JP2018197091A - Seat position adjustment system - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve adjustment accuracy when a seat position of a vehicle seat is automatically adjusted.SOLUTION: A seat position adjustment system includes: a seat 20 for vehicle including seating sensors 27 and 28 and a seat position adjustment mechanism 30; data storage means which previously stores seating pressure distribution data obtained by measuring seating pressure distribution of a large number of seating persons for each of the seating persons and data of an appropriate seat position in a predetermined attitude that each of the seating persons feels preferable, for each seat position of a sheet body part 22; and analysis means which compares current seating pressure distribution of a crew seating on the sheet body part 22 with the seating pressure distribution data stored in the data storage means, and estimates a preferable seat position of the crew from the seating pressure distribution data of which the current seating pressure distributions are similar to each other and the appropriate seat position of each of the seating persons.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a seat position adjustment system that automatically adjusts the seat position of a vehicle seat.

  A related seat position adjustment system is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707. In the seat position adjustment system described in Patent Document 1, the seating pressure distributions of a large number of seated persons having different heights and weights are measured by seating sensors provided on the seats, and the seating pressure distribution data is stored in advance in the data storage means. Has been. And, comparing the seat pressure distribution of the occupant currently sitting on the seat with the seat pressure distribution data stored in the data storage means, the height and weight of the occupant are estimated from the approximate seat pressure distribution data, In this method, the seat position is adjusted based on the estimated height and weight.

JP 11-198700 A

  However, there are people with different body types even though their height and weight are almost equal. For example, even if the height is the same, there are a person with a trunk length and short legs and a person with a trunk short and long legs. The person who has the trunk length and short legs and the person with the trunk short and long legs have different seat positions that are preferable even if the height is equal. Therefore, in the method of adjusting the seat position based on the estimated height and weight, the adjustment accuracy of the seat position is lowered.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to improve the adjustment accuracy when the seat position of a vehicle seat is automatically adjusted.

  The above-described problems are solved by the inventions of the claims. According to the first aspect of the present invention, a seating sensor configured to be able to measure a seating pressure distribution, which is a distribution of pressure applied to the seat main body when an occupant is seated, and a seat position of the seat main body can be adjusted. A vehicle seat having a configured seat position adjusting mechanism, and a seating pressure distribution data obtained by measuring a seating pressure distribution of a number of seating persons for each seating position for each seat position of the seat body, and Data storage means for storing in advance a proper seat position data in a predetermined posture that a seated person feels preferable, a current seating pressure distribution of an occupant currently seated in the seat body, and The seating pressure distribution data stored in the data storage means is compared, and the seating pressure distribution data that approximates the current seating pressure distribution and the appropriateness of each seated person Having analyzing means for estimating the preferred seat position of the occupant from the over preparative position. Here, examples of the predetermined posture include a driving posture and a resting posture.

  The sitting pressure distribution varies depending on the height, weight and body shape of the seated person. For this reason, if the seat pressure distribution is approximate, it can be considered that the height, weight, and body shape of the seated person are similar. According to the present invention, the current seat pressure distribution of the currently seated occupant is compared with the seat pressure distribution data of a large number of seated persons stored in the data storage means in the seat body of the vehicle seat. If the current sitting pressure distribution of the occupant and the predetermined sitting pressure distribution data stored in the data storage means are approximate, the height, weight and body shape of the seated person and the occupant of the approximate sitting pressure distribution data are It is considered approximate. Here, the data storage means stores a pair of sitting pressure distribution data of each seated person and data of an appropriate seat position in a predetermined posture that each seated person feels preferable. Therefore, the preferred seat position of the occupant can be accurately estimated from the seat pressure distribution data approximated to the current seat pressure distribution of the occupant and the appropriate seat position paired with the seat pressure distribution data. That is, as compared with the conventional method of estimating the seat position from the height and weight, the adjustment accuracy when the seat position is automatically adjusted is improved.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the data storage means stores in advance the sitting pressure distribution data, the seat position corresponding to each of the sitting pressure distribution data, and the data of the appropriate seat position of each seated person. The analyzing means is configured to store the current seat pressure distribution and the current seat position of an occupant currently seated in the seat body, the seat pressure distribution data stored in the data storage means, and the seat Compared with the seat position corresponding to the pressure distribution data, the current seat pressure distribution, the seat pressure distribution data that the current seat position approximates, and the seat position corresponding to the seat pressure distribution data, and each seated person The preferred seat position of the occupant is estimated from the appropriate seat position. Thus, in order to estimate the preferred seat position by comparing the current seat pressure distribution and the current seat position of the occupant with the data in the data storage means, respectively, a method of comparing only the current seat pressure distribution with the data in the data storage means; In comparison, the estimation accuracy of the seat position is improved.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the sheet position of the sheet main body is adjusted by the sheet position adjusting mechanism based on the sheet position estimated by the analyzing means. For this reason, the vehicle seat can be automatically adjusted to a seat position suitable for the occupant.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the seating sensor is provided on the seating surface of the seat cushion and the backrest surface of the seat back in the seat body, and the seat when the occupant or the seated person is seated by the seating sensor. The seat pressure distribution, which is the pressure distribution between the seating surface of the cushion and the backrest surface of the seat back, is measured.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the adjustment precision at the time of adjusting the seat position of a vehicle seat automatically improves.

1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle including a seat position adjustment system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a side view showing the cushion frame of a vehicle seat, a back frame, etc. It is a signal block diagram of the seat position adjustment system according to the present embodiment. It is a perspective view showing the seating sensor in the cushion pad of a vehicle seat. It is a perspective view showing the seating sensor in the back pad of a vehicle seat. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the seating pressure distribution (contact range) detected by the seating sensor. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of seat pressure distribution of a seat cushion. It is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the sliding position of a vehicle seat and seat pressure distribution. It is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the sliding position of a vehicle seat and seat pressure distribution. It is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between reclining angle setting of a vehicle seat and seat pressure distribution. It is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between reclining angle setting of a vehicle seat and seat pressure distribution. It is a figure showing the relationship between the input data in the data storage means in a seat position adjustment system, and teacher data. It is a signal block diagram of the seat position adjustment system which concerns on the example of a change of this embodiment. It is a figure showing the relationship between the input data and the teacher data in the data storage means in the seat position adjustment system according to the modified example.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, based on FIGS. 1-14, the seat position adjustment system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated. The seat position adjustment system according to the present embodiment is a system that automatically adjusts the seat position of a vehicle seat 20 that is used in the driver's seat of the passenger car 10. Here, the front, rear, left, right, and top and bottom shown in the figure correspond to the front, back, left, right, and top and bottom of the passenger car 10 including the vehicle seat 20. That is, the vehicle seat 20 corresponds to the vehicle seat of the present invention.

<About the outline of the vehicle seat 20>
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle seat 20 includes a seat body 22 on which an occupant M is seated. The seat body 22 includes a seat cushion 23, a seat back 24, and a headrest 26. The seat cushion 23 includes a cushion frame 23f (see FIG. 2) and a cushion pad 23p that covers the cushion frame 23f. A seat-like first seating sensor 27 (described later) is provided between the seating surface of the cushion pad 23p and the skin (not shown). The seat back 24 includes a back frame 24f and a back pad 24p that covers the back frame 24f. Similarly, a sheet-like second seating sensor 28 (described later) is provided between the backrest surface of the back pad 24p and the skin (not shown).

  The vehicle seat 20 is provided with a seat position adjustment mechanism 30 configured to adjust the seat position of the seat body 22. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seat position adjusting mechanism 30 includes a recliner 35 that adjusts the reclining angle of the seat body 22, left and right slide rails 32 that slide the seat body 22 back and forth, and the seat body. And left and right sheet lifters 40 for moving up and down 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the recliner 35 is provided at a connecting portion between the rear portion of the cushion frame 23f and the lower portion of the back frame 24f, and receives the rotational force of the motor 35m (see FIG. 1) to recline the back frame 24f. The angle can be adjusted. The left and right slide rails 32 include a lower rail 33 installed on the floor surface of the passenger compartment, and an upper rail 34 that is slidable forward and backward with respect to the lower rail 33. The upper rail 34 is configured to slide back and forth with respect to the lower rail 33 by the rotational force of the slide motor 32m (see FIG. 1).

  The seat lifter 40 is a lifter that raises and lowers the seat body 22 on the upper rail 34 of the slide rail 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the seat lifter 40 includes a front link 43 and a rear link 44 that connect the upper rail 34 and the cushion frame 23f, and a link drive mechanism (not shown) that rotates both the links 43 and 44 up and down. Yes. When the link driving mechanism is driven by the rotational force of the lifting motor 40m (see FIG. 1), both the links 43 and 44 are turned up and down so that the seat body 22 is moved up and down on the upper rail 34. Become. That is, by adjusting the rotation angles of the motor 35m of the recliner 35, the slide motor 32m of the slide rail 32, and the lift motor 40m of the seat lifter 40, the seat position of the seat body 22 can be adjusted.

<About the seat position adjustment system>
As shown in FIG. 3, the seat position adjustment system includes a vehicle seat 20 including seating sensors 27 and 28 and a seat position adjustment mechanism 30, a seat ECU 50 including an analysis circuit 52 and a control circuit 54, and a data storage learning device. 60. Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the seat ECU 50 is provided below the seat cushion 23 of the vehicle seat 20, and the data storage learning device 60 is provided, for example, in the instrument panel 11. ing.

<About seating sensors 27 and 28>
As shown in FIG. 4, the first seating sensor 27 is a sheet-like sensor assembly including a number of pressure-sensitive sensors 27 s arranged at equal intervals in the front, rear, left, and right, and the seating surface 23 t of the cushion pad 23 p and the epidermis ( (Not shown). The pressure sensitive sensors 27s constituting the first seating sensor 27 are distributed at an equal density over the entire seating surface 23t of the cushion pad 23p. That is, when the left and right direction of the seating surface 23t of the cushion pad 23p is the X axis and the front and rear direction of the seating surface 23t is the Y axis, each pressure sensor 27s is positioned at a predetermined position on the X and Y coordinates. Has been.

  The pressure sensor 27s is a capacitance type sensor, and is configured to convert the pressure received from the buttocks of the occupant M (sitting person) into the capacitance between the electrodes and output the same. That is, the seating surface of the cushion pad 23p when the seated person is seated by the position on the seating surface 23t of each pressure-sensitive sensor 27s in the first seating sensor 27 and the capacitance value of each pressure-sensitive sensor 27s. The pressure distribution over 23t, that is, the seat pressure distribution can be measured.

  The second seating sensor 28 is a sensor having the same configuration as the first seating sensor 27, and is fixed between the backrest surface 24m of the back pad 24p and the skin (not shown) as shown in FIG. The second seating sensor 28 measures the seating pressure distribution on the backrest surface 24m of the back pad 24p based on the position on the backrest surface 24m of each pressure-sensitive sensor 28s and the capacitance value of each pressure-sensitive sensor 28s. can do.

<About seat pressure distribution>
6 and 7 schematically show an example of a seating pressure distribution when a seated person sits on the seat body 22 of the vehicle seat 20. The lower half of FIG. 6 schematically represents the seating surface 23t of the cushion pad 23p, and the upper half of FIG. 6 schematically represents the backrest surface 24m of the back pad 24p. Further, the width direction (left-right direction) of the cushion pad 23p or the like is the X-axis direction, and the front-rear direction of the cushion pad 23p (up-down direction of the back pad 24p) is the Y-axis direction. When the seated person is seated, ranges PC and PB in which pressure is applied to the seating surface 23t of the cushion pad 23p and the backrest surface 24m of the back pad 24p are colored. That is, the ranges PC and PB where pressure is applied are contact ranges where the seated person contacts the seating surface 23t of the cushion pad 23p and the backrest surface 24m of the back pad 24p, and the pressure P is greater than zero.

  FIG. 7 shows a pressure distribution in a section taken along the arrow VII of FIG. 6, that is, a portion taken along the arrow VII (Y-axis coordinate 4) of the cushion pad 23p. In the state where the seated person is seated, the pressure is almost 0 at the outer peripheral edge of the contact range PC where the seated person comes into contact with the seating surface 23t, for example, the X-axis coordinates 3, 9, and approaches the center of the seated person's buttocks. As the pressure increases. The pressure is generally the highest at the center of the seated person's buttocks, for example, at the X-axis coordinate 6. Here, the pressure distribution on the seating surface 23t and the backrest surface 24m in a state where the seated person is seated is hereinafter referred to as a seating pressure distribution.

  The sitting pressure distribution varies depending on the height, weight, body shape, etc. of the seated person. Therefore, if the seat pressure distribution is approximated, it is considered that the height, weight, body shape, etc. of the seated person are approximated. Further, the seating pressure distribution changes by changing the seat position of the seat body 22 even for the same seated person. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the seat main body portion 22 is slid forward while the seated person is in the driving posture, the contact range PC of the seating surface 23 t of the seat cushion 23 moves backward as indicated by a two-dot chain line. At the same time, the contact range PB of the backrest surface 24m of the seat back 24 extends upward. On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 9, when the seat body 22 is slid backward, the contact range PC of the seating surface 23 t of the seat cushion 23 moves forward and the back of the seat back 24 as shown by a two-dot chain line. The contact range PB of the surface 24m moves downward and decreases.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the seat back 24 is rotated in the standing direction by the recliner 35, the contact range PB of the seat back surface 24m of the seat back 24 is expanded upward as shown by the two-dot chain line, and the seat cushion The contact range PC of the 23 seating surfaces 23t is slightly reduced. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 11, when the seat back 24 is tilted backward, the contact range PB of the seat back surface 24m of the seat back 24 decreases as shown by the two-dot chain line and moves downward, and the seat cushion 23 The contact range PC with the seating surface 23t is slightly increased. In this way, even if the seated person is the same, the seating pressure distribution is changed by changing the seat position of the seat body 22 in the driving posture state.

<About the data storage learning device 60>
The data storage learning device 60 is a device that estimates an appropriate seat position of the occupant M by machine learning from the current seat pressure distribution (current seat pressure distribution) when the occupant M is seated on the seat body 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the data storage learning device 60 includes data storage means and analysis means for performing machine learning and the like. In the data storage means of the data storage learning device 60, as shown in FIG. 12, when the seat position of the seat body 22 is changed stepwise for various seaters A to MM having different heights, weights, and body shapes. The seating pressure distribution data (input data) is stored. Further, the seat position (appropriate seat position (teacher data)) preferred by each seated person A to MM is paired with the seat pressure distribution data and input to the data storage means. Examples of the machine learning method include a neural network.

  For example, a procedure for inputting data about the seated person A into the data storage means will be described as an example. First, in the state where the seated person A is seated, the motors 35m, 32m, and 40m of the seat position adjusting mechanism 30 of the vehicle seat 20 are operated to adjust the seat position of the seat body 22 to the position P1. Then, the seating pressure distribution of the seated person A when the seat body 22 is at the seat position P1 is stored as seating pressure distribution data A1 (input data). Next, the seating pressure distribution of the seated person A when the seat body 22 is at the seat position P2 is stored as seating pressure distribution data A2 (input data). The same procedure is repeated, and the seating pressure distribution of the seated person A when the seat body 22 is at the seat position Pn is stored as seating pressure distribution data An (input data). Then, for example, the proper seat position PA in the driving posture of the seated person A is stored as teacher data.

  Similarly, in the case of the seated person B, the seat pressure distribution of the seated person B when the seat main body portion 22 is at the seat position P1 is stored as the seat pressure distribution data B1. Then, the same procedure is repeated, and the seating pressure distribution of the seated person B when the seat main body 22 is at the seat position Pn is stored as the seating pressure distribution data Bn. Further, the preferred seat position PB of the seated person B is stored as teacher data. Thereafter, the same procedure is repeated for a large number of seated persons, and the seating pressure distribution of the seated person MM when the seat body 22 is at the seat positions P1 to Pn is stored as seating pressure distribution data M1 to Mn (input data). The preferred seat position PM of the seated person MM is stored as teacher data. That is, the data storage means stores the seat pressure distribution data A1 to An,... M1 to Mn at the seat positions P1 to Pn as input data for various seaters A to MM having different heights, weights, and body shapes. Yes. Furthermore, the data storage means stores appropriate seat positions PA to PM preferred by each seated person A to MM.

  In the machine learning unit (analyzing unit) of the data storage learning device 60, the current sitting pressure distribution of the occupant M transmitted to the data storage learning device 60 via the analysis circuit 52 of the seat ECU 50 is used as the seating pressure distribution of the data storage unit. Data A1 to An,... M1 to Mn are compared. The seat pressure distribution data A1 to An,... M1 to Mn, which are approximate to the current seat pressure distribution of the occupant M, and the appropriate seat positions PA to PM in the driving posture paired with the seat pressure distribution data A1 to An,. Estimate the seat position.

<About the analysis circuit 52 and the control circuit 54>
As shown in FIG. 3, the analysis circuit 52 transmits the current sitting pressure distribution of the occupant M currently seated on the seat body 22 to the data storage learning device 60, and the machine learning unit of the data storage learning device 60 is transmitted. Make it work. Further, the analysis circuit 52 receives the sheet position data estimated by the machine learning unit of the data storage learning device 60, and converts the data into angle signals of the motors 35m, 32m, and 40m of the sheet position adjusting mechanism 30. To the control circuit 54. The control circuit 54 drives the motors 35m, 32m, and 40m of the sheet position adjustment mechanism 30 based on the output signal of the analysis circuit 52, and automatically adjusts the sheet position of the sheet main body portion 22.

<Operation of the seat position adjustment system>
When the occupant M is seated on the seat body 22 of the vehicle seat 20 and, for example, an automatic seat position adjustment switch (not shown) is operated, the current seat pressure distribution of the occupant M is input to the analysis circuit 52 of the seat ECU 50. . The analysis circuit 52 operates the machine learning unit of the data storage learning device 60 based on the current sitting pressure distribution of the occupant M. The machine learning unit of the data storage learning device 60 compares the current sitting pressure distribution of the occupant M with the sitting pressure distribution data A1 to An,. Then, seat pressure distribution data A1 to An,... M1 to Mn (for example, seat pressure distribution data B1) approximate to the current seat pressure distribution of the occupant M, and an appropriate seat position in the driving posture paired with the seat pressure distribution data The preferred seat position of the occupant M is estimated from the PB. Then, the estimated seat position is output to the analysis circuit 52 of the seat ECU 50. The analysis circuit 52 receives the output signal of the data storage learning device 60, converts it into angle signals of the motors 35m, 32m, and 40m of the seat position adjustment mechanism 30, and outputs them to the control circuit 54. The control circuit 54 drives the motors 35m, 32m, and 40m of the sheet position adjustment mechanism 30 based on the output signal of the analysis circuit 52, and automatically adjusts the sheet position of the sheet main body portion 22.

<Advantages of the seat position adjustment system according to this embodiment>
According to the seat position adjusting system according to the present embodiment, the current seat pressure distribution of the occupant M currently seated in the seat body 22 of the vehicle seat 20 and a large number of seated persons A stored in the data storage means. The seat pressure distribution data A1 to An,. If the current sitting pressure distribution of the occupant M and the predetermined sitting pressure distribution data (for example, B1) stored in the data storage means are approximate, the seated person B of the approximate sitting pressure distribution data B1 It is considered that the height, weight, and body shape of the occupant M are approximate. Here, the data storage means includes seating pressure distribution data A1 to An,... M1 to Mn of each seated person A to MM, and an appropriate seat position PA in a driving posture that each seated person A to MM feels preferable. ~ PM data is stored in pairs. For this reason, the preferred seat position of the occupant from the seat pressure distribution data (for example, B1) approximate to the current seat pressure distribution of the occupant M and the appropriate seat position PB paired with the seat pressure distribution data B1. Can be estimated with high accuracy. That is, as compared with the conventional method of estimating the seat position from the height and weight, the adjustment accuracy when the seat position is automatically adjusted is improved.

<Example of change>
Here, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the seat pressure distribution data A1 to An at each seat position P1 to Pn of a large number of seated persons A to MM as input data in the data storage means of the data storage learning device 60, .. An example of inputting M1 to Mn was shown. However, as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the seat positions P1 to Pn corresponding to the seating pressure distribution data A1 to An,. It is also possible to input. Then, the seating pressure distribution data A1 to An,... M1 to Mn of the data storage means approximating the current seating pressure distribution of the occupant M, and the current seating position,. It is also possible. Thereby, the estimation accuracy of the seat position of the occupant M is improved as compared with the case where the input data is only the seat pressure distribution data A1 to An,. In the present embodiment, the seat pressure distribution data A1 to An,... M1 to Mn of the seats A to MM and the appropriate seat positions of the seats A to MM in the driving posture are stored in the data storage means of the data storage learning device 60. The example which memorize | stores PA-PM was shown. However, in addition to the driving posture, for example, the appropriate seat positions PA to PM of the seated persons A to MM in the resting posture or the like can be stored, and the seat position in the resting posture or the like can be estimated. It is also possible to switch between the driving posture and the resting posture for estimation. In the present embodiment, the seat position adjustment system for the vehicle seat 20 is exemplified, but the present invention can be applied to, for example, a train or an airplane seat in addition to the vehicle seat 20.

20 .... Vehicle seat (vehicle seat)
22 ... Seat body 23 ... Seat cushion 23t ... Seating surface 24 ... Seat back 24m ... Backrest surface 27 ... First seating sensor 28 ... Second Seat sensor 30... Seat position adjustment mechanism 52... Analysis circuit (analysis means)
54... Control circuit 60... Data storage learning device (data storage means, analysis means)
M ... Crew

Claims (4)

A seating sensor configured to be able to measure a seating pressure distribution, which is a distribution of pressure applied to the seat main body when an occupant is seated, and a seat position adjusting mechanism configured to adjust the seat position of the seat main body. A vehicle seat comprising:
For each seat position of the seat main body, seat pressure distribution data obtained by measuring the seat pressure distribution of a large number of seated persons for each seated person, and appropriate seats in a predetermined posture that each seated person feels preferable Data storage means for storing position data in advance;
The present seat pressure distribution of an occupant seated in the seat body is compared with the seat pressure distribution data stored in the data storage means, and the seat pressure distribution approximates the seat pressure distribution. Analyzing means for estimating a preferred seat position of the occupant from pressure distribution data and the appropriate seat position of each seated person;
A seat position adjustment system. The seat position adjustment system according to claim 1,
In the data storage means, the sitting pressure distribution data, the seat position corresponding to each of the sitting pressure distribution data, and data of the appropriate seat position of each seated person are stored in advance.
The analysis means includes the seat pressure distribution data stored in the data storage means, and the seat pressure distribution data of the current seat pressure distribution and the current seat position of an occupant currently seated on the seat body. Compared to the seat position corresponding to the seat pressure distribution, the seat pressure distribution data that the current seat position approximates, the seat position corresponding to the seat pressure distribution data, and the appropriateness of each seated person A seat position adjustment system for estimating a preferred seat position of the occupant from a seat position. The seat position adjustment system according to claim 1 or 2,
A seat position adjustment system for adjusting the seat position of the seat body by the seat position adjustment mechanism based on the seat position estimated by the analysis means. The seat position adjustment system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The seating sensor is provided on the seating surface of the seat cushion and the backrest surface of the seat back in the seat body part,
A seat position adjustment system configured to measure the seat pressure distribution, which is a pressure distribution between a seat cushion seating surface and a seatback backrest surface when the occupant or a seated person is seated by the seating sensor.

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