JP2018187977A - Vehicle seat and vehicle seat unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve flexibility during adjustment of a support position of a neck supported by a neckrest.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat (10) includes: a posture switching mechanism (20) for switching a posture of the vehicle seat (10) between a standing posture in which a seat back (11) stands and a reclined posture in which the seat back (11) is reclined; a headrest (14); a neckrest (15) having a support surface (15s) for supporting a neck of an occupant; and a displacement mechanism (28) which is provided within the neckrest (15) and displaces a part of the support surface (15s) to the neck of the occupant. The neckrest (15) may move along an extension direction of the seat back (11). When the neckrest (15) is moved, the displacement mechanism (28) displaces the part of the support surface (15s) so that the part of the support surface (15s) contacts with the neck of the occupant.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat unit, and in particular, a vehicle seat and a vehicle capable of switching the posture between a standing posture in which the seat back stands up and a tilted posture in which the seat back tilts backward. It is related with the seat unit.

  Among vehicle seats, there is a vehicle seat that includes a seat back and is capable of switching the posture between a standing posture in which the seat back stands up and a leaning posture in which the seat back is tilted backward. In addition, some vehicle seats that can be switched in posture include a headrest and a necklace (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1, a necklace (indicated as “neck support portion” in Patent Document 1) is rotatable about a horizontal axis along the seat width direction, and the neck portion by the necklace The support position can be adjusted in the front-rear direction.

JP 2005-305127 A

  However, in the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1, the necklace is rotated about the horizontal axis when the neck support position by the necklace is adjusted in the front-rear direction. In such a configuration, the support position of the neck by the necklace is adjusted in the rotation range of the necklace. That is, in the vehicle seat described in Patent Document 1, the adjustment range of the neck support position by the necklace is limited to the rotation range of the necklace.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle seat in which the degree of freedom of adjustment of the support position of the neck by the necklace is improved.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat unit that can be appropriately adjusted when the neck support position by the necklace is automatically adjusted.

  According to the vehicle seat of the present invention, the subject is a vehicle seat on which a vehicle occupant can be seated, the seat back and the posture of the vehicle seat, the standing posture in which the seat back stands, A posture switching mechanism for switching between a tilted posture in which the seat back is tilted backward, a headrest positioned above the seat back when the posture is the standing posture, and a support that supports the neck of the occupant A necklace that has a surface and is positioned below the headrest when the posture is the standing posture, and a portion of the support surface is displaced toward an occupant's neck A displacement mechanism for moving the necklace along a direction in which the seat back extends, and when the necklace moves, the displacement mechanism supports the support. Some of are solved by displacing a portion of said support surface in contact with the occupant's neck.

  In the vehicle seat of the present invention configured as described above, the necklace can move along the extending direction of the seat back. Further, when the necklace moves, a displacement mechanism provided in the necklace displaces a part of the support surface of the neck portion of the necklace toward the neck portion. That is, in the vehicle seat of the present invention, the neck support position by the necklace can be adjusted in each of the extending direction of the seat back and the direction from the support surface of the necklace to the occupant's neck. It becomes. As a result, the degree of freedom for adjusting the support position of the neck by the necklace is improved.

In addition, when a preferable configuration is described with respect to the vehicle seat, a headrest driving mechanism that moves the headrest relative to the seat back along the extending direction, and the necklace along the extending direction A necklace drive mechanism that moves the headrest relative to the headrest, and when the headrest drive mechanism moves the headrest, the necklace drive mechanism moves the necklace in the extending direction according to the amount of movement of the headrest. It is good to move along.
In the above configuration, when the headrest driving mechanism moves the headrest along the extending direction of the seat back, the necklace driving mechanism moves the neckrest according to the amount of movement of the headrest in conjunction with the movement of the headrest. Move along the exit direction. Thus, when the head support position by the headrest is adjusted, the neck support position by the necklace can be adjusted in conjunction with the headrest position.

Further, regarding a more preferable configuration regarding the vehicle seat, the displacement mechanism has an inflatable bag body disposed behind the support surface in the necklace, and the bag body is inflated. By taking out, it is good that the part located ahead of the said bag body rises toward the passenger | crew's neck part among the said support surfaces.
In said structure, the bag body arrange | positioned in the back of a support surface in a necklace bulges, and a part of support surface is displaced (raised) toward a neck part. With such a configuration, a part of the support surface of the necklace can be displaced toward the neck with a relatively simple configuration.

Further, regarding a more preferable configuration regarding the vehicle seat, a plurality of the bags may be arranged in the necklace along the width direction of the vehicle seat.
In the above configuration, a plurality of bags are arranged in the necklace along the width direction of the vehicle seat. With such a configuration, it is possible to displace (raise) the portion of the support surface of the necklace that is positioned in front of each bag toward the neck of the occupant. This makes it possible to easily change the shape of the support surface so as to fit the shape of the neck (curved shape).

In addition, according to the vehicle seat unit of the present invention, the above-described problem is a vehicle seat unit including any one of the vehicle seats having the above-described configuration and a controller that controls the displacement mechanism. The controller is solved by controlling the displacement mechanism and displacing a part of the support surface after the necklace has finished moving in the extending direction.
According to the vehicle seat unit configured as described above, after the necklace finishes moving along the extending direction of the seat back, the controller controls the displacement mechanism to remove a part of the support surface of the necklace. Displace toward the occupant's neck. Thereby, after adjusting the position of the necklace in the extending direction of the seat back, the shape of the support surface can be changed so as to come into contact with the occupant's neck.

In addition, when a preferable configuration is described with respect to the above vehicle seat unit, the vehicle further includes a sensor that detects that an occupant's neck is in contact with the support surface, and the controller has an occupant's neck on the support surface. The displacement mechanism may be controlled so that a part of the support surface is continuously displaced until the sensor detects that the contact is made.
In the above configuration, the displacement mechanism continues to displace a part of the support surface until the sensor detects that the occupant's neck is in contact with the support surface of the necklace. As a result, a part of the support surface of the necklace can be reliably displaced to a position in contact with the neck.

Further, a more preferable configuration regarding the above vehicle seat unit will be described. The vehicle seat further includes a seat cushion and an ottoman, and the posture switching mechanism is controlled by the controller to switch the posture. Each of the seat back, the seat cushion, and the ottoman is moved, and the controller may control the posture switching mechanism so that the timings at which the seat back, the seat cushion, and the ottoman finish moving are all aligned.
In the above configuration, when the seat back, the seat cushion, and the ottoman are moved in order to switch the posture of the vehicle seat, the movement end timings are aligned. As a result of the movement end timings of the seat parts being aligned in this manner, the seated passenger feels comfortable.

According to the vehicle seat of the present invention, the degree of freedom for adjusting the support position of the neck by the necklace is improved.
Further, according to the vehicle seat of the present invention, when the head support position by the headrest is adjusted, the neck support position by the headrest can be adjusted in conjunction with the headrest position.
Moreover, according to the vehicle seat of the present invention, it is possible to displace a part of the support surface of the necklace toward the neck with a relatively simple configuration.
Moreover, according to the vehicle seat of the present invention, it is possible to easily change the shape of the support surface so as to fit the curved shape of the neck.
Further, according to the vehicle seat unit of the present invention, it is possible to change the shape of the support surface so as to contact the occupant's neck after adjusting the position of the necklace in the extending direction of the seat back. .
Further, according to the vehicle seat unit of the present invention, a part of the support surface of the necklace can be reliably displaced to a position in contact with the neck.
Further, according to the vehicle seat unit of the present invention, when moving each of the seat back, the seat cushion and the ottoman in order to switch the posture of the vehicle seat, each part is moved so that the seated passenger feels comfortable. Is possible.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the vehicle seat unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a model side view of the vehicle seat in a standing posture. It is a model side view of the vehicle seat in a fallen posture. It is a figure which shows the state of the passenger | crew who is seated on the vehicle seat in a fallen posture. It is explanatory drawing about the drive mechanism which moves a seat back. It is explanatory drawing about the drive mechanism which moves a seat cushion, and the drive mechanism which moves an ottoman. It is explanatory drawing about the drive mechanism which moves a headrest, and the drive mechanism which moves a necklace. It is a figure which shows the cross section of a necklace when the bag body in a necklace is shrink | contracting. It is a figure which shows the cross section of a necklace when the bag body in a necklace expands. It is a figure which shows the flow of the control flow performed immediately after a passenger | crew seated on the vehicle seat. It is a figure which shows a mode that the position adjustment of a headrest is performed. It is a figure which shows a mode that the position adjustment of a necklace is performed. It is a figure which shows a mode that the support surface of a necklace is raised. It is a figure which shows the flow of the control flow for switching the attitude | position of a vehicle seat to a fallen attitude | position. It is a timing chart which shows the period which moves each part of a sheet in order to change the posture of a vehicle seat into a collapsed posture.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the vehicle seat unit of the present invention will be described with reference to one embodiment (this embodiment). The embodiment described below is an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. That is, the present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course, the present invention may include equivalents thereof.

  In the following explanation, when explaining the position, orientation and state of each member, the position, orientation and state when the vehicle seat is in the standing posture will be explained unless otherwise specified. .

  In the following description, the extending direction of the seat back is simply referred to as “extending direction”, and the width direction of the vehicle seat is referred to as “seat width direction”. Here, the extending direction is a direction along the back of the occupant when the occupant sits on the vehicle seat. The seat width direction is the left-right direction when viewed from the occupant seated on the vehicle seat.

<< Schematic configuration of vehicle seat unit >>
A schematic configuration of a vehicle seat unit (hereinafter referred to as a vehicle seat unit 1) according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the vehicle seat unit 1. In FIG. 1, a thick solid line indicates a signal line. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the vehicle seat in a standing posture. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the vehicle seat in a collapsed posture. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state (posture) of an occupant seated on a vehicle seat in a tilted posture.

  The vehicle seat unit 1 is used in a vehicle in which an occupant gets inside. In the present embodiment, the vehicle seat unit 1 is mounted in a vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vehicle seat unit 1 can be used for other vehicles (for example, vehicles such as railroads, airplanes, and ships) in which passengers get inside.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat unit 1 includes a vehicle seat 10, a controller 30, and various sensors. The vehicle seat 10 is a seat on which an occupant of a vehicle (automobile) can sit. In addition, the vehicle seat 10 according to the present embodiment forms a seat (middle seat) disposed in the center in the front-rear direction in a three-row seat vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vehicle seat 10 according to the present embodiment may be used as a front seat (front seat) or may be used as a rear seat (rear seat).

  The vehicle seat 10 includes a seat back 11, a seat cushion 12, and an ottoman 13. The seat back 11 is configured by supporting the back of an occupant from the rear, supporting a cushion material on a frame (not shown), and covering the cushion material with a skin. In addition, the seat back 11 can move (strictly rotate) so as to tilt backward with respect to the seat cushion 12.

  Note that the seat back 11 according to the present embodiment is divided into upper and lower parts, and includes a back upper part 11a and a back lower part 11b. The upper back portion 11a supports a portion of the back of the occupant located at the same height as the chest. The back lower part 11b supports a portion extending from the abdomen to the waist of the occupant's back.

  The seat cushion 12 is configured by supporting an occupant's buttocks from below, covering a cushion material on a frame (not shown), and covering the cushion material with a skin. The rear end portion of the seat cushion 12 is connected to the lower end portion of the seat back 11 (strictly speaking, the lower end portion of the back lower portion 11b) via an axis extending in the seat width direction. Further, in the present embodiment, the seat cushion 12 is configured to be rotatable around a fulcrum indicated by a symbol N in FIG. That is, the seat cushion 12 according to the present embodiment can be rotated around the fulcrum N so that the front end portion thereof moves up and down.

  The ottoman 13 is configured by supporting a lower leg portion of an occupant from below, placing a cushion material on a frame board (not shown), and covering the cushion material with a skin. The ottoman 13 is supported by the front end portion of the seat cushion 12 via a rotation shaft extending along the seat width direction. That is, the ottoman 13 can be rotated around the rotation axis.

  The ottoman 13 moves between the deployed position and the storage position by rotating. The storage position is a position when the ottoman 13 is not used, and is a position when the ottoman 13 hangs down and the distal end portion (free end portion) of the ottoman 13 is closest to the seat cushion 12. The deployed position is a position where the ottoman 13 is used (in order to be easy to understand, a position where the occupant's lower leg can be supported), and when the ottoman 13 protrudes somewhat forward from the front end of the seat cushion 12. Position.

  In addition, about the ottoman 13, the length (henceforth full length) from the base end part currently supported by the seat cushion 12 to the front-end | tip part which is a free end part may be extendable. That is, the ottoman 13 may be configured such that the full length is the shortest when the ottoman 13 is in the storage position, and the full length gradually increases as it approaches the deployed position.

  As described above, each of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13 described above can be rotated around an axis along the seat width direction. And in this embodiment, it is possible to switch the attitude | position of the vehicle seat 10 through each rotation operation | movement of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13. FIG.

  More specifically, the posture of the vehicle seat 10 can be switched between a standing posture illustrated in FIG. 2 and a collapsed posture illustrated in FIG. The standing posture is a posture when the seat back 11 is raised, the seat surface of the seat cushion 12 is substantially horizontal, and the ottoman 13 is in the storage position, and is a normal posture of the vehicle seat 10.

  The tilted posture is a posture when the seat back 11 tilts backward, the front end of the seat cushion 12 slightly rises, and the ottoman 13 is in the deployed position. When the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 10 in a tilted posture, the occupant has a posture illustrated in FIG. 4, a so-called neutral posture. The neutral posture is a posture with the least burden on the seat occupant and less fatigued. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the angle between the torso and the upper leg of the leg is 121 to 135 degrees, In this posture, the lifting angle of the upper leg is 18 to 42 degrees, and the angle between the upper leg and the lower leg is 125 to 141 degrees.

  In addition, in order to implement | achieve the switching of the attitude | position mentioned above, in this embodiment, the mechanism (posture switching mechanism 20) for switching the attitude | position of the vehicle seat 10 is provided in the vehicle seat 10. FIG. The posture switching mechanism 20 will be described in detail later.

  The configuration of the vehicle seat 10 will be further described. The vehicle seat 10 includes a headrest 14 and a necklace 15 as shown in FIG.

  The headrest 14 is configured by supporting an occupant's head from behind, placing a foam material or a cushion material around a frame (not shown), and covering the periphery with a skin material. From the lower end of the headrest 14, a pillar 14a as a support extends downward. The pillar 14 a is inserted into the upper end portion of the seat back 11. Accordingly, the headrest 14 is positioned above the seat back 11 when the vehicle seat 10 is in the standing posture.

  In the present embodiment, the headrest 14 can move with respect to the seatback 11 along the extending direction. That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to adjust the position for supporting the head of the occupant in the extending direction through the movement of the headrest 14.

  The necklace 15 is configured by supporting an occupant's neck from behind, molding a cushion material (not shown) into a predetermined shape, and covering the periphery with a skin material. The necklace 15 according to this embodiment has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped portion at the front end. Of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped portion, the surface facing the occupant (that is, the front end surface) forms a support surface 15s that supports the occupant's neck.

  The necklace 15 is provided with a through hole (not shown). The necklace 15 is supported by the pillar 14a by inserting the pillar 14a of the headrest 14 through the through hole. Therefore, when the vehicle seat 10 is in the standing posture, the necklace 15 is positioned below the headrest 14 and above the seatback 11.

  In addition, the necklace 15 according to the present embodiment is supported by the pillar 14 a of the headrest 14 and is also supported by the upper end portion of the seat back 11. More specifically, the front end portion (substantially rectangular parallelepiped portion) of the necklace 15 is provided with a supporting protrusion 15a extending rearward. The leading end of the supporting protrusion 15 a penetrates into the seat back 11 through the outer skin of the upper end of the seat back 11. Further, in the upper end portion of the seat back 11, a post-like stay 11c extending along the extending direction is embedded. The tip of the support protrusion 15a is engaged with the stay 11c. Thereby, the necklace 15 is supported by the upper end part of the seat back 11.

  In the present embodiment, the necklace 15 can move with respect to the headrest 14 along the extending direction. Strictly speaking, the necklace 15 can slide (slide) on the outer peripheral surfaces of the pillar 14 a of the headrest 14 and the stay 11 c in the seat back 11. That is, in the present embodiment, it is possible to adjust the position for supporting the occupant's neck in the extending direction through the movement of the headrest 14. More specifically, when the headrest 14 is moved and the head support position is adjusted, the necklace 15 is moved and the neck support position is adjusted so that the headrest 14 is moved. .

<< Various drive mechanisms provided in the vehicle seat >>
Next, various drive mechanisms that operate to change the posture of the vehicle seat 10 and the state of each part of the seat will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a drive mechanism that moves the seat back 11. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a drive mechanism that moves the seat cushion 12 and a drive mechanism that moves the ottoman 13. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a drive mechanism that moves the headrest 14 and a drive mechanism that moves the necklace 15. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing a cross section of the necklace 15 (strictly, a cross section with the extending direction as the normal direction). 8A shows a state in which the bag body 29 in the necklace 15 is contracted, and FIG. 8B shows a state in which the bag body 29 in the necklace 15 has expanded.

  In addition, as long as each drive mechanism exhibits the function mentioned later, a well-known mechanism can be utilized without a restriction | limiting, and it does not specifically limit about the structure. For this reason, in each of FIGS. 5 to 8B, the drive mechanism is schematically illustrated.

  A posture switching mechanism 20 for switching the posture of the vehicle seat 10 is provided in the vehicle seat 10. The posture switching mechanism 20 operates to move each of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the posture switching mechanism 20 includes a tilt angle adjusting mechanism 21 that is a driving mechanism for the seat back 11, and a lifting mechanism 22 that is a driving mechanism for the seat cushion 12. And a deployment mechanism 25 that is a drive mechanism for the ottoman 13.

  The tilt angle adjusting mechanism 21 is a mechanism that moves (rotates) the seat back 11 so that the tilt angle of the seat back 11 changes, and is configured by, for example, a motor-driven electric reclining mechanism. The seat back 11 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow D1 in FIG. 5 by the operation of the tilt angle adjusting mechanism 21, and specifically, the position indicated by the solid line and the two-dot chain line in FIG. Move between positions.

  The lifting mechanism 22 is a mechanism that moves (rotates) the seat cushion 12 around the fulcrum N so that the front end of the seat cushion 12 moves up and down, and is configured by, for example, a jack-type electric lift mechanism. The seat cushion 12 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow D2 in FIG. 6 by the operation of the lifting mechanism 22, and specifically, the position indicated by the solid line and the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Move between.

  The unfolding mechanism 25 is a mechanism that moves (rotates) the ottoman 13 so that the ottoman 13 moves from the retracted position to the unfolded position or from the unfolded position to the retracted position. For example, the unfolding mechanism 25 includes a swing arm type electric actuator. ing. The ottoman 13 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow D3 in FIG. 6 by the operation of the upper push-out mechanism 23. Specifically, the storage position indicated by the solid line and the development indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Move between positions.

  Further, a drive mechanism that operates to change the state of each part of the seat back 11 is provided in the seat back 11. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the back upper portion 11 a is provided with an upper push-out mechanism 23 that operates to change the state of the upper portion of the backrest surface (front surface) of the seat back 11. Yes. Further, as shown in the figure, the lower back portion 11b is provided with a lower pushing mechanism 24 that operates to change the state of the lower portion of the backrest surface (front surface) of the seat back 11.

  The upper push-out mechanism 23 is configured by an inflatable / shrinkable bag body (so-called air lumbar) disposed immediately behind the backrest surface in the seat back 11. When the upper push-out mechanism 23 operates (expands and contracts), the backrest surface is displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow D4 in FIG. 5 in the back upper portion 11a. Specifically, in FIG. It reciprocates between the position shown and the position shown with a dashed-two dotted line.

  The lower push-out mechanism 24 is configured by a piston-type electric actuator disposed in the seat back 11 immediately behind the backrest surface. When the lower push-out mechanism 24 operates, the backrest surface of the back lower portion 11b is displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow D5 in FIG. 5, specifically, the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. It reciprocates between the positions indicated by the chain line.

  In the vehicle seat 10, in addition to the drive mechanism described above, a drive mechanism for the headrest 14 and a drive mechanism for the necklace 15 are further provided. More specifically, a headrest driving mechanism 26 and a necklace driving mechanism 27 shown in FIG. 7 are arranged inside the upper end portion of the seat back 11. Further, as shown in the figure, a displacement mechanism 28 is disposed inside the front end portion (substantially rectangular parallelepiped portion) of the necklace 15.

  The headrest drive mechanism 26 is a mechanism that moves (vertically moves) the headrest 14 relative to the seatback 11 along the extending direction. The headrest driving mechanism 26 is fixed to a seatback frame (not shown) in the seatback 11 and is engaged with the pillar 14 a of the headrest 14. Specifically, the headrest drive mechanism 26 includes a pinion (not shown) connected to the motor. The pinion is engaged with a rack (not shown) provided on the pillar 14 a of the headrest 14. When the headrest driving mechanism 26 configured as described above operates, the engagement position between the pinion and the rack changes, and the headrest 14 including the pillar 14a moves in the direction indicated by the arrow D6 in FIG. To move.

  The necklace drive mechanism 27 is a mechanism that moves the necklace 15 relative to the headrest 14 along the extending direction (up and down movement). The necklace drive mechanism 27 is fixed to the support protrusion 15 a of the necklace 15 and is engaged with a stay 11 c provided in the seat back 11. Specifically, the necklace drive mechanism 27 includes a pinion (not shown) connected to a motor. The pinion is engaged with a rack (not shown) provided on the stay 11c. When the necklace drive mechanism 27 configured as described above operates, the engagement position between the pinion and the rack changes, and accordingly the necklace 15 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow D7 in FIG. become.

  In addition, when the necklace 15 moves along the extending direction, the necklace 15 moves alone. That is, the necklace 15 according to the present embodiment can move in a state separated from the headrest 14. In other words, in the present embodiment, each of the headrest 14 and the necklace 15 can be moved individually.

  The displacement mechanism 28 is a mechanism that moves a part of the support surface 15 s of the necklace 15 toward the neck of the occupant while the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 10. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the displacement mechanism 28 has a plurality of bags 29 provided in the necklace 15. As shown in the figure, each of the plurality of bag bodies 29 is a rear surface of the support surface 15s in the front end portion (substantially rectangular parallelepiped portion) of the necklace 15, more specifically, a skin material constituting the support surface 15s. It is placed immediately behind. The plurality of bag bodies 29 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center position of the necklace 15 in the sheet width direction.

  Each bag body 29 can be inflated and contracted, expands when air supplied from an air pump (not shown) is sealed, and contracts when air in the bag body 29 is discharged. In this embodiment, an air flow path is laid from the air pump toward the air lumbar that forms the upper push-out mechanism 23, and a part of the air flow path is branched to extend toward each bag body 29 of the displacement mechanism 28. I am letting it out.

  Then, as the bag body 29 expands, as shown in FIG. 7, a portion of the support surface 15 s of the necklace 15 that is located in front of the bag body 29 is raised toward the occupant's neck. Become. That is, a part of the support surface 15s of the necklace 15 is displaced to a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, the raised portion of the support surface 15s comes into contact with the occupant's neck.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the bulging amount of each of the plurality of bag bodies 29 arranged symmetrically is changed according to the arrangement position of each bag body 29. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8B, the bulge amount of each bag body 29 is set so that the bulge amount is larger in the bag body 29 located on the outer side in the sheet width direction. For this reason, on the support surface 15 s of the necklace 15, the forward bulge amount is increased on the outer side in the seat width direction. As a result, the shape of the support surface 15s can be changed in accordance with the shape (curved shape) of the occupant's neck so that the support surface 15s fits (contacts) well with the occupant's neck.

  Of the plurality of bag bodies 29, the two bag bodies 29 located on the outermost side in the sheet width direction (hereinafter, the two outermost bag bodies 29) are bulged, and the bag bodies on the support surface 15s. When the portion located in front of 29 is raised, the occupant's neck is sandwiched between the two raised portions formed on the support surface 15s. In addition, the interval between the two raised portions sandwiching the neck changes according to the amount of bulging of each of the two outermost bag bodies 29. Here, when the bulging amount of each of the two outermost bag bodies 29 is periodically changed, the interval between the two raised portions periodically changes. Thereby, the magnitude | size of the contact pressure of each protruding part applied to the neck part pinched | interposed between two protruding parts changes periodically. If such an operation is used, the neck can be massaged by the raised portion of the support surface 15s.

<< Control of drive mechanism >>
The above-described drive mechanism (position switching mechanism 20, upper push mechanism 23, lower push mechanism 24, headrest drive mechanism 26, necklace drive mechanism 27, and displacement mechanism 28) for moving each part of the vehicle seat 10 is a controller 30. Controlled by. Below, control of each drive mechanism by the controller 30 is demonstrated.

  The controller 30 is configured by an ECU (Electric Control Unit), and is installed inside the vehicle seat 10, behind the seat back 11 and the seat cushion 12, or in the vicinity of the vehicle seat 10. The controller 30 receives signals from various sensors attached in the vehicle seat 10 and controls each drive mechanism based on the signals.

  Here, the sensor in the vehicle seat 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The vehicle seat 10 includes an occupant detection sensor 41, a neck detection sensor 42, and a head detection sensor 43. The occupant detection sensor 41 is a sensor that detects that an occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 10, and includes, for example, a sensor (pressure sensor) for a seat belt reminder.

  In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, the occupant detection sensor 41 is provided on the seat cushion 12, but may be provided on the seat back 11. The occupant detection sensor 41 only needs to have a function of detecting that an occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 10, and is not limited to a seat belt reminder sensor. For example, the occupant detection sensor 41 measures a seat weight. Or a human sensor that receives the reflected light by irradiating the seat occupant with infrared rays. Alternatively, an in-vehicle image may be taken with a camera, and the image may be analyzed to detect that an occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 10.

  The neck detection sensor 42 is a sensor that detects that the occupant's neck is in contact with the support surface 15 s of the necklace 15. For example, the neck detection sensor 42 is a pressure sensor disposed immediately behind the support surface 15 s in the necklace 15. It is configured. However, the neck detection sensor 42 is not limited to a pressure sensor. That is, as long as it is detected that the occupant's neck is in contact with the support surface 15s of the necklace 15, other sensors (specifically, the position of the neck is specified and the neck is the necklace 15). A sensor that detects contact with the sensor may be used.

  The head detection sensor 43 is a sensor that detects that the head of the occupant is in contact with the front surface of the headrest 14 (that is, the surface facing the head). For example, the head detection sensor 43 is disposed on the back side of the front skin in the headrest 14. It is constituted by a pressure sensor. However, the head detection sensor 43 is not limited to a pressure sensor. That is, as long as it detects that the head of the occupant is in contact with the front surface of the headrest 14, another sensor (specifically, the position of the head is specified and the head is in contact with the headrest 14). A sensor for detecting this may be used.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, in the vehicle seat 10, in addition to the sensors described above, sensors for specifying the current positions of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13 (hereinafter referred to as “sensor”) , A position specifying sensor) is provided. The position specifying sensor may directly measure the current positions of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13. Alternatively, a sensor for specifying the operation amount of each driving mechanism (specifically, the tilt angle adjusting mechanism 21, the lifting mechanism 22 and the unfolding mechanism 25), for example, a Hall element attached to a driving motor included in each driving mechanism. May be used as a position identifying sensor. In such a case, the operation amount of each drive mechanism is determined from the output signal of the position specifying sensor, and the current positions of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13 are specified based on the operation amount.

  And the controller 30 receives the output signal from each sensor mentioned above, and controls each drive mechanism based on the said received signal. For example, the controller 30 controls the headrest drive mechanism 26 and the necklace drive mechanism 27 based on an output signal from the head detection sensor 43. Along with this, the headrest 14 and necklace 15 move along the extending direction. Further, the controller 30 controls the displacement mechanism 28 based on an output signal from the neck detection sensor 42. Along with this, a part of the support surface 15s of the necklace 15 is displaced (raised) toward the occupant's neck.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat 10 is provided with an operation switch 31 for posture switching. The operation switch 31 is a push button type switch provided on the door or armrest of the vehicle, and is operated when an occupant seated on the vehicle seat 10 switches the posture of the vehicle seat 10.

  When the operation switch 31 is operated, a signal corresponding to the operation content is output from the operation switch 31, and the controller 30 controls each drive mechanism based on the output signal from the operation switch 31. More specifically, when the operation switch 31 is operated so as to switch the posture of the vehicle seat 10 in the standing posture to the collapsed posture, the controller 30 causes the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13 to fall down. The tilt angle adjusting mechanism 21, the lifting mechanism 22 and the unfolding mechanism 25 are controlled so as to move to the position at the posture.

<< Control flow executed by controller >>
The controller 30 executes a predetermined control flow (hereinafter, a seating flow) immediately after the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 10. Further, the controller 30 executes a control flow for switching the posture of the vehicle seat 10 in the standing posture to the tilted posture (hereinafter referred to as the tilted posture transition flow). Hereinafter, the flow and control contents of each control flow will be described.

(About sitting flow)
First, the flow during sitting will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10A to 10C. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a flow at the time of sitting. FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C are views showing the state of each step in the sitting flow. More specifically, FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the position of the headrest 14 is being adjusted, FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the position of the necklace 15 is being adjusted, and FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that some support surfaces 15s of the necklace 15 are raised toward the passenger | crew's neck.

  The seating flow is executed to adjust the position of the headrest 14 and the necklace 15 in accordance with the physique (specifically, the seat height) of the occupant seated on the vehicle seat 10. As shown in FIG. 9, the seating flow starts when the occupant detection sensor 41 detects an occupant seated on the vehicle seat 10 (S001). That is, when the controller 30 receives the output signal from the occupant detection sensor 41, the controller 30 sequentially executes each step after step S002 of the seating flow using this as a trigger.

  Specifically, after receiving the output signal from the occupant detection sensor 41, the controller 30 determines whether the occupant's head is in contact with the headrest 14 based on the output signal from the head detection sensor 43. (S002).

  More specifically, the posture of the vehicle seat 10 is an upright posture immediately after the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 10. Further, immediately after the occupant sits on the vehicle seat 10, the headrest 14 and the necklace 15 are located in the normal position in the extending direction. The normal position is a position set on the assumption that a general adult male is seated on the vehicle seat 10. That is, the normal position of the headrest 14 is a position (height) where the headrest 14 is in contact with the head of a general adult male seated on the vehicle seat 10, and the normal position of the necklace 15 is the vehicle seat 10. The necklace 15 is in contact with the neck of a general adult male seated.

  Under the circumstances as described above, when an occupant having a relatively large physique sits on the vehicle seat 10, the head of the occupant is in contact with the headrest 14 at the time immediately after the seating. Will be detected. In this case, the controller 30 determines in step S002 that the head of the passenger is in contact with the headrest 14, and proceeds to step S006 as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when an occupant with a relatively small physique sits on the vehicle seat 10, the head detection sensor 43 does not output a signal because the occupant's head is not in contact with the headrest 14 immediately after the seating. In this case, the controller 30 determines in step S002 that the head of the passenger is not in contact with the headrest 14, and proceeds to step S003 as shown in FIG.

  More specifically, the controller 30 controls the headrest driving mechanism 26 to move the headrest 14 downward (S003). As a result, the headrest 14 descends from the normal position as shown in FIG. 10A. In step S003, the controller 30 continues to move the headrest 14 by controlling the headrest driving mechanism 26 until the head of the passenger comes into contact with the headrest 14 and the head detection sensor 43 detects this.

  When the headrest 14 comes into contact with the headrest 14 by the movement of the headrest 14 and the head detection sensor 43 detects this, the controller 30 calculates the amount of movement of the headrest 14 in step S003 (S004). More specifically, the vehicle seat 10 is provided with a sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the operation amount of the headrest drive mechanism 26. The controller 30 specifies the operation amount of the headrest drive mechanism 26 in step S003 based on the output signal from the sensor, and calculates the movement amount of the headrest 14 in the step from the specification result.

  After the calculation result of the movement amount of the headrest 14 is obtained, the controller 30 controls the necklace drive mechanism 27 to move the necklace 15 by an amount corresponding to the movement amount of the headrest 14 calculated in step S004 ( S005). As a result, the necklace 15 is lowered from the normal position as shown in FIG. 10B. More specifically, the necklace 15 is lowered by the same distance as the distance the headrest 14 has moved in step S003. Then, after the necklace 15 has moved by a predetermined amount (specifically, the same movement amount as the movement amount of the headrest 14), the process proceeds to step S006.

  In step S006, the controller 30 controls the displacement mechanism 28 to displace a part of the support surface 15s of the necklace 15 toward the occupant's neck (S006). Specifically, each of the plurality of bag bodies 29 arranged at the front end of the necklace 15 is bulged. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10C, a portion of the support surface 15s located in front of each bag 29 is raised toward the neck.

  While controlling the displacement mechanism 28, the controller 30 determines whether the occupant's neck is in contact with the support surface 15s of the necklace 15 based on the output signal from the neck detection sensor 42 (S007). . Specifically, when the controller 30 does not receive an output signal from the neck detection sensor 42, the controller 30 determines that the neck is not in contact with the support surface 15s. In such a case, the controller 30 controls the displacement mechanism 28 so that a part of the support surface 15s is continuously displaced (raised) until the neck detection sensor 42 detects that the neck is in contact with the support surface 15s.

  On the other hand, when the neck is in contact with the support surface 15 s and the neck detection sensor 42 detects that and outputs a signal, the controller 30 determines that the neck is in contact with the support surface 15 s and determines the displacement mechanism 28. Stop. Then, the controller 30 ends the seating flow when the displacement mechanism 28 is stopped.

  As described above, in the sitting flow, the positions of the headrest 14 and the necklace 15 are adjusted according to the physique of the occupant seated on the vehicle seat 10. At this time, the necklace 15 is moved in conjunction with the movement of the headrest 14.

  In the present embodiment, the necklace 15 is moved after the headrest 14 is moved. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the headrest 14 and the necklace 15 may be moved simultaneously.

  In the sitting flow, when the necklace 15 moves, the displacement mechanism 28 displaces (raises) a part of the support surface 15s so that a part of the support surface 15s of the necklace 15 contacts the neck of the occupant. Thereby, the support position of the neck by the necklace 15 can be individually adjusted in each of the extending direction and the front-rear direction of the seat back 11 (in other words, the thickness direction of the seat back 11).

  In the present embodiment, after the necklace 15 has finished moving in the extending direction, the displacement mechanism 28 is controlled to displace a part of the support surface 15s. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, while moving the necklace 15 along the extending direction, the displacement mechanism 28 may be controlled to displace a part of the support surface 15s.

(About the falling posture transition flow)
Next, the falling posture transition flow will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of the falling posture transition flow. FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing a period in which each part of the seat is moved to switch the posture of the vehicle seat 10 to the collapsed posture. The horizontal axis in FIG. 12 indicates the elapsed time from when the operation switch 31 is operated, and the vertical axis indicates the positions of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13.

  In the following description, the position of the seat back 11 when the vehicle seat 10 is in the standing posture is referred to as “standing position”, and the position of the seat back 11 when in the leaning posture is referred to as “falling position”. I will call it. The position of the seat cushion 12 when the vehicle seat 10 is in the standing posture is referred to as a “normal position”, and the position of the seat back 11 when in the collapsed posture is referred to as a “lifting position”.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the falling posture transition flow starts when an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat 10 operates the operation switch 31 to select the posture switching to the falling posture. (S011). That is, when the occupant performs an operation for switching the posture of the vehicle seat 10 to the collapsed posture, the operation switch 31 receives the operation and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation content. When the controller 30 receives the output signal from the operation switch 31, the controller 30 sequentially executes each step after step S012 of the falling posture transition flow using this as a trigger.

  More specifically, when receiving an output signal from the operation switch 31, the controller 30 sets the movement amounts of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13 necessary for the transition to the tilted posture (S012).

  More specifically, in step S012, the controller 30 first specifies the current position of each of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13 based on the output signal from the position specifying sensor. Thereafter, the controller 30 calculates the distance from the identified current position to the arrangement position in the tilted posture, and sets the calculation result as the movement amount. Here, as the arrangement position in the tilted posture, “falling position” corresponds to the seat back 11, “lifting position” corresponds to the seat cushion 12, and “deployment position” corresponds to the ottoman 13. To do.

  In the following, the positions (current positions) of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12 and the ottoman 13 when the operation switch 31 is operated are the arrangement positions in the standing posture, that is, the “standing position”, “normal position”, and “storing”. The description will be made assuming the case of “position”.

  After setting the movement amount of each part of the sheet, the controller 30 calculates the time required to move each part of the sheet by the movement amount set in step S012 (S013). More specifically, the controller 30 calculates the time required to move the seat back 11 from the standing position to the fall position by the fall angle adjustment mechanism 21. Similarly, the controller 30 is required to move the seat cushion 12 from the normal position to the lifted position by the lifting mechanism 22 and to move the ottoman 13 from the storage position to the deployed position by the deployment mechanism 25. Each time is calculated.

  When the posture of the vehicle seat 10 is switched from the standing posture to the tilted posture, the time required to move the seat back 11 to the tilted position is the longest, and the time required to move the ottoman 13 to the deployed position. Becomes the second longest and the time required to move the seat cushion 12 to the lifted position is the shortest. This reflects that the amount of movement of the seat back 11 is the largest, the amount of movement of the ottoman 13 is the largest, and the amount of movement of the seat cushion 12 is the smallest when the posture of the vehicle seat 10 is switched from the standing posture to the falling posture. doing.

  Next, the controller 30 sets the movement start time of each of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13 based on the calculation result in step S013 (S014). In step S014, the controller 30 sets the respective movement start times so that the timings at which the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13 finish moving are all aligned.

  The procedure for setting the movement start time will be described with reference to FIG. 12. First, the controller 30 sets the movement end time for each of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13. Here, the movement end point of the seat back 11 is Tfb, the movement end point of the seat cushion 12 is Tfc, and the movement end point of the ottoman 13 is Tfo.

  After that, the controller 30 sets the movement end times Tfb, Tfc, and Tfo of each part of the sheet so as to have the same timing, and starts moving the time point that is back by the movement time calculated in step S013 from each movement end point. Set as time. Here, the movement start time of the seat back 11 is Tsb, the movement start time of the seat cushion 12 is Tsc, and the movement start time of the ottoman 13 is Tso.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the movement start time Tsb of the seat back 11 is the earliest time, the movement start time Tso of the ottoman 13 is the second earliest time, and the movement start time Tsc of the seat cushion 12 is the latest time. It becomes. Such a shift at the start of movement reflects that the required travel time calculated in step S013 is different among the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13.

  Then, the controller 30 controls the tilt angle adjusting mechanism 21, the lifting mechanism 22, and the unfolding mechanism 25 so that each part of the sheet starts moving at the movement start time set in step S <b> 014.

  More specifically, the controller 30 first controls the tilt angle adjusting mechanism 21 when the elapsed time from the operation point of the operation switch 31 reaches Tsb to move the seat back 11 toward the tilt position. (S015). Next, the controller 30 controls the deployment mechanism 25 to move the ottoman 13 toward the deployment position when the elapsed time from the operation point of the operation switch 31 reaches Tso (S016). Finally, the controller 30 controls the lifting mechanism 22 to move the seat cushion 12 toward the lifting position when the elapsed time from the operation point of the operation switch 31 reaches Tsc (S017).

  The controller 30 continues to move each part of the seat until the movement amounts of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13 reach the movement amounts set in step S012 (S018).

  When the movement amounts of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13 reach the movement amounts set in step S012, the controller 30 stops the tilt angle adjustment mechanism 21, the lifting mechanism 22, and the deployment mechanism 25. . Thereby, each movement of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13 is completed. Then, when the movement of each part of the seat is completed, the falling posture transition flow is finished, and the posture of the vehicle seat 10 is shifted to the falling posture.

  In the present embodiment, the movement end times Tfb, Tfc, and Tfo of the seat back 11, the seat cushion 12, and the ottoman 13 are all aligned. In other words, in this embodiment, the seat back 11 reaches the fall position, the seat cushion 12 reaches the lifted position, and the ottoman 13 reaches the deployed position at the same timing. Thus, the movement of each part of the seat ends at the same timing, so that the passenger sitting on the vehicle seat 10 feels comfortable. More specifically, since the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 10 even during the posture change, it is more comfortable for the occupant that the movement of each part of the seat ends simultaneously than when any one of the parts of the seat continues to move. I feel it.

<< Other Embodiments >>
The configuration of the vehicle seat and the vehicle seat unit of the present invention has been described above by way of an example. However, the above embodiment is merely an example, and other embodiments can be considered. For example, in the above embodiment, the headrest 14 and the necklace 15 are separate and separated from each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the headrest and the necklace are integrated as the same member. It may be.

  In the above embodiment, when the headrest driving mechanism 26 is controlled to move the headrest 14 along the extending direction, the head detection sensor 43 detects that the head of the occupant is in contact with the headrest 14. It was decided that the headrest 14 would continue to move. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the occupant's sitting height and head position are specified in advance before the headrest driving mechanism 26 is controlled, and then the sitting height and head position are specified based on the result. The movement amount of the headrest 14 may be set, and the headrest driving mechanism 26 may be controlled so that the headrest 14 is moved by the movement amount.

  Moreover, in said embodiment, the displacement mechanism 28 has the bag body 29 arrange | positioned inside the front-end part of the necklace 15, and bulges the bag body 29 and displaces a part of support surface 15s. It was decided. However, devices other than the bag body 29 may be used as long as a part of the support surface 15s is displaced. For example, an actuator having a movable part that can be moved back and forth, a rolling element whose arrangement position can be changed, such as a kneading ball used in a general massage chair, is arranged behind the support surface 15s. You may displace the said part by pressing a part of support surface 15s from the back.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle seat unit 10 Vehicle seat 11 Seat back 11a Back upper part 11b Back lower part 11c Stay 12 Seat cushion 13 Ottoman 14 Headrest 14a Pillar 15 Necklace 15a Support protrusion 15s Support surface 20 Posture switching mechanism 21 Inclination angle adjustment Mechanism 22 Lift mechanism 23 Upper push mechanism 24 Lower push mechanism 25 Deployment mechanism 26 Headrest drive mechanism 27 Necklace drive mechanism 28 Displacement mechanism 29 Bag body 30 Controller 31 Operation switch 41 Occupant detection sensor 42 Neck detection sensor (sensor)
43 Head detection sensor

Claims (7)

A vehicle seat on which a vehicle occupant can be seated,
Seat back,
A posture switching mechanism for switching the posture of the vehicle seat between a standing posture in which the seat back is raised and a tilted posture in which the seat back is tilted backward;
A headrest positioned above the seat back when the posture is the standing posture;
A necklace that has a support surface that supports the neck of an occupant and is positioned below the headrest when the posture is the standing posture;
A displacement mechanism provided in the necklace for displacing a part of the support surface toward the neck of an occupant,
The necklace is movable along the extending direction of the seat back,
The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein when the necklace moves, the displacement mechanism displaces a part of the support surface so that a part of the support surface is in contact with an occupant's neck. A headrest drive mechanism for moving the headrest relative to the seat back along the extending direction;
A necklace drive mechanism for moving the necklace with respect to the headrest along the extending direction,
The necklace drive mechanism moves the necklace along the extending direction according to the amount of movement of the headrest when the headrest drive mechanism moves the headrest. Vehicle seat. The displacement mechanism has an inflatable bag that is arranged behind the support surface in the necklace.
3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the support surface located in front of the bag body is raised toward the neck of an occupant as the bag body bulges. .   4. The vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the bags are arranged along the width direction of the vehicle seat in the necklace. 5. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A vehicle seat unit comprising: a controller for controlling the displacement mechanism;
The vehicle seat unit according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the displacement mechanism to displace a part of the support surface after the necklace has finished moving in the extending direction. A sensor for detecting that the neck of an occupant is in contact with the support surface;
The said controller controls the said displacement mechanism so that a part of said support surface may continue to be displaced until the said sensor detects that the passenger | crew's neck is contacting the said support surface. The vehicle seat unit described in 1. The vehicle seat further includes a seat cushion and an ottoman,
The posture switching mechanism is controlled by the controller and moves each of the seat back, the seat cushion, and the ottoman to switch the posture,
The vehicle seat unit according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the controller controls the posture switching mechanism so that the timings at which the seat back, the seat cushion, and the ottoman finish moving are all aligned.

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