JP2022136274A - Posture correction unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a posture correction unit for the body condition of a user in a seat based on the physical characteristics of the user.

SOLUTION: The posture correction unit includes: a moving part for correcting a body condition of a user in a seat, an identifying part 51 for obtaining the identification information of the user, a measuring part 52 for measuring a current index value related to the sedentary condition of the user, a plan storing part 53 for storing a correction plan for the user's body condition, a displaying part 54 for reading the correction plan based on the current value from the plan storing part 53 and displaying the correction plan to the user, and a processing part 55 for controlling the moving part to conduct the posture correction. The plan storing part 53 stores the correction plan displayed by the displaying part 54 in connection with the identification information of the user obtained when the correction plan is displayed. The processing part 55 reads the correction plan related to the identification information of the user from the plan storing part 53 and conducts the posture correction based on the instructions of the correction plan.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a condition correction unit for correcting the physical condition of a seat occupant, and more particularly to a condition correction unit capable of correcting the body condition of a seat occupant with corrective content suitable for the individuality of the seat occupant.

A technique for detecting the posture of a seat occupant and correcting the posture of the seat occupant by moving various parts of the seat according to the detection result is already known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, the technique described in Patent Document 1 detects the posture of a person seated in a vehicle seat, and adjusts the inflation pressure of an air bag arranged in the backrest portion of the seat back according to the detection result. The adjustment corrects the posture of the seated person to an appropriate posture.

In particular, the technique described in Patent Literature 1 uses information provided by the seating posture specific to the seated person as a determination factor when determining the inflation pressure of the air bag (in other words, the seat shape). This makes it possible to determine a seat shape that does not place a burden on the seated person during posture correction.

2014-118030 publication

On the other hand, there are individual differences in how the burden is applied, and even if different occupants sit on the seat in the same posture, the burden applied during correction may differ among individuals. Therefore, when correcting the physical condition of the seat occupant such as the sitting posture, the individuality of the seated person (age, gender, etc.) should be grasped in advance, and the body condition should be corrected according to the individuality that has been grasped. It is important to

Further, when correcting the physical condition of the seat occupant, the current values of the sitting posture and the like are usually measured, and the physical condition is corrected according to the measured values. Therefore, it is preferable that the physical condition is measured more appropriately from the viewpoint of setting more appropriate correction contents.

Furthermore, when the correction is repeatedly performed a plurality of times at different dates and times, the effect of each correction (improvement of physical condition due to correction) for the person undergoing correction (that is, the person seated in the seat) is managed. is important. Therefore, there is a need for a technique (equipment) for appropriately notifying the seat occupant of the correction effect each time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a state correction method capable of correcting the physical state of a seat occupant with correction content suitable for the individuality of the seat occupant. to provide the unit.
Another object of the present invention is to appropriately measure the physical condition in correcting the physical condition.
Another object of the present invention is to appropriately notify the seat occupant of the correction effect.

According to the condition correction unit of the present invention, the above problem is solved by providing an action part that operates to correct the physical condition of a person seated on a vehicle seat, and a body condition of the person sitting on the vehicle seat. an identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information; a measurement unit that measures a current value of an index for identifying the physical condition; a plan storage unit that stores a correction plan indicating correction details for the physical condition; A presenting unit that reads out the correction plan according to the current value from the plan storage unit and presents it to a person sitting on the vehicle seat, and controls the operation unit to correct the physical condition. a processing execution unit that executes a process, wherein the plan storage unit stores the correction plan presented by the presentation unit in the vehicle seat when the presentation unit presents the correction plan. and the processing execution unit reads out the correction plan associated with the identification information of the person sitting on the vehicle seat from the plan storage unit. , is solved by executing the processing for correcting the physical condition in accordance with the content of correction indicated by the read correction plan.

The condition correction unit of the present invention configured as described above measures the current value of the index for specifying the physical condition, and presents the seat occupant with a correction plan according to the measured value. The presented correction plan is stored in association with the identification information of the person sitting in the vehicle seat when the plan was presented. Further, when correcting the seat occupant, the correction plan associated with the identification information of the seat occupant is read, and the physical condition is corrected according to the correction content indicated by the correction plan. As a result, according to the condition correction unit of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately correct the physical condition of the seat occupant with correction details suitable for the individuality of the seat occupant.

Further, in the condition correction unit, the correction plan associated with the identification information of the person seated in the vehicle seat when the presentation unit presents the correction plan is stored in the plan storage unit. a plan changing unit for changing from one of the correction plans stored in the correction plan to another of the correction plans, the measuring unit re-measures the current value after the day when the processing is started, and the plan changing unit is the seated person who was seated in the vehicle seat when the presentation unit presented the correction plan according to the current value remeasured by the measurement unit after the day when the process was started Preferably, the remediation plan associated with the identifying information is changed.
With the above configuration, the measurement of the physical condition is performed again after the day the correction of the physical condition is started. Then, the correction plan associated with the identification information of the seat occupant is changed according to the measured value for the second time. As a result, the correction plan to be applied during correction can be appropriately reviewed according to the degree of correction (improvement) of the physical condition, and the physical condition can be corrected more effectively.

Further, in the above-described condition correction unit, a total sitting time management unit that manages a total sitting time, which is a cumulative value of times during which the occupants having the same identification information are seated on the vehicle seat, performs the processing. More preferably, the unit executes the processing for correcting the physical condition in a corrective manner according to the total sitting time according to the correction content indicated by the correction plan read from the plan storage unit.
In the above configuration, the physical condition is corrected in accordance with the cumulative value of the time (total sitting time) during which the same seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat. This makes it possible to appropriately adjust the load during correction in conjunction with the total sitting time. For example, at the beginning of correction (that is, when the total sitting time is relatively short), correction can be performed so that the load is reduced, and as the total sitting time increases, correction can be performed so that the load gradually increases. becomes.

Further, in the above-described condition correction unit, the measurement unit measures the current values of the seated person having the same identification information over a plurality of measurement days, and the measurement unit measures the current values on the immediately preceding measurement date. It is further preferable to have a comparison unit that compares the current value measured by the measurement unit with the current value measured by the measurement unit on a measurement date before the immediately preceding measurement date.
In the above configuration, the physical condition of the same seat occupant is measured over a plurality of measurement days, and the immediately preceding measurement is compared with the previous measurement. By performing such a comparison, it becomes possible to appropriately evaluate the correction effect (improvement degree of physical condition by correction).

Further, the condition correction unit described above preferably has a heating section for heating a predetermined portion of the body of the person sitting on the vehicle seat.
According to the above configuration, the body of the person seated in the seat is warmed when performing the correction, and the physical condition of the person seated in the seat can be shifted to a state in which correction is easier.

Further, the above-described condition correction unit preferably includes a vibration imparting section that imparts vibration to a predetermined portion of the body of a person seated on the vehicle seat.
According to the above configuration, by applying vibration to a predetermined part of the seat occupant in performing correction, the tension (muscle tension) of the part can be relaxed or the muscle strength of the part can be strengthened. It becomes possible to

Further, an information display unit for displaying information on a screen is provided, the information display unit displays information corresponding to the current value measured by the measurement unit, and the presentation unit displays the correction information on the information display unit. It is preferable to present the correction plan by displaying the plan on the screen.
According to the above configuration, display of measured values relating to the physical condition and presentation of a correction plan are performed through the screen. As a result, the person seated in the seat can check the current physical condition, the correction plan corresponding thereto, and the corrected physical condition (that is, the correction effect) through the screen.

Further, in the above-described condition correction unit, when the identification information acquisition unit acquires the identification information from a mobile terminal possessed by a person sitting on the vehicle seat by communicating with the mobile terminal, It is even more preferable.
In the above configuration, the identification information of the seat occupant is acquired by communicating with the portable terminal held by the seat occupant. With such a configuration, it is possible to acquire the identification information of the seat occupant relatively easily.

In addition, the above-described condition correction unit has a determination unit that determines a curvature state of the spine as the body condition from the current value, and the presentation unit responds to the curvature state of the spine determined by the determination unit. It is more preferable to read out the correction plan from the plan storage unit and present it to the person sitting on the vehicle seat.
In the above configuration, the bending state of the spine is determined after measuring the bending state of the spine as the physical condition. Then, a correction plan corresponding to the determination result is selected and presented to the seat occupant. With such a configuration, it is possible to correct the posture of a seat occupant in a so-called hunched posture or a curved back posture in a manner suitable for the individuality of the seat occupant.

Further, in the above-described condition correction unit, the action section has a plurality of air bags that inflate and press the seated person seated on the vehicle seat from the back side, and each of the plurality of air bags is inflated to a preset inflation pressure before the occupant sits on the vehicle seat, and the measurement unit measures the inflation pressure that changes when the occupant sits on the vehicle seat. When the present value of the inflation pressure is measured using the ejection pressure as the index, and the determination unit determines the curvature state of the spine from the current value of the inflation pressure in each of the plurality of air bladders, It is even more preferable.
In the above configuration, the air bag that presses the seat occupant from the back side is used to correct the body condition of the seat occupant (specifically, the curvature of the spine). Further, in the above configuration, the current value of the inflation pressure of the air bag, which changes due to seating, is measured as the measurement of the physical condition of the seat occupant. That is, in the above configuration, the air bag is used not only for correction but also for measuring the physical condition, so that the air bag can be used more effectively.

According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately correct the physical condition of the seat occupant with the content of correction suitable for the individuality of the seat occupant.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately review the correction plan to be applied at the time of correction as necessary according to the degree of correction (improvement degree) of the physical condition.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately adjust the load during correction in conjunction with the total sitting time on the vehicle seat.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to measure the physical condition of the same seated person over a plurality of measurement days and compare the measured values to evaluate the correction effect.
Further, according to the present invention, the body of the person seated in the seat is warmed before the correction is performed, so that the body condition of the person seated in the seat can be shifted to a state in which correction is easier.
Further, according to the present invention, when performing correction, vibration is applied to a predetermined part of the seat occupant to relax the tension (muscle tension) of the part or strengthen the muscle strength of the part. becomes possible.
Further, according to the present invention, the seat occupant can check the current physical condition, the correction plan corresponding thereto, and the physical condition after correction through the screen.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to acquire the identification information of the seat occupant relatively easily by communicating with the portable terminal held by the seat occupant.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to determine the curvature of the spine of the seat occupant and appropriately correct the curvature based on the content of the posture suitable for the individuality of the seat occupant.
Further, according to the present invention, the air bag can be used more effectively by using the air bag for correction as well as for measuring the physical condition.

1 is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle seat equipped with a condition correction unit of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a condition correction unit of the present invention; FIG. It is a figure which shows the screen for confirming a seated person's physical condition. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of an ECU as a control device; It is a figure which shows the correction plan memorize|stored in the memory|storage part, and a plan management table. It is an explanatory view of a correction method for correcting a stooped posture. It is a figure which shows a state when it exists in an ideal posture. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a correction method for correcting the posture of a warped back. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying a posture determination result; It is a figure which shows the example of a screen when presenting a correction plan. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying a posture comparison result; It is a figure which shows the flow of a flow at the time of the first time of posture correction (the 1). It is a figure which shows the flow of a flow at the time of the first time of posture correction (part 2). FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a procedure for ideal posture correction; It is a figure which shows the procedure regarding correction|amendment mode setting. It is a figure which shows the flow of a normal time flow of posture correction.

A configuration example and an operation example of one embodiment (this embodiment) of the present invention will be described below. In the following description, a vehicle seat is taken as an example of a vehicle seat, and a condition correction unit for correcting the physical condition of a person sitting on the vehicle seat (hereinafter referred to as a seat occupant) will be described. do. However, the condition correction unit of the present invention can also be applied to vehicle seats other than vehicle seats, and specifically can be applied to seats mounted on vehicles other than vehicles (for example, aircraft and ships). is.

Further, in the following description, the “physical condition” to be corrected by the condition correction unit of the present invention means an orthopedic condition among conditions related to the human body, specifically, bones, joints, It is a condition related to muscles. Examples of this include the curvature of the spine (in other words, posture), muscle tension, and skeletal distortion. In the following, the configuration for correcting the bending state (posture) of the spine as the "physical state" will be described. However, the object to be corrected by the condition correction unit of the present invention is not limited to the curvature of the spine (posture), and other "physical conditions" such as muscle tension and skeletal distortion may be corrected. good.

<<Overview of condition correction unit according to the present embodiment>>
First, an overview of the condition correction unit (hereinafter simply condition correction unit 1) according to the present embodiment will be described. The condition correction unit 1 is mounted in a vehicle and used for the purpose of improving the health condition of the person seated in the vehicle seat S in stages. More specifically, the condition correction unit 1 corrects the posture of the seat occupant, that is, the curvature of the spine while the seat occupant is seated on the vehicle seat S. In this embodiment, the posture correction by the condition correction unit 1 is to be performed continuously rather than sporadically, and proceeds according to a preset plan (correction plan).

Specifically, a plurality of candidates for the correction plan are prepared, and one correction plan is selected from among them. The posture correction unit 1 carries out posture correction according to the correction contents indicated by the selected correction plan. Here, "correction content" is specific content related to posture correction. , correction implementation period, final target posture (specifically, ideal posture described later), standard magnitude of load during correction, and the like.

In this embodiment, the individuality of the seat occupant is reflected in the selection of the correction plan. As a result, in the present embodiment, posture correction suitable for the individuality of the seat occupant is performed. This point is a feature of the present embodiment, and the feature will be described in detail later.

In this embodiment, the condition correction unit 1 is to be mounted on a seat of the vehicle seat S that corresponds to the driver's seat. That is, the condition correction unit 1 is used to correct the driver's posture. However, the condition correction unit 1 is not limited to this, and the condition correction unit 1 may be mounted on a seat other than the driver's seat (for example, a seat for an auxiliary seat or a seat for a rear seat).

<<Configuration example of condition correction unit>>
First, in describing the configuration example of the condition correction unit 1, the configuration of the vehicle seat S on which the condition correction unit 1 is mounted will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat S includes a seat back S1 that supports the back of the seated person from behind, a seat cushion S2 that supports the buttocks of the seated person from below, and a headrest S3 that supports the head of the seated person from behind. and have Since the basic configuration of each part of the seat is a known configuration, description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a configuration example of the condition correction unit 1 will be described. The condition correction unit 1 is composed of devices arranged inside or around the vehicle seat S described above. More specifically, the condition correction unit 1 is installed in the vehicle seat S and has a device (corresponding to an action section) that operates to correct the posture of the seat occupant.

More specifically, the seat back S1 of the vehicle seat S has a plurality of support portions each having a motion portion. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the seat back S1 is provided with a shoulder support portion 11, a lumbar support portion 12, a pelvis support portion 13, and a side support portion .

The shoulder support portion 11 supports the shoulders of a seat occupant (strictly speaking, a seat occupant of a standard figure, hereinafter the same in this paragraph) who is seated in the vehicle seat S in the seat back S1. are provided as a pair on the left and right sides as shown in FIG. The lumbar support portion 12 is a portion of the seat back S1 that supports the waist of the seat occupant, and is provided at the lower portion of the seat back S1 as shown in FIG. The pelvis support portion 13 is a portion of the seat back S1 that supports a portion of the seat occupant's body where the pelvis is located, and is provided below the lumbar support portion 12 as shown in FIG. The side support part 14 is a part that is applied to the body of the seat occupant from the side, and as shown in FIG. is provided.

Each of the four support portions described above has an air bag. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the shoulder support portion 11 is provided with a shoulder air bag 11a, the lumbar support portion 12 is provided with a waist air bag 12a, and the pelvis support portion 13 is provided with a pelvic air bag 12a. An air bag 13a is provided. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the side support portion 14 is also provided with an air bag.

Each air bag is arranged inside the seat back S1 or in front of the seat back S1. Each air bag expands when air is sealed therein. The posture of the person seated in the seat is corrected by such inflation of each air bag. More specifically, each air bag presses the seat occupant from the back side when inflated while the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat S. As shown in FIG. This pressing force corrects the posture of the seat occupant. Incidentally, the pressing force generated by the inflation of the air bag corresponds to the load (correction load) acting on the seated person during posture correction.

Air is supplied to each air bag by an actuator 18 shown in FIG. Air supplied from the actuator 18 passes through a tube (not shown) forming an air supply path and is sealed in each air bag. Furthermore, a solenoid valve V for adjusting the amount of air enclosed in each air bag is installed in front of each air bag. The actuator 18 and the solenoid valve V described above together with the air bag constitute the "action part" of the present invention.

In this embodiment, an air bag that expands when filled with air is used as a pressing means that expands and presses the seat occupant. An inflatable bag may also be used. In addition, the seat is not limited to an air bag or a bag that bulges out when pressing the seat occupant, and the seat can be pressed by pressing a regular-shaped member such as a roller-shaped body, a ball-shaped body, or a block-shaped body. You may push a seated person.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a heater 15 and a vibration imparting device 16 are provided as an auxiliary mechanism for effectively correcting the posture using the air bag. The heater 15 corresponds to a heating section, and heats a predetermined portion of the body of the seat occupant sitting on the vehicle seat S. As shown in FIG. By providing the heater 15, it is possible to warm the body of the person seated on the seat from the back side when correcting the posture. By warming the seat occupant's body from the back side in this way, the responsiveness (easiness of being pressed) to the pressing force (load) of the air bag of the seat occupant's body is improved, and as a result, posture correction is improved. becomes easier to do.

The vibration imparting device 16 corresponds to a vibration imparting portion, and imparts vibration to a predetermined portion of the body (strictly speaking, the back) of the seat occupant sitting on the vehicle seat S. By providing the vibration imparting device 16, it becomes possible to impart vibration to the back of the person seated in the seat and relax the tension (muscle tension) of the back when correcting the posture. As a result, the responsiveness (ease of being pressed) to the pressing force (load) of the air bag is improved for the body of the seat occupant, and as a result, posture correction can be performed more easily.

In this embodiment, the vibration imparting device 16 is used to relax the seat occupant, but the application of the vibration imparting device 16 is not limited to the above. For example, the vibration imparting device 16 may be used for the purpose of increasing the muscular strength of the back of the seat occupant. The vibration applying device 16 can also be used to increase the awakening level of the seat occupant when the awakening level is low (for example, when the person is dozing off).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the condition correction unit 1 is provided with a control device for controlling the above-described operating parts (strictly speaking, the actuator 18 and the electromagnetic valve V). This control device comprises an ECU (Electric Control Unit) 41 mounted in the vehicle. The ECU 41 incorporates a control circuit for posture correction. When the ECU 41 controls the ON/OFF of the actuator 18 and the opening of the electromagnetic valve V through the posture correcting control circuit, the inflation pressure of each air bag is adjusted. As a result, a pressing force (load) corresponding to the expansion pressure of each air pressure is applied to the back of the seat occupant, and the posture of the seat occupant is corrected.

In addition, the ECU 41 communicates with various sensors installed in the vehicle through an in-vehicle network to obtain measurement values of the various sensors. In other words, the ECU 41 can measure current values of various control items in cooperation with various sensors in the vehicle. The control items (that is, measurement targets) measured by the ECU 41 include items relating to the seating state of the person seated in the seat.

More specifically, the sensors for measuring the seating condition of the seat occupant include a breathing sensor 31, an inflation pressure sensor 32, a pressure sensor 33 and a weight sensor . These sensors are attached to the vehicle seat S and used.

Each sensor will be described. Both the bulging pressure sensor 32 and the pressure sensor 33 are sensors installed to identify the physical condition of the seat occupant, specifically, the seating posture. The inflation pressure sensor 32 is installed for each air bag to measure the current value of the inflation pressure of the air bag. The pressure sensor 33 is installed for each air bag in the same manner as the inflation pressure sensor 32. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the pressure sensor 33 is attached to the front surface of each air bag. While the seat occupant is seated on the vehicle seat S, the ECU 41 measures the current value of the index for specifying the seating posture of the seat occupant through each bulging pressure sensor 32 and each pressure sensor 33. do.

More specifically, in the present embodiment, before the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S, each of the plurality of air bags (specifically, the shoulder air bags 11a, the waist air bags 12a, and The pelvic air bladder 13a) is inflated to a preset inflation pressure. When a seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S in such a state, the inflation pressure of each air bag changes. The ECU 41 measures the inflation pressure after the change for each air bag through the inflation pressure sensor 32 . Here, the inflation pressure of each air bag (in other words, the inflation pressure balance between the air bags) has a value corresponding to the seating posture of the person seated in the seat. In other words, the ECU 41 measures the current value of the expansion pressure of each air bag, which changes when the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S, as an index for specifying the seating posture of the seat occupant. ing.

As described above, in this embodiment, the air bag is used not only for correcting the posture but also for measuring the sitting state of the person sitting on the seat, and the air bag is used more effectively.

In addition, when a seat occupant is seated on the vehicle seat S, the ECU 41 measures the current value of the pressure applied to the seat back S1 through the pressure sensor 33 provided for each air bag. Specifically, when the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S and leans against the seat back S1, when pressure is applied to the front surface of the air bag from the seat occupant's back, the pressure sensor 33 senses the pressure. The pressure sensor 33 measures the magnitude of the pressure detected by the ECU 41 . Here, the pressure measured for each air bag varies depending on the installation location of the air bag. Further, the balance of pressure between the air bags becomes a value according to the sitting posture of the seat occupant. That is, the ECU 41 measures the current value of the pressure when the seat occupant is seated on the vehicle seat S as an index for specifying the seating posture of the seat occupant.

As described above, in this embodiment, two indexes (specifically, the expansion pressure of the air bag and the pressure applied to the seat back S1) are measured to specify the seating posture of the seat occupant. there is This makes it possible to specify the seating posture more appropriately than when only one of the two indices is measured. More specifically, when the seating posture is to be specified by measuring only the expansion pressure of the air bag, the expansion pressure that changes when the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S is measured. Become. However, even if the inflation pressure changes, there are cases where it is difficult to determine whether the change is due to seating on the seat or due to some other reason (for example, filling the air bag with air). On the other hand, when the pressure sensor 33 measures only the pressure applied to the seat back S1 to determine the seating posture, if the back of the seat occupant does not properly contact the portion of the seat back S1 where the air bag is located, the pressure Measurement by the sensor 33 will not be performed accurately.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, two indices are measured to specify the seating posture of the seat occupant. It is possible to specify the sitting posture of the However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only one of the two indices may be measured.

In addition, the ECU 41 uses the breathing sensor 31 and the weight sensor 34 to measure a sitting state other than the sitting posture. More specifically, the ECU 41 identifies the arousal state of the seat occupant using the respiration sensor 31, which is a pressure-sensitive resistance type sensor installed at the rear end of the seat cushion S2. More precisely, the ECU 41 uses the breathing sensor 31 to measure periodic changes in sitting pressure (breathing waveform) linked to breathing while sitting on the seat, and identifies the arousal state of the seated person from the measured values. In addition, the ECU 41 measures the load acting on the vehicle seat S using the weight sensor 34, and identifies the presence or absence of a seat occupant from the measured value.

Further, the ECU 41 acquires the measured values of the in-vehicle sensors by communicating with in-vehicle sensors other than the sensors described above through the in-vehicle network, and for example, communicates with the vehicle speed sensor 42 to obtain the current value of the running speed (vehicle speed). get.

Furthermore, the ECU 41 can acquire information from communication devices other than the above-mentioned communication devices in the vehicle by communicating with them through the in-vehicle network. Specifically, the ECU 41 acquires information about the seat occupant (strictly speaking, identification information described later) by communicating with a smartphone 44 as a mobile terminal possessed by the seat occupant. The ECU 41 also communicates with the car navigation device 43 to acquire information about the distance and route that the vehicle is scheduled to travel on that day.

Furthermore, the ECU 41 communicates with the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) 47 when the vehicle passes in front of the ETC 47 to obtain information for identifying the vehicle's travel location (strictly speaking, the vehicle travels on the highway). information indicating whether the

Furthermore, the ECU 41 can be connected to a portable memory 45, which is a portable recording medium such as a USB memory or an SD card (registered trademark), and can exchange data with the portable memory 45. is. In other words, the ECU 41 can read the information stored in the portable memory 45 while writing the information stored therein into the portable memory 45 .

Furthermore, the ECU 41 can communicate with a tablet terminal provided in the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as an in-vehicle tablet terminal 46) and display information on a monitor screen (corresponding to a screen) of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46. More specifically, the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 is arranged around the vehicle seat S (strictly speaking, at a position where it is easy for the person seated in the seat to operate), and as shown in FIG. It is set at the top of the stanchion that is installed.

Then, the ECU 41 generates data (information display data) for displaying image information and character string information, and transmits the information display data to the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 . When the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 receives the information display data through the in-vehicle network, it develops the data and displays the information indicated by the data on the monitor screen. As a result, the person seated in the seat can check various information transmitted from the ECU 41 on the monitor screen. For example, as shown in FIG. Become.

Incidentally, the screen example shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example of the monitor screen, and its design and screen layout are not limited to those shown in FIG. 4, and can be arbitrarily set. Also, in FIG. 4, information on the respiratory state (strictly, respiratory waveform and arousal determination graph), information on the pelvis angle (strictly, the change curve of the pelvis angle and the fatigue level determination graph), and the inclination of the vehicle body (denoted as vehicle body G in the figure) is displayed as the seated state, but the information displayed on the monitor screen is not limited to the above contents.

The monitor screen of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 is composed of a touch panel 46a, which displays information indicated by the information display data and accepts screen operations (touch operations) performed by the seat occupant as input operations.

<<Regarding the functions of the control device>>
Next, functions of the ECU 41 as a control device will be described with reference to FIG. The ECU 41 implements various functions related to posture correction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the ECU 41 includes an identification information acquisition unit 51, a measurement unit 52, a plan storage unit 53, a presentation unit 54, a process execution unit 55, a total sitting time management unit 56, and a mode setting unit. 57 , a comparison unit 58 , an information display unit 59 , a determination unit 60 , an information transfer unit 61 , an information reading unit 62 and a plan change unit 63 . These functional units are realized by cooperation between hardware devices (specifically, MPU and memory) that constitute the ECU 41 and software devices (control circuits for attitude control).

Each of the above functional units will be described below. It should be noted that the order in which the functional units are described below is different from the order in which the functional units are described above.

(Identification information acquisition unit 51)
The identification information acquiring section 51 acquires the identification information of the seat occupant. Here, the identification information is information for specifying (individual authentication) the seat occupant. voiceprint information, etc.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the identification information acquisition unit 51 acquires identification information from the smartphone 44 possessed by the seat occupant by communicating with the smartphone 44 . With such a configuration, when a person holding the smartphone 44 sits on the vehicle seat S, the ECU 41 communicates with the smartphone 44 to automatically acquire the identification information of the seat occupant. As a result, in the present embodiment, it is possible to acquire the identification information of the seated person relatively easily.

The method of acquiring the identification information is not limited to the above method. The identification information may be acquired by receiving data related to the identification information (contents of the input operation). Alternatively, the identification information may be acquired by photographing the face image of the seat occupant with a camera installed in the vehicle, or by recording the voice of the seat occupant with a microphone installed in the vehicle. Alternatively, a sensor for identifying a seated occupant may be installed inside the vehicle (for example, near the steering wheel), and the ECU 41 may acquire identification information (detection result of the sensor) from the sensor.

(Measuring unit 52)
The measurement unit 52 measures the physical condition of the person seated in the vehicle seat S, that is, the seating condition, using a group of sensors for measuring the seating condition provided in the vehicle. More specifically, the measurement unit 52 uses the inflation pressure sensor 32 provided for each air bag to measure the current value of the inflation pressure of each air bag, which changes when the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S. Measure. Further, the measuring unit 52 measures the current values of the pressure applied to each part of the seat back S1 when the seat occupant is seated on the vehicle seat S using the pressure sensor 33 attached to the front surface of each air bag. In addition, the measurement unit 52 measures the respiratory waveform of the seat occupant using the respiratory sensor 31 . The measurement unit 52 also measures the load acting on the vehicle seat S using the weight sensor 34 .

Note that the object and method of measurement by the measurement unit 52 are not limited to those described above, as long as an index for identifying the physical condition of the seat occupant is measured by a suitable method. For example, the skeletal shape of the seat occupant may be measured by a known shape sensor. Alternatively, the degree of curvature of the spine of the seat occupant, the distortion of the skeleton, and the like may be measured by photographing the seat occupant with an in-vehicle camera and analyzing the photographed image.

As described above, the measurement unit 52 measures the seating state of the seat occupant (specifically, the current values of the inflation pressure of each air bag and the pressure applied to the seat back S1). It is supposed to measure the seated persons (that is, the seated persons having the same identification information) over a plurality of measurement days. More specifically, when a person uses the vehicle on different days, the measurement unit 52 measures the seating state of the person on a daily basis.

The daily measurement values obtained by the measuring unit 52 are to be stored as a measurement history. This measurement history is associated with the identification information of the seat occupant and managed for each seat occupant.

(Determination unit 60)
The determination unit 60 selects an index (specifically, the inflation pressure measured by the inflation pressure sensor 32 and the pressure sensor 33) to determine the sitting posture (spinal curvature). More specifically, the determining unit 60 selects a corresponding posture from five postures of “hunched back”, “slightly stooped back”, “ideal posture”, “slightly curved back” and “curved back”, and determines the selection result. is the current sitting posture of the seat occupant.

It is possible to arbitrarily set in which range the current value (that is, the measured value) of the index measured by the measurement unit 52 corresponds to which of the above five sitting postures. . Further, candidates for the sitting posture are not limited to the five postures described above, and can be arbitrarily determined.

(Plan storage unit 53)
The plan storage unit 53 stores a correction plan applied during posture correction. In this embodiment, a plurality of correction plans are prepared in advance, and the plan storage unit 53 stores n (n is a natural number of 2 or more) correction plans as shown in FIG.

The plan storage unit 53 also stores a plan management table T shown in FIG. 5 together with the correction plan. This plan management table T is data for managing a correction plan set for a seated person. More specifically, the plan management table T is applied when correcting the posture of the seat occupant identified by the identification information of the seat occupant acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 51 and the seat occupant specified by the identification information. It stipulates the correspondence relationship between the correction plan to be For example, the correction plan (1) is to be applied when correcting the posture of the seat occupant with the identification information "aaaa".

(Presentation unit 54)
The presentation unit 54 reads a correction plan corresponding to the sitting posture determined by the determination unit 60 from the plan storage unit 53 and presents it to the seat occupant. Here, when the determination unit 60 determines the seating posture, as described above, the determination is made based on the current values regarding the seating state measured by the measurement unit 52 . In this sense, it can be said that the presentation unit 54 presents a correction plan according to the current value of the sitting state measured by the measurement unit 52 .

The presentation of the correction plan by the presentation unit 54 will be described in detail. chooses one corrective plan corresponding to the sitting posture of the patient, and presents the corrective plan. In the correspondence table, a correction plan suitable for each sitting posture is defined for each sitting posture, and when the sitting posture is determined, one corresponding correction plan is selected based on the correspondence table.

The correction plan presented to the seat occupant is stored in the plan storage unit 53 in association with the identification information of the seat occupant. That is, the plan storage unit 53 stores the correction plan presented by the presentation unit 54 in association with the identification information of the seat occupant who was seated in the vehicle seat when the presentation unit 54 presented the correction plan. It's becoming More specifically, when the presentation unit 54 presents a correction plan, a new record is added to the plan management table T stored in the plan storage unit 53 . This record is data that associates the correction plan presented this time by the presenting unit 54 with the identification information of the person seated in the seat when the plan was presented.

(Process execution unit 55)
The processing execution unit 55 executes processing for correcting the sitting posture (hereinafter referred to as correction processing). The process execution unit 55 adjusts the inflation pressure of each air bag by controlling the actuator 18 and the electromagnetic valve V in the correction process. As a result, the back of the seat occupant is pressed by the air bag, and as a result, the seating posture of the seat occupant is corrected.

In addition, in the present embodiment, when correcting the posture, the processing execution unit 55 identifies the identification information of the seat occupant who is seated on the vehicle seat S at that time, and creates a correction plan associated with the identified identification information. Read from the plan storage unit 53 . Then, the processing execution unit 55 executes the correction processing according to the content of correction indicated by the read correction plan. As described above, in this embodiment, when correcting the seating posture of the seat occupant, the correction is performed according to the content indicated by the correction plan presented to the seat occupant. As a result, the seating posture of the seat occupant is appropriately corrected with correction details suitable for the seating posture of the seat occupant.

More specifically, the processing execution unit 55 determines the seating posture of the seat occupant (that is, determines the inflation pressure of each of the shoulder air bag 11a, the waist air bag 12a, and the pelvis air bag 13a) in the correction process. determination result by the unit 60). As an example, when the sitting posture is hunched, as shown in FIG. 6A, the shoulder air bag 11a, the waist air bag 12a, and the pelvis air bag 13a are increased in order of inflation pressure to increase the pelvis pressure. The expansion pressure (indicated by P3 in the drawing) of the air bag 13a for the vehicle is maximized. Note that FIG. 6A and FIGS. 6B and 6C, which will be described later, show a diagram showing the positional relationship between the spine and each air bag in each sitting posture, and a schematic diagram showing the magnitude relationship of the inflation pressure between the air bags. Illustrated.

On the other hand, when the sitting posture is a curved back, as shown in FIG. The output pressure (indicated by P2 in the figure) is minimized. On the other hand, when the sitting posture is the ideal posture, as shown in FIG. The output pressure is made slightly larger than the inflation pressure of the waist air bag 12a. The contents of correction shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C (specifically, the balance of inflation pressure between air bags) are merely examples, and the contents shown in these figures are not limited.

By the way, in the present embodiment, the processing execution unit 55 corrects the seating posture of the person seated in the seat according to the correction mode set by the mode setting unit 57, which will be described later, when executing the correction processing. Here, the "correction mode" refers to a specific way of correcting posture (correction procedure) or correcting mode. corresponds to load fluctuation speed, load application schedule, magnitude of load in each time slot, etc.). In this embodiment, the correction mode is determined each time the correction process is executed according to the conditions and schedule of the seat occupant of the day, the situation of the vehicle and its surroundings, and other matters to be considered in setting the correction mode. , is to be set.

Furthermore, the processing execution unit 55 controls the heater 15 to warm the back of the person sitting on the seat (specifically, the portion of the back located immediately in front of the heater 15) when performing the correction processing. In addition, the processing execution unit 55 controls the vibration imparting device 26 to impart vibration to the back of the seat occupant when performing the correction processing. As described above, the muscles of the seat occupant (especially the muscles of the shoulders, the back, and the waist) are relaxed, and the subsequent posture correction can be performed efficiently.

(Total sitting time management unit 56)
The total sitting time management section 56 manages the total sitting time for each seat occupant. Here, the "total sitting time" means a cumulative value of the time that seated persons having the same identification information are seated on the vehicle seat S. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the total sitting time is managed with reference (starting point) to the start time of the posture correction when the seat occupant receives the posture correction for the first time. That is, in the present embodiment, the total sitting time is synonymous with the cumulative time during which the seat occupant has undergone posture correction.

In addition, the total sitting time management unit 56 stores the total sitting time of the seat occupant in association with the identification information of the seat occupant. A management table (hereinafter referred to as a total sitting time management table) is stored.

Specifically, when the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S, the total sitting time management unit 56 acquires the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 51 at that time and the above-mentioned Based on the total sitting time management table, the total sitting time up to the previous time of the seat occupant is specified. On the other hand, the total sitting time management unit 56 counts the sitting time from the time when the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S, and adds up the specified total sitting time up to the previous time and the new sitting time being counted. Then, the total sitting time of this time is calculated. Then, the total sitting time management unit 56 updates the total sitting time associated with the identification information of the seat occupant sitting in the vehicle seat S in the total sitting time management table to the calculated total sitting time. .

(mode setting unit 57)
Mode setting unit 57 sets a correction mode to be applied when processing execution unit 55 executes correction processing. In addition, in the present embodiment, as described above, the mode setting unit 57 sets the correction mode each time the correction process is performed. Further, in the present embodiment, the mode setting unit 57 sets the correction mode based on various situations. Specifically, the correction mode is set according to the following items (r1), (r2), (r3), (r4), (r5) and (r6).
(r1) Total sitting time associated with the identification information of the seat occupant sitting in the vehicle seat S among the total sitting time managed by the total sitting time management unit 56 (r2) Vehicle seat S (r3) Route the vehicle is scheduled to travel on that day (r4) Day of the week and current time (r5) Vehicle travel location (whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a highway)
(r6) Traveling speed of vehicle

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the posture correction mode is set in consideration of the above six items, the degree of progress of posture correction (that is, the length of time the posture has been corrected) and the schedule of the seat occupant are taken into consideration. After that, posture correction is performed in an appropriate manner. Specifically, a certain seat occupant will receive posture correction in a correction mode according to the total sitting time up to that point. As a result, the load during correction can be appropriately adjusted according to the total sitting time. It becomes possible to gradually increase the load with the increase.

In addition, when the vehicle travels a relatively long distance, the person seated in the seat sits on the vehicle seat S for a long time. can be set. In addition, when driving a vehicle on a specific day of the week (for example, a holiday) or at a specific time (for example, early in the morning), it is also possible to perform posture correction in a corrective manner according to the day of the week or time period. In addition, since the seating posture of the seat occupant is stabilized while the vehicle is traveling on the highway, it is also possible to set the correction mode so that the load is applied to the seat occupant more frequently. It becomes possible.

Of the above six items, (r1), (r4), (r5) and (r6) dynamically change while the vehicle is running. The mode setting unit 57 periodically specifies these four items while the vehicle is running, and appropriately updates the correction mode according to the specified results. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the correction mode is periodically updated during execution of the correction processing, and when the correction mode changes, the processing execution unit 55 performs correction in the corrected mode after the change. It will start processing.

Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the information on (r2) among the above six items is acquired by the seat occupant's input through the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 or a predetermined input device. However, the age of the seat occupant is not limited to this, and the age of the seat occupant can be determined by analyzing the facial image of the seat occupant captured by a camera installed in the vehicle, or by analyzing the biometric information of the seat occupant. It is also possible to acquire information (for example, the number of wrinkles, bone density, body fat percentage, etc.) that changes accordingly by measuring it with a predetermined sensor. Note that the age may be the actual age (actual age) or the age determined according to the physical strength and health condition (so-called physical age).

Further, in the present embodiment, the information regarding (r3) is obtained through communication between the ECU 41 and the car navigation device 43 . However, it is not limited to this, and it is also possible for the seat occupant to acquire the planned travel route of the vehicle by inputting it through the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 or a predetermined input device.

Further, in the present embodiment, the information regarding (r4) is acquired from the calendar and internal clock in the ECU 41 . However, the information is not limited to this, and the day of the week and the current time can also be acquired by the ECU 41 communicating with an external device or the smartphone 44 of the seat occupant.

Further, in the present embodiment, information regarding (r5), specifically, information as to whether the vehicle is currently traveling on a highway, is received from the ETC 47 by the ECU 41 when the vehicle passes in front of the ETC 47. Obtained by receiving the output signal. However, it is not limited to this, and whether or not the vehicle is currently traveling on an expressway can be obtained by the GPS function installed in the vehicle, the smartphone 44, or the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46. Alternatively, it is also possible for the person seated in the seat to acquire the information by inputting it through the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 or a predetermined input device.

Further, in the present embodiment, the information regarding (r6) is acquired by the ECU 41 receiving an output signal from the vehicle speed sensor 42 . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible for the person seated in the seat to acquire the traveling speed of the vehicle by inputting it through the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 or a predetermined input device.

In this embodiment, the correction mode is set according to the above six items (r1) to (r6). Matters to be considered when setting the correction mode are the above six items. It is not limited and may be only one of the above six items. Alternatively, items other than the above six items (for example, the physical condition of the person seated in the seat, the condition of the road surface on which the vehicle is running, etc.) may be further taken into consideration when setting the correction mode.

(Information display unit 59)
The information display unit 59 displays information on the touch panel 46 a of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 . More specifically, the information display unit 59 generates data for displaying information (information display data) and transmits the data to the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 . When the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 receives the information display data through the in-vehicle network, it develops the data and displays the information indicated by the data on the monitor screen.

The information display data transmitted by the information display unit 59 will be described. Data for displaying the determination result by the determination unit 60 is transmitted as the information display data. That is, in the present embodiment, the information display section 59 displays information indicating the determination result of the determination section 60, specifically the current sitting posture of the seat occupant. Here, when the determination unit 60 determines the seating posture, as described above, the determination is made based on the current values regarding the seating state measured by the measurement unit 52 . In this sense, it can be said that the information display section 59 displays information according to the current value regarding the sitting state measured by the measurement section 52 .

In addition, FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen displaying the judgment result by the judging section 60. As shown in FIG. However, the screen shown in FIG. 7 is an example of the screen displaying the determination result by the determination unit 60, and the screen design, screen layout, and information to be displayed are limited to the contents shown in FIG. is not.

The information display data transmitted by the information display unit 59 includes data for displaying the correction plan presented by the presentation unit 54 . That is, in the present embodiment, the presentation unit 54 presents the correction plan by causing the information display unit 59 to display the correction plan on the screen of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 .

In addition, FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen displaying the correction plan presented by the presentation unit 54 . Here, in the screen, the correction plan includes future risks and factors related to the current sitting posture, ideal posture, and correction details (in the figure, it is possible to maintain the back muscles and pectoralis major muscles.) It is composed of the indicated part). However, the content displayed when the correction plan is displayed on the screen is not limited to the content shown in FIG. Further, the design and screen layout of the screen displaying the correction plan presented by the presentation unit 54 are not limited to the contents shown in FIG.

Further, in the present embodiment, the information display unit 59 displays information on the touch panel 46a of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the information may be displayed on the smartphone 44 held by the person seated in the seat or on another screen mounted in the vehicle (for example, the display of the car navigation device 43).

(Comparator 58)
The comparison unit 58 compares the seated state (specifically, the current value of the inflation pressure of each air bag and the pressure applied to the seat back S1) measured by the measurement unit 52 on the previous measurement date for the same seated person. ) is compared with the sitting state measured on the measurement day before the immediately preceding measurement day. Specifically, when a certain seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S, the measurement unit 52 measures the seating state (that is, the current measurement). On the other hand, the comparison unit 58 refers to the measurement history of the seat occupant, and reads the measured value of the seating state in the first measurement (first measured value).

Then, the comparison unit 58 compares the current measured value with the first measured value. By performing such a comparison, it is possible to grasp the effects of the posture corrections performed up to the previous time (that is, the degree of posture improvement due to the corrections).

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, for each of the current measurement value and the first measurement value to be compared, information corresponding to the measurement value (strictly speaking, the information corresponding to the measurement value of the spine) image showing the bending state) is to be displayed on the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 by the information display unit 59 . As a result, the person seated in the seat can confirm the effect of the previous posture correction (that is, the effect of posture improvement by correction) through the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 .

Note that the screen shown in FIG. 9 is merely an example of a screen showing two objects to be compared by the comparison unit 58, and the design and layout of the screen and the information to be displayed are the contents shown in FIG. is not limited to

(Plan change unit 63)
The plan changing unit 63 changes the correction plan presented by the presenting unit 54 to the seat occupant as necessary. Strictly speaking, the plan change unit 63 is associated with the identification information of the seat occupant who was seated in the vehicle seat S when the presentation unit 54 presented the correction plan when a predetermined change condition is satisfied. The current correction plan is changed from one correction plan stored in the plan storage unit 53 to another correction plan.

More specifically, in this embodiment, posture correction is to be repeatedly performed over a plurality of days. In other words, every time the date on which the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S changes, the correction process is repeatedly executed for the same seat occupant. Also, the measurement of the sitting state by the measuring unit 52 is to be carried out every time the date changes. In other words, the measurement unit 52 measures the seating state (specifically, the current values of the inflation pressure of each air bag and the pressure applied to the seat back S1) again after the first correction process is started.

On the other hand, the plan changing unit 63 changes the seating state re-measured by the measuring unit 52 (that is, the current (measured value of More specifically, when the comparing unit 58 compares the current measured value with the first measured value, the comparison result (for example, the difference between the measured values) is notified to the plan change unit 63. . The plan change unit 63 determines whether the notified comparison result satisfies a predetermined condition. Then, the plan changing unit 63 changes the correction plan when the above conditions are satisfied. Specifically, the correction plan associated with the identification information of the target seat occupant (strictly speaking, the seat occupant at the time when the correction plan applied in the first correction process was presented by the presentation unit 54) is Update the plan management table T to change.

As described above, in this embodiment, after the day when the correction plan to be applied in the correction process is decided, the correction plan is reviewed as necessary. As a result, even if the correction plan has been set once, it is possible to appropriately review it according to the degree of correction (improvement) of the sitting posture. This makes it possible to effectively correct the sitting posture.

Regarding the change of the correction plan, there is no particular limitation on which plan to adopt as the correction plan after the change among the correction plans stored in the plan storage unit 53. It is preferable that the optimum plan is selected by considering the comparison result when comparing the measured value of 1 with the measured value of the first time.

(Information transfer unit 61 and information reading unit 62)
The information transfer unit 61 transfers various information stored in the ECU 41 to the portable memory 45 connected to the ECU 41 . The information reader 62 reads information from the portable memory 45 connected to the ECU 41 . That is, in this embodiment, the information stored in the ECU 41 can be transferred by using the portable memory 45 .

Here, among the information transferred to the portable memory 45 and read from the portable memory 45, there are measured values when the measuring unit 52 measured the sitting state (strictly speaking, measurement history including past measured values). ), the identification information of the person seated in the seat acquired by the identification information acquisition unit 51, the correspondence relationship between the correction plan presented by the presentation unit 54 (specifically, the plan management table T), and the total sitting time management unit 56 manages It includes the total sitting time and the modified correction plan when the correction plan is reviewed by the plan changing unit 63 .

In this embodiment, since the information transfer section 61 and the information reading section 62 are provided, each of the ECUs 41 mounted on different vehicles can perform a series of functions related to posture correction (that is, the above-described function section). If equipped, information can be transferred (handed over) between the ECUs 41 . As a result, for example, when the vehicle to be used is replaced, the information relating to posture correction stored in the ECU 41 installed in the vehicle that has been used until then can be handed over to the ECU 41 in the vehicle to be newly used. becomes. As a result, the vehicle user (that is, the person seated in the seat) can receive the same posture correction (that is, posture correction performed according to the same correction plan) as the posture correction that was received in the vehicle that was used until then. , can continue to be received in the new vehicle.

In this embodiment, the information transfer unit 61 transfers information and the information reading unit 62 reads information from the portable memory 45 such as a USB memory. do not have. That is, as a substitute for the portable memory 45, the smart phone 44 held by the seat occupant may be used, or the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 may be used if the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 is configured to be portable. .

<<Operating example of condition correction unit>>
Next, as an operation example of the state correction unit 1, a posture correction flow (posture correction flow) by the state correction unit 1 will be described.
The posture correction flow is mainly divided into a flow when a seat occupant undergoes posture correction for the first time (hereinafter referred to as first time flow) and a flow after the first time (hereinafter referred to as normal time flow). In the following, the first time flow will be described first, and then the normal time flow will be described.

(First time flow)
The first-time flow proceeds according to the flows shown in FIGS. Specifically, when the seat occupant first sits on the vehicle seat S according to the present embodiment, the flow for the first time is automatically started (S001). More specifically, when the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S, the weight sensor 34 outputs a signal corresponding to the size of the seat weight that changes accordingly. When the ECU 41 receives the output signal from the weight sensor 34, the ECU 41 uses this as a trigger to automatically start the main steps (steps after step S002) of the first time flow. In the present embodiment, the initial flow is automatically started when the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A predetermined operation/action may be performed later, and the first-time flow may be started with this operation/action as a trigger.

When the flow for the first time is started, the ECU 41 (specifically, the measurement unit 52) performs various measurements including measurement of the seating state of the seat occupant (S002). Specifically, the expansion pressure of each air bag is measured by the expansion pressure sensor 32, the pressure applied to each part of the seat back S1 is measured by the pressure sensor 33, and the seating pressure that changes with breathing is measured by the breathing sensor 31. Measured at In measuring the expansion pressure of each air bag, the ECU 41 controls the actuator 18 and the solenoid valve V before the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S, and the air bag is expanded to a predetermined expansion pressure. inflate until

After that, the ECU 41 (specifically, the identification information acquisition unit 51) acquires the identification information of the seat occupant from the smartphone 44 possessed by the seat occupant by communicating with the smartphone 44 (S003). Further, the ECU 41 (specifically, the determination unit 60) determines the seating posture of the seat occupant from the seating state measured in step S002 (S004). More specifically, the ECU 41 determines whether the current sitting posture of the seat occupant is "humpback", " It is determined whether the posture is slightly stooped, "ideal posture," "slightly curved back," or "curved back."

Then, the ECU 41 (specifically, the information display unit 59) generates information display data for displaying the determined sitting posture, and transmits the data to the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46. FIG. As a result, the determination result of the seating posture is displayed on the touch panel 46a of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 (S005).

After that, the ECU 41 carries out subsequent steps according to the determination result of the seating posture. More specifically, when the determined seating posture is the ideal posture (Yes in S006), the ECU 41 ends the initial flow. On the other hand, when the determined seating posture is a posture other than the ideal posture (No in S006), the ECU 41 performs the subsequent steps in response to the mode designation operation of the seat occupant.

The mode designation operation by the seat occupant will now be described. The mode designation operation is an operation performed to designate one of a plurality of candidates prepared for the control mode of the ECU 41, and in this embodiment, , through the touch panel 46a of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46. Two candidates for the control mode by the ECU 41 are prepared, and more specifically, a "comfortable correction" mode and an "ideal correction" mode are set. The "ideal correction" mode is a mode in which posture correction is performed. Specifically, it is a mode in which the actuator 18, the electromagnetic valve V, etc. are controlled so as to correct the current sitting posture to an ideal posture.

The "comfort correction" mode is a mode for stabilizing the current sitting posture, and is a mode for controlling the actuator 18, the solenoid valve V, etc. so that the seat occupant can easily maintain the current sitting posture. be.

In order to specify one of the above two control modes, the seat occupant presses two specification buttons ("comfort correction" and "ideal mode" in FIG. 7) displayed together with the seat posture determination result on the touch panel 46a. Press one of the buttons labeled "Correction"). This button operation is a mode specifying operation, and the ECU 41 receives this operation via the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 .

When the "comfort correction" mode is specified ("comfort correction" in S007), the ECU 41 performs the above-described comfort correction (S008).

On the other hand, when the "ideal correction" mode is specified ("ideal correction" in S007), the ECU 41 performs the ideal correction described above. In carrying out the ideal correction, the ECU 41 (specifically, the presentation unit 54) accesses the plan storage unit 53, selects the sheet determined in the previous step S004 from among the correction plans stored in the plan storage unit 53. A correction plan corresponding to the current sitting posture of the seated person is read. Then, the ECU 41 presents the read correction plan to the seat occupant (S009). More specifically, the ECU 41 (specifically, the information display unit 59) generates information display data for displaying the read correction plan and transmits the information display data to the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46. FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the correction plan read by the ECU 41, that is, the correction plan corresponding to the current sitting posture of the seat occupant is displayed on the touch panel 46a of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46. FIG.

Further, the ECU 41 associates the identification information of the seated person acquired in the previous step S003 with the presented correction plan and stores them in the plan storage unit 53 (S010). Specifically, the plan management table T is updated so that a record in which the identification information and the correction plan are associated with each other is added to the plan management table T.

After that, when the seat occupant issues an instruction to perform ideal correction on the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 (specifically, when the button labeled "start correction" in FIG. 8 is pressed), this is used as a trigger. The ECU 41 performs ideal correction (S011). The ideal correction proceeds as the ECU 41 executes each step shown in FIG. 12 .

More specifically, in the ideal correction, the ECU 41 (specifically, the process execution unit 55) stores the correction plan associated with the identification information of the seat occupant sitting on the vehicle seat S in the plan storage unit 53. (S021).

Next, the ECU 41 (specifically, the process execution unit 55) controls the heater 15 to heat a predetermined portion of the back of the seat occupant (S022), and controls the vibration imparting device 16 to allow the user to sit on the seat. Vibration is applied to the back of the person (S023). As a result, the muscles of the seat occupant (especially the muscles of the shoulders, back, and waist) are relaxed, and the subsequent posture correction can be performed efficiently.

After that, the ECU 41 (specifically, the mode setting unit 57) sets the correction mode to be applied during the correction process (S024). 13, the ECU 41 (specifically, the total seating time management unit 56) calculates the total number of seated persons seated in the vehicle seat S at that time. A sitting time is specified (S031). It should be noted that the total sitting time is 0 at the stage immediately after the start of the flow for the first time.

After that, the ECU 41 (specifically, the mode setting unit 57) specifies the day of the week and the current time zone (S032). In addition, the ECU 41 (specifically, the mode setting unit 57) specifies the planned travel distance of the vehicle on that day by communicating with the car navigation device 43 (S033). Further, the ECU 41 (specifically, the mode setting unit 57) identifies the current travel location of the vehicle, more specifically, whether or not the vehicle is traveling on a highway, based on a signal or the like received from the ETC 47. (S034). Furthermore, the ECU 41 (specifically, the mode setting unit 57) specifies the age of the seat occupant input by the seat occupant through the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46 (S035). After completing these series of identifying steps, the ECU 41 (specifically, the mode setting unit 57) sets a correction mode according to the results of the determinations in steps S031 to S035 (S036).

After setting the correction mode, the ECU 41 (specifically, the process execution unit 55) executes correction processing in the correction mode set in the previous step S036 according to the correction content indicated by the correction plan read out in the previous step S021. (S025).

Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the ECU 41 (specifically, the process execution unit 55) sets a correction mode, executes a correction process, be repeated periodically. The correction end condition defines the timing at which the ideal correction for the day (one day's worth) is to be completed. or the seat occupant performs an operation for instructing the end of correction.

Then, when the correction end condition is satisfied, the posture correction for the first time is completed, and the flow for the first time ends.

(Normal flow)
The normal time flow is to be performed on the day after the first time flow is performed, and proceeds according to the flow shown in FIG. More specifically, the normal flow is automatically started when the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S (S041), similarly to the first time flow. After that, the ECU 41 performs various measurements related to the seating state of the seat occupant (S042), acquires the identification information of the seat occupant (S043), and determines the seating posture (S044) in the same procedure as the initial flow. I do.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the ECU 41 measures the seating state, acquires the identification information, and determines the seating posture as common routines for the initial flow and the normal flow. Then, if the acquired identification information matches the previously acquired identification information, the ECU 41 thereafter performs the normal flow according to the procedure shown in FIG. 14 . It should be noted that performing the normal flow means that the measurement of the seating state and the determination of the seating posture are performed for a plurality of days for the seated persons having the same identification information. In other words, in the normal time flow, the seating posture of the seat occupant is measured again after the first time flow is performed.

After the seating posture is determined in the normal flow, the ECU 41 (specifically, the comparison unit 58) performs posture comparison (S045). Specifically, in the posture comparison, the measurement value of the sitting state in the first time flow (first measurement value) is compared with the measurement value of the sitting state measured this time in the normal flow (current measurement value). .

After that, the ECU 41 (specifically, the information display unit 59) generates information display data for displaying the result of the posture comparison, and transmits the information display data to the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46. FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the result of comparison of the seating posture, specifically image information corresponding to each of the current measurement value and the first measurement value, is displayed on the touch panel 46a of the in-vehicle tablet terminal 46. becomes (S046). As a result, the person seated in the seat can grasp the effect of the previous posture correction (posture improvement degree) through the touch panel 46a.

On the other hand, the ECU 41 (specifically, the plan changing unit 63) sets a correction plan to be applied when correcting the posture of the seat occupant (strictly speaking, the seat occupant sitting on the vehicle seat S at that time). is changed according to the comparison result in the previous step S046. Specifically, the degree of correction of the seating posture of the person seated in the seat is specified from the comparison result, and if the degree of correction is equal to or greater than a certain value (Yes in S047), the plan is not changed. . In such a case, the ECU 41 continues to apply the correction plan that has been associated with the identification information in the scene where the ideal correction (that is, posture correction) is performed for the seat occupant with the same identification information to correct the ideal posture. Correction will be performed (S048).

On the other hand, when the degree of correction is less than a certain level (No in S047), the ECU 41 (specifically, the presentation unit 54) selects the correction plan stored in the plan storage unit 53 at that time A correction plan corresponding to the degree of correction is read out, and the correction plan is presented to the seat occupant as a new correction plan (S049). Then, the ECU 41 (specifically, the plan changing unit 63) changes the correction plan associated with the identification information of the seated person to whom the new correction plan was presented (S050). Specifically, the plan management table T is updated so that the above plan change is reflected. After that, the ECU 41 (specifically, the process execution unit 55) performs ideal correction (that is, posture correction) in the corrected correction plan (S051).

In the normal flow, the ideal correction proceeds in the same procedure as in the initial flow (that is, the procedure shown in FIG. 12). Also in the normal flow, the step of setting the correction mode and the step of executing the correction process are periodically repeated until the correction end condition is satisfied. Then, when the correction end condition is satisfied, the posture correction for that day is completed, and the normal flow is ended.

<<other embodiments>>
Although the above embodiments mainly describe the condition correction unit of the present invention, the above embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. That is, the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

In the above embodiment, a plurality of multiple correction plans are already prepared before the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S, and are stored in the plan storage unit 53 in advance. However, it is not limited to this, and after the seat occupant sits on the vehicle seat S, for example, after measuring the seating state of the seat occupant, a new correction plan is created by reflecting the measured values. good too.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case in which posture correction is repeatedly performed for the same seat occupant over a plurality of days has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also be applied to cases in which posture correction is performed on a seat occupant.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the state correction unit 1 of the present invention is used mainly for the purpose of correcting the sitting posture of the person sitting on the seat. However, the use of the condition correction unit 1 is not particularly limited, and it may be used for the purpose of correcting physical conditions other than the sitting posture, such as muscle strength, flexibility, and skeletal distortion.

1 Condition correction unit 11 Shoulder support part 11a Air bag for shoulder (moving part, air bag)
12 Lumbar support section 12a Lumbar air bag (moving section, air bag)
13 Pelvis support part 13a Air bag for pelvis (action part, air bag)
14 side support part 15 heater (heating part)
16 Vibration imparting device (vibration imparting unit)
18 Actuator (moving part)
31 breathing sensor 32 inflation pressure sensor 33 pressure sensor 34 weight sensor 41 ECU
42 Vehicle speed sensor 43 Car navigation device 44 Smartphone (mobile terminal)
45 Portable memory 46 In-vehicle tablet terminal 46a Touch panel 47 ETC
51 identification information acquisition unit 52 measurement unit 53 plan storage unit 54 presentation unit 55 processing execution unit 56 total sitting time management unit 57 mode setting unit 58 comparison unit 59 information display unit 60 judgment unit 61 information transfer unit 62 information reading unit 63 plan change Part S Vehicle seat S1 Seat back S2 Seat cushion S3 Headrest T Plan management table V Solenoid valve

Claims (1)

an action unit that operates to correct the physical condition of a person sitting on the vehicle seat;
an identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information of a person sitting on the vehicle seat;
a measurement unit that measures a current value of an index for identifying the physical condition;
a plan storage unit that stores a correction plan indicating correction details for the physical condition;
a presentation unit that reads out the correction plan corresponding to the current value from the plan storage unit and presents it to a person sitting on the vehicle seat;
a processing execution unit that controls the operation unit and executes processing for correcting the physical condition;
The plan storage unit stores the correction plan presented by the presentation unit in association with the identification information of the person seated in the vehicle seat when the presentation unit presented the correction plan. cage,
The processing execution unit reads the correction plan associated with the identification information of the person seated in the vehicle seat from the plan storage unit, and corrects the physical condition according to the correction content indicated by the read correction plan. condition correction unit for performing the process to correct the

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