JPH0655568B2 - Side support control method for vehicle seat and side support device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a side support control method and a side support device for a vehicle seat, which controls the operation of the side support in accordance with the traveling situation to prevent the occupant from losing its posture.

[Prior art]

When the vehicle turns a curve, the occupants are
It receives a lateral force that pushes it down to the side. As a result, the sitting posture collapses, it becomes difficult to support a predetermined sitting posture, and riding comfort is greatly impaired. Especially for the driver, there is a risk that the operation of the vehicle may be hindered.

Therefore, a side support device is provided and mounted on a driver seat or the like so as to prevent the sitting posture from collapsing and support a predetermined sitting posture.

For example, the side support device includes a side support disposed in the seat back, and the side support is provided so as to surround the upper body of the occupant from both sides. The side support is configured to press the upper body of the occupant from the side, regulate the movement of the upper body, and forcibly support a predetermined sitting posture. Here, if the side support always supports the upper body of the occupant from the side, the freedom of the upper body is deprived,
The riding comfort is impaired, discomfort is felt, and fatigue occurs. Therefore, the side support is normally located in an open position (open position) where the occupant is not pressed,
It is configured to move to a closed position (closed position) only when necessary.

Then, as a side support control method for explaining the operation of the side support, a method using lateral acceleration (lateral acceleration) as a parameter is known. Lateral acceleration can be directly detected by an acceleration sensor (for example,
60-97633), vehicle speed, curve curvature, etc. (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-67638), and when the lateral acceleration exceeds the reference value, the side support moves to the closed position.

Further, the parameter is not limited to the acceleration, but in the actual open Sho 60-97634, the vehicle speed and the steering angle (turning angle) of the steering wheel are used as parameters, and in the Japanese Laid-Open Patent Sho 60-197436, the curvature of the curve and the vehicle speed are set as parameters. I am trying.

[Problems of conventional technology]

In the side support control method as described above, the collapse of the sitting posture in the curve traveling is considered. However, the traveling that breaks the sitting posture and impairs the riding comfort is not limited to the curved traveling. For example, when traveling on a rough road, vertical acceleration acts on the occupant, the sitting posture is lost, the riding comfort is greatly impaired, and the tongue is bitten in particular. Also, the upper acceleration causes the occupant to be lifted up from the seat and likely to collide with the ceiling. Therefore, it is preferable to move the side support to the cradle position as necessary even when traveling on a rough road.

However, the known side support control method cannot properly cope with traveling on a rough road because the parameters such as lateral acceleration, vehicle speed and steering angle are used on the premise of controlling the side support during curve traveling.

[Object of the Invention]

It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle seat side support control method and a side support device that can prevent the posture of an occupant from collapsing not only when traveling on a curve but also when traveling on a rough road.

[Outline of Invention]

In order to achieve this object, according to the present invention, when traveling on a rough road, the vehicle vertically moves, and the vehicle height suddenly changes, and when traveling on a curve, the vehicle inclines.
We are paying attention to the fact that the vehicle height changes at different locations separated left and right. Further, if the traveling speed is low, the seating posture is not easily deformed even when traveling on a curve or the like. Therefore, the vehicle speed and the vehicle height change are adopted as the parameters of the side support control.

That is, traveling on a bad road or traveling on a curve is recognized based on the change in vehicle height, and the operation of the side support is controlled based on the magnitude of change in vehicle height and the magnitude of vehicle speed.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle seat side support device 10 according to the present invention includes a sensor means 12 and a control means 14.
And a side support 16 and a drive source 18.
A DC motor is usually used as a drive source.

The sensor means 12 is a vehicle speed sensor 20 for detecting the vehicle speed V.
And a vehicle height sensor 22 that detects the displacement H of the vehicle height. Here, one vehicle speed sensor 20 is sufficient. However, at least two vehicle height sensors 22 which are separated from each other to the left and right are required. That is, the vertical movement of the vehicle can be recognized from the vehicle height displacement of one vehicle height sensor 22, but the inclination of the vehicle is separated from the left and right vehicle height sensors 22 by a plurality of vehicle height sensors 22.
It can be understood from the difference in vehicle height displacement. Then, it has been confirmed that the vehicle is running up and down on a rough road and that the vehicle is leaning on a curve. In the present invention, at least the running on a bad road and running on a curve are targeted. In the example, the vehicle height sensor
Four wheels 22 are provided adjacent to the front left and right wheels (see FIGS. 2 and 3). As the vehicle height sensor 22, for example, an ultrasonic sensor or a suspension displacement sensor can be used. Here, the ultrasonic sensor emits ultrasonic waves to the running surface, calculates the vehicle height from the time until it reflects and returns,
The vehicle height displacement is detected from the vehicle height variation. Further, in the suspension displacement sensor, the height of the suspension is converted into rotation of the shaft of the sensor, the vehicle height is obtained from the rotation angle, and the vehicle height displacement is detected.

In this embodiment, as described above, since the vehicle height sensor 22 is also arranged apart from the front and rear, the front and rear inclination of the vehicle at the time of sudden stop and sudden start is different from the vehicle height sensor separated from the front and rear. It is confirmed. Therefore, acceleration / deceleration is recognized from the front / rear inclination of the vehicle, and in addition to traveling on a rough road or traveling on a curve, the side support 16 can prevent posture collapse during acceleration / deceleration.

As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle speed sensor 20 and a vehicle height sensor 22.
The vehicle speed V 1 and the vehicle height displacement ΔH detected in 1 are sent to the control means 14, respectively. The control means 14 includes comparators 24 and 25,
The vehicle speed V 2 and the vehicle height displacement ΔH from the vehicle speed sensor 20 and the vehicle height sensor 22 are compared with a reference value serving as a criterion for moving the side support 16 to the closed position. For example, the reference vehicle speed Vs may be 15 km / h and the reference vehicle height change ΔHs may be 50 mm. The output signals of the comparators 24 and 25 are sent to the AND gate 26. The control means 14 further includes a control panel 27 and a microcomputer 28 (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer). The control panel 27 is used to input various kinds of information serving as a criterion for the microcomputer 28. For example, the occupant appropriately sets the support position of the side support 16, that is, the open position and the closed position, according to his / her body shape, and the control panel
It is input to 27 and stored in the microcomputer 28. Further, a plurality of values may be set in advance as the reference vehicle speed Vs and the reference vehicle height change ΔHs, and the occupant may select them by the control panel 27. The output signal of the AND gate 26 is sent to the microcomputer 28, which processes the program according to the stored program, generates an appropriate control signal, and outputs it to the drive circuit 30. Then, the drive circuit 30 drives the DC motor 18 which is a drive source, and the rotation speed of the motor is detected by a rotation sensor 31 such as a lead switch type sensor and fed back to the microcomputer 28. And
The microcomputer 28 continuously outputs a control signal to the drive circuit 30 until the number of rotations detected by the rotation sensor 31 matches the number of rotations corresponding to the preset closed position and open position. For example, when both the vehicle speed V 1 and the vehicle height displacement ΔH exceed a reference value, a close signal is generated as a control signal. In addition, the microcomputer 28 has a built-in timer, the vehicle speed V,
After any of the vehicle height displacement ΔH exceeds the standard value, the vehicle speed,
When at least one of the vehicle height changes exceeds the reference value, the timer is turned on. Then, the reference time Tm (for example, 3 se
c.) If the condition continues, an open signal will occur. Further, the microcomputer 28 recognizes that the vehicle has stopped or moved backward from the vehicle speed V.
Produces a full open signal.

The side support 16 is configured to push the upper body of the occupant from both sides and support it at a predetermined position.The side support 16 holds the upper body of the occupant under supporting force and the open position that does not apply the supporting force to the upper body of the occupant. Usually moves to and from position. Further, when the vehicle is stopped or retreated, the side support 16 becomes an obstacle and is moved to the fully open position, which is sufficiently opened, thereby improving the entry / exitability and the driving operability. That is, as can be seen from FIG. 4, when the occupant such as a driver leaves or sits down, the side support 16 moves to the full open position indicated by the chain double-dashed line. When a driver or the like sits down and runs the vehicle, the side support 16 automatically moves between the closed position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line and the open position indicated by the solid line in accordance with a control signal from the control means 14. During travel, the side supports 16 are normally maintained in the open position, as shown in FIG. In addition to the automatic operation of the side support 16, the occupant can manually open and close the side support 16 by switching the automatic and manual mode switches provided on the control panel 27.

The operating speed of the side support 16 is high speed (for example, 60 mm / sec) when traveling on a curve or on a rough road, and low speed (for example, 30 mm when other than that).
mm / sec) should be programmed to the microcomputer 28. With such a configuration, the side support 16 quickly moves to the closed position when traveling on a curve or on a rough road,
Get quick support. In other cases, the side support 16 operates slowly and does not give the occupant anxiety. Also, in the case of a drastic vehicle height change such as a sharp curve or a bad road, the side support 16 is automatically moved further inward from the set closed position in response to the change.
It is recommended to program to increase support. In this way, a strong bearing force can be obtained at a severe vehicle height displacement, and a weak bearing force can be obtained at a gentle vehicle height displacement.
Appropriate support can be provided without making passengers uncomfortable.

The side support 16 is generally configured as follows.
The DC motor 18, which is a driving source, is driven in response to a control signal from the control means 14, and as can be understood from FIG. 6, the left and right support stays 32 and 33 are simultaneously rotated. The rotation sensor 31 consisting of a let switch type sun sensor
It is incorporated into and detects the rotation of the motor. In the embodiment, the support stays 32 and 33 are connected by the interlocking link 34, the support stay 32 is directly driven by the driving force of the motor 18, and the driving force is transmitted to the support stay 33 via the interlocking link 34. It The support stays 32 and 33 are arranged in the pads of the side support parts 36 and 37 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and the side support parts are closed as the support stays 32 and 33 rotate. Move between open and full open positions.

The structure of the side support 16 will be described along the driving force transmission path. As shown in FIG. 6, the motor 18 has an output shaft 39 made of a lead screw. The lead screw 39 extends through a screw hole formed in the shaft 40. As seen in FIG. 7 in addition to FIG. 6, each end of the shaft 40 has a support plate 4
It extends through the elongated guide groove 44 formed in 2, 43,
Right side wall of support frame 46 and support plate 47
Fixed to each, where the support plate
42 and 43 are fixed to the seat back frame 48, and the support plate 47 is fixed to the support frame 46. A bracket 50 is fixed to the seat back frame 48, and one end of the support stay 32 is pivotally attached to the bracket by a pin 52. One end of the interlocking link 34 is pinned to the left side wall of the support frame 46, and the tip of the interlocking link 34 is pinned to the tip of the support stay 32. The other end of the interlocking link 34 has a support stay 33.
One end of the support stay 33 is pivotally attached to the bracket 50 by a pin 53. Of course, the other ends of the support stays 32 and 33 are also rotatably attached to the bracket 56.

In such a configuration, when the motor 18 is driven, the support stays 32 and 33 rotate about the pin 52 as a rotation center. That is, when the motor 18 is driven and the lead screw 39 is rotated, the shaft 40 that is screwed into the lead screw 39
Slides left and right along the guide grooves 44, 45. Then, the support frame 46 slides together with the shaft 40 along with the interlocking link 34. For example, if the support frame 46 slides to the right in FIG. 6, the interlocking link 34 also slides to the right, and the support stay 33 is pulled by the interlocking link to move clockwise around the pin 53 (inward). ) Is rotated. In addition, support stay 32 is interlocking link 34
And is rotated counterclockwise (inward) about the pin 52. On the other hand, when the support frame 46 and the interlocking link 34 slide to the left, the support stay 33 is pushed by the interlocking link in the counterclockwise direction (outward), and the support stay 32 is pulled by the interlocking link in the clockwise direction (outward). ) Are rotated respectively. In this way, the support stays 32 and 33 always rotate in the same direction, whereby the side support portions 36 and
37 is also rotated in the same direction, and the side support 16 is opened or closed.

The configuration of the side support 16 described above is an example, and the configuration is not limited to the illustrated configuration. For example, two motors 18 may be provided and the rotation of the support stays 32 and 33 may be individually controlled.

The seating posture of the occupant is controlled and supported by the side support device 10 having the above-described configuration as follows. This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8. First, after the person sits down, the main switch of the side support device 10 is turned on. This main switch is usually
It is connected to the vehicle ignition switch. At this point, the side support 16 is in the full open position.

Then, the occupant stores the open position and the closed position of the side support 16 in the control means 14 according to the body type of the occupant. Therefore, the mode switch of the control panel 27 is set to manual, the motor 18 is driven, and the side support 16 is moved. Normally, as the open position, the position where the side support 16 is separated from the upper body is set as the closed position, and the supporting force from the side acts on the upper body,
Side support 16 Select each position to support the upper body. Then, the information is input to the control panel 27 and stored in the microcomputer 28. Information about the full open position is stored in the microcomputer in advance. If standard open and close positions are stored in the microcomputer 28 in advance, the open and close positions can be set quickly and easily.

Then, when the vehicle is driven, the side support 16
Move from the full open position to the stored open position. The vehicle speed V and the vehicle height displacement ΔH detected by the vehicle speed sensor 20 and the vehicle height sensor 22 are compared with the reference vehicle speed Vs (15 Km / h) and the reference vehicle height displacement ΔHs (50 mm) by the comparators 24 and 25. Since there are four vehicle height sensors, the vehicle height displacement Δ
As H, four detection values ΔH1 to ΔH4 are obtained.

When the vehicle speed V exceeds the reference vehicle speed Vs and the vehicle height displacement ΔH1〜
If at least one of ΔH4 exceeds the reference vehicle height displacement ΔHs,
The AND gate 26 detects this, the output signal V1 from the AND gate is sent to the microcomputer 28, and the microcomputer 28 generates a close signal. In response to this close signal, the timer is reset, the motor 18 is driven, and the side support 16 moves to the closed position. Then, the occupant receives the supporting force from the side and is supported at the sitting position.

After the side support 16 moves to the closed position, the timer is turned on, the vehicle speed V and the vehicle height displacements ΔH1 to ΔH4 are detected again, and repeatedly compared with the reference values Vs and ΔHs. If the vehicle speed V and the vehicle height displacements ΔH1 to ΔH4 are still higher than the reference values Vs and ΔHs, the side support is maintained in the closed position. On the other hand, if the vehicle speed V is lower than the reference vehicle speed Vs or all of the vehicle height displacements ΔH1 to ΔH4 are below the reference vehicle height displacement ΔHs,
AND gate 26 produces the output signal V2, which is
That time T is measured. The vehicle speed V and vehicle height displacements ΔH1 to ΔH4 are detected even during the time measurement by the timer, and the reference values
When the output signal V2 is compared with Vs and ΔHs and continues for a predetermined time Ts, the microcomputer 28 generates an open signal. The motor 18 is driven according to the open signal, and the side support
16 returns to the open position and the occupants are released from side support.

Also, while measuring the output time of the output signal V2 by the timer,
If the vehicle speed V exceeds the reference vehicle speed Vs and any of the vehicle height displacements ΔH1 to ΔH4 exceeds the reference value vehicle height displacement ΔHs, the AND gate
26 produces the output signal V1, the side support 16 is maintained in the closed position and the timer is reset.

If the vehicle is traveling, that is, if the vehicle speed V is not zero, the vehicle speed V and the vehicle height displacement ΔH1 to ΔH4 do not exceed the reference values Vs and ΔHs continuously for a reference time Ts or more, respectively,
The side support 16 is maintained in the open position. Then, when the vehicle speed becomes zero, the microcomputer 16 generates a full open signal, the motor 18 is driven, and the side support moves to a predetermined full open position. When the side support is in the fully open position, the occupant can quickly and easily get on and off the vehicle without being hindered by the side support, which improves the ease of getting on and off. Then, when the passenger is seated again and the traveling of the vehicle is confirmed, the side support 16 is moved to the open position, and the above process is repeated.

In the embodiment, the vehicle height sensor 22 is arranged so as to be separated from each other in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the front and rear inclination of the vehicle due to sudden start and stop is recognized by the vehicle height sensor 22, and it is possible to prevent not only the curve running and the bad road running but also the posture collapse during acceleration / deceleration.

Fig. 9 shows the running conditions of the vehicle, changes in the vehicle based on sensors,
The relationship of the position of the vehicle height sensor 22 used is shown. In the embodiment, vehicle height sensors are provided at four positions, namely, front left, rear left, rear right, and front right.
Since 22 is provided, as can be seen from this figure, various running conditions of the vehicle can be accurately grasped from the vehicle height displacement, and the side support 16 can appropriately prevent the collapse of the sitting posture. For example, when traveling down the road to the right or down the left, it is recognized in the same manner as the traveling on the left and right curves. In addition, the rough road traveling is recognized by distinguishing from the vehicle height displacement to the details such as the rough road traveling or the left or right rough road traveling. Further, continuous step traveling and undulating traveling can be recognized, and the side support 16 can prevent the posture from deviating during traveling.

In addition, even when the vehicle passes through the road surface step only on the left side or the right side, or even if it passes through the entire surface step, it can be recognized, and the side support 16 can be moved to the closed position to prevent the posture collapse. In this case, for example, the side support 16 is programmed to move to the closed position when the front right or left ultrasonic sensor confirms a step above the reference value.

As described above, in the control system in which the vehicle height displacement is used as a parameter, the vehicle height sensors can be accurately arranged to be separated from each other in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction to accurately grasp the state of the vehicle that fluctuates depending on the traveling situation. Therefore, depending on the driving situation,
The side support can be accurately controlled, and the side support can support quickly and appropriately.

As described above, the combination of the vehicle height sensors 22 that detect vehicle fluctuations differs depending on the driving situation. Therefore, several kinds of reference vehicle height changes ΔHs are stored in the control means 14, and a reference vehicle height displacement is appropriately selected by a combination of vehicle height sensors, and the operating condition of the side support 16 is changed, depending on the traveling situation. Get the best support. Further, the moving speed of the side support 16, the reference elapsed time Ts after falling below the reference value, and the like may be appropriately selected from several types of values.

The above-described embodiments are for explaining the present invention, and do not limit the present invention in any way, and all modifications and alterations made within the technical scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Needless to say.

For example, in the embodiment, since the four vehicle height sensors 22 are arranged apart from each other in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, the traveling condition of the vehicle other than the curve traveling and the rough road traveling can be grasped exactly. However, the number and position of the vehicle height sensors 22 are not limited to this, and for example, two vehicle height sensors may be separated from each other in the front, rear, left and right directions, or three vehicle height sensors may form a triangle in the front, rear, left and right. It may be separated from the above.

Further, in the embodiment, the side support device 10 is configured to be attached to the seat back so as to support the upper body of the occupant, but is provided to the seat cushion and configured to support the thigh of the occupant. Good.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the vehicle seat side support control method according to the present invention, the vertical movement of the vehicle when traveling on a rough road and the inclination of the vehicle when traveling on a curve are recognized from the vehicle height displacement, and the vehicle speed at that time is determined. Considering and if necessary, the side support is moved to the closed position. Therefore, driving on rough roads,
Even when traveling on a curve, it is possible to prevent the sitting posture from collapsing,
A predetermined sitting posture is supported.

In particular, in the control method using the vehicle height displacement as a parameter in this way, the vehicle state, which fluctuates every moment depending on the running situation, can be accurately grasped by properly disposing the vehicle height sensors in the front, rear, left and right directions. Therefore, in addition to traveling on rough roads and curves, traveling conditions such as acceleration / deceleration, swelling, right descent, left descent, and road bumps can be accurately recognized, and side support can be used promptly and appropriately. It

Further, according to the side support device of the present invention, the side support control method described above can be appropriately performed, the collapse of the sitting posture can be prevented and the predetermined sitting posture can be supported even during rough road traveling and curve traveling.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a block diagram of a side support device for a vehicle seat according to the present invention, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 are side views, a plan view, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle seat with a side support device. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a vehicle seat with a side support device, a schematic front view, FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a side support of a side support device, FIG. 7 is a right side view of a support frame, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a side support control method according to FIG. 10: vehicle seat side support control device, 12: sensor means, 14: control means, 16: side support, 18: DC motor (driving source), 20: vehicle speed sensor, 22: vehicle height sensor, 24, 25: comparator, 26: AND gate, 27: Control panel, 28: Microcomputer, 3
0: drive circuit, 31: rotation sensor, 32, 33: support stay, 34: interlocking link, 46: support frame.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Takao Sakamoto 3-12-12 Matsubara-cho, Akishima-shi, Tokyo Inside Tachi-S Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-62-120213 (JP, A) JP-A-61- 291233 (JP, A) JP 62-39338 (JP, A) Actually developed 60-97633 (JP, U)

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A side support control method for a vehicle seat, which controls the operation of a side support according to a running state to prevent the posture of an occupant from collapsing, and obtains a vehicle speed and changes a vehicle height at at least two left and right positions. A side support control method for a vehicle seat, wherein the side support is moved from an open position to a closed position when the vehicle speed and at least one vehicle height change exceed a reference value. 2. The side support is placed in the open position when the vehicle speed and at least one vehicle height change each exceed a reference value and then at least one of the vehicle speed and all vehicle height changes is below the reference value and a reference time has elapsed. The method for controlling a side support of a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is restored. 3. A vehicle height change of at least 2 apart from the front and rear.
The vehicle seat side support control method according to claim 1, wherein the side support control method is also detected at a location. 4. A sensor means having a vehicle speed sensor and a vehicle height sensor, and a vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor is compared with a reference vehicle speed, and a vehicle height change detected by the vehicle height sensor at at least two left and right separated positions. Is compared with a reference vehicle height change to generate a control signal, and particularly when the vehicle speed and at least one vehicle height change both exceed a reference value, a control means for generating a close signal as a control signal, and an occupant from the side. The control means is provided with a side support movable by pressing and supporting to prevent the sitting posture from collapsing and an open position separated from the upper body of the occupant, and a drive source for driving the side support. When the close signal is generated, the driving force of the drive source is transmitted to the side support correspondingly, and the side support is closed from the open position. Side support device for vehicle seats that are moved to the closed position. 5. When the vehicle speed and at least one vehicle height change each exceed a reference value, and at least one of the vehicle speed and all vehicle height changes is below the reference value and a reference time has elapsed, the control means sets the control signal. As a result, when the control means generates an open signal,
The side support device for a vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein the driving force of the drive source is transmitted to the side support to return the side support to the open position. 6. The vehicle height sensor is an ultrasonic sensor for detecting a vehicle height change using ultrasonic waves.
A side support device for a vehicle seat according to item 5 or 5. 7. The side support device for a vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle height sensor is a suspension displacement sensor that detects the vehicle height displacement from the displacement of the suspension. 8. The drive source is a DC motor, and the sensor means is
The side support device for a vehicle seat according to any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising a rotation sensor that detects a rotation speed of a DC motor.