JP2007106360A - Seat air-conditioner, nap preventing device, and sheet air-conditioning operating method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seat air-conditioner capable of giving a sufficient awakening stimulus to a seated person without increasing the consumed energy. <P>SOLUTION: Air outlets 10 capable of changing the blowout direction by surface fitting structures 11b and 12e on spheres are disposed in overhanging parts 4a of a headrest 4 overhanging toward the upsides of shoulders of the occupant and the sides of his head, and the air is blown perpendicularly to the neck surface of the occupant which has a high sensitivity for tactual sense stimulus. Further in a case deterioration in the awakening of the occupant is sensed, air is blown out so that the wind velocity of the output air is 12 m/s or over on the neck surface of the occupant, so as to give a sufficient awakening stimulus to the occupant. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a seat air conditioner that blows air to a seated seated person, a dozing prevention device to which the seat air conditioner is applied, and a seat air conditioning operation method.

  Conventionally, Patent Document 1 discloses an example in which a vehicle seat air conditioner is applied to a dozing prevention device. In this Patent Document 1, when the drowsiness detection unit (corresponding to the arousal reduction detection means in this specification) detects the driver's drowsiness state (corresponding to the arousal reduction state in this specification), the seating part of the driver's seat and Air-conditioning air adjusted to a temperature (for example, 15 ° C. and 45 ° C.) for promoting awakening is blown out from a plurality of air blowing holes arranged in the backrest portion to promote the driver's awakening.

Patent Document 2 discloses an air-conditioning seat device (corresponding to the seat air-conditioning device in the present specification) for the purpose of giving a seating occupant a high cooling sensation. In Patent Document 2, an air blowing hole is arranged in the headrest, and dry air is blown toward the back of the head and neck not covered with the clothes of the seated person, thereby giving the seated person a high cooling feeling.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-278541 JP 2003-299550 A

  However, in the dozing prevention device of Patent Document 1, since the air blowing holes are arranged in the seating portion and the backrest portion of the driver's seat, the blown conditioned air is blown to the occupant through the occupant's clothes. For this reason, in contrast to the case where the conditioned air is blown directly on the occupant's skin, the tactile stimulation received by the occupant is weakened, and the time until the occupant perceives the temperature change of the conditioned air is increased.

  Therefore, in order to give a stimulus for promoting awakening (hereinafter referred to as awakening stimulus) equivalent to the case where the conditioned air is directly blown on the occupant's skin with the conventional technique of Patent Document 1, the air volume is increased and the air conditioning is increased. It is necessary to increase the temperature adjustment degree of the wind, and this causes a problem in that the energy consumption for air blowing and temperature adjustment increases as compared with the case where the conditioned air is blown directly onto the skin.

  On the other hand, in the air-conditioning seat apparatus of patent document 2, since the air blowing hole is arrange | positioned in the headrest, air can be sprayed toward the back head and neck which are not covered with the clothes of the seated person. However, even if the air-conditioning seat device of Patent Document 2 is applied to a snooze prevention device, since the back surface of the back of the head and the neck surface is generally covered with hair, the same problem as when air is blown through clothes is there.

  In addition, for the side surface of the scruff surface that is generally not covered by hair, the blowing direction of dry air is an acute angle with respect to the side surface of the scruff surface. As a result, the air volume per unit area is reduced, and the tactile stimulation received by the occupant is weakened.

  Therefore, it is necessary to increase the air volume in order to give the same arousal stimulation as when air-conditioned air is blown perpendicularly to the lateral surface of the neck surface, which is problematic in that the energy consumption for blowing increases. Become.

  In view of the above points, it is a first object of the present invention to provide a seat air conditioner that can give a sufficient awakening stimulus to a seated person without increasing energy consumption.

  Moreover, this invention sets it as the 2nd objective to provide the dozing prevention apparatus to which this seat air conditioner is applied.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a seat air conditioner that blows air toward a seated person seated on a seat (1), the blower (6) that blows air, and the blower of the blower (6). An air outlet (10, 20) that blows out air, and the air outlet (10, 20) blows out the blown air in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral surface of the occupant's neck. The seat air conditioner is a first feature.

  According to the study of the present inventor, the surface of the neck is generally a part of the exposed part of the outside air that is not covered with clothes, and the tactile stimulus sensitivity is high. It has been found that it is effective to apply a tactile stimulus to a highly sensitive part. In addition, the neck surface in this invention means the back side periphery of a neck.

  Therefore, in the seat air conditioner of the first feature, the air outlet (10, 20) blows out the blowing air toward the lateral surface of the surface of the neck of the seated person. Since the air is blown in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface, the blown air is generally perpendicular to the lateral surface of the neck surface, which is generally not covered with clothes and hair, in the part where the tactile sense of the occupant is high. Can be sprayed.

  Thereby, sufficient arousal stimulation can be given to the occupant with a smaller air volume than when blowing air is blown to a part of the occupant's clothes or hair covered part or other exposed part of the outside air. Furthermore, since the air volume per unit area can be increased and strong tactile stimulation can be applied rather than blowing air at an acute angle with respect to the lateral surface of the neck surface, the awakening stimulation is given to the occupant with a much smaller air volume. be able to.

  As a result, a sufficient arousal stimulus can be given to the seated person without increasing the energy consumption for blowing air. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to increase the air volume in order to give a stimulus for awakening, it is possible to reduce the size of the blower (6) and the size of the entire seat air conditioner.

  The substantially vertical direction in the present invention is not only a direction that completely coincides with the normal direction of the lateral surface of the neck surface, but also has a slight inclination with respect to the vertical direction due to individual differences and movements of the seated person. It shall be included within the scope of the term substantially vertical.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is a sheet | seat air conditioner which blows air toward the seating person seated on the seat (1), Comprising: It is provided in the sheet | seat (1) and the shoulder part upper direction and head side side of a seating person Overhanging portions (4a, 31a) projecting in the direction, a blower (6) for blowing air, and an air outlet (10, 20) arranged in the overhanging portion for blowing out the blowing air of the blower (6) And the air outlet (10, 20) has a second feature of a seat air conditioner configured to blow out blown air toward the surface of the occupant's neck.

  According to this, an air blower outlet (10, 20) is arrange | positioned at the overhang | projection part (4a, 31a) projected over the shoulder part upper direction and the head side direction of the seating person, and on the surface of the neckline of the seated person Since the blown air is blown out, the blower is blown substantially perpendicularly to the lateral surface of the neck surface, which is generally not covered with clothes and hair, in a part where the tactile stimulation sensation of the seated person is high. Can blow air. As a result, the same effect as the seat air conditioner having the first characteristic can be obtained.

  In the seat air conditioner having the second feature, specifically, the overhang portion (4a) may be provided on the headrest (4) that supports the head of the seated person. Further, the overhang portion (31a) may be provided on the seat back (31) that supports the back of the seated person.

  Further, in the seat air conditioner having the above-described features, the air outlets (10, 20) may be provided at two places on the left and right sides of the seated person. According to this, since the blown air can be blown toward the neck surfaces on both the left and right sides of the seat occupant, it is possible to provide the seat occupant with a sufficient arousal stimulus.

  In the seat air-conditioning apparatus having the above-described features, the air outlet (10, 20) may include a blowing direction changing unit (11b, 12e, 21b, 23d) that changes the blowing direction of the blown air.

  According to this, since it has the blowing direction changing means (11b, 12e, 21b, 23d), even if the position and shape of the neck surface differ due to individual differences of the seated person, the surface of the neck of each seated person The blowing direction can be changed so that the blown air is blown out perpendicularly. As a result, it is possible to provide an appropriate arousal stimulus for each seated person.

  Specifically, the blowing direction changing means may be configured by a spherical fitting structure (11b, 12e, 21b, 23d) that can change the blowing direction in any of the up, down, left, and right directions. According to this, it is possible to easily change the blowing direction of the blown air by the purely mechanical on-sphere fitting structure.

  Further, in the seat air conditioner having the above-described features, the air outlet (10, 20) has pipe parts (12b, 23b, 24) extending in the blowing direction of the blown air, and the pipe parts (12b, 23b, 24). ) May be blown out from the tip.

  According to this, since the pipe parts (12b, 23b, 24) extend in the blowing direction of the blown air, from the tip of the pipe parts (12b, 23b, 24) for blowing the blown air to the neck surface of the occupant The distance (hereinafter referred to as the blowing distance) can be shortened.

  Here, according to the study of the present inventor, there is a relationship shown in the graph of FIG. 11 between the distance from the tip of the pipe portion (12b, 23b, 24) for blowing the blown air and the wind speed of the blown air. It turns out that there is.

  FIG. 11A shows the numerical analysis calculation results when the wind speed immediately after the pipe portions (12b, 23b, 24) is changed using the pipe portions (12b, 23b, 24) having an inner diameter of 13 mm. b) is a calculation result in the case of using a pipe portion (12b, 23b, 24) having an inner diameter of 7 mm.

  According to the graphs of FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b), when the distance from the tip of the pipe part (12b, 23b, 24) is a predetermined distance D or less, the wind speed of the blown air is the pipe part (12b, 23b, 24) Slightly decreases in proportion to the distance from the tip, but hardly changes. On the other hand, in the range where the distance from the tip of the pipe part (12b, 23b, 24) is larger than the predetermined distance D, it rapidly decreases.

  For this reason, if the blowing distance is longer than the predetermined distance D, the wind speed of the blown air on the surface of the neck of the seated occupant is lowered, and sufficient awakening stimulation cannot be given to the seated occupant. Therefore, by shortening the blowing distance so as to be equal to or less than the predetermined distance D, it is possible to give a sufficient awakening stimulus to the seated person. In FIG. 11A, the predetermined distance D is about 70 mm, and in FIG. 11B, the predetermined distance D is about 40 mm.

  Further, in the seat air conditioner having the above-described features, the air outlet (20) includes pipe portions (23b, 24) configured to be extendable and contractable in the blowing direction of the blown air, and the pipe portions (23b, 24). You may come to blow off blowing air from the front-end | tip.

  According to this, even if the position and shape of the surface of the scruff differ depending on the individual of the seated person, the blowing distance is changed to the predetermined distance D or less by expanding and contracting the pipe parts (23b, 24) in the blowing air blowing direction. Therefore, it is possible to provide an appropriate arousal stimulus for each seated person.

  In the seat air conditioner, the driving means (26, 26b, 23e) for expanding and contracting the pipe portions (23b, 24), and the control means (S35) for controlling the operation of the driving means (26, 26b, 23e); And a detecting means (21d) for detecting a blowing distance from the tip of the pipe part (23b, 24) to the surface of the neck of the seated person, and the control means (S35) controls the driving means (26, 26b, 23e). Thus, the blowing distance may be close to a predetermined value.

  According to this, since a control means (S35) controls a drive means (26, 26b, 23e) so that a blowing distance approaches a predetermined value, it is not necessary for a seated person to adjust a blowing distance by manual operation. Furthermore, by setting the predetermined value to be equal to or less than the predetermined distance D in FIG. 11, it is possible to always give a sufficient awakening stimulus to the seated person.

  In the seat air conditioner having the above-described characteristics, the maximum air velocity of the blown air may be 12 m / s or more on the surface of the neck of the seated occupant.

  By the way, the wind speed on the surface of the neck that feels effective as a wakeful stimulus varies depending on individual differences among seated persons. Therefore, the present inventor investigated the wind speed on the surface of the neck muscle, which is effective for awakening, in nine subjects.

  FIG. 12 shows the results of the investigation, and shows the average value and standard deviation of the effect as an arousal stimulus felt by the subject. The horizontal axis indicates the wind speed of the blown air on the neck surface, and the vertical axis indicates the value obtained by quantifying the effect as an arousal stimulus felt by each subject in seven stages.

  Specifically, the larger the numerical value on the vertical axis, the more effective the awakening stimulus, and the lower the numerical value, the less effective the awakening stimulus. Therefore, in FIG. 12, it means that there is an effect as an arousal stimulus in a range larger than 0 on the vertical axis.

  Then, an analysis of variance was performed on this result, and it was found that the effect as an arousal stimulus changes depending on the value of the wind speed on the surface of the neck of the seat at a significance level of 1%. It was found to be 12 m / s or more on the surface of the neck of the seated occupant.

  Therefore, in the present invention, the maximum wind speed of the blown air is set to 12 m / s or more on the surface of the neck of the seated person, so that the seating person can be more effectively awakened.

  Moreover, in this invention, the seat air conditioner as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 10, the arousal fall detection means (15) which detects that a seating person is in a awakening fall state, and a fan (6) The blower control means (S100) controls the operation, and the blower control means (S100) outputs an operation command signal to the blower (6) when the wakefulness detection means (15) detects the wakefulness lowered state. A dozing prevention device is a third feature.

  According to this, if a wakefulness fall detection means (15) detects a seating wakefulness fall state, a ventilation control means (S100) will be a blower of the sheet | seat air conditioner as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 10 Since (6) is actuated, a sufficient arousal stimulus can be given to the seated person without increasing the energy consumption for blowing.

  Here, the state of reduced arousal in the present invention means a state in which the seated person feels sleepy. For example, as described in the first embodiment and other embodiments described later, sleepiness is detected based on the heart rate of the seated person as the awakening reduction detection means (15) that specifically detects a state of feeling sleepiness. A means for detecting a feeling state can be employed.

  Further, in the present invention, the seat air conditioner according to claim 11, an arousal reduction detecting means (15) for detecting that the seated person is in the arousal lowered state, and an air blowing control means for controlling the operation of the blower (6). (S100), and the air blow control means (S100) has a wind speed of 12 m / s or more on the surface of the neck of the seated occupant in the blower (6) when the awakening reduction detection means (15) detects the awakening reduction state. Thus, the dozing prevention device that outputs the operation command signal is a fourth feature.

  According to this, when the arousal reduction detecting means (15) detects the arousal reduced state, the air blowing control means (S100) is such that the wind speed is 12 m / s or more on the surface of the neck of the seated occupant. Since the air blower (6) of the seat air conditioner is operated, the awakening stimulus can be effectively given to the seated person.

  Moreover, in this invention, it is an operating method of a sheet | seat air conditioner provided with the air blower (6) which blows air, and the air blower outlet (10, 20) which blows off the blowing air of a blower (6), Comprising: (10, 20) from the tragus point of the seated person to the neck surface in the range of 2 cm to 8 cm rearward and 2 cm to 8 cm below the tragus point. The seat air-conditioning operation method for blowing out blown air is a fifth feature.

  By the way, among the neck surfaces with high tactile stimulation sensitivity, the blowing air blowing position that is particularly effective for awakening varies depending on individual differences among seated persons. Then, this inventor investigated the blowing air blowing position effective for awakening in the neck surface for nine test subjects (x2 times).

  FIG. 13 shows the results of the investigation, and plots the blowing air blowing position at which the occupant felt that it was effective as a wakeful stimulus, based on the tragus point of the occupant. The horizontal axis indicates the rear distance along the neck surface from the tragus point, and the vertical axis indicates the lower distance along the neck surface from the tragus point.

  In addition, in FIG. 13, it measured on the conditions from which the wind speed of blowing air will be 12 m / s on the surface of a neck of a seated person. Furthermore, the “crown point” in the present invention means the center point of the outermost hole (so-called ear hole) of the ear canal.

  Then, from FIG. 13, the neck surface in the range of 2 cm or more and 8 cm or less rearward from the tragus point of the seated person and the range of 2 cm or more and 8 cm or less below the tragus point (hatched portion in FIG. 13). It was found that the position of is a blowing air blowing position effective for awakening.

  In the seat air-conditioning operation method of the present invention, the blown air is blown out from the air outlet (10, 20) toward the neck surface in the above-mentioned range, so that the awakening stimulus can be given to the seat more effectively.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each means described in this column and the claim shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

(First embodiment)
1-4, the example which applied the sheet | seat air conditioner of this invention to the drowsiness prevention apparatus for vehicles is demonstrated. Fig.1 (a) is a whole front view of the seat part 1 which mounts a sheet | seat air conditioner, FIG.1 (b) is AA sectional drawing of Fig.1 (a). Specifically, the seat portion 1 is used as a driver's seat of a vehicle.

  The front and rear, left and right arrows shown in the drawing indicate the front and rear and left and right directions of the vehicle as viewed from the seated occupant. Furthermore, each direction in the following description is also based on each direction viewed from this occupant.

  First, the seat portion 1 has a seat cushion 2 (seat portion) that supports the occupant's buttocks, a seat back 3 (back portion) that supports the back portion of the occupant, and a headrest 4 that supports the head portion of the occupant. Yes. A cushion member 5 is provided on the surface of the seat cushion 2, and a blower unit 6 that blows air toward an occupant from an air blowing hole 12 d described below is installed below the cushion material 5.

  The blower unit 6 sucks vehicle interior air (inside air) from the lower side of the seat cushion 2 and blows it to the first duct 7 side. The blower unit 6 controls a case that forms an air passage, and a seat air conditioning control device 13 that will be described later. It has a drive motor whose rotational speed is controlled by a signal, and a blower fan (not shown) driven by this drive motor.

  Specifically, the drive motor of the present embodiment is a known DC motor, and the rotation speed is controlled by changing the applied voltage V1 output as a control signal by the seat air-conditioning control device 13. The blower fan is a centrifugal blower fan, and air is blown in the direction of arrow B.

  The first duct 7 is a conduit for guiding the air blown from the outlet side of the blower unit 6 to the temperature adjustment unit 8. Further, the first duct 7 extends rearward from the air outlet side of the blower unit 6 inside the seat cushion 2, bends at the boundary portion between the seat cushion 2 and the seat back 3, and is substantially centered from the lower end inside the seat back 3. The shape extends upward.

  In the present embodiment, the first duct 7 is made of resin, has a bellows-like bent portion 7a at the boundary between the seat cushion 2 and the seat back 3, and is bent at the bent portion 7a. It has become. Thereby, even if a passenger | crew changes the angle of the seat back 3, the 1st duct 7 will bend according to the changed angle.

  Further, the first duct 7 is connected by connecting means such as screws and clips so as to communicate with the inside of the blower unit 6 and the temperature adjustment unit 8, and the first duct 7 is blown from the connection portion between the blower unit 6 and the temperature adjustment unit 8. Air is not leaking.

  The temperature adjustment unit 8 adjusts the temperature of the blown air of the blower unit 6, and is disposed on the substantially central rear side inside the seat back 3. In this embodiment, specifically, a Peltier module is employed as the temperature adjustment unit 8.

  The Peltier module is a well-known heat exchanging unit using a Peltier element that is an electric heating element. The Peltier module is driven by an applied voltage V2 supplied to the Peltier element from a seat air-conditioning control device 13, which will be described later. It is for cooling or heating.

  The Peltier element has a thin plate shape. When power is applied, the Peltier element absorbs heat from the surroundings at the cooling surface, which is one surface, and simultaneously generates heat at the heat generating surface, which is the other surface. The amount of heat absorption and heat generation is determined according to the input power, and the direction of heat absorption and heat generation is determined according to the voltage polarity of the power.

  The second duct 9 is disposed downstream of the temperature adjustment unit 8 in the air flow, that is, above the temperature adjustment unit 8. The second duct 9 is a conduit that guides the blown air whose temperature has been adjusted by the temperature adjustment unit 8 to the air outlet 10. Further, the second duct 9 extends upward from the temperature adjustment unit 8 air outlet side inside the seat back 3 to a substantially center inside the headrest 4, branches inside the headrest 4, and extends in the left-right direction.

  In the present embodiment, the second duct 9 is made of resin, and has a bellows-like bent portion 9a similar to the first duct 7 at the boundary between the seat back 3 and the headrest 4. The duct 9 is adapted to bend in accordance with the position of the headrest 4 adjusted by the occupant.

  Further, the second duct 9 is connected by a connecting means such as a screw or a clip so as to communicate with the inside of the temperature adjustment unit 8 and the air outlet 10, and a connecting portion between the temperature adjustment unit 8 and the air outlet 10. Air is not leaking from the air.

  The air outlet 10 blows out blown air toward the surface of the occupant's neck and is connected to the tip of the second duct 9 that branches in the left-right direction inside the headrest 4. Accordingly, the air outlets 10 are arranged at two places on the left and right sides inside the headrest 4. The air outlet 10 has an air outlet nozzle case 11 and an air outlet nozzle 12.

  Details of the air blowing nozzle case 11 and the air blowing nozzle 12 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the CC cross section of FIG. 1 (a), and shows only the cross section of the headrest 4. For reference, the occupant's head viewed from above is indicated by a broken line, and the position of the occupant's neck viewed from above is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  First, the headrest 4 of the present embodiment has two left and right projecting portions 4a projecting in the direction upward of the occupant's shoulder and in the lateral direction of the head, and an air blowing nozzle case is provided inside the projecting portion 4a. 11 is fixed. Further, a nozzle arrangement hole 4 b that constitutes an arrangement space for the air blowing nozzle 12 is provided in front of the air blowing nozzle case 11.

  The air blowing nozzle case 11 is a case to which the air blowing nozzle 12 is connected. The air blowing nozzle case 12 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and is connected to the connecting portion 11a connected to the second duct 9 on the rear side surface and the air blowing nozzle 12 on the front side surface. A spherical concave surface 11b. Furthermore, it has the communicating hole 11c which connects the connection part 11a and the spherical concave surface 11b, and blowing air is sent to the air blowing nozzle 12 through the communicating hole 11c.

  On the other hand, the air blowing nozzle 12 has a shape in which the spherical portion 12a and the straight pipe portion 12b having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the spherical portion 12a are combined, and the spherical portion is arranged so that the blown air passes in the axial direction of the straight pipe portion 12b. A communication hole 12c is provided to allow communication between 12a and the straight pipe portion 12b. Accordingly, the straight pipe portion 12b is a pipe portion in the present embodiment.

  The communication hole 12c forms an air blowing hole 12d at the end on the passenger side. In this embodiment, since the inner diameter of the straight pipe portion 12b is 13 mm, the shape of the air blowing hole 12d is a circle having a diameter of 13 mm.

  The spherical surface 12e forming the outer surface of the spherical portion 12a has a shape that fits the spherical concave surface 11b of the air blowing nozzle case 11, and the spherical surface 12e is fitted to the spherical concave surface 11b to blow out the spherical fitting structure. Direction changing means is configured. Therefore, in this embodiment, the axial direction of the straight pipe portion 12b can be changed in any of the upper, lower, left and right directions within the range of the nozzle arrangement hole 4b by the spherical fitting structure.

  Further, sealing grease is applied to the fitting portion between the spherical concave surface 11b of the air blowing nozzle case 11 and the spherical surface 12e of the air blowing nozzle 12, so that the blown air does not leak from the fitting portion. . Accordingly, the entire amount of air blown to the air blowing nozzle case 11 is blown in the direction of arrow E from the air blowing hole 12d through the communication hole 11c and the communication hole 12c.

  Furthermore, the air blowing hole 12d side end portion of the straight pipe portion 12b of the air blowing nozzle 12 protrudes from the nozzle arrangement hole 4b of the headrest 4 toward the occupant side, and the occupant moves in the direction of the air blowing nozzle 12 (straight pipe portion). 12b axial direction) is easily changed manually, and the blowing distance is set to 7 cm or less. In the present embodiment, the air blowing nozzle case 11 and the air blowing nozzle 12 are made of metal, but may of course be made of resin.

  Next, an outline of the electric control unit in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The seat air-conditioning control device 13 is composed of a well-known microcomputer comprising a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. and its peripheral circuits.

  The seat air-conditioning control device 13 receives an operation signal of a seat air-conditioning control panel 14 installed in the vicinity of a vehicle interior instrument panel for seat air-conditioning control. Furthermore, since the seat air conditioner of this embodiment is applied to the dozing prevention device, the output signal of the arousal reduction detecting means 15 that detects the arousal reduction state of the occupant is input.

  Specifically, the seat air conditioning control panel 14 includes an operation switch that is manually operated by the occupant. The seat air conditioning switch 14a that performs seat air conditioning as the operation switch, and the air blown from the air blowing nozzle 10 toward the occupant. There are provided a temperature setting switch 14b for setting the air temperature, an air volume setting switch 14c for setting the air volume of the blown air, a release switch 14d for releasing the operation of the “wake-up air conditioning mode” described later, and the operation switches 14a to 14d. Is input to the seat air-conditioning control device 13.

  Further, the arousal reduction detection means 15 outputs an ON signal when detecting a wakefulness reduction state of the occupant, and outputs an OFF signal when no wakefulness reduction state is detected. It is input to the control device 13 for seat air conditioning.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as the awakening reduction detecting means 15, a means for detecting a reduction in the degree of awakening of the occupant based on the occupant's heart rate is employed. This arousal reduction detecting means 15 is known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-350773. Specifically, an occupant's heart rate is measured by an electrode installed on the steering wheel, and the heart rate is further analyzed by frequency analysis, and a wakefulness index band and sleepiness set in advance based on a peak frequency at the time of wakefulness. The arousal reduction state can be detected by the intensity of the spectrum signal belonging to the degree index band.

  On the other hand, the drive motor of the blower unit 6 and the Peltier element of the temperature adjustment unit 8 are connected to the output side of the seat air conditioning control device 13.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment in the above configuration will be described. First, an occupant who uses the snooze prevention device of the present embodiment is able to set the axial direction (air blowing direction) of the air blowing nozzle 12 in a state in which the passenger is seated in advance on the seat portion 1 (driver's seat), and the neck surface position that is effective for awakening. It is manually adjusted so that the blown air is blown onto the head or the blown air is perpendicular to the neck surface.

  When an ignition switch of a vehicle engine (not shown) is turned on and power is supplied to the seat air-conditioning control device 13, the microcomputer shown in the flowchart of FIG. .

  First, in step S10, flags, timers, etc. are initialized, and the arousal reduction detection flag DOZf is also set to zero. The arousal reduction detection flag DOZf is a flag indicating that the arousal reduction detection means 15 has detected the occupant's arousal reduction state, and is 1 when the wakefulness reduction state of the occupant is detected.

  Then, in the next step S20, an operation signal of the operation switches 14a to 14d of the seat air conditioning control panel 14 is read, and an input signal is read in step S30. Specifically, in step S30, the output signal of the arousal reduction detecting means 15 is read.

  Next, it is determined in step S40 whether or not the arousal reduction detection flag DOZf = 1. If it is determined in step S40 that the wakefulness detection flag DOZf = 1 is not satisfied, the wakefulness detection state of the occupant is not detected by the wakefulness detection unit 15, and the process proceeds to step S50. In step S50, it is determined whether or not the seat air conditioning switch 14a is ON.

  If it is determined in step S50 that the seat air-conditioning switch 14a is ON, the process proceeds to step S60, and the seat air-conditioning is set in advance so that the occupant has the temperature and air volume set by the temperature setting switch 14b and air volume setting switch 14c. The applied voltages V1 and V2 determined based on the control map stored in the control device 13 are output to the drive motor of the blower unit 6 and the Peltier element of the temperature adjustment unit 8, and the process proceeds to step S80.

  By the control process in step S60, the drive motor of the blower unit 6 rotates to drive the blower fan. The air blown by the blower fan is blown to the temperature adjustment unit 8 through the first duct 7 and heated or cooled in the temperature adjustment unit 8 according to the applied voltage V2.

  Further, the air whose temperature has been adjusted by passing through the temperature adjusting unit 8 is blown to the air outlet 10 through the second duct 9 substantially equally to the left and right, and further toward the occupant from the air outlet holes 12d on both the left and right sides. And blown in the direction of arrow E.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S50 that the seat air-conditioning switch 14a is not ON, the process proceeds to step S70, and the applied voltages V1 and V2 output to the drive motor of the blower unit 6 and the Peltier elements of the temperature adjustment unit 8 are output. Stopped and proceeds to step S80.

  In step S80, it is determined whether or not the arousal reduction detecting means 15 has detected an awakening reduction state of the occupant, that is, whether or not the arousal reduction detecting means 15 has output an ON signal. If it is determined in step S80 that the arousal reduction detection means 15 has detected the occupant's arousal reduction state, the process proceeds to step S90, the awakening reduction detection flag DOZf = 1 is changed, and the process returns to step S20.

  On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S80 that the arousal reduction detection means 15 has detected the occupant arousal reduction state, the process returns to step S20 with the arousal reduction detection flag DOZf = 0 maintained. Therefore, the process of steps S20 → S30 → S40 → S50 → S60 (or S70) → S80 is repeated again.

  This control process is a process for controlling the operation and non-operation of the seat air conditioning, and further controlling the temperature and air volume of the blown air at the time of operation according to the passenger's preference.In this embodiment, this control process is referred to as a `` breeze air conditioning mode ''. Call.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S40 that the arousal reduction detection flag DOZf = 1, the process proceeds to step S100. In step S100, a predetermined applied voltage V1mx is output to the drive motor of the blower unit 6 so that the blowing speed of the blown air is 12 m / s or more on the occupant's neck surface, and the process proceeds to step S110.

  By the control process of step S100, the drive motor of the blower unit 6 rotates, and the blower fan is driven so that the wind speed of the blown air becomes 12 m / s or more on the neck surface of the occupant. The air blown by the blower fan is blown out from the air blowing hole 12d of the air outlet 10 toward the occupant through the first duct 7, the temperature adjusting unit 8, and the second duct 9.

  Next, in step S110, it is determined whether or not the release switch 14d is ON. If it is determined that the release switch is ON, the process proceeds to step S120, where DOZf = 0 and the process returns to step S20. On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S110 that the release switch 14d is ON, the process returns to step S20 while DOZf = 1 is maintained. Therefore, the process of steps S20 → S30 → S40 → S100 → S110 is repeated.

  This control process is a control process in which the blowing speed of the blown air is forcibly set to 12 m / s or more on the occupant's neck surface regardless of the passenger's preference. In the present embodiment, this control process is referred to as “awake air conditioning mode”. Call it.

  If it is determined in step S110 that the release switch 14d is ON, the “wake-up air-conditioning mode” is canceled by the occupant's intention, which means that the occupant has already been awakened.

  By the control as described above, in the snoozing prevention device of the present embodiment, when the arousal reduction detection means 15 does not detect the occupant's arousal reduction state, seat air conditioning according to the occupant's preference is performed in the “breeze air conditioning mode”. If the wakefulness detection means 15 detects a state of reduced wakefulness of the occupant, the wakefulness of the occupant can be promoted by shifting to the “waken air conditioning mode”.

  Further, in the “wake-up air-conditioning mode”, an effective and sufficient wake-up stimulus can be given to the occupant for the following reason.

  (A) Since the air outlet 10 is fixed to the inside of the overhanging portion 4a that protrudes in the direction of the upper side of the shoulder of the occupant and in the direction of the side of the head, the blowing direction of the blown air blown out from the air blowing hole 12d is generally used. It can be directed perpendicular to the lateral surface of the neck surface which is not covered with clothes and has high tactile stimulation sensitivity.

  (A) Since the air blowing holes 12d are provided at two places on the left and right sides of the occupant, the blown air can be blown to the neck surfaces on the left and right sides.

  (C) The air blowing nozzle case 11 and the air blowing nozzle 12 are connected by a spherical fitting structure to form the blowing direction changing means, and the end of the straight pipe portion 12b of the air blowing nozzle 12 is connected to the headrest 4 Since it couple | bonds so that it may protrude toward the passenger | crew side from the nozzle arrangement | positioning hole 4b, the passenger | crew can change easily the axial direction (air blowing direction) of the air blowing nozzle 12 manually.

  Thereby, even if the position and shape of the neck surface differ depending on the occupant's individual difference, the blown air can be blown out in a direction substantially perpendicular to the neck surface of each occupant.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13 above, the blowing air blowing position on the neck surface effective for awakening is in the range of 2 cm or more and 8 cm or less rearward from the tragus point along the neck surface due to the individual difference of the occupant, and It extends to a position in the range of 2 cm or more and 8 cm or less below the tragus point. Therefore, since the axial direction of the air blowing nozzle 12 can be changed, the blown air can be blown to a position effective for awakening for each occupant.

  (D) Since the end portion of the straight pipe portion 12b of the air blowing nozzle 12 is arranged so as to protrude from the nozzle arrangement hole 4b of the headrest 4 toward the occupant side, the blowing distance is determined as shown in FIG. It is easy to make the distance D (7 cm in this embodiment) or less. Thereby, sufficient arousal stimulation can be given to a crew member's neck surface.

  (E) The wind speed of the blown air on the surface of the neck is controlled so as to be 12 m / s or more which is effective as a wakeful stimulus as shown in FIG.

  An effective arousal stimulus can be given to the occupant for the above reasons (a) to (e). Therefore, compared with the case where it is intended to obtain the arousal stimulus equivalent to the seat air conditioner of the present invention by blowing the blown air to the part covered by the occupant's clothes or the part other than the neck surface of the exposed part of the outside air, the air volume is small. Thus, it is possible to urge the occupant to wake up, and to reduce the energy consumed by blowing.

(Second Embodiment)
In 1st Embodiment, although the air blower outlet 10 is employ | adopted, in this embodiment, in order to suppress that a blowing distance changes with a passenger | crew's movement, the air blower outlet 10 is abolished, FIG. An air outlet 20 shown in FIG. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the headrest 4 of the seat portion 1 of the present embodiment, and is a cross-sectional view of the same portion as the CC cross section of FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion F in FIG. The air outlet 20 is disposed inside the overhanging portions 4 a on the left and right sides of the headrest 4, and has an air outlet nozzle case 21 and an air outlet nozzle 22.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the air blowing nozzle case 21 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, a connecting portion 21a connected to the second duct 9 on the rear side, and a spherical concave surface 21b fitted to the air blowing nozzle 22 on the front side. And it has the communicating hole 21c which connects the connection part 21a and the spherical concave surface 21b. Further, a laser displacement meter 21d is attached to the front side surface of the air blowing nozzle case 21 of the present embodiment.

  This laser displacement meter 21d measures the distance from the air blowing nozzle case 21 to the occupant's neck surface. Furthermore, since the laser displacement meter 21d can indirectly measure the distance (that is, the blowing distance) from the air blowing hole 24b (the tip of the pipe portion) to the occupant's neck surface as described later, this embodiment. It is a detection means which detects the blowing distance in.

  On the other hand, the air blowing nozzle 22 includes an outer nozzle 23 and an inner nozzle 24. The outer nozzle 23 has a shape in which the spherical portion 23a and the straight pipe portion 23b having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the spherical portion 23a are combined, and the spherical portion 23a and the straight pipe portion so that the blown air passes in the axial direction of the straight pipe portion 23b. A communication hole 23c that communicates with 23b is provided.

  The spherical surface 23d forming the outer surface of the spherical portion 23a has a shape that fits the spherical concave surface 21b of the air blowing nozzle case 21, and the spherical surface 23d is fitted to the spherical concave surface 21b as in the first embodiment. A spherical fitting structure is formed. In this embodiment, this spherical fitting structure is the blowing direction changing means.

  A substantially cylindrical cylindrical member 23e is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the communication hole 23c inside the straight pipe portion 23b so as to be rotatable around the axis of the straight pipe portion 23b. The cylindrical member 23e is moved in the axial direction of the straight pipe portion 23b by a step surface 23f provided perpendicular to the axial direction of the communication hole 23c and a cover 25 fixed to the passenger side end of the straight pipe portion 23b. It is regulated.

  Further, a plurality of grooves are provided in the axial direction of the straight pipe portion 23b on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 23e, and a gear groove is configured by these grooves. A spiral screw groove 23g is provided on the inner peripheral surface.

  A well-known stepping motor 26 is attached to the outer peripheral side of the straight pipe portion 23b. The stepping motor 26 is configured such that the rotary shaft 26a is rotated by a control signal (pulse signal) output from the seat air-conditioning control device 12.

  A gear 26b is attached to the rotating shaft 26a of the stepping motor 26, and the gear groove provided on the outer peripheral side of the gear 26b is adapted to the gear groove of the cylindrical member 23e described above. When the 26 rotation shaft 26a rotates, the driving force is transmitted to the cylindrical member 23e through the gear 26b, and the cylindrical member 23e rotates around the straight tube portion 23b.

  On the other hand, the inner nozzle 24 has a cylindrical shape and is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical member 23e. The inner nozzle 24 has a communication hole 24a that communicates with both axial ends so that the blown air passes in the axial direction, and an air blowing hole 24b is formed at the front end of the occupant side by the communication hole 24a. In this embodiment, since the inner diameter of the communication hole 24a is 13 mm, the shape of the air blowing hole 24b is a circle having a diameter of 13 mm.

  Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the inner nozzle 24, a spiral thread 24c that fits into the spiral thread groove of the cylindrical member 23e is provided. Further, the inner nozzle 24 is provided with a projection (not shown), and the projection fits into a guide portion (not shown) extending in the axial direction on the inner peripheral surface of the straight pipe portion 23b of the outer nozzle 23. It is supposed to be combined. Thereby, the inner nozzle 23 is restricted from moving in the rotational direction around the axis of the straight pipe portion 23b.

  Further, the inner nozzle 24 is arranged so that the thread 24c and the screw groove 23g of the cylindrical member 23e are fitted to the inner peripheral side of the cylindrical member 23e. Thus, the thread groove 23g of the cylindrical member 23e rotates, and the thread 24c receives a load in the axial direction of the straight pipe portion 23b, whereby the inner nozzle 24 slides in the axial direction of the straight pipe portion 23b.

  Furthermore, it can slide in the directions of arrows G and H according to the rotation direction of the stepping motor 26, and the blowing distance can be changed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the straight pipe part 23b of the outer nozzle 23 and the inner nozzle 24 constitute a pipe part that expands and contracts in the blowing air blowing direction, and the pipe part is extended and contracted by the stepping motor 26, the gear 26b, and the cylindrical member 23e. Driving means is configured.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the stepping motor 26 is employed, the rotation amount of the cylindrical member 23e can be grasped from the number of control signals (pulse signals) output from the seat air conditioner to the stepping motor 26. Therefore, since the position of the air blowing hole 24b can also be grasped by the number of pulses, the blowing distance can be grasped by the output of the laser displacement meter 21d and the number of pulses.

  Furthermore, sealing grease is applied to the outer peripheral side and inner peripheral side of the cylindrical member 23e and the outer peripheral surface of the inner nozzle 24, and the fitting portion of the cylindrical member 23e and the communication hole 23c and the cylindrical member 23e and the inner nozzle are coated. The blower air is prevented from leaking from the fitting portion with 24, and the fitting portion is lubricated by the sealing grease.

  Accordingly, the entire amount of air blown to the air blowing nozzle 22 through the communication hole 21c of the air blowing nozzle case 21 is blown in the direction of arrow E from the air blowing hole 24b through the communication holes 21c, 23c, 24a.

  Next, the outline of the electric control unit of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The output signal of the laser displacement meter 21d is input to the seat air conditioning control device 12, and the left and right stepping motors 26 are connected to the output side. Is done. 5 and 6, the wiring (harness) to the laser displacement meter 21d and the stepping motor 26 is omitted. Other configurations of the electric control unit are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment in the above configuration will be described. First, an occupant who uses the snooze prevention device of the present embodiment manually sets the axial direction (air blowing direction) of the air blowing nozzle 22 in a state in which the passenger is seated in advance on the seat 1 (driver's seat), as in the first embodiment. Adjust with.

  Then, when an ignition switch of a vehicle engine (not shown) is turned on and power is supplied to the seat air-conditioning control device 12, the microcomputer of the seat air-conditioning control device 12 executes control processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. .

  The flowchart of FIG. 8 differs from the flowchart of FIG. 4 in step S31, and step S35 is added. In step S31, an input signal is read. Specifically, the output signal of the arousal reduction detecting means 15 and the output signal of the laser displacement meter 21d are read.

  And in step S35, blowing distance control is performed. Therefore, step S35 is a control means for controlling the operation of the drive means for expanding and contracting the tube portion in this embodiment. Step S35 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S351, based on the output value of the laser displacement meter 21d, the reference pulse numbers PSkr and PSkl to be output to the stepping motor 26 are read from the map stored in the seat air conditioning control device 12 in advance. The reference pulse number PSkr is the reference pulse number for the stepping motor 26 arranged on the right side of the occupant, and the reference pulse number PSkl is the reference pulse number for the stepping motor 26 arranged on the left side.

  The reference pulse numbers PSkr and PSkl are pulses necessary for changing the blowing distance to a predetermined distance D (7 cm in the present embodiment) when the inner nozzle 24 is in the initial position (position at the pulse count of 0). Is a number. In step S351 in FIG. 9, the two reference pulses on the left and right are collectively described as PSk. The same applies to the following steps.

  In step S352, the number of pulses PSor (for the right side) and PSol (for the left side) actually output to the stepping motor are determined. Specifically, the seat air-conditioning control device has memories PSmr (for the right side) and PSml (for the left side) that store the number of pulses already output to the respective stepping motors. The position of the hole 24b is grasped.

  Therefore, PSor and PSol are determined by subtracting PSmr and PSml from PSkr and PSkl read in step S351. Further, the rotation direction of the stepping motor is determined by the signs of PSor and PSol.

  In this embodiment, if PSor and PSol are positive values, the inner nozzle 24 is rotated so as to slide in the direction of the arrow G, and the pipe portion is extended. If PSor and PSol are negative values, the inner nozzle 24 is rotated so as to slide in the direction of arrow H, and the pipe portion is contracted.

  Next, in step S353, control signals (pulse signals) are output to the left and right stepping motors 26 based on the number of PSor and PSol pulses determined in step S352. As a result, the left and right inner nozzles 24 slide, and the blowing distance becomes the predetermined distance D.

  Further, PSor and PSol are added to the memories PSmr and PSml in step S354, the number of pulses already output to the respective stepping motors is stored, and the process returns to step S40 in FIG. The control after step S40 is exactly the same as in the first embodiment.

  By the control as described above, in this embodiment as well as in the first embodiment, when the awakening reduction detection means 15 does not detect the passenger's awakening reduction state, the “breeze air conditioning mode” is used in accordance with the passenger's preference. When seat air conditioning is performed and the wakefulness detection means 15 detects a state of reduced wakefulness of the occupant, the wakefulness reduction state can be transferred to the “waken air conditioning mode” and sufficient wakefulness stimulation can be given to the occupant.

  Furthermore, since the driving means for expanding and contracting the pipe portion is controlled in step S35 to bring the blowing distance close to the predetermined distance D, it is possible to avoid the rapid decrease in wind speed on the neck surface shown in FIG. Moreover, even if the inner nozzles 24 on both the left and right sides are individually slid to adjust the blowing distance, the pressure loss of the air blowing nozzle 22 is expanded and contracted within a range that does not change greatly, so that it is substantially equal to the neck surface on the left and right sides of the occupant. It is possible to blow out blowing air at a wind speed of.

  As a result, even if occupant movements or individual occupant differences occur, the wind speed on the neck surface on both the left and right sides of the occupant is always maintained at the wind speed according to the passenger's preference in the `` breeze air conditioning mode ''. In the “mode”, it is possible to always achieve a wind speed that gives a sufficient awakening stimulus to the occupant.

(Third embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the air outlet 10 is disposed in the overhanging portion 4a of the headrest 4, but in this embodiment, the headrest 4 and the seat back 3 are abolished, and the headrest 41 and A seat back 31 having an overhang portion 31a is employed.

  FIG. 10A is an overall front view of the seat portion of the present embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II in FIG.

  The seat back 31 has two left and right projecting portions 31a projecting in the direction upward of the occupant's shoulder and in the lateral direction of the head, and the air outlet 10 is fixed inside the projecting portions 31a on both the left and right sides. Has been. Further, a nozzle arrangement hole 31 b that constitutes an arrangement space for the air blowing nozzle 11 is provided in front of the air blowing outlet 10.

  In the present embodiment, the second duct 91 disposed downstream of the temperature adjustment unit 8, that is, above the temperature adjustment unit 8, extends upward from the temperature adjustment unit 8 air outlet side inside the seat back 31. Further, it is branched in the seat back 31 and extends in the left-right direction, and extends toward the overhang portion 3a. And the air blower outlet 10 is connected to the edge part by the side of the overhang | projection part 31a of the 2nd duct 91. As shown in FIG.

  Other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, even if the dozing prevention device of this embodiment is operated, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be variously modified as follows.

  (1) In the seat air conditioner of the above embodiment, the air whose temperature has been adjusted by the temperature adjustment unit 8 is blown, but the temperature adjustment unit 8 may be abolished when functioning as a dozing prevention device. In this invention, even if it is the air which is not temperature-controlled, it is because sufficient arousal irritation | stimulation can be given by blowing on the neck surface of a seated person.

  Of course, when the temperature adjustment unit 8 is employed as in the above embodiment, air adjusted to a temperature (for example, 15 ° C., 45 ° C.) for promoting awakening is blown to the seated person in the “wake-up air conditioning mode”. May be. In the present embodiment, a Peltier module is employed as the temperature adjustment unit 8, but a known refrigeration cycle may be employed.

  (2) The above embodiment includes the “breeze air-conditioning mode” that controls the temperature and air volume of the blown air according to the occupant's preference. Control may be abolished.

  Specifically, the “wake-up air-conditioning mode” may be activated when the wake-up reduction detection means 15 detects the wake-up reduction state of the occupant. In this case, the operation switches 14a to 14c of the seat air conditioning control panel 13 can also be eliminated.

  (3) Although the air blowing holes 12d and 24b of the above embodiment are circular with a diameter of 13 mm, the shape and area of the air blowing holes are not limited to this.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the predetermined distance D is constant even if the shape and area of the air blowing hole are changed, the blowing distance is determined by the shape and area of each air blowing hole. By changing to the distance D, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  (4) In the above embodiment, as the wakefulness drop detecting means 15, means for detecting the wakefulness lowered state of the seat occupant based on the heart rate of the seated occupant is adopted. It is not limited to means.

  For example, the opening degree of the occupant's eyelid may be detected, and the state of reduced alertness may be detected based on the opening degree of the eyelid. Alternatively, the blink of the seated person may be detected, and the state of reduced wakefulness may be detected based on the frequency of blinking. Moreover, you may detect a wakefulness fall state based on a seated person's re-seating operation | movement and a sitting posture. Furthermore, when using for vehicles like the said embodiment, the behavior of a vehicle may be detected by steering operation etc., and a passenger | crew's arousal fall state may be detected based on the behavior of a vehicle.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the occupant manually adjusts the axial direction (air blowing direction) of the air blowing nozzles 12 and 22 with the occupant seated in advance on the seat portion 1 (driver's seat). Detection means for detecting the position and shape of the neck muscles may be provided, and the axial direction of the air blowing nozzles 12 and 22 may be adjusted by an electric actuator based on the detection signal.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the operation in the “wake-up air conditioning mode” is stopped by operating the release switch 14d by the occupant. However, in order to further increase the safety of the occupant, the wake-up decrease detection is performed. After the means 15 detects the reduced wakefulness of the occupant, it may be operated in the “waken air conditioning mode” until the vehicle engine is stopped.

  (7) In the second embodiment, the driving means for expanding and contracting the tube portion is configured by the stepping motor 26, but other motors may be employed if the sliding amount of the inner nozzle 24 can be grasped. For example, the sliding amount of the inner nozzle 24 may be grasped by a potentiometer, and the inner nozzle 24 may be slid by a DC motor.

  Further, the occupant may be able to manually adjust the blowing distance according to his / her preference without providing the driving means.

  (8) In the second embodiment, the laser displacement meter 21d is used as the detecting means for detecting the blowing distance, and the distance from the air blowing nozzle case 21 to the occupant's neck surface is detected. Contact-type detection means may be employed. For example, you may employ | adopt the ultrasonic displacement meter which emits an ultrasonic wave, receives the reflected wave, and measures distance.

  Further, the detection means may be arranged not at the air blowing nozzle case 21 but at the tip of the inner nozzle 24 on the air blowing hole 24b side. According to this, the blowing distance can be directly detected.

  Furthermore, without providing the detection means, a switch means may be provided so that the occupant can directly operate the drive means as desired.

  (9) In the said 3rd Embodiment, although the air blower outlet 10 is employ | adopted, you may employ | adopt the air blower outlet 20 and may perform the control processing similar to 2nd Embodiment.

  (10) In the above embodiment, the seat air conditioner of the present invention is applied to a vehicle doze prevention device. However, the seat air conditioner and the doze prevention device of the present invention are not limited to vehicles, and are used for offices and homes. It may be applied to other sheets.

(A) is the whole front view of the sheet | seat part of 1st Embodiment, (b) is AA sectional drawing of (a). It is sectional drawing of the headrest of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary of the electric control part of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows control of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the headrest of 2nd Embodiment. It is the expanded sectional view which expanded the F section of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline | summary of the electric control part of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows control of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the principal part of control of 2nd Embodiment. (A) is the whole front view of the sheet | seat part of 3rd Embodiment, (b) is II sectional drawing of (a). (A) is a graph which shows the relationship between the distance from the front-end | tip of a pipe part at the time of using a pipe part with an internal diameter of 13 mm, and the wind speed of blowing air, (b) is a pipe | tube at the time of using a pipe part with an internal diameter of 7 mm. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the distance from the front-end | tip of a part, and the wind speed of blowing air. It is explanatory drawing which shows the wind speed in the neck surface effective as an arousal stimulus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the blowing air blowing position of the neck surface which is effective for awakening.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Seat part, 4 ... Headrest, 4a, 31a ... Overhang | projection part, 6 ... Blower unit,
10, 20 ... Air outlet, 11b, 21b ... Spherical concave surface, 12b, 23b ... Straight pipe part,
12e, 23d ... spherical surface, 15 ... wakefulness detection means, 21d ... laser displacement meter,
23e ... cylindrical member, 24 ... inner nozzle, 26 ... stepping motor, 26b ... gear,
31 ... Seat back.

Claims (14)

A seat air conditioner that blows air toward a seated person seated on the seat (1),
A blower (6) for blowing air;
An air outlet (10, 20) for blowing out the blown air of the blower (6),
The seat air conditioner is characterized in that the air outlets (10, 20) blow out the blown air in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lateral surface of the occupant's neck. A seat air conditioner that blows air toward a seated person seated on the seat (1),
An overhanging portion (4a, 31a) provided on the seat (1) and overhanging in the shoulder upper direction and the head lateral direction of the seat;
A blower (6) for blowing air;
An air outlet (10, 20) that is arranged in the overhang portion and blows out the air blown from the blower (6);
The said air blower outlet (10, 20) blows off the said blowing air toward the neck surface of a seated occupant, The seat air conditioner characterized by the above-mentioned. The seat (1) has a headrest (4) that supports the head of the occupant,
The seat air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the overhang portion (4a) is provided in the headrest (4). The seat (1) has a seat back (31) that supports the back of the occupant;
The seat air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the overhang portion (31a) is provided in the seat back (31). The seat air-conditioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the air outlets (10, 20) are provided at two locations on both the left and right sides of the occupant. The said air blower outlet (10, 20) has the blowing direction change means (11b, 12e, 21b, 23d) which changes the blowing direction of the said blowing air, Any one of Claim 1 thru | or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. The sheet | seat air conditioner as described in any one. The said blowing direction change means is comprised by the spherical-shaped fitting structure (11b, 12e, 21b, 23d) which can change the said blowing direction in any direction of up, down, left, and right. Seat air conditioner. The air outlet (10) has a pipe part (12b) extending in the blowing direction of the blown air, and blows out the blown air from the tip of the pipe part (12b). The seat air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The air outlet (20) has pipe parts (23b, 24) configured to be extendable and contractible in the blowing direction of the blown air, and blows out the blown air from the tip of the pipe parts (23b, 24). The seat air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the seat air conditioner is configured as described above. Drive means (26, 26b, 23e) for expanding and contracting the pipe parts (23b, 24);
Control means (S35) for controlling the operation of the drive means (26, 26b, 23e);
Detecting means (21d) for detecting the blowing distance from the tip of the pipe portion (23b, 24) to the neck surface of the seated occupant;
The seat air conditioner according to claim 9, wherein the control means (S35) controls the driving means (26, 26b, 23e) so as to bring the blowing distance closer to a predetermined value. . The seat air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a maximum wind speed of the blown air is 12 m / s or more on a neck surface of a seated occupant. A seat air conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
Arousal reduction detecting means (15) for detecting that the seated person is in a low arousal state;
A ventilation control means (S100) for controlling the operation of the blower (6),
The air blow control means (S100) outputs an operation command signal to the blower (6) when the wakefulness drop detection means (15) detects the wakefulness drop state. A seat air conditioner according to claim 11,
Arousal reduction detecting means (15) for detecting that the seated person is in a low arousal state;
A ventilation control means (S100) for controlling the operation of the blower (6),
The air blowing control means (S100) is operated so that the wind speed (12 m / s or more) is applied to the blower (6) on the surface of the neck of the seated person when the awakening reduction detecting means (15) detects the awakening reduction state. A dozing prevention device characterized by outputting a command signal. A blower (6) for blowing air;
It is a driving | running method of a seat air conditioner provided with the air blower outlet (10, 20) which blows off the blowing air of the said air blower (6),
From the air outlet (10, 20), the scruff in the range of 2 cm or more and 8 cm or less rearward from the tragus point of the seated person and 2 cm or less and 8 cm or less below the tragus point A seat air-conditioning operation method, wherein the blown air is blown out toward a surface.

Images