CN111038341A

CN111038341A - Electric seat linkage control device and method

Info

Publication number: CN111038341A
Application number: CN201811197263.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 金鑫; 周林鸣; 李辉
Original assignee: Faurecia Wuxi Seating Components Co Ltd
Current assignee: Faurecia Wuxi Seating Components Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-10-15
Filing date: 2018-10-15
Publication date: 2020-04-21

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric seat linkage control device which comprises a first control switch, a first seat motor, a first driver, a first occupancy detector and a controller. The first control switch is used for controlling the action of the first seat. The first seat motor is used for driving the first seat to move. The first driver is connected with the first seat motor to drive the first seat motor to rotate. A first occupancy detector is provided at a second seat located in an adjacent row of the first seat to detect an occupancy state of the second seat. A controller is connected to the first control switch, the first driver and the first occupancy detector, the controller being configured to determine a target position and/or a target attitude of the first seat action based on the occupancy state of the second seat.

Description

Electric seat linkage control device and method

Technical Field

The invention relates to an electric seat, in particular to an electric seat linkage control device and method.

Background

Seats in vehicles have been gradually upgraded to power seats. The power seat is composed of a seat cushion and a seat back on a seat frame that moves along a seat rail. Further, a slide device and a tilt device are equipped on the seat rail and the rear side of the seat frame to maintain a posture suitable for driving and a posture suitable for the body shape of the passenger.

The power seat apparatus allows a passenger to operate a lever or switch by hand and thereby convert electric power into physical kinetic energy. And the operation of the slide apparatus and the reclining apparatus moves the seat in the front-rear direction or controls the reclining angle of the seat back.

In the case of multiple rows of seats, the fore-and-aft sliding or tilting of a seat in one row may cause a squeeze on an object (e.g., a person or object) in the front or rear row thereof. Therefore, the passenger needs to pay extra attention to the front and rear rows when performing the seat sliding or reclining operation.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide a linkage control device and a linkage control method for an electric seat, which can determine a control mode of the electric seat according to the occupation condition of adjacent rows of seats.

The invention provides an electric seat linkage control device, which solves the technical problems and comprises a first control switch, a first seat motor, a first driver, a first occupancy detector and a controller. The first control switch is used for controlling the action of the first seat. The first seat motor is used for driving the first seat to move. The first driver is connected with the first seat motor to drive the first seat motor to rotate. A first occupancy detector is provided at a second seat located in an adjacent row of the first seat to detect an occupancy state of the second seat. A controller is connected to the first control switch, the first driver and the first occupancy detector, the controller being configured to determine a target position and/or a target attitude of the first seat action based on the occupancy state of the second seat.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the power seat linkage control device further includes a second seat motor and a second driver. The second seat motor is used for driving the second seat to move. The second driver is connected with the second seat motor to drive the second seat motor to rotate. The controller is further configured to determine whether to adjust the position and/or attitude of the second seat in compliance with the action of the first seat in accordance with the occupancy state of the second seat.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the electric seat linkage control device further includes a second seat motor, a second driver, a second control switch, and a second occupancy detector. The second seat motor is used for driving the second seat to move. The second driver is connected with the second seat motor to drive the second seat motor to rotate. The second control switch is used for controlling the action of the second seat. A second occupancy detector is disposed at the first seat to detect an occupancy state of the first seat. The controller is further connected to the second control switch, the second driver and the second occupancy detector, and is configured to determine a target position and/or a target posture of the second seat action according to the occupancy state of the first seat.

In an embodiment of the invention, when the second seat is in the occupied state, the controller is configured to determine the target position of the first seat action as a seat cushion of the first seat reaching a threshold position, and/or determine the target posture of the first seat action as a backrest of the first seat reaching a threshold angle; the controller is configured to determine a target position of the first seat action as a seat cushion of the first seat crossing the threshold position and/or determine a target attitude of the first seat action as a backrest of the first seat crossing the threshold angle when the second seat is in an unoccupied state.

In an embodiment of the invention, when the second seat is in the occupied state, the controller is configured to determine the target position of the first seat action as a seat cushion of the first seat reaching a threshold position, and/or determine the target posture of the first seat action as a backrest of the first seat reaching a threshold angle; and the controller is further configured to adjust the position and/or attitude of the second seat independently of the action of the first seat; when the second seat is in an unoccupied state, the controller is configured to determine a target position of the first seat action as a seat cushion of the first seat crossing the threshold position, and/or determine a target attitude of the first seat action as a backrest of the first seat crossing the threshold angle; and the controller is further configured to control the seat cushion of the second seat to move away from the first seat and/or control the seat cushion of the second seat to fold toward the second seatback in compliance with the action of the first seat.

In an embodiment of the invention, the controller is further configured to disable actuation of the second seat.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the second seat motor includes a rotation driving motor that drives a seat cushion of the second seat to rotate around the second seatback.

In an embodiment of the invention, when the first seat is in the occupied state, the controller is configured to determine the target position of the second seat action as a seat cushion of the first seat reaching a threshold position, and/or determine the target posture of the second seat action as a backrest of the second seat reaching a threshold angle; the controller is configured to determine a target position of the second seat action as a seat cushion of the second seat crossing the threshold position and/or determine a target attitude of the second seat action as a backrest of the second seat crossing the threshold angle when the first seat is in an unoccupied state.

In an embodiment of the invention, the controller stores the critical position and/or the critical angle in advance.

In an embodiment of the invention, the controller is further configured to present a warning signal when the second seat is in the occupied state.

In an embodiment of the invention, the controller comprises a first controller and a second controller, the first controller and the second controller being coupled by a communication bus.

The invention also provides an electric seat linkage control device which comprises a first control switch, a first seat motor, a second seat motor, a first driver, a second driver and a controller. The first control switch is used for controlling the action of the first seat. The first seat motor is used for driving the first seat to move. The second seat motor is used for driving a second seat to move, and the second seat and the first seat are located in adjacent rows. The first driver is connected with the first seat motor to drive the first seat motor to rotate. The second driver is connected with the second seat motor to drive the second seat motor to rotate. The controller is connected with the first driver and the second driver, and is configured to determine a target position and/or a target posture of the action of the first seat according to the first control switch and adjust the position and/or the posture of the second seat according to the action of the first seat.

In one embodiment of the invention, the controller is configured to determine the target position of the first seat action as a cushion crossing threshold position of the first seat and/or determine the target attitude of the first seat action as a backrest crossing threshold angle of the first seat; and the controller is further configured to control the seat cushion of the second seat to move away from the first seat and/or control the seat cushion of the second seat to fold toward the second seatback in compliance with the action of the first seat.

In one embodiment of the invention, the controller is configured such that the second seat motor includes a rotation drive motor that drives a seat cushion of the second seat to rotate about the second seatback.

In an embodiment of the invention, the controller is configured such that the controller comprises a first controller and a second controller, the first and second controllers being coupled by a communication bus.

The invention also provides a linkage control method of the electric seat, which comprises the following steps: the first seat motor is driven to rotate in response to the first control switch, so that the first seat is driven to act; detecting an occupancy state of a second seat located in an adjacent row of the first seat; and determining the target position and/or the target posture of the action of the first seat according to the occupation state of the second seat.

In an embodiment of the invention, the method for linkage control of an electric seat further includes determining whether to comply with the action of the first seat to drive the second seat to move according to the occupied state of the second seat, so as to adjust the position and/or posture of the second seat.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the second seat is in the occupied state, the target position of the first seat action is determined as the seat cushion of the first seat reaching a threshold position, and/or the target posture of the first seat action is determined as the backrest of the first seat reaching a threshold angle; determining that a target position of the first seat action is when a seat cushion of the first seat passes the threshold position and/or determining that a target attitude of the first seat action is when a backrest of the first seat passes the threshold angle when the second seat is in an unoccupied state.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the second seat is in the occupied state, the target position of the first seat action is determined as the seat cushion of the first seat reaching a threshold position, and/or the target posture of the first seat action is determined as the backrest of the first seat reaching a threshold angle; and not adjusting the position and/or attitude of the second seat in compliance with the action of the first seat; determining a target position of said first seat action as a seat cushion of said first seat crossing said threshold position and/or determining a target attitude of said first seat action as a backrest of said first seat crossing said threshold angle when said second seat is in an unoccupied state; and controlling the seat cushion of the second seat to move away from the first seat and/or controlling the seat cushion of the second seat to fold toward the second seatback in compliance with the movement of the first seat.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electric seat linkage control method further includes prohibiting an operation of the second seat.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the first seat is in the occupied state, the target position of the second seat action is determined as the seat cushion of the first seat reaching a threshold position, and/or the target posture of the second seat action is determined as the backrest of the second seat reaching a threshold angle; determining a target position of the second seat action as a seat cushion of the second seat crossing the threshold position and/or determining a target attitude of the second seat action as a backrest of the second seat crossing the threshold angle when the first seat is in an unoccupied state.

In an embodiment of the invention, the electric seat linkage control method further includes presenting a warning signal when the second seat is in an occupied state.

One aspect of the present invention can determine the critical position and the critical angle of the seat to be actuated by detecting the occupancy state of the seats in the adjacent row. The present invention can thus make it possible for the passenger to be relieved of the attention of the front and rear rows when performing seat sliding or reclining operations. Another aspect of the invention allows for coordinated control of adjacent rows of seats based on the movement of the seats to allow room for the moving seats. The passenger only needs to operate the current seat to obtain the required position and posture.

Drawings

In order to make the aforementioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention comprehensible, embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below, wherein:

fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric seat interlocking control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the linkage of the electric seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a linkage control method for moving the electric seat frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a linkage control method for moving a motorized seat frame according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a linkage control method for tilting the backrest of the power seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a linkage control method for tilting the backrest of the power seat according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7A and 7B are first examples of the power seat linkage control of the present invention.

Fig. 8A and 8B are second examples of the power seat linkage control of the present invention.

Fig. 9A and 9B are third examples of the power seat interlocking control of the present invention.

Fig. 10A and 10B are fourth examples of the power seat interlocking control of the present invention.

Fig. 11A and 11B are fifth examples of the power seat interlocking control of the invention.

Fig. 12A and 12B are sixth examples of the power seat interlocking control of the invention.

Fig. 13A and 13B are seventh examples of the power seat interlocking control of the invention.

Fig. 14A and 14B are eighth examples of the power seat interlocking control of the invention.

Detailed Description

In order to make the aforementioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention comprehensible, embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, but the present invention may be practiced in other ways than those specifically described herein, and thus the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

As used in this application and the appended claims, the terms "a," "an," and/or "the" are not intended to be inclusive in the singular, but rather are intended to be inclusive in the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In general, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" merely indicate that steps and elements are included which are explicitly identified, that the steps and elements do not form an exclusive list, and that a method or apparatus may include other steps or elements.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on," "connected to," "coupled to" or "contacting" another element, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to, or contacting the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," "directly coupled to" or "directly contacting" another element, there are no intervening elements present. Similarly, when a first component is said to be "in electrical contact with" or "electrically coupled to" a second component, there is an electrical path between the first component and the second component that allows current to flow. The electrical path may include capacitors, coupled inductors, and/or other components that allow current to flow even without direct contact between the conductive components.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a power seat linkage control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in fig. 1, the power seat linkage control apparatus may include two sets of control assemblies. Here, a set of control components is associated with a first seat (not shown) and includes a first control switch 110, a first seat motor 120, and a first electronic control unit 130. Another set of control components is associated with a second seat (not shown) and includes a second control switch 210, a first seat motor 220, a first electronic control unit 230, and an occupancy detector 240. The first seat and the second seat may be located in adjacent rows, for example adjacent front to back, so their actions need to be linked to avoid positional interference with each other. The two sets of control components CAN communicate with each other through a communication bus, such as a CAN bus.

The first control switch 110 is used to control the motion of the first seat. The first control switch 110 includes at least two sub-switches, one sub-switch for controlling the first seat to move along one direction of the seat rail, and the other sub-switch for controlling the first seat to move along the other direction of the seat rail. Typically, these two directions are forward and backward, but are not limited to the front-back direction. When the user does not operate, both the sub-switches are in the off state, and when the user presses one sub-switch, the sub-switch is in the on state. In other embodiments, the first control switch 110 may include additional switches to control the rotation of the back of the first seat about its seat cushion to adjust the recline angle.

The first seat motor 120 is used to drive the first seat to move, and in an embodiment, the first seat motor 120 is a brushless motor. At this time, the first rectifying circuit 133 is a full bridge circuit. In another embodiment, the first seat motor 120 is a brushed motor. In this case, the first rectifier circuit 133 is a half-bridge circuit. Preferably, the seat motor 120 drives the first seat through a gear transmission. As previously described, the motion of the first seat may include movement and/or tilting, and accordingly, the first seat motor 120 may include a movement driving motor that drives the first seat to move and a rotation driving motor that drives the backrest of the first seat to rotate.

The first electronic control unit 130 is electrically connected to the first control switch 110 and the first seat motor 120, and is configured to control the movement of the first seat according to the movement of the first control switch 110. The first electronic control unit 130 may include a first controller 131, a first driver 132, and a first rectification circuit 133, which are connected in sequence. The first driver 132 is connected to the first seat motor 120 through a first rectifying circuit 133, and provides a driving current for the first seat motor 120 to drive the first seat motor 120 to rotate. The first rectifying circuit 133 provides a rectifying function of the current signal. The first controller 131 may be connected to an Instrument Panel (IPC) 300 so as to present information on the Instrument Panel 300 when necessary.

The input end of the first controller 131 is connected to the first control switch 110, that is, the first controller 131 receives the state of the first control switch 110 from the first control switch 110, that is, the on state or the off state; the output end of the controller 131 is connected to the first driver 132, and the first controller 131 determines the control signal output to the first driver 132 according to the state of the first control switch 110. The control signal is used to control the rotational speed of the first seat motor 120. In this embodiment, the control signal output by the first controller 131 to the first driver 132 is a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal. The rotational speed of the first seat motor 120 is controlled by varying the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal. Specifically, at the same frequency, when the duty ratio of the pulse width modulation signal is high, the rotation speed of the seat motor 120 is fast, and when the duty ratio of the pulse width modulation signal is low, the rotation speed of the seat motor 120 is slow.

In another set of control assemblies, the second control switch 210, the first seat motor 220, and the first electronic control unit 230 operate similarly to the corresponding units of the first set of control assemblies and are not deployed here. In another set of control assemblies, an Occupancy Detector (ODM) 240 is provided on the second seat and detects the occupancy state of the second seat, i.e. whether the second seat is occupied by an object such as a person or object. The occupancy detector 240 may issue an occupancy indication signal to the second controller 231 and be transmitted to the first controller 131 via the second controller 231. In one example, the occupancy detector 240 is implemented as a pressure sensor.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the user operates the first seat to move, the first controller 131 is configured to determine the target position and/or the target posture of the first seat movement according to the occupancy state of the second seat. Specifically, when the second seat is in the occupied state, the first controller 131 is configured to determine the target position of the first seat motion as the seat cushion of the first seat reaching the threshold position, or the first controller 131 is configured to determine the target posture of the first seat motion as the backrest of the first seat reaching the threshold angle, or both. Conversely, when the second seat is in the unoccupied state, the first controller is configured to determine the target position of the first seat action as the seat cushion of the first seat crossing a threshold position, or determine the target posture of the first seat action as the backrest of the first seat crossing the threshold angle, or both. Here, the threshold position is a position where the first seat does not interfere with the use of the second seat. The critical angle is an angle at which the second seat does not interfere with the use of the second seat. Thus in some embodiments the arrangement is such that the first seat is only allowed to pass the threshold position and threshold angle when the second seat is not occupied. The first controller 131 stores therein a critical position and/or a critical angle in advance in order to implement a desired control.

In some embodiments, the first seat may even interfere with the proper placement of the second seat after crossing the threshold position and threshold angle. To this end, the device may be arranged to adjust the position and/or attitude of the second seat in dependence on the occupancy state of the second seat in determining whether to comply with the action of the first seat. Specifically, when the second seat is in the occupied state, the first controller 131 is configured to determine the target position of the first seat motion as the seat cushion of the first seat reaching a critical position, or determine the target posture of the first seat motion as the backrest of the first seat reaching a critical angle, or both; and the second controller 231 is further configured to adjust the position and/or attitude of the second seat without following the action of the first seat. Conversely, when the second seat is in the unoccupied state, the first controller 131 is configured to determine the target position of the first seat action as the seat cushion of the first seat crossing a threshold position, or determine the target posture of the first seat action as the backrest of the first seat crossing a threshold angle; and the second controller 231 is further configured to control the seat cushion of the second seat to move in a direction away from the first seat and/or to control the seat cushion of the second seat to fold toward the second seat back in accordance with the action of the first seat. To effect folding of the second seat, the second seat motor 220 includes a rotary drive motor that drives the seat cushion of the second seat to rotate about the second seat back.

In other embodiments, the apparatus is configured to allow the first seat to pass through the threshold position and the threshold angle regardless of whether the second seat is occupied. In such other embodiments, the first controller 131 may be configured to determine the target position of the first seat motion as the seat cushion of the first seat passing a threshold position, or determine the target attitude of the first seat motion as the backrest of the first seat passing a threshold angle, or both. The second controller 231 is configured to control the seat cushion of the second seat to move away from the first seat, or to control the seat cushion of the second seat to fold toward the second seat back, or both, in accordance with the movement of the first seat.

In the above example, the first controller 131 may be coupled to and communicate with the second controller 231 through the CAN bus to achieve the interlocking of the first seat and the second seat. In other examples not shown, the first controller 131 and the second controller 231 may be combined into a single controller, directly controlling the actions of the two seats.

In the above embodiment, the second controller 231 may decide whether to prohibit the action of the second seat according to the situation.

In the above embodiment, when the second seat is in the occupied state and the first seat cannot cross the threshold position or the threshold angle, the first controller 131 is further configured to present a warning signal on the instrument panel 300 to remind the user.

In some embodiments, when the first electronic control unit 130 receives the car-lock signal, the respective seats, e.g., the first seat and the second seat, may be restored to the original positions.

In other embodiments, the roles played by the first seat and the second seat may be reversed. That is, when the user operates the second seat to move, the second controller 231 is configured to determine a target position and/or a target posture of the second seat movement according to the occupancy state of the first seat. Specifically, when the first seat is in the occupied state, the second controller 231 is configured to determine the target position of the second seat motion as the seat cushion of the first seat reaching the threshold position, or determine the target posture of the second seat motion as the backrest of the second seat reaching the threshold angle, or both. When the first seat is in the unoccupied state, the second controller 231 is configured to determine the target position of the second seat action as the seat cushion of the second seat crossing a threshold position, or determine the target posture of the second seat action as the backrest of the second seat crossing a threshold angle, or both. In these embodiments, another occupancy detector (not shown) may be disposed on the first seat for detecting the occupancy state of the first seat and sending an occupancy indication signal to the first controller 131.

In the linkage control device according to some embodiments of the present invention, the target position and/or the target posture of the motion of the first seat is determined according to the occupancy state of the second seat, so that the user does not need to pay attention to whether the adjustment of the seat is over-head. In some embodiments of the invention, the position and/or posture of the second seat may be compliantly adjusted according to the target position and/or posture of the first seat motion, thereby making more space for the first seat and making the occupant of the first seat more comfortable to sit on.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the linkage of the electric seat according to an embodiment of the present invention. This method may be implemented in the apparatus shown in fig. 1, in a variation thereof, or in an apparatus different from that of fig. 1. Referring now to FIG. 2, a coordinated control method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In step 201, a first seat motor is driven to rotate in response to a first control switch, so as to drive a first seat to act.

For example, referring to fig. 1, the first controller 131 drives the first seat motor 120 to rotate through the first driver 132 and the first rectification circuit 133 in response to the first control switch 110.

At step 202, an occupancy state of a second seat located in an adjacent row of the first seat is detected.

For example, as shown with reference to fig. 1, the occupancy detector 240 may detect an occupancy state of the second seat. The occupancy indication signal is transmitted to the first controller 131 through the second controller 231.

In step 203, a target position and/or a target posture of the first seat action is determined according to the occupancy state of the second seat.

For example, referring to fig. 1, the first controller 131 determines the target position and/or the target posture of the first seat action according to the occupancy state of the second seat.

Optionally, in step 204, it may be determined whether to follow the action of the first seat to move the second seat according to the occupancy state of the second seat, so as to adjust the position and/or posture of the second seat.

For example, referring to fig. 1, the second controller 231 determines whether to follow the action of the first seat (e.g., seat cushion movement or backrest tilt) to move the second seat according to the occupancy state of the second seat, so as to adjust the position (e.g., seat cushion movement) and/or posture (e.g., seat cushion folding).

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a linkage control method for moving the seat cushion of the electric seat according to the embodiment of the present invention. The method of the present embodiment will now be described with reference to fig. 1 and 3. In the case of the present embodiment, the first seat is located forward of the second seat, and the first seat needs to be moved rearward. It will be appreciated that the first seat is located behind the second seat and that the first seat, which needs to be moved forward, can be adjusted according to the method described below. In the present embodiment, the control mechanism for the first seat may refer to the details described in the foregoing, and will not be further described herein.

In step 301, a backward movement switch in the first control switch 110 on the first seat is pressed;

at step 302, the first seat is moved rearward.

In step 303, it is determined whether the first seat reaches a threshold position. If so, step 305 is entered, otherwise step 304 is entered. The critical position is a position in which the first seat does not influence the occupant of the second seat.

At step 304, the first seat continues to move and the second seat remains in position. In this case, the first seat can continue to move because the threshold position is not reached.

In step 305, it is determined whether the second seat is occupied. Here, since the first seat has reached the threshold position, it is possible to determine how the first seat continues to operate according to the occupancy of the second seat. If the determination result is yes, the process proceeds to step 306, and if the determination result is no, the process proceeds to step 307.

At step 306, the first seat stops moving and the second seat remains in position. Here, since the second seat is occupied, the first seat can only stop at a critical position and cannot continue to move backward, otherwise the use of the second seat is affected.

In step 307, the first seat continues to move and the second seat remains in position. In this case, the first seat can continue to move backwards beyond the threshold position, since the second seat is not occupied, without having to take into account the influence on the second seat.

In step 308, it is continuously determined whether the move switch, and in particular the move backward switch, of the first control switch 110 has not been pressed. If still pressed, step 309 is entered, otherwise step 310 is entered.

At step 309, it is determined whether the first seat has reached the end position, and if so, step 310 is entered, otherwise, step 307 is returned to. Here, the end point position is an extreme position to which the first seat can be moved. The end positions may be extreme positions that are electrically controlled by the device or extreme positions that are defined by mechanical stop elements of the device.

At step 310, the first seat is stopped from moving and is allowed to remain in a current state, such as position.

Fig. 7A and 7B are first examples of the power seat linkage control of the present invention. In fig. 7A and 7B, the first seat 710 and the second seat 720 are adjacent in the front-rear row. Three parts of the

seats

710 and 720 are respectively shown by three ellipses, which are

headrests

711 and 721,

backrests

712 and 722 and

seat cushions

713 and 723 of the seats from top to bottom. The control switches 110 and 210 are located at the sides of the seat cushions 713 and 723, respectively. Below the

seats

710, 720 is a seat track 700. There is a threshold position a in the seat track 700, which is a threshold position for rearward movement of the first seat 710. When the backward movement switch of the control switches 110 is pressed, the first seat 710 is gradually moved backward to the critical position a. At this time, the linkage controller detects that the second seat 720 is occupied by the passenger 730, and stops moving the first seat 710 to stop at the threshold position a. At this point, a reminder may be given to the occupant of the first seat 710 through the instrument panel 300 that rearward movement is not possible. Conversely, in a situation not shown, if the linkage control device finds that the second seat 720 is unoccupied, the first seat 710 may continue to move past threshold position a to stay at endpoint position B. In this example, when the first seat 710 is moved into position, movement of the second seat 720 may be restricted. That is, even if the control switch 210 is operated, the second seat 720 cannot be moved.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a linkage control method for moving the seat cushion of the electric seat according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method of the present embodiment will now be described with reference to fig. 1 and 4. In the case of the present embodiment, the first seat is located forward of the second seat, and the first seat needs to be moved rearward. It will be appreciated that the first seat is located behind the second seat and that the first seat, which needs to be moved forward, can be adjusted according to the method described below. In the present embodiment, the control mechanism for the first seat may refer to the details described in the foregoing, and will not be further described herein.

In step 401, the backward movement switch in the first control switch 110 on the first seat is pressed;

at step 402, the first seat is moved rearward.

In step 403, it is determined whether the first seat reaches a threshold position. If so, step 405 is entered, otherwise step 404 is entered. The critical position is a position in which the first seat does not influence the occupant of the second seat.

At step 404, the first seat continues to move and the second seat remains in position. In this case, the first seat can continue to move because the threshold position is not reached.

At step 405, it is determined whether the second seat is occupied. Here, since the first seat has reached the threshold position, it is possible to determine how the first seat continues to operate according to the occupancy of the second seat. If the determination result is yes, the process proceeds to step 406, and if the determination result is no, the process proceeds to step 407.

At step 406, the first seat stops moving and the second seat remains in position. Here, since the second seat is occupied, the first seat can only stop at a critical position and cannot continue to move backward, otherwise the use of the second seat is affected.

In step 407, the first seat continues to move and the second seat folds and backs up. In this case, the first seat can continue to move backwards beyond the threshold position, since the second seat is not occupied, without having to take into account the influence on the second seat. The second seat may fold and/or retreat in compliance with the movement of the first seat to make more room for the first seat.

At step 408, a determination is made as to whether the travel switch, and in particular the rearward travel switch, of the first control switch 110 has not been depressed. If still pressed, step 409 is entered, otherwise step 410 is entered.

At step 409 it is determined whether the first seat has reached an end position, if so step 410 is entered, otherwise step 407 is returned. Here, the end point position is an extreme position to which the first seat can be moved. The end positions may be extreme positions that are electrically controlled by the device or extreme positions that are defined by mechanical stop elements of the device.

At step 410, the first seat is stopped from moving and is allowed to remain in a current state, such as position.

One example of the power seat linkage control of the present embodiment can be seen with reference to fig. 7A and 7B. Fig. 8A and 8B are third examples of the power seat interlocking control of the present invention. In fig. 8A and 8B, the first seat 710 and the second seat 720 are adjacent in the front-rear row. When the backward movement switch of the control switches 110 is pressed, the first seat 710 is gradually moved backward to the critical position a. At this point, the linkage control device finds that the second seat 720 is unoccupied and continues to move the first seat 710 past the threshold position a. Accordingly, the second seat 720 is retracted, and the cushion 723 thereof is folded toward the backrest 722. Finally, the first seat 710 may stay in the end position C. As can be seen by comparing fig. 8B and 7B, in the example of fig. 8B, the end point position C may be set further back. In this example, when the first seat 710 is moved into position, movement of the second seat 720 may be restricted. That is, even if the control switch 210 is operated, the second seat 720 cannot be moved.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a linkage control method for tilting the backrest of the power seat according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method of the present embodiment will now be described with reference to fig. 1 and 5. In the case of the present embodiment, the first seat is located forward of the second seat, and the first seat needs to be tilted rearward or toppled. In the present embodiment, the control mechanism for the first seat may refer to the details described in the foregoing, and will not be further described herein.

In step 501, a backward tilt switch in the first control switch 110 on the first seat is pressed;

at step 502, the first seat is tilted backward.

In step 503, it is determined whether the first seat reaches a threshold angle. If so, go to step 505, otherwise, go to step 504. Here, the critical angle is an angle at which the first seat does not affect the occupant of the second seat.

At step 504, the first seat continues to recline and the second seat remains in position. In this case, the first seat can continue to tilt because the critical angle is not reached.

At step 505, it is determined whether the second seat is occupied. Here, since the first seat has reached the critical angle, it is possible to determine how the first seat continues to operate according to the occupancy of the second seat. If the determination result is yes, the process proceeds to step 506, and if the determination result is no, the process proceeds to step 507.

At step 506, the first seat stops reclining and the second seat remains in position. Here, since the second seat is occupied, the first seat can only stop at a critical angle and cannot be tilted backward any more, otherwise the use of the second seat is affected.

At step 507, the first seat continues to recline and the second seat remains in position. In this case, the first seat can be tilted backwards beyond a critical angle without having to take into account the influence on the second seat, since the second seat is not occupied. The second seat may fold and/or recline in response to the tilting of the first seat to make more room for the first seat.

At step 508, a determination is made as to whether the tilt switch, and in particular the tilt-back switch, of the first control switch 110 has not been depressed. If still pressed, step 509 is entered, otherwise step 510 is entered.

In step 509, it is determined whether the first seat has reached the limit angle, and if so, step 310 is entered, otherwise, step 507 is returned. Here, the limit angle is an angle at which the first seat can be tilted. The limit angle can be controlled electrically by the device or can be limited by a mechanical limit element of the device.

At step 510, the tilting of the first seat is stopped and the first seat is allowed to maintain a current state, such as a tilt angle.

Fig. 9A and 9B are third examples of the power seat interlocking control of the present invention. In fig. 9A and 9B, the first seat 710 and the second seat 720 are adjacent in the front-rear row. When the backward tilt switch of the control switches 110 is pressed, the first seat 710 is gradually tilted backward to the critical angle θ 1. At this time, the linkage control device finds that the second seat 720 is occupied by the passenger 730, and stops tilting the first seat 710 to stop at the critical angle θ 1. At this point, a reminder may be given to the occupant of the first seat 710 through the instrument panel 300 that rearward tilting is not possible to continue. Conversely, in a situation not shown, if the linkage control device finds that the second seat 720 is unoccupied, the first seat 710 may be tilted further beyond the threshold angle θ 1 to stay at the limit angle θ 2 (not shown).

Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a linkage control method for tilting the backrest of the power seat according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method of the present embodiment will now be described with reference to fig. 1 and 6. In the case of the present embodiment, the first seat is located forward of the second seat, and the first seat needs to be tilted rearward or toppled. In the present embodiment, the control mechanism for the first seat may refer to the details described in the foregoing, and will not be further described herein.

In step 601, a backward tilt switch in the first control switch 110 on the first seat is pressed;

at step 602, the first seat is tilted backward.

In step 603, it is determined whether the first seat reaches the threshold angle. If so, step 605 is entered, otherwise step 604 is entered. Here, the critical angle is an angle at which the first seat does not affect the occupant of the second seat.

At step 604, the first seat continues to recline and the second seat remains in position. In this case, the first seat can continue to tilt because the critical angle is not reached.

At step 605, it is determined whether the second seat is occupied. Here, since the first seat has reached the critical angle, it is possible to determine how the first seat continues to operate according to the occupancy of the second seat. If yes, the process proceeds to step 606, and if no, the process proceeds to step 607.

At step 606, the first seat stops reclining and the second seat remains in position. Here, since the second seat is occupied, the first seat can only stop at a critical angle and cannot be tilted backward any more, otherwise the use of the second seat is affected.

In step 607, the first seat continues to recline and the second seat folds and backs up. In this case, the first seat can be tilted backwards beyond a critical angle without having to take into account the influence on the second seat, since the second seat is not occupied. The second seat may fold and/or recline in response to the tilting of the first seat to make more room for the first seat.

At step 608, a determination is made as to whether the tilt switch, and in particular the tilt-back switch, of the first control switch 110 has not been depressed. If still pressed, step 609 is entered, otherwise step 610 is entered.

In step 609, it is determined whether the first seat has reached the limit angle, if so, step 610 is entered, otherwise, step 607 is returned. Here, the limit angle is an angle at which the first seat can be tilted. The limit angle can be controlled electrically by the device or can be limited by a mechanical limit element of the device.

At step 610, the first seat is stopped from being reclined and the first seat is allowed to remain in a current state, such as the recline angle.

An example of the power seat interlocking control of the present embodiment can be seen with reference to fig. 9A and 9B. Fig. 10A and 10B are fourth examples of the power seat interlocking control of the present invention. When the backward tilt switch of the control switches 110 is pressed, the first seat 710 is gradually tilted backward to the critical angle θ 1. At this time, the linkage control device finds that the second seat 720 is unoccupied, and then the first seat 710 can be tilted further to exceed the threshold angle θ 1 and stay at the limit angle θ 3. Accordingly, the second seat 720 is retreated. Finally, the first seat 710 may stay at the limit angle θ 3. As can be seen from comparing fig. 10B and 9B, in the example of fig. 10B, the limit angle θ 3 may be set larger so that the first seat 710 is more inclined. In this example, movement of the second seat 720 may be restricted after the first seat 710 is reclined to the position. That is, even if the control switch 210 is operated, the second seat 720 cannot be moved.

Fig. 11A and 11B are fifth examples of the power seat interlocking control of the invention. In the example of fig. 11A, the device directly allows the first seat 710 to move rearward and tilt rearward regardless of whether the second seat 720 is occupied. When the first seat 710 is restored to the critical position and within the critical angle, the second seat 720 may be restored to the original position, as shown in fig. 11B. In this example, after the first seat 710 is moved rearward and tilted rearward, operation of the second seat 720 may be permitted.

Fig. 12A and 12B are sixth examples of the power seat interlocking control of the invention. In this example, the first control switch 110 may provide a "one-touch-down" function. As shown in fig. 12A, the second seat 710 is currently occupied. When the "one-button down" button is pressed at the first control switch 110, the first seat 710 is directly moved backward and tilted from the state of fig. 12A to the state of fig. 12B, and the approach position and the approach angle in this state take into account that the second seat 710 is occupied, and the coordinated control method is a combination of the embodiments shown in fig. 3 and 5. In this example, after the backward movement and backward tilting of the first seat 710 are completed, the operation of the second seat 720 may be prohibited.

Fig. 13A and 13B are seventh examples of the power seat interlocking control of the invention. In this example, the first control switch 110 may provide a "one-touch-down" function. As shown in fig. 13A, the second seat 710 is currently unoccupied. When the "one-touch down" button is pressed on the first control switch 110, the first seat 710 is directly moved backward and tilted from the state of fig. 13A to the state of fig. 13B. The approach position D and the approach angle θ 3 in this state take into account that the second seat 710 is unoccupied. Accordingly, the second seat is retracted from the state of fig. 13A and folded to the state of fig. 13B. The linkage control method of this example is a combination of the embodiments shown in fig. 4 and 6. In this example, after the first seat 710 is moved rearward and tilted rearward, operation of the second seat 720 may be permitted.

Fig. 14A and 14B are eighth examples of the power seat interlocking control of the invention. In this example, the first seat 710 and the second seat 720 are adjacent in a front-to-back row. When one of the reclining keys of the control switch 210 is pressed, the second seat 720 is gradually moved forward to the threshold position a, and the backrest 722 is tilted backward. At this point, the linkage control device finds that the first seat 710 is unoccupied and continues to move the second seat 720 past the threshold position a. Accordingly, the first seat 710 is retracted and the seat cushion 713 thereof is folded toward the backrest 712. Finally, the second seat 720 may stay in the end position E. In this example, movement of the first seat 710 may be restricted after the second seat 720 is moved into position. That is, even if the control switch 110 is operated, the first seat 710 cannot be moved.

The order of processing elements and sequences, the use of alphanumeric characters, or other designations in the present application is not intended to limit the order of the processes and methods in the present application, unless otherwise specified in the claims. While various presently contemplated embodiments of the invention have been discussed in the foregoing disclosure by way of example, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the appended claims are not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, are intended to cover all modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the embodiments herein.

This application uses specific words to describe embodiments of the application. Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," and/or "some embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with at least one embodiment of the present application is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, it is emphasized and should be appreciated that two or more references to "an embodiment" or "one embodiment" or "an alternative embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, some features, structures, or characteristics of one or more embodiments of the present application may be combined as appropriate.

Similarly, it should be noted that in the preceding description of embodiments of the application, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure aiding in the understanding of one or more of the embodiments. This method of disclosure, however, is not intended to require more features than are expressly recited in the claims. Indeed, the embodiments may be characterized as having less than all of the features of a single embodiment disclosed above.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the present specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention, and various equivalent changes and substitutions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and therefore, it is intended that all changes and modifications to the above embodiments within the spirit and scope of the present invention be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A power seat linkage control device comprising:

the first control switch is used for controlling the action of the first seat;

the first seat motor is used for driving the first seat to move;

the first driver is connected with the first seat motor to drive the first seat motor to rotate;

a first occupancy detector provided at a second seat located in an adjacent row of the first seat to detect an occupancy state of the second seat;

a controller connected to the first control switch, the first driver and the first occupancy detector, the controller configured to determine a target position and/or a target posture of the first seat action according to an occupancy state of the second seat.

2. The power seat linkage control device according to claim 1, further comprising:

the second seat motor is used for driving the second seat to move;

the second driver is connected with the second seat motor to drive the second seat motor to rotate;

wherein the controller is further configured to determine whether to adjust the position and/or attitude of the second seat in compliance with the action of the first seat in dependence on the occupancy state of the second seat.

3. The power seat linkage control device according to claim 1, further comprising:

the second seat motor is used for driving the second seat to move;

the second control switch is used for controlling the action of the second seat;

a second occupancy detector provided at the first seat to detect an occupancy state of the first seat;

the controller is further connected to the second control switch, the second driver and the second occupancy detector, and is configured to determine a target position and/or a target posture of the second seat action according to the occupancy state of the first seat.

4. The power seat linkage control device according to claim 1,

when the second seat is in an occupied state, the controller is configured to determine that a target position of the first seat action is that a seat cushion of the first seat reaches a threshold position, and/or determine that a target posture of the first seat action is that a backrest of the first seat reaches a threshold angle;

the controller is configured to determine a target position of the first seat action as a seat cushion of the first seat crossing the threshold position and/or determine a target attitude of the first seat action as a backrest of the first seat crossing the threshold angle when the second seat is in an unoccupied state.

5. The power seat linkage control device according to claim 2,

when the second seat is in an occupied state, the controller is configured to determine that a target position of the first seat action is that a seat cushion of the first seat reaches a threshold position, and/or determine that a target posture of the first seat action is that a backrest of the first seat reaches a threshold angle; and the controller is further configured to adjust the position and/or attitude of the second seat independently of the action of the first seat;

when the second seat is in an unoccupied state, the controller is configured to determine a target position of the first seat action as a seat cushion of the first seat crossing the threshold position, and/or determine a target attitude of the first seat action as a backrest of the first seat crossing the threshold angle; and the controller is further configured to control the seat cushion of the second seat to move away from the first seat and/or control the seat cushion of the second seat to fold toward the second seatback in compliance with the action of the first seat.

6. The power seat linkage control device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the controller is further configured to inhibit actuation of the second seat.

7. The power seat linkage control device according to claim 5, wherein said second seat motor comprises a rotary drive motor that drives a seat cushion of said second seat to rotate about said second seat back.

8. The power seat linkage control device according to claim 3,

when the first seat is in an occupied state, the controller is configured to determine that a target position of the second seat action is that a seat cushion of the first seat reaches a critical position, and/or determine that a target posture of the second seat action is that a backrest of the second seat reaches a critical angle;

the controller is configured to determine a target position of the second seat action as a seat cushion of the second seat crossing the threshold position and/or determine a target attitude of the second seat action as a backrest of the second seat crossing the threshold angle when the first seat is in an unoccupied state.

9. The electric seat linkage control device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the controller prestores the threshold position and/or the threshold angle.

10. The power seat linkage control device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the controller is further configured to present a warning signal when the second seat is in the occupied state.

11. The powered seat linkage control device according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a first controller and a second controller, the first and second controllers being coupled by a communication bus.

12. A power seat linkage control device comprising:

the first control switch is used for controlling the action of the first seat;

the first seat motor is used for driving the first seat to move;

the second seat motor is used for driving a second seat to move, and the second seat and the first seat are positioned in adjacent rows;

a controller connected to the first and second drivers, the controller configured to determine a target position and/or a target posture of the first seat motion according to the first control switch, and adjust a position and/or a posture of the second seat in compliance with the motion of the first seat.

13. The power seat linkage control device according to claim 12,

the controller is configured to determine a target position of the first seat actuation as a cushion of the first seat crossing a threshold position, and/or determine a target attitude of the first seat actuation as a backrest of the first seat crossing a threshold angle; and the controller is further configured to control the seat cushion of the second seat to move away from the first seat and/or control the seat cushion of the second seat to fold toward the second seatback in compliance with the action of the first seat.

14. The power seat linkage control device according to claim 13, wherein said second seat motor comprises a rotary drive motor that drives a seat cushion of said second seat to rotate about said second seat back.

15. The power seat linkage control device according to claim 12, wherein the controller comprises a first controller and a second controller, the first and second controllers coupled by a communication bus.

16. A power seat linkage control method includes:

the first seat motor is driven to rotate in response to the first control switch, so that the first seat is driven to act;

detecting an occupancy state of a second seat located in an adjacent row of the first seat;

and determining the target position and/or the target posture of the action of the first seat according to the occupation state of the second seat.

17. The electric seat linkage control method according to claim 16, further comprising:

and determining whether the second seat is driven to move by following the movement of the first seat according to the occupation state of the second seat, so as to adjust the position and/or the posture of the second seat.

18. The electric seat linkage control method according to claim 16,

when the second seat is in an occupied state, determining that the target position of the first seat action is that a cushion of the first seat reaches a critical position, and/or determining that the target posture of the first seat action is that a backrest of the first seat reaches a critical angle;

determining that a target position of the first seat action is when a seat cushion of the first seat passes the threshold position and/or determining that a target attitude of the first seat action is when a backrest of the first seat passes the threshold angle when the second seat is in an unoccupied state.

19. The electric seat linkage control method according to claim 17,

when the second seat is in an occupied state, determining that the target position of the first seat action is that a cushion of the first seat reaches a critical position, and/or determining that the target posture of the first seat action is that a backrest of the first seat reaches a critical angle; and not adjusting the position and/or attitude of the second seat in compliance with the action of the first seat;

determining a target position of said first seat action as a seat cushion of said first seat crossing said threshold position and/or determining a target attitude of said first seat action as a backrest of said first seat crossing said threshold angle when said second seat is in an unoccupied state; and controlling the seat cushion of the second seat to move away from the first seat and/or controlling the seat cushion of the second seat to fold toward the second seatback in compliance with the movement of the first seat.

20. The electric seat linkage control method according to claim 18 or 19, further comprising inhibiting the action of the second seat.

21. The electric seat linkage control method according to claim 18,

when the first seat is in an occupied state, determining that the target position of the second seat action is that a cushion of the first seat reaches a critical position, and/or determining that the target posture of the second seat action is that a backrest of the second seat reaches a critical angle;

determining a target position of the second seat action as a seat cushion of the second seat crossing the threshold position and/or determining a target attitude of the second seat action as a backrest of the second seat crossing the threshold angle when the first seat is in an unoccupied state.

22. The power seat linkage control method according to claim 18 or 19, further comprising presenting a warning signal when the second seat is in an occupied state.