JP2023099652A - seat system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a seat system comprising vehicular seats with electric devices, that improves comfort of its occupants while suppressing energy consumption.SOLUTION: A seat system 1 comprises: plural seats 3 disposed in a vehicle 2; an electric device 4 disposed in at least one of the seats; a control device 5 for controlling the electric device; attention calling means 6 for calling for attention of occupants of the vehicle; and occupant detecting means 7 for detecting an occupant seated on a seat provided with the electric device. The control device determines that an occupant is not seated on one seat provided with the electric device on the basis of a signal from the occupant detecting means, and operates the attention calling means when determining that the electric device of the corresponding seat is in operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a seat system for controlling a vehicle seat.

2. Description of the Related Art There is a vehicle seat in which a sheet-like heater member is provided between a pad and a skin material constituting the seat so as to raise the temperature of the seat (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-100001). Since such a vehicle seat can individually adjust the temperature of each occupant, it is possible to provide each occupant with a preferred temperature environment. In addition, since the temperature around the occupant can be locally adjusted, there is an advantage of good energy efficiency. Some of such vehicle seats are equipped with a temperature control device such as a blower or a cooling device in addition to the heater (for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3).

In the vehicle seat according to Patent Document 1, a seat cushion is provided with a piezoelectric element to detect a seated passenger, and the heater is stopped when the passenger is not present. According to this configuration, the heater automatically stops when the passenger is not seated, so unnecessary energy consumption can be reduced.

JP-A-5-253037 International Publication 2017/002764 JP 2012-239797 A

However, if the electric device (temperature control device) such as a heater is stopped when the passenger temporarily leaves the seat, the seat temperature and other conditions will not be appropriate when the passenger returns to the seat, resulting in a comfortable environment for the passenger. The problem is that it cannot be provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a seat system including a vehicle seat equipped with an electrical device, while suppressing energy consumption and improving passenger comfort.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a seat system (1) comprising a plurality of seats (3) provided in a vehicle (2) and a An electrical device (4), a control device (5) for controlling the electrical device, alerting means (6) for alerting an occupant of the vehicle, and sitting on the seat provided with the electrical device. and an occupant detecting means (7) for detecting the occupant, the occupant detecting means for detecting the occupant in one of the seats provided with the electrical equipment based on a signal from the occupant detecting means. When it is determined that the occupant is not seated and that the electrical device of the corresponding seat is in operation, the alert means is activated.

According to this aspect, when an occupant leaves the seat, the control device activates the alerting means to alert other occupants in the vehicle. As a result, other passengers in the vehicle can choose to maintain or stop the operation of the electrical device of the seat from which they left the seat in response to the alert.

The above aspect further comprises an input means (30) to the control device, and the control device receives a predetermined input via the input means within a predetermined period after activating the alerting means. It is preferable that the operation of the electrical equipment is stopped when there is no input, and the operation of the electrical equipment is maintained when the input is received through the input means.

According to this aspect, other occupants in the vehicle can maintain the operation of the electrical device of the seat from which the occupant has left by performing a predetermined input to the input means. Also, if the other occupant does not perform a predetermined input, it is possible to stop the operation of the electrical equipment.

In the above aspect, the control device preferably activates the attention calling means again when a state in which the occupant is not seated in the seat continues for a predetermined period after the predetermined input is made.

According to this aspect, when the occupant does not sit on the seat with the electric device activated for a predetermined period of time, the control device again activates the alerting means to alert other occupants in the vehicle. As a result, other passengers in the vehicle can again choose to maintain or stop the operation of the electrical device in response to the alert.

In the above aspect, the control device stops the operation of the electrical device if there is no input through the input means within a predetermined period after the alert means is activated again, and It is preferable to maintain the operation of the electrical equipment when there is the input via means.

According to this aspect, other occupants in the vehicle can maintain the operation of the electrical device of the seat from which the occupant has left by performing a predetermined input to the input means. Also, if the other occupant does not perform a predetermined input, it is possible to stop the operation of the electrical equipment.

In the above aspect, the seat may include a rear seat of an automobile, and the input means may be provided on an instrument panel (25) of the automobile.

According to this aspect, it becomes easier for the driver to operate the input means.

In the above aspect, the input means may be a touch panel display (28) of a car navigation system.

According to this aspect, the input means can be configured using the touch panel display, and the number of parts can be reduced.

Said aspect WHEREIN: The said touch-panel display is good to serve as the said alerting means.

According to this aspect, the attention calling means can be configured using the touch panel display, and the number of parts can be reduced.

In the above aspect, the electrical device may include a heater (21) provided on the seat.

According to this aspect, the seat can regulate the temperature of the seated occupant.

In the above aspect, further comprising an input means to the control device, the control device receives a predetermined input via the input means within a predetermined period after activating the alerting means. In this case, the operation of the electrical device is stopped, and the operation of the electrical device is maintained when there is no predetermined input through the input means.

According to this aspect, other occupants in the vehicle can stop the operation of the electrical device of the seat from which the occupant has left by performing a predetermined input to the input means. Also, if the other occupant does not perform a predetermined input, the operation of the electrical equipment can be maintained.

One aspect of the present invention is a seat system comprising: a plurality of seats provided in a vehicle; an electrical device provided in at least one of the seats; a control device for controlling the electrical device; and an occupant detecting means for detecting the occupant seated on the seat provided with the electrical device, wherein the control device receives the occupant detecting means from the occupant detecting means. When it is determined that the occupant is not seated in one of the seats provided with the electrical device based on the signal of and that the electrical device of the corresponding seat is in operation , activates the alerting means. According to this aspect, when an occupant leaves the seat, the control device activates the alerting means to alert other occupants in the vehicle. As a result, other passengers in the vehicle can choose to maintain or stop the operation of the electrical device of the seat from which they left the seat in response to the alert.

In the above aspect, further comprising an input means to the control device, the control device receives a predetermined input via the input means within a predetermined period after activating the alerting means. It is preferable that the operation of the electrical equipment is stopped immediately and the operation of the electrical equipment is maintained when the input is received through the input means. According to this aspect, other occupants in the vehicle can maintain the operation of the electrical device of the seat from which the occupant has left by performing a predetermined input to the input means. Also, if the other occupant does not perform a predetermined input, it is possible to stop the operation of the electrical equipment.

In the above aspect, the control device preferably activates the attention calling means again when a state in which the occupant is not seated in the seat continues for a predetermined period after the predetermined input is made. According to this aspect, when the occupant does not sit on the seat with the electric device activated for a predetermined period of time, the control device again activates the alerting means to alert other occupants in the vehicle. As a result, other passengers in the vehicle can again choose to maintain or stop the operation of the electrical device in response to the alert.

In the above aspect, the control device stops the operation of the electrical device if there is no input through the input means within a predetermined period after the alert means is activated again, and It is preferable to maintain the operation of the electrical equipment when there is the input via means. According to this aspect, other occupants in the vehicle can maintain the operation of the electrical device of the seat from which the occupant has left by performing a predetermined input to the input means. Also, if the other occupant does not perform a predetermined input, it is possible to stop the operation of the electrical equipment.

In the above aspect, the seat may include a rear seat of an automobile, and the input means may be provided on an instrument panel of the automobile. According to this aspect, it becomes easier for the driver to operate the input means.

In the above aspect, the input means may be a touch panel display of a car navigation system. According to this aspect, the input means can be configured using the touch panel display. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced.

Said aspect WHEREIN: The said touch-panel display is good to serve as the said alerting means. According to this aspect, the attention calling means can be configured using the touch panel display, and the number of parts can be reduced.

In the above aspect, the electrical device may include a heater provided on the seat. According to this aspect, the seat can regulate the temperature of the seated occupant.

In the above aspect, further comprising an input means to the control device, the control device receives a predetermined input via the input means within a predetermined period after activating the alerting means. In this case, the operation of the electrical device is stopped, and the operation of the electrical device is maintained when there is no predetermined input through the input means. According to this aspect, other occupants in the vehicle can stop the operation of the electrical device of the seat from which the occupant has left by performing a predetermined input to the input means. Also, if the other occupant does not perform a predetermined input, the operation of the electrical equipment can be maintained.

1 is a perspective view of a passenger compartment of a vehicle to which a seat system according to an embodiment is applied; Perspective view of seat Block diagram showing the configuration of the seat system FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the procedure of electrical device OFF control executed by the control device;

An embodiment in which the seat system of the present invention is applied to an automobile will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a seat system 1 includes a plurality of seats 3 provided in an automobile 2 as a vehicle, an electrical device 4 provided in at least one of the seats 3, and a control device for controlling the electrical device 4. 5, alerting means 6 for alerting the occupant of the automobile 2, and occupant detection means 7 for detecting an occupant seated on the seat 3 on which the electrical device 4 is provided. The electrical device 4 may be provided on each of the seats 3 .

A plurality of seats 3 are provided in a vehicle compartment 11 of the automobile 2 . The plurality of seats 3 may be a driver's seat, a passenger's seat, and a rear seat. The rear seats include second row seats and third row seats. Each seat 3 has a seat cushion 13 provided on the floor 12 of the passenger compartment 11 and a seat back 14 provided above the rear portion of the seat cushion 13 . The seat cushion 13 is a seating portion that supports the occupant's buttocks and thighs from below, and the seat back 14 is a backrest portion that supports the occupant's back from behind.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the seat cushion 13 has a seat cushion frame forming a skeleton, a pad 16 supported by the seat cushion frame, and a skin material 17 covering the outer surface of the pad 16 . Similarly, the seat back 14 has a seat back frame forming a framework, a pad 18 supported by the seat back frame, and a skin material 19 covering the outer surface of the pad 18 . The seat back frame is attached to the seat cushion frame at its lower end. A reclining mechanism may be provided at the joint between the seatback frame and the seat cushion frame.

The pads 16 and 18 are made of a flexible resin material such as urethane foam. The skin materials 17 and 19 are made of, for example, woven fabric, leather, or synthetic leather.

The electrical device 4 includes a temperature control device that controls the temperature of the passenger seated on the seat 3 . The temperature control device includes at least one of a seat heater 21, a seat blower, a seat cooler, and a seat air conditioner. Also, the electrical device 4 may include a television, a personal computer, an audio system, a massage machine, and the like. 1 and 2 show an example in which the electrical device 4 is a seat heater 21. As shown in FIG.

The seat heater 21 has a sheet member made of nonwoven fabric or woven fabric, and a heating wire provided on the sheet member. The seat heater 21 is arranged between the pads 16 , 18 of at least one of the seat cushion 13 and the seat back 14 and the upholstery materials 17 , 19 . The seat heater 21 generates heat by supplying electric current to the heating wire, and warms the occupant seated on the seat 3 .

The seat blower includes an air passage formed in the pad 16 of at least one of the seat cushion 13 and the seat back 14, and an electric blower provided in the air passage. The air passage passes through the pad 16 from the surface side (occupant side) to the back side. A portion of the skin material 17 facing the end of the air passage is made of an air-permeable member. The electric blower is driven by an electric motor, and blows the air in the blowing passage from the rear side of the pad 16 to the front side thereof. By driving the electric blower, air is sent from the air passage to the surface side of the seat cushion 13 and the seat back 14 to cool the occupant seated on the seat 3 .

The seat cooling device has a Peltier element. The Peltier elements are arranged between the pads 16 and 18 of at least one of the seat cushion 13 and the seat back 14 and the upholstery materials 17 and 19 . By supplying current to the Peltier element, the temperature of the occupant side of the Peltier element is lowered to cool the occupant seated on the seat 3 .

The seat air conditioner has an air conditioning passage formed in the pad 16 of at least one of the seat cushion 13 and the seat back 14, and a valve provided in the air conditioning passage for opening and closing the air conditioning passage. The air conditioning passage passes through the pad 16 from the surface side (passenger side) to the back side. A portion of the skin material 17 facing the end of the air-conditioning passage is made of an air-permeable member. The end of the air-conditioning passage on the back side is connected to the air-conditioning system of the automobile 2 via a duct. When the valve is open, the temperature-controlled air from the air conditioner is sent out from the air conditioning passage to the surface side of the seat cushion 13 and the seat back 14 to control the temperature of the occupant seated on the seat 3. When the valve is closed, air from the air conditioner is blocked in the air conditioning passageway.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the control device 5 is connected to at least one of the electrical devices 4 and controls the operation of the electrical device 4 . In this embodiment, one control device 5 controls the electrical device 4 provided on each seat 3 . The control device 5 is an electronic control circuit (ECU) including a microcomputer, ROM, RAM, peripheral circuits, input/output interfaces, drivers, and the like. The control device 5 may be arranged at any position on the vehicle 2 . In this embodiment, the control device 5 is arranged inside an instrument panel 25 provided in the front part of the vehicle compartment 11 .

The occupant detection means 7 includes a pressure sensor 26 provided on the seat cushion 13 of the seat 3, a seat belt sensor for detecting the wearing state of the seat belt of the seat 3, an in-vehicle camera for imaging the inside of the vehicle compartment 11, an infrared sensor, and At least one door open/close sensor is included. The occupant detection means 7 is connected to the control device 5 and outputs signals to the control device 5 . FIG. 2 shows an example in which the occupant detection means 7 is a pressure sensor 26. As shown in FIG.

The pressure sensor 26 includes any one of a piezoelectric element, a capacitive sensor, and a switch having a contact that opens and closes according to pressure. The pressure sensor 26 is arranged between the upper surface of the pad 16 of the seat cushion 13 and the upholstery material 17 . The pressure sensor 26 receives the load of the passenger seated on the seat 3 and outputs a signal to the control device 5 . The control device 5 detects whether or not an occupant is seated on the target seat 3 based on the signal from the pressure sensor 26 .

The seat belt sensor includes a circuit that opens and closes according to connection and disconnection between the seat belt tongue and the buckle, and outputs a signal to the control device 5 according to the connection between the seat belt tongue and the buckle. The control device 5 detects whether or not an occupant is seated on the seat 3 based on a signal from the seatbelt sensor.

The vehicle-mounted camera images the target seat 3 and outputs image information to the control device 5 . The control device 5 analyzes the image information from the vehicle-mounted camera with a predetermined program and detects whether or not the passenger is seated on the seat 3 . The vehicle-mounted camera is preferably provided on the roof or windshield that constitutes the upper part of the passenger compartment 11 .

The infrared sensor has an irradiation section that emits infrared rays toward the sheet 3 and a detection section that detects the infrared rays reflected from the sheet 3 . When an occupant sits on the seat 3, a change occurs in reflected infrared light detected by the detector. The detecting portion of the infrared sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the intensity of the detected infrared rays to the control device 5 . The control device 5 detects whether or not an occupant is seated on the seat 3 based on the signal from the infrared sensor.

As shown in FIG. 1, the alerting means 6 includes at least one of a touch panel display 28 of the car navigation system, a warning light, a speaker, and a vibrator. As shown in FIG. 3, the alerting means 6 is connected to the control device 5 . The control device 5 controls the operation of the alerting means 6 . The touch panel display 28 calls attention by displaying images and characters on the screen. The touch panel display 28 and the warning light are preferably provided on the instrument panel 25 . A speaker may be provided on the door or instrument panel 25 of the automobile 2 . The vibrator may be provided on the seat 3 that constitutes the driver's seat.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the seat system 1 has input means 30 for inputting a signal to the control device 5 based on the operation of the passenger. The input means 30 includes at least one of the touch panel display 28 of the car navigation system and switches provided on the instrument panel 25 and doors. The number of parts can be reduced by forming the attention calling means 6 and the input means 30 from the common touch panel display 28 . A touch panel display 28 of the car navigation system is arranged on the instrument panel 25 at a position where the driver can easily operate it. Therefore, the driver can reliably recognize the attention calling information and can easily perform the input operation.

The control device 5 executes the electrical device operation control shown in FIG.

The control device 5 first determines whether or not the electrical device 4 is in operation (S1). When the control device 5 determines in step S1 that the electrical device 4 is not in operation (determination in S1 is No), it repeats the determination in step S1 until it is determined that the electrical device 4 is in operation.

When the control device 5 determines that the electrical device 4 is in operation in step S1 (determination in S1 is Yes), the electrical device 4 is activated based on a signal from the occupant detection means 7 (for example, the pressure sensor 26). It is determined whether or not the passenger leaves the seat 3 (S2). If the occupant has not left the seat 3 (determination at S2 is No), the electrical device operation control proceeds to RETURN, and the determinations at steps S1 and S2 are repeated.

If the occupant is away from the seat 3 (Yes in S2), the control device 5 activates the alerting means 6 to alert other occupants (passengers) of the automobile 2 . For example, the attention calling means 6 is the touch panel display 28 , and the control device 5 causes the touch panel display 28 to display a message notifying that the passenger has left the specific seat 3 . Further, the control device 5 may control a speaker in addition to the touch panel display 28 to generate a warning sound for calling attention.

In this embodiment, the touch panel display 28 also serves as the input means 30 . Therefore, the control device 5 displays a message on the touch panel display 28 in step S3, and displays a stop button for stopping the electrical device 4 and a continue button for continuing the operation of the electrical device 4 on the touch panel display 28. . The touch panel display 28 inputs a stop command to the control device 5 when the stop button is pressed by the passenger, and the touch panel display 28 inputs a continuation command to the control device 5 when the continue button is pressed by the passenger. In another embodiment, instead of the touch panel display 28, a switch may be provided on the instrument panel 25 or a door, and a stop command or a continuation command may be output from the switch to the control device 5 by operating the switch.

After the process of step S3, the control device 5 starts timer counting (S4). That is, the control device 5 measures the time from when the attention calling means 6 calls attention by the process of step S4.

After the process of step S4, the control device 5 determines whether or not a stop command has been input (S5). A stop command is generated by an occupant operating the input means 30 . In this embodiment, a stop command is input to the control device 5 by the passenger pressing a stop button displayed on the screen of the touch panel display 28 . When the stop command is input (Yes in S5), the control device 5 stops the electrical device 4 (S6). The control device 5 stops the operation of the seat heater 21 by stopping the power supply to the seat heater 21 when the electrical device 4 is the seat heater 21 .

After completing the process of step S6, the controller 5 resets the timer count (sets it to 0 and stops it) (S7). After that, the control device 5 executes the electrical device operation control again from step S1.

When the control device 5 determines that the stop command has not been input in step S5 (determination in S5 is No), it determines whether or not the continuation command has been input (S8). A continuation command is generated by the passenger operating the input means 30 . In this embodiment, a continuation command is input to the control device 5 by the passenger pressing a continuation button displayed on the screen of the touch panel display 28 .

When the continuation command is input (Yes in S8), the control device 5 resets the timer count (S9) and restarts the timer count (S10). That is, the control device 5 measures the time from when the continuation command is input.

After the process of step S10, the control device 5 determines whether or not an occupant is seated on the seat 3 provided with the electrical device 4 based on the signal from the occupant detection means 7 (S11). When the control device 5 determines that the passenger is seated on the seat 3 (Yes in S11), it resets the timer count (S12), and executes the electrical device operation control again from step S1. As a result, the electrical device 4 is maintained in an activated state.

When the control device 5 determines in step S11 that the occupant is not seated on the seat 3 (determination in S11 is No), it determines whether the timer count T has reached a predetermined period T1 (S13). That is, in step S13, the control device 5 determines whether or not the period T1 has elapsed since the continuation command was input until the passenger is not seated on the seat 3 . When the controller 5 determines that the timer count T has not reached the period T1 (No in S13), the determination in step S11 is performed again. When the controller 5 determines that the timer count has reached the period T1 (determination in S13 is Yes), it resets the timer count (S14), and performs the process of step S3 again.

When the control device 5 determines in step S8 that the continuation command has not been input (determination in S8 is No), it determines whether or not the timer count T has reached the predetermined period T2 (S15). That is, in step S15, the control device 5 determines whether or not the period T2 has elapsed since the alerting means 6 alerted. When the control device 5 determines that the timer count T has not reached the period T2 (determination in S15 is No), the determination in step S5 is performed again. When the control device 5 determines that the timer count has reached the period T2 (determination in S15 is Yes), the control device 5 stops the electrical device 4 (S16). After completing the process of step S16, the control device 5 resets the timer count (S17), and then executes the electrical device operation control again from step S1.

According to the electrical device operation control, the control device 5 determines that an occupant is not seated in one of the seats 3 based on the signal from the occupant detection means 7, and the electrical device 4 of the corresponding seat 3 is activated. When it is determined that it is in operation, it activates the alerting means 6. - 特許庁Specifically, when the control device 5 determines that the electrical device 4 is in operation in step S1 of the electrical device operation control and determines that the occupant is out of the seat in step S2, The alerting means 6 is operated. As a result, other occupants such as the driver in the automobile 2 can choose to maintain or stop the operation of the electrical device 4 of the seat 3 from which they have left the seat 3 in response to the alert.

If there is no predetermined input through the input means 30 within a predetermined period T2 after activating the attention calling means 6, the control device 5 stops the operation of the electrical device 4 and, through the input means 30, The operation of the electrical device 4 is maintained when there is the input. Specifically, in step S15, the control device 5 determines whether a stop command or a continuation command is input from the input means 30 such as the touch panel display 28 within a predetermined period T2 after activating the attention calling means 6. If a stop command or a continuation command is not input, the operation of the electrical device 4 is stopped (S16), and if a continuation command is input (Yes in S8), continue to operate. As a result, other occupants can maintain the operation of the electrical device 4 of the seat 3 from which the occupant has left by inputting a continuation command through the input means 30 . In addition, the operation of the electrical device 4 can be stopped when the other passenger does not perform a predetermined input. As a result, the electrical device 4 can be stopped even if another passenger forgets to determine whether to continue or stop the electrical device 4 .

The control device 5 activates the caution means 6 again when a state in which no occupant is seated on the seat 3 continues for a predetermined period after a predetermined input is made. Specifically, when the state in which no occupant is seated in the seat 3 has continued for a predetermined period of time T1 since the continuation command was given (determination in S13 is Yes), the control device 5 activates the caution means 6 again. (S3). That is, when the occupant does not sit on the seat 3 in which the electric device is operated during the period T1, the control device 5 again activates the alerting means 6 to alert the other occupants in the vehicle. As a result, other occupants in the vehicle can again choose to maintain or stop the operation of the electrical device 4 in response to the alert.

If there is no input via the input means 30 within a predetermined period after the alerting means 6 is activated again, the control device 5 stops the operation of the electrical device 4 and the input via the input means 30 is stopped. If there is, the operation of the electrical device 4 is maintained. Specifically, in step S15, the control device 5 determines whether or not a stop command or a continuation command is input within a predetermined period T2 after the alerting means 6 is operated again. Alternatively, if the continuation command is not input, the operation of the electrical device 4 is stopped (S16), and if the continuation command is input (determination in S8 is Yes), the operation of the electrical device 4 is continued.

After activating the alert device (S3), the control device 5 can stop the electrical device 4 if a stop command is input. As a result, the electrical device 4 can be quickly stopped by the occupant's will.

Although the specific embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be widely modified. For example, steps S5 to S7 in the electrical device operation control are not essential processes and can be omitted. In this case, the process of step S8 should be executed following the process of step S4. Also, if the determination in step S15 is No, the process in step S8 should be executed.

1: Seat system 2: Car 3: Seat 4: Electrical device 5: Control device 6: Attention calling means 7: Occupant detection means 21: Seat heater 25: Instrument panel 26: Pressure sensor 28: Touch panel display 30: Input means

Claims (1)

A seat system,
a plurality of seats provided in a vehicle;
an electrical device provided on at least one of the seats;
a control device that controls the electrical device;
an alerting means for alerting an occupant of the vehicle;
an occupant detection means for detecting the occupant seated on the seat provided with the electrical device;
The control device determines, based on a signal from the occupant detection means, that the occupant is not seated in one of the seats provided with the electrical device, and the electrical device of the corresponding seat is A seat system that activates the alerting means when it determines that it is in operation.

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