (Yes in step S2102).

[0158] <Air Cell Operation> The controller Ct2 inflates and deflates each air cell provided in the vehicle seat device SD2 to guide the occupant H2 to a normal breathing state. The controller Ct2 inflates the air cell 241 of the cushion body Cs2 as shown in FIG. 14B . At the same time, the controller Ct2 deflates the air cell 211 of the vehicle seat S20 (step S2103). Next, after the air cell 241 of the cushion body Cs2 has inflated to a predetermined size, the controller Ct2 deflates the air cell 241 of the cushion body Cs2 as shown in FIG. 15 . At the same time, the controller Ct2 inflates the air cell 211 of the vehicle seat S20 (step S2104). The controller Ct2 controls the inflation and deflation of the air cell 241 of the cushion body and the air cell 241 of the vehicle seat so that the inflation and deflation of the air cell 241 are opposite to each other.

[0159] Next, after the air cells 241 of the cushion body Cs2 have completely deflated or the air cells 211 of the vehicle seat S20 have inflated to a predetermined size, the control unit Ct2 checks the number of times the inflation and deflation of the air cells 211, 241 have been repeated (step S2105). If the number of repetitions is less than the predetermined number N (No in step S2105), the process returns to step S2103, where the control unit Ct2 again inflates the air cells 241 of the cushion body Cs2 and deflates the air cells 241 of the vehicle seat S20. The control unit Ct2 repeatedly performs the operations of steps S2103 and S2104.

[0160] When the number of repeated inflation and deflation cycles reaches the predetermined number N (Yes in step S2105), the controller Ct2 again acquires biological information of the occupant H2 from the pocket sensor 236 or the like and determines the state of the occupant H2 (step S2106). At this time, if the controller Ct2 determines that the state of the occupant H2 has returned to normal (Yes in step S2106), it ends the air cell operation and terminates the breathing induction process. At this time, if the vehicle seat S20 is in the fetal position, the controller Ct2 may transition the vehicle seat S20 to the relaxed position shown in FIG. 14C.

[0161] In step S2105, the control unit Ct2 determines whether the repetition of inflation and deflation has reached a predetermined number N, but the repetition of inflation and deflation may also be determined based on the time elapsed since the air cell operation. For example, it may be determined based on whether 10 minutes have elapsed since the air cell operation started.

[0162] If the control unit Ct2 determines that the state of the occupant H2 is not normal, the process returns to step S2103 and the air cell operation is performed again. In this manner, the control unit Ct2 repeatedly inflates and deflates the air cells 211 and 241 until the state of the occupant H2 returns to normal.

[0163] In the air cell operation performed in the breathing induction process described with reference to FIG. 17 , the air cells 241 of the cushion body Cs2 and the air cells 211 of the vehicle seat S20 are inflated and deflated in opposite directions, but this is not limiting. For example, the air cells 211 of the vehicle seat S20 and the air cells 241 of the cushion body Cs2 may be inflated and deflated at the same time. That is, the air cells 211 of the vehicle seat S20 and the air cells 241 of the cushion body Cs2 start to inflate at the same time, and after they each inflate to a predetermined size, they also start to deflate at the same time. By operating the air cells 211 and 241 in this manner, it is possible to apply strong pressure to the body of the occupant H2, thereby efficiently stabilizing the breathing and pulse wave of the occupant H2.

[0164] The control unit Ct2 may inflate and deflate the air cells 211 and 241 at a constant rhythm. That is, the control unit Ct2 may repeatedly inflate and deflate the air cells 211 and 241 for a predetermined period of time, with the time from the start of inflation to the completion of deflation (hereinafter referred to as loop time T) being a constant time. The control unit Ct2 may also inflate and deflate each air cell at a random rhythm. For example, when the air cell deflation is completed, the next loop time T is determined using a random number and deflated. For example, the air cell may be inflated for two seconds and deflated for two seconds, and then inflated for four seconds and deflated for four seconds. The control unit Ct2 may also calculate 1 / f fluctuations and set the rhythm for inflating and deflating the air cells 211 and 241 based on the calculation results.

[0165] Furthermore, in the air cell operation mode, the inflation / deflation rhythm of the air cells 211 of the vehicle seat S20, i.e., the loop time T1 from the start of inflation to the completion of deflation, may be controlled to be different from the loop time T2 of the air cells 241 of the cushion body Cs2 from the start of inflation to the completion of deflation. For example, the loop time T1 of the air cells 211 of the vehicle seat S20 may be set to 4 seconds, and the loop time T2 of the air cells 241 of the cushion body Cs2 may be set to 3 seconds.

[0166] Furthermore, in the operation of the air cells 211, 241 described above, the control unit Ct2 controls the air cells 211, 241 to deflate immediately after inflation. However, the control unit Ct2 may stop the air cells 211, 241 for a certain period of time after inflation and then start deflation. That is, a predetermined pause time may be provided between inflation and deflation. This allows the vehicle seat device SD2 to help the occupant H2 perform the "4-7-8 breathing method." By having the control unit Ct2 operate the air cells 211, 241 in accordance with the "4-7-8 breathing method," the occupant H2 can perform the "4-7-8 breathing method" simply by breathing in accordance with the operation of the air cells 211, 241 of the vehicle seat device SD2.

[0167] More specifically, the control unit Ct2 contracts the air cell 241 of the cushion Cs2 for four seconds and simultaneously inflates the air cell 211 of the vehicle seat S20 for four seconds. The occupant H2 takes a breath over four seconds in accordance with the operation of the air cells 211 and 241. The vehicle seat device SD2 can help the occupant H2 take a breath over four seconds by operating the air cells 211 and 241.

[0168] Next, the control unit Ct2 stops the air cells 211, 241 for seven seconds. While the air cells 211, 241 are stopped, the occupant H2 holds his breath for seven seconds. Thereafter, the control unit Ct2 inflates the air cells 241 of the cushion body Cs2 over eight seconds and deflates the air cells 211 of the vehicle seat S20 over eight seconds. The occupant H2 exhales over eight seconds in accordance with the operation of the air cells 211, 241. The vehicle seat device SD2 can assist the occupant H2 in exhaling over the eight seconds by operating the air cells 211, 241.

[0169] The "4-7-8 breathing method" is an example, and the control unit Ct2 may inflate, stop, and deflate the air cells 211, 241 at other timings.

[0170] 17, the start and end of the air cell operation are determined based on the state of the occupant H2, but the start and end of the air cell operation may be determined by the occupant H2 operating a switch or using voice commands. The loop time T from the start of inflation to the completion of deflation may be set by the occupant H2 selecting the number of seconds.

[0171] The loop time T of each air cell 211, 241 may be set based on the biological information of the occupant H2. For example, when the heart rate is high, the loop time T may be set to slow down the rhythm of inflation and deflation, specifically, to be longer. Alternatively, when the heart rate falls below a certain value, the loop time T may be set to speed up the rhythm, specifically, to be shorter.

[0172] The loop time T may also be changed depending on the strength with which the occupant H2 hugs the cushion Cs2. For example, when the occupant H2 hugs the cushion Cs2 tightly, the control unit Ct2 may lengthen the loop time T of each air cell 211, 241, and may shorten the loop time T when the strength with which the occupant H2 hugs the cushion Cs2 weakens.

[0173] In addition, in the above-mentioned breathing induction processing, the vehicle seat S20 is changed to the relaxation mode when the breathing, pulse wave, and heart rate of the occupant H2 have stabilized, but the position of the vehicle seat S20 may be changed by the occupant H2 at any timing.

[0174] <Other Examples of Cushion Cs2> In this embodiment, the cushion Cs2 is formed to have a size and shape that allows the occupant H2 to embrace it, as shown in FIG. 11 , but the shape of the cushion Cs2 is not limited to this. For example, the cushion Cs2 may be formed as a stuffed toy modeled after an animal or a character. Forming the cushion Cs2 as a stuffed toy allows young children to embrace the cushion Cs2 in a more familiar way. Furthermore, even when the cushion Cs2 is not in use, placing it as a decoration inside the vehicle can have a soothing effect.

[0175] The cushion body Cs2 may also be provided with an extension portion extending from a part of the cushion body Cs2. The occupant H2 can secure the cushion body Cs2 to his / her body by holding the extension portion between his / her legs or placing it over his / her shoulders. The cushion body Cs2 may also be formed with a hole portion that penetrates the cushion body Cs2. The occupant H2 can secure the cushion body Cs2 to his / her body by passing his / her arm through the hole portion.

[0176] Furthermore, an illuminant such as an LED may be provided on the exterior of the cushion body Cs2, and the cushion body control unit 230 may change the color of the illuminant in accordance with the expansion and contraction of the cushion body Cs2. The color of the illuminant may also be changed in accordance with the temperature or temperature level of a heater provided in the cushion body Cs2. Furthermore, the illuminant may be covered with a translucent skin Tr2, so that the color of the skin of the cushion body Cs2 appears to be changing.

[0177] Furthermore, when the cushion body Cs2 having a light-emitting body is used for the breathing guidance process for the occupant H2, the color tone of the light-emitting body may be configured to change as the breathing guidance process progresses. For example, the light-emitting body may emit red light when the breathing guidance process starts, and gradually change to blue as the breathing guidance process progresses. The change in color allows the occupant H2 to visually understand his or her own condition.

[0178] At this time, the control unit Ct2 may change the color tone of the interior lighting provided in the vehicle in accordance with biological information such as pulse waves and body temperature detected by the cushion detection unit 235 of the cushion body Cs2. Furthermore, when music or the like is being played through a speaker provided in the vehicle or the vehicle seat S20, the control unit Ct2 may change the sound or the music being played in accordance with the detected biological information such as pulse waves and body temperature.

[0179] The cushion Cs2 may be substituted for a part of the seat itself or another seat. For example, the armrest 204, neck rest cushion, lumbar cushion, headrest 203, armrest 204, and upper part of the seat back 202 (upper seat back portion 202a) of the seat itself may be removed and used as the cushion Cs2.

[0180] 19 , for example, to help an occupant H2 seated in a rear vehicle seat RS20 recover from fatigue, the seat back 202 of a front vehicle seat FS20 may be tilted backward, and a portion of the seat back 202 or the headrest 203 may be used as the cushion CsA2. Air cells provided in the seat back 202 or the headrest 203 may be inflated to a large extent to serve as the cushion CsA2. In this case, a pocket 243A may be provided on the front or side of the headrest 203 or the seat back 202. By inserting his or her hand into the pocket 243A, the occupant H2 can easily embrace the headrest 203 or the seat back 202 of the front seat as the cushion CsA2.

[0181] The vehicle seat device SD2 of this embodiment includes a vehicle seat S20 on which an occupant H2 sits, a cushion body Cs2 that can be embraced by the occupant H2, and a control unit Ct2; a seat detection unit 256 that detects biological information of the occupant H2 when the occupant H2 sits on the vehicle seat S20, and a seat movable unit 210 that is attached to a portion that comes into contact with the occupant H2; and a cushion body Cs2 that detects biological information of the occupant H2 when the occupant H2 embraces the cushion body Cs2. The seat cushion may be manufactured by a manufacturing method including attaching a seat detection unit 235 and a cushion movable unit 240 to a portion that comes into contact with the occupant H2, enabling a control unit Ct2 to acquire biometric information from the seat detection unit 256 and the cushion detection unit 235 and to control the seat movable unit 210 and the cushion movable unit 240, and setting the control unit Ct2 to link the seat movable unit 210 and the cushion movable unit 240 based on the acquired biometric information.

[0182] The second embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, when the cushion body Cs2 is embraced by the occupant H2, the cushion movable portion 240 of the cushion body Cs2 and the seat movable portion 210 of the vehicle seat S20 are activated. However, the activated devices are not limited to these. Other devices provided in the vehicle in which the vehicle seat S20 is mounted may also be activated. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , when the cushion body Cs2 is embraced, an electric sunshade 260 provided on the vehicle window W2 may be activated to darken the interior of the vehicle.

[0183] <<<Third Embodiment>>> A vehicle seat device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0184] TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat apparatus, and more particularly to a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat apparatus that include a seat cushion, a seat back, and an ottoman.

[0185] [Background Art] Conventionally, vehicle seats with an ottoman attached to the front end of the seat cushion are known. For example, in the vehicle seat described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-240616, a leg rest (main body) is attached to the front end of the seat cushion, and an extension of the leg rest is attached so as to be movable forward and backward, thereby allowing the length of the ottoman to be adjusted.

[0186] Furthermore, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2022-038703 discloses a vehicle seat that includes a panel (main body) extending from the front end of the seat cushion and supporting the lower legs of a seated occupant, and a panel (footrest) having a support surface on which the soles of the seated occupant's feet are placed. The footrest is rotatably attached to the panel and can be switched between a state in which it projects in an L-shape from the main body and a state in which it is folded behind the main body.

[0187] [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention] In the vehicle seat described in JP 2002-240616 A, the ottoman was unable to support the soles of the feet of the seated person, making it difficult to accommodate various postures of the seated person. Also, in the vehicle seat described in JP 2022-038703 A, the position of the footrest was fixed at the front end of the main body, making it difficult to accommodate various physiques of the seated person.

[0188] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat in which the position of a footrest that supports the soles of the feet can be adjusted.

[0189] [Means for Solving the Problem] The above problem is solved by a vehicle seat of the present invention, which includes a seat cushion, a seat back, and an ottoman attached to the front end of the seat cushion, wherein the ottoman includes a main body extending from the front end of the seat cushion and having a support surface for supporting the lower legs of a seated occupant, a footrest attached to the main body and having a rest surface for supporting the soles of the seated occupant's feet, and a lifting / lowering unit for raising and lowering the footrest relative to the main body, the lifting / lowering unit raising and lowering the footrest along the extension direction of the main body while the support surface and the rest surface intersect. With this configuration, the lifting / lowering unit raises and lowers the footrest along the extension direction of the main body, allowing the position of the footrest supporting the soles of the feet to be adjusted. Therefore, the position of the footrest can be adjusted according to the occupant's physique, increasing the occupant's freedom of posture.

[0190] In this case, the ottoman may have a pivoting unit that pivots the footrest relative to the main body, and the pivoting unit may pivot the footrest so as to adjust the angle of the placement surface relative to the support surface. This configuration allows the angle of the footrest to be adjusted, making it possible to more appropriately adjust the position of the footrest according to the physique of the seated person. Furthermore, the pivoting unit allows the footrest to be folded behind the main body, allowing the ottoman to be placed in a compact configuration.

[0191] In this case, the lifting section may include a guide section that is provided on a side of the main body section in the seat width direction and extends along the extension direction of the main body section to guide the footrest, and a locking member that locks the footrest at a predetermined position on the guide section. With the above configuration, the rigidity of the footrest, which is prone to load, can be improved by locking the footrest at a predetermined position on the guide section with the locking member.

[0192] In this case, the pivoting portion may have an angle restricting member that restricts the angle of the placement surface relative to the extending direction of the main body. With the above configuration, the angle restricting member restricts the angle of the placement surface, thereby improving the rigidity of the footrest, which is prone to receiving a load.

[0193] In this case, the footrest may further include a detector provided on the support surface thereof for detecting the soles of the feet of the seated person, and a controller for controlling the lifting / lowering unit, wherein the controller permits operation of the lifting / lowering unit when the detector detects the soles of the feet of the seated person. With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the seated person from unintentionally operating the lifting / lowering unit.

[0194] In this case, a notification unit may be provided to notify the seated occupant of predetermined information, and when the detection unit does not detect the soles of the seated occupant's feet, the control unit may notify the seated occupant by the notification unit that the soles of the feet have not been detected. With the above configuration, the seated occupant can be prompted to place the soles of their feet on the placement unit.

[0195] In this case, the seat cushion may include a drive unit that operates predetermined portions of the seat back and the seat cushion, and a control unit that controls the lifting / lowering unit and the drive unit, and the control unit may operate the drive unit in conjunction with the operation of the lifting / lowering unit. With the above configuration, the state of the seat body can be changed by operating the drive units such as the reclining device and the movable unit in conjunction with the operation of the footrest, thereby improving the comfort of the seat occupant.

[0196] In this case, the seat may include an operation unit operated by the seat occupant, and the control unit may have a mode switching unit that switches between a first mode in which the lifting / lowering unit and the drive device are operated by input from the operation unit, and a second mode in which the drive device is operated in conjunction with the operation of the lifting / lowering unit by input from the operation unit. With the above configuration, in the first mode, the position of the footrest and the state of the seat body can be freely changed by operation by the seat occupant. In addition, in the second mode, the state of the seat body can be changed simply by changing the position of the footrest, thereby improving convenience.

[0197] In this case, the drive device may have a tilting unit that tilts a front portion of the seat cushion relative to a rear portion of the seat cushion, and the control unit may control the tilting unit in conjunction with the operation of the lifting unit in the second mode. With the above configuration, the front portion of the seat cushion tilts in conjunction with the operation of the footrest, thereby providing optimal support for the seated occupant.

[0198] The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat device including a vehicle seat and a footrest device provided in a vehicle interior part disposed forward of the vehicle seat, wherein the vehicle seat includes a seat cushion, a seat back, an ottoman provided at a front end of the seat cushion, and a rotation device for rotating the ottoman relative to the seat cushion, and the ottoman extends from the front end of the seat cushion and has a support surface for supporting the lower legs of a seated occupant. The footrest device has a body portion, and the footrest device is provided on the vehicle seat side of the vehicle interior part and has a support surface on which the soles of the feet of the occupant seated in the vehicle seat are placed, and a lifting unit that raises and lowers the support surface relative to the vehicle seat side, and when the ottoman is rotated relative to the seat cushion by the rotating device, the lifting unit raises and lowers the footrest along the extension direction of the body portion while the support surface and the support surface intersect. With this configuration, the lifting unit raises and lowers the footrest along the extension direction of the body portion, allowing the support position of the soles of the feet to be adjusted to suit the occupant's physique. Therefore, the position of the footrest can be adjusted according to the occupant's physique, increasing the occupant's freedom of posture.

[0199] [Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, the position of the footrest that supports the soles of the feet can be adjusted. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the position of the footrest can be more suitably adjusted depending on the physique of the seated person. Furthermore, the ottoman can be arranged in a compact manner. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the rigidity of the footrest, which is easily subjected to load, can be improved. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the seated person from unintentionally operating the lifting section. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to encourage the seated person to place the soles of the feet on the placing section. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the comfort of the seated person. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to freely change the posture of the seated person. Furthermore, it is possible to improve convenience. Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to suitably support the seated person.

[0200] [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 20 to 31. In the following description, the "front-rear direction" refers to the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat, which is the direction that coincides with the direction of travel of the vehicle when it is traveling. The "seat width direction" refers to the width direction of the vehicle seat, which is the direction that coincides with the left-right direction as seen by an occupant seated in the vehicle seat. The "up-down direction" refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle seat, which is the direction that coincides with the vertical direction when the vehicle is traveling on a horizontal plane.

[0201] <<First Example>> As shown in Fig. 20 , a vehicle seat S30 according to a first example of the present embodiment is, for example, a vehicle seat that is placed on a vehicle floor and in which a vehicle occupant sits. In this embodiment, the vehicle seat S30 is used as a front seat corresponding to the front seats of the vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vehicle seat S30 may also be a rear seat of the vehicle, or may be used as a middle seat in the second row or a rear seat in the third row in a vehicle with three rows of seats in the front-to-rear direction.

[0202] 20 and 21 , the vehicle seat S30 is primarily composed of a seat body having a seat cushion 301, a seat back 302, a headrest 303, armrests 304, and an ottoman 305 attached to the front end of the seat cushion 301. The seat body is supported from below by a support member Sa3. The vehicle seat S30 also includes a rotation device 306 that rotates the ottoman 305 relative to the seat cushion 301, a reclining device 307 that rotates the seat back 302 relative to the seat cushion 301, a rail device 308 that supports the seat body so that it can move in the front-rear direction relative to the vehicle floor, and a cushion moving device 309 that raises and lowers the seat body relative to the vehicle floor. The rotation device 306, the reclining device 307, the rail device 308, and the cushion moving device 309 correspond to drive devices in the present invention. The vehicle seat S30 may be provided with a height adjustment device that raises and lowers the seat body relative to the vehicle floor, or a rotation device that rotates the seat body relative to the vehicle floor, as the drive device.

[0203] 20 and 21, the seat cushion 301 is a seating portion that supports an occupant from below, and is configured by placing a pad material P3 on a cushion frame that forms the skeleton of the seat cushion 301, and covering it with a cover T3. The seat cushion 301 has a tilting portion 301c that tilts a front portion 301b of the seat cushion 301 relative to a rear portion 301a of the seat cushion 301, and a movable portion 301d provided on a side portion of the seat cushion 301. The tilting portion 301c and the movable portion 301d correspond to a drive device in the present invention.

[0204] As shown in FIG. 21 , the tilting portion 301c is an electrically operated device that operates to cause the front portion 301b of the seat cushion 301 to protrude upward. The tilting portion 301c is, for example, a movable body having an air cell and is provided on the pad material P3. The air cell of the tilting portion 301c expands toward the occupant (seat occupant) when compressed air is enclosed therein, and protrudes from the normal position to the protruding position. The air cell of the tilting portion 301c then contracts when the enclosed compressed air is discharged, and returns to the normal position. Note that the tilting portion 301c is not limited to an air cell, and may be a mechanism that tilts the front portion 301b by raising the height position of the pan frame.

[0205] As shown in FIG. 21 , the movable portion 301d is an electrically operated device that operates to protrude the side portion of the seat cushion 301. The movable portion 301d is, for example, a movable body having an air cell and is provided on the pad material P3. The air cell of the movable portion 301d expands toward the occupant (seat occupant) when compressed air is enclosed in it, and protrudes from the normal position to the protruding position. The air cell of the movable portion 301d then contracts when the enclosed compressed air is discharged, and returns to the normal position. The air cell of the movable portion 301d has a shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction. When in the protruding position, the air cell of the movable portion 301d expands inward (toward the seat occupant). Because the elongated air cell expands inward in this way, the movable portion 301d can envelop the seat occupant.

[0206] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the seat back 302 is a backrest portion that supports the occupant's back from behind, and is constructed by placing a padding material P3 on a back frame that forms the skeleton of the seat back 302 and covering it with a cover T3. The seat back 302 is divided into two parts, upper and lower, in the seat height direction, into an upper part 302a and a lower part 302b. The seat back 302 has a seat-back bending device 302c that bends the upper part 302a relative to the lower part 302b, and movable parts 302d that are provided on the upper part 302a and the lower part 302b, respectively. The seat-back bending device 302c and movable parts 302d correspond to the drive devices of the present invention.

[0207] The seat back tilting device 302c is a device that rotatably connects the upper portion 302a to the lower portion 302b and can lock the upper portion 302a. The seat back tilting device 302c has a drive source, and uses the driving force of the drive source to rotate the upper portion 302a forward relative to the lower portion 302b, thereby bending the seat back 302. Specifically, the seat back tilting device 302c switches the seat back 302 between a normal position and a bent position in which the upper portion 302a and the lower portion 302b are bent close to each other.

[0208] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the movable portion 302d is an electrically operated device that operates to protrude the seat back 302. The movable portion 302d is, for example, a movable body having air cells and is provided on the pad material P3. The air cells of the movable portion 302d are filled with compressed air to expand toward the occupant (seat occupant), protruding from the normal position to the protruding position. The air cells of the movable portion 302d then contract and return to the normal position when the compressed air is discharged. The air cells of the movable portion 302d are elongated in the vertical direction. In the protruding position, the air cells of the movable portion 302d expand inward (toward the seat occupant). Because the elongated air cells expand inward in this way, the movable portion 302d can envelop the seat occupant.

[0209] 20 and 21, the headrest 303 is a head support that supports the occupant's head from behind, and is configured by placing a padding material on a pillar that serves as a core material and covering it with a skin. The armrest 304 is an arm portion that supports the occupant's arms from below, and is configured by placing a padding material on an armrest frame that forms the skeleton of the armrest 304 and covering it with a skin.

[0210] 20 and 21 , the ottoman 305 is a portion that supports the thighs of a seated occupant and is provided at the front end of the seat cushion 301. The ottoman 305 is rotatably supported on the seat cushion 301 by a rotation device 306. The ottoman 305 has a main body 310 that supports the lower legs of the seated occupant, a footrest 320 on which the soles of the seated occupant's feet are placed, a lifting / lowering unit 330 that raises and lowers the footrest 320 relative to the main body 310, and a rotation unit 340 that rotates the footrest 320 relative to the main body 310.

[0211] The rotation device 306 is a device that rotatably connects the ottoman 305 to the seat cushion 301 and is also capable of locking the ottoman 305. The rotation device 306 has a drive source, and uses the driving force of the drive source to rotate the ottoman 305 relative to the seat cushion 301. Specifically, the rotation device 306 switches the ottoman 305 between a stored state in which it is stored in the seat cushion 301 and a used state in which it supports the lower legs of a seated person.

[0212] The reclining device 307 is a device that rotatably connects the seat back 302 to the seat cushion 301 and is also capable of locking the seat back 302. The reclining device 307 has a drive source and rotates the seat back 302 relative to the seat cushion 301 by the driving force of the drive source. Specifically, the reclining device 307 switches the seat back 302 between a normal position and a rearward tilted position in which the seat back 302 is tilted rearward away from the seat cushion 301. Note that the reclining device 307 may also switch the seat back 302 from the normal position to a forward tilted position in which the seat back 302 is tilted forward so as to be closer to the seat cushion 301.

[0213] The rail device 308 is a device that moves the seat body in the front-rear direction relative to the vehicle floor and can lock the seat body. The rail device 308 has a drive source, and by using the driving force of the drive source, the upper rails 308b fixed to the support member 30Sa slide forward and backward relative to the lower rails 308a fixed to the vehicle floor, thereby moving the seat body forward and backward relative to the vehicle floor.

[0214] The cushion moving device 309 is a device that rotates the seat cushion 301 so that the front end of the seat cushion 301 moves up and down relative to the rear end of the seat cushion 301. The cushion moving device 309 has a drive source, and adjusts the angle of a side frame (not shown) of the seat cushion 301 by the driving force of the drive source. Specifically, the cushion moving device 309 switches the seat cushion 301 between a normal position and an up position in which the rear end of the seat cushion 301 (side frame) is lowered and the front end is raised.

[0215] The vehicle seat S30 also includes a control unit 350 that controls the drive device, the lifting / lowering unit 330, and the rotating unit 340, an operation unit 360 that can be operated by the seat occupant, and a notification unit 370 that notifies the seat occupant of predetermined information. The control unit 350 is connected to the drive device, the lifting / lowering unit 330, the rotating unit 340, the operation unit 360, and various sensors, and controls the drive device (the tilting unit 301c and the movable unit 301d of the seat cushion 301, the center-folding device 302c and the movable unit 302d of the seat back 302, the rotating device 306, the reclining device 307, the rail device 308, and the cushion moving device 309), the lifting / lowering unit 330, and the rotating unit 340 based on signals from the operation unit 360 and the various sensors.

[0216] The operation unit 360 is, for example, an operation button, and is provided on the side surface of the support member 30Sa. The operation unit 360 may be, for example, a touch panel, and may be configured to allow the seated occupant to input operations and also function as a display device that displays information to the seated occupant. The operation unit 360 is used, for example, to input operations for the drive device, the lifting unit 330, and the rotating unit 340. Information input to the operation unit 360 is transmitted to the control unit 350.

[0217] The notification unit 370 notifies the seat occupant of predetermined information and is provided on the padding P3 of the seat cushion 301, the seat back 302, and the ottoman 305. Specifically, the notification unit 370 is a vibration device equipped with a vibration motor that applies a physical force to the seat occupant, and notifies the seat occupant of information by applying vibrations to the seat occupant. The notification unit 370 may be a light-emitting device such as a light that notifies the seat occupant of information by light, or may be a sound-emitting device that notifies the seat occupant of information by sound.

[0218] <Detailed Configuration of Ottoman 305> As shown in FIG. 22 , the main body 310 of the ottoman 305 extends from the front end of the seat cushion 301 and has a support surface 310A that supports the lower legs of a seated occupant. The main body 310 is moved between a stored state and a use state by a rotation device 306. Here, the stored state is a state in which the main body 310 hangs down from the front end of the seat cushion 301. The use state is a state in which the main body 310 supports the lower legs of a seated occupant. Specifically, it is a state in which the lower end of the main body 310 has been rotated from the stored state toward the front and upper side around an axis in the seat width direction. Note that the stored state may also be a state in which the main body 310 has been rotated further rearward from the hanging state. The support surface 310A is the upper surface of the main body 310 in the use state and supports the lower legs of a seated occupant from below.

[0219] 22 , footrest 320 is a portion that supports the soles of the feet of a seated person and is provided on main body 310. Footrest 320 is supported on main body 310 by lifting unit 330 so that it can be raised and lowered. Footrest 320 is also rotatably attached to main body 310 by rotating unit 340. Footrest 320 has a placing unit 321 on which the soles of the feet of a seated person are placed, an attachment unit 322 that is attached to main body 310, and a detection unit 323 that detects the soles of the feet of the seated person.

[0220] 20 and 22 , the placing portion 321 is a flat member, and its upper surface serves as a placing surface 321A on which the soles of the feet of a seated person are placed. The placing surface 321A is provided with a detection unit 323 and a notification unit 370. The attachment unit 322 is provided at the rear end of the placing portion 321, and is attached to the main body 310 via the lifting unit 330 and the rotating unit 340.

[0221] As shown in FIG. 22 , the detection unit 323 is a sheet-like pressure sensor that detects the pressure applied to the support surface 321A when the soles of the feet of a seated person are placed on the support surface 321A. Here, "pressure" refers to a value that periodically changes in response to the physiological activity of the seated person, specifically, breathing, when the soles of the feet of the seated person are placed on the support surface 321A, and is the target value detected by the pressure sensor. In other words, it corresponds to the "biological signal (biological information) of the seated person." Note that the detection unit 323 is a push-switch type sensor that turns on or off in response to the pressure applied to the support surface 321A, but is not limited to this. For example, the detection unit 323 may be a pulse wave sensor or a blood pressure sensor.

[0222] The footrest 320 is moved by the lifting unit 330 between a lowered position at the lower end (front end) of the main body 310 in the used state and a raised position at the upper end (rear end) of the main body 310 in the used state, which is closer to the seat cushion 301 than the lowered position. The footrest 320 is also moved by the pivoting unit 340 between a stored state in which it is folded behind the main body 310 and a used state in which it protrudes in an L-shape. Because the footrest 320 is folded behind the main body 310 by the pivoting unit 340 in the stored state, the ottoman 305 can be arranged compactly.

[0223] 22 , the lifting / lowering unit 330 is, for example, a known electric slide rail mechanism that lifts and lowers the footrest 320 along the extension direction of the main body 310. The lifting / lowering unit 330 is provided on both sides of the main body 310 in the seat width direction, extends along the extension direction of the main body 310, and includes guide portions 331 that guide the footrest 320, a support portion 332 that is slidably guided by the guide portions 331 and supports the footrest 320, a lead screw 333 that threadably engages with the support portion 332 and rotates to slide the support portion 332, a motor 334 that rotates the lead screw 333, and a locking member 335 that locks the footrest 320 at a predetermined position on the guide portion 331. The lifting / lowering unit 330 may be configured to lift and lower continuously by the electric slide rail mechanism, or may be configured to lift and lower in stages.

[0224] The guide portions 331 are, for example, a pair of lower rails provided in the seat width direction, and are fixed inside the main body portion 310 so that openings of the lower rails face opening grooves formed in the side surfaces of the main body portion 310. The guide portions 331 may also be fixed to the outer surface or rear surface of the main body portion 310. The support portions 332 are, for example, a pair of upper rails provided in the seat width direction, and are slidably fitted into the guide portions 331. The mounting portions 322 of the footrest 320 are attached to the support portions 332.

[0225] The lead screw 333 is a long screw member that extends along the extension direction of the main body 310, and is provided inside the guide portion 331. The lead screw 333 is threadedly engaged with the support portion 332, and is driven to rotate by the motor 334, thereby moving the support portion 332 along the extension direction of the main body 310.

[0226] The locking member 335 is a locking mechanism that locks the rotation of the lead screw 333, which rotates when the support portion 332 moves, at any position. The locking member 335 is provided at the rear end of the guide portion 331 and has a locking claw that engages with a locking groove provided in the lead screw 333. The rotation of the lead screw 333 is locked by engaging the locking claw with one of the multiple locking grooves. Locking the rotation of the lead screw 333 in this way restricts the movement of the support portion 332. Therefore, the locking member 335 can lock the footrest 320 at a predetermined position on the guide portion 331. The locking claw of the locking member 335 is driven by a driving source such as an actuator (not shown) to lock the rotation of the lead screw 333. Alternatively, the locking member 335 may be configured to lock the rotation of the lead screw 333 by having the seat occupant manually move the locking claw.

[0227] Furthermore, the locking claws of the locking member 335 are configured to engage with a plurality of locking grooves provided in the lead screw 333 to restrict the movement of the support part 332 in an almost stepless manner, but this is not limiting. For example, a latch member may be provided on the main body 310 and the support part 332 to lock the footrest 320 at a predetermined position in the guide part 331.

[0228] The lifting / lowering unit 330 raises and lowers the footrest 320 along the extension direction of the main body 310, with the support surface 310A and the placement surface 321A intersecting. Specifically, the lifting / lowering unit 330 moves the footrest 320 between a lowered position and an elevated position along the extension direction of the main body 310, with the placement surface 321A facing the seated occupant. Therefore, the seated occupant can adjust the position of the footrest 320 with the soles of their feet placed on the placement surface 321A.

[0229] 22 , when an occupant operates the operating unit 360 while seated on the seat cushion 301, the motor 334 is driven by the control unit 350, and the footrest 320 is raised and lowered with the support surface 310A and the placement surface 321A intersecting each other. In this way, the footrest 320 is raised and lowered so as to bend and straighten the knees of the occupant. Therefore, compared to when the ottoman 305 simply extends and retracts or when the footrest 320 simply rotates, the position of the seat body can be changed while supporting the occupant. This improves the comfort of the occupant when changing the position of the seat body.

[0230] In this embodiment, footrest 320 is raised and lowered with support surface 310A and placement surface 321A intersecting, but this is not limiting. For example, lifting unit 330 may move footrest 320 from the lowered position to the raised position while support surface 310A and placement surface 321A remain parallel, and at the raised position, pivoting unit 340 may cause support surface 310A and placement surface 321A to intersect.

[0231] 22 , the rotating unit 340 is an electric link mechanism that rotates the footrest 320 relative to the main body 310 so as to adjust the angle of the placement surface 321A relative to the support surface 310A. In other words, the rotating unit 340 rotates the attachment portion 322 relative to the support portion 332 when the footrest 320 is in the lowered position, the raised position, or a position between the lowered and raised positions. Note that when the footrest 320 is in the lowered position, the rotating unit 340 may rotate the footrest 320 rearward and store it under the main body 310.

[0232] The rotating part 340 is attached to the support part 332 and disposed inside the mounting part 322. The rotating part 340 is provided on the support part 332 and includes a drive motor 341 that rotates the footrest 320, and an angle restriction member 342 that restricts the angle of the placement surface 321A relative to the extension direction of the main body part 310.

[0233] The angle restriction member 342 is, for example, a latch member, and restricts the rotation of the footrest 320 by engaging a latch claw provided on the mounting portion 322 with a latch groove provided on the support portion 332. The latch claw of the angle restriction member 342 is driven by a driving source such as an actuator (not shown) to engage with the latch groove. Note that the angle restriction member 342 may be configured to restrict the rotation of the footrest 320 by having the seat occupant manually move the latch claw.

[0234] 22, when an occupant operates the operating unit 360 while seated on the seat cushion 301, the control unit 350 drives the drive motor 341, and the footrest 320 rotates so as to adjust the angle of the placement surface 321A relative to the support surface 310A. In this way, the footrest 320 rotates with the knees of the occupant bent and stretched, allowing the state of the seat body to be finely adjusted to suit the physique of the occupant.

[0235] <Regarding the state of the seat body> Next, the state of the seat body will be described with reference to Figures 23A to 23C. The seat body is switched by the drive device between a normal state (Figure 23A), a relaxed state (Figure 23B), and a fetal position state (Figure 23C). Note that the states of the seat body are merely examples, and the seat body may be changed to a state other than the relaxed state or the fetal position state. Furthermore, the predetermined parts that can be switched by the drive device are not limited to the seat cushion 301, seat back 302, and ottoman 305 described below.

[0236] 23A, the seat cushion 301 and the seat back 302 are in their normal positions, and the footrest 320 is in its lowered position. At this time, the tilting portion 301c and the movable portion 301d of the seat cushion 301 and the movable portion 302d of the seat back 302 are all in their normal positions.

[0237] In the relaxed state, as shown in Figure 23B, the seat cushion 301 is switched from the normal position to the up position by the cushion moving device 309. The seat back 302 is tilted backward from the normal position to the backward tilt position by the reclining device 307. The footrest 320 is switched from the lowered position to the raised position by the lifting unit 330. At this time, the tilting unit 301c and the movable unit 301d of the seat cushion 301 and the movable unit 302d of the seat back 302 are each switched from the normal positions to the protruding positions.

[0238] In the fetal position, as shown in Figure 23C, the seat cushion 301 is switched from the normal position to the up position by the cushion moving device 309. The seat back 302 is switched from the normal position to the bent position by the center-folding device 302c. The footrest 320 is switched from the lowered position to the raised position by the lifting unit 330. At this time, the tilting unit 301c and the movable unit 301d of the seat cushion 301 and the movable unit 302d of the seat back 302 are each switched from the normal positions to the protruding positions.

[0239] In this way, by changing the seat body to the fetal position, the occupant can assume the fetal position, providing the occupant with a sense of security similar to being in the womb. Furthermore, the movable portions 301d and 302d provided on the sides of the seat cushion 301 and the seat back 302 provide the occupant with a feeling of being embraced, thereby improving sitting comfort. In particular, when the vehicle seat S30 is a vehicle seat, the state of the seat body can be changed to allow the occupant to assume the fetal position while the vehicle is stopped, providing the occupant with a sense of security and reducing driving fatigue.

[0240] 24, the vehicle seat S30 includes a control unit 350 that controls the drive device, the lifting / lowering unit 330, and the rotating unit 340. The control unit 350 has a control circuit and is mainly composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that is a central processing unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like that serve as storage devices.

[0241] The CPU is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. That is, the CPU reads programs from the ROM or HDD and executes the programs using the RAM as a work area. The CPU controls each component and performs various arithmetic processing according to the programs stored in the ROM or HDD.

[0242] The ROM stores various programs and various data. The RAM temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The HDD may be a solid state drive (SSD) and stores various programs and various data, including the operating system.

[0243] <Functions of control unit 350> Next, functions of the control unit 350 will be described with reference to Fig. 24 and Fig. 25. The functional units of the control unit 350 are realized by the hardware devices (specifically, the CPU and memory) constituting the control unit 350 working in cooperation with the software devices (control circuits).

[0244] The control unit 350 has as its main functions an acquisition unit 351 that acquires information obtained from the detection unit 323, a determination unit 352 that determines whether to allow the operation of the lifting unit 330, an information notification unit 353 that notifies the seat occupant of information, a drive unit 354 that drives the drive device, the lifting unit 330, and the rotating unit 340, and a mode switching unit 355 that switches between modes (first mode, second mode, and third mode).

[0245] Here, the first mode is a mode in which the lifting / lowering unit 330, the rotating unit 340, and the drive device are each operated by input from the operation unit 360. For example, in the first mode, the drive unit 354 raises the lifting / lowering unit 330 in response to an operation input from the seated person on the footrest 320, and moves the footrest 320 from a lowered position to a raised position. In addition, the drive unit 354 drives the reclining device 307 in response to an operation input from the seated person, and moves the seat back 302 from the normal position to a backward tilted position.

[0246] The second mode is a mode in which the drive device operates in conjunction with the operation of the lifting / lowering unit 330 via input from the operating unit 360. Specifically, the second mode is a mode in which the seat body is moved from the normal position ( FIG. 23A ) to the reclined position ( FIG. 23B ) via an input from the seat occupant. For example, when the seat occupant operates the operating unit 360 to switch from the first mode to the second mode via the mode switching unit 355, the drive unit 354 drives the lifting / lowering unit 330 to move the footrest 320 from the lowered position to the raised position. The drive unit 354 also drives the reclining device 307 in conjunction with the raising of the footrest 320 to move the seat back 302 from the normal position to the backward tilted position. The drive unit 354 also drives the cushion moving device 309 to move the seat cushion 301 from the normal position to the up position. Then, the drive unit 354 drives the tilting unit 301c, the movable unit 301d, and the movable unit 302d to switch each air cell from the normal position to the protruding position.

[0247] The third mode is a mode in which the drive device operates in conjunction with the operation of the lifting / lowering unit 330 via input from the operating unit 360. Specifically, the third mode is a mode in which the seat body is moved from the normal position ( FIG. 23A ) to the fetal position ( FIG. 23C ) via an input from the seat occupant. For example, when the seat occupant operates the operating unit 360 to switch from the first mode to the third mode via the mode switching unit 355, the drive unit 354 drives the lifting / lowering unit 330 to move the footrest 320 from the lowered position to the raised position. The drive unit 354 also drives the folding device 302c in conjunction with the raising of the footrest 320 to move the seat back 302 from the normal position to the bent position. The drive unit 354 also drives the cushion moving device 309 to move the seat cushion 301 from the normal position to the raised position. Then, the drive unit 354 drives the tilting unit 301c, the movable unit 301d, and the movable unit 302d to switch each air cell from the normal position to the protruding position.

[0248] The footrest 320 may be configured to start operating when the mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode or the third mode, or may be configured to start operating when the seated person presses the start button after the mode is switched from the first mode to the second mode or the third mode. The footrest 320 may also be configured to switch from the second mode to the third mode, or from the third mode to the second mode.

[0249] (Acquisition unit 351) The acquisition unit 351 acquires the biometric information detected by the detection unit 323. Specifically, when the seated occupant inputs an operation to raise or lower the footrest 320, the acquisition unit 351 acquires, from the detection unit 323, a detection signal indicating that the soles of the feet of the seated occupant are placed on the support surface 321A.

[0250] The acquisition unit 351 may be configured to acquire identification information of the seat occupant. Here, the identification information is information for identifying the seat occupant (personal authentication), and may include, for example, the seat occupant's ID information, image information showing a face image or a fingerprint image, and voiceprint information. The acquisition unit 351 may acquire the identification information from, for example, biometric information of the seat occupant acquired from a wearable device, a mobile terminal carried by the seat occupant, a camera installed in the vehicle, or the like. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 351 may acquire the identification information by recording the seat occupant's voice using a microphone installed in the vehicle.

[0251] (Determination unit 352) The determination unit 352 determines whether or not to permit the lifting / lowering unit 330 to lift / lower the footrest 320. Specifically, when the seated occupant inputs an operation to lift / lower the footrest 320, the determination unit 352 determines whether the acquisition unit 351 has acquired a detection signal from the detection unit 323. When the soles of the seated occupant's feet are detected, the determination unit 352 permits the operation of the lifting / lowering unit 330. When the soles of the seated occupant's feet are not detected, the determination unit 352 restricts the operation of the lifting / lowering unit 330.

[0252] In the first mode, the determination unit 352 of the control unit 350 permits the operation of the lifting / lowering unit 330 when the detection unit 323 detects the soles of the occupant's feet. In this way, the footrest 320 is raised or lowered only when the soles of the occupant's feet are placed on the footrest 320, which prevents the occupant from unintentionally operating the lifting / lowering unit 330 when the occupant's soles are not placed on the footrest 320. Note that the determination unit 352 may also permit the operation of the lifting / lowering unit 330 in the second or third mode. Furthermore, the determination unit 352 does not necessarily have to be provided, and the lifting / lowering unit 330 may be operated in response to the occupant's operation even when the soles of the occupant's feet are not detected.

[0253] (Information notification unit 353) The information notification unit 353 notifies the seated occupant that the soles of the feet have not been detected by the notification unit 370. Specifically, when the determination unit 352 determines that the soles of the feet of the seated occupant have not been detected, the information notification unit 353 notifies the seated occupant that the soles of the feet have not been detected by applying vibrations to the seated occupant using the vibration device of the notification unit 370. Also, for example, when the determination unit 352 determines that the soles of the feet of the seated occupant have not been detected, the sound generation device of the notification unit 370 outputs a sound such as "Your feet are not placed on the footrest" or "Please place your feet on the footrest" from the speaker to notify the seated occupant that the soles of the feet have not been detected.

[0254] In the first mode, when the detection unit 323 does not detect the soles of the seated person's feet, the information notification unit 353 of the control unit 350 notifies the seated person that the soles of the feet have not been detected via the notification unit 370. In this way, the notification unit 370 can prompt the seated person to place the soles of the feet on the placement unit 321. Note that, even in the second or third mode, when the determination unit 352 allows the lifting / lowering unit 330 to operate, the information notification unit 353 may be configured to notify the seated person that the soles of the feet have not been detected. The notification unit 370 may also be a light or vibration device provided in the operation unit 360.

[0255] (Drive unit 354) The drive unit 354 drives the drive device, the lifting / lowering unit 330, and the rotating unit 340. Specifically, when the seated person inputs an operation to lift or lower the footrest 320, or when the seated person inputs an operation to change the state of the seat body, the drive unit 354 drives the drive device, the lifting / lowering unit 330, and the rotating unit 340. For example, when the seated person inputs an operation to lift or lower the footrest 320 and the determination unit 352 determines that the soles of the seated person's feet have been detected, the drive unit 354 operates the lifting / lowering unit 330 to move the footrest 320 from the lowered position to the raised position.

[0256] In the second and third modes, the drive unit 354 of the control unit 350 operates the drive devices in conjunction with the operation of the lifting unit 330. In this manner, the reclining device 307, cushion moving device 309, tilting unit 301c, movable unit 301d, center-folding device 302c, and movable unit 302d can be operated in conjunction with the operation of the footrest 320 to change the state of the seat body, thereby improving the comfort of the seated occupant. Furthermore, when the knees of the seated occupant are bent as the footrest 320 is raised, the tilting unit 301c supports the occupant's lower legs, thereby providing optimal support for the seated occupant. The drive devices operated by the drive unit 354 are not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the state of the seat body. For example, the drive unit 354 may operate the rotation device 306 or the height adjustment device in conjunction with the operation of the lifting unit 330 to change the state of the seat. Furthermore, the configuration is not limited to one in which the drive device operates in conjunction with the operation of the lifting / lowering section 330, but the drive device may be operated by the operation of the seated person, and the lifting / lowering section 330 may operate in conjunction with the operation of the drive device.

[0257] In the second and third modes, the amount of movement of each member of the seat body driven by the drive unit 354 is determined according to the physique of the seated occupant. The physique of the seated occupant may be detected, for example, by a sensor provided in the seat body or an in-vehicle camera. The amount of movement may also be determined in association with the identification information of the seated occupant. In this case, the amount of movement is determined based on the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit 351.

[0258] 23C , for example, in the third mode, the movable units 301d and 302d are moved to the protruding positions so as to envelop the seat occupant from the sides. At this time, the drive unit 354 may control the air cells of the movable units 301d and 302d at the protruding positions to expand and contract in accordance with the breathing rhythm of the seat occupant. In this way, the control unit 350 controls the movable units 301d and 302d so as to envelop the seat occupant when the seat occupant assumes the fetal position, thereby providing the seat occupant with an even greater sense of security, as if they were in the womb. The breathing rhythm of the seat occupant may be acquired from information obtained from a biosensor provided in the seat body or a wearable device.

[0259] In addition, for example, in the third mode, the control unit 350 may drive a shade device provided on the vehicle window to make it difficult to see the interior of the vehicle from outside the vehicle. Furthermore, the control unit 350 may dim the lighting device in the vehicle compartment to make it difficult to see the interior of the vehicle. In this way, the control unit 350 controls the vehicle compartment to be difficult to see from outside the vehicle when the seated person assumes the fetal position, thereby providing the seated person with an even greater sense of security, as if they were in the womb.

[0260] (Mode Switching Unit 355) The mode switching unit 355 switches between a first mode in which the lifting / lowering unit 330 and the drive device are operated, and a second mode or a third mode in which the drive device is operated in conjunction with the operation of the lifting / lowering unit 330. For example, when the first mode is selected and the operating unit 360 (e.g., a mode switching button) is operated by the seat occupant, the mode switching unit 355 switches from the first mode to the second mode or the third mode. Note that the mode may be switched to any one of the first mode, second mode, and third mode by input operation on a touch panel, voice, gesture, or the like.

[0261] The mode switching unit 355 of the control unit 350 switches between a first mode in which the lifting / lowering unit 330 and the drive device are operated by input from the operation unit 360, and a second mode and a third mode in which the drive device is operated in conjunction with the operation of the lifting / lowering unit 330 by input from the operation unit 360. In this way, in the first mode, the position of the footrest 320 and the state of the seat body can be freely changed by operation by the seated person. In addition, in the second mode, the state of the seat body can be changed simply by changing the position of the footrest 320, thereby improving convenience.

[0262] <Regarding Control of Footrest 320> Next, a description will be given of the flow of the control process of the footrest 320 executed by the control unit 350. As shown in Fig. 25 , the control process of the footrest 320 is executed in the first mode so that the seated person can adjust the position of the footrest 320.

[0263] Specifically, the control unit 350 determines whether there is an operation input for the footrest 320 via the operation unit 360 (step St301). If there is no operation input (step St301: No), the control process ends without taking any particular action, and the control unit 350 continues to accept the operation input for the footrest 320. If it is determined that there is an operation input (step St301: Yes), the control unit 350 determines whether the mode is the first mode (step St302). If it is determined that the mode is not the first mode (step St302: No), the control process ends.

[0264] If it is determined in step St302 that the mode is the first mode (step St302: Yes), it is determined whether the footrest 320 is in the unfolded state (step St303).If it is determined that the footrest 320 is not in the unfolded state (step St303: No), that is, if it is determined that the footrest 320 is in the stored state, the control unit 350 causes the rotation unit 340 to rotate the footrest 320 from the stored state to the unfolded state (step St304).

[0265] If it is determined in step St303 that the footrest 320 is in the unfolded state (step St303: Yes), the detection unit 323 determines whether the sole of the foot (the foot of the seated person) is placed on the placement portion 321 of the footrest 320 (step St305). If the sole of the foot is not placed (step St305: No), the notification unit 370 notifies the user that the sole of the foot is not placed (step St306). After the notification, the detection unit 323 again determines whether the sole of the foot is placed on the footrest 320. If it is determined in step St305 that the sole of the foot is placed (step St305: Yes), the operation of the lifting unit 330 is started in response to the operation input signal (step St307).

[0266] In step St306, the control unit 350 continues to notify the notification unit 370 until the sole of the foot is placed on the placement unit 321 of the footrest 320. At this time, the control unit 350 does not start the operation of the lifting / lowering unit 330 in step St307 until the detection unit 323 detects the sole of the foot. However, this is not limiting, and the control unit 350 may start the operation of the lifting / lowering unit 330 even when the detection unit 323 has not detected the sole of the foot.

[0267] Second Example A vehicle seat S32 according to a second example of the third embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 26. In the vehicle seat S32, a seat cushion 3101 is divided into a rear portion 3101a and a front portion 3101b in the front-rear direction of the seat. Descriptions of components that overlap with those of the vehicle seat S30 described above will be omitted.

[0268] The seat cushion 3101 has a tilting portion 3101c that tilts the front portion 3101b relative to the rear portion 3101a of the seat cushion 3101, a movable portion 3101d that is provided on the side portions of the rear portion 3101a and the front portion 3101b, and a support portion 3101e that is provided on the support member Sa3 and supports the front portion 3101b from below.

[0269] 26, the tilting portion 3101c is a device that rotatably connects the front portion 3101b to the rear portion 3101a and can lock the front portion 3101b. The tilting portion 3101c has a drive source, and by the driving force of the drive source, rotates the front portion 3101b upward relative to the rear portion 3101a, thereby bending the seat cushion 3101.

[0270] In this way, the seat cushion 3101 is bent in two parts, front and rear, in the front-rear direction of the seat, which increases the variation in the state of the seat body, thereby improving the degree of freedom of the seat occupant's posture.

[0271] <<Third Example>> A vehicle seat S33 according to a third example of the third embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 27. In the vehicle seat S33, the ottoman 3205 is structured so as to be divided into a first main body portion 3210a and a second main body portion 3210b in the seat front-rear direction. Descriptions of components that overlap with those of the vehicle seats S30 and S32 described above will be omitted.

[0272] The first body portion 3210a extends from the front end of the seat cushion 3201 and has a first support surface 3210A that supports the lower legs of a seated occupant. The second body portion 3210b is slidably attached to the first body portion 3210a and has a second support surface 3210B that supports the lower legs of a seated occupant.

[0273] The first main body portion 3210a has a slide portion 3211 that extends along the first main body portion 3210a and slides the second main body portion 3210b, and an actuator 3212 that operates the slide portion 3211. The second main body portion 3210b is attached to the slide portion 3211, and is driven by the actuator 3212 to move between an extended position at which it is most extended and a retracted position that is closer to the seat cushion 3201 than the extended position.

[0274] The footrest 3220 is provided on the second main body portion 3210b. The footrest 3220 is supported on the second main body portion 3210b by a lifting portion 3230 so that the footrest 3220 can move up and down. The footrest 3220 is also rotatably attached to the second main body portion 3210b by a rotating portion 3240.

[0275] In this way, the ottoman 3205 is divided into two parts, front and rear, in the seat fore-and-aft direction and can be extended and retracted, making it easier to fine-tune the position of the footrest 3220 according to the occupant's physique.

[0276] <<Fourth Example>> A vehicle seat S34 of a fourth example of the third embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 28. The vehicle seat S34 has a structure in which a part of an ottoman 3305 serves as a footrest 3320. Note that a description of the configuration that overlaps with the above-described vehicle seats S30 to S33 will be omitted.

[0277] The ottoman 3305 has a main body 3310 that has a gate-like shape when viewed from the front, a footrest 3320 that is stored in the inner space of the main body 3310, a lifting section 3330 that raises and lowers the footrest 3320 relative to the main body 3310, and a rotating section 3340 that rotates the footrest 3320 relative to the main body 3310.

[0278] In this way, the footrest 3320 is stored inside the main body 3310, so that the ottoman 3305 can be made smaller.

[0279] <<Fifth Example>> A vehicle seat S35 of a fifth example of the third embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 29A and 29B. In the vehicle seat S35, a footrest 3420 of an ottoman 3405 is divided into two in the seat width direction, into a first footrest 3420a and a second footrest 3420b. Note that descriptions of components that overlap with those of the vehicle seats S30 to S34 described above will be omitted.

[0280] The ottoman 3405 has a main body 3410, a first footrest 3420a provided on the right side in the seat width direction, a second footrest 3420b provided on the left side in the seat width direction, a first lifting section 3430a that raises and lowers the first footrest 3420a, and a second lifting section 3430b that raises and lowers the second footrest 3420b.

[0281] The first lifting / lowering section 3430a is provided at the right end of the main body 3410 in the seat width direction, extends along the extension direction of the main body 3410, and has a first guide section 3436a that guides the first footrest 3420a and a first rail 3437a that guides the first footrest 3420a. The second lifting / lowering section 3430b is provided at the left end of the main body 3410 in the seat width direction, extends along the extension direction of the main body 3410, and has a second guide section 3436b that guides the first footrest 3420a and a second rail 3437b that guides the second footrest 3420b. The first guide section 3436a and the second guide section 3436b are provided with the aforementioned driving sources such as the motor and lead screw. Note that the driving sources such as the motor and lead screw may be provided on the first rail 3437a and the second rail 3437b.

[0282] The first footrest 3420a and the second footrest 3420b each move between a lowered position at the lower end of the main body 3410 and a raised position at the upper end of the main body 3410. For example, the footrests 3420 are moved by the first lifting / lowering unit 3430a from a state in which the first footrest 3420a and the second footrest 3420b are both in the lowered position (FIG. 29A) to a state in which only the first footrest 3420a is in the raised position (FIG. 29B). At this time, as the first footrest 3420a is raised, the movable part 3401d of the seat cushion 3401 and the movable part 3402d of the seat back 3402 on the right side in the seat width direction may be operated. In addition, as the second footrest 3420b rises, the movable parts 3401d and 3402d on the left side in the corresponding seat width direction may be operated, or the movable parts 3401d and 3402d on both sides may be operated.

[0283] In this way, the first footrest 3420a and the second footrest 3420b can be independently moved, thereby increasing the variety of positions of the seat body. This improves the degree of freedom of the seat occupant's posture. Furthermore, the first rail 3437a and the second rail 3437b are provided in the center of the main body 3410 in the seat width direction, thereby improving the rigidity of the main body 3410. Furthermore, the movable parts 3401d and 3402d are moved to correspond to the first footrest 3420a and the second footrest 3420b, thereby providing optimal support for the seat occupant.

[0284] <<Sixth Example>> A vehicle seat apparatus S36 according to a sixth example of the third embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 30A to 31. The vehicle seat apparatus S36 includes a first vehicle seat S36a disposed at the rear of the vehicle, a second vehicle seat S36b disposed forward of the first vehicle seat S36a, and a footrest apparatus F3 provided on the second vehicle seat S36b. Note that a description of the configuration that overlaps with the vehicle seats S30 to S35 described above will be omitted.

[0285] 30A, the first vehicle seat S36a is mainly composed of a seat body having a seat cushion 3501, a seat back 3502, and an ottoman 3505 provided at the front end of the seat cushion 3501. The first vehicle seat S36a also includes a rotation device 3506 that rotates the ottoman 3505 relative to the seat cushion 3501, a reclining device 3507 that rotates the seat back 3502 relative to the seat cushion 3501, a rail device 3508 that supports the seat body movably in the front-rear direction relative to the vehicle floor, and a cushion moving device 3509 that raises and lowers the seat body relative to the vehicle floor.

[0286] 30A , the seat cushion 3501 has a tilting unit 3501c that tilts the front portion relative to the rear portion of the seat cushion 3501, and a movable unit 3501d provided on the side portion of the seat cushion 3501. The seat back 3502 has a center-folding device 3502c that bends the upper portion relative to the lower portion, and movable units 3502d provided on the upper and lower portions, respectively.

[0287] As shown in FIG. 30A, the ottoman 3505 extends from the front end of the seat cushion 3501 and has a main body 3510 having a support surface 3510A that supports the lower legs of a seated person.

[0288] 30A, the second vehicle seat S36b is mainly composed of a seat body having a seat cushion 3501 and a seat back 3502. The second vehicle seat S36b corresponds to a vehicle interior part.

[0289] As shown in Figure 31, the footrest device F3 is provided on the rear surface 3502A (the surface facing the first vehicle seat S36a) of the second vehicle seat S36b, and has a footrest 3520 having a support surface 3520A on which the soles of the feet of an occupant sitting in the first vehicle seat S36a are placed, and a lifting section 3530 that raises and lowers the support surface 3520A relative to the rear surface 3502A.

[0290] As shown in Figures 30A and 30B, the lifting / lowering unit 3530 is an electrically operated device that operates to protrude the seat back 3502 of the second vehicle seat S36b. The lifting / lowering unit 3530 is, for example, a movable body having air cells, and is provided on the pad material P3 of the seat back 3502 of the second vehicle seat S36b. The air cells of the lifting / lowering unit 3530 are filled with compressed air and expand toward the occupant (seat occupant), protruding from the normal position shown in Figure 30A to the protruding position shown in Figure 30B. The air cells of the lifting / lowering unit 3530 then contract and return to the normal position when the compressed air is discharged.

[0291] When the ottoman 3505 of the first vehicle seat S36a is rotated relative to the seat cushion 3501 by the rotation device 3506, the lifting unit 3530 raises and lowers the footrest 3520 along the extension direction of the main body 3510, with the support surface 3510A and the placement surface 3520A intersecting each other. The vehicle seat device S36 changes from the normal state shown in Fig. 30A to the fetal position state shown in Fig. 30B in response to the operation of the seat occupant.

[0292] Specifically, the seat cushion 3501 of the first vehicle seat S36a is switched from the normal position to the up position by the cushion moving device 3509. The seat back 3502 is switched from the normal position to the bent position by the center-folding device 3502c. The footrest 3520 is switched from the lowered position to the raised position by the lifting / lowering unit 3530. At this time, the tilting unit 3501c, the movable unit 3501d, and the movable unit 3502d are each switched from the normal position to the protruding position. Note that the footrest 3520 may be raised or lowered when switching from the normal state to the relaxed state, or when switching from the relaxed state to the fetal position.

[0293] In this way, the vehicle seat device S36 can raise and lower the footrest 3520 along the extension direction of the main body 3510 when the ottoman 3505 is rotated, so that the position where the soles of the feet are placed can be adjusted to suit the physique of the seated person.

[0294] In the sixth embodiment, the vehicle interior part is the second vehicle seat S36b, but the vehicle interior part to which the footrest device F3 is provided may be a part other than a vehicle seat, such as a lower portion of an instrument panel or a vehicle floor.

[0295] The manufacturing method of the vehicle seat S30 described above is as follows. a footrest provided on the main body and having a placement surface on which the soles of the feet of the seat occupant are placed; and a lifting / lowering unit that raises and lowers the footrest relative to the main body; and the ottoman placement step includes the steps of attaching the main body to the seat cushion, attaching the lifting / lowering unit to the main body, and attaching the footrest to the main body via the lifting / lowering unit; and the lifting / lowering unit raises and lowers the footrest along the extension direction of the main body, with the support surface intersecting with the placement surface.

[0296] The manufacturing method of the vehicle seat device S36 described above is as follows: A manufacturing method of a vehicle seat device including a vehicle seat and a footrest device provided in a vehicle interior part that is arranged forward of the vehicle seat, the manufacturing method including a vehicle seat arrangement step of arranging the vehicle seat behind the vehicle interior part, and a footrest arrangement step of arranging the footrest device in the vehicle interior part, the vehicle seat including a seat cushion, a seat back, an ottoman provided at a front end of the seat cushion, and a turning device that turns the ottoman relative to the seat cushion, the vehicle seat arrangement step including a step of placing the seat back on the seat cushion, a step of placing the turning device at the front end of the seat cushion, and a step of placing the ottoman on the seat cushion via the turning device, the ottoman having a main body portion that extends from the front end of the seat cushion and has a support surface that supports the lower legs of a seated occupant, The footrest device includes a footrest provided on the vehicle seat side surface of the vehicle interior part and having a support surface on which the soles of the feet of an occupant seated on the vehicle seat are placed, and a lifting unit that raises and lowers the support surface relative to the vehicle seat side surface, and the footrest placement process includes a step of attaching the lifting unit to the vehicle seat side surface of the vehicle interior part, and a step of attaching the footrest to the vehicle interior part via the lifting unit, and when the ottoman is rotated relative to the seat cushion by the rotating device, the lifting unit raises and lowers the footrest along the extension direction of the main body with the support surface and the support surface intersecting.

[0297] In the above embodiment, a vehicle seat used in an automobile was described as a specific example, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be used for various types of seats such as two-wheeled vehicle seats, vehicle seats for trains and buses, vehicle seats for airplanes and ships, as well as office chairs for work, wheelchairs, and child seats in shopping carts.

[0298] In this embodiment, the vehicle seat according to the present invention has been mainly described. However, the above embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and of course, the present invention also includes equivalents thereof.

[0299] <<<Fourth Embodiment>>> A vehicle seat apparatus according to a fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0300] TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a vehicle interior system, and more particularly to a vehicle interior system having an interior member with an electrically operated device.

[0301] [Background Art] Conventionally, in order to suppress motion sickness, it is known to change the operation of an electric device provided in a vehicle seat according to the traveling direction and acceleration of the vehicle. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-115553 discloses a system in which a car navigation device detects the traveling direction of the vehicle, and operates a plurality of actuators (vibrators) provided in the seat back so that the position to provide a tactile sensation moves in accordance with the detected traveling direction.

[0302] [Summary of the invention] [Problem to be solved by the invention] However, in the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1, the driver is only notified from behind by the operation of an actuator provided on the seat back, which makes it difficult to intuitively sense the direction in which the vehicle is traveling.

[0303] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle interior system that allows occupants to intuitively sense the direction in which the vehicle is traveling.

[0304] [Means for solving the problem] The above problem is solved by the vehicle interior system of the present invention, which includes an interior member provided to a vehicle, an electric device provided to the interior member, a cushion body that can be held by an occupant, a movable part provided to the cushion body, a control unit that communicates with and controls the electric device and the movable part, and a traveling direction acquisition unit that is connected to the control unit and acquires the traveling direction of the vehicle, wherein the control unit operates the electric device of the interior member and the movable part of the cushion body in conjunction with each other based on the traveling direction of the vehicle acquired by the traveling direction acquisition unit.

[0305] The control unit operates the movable part of the cushion body and the electric device in conjunction with each other based on the direction of travel of the vehicle, allowing the occupant to intuitively sense the direction of travel of the vehicle from two directions (for example, the chest and back), thereby providing an interior system for a vehicle that can, for example, suppress motion sickness.

[0306] In the above configuration, the movable unit and the electric device may each be configured as a vibrator, and the control unit may operate the movable unit and the electric device in conjunction with each other based on the traveling direction of the vehicle acquired by the traveling direction acquisition unit. By notifying the passenger of the traveling direction using the vibrator, the passenger can intuitively sense the traveling direction by touch, thereby reducing, for example, motion sickness.

[0307] In the above configuration, the traveling direction acquisition unit may acquire acceleration when the vehicle travels leftward or rightward, and the control unit may change the vibration behavior of the vibrators provided on the movable unit and the electric device based on the acceleration acquired by the traveling direction acquisition unit. Changing the vibration behavior of the vibrators based on the traveling direction and acceleration can encourage occupants to change their posture, thereby improving the effectiveness of suppressing motion sickness.

[0308] In the above configuration, the movable part and the electric device may be composed of a plurality of the vibrating bodies arranged side by side, and when the traveling direction acquisition unit acquires information indicating traveling to the right, the control unit may perform a right-direction notification operation to notify the occupant that the vehicle is moving to the right by vibrating the vibrating bodies located on the left side to the right of the occupant, in sequence, and when the traveling direction acquisition unit acquires information indicating traveling to the left, the control unit may perform a left-direction notification operation to notify the occupant that the vehicle is moving to the left by vibrating the vibrating bodies located on the right side to the left of the occupant, in sequence. By notifying the occupant of the traveling direction by vibrating the vibrating bodies in sequence, the occupant can intuitively sense the traveling direction using their sense of touch, and motion sickness can be reduced.

[0309] In the above configuration, the movable part and the electric device may be configured as inflatable and deflate bags, and the control unit may operate the movable part and the electric device in conjunction with each other based on the traveling direction of the vehicle acquired by the traveling direction acquisition unit. By configuring the movable part and the electric device as bags, it is possible to encourage the occupant to change their posture in relation to the traveling direction by deforming the interior member and the cushion body, thereby suppressing motion sickness.

[0310] In the above configuration, the traveling direction acquisition unit may acquire acceleration when the vehicle travels leftward or rightward, and the control unit may change the inflation and deflation operations of the bags provided on the movable unit and the electric device, respectively, based on the acceleration acquired by the traveling direction acquisition unit. Changing the inflation and deflation operations of the bags based on the traveling direction and acceleration can encourage the occupant to change their posture, thereby improving the effectiveness of suppressing motion sickness.

[0311] In the above configuration, when the traveling direction acquisition unit acquires the traveling direction to the left, the control unit may perform a leftward posture change operation in which the bag of the cushion body changes the shape of the cushion body and the bag of the electric device changes the shape of the interior member so that the occupant assumes a leftward posture, and when the traveling direction acquisition unit acquires the traveling direction to the right, the control unit may perform a rightward posture change operation in which the bag of the cushion body changes the shape of the cushion body and the bag of the electric device changes the shape of the interior member so that the occupant assumes a rightward posture. Changing the shapes of the cushion body and the interior member based on the traveling direction can thereby change the posture of the occupant, thereby making it possible to suppress motion sickness in the occupant, for example.

[0312] In the above configuration, the vehicle may further include a posture detection unit that detects the posture of the occupant, and the control unit may change the operation of the movable unit of the cushion body and the operation of the electric device of the interior member based on the posture information of the occupant acquired by the posture detection unit. By changing the operation of the movable unit and the electric device based on the posture information of the occupant, it is possible to, for example, prevent excessive acceleration of posture changes, thereby improving the effect of suppressing motion sickness.

[0313] In the above configuration, the cushion body may be provided so as to be attachable to and detachable from a part of the interior member, and the control unit may not operate the cushion body in conjunction with the interior member when the cushion body is attached to the interior member. By not operating the cushion body in conjunction with the interior member when the cushion body is attached to the interior member, unnecessary energy consumption can be reduced.

[0314] The above configuration may further include an external information acquisition unit that acquires information about the surroundings of the vehicle, and a collision prediction unit that predicts a collision of the vehicle and a predicted collision direction based on the information acquired from the external information acquisition unit, and when the collision prediction unit predicts a collision of the vehicle, the control unit may operate the electric device of the interior member and the movable part of the cushion body based on the predicted collision direction predicted by the collision prediction unit, and notify the occupant of the predicted collision direction. By operating the electric device of the interior member and the movable part of the cushion body based on the predicted collision direction and thereby notifying the occupant of the predicted collision direction of the vehicle, the occupant can more intuitively sense the collision direction, and can take more appropriate action in response to the collision.

[0315] In the above configuration, the interior member may be a vehicle seat on which the occupant sits and a door member adjacent to the vehicle seat. By the interior member being a vehicle seat on which the occupant sits and a door member adjacent to the vehicle seat, it is possible to easily notify the occupant and allow them to change their posture.

[0316] [Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, a control unit operates the movable portion of the cushion body and the electric device of the interior member in conjunction with each other based on the vehicle's traveling direction, thereby allowing occupants to intuitively sense the vehicle's traveling direction from two directions, thereby providing a vehicle interior system that can, for example, reduce motion sickness. Furthermore, by notifying the occupant of the traveling direction using a vibrator, the occupant can intuitively sense the traveling direction through their sense of touch, thereby reducing motion sickness, for example. Furthermore, by changing the vibration behavior of the vibrator based on the traveling direction and acceleration, the occupant can be encouraged to change their posture, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of reducing motion sickness. Furthermore, by notifying the occupant of the traveling direction by vibrating the vibrator in sequence, the occupant can intuitively sense the traveling direction through their sense of touch, thereby reducing motion sickness. Furthermore, by configuring the movable portion and the electric device as a bag body, the interior member and the cushion body can be deformed to encourage the occupant to change their posture relative to the traveling direction, thereby reducing motion sickness. Furthermore, by changing the inflation / deflation behavior of the bag body based on the traveling direction and acceleration, the occupant can be encouraged to change their posture, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of reducing motion sickness. Furthermore, by changing the shape of the cushion and the interior member based on the direction of travel, the occupant's posture is changed, thereby, for example, reducing motion sickness in the occupant. Furthermore, by changing the operation of the movable part and the electric device based on the occupant's posture information, for example, excessive acceleration of posture changes is suppressed, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of reducing motion sickness. Furthermore, when the cushion is attached to an interior member, unnecessary energy consumption can be reduced by not operating the cushion in conjunction with the interior member. Furthermore, by operating the electric device of the interior member and the movable part of the cushion based on the predicted collision direction, the occupant is notified of the predicted collision direction of the vehicle, making it easier for the occupant to intuitively sense the collision direction and take more appropriate action in response to the collision. Furthermore, by the interior member being a vehicle seat on which the occupant sits or a door member adjacent to the vehicle seat, the occupant can be easily notified and their posture can be easily changed.

[0317] [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] The configuration of a vehicle interior system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof. Furthermore, in the following description, the details regarding the materials, shapes, and sizes of the components constituting the vehicle interior system are merely examples and do not limit the present invention.

[0318] In the following, a vehicle interior system 4100 equipped with a vehicle seat S40 mounted on a vehicle V4 (vehicle) will be cited as an example of a vehicle interior system, and an example of its configuration will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to vehicle interior systems mounted on ground-traveling vehicles having wheels such as automobiles and railroad cars, and may also be a vehicle interior system mounted on aircraft, ships, and other vehicles that move other than on land.

[0319] In the following description, the "front-rear direction" refers to the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat S40 of the vehicle interior system 4100, which is the direction that coincides with the direction of travel when the vehicle is traveling. The "seat width direction" refers to the width direction of the vehicle seat S40, which is the direction that coincides with the left-right direction as seen by an occupant seated in the vehicle seat S40. The "up-down direction" refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle seat S40, which is the direction that coincides with the vertical direction when the vehicle is traveling on a horizontal plane. The term "outside" simply refers to the side closer to the outside in the direction from the center of the vehicle seat S40 to the outside, and the term "inside" refers to the side closer to the center in the direction from the outside to the center of the vehicle seat S40. In the following description, when various directions are described with the word "seat" added, such as "seat width direction" and "seat height direction," they refer to directions relative to the vehicle seat S40, while when "vehicle interior" or "vehicle exterior" is described with the word "vehicle" added, they refer to directions relative to the vehicle. In addition, the shape, position, posture, etc. of each part of the vehicle seat S40 that constitutes the vehicle interior system 4100 described below will be explained assuming that the vehicle seat S40 is in a seated position, unless otherwise specified.

[0320] <<First Example>> <Configuration of Vehicle Interior System 4100> The configuration of a vehicle interior system 4100, which is a first example of the fourth embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS. 32 to 35. FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing the exterior of the vehicle interior system 4100, and FIG. 33 is a front view of the vehicle interior system 4100, showing a state in which an occupant H4 is holding a cushion Cs4. FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle interior system 4100. FIG. 35 is a flow chart showing a process for notifying an occupant of a traveling direction using the vehicle interior system 4100. Note that for convenience of illustration, a portion of the vehicle seat S40 in FIG. 32 is shown with the cover Tr4 removed.

[0321] The vehicle interior system 4100 is a system mounted on a vehicle V4, and includes a vehicle seat S40 provided in the vehicle V4, an electric device 405 provided in the vehicle seat S40, a cushion Cs4 capable of supporting an occupant H4 seated in the vehicle seat S40, a movable portion 422 provided in the cushion Cs4, a seat control unit 410 that communicates with the electric device 405 and the movable portion 422 and controls the electric device 405 and the movable portion 422, and a traveling direction acquisition unit 412 that acquires the traveling direction of the vehicle V4. The seat control unit 410 is connected to the traveling direction acquisition unit 412. The seat control unit 410 is configured to operate the electric device 405 and the movable portion 422 of the cushion Cs4 in conjunction with each other based on the traveling direction of the vehicle V4 acquired by the traveling direction acquisition unit 412.

[0322] <Vehicle seat S40> The vehicle seat S40 is placed on the floor of the vehicle V4 and is a seat in which an occupant H4 sits. In this embodiment, the vehicle seat S40 is used as a front seat corresponding to the front seat of the vehicle V4. However, the vehicle seat S40 is not limited to this, and can also be used as a rear seat, and in a vehicle with three rows of seats in the front-to-rear direction, can also be used as a middle seat in the second row or a rear seat in the third row.

[0323] 32 and 33 , the vehicle seat S40 includes a seat cushion 401 that supports the buttocks and thighs of an occupant H4, a seat back 402 that supports the back of the occupant H4, and a headrest 403 that supports the head of the occupant H4. The vehicle seat S40 also includes an ottoman 404 that supports the legs of the occupant H4 at the front end of the seat cushion 401. The seat cushion 401, seat back 402, headrest 403, and ottoman 404 may be collectively referred to as a seat main body Sh4. The seat cushion 401, seat back 402, headrest 403, and ottoman 404 are each made up of a frame (not shown) that serves as a framework, a pad P4 attached to the frame, and a cover Tr4 that covers the pad P4.

[0324] <Reclining device 407> The seat cushion 401 and the seat back 402 are connected to sandwich the reclining device 407. The reclining device 407 allows the seat back 402 to rotate relative to the seat cushion 401, and the reclining angle thereof is adjustable. The reclining device 407 is an electric device equipped with an actuator (not shown) and the like, and controls the reclining angle (reclining angle) of the seat back 402 relative to the seat cushion 401 based on a control signal from the seat control unit 410.

[0325] <Slide Rail Device 408> A slide rail device 408 is provided below the seat cushion 401 of the vehicle seat S40. The slide rail device 408 attaches the vehicle seat S40 to the vehicle floor in a state in which the seat body Sh4 is slidable in the fore-and-aft direction. The slide rail device 408 is composed of a lower rail 408a fixed to the floor surface of the vehicle V4 and an upper rail 408b that is slidable relative to the lower rail 408a. The slide rail device 408 is an electric device that includes an actuator (not shown) and the like. By operating the actuator based on a control signal from the seat control unit 410, the seat body Sh4 can be slid in the fore-and-aft direction, thereby automatically changing the position of the seat body Sh4.

[0326] <Height Adjustment Device 409> The vehicle seat S40 is provided with a height adjustment device 409 between the seat body Sh4 and the slide rail device 408. The height adjustment device 409 can change the position of the seat body Sh4 from the floor of the vehicle V4 in the up-down direction. The height adjustment device 409 is an electric device including an actuator (not shown) and the like, and can automatically change the height of the seat body Sh4 by operating the actuator based on a control signal from the seat control unit 410. Note that the vehicle seat S40 may also be provided with a rotation device between the seat body Sh4 and the height adjustment device 409 that rotates the seat body Sh4 around an axis extending perpendicular to the floor. If a rotation device is provided, when the orientation of the vehicle seat S40 is changed, the operation of the electric device 405 of the vehicle seat S40 and the movable portion 422 of the cushion Cs4 (described below) may be changed to match the orientation.

[0327] The vehicle seat S40 may also be provided with a tilt device that raises and lowers the front end of the seat cushion 401 to tilt the seat cushion 401, a center-folding device that tilts the upper part of the seat back 402 forward and backward to fold the seat back, and an armrest device that is configured to automatically rotate, extend, and retract. The vehicle V4 may also be provided with a device that raises and lowers the window W4 provided in the door D4 and a device that moves the center console (not shown) forward and backward. The vehicle seat S40 may also be provided with a monitor on the back of the seat back 402 and a tilting device that tilts the monitor.

[0328] <Seat vibrating body 451> As shown in Fig. 32, a plurality of seat vibrating bodies 451 are provided on the seating surface of the seat back 402 of the vehicle seat S40. The plurality of seat vibrating bodies 451 are arranged in a substantially V-shape when viewed from the front of the seat. The seat vibrating body 451 located on the right side in the seat width direction is referred to as the seat right side vibrating body 451a, and the seat vibrating body 451 located on the left side is referred to as the seat left side vibrating body 451b, and when there is no particular need to distinguish between them, they will be referred to as the seat vibrating body 451.

[0329] The seat vibrator 451 is composed of, for example, an eccentric motor that emits vibrations and a harness, and functions as a notification means by generating vibrations that can be sensed by the seated occupant H4. The seat vibrator 451 may be realized by a linear vibration motor. The seat vibrator 451 has a plurality of vibration patterns using vibration intensity, frequency, or vibration time as parameters, and can provide a variety of notifications to the occupant H4. Each seat vibrator 451 is connected to the seat control unit 410 and is configured to generate vibrations based on a control signal from the seat control unit 410.

[0330] <Posture Detection Unit 416> The vehicle interior system 4100 includes a posture detection unit 416 that detects the posture of the occupant H4. The posture detection unit 416 is connected to the seat control unit 410, and the seat control unit 410 determines the posture of the occupant H4 based on information received from the posture detection unit 416. Examples of the posture detection unit 416 include a seat sensor 416a provided in the vehicle seat S40 and an in-vehicle camera 416b that captures images of the interior of the vehicle. The seat sensor 416a is composed of, for example, a pressure sensor and an electromagnetic wave sensor. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 32 , multiple seat sensors 416a, which are the posture detection unit 416, are arranged on the seating surfaces of the seat cushion 401 and the seat back 402 of the vehicle seat S40. If the seat sensor 416a is a pressure sensor, it detects the distribution of the sinking of the occupant H4 in the seat cushion 401 and the seat back 402. The seat control unit 410 estimates the seating state of the occupant H4 based on the detection result. Furthermore, an in-vehicle camera 416b that captures images of the interior of the vehicle V4 may be provided on the ceiling of the vehicle V4 as the posture detection unit 416. The in-vehicle camera 416b is connected to the seat control unit 410, and the seat control unit 410 detects the angle of the head and trunk of the occupant H4 based on image information captured by the in-vehicle camera 416b to determine the posture of the occupant H4.

[0331] <Side supports 401a, 402a> Side supports 401a, 402a that support the seated occupant H4 from the sides are provided on the sides of the seat cushion 401 and the seat back 402 of the vehicle seat S40. The side supports 401a, 402a are electrically driven devices 405 controlled by the seat control unit 410, and by moving forward or upward, the side supports 401a, 402a hold the occupant H4 from the sides, restricting movement of the occupant H4 in the left-right direction (seat width direction) and encouraging a change in posture.

[0332] The side support 401a of the seat cushion 401 rotates up and down by an actuator (not shown) provided in the seat cushion 401. The side support 402a of the seat back 402 rotates back and forth by an actuator (not shown) provided in the seat back 402. The side supports 401a, 402a are connected to a seat control unit 410 and are configured to operate based on control signals from the seat control unit 410.

[0333] Note that the side supports 401a, 402a, in which the sides of the vehicle seat S40 are rotated by an actuator, are one example, and the side supports 401a, 402a may also be configured to support the occupant H4 from the side by inflating air cells provided within the bank portion of the vehicle seat S40.

[0334] <Seat Control Unit 410> The seat control unit 410 is a device also called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit). It incorporates a control circuit for controlling the seat vibrator 451 and other components. The seat control unit 410 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a data calculation and control processing device, and a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) as storage devices. The seat control unit 410 also includes a communication interface for receiving information and signals from the electric device 405 and transmitting operation signals. The components are interconnected via a bus for mutual communication. The seat control unit 410 may be provided within the vehicle seat S40, for example, below the seat cushion 401, inside the seat back 402, or inside the headrest 403. Alternatively, the seat control unit 410 may be provided as an external device to the vehicle seat S40. The seat control unit 410 may be a control device for an advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS).

[0335] The seat control unit 410 also includes a communication device 411. The communication device 411 is a device for wireless communication with devices that are not connected by a cable or the like, such as a cushion Cs4 (described later) or a mobile terminal carried by the occupant H4. The communication device 411 includes a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) unit or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) unit, and is capable of wireless communication using radio waves conforming to the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) standards.

[0336] <Traveling Direction Acquisition Unit 412> As described above, the vehicle interior system 4100 includes a travelling direction acquisition unit 412 that acquires the travelling direction of the vehicle V4. The travelling direction acquisition unit 412 may acquire not only the travelling direction of the vehicle V4 but also the acceleration when the vehicle V4 travels leftward or rightward. The travelling direction of the vehicle V4 can be obtained from, for example, a steering angular velocity based on a steering angle, accelerator, and brake sensor. Furthermore, the magnitude and direction of the acceleration of the vehicle V4 can be obtained from, for example, a yaw rate sensor or a roll rate sensor that detects the roll angular velocity of the vehicle body.

[0337] The traveling direction acquisition unit 412 may calculate the traveling direction and acceleration by acquiring map information and the position of the vehicle from, for example, a car navigation system equipped with a GPS device. Alternatively, the traveling direction may be predicted based on a destination set in the car navigation system and a route to the destination. The traveling direction acquisition unit 412 may be disposed below the seat cushion 401, inside the seat back 402, or inside the headrest 403. Alternatively, the traveling direction acquisition unit 412 may be disposed inside the cushion Cs4.

[0338] <Cushion Cs4> As described above, the vehicle interior system 4100 includes the cushion Cs4 that can be held by the occupant H4. The cushion Cs4 is configured as a cushion or stuffed toy that the occupant H4 can hug, and is provided separately from the vehicle seat S40. The cushion Cs4 is configured, for example, by covering a urethane pad P4 or sponge with a cover Tr4. Note that, in this embodiment, the cushion Cs4 is formed as a circular cushion-like cushion, but this is only an example, and the cushion Cs4 may have a shape that resembles a character such as an animal or a person. The cushion Cs4 may also be a wearable device worn by the occupant H4, such as a smartwatch, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or a controller. The cushion Cs4 may also be held or worn by the occupant, such as a wristwatch or gloves. It is desirable for the cushion Cs4 to be a huggable cushion so that the occupant H4 can more intuitively sense the direction of travel, etc. The cushion Cs4 may also be provided with a pocket into which the occupant H4 can insert his or her hands when holding the cushion Cs4.

[0339] The cushion Cs4 has a plurality of movable parts 422. In this embodiment, the movable parts 422 are constituted by a plurality of cushion vibrators 423. Like the seat vibrator 451 provided on the seat back 402, the cushion vibrator 423 is constituted by an eccentric motor that emits vibrations and a harness, and can generate vibrations that can be sensed by the occupant H4 when the occupant H4 embraces the cushion Cs4. The cushion vibrator 423 may be constituted by a linear vibration motor.

[0340] 32 and 33, the cushion vibrators 423 are arranged in a generally V-shape when viewed from the front. The cushion vibrators 423 are arranged on the back surface of the cushion Cs4, i.e., on the surface that faces the occupant H4 when the occupant H4 embraces the cushion Cs4. When embraced, the cushion vibrators 423 are preferably arranged to face the seat vibrators 451 provided on the seat back 402.

[0341] For example, by simultaneously vibrating the seat vibrator 451 and the cushion vibrator 423 located in opposing positions, information such as the direction of travel can be notified to the occupant H4 from the chest and back, allowing the occupant H4 to more intuitively sense the direction of travel. As shown in Fig. 33 , the cushion vibrator 423 located on the right side of the cushion Cs4 held by the occupant H4 is referred to as the cushion right vibrator 423a, and the cushion vibrator 423 located on the left side is referred to as the cushion left vibrator 423b.

[0342] The cushion Cs4 is provided with a cushion control unit 420 that directly controls a cushion vibration unit 423 that is a movable unit 422. Also, a communication device 421 for communicating with the seat control unit 410 is provided.

[0343] The cushion control unit 420 is a control device that is connected to movable parts 422 such as the cushion vibrator 423 and that directly controls the movable parts 422. Similar to the seat control unit 410, the cushion control unit 420 includes a CPU, memory, and an input / output interface, and is connected to a communication device 421. A control circuit that controls the movable parts 422 such as the cushion vibrator 423 and the communication device 421 is incorporated in the cushion control unit 420.

[0344] The communication device 421 is provided with a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) unit, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) unit, or the like. The cushion body Cs4 can operate in cooperation with an electric device 405, such as a seat vibrator 451, provided in the vehicle seat S40, by transmitting and receiving signals to and from the seat control unit 410 via wireless communication via the communication device 421. The cushion body Cs4 may be connected to the seat control unit 410 via a cable or the like. In this case, the seat control unit 410 may directly control the movable unit 422.

[0345] Although not shown, the cushion Cs4 is provided with a touch sensor for starting or stopping the operation of the cushion vibrator 423 (movable portion 422). The touch sensor is, for example, a capacitance-type touch switch, and is configured to function as a switch when a signal equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is input. For example, when the touch sensor is stroked, it determines that an input has been made in a predetermined direction, and starts or stops the operation of the movable portion 422. Instead of a touch sensor, a button switch or a slide switch may be provided on the cushion Cs4. The cushion Cs4 may also be configured to automatically start operating when it is held by the occupant H4 or when it is removed from the cushion storage portion 415.

[0346] When not in use by the occupant H4, the cushion Cs4 may be attached to another interior member. For example, as shown in FIG. 32 , the cushion Cs4 may be stored in a cushion storage section 415 provided in the door D4 (an interior member) of the vehicle V4. The cushion Cs4 may also be stored on the back of the vehicle seat S40, or on the floor or ceiling of the vehicle V4. When stored, the movable portion 422 of the cushion Cs4 is prevented from operating in conjunction with the electric device 405 of the vehicle seat S40. By preventing the movable portion 422 of the cushion Cs4 from operating in conjunction with the electric device 405 of the vehicle seat S40, unnecessary energy consumption can be reduced.

[0347] The cushion Cs4 is also configured to be powered by a built-in battery BT4. The battery BT4 can be charged from a power supply 415a provided in the cushion storage section 415 of the door D4. The power supply can be wired or wireless. If power is supplied wirelessly, the built-in battery BT4 can be charged simply by placing the cushion Cs4 in the cushion storage section 415, which is convenient.

[0348] The process of notifying occupant H4 of the vehicle's traveling direction using the vehicle interior system 4100 will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. 35 . It is assumed that the vehicle V4 is moving and the occupant H4 is seated in the vehicle seat S40. In this embodiment, the seat control unit 410 controls the electric device 405 and the movable unit 422. However, the cushion control unit 420 provided in the cushion Cs4 may control them. Alternatively, the seat control unit 410 and the cushion control unit 420 may cooperate to control the electric device 405 and the movable unit 422. In this embodiment, the electric device 405 and the movable unit 422 are configured as vibrators. However, as shown in the following embodiments, the electric device 405 and the movable unit 422 may be configured as air cells.

[0349] First, the seat control unit 410 determines whether the occupant H4 is holding the cushion Cs4 (step S4101). Whether the occupant H4 is holding the cushion Cs4 is determined, for example, by a touch sensor on the cushion Cs4. If the seat control unit 410 determines that the occupant H4 is holding the cushion Cs4 (Yes in step S4101), the seat control unit 410 operates the electric device 405 of the vehicle seat S40 and the movable portion 422 of the cushion Cs4 in conjunction with each other. If the seat control unit 410 determines that the occupant H4 is not holding the cushion Cs4 (No in step S4101), the seat control unit 410 notifies the vehicle V4 of the traveling direction using only the electric device 405 of the vehicle seat S40 (step S4102).

[0350] Next, the seat control unit 410 acquires information on the traveling direction and acceleration of the vehicle V4 using the traveling direction acquisition unit 412 (step S4103). Upon acquiring the traveling direction of the vehicle V4, the seat control unit 410 operates the electric device 405 and the movable part 422 of the cushion Cs4 in a coordinated manner based on the acquired traveling direction (step S4104). That is, the seat vibrator 451 disposed on the seat back 402 and the cushion vibrator 423 of the cushion Cs4 are vibrated in accordance with the traveling direction of the vehicle V4. When operating in a coordinated manner, it is preferable that a character be displayed on a monitor (display unit) provided in the vehicle cabin, and that the action of the displayed character be coordinated with the vibration operation.

[0351] When the travel direction acquisition unit 412 acquires travel in the left direction, the seat control unit 410 performs a left direction notification operation to notify that the vehicle V4 is moving in the left direction by vibrating the seat vibrator 451 and the cushion vibrator 423 in coordination.

[0352] To give a specific example, when the traveling direction acquisition unit 412 acquires information indicating that the vehicle V4 is traveling leftward, the seat control unit 410 vibrates the left seat vibrator 451b, which is located on the left side of the seat vibrators 451 of the seat back 402. At the same time, the seat control unit 410 vibrates the left cushion vibrator 423b of the cushion Cs4. Vibrating the left seat vibrator 451b and the left cushion vibrator 423b allows the occupant H4 to intuitively sense, through tactile sensation, from both the chest and back sides that the vehicle V4 is traveling leftward, thereby reducing, for example, motion sickness. Furthermore, stimulating the occupant H4's tactile sensation at multiple locations allows the occupant H4 to intuitively understand the traveling direction of the vehicle V4, thereby reducing motion sickness.

[0353] When vibrating the left cushion vibrator 423b, the left cushion vibrators 423b may be vibrated in the upward direction (direction of arrow A) in order from the bottom up. At this time, the left seat vibrators 451b of the seat back 402 are also vibrated in the upward direction in order from the bottom up. The movement of the vibrating position allows the occupant H4 to more intuitively sense that the vehicle is traveling to the left. This vibration operation may be performed once or multiple times.

[0354] When the travel direction acquisition unit 412 acquires travel in the right direction, the seat control unit 410 performs a right direction notification operation to notify that the vehicle V4 is moving in the right direction by vibrating the seat vibrator 451 and the cushion vibrator 423 in coordination.

[0355] Specifically, when the traveling direction acquisition unit 412 acquires information indicating that the vehicle V4 is traveling to the right, the seat control unit 410 vibrates the right seat vibrator 451a, which is located on the right side, of the seat vibrators 451 of the seat back 402. At the same time, the seat control unit 410 vibrates the right cushion vibrator 423a of the cushion Cs4. When vibrating the right cushion vibrator 423a, the right cushion vibrators 423a may be vibrated upward in order, starting from the bottom. At this time, the right seat vibrators 451a of the seat back 402 are also vibrated upward in order, starting from the bottom. The movement of the vibrating position of the right seat vibrator 451a allows the occupant H4 to more intuitively sense that the traveling direction is to the right.

[0356] Furthermore, when acceleration is acquired from the traveling direction acquisition unit 412, the seat control unit 410 may change the vibration operation of the seat vibrator 451 of the seat back 402 and the cushion vibrator 423 of the cushion Cs4 based on the direction and magnitude of the acquired acceleration. For example, when rightward acceleration is detected, the seat right vibrator 451a and cushion right vibrator 423a, which are located on the right side, are vibrated. When leftward acceleration is detected, the seat left vibrator 451b and cushion left vibrator 423b, which are located on the left side of the seat, are vibrated.

[0357] Furthermore, when the acquired acceleration is large, control is performed so that larger vibrations are transmitted to the occupant H4. The occupant H4 can intuitively sense that the acceleration is large as the vibrations become larger. Furthermore, the speed at which the multiple vibrators vibrate in sequence may be increased as the acceleration becomes larger. The shorter the vibration time of each vibrator, the more intuitively the occupant H4 can sense that the acceleration is large.

[0358] <Control by Posture Detection Unit 416> When the seat control unit 410 acquires posture information of the occupant H4 from the posture detection unit 416 that detects the posture of the occupant, the seat control unit 410 may change the operation of the cushion vibrator 423 of the cushion Cs4 and the operation of the seat vibrator 451 of the seat back 402 based on the posture information of the occupant H4. As described above, the posture detection unit 416 is, for example, a seat sensor 416a provided on the seating surface of the vehicle seat S40 or an in-vehicle camera 416b.

[0359] For example, if occupant H4 is seated so as to sink into the right side of vehicle seat S40, it may be difficult for the vibrations of the vibrators located on the left side of the seat to be transmitted. Therefore, seat control unit 410 changes the vibrations of the vibrators located on the left side of the seat (left cushion vibrator 423b, left seat vibrator 451b) so that they are stronger than the vibrations of the vibrators located on the right side of the seat (right cushion vibrator 423a, right seat vibrator 451a), thereby allowing the vibrations to be transmitted to occupant H4.

[0360] <Posture Change by Side Support 401a> In the example described above, the traveling direction of the vehicle V4 was notified by the coordinated operation of the seat vibrator 451 provided on the seat back 402 and the cushion vibrator 423 on the cushion Cs4 side. However, the traveling direction of the vehicle V4 may also be notified by operating the side support 401a provided on the seat back 402. When the traveling direction of the vehicle V4 is acquired from the traveling direction acquisition unit 412, the seat control unit 410 operates the side support 401a so that the occupant H4 faces the traveling direction. For example, when the traveling direction acquired is to the right, the side support 401a disposed on the left side of the seat is rotated forward so that the occupant H4 faces to the right. By operating the side support 401a in this manner, the occupant H4 can intuitively sense the traveling direction, thereby suppressing motion sickness.

[0361] <External Information Acquisition Unit 413, Collision Prediction Unit 414> The vehicle interior system 4100 may include an external information acquisition unit 413 that acquires information about the surroundings of the vehicle V4, and a collision prediction unit 414 that predicts a collision of the vehicle V4 and a predicted collision direction based on the information acquired from the external information acquisition unit 413. The external information acquisition unit 413 is connected to the seat control unit 410, and the seat control unit 410 predicts a collision of the vehicle V4 and a predicted collision direction based on the information about the surroundings of the vehicle V4 acquired from the external information acquisition unit 413. The external information acquisition unit 413 is composed of sensors such as a camera, radar, and LiDAR that capture images of the surroundings of the vehicle V4. The collision prediction unit 414 predicts a collision of the vehicle V4 and a predicted collision direction based on the information detected by the external information acquisition unit 413.

[0362] When the collision prediction unit 414 predicts a collision of the vehicle V4 and the predicted collision direction, the seat control unit 410 activates the seat vibrator 451 of the vehicle seat S40 and the cushion vibrator 423 of the cushion Cs4 based on the predicted collision direction predicted by the collision prediction unit, and notifies the occupant H4 of the predicted collision direction. For example, when a frontal collision of the vehicle V4 is predicted, the seat control unit 410 vibrates the cushion vibrator 423 of the cushion Cs4 located in front of the occupant H4. When a rearward collision is predicted, the seat control unit 410 vibrates the seat vibrator 451 of the seat back 402. When a side collision is predicted, the notification may be provided by simultaneously vibrating the seat vibrator 451 and the cushion vibrator 423 located on the side to be hit.

[0363] This vibration method is one example, and a plurality of vibrators may be arranged and vibrated in sequence to notify the occupant H4 of a collision. A plurality of vibration patterns may be provided, and the vibration pattern may be changed depending on the position and strength of the collision. For example, if a frontal collision is predicted, the vibration of the cushion vibrator 423 is made greater than the vibration of the seat vibrator 451. If the collision is rearward, the vibration of the seat vibrator 451 is made greater than the vibration of the cushion vibrator 423. Because the direction of the collision is more prominent, the collision direction can be intuitively perceived more easily, and effective notification can be achieved.

[0364] Second Example A vehicle interior system 4100A, which is a second example of the fourth embodiment, will be described using Figures 36 and 37. Figure 36 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the vehicle interior system 4100A of the second example, and Figure 37 is a front view of the vehicle interior system 4100A of the second example, showing a state in which an occupant H4 is holding a cushion body Cs4A.

[0365] The vehicle interior system 4100A of the second example in the fourth embodiment is different from the vehicle interior system 4100 of the first example in the positions of the seat vibrator 451A and the cushion vibrator 423A. As the other configurations are similar to those of the vehicle interior system 4100 of the first example, the same functions are assigned the same reference numerals and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0366] As shown in Fig. 36, the seat back 402 of the vehicle seat S40A of the vehicle interior system 4100A is provided with a total of six seat vibrators 451A, three vertically arranged in two horizontal rows. In addition, the cushion Cs4A also has a total of six cushion vibrators 423A, three vertically arranged in two horizontal rows, arranged on the back side of the cushion Cs4A. The seat vibrators 451A correspond to the electric device 405. The cushion vibrators 423A correspond to the movable part 422.

[0367] In the vehicle interior system 4100 of the first example of the fourth embodiment, when the traveling direction of the vehicle V4 is acquired, the vibrator located on the traveling direction side is vibrated, but in the vehicle interior system 4100A of the second example, when the traveling direction of the vehicle V4A is acquired by the traveling direction acquisition unit 412, first the vibrator located on the opposite side of the acquired direction is vibrated, and then the vibrator located on the traveling direction side is vibrated in sequence to notify the occupant H4 of the traveling direction of the vehicle V4.

[0368] To explain this using a specific example, when the travel direction acquisition unit 412 acquires that the vehicle V4A is traveling to the left, the seat control unit 410 vibrates the vibrator in sequence according to the inverted L-shaped arrow pointing to the left, as shown by arrow B in Figure 37.

[0369] That is, the vibrator (vibrator numbered 1 in FIG. 37) located at the bottom of cushion right-side vibrator 423aA arranged on cushion Cs4A is vibrated. After that, the vibrator (vibrator numbered 2 in FIG. 37) located at the middle of cushion right-side vibrator 423aA is vibrated. Next, the vibrator (vibrator numbered 3 in FIG. 37) located at the top of cushion right-side vibrator 423aA is vibrated, and then the vibrator (vibrator numbered 4 in FIG. 37) located at the top of cushion left-side vibrator 423bA is vibrated.

[0370] The seat control unit 410 uses six seat vibrators 451A arranged on the seat back 402 to vibrate the seat vibrators 451A in accordance with the inverted L-shaped arrow pointing to the left, similar to the cushion vibrator 423A of the cushion Cs4A.

[0371] Specifically, the vibrator (the vibrator numbered 1 in FIG. 36 ) located at the bottom of the right-side seat vibrator 451aA arranged on the seat back 402 is vibrated. After that, the vibrator (the vibrator numbered 2 in FIG. 36 ) located at the middle of the right-side seat vibrator 451aA is vibrated. Next, the vibrator (the vibrator numbered 3 in FIG. 36 ) located at the top of the right-side seat vibrator 451aA is vibrated, and then the vibrator (the vibrator numbered 4 in FIG. 36 ) located at the top of the left-side seat vibrator 451bA is vibrated.

[0372] In this way, when the travel direction acquisition unit 412 acquires information indicating that the vehicle V4A is moving leftward, the seat control unit 410 performs a leftward direction notification operation to notify the occupant H4 that the vehicle V4A is moving leftward by vibrating the vibrators located on the right side of the occupant H4 (right side vibrator for seat 451aA, right side vibrator for cushion 423aA) in sequence to the vibrators located on the left side of the occupant H4 (left side vibrator for seat 451bA, left side vibrator for cushion 423bA).

[0373] When the traveling direction acquisition unit 412 acquires information indicating that the vehicle V4A is traveling to the right, the seat control unit 410 vibrates the cushion vibrators 423A in sequence in the direction of the inverted L-shaped arrow pointing to the right. That is, the seat control unit 410 vibrates the lower vibrator of the left cushion vibrator 423bA of the cushion Cs4A, and then vibrates the middle vibrator of the left cushion vibrator 423bA. Next, the seat control unit 410 vibrates the upper vibrator of the left cushion vibrator 423bA, and then vibrates the upper vibrator of the right cushion vibrator 423aA.

[0374] At the same time, the seat control unit 410 vibrates the seat vibrator 451A arranged on the seat back 402. At this time, similar to the cushion vibrator 423A of the cushion Cs4A, the seat vibrator 451A is vibrated so as to form an inverted L-shaped arrow pointing to the right.

[0375] Specifically, the vibrator located at the bottom of the left seat vibrator 451bA arranged on the seat back 402 is vibrated. Then, the vibrator located at the middle of the left seat vibrator 451bA is vibrated. Next, the vibrator located at the top of the left seat vibrator 451bA is vibrated, and then the vibrator located at the top of the right seat vibrator 451aA is vibrated.

[0376] In this way, when the traveling direction acquisition unit 412 acquires information indicating that the vehicle V4A is traveling to the right, the seat control unit 410 performs a rightward direction notification operation to notify the occupant H4 that the vehicle V4A is moving to the right by vibrating the vibrators located on the left side of the occupant H4 (left seat vibrator 451bA, left cushion vibrator 423bA) in sequence to the vibrators located on the right side of the occupant H4 (right seat vibrator 451aA, left cushion vibrator 423bA). By operating the vibrators in this way, the occupant H4 can intuitively sense that the traveling direction is to the right.

[0377] In the vehicle interior system 4100A of the second embodiment, two rows of vibrators are arranged on the seat back 402 and the cushion Cs4A, vibrating in sequence to indicate the direction of travel. However, this arrangement of multiple vibrators is merely an example, and the vibrators may be arranged in three or more rows, vibrating in sequence in the direction of travel to notify the occupant H4 of the direction of travel. Specifically, if the direction of travel acquisition unit 412 acquires a leftward movement, the row of vibrators, vibrating in sequence starting from the vibrator on the right side of the seat, may be moved leftward to notify the occupant H4 of the leftward movement. Furthermore, in the seat back 402, multiple rows of vibrators may be arranged on the seating surface and bank portion of the seat back 402. In this case, the vibrators may be vibrated in sequence starting from the vibrator on the seating surface toward the bank portion. Furthermore, the vibrators may vibrate to indicate the direction of travel once or multiple times.

[0378] <<Third Example>> A vehicle interior system 4100B, which is a third example of the fourth embodiment, will be described using Figures 38 to 40. Figure 38 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the vehicle interior system 4100B of the third example, and Figure 39 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the vehicle interior system of the third example. Figure 40 is an explanatory diagram explaining the operation of the vehicle interior system 4100B of the third example, with the upper diagram showing the normal state and the lower diagram showing the state where occupant H4 is facing to the right.

[0379] The vehicle interior system 4100B of the third embodiment differs from the vehicle interior system 4100 of the first embodiment in the fourth embodiment in that the electric device 405 of the vehicle seat S40B and the movable portion 422 provided on the cushion body Cs4B are configured as air cells (bag bodies). The other configurations are the same as those of the vehicle interior system 4100 of the first embodiment, and the same functions are assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0380] The vehicle interior system 4100B is a system mounted on a vehicle V4B, and includes a vehicle seat S40B mounted on the vehicle floor of the vehicle V4B and a cushion Cs4B capable of supporting an occupant H4. The vehicle seat S40B includes a seat cushion 401B, a seat back 402B, a headrest 403, and an ottoman 404. Seat air cells 455 are provided as electric devices 405 within the left and right bank portions of the seat cushion 401B and the seat back 402B. The cushion Cs4B also includes a cushion air cell 424 as a movable portion 422. The seat air cell 455 and the cushion air cell 424 correspond to the inflatable / deflate bag of the present invention.

[0381] The vehicle interior system 4100B also has a seat control unit 410 that communicates with and controls the seat air cell 455 and the cushion air cell 424, and a traveling direction acquisition unit 412 that acquires the traveling direction of the vehicle V4B, and the seat control unit 410 operates the seat air cell 455 and the cushion air cell 424 in conjunction with each other based on the traveling direction of the vehicle V4B acquired by the traveling direction acquisition unit 412.

[0382] The seat air cells 455 provided in the vehicle seat S40B are devices that protrude (overhang) toward the occupant H4 to partially press against the back, thighs, or the like of the occupant H4. The seat air cells 455 are connected to an air pump (not shown) via a tube and are configured to be inflated and deflated by injecting and discharging a fluid such as air from the air pump. The air pump operates based on a control signal from the seat control unit 410. In this embodiment, the seat air cells 455 are independently provided within the bank portions of the seat back 402 and the seat cushion 401. Hereinafter, the seat air cell 455 located on the right side of the seat will be referred to as the right seat air cell 455a, and the seat air cell 455 located on the left side of the seat will be referred to as the left seat air cell 455b.

[0383] Each air cell may be provided with a plurality of stacked bags. Furthermore, the degree of shape change by the air cell may be adjusted by inflating only one of the stacked bags without operating the other. Although the seat air cell 455 is provided within the bank portion of the seat cushion 401 and the seat back 402, it may also be provided on the seating surfaces of the seat cushion 401 and the seat back 402 that directly support the back and thighs of the occupant. Furthermore, the seat air cell 455 may be provided in a position that supports the lumbar region of the occupant H4, like a lumbar support. Furthermore, by providing the seat air cell 455 in a plurality of locations, the shape may be locally changed.

[0384] 38 and 40, the cushion air cells 424 provided in the cushion Cs4B are arranged side by side on the left and right sides of the back side of the cushion Cs4B (the side facing the occupant H4 when held by the cushion Cs4B). The cushion air cells 424 are connected to an air pump (not shown) in the cushion Cs4B via tubes and are configured to be inflatable and deflated by injecting and discharging a fluid such as air from the air pump. The cushion air cell 424 arranged on the right side of the cushion Cs4B is referred to as the right cushion air cell 424a, and the cushion air cell 424 arranged on the left side of the cushion Cs4B is referred to as the left cushion air cell 424b.

[0385] In the vehicle interior system 4100B of the third embodiment, the seat air cells 455 and the cushion air cells 424 provided in the vehicle seat S40B are used to notify the occupant H4 of the traveling direction of the vehicle V4B. When the traveling direction acquisition unit 412 acquires the traveling direction of the vehicle V4B, the seat control unit 410 notifies the occupant H4 of the traveling direction of the vehicle V4B by operating the seat air cells 455 and the cushion air cells 424 in conjunction with each other based on the traveling direction of the vehicle V4B.

[0386] Specifically, when the travel direction acquisition unit 412 acquires a travel direction to the right, the seat control unit 410 performs a rightward posture change operation in which the cushion air cell 424 is expanded / contracted to change the shape of the cushion body Cs4B so that the occupant H4 assumes a posture facing right, and the seat air cell 455 of the seat back 402B is expanded / contracted to change the shape of the seat back 402B.

[0387] More specifically, when the traveling direction acquisition unit 412 acquires a traveling direction that is rightward, the seat control unit 410 inflates the right cushion air cell 424a and deflates the left cushion air cell 424b of the cushion Cs4B, as shown in FIG. 39 . The seat control unit 410 also deflates the right seat air cell 455a on the right side of the seat back 402B and inflates the left seat air cell 455b on the left side. By performing the rightward posture change operation, the left shoulder of the occupant H4 is pushed forward (in the direction of arrow C1 in FIG. 40 ) and the right chest is pushed backward (in the direction of arrow C2 in FIG. 40 ). This causes the occupant H4 to turn rightward in line with the traveling direction of the vehicle V4B, thereby reducing motion sickness.

[0388] Furthermore, when the traveling direction acquisition unit 412 acquires a traveling direction to the left, the seat control unit 410 performs a leftward posture change operation in which the cushion air cell 424 is expanded / contracted to change the shape of the cushion Cs4B and the seat air cell 455 of the seat back 402B is expanded / contracted to change the shape of the seat back 402B so that the occupant H4 faces leftward. At this time, the seat control unit 410 operates the cushion air cell 424 and the seat air cell 455 so as to perform the movement opposite to the rightward posture change operation.

[0389] Specifically, when the traveling direction acquisition unit 412 acquires a traveling direction of leftward travel, the seat control unit 410 inflates the left cushion air cell 424b of the cushion Cs4B and deflates the right cushion air cell 424a. The seat control unit 410 also deflates the left seat air cell 455b on the left side of the seat back 402B and inflates the right seat air cell 455a on the right side. By performing the leftward posture change operation, the right shoulder of the occupant H4 is pushed forward and the left chest is pushed backward, so that the occupant H4 turns leftward in line with the traveling direction of the vehicle V4B, thereby reducing motion sickness.

[0390] Furthermore, when the traveling direction acquisition unit 412 acquires the acceleration when the vehicle V4B travels leftward or rightward, the seat control unit 410 may change the expansion / contraction operations of the cushion air cells 424 and the seat air cells 455 based on the magnitude and direction of the acceleration. For example, when the acceleration is large, the air cells are expanded to a larger extent, and the posture of the occupant H4 is tilted to a larger extent.

[0391] The seat air cells 455 provided in the seat cushion 401B may also be operated based on the traveling direction or acceleration direction of the vehicle V4B, similar to the seat air cells 455 provided in the seat back 402B. Although the seat air cells 455 are arranged in the bank portion in this embodiment, the seat air cells 455 may also be arranged in the seating surface. The seat air cells 455 arranged in the seating surface may also be operated based on the traveling direction or acceleration direction of the vehicle V4B. For example, if a traveling direction or acceleration to the right is acquired, the seat air cells 455 arranged in the bank portion on the right side of the seat and the seat air cells 455 arranged on the right side of the seating surface are contracted, and the seat air cells 455 arranged in the bank portion on the left side of the seat and the seat air cells 455 arranged on the left side of the seating surface are inflated. By operating in this manner, the occupant H4 can be more stably oriented in the traveling direction or acceleration direction.

[0392] 38 and 40, the cushion air cells 424 are configured to expand and contract in the front-to-rear direction of the seat toward the occupant H4, but the expansion and contraction direction of the cushion air cells 424 is one example and is not limited to this. Figures 41 and 42 show other examples of changes in the shape of the cushion Cs4B.

[0393] The cushion body Cs4C of the vehicle interior system 4100C shown in Figure 41 is configured so that when an occupant H4 holds the cushion body Cs4C, the cushion body air cell 424 expands and contracts in the left-right direction based on the direction of travel or acceleration of the vehicle V4C, thereby changing the shape of the cushion body Cs4C.

[0394] For example, when the traveling direction acquisition unit 412 detects the traveling direction or acceleration of the vehicle V4C to the right, the seat control unit 410 contracts the right cushion air cell 424aC located on the right side to the left (the direction of arrow E in FIG. 41 ) to cause the right end of the cushion Cs4B to be recessed to the left (the direction of arrow F in FIG. 41 ). At this time, the left cushion air cell 424bC located on the left side may be inflated to the left so that the left end of the cushion Cs4C is convex relative to the reference position. Furthermore, the seat control unit 410 deforms the seat back 402B and seat cushion 401B of the vehicle seat S40B using the seat air cell 455 in coordination with the deformation of the cushion Cs4C. The deformation of the cushion Cs4C and the vehicle seat S40B based on the traveling direction and acceleration allows the occupant H4 to adjust his / her posture to the traveling direction and acceleration, thereby reducing motion sickness.

[0395] In addition, in the cushion body Cs4D of the vehicle interior system 4100D shown in Figure 42, when an occupant H4 holds the cushion body Cs4D, the shape of the cushion body Cs4D changes diagonally upward based on the direction of travel or the direction of acceleration.

[0396] For example, when the traveling direction acquisition unit 412 detects that the vehicle V4D is traveling in a rightward direction or accelerating in a rightward direction, the seat control unit 410 inflates the right cushion air cell 424aD located on the right side in an upper right direction (the direction of arrow G in FIG. 42 ). At the same time, the seat control unit 410 may also deflate the left cushion air cell 424bD located on the left side. Furthermore, in coordination with the deformation of the cushion Cs4D, the seat control unit 410 deforms the seat back 402B and seat cushion 401B of the vehicle seat S40B using the seat air cell 455. The expansion of the cushion Cs4D in an upper right direction allows the occupant H4 to intuitively recognize that the traveling direction or the direction of acceleration is to the right.

[0397] In coordination with the deformation of the cushion body Cs4D, the seat control unit 410 deforms the seat back 402B and seat cushion 401B of the vehicle seat S40B using the seat air cell 455. This causes the cushion body Cs4D and the vehicle seat S40B to deform, allowing the occupant H4 to align his / her posture with the direction of travel and acceleration, thereby suppressing motion sickness.

[0398] In addition, in the cushion body Cs4B of the vehicle interior system 4100B shown in Fig. 40, the occupant H4 uses the cushion body Cs4B by embracing it, but the method of holding the cushion body Cs4B is not limited to this. For example, as in the vehicle interior system 4100E shown in Fig. 43, the cushion body Cs4E may be used as a knee cushion.

[0399] In the vehicle interior system 4100E, the occupant H4 places the cushion Cs4E on his lap and presses down on the cushion Cs4E from above. Therefore, by inflating one of the air cells located on the left and right and contracting the other, the cushion Cs4E deforms and bends in the direction in which the vehicle V4 turns, thereby encouraging the occupant H4 to change his posture.

[0400] For example, as shown in Figure 43, when the seat control unit 410 acquires the rightward traveling direction or acceleration of the vehicle V4E using the traveling direction acquisition unit 412, it inflates the right cushion air cell 424aE on the right side downward (the direction of arrow M in Figure 43) and contracts the left cushion air cell 424bE on the left side upward (the direction of arrow N in Figure 43). The cushion Cs4E is deformed by the built-in air cells, and the cushion Cs4E bends in the direction in which the vehicle turns (the traveling direction). This can prompt the occupant H4 to change their posture, for example, by leaning leftward.

[0401] <Support portion 425> In the vehicle interior system 4100 shown in Fig. 32 , the occupant H4 holds the cushion body Cs4 with both hands to transmit the operation of the movable portion 422 to the occupant H4, but there are cases where the cushion body Cs4 cannot be held by hand. For this reason, as in the cushion body Cs4F shown in Fig. 44 , a support portion 425 extending from the outer periphery of the main body of the cushion body Cs4F may be provided, and the tip of the support portion 425 may be attached to the vehicle seat S40B, the door D4, or the like, so that the cushion body Cs4F is fixed to the occupant H4.

[0402] 44 is provided with shoulder support portions 425a that are attached to the seat back 402 and support the shoulders of the occupant H4, and a waist support portion 425b that is attached to the seat cushion 401 and supports the waist of the occupant H4. Note that the main body of the cushion Cs4F is provided with movable portions 422 such as vibrators and air cells, similar to the cushion Cs4 of the first embodiment and the cushion Cs4B of the third embodiment, and is configured to notify the occupant H4 of the direction of travel by vibrating and expanding / contracting.

[0403] The shoulder support portion 425a and the waist support portion 425b may be configured as an electrically extendable and retractable device, and may be configured so that the amount of extension and retraction can be controlled by the seat control portion 410. In this way, when the travel direction acquisition portion 412 acquires the rightward travel direction or acceleration of the vehicle V4F, the seat control portion 410 can operate the shoulder support portion 425a and the waist support portion 425b to tilt the occupant H4 toward the travel direction by extending or retracting the shoulder support portion 425a and the waist support portion 425b based on the travel direction or acceleration.

[0404] Furthermore, cushion vibrators 423F may be provided at the tips of the shoulder support portion 425a and the waist support portion 425b. By providing the cushion vibrators 423F, the occupant H4 can receive information about the traveling direction from the shoulders and waist.

[0405] <Center of Gravity Altering Member 426> In the vehicle interior system 4100 of the first example of the fourth embodiment, a vibrator or air cell was used as the movable portion 422 provided on the cushion body Cs4. However, the movable portion 422 is not limited to a vibrator or air cell. For example, as in the vehicle interior system 4100G shown in FIG. 45 , a center of gravity altering member 426 movable in the left-right direction may be provided inside the cushion body Cs4G. The center of gravity altering member 426 may be, for example, a metal weight and is electrically driven by an actuator or the like to move left-right within the cushion body Cs4G. The center of gravity altering member 426 is also capable of communicating with the seat control unit 410 and is movable left-right in response to an instruction signal from the seat control unit 410.

[0406] When the traveling direction acquisition unit 412 detects the traveling direction or acceleration of the vehicle V4 to the right, the seat control unit 410 moves the center of gravity change member 426 left or right in accordance with the traveling direction or acceleration direction. This can encourage a change in the posture of the occupant H4. For example, when the traveling direction is detected to the left, the seat control unit 410 moves the center of gravity change member 426 leftward (in the direction of arrow K in FIG. 45 ) from the center of the cushion body Cs4G to the left, thereby shifting the center of gravity to the left side. This encourages the posture of the occupant H4 to lean leftward.

[0407] The electrically moved center-of-gravity changing member 426 may be used in combination with the movable part 422, which is a vibrator, an air cell, or the like. By using the vibrator or the air cell in combination, the traveling direction and acceleration of the vehicle V4 can be notified more accurately.

[0408] <Door D4> In addition, in the vehicle interior system 4100 shown in Figure 32, the vehicle seat S40 and the cushion body Cs4 are used to notify the direction of travel of the vehicle V4, etc., but as in the vehicle interior system 4100H shown in Figure 46, the direction of travel of the vehicle V4H may be notified by expanding and contracting a door air cell 427 provided on the interior surface of the door D4.

[0409] Door D4 is an interior member adjacent to vehicle seats S40, S40A, and S40B, and corresponds to a door member of the present invention. Door air cell 427 is an electric device 405 provided on door D4. Door air cell 427 is controlled by seat control unit 410. Note that the cushion body of vehicle interior system 4100H may be any of cushion bodies Cs4, Cs4A to Cs4G shown in the first to third embodiments, and the vehicle seat may be any of vehicle seats S40, S40A, and S40B shown in the first to third embodiments.

[0410] The seat control unit 410 may operate the door air cell 427 in cooperation with the cushion body vibrator 423 (movable part 422) of the cushion body Cs4 based on the direction of travel of the vehicle acquired by the travel direction acquisition unit 412.

[0411] For example, when the vehicle V4H is traveling to the right, the door air cell 427 from the door D4 on the left side of the occupant H4 is inflated to the right (in the direction of arrow L in FIG. 46 ) to encourage the occupant H4 to lean to the right. At this time, the cushion Cs4 held by the occupant H4 operates to notify the occupant that the vehicle V4H is traveling to the right. The door air cell 427 provided on the door D4 may be linked to the electric device 405 (vibrator, air cell) provided on the vehicle seat S40.

[0412] <Lighting 428> In the vehicle interior system 4100 of the first example of the fourth embodiment, the vehicle seat S40 and the vibrators provided on the cushion Cs4 are used to notify the occupant H4 of the traveling direction of the vehicle V4, etc. However, as in a vehicle interior system 4100I shown in Figure 47, multiple lights 428 may be provided on interior members of the vehicle V4I to notify the occupant H4 of the traveling direction of the vehicle V4I through the vision of the occupant H4. The lights 428 are electric devices 405, and the lights 428 are controlled by the seat control unit 410.

[0413] For example, as shown in Fig. 47, a plurality of ceiling lights 428r are arranged in a row in the vehicle width direction on the interior ceiling (interior member). The seat control unit 410 changes the position at which the ceiling lights 428r are lit based on the traveling direction and acceleration direction of the vehicle V4I. For example, when the traveling direction of the vehicle V4 is to the right, the seat control unit 410 controls the lit lights of the plurality of ceiling lights 428r to move from right to left.

[0414] Furthermore, when seat lights 428s are provided on the left and right sides of the vehicle seat S40, the seat control unit 410 lights up either the left or right seat light 428s based on the traveling direction of the vehicle V4. For example, when the traveling direction of the vehicle V4I is to the right, the seat light 428s provided on the right side of the vehicle seat S40 is turned on. At this time, the seat control unit 410 may control the light to blink or move forward and backward.

[0415] Furthermore, when door lights 428d are provided on the left and right doors D4 of the vehicle V4I, the seat control unit 410 turns on the door light 428d provided on either the left or right door D4 based on the traveling direction of the vehicle V4I. For example, when the traveling direction of the vehicle V4I is to the right, the door light 428d provided on the right door is turned on. At this time, the seat control unit 410 may control the light to blink or to move the lit light among the multiple door lights 429d. Furthermore, the traveling direction of the vehicle V4I and the direction and magnitude of acceleration may be notified by lighting up an illumination member (monitor, etc.) of the wearable device carried by the occupant H4. The cushion body of the vehicle interior system 4100I may be any of the cushion bodies Cs4, Cs4A to Cs4G shown in the first to third examples of the fourth embodiment, and the vehicle seat may be any of the vehicle seats S40, S40A, S40B shown in the first to third examples.

[0416] <Manufacturing method of vehicle interior system> The vehicle interior system 4100 may be manufactured by a manufacturing method including preparing an interior member (vehicle seat S40) to be provided in a vehicle (vehicle V4), an electric device 405 provided in the interior member, a cushion body Cs4 on which an occupant H4 can be held, a movable part 422 provided in the cushion body Cs4, a control unit (seat control unit 410) that communicates with and controls the electric device 405 and the movable part 422, and a traveling direction acquisition unit 412 that is connected to the control unit and acquires the traveling direction of the vehicle, and having the control unit operate the electric device 405 and the movable part 422 of the cushion body Cs4 in conjunction with each other based on the traveling direction of the vehicle acquired by the traveling direction acquisition unit 412.

[0417] The fourth embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings. While the vehicle interior system described above newly introduces the cushion Cs4, a portion of the occupant's seat or another seat may be used as the cushion Cs4. For example, the armrest, neck rest cushion, lumbar cushion, headrest 403 of the front seat, armrest, and upper portion of the seat back 402 may be removed and used as the cushion Cs4. Furthermore, the front seat back 402 may be tilted backward, and a portion of the seat back 402 or the headrest 403 may be used as the cushion Cs4. If the seat back 402 or the headrest 403 is provided with air cells, the air cells can be inflated to a large extent to use the cushion Cs4. When a portion of the occupant's seat or another seat is used as the cushion Cs4, the built-in movable portion (vibrator or air cell) and the electric device 405 are operated in conjunction with each other to notify the occupant H4 of the traveling direction of the vehicle V4. If a part of one's own seat or another seat is not used as the cushion body Cs4, it is advisable not to perform the linked operation.

[0418] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Vehicle interior system V Vehicle S Vehicle seat (interior member) SA First vehicle seat SB Second vehicle seat D1 Door (interior member) W Window IP Instrument panel Sh Seat body Tr Covering material H, HA, HB Occupant FL Vehicle body floor 1 Seat cushion 1a Vibrating body 1b Air cell 1c Side support portion 1d Side support movable portion 2 Seat back 2a Vibrating body 2b Air cell 2c Side support portion 2d Side support movable portion (electric device) 3 Headrest 5 Ottoman 5a Ottoman movable portion (electric device) 6 Electric device 7 Reclining device (electric device) 8 Slide rail device (electric device) 8a Lower rail 8b Upper rail 9 Height adjustment device (electric device) 10 Seat control unit (control unit) 11 Communication device DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 First monitor (first display unit) 13 Collision detection sensor 14 Cushion storage unit 14a Power supply unit Cs Cushion CsA First cushion CsB Second cushion 20 Cushion control unit 21 Communication device 22 Second monitor (second display unit) 23 Speaker (audio output unit) 24 Start switch 25 Sensor 26 Battery 30 Main body 31 First pressure sensor 32 First tilt sensor 35 Extension unit 35a Upper extension unit 35b Lower extension unit 36 ​​Second pressure sensor 37 Second tilt sensor SD2, SD2A Vehicle seat device S20, FS20, RS20 Vehicle seat D2 Door Da2 Cushion storage unit Db2 Power supply unit W2 Window Sh2 Seat main body Tr2 Cover P2 Pad H2 Occupant Ct2 Control unit 201 Seat cushion 201a Front seat cushion portion 201b Rear seat cushion portion 201c Center-folding portion 201d Tilting portion 202 Seat back 202a Upper seat back portion 202b Lower seat back portion 202c Center-folding portion 203 Headrest 203a Headrest pillar 204 Armrest 205 Ottoman 205a Main body portion205b Foot section 205c Lifting section 205d Rotating section 206 Rotating device 207 Reclining device 208 Rail device 208a Lower rail 208b Upper rail 209 Height adjustment device 210 Movable section for seat 211 Air cell 211a Posture air cell 212 Heater (heat generating device) Cs2, CsA2 Cushion body 230 Cushion body control section 231 CPU 232 Memory 233 Input / output interface 234 Communication section 235 Cushion detection section 236 Pocket sensor 236a Pulse wave sensor 236b Temperature sensor 237 Chest sensor 237a Pressure sensor 237b Temperature sensor 237c Heart rate sensor 238 Abdominal sensor 238a Pressure sensor 238b Temperature sensor 240 Cushion movable portion 241 Air cell 241a First air cell 241b Second air cell 241c Third air cell 242 Vibrator 243 Pocket portion 244 Pocket portion heater 245 Back portion heater 246 Battery 250 Seat control portion (control portion) 251 CPU 252 Memory 253 Input / output interface 254 Communication portion 255 Seat operation input portion 256 Seat detection portion 257 Respiration sensor 258 Heart rate sensor 260 Sunshade S30, S31, S32, S33, S34, S35 Vehicle seat S36 Vehicle seat device S36a First vehicle seat S36b Second vehicle seat Sa3 Support member P3 Pad material T3 Cover F3 Footrest device 301 Seat cushion 301a Rear portion 301b Front portion 301c Tilting portion (drive device) 301d Movable portion (drive device) 302 Seat back 302a Upper portion 302b Lower portion 302c Center-folding device (drive device) 302d Movable portion (drive device) 303 Headrest 304 Armrest 305 Ottoman 306 Rotating device (drive device) 307 Reclining device (drive device) 308 Rail device (drive device) 308a Lower rail 308b Upper rail 309 Cushion moving device (drive device)310 Main body 310A Support surface 320 Footrest 321 Placement portion 321A Placement surface 322 Mounting portion 323 Detection portion 330 Lifting portion 331 Guide portion 332 Support portion 333 Lead screw 334 Motor 335 Locking member 340 Rotating portion 341 Drive motor 342 Angle restriction member 350 Control portion 351 Acquisition portion 352 Determination portion 353 Information notification portion 354 Drive portion 355 Mode switching portion 360 Operation portion 370 Notification portion 3101 Seat cushion 3101a Rear portion 3101b Front portion 3101c Tilting portion 3101d Movable portion 3101e Support portion 3201 Seat cushion 3205 Ottoman 3210A First support surface 3210B Second support surface 3210a First main body portion 3210b Second main body portion 3211 Slide portion 3212 Actuator 3220 Footrest 3230 Lifting portion 3240 Rotating portion 3305 Ottoman 3310 Main body portion 3320 Footrest 3330 Lifting portion 3340 Rotating portion 3401 Seat cushion 3401d Movable portion 3402 Seat back 3402d Movable portion 3405 Ottoman 3410 Main body portion 3420 Footrest 3420a First footrest 3420b Second footrest 3430a First lifting portion 3430b Second lifting portion 3436a First guide portion 3436b Second guide portion 3437a First rail 3437b Second rail 3501 Seat cushion 3501c Tilting portion 3501d Movable portion 3502 Seat back 3502A Rear surface (surface on the vehicle seat side) 3502c Center-bending device 3502d Movable portion 3505 Ottoman 3506 Rotating device 3507 Reclining device 3508 Rail device 3509 Cushion moving device 3510 Main body 3510A Support surface 3520 Footrest 3520A Placement surface 3530 Lifting portion 4100, 4100A to 4100I Vehicle interior system V4, V4A to V4I Vehicle (vehicle) S40, S40A, S40B Vehicle seat (interior member) D4 Door (interior parts, door parts) W4 Window Sh4 Seat body Tr4 Cover P4 Pad H4 Passenger401 Seat cushion 401a Side support 402 Seat back 402a Side support 403 Headrest 404 Ottoman 405 Electric device 407 Reclining device 408 Slide rail device 408a Lower rail 408b Upper rail 409 Height adjustment device 410 Seat control unit (control unit) 411 Communication device 412 Travel direction acquisition unit 413 External information acquisition unit 414 Collision prediction unit 415 Cushion body storage unit 415a Power supply unit 416 Posture detection unit 416a Seat sensor 416b In-vehicle camera Cs4, Cs4A to Cs4G Cushion body 420 Cushion body control unit 421 Communication device 422 Movable part 423, 423A, 423F Cushion body vibrator 423a, 423aA Right side vibrator for cushion 423b, 423bA Left side vibrator for cushion 424 Cushion air cell 424a, 424aC, 424aD, 424aE Right side air cell for cushion 424b, 424bC, 424bD, 424bE Left side air cell for cushion 425 Support part 425a Shoulder support part 425b Waist support part 426 Center of gravity change member 427 Door air cell (electric device) 428 Lighting 428r Ceiling light 428s Seat light 428d Door light BT4 Battery 451, 451A Seat vibrator (electric device) 451a, 451aA Right side vibrator for seat 451b, 451bA Left side vibrator for seat 455 Seat air cell (bag body, electric device) 455a Seat right air cell 455b Seat left air cell

Claims

1. A vehicle interior system comprising: an interior member to be installed in a vehicle; an electric device installed in the interior member; a cushion body that can be held by an occupant; and a control unit that controls the electric device, wherein the cushion body has a sensor that measures a force applied to the cushion body, the cushion body and the control unit are capable of communicating with each other, and the control unit operates the electric device based on a measurement value measured by the sensor.

2. The vehicle interior system described in claim 1, characterized in that the cushion body is provided with a plurality of sensors, at least one of the plurality of sensors is a pressure sensor, and the control unit operates the electric device based on the position at which the pressure sensor that measures the pressure is located.

3. The vehicle interior system described in claim 2, characterized in that the pressure sensor is capable of measuring the strength of pressure applied to the cushion body, and the control unit changes the amount of operation of the electric device based on the strength of pressure applied to the pressure sensor.

4. The vehicle interior system described in claim 1, characterized in that the cushion body has a main body portion and an extension portion extending from the main body portion, the main body portion has a first tilt sensor that measures the tilt of the main body portion, and the extension portion has a second tilt sensor that measures the tilt of the extension portion, and the control unit calculates the relative tilt of the extension portion with respect to the main body portion as a relative tilt angle from the tilt of the main body portion and the tilt of the extension portion, and operates the electric device based on the relative tilt angle.

5. The vehicle interior system described in claim 1, characterized in that the cushion body is composed of at least a first cushion body and a second cushion body, and the control unit operates the electric device based on measurement values ​​measured by the sensor of the first cushion body and the sensor of the second cushion body.

6. The vehicle interior system described in claim 5, characterized in that the first cushion body and the second cushion body each have a main body portion and an extension portion extending from the main body portion, the main body portion has a first tilt sensor that detects the tilt of the main body portion, and the extension portion has a second tilt sensor that detects the tilt of the extension portion, and the control unit calculates a relative tilt of the extension portion with respect to the main body portion as a first relative tilt angle from the tilt of the main body portion of the first cushion body and the tilt of the extension portion, calculates a relative tilt of the extension portion with respect to the main body portion as a second relative tilt angle from the tilt of the main body portion of the second cushion body and the tilt of the extension portion, and operates the electric device when a difference between the first relative tilt angle and the second relative tilt angle is within a predetermined threshold value.

7. The vehicle interior system described in claim 1, characterized in that the interior member is a vehicle seat on which the occupant can be seated, the electric device is a device that operates all or part of the vehicle seat, the sensor possessed by the cushion body is a pressure sensor, and the control unit operates the electric device based on the measurement value of the pressure sensor.

8. The vehicle interior system described in claim 1, characterized in that the interior member is a vehicle seat on which the occupant can be seated, the vehicle seat having a seat back and a side support portion provided on the seat back, the electric device is a side support movable portion that operates the side support portion, the sensor is a pressure sensor, and the control unit operates the side support portion to move closer to the seated occupant when the force of the cushion body applied to the pressure sensor becomes stronger, and operates the side support portion to move away from the seated occupant when the force of the cushion body applied to the pressure sensor becomes weaker.

9. The vehicle interior system described in claim 1, characterized in that the interior component is provided with a first display unit for the interior component that displays an image of a character, the sensor is a pressure sensor, and the control unit changes the image of the character to be displayed on the first display unit based on the measurement value of the pressure sensor.

10. The vehicle interior system described in claim 9, wherein the cushion body has a second display unit for the cushion body that displays an image of the character, and an audio output unit that outputs the voice of the character, and the control unit changes the image of the character displayed by the second display unit based on the measurement value of the pressure sensor, and outputs the voice of the character to the audio output unit.

11. The vehicle interior system as described in claim 1, further comprising a collision detection sensor that detects a collision of the vehicle, and wherein the control unit stops the linked operation of the cushion body and the electric device when the collision detection sensor detects a collision of the vehicle.

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