Vehicle interior system

Abstract

A vehicle interior system (1) comprises a decorative article (20) and a control unit (100). The decorative article is provided on an interior member (10) of the vehicle. The decorative article has a movable body (22) that is operated by using an actuator. The movable body (22) can be moved between a separated position at which the movable body is distant from an occupant seated in a seat (10) and a contact position at which the movable body (22) can come into contact with the occupant seated in the seat (10). The control unit (100) controls the actuator to cause the movable body (22) to move from the separated position toward the contact position, thereby executing a contact process for bringing the movable body (22) into contact with the occupant.

Description

Vehicle Interior Systems

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle interior system including trim and controls.

[0002] A conventional vehicle interior system includes a plush toy-like three-dimensional notification object placed on the dashboard of a vehicle (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-104103). The three-dimensional notification object notifies the occupant of various traffic information (such as the vehicle's course and driving conditions) through gestures, mannerisms, facial expressions, flashing lights, etc., and entertains the occupant by having a conversation with the occupant.

[0003] Also known as a vehicle interior system is one that includes an agent device installed on the dashboard of the vehicle (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-73110). The agent device is a small robot that communicates with the occupant through voice and movement.

[0004] However, in conventional technology, information is communicated to occupants through the movements and sounds of a robot on the dashboard, so there is a risk that occupants may not notice the robot's actions if they take their eyes off the robot or if there is a lot of noise outside the vehicle.

[0005] Furthermore, since the crew can only communicate with the robot through sight and hearing, there was a need to improve the quality of communication and entertainment value.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to make it easier for passengers to notice the actions of decorative objects such as robots.

[0007] In consideration of the above background, a vehicle interior system is disclosed that includes a decorative item and a control unit. The decorative item is provided on an interior member of the vehicle. The decorative item has a movable body that is moved by an actuator. The movable body is movable between a separation position that is separated from a seated occupant and a contact position that can contact the seated occupant. The control unit controls the actuator to move the movable body from the separation position toward the contact position, thereby performing a contact process that brings the movable body into contact with the occupant.

[0008] By configuring the control unit to perform a contact process that moves the movable body of the ornament and brings the movable body into contact with the occupant, the action of the ornament can be made known to the occupant through touch, making it easier for the occupant to notice the action of the ornament.

[0009] The vehicle interior system may further include a contact sensor that detects whether the movable body is in contact with an occupant. In the contact processing, the control unit may move the movable body until it determines that the movable body has come into contact with the occupant based on information acquired by the contact sensor.

[0010] By configuring the movable body to move until the control unit determines that the movable body has come into contact with the occupant based on information from the contact sensor, it is possible to reliably bring the movable body into contact with the occupant.

[0011] The contact sensor may be a pressure sensor, and the control unit may change the strength of the pressure applied from the movable object to the occupant in the contact process based on the pressure value acquired by the pressure sensor.

[0012] By configuring the strength of the pressure applied to the occupant from the movable body to be changeable, it is possible to increase the variety of communication and notifications.

[0013] The vehicle interior system may also include a voice acquisition unit that acquires the voice of the occupant, and the control unit may change the movement of the movable body based on the voice acquired by the voice acquisition unit.

[0014] By configuring the movement of the movable body to change based on voice, it is possible to increase the variety of communication and notifications.

[0015] The control unit may also control the actuator so that the pressure applied from the movable body to the occupant increases as the volume of the sound acquired by the sound acquisition unit increases.

[0016] The decorative item may also protrude from the outer surface of the interior member.

[0017] The interior member may be a seat, and the decorative item may be located on top of the seat.

[0018] The seat may have a seating surface that supports an occupant, and the decorative item may protrude from an outer surface other than the seating surface.

[0019] Furthermore, the control unit may prohibit the contact process when a vehicle collision is predicted.

[0020] If the control unit predicts a vehicle collision, the control unit can prohibit the contact process, thereby improving safety.

[0021] The seat may also include an electric device that moves at least a portion of the seat, and the control unit may operate the electric device when moving the movable body.

[0022] By configuring the seat's electric device to operate when the movable body moves, it is possible to increase the variety of communication and notifications.

[0023] Furthermore, a vehicle interior system that includes a plush toy-like three-dimensional notification object placed on the dashboard of a vehicle has been known (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-104103). The three-dimensional notification object notifies the occupant of various traffic information (such as the vehicle's course and driving conditions) through gestures, mannerisms, facial expressions, flashing lights, etc., and entertains the occupant by having a conversation with them.

[0024] However, in the conventional technology, the three-dimensional notification object only notifies traffic information and allows conversation with the occupants, which is problematic in that it is not very entertaining.

[0025] Therefore, it is desired to provide a vehicle interior system that is highly entertaining.

[0026] In consideration of the above background, a vehicle interior system is disclosed that includes a decorative item, a portable device, and a control unit. The decorative item is fixed to an interior member of the vehicle. The decorative item has a movable body that is moved by an actuator. The portable device is a portable device. The portable device acquires information from an occupant. The control unit is capable of communicating with the portable device. The control unit moves the movable body by controlling the actuator based on the information acquired from the portable device.

[0027] By configuring the control unit to move the movable body based on information acquired from the portable device, it becomes possible to make the movable body perform various movements according to the information acquired by the portable device, thereby increasing the entertainment value.

[0028] In addition, the portable device has a contact sensor that detects when an occupant touches the portable device, and the movable body is movable between a distanced position away from the occupant seated in the seat and a contact position where it can come into contact with the occupant seated in the seat, and the control unit can perform a contact process to bring the movable body into contact with the occupant by controlling the actuator to move the movable body from the distanced position toward the contact position, and may perform the contact process when it is determined based on contact information obtained from the contact sensor that the occupant has touched the portable device.

[0029] By configuring the control unit to perform a contact process that moves the movable body of the ornament and brings the movable body into contact with the occupant, the action of the ornament can be made known to the occupant through touch, making it easier for the occupant to notice the action of the ornament.

[0030] The control unit may also increase the sensitivity of the contact sensor as the fatigue level of the occupant estimated based on the information obtained from the portable device increases.

[0031] By configuring the contact sensor to have a higher sensitivity as the occupant's level of fatigue increases, even an occupant whose hand strength has weakened due to fatigue can have the control unit perform contact processing using a portable device.

[0032] The information may also include the amount of time the occupant has exercised, and the control unit may estimate that the greater the exercise time, the greater the degree of fatigue.

[0033] In addition, the control unit may estimate the number of contacts, which is the number of times the occupant touches the portable device within a predetermined period of time, based on the contact information obtained from the contact sensor, and change the movement of the movable body in the contact processing depending on the number of contacts.

[0034] By configuring the moving body to change its movement depending on the number of contacts, the entertainment value can be further enhanced.

[0035] The mobile device may also include a speaker, and the control unit may cause the speaker to output sound when the movable body is moved.

[0036] By configuring the control unit to output sound from the speaker when the movable body is moved, the entertainment value can be further enhanced.

[0037] In the vehicle interior system, the portable device may include a vibration device, and the control unit may activate the vibration device when it determines, based on the contact information, that the occupant has touched the portable device.

[0038] The entertainment value can be further enhanced by configuring the portable device so that a vibration device is activated when the passenger touches the portable device.

[0039] The control unit may also estimate the degree of intimacy between the occupant and the portable device based on the information, and change the movement of the movable body in accordance with the degree of intimacy.

[0040] By configuring the movement of the movable body to change depending on the degree of intimacy, the entertainment value can be further increased.

[0041] The vehicle may also be provided with a holding unit that holds the portable device, and the portable device may be capable of detecting that the portable device is being held in the holding unit, and may be capable of communicating with the control unit when being held in the holding unit, and may be unable to communicate with the control unit when not being held in the holding unit.

[0042] By configuring the portable device so that it can communicate with the control unit only when the portable device is held by the holding unit, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the movable body.

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit may prohibit the contact process when a vehicle collision is predicted.

[0044] If the control unit predicts a vehicle collision, the control unit can prohibit the contact process, thereby improving safety.

[0045] The portable device may also have an external shape that resembles a character.

[0046] Furthermore, a vehicle interior system that includes a plush toy-like three-dimensional notification object placed on the dashboard of a vehicle has been known (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-104103). The three-dimensional notification object notifies the occupant of various traffic information (such as the vehicle's course and driving conditions) through gestures, mannerisms, facial expressions, flashing lights, etc., and entertains the occupant by having a conversation with them.

[0047] However, in the conventional technology, the information is communicated by moving the arms of the three-dimensional notification object, which results in a problem of high power consumption. In particular, when the vehicle battery is low in charge or when the vehicle enters a low-emissions area (an area where the internal combustion engine is required to be stopped), it is necessary to reduce power consumption.

[0048] Therefore, it is desirable to reduce power consumption in a vehicle interior system that includes a decorative item having a movable body that is moved by an actuator.

[0049] In consideration of the above background, a vehicle interior system is disclosed that includes an ornament and a control unit. The ornament is attached to an interior member of the vehicle. The ornament has a movable body. The movable body is moved by an actuator connected to the vehicle's battery. The control unit is capable of switching between a normal mode and an energy-saving mode that consumes less battery power than the normal mode depending on conditions. In the normal mode, if a predetermined condition is met, the control unit supplies a first power to the actuator to move the movable body by a first action. In the energy-saving mode, if the predetermined condition is met, the control unit moves the movable body by a second action different from the first action, which can be moved by a second power lower than the first power, or does not move the movable body.

[0050] In the normal mode, the movable body operates with a first power, and in the energy saving mode, the movable body operates with a second power smaller than the first power, or does not operate at all, thereby reducing power consumption in the energy saving mode.

[0051] In addition, the movable body can move up and down, and in normal mode, when predetermined conditions are met, the control unit may operate the actuator to move the movable body up, and then operate the actuator to move the movable body down, and in energy saving mode, when predetermined conditions are met, the control unit may operate the actuator to move the movable body up, and then stop the actuator and move the movable body down by gravity.

[0052] In the energy saving mode, the movable body is moved downward by gravity, and therefore the power required to move the movable body downward is zero, thereby further reducing power consumption.

[0053] The movable body may also be movable between a separation position above and away from an occupant seated on the seat and a contact position below the separation position where it can come into contact with the occupant seated on the seat.

[0054] By configuring the movable body to be able to come into contact with an occupant seated in the seat, the occupant can recognize the action of the ornament through touch, making it easier for the occupant to notice the action of the ornament.

[0055] The separation positions may also include a first separation position that is a first distance above the occupant, and a second separation position that is a second distance above the occupant that is greater than the first distance, and the control unit may selectively execute a process of stopping the actuator from the first separation position and causing the movable body to move downward by gravity, and a process of stopping the actuator from the second separation position and causing the movable body to move downward by gravity.

[0056] By configuring the device to be able to select between a process of moving the movable body downwards by gravity from the first separated position and a process of moving the movable body downwards by gravity from the second separated position, the power required to move the movable body to the separated position can be changed, so that when the process of moving the movable body downwards by gravity from the first separated position is selected, power consumption can be reduced.

[0057] The interior member may be a seat, and the decorative item may be located on top of the seat.

[0058] Furthermore, the control unit may prohibit the process of moving the movable body when a vehicle collision is predicted.

[0059] Safety can be improved by configuring the control unit to prohibit processing to move the movable body when it predicts a vehicle collision.

[0060] Furthermore, the control unit may switch the mode from the normal mode to the energy saving mode when it determines that the vehicle has entered a low emission region where the internal combustion engine is required to be stopped.

[0061] By configuring the vehicle so that the mode is switched to the energy saving mode when the vehicle enters a low emission area, it is possible to reduce power consumption while the vehicle is located in the low emission area.

[0062] The vehicle interior system may further include a notification unit that notifies vehicle information related to the vehicle and non-vehicle information that is information other than the vehicle information. When the notification unit notifies either vehicle information or non-vehicle information in the normal mode, the control unit may move the movable body in an operation corresponding to the information notified by the notification unit. When the notification unit notifies vehicle information in the energy-saving mode, the control unit may move the movable body in the same operation as in the normal mode. When the notification unit notifies non-vehicle information in the energy-saving mode, the control unit may move the movable body in an operation different from the normal mode that requires less power to operate than in the normal mode, or may not move the movable body at all.

[0063] When notifying vehicle information using the notification unit in the energy-saving mode, the movable body is configured to move in the same manner as in the normal mode, thereby enabling important vehicle information to be accurately conveyed to the occupants using the movement of the movable body.When notifying non-vehicle information using the notification unit in the energy-saving mode, the movable body is configured to move with less power than in the normal mode, or not to move at all, thereby enabling power consumption to be reduced.

[0064] In addition, the vehicle interior system may further include a charge amount acquisition unit that acquires the charge amount of the battery, and the control unit may reduce the power supplied to the actuator when the charge amount is equal to or less than a threshold value compared to when the charge amount is greater than the threshold value, thereby reducing the movement of the movable body.

[0065] By configuring the device to reduce the movement of the movable body when the charge level of the battery is equal to or lower than a threshold, it is possible to reduce power consumption when the charge level of the battery is low.

[0066] Furthermore, a vehicle interior system that includes a plush toy-like three-dimensional notification object placed on the dashboard of a vehicle has been known (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-104103). The three-dimensional notification object notifies the occupant of various traffic information (such as the vehicle's course and driving conditions) through gestures, mannerisms, facial expressions, flashing lights, etc., and entertains the occupant by having a conversation with them.

[0067] Also known as a vehicle interior system is one that includes an agent device that converses with the occupants, and a control unit that calculates a calmness value (the occupant's level of calmness or relaxation) based on the environment around the occupant and changes the voice and screen display of the agent device according to the calmness value (see JP 2024-17174 A).

[0068] However, in the technology of JP 2002-104103 A, information is communicated to the occupants through the movements and sounds of a robot on the dashboard, so there is a risk that the occupants may not notice the robot's actions if they look away from the robot or if there is a lot of noise outside the vehicle.

[0069] Furthermore, in the technology of JP 2024-17174 A, the agent device is operated in a manner according to the peacefulness value, but if the occupant looks away from the agent device or if there is a lot of noise outside the vehicle, the occupant may not be able to grasp the state of the agent device and may not be able to recognize their level of relaxation.

[0070] Therefore, it is desirable to make it easier for passengers to notice the actions of decorative objects such as robots.

[0071] In consideration of the above background, a vehicle interior system is disclosed that includes an ornament, an environment acquisition unit, and a control unit. The ornament is provided in an interior member of the vehicle. The ornament has a movable body that is moved by an actuator. The environment acquisition unit acquires information about the environment around an occupant. The movable body is movable between a separation position away from the occupant seated in the seat and a contact position where it can come into contact with the occupant seated in the seat. The control unit controls the actuator to move the movable body from the separation position toward the contact position, thereby executing a contact process that brings the movable body into contact with the occupant, calculates the occupant's relaxation level based on information acquired from the environment acquisition unit, and executes the contact process based on the relaxation level.

[0072] By configuring the movable body to be able to come into contact with the occupant seated in the seat, the action of the ornament can be recognized by the occupant's sense of touch, making it easier for the occupant to notice the action of the ornament. Also, by configuring the contact processing to be performed based on the relaxation level, it makes it easier for the occupant to notice the relaxation level.

[0073] The control unit may also change the movement of the movable body in the contact process based on the degree of relaxation.

[0074] By configuring the movement of the movable body to be changed based on the degree of relaxation, the occupant can recognize how relaxed he or she is based on the movement of the movable body.

[0075] The control unit may also determine whether or not to execute contact processing based on the degree of relaxation.

[0076] The accessory may also have a vibration device, and the control unit may activate the vibration device based on the degree of relaxation when moving the movable body.

[0077] The ornament may also have an inflatable / contractable air cell, and the control unit may activate the air cell based on the degree of relaxation when moving the movable body.

[0078] The seat may also include an electric device that moves at least a portion of the seat, and the control unit may operate the electric device based on the degree of relaxation when moving the movable body.

[0079] Furthermore, the electrically powered device may be an inflatable / contractable air cell for the seat, and when the control unit operates the air cell, the control unit may operate the air cell for the seat.

[0080] The control unit may also decrease the operating speed of at least one of the air cells and the seat air cells as the degree of relaxation increases.

[0081] By configuring the operating speed of at least one of the air cell and the seat air cell to be slower as the degree of relaxation increases, the occupant can recognize how relaxed he or she is based on the operating speed of at least one of the air cell and the seat air cell.

[0082] The vehicle interior system may further include a position acquisition unit that acquires the position of the vehicle, and the control unit may calculate the relaxation level based on the position of the vehicle.

[0083] Furthermore, the control unit may prohibit the contact process when a vehicle collision is predicted.

[0084] If the control unit predicts a vehicle collision, the control unit can prohibit the contact process, thereby improving safety.

[0085] Furthermore, a conventional vehicle interior system is known that includes a robot installed on the dashboard of a vehicle, a screen, and a control unit that moves the robot's arms, etc. (See JP 2024-25227 A.) The control unit points to an object, such as a vehicle approaching the vehicle, with the robot's arm, displays it on the screen, or notifies the driver by voice.

[0086] However, in conventional technology, information is communicated to occupants through the movements and sounds of a robot on the dashboard, so there is a risk that occupants may not notice the robot's actions if they take their eyes off the robot or if there is a lot of noise outside the vehicle.

[0087] Furthermore, since notifications were sent to the occupants visually through screen displays and robot movements, if the occupants were not looking at the screen or robot, there was a risk that they would not be able to operate the vehicle or take action to detect danger in response to the notification.

[0088] Therefore, it is desirable to make it easier for passengers to notice the actions of decorative objects such as robots.

[0089] In consideration of the above background, a vehicle interior system is disclosed that includes an ornament, a vehicle exterior information acquisition unit, and a control unit. The ornament is attached to an interior member of the vehicle. The ornament has a movable body that is moved by an actuator. The vehicle exterior information acquisition unit acquires information about the outside of the vehicle. The movable body is movable between a separation position that is separated from a passenger seated in the seat and a contact position that allows contact with the passenger seated in the seat. The control unit controls the actuator to move the movable body from the separation position toward the contact position, thereby executing a contact process that brings the movable body into contact with the passenger, and executes the contact process based on a distance between an object outside the vehicle and the vehicle, which is estimated based on information acquired from the vehicle exterior information acquisition unit.

[0090] By configuring the control unit to perform a contact process that moves the movable body of the ornament and brings the movable body into contact with the occupant, the action of the ornament can be recognized by the occupant's sense of touch, making it easier for the occupant to notice the action of the ornament. Furthermore, since the control unit performs the contact process based on the distance between the vehicle and an object outside the vehicle, it can notify the occupant that a vehicle is approaching the host vehicle by bringing the movable body into contact with the occupant, for example.

[0091] The movable body may also be capable of coming into contact with the head of the occupant.

[0092] By configuring the movable body so that it can come into contact with the head of the occupant, the occupant can easily notice contact with the movable body.

[0093] The control unit may also change the manner in which the movable body makes contact with the head in the contact process based on the distance.

[0094] The control unit may also change the strength of the pressure applied to the head from the movable body in the contact process based on the distance.

[0095] The contact positions may also include a first contact position that can contact a first portion of the head and a second contact position that can contact a second portion of the head that is different from the first portion, and the control unit may select, based on distance, in the contact process, a first contact process that moves the movable body from the separated position toward the first contact position and a second contact process that moves the movable body from the separated position toward the second contact position.

[0096] In addition, the control unit may set an object approaching the vehicle as a target based on information acquired from the outside vehicle information acquisition unit, and when performing contact processing, may press the head of the occupant with the movable body so that the face is facing the target.

[0097] By configuring the occupant's face to face an object by pressing the head with the movable body, the occupant can easily notice an object approaching the vehicle.

[0098] In addition, the control unit may predict the destination of an object moving around the vehicle based on information acquired from the outside vehicle information acquisition unit, set the predicted destination as a target, and when performing contact processing, may press the head of the occupant with the movable body so that the face of the occupant is facing the target.

[0099] By using a movable body to press against the head of the occupant, the occupant's face can be turned toward the direction of the object's movement, making it easier for the occupant to notice objects moving around the vehicle.

[0100] The vehicle interior system may also include a face direction detection unit that detects the direction of the occupant's face, and the control unit may determine whether the occupant's face is facing toward the target based on information from the face direction detection unit.

[0101] In addition, when the control unit executes contact processing while the vehicle is reversing, after starting the contact processing, if the distance becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control unit may stop the vehicle until the occupant's face is facing the target, and when it determines that the occupant's face is facing the target, it may resume reversing the vehicle.

[0102] When the distance between the vehicle and an object outside the vehicle becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the vehicle is stopped until the occupant faces the target, thereby preventing the vehicle from colliding with the object. In addition, by configuring the system to resume backing up the vehicle when it is determined that the occupant faces the target, the vehicle can continue to back up while the occupant takes action to avoid the object.

[0103] The interior member may be a seat, the seat may include an electric device that moves at least a portion of the seat, and the control unit may operate the electric device when moving the movable body.

[0104] By configuring the seat's electric device to operate when the movable body moves, it is possible to increase the variety of communication and notifications.

[0105] Furthermore, the control unit may prohibit the contact process when a vehicle collision is predicted.

[0106] If the control unit predicts a vehicle collision, the control unit can prohibit the contact process, thereby improving safety.

[0107] 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle interior system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a tail member positioned at a separation position, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are diagrams showing the tail member positioned at a contact position. A flowchart showing a contact process. A flowchart showing a prohibition process. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle interior system according to a second embodiment. A flowchart showing a contact process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle interior system according to a third embodiment. A flowchart showing a contact process according to the third embodiment. A perspective view showing a vehicle interior system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an action of pushing an occupant's face upward with the tail member, and FIGS. 1C and 1C are diagrams showing an action of pushing an occupant's face downward with the tail member. A flowchart showing a contact process according to the fourth embodiment. A perspective view showing a vehicle interior system according to a fifth embodiment. A flowchart showing a contact process according to the fifth embodiment. A perspective view showing a vehicle interior system according to a sixth embodiment. A flowchart showing a contact process according to the sixth embodiment. A perspective view showing a vehicle interior system according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a tail member positioned at a separation position, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are diagrams showing the tail member positioned at a contact position. A flowchart showing a contact process. A flowchart showing a prohibition process. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle interior system according to an eighth embodiment. A flowchart showing a contact process according to the eighth embodiment. 11. A perspective view showing a vehicle interior system according to a ninth embodiment. A flowchart showing contact processing according to the ninth embodiment. A diagram showing a vehicle interior system according to a tenth embodiment. FIG. 12. (a) is a diagram showing the structure of a tail member, (b) is a diagram showing a tail member moving from an initial position to a ready position, (c) is a diagram showing a tail member moving from the ready position to a separated position, and (d) is a diagram showing a tail member moving from the separated position to a contact position. A flowchart showing mode switching processing. A flowchart showing contact processing. A flowchart showing prohibition processing. FIG. 13. (a) to (c) are diagrams showing a vehicle interior system according to an eleventh embodiment. A flowchart showing contact processing according to the eleventh embodiment. A diagram showing a vehicle interior system according to a twelfth embodiment. A perspective view showing the structure around a robot. FIG. 14. (a) to (d) are diagrams showing the operation of the robot.10A and 10B show the difference in robot movement between normal mode and energy saving mode. FIG. 10B is a flowchart showing the process for notifying an occupant of non-vehicle information. FIG. 10C is a perspective view showing a vehicle interior system according to a thirteenth embodiment. FIG. 10A shows the tail member positioned at the separation position, and FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C show the tail member positioned at the contact position. FIG. 10C is a flowchart showing the contact process. FIG. 10D is a flowchart showing the prohibition process. FIG. 10E is an enlarged perspective view showing a vehicle interior system according to a fourteenth embodiment. FIG. 10F is a flowchart showing the contact process according to the fourteenth embodiment. FIG. 10C is a flowchart showing the contact process according to the fifteenth embodiment. FIG. 10F is a perspective view showing a vehicle interior system according to a sixteenth embodiment. FIG. 10A shows the tail member positioned at the separation position and the contact position, and FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C show the tail member positioned at the pressing position. FIG. 10D is a flowchart showing the contact process. FIG. 10E is a flowchart showing the prohibition process. FIG. 10F is a perspective view showing a vehicle interior system according to a seventeenth embodiment. FIG. 10F is a flowchart showing the contact process according to the seventeenth embodiment. FIG. 10F is a flowchart showing the contact process according to the eighteenth embodiment. FIG. 10F is a flowchart showing the contact process according to the nineteenth embodiment. FIG. 10F is a flowchart showing the process for reversing a vehicle according to a twentieth embodiment.

[0108] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of a vehicle interior system will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle interior system 1 includes a seat 10 as an example of an interior member, a camera C, a tail member 20 as an example of a decorative item, and a control unit 100. The seat 10, the camera C, and the tail member 20 are arranged inside the vehicle, more specifically, in positions facing the passenger compartment. In this embodiment, the seat 10 is a driver's seat or a passenger seat.

[0109] The seat 10 includes a seat cushion 11, a seat back 12, and a headrest 13. The seat cushion 11, the seat back 12, and the headrest 13 each constitute a seat body having a seating surface F. The seating surface F is a surface that comes into contact with and supports an occupant (e.g., a driver) seated in the seat 10.

[0110] The seat cushion 11, seat back 12, and headrest 13 each have a metal frame that forms the framework, a pad that covers the frame, and a cover that covers the pad. The pad is made of urethane foam or the like. The cover is made of synthetic leather, fabric, or the like.

[0111] The seat cushion 11 has a base portion 11A located in the left-right center and protruding portions 11B located on both the left and right outer sides of the base portion 11A. The base portion 11A has a seating surface F that contacts and supports the buttocks and thighs of the occupant from below. The protruding portions 11B protrude from the seating surface F of the base portion 11A toward the occupant to support the sides of the occupant's thighs and buttocks.

[0112] Similarly, the seat back 12 has a base portion 12A located in the left-right center and protruding portions 12B located on both the left and right outer sides of the base portion 12A. The base portion 12A has a seating surface F that contacts the back of the occupant and supports the back from behind. The protruding portions 12B protrude from the seating surface F of the base portion 12A toward the occupant to support the sides of the occupant's upper body.

[0113] The front surface of the headrest 13 serves as a seating surface F that supports the head of the occupant.

[0114] The camera C is a camera that captures an image of the area in front of the vehicle. The camera C is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the vehicle. Image information captured by the camera C is output to the control unit 100.

[0115] The tail member 20 is provided on the upper part of the seat 10. More specifically, the tail member 20 is located on the left side surface FL of the headrest 13. The side surface FL is the outer surface of the headrest 13 other than the seating surface F. The tail member 20 protrudes from the side surface FL.

[0116] The tail member 20 has a base portion 21 and a movable body 22. The base portion 21 is a portion that is fixed to the headrest 13. The base portion 21 is, for example, embedded in the pad of the headrest 13 and fixed to the frame of the headrest 13.

[0117] The movable body 22 extends from the base 21, and its tip is configured to be able to move freely in all directions. The movable body 22 is shaped, for example, to resemble a cat's tail. The movable body 22 includes, for example, a joint mechanism having multiple joints, a cushioning material such as cotton or sponge that covers the joint mechanism, and a surface covering that covers the cushioning material. The surface is made of, for example, cloth or brushed fabric.

[0118] The joint mechanism has a plurality of links (serial links) that are rotatably connected to one another, and the plurality of links are moved by an actuator.

[0119] The joint mechanism can be configured, for example, like a robot arm. In this case, the actuators for moving the multiple links are multiple motors arranged near the multiple joints.

[0120] The joint mechanism can also be configured to include, for example, multiple links, a spring that biases the multiple links so that they are aligned in a straight rod shape, a wire that pulls the distal link in a direction that causes the multiple links to fold against the biasing force of the spring, and a winch for pulling the wire. In this case, the actuator for moving the multiple links is a winch, and when the winch pulls the wire, the joint mechanism moves in a direction that causes the joint mechanism to fold, and when the winch releases the wire, the spring moves the joint mechanism in a direction that causes the joint mechanism to extend straight. In this case, using multiple wires allows the joint mechanism to be moved so as to fold in different directions, and the distal end of the movable body 22 can be freely moved in any direction.

[0121] The movable body 22 protrudes from the side surface FL. The movable body 22 has a contact sensor 22A at its tip that detects contact of the movable body 22 with an occupant. The contact sensor 22A may be, for example, a capacitance type touch sensor or a pressure sensor. The contact sensor 22A may be located, for example, between the surface and the cushioning material.

[0122] The movable body 22 is movable between a separated position shown in Fig. 2(a) and a contact position shown in Fig. 2(b) and (c). When the movable body 22 is positioned at the separated position, it is separated from the occupant seated in the seat 10. When the movable body 22 is positioned at the contact position, it is capable of coming into contact with the occupant seated in the seat 10.

[0123] The control unit 100 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, rewritable non-volatile memory, etc. (not shown), and executes pre-stored programs. The control unit 100 may be provided in the seat 10 or in a member other than the seat 10.

[0124] The control unit 100 has a function of executing a contact process in which the movable body 22 contacts the occupant by controlling the actuator of the tail member 20 to move the movable body 22 from the separated position toward the contact position. In the contact process, the control unit 100 moves the movable body 22 until it determines that the movable body 22 has contacted the occupant based on information acquired by the contact sensor 22A.

[0125] Furthermore, the control unit 100 has a function of prohibiting contact processing when a vehicle collision is predicted. Specifically, the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a possibility that the vehicle will collide with an object ahead based on image information acquired from the camera C, and prohibits contact processing when it determines that there is a possibility of a collision.

[0126] Next, a detailed description will be given of the operation of the control unit 100. While the vehicle power supply is ON, the control unit 100 repeatedly executes the contact process shown in Fig. 3 and the prohibition process shown in Fig. 4 in parallel.

[0127] When the vehicle power supply is turned on, the control unit 100 starts counting up using a timer and executes the contact process shown in FIG.

[0128] In the contact process, the control unit 100 first determines whether the timer value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S1). If it is determined in step S1 that the timer value is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0129] If it is determined in step S1 that the timer value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the tip of the tail member 20 toward the contact position (S2). After step S2, the control unit 100 determines whether the tip of the tail member 20 has touched the occupant based on information from the contact sensor 22A (S3).

[0130] If it is determined in step S3 that the tip of the tail member 20 is not touching the occupant (No), the control unit 100 repeats the process of step S3 (No). If it is determined in step S3 that the tip of the tail member 20 is touching the occupant (Yes), the control unit 100 returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S4). Note that if the condition of step S3 is not met even after a predetermined time has elapsed in step S3, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S4 and returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position.

[0131] After step S4, the control unit 100 resets the timer and starts counting up again (S5). After step S5, the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0132] 4, the control unit 100 first determines whether or not there is a possibility of a collision based on image information acquired from the camera C (S21). If it is determined in step S21 that there is no possibility of a collision (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0133] If it is determined in step S21 that there is a possibility of a collision (Yes), the control unit 100 prohibits the contact process (S22) and ends this process. Specifically, if the tail member 20 is not moving when the control unit 100 proceeds to step S22, it forcibly terminates the contact process in Figure 3 and does not execute the contact process thereafter. Furthermore, if the tail member 20 is moving when the control unit 100 proceeds to step S22, it forcibly terminates the contact process, returns the tail member 20 to the separated position, and does not execute the contact process thereafter.

[0134] Next, a specific example of the operation of the control unit 100 will be described. When an occupant gets into the vehicle, sits in the seat 10, and turns on the vehicle power, a timer starts counting up. When a time corresponding to the timer threshold has elapsed since the vehicle power was turned on, the control unit 100 moves the tip of the tail member 20 from the separated position toward the contact position, as shown in the order of Figures 2(a) and 2(b).

[0135] When the tip of the tail member 20 touches the occupant's face, the control unit 100 returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position, resets the timer, and starts counting up the timer from 1. After that, when the time corresponding to the timer threshold has elapsed since the tip of the tail member 20 returned to the separated position, the control unit 100 performs contact processing again and moves the tip of the tail member 20 toward the contact position.

[0136] Therefore, the occupant sitting on the seat 10 feels the seat 10 like a pet because the tail member 20 of the seat 10 periodically touches his / her face, and the occupant grows attached to the seat 10 and is comforted by the contact with the tail member 20.

[0137] As described above, this embodiment can provide the following effects: By configuring the control unit 100 to execute a contact process in which the movable body 22 of the tail member 20 is moved to bring the movable body 22 into contact with the occupant, the occupant can be made aware of the action of the tail member 20 by touch, making it easier for the occupant to notice the action of the tail member 20.

[0138] By configuring the movable body 22 to move until the control unit 100 determines that the movable body 22 has come into contact with the occupant based on information from the contact sensor 22A, the movable body 22 can be reliably brought into contact with the occupant.

[0139] If the control unit 100 predicts a vehicle collision, the control unit 100 is configured to prohibit the contact process, thereby improving safety.

[0140] The control unit 100 may randomly select the timer threshold from a number of different values. This will cause the timing at which the tail member 20 touches the occupant to be irregular, allowing the occupant to feel that the tail member 20 is alive.

[0141] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that this embodiment is a modification of the vehicle interior system 1 according to the first embodiment, and therefore, components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0142] 5, the vehicle interior system 1A according to the second embodiment includes, in addition to the configuration of the vehicle interior system 1 according to the first embodiment, a voice acquisition unit 110 that acquires the voice of an occupant. The voice acquisition unit 110 is, for example, a microphone. The voice acquisition unit 110 may be provided in the seat 10 or in a member other than the seat 10.

[0143] In the second embodiment, a pressure sensor 22B serving as a contact sensor is provided at the tip of the movable body 22.

[0144] The control unit 100 has a function of changing the movement of the movable body 22 based on the sound acquired by the sound acquisition unit 110. Specifically, the control unit 100 controls the actuator so that the pressure applied from the movable body 22 to the occupant increases as the volume of the sound acquired by the sound acquisition unit 110 increases. In this case, the control unit 100 changes the strength of the pressure applied from the movable body 22 to the occupant in the contact process based on the pressure value acquired by the pressure sensor 22B.

[0145] Specifically, the control unit 100 according to the second embodiment executes the contact process shown in Fig. 6. In the contact process, the control unit 100 first determines whether the volume of the sound acquired from the sound acquisition unit 110 is equal to or greater than a first threshold (S31). If it is determined in step S31 that the volume of the sound is not equal to or greater than the first threshold (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0146] If it is determined in step S31 that the volume of the sound is equal to or greater than the first threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether the volume of the sound is equal to or greater than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold (S32). If it is determined in step S32 that the volume of the sound is not equal to or greater than the second threshold (No), the control unit 100 moves the tip of the tail member 20 toward the contact position (S36).

[0147] After step S36, the control unit 100 determines whether the pressure acquired from the pressure sensor 22B is equal to or greater than the first pressure value (S37). If it is determined in step S37 that the pressure is not equal to or greater than the first threshold value (No), the control unit 100 repeats the process of step S37. If it is determined in step S37 that the pressure is equal to or greater than the first threshold value (Yes), the control unit 100 returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S35) and ends this process. Note that if the condition of step S37 is not met even after a predetermined time has passed in step S37, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S35 and returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position.

[0148] If it is determined in step S32 that the volume of the sound is equal to or greater than the second threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the tip of the tail member 20 toward the contact position (S33). After step S33, the control unit 100 determines whether the pressure acquired from the pressure sensor 22B is equal to or greater than a second pressure value that is greater than the first pressure value (S34). If it is determined in step S34 that the pressure is not equal to or greater than the second threshold (No), the control unit 100 repeats the process of step S34. If it is determined in step S34 that the pressure is equal to or greater than the second threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S35) and ends this process. Note that if the condition of step S34 is not satisfied even after a predetermined time has elapsed in step S34, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S35 and returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position.

[0149] Next, a specific example of the operation of the control unit 100 will be described. For example, when the occupant hums, producing a sound that is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the control unit 100 will press the tip of the tail member 20 against the occupant's face with a first strength corresponding to the first pressure value. This allows the occupant to feel that the cat is in a good mood because of their humming and is playing with them with its tail, allowing them to enjoy communication with the cat.

[0150] For example, if the occupant shouts loudly when another vehicle cuts in front of the vehicle, the control unit 100 pushes the occupant's face with the tip of the tail member 20 at a second strength greater than the first strength. This allows the occupant to feel that they have startled the cat by shouting loudly and made the cat angry, and they can feel sorry for the cat and reduce their anger toward the cutting-in vehicle.

[0151] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that this embodiment is a modification of the vehicle interior system 1 according to the first embodiment, and therefore, components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0152] As shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle interior system 1B according to the third embodiment further includes a heart rate sensor SE1 and a breathing sensor SE2 in addition to the configuration of the vehicle interior system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0153] The heart rate sensor SE1 and the breathing sensor SE2 are sensors capable of detecting biological information of an occupant seated in the seat 10. In the following description, the occupant seated in the seat 10 will also be referred to as a "seat occupant."

[0154] The heartbeat sensor SE1 is a sensing device that uses capacitively coupled electrodes to non-contactly measure the electrocardiogram signal of the seat occupant. Here, the electrocardiogram signal refers to an action potential signal generated in association with the heartbeat of the seat occupant. The heartbeat sensor SE1 is provided on the seat back 12. The electrocardiogram signal detected by the heartbeat sensor SE1 is output to the control unit 100.

[0155] The breathing sensor SE2 is provided on the seat cushion 11. The breathing sensor SE2 has electrodes on the top and bottom. The breathing sensor SE2 is a resistance pressure sensor (pressure sensor) that detects a current flowing through an electrical resistance that changes in response to the breathing of a seated occupant.

[0156] Here, when pressure is applied to the electrode on the top surface of the breathing sensor SE2, the electrode on the top surface deforms downward, increasing contact resistance and decreasing the electrical resistance value between the electrodes. An electrical signal related to this electrical resistance value is output from the breathing sensor SE2 to the control unit 100. The control unit 100 calculates pressure based on the electrical signal related to the electrical resistance value and obtains breathing data based on the calculated pressure.

[0157] The heart rate sensor SE1 may be provided on the seat cushion 11, and the breathing sensor SE2 may be provided on the seat back 12. Alternatively, both the heart rate sensor SE1 and the breathing sensor SE2 may be provided on either the seat cushion 11 or the seat back 12.

[0158] The control unit 100 has a function of estimating the fatigue level of the seated occupant based on biological information acquired from at least one of the heartbeat sensor SE1 and the respiration sensor SE2.

[0159] As an example, the control unit 100 measures the sympathetic nerve activity of the seated occupant based on heart rate information acquired from the heart rate sensor SE1. Specifically, the control unit 100 obtains the ratio (LF / HF) of the low-frequency fluctuation wave (LF) to the high-frequency fluctuation wave (HF) in the heart rate fluctuation as the sympathetic nerve activity. The control unit 100 then determines the sympathetic nerve activity (LF / HF) as the fatigue level. In other words, according to the above index, the more active the sympathetic nerve activity is relative to the parasympathetic nerve activity, the higher the fatigue level of the seated occupant is estimated to be.

[0160] The method for estimating the fatigue level of the seated occupant is not limited to the above example. For example, the control unit 100 may determine the fatigue level of the seated occupant based on the interval between breaths or the arousal level determined based on the breath (at least a level indicating whether the occupant is in an arousal state or a low arousal state) based on information acquired from the breathing sensor SE2. Specifically, the shorter the interval between breaths of the seated occupant, the higher the fatigue level may be determined to be, or the fatigue level may be determined to be high when the arousal level of the seated occupant is in a low arousal state.

[0161] Furthermore, the control unit 100 may use the sum of the individual fatigue levels determined based on the sympathetic nerve activity level based on the heart rate, the breathing interval, and the alertness level as the fatigue level of the seated occupant.

[0162] The control unit 100 according to the third embodiment executes the contact process shown in Fig. 8. In the contact process, the control unit 100 first estimates the fatigue level of the seated occupant based on biological information acquired from at least one of the heart rate sensor SE1 and the respiration sensor SE2 (S51).

[0163] After step S51, the control unit 100 determines whether the fatigue level is equal to or greater than the first fatigue threshold (S52). If the control unit 100 determines in step S52 that the fatigue level is not equal to or greater than the first fatigue threshold (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0164] If it is determined in step S52 that the fatigue level is equal to or greater than the first fatigue threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether the fatigue level is equal to or greater than the second fatigue threshold (S53). If it is determined in step S53 that the fatigue level is equal to or greater than the second fatigue threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the tip of the tail member 20 over the occupant's head to make contact with it, and then moves it back and forth from side to side to stroke the occupant's head with the tail member 20 (S54).

[0165] If it is determined in step S53 that the fatigue level is not equal to or greater than the second fatigue threshold (No), the control unit 100 moves the tip of the tail member 20 over the occupant's head, and then moves it back and forth up and down to hit the occupant's head with the tail member 20 (S56). After step S54 or step S55, the control unit 100 returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S55), and ends this process.

[0166] Next, a specific example of the operation of the control unit 100 will be described. When the occupant's fatigue level is equal to or greater than the first fatigue level and less than the second fatigue level, for example, when the occupant is slightly tired and lacking concentration, the control unit 100 will hit the occupant on the head with the tail member 20. This allows the occupant to feel encouraged by the cat, and thus, they can drive with renewed enthusiasm.

[0167] If the occupant's fatigue level is equal to or higher than the second fatigue level, for example, if the occupant is very tired but continues driving without realizing that fatigue, the control unit 100 strokes the occupant's head with the tail member 20. This allows the occupant to feel that the cat is trying to put them to sleep, and therefore, the occupant can decide to take a rest even if they are unaware of their fatigue.

[0168] Since the control unit 100 executes contact processing based on biometric information, the vehicle interior system 1B is personalized, and the quality of communication can be improved.

[0169] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that this embodiment is a modification of the vehicle interior system 1B according to the third embodiment. Therefore, components that are substantially the same as those in the third embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0170] 9, the vehicle interior system 1C according to the fourth embodiment includes the same components as the vehicle interior system 1B according to the third embodiment, but also includes a second camera C2 that captures an image of the occupant's face. In addition, in the fourth embodiment, a tail member 20 is provided on each of the left and right side surfaces FL of the headrest 13. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the tail member 20 does not include a contact sensor 22A, and the second camera C2 is used as the contact sensor.

[0171] The control unit 100 has a function of estimating the occupant's level of wakefulness based on biological information acquired from at least one of the heart rate sensor SE1 and the breathing sensor SE2. The control unit 100 can determine whether the tail member 20 is touching the occupant based on image information from the second camera C2.

[0172] The control unit 100 can move the tip of the tail member 20 to any position on the occupant's face based on the image information from the second camera C2. If the occupant's face is not facing forward, the control unit 100 has the function of pushing the occupant's face with the tail member 20 to turn the occupant's face forward.

[0173] 10(a) and (b), when the occupant's face is facing down, the control unit 100 moves the tip of at least one of the left and right tail members 20 to the occupant's forehead and pushes the occupant's forehead upward with the tail member 20. When the occupant's face is facing up, as shown in Figures 10(c) and (d), the control unit 100 moves the tip of at least one of the left and right tail members 20 to the occupant's chin and pushes the occupant's chin downward with the tail member 20.

[0174] Although not shown in the figures, when the occupant's face is facing left, the control unit 100 moves the tip of the left tail member 20 to the occupant's left cheek and pushes the occupant's face to the right with the tail member 20. When the occupant's face is facing right, the control unit 100 moves the tip of the right tail member 20 to the occupant's right cheek and pushes the occupant's face to the left with the tail member 20.

[0175] The control unit 100 according to the fourth embodiment executes the contact process shown in Fig. 11. In the contact process, the control unit 100 first estimates the wakefulness level of the occupant based on biological information acquired from at least one of the heart rate sensor SE1 and the respiration sensor SE2 (S71).

[0176] After step S71, the control unit 100 determines whether the wakefulness level is equal to or lower than the threshold (S72). If it is determined in step S72 that the wakefulness level is not equal to or lower than the threshold (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0177] If it is determined in step S72 that the wakefulness level is equal to or lower than the threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether the occupant's face is facing downward based on the image information from the second camera C2 (S73). If it is determined in step S73 that the face is facing downward (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the tail member 20 to push the occupant's face upward with the tail member 20 (S74).

[0178] After step S74, the control unit 100 determines whether the occupant's face is facing forward based on the image information from the second camera C2 (S75). If it is determined in step S75 that the face is not facing forward (No), the control unit 100 returns to the processing of step S74. If it is determined in step S75 that the face is facing forward (Yes), the control unit 100 returns the tail member 20 to the separated position (S76) and ends this processing.

[0179] If it is determined in step S73 that the face is not facing down (No), the control unit 100 determines whether the face of the occupant is facing up based on the image information from the second camera C2 (S77).If it is determined in step S77 that the face is facing up (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the tail member 20 and pushes the occupant's face down with the tail member 20 (S78).

[0180] After step S78, the control unit 100 determines whether the occupant's face is facing forward based on the image information from the second camera C2 (S79). If it is determined in step S79 that the face is not facing forward (No), the control unit 100 returns to the processing of step S78. If it is determined in step S79 that the face is facing forward (Yes), the control unit 100 returns the tail member 20 to the separated position (S76) and ends this processing.

[0181] If it is determined in step S77 that the face is not facing up (No), the control unit 100 determines whether the face of the occupant is facing left based on the image information from the second camera C2 (S80).If it is determined in step S80 that the face is facing left (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the tail member 20 and pushes the face of the occupant to the right with the tail member 20 (S81).

[0182] After step S81, the control unit 100 determines whether the occupant's face is facing forward based on the image information from the second camera C2 (S82). If it is determined in step S82 that the face is not facing forward (No), the control unit 100 returns to the processing of step S81. If it is determined in step S82 that the face is facing forward (Yes), the control unit 100 returns the tail member 20 to the separated position (S76) and ends this processing.

[0183] If it is determined in step S80 that the face is not facing left (No), the control unit 100 determines whether the face of the occupant is facing right based on the image information from the second camera C2 (S83).If it is determined in step S83 that the face is facing right (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the tail member 20 and pushes the face of the occupant to the left with the tail member 20 (S84).

[0184] After step S84, the control unit 100 determines whether the occupant's face is facing forward based on the image information from the second camera C2 (S85). If it is determined in step S85 that the face is not facing forward (No), the control unit 100 returns to the processing of step S84. If it is determined in step S85 that the face is facing forward (Yes), the control unit 100 returns the tail member 20 to the separated position (S76) and ends this processing.

[0185] If it is determined in step S83 that the face is not facing right (No), the occupant's face is facing forward, and the control unit 100 ends this process without moving the tail member 20.

[0186] Next, a specific example of the operation of the control unit 100 will be described. When the occupant's level of alertness is below a threshold, for example, when the occupant is slightly drowsy and has their face down, the control unit 100 moves the tip of the tail member 20 to the occupant's forehead and pushes the occupant's forehead upward. This forces the occupant's face to face forward by the tail member 20, waking up the drowsy occupant and allowing them to concentrate on driving.

[0187] [Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that this embodiment is a modification of the vehicle interior system 1 according to the first embodiment, and therefore, components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0188] As shown in Figure 12, the vehicle interior system 1D of the fifth embodiment further includes an air cell 80 as an example of an electric device and a seat sensor 120 in addition to the configuration of the vehicle interior system 1 of the first embodiment.

[0189] The air cell 80 includes an inflatable / deflateable bag 81, a pump, and a tube (not shown). The pump has the function of sending air into the bag 81 and sucking air out of the bag 81, and is activated by passing electricity. The tube connects the bag 81 and the pump.

[0190] The bag 81 is embedded in the pad of the headrest 13. The bag 81 moves the seating surface F of the headrest 13 in the front-rear direction. The pump is fixed to the frame of the seat 10, for example.

[0191] The bag 81 can be deformed into a first shape, a second shape larger than the first shape, and a reference shape larger than the second shape. The bag 81 is in the reference shape during normal operation when the control unit 100 is not performing the contact process.

[0192] The seat sensor 120 is a sensor that detects pressure applied by the head of an occupant. The seat sensor 120 is located, for example, between the surface of the headrest 13 and the pad. In the fifth embodiment, a pressure sensor 22B serving as a contact sensor is provided at the tip of the movable body 22.

[0193] The control unit 100 has a function of activating the air cell 80 when the movable body 22 is moved. More specifically, the control unit 100 executes the contact process shown in FIG. 13. In the following description, the bag 81 of the air cell 80 will also be simply referred to as the "air cell 80." Furthermore, steps S104 and S105 in FIG. 13 are substantially the same processes as steps S33 and S34 in FIG. 6, and steps S109 and S110 in FIG. 13 are substantially the same processes as steps S36 and S37 in FIG. 6, so detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0194] In the contact process, the control unit 100 first acquires pressure (hereinafter also referred to as "seat-side pressure") from the seat sensor 120 (S101). After step S101, the control unit 100 determines whether the seat-side pressure is equal to or greater than a first pressure threshold (S102). If the control unit 100 determines in step S102 that the seat-side pressure is not equal to or greater than the first pressure threshold (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0195] If it is determined in step S102 that the seat-side pressure is equal to or greater than the first pressure threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether the seat-side pressure is equal to or greater than a second pressure threshold that is greater than the first pressure threshold (S103).If it is determined in step S103 that the seat-side pressure is not equal to or greater than the second pressure threshold (No), the control unit 100 contracts the air cells 80 from the reference shape to a second shape, that is, from the largest shape to a medium-sized shape (S109).

[0196] After step S109, the control unit 100 executes the processes of steps S110 and S111, thereby pressing the occupant's face with a first strength corresponding to the first pressure value using the tail member 20. After pressing the occupant's face with the first strength (S111: Yes), the control unit 100 returns the air cell 80 to its reference shape (S107), returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S108), and ends this process.

[0197] If it is determined in step S103 that the seat-side pressure is equal to or greater than the second pressure threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 contracts the air cell 80 from the reference shape to the first shape, i.e., from the largest shape to the smallest shape (S104). After step S104, the control unit 100 executes the processes of steps S105 and S106, thereby causing the tail member 20 to press against the occupant's face with a second strength greater than the first strength. After pressing the occupant's face with the second strength (S106: Yes), the control unit 100 returns the air cell 80 to the reference shape (S107), returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S108), and ends this process.

[0198] Next, a specific example of the operation of the control unit 100 will be described. When the occupant presses their head against the seating surface F of the headrest 13 with a third strength corresponding to the first pressure threshold, the control unit 100 slightly deflates the air cells 80 and causes the tail member 20 to push the occupant's face with a first strength. When the occupant presses their head against the seating surface F of the headrest 13 with a fourth strength greater than the third strength corresponding to the second pressure threshold, the control unit 100 greatly deflates the air cells 80 and causes the tail member 20 to push the occupant's face with a second strength greater than the first strength.

[0199] As a result, the greater the force applied by the occupant to the headrest 13, the greater the reaction from the headrest 13 and the tail member 20, so the occupant can feel that the headrest 13 and the tail member 20 are like a cat, and a sense of closeness is created.

[0200] [Sixth embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that this embodiment is a modification of the vehicle interior system 1 according to the first embodiment, and therefore, components that are substantially the same as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0201] 14 , in a vehicle interior system 1E according to the sixth embodiment, a tail member 20 is provided on each of the left and right side surfaces of a headrest 13. In addition to the configuration of the vehicle interior system 1 according to the first embodiment, the vehicle interior system 1E according to the sixth embodiment further includes left and right air cells 80, a left sensor 121, and a right sensor 122.

[0202] The left and right air cells 80 have substantially the same structure as the air cell 80 of the fifth embodiment, except for the size of the bag 81. The bag 81 of the left air cell 80 is located on the left side of the headrest 13. The bag 81 of the right air cell 80 is located on the right side of the headrest 13.

[0203] The left sensor 121 and the right sensor 122 are pressure sensors provided inside the headrest 13. The left sensor 121 is located between the surface of the headrest 13 and the left bag 81. The right sensor 122 is located between the surface of the headrest 13 and the right bag 81.

[0204] The control unit 100 according to the sixth embodiment executes the contact process shown in Fig. 15. In the contact process, the control unit 100 first acquires pressure from the left sensor 121 and the right sensor 122 (S131). After step S131, the control unit 100 determines whether the pressure of the left sensor 121 is equal to or greater than a threshold value (S132).

[0205] If it is determined in step S132 that the pressure of the left sensor 121 is equal to or greater than the threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 causes the left air cell 80 to contract by a predetermined amount from the reference shape (S133). After step S133, the control unit 100 moves the left tail member 20 to contact the occupant's face (S134). Here, in step S134, the control unit 100 performs the same processes as steps S2 and S3 in FIG. 3.

[0206] After step S134, the control unit 100 returns the air cell 80 to its reference shape (S135), returns the tail member 20 to the separated position (S136), and ends this process. If it is determined in step S132 that the pressure of the left sensor 121 is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (No), the control unit 100 determines whether the pressure of the right sensor 122 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S137). Note that the threshold value corresponding to the left sensor 121 and the threshold value corresponding to the right sensor 122 may be the same value or different values.

[0207] If it is determined in step S137 that the pressure of the right sensor 122 is equal to or greater than the threshold value (Yes), the control unit 100 causes the right air cell 80 to contract by a predetermined amount from the reference shape (S138). After step S138, the control unit 100 moves the right tail member 20 to contact the occupant's face (S139). Here, in step S139, the control unit 100 performs the same processes as steps S2 and S3 in FIG. 3.

[0208] After step S139, the control unit 100 returns the air cell 80 to its reference shape (S135), returns the tail member 20 to the separated position (S136), and ends this process. If it is determined in step S137 that the pressure of the right sensor 122 is not greater than the threshold (No), the control unit 100 ends this process without moving the air cell 80 or the tail member 20.

[0209] Next, a specific example of the operation of the control unit 100 will be described. When the occupant turns their face slightly to the left and the pressure of the left sensor 121 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold, the control unit 100 deflates the left air cell 80. As a result, the occupant's face turns further to the left, making it easier for the left tail member 20 to come into contact with the occupant's face. Similarly, when the occupant turns their face slightly to the right and the pressure of the right sensor 122 becomes equal to or greater than the threshold, the control unit 100 deflates the right air cell 80. As a result, the occupant's face turns further to the right, making it easier for the right tail member 20 to come into contact with the occupant's face.

[0210] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be used in various forms as exemplified below.

[0211] The vehicle interior system may include a seating detection sensor that detects whether an occupant is seated in the seat. Examples of the seating detection sensor include a seating sensor on the seat and a camera that photographs the occupant. In this case, the control unit may execute the contact process when it determines that an occupant is seated in the seat based on information from the seating detection sensor, and may prohibit the contact process when it determines that an occupant is not seated in the seat. In this way, the control unit executes the contact process only after recognizing that an occupant is seated in the seat, thereby preventing malfunction and creating a sense of exclusivity that communication can only be achieved within the vehicle interior.

[0212] The electric device may be any device that moves at least a part of the seat. For example, the electric device may be any of the following devices:・Reclining device that tilts the seat back ・Height mechanism that moves the seat up and down ・Slide device that moves the seat back and forth ・Movable device that changes the shape of the seat by driving a bag (air cell) or plate member that is operated by the inflow of air (for example, a device that moves the left and right protrusions that protrude from the seat cushion or the seating surface of the seat back, or a device that moves part of the seat back or the seat cushion seating surface) ・Side frame front end lifting mechanism that switches the front end of the side frame of the seat cushion between an up position where it is raised and a down position where it is lowered ・Tilt mechanism that moves the cushion pan of the seat cushion up and down ・Bending mechanism that tilts the upper part of the seat back back and forth ・Rotation mechanism that rotates the seat on a vertical axis ・Cushion front and back adjustment mechanism that adjusts the length of the front end of the seat cushion ・Mechanism that rotates the ottoman up and down or moves it back and forth ・Mechanism that rotates the armrest up and down ・Mechanism that extends and retracts the armrest ・Mechanism that switches the armrest between an extended position and a bent position ・Lighting - Headrest speaker (The headrest speaker may rotate or move in at least one direction of front / back, left / right, up / down). - Heater provided on the seat back or seat cushion. - Seat blower, which is a seat air conditioning device that circulates air on the surface of the seat cushion and seat back. - Vibration device that vibrates the seating surface.

[0213] The decorative item may be located on an upper part of the seat other than the headrest. For example, the decorative item may be located on the upper surface of the seat back, on either the left or right side, or on the back. The decorative item may also be located on either the left or right side or the underside of the seat cushion. When the decorative item is located on the upper part of the seat, the movable body can come into contact with the occupant's head, making it easier for the occupant to notice the movable body coming into contact.

[0214] The contact sensor may be a camera placed in a position where it can capture an image of the occupant, or a camera provided on a movable body (for example, the tip of a tail member), etc. In this case, the control unit may determine whether or not the movable body has touched the occupant based on information from the camera.

[0215] The control unit may change the destination (contact position) of the movable body depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may move the movable body so as to contact the head of the occupant when a first condition is satisfied, and may move the movable body so as to contact the shoulder of the occupant when a second condition is satisfied.

[0216] The control unit may change the contact time, which is the time during which the movable body is in contact with the occupant, depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may set the contact time to a first time when a first condition is satisfied, and may set the contact time to a second time, which is longer than the first time, when a second condition is satisfied.

[0217] The control unit may change the number of contacts, which is the number of times the movable body comes into contact with the occupant, depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may set the number of contacts to a first number when a first condition is satisfied, and may set the number of contacts to a second number greater than the first number when a second condition is satisfied.

[0218] The control unit may determine the contact time or the number of contacts based on information from a contact sensor, for example.

[0219] The control unit may cause the movable body to come into contact with the occupant based on vehicle information acquired by the vehicle. In this case, the movable body can contact the occupant to notify the occupant of any information. Examples of the vehicle information include the distance between the host vehicle and another vehicle, information on whether the preceding vehicle has started moving while the host vehicle is stopped, information on whether the host vehicle will deviate from its lane, lane change timing for lane change assistance, and steering and acceleration / deceleration information for vehicle driving assistance.

[0220] The vehicle interior system may include a notification device that notifies the occupant of information by voice or display. The notification device may be, for example, an agent device such as a robot, or a navigation system. The control unit may perform contact processing after notifying the occupant using the notification device. In this way, when notifying the occupant of information by voice or display, a contact action is added as a supplementary form of communication, so that notification can be performed using both vision or hearing and touch. The control unit may, for example, change the destination (contact position) of the movable body depending on the information to be notified.

[0221] The control unit may randomly execute the contact process within a predetermined time period. The control unit may also change the moving distance, moving speed, etc. of the movable body.

[0222] The control unit may execute the contact process based on the content of the voice acquired from the occupant.

[0223] The vehicle interior system includes a physical information acquisition unit that acquires the physique of the occupant, and the control unit may estimate the position of body parts such as the head and shoulders of the occupant sitting in the seat based on the physical information acquired from the physical information acquisition unit.

[0224] Examples of the physical information acquisition unit include a camera capable of photographing the occupant, a device that stores the occupant's physical information such as a smartphone or a wearable device, and multiple pressure sensors provided on the seat.

[0225] The camera may be, for example, an in-vehicle camera, an exterior camera, or a camera mounted on a movable body. In the case of an exterior camera, the control unit estimates the position of the head and shoulders of the occupant sitting in the seat based on an image of the occupant captured by the exterior camera before getting in the vehicle.

[0226] The contact strength (the strength with which the movable body pushes the occupant) may be changed depending on the contact position. For example, the contact strength may be strong on the top of the head and weak on the face.

[0227] The contact position may be set arbitrarily. For example, it may be set so as not to contact the face or head of the occupant so as not to ruin their hair or makeup. For example, the head may be set as the first position, the side of the face as the second position, the ears as the third position, and the shoulders as the fourth position. A plurality of movable bodies may be provided, and may be capable of contacting the thighs, abdomen, or arms of the occupant.

[0228] The control unit may estimate the physical and mental state of the occupant based on the biological information. The control unit may increase the frequency of contact processing when the occupant's mental state is deteriorating.

[0229] The control unit may change the position of the seat so that the movable body is more likely to come into contact with the occupant. For example, before performing the contact process, the control unit may perform at least one of the following processes: - A process of tilting up the front end of the seat cushion using a tilt-up mechanism to tilt the occupant's body backward. - A process of rotating the seat back to a position where the tail member of the headrest can come into contact with the occupant by moving the seat back in a direction toward the occupant using a reclining mechanism. Note that whether the seat back has reached a position where it can come into contact with the occupant may be determined based on information from a pressure sensor provided on the seat back, for example. - A process of raising the ottoman using an ottoman drive mechanism to tilt the occupant's body backward.

[0230] Before executing the contact process, the control unit may activate a vibration device provided on the seat to notify that the movable body will start moving.

[0231] The movable body may be provided with a heater. In this case, the heater can warm the part of the occupant's body that comes into contact with the movable body, thereby improving the comfort of the occupant. The headrest may be provided with a heater.

[0232] The interior member on which the decorative item is provided is not limited to the headrest of the driver's seat, but may also be a member (seat cushion, seat back, headrest) constituting another seat such as the passenger seat. If the seat has an armrest or ottoman, the interior member may be the armrest or ottoman.

[0233] Other examples of interior components include a center console box located between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, a dashboard, inner panels of doors and vehicle side walls, a roof lining, an interior opening / closing cover of a sunroof, etc. The decorative item may be provided, for example, on the upper part of the rear surface of the seat back, the left and right bulging portions that bulge out above the seat surface of the seat cushion, the sides of the headrest, the top surface of the dashboard or above the meter hood, the center console box, etc.

[0234] The ornament is not limited to a cat's tail. Other examples of ornaments include models imitating body parts (ears, limbs, whiskers) of animals such as dogs and cats, stuffed toys imitating the entire body of a human or animal, models imitating characters that anthropomorphize objects or living things, models imitating plants such as flowers and trees, models of buildings such as castles, and robots. The movable body may be the arms or legs of a robot, or a device that rotates or raises and lowers the entire robot.

[0235] The change in shape of the ornamental item is not limited to a change between a straight state and a bent state, and any change that changes the external shape of the ornamental item is acceptable. For example, if the ornamental item is made up of air cells that can expand and contract with air, the shape of the ornamental item may be changed between a normal state and a state that is more deflated than the normal state. In this case, the actuator that changes the shape of the ornamental item may be a pump that switches between supplying and discharging air to the ornamental item.

[0236] The actuator may be an artificial muscle such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-008896.

[0237] The ornament may also have a plurality of stacked air cells. In this case, by selecting the air cells to inflate, the shape of the ornament can be changed in multiple stages.

[0238] The decorative item may also have a shape memory alloy. In this case, a heater is provided on or around the decorative item. The shape memory alloy may be configured, for example, to assume a first straight shape when the temperature of the shape memory alloy is below a predetermined temperature, and assume a second bent shape when the temperature is above the predetermined temperature. The control unit may change the shape of the shape memory alloy by controlling the heater.

[0239] The decorative item may have a display unit, a communication unit, a speaker, etc. The decorative item may be operable by an operation input unit of a seat, a door, a navigation system, etc.

[0240] The vehicle is not limited to an automobile, but may be other vehicles such as a motorcycle or a train.

[0241] The following is an example of a method for manufacturing a vehicle interior system: A method for manufacturing a vehicle interior system including: a decorative item to be attached to an interior member of a vehicle, the decorative item having a movable body moved by an actuator; and a control unit, the movable body being movable between a separation position away from a seated occupant and a contact position at which it can come into contact with the seated occupant; and the control unit controlling the actuator to move the movable body from the separation position toward the contact position, thereby performing a contact process to bring the movable body into contact with the occupant, the method comprising the steps of attaching the decorative item to the interior member and connecting the actuator to the control unit.

[0242] The elements described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be implemented in any combination.

[0243] Seventh Embodiment A seventh embodiment of a vehicle interior system will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in Fig. 16, a vehicle interior system 101 includes a seat 10 as an example of an interior member, a camera C, a tail member 20 as an example of a decorative item, a stuffed animal 130 as an example of a portable device, and a control unit 100. The seat 10, camera C, and tail member 20 are arranged inside the vehicle, more specifically, in positions facing the passenger compartment. In this embodiment, the seat 10 is the driver's seat or passenger seat.

[0244] The seat 10 includes a seat cushion 11, a seat back 12, and a headrest 13. The seat cushion 11, the seat back 12, and the headrest 13 each constitute a seat body having a seating surface F. The seating surface F is a surface that comes into contact with and supports an occupant (e.g., a driver) seated in the seat 10.

[0245] The seat cushion 11, seat back 12, and headrest 13 each have a metal frame that forms the framework, a pad that covers the frame, and a cover that covers the pad. The pad is made of urethane foam or the like. The cover is made of synthetic leather, fabric, or the like.

[0246] The seat cushion 11 has a base portion 11A located in the left-right center and protruding portions 11B located on both the left and right outer sides of the base portion 11A. The base portion 11A has a seating surface F that contacts and supports the buttocks and thighs of the occupant from below. The protruding portions 11B protrude from the seating surface F of the base portion 11A toward the occupant to support the sides of the occupant's thighs and buttocks.

[0247] Similarly, the seat back 12 has a base portion 12A located in the left-right center and protruding portions 12B located on both the left and right outer sides of the base portion 12A. The base portion 12A has a seating surface F that contacts the back of the occupant and supports the back from behind. The protruding portions 12B protrude from the seating surface F of the base portion 12A toward the occupant to support the sides of the occupant's upper body.

[0248] The front surface of the headrest 13 serves as a seating surface F that supports the head of the occupant.

[0249] The camera C is a camera that captures an image of the area in front of the vehicle. The camera C is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the vehicle. Image information captured by the camera C is output to the control unit 100.

[0250] The tail member 20 is provided on the upper part of the seat 10. More specifically, the tail member 20 is located on the left side surface FL of the headrest 13. The side surface FL is the outer surface of the headrest 13 other than the seating surface F. The tail member 20 protrudes from the side surface FL.

[0251] The tail member 20 has a base portion 21 and a movable body 22. The base portion 21 is a portion that is fixed to the headrest 13. The base portion 21 is, for example, embedded in the pad of the headrest 13 and fixed to the frame of the headrest 13.

[0252] The movable body 22 extends from the base 21, and its tip is configured to be able to move freely in all directions. The movable body 22 is shaped, for example, to resemble a cat's tail. The movable body 22 includes, for example, a joint mechanism having multiple joints, a cushioning material such as cotton or sponge that covers the joint mechanism, and a surface covering that covers the cushioning material. The surface is made of, for example, cloth or brushed fabric.

[0253] The joint mechanism has a plurality of links (serial links) that are rotatably connected to one another, and the plurality of links are moved by an actuator.

[0254] The joint mechanism can be configured, for example, like a robot arm. In this case, the actuators for moving the multiple links are multiple motors arranged near the multiple joints.

[0255] The joint mechanism can also be configured to include, for example, multiple links, a spring that biases the multiple links so that they are aligned in a straight rod shape, a wire that pulls the distal link in a direction that causes the multiple links to fold against the biasing force of the spring, and a winch for pulling the wire. In this case, the actuator for moving the multiple links is a winch, and when the winch pulls the wire, the joint mechanism moves in a direction that causes the joint mechanism to fold, and when the winch releases the wire, the spring moves the joint mechanism in a direction that causes the joint mechanism to extend straight. In this case, using multiple wires allows the joint mechanism to be moved so as to fold in different directions, and the distal end of the movable body 22 can be freely moved in any direction.

[0256] The movable body 22 protrudes from the side surface FL. The movable body 22 has a contact sensor 22A at its tip that detects contact of the movable body 22 with an occupant. The contact sensor 22A may be, for example, a capacitance type touch sensor or a pressure sensor. The contact sensor 22A may be located, for example, between the surface and the cushioning material.

[0257] The movable body 22 is movable between a separated position shown in Fig. 17(a) and a contact position shown in Fig. 17(b) and (c). The movable body 22 positioned at the separated position is separated from the occupant seated in the seat 10. The movable body 22 positioned at the contact position is capable of coming into contact with the occupant seated in the seat 10.

[0258] The stuffed toy 130 has a touch sensor 131 as an example of a contact sensor, a vibration device 132, and a mobile control unit 133. The stuffed toy 130 is a portable device, and its external shape resembles a cat character. The stuffed toy 130 has a cushioning material such as cotton or sponge that covers at least the mobile control unit 133, and a skin that covers the cushioning material. The skin is made of, for example, cloth or brushed fabric.

[0259] The touch sensor 131 is a capacitance sensor that detects when an occupant touches the stuffed toy 130. The contact sensor may be, for example, a pressure sensor. The touch sensor 131 is located, for example, between the surface and the cushioning material.

[0260] In this embodiment, the touch sensor 131 is located at a position corresponding to the chest of the stuffed animal 130. The touch sensor 131 may be located on the head, back, hands, or feet of the stuffed animal 130, or may be located at multiple locations.

[0261] The vibration device 132 is a device that vibrates when electricity is applied. The vibration device 132 is covered with, for example, a cushioning material. The vibration strength of the vibration device 132 is changeable. Note that, as a vibration device that can change the vibration strength, for example, a vibration device that changes the frequency and amplitude of vibration to change the vibration strength can be used.

[0262] The mobile control unit 133 has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a rewritable nonvolatile memory, etc. (not shown), and executes a pre-stored program. The mobile control unit 133 is capable of communicating with the control unit 100.

[0263] The mobile control unit 133 acquires information from the occupant via the touch sensor 131, specifically, contact information indicating whether contact has occurred, and transmits the acquired contact information to the control unit 100. The mobile control unit 133 also activates the vibration device 132 based on an activation command from the control unit 100.

[0264] The control unit 100 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, rewritable non-volatile memory, etc. (not shown), and executes pre-stored programs. The control unit 100 may be provided in the seat 10 or in a member other than the seat 10.

[0265] The control unit 100 has a function of executing a contact process in which the movable body 22 contacts the occupant by controlling the actuator of the tail member 20 to move the movable body 22 from the separated position toward the contact position. In the contact process, the control unit 100 moves the movable body 22 until it determines that the movable body 22 has contacted the occupant based on information acquired by the contact sensor 22A.

[0266] The control unit 100 executes contact processing based on the contact information acquired from the mobile control unit 133. In detail, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the occupant has touched the stuffed toy 130 based on the contact information, and executes contact processing when it is determined that the occupant has touched the stuffed toy 130.

[0267] In addition, when the control unit determines that an occupant has touched the portable device based on the contact information, it has the function of activating the vibration device 132 of the stuffed animal 130 by sending an activation command to the portable control unit 133 to activate the vibration device.

[0268] The control unit 100 also has a function of estimating the number of contacts, which is the number of times the occupant touches the stuffed animal 130 within a predetermined time, based on the contact information acquired from the mobile control unit 133. The control unit 100 changes the movement of the movable body 22 in the contact process depending on the number of contacts. In this embodiment, the control unit 100 operates the movable body 22 so that the more the number of contacts, the longer the time the movable body 22 is in contact with the occupant.

[0269] Furthermore, the control unit 100 has a function of prohibiting contact processing when a vehicle collision is predicted. Specifically, the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a possibility that the vehicle will collide with an object ahead based on image information acquired from the camera C, and prohibits contact processing when it determines that there is a possibility of a collision.

[0270] Next, a detailed description will be given of the operation of the control unit 100. While the vehicle power supply is ON, the control unit 100 repeatedly executes the contact process shown in Fig. 18 and the inhibition process shown in Fig. 19 in parallel.

[0271] When the vehicle power is turned on, the control unit 100 executes the contact process shown in Fig. 18. In the contact process, the control unit 100 first acquires contact information from the stuffed toy 130 and determines whether or not the occupant has touched the stuffed toy 130 based on the contact information (S201). If it is determined in step S201 that the occupant has not touched the stuffed toy 130 (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0272] If it is determined in step S201 that the occupant has touched the stuffed toy 130 (Yes), the control unit 100 counts up the number of contacts N (S202). After step S202, the control unit 100 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since starting to count up the number of contacts N (since changing N from 0 to 1) (S203).

[0273] If it is determined in step S203 that the predetermined time has not elapsed (No), the control unit 100 returns to the process of step S201. If it is determined in step S203 that the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether the number of contacts N is equal to or greater than the first threshold value Nth1 (S204).

[0274] If it is determined in step S204 that N≧Nth1 is not satisfied (No), the control unit 100 moves the tip of the tail member 20 toward the contact position (S214). After step S214, the control unit 100 determines whether the tip of the tail member 20 has touched the occupant based on information from the contact sensor 22A (S215).

[0275] If it is determined in step S215 that the tip of the tail member 20 is not touching the occupant (No), the control unit 100 repeats the process of step S215 (No). If it is determined in step S215 that the tip of the tail member 20 has touched the occupant (Yes), the control unit 100 resets the number of contacts N (S209), returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S210), and ends this process. Note that if the condition of step S215 is not met even after a predetermined time has elapsed in step S215, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S209 and returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S210).

[0276] If it is determined in step S204 that N≧Nth1 holds (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether the number of contacts N is equal to or greater than a second threshold Nth2 that is greater than the first threshold Nth1 (S205). If it is determined in step S205 that N≧Nth2 does not hold (No), the control unit 100 activates the vibration device 132 of the stuffed animal 130 at the first strength by transmitting a first activation command to the mobile control unit 133 to activate the vibration device 132 at the first strength (S211).

[0277] After step S211, the control unit 100 moves the tip of the tail member 20 toward the contact position (S212). After step S212, the control unit 100 makes the tail member 20 contact the occupant for a first time (S213). After step S213, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S209.

[0278] Specifically, for example, in step S213, the control unit 100 determines whether the tail member 20 has come into contact with the occupant based on the contact information, and if it determines that contact has occurred, counts up a contact counter for measuring the contact time. Then, when the contact counter becomes equal to or greater than a threshold corresponding to a first time, the control unit 100 proceeds to the processing of step S209. Note that in step S213, if the condition of step S213 is not satisfied even after a limit time longer than the first time has elapsed, the control unit 100 may forcibly proceed to the processing of step S209.

[0279] If it is determined in step S205 that N≧Nth2 (Yes), the control unit 100 operates the vibration device 132 of the stuffed animal 130 at the second strength by sending a second activation command to the mobile control unit 133 to activate the vibration device 132 at the second strength (S206).

[0280] After step S206, the control unit 100 moves the tip of the tail member 20 toward the contact position (S207). After step S207, the control unit 100 causes the tail member 20 to contact the occupant for a second time period that is longer than the first time period (S208). After step S208, the control unit 100 proceeds to the processing of step S209. The processing of step S208 can be performed in the same manner as step S213.

[0281] 19, the control unit 100 first determines whether or not there is a possibility of a collision based on image information acquired from the camera C (S221). If it is determined in step S221 that there is no possibility of a collision (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0282] If it is determined in step S221 that there is a possibility of a collision (Yes), the control unit 100 prohibits the contact process (S222) and ends this process. In more detail, if the tail member 20 is not moving when the control unit 100 proceeds to step S222, it forcibly terminates the contact process in FIG. 18 and does not execute the contact process thereafter. Furthermore, if the tail member 20 is moving when the control unit 100 proceeds to step S222, it forcibly terminates the contact process, returns the tail member 20 to the separated position, and does not execute the contact process thereafter.

[0283] Next, a specific example of the operation of the control unit 100 will be described. When an occupant seated in the seat 10 (for example, the passenger seat or the driver's seat during automatic driving) touches the chest of the stuffed animal 130, the control unit 100 starts counting up the number of contacts N within a predetermined time. If the number of contacts N is less than the first threshold value Nth1, the tail member 20 immediately returns to the separated position after touching the occupant's face.

[0284] If the number of contacts N is equal to or greater than the first threshold Nth1 and less than the second threshold Nth2, the tail member 20 touches the occupant's face for a first time period and then returns to the separated position. If the number of contacts N is equal to or greater than the second threshold Nth2, the tail member 20 touches the occupant's face for a second time period that is greater than the first time period and then returns to the separated position.

[0285] In this way, the more times the occupant touches the stuffed toy 130, the longer the time the tail member 20 contacts the occupant, so the occupant can feel that the more the occupant loves the stuffed toy 130, the longer the stuffed toy 130 will spend using the tail member 20 to be affectionate with the occupant, and the occupant will become attached to the stuffed toy 130.

[0286] As described above, the present embodiment can provide the following advantages: By configuring the control unit 100 to move the movable body 22 based on information acquired from the stuffed toy 130, it becomes possible to cause the movable body 22 to perform various movements in accordance with the information acquired by the stuffed toy 130, thereby enhancing the entertainment value.

[0287] By configuring the control unit 100 to perform contact processing by moving the movable body 22 of the tail member 20 and bringing the movable body 22 into contact with the occupant, the occupant can be made aware of the action of the tail member 20 by touch, making it easier for the occupant to notice the action of the tail member 20.

[0288] By configuring the movable body 22 to move until the control unit 100 determines that the movable body 22 has come into contact with the occupant based on information from the contact sensor 22A, the movable body 22 can be reliably brought into contact with the occupant.

[0289] If the control unit 100 predicts a vehicle collision, the control unit 100 is configured to prohibit the contact process, thereby improving safety.

[0290] By configuring the movement of the movable body 22 to change depending on the number of contacts N, the entertainment value can be further enhanced.

[0291] The entertainment value can be further enhanced by configuring the vibration device 132 of the stuffed toy 130 to activate when the occupant touches the stuffed toy 130. In addition, the strength of the vibration device 132 increases as the number of contacts N increases, so the more the occupant loves the stuffed toy 130, the greater the reaction from the stuffed toy 130, and the occupant can feel that the stuffed toy 130 is a real pet.

[0292] The number of contacts N is the number of times the occupant touches the stuffed animal 130 within a predetermined time period, and can therefore be seen as the degree of intimacy. In this embodiment, the greater the number of contacts N, i.e., the higher the degree of intimacy, the stronger the vibration device 132 becomes and the longer the time that the tail member 20 touches the occupant, making it possible for the occupant to feel that the stuffed animal 130 has become attached to him.

[0293] Eighth Embodiment Next, an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that this embodiment is a modification of the vehicle interior system 101 according to the seventh embodiment, and therefore, the same components as those in the seventh embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0294] 20 , a vehicle interior system 201 according to the eighth embodiment includes a smart watch 240 as an example of a portable device, instead of the stuffed animal 130 according to the seventh embodiment. The smart watch 240 is worn on the wrist of an occupant.

[0295] The smart watch 240 includes a touch panel 241 as an example of a contact sensor, a biometric information sensor 242 that acquires biometric information of the occupant, and a mobile control unit 243. The biometric information sensor 242 acquires biometric information such as heart rate, breathing, pulse rate, blood pressure, and number of steps from the occupant.

[0296] The mobile control unit 243 has a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a rewritable nonvolatile memory, etc. (not shown), and executes a pre-stored program. The mobile control unit 243 is capable of communicating with the control unit 100.

[0297] The mobile control unit 243 transmits the contact information acquired from the touch panel 241 and the biometric information acquired from the biometric information sensor 242 to the control unit 100. The mobile control unit 243 can change the sensitivity of the touch panel 241 based on a command from the control unit 100.

[0298] The control unit 100 has a function of estimating the fatigue level of the occupant based on the biological information acquired from the mobile control unit 243. The control unit 100 sets a sensitivity change command for changing the sensitivity of the touch panel 241 based on the fatigue level. The control unit 100 sets the sensitivity change command so that the sensitivity of the touch panel 241 increases as the fatigue level of the occupant increases.

[0299] For example, when the fatigue level of the occupant is a first fatigue level, the control unit 100 sets the sensitivity change command to a first sensitivity change command corresponding to the first fatigue level. When the fatigue level of the occupant is a second fatigue level greater than the first fatigue level, the control unit 100 sets the sensitivity change command to a second sensitivity change command that increases the sensitivity of the touch panel 241 more than the first sensitivity change command.

[0300] The control unit 100 may estimate the exercise time of the occupant wearing the smart watch 240 based on, for example, the number of steps acquired from the smart watch 240 or the time during which the number of steps was measured. In this case, the control unit 100 may estimate that the longer the exercise time, the greater the fatigue level.

[0301] The control unit 100 may measure the sympathetic nerve activity of the seated occupant based on heart rate information acquired from the smartwatch 240. Specifically, the control unit 100 may obtain the ratio (LF / HF) of low-frequency fluctuation waves (LF) to high-frequency fluctuation waves (HF) in heart rate fluctuations as the sympathetic nerve activity. In this case, the control unit 100 determines the sympathetic nerve activity (LF / HF) as the fatigue level. According to the above index, the more active the sympathetic nerve activity is relative to the parasympathetic nerve activity, the higher the fatigue level of the seated occupant is estimated to be.

[0302] The method for estimating the fatigue level of the seated occupant is not limited to the above example. For example, the control unit 100 may determine the fatigue level of the seated occupant based on the breathing interval or the arousal level (at least a level indicating whether the occupant is in an arousal state or a low arousal state) determined based on the breathing information acquired from the smartwatch 240. Specifically, the shorter the breathing interval of the seated occupant, the higher the fatigue level may be determined. Alternatively, the fatigue level may be determined to be high when the arousal level of the seated occupant is in a low arousal state.

[0303] Furthermore, the control unit 100 may use the sum of the individual fatigue levels determined based on the sympathetic nerve activity level based on the heart rate, the breathing interval, and the alertness level as the fatigue level of the seated occupant.

[0304] The control unit 100 according to the eighth embodiment executes the contact process shown in Fig. 21. In the contact process, the control unit 100 first acquires biometric information and contact information from the smartwatch 240 (S241). After step S241, the control unit 100 estimates the fatigue level of the occupant based on the biometric information acquired from the smartwatch 240 (S242).

[0305] After step S242, the control unit 100 sets a sensitivity change command so that the sensitivity of the touch panel 241 of the smartwatch 240 increases as the fatigue level increases, and transmits the set sensitivity change command to the smartwatch 240 to set the sensitivity of the touch panel 241 to a sensitivity corresponding to the fatigue level (S243). After step S243, the control unit 100 determines whether the occupant has touched the touch panel 241 based on the contact information acquired from the smartwatch 240 (S244).

[0306] If it is determined in step S244 that the occupant has not touched the touch panel 241 (No), the control unit 100 ends this process. If it is determined in step S244 that the occupant has touched the touch panel 241 (Yes), the control unit 100 executes the processes of steps S245 and S246, thereby bringing the tail member 20 into contact with the occupant. Note that the processes of steps S245 and S246 are similar to the processes of steps S214 and S215 in FIG. 18, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0307] After the tail member 20 has been brought into contact with the occupant (S246: Yes), the control unit 100 returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S247) and ends this process.

[0308] In the eighth embodiment, the greater the degree of fatigue of the occupant, the higher the sensitivity of the touch panel 241. Therefore, even if the occupant's hand strength has weakened due to fatigue, for example, the control unit 100 can use the smart watch 240 to perform contact processing.

[0309] Ninth Embodiment Next, a ninth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that this embodiment is a modification of the vehicle interior system 101 according to the seventh embodiment, and therefore, the same components as those in the seventh embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0310] 22, a vehicle interior system 301 according to the ninth embodiment includes a stuffed toy 350 different from that of the seventh embodiment. In addition, in the ninth embodiment, the vehicle includes a cup holder 60 as an example of a holding portion.

[0311] The cup holder 60 is provided on the dashboard D. The cup holder 60 is cylindrical with a bottom, and holds the stuffed toy 350 with the bottom of the stuffed toy 350 accommodated therein.

[0312] The plush toy 350 has an external shape resembling a cat, and includes a speaker 351, a mobile control unit 353, and a microphone (not shown).

[0313] The mobile control unit 353 can detect that the stuffed toy 350 is held in the cup holder 60. For example, if the cup holder 60 is provided with a contactless IC chip capable of short-range communication, the mobile control unit 353 may determine that the stuffed toy 350 is held in the cup holder 60 when reading information from the IC chip. The IC chip may be a contact IC chip.

[0314] When the mobile control unit 353 determines that the stuffed toy 350 is held in the cup holder 60, the mobile control unit 353 is able to communicate with the control unit 100. When the mobile control unit 353 determines that the stuffed toy 350 is not held in the cup holder 60, the mobile control unit 353 is unable to communicate with the control unit 100.

[0315] The mobile control unit 353 is capable of having a conversation with the occupant using the microphone and speaker 351. The mobile control unit 353 transmits conversation information indicating that the mobile control unit 353 has had a conversation with the occupant to the control unit 100.

[0316] The control unit 100 has a function of outputting sound from the speaker 351 of the stuffed animal 350 when the tail member 20 is moved. Specifically, the control unit 100 causes the speaker 351 to output sound by transmitting a sound output command to the mobile control unit 353.

[0317] The control unit 100 has a function of estimating the degree of intimacy between the occupant and the stuffed toy 350 based on the conversation information acquired from the mobile control unit 353. The control unit 100 changes the movement of the tail member 20 according to the degree of intimacy.

[0318] The control unit 100 according to the ninth embodiment executes the contact process shown in Fig. 23. In the contact process, the control unit 100 first acquires conversation information from the stuffed toy 350 (S261). After step S261, the control unit 100 estimates the intimacy between the occupant and the stuffed toy 350 based on the conversation information (S262). For example, in step S262, the control unit 100 calculates, from the conversation information, the number of times the occupant has spoken to the stuffed toy 350 during a predetermined period of time in the past, and sets the intimacy level to be higher as the number of times increases.

[0319] After step S262, the control unit 100 determines whether the intimacy level is equal to or greater than the first threshold (S263). If it is determined in step S263 that the intimacy level is not equal to or greater than the first threshold (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0320] If it is determined in step S263 that the intimacy is equal to or greater than the first threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether the intimacy is equal to or greater than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold (S264). If it is determined in step S264 that the intimacy is not equal to or greater than the second threshold (No), the control unit 100 executes the processes of steps S269 and S270 to bring the tail member 20 into contact with the occupant.

[0321] The processing of steps S269 and S270 is the same as the processing of steps S214 and S215 in Fig. 18, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. After the tail member 20 contacts the occupant (S270: Yes), the control unit 100 returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S268) and ends this processing.

[0322] If it is determined in step S264 that the intimacy is equal to or greater than the second threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 outputs sound from the speaker 351 of the stuffed animal 350 (S265). Here, the sound may be, for example, the purring sound of a cat, such as "gorogoro," or a sound like a cat clinging to a passenger.

[0323] After step S265, the control unit 100 executes the processes of steps S266 and S267 to keep the tail member 20 in contact with the occupant for a first time. Note that the processes of steps S266 and S267 are similar to the processes of steps S212 and S213 in Fig. 18, so detailed explanations will be omitted. After step S267, the control unit 100 returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S268), and ends this process.

[0324] In the ninth embodiment, the entertainment value can be further enhanced by changing the movement of the tail member 20 depending on the intimacy level. Specifically, the higher the intimacy level, the longer the tail member 20 stays in contact with the occupant, which makes the occupant feel that the stuffed animal 350 has become attached to them.

[0325] The entertainment value can be further enhanced by configuring the speaker 351 of the stuffed animal 350 to output a sound when the control unit 100 moves the tail member 20. In more detail, when the intimacy level becomes equal to or higher than the second threshold, the stuffed animal 350 outputs a sweet voice, which makes the passenger feel that the stuffed animal 350 has become attached to them.

[0326] By configuring the stuffed toy 350 so that it can communicate with the control unit 100 only when the stuffed toy 350 is held in the cup holder 60, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the tail member 20.

[0327] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be used in various forms as exemplified below. The portable device may be a wearable terminal, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, or the like. The portable device may include a temperature sensor. In this case, the control unit may move the movable body based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

[0328] The portable device may have a plurality of switches, and in this case, variations in the operation of the movable body may be assigned to each switch.

[0329] In a configuration in which the contact sensor of the portable device is a pressure sensor and the movable body is moved when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is equal to or greater than a threshold, the sensitivity of the contact sensor may be increased by decreasing the threshold as the level of fatigue increases.In a configuration in which the contact sensor of the portable device is a touch panel and the movable body is moved when the number of touches to the touch panel per predetermined time period (or the duration of contact) is equal to or greater than a threshold, the sensitivity of the contact sensor may be increased by decreasing the threshold as the level of fatigue increases.

[0330] The control unit may set the fatigue level based on the sleeping time of the occupant acquired from the portable device. Specifically, the control unit may set the fatigue level higher as the sleeping time of the occupant decreases.

[0331] The electric device of the portable device that is activated to move the movable body is not limited to a vibration device, but may also be an actuator that moves a part of the portable device such as a robot arm, or a light.

[0332] The intimacy level may be set based on the content of the passenger's voice response to a question from the portable device, or based on the frequency of conversation within a predetermined time. Alternatively, the number of times the passenger has ridden may be counted by taking an image of the passenger with an imaging unit, and the more times the passenger has ridden, the higher the intimacy level may be.

[0333] The familiarity level may be reset for each ride or may be continuous. The familiarity level may be set based on the number of times the occupant talks to the mobile device outside the vehicle, the amount of time the occupant wears the mobile device, and the frequency with which the occupant wears the mobile device.

[0334] The movement speed of the movable object may be changed based on the intimacy level. For example, the higher the intimacy level, the slower the speed of the movable object may be.

[0335] The vehicle interior system may include a seating detection sensor that detects whether an occupant is seated in the seat. Examples of the seating detection sensor include a seating sensor on the seat and a camera that photographs the occupant. In this case, the control unit may execute the contact process when it determines that an occupant is seated in the seat based on information from the seating detection sensor, and may prohibit the contact process when it determines that an occupant is not seated in the seat. In this way, the control unit executes the contact process only after recognizing that an occupant is seated in the seat, thereby preventing malfunction and creating a sense of exclusivity that communication can only be achieved within the vehicle interior.

[0336] The electric device may be any device that moves at least a part of the seat. For example, the electric device may be any of the following devices:・Reclining device that tilts the seat back ・Height mechanism that moves the seat up and down ・Slide device that moves the seat back and forth ・Movable device that changes the shape of the seat by driving a bag (air cell) or plate member that is operated by the inflow of air (for example, a device that moves the left and right protrusions that protrude from the seat cushion or the seating surface of the seat back, or a device that moves part of the seat back or the seat cushion seating surface) ・Side frame front end lifting mechanism that switches the front end of the side frame of the seat cushion between an up position where it is raised and a down position where it is lowered ・Tilt mechanism that moves the cushion pan of the seat cushion up and down ・Bending mechanism that tilts the upper part of the seat back back and forth ・Rotation mechanism that rotates the seat on a vertical axis ・Cushion front and back adjustment mechanism that adjusts the length of the front end of the seat cushion ・Mechanism that rotates the ottoman up and down or moves it back and forth ・Mechanism that rotates the armrest up and down ・Mechanism that extends and retracts the armrest ・Mechanism that switches the armrest between an extended position and a bent position ・Lighting - Headrest speaker (The headrest speaker may rotate or move in at least one direction of front / back, left / right, up / down). - Heater provided on the seat back or seat cushion. - Seat blower, which is a seat air conditioning device that circulates air on the surface of the seat cushion and seat back. - Vibration device that vibrates the seating surface.

[0337] The decorative item may be located on an upper part of the seat other than the headrest. For example, the decorative item may be located on the upper surface of the seat back, on either the left or right side, or on the back. The decorative item may also be located on either the left or right side or the underside of the seat cushion. However, if the decorative item is located on the upper part of the seat, the movable body can come into contact with the occupant's head, making it easier for the occupant to notice the movable body coming into contact.

[0338] The contact sensor may be a camera placed in a position where it can capture an image of the occupant, or a camera provided on a movable body (for example, the tip of a tail member), etc. In this case, the control unit may determine whether or not the movable body has touched the occupant based on information from the camera.

[0339] The control unit may change the destination (contact position) of the movable body depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may move the movable body so as to contact the head of the occupant when a first condition is satisfied, and may move the movable body so as to contact the shoulder of the occupant when a second condition is satisfied.

[0340] The control unit may change the contact time, which is the time during which the movable body is in contact with the occupant, depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may set the contact time to a first time when a first condition is satisfied, and may set the contact time to a second time, which is longer than the first time, when a second condition is satisfied.

[0341] The control unit may change the number of contacts, which is the number of times the movable body comes into contact with the occupant, depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may set the number of contacts to a first number when a first condition is satisfied, and may set the number of contacts to a second number greater than the first number when a second condition is satisfied.

[0342] The control unit may determine the contact time or the number of contacts based on information from a contact sensor, for example.

[0343] The control unit may cause the movable body to come into contact with the occupant based on vehicle information acquired by the vehicle. In this case, the movable body can contact the occupant to notify the occupant of any information. Examples of the vehicle information include the distance between the host vehicle and another vehicle, information on whether the preceding vehicle has started moving while the host vehicle is stopped, information on whether the host vehicle will deviate from its lane, lane change timing for lane change assistance, and steering and acceleration / deceleration information for vehicle driving assistance.

[0344] The vehicle interior system may include a notification device that notifies the occupant of information by voice or display. The notification device may be, for example, an agent device such as a robot, or a navigation system. The control unit may perform contact processing after notifying the occupant using the notification device. In this way, when notifying the occupant of information by voice or display, a contact action is added as a supplementary form of communication, so that notification can be performed using both vision or hearing and touch. The control unit may, for example, change the destination (contact position) of the movable body depending on the information to be notified.

[0345] The control unit may randomly execute the contact process within a predetermined time period. The control unit may also change the moving distance, moving speed, etc. of the movable body.

[0346] The control unit may execute the contact process based on the content of the voice acquired from the occupant.

[0347] The vehicle interior system includes a physical information acquisition unit that acquires the physique of the occupant, and the control unit may estimate the position of body parts such as the head and shoulders of the occupant sitting in the seat based on the physical information acquired from the physical information acquisition unit.

[0348] Examples of the physical information acquisition unit include a camera capable of photographing the occupant, a device that stores the occupant's physical information such as a smartphone or a wearable device, and multiple pressure sensors provided on the seat.

[0349] The camera may be, for example, an in-vehicle camera, an exterior camera, or a camera mounted on a movable body. In the case of an exterior camera, the control unit estimates the position of the head and shoulders of the occupant sitting in the seat based on an image of the occupant captured by the exterior camera before getting in the vehicle.

[0350] The contact strength (the strength with which the movable body pushes the occupant) may be changed depending on the contact position. For example, the contact strength may be strong on the top of the head and weak on the face.

[0351] The contact position may be set arbitrarily. For example, it may be set so as not to contact the face or head of the occupant so as not to ruin their hair or makeup. For example, the head may be set as the first position, the side of the face as the second position, the ears as the third position, and the shoulders as the fourth position. A plurality of movable bodies may be provided, and may be capable of contacting the thighs, abdomen, or arms of the occupant.

[0352] The control unit may estimate the physical and mental state of the occupant based on the biological information. The control unit may increase the frequency of contact processing when the occupant's mental state is deteriorating.

[0353] The control unit may change the position of the seat so that the movable body is more likely to come into contact with the occupant. For example, before performing the contact process, the control unit may perform at least one of the following processes: - A process of tilting up the front end of the seat cushion using a tilt-up mechanism to tilt the occupant's body backward. - A process of rotating the seat back to a position where the tail member of the headrest can come into contact with the occupant by moving the seat back in a direction toward the occupant using a reclining mechanism. Note that whether the seat back has reached a position where it can come into contact with the occupant may be determined based on information from a pressure sensor provided on the seat back, for example. - A process of raising the ottoman using an ottoman drive mechanism to tilt the occupant's body backward.

[0354] Before executing the contact process, the control unit may activate a vibration device provided on the seat to notify that the movable body will start moving.

[0355] The movable body may be provided with a heater. In this case, the heater can warm the part of the occupant's body that comes into contact with the movable body, thereby improving the comfort of the occupant. The headrest may be provided with a heater.

[0356] The interior member on which the decorative item is provided is not limited to the headrest of the driver's seat, but may also be a member (seat cushion, seat back, headrest) constituting another seat such as the passenger seat. If the seat has an armrest or ottoman, the interior member may be the armrest or ottoman.

[0357] Other examples of interior components include a center console box located between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, a dashboard, inner panels of doors and vehicle side walls, a roof lining, an interior opening / closing cover of a sunroof, etc. The decorative item may be provided, for example, on the upper part of the rear surface of the seat back, the left and right bulging portions that bulge out above the seat surface of the seat cushion, the sides of the headrest, the top surface of the dashboard or above the meter hood, the center console box, etc.

[0358] The ornament is not limited to a cat's tail. Other examples of ornaments include models imitating body parts (ears, limbs, whiskers) of animals such as dogs and cats, stuffed toys imitating the entire body of a human or animal, models imitating characters that anthropomorphize objects or living things, models imitating plants such as flowers and trees, models of buildings such as castles, and robots. The movable body may be the arms or legs of a robot, or a device that rotates or raises and lowers the entire robot.

[0359] The change in shape of the ornamental item is not limited to a change between a straight state and a bent state, and any change that changes the external shape of the ornamental item is acceptable. For example, if the ornamental item is made up of air cells that can expand and contract with air, the shape of the ornamental item may be changed between a normal state and a state that is more deflated than the normal state. In this case, the actuator that changes the shape of the ornamental item may be a pump that switches between supplying and discharging air to the ornamental item.

[0360] The actuator may be an artificial muscle such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-008896.

[0361] The ornament may also have a plurality of stacked air cells. In this case, by selecting the air cells to inflate, the shape of the ornament can be changed in multiple stages.

[0362] The decorative item may also have a shape memory alloy. In this case, a heater is provided on or around the decorative item. The shape memory alloy may be configured, for example, to assume a first straight shape when the temperature of the shape memory alloy is below a predetermined temperature, and assume a second bent shape when the temperature is above the predetermined temperature. The control unit may change the shape of the shape memory alloy by controlling the heater.

[0363] The decorative item may have a display unit, a communication unit, a speaker, etc. The decorative item may be operable by an operation input unit of a seat, a door, a navigation system, etc.

[0364] The vehicle is not limited to an automobile, but may be any other vehicle, such as a motorcycle or a train.

[0365] The following is an example of a method for manufacturing a vehicle interior system: A method for manufacturing a vehicle interior system comprising: an ornament fixed to an interior member of a vehicle and having a movable body moved by an actuator; a portable device that can be carried and acquires information from an occupant; and a control unit that can communicate with the portable device, wherein the control unit controls the actuator based on the information acquired from the portable device to move the movable body, the method comprising the steps of attaching the ornament to the interior member and connecting the actuator to the control unit.

[0366] The elements described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be implemented in any combination.

[0367] [Tenth Embodiment] A tenth embodiment of a vehicle interior system will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIG. 24 , a vehicle interior system 401 includes a seat 10 as an example of an interior member, a camera C, a tail member 420 as an example of a decorative item, a battery 31, a charge level acquisition unit 32, a navigation system 33, and a control unit 100. The seat 10, the camera C, the tail member 420, and the navigation system 33 are arranged inside the vehicle, specifically in positions facing the passenger compartment. In this embodiment, the seat 10 is the driver's seat or the passenger seat. In addition, in this embodiment, the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle and includes an internal combustion engine and a traction motor for driving the vehicle.

[0368] The seat 10 includes a seat cushion 11, a seat back 12, and a headrest 13. The seat cushion 11, the seat back 12, and the headrest 13 each constitute a seat body having a seating surface F. The seating surface F is a surface that comes into contact with and supports an occupant (e.g., a driver) seated in the seat 10.

[0369] The seat cushion 11, seat back 12, and headrest 13 each have a metal frame that forms the framework, a pad that covers the frame, and a cover that covers the pad. The pad is made of urethane foam or the like. The cover is made of synthetic leather, fabric, or the like.

[0370] The seat cushion 11 has a base portion 11A located in the left-right center and protruding portions 11B located on both the left and right outer sides of the base portion 11A. The base portion 11A has a seating surface F that contacts and supports the buttocks and thighs of the occupant from below. The protruding portions 11B protrude from the seating surface F of the base portion 11A toward the occupant to support the sides of the occupant's thighs and buttocks.

[0371] Similarly, the seat back 12 has a base portion 12A located in the left-right center and protruding portions 12B located on both the left and right outer sides of the base portion 12A. The base portion 12A has a seating surface F that contacts the back of the occupant and supports the back from behind. The protruding portions 12B protrude from the seating surface F of the base portion 12A toward the occupant to support the sides of the occupant's upper body.

[0372] The front surface of the headrest 13 serves as a seating surface F that supports the head of the occupant.

[0373] The camera C is a camera that captures an image of the area in front of the vehicle. The camera C is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the vehicle. Image information captured by the camera C is output to the control unit 100.

[0374] The battery 31 is a vehicle battery. The battery 31 may be, for example, a main battery for driving connected to a driving motor, or an auxiliary battery connected to electrical equipment of the vehicle.

[0375] The charge amount acquiring unit 32 has a function of acquiring the charge amount of the battery 31. The charge amount acquiring unit 32 may be any sensor, such as a current sensor, that can detect the charge amount.

[0376] The navigation system 33 has a function of acquiring the position of the vehicle using GPS. The navigation system 33 also stores map information in which low emission areas are set. Here, a low emission area is an area where the internal combustion engine is required to be stopped, and for example, urban areas are set as low emission areas.

[0377] The tail member 420 is provided on the upper part of the seat 10. More specifically, the tail member 420 is located on the upper surface of the headrest 13. The upper surface is the outer surface of the headrest 13 other than the seating surface F. The tail member 420 protrudes from the upper surface. More specifically, the movable body 422 protrudes from the upper surface.

[0378] The tail member 420 has a base portion 421 and a movable body 422. The base portion 421 is a portion that is fixed to the headrest 13. The base portion 421 is, for example, embedded in the pad of the headrest 13 and fixed to the frame of the headrest 13.

[0379] The movable body 422 extends from the base portion 421 and is configured to be movable relative to the base portion 421. The movable body 422 has a shape resembling, for example, a cat's tail.

[0380] 25(a), movable body 422 has contact sensor 422A, joint mechanism 423 having a plurality of joints, cushion material 424 such as cotton or sponge that covers joint mechanism 423, and skin 425 that covers cushion material 424. Skin 425 is made of, for example, cloth or brushed fabric.

[0381] The contact sensor 422A is a sensor that detects contact between the movable body 422 and an occupant. For example, a capacitance type touch sensor or a pressure sensor can be used as the contact sensor 422A. The contact sensor 422A is located, for example, between the cover 425 and the cushioning material 424.

[0382] The joint mechanism 423 has a plurality of links 423A (serial links) rotatably connected to one another, and a wire 423B. The wire 423B connects the link 423A located at the tip end of the movable body 422 (the end of the movable body 422 farthest from the base portion 421) to a winch 426A, which will be described later.

[0383] When the winch 426A is rotated forward and the wire 423B is wound around the winch 426A, the tip of the movable body 422 is pulled upward by the wire 423B, and the movable body 422 moves upward as shown in Fig. 25(b). When the movable body 422 is positioned at the position shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 25(b), the winch 426A is rotated backward to unwind the wire 423B from the winch 426A, and the movable body 422 moves downward by gravity. Also, when the winch 426A is stopped when the movable body 422 is positioned at the position shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 25(b), the weight of the movable body 422 pulls the wire 423B against the resistance of the winch 426A, and the movable body 422 moves downward by gravity. The speed at which the movable body 422 is lowered due to the stop of the winch 426A is smaller than the speed at which the movable body 422 is lowered due to the reverse rotation of the winch 426A.

[0384] The base portion 421 has a first housing 426 that supports the movable body 422 and a second housing 427 that supports the first housing 426 from below. A winch 426A, which is an example of an actuator, is provided within the first housing 426. A motor 427A, which is an example of an actuator, is provided within the second housing 427 and rotates the first housing 426 about an axis along the vertical direction. The winch 426A and the motor 427A are connected to the battery 31 (see FIG. 24 ).

[0385] The joint mechanism may be configured, for example, as a robot arm, in which case the actuators for moving the links are multiple motors arranged near the multiple joints.

[0386] The movable body 422 is movable among an initial position shown by a solid line in Fig. 25(b), a standby position shown by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 25(b), a separated position shown by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 25(d), and a contact position shown by a solid line in Fig. 25(d). The movable body 422 in the initial position hangs backward from the upper surface and rear surface of the headrest 13 and is in contact with the upper surface and rear surface of the headrest 13. The movable body 422 in the standby position extends diagonally upward and rearward from the upper surface of the headrest 13 and is spaced apart from the initial position.

[0387] The movable body 422 located in the separated position extends obliquely upward and forward from the upper surface of the headrest 13 and is spaced above the occupant seated in the seat 10. The contact position is a position below the separated position. The movable body 422 located in the contact position can come into contact with the occupant seated in the seat 10.

[0388] When the winch 426A rotates forward while the movable body 422 is in the initial position, the movable body 422 moves from the initial position to the standby position, as shown in Fig. 25(b). When the motor 427A rotates while the movable body 422 is in the standby position, the movable body 422 moves from the standby position to the separated position, as shown in Fig. 25(c). When the winch 426A stops or rotates backward while the movable body 422 is in the separated position, the movable body 422 moves from the separated position to the contact position, as shown in Fig. 25(d).

[0389] In this embodiment, the winch 426A continues to rotate in the forward direction to maintain tension on the wire 423B even after the movable body 422 has been moved from the initial position to the standby position, so that the movable body 422 does not drop due to gravity while moving from the standby position to the separated position, and the height position of the movable body 422 does not change between the standby position and the separated position.

[0390] If the time it takes for the movable body 422 to travel from the initial position to the preparation position and then to the separated position is set to be very short, the winch 426A may be stopped when the movable body 422 is moved from the initial position to the preparation position. Even in this case, the movable body 422 hardly drops due to gravity while it moves from the preparation position to the separated position, so the height position of the movable body 422 can be set to approximately the same position at the preparation position and the separated position.

[0391] Furthermore, if a locking mechanism that locks or unlocks the withdrawal of wire 423B from winch 426A is provided in tail member 420, when movable body 422 is moved from the initial position to the ready position, winch 426A may be stopped and the locking mechanism may lock the withdrawal of wire 423B. In this case, after movable body 422 is moved from the ready position to the separated position, the locking mechanism may be unlocked and winch 426A may be kept stopped or winch 426A may be rotated in the reverse direction, thereby moving movable body 422 from the separated position to the contact position.

[0392] The control unit 100 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, rewritable non-volatile memory, etc. (not shown), and executes pre-stored programs. The control unit 100 may be provided in the seat 10 or in a member other than the seat 10.

[0393] The control unit 100 can switch between a normal mode and an energy-saving mode in which less power is consumed by the battery 31 than in the normal mode, depending on the conditions. In this embodiment, the control unit 100 switches the mode from the normal mode to the energy-saving mode when it determines that the vehicle has entered a low-emission area or when it determines that the charge level of the battery 31 has fallen below a threshold. The threshold can be, for example, 30%, which is a remaining charge that results in an estimated remaining driving distance of 50 km or less.

[0394] The control unit 100 or the vehicle ECU may be capable of executing a hybrid driving mode in which the internal combustion engine and the traction motor are selected depending on the conditions and used to drive the vehicle, and an electric driving mode in which only the traction motor is used to drive the vehicle. In this case, the control unit 100 or the vehicle ECU may select the hybrid driving mode when the vehicle is not in a low-emission area, and may select the electric driving mode when the vehicle has entered a low-emission area.

[0395] The control unit 100 has a function of executing a contact process to bring the movable body 422 into contact with the occupant by controlling the winch 426A and the motor 427A of the tail member 420 to move the movable body 422 from the initial position, via the preparation position and the separated position, toward the contact position. In the contact process, the control unit 100 moves the movable body 422 based on information acquired by the contact sensor 422A until it is determined that the movable body 422 has come into contact with the occupant.

[0396] In normal mode, when the start conditions for the contact process are satisfied, control unit 100 causes winch 426A to rotate in the forward direction to move movable body 422 upward (from the initial position to the ready position), then rotates motor 427A to move movable body 422 from the ready position to the separated position, and then rotates winch 426A in the reverse direction to move movable body 422 downward (from the separated position to the contact position). In energy saving mode, when the start conditions for the contact process are satisfied, control unit 100 causes winch 426A to rotate in the forward direction to move movable body 422 upward (from the initial position to the ready position), then rotates motor 427A to move movable body 422 from the ready position to the separated position, and then stops winch 426A to move movable body 422 downward (from the separated position to the contact position) by gravity.

[0397] In other words, in the normal mode, the control unit 100 moves the movable body 422 through an ascending operation that moves the movable body 422 upward by rotating the winch 426A in the forward direction, a rotational operation that rotates the motor 427A, and a first descending operation that moves the movable body 422 downward at a first speed by rotating the winch 426A in the reverse direction. The combination of the ascending operation, rotational operation, and first descending operation is an example of a first operation. When moving the movable body 422 through the first operation, the control unit 100 supplies first winch power to the winch 426A and motor power to the motor 427A. The combined power of the first winch power and the motor power is an example of a first power.

[0398] Furthermore, in the energy saving mode, the control unit 100 moves the movable body 422 by the same lifting and rotating operations as in the normal mode, and by a second lowering operation in which the winch 426A is stopped to move the movable body 422 downward at a second speed lower than the first speed. The combination of the lifting, rotating, and second lowering operations is an example of a second operation. When moving the movable body 422 in the second operation, the control unit 100 supplies the winch 426A with second winch power that is lower than the first winch power, and supplies the motor 427A with motor power that is the same as in the normal mode. The combined power of the second winch power and the motor power is an example of a second power that is lower than the first power.

[0399] Furthermore, the control unit 100 has a function of prohibiting contact processing when a vehicle collision is predicted. Specifically, the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a possibility that the vehicle will collide with an object ahead based on image information acquired from the camera C, and prohibits contact processing when it determines that there is a possibility of a collision.

[0400] Next, a detailed description will be given of the operation of the control unit 100. While the vehicle power supply is ON, the control unit 100 repeatedly executes, in parallel, the mode switching process shown in Fig. 26, the contact process shown in Fig. 27, and the prohibition process shown in Fig. 28.

[0401] In the mode switching process, the control unit 100 first acquires vehicle position information, which is the position of the vehicle, and map information from the navigation system 33, and also acquires the charge amount of the battery 31 from the charge amount acquisition unit 32 (S301). After step S301, the control unit 100 determines whether the vehicle has entered a low-emission area based on the vehicle position information and the map information (S302).

[0402] If it is determined in step S302 that the vehicle has entered the low-emission area (Yes), the control unit 100 sets the mode to the energy-saving mode (S303) and ends this process. If it is determined in step S302 that the vehicle has not entered the low-emission area (No), the control unit 100 determines whether the charge amount of the battery 31 is equal to or less than a threshold (S304).

[0403] If it is determined in step S304 that the charge amount of the battery 31 is equal to or less than the threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 sets the mode to the energy saving mode (S303) and ends this process. If it is determined in step S304 that the charge amount of the battery 31 is not equal to or less than the threshold (No), the control unit 100 sets the mode to the normal mode (S305) and ends this process.

[0404] When the vehicle power supply is turned on, the control unit 100 starts counting up using a timer and executes the contact processing shown in FIG.

[0405] In the contact process, the control unit 100 first determines whether the timer value is equal to or greater than a threshold value (S311). Here, the condition that the timer value is equal to or greater than the threshold value is a start condition for the contact process. If the control unit 100 determines in step S311 that the timer value is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0406] If it is determined in step S311 that the timer value is equal to or greater than the threshold value (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether the mode is the normal mode (S312). If it is determined in step S312 that the mode is the normal mode (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the tail member 420 from the initial position, via the ready position, to the separated position by the forward rotation of the winch 426A and the rotation of the motor 427A (S313).

[0407] After step S313, the control unit 100 rotates the winch 426A in the reverse direction to move the tail member 420 to the contact position at a first speed (S314). After step S314, the control unit 100 determines whether the tail member 420 has touched the occupant based on information from the contact sensor 422A, and if it determines that it has touched the occupant, returns the tail member 420 to its initial position (S315). Note that if it is not determined that it has touched the occupant even after a predetermined time has elapsed in step S315, the control unit 100 returns the tail member 420 to its initial position.

[0408] Note that, as a method for returning the movable body 422 to the initial position, for example, a method for moving the movable body 422 directly from the contact position to the initial position by rotating the motor 427A may be mentioned. Note that after the movable body 422 comes into contact with the occupant, the movable body 422 may be moved from the contact position to the initial position via the separation position and the standby position by rotating the winch 426A forward, rotating the motor 427A, and rotating the winch 426A backward or stopping it.

[0409] After step S315, the control unit 100 resets the timer and starts counting up again (S316). After step S316, the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0410] If it is determined in step S312 that the mode is not the normal mode (No), that is, if it is the energy saving mode, the control unit 100 executes step S317, which is the same process as step S313, to move the tail member 420 from the initial position to the ready position and then to the separated position. After step S317, the control unit 100 stops the winch 426A and moves the tail member 420 to the contact position at a second speed slower than the first speed by gravity (S318). After step S318, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S315.

[0411] 28, the control unit 100 first determines whether or not there is a possibility of a collision based on image information acquired from the camera C (S321). If it is determined in step S321 that there is no possibility of a collision (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0412] If it is determined in step S321 that there is a possibility of a collision (Yes), the control unit 100 prohibits the contact process (S322) and ends this process. Specifically, if the tail member 420 is not moving when the control unit 100 proceeds to step S322, the control unit 100 forcibly terminates the contact process in FIG. 27 and does not execute the contact process thereafter. Furthermore, if the tail member 420 is moving when the control unit 100 proceeds to step S322, the control unit 100 forcibly terminates the contact process, returns the tail member 420 to its initial position, and does not execute the contact process thereafter.

[0413] Next, a specific example of the operation of the control unit 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 24, when an occupant gets into the vehicle and turns on the vehicle power, the control unit 100 starts counting up the timer to start the contact processing. When a predetermined time has passed since the vehicle power was turned on, that is, when the timer value reaches a threshold value or more, the control unit 100 starts the contact processing. If the mode when the start condition of the contact processing is met is the normal mode, the control unit 100 moves the tail member 420 with a first power and brings the tail member 420 into contact with the occupant's head at a first speed. After the contact processing is completed, the control unit 100 resets the timer and starts counting up the timer again.

[0414] By having the tail member 420 come into contact with the occupant periodically in this manner, the occupant can feel the tail member 420 as if it were a pet, and is comforted by the tail member 420.

[0415] When the vehicle enters a low-emission area or when the charge level of the battery 31 falls below a threshold, the control unit 100 switches the mode to the energy-saving mode. When the conditions for starting the contact process are met in the energy-saving mode, the control unit 100 moves the tail member 420 using a second power smaller than the first power and gravity, and brings the tail member 420 into contact with the occupant's head at a second speed smaller than the first speed.

[0416] As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained: In the normal mode, the tail member 420 operates with a first power, and in the energy-saving mode, the tail member 420 operates with a second power that is smaller than the first power, so that power consumption can be reduced in the energy-saving mode.

[0417] In the energy saving mode, the tail member 420 is configured to move downward by gravity, so the power required to move the tail member 420 downward is zero, thereby further reducing power consumption.

[0418] By configuring the tail member 420 to be able to come into contact with an occupant seated in the seat 10, the occupant can recognize the action of the tail member 420 by touch, making it easier for the occupant to notice the action of the tail member 420.

[0419] If the control unit 100 predicts a vehicle collision, the control unit 100 is configured to prohibit the contact process, thereby improving safety.

[0420] By configuring the vehicle so that the mode is switched to the energy saving mode when the vehicle enters a low emission area, it is possible to reduce power consumption while the vehicle is located in the low emission area.

[0421] [Eleventh embodiment] Next, an eleventh embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that this embodiment is a modification of the vehicle interior system 401 according to the tenth embodiment, and therefore, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same components and processes as those of the tenth embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0422] 29 , the vehicle interior system 501 according to the eleventh embodiment differs from the tenth embodiment in that the tail member 420 is located on the upper surface of the seat back 12. For example, the tail member 420 is located on the left side of the upper surface of the seat back 12.

[0423] In the eleventh embodiment, the control unit 100 can position the tail member 420 at a first ready position indicated by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 29(a) and a second ready position indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 29(a). When the movable body 422 of the tail member 420 is positioned at the second ready position, it is positioned higher than when it is positioned at the first ready position. Note that in the eleventh embodiment, the control unit 100 moves the tail member 420 from the initial position to the first ready position or the second ready position by rotating the winch 426A in the forward direction, and then positions the tail member 420 at the first ready position or the second ready position by stopping the winch 426A.

[0424] The control unit 100 rotates the motor 427A from the first ready position to position the tail member 420 at a first separated position, which is approximately the same height as the first ready position, as shown in Figure 29(b). The control unit 100 also rotates the motor 427A from the second ready position to position the tail member 420 at a second separated position, which is approximately the same height as the second ready position, as shown in Figure 29(c).

[0425] When the tail member 420 is in the first spaced position, it is spaced a first distance above the occupant's shoulders, and when the tail member 420 is in the second spaced position, it is spaced a second distance above the occupant's shoulders that is greater than the first distance.

[0426] The control unit 100 has the function of selecting and executing a process of moving the movable body 422 downward by gravity with the winch 426A stopped from the first separation position, and a process of moving the movable body 422 downward by gravity with the winch 426A stopped from the second separation position.

[0427] The control unit 100 according to the eleventh embodiment executes the contact process shown in Fig. 30. In the contact process, the control unit 100 can execute steps S311 and S312 similar to those in the tenth embodiment. If it is determined in step S312 that the mode is the normal mode (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the tail member 420 from the initial position, via the second preparation position, to the second separated position by the forward rotation of the winch 426A and the rotation of the motor 427A (S341).

[0428] After step S341, the control unit 100 reversely rotates the winch 426A to move the tail member 420 to the contact position at the first speed (S342). After step S342, the control unit 100 executes steps S315 and S316 similar to those in the tenth embodiment, and ends this process.

[0429] If it is determined in step S312 that the mode is not the normal mode (No), the control unit 100 determines whether the charge amount of the battery 31 is equal to or less than the threshold (S343). If it is determined in step S343 that the charge amount of the battery 31 is equal to or less than the threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the tail member 420 from the initial position to the first separation position via the first preparation position by rotating the winch 426A in the forward direction and the motor 427A (S344).

[0430] After step S344, the control unit 100 keeps the winch 426A stopped, causing gravity to move the tail member 420 to the contact position at a second speed slower than the first speed (S345). More specifically, when the process moves from step S344 to step S345, the control unit 100 causes gravity to move the tail member 420 from the first separated position to the contact position. After step S345, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S315.

[0431] If it is determined in step S343 that the charge amount of the battery 31 is not equal to or less than the threshold (No), the control unit 100 executes the process of step S346, which is the same process as step S341, to move the tail member 420 to the second separated position (S346). After step S346, the control unit 100 proceeds to step S345, and moves the tail member 420 from the second separated position to the contact position by gravity.

[0432] According to the eleventh embodiment, when the charge level of the battery 31 is equal to or lower than a threshold in the energy saving mode, the tail member 420 is lowered by gravity from the first separated position, which is lower than the second separated position, so power consumption can be reduced compared to a process in which the tail member 420 is lowered by gravity from the second separated position. In more detail, the power required to move the tail member 420 from the initial position to the first separated position is smaller than the power required to move the tail member 420 from the initial position to the second separated position, so power consumption can be reduced.

[0433] In the eleventh embodiment, when the charge level of the battery 31 is equal to or less than a threshold, the power supplied to the winch 426A is reduced, and the movement of the tail member 420 is reduced, compared to when the charge level is greater than the threshold, so that power consumption can be reduced when the charge level of the battery 31 is low.

[0434] [Twelfth Embodiment] Next, a twelfth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that this embodiment is a modification of the vehicle interior system 401 according to the tenth embodiment, and therefore, the same components and processes as those in the tenth embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0435] As shown in FIG. 31, a vehicle interior system 601 according to the twelfth embodiment differs from the tenth embodiment in that the ornament is a robot 40 .

[0436] The robot 40 is disposed in a position visible to a user seated in the seat 10. In this embodiment, the robot 40 is disposed on the dashboard D.

[0437] 32, the robot 40 has a robot body 41, two arms 42 as an example of a movable body, and a screen 43 as an example of a notification unit. The robot body 41 has a body case 41A, two arm driving devices 41B, and a vibration device 41C.

[0438] The main body case 41A is made of resin, metal, or the like. The main body case 41A is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape (see FIG. 33(d)). The arm driving device 41B is a device that rotates the arm 42 up and down when energized. The vibration device 41C is a device that vibrates when energized.

[0439] Each arm 42 is rotatably supported by the main body case 41A. Each arm 42 extends upward from the left and right sides of the main body case 41A. As shown in Figure 33(a) , each arm 42 can be rotated by an arm driving device 41B between a first arm position where the tip thereof faces upward and a second arm position where the tip thereof faces outward in the left-right direction from the first arm position.

[0440] The screen 43 can display images of the eyes and mouth of the robot 40, text images, etc. Specifically, the screen 43 can notify the occupant of the vehicle information and non-vehicle information by displaying vehicle information related to the vehicle and non-vehicle information that is information other than the vehicle information. Examples of vehicle information include autonomous driving information that needs to be notified to the occupant during autonomous driving, driving operation assist information that needs to be notified to the occupant when driving operation is assisted, vehicle approach information that notifies the occupant that another vehicle is approaching the vehicle, lane departure information that indicates that the vehicle is about to deviate from its lane, navigation information, etc.

[0441] The non-vehicle information may include information about shops and scenery near the vehicle, recommendation information recommending tourist spots, conversation information for conversation with the occupant, etc. The robot 40 may be equipped with a speaker as a notification unit.

[0442] The robot 40 is supported by a robot support device RM. The robot support device RM has a rotation mechanism RM1 that rotatably supports the robot body 41, a lifting mechanism RM2 that moves the rotation mechanism RM1 in the up-down direction, and a front-rear movement mechanism RM3 that moves the lifting mechanism RM2 in the front-rear direction.

[0443] The rotation mechanism RM1 has a function of tilting the robot 40 left and right as shown in Fig. 33(c) . The rotation mechanism RM1 also has a function of tilting the robot 40 forward and backward as shown in Fig. 33(d) . The rotation mechanism RM1 also has a function of rotating the robot 40 around a vertical axis.

[0444] As shown in Fig. 33(b), the lifting mechanism RM2 has the function of moving the turning mechanism RM1 in the vertical direction, thereby moving the robot 40 in the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 33(d), the forward / backward movement mechanism RM3 has the function of moving the lifting mechanism RM2 in the vertical direction, thereby moving the robot 40 and the turning mechanism RM1 in the vertical direction. Note that when the robot unit consisting of the robot 40 and the robot support device RM is viewed as an ornament, the robot 40 itself corresponds to a movable body.

[0445] In normal mode, when notifying either vehicle information or non-vehicle information on the screen 43, the control unit 100 has a function of moving the arm 42 in accordance with the information notified on the screen 43. For example, if the control unit 100 determines that Mount Fuji is located to the right of the vehicle based on the vehicle position information and map information, the control unit 100 notifies the occupant of first non-vehicle information, such as "Mount Fuji is visible on your right." Specifically, as shown in FIG. 34( a), when notifying the occupant of the first non-vehicle information in normal mode, the control unit 100 displays an image of text such as "Mount Fuji is visible on your right" on the screen 43 and tilts the arm 42 on the right side as seen from the occupant to the right to notify the occupant of the first non-vehicle information. In this way, the control unit 100 moves the arm 42 and the robot support device RM in accordance with the content of the non-vehicle information to be notified.

[0446] As shown in Figure 34 (b), when the control unit 100 notifies the first non-vehicle information on the screen 43 in the energy saving mode, it displays an image of text such as "You can see Mt. Fuji on your right" on the screen 43, but does not move the arm 42.

[0447] Furthermore, for example, when a vehicle approaches the right rear of the host vehicle, the control unit 100 notifies the host vehicle of the first vehicle information such as "A vehicle is approaching from the right rear." Note that, as a method for determining that a vehicle is approaching, for example, the distance between an object outside the vehicle and the host vehicle can be obtained using distance sensors arranged at the four corners of the vehicle, front, rear, left, and right, and it can be determined that a vehicle is approaching when the obtained distance is equal to or less than a threshold value.

[0448] When notifying the occupant of the first vehicle information in the normal mode, the control unit 100 displays an image of text such as "A vehicle is approaching from the rear right" on the screen 43 and notifies the occupant of the first vehicle information by tilting the arm 42 on the right side as seen from the occupant to the right. When notifying the occupant of the vehicle information on the screen 43 in the energy-saving mode, the control unit 100 moves the arm 42 in the same manner as in the normal mode. In detail, when notifying the occupant of the first vehicle information in the energy-saving mode, the control unit 100 displays an image of text such as "A vehicle is approaching from the rear right" on the screen 43 and notifies the occupant of the first vehicle information by tilting the arm 42 on the right side as seen from the occupant to the right, just like in the normal mode.

[0449] The control unit 100 repeatedly executes the process shown in Fig. 35 to notify the occupant of the non-vehicle information. In the process shown in Fig. 35, the control unit 100 first determines whether the conditions for notifying the occupant of the non-vehicle information are met, thereby determining whether it is necessary to notify the occupant of the non-vehicle information (S361). If it is determined in step S361 that it is not necessary to notify the occupant of the non-vehicle information (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0450] If it is determined in step S361 that non-vehicle information needs to be notified (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether the mode is the normal mode (S362). If it is determined in step S362 that the mode is the normal mode (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the robot 40 in accordance with the content of the non-vehicle information to be notified (S363).

[0451] After step S363, the control unit 100 displays the content of the non-vehicle information to be notified on the screen 43 (S364), and ends this process. If it is determined in step S362 that the mode is not the normal mode (No), the control unit 100 displays the content of the non-vehicle information to be notified on the screen 43 without moving the robot 40 (S364), and ends this process.

[0452] The process for notifying the occupant of the vehicle information is performed in substantially the same manner as steps S363 and S364 depending on the content of the vehicle information, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0453] As described above, the twelfth embodiment can provide the following advantages. When notifying vehicle information on the screen 43 in the energy-saving mode, the robot 40 is configured to move in the same manner as in the normal mode, so that important vehicle information can be accurately conveyed to the occupant using the movement of the robot 40. When notifying non-vehicle information on the screen 43 in the energy-saving mode, the robot 40 is configured not to move, so that power consumption can be reduced.

[0454] Note that the control of the movable body when notifying non-vehicle information in the energy saving mode is not limited to the twelfth embodiment. For example, when notifying non-vehicle information in the energy saving mode, the control unit may operate the movable body in a manner different from that in the normal mode, which can operate with less power than in the normal mode.

[0455] Specifically, for example, when notifying non-vehicle information, the movable body may be moved a first movement amount in the normal mode, and may be moved a second movement amount smaller than the first movement amount in the energy-saving mode. Also, when notifying non-vehicle information, the movable body may be moved from a first position to a second position and then returned to the first position, performing a reciprocating motion a first number of times in the normal mode, and may be performed a second number of times smaller than the first number of times in the energy-saving mode.

[0456] In addition, when notifying non-vehicle information, in normal mode, the first movable body (e.g., the entire robot 40) may be moved, and in energy-saving mode, the second movable body (e.g., arm 42) that is lighter in weight than the first movable body may be moved.

[0457] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be used in various forms as exemplified below.

[0458] In the tenth embodiment, when the start condition for the contact process is satisfied in the energy saving mode, the tail member 420 is moved at a second power lower than the first power, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, when the start condition for the contact process is satisfied in the energy saving mode, the tail member 420 may not be moved. Specifically, for example, if the determination in step S312 of the contact process in FIG. 27 is No, the control unit may proceed to the process of step S316 without moving the tail member 420.

[0459] In the eleventh embodiment, the first or second separation position is selected depending on whether the charge amount is equal to or less than a threshold value, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the second separation position may be selected as the separation position in the normal mode, and the first separation position may be selected as the separation position in the energy saving mode.

[0460] The conditions for switching between the normal mode and the energy-saving mode are not limited to the two conditions described in the above embodiment. For example, the mode may be set to the energy-saving mode when the vehicle is eco-driving, and the mode may be set to the normal mode when the vehicle is not eco-driving.

[0461] A plurality of decorative elements may be provided. For example, a first decorative element may be provided on the dashboard and a second decorative element may be provided on the seat. In this case, the first decorative element may always operate in the normal mode regardless of the mode, and the second decorative element may operate differently in the normal mode and the energy-saving mode.

[0462] Power consumption may be reduced by changing the number of times the ornament operates. For example, in the tenth embodiment, when the contact process is performed in the normal mode, the tail member 420 may be brought into contact with the occupant twice, and when the contact process is performed in the energy-saving mode, the tail member 420 may be brought into contact with the occupant once.

[0463] The vehicle interior system may include a seating detection sensor that detects whether an occupant is seated in the seat. Examples of the seating detection sensor include a seating sensor on the seat and a camera that photographs the occupant. In this case, the control unit may execute the contact process when it determines that an occupant is seated in the seat based on information from the seating detection sensor, and may prohibit the contact process when it determines that an occupant is not seated in the seat. In this way, the control unit executes the contact process only after recognizing that an occupant is seated in the seat, thereby preventing malfunction and creating a sense of exclusivity that communication can only be achieved within the vehicle interior.

[0464] The vehicle interior system may include a powered device for moving at least a portion of the seat. For example, the powered device may be a device described below.・Reclining device that tilts the seat back ・Height mechanism that moves the seat up and down ・Slide device that moves the seat back and forth ・Movable device that changes the shape of the seat by driving a bag (air cell) or plate member that is operated by the inflow of air ・Side frame front end lifting mechanism that switches the front end of the side frame of the seat cushion between an up position where it is raised and a down position where it is lowered ・Tilt mechanism that moves the cushion pan of the seat cushion up and down ・Bending mechanism that tilts the upper part of the seat back back and forth ・Rotation mechanism that rotates the seat on a vertical axis ・Cushion front and rear adjustment mechanism that adjusts the length of the front end of the seat cushion ・Mechanism that rotates the ottoman up and down ・Mechanism that rotates the armrest up and down ・Mechanism that extends and retracts the armrest ・Mechanism that switches the armrest between an extended state and a bent state ・Lighting ・Headrest speaker (The headrest speaker may rotate or operate in at least one direction of front / back, left / right, up / down.) ・Heater provided in the seat back or seat cushion・Seat blowers, which are seat air conditioners that circulate air on the surface of the seat cushion and seat back ・Vibration devices that vibrate the seating surface

[0465] The decorative item may be located on an upper part of the seat other than the headrest. For example, the decorative item may be located on the upper surface of the seat back, on either the left or right side, or on the back. The decorative item may also be located on either the left or right side or the underside of the seat cushion. However, if the decorative item is located on the upper part of the seat, the movable body can come into contact with the occupant's head, making it easier for the occupant to notice the movable body coming into contact.

[0466] The contact sensor may be a camera placed in a position where it can capture an image of the occupant, or a camera provided on a movable body (for example, the tip of a tail member), etc. In this case, the control unit may determine whether or not the movable body has touched the occupant based on information from the camera.

[0467] The control unit may change the destination (contact position) of the movable body depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may move the movable body so as to contact the head of the occupant when a first condition is satisfied, and may move the movable body so as to contact the shoulder of the occupant when a second condition is satisfied.

[0468] The control unit may change the contact time, which is the time during which the movable body is in contact with the occupant, depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may set the contact time to a first time when a first condition is satisfied, and may set the contact time to a second time, which is longer than the first time, when a second condition is satisfied.

[0469] The control unit may change the number of contacts, which is the number of times the movable body comes into contact with the occupant, depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may set the number of contacts to a first number when a first condition is satisfied, and may set the number of contacts to a second number greater than the first number when a second condition is satisfied.

[0470] The control unit may determine the contact time or the number of contacts based on information from a contact sensor, for example.

[0471] The control unit may cause the movable body to come into contact with the occupant based on vehicle information acquired by the vehicle. In this case, the movable body can contact the occupant to notify the occupant of any information. Examples of the vehicle information include the distance between the host vehicle and another vehicle, information on whether the preceding vehicle has started moving while the host vehicle is stopped, information on whether the host vehicle will deviate from its lane, lane change timing for lane change assistance, and steering and acceleration / deceleration information for vehicle driving assistance.

[0472] The vehicle interior system may include a notification device that notifies the occupant of information by voice or display. The notification device may be, for example, an agent device such as a robot, or a navigation system. The control unit may perform contact processing after notifying the occupant using the notification device. In this way, when notifying the occupant of information by voice or display, a contact action is added as a supplementary form of communication, so that notification can be performed using both vision or hearing and touch. The control unit may, for example, change the destination (contact position) of the movable body depending on the information to be notified.

[0473] The control unit may randomly execute the contact process within a predetermined time period. The control unit may also change the moving distance, moving speed, etc. of the movable body.

[0474] The control unit may execute the contact process based on the content of the voice acquired from the occupant.

[0475] The vehicle interior system includes a physical information acquisition unit that acquires the physique of the occupant, and the control unit may estimate the position of body parts such as the head and shoulders of the occupant sitting in the seat based on the physical information acquired from the physical information acquisition unit.

[0476] Examples of the physical information acquisition unit include a camera capable of photographing the occupant, a device that stores the occupant's physical information such as a smartphone or a wearable device, and multiple pressure sensors provided on the seat.

[0477] The camera may be, for example, an in-vehicle camera, an exterior camera, or a camera mounted on a movable body. In the case of an exterior camera, the control unit estimates the position of the head and shoulders of the occupant sitting in the seat based on an image of the occupant captured by the exterior camera before getting in the vehicle.

[0478] The contact strength (the strength with which the movable body pushes the occupant) may be changed depending on the contact position. For example, the contact strength may be strong on the top of the head and weak on the face.

[0479] The contact position may be set arbitrarily. For example, it may be set so as not to contact the face or head of the occupant so as not to ruin their hair or makeup. For example, the head may be set as the first position, the side of the face as the second position, the ears as the third position, and the shoulders as the fourth position. A plurality of movable bodies may be provided, and may be capable of contacting the thighs, abdomen, or arms of the occupant.

[0480] The control unit may estimate the physical and mental state of the occupant based on the biological information. The control unit may increase the frequency of contact processing when the occupant's mental state is deteriorating.

[0481] The control unit may change the position of the seat so that the movable body is more likely to come into contact with the occupant. For example, before performing the contact process, the control unit may perform at least one of the following processes: - A process of tilting up the front end of the seat cushion using a tilt-up mechanism to tilt the occupant's body backward. - A process of rotating the seat back to a position where the tail member of the headrest can come into contact with the occupant by moving the seat back in a direction toward the occupant using a reclining mechanism. Note that whether the seat back has reached a position where it can come into contact with the occupant may be determined based on information from a pressure sensor provided on the seat back, for example. - A process of raising the ottoman using an ottoman drive mechanism to tilt the occupant's body backward.

[0482] Before executing the contact process, the control unit may activate a vibration device provided on the seat to notify that the movable body will start moving.

[0483] The movable body may be provided with a heater. In this case, the heater can warm the part of the occupant's body that comes into contact with the movable body, thereby improving the comfort of the occupant. The headrest may be provided with a heater.

[0484] The interior member on which the decorative item is provided is not limited to the headrest of the driver's seat, but may also be a member (seat cushion, seat back, headrest) constituting another seat such as the passenger seat. If the seat has an armrest or ottoman, the interior member may be the armrest or ottoman.

[0485] Other examples of interior components include a center console box located between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, a dashboard, inner panels of doors and vehicle side walls, a roof lining, an interior opening / closing cover of a sunroof, etc. The decorative item may be provided, for example, on the upper part of the rear surface of the seat back, the left and right bulging portions that bulge out above the seat surface of the seat cushion, the sides of the headrest, the top surface of the dashboard or above the meter hood, the center console box, etc.

[0486] The ornament is not limited to a cat's tail. Other examples of ornaments include models imitating body parts (ears, limbs, whiskers) of animals such as dogs and cats, stuffed toys imitating the entire body of a human or animal, models imitating characters that anthropomorphize objects or living things, models imitating plants such as flowers and trees, models of buildings such as castles, and robots. The movable body may be the arms or legs of a robot, or a device that rotates or raises and lowers the entire robot.

[0487] The change in shape of the ornamental item is not limited to a change between a straight state and a bent state, and any change that changes the external shape of the ornamental item is acceptable. For example, if the ornamental item is made up of air cells that can expand and contract with air, the shape of the ornamental item may be changed between a normal state and a state that is more deflated than the normal state. In this case, the actuator that changes the shape of the ornamental item may be a pump that switches between supplying and discharging air to the ornamental item.

[0488] The actuator may be an artificial muscle such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-008896.

[0489] The ornament may also have a plurality of stacked air cells. In this case, by selecting the air cells to inflate, the shape of the ornament can be changed in multiple stages.

[0490] The decorative item may also have a shape memory alloy. In this case, a heater is provided on or around the decorative item. The shape memory alloy may be configured, for example, to assume a first straight shape when the temperature of the shape memory alloy is below a predetermined temperature, and assume a second bent shape when the temperature is above the predetermined temperature. The control unit may change the shape of the shape memory alloy by controlling the heater.

[0491] The decorative item may have a display unit, a communication unit, a speaker, etc. The decorative item may be operable by an operation input unit of a seat, a door, a navigation system, etc.

[0492] The vehicle is not limited to an automobile, but may be other vehicles such as a motorcycle or a train.

[0493] The following is an example of a method for manufacturing a vehicle interior system: A method for manufacturing a vehicle interior system comprising: a decorative item to be attached to an interior member of a vehicle, the decorative item having a movable body moved by an actuator connected to the vehicle's battery; and a control unit, the control unit being capable of switching between a normal mode and an energy-saving mode in which less power is consumed by the battery than in the normal mode, depending on conditions; in the normal mode, if a predetermined condition is met, a first power is supplied to the actuator to move the movable body by a first action; and in the energy-saving mode, if the predetermined condition is met, the movable body is moved by a second action different from the first action, which can be moved with a second power smaller than the first power, or the movable body is not moved, the method comprising the steps of attaching the decorative item to the interior member and connecting the actuator to the battery and the control unit.

[0494] The elements described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be implemented in any combination.

[0495] [Thirteenth Embodiment] A thirteenth embodiment of a vehicle interior system will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in Fig. 36, a vehicle interior system 701 includes a seat 10 as an example of an interior member, a camera C, a tail member 20 as an example of a decorative item, a navigation system 33 as an example of an environment acquisition unit and a position acquisition unit, and a control unit 100. The seat 10, camera C, tail member 20, and navigation system 33 are arranged inside the vehicle, more specifically, in positions facing the passenger compartment. In this embodiment, the seat 10 is the driver's seat or passenger seat.

[0496] The seat 10 includes a seat cushion 11, a seat back 12, and a headrest 13. The seat cushion 11, the seat back 12, and the headrest 13 each constitute a seat body having a seating surface F. The seating surface F is a surface that comes into contact with and supports an occupant (e.g., a driver) seated in the seat 10.

[0497] The seat cushion 11, seat back 12, and headrest 13 each have a metal frame that forms the framework, a pad that covers the frame, and a cover that covers the pad. The pad is made of urethane foam or the like. The cover is made of synthetic leather, fabric, or the like.

[0498] The seat cushion 11 has a base portion 11A located in the left-right center and protruding portions 11B located on both the left and right outer sides of the base portion 11A. The base portion 11A has a seating surface F that contacts and supports the buttocks and thighs of the occupant from below. The protruding portions 11B protrude from the seating surface F of the base portion 11A toward the occupant to support the sides of the occupant's thighs and buttocks.

[0499] Similarly, the seat back 12 has a base portion 12A located in the left-right center and protruding portions 12B located on both the left and right outer sides of the base portion 12A. The base portion 12A has a seating surface F that contacts the back of the occupant and supports the back from behind. The protruding portions 12B protrude from the seating surface F of the base portion 12A toward the occupant to support the sides of the occupant's upper body.

[0500] The front surface of the headrest 13 serves as a seating surface F that supports the head of the occupant.

[0501] The camera C is a camera that captures an image of the area in front of the vehicle. The camera C is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the vehicle. Image information captured by the camera C is output to the control unit 100.

[0502] The navigation system 33 has a function of acquiring vehicle position information, which is the position of the vehicle, using GPS. The navigation system 33 also stores map information. Here, the vehicle position information and map information are information indicating the environment around the occupant, more specifically, the environment around the vehicle. In this embodiment, the position acquisition unit functions as an environment acquisition unit.

[0503] The tail member 20 is provided on the upper part of the seat 10. More specifically, the tail member 20 is located on the left side surface FL of the headrest 13. The side surface FL is the outer surface of the headrest 13 other than the seating surface F. The tail member 20 protrudes from the side surface FL.

[0504] The tail member 20 has a base portion 21 and a movable body 22. The base portion 21 is a portion that is fixed to the headrest 13. The base portion 21 is, for example, embedded in the pad of the headrest 13 and fixed to the frame of the headrest 13.

[0505] The movable body 22 extends from the base 21, and its tip is configured to be able to move freely in all directions. The movable body 22 is shaped, for example, to resemble a cat's tail. The movable body 22 includes, for example, a joint mechanism having multiple joints, a cushioning material such as cotton or sponge that covers the joint mechanism, and a surface covering that covers the cushioning material. The surface is made of, for example, cloth or brushed fabric.

[0506] The joint mechanism has a plurality of links (serial links) that are rotatably connected to one another, and the plurality of links are moved by an actuator.

[0507] The joint mechanism can be configured, for example, like a robot arm. In this case, the actuators for moving the multiple links are multiple motors arranged near the multiple joints.

[0508] The joint mechanism can also be configured to include, for example, multiple links, a spring that biases the multiple links so that they are aligned in a straight rod shape, a wire that pulls the distal link in a direction that causes the multiple links to fold against the biasing force of the spring, and a winch for pulling the wire. In this case, the actuator for moving the multiple links is a winch, and when the winch pulls the wire, the joint mechanism moves in a direction that causes the joint mechanism to fold, and when the winch releases the wire, the spring moves the joint mechanism in a direction that causes the joint mechanism to extend straight. In this case, using multiple wires allows the joint mechanism to be moved so as to fold in different directions, and the distal end of the movable body 22 can be freely moved in any direction.

[0509] The movable body 22 protrudes from the side surface FL. The movable body 22 has a contact sensor 22A at its tip that detects contact of the movable body 22 with an occupant. The contact sensor 22A may be, for example, a capacitance type touch sensor or a pressure sensor. The contact sensor 22A may be located, for example, between the surface and the cushioning material.

[0510] The movable body 22 is movable between the separated position shown in Figure 37(a) and the contact positions shown in Figures 37(b) and (c). The movable body 22 located at the separated position is separated from the occupant seated in the seat 10. The movable body 22 located at the contact position is capable of coming into contact with the occupant seated in the seat 10.

[0511] The control unit 100 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, rewritable non-volatile memory, etc. (not shown), and executes pre-stored programs. The control unit 100 may be provided in the seat 10 or in a member other than the seat 10.

[0512] The control unit 100 has a function of executing a contact process in which the movable body 22 contacts the occupant by controlling the actuator of the tail member 20 to move the movable body 22 from the separated position toward the contact position. In the contact process, the control unit 100 moves the movable body 22 until it determines that the movable body 22 has contacted the occupant based on information acquired by the contact sensor 22A.

[0513] The control unit 100 has a function of calculating the relaxation level of the occupant based on the vehicle position information and map information acquired from the navigation system 33. For example, the control unit 100 calculates the number of buildings around the vehicle from the vehicle position information and map information, and calculates the relaxation level so that the greater the number of buildings, the smaller the relaxation level. The buildings around the vehicle can be, for example, buildings within a radius of several hundred meters from the position of the vehicle.

[0514] The control unit 100 executes the contact process based on the relaxation level. Specifically, the control unit 100 determines whether or not to execute the contact process based on the relaxation level. The control unit 100 changes the movement of the movable body 22 in the contact process based on the relaxation level.

[0515] Furthermore, the control unit 100 has a function of prohibiting contact processing when a vehicle collision is predicted. Specifically, the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a possibility that the vehicle will collide with an object ahead based on image information acquired from the camera C, and prohibits contact processing when it determines that there is a possibility of a collision.

[0516] Next, a detailed description will be given of the operation of the control unit 100. While the vehicle power supply is ON, the control unit 100 repeatedly executes the contact process shown in Fig. 38 and the inhibition process shown in Fig. 39 in parallel.

[0517] In the contact process, the control unit 100 first acquires vehicle position information and map information from the navigation system 33 (S401). After step S401, the control unit 100 calculates a relaxation level based on the vehicle position information and map information (S402).

[0518] After step S402, the control unit 100 determines whether the relaxation level is equal to or greater than the first threshold (S403). If it is determined in step S403 that the relaxation level is not equal to or greater than the first threshold (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0519] If it is determined in step S403 that the relaxation level is equal to or greater than the first threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether the relaxation level is equal to or greater than a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold (S404). If it is determined in step S404 that the relaxation level is equal to or greater than the second threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 activates the actuator to move the tip of the tail member 20 toward the contact position (S405).

[0520] After step S405, the control unit 100 determines whether the tail member 20 has touched the occupant based on information from the contact sensor 22A (S406). If it is determined in step S406 that the tail member 20 has touched the occupant (Yes), the control unit 100 strokes the occupant's cheek with the tail member 20 by moving the tip of the tail member 20 up and down at a first moving speed (S407). If it is not determined that the tail member 20 has touched the occupant even after a predetermined time has passed in step S406, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S408.

[0521] After step S407, the control unit 100 returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S408) and ends this process. If it is determined in step S404 that the relaxation level is not equal to or greater than the second threshold (No), the control unit 100 executes step S409, which is the same process as step S405, and determines whether the tail member 20 has touched the occupant (S410).

[0522] If it is determined in step S410 that the tail member 20 has touched the occupant (Yes), the control unit 100 strokes the occupant's cheek with the tail member 20 by moving the tip of the tail member 20 up and down at a second moving speed that is faster than the first moving speed (S411). After step S411, the control unit 100 returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S408) and ends this process. Note that if the control unit 100 does not determine that the tail member 20 has touched the occupant even after a predetermined time has elapsed in step S410, it proceeds to the process of step S408.

[0523] 39, the control unit 100 first determines whether or not there is a possibility of a collision based on image information acquired from the camera C (S421). If it is determined in step S421 that there is no possibility of a collision (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0524] If it is determined in step S421 that there is a possibility of a collision (Yes), the control unit 100 prohibits the contact process (S422) and ends this process. In more detail, if the tail member 20 is not moving when the control unit 100 proceeds to step S422, it forcibly terminates the contact process in Figure 38 and does not execute the contact process thereafter. Furthermore, if the tail member 20 is moving when the control unit 100 proceeds to step S422, it forcibly terminates the contact process, returns the tail member 20 to the separated position, and does not execute the contact process thereafter.

[0525] Next, a specific example of the operation of the control unit 100 will be described. When driving from the city center to the suburbs, the number of buildings around the vehicle increases until the vehicle leaves the city center, causing the occupant to become tense, and the control unit 100 calculates the relaxation level to a small value less than the first threshold. As a result, when the occupant becomes tense, the tail member 20 does not move, allowing the occupant to concentrate on driving.

[0526] As the vehicle leaves the city center and the number of buildings around the vehicle decreases, the occupant becomes slightly relaxed, and the control unit 100 calculates the relaxation level to a relatively high value equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value. As a result, when the occupant becomes slightly relaxed, the tail member 20 comes into contact with the occupant's cheek and strokes him / her at the second moving speed, allowing the occupant to feel like they are a pet and feel soothed.

[0527] When the vehicle is in a peaceful environment with few buildings around it, the occupant becomes quite relaxed, and the control unit 100 calculates the relaxation level to be equal to or greater than the second threshold value. As a result, when the occupant becomes quite relaxed, the tail member 20 comes into contact with the occupant's cheek and strokes the occupant at the first moving speed, which is slower than the second moving speed, so that the occupant can recognize that he or she is in a more relaxed state than when being stroked at the second moving speed.

[0528] As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. By configuring the tail member 20 to be able to come into contact with an occupant seated in the seat 10, the occupant can be made aware of the action of the tail member 20 by touch, making it easier for the occupant to notice the action of the tail member 20. Furthermore, by configuring the system to execute contact processing based on the relaxation level, it is easier for the occupant to notice the relaxation level.

[0529] By configuring the movement of the tail member 20 to be changed based on the degree of relaxation, the occupant can recognize how relaxed he or she is by the movement of the tail member 20.

[0530] If the control unit 100 predicts a vehicle collision, the control unit 100 is configured to prohibit the contact process, thereby improving safety.

[0531] By configuring the system to determine whether or not to execute contact processing depending on the degree of relaxation, it is easy to determine whether or not the occupant is relaxed based on whether or not the tail member 20 is in contact.

[0532] [Fourteenth embodiment] Next, a fourteenth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that this embodiment is a modification of the vehicle interior system 701 according to the thirteenth embodiment, and therefore, the same components and processes as those in the thirteenth embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0533] 40 , a vehicle interior system 801 according to the fourteenth embodiment includes, in addition to the configuration of the vehicle interior system 701 according to the thirteenth embodiment, a seat air cell 841 and a seat vibration device 842 as examples of electric devices, an air cell 51, and a vibration device 52. The seat air cell 841 and the seat vibration device 842 are devices that move the seating surface F of the headrest 13 and are provided within the headrest 13. The air cell 51 and the vibration device 52 are devices that move the surface of the movable body 22 and are provided within the movable body 22.

[0534] The seat air cell 841 includes an inflatable / deflate bag 841A, a pump, and a tube (not shown). The pump has the function of sending air into the bag 841A and sucking air out of the bag 841A, and is activated by passing electricity. The tube connects the bag 841A to the pump.

[0535] The bag 841A is embedded in the pad of the headrest 13. The bag 841A moves the seating surface F of the headrest 13 in the front-rear direction. The pump is fixed to the frame of the seat 10, for example.

[0536] The seat vibrating device 842 is a device that vibrates when electricity is applied, and is covered with, for example, a pad.

[0537] The air cell 51 includes an inflatable / deflateable bag 51A, a pump, and a tube (not shown). The pump has the function of sending air into the bag 51A and sucking air out of the bag 51A, and is activated by passing electricity. The tube connects the bag 51A to the pump.

[0538] The bag 51A is embedded in the cushion material of the movable body 22. The bag 51A moves the surface of the movable body 22.

[0539] The vibration device 52 is a device that vibrates when electricity is applied, and is covered with, for example, a cushioning material.

[0540] When moving the movable body 22, the control unit 100 activates the air cells 51 or the vibration devices 52 based on the relaxation level. When moving the movable body 22, the control unit 100 activates the seat air cells 841 or the seat vibration devices 842 based on the relaxation level.

[0541] When the control unit 100 activates the air cells 51, it activates the seat air cells 841. When the control unit 100 activates the vibration device 52, it activates the seat vibration device 842.

[0542] The control unit 100 according to the fourteenth embodiment executes contact processing shown in Fig. 41. In the processing in Fig. 41, step S407 in the processing in Fig. 38 is replaced with new steps S441 and S442, and step S411 is replaced with new steps S443 and S444.

[0543] In the contact process shown in Fig. 41, when the control unit 100 determines that the relaxation level is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold (S403: Yes -> S404: No), it executes steps S409 and S410 to bring the tail member 20 into contact with the occupant, and then vibrates the tail member 20 using the vibration device 52 (S443). After step S443, the control unit 100 vibrates the headrest 13 using the seat vibration device 842 (S444), and proceeds to the process of step S408. In step S408, the control unit 100 also executes a process to stop each vibration device 52, 842.

[0544] When the control unit 100 determines that the relaxation level is equal to or greater than the second threshold (S404: Yes), it executes steps S405 and S406 to bring the tail member 20 into contact with the occupant, and then inflates and deflates the tail member 20 using the air cells 51 (S441). After step S441, the control unit 100 moves the seating surface F of the headrest 13 forward and backward using the seat air cells 841 (S442), and proceeds to the processing of step S408. In step S408, the control unit 100 also executes the processing to stop the air cells 51 and 841.

[0545] According to the fourteenth embodiment, when the relaxation level is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the tail member 20 in contact with the occupant vibrates and the headrest 13 also vibrates, so that it is possible to know from the vibrations that the occupant is relaxed. Also, when the relaxation level is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the surfaces of the tail member 20 in contact with the occupant and the headrest 13 reciprocate as if breathing, so that the reciprocating movement of the surfaces can give comfort to the occupant.

[0546] [Fifteenth embodiment] Next, a fifteenth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that this embodiment is obtained by partially modifying the operation of the control unit 100 in the vehicle interior system 801 according to the fourteenth embodiment described above. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be used to designate configurations and processes that are substantially the same as those in the fourteenth embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0547] The higher the relaxation level, the slower the operation speeds of the air cells 51 and the seat air cells 841. Specifically, the control unit 100 according to the fifteenth embodiment executes the contact process shown in FIG.

[0548] The process in FIG. 42 is the same as the process in FIG. 41, except that steps S441 and S442 are replaced with new steps S461 and S462, and steps S443 and S444 are replaced with new steps S463 and S464.

[0549] In the contact process shown in Fig. 41, when the control unit 100 determines that the relaxation level is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold (S403: Yes → S404: No), it executes steps S409 and S410 to bring the tail member 20 into contact with the occupant, and then inflates and deflates the tail member 20 at a second speed by the air cell 51 (S463). Here, the second speed is greater than the first speed, which will be described later.

[0550] After step S463, the control unit 100 inflates and deflates the headrest 13 at a fourth speed by the seat air cell 841 (S464), and proceeds to the process of step S408. Here, the fourth speed is higher than a third speed, which will be described later.

[0551] When the control unit 100 determines that the relaxation level is equal to or greater than the second threshold (S404: Yes), it executes steps S405 and S406 to bring the tail member 20 into contact with the occupant, and then inflates and deflates the tail member 20 by the air cell 51 at a first speed that is lower than the second speed (S461). After step S461, the control unit 100 inflates and deflates the headrest 13 by the seat air cell 841 at a third speed that is lower than the fourth speed (S462), and proceeds to the processing of step S408.

[0552] In the fifteenth embodiment, the higher the degree of relaxation, the slower the operating speed of the air cells 51 and the seat air cells 841, so that the occupant can recognize how relaxed he or she is based on the operating speed of the air cells 51 and the seat air cells 841.

[0553] In the fifteenth embodiment, the higher the degree of relaxation, the slower the operating speed of both the air cell 51 and the seat air cell 841; however, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the higher the degree of relaxation, the slower the operating speed of at least one of the air cell 51 and the seat air cell 841.

[0554] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be used in various forms as exemplified below.

[0555] The method of notifying the occupant of their level of relaxation is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the occupant may be notified of their level of relaxation by changing the speed, duration, or strength with which the movable body of the ornament contacts the occupant. Specifically, the higher the relaxation level, the slower the speed at which the movable body contacts the occupant (the speed of the movable body at the time of contact). Furthermore, the higher the relaxation level, the longer the duration of contact between the movable body and the occupant. Furthermore, the higher the relaxation level, the slower the strength of the force applied by the movable body to the occupant.

[0556] The movable body may be equipped with a heater or a blower. The seat air cell may be provided in a seat cushion, a seat back, an armrest, or an ottoman. The seat air cell may be provided in a portion of the seat cushion or the seat back that has a seating surface, or in left and right protruding portions that protrude from the seating surface.

[0557] The method of calculating the relaxation level is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the relaxation level may be calculated as follows based on vehicle position information, map information, and the like: The smaller the height of surrounding buildings, the higher the relaxation level. The wider the road, the higher the relaxation level. The fewer the road surface irregularities, the higher the relaxation level. The less frequent lane changes, the higher the relaxation level. The fewer the number of surrounding vehicles, the higher the relaxation level. The quieter the noise, the higher the relaxation level.

[0558] The environment acquisition unit may be a camera that captures images outside the vehicle, a sensor that detects an object outside the vehicle approaching the vehicle, a microphone, or the like.

[0559] The vehicle interior system may include a seating detection sensor that detects whether an occupant is seated in the seat. Examples of the seating detection sensor include a seating sensor on the seat and a camera that photographs the occupant. In this case, the control unit may execute the contact process when it determines that an occupant is seated in the seat based on information from the seating detection sensor, and may prohibit the contact process when it determines that an occupant is not seated in the seat. In this way, the control unit executes the contact process only after recognizing that an occupant is seated in the seat, thereby preventing malfunction and creating a sense of exclusivity that communication can only be achieved within the vehicle interior.

[0560] The electric device may be any device that moves at least a part of the seat. For example, the electric device may be any of the following devices:・Reclining device that tilts the seat back ・Height mechanism that moves the seat up and down ・Slide device that moves the seat back and forth ・Movable device that changes the shape of the seat by driving a bag (air cell) or plate member that is operated by the inflow of air (for example, a device that moves the left and right protrusions that protrude from the seat cushion or the seating surface of the seat back, or a device that moves part of the seat back or the seat cushion seating surface) ・Side frame front end lifting mechanism that switches the front end of the side frame of the seat cushion between an up position where it is raised and a down position where it is lowered ・Tilt mechanism that moves the cushion pan of the seat cushion up and down ・Bending mechanism that tilts the upper part of the seat back back and forth ・Rotation mechanism that rotates the seat on a vertical axis ・Cushion front and back adjustment mechanism that adjusts the length of the front end of the seat cushion ・Mechanism that rotates the ottoman up and down or moves it back and forth ・Mechanism that rotates the armrest up and down ・Mechanism that extends and retracts the armrest ・Mechanism that switches the armrest between an extended position and a bent position ・Lighting - Headrest speaker (The headrest speaker may rotate or move in at least one direction of front / back, left / right, up / down). - Heater provided on the seat back or seat cushion. - Seat blower, which is a seat air conditioning device that circulates air on the surface of the seat cushion and seat back. - Vibration device that vibrates the seating surface.

[0561] The decorative item may be located on an upper part of the seat other than the headrest. For example, the decorative item may be located on the upper surface of the seat back, on either the left or right side, or on the back. The decorative item may also be located on either the left or right side or the underside of the seat cushion. However, if the decorative item is located on the upper part of the seat, the movable body can come into contact with the occupant's head, making it easier for the occupant to notice the movable body coming into contact.

[0562] The contact sensor may be a camera placed in a position where it can capture an image of the occupant, or a camera provided on a movable body (for example, the tip of a tail member), etc. In this case, the control unit may determine whether or not the movable body has touched the occupant based on information from the camera.

[0563] The control unit may change the destination (contact position) of the movable body depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may move the movable body so as to contact the head of the occupant when a first condition is satisfied, and may move the movable body so as to contact the shoulder of the occupant when a second condition is satisfied.

[0564] The control unit may change the contact time, which is the time during which the movable body is in contact with the occupant, depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may set the contact time to a first time when a first condition is satisfied, and may set the contact time to a second time, which is longer than the first time, when a second condition is satisfied.

[0565] The control unit may change the number of contacts, which is the number of times the movable body comes into contact with the occupant, depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may set the number of contacts to a first number when a first condition is satisfied, and may set the number of contacts to a second number greater than the first number when a second condition is satisfied.

[0566] The control unit may determine the contact time or the number of contacts based on information from a contact sensor, for example.

[0567] The control unit may cause the movable body to come into contact with the occupant based on vehicle information acquired by the vehicle. In this case, the movable body can contact the occupant to notify the occupant of any information. Examples of the vehicle information include the distance between the host vehicle and another vehicle, information on whether the preceding vehicle has started moving while the host vehicle is stopped, information on whether the host vehicle will deviate from its lane, lane change timing for lane change assistance, and steering and acceleration / deceleration information for vehicle driving assistance.

[0568] The vehicle interior system may include a notification device that notifies the occupant of information by voice or display. The notification device may be, for example, an agent device such as a robot, or a navigation system. The control unit may perform contact processing after notifying the occupant using the notification device. In this way, when notifying the occupant of information by voice or display, a contact action is added as a supplementary form of communication, so that notification can be performed using both vision or hearing and touch. The control unit may, for example, change the destination (contact position) of the movable body depending on the information to be notified.

[0569] The control unit may randomly execute the contact process within a predetermined time period. The control unit may also change the moving distance, moving speed, etc. of the movable body.

[0570] The control unit may execute the contact process based on the content of the voice acquired from the occupant.

[0571] The vehicle interior system includes a physical information acquisition unit that acquires the physique of the occupant, and the control unit may estimate the position of body parts such as the head and shoulders of the occupant sitting in the seat based on the physical information acquired from the physical information acquisition unit.

[0572] Examples of the physical information acquisition unit include a camera capable of photographing the occupant, a device that stores the occupant's physical information such as a smartphone or a wearable device, and multiple pressure sensors provided on the seat.

[0573] The camera may be, for example, an in-vehicle camera, an exterior camera, or a camera mounted on a movable body. In the case of an exterior camera, the control unit estimates the position of the head and shoulders of the occupant sitting in the seat based on an image of the occupant captured by the exterior camera before getting in the vehicle.

[0574] The contact strength (the strength with which the movable body pushes the occupant) may be changed depending on the contact position. For example, the contact strength may be strong on the top of the head and weak on the face.

[0575] The contact position may be set arbitrarily. For example, it may be set so as not to contact the face or head of the occupant so as not to ruin their hair or makeup. For example, the head may be set as the first position, the side of the face as the second position, the ears as the third position, and the shoulders as the fourth position. A plurality of movable bodies may be provided, and may be capable of contacting the thighs, abdomen, or arms of the occupant.

[0576] The control unit may estimate the physical and mental state of the occupant based on the biological information. The control unit may increase the frequency of contact processing when the occupant's mental state is deteriorating.

[0577] The control unit may change the position of the seat so that the movable body is more likely to come into contact with the occupant. For example, before performing the contact process, the control unit may perform at least one of the following processes: - A process of tilting up the front end of the seat cushion using a tilt-up mechanism to tilt the occupant's body backward. - A process of rotating the seat back to a position where the tail member of the headrest can come into contact with the occupant by moving the seat back in a direction toward the occupant using a reclining mechanism. Note that whether the seat back has reached a position where it can come into contact with the occupant may be determined based on information from a pressure sensor provided on the seat back, for example. - A process of raising the ottoman using an ottoman drive mechanism to tilt the occupant's body backward.

[0578] Before executing the contact process, the control unit may activate a vibration device provided on the seat to notify that the movable body will start moving.

[0579] The movable body may be provided with a heater. In this case, the heater can warm the part of the occupant's body that comes into contact with the movable body, thereby improving the comfort of the occupant. The headrest may be provided with a heater.

[0580] The interior member on which the decorative item is provided is not limited to the headrest of the driver's seat, but may also be a member (seat cushion, seat back, headrest) constituting another seat such as the passenger seat. If the seat has an armrest or ottoman, the interior member may be the armrest or ottoman.

[0581] Other examples of interior components include a center console box located between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, a dashboard, inner panels of doors and vehicle side walls, a roof, a cover for opening and closing a sunroof, etc. The decorative item may be provided, for example, on the upper part of the rear surface of the seat back, the left and right bulging portions that bulge out from the seat surface of the seat cushion, the sides of the headrest, the top surface of the dashboard or above the meter hood, the center console box, etc.

[0582] The ornament is not limited to a cat's tail. Other examples of ornaments include models imitating body parts (ears, limbs, whiskers) of animals such as dogs and cats, stuffed toys imitating the entire body of a human or animal, models imitating characters that anthropomorphize objects or living things, models imitating plants such as flowers and trees, models of buildings such as castles, and robots. The movable body may be the arms or legs of a robot, or a device that rotates or raises and lowers the entire robot.

[0583] The change in shape of the ornamental item is not limited to a change between a straight state and a bent state, and any change that changes the external shape of the ornamental item is acceptable. For example, if the ornamental item is made up of air cells that can expand and contract with air, the shape of the ornamental item may be changed between a normal state and a state that is more deflated than the normal state. In this case, the actuator that changes the shape of the ornamental item may be a pump that switches between supplying and discharging air to the ornamental item.

[0584] The actuator may be an artificial muscle such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-008896.

[0585] The ornament may also have a plurality of stacked air cells. In this case, by selecting the air cells to inflate, the shape of the ornament can be changed in multiple stages.

[0586] The decorative item may also have a shape memory alloy. In this case, a heater is provided on or around the decorative item. The shape memory alloy may be configured, for example, to assume a first straight shape when the temperature of the shape memory alloy is below a predetermined temperature, and assume a second bent shape when the temperature is above the predetermined temperature. The control unit may change the shape of the shape memory alloy by controlling the heater.

[0587] The decorative item may have a display unit, a communication unit, a speaker, etc. The decorative item may be operable by an operation input unit of a seat, a door, a navigation system, etc.

[0588] The vehicle is not limited to an automobile, but may be any other vehicle, such as a motorcycle or a train.

[0589] The following is an example of a method for manufacturing a vehicle interior system: A method for manufacturing a vehicle interior system including: a decorative item to be attached to an interior member of a vehicle, the decorative item having a movable body moved by an actuator; an environment acquisition unit that acquires information about the environment around an occupant; and a control unit, wherein the movable body is movable between a separation position away from an occupant seated in a seat and a contact position at which it can come into contact with the occupant seated in the seat; the control unit controls the actuator to move the movable body from the separation position toward the contact position, thereby executing a contact process to bring the movable body into contact with the occupant; and the control unit calculates a relaxation level of the occupant based on information acquired from the environment acquisition unit and executes the contact process based on the relaxation level, the method comprising the steps of attaching the decorative item to the interior member and connecting the environment acquisition unit and the actuator to the control unit.

[0590] The elements described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be implemented in any combination.

[0591] [16th Embodiment] A 16th embodiment of a vehicle interior system will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in Fig. 43, a vehicle interior system 1001 includes a seat 10 as an example of an interior member, a camera C as an example of a vehicle exterior information acquisition unit, a second camera C2 as an example of a face direction detection unit, a tail member 20 as an example of an ornament, and a control unit 100. The seat 10, camera C, second camera C2, and tail member 20 are arranged inside the vehicle, more specifically, in positions facing the passenger compartment. In this embodiment, the seat 10 is the driver's seat or passenger seat.

[0592] The seat 10 includes a seat cushion 11, a seat back 12, and a headrest 13. The seat cushion 11, the seat back 12, and the headrest 13 each constitute a seat body having a seating surface F. The seating surface F is a surface that comes into contact with and supports an occupant (e.g., a driver) seated in the seat 10.

[0593] The seat cushion 11, seat back 12, and headrest 13 each have a metal frame that forms the framework, a pad that covers the frame, and a cover that covers the pad. The pad is made of urethane foam or the like. The cover is made of synthetic leather, fabric, or the like.

[0594] The seat cushion 11 has a base portion 11A located in the left-right center and protruding portions 11B located on both the left and right outer sides of the base portion 11A. The base portion 11A has a seating surface F that contacts and supports the buttocks and thighs of the occupant from below. The protruding portions 11B protrude from the seating surface F of the base portion 11A toward the occupant to support the sides of the occupant's thighs and buttocks.

[0595] Similarly, the seat back 12 has a base portion 12A located in the left-right center and protruding portions 12B located on both the left and right outer sides of the base portion 12A. The base portion 12A has a seating surface F that contacts the back of the occupant and supports the back from behind. The protruding portions 12B protrude from the seating surface F of the base portion 12A toward the occupant to support the sides of the occupant's upper body.

[0596] The front surface of the headrest 13 serves as a seating surface F that supports the head of the occupant.

[0597] The camera C is a camera that acquires information about the outside of the vehicle, specifically, captures images of the front and rear of the vehicle. The camera C is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the vehicle. Image information captured by the camera C is output to the control unit 100.

[0598] The second camera C2 is a camera that detects the orientation of the occupant's face and is provided at a position where it can capture an image of the occupant's face, for example, on the dashboard.

[0599] The tail member 20 is provided on the upper part of the seat 10. More specifically, one tail member 20 is provided on each of the left and right side surfaces FL of the headrest 13. The side surfaces FL are the outer surfaces of the headrest 13 other than the seating surface F. The tail member 20 protrudes from the side surfaces FL.

[0600] The tail member 20 has a base portion 21 and a movable body 22. The base portion 21 is a portion that is fixed to the headrest 13. The base portion 21 is, for example, embedded in the pad of the headrest 13 and fixed to the frame of the headrest 13.

[0601] The movable body 22 extends from the base 21, and its tip is configured to be able to move freely in all directions. The movable body 22 is shaped, for example, to resemble a cat's tail. The movable body 22 includes, for example, a joint mechanism having multiple joints, a cushioning material such as cotton or sponge that covers the joint mechanism, and a surface covering that covers the cushioning material. The surface is made of, for example, cloth or brushed fabric.

[0602] The joint mechanism has a plurality of links (serial links) that are rotatably connected to one another, and the plurality of links are moved by an actuator.

[0603] The joint mechanism can be configured, for example, like a robot arm. In this case, the actuators for moving the multiple links are multiple motors arranged near the multiple joints.

[0604] The joint mechanism can also be configured to include, for example, multiple links, a spring that biases the multiple links so that they are aligned in a straight rod shape, a wire that pulls the distal link in a direction that causes the multiple links to fold against the biasing force of the spring, and a winch for pulling the wire. In this case, the actuator for moving the multiple links is a winch, and when the winch pulls the wire, the joint mechanism moves in a direction that causes the joint mechanism to fold, and when the winch releases the wire, the spring moves the joint mechanism in a direction that causes the joint mechanism to extend straight. In this case, using multiple wires allows the joint mechanism to be moved so as to fold in different directions, and the distal end of the movable body 22 can be freely moved in any direction.

[0605] The movable body 22 protrudes from the side surface FL. The movable body 22 has a contact sensor 22A at its tip that detects contact of the movable body 22 with an occupant. The contact sensor 22A may be, for example, a capacitance type touch sensor or a pressure sensor. The contact sensor 22A may be located, for example, between the surface and the cushioning material.

[0606] The movable body 22 is movable between a separated position indicated by a solid line in Fig. 44(a), a contact position indicated by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 44(a), and a pressing position indicated in Fig. 44(b) and (c). The movable body 22 positioned at the separated position is separated from the occupant seated in the seat 10. The movable body 22 positioned at the contact position can come into contact with the head, more specifically the face, of the occupant seated in the seat 10 without changing the orientation of the occupant's face. By moving from the contact position to the pressing position, the movable body 22 presses the occupant's face toward either the left or right.

[0607] 44(b) and 44(c), the left movable body 22 moves from the contact position to the pressing position to press the occupant's face to the right. Although not shown, the right movable body 22 moves from the contact position to the pressing position to press the occupant's face to the left.

[0608] The control unit 100 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, rewritable non-volatile memory, etc. (not shown), and executes pre-stored programs. The control unit 100 may be provided in the seat 10 or in a member other than the seat 10.

[0609] The control unit 100 has a function of executing a contact process in which the movable body 22 contacts the occupant by controlling the actuator of the tail member 20 to move the movable body 22 from the separated position toward the contact position. In the contact process, the control unit 100 moves the movable body 22 until it determines that the movable body 22 has contacted the occupant based on information acquired by the contact sensor 22A.

[0610] The control unit 100 also has a function of estimating the distance between an object outside the vehicle and the subject vehicle based on information acquired from the camera C. The control unit 100 executes contact processing based on the estimated distance. Specifically, the control unit 100 changes the manner in which the movable body 22 contacts the face in the contact processing based on the estimated distance. The control unit 100 also changes the strength of pressure applied from the movable body 22 to the face in the contact processing based on the estimated distance.

[0611] Furthermore, the control unit 100 has a function of setting an object approaching the vehicle as a target based on information acquired from the camera C, and when executing contact processing, pressing the occupant's face with the movable body 22 so that the occupant's face faces toward the target. The control unit 100 has a function of determining whether the occupant's face faces toward the target based on information from the second camera C2.

[0612] Furthermore, the control unit 100 has a function of prohibiting contact processing when a vehicle collision is predicted. Specifically, the control unit 100 determines whether or not there is a possibility that the vehicle will collide with an object based on image information acquired from the camera C, and prohibits contact processing when it determines that there is a possibility of a collision.

[0613] Next, a detailed description will be given of the operation of the control unit 100. While the vehicle power supply is ON, the control unit 100 repeatedly executes the contact processing shown in Fig. 45 and the inhibition processing shown in Fig. 46 in parallel.

[0614] In the contact processing, the control unit 100 first acquires image information from the camera C (S501). After step S501, the control unit 100 identifies an approaching object that has approached the host vehicle based on the image information from the camera C and sets the approaching object as a target (S502). For example, in step S502, the control unit 100 sets the approaching object as a target if the approaching object is located to the left or right of the host vehicle based on the image information. If the approaching object is not located to the left or right of the host vehicle, the control unit 100 ends this processing.

[0615] 45 is a process for making the occupants (particularly the driver) aware of an approaching object. Control for suppressing a collision between the host vehicle and an approaching object may be performed separately by the control unit 100 or the vehicle's ECU.

[0616] After step S502, the control unit 100 determines whether the distance between the target and the vehicle (hereinafter also referred to as "inter-vehicle distance") is equal to or less than a first threshold value (S503) based on information from the camera C. If it is determined in step S503 that the inter-vehicle distance is not equal to or less than the first threshold value (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0617] If it is determined in step S503 that the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than the first threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold (S504).If it is determined in step S504 that the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than the second threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than a third threshold that is smaller than the second threshold (S505).

[0618] If it is determined in step S505 that the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than the third threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the tail member 20 on the left or right side opposite the target toward the pressing position, thereby pushing the occupant's face toward the target with the tail member 20 (S506). After step S506, the control unit 100 determines whether the occupant's face is facing the target based on information from the second camera C2 (S507).

[0619] If it is determined in step S507 that the face is not facing the target (No), the control unit 100 repeats the process of step S507. If it is determined in step S507 that the face is facing the target (Yes), the control unit 100 returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S508) and ends this process. Note that if the conditions of step S507 are not met even after a predetermined time has passed in step S507, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S508 and returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position.

[0620] If it is determined in step S505 that the inter-vehicle distance is not equal to or less than the third threshold (No), the control unit 100 moves the tail member 20 on the target side toward the contact position (S509). After step S509, the control unit 100 determines whether the tip of the tail member 20 has touched the occupant based on information from the contact sensor 22A (S510).

[0621] If it is determined in step S510 that the tip of the tail member 20 is not touching the occupant (No), the control unit 100 repeats the process of step S510. If it is determined in step S510 that the tip of the tail member 20 is touching the occupant (Yes), the control unit 100 returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position (S508). Note that if the condition of step S510 is not met even after a predetermined time has elapsed in step S510, the control unit 100 proceeds to the process of step S508 and returns the tip of the tail member 20 to the separated position.

[0622] If it is determined in step S504 that the inter-vehicle distance is not equal to or less than the second threshold (No), the control unit 100 moves the tail member 20 on the target side (either left or right) to a position where it does not touch the occupant (S511). For example, in step S511, the control unit 100 moves the tail member 20 up and down for a predetermined time at a position closer to the separation position than the contact position, for example, next to the occupant's face. After step S511, the control unit 100 proceeds to the processing of step S508.

[0623] 46, the control unit 100 first determines whether or not there is a possibility of a collision based on image information acquired from the camera C (S521). If it is determined in step S521 that there is no possibility of a collision (No), the control unit 100 ends this process.

[0624] If it is determined in step S521 that there is a possibility of a collision (Yes), the control unit 100 prohibits the contact process (S522) and ends this process. In more detail, if the tail member 20 is not moving when the control unit 100 proceeds to step S522, it will forcibly terminate the contact process in Figure 45 and will not execute the contact process thereafter. Furthermore, if the tail member 20 is moving when the control unit 100 proceeds to step S522, it will forcibly terminate the contact process, return the tail member 20 to the separated position, and will not execute the contact process thereafter.

[0625] Next, a specific example of the operation of the control unit 100 will be described. For example, when another vehicle approaches from the right rear of the host vehicle while the vehicle is traveling, the control unit 100 sets the vehicle diagonally rear to the right of the host vehicle as the target. When the inter-vehicle distance between the host vehicle and the target becomes shorter and the inter-vehicle distance becomes equal to or less than a first threshold (second threshold < inter-vehicle distance ≦ first threshold), the control unit 100 moves the right tail member 20 up and down, for example, next to the occupant's face. This first movement of the tail member 20 causes the occupant to feel a sense of discomfort on the right side of their face, causing them to turn their face to the right, thereby enabling them to recognize the vehicle approaching their vehicle.

[0626] When the distance between the vehicle and the target becomes even shorter and becomes equal to or less than the second threshold (third threshold < distance between the vehicles ≦ second threshold), the control unit 100 brings the right tail member 20 into contact with the occupant's right cheek. This second movement of the tail member 20 makes the occupant feel as if someone is calling them from the right side, so even if the occupant cannot recognize an approaching object due to the first movement of the tail member 20, they can turn their face to the right and recognize a vehicle approaching their vehicle.

[0627] When the distance between the vehicle and the target becomes even shorter and becomes equal to or less than the third threshold, the control unit 100 presses the occupant's face to the right with the left tail member 20. Since the face is forced to turn to the right by this third action of the tail member 20, it is possible to recognize a vehicle approaching the vehicle even if the approaching object cannot be recognized by the first and second actions of the tail member 20.

[0628] As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. By configuring the control unit 100 to execute contact processing that brings the tail member 20 into contact with the occupant, the action of the tail member 20 can be made known to the occupant by touch, making it easier for the occupant to notice the action of the tail member 20. Furthermore, since the control unit 100 executes contact processing based on the distance between vehicles, it can notify the occupant that a vehicle is approaching its own vehicle by bringing the tail member 20 into contact with the occupant.

[0629] By configuring the tail member 20 so that it can come into contact with the face of the occupant, the occupant can easily notice contact with the tail member 20.

[0630] By configuring the tail member 20 to press against the face, the occupant's face is turned toward an approaching object, making it easier for the occupant to notice an approaching object approaching the vehicle.

[0631] If the control unit 100 predicts a vehicle collision, the control unit 100 is configured to prohibit the contact process, thereby improving safety.

[0632] [Seventeenth embodiment] Next, a seventeenth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that this embodiment is a modification of the vehicle interior system 1001 according to the sixteenth embodiment, and therefore, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same components and processes as those in the sixteenth embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0633] 47 , a vehicle interior system 1101 according to the seventeenth embodiment further includes an air cell AC and a vibration device VD as examples of electrically powered devices in addition to the configuration of the vehicle interior system 1001 according to the sixteenth embodiment. In the seventeenth embodiment, the contact sensor 22A is a pressure sensor.

[0634] An air cell AC is provided in each of the left and right overhanging portions 12B of the seat back 12. The air cell AC includes an inflatable / deflate bag BG, a pump, and a tube (not shown). The pump has the function of sending air into the bag BG and sucking air out of the bag BG, and is activated by electrical current. The tube connects the bag BG to the pump.

[0635] The bag BG is embedded in the pad of the protruding portion 12B. The bag BG moves the surface of the protruding portion 12B. The bag BG is deformable into a standard shape, a first shape larger than the standard shape, and a second shape larger than the first shape. The pump is fixed to the frame of the seat 10, for example.

[0636] The vibration device VD is provided on each of the left and right protruding portions 12B of the seat back 12. The vibration device VD moves the surface of the protruding portion 12B. The vibration device VD is a device that vibrates when electricity is applied. The vibration device VD is covered with, for example, a pad.

[0637] The control unit 100 has a function of activating the air cell AC or the vibration device VD when moving the tail member 20. Specifically, the control unit 100 according to the seventeenth embodiment executes the contact processing shown in Fig. 48. The processing in Fig. 48 is the same as the processing in Fig. 45, except that steps S506 and S507 are replaced with new steps S541 and S542, steps S509 and S510 are replaced with new steps S543 and S544, and step S511 is replaced with new steps S545 to S547.

[0638] 48, when the control unit 100 determines that the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold (S503: Yes → S504: No), it executes steps S545 and S546, which are the same as steps S509 and S510, to bring the target-side tail member 20 into contact with the occupant, and then vibrates the target-side vibration device VD (S547). After step S547, the control unit 100 proceeds to step S508. In step S508, the control unit 100 also executes a process to stop the vibration device VD.

[0639] When the control unit 100 determines that the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than the second threshold and greater than the third threshold (S504: Yes → S505: No), it pushes the occupant's face with the tail member 20 on the side opposite the target with a first strength (S543). Specifically, in step S543, the control unit 100 moves the tail member 20 toward the contact position, determines whether the pressure value acquired by the contact sensor 22A is equal to or greater than the first threshold, and stops the movement of the tail member 20 when the pressure value is equal to or greater than the first threshold.

[0640] After step S543, the control unit 100 inflates the air cells AC on the left or right side opposite the target from the reference shape to the first shape (S544), and proceeds to the processing of step S508. Note that in step S508, the control unit 100 also executes processing to return the inflated air cells AC to the reference shape.

[0641] When the control unit 100 determines that the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than the third threshold (S505: Yes), it pushes the occupant's face with the tail member 20 on the opposite side of the target with a second strength greater than the first strength (S541). Specifically, in step S541, the control unit 100 moves the tail member 20 toward the contact position and determines whether the pressure value acquired by the contact sensor 22A is equal to or greater than a second threshold greater than the first threshold, and stops the movement of the tail member 20 when the pressure value is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

[0642] After step S541, the control unit 100 inflates the air cells AC on the left or right side opposite the target from the reference shape to the second shape (S542), and proceeds to the processing of step S508. Note that in step S508, the control unit 100 also executes processing to return the inflated air cells AC to the reference shape.

[0643] According to the seventeenth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained: When the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than the first threshold value and greater than the second threshold value, the tail member 20 on the target side comes into contact with the face of the occupant and the vibration device VD on the target side vibrates, thereby directing the occupant's attention to the target side.

[0644] When the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than the second threshold value and greater than the third threshold value, the tail member 20 on the opposite side to the target pushes the occupant's face with a first strength and the air cell AC on the opposite side to the target expands to a first shape, so that the occupant can turn his / her face and upper body toward the target, making it easier for the occupant to notice the target.

[0645] When the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than the third threshold, the face and upper body of the occupant are pressed more strongly by the tail member 20 and the air cell AC than when the inter-vehicle distance is greater than the third threshold, so that the face and upper body of the occupant can be turned more toward the target, and the occupant can more easily notice the target.

[0646] [Eighteenth embodiment] Next, an eighteenth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that this embodiment is a modification of the processing by the control unit 100 of the vehicle interior system 1001 according to the sixteenth embodiment described above. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components and processes that are substantially the same as those in the sixteenth embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0647] In the eighteenth embodiment, the contact positions include a first contact position, a second contact position, and a third contact position. The first contact position is a position that can contact a first part of the occupant's head. The second contact position is a position that can contact a second part of the occupant's head that is different from the first part. The third contact position is a position that can contact a third part of the occupant's head that is different from the first and second parts. In the eighteenth embodiment, the first part is the head, the second part is the face (cheek), and the third part is the ear.

[0648] In the contact processing, the control unit 100 selects between a first contact processing in which the tail member 20 is moved from the separation position toward the first contact position, and a second contact processing in which the tail member 20 is moved from the separation position toward the second contact position, based on the distance between the vehicles.

[0649] The control unit 100 executes the contact processing shown in Fig. 49. In the contact processing, the control unit 100 first acquires image information from the camera C (S501), and calculates the position of the approaching object and the lane position based on the image information (S561). After step S561, the control unit 100 determines whether the host vehicle is about to deviate from the lane based on the lane position (S562).

[0650] If it is determined in step S562 that the vehicle is about to deviate from the lane (Yes), the control unit 100 moves the tail member 20 toward the third contact position, causing the tail member 20 to contact the ear of the occupant (S567), and proceeds to the processing of step S508. Here, in step S567, the control unit 100 performs the same processing as steps S509 and S510 in FIG.

[0651] If it is determined in step S562 that the host vehicle is not likely to deviate from the lane (No), the control unit 100 determines whether the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than a threshold (S563). If it is determined in step S563 that the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than the threshold (Yes), the control unit 100 brings the tail member 20 into contact with the face (cheek) of the occupant (S566) and proceeds to the processing of step S508. Here, in step S566, the control unit 100 performs processing equivalent to steps S509 and S510 in FIG. 45.

[0652] If it is determined in step S563 that the inter-vehicle distance is not equal to or less than the threshold (No), it is determined whether the preceding vehicle, which was located in front of the host vehicle when the host vehicle was stopped, has started moving (S564). Here, the determination of whether the vehicle is stopped or not may be made based on, for example, information from a wheel speed sensor or the vehicle's ECU. Furthermore, the determination of whether the preceding vehicle has started moving or not may be made based on, for example, image information from camera C.

[0653] In step S564, if it is determined that the host vehicle is not stopped or the preceding vehicle has not started moving (No), the control unit 100 ends this process. In step S564, if it is determined that the host vehicle is stopped and the preceding vehicle has started moving (Yes), the control unit 100 brings the tail member 20 into contact with the occupant's head (S565) and proceeds to the process of step S508. Here, in step S565, the control unit 100 performs the same processes as steps S509 and S510 in FIG. 45.

[0654] In the 18th embodiment, the location (contact position) at which the tail member 20 touches the occupant differs depending on the content of the notification to the occupant, so if the occupant understands the relationship between the notification content and the contact position, they can understand the notification content from the contact position.

[0655] [Nineteenth embodiment] Next, a nineteenth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that this embodiment is a partial modification of the processing by the control unit 100 of the vehicle interior system 1001 according to the sixteenth embodiment described above. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same configurations and processing as those of the sixteenth embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0656] The control unit 100 according to the nineteenth embodiment has a function of predicting the destination of an object moving around the vehicle based on image information acquired from the camera C, setting the predicted destination as a target, and, when executing contact processing, pressing the head of the occupant with the movable body 22 so that the face of the occupant faces the target. Specifically, the control unit 100 executes the contact processing shown in Fig. 50. The processing in Fig. 50 is obtained by replacing step S502 in the processing in Fig. 45 with a new step S581.

[0657] In the contact processing shown in Fig. 50, after acquiring image information from camera C in step S501, the control unit 100 sets the destination of the approaching object as a target based on the image information (S581). For example, the control unit 100 compares the current value and previous value of the position of the approaching object calculated based on the image information to predict the destination of the approaching object. If the control unit 100 predicts that the approaching object will move to the left based on the current value and previous value of the position of the approaching object, it sets the position on the left side of the vehicle as the target (destination). If the control unit 100 predicts that the approaching object will move to the right based on the current value and previous value of the position of the approaching object, it sets the position on the right side of the vehicle as the target (destination).

[0658] After step S581, the control unit 100 performs the same processing as in the 16th embodiment, thereby appropriately performing processing according to the target. In particular, in steps S506 and S507, the control unit 100 presses the occupant's face toward the target (destination) with the tail member 20 on the side opposite to the target, thereby directing the occupant's gaze toward the destination of the approaching object, making it easier for the occupant to notice an object moving around the vehicle.

[0659] [Twentieth Embodiment] Next, a twentieth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that this embodiment is a partial modification of the processing by the control unit 100 of the vehicle interior system 1001 according to the sixteenth embodiment described above. Therefore, the same reference numerals will be used to designate configurations and processes that are substantially the same as those in the sixteenth embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0660] When the control unit 100 according to the twentieth embodiment executes contact processing while the vehicle is reversing, after starting the contact processing, if the inter-vehicle distance becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control unit 100 stops the vehicle until the occupant's face turns toward the target, and resumes reversing the vehicle when it is determined that the occupant's face has turned toward the target. Specifically, the control unit 100 executes a process for vehicle reversal as contact processing performed when the vehicle is reversing, as shown in FIG. 51. The process in FIG. 51 is the same as the process in FIG. 45 except that a new step S601 is added between step S505 and step S506, and a new step S602 is added between step S507 and step S508.

[0661] When the vehicle starts to move backward, the control unit 100 starts the vehicle backing up process shown in Fig. 51. Whether the vehicle is moving backward may be determined based on information acquired from a sensor that detects the position of the shift lever, an ECU of the vehicle, or the like, for example.

[0662] When the control unit 100 determines in step S505 that the inter-vehicle distance is equal to or less than the third threshold value (Yes), the control unit 100 stops the vehicle (S601). Specifically, for example, in step S601, the control unit 100 transmits a command to stop the vehicle to the ECU of the vehicle, and the ECU of the vehicle stops the vehicle.

[0663] After step S601, the control unit 100 executes the processes of steps S506 and S507, thereby pushing the occupant's face with the tail member 20 so that the occupant's face faces toward the target. If it is determined in step S507 that the face faces toward the target (Yes), the control unit 100 resumes backing up the vehicle (S602) and proceeds to the process of step S508. Specifically, for example, in step S602, the control unit 100 transmits a command to the vehicle's ECU to move the vehicle backward, and the vehicle's ECU moves the vehicle backward.

[0664] In the twentieth embodiment, when the vehicle is backing up and the inter-vehicle distance becomes equal to or less than the third threshold, the vehicle is stopped until the occupant's face is turned toward the target, thereby preventing the vehicle from colliding with an object. Furthermore, when it is determined that the occupant's face is turned toward the target, the vehicle resumes backing up, allowing the occupant to continue backing up the vehicle while performing an operation to avoid the object.

[0665] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be used in various forms as exemplified below.

[0666] The vehicle interior system may include a seating detection sensor that detects whether an occupant is seated in the seat. Examples of the seating detection sensor include a seating sensor on the seat and a camera that photographs the occupant. In this case, the control unit may execute the contact process when it determines that an occupant is seated in the seat based on information from the seating detection sensor, and may prohibit the contact process when it determines that an occupant is not seated in the seat. In this way, the control unit executes the contact process only after recognizing that an occupant is seated in the seat, thereby preventing malfunction and creating a sense of exclusivity that communication can only be achieved within the vehicle interior.

[0667] The electric device may be any device that moves at least a part of the seat. For example, the electric device may be any of the following devices:・Reclining device that tilts the seat back ・Height mechanism that moves the seat up and down ・Slide device that moves the seat back and forth ・Movable device that changes the shape of the seat by driving a bag (air cell) or plate member that is operated by the inflow of air (for example, a device that moves the left and right protrusions that protrude from the seat cushion or the seating surface of the seat back, or a device that moves part of the seat back or the seat cushion seating surface) ・Side frame front end lifting mechanism that switches the front end of the side frame of the seat cushion between an up position where it is raised and a down position where it is lowered ・Tilt mechanism that moves the cushion pan of the seat cushion up and down ・Bending mechanism that tilts the upper part of the seat back back and forth ・Rotation mechanism that rotates the seat on a vertical axis ・Cushion front and back adjustment mechanism that adjusts the length of the front end of the seat cushion ・Mechanism that rotates the ottoman up and down or moves it back and forth ・Mechanism that rotates the armrest up and down ・Mechanism that extends and retracts the armrest ・Mechanism that switches the armrest between an extended position and a bent position ・Lighting - Headrest speaker (The headrest speaker may rotate or move in at least one direction of front / back, left / right, up / down). - Heater provided on the seat back or seat cushion. - Seat blower, which is a seat air conditioning device that circulates air on the surface of the seat cushion and seat back. - Vibration device that vibrates the seating surface.

[0668] The decorative item may be located on an upper part of the seat other than the headrest. For example, the decorative item may be located on the upper surface of the seat back, on either the left or right side, or on the back. The decorative item may also be located on either the left or right side or the underside of the seat cushion. When the decorative item is located on the upper part of the seat, the movable body can come into contact with the occupant's head, making it easier for the occupant to notice the movable body coming into contact.

[0669] The contact sensor may be a camera placed in a position where it can capture an image of the occupant, or a camera provided on a movable body (for example, the tip of a tail member), etc. In this case, the control unit may determine whether or not the movable body has touched the occupant based on information from the camera.

[0670] The control unit may change the destination (contact position) of the movable body depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may move the movable body so as to contact the head of the occupant when a first condition is satisfied, and may move the movable body so as to contact the shoulder of the occupant when a second condition is satisfied.

[0671] The control unit may change the contact time, which is the time during which the movable body is in contact with the occupant, depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may set the contact time to a first time when a first condition is satisfied, and may set the contact time to a second time, which is longer than the first time, when a second condition is satisfied.

[0672] The control unit may change the number of contacts, which is the number of times the movable body comes into contact with the occupant, depending on the conditions. For example, the control unit may set the number of contacts to a first number when a first condition is satisfied, and may set the number of contacts to a second number greater than the first number when a second condition is satisfied.

[0673] The control unit may determine the contact time or the number of contacts based on information from a contact sensor, for example.

[0674] The control unit may cause the movable body to come into contact with the occupant based on vehicle information acquired by the vehicle. In this case, the movable body can contact the occupant to notify the occupant of any information. Examples of the vehicle information include the distance between the host vehicle and another vehicle, information on whether the preceding vehicle has started moving while the host vehicle is stopped, information on whether the host vehicle will deviate from its lane, lane change timing for lane change assistance, and steering and acceleration / deceleration information for vehicle driving assistance.

[0675] The vehicle interior system may include a notification device that notifies the occupant of information by voice or display. The notification device may be, for example, an agent device such as a robot, or a navigation system. The control unit may perform contact processing after notifying the occupant using the notification device. In this way, when notifying the occupant of information by voice or display, a contact action is added as a supplementary form of communication, so that notification can be performed using both vision or hearing and touch. The control unit may, for example, change the destination (contact position) of the movable body depending on the information to be notified.

[0676] The control unit may randomly execute the contact process within a predetermined time period. The control unit may also change the moving distance, moving speed, etc. of the movable body.

[0677] The control unit may execute the contact process based on the content of the voice acquired from the occupant.

[0678] The vehicle interior system includes a physical information acquisition unit that acquires the physique of the occupant, and the control unit may estimate the position of body parts such as the head and shoulders of the occupant sitting in the seat based on the physical information acquired from the physical information acquisition unit.

[0679] Examples of the physical information acquisition unit include a camera capable of photographing the occupant, a device that stores the occupant's physical information such as a smartphone or a wearable device, and multiple pressure sensors provided on the seat.

[0680] The camera may be, for example, an in-vehicle camera, an exterior camera, or a camera mounted on a movable body. In the case of an exterior camera, the control unit estimates the position of the head and shoulders of the occupant sitting in the seat based on an image of the occupant captured by the exterior camera before getting in the vehicle.

[0681] The contact strength (the strength with which the movable body pushes the occupant) may be changed depending on the contact position. For example, the contact strength may be strong on the top of the head and weak on the face.

[0682] The contact position may be set arbitrarily. For example, it may be set so as not to contact the face or head of the occupant so as not to ruin their hair or makeup. For example, the head may be set as the first position, the side of the face as the second position, the ears as the third position, and the shoulders as the fourth position. A plurality of movable bodies may be provided, and may be capable of contacting the thighs, abdomen, or arms of the occupant.

[0683] The control unit may estimate the physical and mental state of the occupant based on the biological information. The control unit may increase the frequency of contact processing when the occupant's mental state is deteriorating.

[0684] The control unit may change the position of the seat so that the movable body is more likely to come into contact with the occupant. For example, before performing the contact process, the control unit may perform at least one of the following processes: - A process of tilting up the front end of the seat cushion using a tilt-up mechanism to tilt the occupant's body backward. - A process of rotating the seat back to a position where the tail member of the headrest can come into contact with the occupant by moving the seat back in a direction toward the occupant using a reclining mechanism. Note that whether the seat back has reached a position where it can come into contact with the occupant may be determined based on information from a pressure sensor provided on the seat back, for example. - A process of raising the ottoman using an ottoman drive mechanism to tilt the occupant's body backward.

[0685] Before executing the contact process, the control unit may activate a vibration device provided on the seat to notify that the movable body will start moving.

[0686] The movable body may be provided with a heater. In this case, the heater can warm the part of the occupant's body that comes into contact with the movable body, thereby improving the comfort of the occupant. The headrest may be provided with a heater.

[0687] The interior member on which the decorative item is provided is not limited to the headrest of the driver's seat, but may also be a member (seat cushion, seat back, headrest) constituting another seat such as the passenger seat. If the seat has an armrest or ottoman, the interior member may be the armrest or ottoman.

[0688] Other examples of interior components include a center console box located between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, a dashboard, inner panels of doors and vehicle side walls, a roof lining, an interior opening / closing cover of a sunroof, etc. The decorative item may be provided, for example, on the upper part of the rear surface of the seat back, the left and right bulging portions that bulge out above the seat surface of the seat cushion, the sides of the headrest, the top surface of the dashboard or above the meter hood, the center console box, etc.

[0689] The ornament is not limited to a cat's tail. Other examples of ornaments include models imitating body parts (ears, limbs, whiskers) of animals such as dogs and cats, stuffed toys imitating the entire body of a human or animal, models imitating characters that anthropomorphize objects or living things, models imitating plants such as flowers and trees, models of buildings such as castles, and robots. The movable body may be the arms or legs of a robot, or a device that rotates or raises and lowers the entire robot.

[0690] The change in shape of the ornamental item is not limited to a change between a straight state and a bent state, and any change that changes the external shape of the ornamental item is acceptable. For example, if the ornamental item is made up of air cells that can expand and contract with air, the shape of the ornamental item may be changed between a normal state and a state that is more deflated than the normal state. In this case, the actuator that changes the shape of the ornamental item may be a pump that switches between supplying and discharging air to the ornamental item.

[0691] The actuator may be an artificial muscle such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-008896.

[0692] The ornament may also have a plurality of stacked air cells. In this case, by selecting the air cells to inflate, the shape of the ornament can be changed in multiple stages.

[0693] The decorative item may also have a shape memory alloy. In this case, a heater is provided on or around the decorative item. The shape memory alloy may be configured, for example, to assume a first straight shape when the temperature of the shape memory alloy is below a predetermined temperature, and assume a second bent shape when the temperature is above the predetermined temperature. The control unit may change the shape of the shape memory alloy by controlling the heater.

[0694] The decorative item may have a display unit, a communication unit, a speaker, etc. The decorative item may be operable by an operation input unit of a seat, a door, a navigation system, etc.

[0695] The vehicle is not limited to an automobile, but may be other vehicles such as a motorcycle or a train.

[0696] The following is an example of a method for manufacturing a vehicle interior system: A method for manufacturing a vehicle interior system including: a decorative item attached to an interior member of a vehicle, the decorative item having a movable body moved by an actuator; an exterior information acquisition unit that acquires information about the outside of the vehicle; and a control unit, wherein the movable body is movable between a separation position away from a seated occupant and a contact position at which it can come into contact with the seated occupant, and the control unit controls the actuator to move the movable body from the separation position toward the contact position, thereby executing a contact process to bring the movable body into contact with the occupant, and the contact process is executed based on a distance between an object outside the vehicle and the vehicle estimated based on information acquired from the exterior information acquisition unit, the method comprising the steps of attaching the decorative item to the interior member and connecting the exterior information acquisition unit and the actuator to the control unit.

[0697] The elements described in the above-described embodiment and modified examples may be implemented in any combination.

Claims

1. A vehicle interior system comprising: an ornament attached to an interior member of a vehicle, the ornament having a movable body moved by an actuator; and a control unit, wherein the movable body is movable between a separated position away from an occupant seated in the seat and a contact position where it can come into contact with the occupant seated in the seat; and the control unit controls the actuator to move the movable body from the separated position toward the contact position, thereby performing a contact process to bring the movable body into contact with the occupant.

2. The vehicle interior system described in claim 1 further comprises a contact sensor that detects whether the movable body is in contact with an occupant, and the control unit, in the contact processing, moves the movable body until it determines that the movable body has come into contact with the occupant based on information acquired by the contact sensor.

3. The vehicle interior system described in claim 2, characterized in that the contact sensor is a pressure sensor, and the control unit changes the strength of the pressure applied from the movable body to the occupant in the contact processing based on the pressure value acquired by the pressure sensor.

4. The vehicle interior system described in claim 1, further comprising a voice acquisition unit that acquires the voice of an occupant, and the control unit changes the movement of the movable body based on the voice acquired by the voice acquisition unit.

5. The vehicle interior system described in claim 4, characterized in that the control unit controls the actuator so that the pressure applied to the occupant from the movable body increases as the volume of the sound acquired by the sound acquisition unit increases.

6. The vehicle interior system according to claim 1, wherein the decorative item protrudes from the outer surface of the interior member.

7. The vehicle interior system according to claim 1, wherein the interior member is a seat, and the decorative item is located on top of the seat.

8. The vehicle interior system according to claim 7, wherein the seat has a seating surface that supports an occupant, and the decorative item protrudes from an outer surface other than the seating surface.

9. The vehicle interior system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit prohibits the contact processing when a vehicle collision is predicted.

10. The vehicle interior system according to claim 1, wherein the seat is provided with an electric device that moves at least a portion of the seat, and the control unit activates the electric device when moving the movable body.

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