JP2022131212A - Seat occupation situation detector - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a seat occupation situation detector applicable even to a seat whose direction can be changed by 180 degrees.SOLUTION: A seat occupation situation detector 5 comprises: a distance measuring sensor 6 that is disposed on an arm rest 4a of a seat 1 and detects existence of an object on a seat part 2; a micro switch 7 that is disposed at a backrest 3 and detects the backrest 3 being pressed; and a determination unit 8 that on the basis of a detection result of the distance measuring sensor 6 and a detection result of the micro switch 7, determines whether the seat 1 is vacant, is occupied by a person, or is occupied by placed baggage. When an immediately previous state of the seat is a vacant state, the determination unit 8 determines that the seat 1 is occupied by a person in the case that an object exists on the seat part 2 and the backrest 3 is pressed, determines that the seat 1 is occupied by placed baggage in the case that an object exists on the seat part 2 and the backrest 3 is not pressed, and determines that the seat 1 is vacant in the case that no object exists on the seat part 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a technology for detecting the occupancy of seats in a railway vehicle or the like.

Conventionally, in reserved-seat vehicles of Shinkansen and limited express trains, it was necessary for conductors to periodically make rounds to check the actual seat occupancy status in relation to ticketing information, and to check for unauthorized seating. Such ticket inspection work is a heavy burden on conductors, and there has been a demand for a reduction in this burden.

In addition, Patent Literature 1 discloses a passenger occupancy detection device for checking the seated state of passengers on a chartered bus. This passenger occupancy detection device detects passengers on the seats based on detection signals from both a seating sensor provided on the seat portion of the seat and an infrared sensor provided on the back of the backrest of the front seat or on the ceiling of the bus. has been seated.

JP-A-8-171663

As described above, the passenger/personnel detection device of Patent Document 1 has an infrared sensor provided on the back surface of the backrest of the front seat of the seat to be detected or on the ceiling of the bus. For this reason, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be applied as it is to a seat of a railroad vehicle or the like that can change the orientation of the seat by 180 degrees.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a seat occupancy detector that can be applied to a seat that can be turned 180 degrees.

The present invention is a seat occupancy detection device for detecting the occupancy state of a seat, comprising: an object detection means arranged on an armrest of the seat for detecting an object on the seat portion of the seat; A pressure detection means arranged on a backrest for detecting that the backrest is pressed; and a judgment unit for judging whether the person is seated or whether a baggage is placed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to confirm the occupancy status of seats without the need for people (crews, etc.) to go around. The present invention is also applicable to seats that can be turned 180 degrees.

1 is a configuration diagram of a seat occupancy detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. Figure 2 is a front view of the seat of Figure 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the detection principle of a press detection means in FIG. 1; 2 is a diagram for explaining the detection principle of the object detection means in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a determination algorithm of a determination unit in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of determination processing performed by a determination unit in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of determination processing performed by a determination unit in FIG. 1; FIG.

A “seat occupancy detection device” according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

A seat 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is installed in a passenger compartment of a railway vehicle. A seat 1 includes a seat portion 2, a backrest 3, and a pair of armrests 4a and 4b. A pedal (not shown) is attached to the footrest that supports the seat 1, and the direction of the seat 1 can be changed by 180 degrees by stepping on the pedal.

The seat occupancy detection device 5 detects the occupancy of each of the seats 1 . The seat occupancy detection device 5 is arranged on the armrest 4a of the seat 1 to be detected, and is arranged inside the object detection means 6 for detecting that there is an object on the seat 2, and the backrest 3 of the seat 1 to be detected. Then, based on the pressure detection means 7 for detecting that the backrest 3 is pressed, the detection results of the object detection means 6 and the detection results of the pressure detection means 7, it is determined whether the seat 1 is vacant or whether a person is seated. and a judgment unit 8 for judging whether or not the baggage is placed.

The object detection means 6 and the pressure detection means 7 are provided for each seat 1 . That is, in the seat occupancy detection device 5 of the present invention, the object detection means 6 and the pressure detection means 7 are provided on the seat 1 itself to be detected. Therefore, the occupancy status of the seat 1 can be detected regardless of the orientation of the seat 1 . Also, the determination unit 8 is provided in common for the plurality of seats 1 .

The object detection means 6 of this example is composed of an optical sensor that detects the reflected light of the light projected from the light projecting element with the light receiving element. In addition, in this example, an inexpensive ranging sensor is adopted among optical sensors. Reference numeral 61 in FIG. 3 denotes a translucent window of the distance measuring sensor 6, reference numeral 62 denotes a light projecting element, and reference numeral 63 denotes a light receiving element. The translucent window 61 is provided on the inner surface of the armrest 4a. The light from the light projecting element 62 is transmitted through the translucent window 61 and projected toward the armrest 4b. When there is an object on the seat portion 2 , the light from the light projecting element 62 is reflected by the object, passes through the translucent window 61 , and is received by the light receiving element 63 . Thereby, it is detected that there is an object on the seat portion 2 .

Furthermore, in this example, in order to widen the detection range as much as possible while suppressing costs, as shown in FIG. The distance measuring sensor 6 is installed so that the light L is projected on the . Specifically, a single distance measuring sensor 6 is arranged at the lower front end of one armrest 4a, and the light L from the light emitting element 62 is directed from near the left front corner of the seat 2 toward near the right rear corner. The light is projected on the corner. Note that the front, rear, left, and right directions described above are directions viewed from the person seated on the seat 1 .

The distance measuring sensor 6 configured as described above can reliably detect when a person is seated. almost detectable. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the distance measuring sensor 6 is installed so that the light L is projected obliquely backward from the light projecting element 62, but the light L is projected obliquely forward from the light projecting element 62. The distance measurement sensor 6 may be installed so as to emit light.

The press detection means 7 of this example is arranged at a position higher than the distance measuring sensor (that is, the object detection means) 6, as shown in FIGS. By arranging in this way, the pressing state is detected when the backrest 3 is pressed by the back of a person, and the pressing detection means 7 does not react when the low position of the backrest 3 is hit by a load. can be made

Further, in this example, a microswitch is employed as the pressure detecting means 7 in order to reduce costs. As shown in FIG. 3, the microswitch 7 includes a case 71, a contact portion 72 provided in the case 71, and a lever 73 projecting from the case 71 and transmitting a pressing force to the backrest 3 to the contact portion 72. (actuator section), and

The backrest 3 is composed of a back frame 31 and a cushion material 32 covering the back frame 31. - 特許庁The microswitch 7 is fixed to the back frame 31 , and when the backrest 3 is pressed by the back of a person or the like, the lever 73 is displaced to open and close the contact portion 72 . Thereby, it is detected that the backrest 3 is pressed.

Further, in this example, a plate 9 is provided between the lever 73 and the cushioning material 32 to improve the response of the microswitch 7, and the plate 9 presses the lever 73. As shown in FIG. The plate 9 is sized larger than the microswitch 7 . By interposing the plate 9 in this way, the microswitch 7 responds even if the passenger's back does not press the cushion material 32 near the microswitch 7 . Therefore, the microswitch 7 responds even if the passenger is a small child.

The table in FIG. 5 shows the basic determination algorithm of the determination section 8. In FIG. The determination unit 8 determines that a person is seated on the seat 1 when there is an object on the seat 2 (range sensor ◯) and the backrest 3 is pressed (microswitch ◯). If there is an object on the seat 2 (range sensor ◯) and the backrest 3 is not pressed (microswitch x), it is determined that a load is placed on the seat 1 . The basis for this judgment is that a person normally leans back on the backrest 3 immediately after sitting on the seat 1, but when luggage is placed on the seat 1, the load is applied downward due to gravity, pushing the backrest 3 backward. This is because it takes no force. If there is no object on the seat 2 (distance measuring sensor ×) and the backrest 3 is not pressed (microswitch ×), it is determined that the seat 1 is vacant. It is normally impossible for the backrest 3 to be pressed (microswitch ◯) when there is no object on the seat 2 (distance measuring sensor ×). If not, it is determined that seat 1 is vacant.

Further, in this example, the determination unit 8 performs determination processing described below in order to improve the accuracy of detecting the seat occupancy state. The flow of determination processing will be described below with reference to the flow charts of FIGS.

The flowchart of FIG. 6 is a determination process when the immediately preceding state is an empty seat. In step S<b>1 , the determination section 8 determines whether or not there is an object on the seat section 2 based on the detection result of the distance measuring sensor 6 . If it is determined that there is no object on the seat 2, the determination in step S1 is repeated. If it is determined that there is an object on the seat 2, the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, based on the detection result of the microswitch 7, it is determined whether or not the backrest 3 is in the pressed state. If it is determined that the backrest 3 is not in the pressed state, the process proceeds to step S3, and it is determined that a load is placed on the seat 1. After it is determined that an object is placed on the seat 1, the determination of whether or not there is an object on the seat 2 is repeated. becomes vacant (seat 1 is no longer occupied by luggage).

If it is determined in step S2 that the backrest 3 is in the pressed state, the process proceeds to step S4, where a timer is set to start counting the duration of the backrest pressed state. Subsequently, in step S5, it is determined again whether or not the backrest 3 is in the pressed state. If it is determined that the backrest 3 is not in the pressed state, the process proceeds to step S3, and it is determined that a load is placed on the seat 1.

If it is determined in step S5 that the backrest 3 is in the pressed state, the process advances to step S6 to determine whether the duration of the pressed state is longer than 2 seconds. In this example, it is determined whether or not it is longer than "2 seconds", but this is just an example, and any time can be set.

If it is determined in step S6 that the duration of the pressed state is two seconds or less, the process returns to step S5. If it is determined that the duration of the pressed state is longer than 2 seconds, the process proceeds to step S7, and it is determined that a person is seated on the seat 1. Further, the determination unit 8 transmits the determination results in steps S3 and S7 to, for example, a portable terminal possessed by a conductor.

In this way, if the seat 2 is vacant and the seat 2 is vacant and the backrest 3 is pressed for longer than a predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds), the determination unit 8 determines that there is no person on the seat 1. It is determined that the user is seated, and if there is an object on the seat part 2 and the backrest 3 is not pressed for longer than a predetermined time, it is determined that a load is placed on the seat 1.例文帳に追加By making such a determination, it is possible to exclude the momentary shock applied to the backrest 3 when placing a load on the seat 1 from the person's seating determination, thereby improving the detection accuracy.

The flowchart of FIG. 7 is the determination processing after it is determined that a person is seated on the seat 1 . After the determination in step S7, the determination unit 8 proceeds to step S8 and determines whether or not there is an object on the seat 2. If it is determined that there is an object on the seat 2, the process returns to step S7, and it is determined that a person is seated on the seat 1. That is, it is determined that the seated state continues.

It should be noted that the passenger may take his or her back away from the backrest 3 while sitting on the seat 1 . Therefore, after determining that the person is seated on the seat 1, the determination unit 8 continues the seated state of the person as long as there is an object on the seat 2 even if the backrest 3 is not pressed. determined to be

If it is determined in step S8 that there is no object on the seat 2, the process advances to step S9 to set a timer and start counting the duration of the state in which there is no object on the seat 2. Subsequently, in step S10, it is determined whether or not there is an object on the seat portion 2 again. If it is determined that there is an object on the seat 2, the process returns to step S7, and it is determined that a person is seated on the seat 1. That is, it is determined that the seated state continues.

If it is determined in step S10 that there is no object on the seat 2, the process advances to step S11 to determine whether or not the duration of the state in which there is no object on the seat 2 is longer than 2 seconds. In this example, it is determined whether or not it is longer than "2 seconds", but this is just an example, and any time can be set.

If it is determined in step S11 that the duration of the state in which there is no object on the seat 2 is two seconds or less, the process returns to step S10. If it is determined that the continuation time of no object on the seat 2 is longer than 2 seconds, the process proceeds to step S12, and it is determined that the seat 1 has become vacant. Further, the determination unit 8 transmits the determination result in step S12 to, for example, a portable terminal possessed by the conductor.

In this way, the determination unit 8 determines that a person is seated on the seat 1, and after a state in which there is no object on the seat 2 within a predetermined time (for example, two seconds), the seat 2 is again seated. If there is an object above it, it is determined that the seated state of the person continues, and if the state where there is no object on the seat 2 continues longer than a predetermined time, it is determined that the seat 1 has become vacant. judge. By making such a determination, it is possible to exclude the movement of the person sitting on the seat 1 to sit down again from the seat vacancy determination, thereby improving the detection accuracy.

As described above, according to the seat occupancy detection device 5 of the present embodiment, the occupancy state of the seat 1 can be detected with high detection accuracy by the above-described various contrivances while having a simple configuration using inexpensive parts. be able to. By using this seat occupancy detection device 5, the conductor can check the occupancy of each seat 1 without patrolling the inside of the train, so that the ticket inspection work of the conductor can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, a seat for one person has been described as an example, but the seat occupancy detection device of the present invention can also be applied to each seat of a type in which a plurality of seats are arranged side by side and supported by one underframe. can do. When applying to a two-seat or three-seat seat, an object detection means and a pressure detection means are provided for each seat. At that time, when optical sensors are used as the object detection means, each optical sensor is set so that the detection range is limited to the seat portion of the seat to be detected, and the adjacent seat is not included in the detection range. Moreover, it is preferable that the determining unit is provided in common for a plurality of seats (two seats in the case of a two-seat seat) supported by one underframe. Furthermore, when communication between the object detection means and the pressure detection means and the determination section is performed via a transmission/reception section, this transmission/reception section is also provided in common for a plurality of seats supported by one underframe. is preferred.

In the above-described embodiment, a microswitch is used as the pressing detection means, but a push button switch that can be switched ON/OFF by pressing may be used instead of the microswitch. In addition to the microswitch, for example, a sensor or the like (pressure-sensitive element or the like) that senses the load applied to the backrest can be used.

In addition, the above-described embodiment merely shows a typical form of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 seat 2 seat 3 backrest 4a, 4b armrest 5 seat occupancy detector 6 ranging sensor (object detection means, optical sensor)
7 microswitch (press detection means)
8 decision unit

Claims (7)

A seat occupancy detection device for detecting the occupancy of a seat,
an object detection means arranged on the armrest of the seat for detecting that there is an object on the seat portion of the seat;
a pressing detection means arranged on the backrest of the seat and configured to detect that the backrest is pressed;
a determination unit that determines whether the seat is vacant, occupied by a person, or loaded with luggage, based on the detection result of the object detection means and the detection result of the pressure detection means. A seat occupancy detection device, characterized by: The determination unit
determining that a person is seated on the seat when there is an object on the seat and the backrest is pressed;
determining that a load is placed on the seat when there is an object on the seat and the backrest is not pressed;
The seat occupancy detection device according to claim 1, wherein the seat is determined to be vacant when there is no object on the seat. 3. The seat occupancy detection device according to claim 1, wherein the object detection means is composed of an optical sensor that detects reflected light of light projected from a light projecting element with a light receiving element. 4. The seat occupancy detection device according to claim 3, wherein only one optical sensor is provided, and light is projected obliquely forward or obliquely rearward from the light projecting element. The seat occupancy detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pressure detection means is arranged at a position higher than the object detection means. 6. The pressing detection means is composed of a microswitch having a contact portion and an actuator portion for transmitting the pressing force to the backrest to the contact portion. 1. The seat occupancy detection device according to 1. 7. The seat occupancy detection device according to claim 6, wherein a plate is provided inside the backrest for pressing the actuator unit when the backrest is pressed.

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