JP2010235066A - Vehicular seat driving device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular seat driving device for properly operating each hardware switch. <P>SOLUTION: A seat operation means 22 adjusting a posture of a seat 11 is provided at a side face of a seating part 12 of the seat 11 provided at a driver's seat of a vehicle. First to fourth proximity sensors 41-44 are provided to mate with a movement operation part 26, an inclination operation part 28, a seat selection operation part 30, and a set operation part 34, first and second posture designation operation parts 35, 36 provided at the seat operation means 22. When fingers of an operator at the driver's seat approximate to one of the operation parts, proximity of the fingers is detected by one of the proximity sensors 41-44 to report a plurality of function information corresponding to the operation parts. The first to third boundary parts 45-47 of the proximity sensors 41-44 are inclined at the predetermined inclination angle to move upward as it goes in a rearward direction of a seat. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle seat drive device capable of adjusting the posture of a vehicle seat.

  As a switch control device applicable to a vehicle seat driving device that adjusts the posture of a seat seat provided in a vehicle, a device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. As shown in FIG. 13, this switch control device is provided on the seat seat 11 of the driver's seat, and receives a plurality of usage instructions for using an attached function for adjusting the posture of the seat seat 11 by the operation units 81 and 82. It has a hardware switch. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the switch control device displays information indicating the attached function and an instruction unit 84 for instructing use thereof on a predetermined screen 85 and performs the attachment by an instruction operation on the instruction unit 84. A software switch that accepts function usage instructions is provided. For example, when the operation unit 81 shown in FIG. 13 is operated, a two-dimensional seat image 11G is displayed on the screen 85 as shown in FIG. 14, and the attached functions used by each hardware switch are displayed. And indicating units 84 to 84 for instructing use thereof are displayed on the screen 85. Therefore, the operator can grasp on the screen 85 the attached functions that can be used by the operation unit 81 of the hardware switch that is actually operated.

JP 2008-179211 A

  However, in the conventional switch control device, when the operation units 81 and 82 of the hardware switch are not actually operated, information indicating the attached function corresponding to the screen 85 and the instruction unit 84 for instructing use of the attached function are displayed. Not. For this reason, especially when the accessory functions (switches) are complex, the operator must repeat the operation until the information indicating the accessory functions that he / she wants to use is displayed. There was a problem that it took.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat drive device capable of easily operating a hardware switch provided in a seat seat. Is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a plurality of seats arranged side by side in the seat front-rear direction of a seat seat provided in the passenger compartment, and adjusting the posture of the seat seat. A seat control section provided with a plurality of hardware switches for operating to drive each of the driving mechanisms, a control means for driving and controlling the corresponding driving mechanism based on the operation of the hardware switches, A plurality of proximity sensors that are provided in the seat seat operation unit in accordance with the arrangement of the hardware switches and that respectively detect the approach of the fingers of the operator with respect to each hardware switch, and a plurality of corresponding to the plurality of hardware switches An approach of an operator's finger to the hardware switch is detected by the notifying unit for notifying function information and the proximity sensor. And a notification control means for controlling the notification unit so as to notify the function information, and a boundary portion of each adjacent proximity sensor has a predetermined inclination angle so as to go upward as it goes in the rearward direction of the seat. The gist is that it is tilted.

  According to the configuration, when the proximity sensor detects the approach of the operator's finger to the hardware switch, the notification control unit notifies the function information corresponding to the hardware switch by the notification unit. For this reason, before actually operating the hardware switch, the function information notified to the notification unit can be confirmed, and the hardware switch to be operated can be easily operated by blind touch.

  In addition, since the boundary portion of each adjacent proximity sensor is inclined so as to go upward as it goes in the rearward direction of the seat, the extending direction is determined by the operator sitting on the seat seat when operating the hardware switch. Therefore, it roughly matches the direction of the finger that was presented. For this reason, it is possible to narrow a false detection region (grey zone) where two adjacent proximity sensors detect the approach of a finger together. In this case, since the width of the boundary portion does not change only by setting the inclination angle described above at the boundary portion of each adjacent proximity sensor, the influence on the arrangement region (that is, the effective detection area) of each proximity sensor is basically small. Or none, and the detection sensitivity of each proximity sensor does not decrease. And according to the approach of an operator's finger | toe with respect to arbitrary said hardware switches, corresponding function information can be alert | reported more reliably by the said alerting | reporting part.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the hardware switch and the proximity sensor are provided at three or more locations, and the inclination angles of the plurality of boundary portions of the adjacent proximity sensors are set to the rear side from the front side of the seat. The gist is that it is set to increase as it goes to.

  When an operator sitting on a seat seat puts out a finger around the shoulder joint for the operation of the hardware switch, the direction of the finger is an inclination angle (from the front side of the seat toward the rear side) Increasing the inclination angle toward the rear of the seat increases. According to the same configuration, the inclination angles of the plurality of boundary portions of the adjacent proximity sensors are set so as to increase from the front side of the seat toward the rear side, and the extending direction thereof is determined by the seat seat. It is more approximate to the direction of the finger that is put out in accordance with the arrangement of the hardware switch that the operator who is seated in tries to operate. For this reason, the false detection region (grey zone) where two adjacent proximity sensors detect the approach of a finger together can be further narrowed.

A gist of a third aspect of the present invention is that, in the second aspect, the plurality of virtual inclined lines respectively extending along the extending direction of the plurality of boundary portions intersect at one point on the upper side of the seat.
According to the same configuration, when the position of one point of the intersection is matched with the position of the shoulder joint when a general adult operator seated on a seat seat is in a normal posture wearing a seat belt, for example, The direction of the finger that is centered on the shoulder joint in accordance with the placement of the hardware switch that the operator intends to operate always matches the direction of the corresponding virtual inclined line at each boundary. For this reason, the false detection region (grey zone) where two adjacent proximity sensors detect the approach of a finger together can be further narrowed.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the sensor electrode according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each proximity sensor is a sensor electrode whose capacitance changes according to a distance from an operator's finger. The gist of the invention is that the seat seat operation portion is provided with a shield electrode that suppresses electrostatic coupling between the sensor electrodes and the peripheral parts of the vehicle.

  According to this configuration, for example, even if the seat is moved in the front-rear direction or the up-down direction and the distance between the proximity sensor and a vehicle peripheral part (for example, a frame or a rail) changes, the proximity sensor (sensor electrode by the shield electrode) ) And the frame or rail are suppressed, a change in the capacitance of the proximity sensor (sensor electrode) associated therewith can be reduced, thereby suppressing erroneous detection of the proximity sensor. be able to.

A gist of a fifth aspect of the present invention is that, in the fourth aspect, the shield electrode is configured to be applied with a voltage having the same potential as that applied to the proximity sensor.
According to this configuration, since the potential applied to the proximity sensor and the shield electrode is the same potential, the voltage between the proximity sensor (sensor electrode) and the shield electrode becomes zero, and there is no electrostatic coupling between them. Accordingly, the capacitance of the proximity sensor (sensor electrode) is basically determined only by the distance from the operator's finger.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is that, in the fourth or fifth aspect, the proximity sensor and the shield electrode are unitized by being bonded (adhered) between a plurality of films via an adhesive. And

  According to this configuration, since the proximity sensor (sensor electrode) and the shield electrode are unitized, it can be easily installed on the seat.

    The present invention can easily operate the hardware switch provided on the seat.

The side view which shows the seat seat of the vehicle seat drive device of this invention. The perspective view which shows the seat seat by the side of a driver's seat. The expansion perspective view of the seat seat operation part provided in the side surface of the seating part of a seat. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the attachment structure of a hardware switch. The block circuit diagram which shows the control system of a sheet drive device. A side view of a seat. A side view of a seat. The partial enlarged front view of a seat seat operation part. The partial enlarged front view of the seat seat operation part for comparison. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the attachment structure of the hardware switch of another embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows the seat seat operation part of another embodiment of this invention. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the seat seat operation unit of FIG. 11. The perspective view of the conventional seat. The front view which shows the instruction | indication part of the conventional seat seat image and software switch.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle seat drive device embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, the seat 11 disposed in the driver's seat of the vehicle will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the seat 11 can be moved in the front-rear (arrow F1) direction and the up-down (arrow F2) direction by a slide mechanism and a lifter mechanism with respect to a vehicle body frame (not shown), and a front end portion by a tilt mechanism. Is provided with a seating portion 12 that can tilt in the vertical direction (arrow F3). A backrest portion 13 that can be tilted in the front-rear direction (arrow F4) by a reclining mechanism is connected to the rear end portion of the seating portion 12. The slide mechanism constitutes a first drive mechanism 15 including, for example, a ball screw fixed to the seat 11, a gear meshing with the ball screw, and a motor 14 that rotationally drives the gear. By driving, the seat 11 is reciprocated in the front-rear direction (arrow F1). The lifter mechanism includes, for example, a second drive mechanism 17 including a ball screw fixed to the seat 11, a gear meshing with the ball screw, and a motor 16 that rotationally drives the gear. By driving, the seat 11 is reciprocated up and down (arrow F2). The tilt mechanism constitutes a third drive mechanism 19 including, for example, a rack fixed to the frame of the seating portion 12, a pinion gear that meshes with the gear of the rack, and a motor 18 that rotationally drives the pinion gear. , The front end portion of the seating portion 12 is reciprocally tilted in the vertical direction (arrow F3). The reclining mechanism constitutes a fourth drive mechanism 21 including a gear provided on the frame of the backrest portion 13, a gear meshing with the gear, and a motor 20 that rotationally drives the gear. The backrest 13 is reciprocally tilted in the front-rear direction (arrow F4).

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the right side surface of the seating portion 12, an operation signal for driving the motors 14, 16, 18, and 20 of the first to fourth drive mechanisms 15, 17, 19, and 21, respectively. Is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the motors 14, 16, 18 of the first to third drive mechanisms 15, 17, 19 is attached to a mounting plate 22 </ b> A as a design cover that forms a design surface of the seat seat operation unit 22. A moving operation unit 26 in which the operation units of a slide switch 23, a lifter switch 24, and a tilt switch 25 (see FIG. 5) as hardware switches that output operation signals for driving each of them are combined is provided.

  In FIG. 3, when the movement operation unit 26 is moved in the front-rear direction (arrow F <b> 1), the first drive mechanism 15 is adjusted so that the seat seat 11 is adjusted in the front-rear direction based on the operation signal of the slide switch 23. When driven and the rear end portion is moved up and down (arrow F2), the second drive mechanism 17 is driven so that the seat seat 11 is vertically adjusted based on the operation signal of the lifter switch 24. When the front end is tilted in the vertical direction (arrow F3), the vertical tilt angle of the front end centered on the rear end of the seat 12 of the seat 11 is adjusted based on the operation signal of the tilt switch 25. Thus, the third drive mechanism 19 is driven.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an inclination of a reclining switch 27 (see FIG. 5) as a hardware switch that outputs an operation signal for driving the motor 20 of the fourth drive mechanism 21 is provided in the seat seat operation unit 22. An operation unit 28 is provided. When the upper end portion of the tilt operation portion 28 is tilted in the front-rear direction (arrow F4) in FIG. 3, the front-rear direction centered on the lower end portion of the backrest portion 13 of the seat seat 11 based on the operation signal of the reclining switch 27. The fourth drive mechanism 21 is driven so that the inclination angle is adjusted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the seat selection unit 30 is provided with a seat selection switch 29 (see FIG. 5) as a hardware switch located in front of the movement operation unit 26. Yes. As this switch 29, for example, a momentary operation type switch is used. The vehicle is provided with a passenger seat seat (hereinafter referred to as a seat seat 11A) in addition to the driver seat seat 11, and the seat selection operation unit 30 selects a subject whose posture is to be adjusted. An operation signal for switching / selecting from either one of the driver's seat 11 and the passenger's seat 11A to the other is output.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the seat seat operation unit 22 includes a posture set switch 31 as a hardware switch, a first posture designation switch 32, and a second posture designation so as to be located behind the tilt operation unit 28. A set operation unit 34, a first posture designation operation unit 35, and a second posture designation operation unit 36 corresponding to the switch 33 (see FIG. 5) are provided. Then, after the movement operation unit 26 and the tilt operation unit 28 adjust the posture of the driver's seat 11 (or the passenger seat 11A), the set operation unit 34 is operated to specify the first posture. When the operation unit 35 is operated, the first posture (position) of the seat seat 11 (or 11A) after the posture adjustment is stored in the storage means 54 (see FIG. 5). Further, after the seat seat 11 (or 11A) is adjusted to a second posture different from the first posture, when the set operation unit 34 is operated and the second posture designation operation unit 36 is operated, the seat seat 11 (or 11A) is operated. ) Is stored in the storage means 54.

  The storage means 54 may be, for example, the aforementioned EEPROM provided in the driver seat ECU 51 or a recording medium provided in the vehicle. Examples of the recording medium include a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, a magnetic drum, a semiconductor memory, an MD, an MO, an optical disk, a 1C card, an optical card, and a memory card.

Next, a specific configuration of the seat control section 22 will be described with reference to FIG.
A frame 37 that forms a skeleton of the seating portion 12 is provided inside the seating portion 12 of the seat 11, and a guide that guides and moves the seating portion 12 in the front-rear direction of the seat between the frame 37 and the vehicle floor 38. A mechanism 39 is provided. A switch box 40 is attached to the side surface of the frame 37 facing the mounting plate 22A. The box 40 accommodates the slide switch 23, the lifter switch 24, the tilt switch 25, and the like. Each switch 23, 24, 25 has an operating rod 23 a, 24 a, 25 a that protrudes toward the mounting plate 22 A is passed through a through-hole formed in the mounting plate 22 A, and its tip is connected to the moving operation unit 26. ing. Similarly, the reclining switch 27 also has an operating rod 27a projecting toward the mounting plate 22A passing through a through-hole formed in the mounting plate 22A and connecting its tip to the tilt operating unit 28. Further, the sheet selection switch 29, the posture set switch 31, the first posture designation switch 32, the second posture designation switch 33 and its sheet selection operation unit 30, the set operation unit 34, the first posture designation operation unit 35, and the second posture designation. The relationship with the operation unit 36 is the same. Each operation part 26, 28, 30, 34-36 is arrange | positioned so that predetermined height may be protruded from the surface of the attachment plate 22A of the seat seat operation part 22, and they are blinded by the contact feeling of an operator's finger | toe. Each shape and layout (arrangement) are set so that they can be recognized individually by touch.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a capacitance-type first is provided on the back surface of the mounting plate 22 </ b> A of the seat seat operation unit 22 so as to correspond to the operation units 26, 28, 30, 34 to 36. 1st-4th proximity sensor 41-44 is arrange | positioned. These first to fourth proximity sensors 41 to 44 are for detecting that the finger of the operator has approached the operation units 26, 28, 30, 34 to 36. As each of the proximity sensors 41 to 44, a sensor electrode whose capacitance changes according to the distance from the operator's finger is used.

  Although not shown in the figure, the seat seat 11A of the passenger seat is provided with a seat seat operating section 22 according to FIG. 3 on the left side (the back side of the paper) of the seating section (12). Except for the point that 30 and the first to fourth proximity sensors 41 to 44 are omitted, the other configurations are the same as the configuration of the seat 11.

Next, a control system for adjusting the posture of the seat seats 11 and 11A configured as described above will be described based on the block circuit diagram of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the driver's seat ECU 51, the passenger seat ECU 52, and the in-vehicle ECU 53 are electrically connected to the system bus BUS, and communication between the ECUs 51 to 53 is possible. Each of the ECUs 51 to 53 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an EEPROM, and the like, and is configured to execute a program for realizing a function for each of the ECUs 51 to 53.

  The driver's seat ECU 51 has a function of controlling various postures of the driver's seat 11. The ECU 51 is connected to the motors 14, 16, 18, and 20, and the slide switch 23, lifter switch 24, tilt switch 25, and reclining switch 27. The ECU 51 is connected to the above-described seat selection switch 29, posture set switch 31, first and second posture designation switches 32 and 33, and first to fourth proximity sensors 41 to 44. ing.

  For example, when an operation signal in a corresponding operation direction is output from the slide switch 23 by the operation of the movement operation unit 26, the ECU 51 controls the drive of the first drive mechanism 15 correspondingly. As a result, the seat 12 of the driver's seat 11 moves in the front-rear direction (in the direction of arrow F1 shown in FIG. 2). When an operation signal in a corresponding operation direction is output from the lifter switch 24 by the operation of the moving operation unit 26, the ECU 51 controls the second drive mechanism 17 correspondingly. Thereby, the seating part 12 of the seat 11 moves in the vertical direction (the direction of arrow F2 in FIG. 2). When an operation signal in a corresponding operation direction is output from the tilt switch 25 by the operation of the moving operation unit 26, the ECU 51 controls the third drive mechanism 19 correspondingly. Thereby, the front-end part of the seating part 12 of the seat 11 is tilted up and down (arrow F3 direction of FIG. 2). Further, when an operation signal in a corresponding operation direction is output from the reclining switch 27 by the operation of the tilt operation unit 28, the ECU 51 controls the drive of the fourth drive mechanism 21 correspondingly. Thereby, the backrest 13 of the seat 11 is tilted in the front-rear direction (the direction of arrow F4 in FIG. 2).

  After the set operation unit 34 illustrated in FIG. 3 is operated and an operation signal that is once turned on is output from the posture set switch 31 illustrated in FIG. 5, the first posture designation operation unit 35 is continuously operated to perform the first posture. When an operation signal that is once turned on is output from the designation switch 32, the ECU 51 stores the current posture of the seat 11 in the storage means 54 as the first posture (position). Further, after the set operation unit 34 is operated and an operation signal that is once turned on is output from the posture set switch 31 shown in FIG. 5, the second posture designation operation unit 36 is continuously operated to perform the second posture. When an operation signal that is once turned on is output from the designation switch 33, the ECU 51 stores the current posture of the seat 11 in the storage means 54 as the second posture (position). For example, after the posture of the seat 11 is arbitrarily adjusted, when the first posture designation switch 32 or the second posture designation switch 33 is operated alone and the aforementioned operation signal is output, the ECU 51 First to fourth drive mechanisms for returning the posture of the seat 11 to the first posture or the second posture based on the data of the first posture or the second posture stored in the storage means 54. 15, 17, 19, and 21 are drive-controlled.

  In FIG. 5, for example, in a state where the posture adjustment target is selected for the seat seat 11 of the driver's seat by the seat selection switch 29, the ECU 51 receives operation signals from the switches 23 to 25 and 27 of the seat seat operation unit 22. Based on this, the corresponding drive mechanism (motors 14, 16, 18, 20) is driven and controlled. Thereby, the attitude | position of the seat seat 11 of a driver's seat is adjusted.

  On the other hand, a slide motor 14A, a lift motor 16A, a tilt motor 18A, and a tilt motor 20A similar to the motors 14, 16, 18, and 20 connected to the driver seat ECU 51 are connected to the passenger seat ECU 52. . Then, in a state where the posture adjustment target is selected for the passenger seat 11 </ b> A by the seat selection switch 29, the ECU 51 is based on operation signals from the switches 23 to 25 and 27 of the seat seat operation unit 22. A command signal is output to the passenger seat ECU 52 via the BUS in order to drive and control the corresponding driving mechanism (motors 14A, 16A, 18A, 20A) on the passenger seat side. The passenger seat ECU 52 receives the command signal and controls the driving mechanism (motors 14A, 16A, 18A, 20A) on the corresponding passenger seat side. As a result, the posture of the passenger seat 11A is adjusted.

  The passenger seat ECU 52 includes a slide switch 23A, a lift switch 24A, a tilt switch 25A, and a reclining that are the same as the slide switch 23, lifter switch 24, tilt switch 25, and reclining switch 27 connected to the driver seat ECU 51. A switch 27A is connected. The passenger seat ECU 52 controls driving of the corresponding drive mechanism (motors 14A, 16A, 18A, 20A) based on the operation signals from the switches 23A to 25A, 27A regardless of the operation state of the seat selection operation unit 30. It is supposed to be. As a result, the posture of the passenger seat 11A is adjusted.

  The in-vehicle ECU 53 is connected to a display means 55 and a speaker 56 as a notification unit installed in the vehicle (for example, a center console). As the display means 55, for example, a display such as an LCD, LED, EL, or plasma is used to display the seats 11, 11 </ b> A whose posture is to be adjusted and other information.

Next, various functions for executing the present invention provided in the driver seat ECU 51 of FIG. 5 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the driver seat ECU 51 is provided with notification control means 61. This notification control means functions as follows. That is, in FIG. 3, when the operator's finger approaches one of the operation units 26, 28, 30, 34, 35, 36, the operation corresponding to the operator's finger is performed by the proximity sensors 41 to 44. It is detected that the part is approaching. Based on the detection signals of the proximity sensors 41 to 44, the notification control unit 61 reads various switch image data corresponding to each hardware switch stored in advance in the storage unit 54, and displays the display unit 55 through the indoor ECU 53. A switch image as function information of the hardware switch is displayed on the screen (not shown). Further, the notification control means 61 reads various audio data corresponding to each hardware switch stored in advance in the storage means 54 and generates sound as function information of the hardware switch through the indoor ECU 53.

Next, the principal part structure of this invention is demonstrated based on FIGS. 1-3 and FIGS. 6-9.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, first to third boundary portions 45 to 47 are provided between the adjacent proximity sensors 41 to 44 from the front to the rear of the seat 11. These boundary portions 45 to 47 are inclined at predetermined inclination angles α, β, and γ so as to go upward as they go rearward of the seat 11. By inclining the boundary portions 45 to 47 in this manner, when the operator's fingers are close to any one of the boundary portions 45 to 47, the two adjacent proximity sensors 41 to 44 both approach the fingers. The erroneous detection area (gray zone) that is detected is narrowed. The reason why the erroneous detection area (gray zone) becomes narrow will be sequentially described below.

There are, for example, the following two methods for operating the operation units 26, 28, 30, 34 to 36 of the seat seat operation unit 22 by the operator seated on the seat 11.
FIG. 6 shows a state in which a general adult operator is normally seated on the seat 11. It is assumed that the operator operates each of the operation units 26, 28, 30, 34 to 36 while holding this posture, for example, wearing a seat belt. In this case, the operator tilts the arm A in the front-rear direction around the shoulder joint S, moves the finger U in the front-rear direction while inclining, and moves the finger U to any one of the operation units 26, 26. 28, 30, 34-36. In the operation method in a fixed posture in which the operator is normally seated on the seat 11, the inclination angle ε of the operator's finger U with respect to the front-rear direction (horizontal line) of the seat 11 is the finger U around the shoulder joint S. Tends to become smaller as it is tilted forward.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, assuming that the operator is in the forward leaning posture as shown in FIG. 7 from the posture in which the operator is normally seated on the seat seat 11, the arm A is moved in the front-rear direction while being inclined, There is also an operation method in which the finger U is brought into contact with any one of the operation units 26, 28, 30, 34 to 36. Even when the posture of the operator changes to bend forward and the shoulder joint S moves forward, the inclination angle ε of the operator's finger U tends to decrease as the arm A moves forward.

  The tilt angles α, β, and γ of the first to third boundary portions 45 to 47 are α according to changes in the tilt angle ε of the finger U in the two operation methods of the operation units 26, 28. The relation of> β> γ is set.

  In this embodiment, the inclination angles α, β, γ of the first to third boundary portions 45 to 47 are set based on the operation method of the operator shown in FIG. Instead, based on the operator's operation method shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of virtual inclined lines L along the extending direction of the first to third boundary portions 45 to 47 are formed on the seat 11. You may make it cross | intersect at one upper point (for example, the center of shoulder joint S).

  FIG. 8 shows an erroneous detection region W1 (gray zone) in which the first proximity sensor 41 and the third proximity sensor 43 both detect the approach of the finger U at the first boundary portion 45. The erroneous detection area W1 is determined according to the detection sensitivity set in the proximity sensors 41 and 43. As is clear from FIG. 8, the inclination direction of the first boundary 45 and the inclination direction of the finger U (see the center lines O1 and O2 of the finger U) are substantially the same direction. The false detection area W1 (grey zone) where the proximity sensors 41 and 43 detect the approach of the finger U together can be narrowed. That is, in FIG. 8, the finger U approaching only the first proximity sensor 41 moves rightward and approaches the third proximity sensor 43, and both proximity sensors 41 and 43 both detect the finger U. The position of U is defined as a first erroneous detection position P1. On the other hand, the finger U approaching only the third proximity sensor 43 moves to the left, approaches the first proximity sensor 41, and both the proximity sensors 41 and 43 detect the finger U. The position is defined as a second erroneous detection position P2. The interval between the first erroneous detection position P1 and the second erroneous detection position P2, that is, the erroneous detection area W1 (gray zone), is such that the inclination of the first boundary portion 45 is along the inclination direction of the finger U. Therefore, it becomes shorter and narrower in the longitudinal direction of the seat.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, in a configuration in which the boundary E between the first proximity sensor 41 and the third proximity sensor 43 is oriented in the vertical direction and has no inclination (upright), the orientation of the boundary E The center lines O1 and O2 of the fingers U in an inclined state intersect with the (vertical) direction. For this reason, even if the detection sensitivities described above are equal, the erroneous detection region W2 (grey zone) in which the two adjacent proximity sensors 41 and 43 detect the approach of the finger U together becomes wide. That is, the distance between the first erroneous detection position P1 and the second erroneous detection position P2 of the finger U described above with reference to FIG. 9, that is, the erroneous detection region W2 (gray zone) is the longitudinal direction of the seat because the boundary E is not inclined. It gets longer and wider.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the boundary 45 of the adjacent proximity sensors 41 and 43 has an inclination angle α, but the width of the boundary 45 is substantially the same as the width of the boundary E shown in FIG. Therefore, there is basically little or no influence on the arrangement area (that is, the effective detection area) of each proximity sensor 41, 43, and the detection sensitivity of each proximity sensor 41, 43 does not decrease. The characteristics of the erroneous detection region and detection sensitivity described above are the same for the other boundary portions 46 and 47. Therefore, according to the approach of the operator's finger U to any of the hardware switches, the corresponding function information can be more reliably notified by the notification control means 61.

Next, a control mode by the driver's seat ECU 51 will be described as an example in which the seat selection operation unit 30 is operated.
Whether the finger of the operator has approached the operation units 26, 28, 30, 34 to 36 of the hardware switches (23 to 25, 27, 29, 31 to 33) is determined by the first to fourth proximity sensors 41 to 41. This is determined by 44 detection signals. When it is detected by the corresponding proximity sensor (third proximity sensor 43) that the operator's finger of the seat 11 has approached one of the operation units (here, the seat selection operation unit 30), it is shown in FIG. The switch image data is read from the storage unit 54 by the function of the notification control unit 61, and the switch image as the function information is laid out on the screen of the display unit 55. At the same time, voice data is read from the storage means 54 by the function of the notification control means 61, and voice as function information is generated from the speaker 56. Therefore, the operator can easily grasp which hardware switch is being operated by visually checking the display of each switch image and listening to the corresponding function information.

  Next, when the sheet selection operation unit 30 shown in FIG. 3 is actually operated by the operator, an operation signal is output from the corresponding sheet selection switch 29. At this time, when the operation target is selected as the passenger seat 11A (motors 14A, 16A, 18A, 20A) in the initial state, the driver seat seat 11 (motors 14, 16, 18, 20) is selected. The display means 55 displays the characters “driver's seat” on the screen, and the speaker 56 generates a voice indicating “driver's seat”. At this time, the driver's seat ECU 51 recognizes the operation signals from the switches 23 to 25 and 27 as those on the driver's seat side and drives and controls the corresponding drive mechanisms (motors 14, 16, 18, and 20). . On the other hand, when the driver's seat 11 is selected as the operation target in the initial state, the seat is switched to the passenger seat 11A, the characters “passenger seat” are displayed on the screen, and the speaker 56 “ A sound indicating "passenger seat" is generated. In this state, the driver seat ECU 51 recognizes the operation signals from the switches 23 to 25 and 27 as those on the passenger seat side, and outputs a command signal to the passenger seat ECU 52, via the passenger seat ECU 52. The corresponding drive mechanism (motors 14A, 16A, 18A, 20A) is driven and controlled.

According to the vehicle seat drive device of the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the above embodiment, the proximity sensor 41 to 43 causes the operator's finger U to approach the operation units 26, 28, 30, 34 to 36 of the hardware switch (23 to 25, 27, 29, 31 to 33). Is detected, the notification control means 61 displays the switch image representing the shape of the hardware switch on the screen of the display means 55 together with the corresponding function information. At the same time, the notification control means 61 generates sound as function information from the speaker 56. Therefore, before actually operating the operation units 26, 28, 30, 34 to 36 of the hardware switch, the switch image laid out on the display means 55 and the corresponding function information can be confirmed, and the operation target The hardware switch operating units 26, 28, 30, 34 to 36 can be easily operated by blind touch.

  (2) In the above-described embodiment, the first to third boundary portions 45 to 47 of the adjacent first to fourth proximity sensors 41 to 44 are predetermined so as to go upward as they go in the rearward direction of the seat 11. Were inclined at the inclination angles α, β, and γ. For this reason, the extending direction of each of the boundary portions 45 to 47 is substantially the same as the direction of the finger U that the operator seated on the seat 11 gives out for the operation of the operation portions 26, 28, 30. To do. Therefore, it is possible to narrow an erroneous detection region (grey zone) in which two adjacent proximity sensors detect the approach of the finger U together.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the first to third inclination angles α, β, γ of the first to third boundary portions 45 to 47 are set to α> β> γ. Therefore, the extending directions of the inclination angles α, β, γ of the boundary portions 45 to 47 are the operation portions 26, 28, 30... That the operator sitting on the seat 11 is about to operate. It is more approximate to the direction of the finger U that is presented in accordance with the arrangement of. For this reason, the erroneous detection area (grey zone) in which the two adjacent proximity sensors 41 to 44 detect the approach of the finger U together can be further narrowed.

(4) In the above embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 6, a plurality of virtual inclined lines that respectively extend along the extending direction of the plurality of boundary portions 45 to 47 intersect at one point on the upper side of the seat 11. did. Therefore, when the position of one point of the intersection is made coincident with the position of the shoulder joint S when a general adult operator seated on the seat 11 is in a normal posture wearing a seat belt, for example, The direction of the finger U that is centered on the shoulder joint S in accordance with the arrangement of the hardware switch that the operator is trying to operate always coincides with the direction of the corresponding virtual inclined line at each of the boundary portions 45 to 47. . For this reason, the erroneous detection area (grey zone) in which the two adjacent proximity sensors 41 to 44 detect the approach of the fingers together can be further narrowed.
(Example of change)
In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.

  In another embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the proximity sensors 41 to 44 and the peripheral components of the vehicle are electrostatically coupled between the switch box 40 and the first to fourth proximity sensors 41 to 44. A shield electrode 66 to be suppressed is provided. The voltage applied to the shield electrode 66 is set to the same potential as the potential applied to the proximity sensors 41 to 44 (sensor electrodes).

  In the above embodiment, for example, even when the seat 11 is moved in the front-rear direction or the up-down direction, and the distance between the proximity sensors 41 to 44 and the peripheral components (for example, the frame or rail) of the vehicle changes, the shield electrode 66 By suppressing the electrostatic coupling between the proximity sensors 41 to 44 (sensor electrodes) and the frame or the rail, the change in the capacitance of the proximity sensors 41 to 44 (sensor electrodes) accompanying this can be reduced. As a result, erroneous detection of the proximity sensors 41 to 44 can be suppressed.

  Further, since the potentials applied to the proximity sensors 41 to 44 and the shield electrode 66 are the same, the voltage between the proximity sensors 41 to 44 and the shield electrode 66 becomes zero, and there is no electrostatic coupling between them. Therefore, the capacitances of the proximity sensors 41 to 44 can be basically determined only by the distance from the operator's finger U.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the proximity sensors 41 to 44 and the shield electrode 66 of the seat control section 22 are unitized as one component. As shown in FIG. 12, the 1st-4th proximity sensors 41-44 are contacting the back surface of the 1st film 71 among the 1st-3rd films 71-73 made from a synthetic resin. . The first film 71 and the second film 72 are laminated and bonded with the first adhesive layer 74 made of an adhesive covering the sensors 41 to 44. The shield electrode 66 is in contact with one surface of the second film 72. The second film 72 and the third film 73 are laminated and bonded in a state where the electrode 66 is covered with the second adhesive layer 75 made of an adhesive. An extension piece 76 is formed integrally with the lower portion of the seat control section 22. In the part extending piece 76, electrode terminal parts 41a to 44a of the proximity sensors 41 to 44 and an electrode terminal part 66a of the shield electrode 66 are arranged, and can be connected to the driver's seat ECU 51 using a cable (not shown). Yes.

  In the above embodiment, since the proximity sensors 41 to 44 and the shield electrode 66 of the seat seat operation unit 22 are unitized, the seat seat operation unit 22 can be easily installed on the side surface of the seating unit 12 of the seat seat 11. Can be done.

  For example, silver or carbon paint may be printed on the synthetic resin film to form a proximity sensor, which may be attached to the mounting plate 22A on the side surface of the seating portion 12. Further, for example, silver or carbon paint is printed on the synthetic resin film to form a proximity sensor, and a shield electrode is bonded to the surface of the proximity sensor with an adhesive, and this is used as a seating portion 12. You may make it attach to the design cover of the side.

  As the hardware switch, a seat selection switch 29 for selecting any one of a plurality of seat seats 11 provided in the vehicle, a slide switch 23 for moving the seat seat 11 in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, a lifter switch 24, A tilt switch 25 for tilting the seating portion 12 in the vertical direction, a reclining switch 27 for tilting the backrest portion 13 in the front-rear direction, and a posture set for storing the posture of the seat 11 whose posture is adjusted according to the operator in the storage means 54 You may make it select at least 2 types from the switch 31 and the switch group of the 1st and 2nd attitude | position designation | designated switch 32,33.

  The display control means 61 provided in the driver's seat ECU 51 may be provided in the indoor ECU 53 and the image data corresponding to the storage means incorporated therein may be stored. In this case, the indoor ECU 53 may operate the display control means 61 in the same manner based on a command signal from the driver's seat ECU 51.

  -If the rear seat of the vehicle is provided with a seat that can be adjusted in posture, an ECU similar to the passenger seat ECU 52 is provided, and the posture of the seat in the rear seat can be adjusted by a command from the driver seat ECU 51 It may be.

  -As a sensor electrode which forms the proximity sensors 41-44, you may use what printed the conductor directly on the attachment board 22A, sprayed, or what attached metal foil. Moreover, you may use what printed the conductor on the film, vapor-deposited, or stuck as a sensor electrode.

The voltage may not be applied to the shield electrode 66, but the shield electrode 66 may be grounded to the vehicle body frame by a lead wire (not shown).
Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the above embodiment and other examples will be described below.
(A) In any one of claims 1 to 6, the hardware switch is a seat selection switch for selecting any one of a plurality of seats provided in the vehicle, and moves the seats in the front-rear direction. Slide switch, lift switch for moving in the vertical direction, FR tilt switch for tilting the seating part in the vertical direction, reclining switch for tilting the backrest part in the front-rear direction, posture of the seat that is adjusted according to the body shape of the operator A vehicle seat drive device characterized in that at least two types are selected from each of the switch groups of the attitude memory switch for storing the information in the storage means.

  .alpha., .beta., .gamma .... inclination angle, 11, 11A ... seat seat, 12 ... seat part, 13 ... backrest part, 22 ... seat seat operation part, 23,23A ... slide switch, 24,24A ... lift switch, 26,28 , 30, 34 to 36 ... operation unit, 27, 27A ... reclining switch, 29 ... sheet selection switch, 41-44 ... first to fourth proximity sensors, 45-47 ... first to third boundary parts, 55 ... Display means, 61... Notification control means.

Claims (6)

A plurality of hardware switches for operating a plurality of drive mechanisms, which are arranged side by side in the seat front-rear direction on the side portion of the seat portion of the seat seat provided in the passenger compartment and adjust the posture of the seat seat, respectively. A seat seat operation section provided;
Control means for driving and controlling the corresponding drive mechanism based on the operation of the hardware switch;
A plurality of proximity sensors that are provided in the seat seat operation unit in accordance with the arrangement of the plurality of hardware switches, and respectively detect the approach of an operator's fingers to the hardware switches,
An informing unit for informing a plurality of function information corresponding to the plurality of hardware switches;
A notification control unit configured to control the notification unit so as to notify the function information when the proximity sensor detects an approach of an operator's finger to the hardware switch;
A vehicle seat drive device in which a boundary portion of each adjacent proximity sensor is inclined at a predetermined inclination angle so as to go upward as it goes in the rearward direction of the seat. In Claim 1, the hardware switch and the proximity sensor are provided at three or more locations, and the inclination angles of a plurality of boundary portions of the adjacent proximity sensors are set so as to increase from the front side of the seat toward the rear side. The vehicle seat drive device. The vehicle seat drive device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of virtual inclined lines that respectively extend in the extending direction of the plurality of boundary portions intersect at one point on the upper side of the seat. In any one of Claims 1-3, each said proximity sensor is a sensor electrode from which an electrostatic capacitance changes according to distance with an operator's finger | toe, Comprising: Each said seat seat operation part has each said each A vehicle seat drive device provided with a shield electrode that suppresses electrostatic coupling between a sensor electrode and a vehicle peripheral component. 5. The vehicle seat drive device according to claim 4, wherein a voltage having the same potential as that applied to the proximity sensor is applied to the shield electrode. 6. The vehicle seat driving device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the proximity sensor and the shield electrode are unitized by adhering between a plurality of films via an adhesive.

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