JP2019172222A - Vehicle seat control device and vehicle seat control system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle seat control device which notifies a user of state change of a vehicle seat while increase in the number of components thereof being suppressed.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat control device 20 has: drive parts 21, 22 which have motors 21a, 22a, and change a state of a vehicle seat 10 by drive power of the motors 21a, 22a; and ECU 23, 24 which adjust drive power supplied to the motors 21a, 22a by PWM control. When changing the state of the vehicle 10 by the drive parts 21, 22, the ECU 23, 24 perform a sound generation operation for generating a sound in an audible range from the motors 21a, 22a in such a manner that a frequency in the audible range is included in a control frequency in said PWM control.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle seat control device and a vehicle seat control system.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle seat control device that changes the state of a vehicle seat, such as forward / backward slide movement and tilting of a seat back, is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
In the vehicle seat control device disclosed in Patent Literature 1, when the vehicle seat moves in the front-rear direction, the user is notified of the movement by a buzzer. Moreover, in such a vehicle seat control device, the vehicle seat is moved in the front-rear direction by controlling a motor (an actuator in Patent Document 1) as a drive source.

JP 2008-74359 A

  By the way, in the vehicle seat control apparatus as described above, when the vehicle seat is moved rearward, a notification of the movement to the surroundings is provided by a buzzer. However, it is necessary to provide a buzzer, and there is concern about an increase in the number of parts.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle seat control device and a vehicle seat control system that notify a user of a change in the state of a vehicle seat while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. There is to do.

  A vehicle seat control device that solves the above problems includes a seat state changing unit that has a motor and changes the state of the vehicle seat by the driving force of the motor, and PWM control that adjusts drive power supplied to the motor by PWM control. The PWM control unit includes an audible frequency in the control frequency in the PWM control when changing the state of the vehicle seat by the seat state changing unit, and generates an audible sound from the motor. Causes a sounding action to occur.

  According to the above aspect, when changing the state of the vehicle seat by the seat state changing unit, the user is caused to perform a sounding operation that includes the audible frequency in the control frequency in the PWM control and generates the audible sound from the motor. Notification of vehicle seat state change. For this reason, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed by performing a sound generation operation with the motor itself, which is a driving source necessary for changing the state of the vehicle seat, without using other members such as a buzzer.

In the vehicle seat control device, it is preferable that the PWM control unit causes the sounding operation to be performed when the seat state changing unit starts changing the state of the vehicle seat.
According to the said aspect, it can alert | report that the state change of a vehicle seat is performed in advance with respect to a user by implementing sound generation operation at the time of the start of change of the state of a vehicle seat by a seat state change part. In this way, by notifying the user that the state change of the vehicle seat is performed in advance, it is possible to suppress the sudden change in the state of the vehicle seat for the user, and accompanying the change in the state of the vehicle seat Various preparations (such as evacuation behavior from the vehicle seat) can be made, and convenience can be improved.

In the vehicle seat control device, it is preferable that the PWM control unit causes the sound generation operation to be performed when the change of the state of the vehicle seat by the seat state changing unit is completed.
According to the said aspect, it can alert | report to the user that the state change of the vehicle seat was complete | finished. Thus, by notifying the user that the change of the state of the vehicle seat has been completed, the user can recognize that the state of the vehicle seat will not change any more, and convenience can be improved.

  In the vehicle seat control device, the vehicle seat control device further includes a user presence detection unit that detects whether or not a user exists behind the vehicle seat, and the PWM control unit moves the vehicle seat backward by the seat state change unit. In the movement, it is preferable that the sound generation operation is performed when the user exists behind the vehicle seat by the user presence detection unit.

  According to the said aspect, when moving a vehicle seat back, it can alert | report that a vehicle seat moves with respect to the user who exists behind the vehicle seat. Thus, by notifying the user existing behind that the vehicle seat moves, it is possible to prevent the user from moving the vehicle seat suddenly, and various preparations (vehicles) accompanying the movement of the vehicle seat are suppressed. Evacuation from the seat, etc.), and convenience can be improved.

  In the vehicle seat control device, the user presence detection unit is a contact detection sensor mounted on the vehicle seat, and the PWM control unit moves the vehicle seat rearward by the seat state change unit, When the contact detection sensor detects that the user has touched, it is preferable that the sound generation operation is performed assuming that the user exists.

  According to the said aspect, when a contact with a user is detected by a contact detection sensor, it can alert | report that a vehicle seat moves to a user by performing sounding operation | movement. Thus, by notifying that the vehicle seat has been contacted, the user can recognize that fact and can perform a subsequent evacuation operation, improving convenience.

In the vehicle seat control device, it is preferable that the PWM control unit causes the sound generation operation to be performed when an abnormal load is applied to the motor.
According to the above aspect, the sound generation operation is performed when an abnormal load is applied to the motor, so that the user can be notified. In this way, when an abnormal load is applied to the motor, the sound generation operation is performed, so that the user can be informed that there is an abnormality, and the user can recognize that repair is necessary. Thus, convenience can be improved.

  In the vehicle seat control apparatus, a plurality of the motors are provided in the vehicle seat, and the PWM control unit performs a sound generation operation that generates sound in an audible range from the plurality of motors provided in the vehicle seat. It is preferable.

  According to the above aspect, the sound generation operation can be performed from the plurality of motors. That is, by using a plurality of motors, it is possible to provide a plurality of sound sources in one vehicle seat and increase the variation of sound. In this way, by providing a plurality of sound sources and increasing sound variations, it becomes possible to notify the user of the state change of the vehicle seat from the difference in the variations, and the convenience can be improved. .

Moreover, the vehicle seat control system which solves the said subject provides the vehicle seat control apparatus in any one of the above in each of the said several vehicle seat provided in a vehicle.
According to the above aspect, it is possible to notify the user of a change in the state of the vehicle seat while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. In addition, by providing a vehicle seat control device for each vehicle seat, it is possible to notify the user of which vehicle seat state is changed by causing a sound generation operation from a motor provided in each vehicle seat, thereby improving convenience. Can contribute.

  According to the vehicle seat control device and the vehicle seat control system of the present invention, it is possible to notify the user of a change in the state of the vehicle seat while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

The schematic structure figure of the vehicle seat which has the vehicle seat control device in one embodiment. The flowchart of the vehicle seat control apparatus in the embodiment. The schematic block diagram of the vehicle seat which has the vehicle seat control apparatus in a modification. The flowchart of the vehicle seat control apparatus in the modification. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the vehicle seat control system in a modification.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a vehicle seat having a vehicle seat control device will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat 10 of this embodiment includes a seat cushion 11 on which an occupant can sit, a seat back 12 that can support the back of the occupant, and a headrest 13 that can support the head of the occupant. Have. In the vehicle seat 10 of this example, a frame (not shown) is provided inside the seat cushion 11, the seat back 12, and the headrest 13, and the shape of the vehicle seat 10 is maintained by these frames, for example.

Further, the vehicle seat 10 includes a vehicle seat control device 20.
The vehicle seat control device 20 includes drive units 21 and 22 and ECUs 23 and 24 as PWM control units.

  The drive units 21 and 22 change the state (posture and position) of the vehicle seat 10 by driving the motors 21a and 22a in accordance with control signals from the ECUs 23 and 24. Moreover, the drive parts 21 and 22 have a mechanism part which is not shown in figure. As examples of changes in the posture and position of the vehicle seat 10, in this example, the front-rear position of the vehicle seat 10, the tilt angle (reclining angle) of the seat back 12, and the like can be given. These are merely examples, and other positions may be changed.

  The drive unit 21 is for changing the position of the vehicle seat 10 in the front-rear direction. The drive unit 22 is for adjusting the inclination posture (reclining angle) of the seat back 12 of the vehicle seat 10.

  The ECUs 23 and 24 control the motors 21a and 22a. For example, the ECUs 23 and 24 adjust the drive power supplied to the motors 21a and 22a as one function by PWM control. In addition, the ECUs 23 and 24 operate the control frequency in PWM control in a non-audible range (for example, 20 kHz) during normal operation in which the posture and position of the vehicle seat 10 are changed by the motors 21a and 22a. The ECUs 23 and 24 operate the control frequency in the PWM control in an audible range (for example, 1 kHz or 500 Hz) at the time of a sound generation operation in which the motors 21a and 22a themselves generate sound and notify the user. Note that the control frequency in PWM control may not be constant, and may be varied by performing envelope control.

  The ECUs 23 and 24 are electrically connected to the master ECU 30. The master ECU 30 is configured to receive an operation signal accompanying a switch operation by the user. Examples of the operation signal include a signal for tilting the seat back 12 (reclining operation), a signal for sliding the vehicle seat 10 in the front-rear direction, and the like.

Next, a control example (action) by the vehicle seat control device 20 of the present embodiment will be described.
For example, when the operation signal instructing at least one of the operation of tilting the seat back 12 backward and the operation of sliding the vehicle seat 10 backward is input to the master ECU 30 from the outside, the master ECU 30 Then, a control signal for instructing the operation to the target ECUs 23 and 24 is output.

  When the control signal output from the master ECU 30 is input, the ECUs 23 and 24 change the state of the vehicle seat 10 by controlling the drive units 21 and 22 (motors 21a and 22a) based on the control signal. At this time, in this example, the sounding operation described above is performed at the start of change of the state of the vehicle seat 10 and at the end of change of the state.

Here, for example, an operation when a control signal for sliding the vehicle seat 10 backward is input to the ECU 23 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, when a control signal for causing the vehicle seat 10 to slide backward is input, the ECU 23 first performs motor sound control (step S101). Specifically, the ECU 23 causes the control frequency in the PWM control of the motor 21a to operate in the audible range (sound generation operation). At this time, the ECU 23 adjusts the driving power (applied voltage) supplied to the motor 21a by PWM control so that the motor 21a does not rotate, that is, the vehicle seat 10 does not slide backward.

  The ECU 23 determines whether or not a predetermined time T1 has elapsed since the start of the motor sound control described above (step S102). The ECU 23 performs the motor sound control of step S101, that is, the sound generation operation until the predetermined time T1 has elapsed (step S102: NO).

  If ECU23 determines with predetermined time T1 having passed (step S102: YES), it will control the motor 21a and will operate the vehicle seat 10 back (step S103). At this time, the ECU 23 rotationally drives the motor 21a with the drive power (applied voltage) supplied to the motor 21a by PWM control as, for example, a battery voltage (about 12V).

  The ECU 23 performs motor sound control when the rearward movement (change of state) of the vehicle seat 10 is completed (step S104). Specifically, the ECU 23 causes the control frequency in the PWM control of the motor 21a to operate in the audible range (sound generation operation). At this time, the ECU 23 adjusts the driving power (applied voltage) supplied to the motor 21a by PWM control so that the motor 21a does not rotate, that is, the vehicle seat 10 does not slide backward. The frequency may be changed between the sound generation operation by the motor 21a in step S104 and the sound generation operation by the motor 21a in step S102 described above.

  The ECU 23 determines whether or not a predetermined time T2 has elapsed since the start of the motor sound control described above (step S105). The ECU 23 performs the motor sound control of step S104, that is, the sound generation operation until the predetermined time T2 has elapsed (step S105: NO).

If the ECU 23 determines that the predetermined time T2 has elapsed (step S105: YES), the sound generation operation by the motor 21a is terminated.
The effect of this embodiment will be described.

  (1) When the state of the vehicle seat 10 is changed by the driving units 21 and 22 as the seat state changing unit, the sound that causes the audible range to be generated from the motors 21a and 22a by including the audible range in the control frequency in the PWM control. By performing the operation, the user is notified of the state change of the vehicle seat 10. Therefore, for example, without using other members such as a buzzer, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed by performing a sound generation operation using the motors 21a and 22a, which are driving sources necessary for changing the state of the vehicle seat 10, for example. In addition, since the sound generation operation can be performed without using a speaker, a buzzer or the like, it is possible to reduce wiring and reduce costs.

  (2) By performing the sound generation operation at the start of the change of the state of the vehicle seat 10 by the drive units 21 and 22, it can be notified to the user that the state change of the vehicle seat 10 is performed in advance. In this way, by notifying the user that the state change of the vehicle seat 10 is performed in advance, it is possible to suppress the state change of the vehicle seat 10 from being abrupt for the user. Various preparations (such as retreat behavior from the vehicle seat 10) associated with the change can be made, and convenience can be improved.

  (3) By performing the sound generation operation when the change of the state of the vehicle seat 10 by the drive units 21 and 22 is completed, it is possible to notify the user that the state change of the vehicle seat 10 has been completed. Thus, by notifying the user that the state change of the vehicle seat 10 has been completed, the user can recognize that the state of the vehicle seat 10 will no longer change, and convenience can be improved.

  (4) When moving the vehicle seat 10 backward, it is possible to notify the user existing behind the vehicle seat 10 that the vehicle seat 10 moves. In this way, by notifying the user existing behind that the vehicle seat 10 moves, it is possible to prevent the vehicle seat 10 from moving suddenly, and various types associated with the movement of the vehicle seat 10 can be suppressed. Preparation (such as retreating behavior from the vehicle seat 10) can be made, and convenience can be improved.

  (5) The sound generation operation can be performed from the plurality of motors 21a and 22a. That is, by using a plurality of motors 21a and 22a, it is possible to provide a plurality of sound sources in one vehicle seat 10 and increase the variation of sound. In this way, by providing a plurality of sound sources and increasing sound variations, it is possible to notify the user of the state change of the vehicle seat 10 due to the variations, improving convenience. it can.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the sound generation operation by the drive units 21 and 22 (motors 21a and 22a) is performed both at the start of change of the state of the vehicle seat 10 and at the end of change of the state of the vehicle seat 10. Not limited to this. For example, the sound generation operation by the drive units 21 and 22 (motors 21a and 22a) is performed only when the change of the state of the vehicle seat 10 is started, or the drive units 21 and 22 (motor 21a only when the change of the state of the vehicle seat 10 is completed. , 22a) may be adopted.

  Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, a period in which sound is generated by combining an operation in the audible range and an operation in the non-audible range (motor 21a non-rotation operation) and a period in which no sound is generated are provided, and intermittent sound generation is provided. You may make it make it. As an example, the sound generation operation may be continuously performed in the audible range at the start of the change of the state of the vehicle seat 10, and the sound generation operation may be intermittently performed in the audible range at the end of the change of the state of the vehicle seat 10. These are merely examples, and can be changed as appropriate.

  -As shown in Drawing 3, you may adopt composition provided with user existence detecting part 40 which detects whether a user exists behind back of seat back 12 of vehicle seat 10. FIG. As an example, the user presence detection unit 40 includes a contact detection sensor provided on the rear surface side of the seat back 12 of the vehicle seat 10, a contact detection sensor provided on the rear vehicle seat 10 located behind the vehicle seat 10, and a vehicle. A camera that images the back of the seat 10 is used.

  The user presence detection unit 40 is electrically connected to the master ECU 30. For this reason, the information regarding the presence detection of the user by the user presence detection part 40 is input into each ECU23, 24 via the master ECU30. Note that the user presence detection unit 40 can be directly electrically connected to the ECUs 23 and 24 to input information regarding the presence detection of the user without using the master ECU 30.

The operation when the control signal for causing the vehicle seat 10 to slide backward is input to the ECU 23 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, when a control signal for causing the vehicle seat 10 to slide backward is input, the ECU 23 first detects the presence of a user detected by the user presence detection unit 40 obtained via the master ECU 30. It is determined whether or not there is a user behind the vehicle seat 10 from the information related to detection (step S106).

  When it is determined that there is no user behind the vehicle seat 10 (step S106: NO), the ECU 23 controls the motor 21a to move the vehicle seat 10 backward (step S103). At this time, the ECU 23 rotationally drives the motor 21a with the drive power (applied voltage) supplied to the motor 21a by PWM control as, for example, a battery voltage (about 12V).

  On the other hand, when it determines with a user existing behind the vehicle seat 10 (step S106: YES), ECU23 implements motor sound control (step S101). Specifically, the ECU 23 causes the control frequency in the PWM control of the motor 21a to operate in the audible range (sound generation operation). At this time, the ECU 23 adjusts the driving power (applied voltage) supplied to the motor 21a by PWM control so that the motor 21a does not rotate, that is, the vehicle seat 10 does not slide backward.

  The ECU 23 determines whether or not a predetermined time T1 has elapsed since the start of the motor sound control described above (step S102). The ECU 23 performs the motor sound control of step S101, that is, the sound generation operation until the predetermined time T1 has elapsed (step S102: NO).

If ECU23 determines with predetermined time T1 having passed (step S102: YES), it will control the motor 21a and will operate the vehicle seat 10 back (step S103).
As described above, when the vehicle seat 10 is moved rearward, it can be notified to the user existing behind the vehicle seat 10 that the vehicle seat 10 moves. In addition, when there is no user behind the vehicle seat 10, the sound generation operation is not performed, so that the generation of sound from the motor 21a (22a) is suppressed.

  Further, when the user presence detection unit 40 is configured by a contact detection sensor provided on the rear side of the seat back 12, for example, the vehicle seat 10 is slid rearward until the contact detection sensor detects contact with the user, When the contact with the user is detected, the backward sliding movement of the vehicle seat 10 may be stopped and the sound generation operation may be performed by the motor 21a (22a). Thereby, it can be notified to the user who operated movement of vehicle seat 10 that it is stop of vehicle seat 10 derived from contact. Thus, by notifying that the vehicle seat 10 derived from the contact is stopped, the user can recognize that fact and can improve convenience.

  In the above embodiment, the drive units 21 and 22 are provided in both the seat cushion 11 and the seat back 12, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a configuration in which the drive unit 21 is provided only on the seat cushion 11 or a configuration in which the drive unit 22 is provided only on the seat back 12 may be employed.

  In the above embodiment, for example, the motor 21a of the drive unit 21 that slides the vehicle seat 10 in the front-rear direction is configured to perform the sound generation operation when the vehicle seat 10 is moved rearward. You may employ | adopt the structure which implements sound generation operation | movement at the time of operation | movement and the movement of the vehicle seat 10 ahead.

  Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, a configuration in which a sound generation operation is performed when an abnormal load is applied to the motors 21a and 22a may be employed. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to notify the user to that effect. As an example in which an abnormal load acts on the motors 21a and 22a, in order to change the state of the vehicle seat 10 with respect to the motors 21a and 22a when a mechanism part or the like constituting the drive parts 21 and 22 is damaged. There are cases where the motors 21a and 22a do not rotate despite the fact that the drive power is supplied. In this way, when an abnormal load is applied to the motors 21a and 22a, the sound generation operation is performed, so that the user can be informed that there is an abnormality, and the user recognizes that repair is necessary. Can be improved in terms of convenience.

  -Although not mentioned in particular in the said embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle seat control apparatus 20 may be provided for every vehicle seat 10 mounted in the vehicle C, for example, and a vehicle seat control system may be comprised. By setting it as such a structure, it can alert | report to the user which state of the vehicle seat 10 is changed by making sound generation operation | movement from the motor provided in each vehicle seat 10, and can contribute to a convenience improvement.

  -Although not mentioned in particular in the said embodiment, you may employ | adopt the structure which provides the armrest which supports the ottoman which supports a user's leg part in the vehicle seat 10, and a user's arm. Furthermore, you may employ | adopt the structure which changes a state (drive) a ottoman and an armrest by the drive part which has a motor. And when changing the state of an ottoman or an armrest, you may make it implement sound generation operation | movement with a motor.

  Although not particularly mentioned in the above embodiment, for example, the motor 21a, 22a may have a function of stopping (turning off) a sound generation operation that generates sound in the audible range. In this case, for example, by enabling the user to switch on / off the sound generation operation by operating a switch or the like, it is possible to contribute to an improvement in convenience.

  -You may combine the said embodiment and each modification suitably.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle seat, 20 ... Vehicle seat control apparatus, 21, 22 ... Drive part (seat state change part), 21a, 22a ... Motor, 23, 24 ... ECU (PWM control part), 40 ... User presence detection part, C …vehicle.

Claims (8)

A seat state changing unit that has a motor and changes the state of the vehicle seat by the driving force of the motor, and a PWM control unit that adjusts the driving power supplied to the motor by PWM control,
The PWM control unit causes a sound generation operation to generate an audible range sound from the motor by including an audible range frequency in the control frequency in the PWM control when the seat state change unit changes the state of the vehicle seat. A vehicle seat control device.   2. The vehicle seat control device according to claim 1, wherein the PWM control unit causes the sound generation operation to be performed when the change of the state of the vehicle seat is started by the seat state change unit.   3. The vehicle seat control device according to claim 1, wherein the PWM control unit causes the sound generation operation to be performed at the end of the change of the state of the vehicle seat by the seat state changing unit. A user presence detection unit that detects whether a user is present behind the vehicle seat;
The PWM control unit causes the sound generation operation to be performed when the user is present behind the vehicle seat by the user presence detection unit when the seat state changing unit moves the vehicle seat rearward. The vehicle seat control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The user presence detection unit is a contact detection sensor mounted on the vehicle seat,
The PWM control unit causes the sound generation operation to be performed on the assumption that the user is present when the contact detection sensor detects that the user has touched the vehicle seat when the seat state changing unit moves backward. The vehicle seat control device according to claim 4.   The vehicle seat control device according to claim 1, wherein the PWM control unit causes the sound generation operation to be performed when an abnormal load is applied to the motor. A plurality of the motors are provided in the vehicle seat,
The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the PWM control unit causes a sound generation operation to generate sound in an audible range from the plurality of motors provided in the vehicle seat. Control device.   A vehicle seat control system, wherein the vehicle seat control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is provided in each of the plurality of vehicle seats provided in a vehicle.