JP2021019826A - Sleep induction apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sleep induction apparatus capable of improving habitability of a crew member inside a car.SOLUTION: A sleep induction apparatus 5 includes a tactile stimulation section 50 disposed on the side of a seat 91 of a vehicle 90. The tactile stimulation section 50 has a deformation part 51 deformable in a vertical direction, a skin part 52 for covering the deformation part 51 from the upper side, and a drive part 53 for deforming the deformation part 51 periodically. A position of the skin part 52 changes in a vertical direction according to deformation of the deformation part 51.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a sleep guidance device mounted on a vehicle.

The vehicle is equipped with various in-vehicle devices such as lighting devices, air conditioners, and audio. In recent years, a sleep guidance device for inviting an occupant to a sleep state by appropriately driving this type of in-vehicle device has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Crew members other than the driver may sleep while the driver is driving, and the driver may also stop and sleep during breaks. In the passenger compartment, there are several factors that hinder the occupant from falling asleep, such as noise and lights of oncoming vehicles. By guiding the occupant to a sleep state with a sleep guidance device, the occupant's habitability in the passenger compartment is improved. There is a possibility that it can be done.

According to the sleep-onset device introduced in Patent Document 1, when it is detected that the occupant is in a drowsy state based on the occupant's biological information, the occupant is put to sleep by appropriately driving the in-vehicle device. .. Claim 8 of Patent Document 1 lists seat reclining devices, massage devices, lighting devices, and the like as in-vehicle devices whose operation is controlled by the sleep-onset device.

JP-A-2010-68941

By the way, in the sleep-onset device introduced in Patent Document 1 described above, as an operation control of an in-vehicle device for putting an occupant to sleep, for example, for a massage device, it is proposed to perform a massage that makes the occupant sleepy. In paragraph [0059] of Patent Document 1, it is mentioned that the massage that makes the occupant sleepy is to perform an action that gently shakes the body from side to side.

However, since the massage device is built in the seat, the whole body of the occupant is moved by performing the massage. For this reason, the occupant who has received the above-mentioned massage that makes the occupant sleepy may awaken in some cases.
The inventor of the present invention aimed to develop a new sleep guidance device in order to improve the occupancy of the occupant in the vehicle interior.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a novel sleep guidance device capable of improving the comfort of an occupant in a vehicle interior.

The sleep induction device of the present invention that solves the above problems
Equipped with a tactile stimulus located on the side of the vehicle seat,
The tactile stimulating portion includes a deformable portion that can be deformed in the vertical direction, a skin portion that covers the deformed portion from above, and a driving portion that periodically deforms the deformed portion.
This is a sleep induction device in which the epidermis portion changes its position in the vertical direction as the deformed portion is deformed.

The sleep guidance device of the present invention is a novel sleep guidance device that can improve the comfort of a occupant in a vehicle interior.

It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the state that the vehicle comfort improvement system of an Example was mounted on a vehicle. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the positional relationship between the vehicle comfort improvement system of an Example and an occupant. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the appearance of the vehicle lighting device of an Example seen from the rear. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the state which disassembled the sleep induction apparatus of an Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the sleep induction device of an Example. It is explanatory drawing explaining the cross section of the tactile stimulus part in the sleep induction device of an Example.

The sleep guidance device of the present invention includes a tactile stimulus portion arranged on the side of the seat of the vehicle. The tactile stimulating portion has a deformable portion that can be deformed in the vertical direction, a skin portion that covers the deformed portion from above, and a driving portion that periodically deforms the deformed portion. The position of the part changes in the vertical direction.

The sleep induction device of the present invention has a tactile stimulus portion arranged on the side of the seat. The occupant can place his / her hand on the tactile stimulus unit. The vertical position change of the epidermis due to the deformation of the deformed part is transmitted to the occupant who puts his / her hand on the tactile stimulating part. That is, the occupant is stimulated by the tactile stimulus unit. Since the deformed part deforms periodically, the occupant is periodically stimulated by tactile sensation. By this stimulus, it is possible to induce the occupant's breathing and invite the occupant to sleep. Here, "periodic" means repeating a constant deformation pattern.

The timing at which the deformed portion of the sleep induction device starts periodic deformation is not particularly limited.
For example, when the distance from the starting point to the destination is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance, periodic deformation of the deformed portion may be started at the start of automatic operation. Alternatively, when the time required from the starting point to the destination is longer than a predetermined time, the periodic deformation of the deformed portion may be started at the start of the automatic operation. Furthermore, the sensor mounted on the vehicle detects the body temperature, heart rate, seat angle, etc. of the occupant, and is deformed when it is determined that the occupant is in automatic driving and is preparing to sleep. The periodic deformation of the part may be started. The periodic deformation of the deformed portion may be started automatically or manually by the occupant.

The periodic deformation of the deformed portion may be stopped, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed after the periodic deformation has started. Alternatively, the periodic deformation may be stopped by sensing the passenger compartment and when it is determined that the occupant has slept. The periodic deformation of the deformed portion may be maintained while the occupant is sleeping.

The sleep guidance device of the present invention can be mounted not only on a vehicle equipped with an automatic driving system but also on various vehicles. The sleep guidance device of the present invention can comfortably put the occupant to sleep by guiding the occupant to sleep even when the vehicle is not equipped with the automatic driving system, and the occupant's habitability in the vehicle interior. Can contribute to improvement.

The tactile stimulus portion in the sleep guidance device of the present invention is preferably provided at a position easily accessible by the occupant, and ideally provided at the armrest on the side of the seat.

The deformable portion may be any as long as it can be deformed in the vertical direction and can be periodically deformed by the drive unit. Examples of such a combination of the deformed portion and the driving portion include a combination of an airbag and a gas pump, a combination of a pin and an actuator, a combination of a piezoelectric element and a power supply device, and the like.

For example, when an airbag is used as a deforming portion and a gas pump is used as a driving portion, the airbag can be periodically contracted and expanded by periodically moving gas in and out of the airbag by the gas pump. When the airbag contracts and expands, the size of the airbag changes in the vertical direction, and it can be said that the airbag deforms in the vertical direction. As the airbag is deformed in the vertical direction, the position of the skin portion covering the airbag from above also changes periodically in the vertical direction. By stimulating the tactile sensation of the occupant by changing the position of the epidermis, it is possible to induce the occupant to sleep.

When gas is introduced, the airbag gradually inflates, and when gas is removed, the airbag gradually shrinks. This gently stimulates the occupant's tactile sensation. Therefore, when an airbag is used as the deformed part and a gas pump is used as the driving part, it can be said that it is easy to guide the occupant to a sleeping state.

As the airbag, one that can store gas inside and that can be deformed at least in the vertical direction according to a change in the amount of gas stored inside may be used. For example, a resin bag or the like is preferable. used.
The type of gas is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use air from the viewpoint of cost.

Further, for example, when a pin mechanism having a pin and a support portion that supports the pin so as to be vertically movable is used as a deforming portion and an actuator is used as a driving portion, the pin can be periodically moved up and down by the actuator. Also in this case, it can be said that the dimensions of the pin mechanism in the vertical direction change and the pin mechanism as a whole is deformed in the vertical direction. As the actuator, an actuator that can move the pin up and down by a known mechanism using electric power, fluid pressure, magnetic force, or the like may be used. In this case, the number of pins may be one or a plurality, but by moving the plurality of pins up and down in order and periodically, it is possible to give a comfortable stimulus to the occupant's tactile sensation. This makes it easier to induce the occupant to sleep.

Further, for example, when a piezoelectric element is used as a deforming part and a power supply device is used as a driving part, the piezoelectric element is cycled by supplying power from the power supply device to the piezoelectric element and periodically turning it on / off and changing the voltage. It is possible to transform it. Also in this case, since the vertical dimension of the deformed piezoelectric element changes, it can be said that the piezoelectric element is deformed in the vertical direction.

In such a sleep induction device of the present invention, in order to further improve the tactile sensation of the occupant, the epidermis portion or the deformed portion is soft, or a soft cushioning portion is provided between the epidermis portion and the deformed portion. Is preferable. The epidermis portion is hard and does not deform itself, and may only change its position in the vertical direction following the deformation of the deformed portion. However, in consideration of improving the tactile sensation of the occupant, it is preferable that the skin portion can be deformed by itself following the deformation of the deformed portion.

The epidermis is preferably porous in order to improve the tactile sensation of the occupant. The occupant during sleep tends to sweat on his / her hands, but by using a porous epidermis portion having excellent breathability, it is possible to optimally maintain the occupant's sleeping state. As the porous skin portion, it is preferable to use a cloth such as a woven cloth, a non-woven fabric, a knit, or an artificial suede.

The amount of change in the position of the epidermis in the vertical direction should not be excessive. This is to relax the occupant and promote sleep while avoiding excessive stimulation to the occupant. Specifically, as a preferable range of the amount of change in the position of the epidermis in the vertical direction, each range of 10 cm or less, 7 cm or less, and 5 cm or less can be mentioned.

The amount of change in the position of the epidermis in the vertical direction may be as large as the occupant can perceive, and there is no particular lower limit. If it is strong, the amount of change in the position of the epidermis in the vertical direction is preferably 0.5 cm or more, and more preferably 1 cm or more.
In addition, in this specification, the position change amount of the epidermis part refers to the position change amount in the part of the epidermis part where the position change is the largest. Further, the amount of change in the position of the epidermis portion in the vertical direction can be rephrased as the amount of deformation of the deformed portion in the vertical direction.

The external dimensions of the deformed portion in the horizontal direction should also not be excessive. The palm of the occupant's hand is a particularly sensitive part. When the deformed portion is sized to fit in the palm of the occupant, it is possible to efficiently stimulate the tactile sensation of the occupant. Further, if the deformed portion is small, the amount of deformation in the vertical direction is naturally reduced, so that it is possible to relax the occupant while avoiding excessive stimulation as described above, and to preferably promote the occupant to fall asleep. Is.
Specifically, as a preferable range of the external dimensions of the deformed portion in the horizontal direction, each range of 20 cm or less, 17 cm or less, 15 cm or less, 13 cm or less, and 10 cm or less can be mentioned.

The external dimensions of the deformed portion in the horizontal direction may also be large enough to be perceived by the occupant, and there is no particular lower limit. If it is strong, the external dimension of the deformed portion in the horizontal direction should be 5 mm or more.
In the present specification, the external dimension of the deformed portion in the horizontal direction means the diameter of a circle that projects the deformed portion in the vertical direction and circumscribes the projected image.

In the sleep induction device of the present invention, the period in which the deformed portion is deformed is preferably not so short in order to calm and relax the nerves of the occupant who is in a tense state by driving. It is desirable that the period in which the deformed portion deforms is as long as the ideal beat interval or longer. The period during which the deformed portion is deformed here means a time interval from the time when the length of the deformed portion in the vertical direction, that is, the height of the deformed portion is maximized to the time when the height of the deformed portion is maximized. The period in which the deformed portion is deformed may be constant or irregular. Further, the deforming portion may repeat the deformation based on a predetermined pattern in which a plurality of the cycles are combined.

As a pattern in which the deformed portion is deformed, a pattern in which the position of the epidermis portion is gradually raised over 4 seconds, then maintained for 7 seconds, and then gradually lowered over 8 seconds is exemplified. Alternatively, a pattern is exemplified in which the position of the epidermis is gradually lowered over 4 seconds, then maintained for 7 seconds, and then gradually raised over 8 seconds.

Here, the position of the epidermis moves up and down to induce the occupant's breathing. Specifically, the occupant is guided to inhale when the position of the epidermis is raised and to exhale when the position of the epidermis is lowered. Since it is said that the activity of the parasympathetic nerve is superior to the activity of the sympathetic nerve by inducing breathing so that the number of seconds of inhalation <the number of seconds of exhalation, the position of the epidermis is lowered. Sometimes it is preferable to spend a longer time than raising the position of the epidermis.
Deforming the deformed portion at the cycle is effective in relaxing the occupant.

The sleep induction device of the present invention may stimulate only the tactile sensation of the occupant, but may stimulate sensations other than the tactile sensation such as hearing and vision in addition to the tactile sensation. For example, the tactile stimulus unit may be used as a monitor to display some light or an image on the tactile stimulus unit, or the tactile stimulus unit may be used as a speaker to generate some sound or music. These lights and sounds can assist the occupant's sleep induction by touch. In these cases, the tactile stimulus unit can also function as an auditory stimulus unit or a visual stimulus unit. Such an auditory stimulus unit or a visual stimulus unit may be provided integrally with the tactile stimulus unit or may be provided separately from the tactile stimulus unit.
In addition, it is also possible to stimulate the sense of smell by providing a heating unit for heating the aroma oil in the sleep induction device.

The tactile stimulus unit may be further provided with an operation interface for an in-vehicle device. Specific examples include air conditioners, vehicle navigation systems, and various audio-visual devices as the in-vehicle devices. An operation switch or the like is exemplified as an operation interface of these in-vehicle devices.

If the tactile stimulus unit on which the occupant's hand is placed is provided with an operation interface for the in-vehicle device, it is possible for the occupant to relax and, in some cases, to easily operate the in-vehicle device even with the eyelids closed.

The above-mentioned operation interface may be exposed on the upper part of the skin portion, but it is preferable to arrange the operation interface below the skin portion and above the deformed portion in consideration of improving the tactile sensation of the occupant. If the tactile stimulator has a soft cushion between the epidermis and the deformed portion, the operating interface may be located above the cushion or below the cushion, but cushioned. In order to fully utilize the cushioning function of the portion, the operation interface is preferably arranged below the cushioning portion.

Further, in consideration of the operability of the occupant, it is preferable that the operation interface has a light emitting portion and the portion of the tactile stimulus portion above the operation interface has light transmission. By doing so, the occupant can visually recognize the operation interface.

The deformed portion may be deformed only gently as described above, but in addition to this, it may be capable of being greatly deformed, rapidly deformed, or deformed in a short cycle. By operating the deformed portion in this way, the tactile sensation of the occupant can be strongly stimulated, and for example, it is possible to awaken the occupant in a sleeping state or prevent the occupant from falling asleep during driving. That is, in this case, the sleep induction device of the present invention can also be used as an awakening induction device.

By the way, the sleep guidance device of the present invention may be combined with other sleep guidance devices and awakening guidance devices to form a vehicle comfort improvement system. As another sleep guidance device and awakening guidance device that can be combined with the sleep guidance device of the present invention, a vehicle lighting device including sleep guidance lighting and awakening guidance lighting can be mentioned.

The vehicle lighting device includes sleep-guided lighting and awakening-guided lighting. Hereinafter, the vehicle lighting device may be referred to as a vehicle lighting device of the present invention.

Among the vehicle lighting devices of the present invention, the sleep guidance lighting is arranged at the lower part of the vehicle and is arranged on the side of the seat along the front-rear direction of the seat. In addition, the awakening guidance lighting is arranged at the upper part of the vehicle. In the present specification, the lower part of the vehicle means a portion of the vehicle below the window portion. Further, the upper part of the vehicle means an upper part of the vehicle including a window portion. Further, the "window portion" here is a concept including the front window, the side window, and the rear window of the vehicle. In addition, the "front-back direction of the seat" can be regarded as the "direction of the seat", which coincides with the direction in which the buttocks and knees of the occupant seated in the seat are connected. The knee side of the occupant is the front side of the seat, and the buttock side is the rear side of the seat. The front-rear direction of the seat in the vehicle lighting device of the present invention may be the same as or different from the traveling direction of the vehicle. In the vehicle lighting device of the embodiment described later, the front-rear direction of the seat and the traveling direction of the vehicle coincide with each other, but the front-rear direction of the seat is the vehicle, for example, when a plurality of seats are arranged side by side with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle. It may not match the direction of travel. When a plurality of seats are arranged side by side with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle, the direction substantially orthogonal to the traveling direction of the vehicle is the front-rear direction of the seats.
Hereinafter, if necessary, the front-rear direction of the seat may be simply referred to as the front-rear direction.

The sleep-guided lighting arranged in this way can illuminate the seat or the passenger compartment from below, and the awakening-guided lighting can illuminate the seat or the passenger compartment from above. In other words, sleep-guided lighting illuminates the seat or cabin away from the occupant's eyes, and awakening-guided lighting illuminates the seat or cabin closer to the occupant's eyes. Therefore, when the sleep guidance lighting is turned on, the occupant feels that the passenger compartment is dimly lit, and when the awakening guidance lighting is turned on, the occupant feels that the entire passenger compartment is brightened.

Here, the vehicle lighting device of the present invention performs an awakening mode in which the seat is illuminated by the awakening guidance lighting and a sleep mode in which the seat is illuminated while changing the lighting state by the sleep guidance lighting. The brightness of the seat in the sleep mode is darker than the brightness of the seat in the awake mode.
In sleep mode, the occupant relaxes in the dim light of sleep-guided lighting away from the eyes. In addition, the occupant is invited to sleep by being placed in an environment where the dim light changes the lighting state at a position away from the eyes.
By synchronizing the periodic deformation of the deformed portion in the sleep induction device of the present invention with the sleep mode, the occupant can fall asleep more comfortably.

On the other hand, in the awakening mode, the light from the awakening guidance lighting is lit at a position close to the eyes of the occupant. The light makes the seat brighter than in sleep mode, prompting the sleeping occupant to awaken.
As described above, according to the vehicle lighting device of the present invention, it can be said that the occupant can comfortably fall asleep and wake up, and the occupancy of the occupant in the vehicle interior is improved.

The brightness of the seat here means the brightness at a position that can be perceived by the occupant seated in the seat. Specifically, the brightness measured by the headrest in the seat can be regarded as the brightness of the seat in the present invention.
The color temperature of sleep-guided lighting and awakening-guided lighting is also involved in the brightness of the seat. The occupant feels that the light having a low color temperature is darker than the light having a high color temperature. Therefore, it is also preferable that the color temperature of the sleep-guided lighting in the sleep mode is lower than the color temperature of the awakening-guided lighting in the awakening mode.

The sleep-guided lighting and the awakening-guided lighting in the vehicle lighting device of the present invention may illuminate only a specific seat and perform a sleep mode and an awakening mode for the seat, but a plurality of seats may be used. For example, both the driver's seat and the passenger's seat may be illuminated, and the sleep mode and the awakening mode may be performed on the plurality of seats.
When the sleep mode and the awakening mode are performed for a plurality of seats by the vehicle lighting device of the present invention, the sleep mode and the awakening mode may be performed for the plurality of seats in synchronization, or for each seat. The sleep mode and the awakening mode may be performed at different timings.
When the sleep mode and the awakening mode are performed at different timings for each seat, the sleep-guided lighting and the awakening-guided lighting may be provided separately for each seat.

Hereinafter, the vehicle lighting device of the present invention will be described for each component.

The vehicle lighting device of the present invention has sleep-guided lighting and awakening-guided lighting. Sleep-guided lighting is used in the sleep mode for guiding the occupant to the sleep state, and awakening-guided lighting is used in the awakening mode for guiding the occupant to the awake state.
It should be noted that, for a certain seat, the sleep mode and the awakening mode are not performed at the same time for the same seat because it is premised that the brightness of the seat is darker than that in the awakening mode. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the same seat will be described with respect to the brightness of the lighting and the timing of changing the lighting state.

However, the awakening-guided lighting is not always used only in the awakening mode, and the sleep-guided lighting is not always used only in the sleep mode. That is, in the vehicle lighting device of the present invention, it is permissible to illuminate the vehicle in a mode other than the awakening mode by the awakening guidance lighting in the sleep mode.
Further, in the awakening mode, it is sufficient that the seat is illuminated by the awakening guidance lighting and the seat is brighter than in the sleep mode. Therefore, in the awake mode, not only the sleep-guided lighting is allowed to illuminate in a mode other than the sleep mode, but also the sleep-guided lighting is allowed to illuminate in the sleep mode.

In order to help the occupant to clearly recognize the awakening mode and the sleep mode under consciousness or unconsciousness, the sleep induction lighting in the awakening mode is not illuminated or is illuminated in a different manner from the illumination in the sleep mode. It is preferable to do.

The timing of starting and stopping the sleep mode and the awakening mode is not particularly limited.
Of these, the sleep mode may be started at the same timing as the timing at which the periodic deformation of the deformed portion described above is started.

The sleep mode may be stopped, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the sleep mode. Alternatively, the sleep mode may be stopped when it is determined that the occupant has slept by sensing the passenger compartment.

The awakening mode may be started, for example, after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the sleep mode. Alternatively, the awakening mode may be started at a predetermined time. Furthermore, the awakening mode may be started when arriving at a predetermined destination or slightly earlier than arriving at the destination.

Hereinafter, if necessary, the lighting style in the sleep mode by the sleep-guided lighting is referred to as a sleep lighting style, and the lighting style in the awakening mode by the awakening-guided lighting is referred to as an awakening lighting style.

The sleep-guided lighting is located at the bottom of the vehicle, as described above. In addition, sleep-guided lighting is arranged on the side of the seat along the front-rear direction of the seat. Therefore, the sleep-guided lighting can be said to illuminate the passenger compartment in a somewhat long area along the front-rear direction of the seat.

In the sleep lighting mode, sleep-guided lighting changes the lighting state. The change in the lighting state referred to here includes a change in the amount of light such as lighting, dimming or extinguishing, and a change in the color temperature of the lighting. The lighting state may change regularly or irregularly. For reference, the reduced light means a state in which the amount of light of the sleep induction lighting is lower than that at the time of lighting.

In the sleep lighting mode, when the sleep induction lighting changes the lighting state, light moves in the vehicle interior at regular intervals or irregular cycles, and the occupants are encouraged to fall asleep by the movement of the light. In the sleep illumination mode, the sleep induction illumination may change only the amount of light, may change only the color temperature, or may change both.
When there are a plurality of sleep-guided lights, it is preferable to synchronize the changes in the lighting state of the entire sleep-guided lights.

In sleep-guided lighting, the interval at which the lighting state is changed is preferably not very short, and preferably about the ideal beat interval or longer. Alternatively, a predetermined pattern in which each lighting state is combined may be repeated.

The timing for changing the lighting state of the sleep induction lighting may be set independently of the period in which the deformed portion is deformed, or both may be synchronized.

In the sleep lighting mode, the setting of the amount of light when the sleep induction lighting is turned on and when the light is turned off may be controlled by so-called fluctuation. The term "fluctuation control" as used herein means fitting a logarithmic display of the power spectrum of the amount of light of sleep induction illumination, and adjusting the amount of light so that the slope of the obtained straight line becomes 1 / f ⁿ with respect to the frequency f. Means to change. It is known that this kind of fluctuation-controlled lighting can relax the target person, and controlling the fluctuation of the amount of sleep-guided lighting in the above-mentioned sleep lighting mode can relax the occupants. It is valid.

Further, as described above, the sleep guidance lighting in the sleep lighting mode illuminates the passenger compartment in a somewhat long area along the front-rear direction of the seat. In other words, in the sleep lighting mode, a band of light by sleep guidance lighting is provided along the front-rear direction of the seat.
Therefore, in the sleep mode, the occupant feels that there is depth even in a narrow vehicle interior. This gives the occupants a feeling of openness and exhilaration, and makes them even more relaxed.

By the way, the sleep-guided lighting may be provided only on one side of the seat, but may be provided on both sides of the seat. When sleep-guided lights are provided on both sides of the seat, the occupants sandwiched between the sleep-guided lights also feel as if they are in a compartment separate from the rest of the vehicle interior. Therefore, in this case, the occupant sandwiched between the sleep guidance lights can relax without being bothered by other occupants even when a plurality of occupants are on board the vehicle. The sleep-guided lighting may be provided only on the side of one seat, but is preferably provided on the side of a plurality of seats.

The sleep-guided lighting may have only one light source, but may have a plurality of light sources. When the sleep induction lighting has a plurality of light sources, the lighting state of each light source in the sleep lighting mode may be changed at the same timing, or may be changed while shifting the timing little by little. When the lighting state of each light source is changed while shifting the timing little by little, it seems that the light moves along the front-rear direction of the seat. As a result, the depth of the passenger compartment felt by the occupant becomes larger, and the feeling of openness and exhilaration that can be given to the occupant is further improved.

When the sleep-guided lighting has a plurality of light sources, the sleep-guided lighting may have a plurality of light emitting regions including one or more light sources in the length direction thereof. Then, the plurality of light emitting regions may be in different lighting states. The timing for changing the lighting state of each area may be the same timing or different timing.
For example, the color temperature may be changed for each region to display a candle flame-like pattern.
When the sleep-guided lighting is used to illuminate in a style other than the sleep lighting style, the lighting state may be constant.

The sleep-guided lighting may be provided along the front-rear direction of the seat, and the area in which the sleep-guided lighting is provided in the vertical direction or the vehicle width direction is not particularly limited. That is, the vertical position of the sleep-guided lighting and the position in the vehicle width direction may or may not be constant over the entire length of the sleep-guided lighting in the front-rear direction. For example, a part of the sleep guidance lighting may be inclined, curved, bent, etc. in the vertical direction or the vehicle width direction.

In particular, when the sleep-guided lighting is arranged so that the front part of the sleep-guided lighting is lower than the rear part, the occupant is likely to have the front end of the sleep-guided lighting far away. I have an illusion. Therefore, the depth of the vehicle interior perceived by the occupant is further increased, and the feeling of openness and exhilaration that the vehicle lighting device of the present invention can give to the occupant is further improved. In the present specification, such an arrangement of sleep-inducing lighting is referred to as a forward descent, if necessary.

The length of the sleep-guided lighting in the anteroposterior direction is not particularly limited. However, in order to introduce the occupant into sleep by the sleep mode, it is preferable that the sleep-guided lighting is provided in a somewhat long area in the vicinity of the occupant. Specifically, the sleep-guided lighting preferably overlaps 60% or more of the seat portion in the front-rear direction, more preferably 80% or more of the seat portion, and overlaps the total length of the seat portion. It is especially preferable to wrap it. In addition, the sleep-guided lighting is more preferably extended to the anterior side of the seat.
By doing this, the occupant feels wrapped in sleep-guided lighting and can relax more easily.
The seat portion referred to here means a portion of the seat on which the occupant sits.

Awakening guidance lighting is located at the top of the vehicle. In awake mode, the awakening induction light illuminates the seat. The seat in the awake mode is brighter than in the sleep mode. Further, since the awakening guidance lighting is arranged at the upper part of the vehicle, the awakening guidance lighting brightly illuminates the entire vehicle interior from a position close to the occupant's head in the awakening mode. Therefore, the sleeping occupant is guided to wake up comfortably.

The awakening guidance lighting may be arranged on the upper part of the vehicle including the window portion, and can be preferably arranged on the ceiling of the vehicle, for example. The awakening guidance illumination may be arranged at a position similar to that of the window in the vertical direction. For example, the awakening guidance lighting may be arranged on the front pillar or the like on the side of the front window.

The awakening-guided lighting in the awakening mode, that is, the awakening-guided lighting in the awakening lighting mode may continue the predetermined lighting state or may change the lighting state. In order to awaken the occupant comfortably, it is preferable that the awakening guidance lighting maintains a constant lighting state for a predetermined period or longer in the awakening lighting mode. Each range of 10 seconds, 30 seconds, and 1 minute is exemplified as the predetermined period.

The awakening guidance lighting may illuminate the vehicle interior from a predetermined position in the front-rear direction on the upper part of the vehicle, or may illuminate the vehicle interior in a somewhat long area along the front-rear direction, like the sleep guidance lighting. In order to more reliably illuminate the occupant's head in the awakening mode, the awakening guidance lighting is preferably provided along the anteroposterior direction.

The awakening guidance lighting may be provided only at a predetermined location in the vehicle width direction, or may be provided at a plurality of locations different in the vehicle width direction. In order to more reliably illuminate the occupant's head in the awakening mode, it is preferable that the awakening guidance lights are provided at a plurality of locations in the vehicle width direction.

By the way, when the awakening guidance lighting is provided along the front-rear direction, the length of the awakening guidance lighting in the front-rear direction is not particularly limited. However, in order to illuminate the occupant's head, more specifically the occupant's eyes, in the awakening mode, it is preferable that the awakening guidance illumination is provided in a somewhat long area in the vicinity of the occupant. Specifically, the awakening induction illumination preferably overlaps 20% or more of the length of the seat in the front-rear direction in the front-rear direction, more preferably 30% or more, and more than 50% or more. It is especially preferable to wrap. In addition, the arousal-guided lighting is more preferably extended to the anterior side of the seat.
By doing so, it becomes possible to awaken the occupant with high reliability.

When the awakening guidance lights are provided at a plurality of locations in the vehicle width direction, the entire area in which the plurality of awakening guidance lights are distributed in the front-rear direction may be regarded as the area where the awakening guidance lights are provided.

The awakening induction illumination may have only one light source, but may have a plurality of light sources. The light source of the awakening induction illumination may illuminate the occupant's head with direct light, or may illuminate the occupant's head with reflected light. That is, the awakening guidance lighting in the vehicle lighting device of the present invention may be direct lighting or indirect lighting.
In order to awaken the occupant more comfortably, it is preferable to awaken the occupant gently. From this point of view, it is preferable that the awakening induction lighting illuminates the occupant with reflected light.
More specifically, the awakening induction illumination preferably has a light source that emits light upward and a reflector that covers the upper side of the light source. The light emitted upward from the light source is reflected by the reflector above the light source, and its optical path is directed downward to illuminate the passenger compartment and seats as well as the occupants in the passenger compartment. Such awakening induction lighting can function as a room lamp.

The brightness of the awakening induction lighting in the awakening lighting mode may be constant, but may not be constant. For example, if the brightness of the awakening guidance lighting is gradually increased so that the dark interior and seats are gradually brightened, the occupant can be awakened more comfortably.

In the vehicle lighting device of the present invention, the color and brightness of the sleep-guided lighting and the awakening-guided lighting are not particularly limited as long as the seat can be darkened in the sleep mode as compared with the awakening mode. However, in order to put the occupant to sleep more efficiently in the sleep mode and awaken the occupant more efficiently in the awakening mode, the color temperature of the sleep-guided lighting in the sleep mode, that is, the sleep illumination mode, is set to the awakening mode, that is, the awakening illumination mode. It is preferably lower than the color temperature of the awakening induction illumination in. Further, the illuminance of the awakening induction illumination in the awakening mode, that is, the awakening illumination mode is preferably higher than the illuminance of the sleep induction illumination in the sleep mode, that is, the sleep illumination mode.

Light with a low color temperature is suitable as sleep-guided lighting in a sleep lighting mode because it can make the occupant more relaxed. Specifically, the color temperature of the sleep induction lighting in the sleep illumination mode is preferably 3500 Kelvin or less, and more preferably 3000 Kelvin or less. When the color temperature of the sleep-guided lighting is within the range of 2500 ± 500 Kelvin, it is possible to give the occupant the impression that the sleep-guided lighting is a sunset or the sunrise.
The color temperature is considered to affect the activity of the autonomic nervous system, and it is said that the parasympathetic nerve activity is superior to the sympathetic nerve activity in an environment where the color temperature is low. Therefore, by setting the color temperature of the sleep induction lighting to, for example, 2500 ± 500 Kelvin as described above, it is possible to relax the occupant's tension and make the occupant more relaxed.

On the other hand, light with a high color temperature approaches the color of sunlight. In addition, in an environment with a high color temperature, the activity of the sympathetic nerve is said to be superior to the activity of the parasympathetic nerve. Therefore, it is possible to comfortably awaken the occupant by setting the color temperature of the awakening induction lighting in the awakening illumination mode to be higher than the color temperature of the sleep induction illumination in the sleep illumination mode. The color temperature of the awakening induction illumination in the awakening illumination mode is preferably 4000 Kelvin or more, more preferably 4500 Kelvin or more, and particularly preferably 5000 Kelvin or more.
As described above, when the brightness of the awakening induction lighting in the awakening illumination mode is gradually increased, if the color temperature of the awakening induction illumination is gradually increased, the occupant can be awakened more comfortably.

The color temperature of the sleep-guided lighting in a lighting mode other than the sleep lighting mode is preferably higher than the color temperature range of the sleep-guided lighting in the above-mentioned sleep lighting mode. Further, the color temperature of the awakening induction lighting in the illumination mode other than the awakening illumination mode may be lower than the color temperature range of the awakening induction illumination in the above-mentioned awakening illumination mode. This is to clearly distinguish between the sleep mode and the awake mode so that the occupant can easily recognize the difference.

The illuminance of the awakening induction lighting in the awakening illumination mode may be higher than the illuminance of the sleep induction illumination in the sleep illumination mode, and the size thereof is not particularly limited, but it is preferably 100 lux or more, and 200 lux or more. Is more preferable, and 300 lux or more is particularly preferable. It is more preferable that the illuminance of the awakening induction illumination in the awakening illumination mode is equal to or higher than the illuminance of the outside light.

In addition, an air conditioner, an audio-visual device, or the like may be operated in synchronization with the deformation of the deformed portion in the sleep guidance device of the present invention and the sleep mode or awakening mode of the conductor lighting device of the present invention. For example, reducing the air volume of the air conditioner or reducing the volume of audio-visual equipment in synchronization with the sleep mode helps to encourage the occupant to fall asleep. In addition, increasing the volume and amount of light of the audio-visual device in synchronization with the awakening mode helps to promote the awakening of the occupant.

Hereinafter, the vehicle lighting device will be specifically described with reference to examples.

(Example)
The vehicle lighting device of the embodiment, together with the sleep guidance device, constitutes a vehicle comfort improvement system. Hereinafter, the vehicle habitability improvement system will be referred to as an embodiment vehicle habitability improvement system. Further, the sleep guidance device included in the vehicle comfort improvement system of the embodiment is referred to as the sleep guidance device of the embodiment.
FIG. 1 shows an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state in which the vehicle comfort improvement system of the embodiment is mounted on the vehicle. FIG. 2 shows an explanatory diagram schematically showing the positional relationship between the vehicle comfort improvement system of the embodiment and the occupant. FIG. 3 shows an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state in which the vehicle lighting device of the embodiment is viewed from the rear. FIG. 4 shows an explanatory diagram schematically showing a state in which the sleep induction device of the embodiment is disassembled. An explanatory diagram schematically showing the sleep induction device of the embodiment is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows an explanatory diagram illustrating a cross section of the tactile stimulus portion in the sleep induction device of the embodiment.
Hereinafter, the terms "upper, lower, left, right, front, and rear" refer to the upper, lower, left, right, front, and rear in each figure. The vertical direction coincides with the vertical direction, the front-rear direction coincides with the front-rear direction of the seat and the vehicle traveling direction, and the left-right direction coincides with the vehicle width direction.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle comfort improving system of the embodiment includes a vehicle lighting device 1 and a sleep guidance device 5.

The vehicle lighting device 1 includes an awakening guidance lighting 2 and a sleep guidance lighting 3. Of these, the awakening guidance lighting 2 is arranged in the upper 90U of the vehicle 90, and the sleep guidance lighting 3 is arranged in the lower 90L of the vehicle 90 on the side of the seat 91 along the front-rear direction of the seat 91.

Specifically, the awakening guidance lighting 2 has a room lamp 20 arranged above the front window 92 and pillar lighting 25 arranged on both sides of the front window 92.

The room lamp 20 has a plurality of light sources 20L and a reflector 20R arranged above the light sources 20L. The plurality of light sources 20L are arranged in the front-rear direction and the vehicle width direction and emit light upward, and the reflector 20R plays a role of reflecting the light emitted by the light source 20L downward by covering the upper side of the light source 20L. Therefore, the room lamp 20 functions as indirect lighting. Since the lower side of the light source 20L is covered and hidden by the shielding plate 20S, the light source 20L is not visible to the occupant 99 (shown in FIG. 2).

Like the room lamp 20, the pillar illumination 25 is also arranged on a plurality of light sources 25L, a reflector 25R arranged above and to the side of the light source 25L, and on the opposite side of the reflector 25R with respect to the light source 25L. It functions as indirect lighting having a shielding plate 25S. The light source 25L emits light upward and forward, and the reflector 25R reflects the light emitted by the light source downward and backward.
The room lamp 20 and the pillar lighting 25 are arranged along the front-rear direction, respectively.

The awakening induction illumination 2 is dimmable, the illuminance can be changed from 0 lux to 300 lux, and the color temperature can be changed from 1800 Kelvin to 6000 Kelvin.

The sleep guidance lighting 3 is provided on the upper portion of the center console box 93 and on the door trim upper 95 of the side door 94, respectively. In other words, the sleep induction lights 3 are arranged on both sides of the seat 91. Further, each sleep guidance lighting 3 is arranged along the front-rear direction of the seat 91.
Each sleep guidance illumination 3 also has a plurality of light sources 3L, a reflector 3R arranged on the side opposite to the seat 91 with respect to the light source 3L, and a reflector 3R opposite to the light source 3L. That is, it functions as indirect lighting having a shielding plate 3S arranged on the seat 91 side. The light source 3L in the sleep guidance illumination 3 emits light toward the side opposite to the seat 91, and the reflector 3R reflects the light emitted by the light source 3L toward the seat 91 side, that is, the occupant 99 side. The seat 91 side of the light source 3L is hidden by the shielding plate 3S, and the light source 3L is not visible to the occupant 99.

The light sources 3L of each sleep induction lighting 3 are arranged in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the front end 3F of each sleep induction light 3 is located below the central 3C. That is, the sleep-guided lighting 3 is arranged downward in the front-rear direction.
As shown in FIG. 2, the sleep-guided lighting 3 overlaps the entire seat 91S in the front-rear direction of the seat 91, extends further forward than the seat 90S, and reaches the vicinity of the toes of the occupant 99.

Each sleep induction light 3 is turned on and off in synchronization with each other. The light source 3L in each sleep induction lighting 3 turns on and off sequentially with a time lag along the front-rear direction. More specifically, each sleep induction light 3 switches between turning on and off at intervals of about 1 second.
The sleep-guided illumination 3 is also dimmable, and like the awakening-guided illumination 2, the illuminance can be varied from 0 lux to 300 lux, and the color temperature can be varied from 1800 Kelvin to 6000 Kelvin. ..

Each sleep-guided lighting 3 and awakening-guided lighting 2 are connected to a power source via a control unit (not shown). The control unit is a part of the engine control unit (so-called ECU) shown in the vehicle 90, and controls the operating state of the sleep guidance lighting 3 and the awakening guidance lighting 2.
The operation interface unit and the drive unit of the sleep guidance device 5, which will be described later, are also connected to the control unit.

As shown in FIG. 1, armrests 80 are provided on the upper surface of the center console box 93 and the door trim upper 95 of the side door 94, respectively. The armrest 80 is provided with a sleep guidance device 5.

The sleep guidance device 5 in the vehicle comfort improving system of the embodiment has a tactile stimulus unit 50. The tactile stimulating portion 50 is provided on the front side portion of each armrest 80.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the tactile stimulating unit 50 includes a deforming unit 51, a skin unit 52, a driving unit 53, and an operation interface unit 54 for an in-vehicle device.

As shown in FIG. 5, the armrest 80 has a base 81, a skin body 82 that covers the base 81 from above, and a cushion body 83 that is arranged between the base 81 and the skin body 82. The base 81 is made of resin, the cushion body 83 is a gel mat made of soft silicone rubber, and the skin body 82 is made of a porous cloth.
As shown in FIG. 4, the base 81 is provided with a through-hole-shaped window portion 85, and the upper side and the lower side of the base 81 are communicated by the window portion 85.

The deformed portion 51 is an airbag, and as shown in FIG. 4, a drive unit 53, which is an air pump, is connected to the deformed portion 51. The deformed portion 51 is embedded in the window portion 85 of the substrate 81. The external dimension of the deformed portion 51 in the horizontal direction is about 10 cm.
The drive unit 53 blows air into the deformed unit 51 at a cycle described later. At this time, the deformed portion 51 is deformed by about 2 cm in the vertical direction.

An operation interface unit 54 for an in-vehicle device is arranged below the deformed portion 51. The operation interface unit 54 has an LED light source 54L and a touch sensor 54S, and the LED light source 54L is directed upward and the touch sensor 54S is directed downward. As described above, the operation interface unit 54 and the drive unit 53 are connected to the power supply via the control unit (not shown). The LED light source 54L emits light upward. The operation interface unit 54 corresponds to the operation interface in the sleep guidance device 5 of the embodiment. The LED light source 54L corresponds to a light emitting unit in the sleep guidance device 5 of the embodiment.

Since the cushion body 83 is interposed between the base 81 and the skin body 82, the cushion body 83 and the skin body 82 are arranged above the deformed portion 51 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. .. The portion of the epidermis body 82 located above the deformed portion 51 is the epidermis portion 52 in the tactile stimulation portion 50. Further, the portion of the cushion body 83 located above the deformed portion 51 is the cushioning portion 55 in the tactile stimulating portion 50.

The deformed portion 51, the cushioning portion 55, and the epidermis portion 52 all have light transmission. Therefore, the light emitted by the LED light source 54L passes through the deformed portion 51, the buffering portion 55, and the skin portion 52, and illuminates the upper surface of the tactile stimulating portion 50.

Hereinafter, the operation of the vehicle comfort improvement system of the embodiment will be described.

When the occupant 99 is on board the vehicle 90, the destination is set, and the automatic driving is started, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the control unit in the figure starts the sleep mode of the vehicle lighting device 1 and the sleep guidance device 5 Start the operation of. The awakening induction lighting 2 gradually lowers the illuminance and turns off. The sleep induction lighting 3 starts lighting in the sleep lighting mode.

At this time, the sleep induction lighting 3 repeats turning on and off. The cycle of switching between lighting and extinguishing is about 1 second, which is close to the normal human pulsation. Further, the sleep guidance lighting 3 is arranged in the lower 90L of the vehicle 90 far from the face of the occupant 99, extends in the front-rear direction so as to lower forward, the illuminance at the time of lighting is as dark as about 5 lux, and the color temperature is high. It is an orange color of about 2000 Kelvin. Therefore, when the sleep mode by the sleep-guided lighting 3 is started, the occupant 99 relaxes and the occupant 99 is promoted to fall asleep.

Further, at this time, the sleep guidance device 5 periodically blows air into the airbag airbag, that is, the deformed portion 51, in synchronization with the sleep guidance lighting 3. Specifically, air is gradually blown into the deformed portion 51 over 4 seconds, the blown state is maintained for 7 seconds, and the air in the deformed portion 51 is gradually evacuated over 8 seconds. Therefore, the position of the skin portion 52 that covers the deformed portion 51 from above changes in the vertical direction. Since the amount of deformation of the deformed portion 51 at this time in the vertical direction is about 2 cm, the position of the skin portion 52 also changes by about 2 cm in the vertical direction.

The deformed portion 51 is about the size of the palm of the occupant 99, and the amount of deformation thereof is also relatively small. Therefore, the deformed portion 51 stimulates only the palm of the occupant 99, and the whole body of the occupant 99 is not moved.

Further, the skin portion 52 is made of a porous cloth, and an elastic buffer portion 55 is arranged under the skin portion 52. Therefore, the occupant 99 having the palm placed on the tactile stimulating unit 50 is gently and periodically stimulated by the tactile stimulating unit 50. This also relaxes the occupant 99 and encourages the occupant 99 to fall asleep.

In the sleep mode, the LED light source 54L of the sleep guidance device 5 emits light to illuminate the upper surface of the tactile stimulus unit 50 so that the occupant 99 can understand that the upper surface of the tactile stimulus unit 50 is an operation interface of the in-vehicle device. Display a new design. A pressure-sensitive touch sensor 54S is arranged below the LED light source 54L. When the occupant 99 touches the light displayed on the tactile stimulus unit 50 and tries to operate the in-vehicle device, the touch sensor 54S detects the movement of the occupant 99's hand and transmits a signal to the control unit of the ECU. As a result, the control unit controls the operating state of the in-vehicle device.

By providing such an operation interface unit 54 on the tactile stimulation unit 50 on which the occupant 99 rests his / her palm, even the occupant 99 who is about to fall asleep can easily and comfortably operate the in-vehicle device.

When the destination approaches, the sleep-guided lighting 3 switches from the sleep mode to the awakening mode. Specifically, the sleep-guided lighting 3 stops the sleep lighting mode. The awakening guidance lighting 2 is turned on from the off state, and the illuminance is gradually increased to turn on the awakening lighting mode.
At this time, the awakening induction lighting 2 has an illuminance of about 300 lux and a color temperature of about 5000 Kelvin, and illuminates the passenger compartment 90R from above with bright and white light.
In other words, the awakening guidance lighting 2 brightly illuminates the face of the occupant 99 at a position close to the eyes of the occupant 99. Therefore, the sleeping occupant 99 is urged to awaken.

Further, at this time, the deforming portion 51 of the sleep induction device is deformed in a short cycle. Specifically, the drive unit 53 suddenly blows air into the deformed portion 51 in 0.5 seconds, and rapidly removes the air from the deformed portion 51 in 0.5 seconds. Since the tactile sensation of the occupant 99 is strongly stimulated by the sudden deformation of the deformed portion 51, the occupant 99 is also urged to awaken.
After a lapse of a predetermined time, the awakening mode ends. That is, the awakening guidance light 2 is turned off, and the operation of the sleep guidance device 5 is also stopped.

In the awakening mode, the sleep-guided lighting 3 stops the sleep lighting mode, but maintains an illuminance of about 300 lux and a lighting state of a color temperature of about 5000 Kelvin. The sleep induction device 5 stops driving.

As described above, according to the vehicle comfort improvement system of the embodiment, the vehicle lighting device 1 and the sleep guidance device 5 can comfortably put the occupant 99 into sleep, and the vehicle lighting device 1 can bring the occupant 99 to sleep. You can comfortably awaken. Therefore, according to the vehicle comfort improvement system of the embodiment, it is possible to improve the comfort of the occupant 99 in the passenger compartment 90R.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist. In addition, each component shown in the present specification including the embodiment can be arbitrarily extracted and combined.

1: Vehicle lighting device 2: Awakening guidance lighting 3: Sleep guidance lighting 85: Window 20: Room lamp 20L: Room lamp light source 20R: Room lamp reflector 50: Tactile stimulation part 51: Deformation part 52: Skin part 53: Drive unit 54: Operation interface unit for in-vehicle device (operation interface for in-vehicle device)
54L: Light emitting part 55: Buffering part 80: Armrest 90: Vehicle 90U: Vehicle upper part 90L: Vehicle lower part 90R: Vehicle interior 91: Seat 91S: Seat part 92: Front window

Claims (10)

Equipped with a tactile stimulus located on the side of the vehicle seat,
The tactile stimulating portion includes a deformable portion that can be deformed in the vertical direction, a skin portion that covers the deformed portion from above, and a driving portion that periodically deforms the deformed portion.
A sleep induction device in which the epidermis portion changes its position in the vertical direction as the deformed portion is deformed. The sleep induction device according to claim 1, wherein the tactile stimulus unit is provided on an armrest. The sleep induction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the deformed portion is soft. The sleep induction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the deformed portion is hard and has a soft buffer portion between the deformed portion and the epidermis portion. The sleep induction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the deformed portion is hard and the epidermis portion is soft. The sleep induction device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the epidermis is porous. The sleep induction device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the amount of change in the position of the epidermis in the vertical direction is 5 cm or less. The sleep induction device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the external dimension of the deformed portion in the horizontal direction is 20 cm or less. The sleep induction device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the tactile stimulating unit has an operation interface for an in-vehicle device under the skin portion. The sleep induction device according to claim 9, wherein the operation interface has a light emitting unit, and a portion of the tactile stimulus unit above the operation interface has light transmission.

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