JP2022096233A - Seat device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a seat device capable of suppressing complication of a device configuration.SOLUTION: A seat device 10 includes: a seat back supporting a lumber part of an occupant and a seat cushion supporting a hip part of the occupant; a plurality of first bladders 12 and a plurality of second bladders 13; first pressure sensors 14 and second pressure sensors 15; and a control device 18. The plurality of first bladders 12 are arranged on the seat back, and the plurality of second bladders 13 are arranged on the seat cushion. The first pressure sensors 14 are arranged between the lumber part and the plurality of first bladders 12, and the second pressure sensors 15 are arranged between the hip part and the plurality of second bladders 13. The control device 18 controls each of the bladders 12 and 13 according to a pressure change amount that is a difference between a pressure detection value received from each of the pressure sensors 14 and 15 in a first state of each of the bladders 12 and 13, and a pressure detection value received from each of the pressure sensors 14 and 15 in a second state of each of the bladders 12 and 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to a seat device.

Conventionally, a device equipped with a plurality of various sensors for detecting the physique of a occupant of a vehicle and controlling the posture according to the physique of the occupant by expansion or contraction of an air cell or bladder provided in a seat supporting the occupant. Is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-194063

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional device, by providing a plurality of sensors, there arises a problem that the device configuration becomes complicated and the cost required for the configuration increases.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a seat device capable of suppressing complicated device configurations for detecting the physique of an occupant.

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the above object, the present invention has adopted the following aspects.
(1) The seat device according to one aspect of the present invention (for example, the seat device 10 in the embodiment) is the buttocks of the occupant (for example, the occupant C in the embodiment) of the vehicle (for example, the vehicle 1 in the embodiment). A seat (for example, the seat 11 in the embodiment) having a seat cushion (for example, the seat cushion 11c in the embodiment) and a seat back (for example, the seat back 11b in the embodiment) for supporting the waist and the above. A bladder (eg, first bladder 12 and second bladder 13 in the embodiments) that is provided on at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back and expands and contracts by injecting and discharging fluid, and the bladder and the occupant. A pressure sensor (for example, the first pressure sensor 14 and the second pressure sensor 15 in the embodiment) that detects the pressure acting between the two and outputs a signal of the pressure detection value, and the control unit (for example, the embodiment). The control device 18) is provided.

(2) In the seat device according to (1) above, the control unit responds to the subcutaneous fat amount of the occupant based on the information of the predetermined correspondence between the pressure change amount and the subcutaneous fat amount of the occupant. The state of expansion and contraction of the bladder may be controlled.

(3) In the sheet device according to (2) above, the control unit determines that the subcutaneous fat amount is large when the pressure change amount is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, and the pressure change amount is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold value. If this is the case, it may be determined that the subcutaneous fat amount is small.

(4) In the seat device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, the bladder is a site that supports at least one of the ischium and the spine of the occupant when inflated (for example, in the embodiment). A recess (for example, the first recess S1 and the second recess S2 in the embodiment) may be formed in the site PSa and the site PSb).

(5) In the seat device according to any one of (1) to (4) above, the control unit is a shift operation device (for example, the shift operation device 21 in the embodiment) mounted on the vehicle. A control state of expansion and contraction of the bladder according to the pressure change amount, which is connected to a shift position sensor (for example, the shift position sensor 22 in the embodiment) that detects the shift position and outputs a signal of the shift position detection value. When the shift position detection value received from the shift position sensor is a reverse indicating reverse movement, the bladder may be changed to a predetermined reference state.

(6) In the seat device according to (5) above, the control unit changes the shift position detection value received from the shift position sensor from the reverse to a drive indicating forward without passing through parking indicating stop. In some cases, the bladder may be changed from the predetermined reference state to a control state of expansion and contraction according to the amount of pressure change already acquired.

(7) In the seat device according to (5) above, the control unit shifts from the parking to a drive indicating forward after the shift position detection value received from the shift position sensor changes from the reverse to the parking indicating a stop. When the bladder changes, the bladder may be changed to a control state of expansion and contraction according to the amount of pressure change newly acquired from the predetermined reference state.

According to (1) above, control to expand and contract the bladder according to the amount of pressure change (body pressure change amount), which is the difference between the pressure values in two or more different states acting between the bladder and the occupant. By providing the control unit for performing the above, it is possible to prevent the device configuration for detecting the physique of the occupant from becoming complicated. For example, without the need for multiple sensors to detect the body fat percentage, physique, weight, etc. of the occupant, the repulsive force that the bladder pushes back the occupant is measured from the amount of pressure change due to the expansion and contraction of the bladder, and the bladder responds to the repulsive force. By adjusting the pressure supported by the occupant, the posture of the occupant can be properly maintained.
Further, for example, in a device that controls the posture of an occupant according to the detection result of the body fat percentage or the physique of the occupant acquired by a sensor as in the prior art, when the occupant's clothing is, for example, clothing made of a hard denim material. There is a problem that the repulsive force is absorbed by the fabric and the pressure to support the posture of the occupant is insufficient. On the other hand, according to the present invention, since the pressure for supporting the occupant is controlled according to the repulsive force of the bladder pushing the occupant back, the control of the bearing force for the occupant dressed can be achieved with a simple configuration. For example, complicated or additional information processing such as correcting the dressing of the occupant's physique data obtained by a sensor other than the pressure sensor can be eliminated.

In the case of (2) above, by providing a control unit that controls the bladder according to the amount of subcutaneous fat associated with the pressure change amount of the bladder, it is possible to suppress the complexity of the device configuration. For example, by determining the ratio of muscle to fat from the repulsive force of the occupant against the bladder and executing information processing to correspond the determination result to the body fat percentage or the subcutaneous fat mass, the bladder swells without the need for a special sensor. And, it is possible to detect the amount of subcutaneous fat in the physique of the occupant only by providing a pressure sensor that outputs a signal related to contraction.

In the case of (3) above, a control unit for determining that the larger the subcutaneous fat amount is, the smaller the pressure change amount (body pressure change amount) is, and the smaller the subcutaneous fat amount is, the larger the pressure change amount (body pressure change amount) is provided. Allows the bladder to be controlled to exert an appropriate pressure according to the amount of subcutaneous fat.

In the case of (4) above, each position of the ischium or the spine can be guided to the recess formed when the bladder is inflated, and the seating position and the sitting posture with respect to the occupant's seat and the bladder can be appropriately set. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the pressure change amount (body pressure change amount), which is the difference between the pressure detection values received from the pressure sensor.
For example, by forming a recess in the sciatic bone and the site supporting the spine where the reaction force is larger than that of muscle or fat, for example, the pressure detection value received from the pressure sensor and the amount of pressure change (body pressure change amount) based on the pressure detection value. ) Can be suppressed from increasing excessively.

In the case of (5) above, by providing a control unit that changes the bladder to a predetermined reference state when the shift position detection value received from the shift position sensor is reverse, the vehicle is parked or put in the garage in a predetermined state. It is possible to prevent the bladder from operating excessively. For example, when the occupant is a driver, it is possible to prevent the load of twisting the upper body from side to side to increase due to the expansion of the bladder in order to visually check the surroundings of the vehicle in a predetermined state such as parking or entering the garage.

In the case of (6) above, when the shift position detection value changes from reverse to drive without going through parking, the vehicle is provided with a control unit that controls the bladder according to the pressure change amount already acquired. The bladder can be properly controlled in case the occupants of the vehicle have not changed.

In the case of (7) above, when the shift position detection value changes from reverse to drive via parking, the vehicle occupant is provided with a control unit that controls the bladder according to the newly acquired pressure change amount. The bladder can be properly controlled in case it may be changing.

The figure which looked at the structure of the seat apparatus in embodiment of this invention from the side. The figure which looked at the structure of the seat apparatus in embodiment of this invention from the front. The figure which looked at the structure of the seat cushion of the seat device in embodiment of this invention from above. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view cut along a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction of the vehicle at the position of the line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view cut along a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the vehicle at the position of line BB shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the functional structure of the vehicle which mounts the seat device of embodiment of this invention. The graph which shows an example of the correspondence relationship between the subcutaneous fat amount and the body pressure change amount in the sheet apparatus of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the seat apparatus of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the operation of the seat apparatus of embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, the seat device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The seat device 10 according to the embodiment is mounted on, for example, a vehicle 1.
FIG. 1 is a side view of the configuration of the seat device 10 in the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the configuration of the seat device 10 in the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view of the configuration of the seat cushion of the seat device 10 in the embodiment as viewed from above. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view cut along a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction at the position of the line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view cut along a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction at the position of the line BB shown in FIG.
In the following, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions orthogonal to each other in the three-dimensional space are parallel to each axis. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the Z-axis direction is parallel to the vertical direction of the vehicle 1 on which the seat device 10 is mounted, the X-axis direction is parallel to the left-right direction of the vehicle 1, and the Y-axis direction is the vehicle. It is parallel to the front-back direction of 1. The positive direction in the Z-axis direction is parallel to the upward direction in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1. The positive direction in the X-axis direction is parallel to the left direction in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1. The positive direction in the Y-axis direction is parallel to the front direction in the front-rear direction of the vehicle 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, for example, the seat device 10 of the embodiment includes a seat 11 that supports the occupant C of the vehicle 1, a plurality of first bladder 12, and a plurality of second bladder 13. , A first pressure sensor 14 and a second pressure sensor 15.
The seat 11 includes a headrest 11a that supports the head of the occupant C, a seat back 11b that supports the waist of the occupant C, and a seat cushion 11c that supports the buttocks of the occupant C.

The outer shape of each of the plurality of first bladder 12s is, for example, a rectangular bag shape. The plurality of first bladder 12s are arranged inside the seat back 11b. The plurality of first bladder 12s are, for example, a pair of upper first bladder 12a, 12a arranged so as to be offset from the central portion in the left-right direction on the upper side of the vehicle 1 in the vertical direction, and the first bladder 12a, 12a in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1. It is a pair of lower side first bladder 12b, 12b that are arranged on the lower side so as to be offset from the central portion in the left-right direction on both sides. The left-right central portion of the vehicle 1 on the seat back 11b is, for example, a portion that supports the spine Sa of the occupant C. The pair of upper first bladder 12a, 12a and the pair of lower first bladder 12b, 12b are arranged so as to overlap each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle 1, for example. For example, the pair of lower first bladder 12b, 12b is arranged on the front side of the vehicle 1 in the front-rear direction with respect to the pair of upper first bladder 12a, 12a at the overlapping portions.

The outer shape of each of the plurality of second bladder 13s is, for example, a rectangular bag shape. The plurality of second bladder 13s are arranged inside the seat cushion 11c. The plurality of second bladder 13s are, for example, a pair of left and right second bladder 13a, 13a arranged so as to be offset from a predetermined portion of the seat cushion 11c on both sides in the left-right direction of the vehicle 1, and a vehicle from a predetermined portion of the seat cushion 11c. It is a pair of front-rear side second bladder 13b, 13b arranged so as to be offset on both sides in the front-rear direction of 1. The predetermined portion of the seat cushion 11c is, for example, the central portion of the portion supporting the pair of left and right ischia Sb, Sb of the occupant C. The pair of left and right side second bladder 13a, 13a and the pair of front and rear side second bladder 13b, 13b are arranged so as to overlap each other, for example. For example, the pair of left and right side second bladder 13a, 13a are arranged on the upper side of the vehicle 1 in the vertical direction with respect to the pair of front and rear side second bladder 13b, 13b at the portions overlapping with each other.

Each first bladder 12 and each second bladder 13 expands and contracts by injecting and discharging a fluid such as air.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction of the vehicle 1 at the position of the line AA shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the vehicle at the position of line BB shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, each pair of upper first bladder 12a, 12a and lower first bladder 12b, 12b incorporated in the seat back 11b is left and right from the site PSa supporting the spine Sa of the occupant C. Arranged on both sides. As a result, the first recess on the surface of the seat back 11b formed between the pair of upper first bladder 12a, 12a and between the pair of lower first bladder 12b, 12b when the first bladder 12 is expanded. The pressure Pa from the spine Sa acts on S1.
As shown in FIG. 5, each pair of left and right side second bladder 13a, 13a and front and rear side second bladder 13b, 13b built in the seat cushion 11c are portions that support the pair of left and right ischial bones Sb, Sb of the occupant C. The PSb and PSb are arranged so as to be offset from the central portion on both sides in the left-right direction and the front-back direction. As a result, the second recess on the surface of the seat cushion 11c formed between the pair of left and right side second bladder 13a, 13a and between the pair of front and rear side second bladder 13b, 13b when each second bladder 13 is expanded. Each pressure Pb from the pair of left and right ischia Sb and Sb acts on S2.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the outer shape of each of the first pressure sensor 14 and the second pressure sensor 15 is, for example, a flexible sheet shape or a thin plate shape. Each of the first pressure sensor 14 and the second pressure sensor 15 is, for example, an aggregate of a plurality of pressure detection units distributed and arranged. Each of the plurality of pressure detection units is, for example, a capacitance type sensor provided with an electrode pair that converts the pressure received from the outside into a capacitance and outputs it.
The first pressure sensor 14 is arranged between the surface of the seat back 11b in contact with the waist of the occupant C and the plurality of first bladder 12 inside the seat back 11b. The first pressure sensor 14 detects the contact pressure (body pressure) generated between the waist of the occupant C and the contact surface of the seat back 11b, and outputs a signal of the pressure detection value.
The second pressure sensor 15 is arranged between the surface of the seat cushion 11c in contact with the buttocks of the occupant C and the plurality of second bladder 13 inside the seat cushion 11c. The second pressure sensor 15 detects the contact pressure (body pressure) generated between the buttocks of the occupant C and the contact surface of the seat cushion 11c, and outputs a signal of the pressure detection value.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the vehicle 1 equipped with the seat device 10 of the embodiment.
The seat device 10 includes a first bladder drive unit 16 that drives the first bladder 12, a second bladder drive unit 17 that drives the second bladder 13, and a control device 18.
Each of the first bladder drive unit 16 and the second bladder drive unit 17 is, for example, a pump that supplies a fluid such as air to each of the first bladder 12 and the second bladder 13, and a valve that discharges the fluid from the bladder 12 and 13. Etc. are provided.

The control device 18 controls the operation of the seat device 10 in an integrated manner.
The control device 18 is a software function unit that functions by executing a predetermined program by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The software function unit is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) including a processor such as a CPU, a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing a program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing data, and an electronic circuit such as a timer. .. At least a part of the control device 18 may be an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration).

The control device 18 is connected to each of the first pressure sensor 14 and the second pressure sensor 15, and is also connected to the shift position sensor 22 that detects the shift position of the shift operation device 21 mounted on the vehicle 1.
The shift operation device 21 receives the input operation of the driver and instructs various operations of the power transmission device (not shown) of the vehicle 1. The shift operation device 21 has a plurality of shift positions that can be selected by the input operation of the driver, for example, a drive indicating the advance of the vehicle 1, a reverse indicating the reverse of the vehicle 1, a neutral indicating the interruption of the power transmission of the vehicle 1, and the like. The power transmission of the vehicle 1 is locked, and a shift position such as parking indicating the stop of the vehicle 1 is provided.
The shift position sensor 22 detects the shift position of the shift operation device 21 and outputs a signal of the shift position detection value.

The control device 18 has a first bladder drive unit 16 based on the pressure detection value signal received from each of the first pressure sensor 14 and the second pressure sensor 15 and the shift position detection value signal received from the shift position sensor 22. And each of the second bladder drive unit 17 is controlled.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of the correspondence between the amount of subcutaneous fat and the amount of change in body pressure in the sheet device 10 of the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 18 has a pressure change amount (body pressure change amount T) based on a change in the pressure detection value signal received from each of the first pressure sensor 14 and the second pressure sensor 15, and the occupant's. It stores information on the predetermined correspondence with the subcutaneous fat mass (body fat ratio). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the amount of pressure change (body pressure change amount T) changes in a downward tendency as the subcutaneous fat amount (body fat percentage) of the occupant increases.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 18 has a pair of left and right portions L1 that face each pair of upper side first bladder 12a, 12a and lower side first bladder 12b, 12b of the first pressure sensor 14 in the front-rear direction. The average value of the left and right pressure detection values output from R1 is calculated. The pair of left and right portions L1 and R1 are displaced from the first recess S1 on the surface of the seat back 11b on which the pressure Pa from the spine Sa of the occupant C acts to both sides in the left-right direction.
The control device 18 has a second state in which the average value of the left and right pressure detection values in the first state regarding the expansion and contraction of the plurality of first bladder 12 and the first state regarding the expansion and contraction of the plurality of first bladder 12 are different. The amount of pressure change, which is the difference from the average value of the left and right pressure detection values in the state, is calculated. The control device 18 acquires the subcutaneous fat amount of the waist of the occupant C corresponding to the calculated pressure change amount based on the information of the predetermined correspondence relationship between the stored pressure change amount and the subcutaneous fat amount of the occupant.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 18 has a pair of left and right portions L2 that face each other of the pair of left and right side second bladder 13a, 13a and the front and rear side second bladder 13b, 13b of the second pressure sensor 15 in the vertical direction. The average value of the left and right pressure detection values output from R2 is calculated. The pair of left and right portions L2 and R2 are displaced from the second recess S2 on the surface of the seat cushion 11c on which the pressures Pb from the pair of left and right ischia Sb and Sb of the occupant C act on both sides in the left-right direction.
The control device 18 has a second state in which the average value of the left and right pressure detection values in the first state regarding the expansion and contraction of the plurality of second bladder 13 and the first state regarding the expansion and contraction of the plurality of second bladder 13 are different. The amount of pressure change, which is the difference from the average value of the left and right pressure detection values in the state, is calculated. The control device 18 acquires the subcutaneous fat amount in the buttocks of the occupant C corresponding to the calculated pressure change amount based on the information of the predetermined correspondence between the stored pressure change amount and the subcutaneous fat amount of the occupant.

The control device 18 determines that the subcutaneous fat amount is large when each pressure change amount is smaller than the predetermined threshold value for each of the waist and the buttocks of the occupant C, and when each pressure change amount is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold value. It is determined that the amount of subcutaneous fat is small. The control device 18 controls the expansion and contraction of the bladder 12 and 13 for each of the lumbar region and the buttocks of the occupant C according to the acquired subcutaneous fat amount.

Hereinafter, the operation of the seat device 10 of the embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the seat device 10 of the embodiment, and is a process executed at the start of the operation, for example.
As shown in FIG. 8, first, in step S01, the control device 18 sets each of the plurality of first bladder 12 and the plurality of second bladder 13 to the first state, for example, an appropriate expansion state.
Next, in step S02, the control device 18 acquires the pressure detection value from each of the first pressure sensor 14 and the second pressure sensor 15. The control device 18 calculates the average value of the left and right pressure detection values for each of the pressure sensors 14 and 15.
Next, in step S03, the control device 18 sets each of the plurality of first bladder 12s and the plurality of second bladder 13 to a second state, for example, an appropriate contracted state.
Next, in step S04, the control device 18 acquires the pressure detection value from each of the first pressure sensor 14 and the second pressure sensor 15. The control device 18 calculates the average value of the left and right pressure detection values for each of the pressure sensors 14 and 15.

Next, in step S05, the control device 18 determines the average value of the left and right pressure detection values of the bladder 12 and 13 in the first state and the first of the bladder 12 and 13 for the pressure sensors 14 and 15. The amount of pressure change, which is the difference from the average value of the left and right pressure detection values in the two states, is calculated.
Next, in step S06, the control device 18 calculates the pressure change for each of the pressure sensors 14 and 15 based on the information of the predetermined correspondence between the stored pressure change amount and the occupant's subcutaneous fat amount. Obtain the subcutaneous fat mass of the waist and hips of the occupant C corresponding to the amount.
Next, in step S07, the control device 18 controls the expansion and contraction of each of the plurality of first bladder 12 and the plurality of second bladder 13 according to the amount of subcutaneous fat in the lumbar region and buttocks of the occupant C. Then, the control device 18 advances the processing to the end.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the seat device 10 of the embodiment, and is, for example, a process executed at predetermined intervals.
As shown in FIG. 9, in step S11, the control device 18 determines whether or not the shift position is reverse based on the signal of the shift position detection value received from the shift position sensor 22.
If the determination result is "YES", the control device 18 advances the process to step S12.
On the other hand, when this determination result is "NO", the control device 18 advances the processing to the return.
Next, in step S12, the control device 18 sets each of the plurality of first bladder 12s and the plurality of second bladder 13 to a predetermined initial state (for example, a reference state in which the bladder 12 and 13 are contracted). ..
Next, in step S13, the control device 18 determines whether or not the shift position has changed to the drive via the parking by the signal of the shift position detection value received from the shift position sensor 22.
If the determination result is "YES", the control device 18 advances the process to step S14.
On the other hand, when this determination result is "NO", the control device 18 advances the process to step S15.

Next, in step S14, the control device 18 determines that the occupant C of the vehicle 1 may have been changed, and the waist portion of the occupant C based on the pressure detection values of the newly acquired pressure sensors 14 and 15. And each bladder 12 and 13 is controlled according to the amount of each subcutaneous fat in the buttocks. Then, the control device 18 advances the processing to the return.
Further, in step S15, the control device 18 determines whether or not the shift position has changed to the drive without going through the parking by the signal of the shift position detection value received from the shift position sensor 22.
If the determination result is "YES", the control device 18 advances the process to step S16.
On the other hand, when this determination result is "NO", the control device 18 advances the processing to the return.
Next, in step S16, the control device 18 determines that the occupant C of the vehicle 1 has not been changed, and the bladder 12, 13 is controlled. Then, the control device 18 advances the processing to the return.

As described above, according to the seat device 10 of the embodiment, the pressure change amount (body pressure change amount) which is the difference between the pressure values in two different states acting between the bladder 12 and 13 and the occupant C. By providing the control device 18 that controls the expansion and contraction of the bladder 12 and 13 according to the above conditions, it is possible to prevent the device configuration for detecting the physique of the occupant C from becoming complicated. For example, it does not require a plurality of sensors for detecting the body fat percentage, physique, weight, etc. of the occupant C, and only has each bladder 12, 13 and a minimum pressure sensor 14, 15 required for the massage function. The seat device 10 can be configured. The repulsive force of each bladder 12 and 13 pushing back the occupant C is measured from the amount of pressure change due to expansion and contraction of each bladder 12 and 13, and the pressure supported by each bladder 12 and 13 is adjusted according to the repulsive force. The posture of C can be properly maintained.
Further, for example, in a device that controls the posture of the occupant C according to the detection result of the body fat ratio or the physique of the occupant C acquired by the sensor as in the prior art, the clothes of the occupant C are, for example, clothing made of a denim material having a hard cloth. In this case, there arises a problem that the repulsive force is absorbed by the fabric and the pressure for supporting the posture of the occupant C is insufficient. On the other hand, according to the present invention, in order to control the pressure for supporting the occupant C according to the repulsive force of each bladder 12 and 13 pushing back the occupant C, the control of the bearing force for the occupant C in the dress is simply configured. Can be achieved with. For example, it is possible to eliminate complicated or additional information processing such as correction of dressing in the physique data of the occupant C obtained by sensors other than the pressure sensors 14 and 15.

By providing a control device 18 that controls each bladder 12 and 13 according to the amount of subcutaneous fat associated with the pressure change amount of each bladder 12 and 13, the device configuration for detecting the physique of the occupant C is complicated. It can be suppressed from becoming. For example, by determining the ratio of muscle and fat from the repulsive force of the occupant C against each of the bladder 12 and 13, and executing information processing to correspond the determination result with the body fat ratio or the subcutaneous fat mass, no special sensor is required. In addition, the amount of subcutaneous fat in the physique of the occupant C can be detected only by providing the pressure sensors 14 and 15 that output signals related to the expansion and contraction of the bladder 12 and 13.

The position of the spine Sa can be guided to the first recess S1 formed during the expansion of the plurality of first bladder 12, and the position of the ischium Sb in the second recess S2 formed during the expansion of the plurality of second bladder 13. Can be induced. As a result, the seating position and sitting posture of the occupant C with respect to the seat 11 and the bladder 12 and 13 can be appropriately set, and the waist and buttock of the occupant C based on the pressure detection values received from the pressure sensors 14 and 15 respectively. The accuracy of the pressure change amount (body pressure change amount) can be improved.
For example, the pressure detection values received from, for example, the pressure sensors 14 and 15 by forming the recesses S1 and S2 in the respective sites PSa and PSb that support the spine Sa and the sciatic bone Sb where the reaction force is larger than that of muscle or fat. And it is possible to suppress an excessive increase in the amount of pressure change (body pressure change amount) based on the pressure detection value.

By providing a control device 18 that changes the bladder 12 and 13 to a predetermined reference state (initial state) when the shift position detection value received from the shift position sensor 22 is reverse, the vehicle 1 can be parked, put in the garage, or the like. It is possible to prevent the bladder 12 and 13 from operating excessively with respect to a predetermined operating state. For example, when the occupant C is a driver, the load of twisting the upper body to the left and right in order to visually check the area around the vehicle 1 in a predetermined state such as parking or garage entry is suppressed from being increased by the expansion of the bladder 12 and 13. can do.
When the shift position detection value changes from reverse to drive without going through parking, the vehicle 1 is provided with a control device 18 that controls each of the bladder 12 and 13 according to the pressure change amount already acquired. Each bladder 12 and 13 can be appropriately controlled in response to the case where the occupant C has not changed.
When the shift position detection value changes from reverse to drive via parking, the occupant C of vehicle 1 is provided with a control device 18 that controls each of the bladder 12 and 13 according to the newly acquired pressure change amount. Each bladder 12 and 13 can be appropriately controlled in response to the possibility that is changing.

(Modification example)
Hereinafter, a modified example of the embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted or simplified.
In the above-described embodiment, each of the seat back 11b and the seat cushion 11c is provided with four first bladder 12 and a second bladder 13, respectively, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, one of the seat back 11b and the seat cushion 11c. Only an appropriate number of bladder may be provided.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the plurality of first bladder 12 and the plurality of second bladder 13 are provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, each of the seat back 11b and the seat cushion 11c may be provided with a single bladder having a shape in which the central portion is recessed when expanded, such as an annular shape or a saddle shape. That is, a bladder that forms a recess in the site PSa that supports the spine Sa of the occupant C during expansion and a bladder that forms a recess in the site PSb that supports the ischial bone Sb of the occupant C during expansion may be provided.

In the above-described embodiment, the seat device 10 includes a flexible sheet-shaped or thin plate-shaped first pressure sensor 14 and a second pressure sensor 15, but is not limited to this, and includes other pressure sensors. May be good.
Other pressure sensors may detect the pressure acting between each bladder 12, 13 and the occupant, for example, by measuring a flow rate indicating an increase or decrease in fluid that expands and contracts each bladder 12, 13.
Further, another pressure sensor may also serve as, for example, each bladder 12, 13 itself, and detects the pressure acting between each bladder 12, 13 and the occupant by the function added to each bladder 12, 13. You may.

The embodiments of the present invention are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof, as are included in the scope and gist of the invention.

1 ... Vehicle, 10 ... Seat device, 11 ... Seat, 11b ... Seat back, 11c ... Seat cushion, 12 ... First bladder (Bladder), 12a ... Upper side first bladder (Bladder), 12b ... Lower side first bladder (Bladder), 13 ... 2nd bladder (Bladder), 13a ... Left and right side 2nd bladder (Bladder), 13b ... Front and rear side 2nd bladder (Bladder), 14 ... 1st pressure sensor (pressure sensor), 15 ... 2nd Pressure sensor (pressure sensor), 16 ... 1st bladder drive unit, 17 ... 2nd bladder drive unit, 18 ... control device (control unit), 21 ... shift operation device, 22 ... shift position sensor, C ... occupant, Pa, Pb ... pressure, PSa, PSb ... site, S1 ... first recess (recess), S2 ... second recess (recess).

Claims (7)

A seat with a seat cushion that supports the buttocks of the occupants of the vehicle and a seat back that supports the lumbar region,
A bladder that is provided on at least one of the seat cushion and the seat back and expands and contracts by injecting and discharging a fluid.
A pressure sensor that detects the pressure acting between the bladder and the occupant and outputs a signal of the pressure detection value,
The expansion and contraction of the bladder according to the amount of pressure change, which is the difference between the pressure detection value received from the pressure sensor in the first state of the bladder and the pressure detection value received from the pressure sensor in the second state of the bladder. A seat device including a control unit for controlling the state of. The control unit is characterized in that the expansion and contraction states of the bladder are controlled according to the subcutaneous fat amount of the occupant based on the information of the predetermined correspondence between the pressure change amount and the subcutaneous fat amount of the occupant. The seat device according to claim 1. The control unit determines that the subcutaneous fat amount is large when the pressure change amount is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, and determines that the subcutaneous fat amount is small when the pressure change amount is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold value. 2. The seat device according to claim 2. The seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bladder forms a recess in a portion supporting at least one of the ischium and the spine of the occupant when inflated. The control unit
It is connected to a shift position sensor that detects the shift position of the shift operation device mounted on the vehicle and outputs a signal of the shift position detection value.
When the shift position detection value received from the shift position sensor is the reverse indicating reverse movement in the control state of expansion and contraction of the bladder according to the pressure change amount, the bladder is changed to a predetermined reference state. The seat device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the seat device is characterized. The control unit has already acquired the bladder from the predetermined reference state when the shift position detection value received from the shift position sensor changes from the reverse to a drive indicating forward without passing through parking indicating a stop. The seat device according to claim 5, wherein the seat device is changed to a control state of expansion and contraction according to the pressure change amount. When the shift position detection value received from the shift position sensor changes from the reverse to the parking indicating the stop and then changes from the parking to the drive indicating the forward movement, the control unit moves the bladder from the predetermined reference state. The seat device according to claim 5, wherein the seat device is changed to a control state of expansion and contraction according to the newly acquired pressure change amount.

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