JP2017154715A - Passenger seat control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To alleviate the obstruction of the visibility on the passenger seat side, when in a vehicle if an occupant at the passenger seat is obstructing the driver's visibility on the passenger seat side, regardless of whether the occupant is conscious or not.SOLUTION: A passenger seat control system 100 includes: a visibility determination unit for determining whether or not an occupant at the passenger seat of a vehicle is obstructing the driver's visibility on the passenger seat side; a passenger seat movement unit for moving the passenger seat; and a passenger seat control unit which controls the passenger seat movement unit to move the passenger seat in a direction alleviating the obstruction degree of the driver's visibility on the passenger seat side by the occupant at the passenger seat, if the visibility determination unit determines that the occupant at the passenger seat is obstructing the driver's visibility on the passenger seat side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a passenger seat control device.

  In a vehicle such as a passenger car, when a passenger is present in the passenger seat, the driver's passenger side view (hereinafter, sometimes referred to simply as “passenger side view”) is obstructed by the passenger in the passenger seat. It may be. As a countermeasure, for example, when visibility of the passenger seat side is required, such as when turning right or left of the vehicle, it is determined that the visibility of the passenger seat side is obstructed based on the reclining amount and seat position of the passenger seat. In some cases, there is a technology that urges a passenger in the passenger seat to move his body to alleviate the obstruction of the driver's view on the passenger seat side by issuing a warning by voice or the like.

JP 2009-73298 A

  However, even if the above warning is given, if the passenger is unconscious, such as sleeping, the passenger cannot intentionally move his / her body. There is a problem that the hindrance cannot be eased.

  Therefore, one of the problems of the present invention is that when the passenger in the passenger seat obstructs the driver's view of the passenger seat in the vehicle, regardless of whether the passenger is conscious or not, It is an object of the present invention to provide a passenger seat control device that alleviates the obstruction of view.

  A passenger seat control device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes, for example, a visibility determination unit that determines whether a passenger in a passenger seat of a vehicle is obstructing the visibility of the driver on the passenger seat side, and the passenger seat. A passenger seat moving unit that moves the passenger seat, and the passenger seat moving unit that controls the passenger seat moving unit when the passenger determining unit determines that the passenger in the passenger seat is obstructing the driver's field of view on the passenger seat side. And a passenger seat control unit that moves the passenger seat in a direction in which the degree of hindrance to the visibility of the driver's passenger seat side by the passenger in the passenger seat is reduced. According to this configuration, for example, when a passenger in the passenger seat is obstructing the driver's view on the passenger seat side, the passenger seat moving unit is controlled so that the passenger seat is positioned on the passenger seat side view. Since it can be automatically moved in a direction in which the degree of hindrance is mitigated, it is possible to mitigate hindrance to the passenger's side view regardless of the presence or absence of the passenger.

  The passenger seat control device further includes, for example, a vehicle state detection unit that determines whether the driver needs a field of view on the passenger seat side based on the state of the vehicle, and the driver The vehicle state detection unit determines that the passenger side view is required, and the view determination unit determines that the passenger in the passenger seat is obstructing the driver side view of the driver. When the determination is made, the passenger seat control unit controls the passenger seat moving unit, and the degree of hindrance to the driver's passenger side view by the passenger in the passenger seat is reduced. You may make it move to the direction to do. According to this configuration, for example, the movement control of the passenger seat is not performed except when it is determined that the driver needs the field of view on the passenger seat side, which is efficient.

  In the passenger seat control device, for example, the passenger seat control section controls the passenger seat moving section so that the passenger seat is set in advance so as not to give a sense of incongruity to a passenger in the passenger seat. The movement may be slid backward in a range not exceeding the upper limit of acceleration. According to this configuration, for example, the passenger seat can be slid rearward without causing the passenger in the passenger seat to feel uncomfortable.

  In the passenger seat control device, for example, the passenger seat control section starts sliding movement of the passenger seat to the rear, and then the passenger in the passenger seat sees the driver side of the driver's seat When the visual field determination unit determines that the passenger seat is not hindered, the passenger seat moving unit may be controlled to stop the rearward movement of the passenger seat. According to this configuration, for example, the sliding movement to the rear of the passenger seat can be stopped at the minimum necessary movement distance, so that the energy consumption can be minimized and the passenger in the passenger seat can slide. The possibility of giving resistance due to movement can be reduced.

  The front passenger seat control device further includes, for example, a rear sensor that is provided on the rear surface of the front passenger seat and measures a distance from the rear surface of the front passenger seat to an object in a rear seat behind the front passenger seat. The passenger seat control unit starts the rearward sliding movement of the passenger seat, and then the distance from the back of the passenger seat measured by the rear sensor to the passenger in the rear seat behind the passenger seat When the value becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the passenger seat moving unit may be controlled to stop the rearward sliding movement of the passenger seat. According to this configuration, for example, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the passenger seat hits an object in the rear seat due to the backward sliding movement of the passenger seat.

  In the passenger seat control device, for example, the passenger seat control unit may control the passenger seat moving unit to tilt and move the rear part of the passenger seat in the direction to lie down. According to this configuration, for example, not only the method of sliding the passenger seat backward, but also the method of tilting the rear portion of the passenger seat in the direction to lie down, obstructing the driver's view on the passenger seat side. Can be relaxed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a state in which a part of a passenger compartment of a vehicle on which a passenger seat control device according to an embodiment is mounted is seen through. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating an example of a vehicle on which the passenger seat control device according to the embodiment is mounted. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions including the passenger seat control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functions realized in the CPU of the passenger seat control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 5A is a vehicle interior plan view showing an example of a state where the driver's passenger's field of view on the passenger seat side is obstructed by the passenger in the passenger seat. FIG.5 (b) is explanatory drawing which shows a mode when the driver's seat side is seen from the driver in the example of Fig.5 (a). Fig.6 (a) is a vehicle interior top view which shows an example of the state which slidably moved the passenger seat back from the example of Fig.5 (a). FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing a situation when the driver sees the passenger seat side in the example of FIG. FIG. 7A is a vehicle interior plan view showing an example of a state in which the rear portion of the passenger seat is inclined and moved from the example of FIG. 5A. FIG.7 (b) is explanatory drawing which shows a mode when the driver's seat side is seen from the driver in the example of Fig.7 (a). FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating an example of an image of changes in speed and acceleration when the passenger seat slides backward in the passenger seat control device according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a passenger seat control process in the passenger seat control apparatus according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed. The configuration of the embodiment described below and the operations, results, and effects brought about by the configuration are examples. The present invention can be realized by configurations other than those disclosed in the following embodiments, and at least one of various effects based on the basic configuration and derivative effects can be obtained. .

  In the present embodiment, the vehicle 1 equipped with the passenger seat control device may be, for example, an automobile using an internal combustion engine (not shown) as a drive source, that is, an internal combustion engine automobile, or an electric motor (not shown) as a drive source. It may be an automobile, that is, an electric automobile or a fuel cell automobile. Moreover, the hybrid vehicle which uses both of them as a drive source may be sufficient, and the vehicle provided with the other drive source may be sufficient. Further, the vehicle 1 can be mounted with various transmissions, and various devices necessary for driving the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, such as systems and components, can be mounted. In addition, the method, number, layout, and the like of the device related to driving of the wheels 3 in the vehicle 1 can be variously set.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the vehicle body 2 constitutes a passenger compartment 2 a in which a passenger (not shown) gets. A steering unit 4, an acceleration operation unit 5, a braking operation unit 6, a transmission operation unit 7, and the like are provided in the passenger compartment 2 a so as to face a driver's seat 2 b that is a driver's seat as a passenger. The steering unit 4 is, for example, a steering wheel that protrudes from the dashboard 24 and is provided at a position facing the instrument panel unit 25. The acceleration operation unit 5 is, for example, an accelerator pedal positioned under the driver's feet. The braking operation unit 6 is, for example, a brake pedal that is positioned under the driver's feet. The shift operation unit 7 is, for example, a shift lever that protrudes from the center console. The steering unit 4, the acceleration operation unit 5, the braking operation unit 6, the speed change operation unit 7, etc. are not limited to these.

  In addition, a display device 8 as a display output unit and a sound output device 9 as a sound output unit are provided in the passenger compartment 2a. The display device 8 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an OELD (Organic Electro-Luminescent Display), or the like. The audio output device 9 is, for example, a speaker. The display device 8 is covered with a transparent operation input unit 10 such as a touch panel. The occupant can visually recognize an image displayed on the display screen of the display device 8 via the operation input unit 10. In addition, the occupant performs an operation input by touching, pushing, or moving the operation input unit 10 with a finger or the like at a position corresponding to the image displayed on the display screen of the display device 8. Can do. The display device 8, the audio output device 9, the operation input unit 10, and the like are provided, for example, in the monitor device 11 that is located in the vehicle width direction of the dashboard 24, that is, the central portion in the left-right direction. The monitor device 11 can have an operation input unit (not shown) such as a switch, a dial, a joystick, and a push button. Further, a sound output device (not shown) can be provided at a position different from the monitor device 11 in the passenger compartment 2a, and sound can be output from both the sound output device 9 of the monitor device 11 and other sound output devices. it can. The monitor device 11 is also used as a car navigation system or an audio system, for example. Further, a display device 12 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, not shown in FIG. 3, for example, the position of the instrument panel portion 25) different from the display device 8 is provided in the passenger compartment 2 a.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle 1 is, for example, a four-wheeled vehicle, and includes two left and right front wheels 3 </ b> F and two right and left rear wheels 3 </ b> R. These four wheels 3 are all configured to be steerable. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the vehicle 1 includes a steering system 13 that steers at least two wheels 3. The steering system 13 includes an actuator 13a and a torque sensor 13b. The steering system 13 is electrically controlled by an ECU 14 (Electronic Control Unit) or the like to operate the actuator 13a. The steering system 13 is, for example, an electric power steering system or an SBW (Steer By Wire) system. The steering system 13 adds torque, that is, assist torque to the steering unit 4 by the actuator 13a to supplement the steering force, or steers the wheel 3 by the actuator 13a. In this case, the actuator 13a steers the two wheels 3, for example. Moreover, the torque sensor 13b detects the torque which a driver | operator gives to the steering part 4, for example.

  Further, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the vehicle body 2 is provided with a passenger seat 2i and a rear seat 2j in addition to the driver seat 2b. A back sensor 28 is provided on the back of the passenger seat 2i (details will be described later).

  The vehicle body 2 is provided with a left side mirror 2ga and a right side mirror 2gb. An imaging unit 15 is provided on the left side mirror 2ga. The imaging unit 15 is a digital camera that incorporates an imaging element such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a CMOS image sensor (CIS). The imaging unit 15 can output moving image data (captured image data) at a predetermined frame rate. The imaging unit 15 includes a wide-angle lens or a fisheye lens, and can capture a wide range of directions of the passenger seat 2i and the driver seat 2b. The ECU 14 can determine whether or not the passenger in the passenger seat 2i is obstructing the driver's view on the passenger seat side based on the captured image data provided from the imaging unit 15 (details will be described later). .

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the passenger seat control system 100 (passenger seat control device), in addition to the ECU 14, the monitor device 11, the steering system 13, and the like, the brake system 18, the steering angle sensor 19, and the accelerator sensor 20. The shift sensor 21, the wheel speed sensor 22, the passenger seat moving unit 26, the passenger seat state sensor 27, the rear sensor 28, and the like are electrically connected via an in-vehicle network 23 as an electric communication line. The in-vehicle network 23 is configured as a CAN (Controller Area Network), for example. The ECU 14 can control the steering system 13, the brake system 18, the passenger seat moving unit 26, and the like by sending a control signal through the in-vehicle network 23. Further, the ECU 14 detects the torque sensor 13b, the brake sensor 18b, the rudder angle sensor 19, the accelerator sensor 20, the shift sensor 21, the wheel speed sensor 22, the passenger seat state sensor 27, the rear sensor 28, and the like via the in-vehicle network 23. Results, operation signals from the operation input unit 10 and the like can be received.

  The ECU 14 includes, for example, a CPU 14a (Central Processing Unit), a ROM 14b (Read Only Memory), a RAM 14c (Random Access Memory), a display control unit 14d, an audio control unit 14e, an SSD 14f (Solid State Drive, flash memory), and the like. ing. The CPU 14a can read a program installed and stored in a non-volatile storage device such as the ROM 14b, and execute arithmetic processing according to the program. The RAM 14c temporarily stores various types of data used in computations by the CPU 14a. In addition, the display control unit 14 d mainly executes synthesis of image data displayed on the display device 8 among the arithmetic processing in the ECU 14. In addition, the voice control unit 14 e mainly executes processing of voice data output from the voice output device 9 among the calculation processes in the ECU 14. The SSD 14f is a rewritable nonvolatile storage unit that can store data even when the ECU 14 is powered off. Note that the CPU 14a, the ROM 14b, the RAM 14c, and the like are integrated in the same package, for example. Further, the ECU 14 may be configured to use another logical operation processor, a logic circuit, or the like such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) instead of the CPU 14a. Other storage devices such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) may be provided instead of the SSD 14f, and the SSD 14f, HDD, EEPROM, etc. are provided separately from the ECU 14. May be. The operation unit 14g is configured by, for example, a push button or a switch, and outputs an operation signal when a predetermined operation is performed by a driver or the like.

  The brake system 18 is, for example, an ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) that suppresses the locking of the brake, a skid prevention device (ESC: Electronic Stability Control) that suppresses the skidding of the vehicle 1 during cornering, and increases the braking force ( Electric brake system that executes brake assist, BBW (Brake By Wire), etc. The brake system 18 gives a braking force to the wheel 3 (vehicle 1) via the actuator 18a. The brake system 18 can execute various controls by detecting brake lock, idle rotation of the wheels 3, signs of skidding, and the like from the difference in rotation between the left and right wheels 3. The brake sensor 18b is a sensor that detects the position of the movable part (brake pedal) of the braking operation unit 6, for example.

  The steering angle sensor 19 is, for example, a sensor that detects the steering amount of the steering unit 4 such as a steering wheel. The rudder angle sensor 19 is configured using, for example, a hall element. The ECU 14 obtains the steering amount of the steering unit 4 by the driver, the steering amount of each wheel 3 during automatic steering, and the like from the steering angle sensor 19 and executes various controls. The rudder angle sensor 19 detects the rotation angle of the rotating part included in the steering unit 4. The rudder angle sensor 19 is an example of an angle sensor.

  The accelerator sensor 20 is a sensor that detects the position of the movable part (accelerator pedal) of the acceleration operation part 5, for example.

  The shift sensor 21 is, for example, a sensor that detects the position of a movable part (lever, arm, button, etc.) of the speed change operation part 7. The shift sensor 21 may include a displacement sensor or may be configured as a switch.

  The wheel speed sensor 22 is a sensor that detects the amount of rotation of the wheel 3 and the number of rotations per unit time. The wheel speed sensor 22 outputs a wheel speed pulse number indicating the detected rotation speed as a sensor value. The wheel speed sensor 22 is configured using, for example, a Hall element. The ECU 14 calculates the amount of movement of the vehicle 1 based on the sensor value acquired from the wheel speed sensor 22 and executes various controls. Note that the wheel speed sensor 22 may be provided in the brake system 18. In that case, the ECU 14 acquires the detection result of the wheel speed sensor 22 via the brake system 18.

  The passenger seat moving unit 26 moves the passenger seat 2i by a known electric mechanism based on an instruction from the ECU 14. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a vehicle interior plan view showing an example of a state in which the passenger Ma's view of the passenger seat 2i side of the passenger seat 2i is obstructed by the passenger seat 2i. FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing a state when the driver Ma looks at the passenger seat 2i side in the example of FIG. 5A. As shown in FIG. 5B, the passenger seat 2i is composed of a seat surface portion 2ia and a back surface portion 2ib. The passenger seat moving unit 26 moves the passenger seat 2i in the front-rear direction using an electric mechanism. Further, the passenger seat moving unit 26 performs the reclining operation of the back surface part 2ib by the electric mechanism. In the following, in order to simplify the expression, the symbol “Ma” for the driver Ma and the symbol “Mb” for the passenger Mb are appropriately omitted, and other symbols are also appropriately omitted.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the passenger seat state sensor 27 is a sensor that detects the state of the passenger seat 2 i. Specifically, the passenger seat state sensor 27 is a sensor provided in the passenger seat moving unit 26, which is an electric mechanism, and determines the position in the front-rear direction of the passenger seat 2i and the reclining amount (angle) of the back surface 2ib. To detect.

  The rear sensor 28 is provided on the rear surface of the passenger seat 2i (on the rear seat 2j side of the rear surface portion 2ib), for example, at a height similar to the seat surface of the rear seat 2j, and from the rear surface of the passenger seat 2i to the passenger seat The distance to the object (passenger, luggage) in the rear seat 2j behind the vehicle is measured. The back sensor 28 can be realized by, for example, a distance measurement sensor using infrared rays or ultrasonic waves.

  The configuration, arrangement, electrical connection form, and the like of the various sensors and actuators described above are examples, and can be set (changed) in various ways.

  The ECU 14 implements a passenger seat control system. As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 14 a included in the ECU 14 includes a vehicle state detection unit 30, a visibility determination unit 32, and a passenger seat control unit 34. The vehicle state detection unit 30, the visibility determination unit 32, and the passenger seat control unit 34 can be realized by reading a program installed and stored in a storage device such as the ROM 14b and executing it.

  Based on the state of the vehicle 1 (current and / or near-future (several seconds later)), the vehicle state detection unit 30 determines whether or not the driver needs the passenger seat side view. The case where the driver needs the passenger's side visibility is, for example, when the vehicle 1 turns right, left, reverse, lane change, etc. (hereinafter also referred to as “when passenger's side visibility is required”). is there. The vehicle state detection unit 30 indicates that it is necessary to view the passenger side, for example, the direction information of the car navigation (for example, immediately before the left turn), the steering amount (steering angle) of the steering unit 4 detected by the steering angle sensor 19. The determination is made based on the winker operation information, the position information of the shift operation unit 7 detected by the shift sensor 21 (for example, the position of the shift operation unit 7 is “reverse”), and the like. In addition, the vehicle state detection part 30 is not an essential structure.

  The visibility determination unit 32 determines whether or not the passenger in the passenger seat is obstructing the visibility of the driver's passenger side. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the front-rear position of the passenger seat 2i is somewhat ahead of the front-rear position of the driver seat 2b, the passenger Mb of the passenger seat 2i Visibility is hindered. Here, when the driver Ma views the left side mirror 2ga, for example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the visibility of the driver Ma on the passenger seat 2i side is obstructed. This is a case where at least a part is hidden by the passenger Mb in the passenger seat 2i and cannot be seen. For example, based on the captured image data acquired by the imaging unit 15, the visibility determination unit 32 calculates the passenger seat from the position of the head (eyes) of the driver Ma and the position of the upper body of the passenger in the passenger seat 2 i. It is determined whether or not the passenger Mb in 2i is obstructing the visibility of the driver Ma on the passenger seat 2i side. The visibility determination unit 32 uses, for example, the position of the driver Ma and the passenger seat 2i obtained by a distance measurement sensor using infrared rays or the like provided separately, instead of using the captured image data acquired by the imaging unit 15. Based on the position of the passenger who is present, it may be determined whether or not the passenger in the passenger seat 2i is obstructing the visibility of the driver Ma on the passenger seat 2i side. Further, the visual field determination unit 32 may determine whether or not the passenger in the passenger seat is obstructing the driver's visual field on the passenger seat side even when the vehicle state detection unit 30 does not perform the determination. Moreover, when using both the vehicle state detection part 30 and the visual field determination part 32, any may be sufficient as the order of those processes.

  The passenger seat control unit 34 controls the passenger seat moving unit 26 when the visibility determination unit 32 determines that the passenger Mb in the passenger seat 2i is obstructing the visibility of the driver Ma on the passenger seat 2i side. Then, the passenger seat 2i is moved in a direction in which the degree of hindrance to the visibility of the driver Ma on the passenger seat 2i side by the passenger Mb in the passenger seat 2i is reduced. Thereby, the obstruction of the field of view on the passenger seat 2i side can be alleviated regardless of whether or not the passenger Mb is conscious. When this movement control is performed, the passenger seat control unit 34 uses information such as the position in the front-rear direction of the passenger seat 2i detected by the passenger seat state sensor 27, the reclining amount of the back surface portion 2ib, and the like.

  Specifically, as the movement of the passenger seat 2i, for example, the passenger seat control unit 34 controls the passenger seat moving unit 26 to slide the passenger seat 2i backward. For example, when the passenger seat 2i is slid backward from the example of FIG. 5A, the state shown in FIG. 6A is obtained. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the driver Ma looks at the left side mirror 2ga, the entire left side mirror 2ga is visible.

  When the passenger seat 2i is slid rearward in this way, the passenger seat control unit 34 does not exceed the preset upper limit of acceleration so as not to give a sense of incongruity to the passenger Mb in the passenger seat 2i, for example. It is preferable to slide backward by this movement. This is because, due to the law of inertia, etc., acceleration is considered to be a major factor that gives people discomfort during such movements. FIG. 8 shows that the passenger seat 2i is slid rearward within a range not exceeding an upper limit of acceleration (A (> 0)) set in advance so as not to give a sense of incongruity to the passenger Mb in the passenger seat 2i. It is a graph which shows an example of the image of the change of the speed and acceleration in the case of moving. As shown in FIG. 8, the speed is changed so that the acceleration falls within the range of “−A” to “A” (so that the absolute value of the acceleration does not exceed “A”). Specifically, when the passenger seat 2i is slid rearward, the acceleration is constant at “A” or less at times T1 to T2, and the acceleration is gradually decreased at time T2 to T4 (acceleration 0 at time T3). In T4 to T5, the acceleration is constant at “−A” or more. In this way, since a large acceleration is not given to the passenger Mb in the passenger seat 2i, it is not necessary to give a sense of incongruity due to the movement of the passenger seat 2i.

  In addition, after the passenger seat control unit 34 starts sliding movement of the passenger seat 2i to the rear, for example, if the passenger in the passenger seat does not obstruct the driver's view of the passenger seat side, the visibility determining unit 32 Is determined, it is preferable to control the passenger seat moving unit 26 to stop the rearward sliding movement of the passenger seat. According to this, slide movement to the rear of the passenger seat can be stopped at the minimum necessary movement distance, so that energy consumption can be minimized and resistance to passengers in the passenger seat due to slide movement can be reduced. The possibility of giving a feeling can be reduced.

  Further, the passenger seat control unit 34 starts the rearward movement of the passenger seat 2i, and then the object (sitting on the rear seat 2j behind the passenger seat 2i from the back of the passenger seat 2i measured by the rear sensor 28). It is preferable to control the passenger seat moving unit 26 to stop the rearward movement of the passenger seat 2i when the distance to the person or the luggage becomes a predetermined value (for example, 10 cm) or less. According to this, as shown in FIG. 6A, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the passenger seat 2i hits a passenger Mc etc. in the rear seat 2j due to the backward sliding movement of the passenger seat 2i.

  Further, the passenger seat control unit 34 can control the passenger seat moving unit 26 to tilt and move the back surface portion 2ib of the passenger seat 2i in the direction to lie down. For example, when the rear portion 2ib of the passenger seat 2i is inclined and moved from the example of FIG. 5A, the state shown in FIG. 7A is obtained. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the driver Ma looks at the left side mirror 2ga, the entire left side mirror 2ga is visible. In this way, not only the method of sliding the passenger seat 2i backward, but also the method of tilting the rear portion 2ib of the passenger seat 2i in the direction to lie down, obstructs the visibility of the driver Ma on the side of the passenger seat 2i. Can be relaxed. In addition, you may use together the slide movement to the back of the passenger seat 2i, and the inclination movement to the direction which lays the back part 2ib of the passenger seat 2i.

  The operation of the passenger seat control system 100 configured as described above will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9 (refer to other figures as appropriate). First, the vehicle state detection unit 30 detects the state of the vehicle 1 by acquiring detection information from each sensor or the like (step S1), and determines whether or not the driver needs a field of view on the passenger seat side. (Step S2) If Yes, the process proceeds to Step S3. If No, the process returns to Step S1. In the case of Yes in step S2, for example, the direction information of the car navigation, the steering amount (steering angle) of the steering unit 4 detected by the steering angle sensor 19, the blinker operation information, and the shift operation detected by the shift sensor 21 This is a time when it is determined (estimated) that the vehicle 1 will make a right turn, a left turn, a reverse drive, a lane change, or the like from the position information of the unit 7 or the like.

  In step S3, the visual field determination unit 32 determines whether or not the passenger in the passenger seat is obstructing the driver's visual field on the passenger seat side. If yes, the process proceeds to step S4, and if no, step S7 is performed. Proceed to

  In step S4, the passenger seat control unit 34 uses the information about the position of the passenger seat in the front-rear direction detected by the passenger seat state sensor 27 and the reclining amount of the rear portion 2ib to change the passenger seat to the field of view on the passenger seat side. It is determined whether or not it can be moved in a direction in which the degree of hindrance is relaxed. If Yes, the process proceeds to step S5, and if No, the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S5, the passenger seat control unit 34 determines that the distance from the back of the passenger seat measured by the rear sensor 28 to the object (passenger, luggage) in the rear seat behind the passenger seat is a predetermined value (for example, 10 cm) or less. If yes, the process proceeds to step S7. If no, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S <b> 6, the passenger seat control unit 34 controls the passenger seat moving unit 26 to reduce the degree of hindrance to the visibility of the passenger seat 2 i on the passenger seat 2 i side by the passenger in the passenger seat 2 i. (E.g., the state of FIG. 5 → the state of FIG. 6 or FIG. 7). Thereby, the obstruction of the field of view on the passenger seat side can be alleviated regardless of whether or not the passenger is conscious.

  In step S7, the passenger seat control unit 34 stops the movement if the passenger seat 2i using the passenger seat moving unit 26 is moving (the processing in step S6 is continued), and if it is not moving, nothing is done. Do not execute.

  After step S6 and after step S7, the process returns to step S1.

  Thus, according to the passenger seat control device of the present embodiment, when the passenger in the passenger seat is obstructing the driver's view on the passenger seat side, the passenger seat is obstructed from the view on the passenger seat side. Therefore, the hindrance to the passenger's side view can be alleviated regardless of whether the passenger is conscious or not.

  In addition, it is efficient if the movement control of the passenger seat is not performed except when it is determined that the driver needs the field of view on the passenger seat side.

  Also, if the passenger's seat is slid backwards within a range that does not exceed the preset upper limit of acceleration so as not to make the passenger in the passenger's seat uncomfortable, the passenger seat in the passenger seat It is not necessary to give the person a sense of incongruity.

  In addition, after starting the sliding movement to the rear of the passenger seat, when the visibility determining unit 32 determines that the passenger in the passenger seat does not obstruct the driver's view of the passenger seat, the rear of the passenger seat By stopping the sliding movement to the passenger seat, the rearward movement of the passenger seat can be stopped at the minimum required travel distance, so energy consumption can be minimized and passengers in the passenger seat can be stopped. It is possible to reduce the possibility of giving a sense of resistance due to slide movement.

  In addition, after starting the sliding movement to the rear of the passenger seat, the distance from the back of the passenger seat measured by the rear sensor 28 to the object (passenger, luggage) in the rear seat behind the passenger seat is less than a predetermined value. In such a case, if the sliding movement to the rear of the passenger seat is stopped, the situation in which the passenger seat hits an object (passenger, luggage) in the rear seat due to the sliding movement to the rear of the passenger seat can be avoided. Can do.

  Further, not only a method of sliding the passenger seat backward, but also a method of tilting and moving the rear portion of the passenger seat to lie down can be used. In addition to the rearward movement of the passenger seat and the tilting movement of the rear portion of the passenger seat to lie down, the passenger seat is moved in the vertical direction and the front and rear direction of the seat surface portion 2ia (FIG. 5 (b)). May be moved (moving up the front and lowering the back). In this case, the passenger seat state sensor 27 detects the vertical position of the passenger seat and the amount of inclination of the seat surface portion 2ia in the front-rear direction.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  For example, when there is an object on the passenger seat 2i based on the captured image data provided from the imaging unit 15, the CPU 14a determines whether or not the object is a human from the shape, movement, etc. of the object. If it is determined that the person is not a human (for example, a non-living baggage), the passenger seat 2i may not be moved.

  In addition, for example, if the driver's seat is lowered to the back, but the driver's view of the passenger's seat is obstructed, the passenger in the passenger seat leans forward with the seat belt extended. Therefore, the passenger seat control unit 34 controls to tighten the seat belt of the passenger seat and thereby raises the passenger from a leaning posture, thereby obstructing the view on the passenger seat side. May be relaxed.

  In addition, instead of or in addition to setting an upper limit value for acceleration when sliding backward to the passenger seat, an upper limit value is set for speed and jerk (jerk acceleration), so The possibility of giving the person a sense of discomfort due to movement may be further reduced.

  The criterion for determining whether or not the driver's view on the passenger seat side is obstructed is not limited to whether or not the driver can see all of the left side mirror 2ga as described above. Another criterion may be employed, such as whether or not the front half of the passenger seat side window W (FIG. 5B) is fully visible.

  In the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the process of step S2 may be omitted. Further, the order of the process of step S2 and the process of step S3 may be reversed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle, 14 ... ECU, 14a ... CPU, 14b ... ROM, 26 ... Passenger seat moving part, 28 ... Rear sensor, 30 ... Vehicle state detection part, 32 ... Visibility determination part, 34 ... Passenger seat control part, 100 ... Passenger seat control system (passenger seat control device)

Claims (6)

A visibility determination unit that determines whether or not a passenger in the passenger seat of the vehicle is obstructing the visibility of the driver's passenger seat;
A passenger seat moving section for moving the passenger seat;
When the visibility determining unit determines that the passenger in the passenger seat is obstructing the driver's view on the passenger seat side, the passenger seat moving unit is controlled to change the passenger seat to the passenger seat. A passenger seat control unit that moves in a direction in which the degree of hindrance to the driver's side of the driver's passenger's field of view is mitigated by a passenger in the vehicle,
Passenger seat control device. A vehicle state detector that determines whether or not the driver needs a field of view on the passenger seat side based on the state of the vehicle;
The vehicle state detection unit determines that the driver needs the field of view on the passenger seat side, and the field of view is determined when a passenger in the passenger seat blocks the field of view on the passenger seat side of the driver. When the determination unit determines, the passenger seat control unit controls the passenger seat moving unit to prevent the passenger seat from being obstructed by the passenger in the passenger seat from seeing the driver's seat on the passenger seat side. The passenger seat control device according to claim 1, wherein the passenger seat control device is moved in a direction in which the degree is reduced. The passenger seat control unit
The front passenger seat control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the front passenger seat control unit controls the front passenger seat so that the front passenger seat slides backward in a range not exceeding an upper limit value of acceleration set in advance. . The passenger seat control unit
After the start of sliding movement to the rear of the passenger seat, the passenger seat when the passenger is present in the passenger seat determines that the view determining unit does not obstruct the driver's view of the passenger seat side. The front passenger seat control device according to claim 3, wherein the front passenger seat is stopped from sliding by controlling a moving unit. A rear sensor that is provided on the rear surface of the passenger seat and measures a distance from the rear surface of the passenger seat to an object in a rear seat behind the passenger seat;
The passenger seat control unit
When the distance from the rear surface of the passenger seat measured by the rear sensor to the object in the rear seat behind the passenger seat is equal to or less than a predetermined value after the rearward movement of the passenger seat is started. The passenger seat control device according to claim 3, wherein the passenger seat moving unit is controlled to stop the rearward sliding movement of the passenger seat. The passenger seat control unit
The front passenger seat control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the front passenger seat moving unit is controlled to tilt and move a rear portion of the front passenger seat in a direction to lie down.

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