JP2024022453A - Seat system and control method of seat - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent seat bodies from colliding with an object positioned on the periphery due to rotation in a seat system having the seat bodies rotatable around a vertical axis with respect to a floor and a control method of seats.

SOLUTION: A seat system 1 includes: a plurality of seat bodies 15 which are rotatably supported around a vertical axis Z extending in a vertical direction with respect to a floor 13; drive units 17 which rotate each of the seat bodies with respect to the floor; a sensor 5 which acquires information on an object positioned around each of the seat bodies; and a control device 9 which controls each of the drive units on the basis of the information acquired by the sensor. The control device determines whether rotation of the seat bodies is possible on the basis of the information acquired by the sensor and permits the rotation of the seat bodies by the drive units when determining that the rotation is possible.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a seat system including a plurality of seat bodies and a seat control method.

Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle seat in which the direction of the seat body can be changed from the front to the rear by rotating the seat body with respect to the floor. The seat body is moved in the front-rear direction with respect to the floor by a slider device disposed below the seat cushion. Further, the orientation of the seat body relative to the floor is changed by a rotation device interposed between the slider device and the floor.

Patent No. 5186850

In recent years, there has been active development of technology for autonomously driving vehicles. In such vehicles, it is required to be able to change the orientation of the seat body and change the layout of the seat body in the vehicle interior depending on the driving scene and the like.

However, the front and rear positions and reclining angles of the seat bodies may be changed depending on the body shape and preference of the seater. Therefore, during rotation, the seat body may collide with seat bodies located in the periphery, making it difficult to change the layout of the seat body.

In view of the above background, the present invention provides a seat system having a seat body that is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the floor, and a seat control method that prevents the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects due to rotation. The task is to do so.

In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is a seat system (1) in which a plurality of seats are rotatably supported around a vertical axis (Z) extending vertically with respect to a floor (13). a seat body (15), a drive unit (17) for rotating each of the seat bodies with respect to the floor, a sensor (5) for acquiring information regarding objects located around each of the seat bodies; a control device (9) that controls each of the drive units based on information acquired by the sensor, and the control device is capable of rotating the seat body based on the information acquired by the sensor. If it is determined that rotation is possible, rotation of the seat body by the drive unit is permitted.

According to this aspect, whether or not the seat body can be rotated is determined based on information regarding objects located in the periphery acquired by the sensor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects due to rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the drive unit includes a rotation drive device (39) that rotates the seat body relative to the floor, and a slide drive device (35) that moves the seat body parallel to the floor. and when determining that rotation of the seat body is impossible, the control device causes the slide drive device to move the seat body relative to the floor in order to enable rotation of the seat body. Move in parallel.

According to this aspect, the seat body can be moved to a position away from surrounding objects and less likely to collide. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects during rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device allows the rotation drive device to rotate the seat body before the slide drive device completes movement of the seat body.

According to this aspect, the time required until the rotation of the seat body is completed can be shortened.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device causes the slide drive device to move the seat body to a position where the seat body can be seated, after the rotation of the seat body by the rotary drive device is completed.

According to this aspect, seating on the seat body becomes possible after the seat body rotates around the vertical axis.

In the above aspect, preferably, the seat body includes a seat cushion (19) and a seat back (21) that can be tilted by rotating with respect to the seat cushion, and the drive unit preferably includes a seat back (21) that can be tilted by rotating with respect to the seat cushion. a rotation drive device (39) for rotating the seat back relative to the floor; and a reclining drive device (47) for rotating the seat back relative to the seat cushion, the seat body being unable to rotate. When the determination is made, the control device causes the reclining drive device to rotate the seat back relative to the seat cushion, and causes the seat back to stand up, in order to enable rotation of the seat body.

According to this aspect, the seat back can be moved to a position away from objects located in the periphery where it is unlikely to collide with objects. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects during rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device allows the rotation drive device to rotate the seat body before the reclining drive device completes raising the seat back.

According to this aspect, the time required until the rotation of the seat body is completed can be shortened.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device causes the reclining drive device to rotate the seat back to a position where the seat can be seated, after the rotation drive device completes rotation of the seat body.

According to this aspect, seating on the seat body becomes possible after the seat body rotates around the vertical axis.

In the above aspect, preferably, the seat body includes a seat cushion (19) rotatably supported on the floor at a rear end, and a seat back (21), and the drive unit is configured to drive the seat body. The control device includes a rotation drive device (39) that rotates the seat cushion with respect to the floor, and a tip-up drive device (41) that rotates the seat cushion with respect to the floor, and the control device is configured to act on information acquired by the sensor. When it is determined that the seat body cannot be rotated based on the above, the tip-up drive device rotates the seat cushion so that the front end of the seat cushion flips up to enable rotation of the seat body. let

According to this aspect, the seat cushion can be moved to a position away from objects located in the periphery where it is unlikely to collide with objects. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects during rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device allows the rotational drive device to rotate the seat body before the tip-up drive device completes rotation of the seat cushion.

According to this aspect, the time required until the rotation of the seat body is completed can be shortened.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device causes the tip-up drive device to rotate the seat cushion to a position where the seat cushion can be seated, after the rotation of the seat body by the rotation drive device is completed.

According to this aspect, seating on the seat body becomes possible after the seat body rotates around the vertical axis.

In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention provides control of a seat (3) for rotating a plurality of seat bodies (15) placed on a floor (13) around a vertical axis (Z). A control device (9) that controls the position and orientation of the seat body acquires information regarding objects located around the seat body from a sensor (5) provided on the seat body, The seat is driven by a drive unit (17) that determines whether the seat body can be rotated based on information acquired by the sensor, and when the seat body is rotatable, rotates the seat body. Allow body rotation.

According to this aspect, whether or not the seat body can be rotated is determined based on information regarding objects located in the periphery acquired by the sensor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects due to rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the drive unit includes a rotation drive device (39) that rotates the seat body relative to the floor, and a slide drive device (35) that moves the seat body parallel to the floor. and when determining that rotation of the seat body is impossible, the control device causes the slide drive device to move the seat body relative to the floor in order to enable rotation of the seat body. Move in parallel.

According to this aspect, the seat body can be moved to a position away from surrounding objects and less likely to collide. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects during rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device allows the rotation drive device to rotate the seat body before the slide drive device completes movement of the seat body.

According to this aspect, the time required until the rotation of the seat body is completed can be shortened.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device causes the slide drive device to move the seat body to a position where the seat body can be seated, after the rotation of the seat body by the rotary drive device is completed.

According to this aspect, seating on the seat body becomes possible after the seat body rotates around the vertical axis.

In the above aspect, preferably, the seat body includes a seat cushion (19) and a seat back (21) that can be tilted by rotating with respect to the seat cushion, and the drive unit preferably includes a seat back (21) that can be tilted by rotating with respect to the seat cushion. a rotation drive device (39) for rotating the seat back relative to the floor; and a reclining drive device (37) for rotating the seat back relative to the seat cushion, the seat body being unable to rotate. When the determination is made, the control device causes the reclining drive device to rotate the seat back relative to the seat cushion, and causes the seat back to stand up, in order to enable rotation of the seat body.

According to this aspect, the seat back can be moved to a position away from objects located in the periphery where it is unlikely to collide with objects. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects during rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device allows the rotation drive device to rotate the seat body before the reclining drive device completes raising the seat back.

According to this aspect, the time required until the rotation of the seat body is completed can be shortened.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device causes the reclining drive device to rotate the seat back to a position where the seat can be seated, after the rotation drive device completes rotation of the seat body.

According to this aspect, seating on the seat body becomes possible after the seat body rotates around the vertical axis.

In the above aspect, preferably, the seat body includes a seat cushion (19) rotatably supported on the floor at a rear end, and a seat back (21), and the drive unit is configured to drive the seat body. The control device includes a rotation drive device (39) that rotates the seat cushion with respect to the floor, and a tip-up drive device (41) that rotates the seat cushion with respect to the floor, and the control device is configured to act on information acquired by the sensor. When it is determined that the seat body cannot be rotated based on the above, the tip-up drive device rotates the seat cushion so that the front end of the seat cushion flips up to enable rotation of the seat body. let

According to this aspect, the seat cushion can be moved to a position away from objects located in the periphery where it is unlikely to collide with objects. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects during rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device allows the rotational drive device to rotate the seat body before the tip-up drive device completes rotation of the seat cushion.

According to this aspect, the time required until the rotation of the seat body is completed can be shortened.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device causes the tip-up drive device to rotate the seat cushion to a position where the seat cushion can be seated, after the rotation of the seat body by the rotation drive device is completed.

According to this aspect, seating on the seat body becomes possible after the seat body rotates around the vertical axis.

The present invention provides a seat system including a plurality of seat bodies rotatably supported around a vertical axis extending vertically with respect to a floor, and a drive unit that rotates each of the seat bodies with respect to the floor. and a sensor that acquires information regarding objects located around each of the seat bodies, and a control device that controls each of the drive units based on the information acquired by the sensor, the control device determines whether the seat body can be rotated based on information acquired by the sensor, and when determining that rotation is possible, allows the drive unit to rotate the seat body.

According to this aspect, whether or not the seat body can be rotated is determined based on information regarding objects located in the periphery acquired by the sensor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects due to rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the drive unit includes a rotation drive device that rotates the seat body relative to the floor, and a slide drive device that moves the seat body parallel to the floor, and When determining that the seat body cannot be rotated, the control device causes the slide drive device to move the seat body parallel to the floor in order to enable rotation of the seat body.

According to this aspect, the seat body can be moved to a position away from surrounding objects and less likely to collide. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects during rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device allows the rotation drive device to rotate the seat body before the slide drive device completes movement of the seat body.

According to this aspect, the time required until the rotation of the seat body is completed can be shortened.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device causes the slide drive device to move the seat body to a position where the seat body can be seated, after the rotation of the seat body by the rotary drive device is completed.

According to this aspect, seating on the seat body becomes possible after the seat body rotates around the vertical axis.

In the above aspect, preferably, the seat body includes a seat cushion and a seat back that can be tilted by rotating with respect to the seat cushion, and the drive unit is configured to move the seat body relative to the floor. A rotation drive device that rotates the seat back and a reclining drive device that rotates the seat back relative to the seat cushion, and when it is determined that the seat body cannot be rotated, the seat body can be rotated. In order to do so, the control device causes the reclining drive device to rotate the seat back relative to the seat cushion, thereby causing the seat back to stand up.

According to this aspect, the seat back can be moved to a position away from objects located in the periphery where it is unlikely to collide with objects. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects during rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device allows the rotation drive device to rotate the seat body before the reclining drive device completes raising the seat back.

According to this aspect, the time required until the rotation of the seat body is completed can be shortened.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device causes the reclining drive device to rotate the seat back to a position where the seat can be seated, after the rotation drive device completes rotation of the seat body.

According to this aspect, seating on the seat body becomes possible after the seat body rotates around the vertical axis.

In the above aspect, preferably, the seat body includes a seat cushion rotatably supported on the floor at a rear end, and a seat back, and the drive unit is configured to rotate the seat body with respect to the floor. and a tip-up drive device that rotates the seat cushion with respect to the floor, and the control device determines that rotation of the seat body is disabled based on information acquired by the sensor. When it is determined that the seat cushion exists, the tip-up drive device causes the tip-up drive device to rotate the seat cushion so that the front end of the seat cushion flips up to enable rotation of the seat body.

According to this aspect, the seat cushion can be moved to a position away from objects located in the periphery where it is unlikely to collide with objects. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects during rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device allows the rotational drive device to rotate the seat body before the tip-up drive device completes rotation of the seat cushion.

According to this aspect, the time required until the rotation of the seat body is completed can be shortened.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device causes the tip-up drive device to rotate the seat cushion to a position where the seat cushion can be seated, after the rotation of the seat body by the rotation drive device is completed.

According to this aspect, seating on the seat body becomes possible after the seat body rotates around the vertical axis.

In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is a seat control method for rotating a plurality of seat bodies placed on a floor around a vertical axis, the method comprising: controlling the position and orientation of the seat bodies; A control device that controls the seat body acquires information regarding objects located around the seat body from a sensor provided in the seat body, and is capable of rotating the seat body based on the information acquired by the sensor. If the seat body is rotatable, the seat body is permitted to rotate by a drive unit that rotates the seat body.

According to this aspect, whether or not the seat body can be rotated is determined based on information regarding objects located in the periphery acquired by the sensor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects due to rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the drive unit includes a rotation drive device that rotates the seat body relative to the floor, and a slide drive device that moves the seat body parallel to the floor, and When determining that the seat body cannot be rotated, the control device causes the slide drive device to move the seat body parallel to the floor in order to enable rotation of the seat body.

According to this aspect, the seat body can be moved to a position away from surrounding objects and less likely to collide. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects during rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device allows the rotation drive device to rotate the seat body before the slide drive device completes movement of the seat body.

According to this aspect, the time required until the rotation of the seat body is completed can be shortened.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device causes the slide drive device to move the seat body to a position where the seat body can be seated, after the rotation of the seat body by the rotary drive device is completed.

According to this aspect, seating on the seat body becomes possible after the seat body rotates around the vertical axis.

In the above aspect, preferably, the seat body includes a seat cushion and a seat back that can be tilted by rotating with respect to the seat cushion, and the drive unit is configured to move the seat body relative to the floor. A rotation drive device that rotates the seat back and a reclining drive device that rotates the seat back relative to the seat cushion, and when it is determined that the seat body cannot be rotated, the seat body can be rotated. In order to do so, the control device causes the reclining drive device to rotate the seat back relative to the seat cushion, thereby causing the seat back to stand up.

According to this aspect, the seat back can be moved to a position away from objects located in the periphery where it is unlikely to collide with objects. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects during rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device allows the rotation drive device to rotate the seat body before the reclining drive device completes raising the seat back.

According to this aspect, the time required until the rotation of the seat body is completed can be shortened.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device causes the reclining drive device to rotate the seat back to a position where the seat can be seated, after the rotation drive device completes rotation of the seat body.

According to this aspect, seating on the seat body becomes possible after the seat body rotates around the vertical axis.

In the above aspect, preferably, the seat body includes a seat cushion rotatably supported on the floor at a rear end, and a seat back, and the drive unit is configured to rotate the seat body with respect to the floor. and a tip-up drive device that rotates the seat cushion with respect to the floor, and the control device determines that rotation of the seat body is disabled based on information acquired by the sensor. When it is determined that the seat cushion exists, the tip-up drive device causes the tip-up drive device to rotate the seat cushion so that the front end of the seat cushion flips up to enable rotation of the seat body.

According to this aspect, the seat cushion can be moved to a position away from objects located in the periphery where it is unlikely to collide with objects. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seat body from colliding with surrounding objects during rotation.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device allows the rotational drive device to rotate the seat body before the tip-up drive device completes rotation of the seat cushion.

According to this aspect, the time required until the rotation of the seat body is completed can be shortened.

In the above aspect, preferably, the control device causes the tip-up drive device to rotate the seat cushion to a position where the seat cushion can be seated, after the rotation of the seat body by the rotation drive device is completed.

According to this aspect, seating on the seat body becomes possible after the seat body rotates around the vertical axis.

A perspective view of the interior of a vehicle equipped with a seat system according to an embodiment. (A) Top view and (B) side view of the interior of a vehicle equipped with a seat system according to an embodiment. Seat system block diagram An explanatory diagram for explaining changes in the position and posture of the seat body due to (A) the slide drive device, (B) the reclining drive device, and (C) the rotation drive device An explanatory diagram for explaining changes in the position and posture of the seat body due to (A) tip-up drive device, (B) folding drive device, and (C) ottoman drive device Flowchart of switching process Explanatory diagram for explaining movement and deformation of the seat body when switching from relax mode to normal mode Explanatory diagram for explaining movement and deformation of the seat body when switching from relax mode to normal mode A perspective view showing the frame of the seat body excluding the headrest, and an enlarged view of the broken line area A perspective view showing the cushion frame and back frame when the seat frame is in the push-up position. A perspective view of the motor bracket with the electric motor and conversion box assembled, viewed from outside the seat. Perspective view showing part of the left back frame Perspective view showing pinion gear, sector gear and support bracket

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An example in which a seat system according to the present invention is applied to an automobile provided with two rows of seats, front seats and rear seats, will be described below with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the description will be made by defining the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions based on the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(A), the seat system 1 includes a plurality of vehicle seats 3 (see FIG. 1) and a sensor 5 (see FIG. 2(A)) that acquires surrounding information of each vehicle seat 3. ), a notification device 7 (see FIG. 2(A)) that notifies the inside of the vehicle, and a control device 9 (see FIG. 2(A)) that controls the vehicle seat 3 based on information acquired by the sensor 5. ).

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2(A), and 2(B), an automobile includes a pair of left and right vehicle seats 3A that constitute a front seat, and a pair of left and right vehicle seats 3B that constitute a rear seat. is provided. Each of the vehicle seats 3 is placed on a floor 13 constituting the vehicle interior 11 within the vehicle interior 11 of the automobile.

In the following, first, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2(A), and 2(B), the vehicle seat 3 is placed on the floor 13 so that the seated user faces forward. An outline of the configuration of the vehicle seat 3 will be explained by exemplifying the following.

The vehicle seat 3 includes a seat body 15 (see FIG. 1) on which a user sits, and a drive unit 17 (see FIG. 5) that drives the seat body 15 to displace and deform it.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2(A), and 2(B), the seat body 15 includes a seat cushion 19 and a seat back 21 supported at the rear of the seat cushion 19. The seat cushion 19 supports the user's buttocks from below, and the seat back 21 supports the user's back from the rear. A headrest 23 is provided at the upper end of the seat back 21.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, each seat body 15 is provided with an ottoman 25 that functions as a footrest. An armrest 27 is rotatably connected to the vehicle outer side surface of the seat back 21. Furthermore, a side cover 29 is provided on the outer side surface of the seat cushion 19. An armrest 31 having a cup holder 30 is also fixed to the inner side of the seat back 21.

The drive unit 17 (also referred to as a group of drive devices or simply a drive device) includes various actuators such as electric motors, and moves and/or deforms the seat body 15. As shown in FIG. 3, the drive unit 17 includes a slide drive device 35, a reclining drive device 37, a rotation drive device 39, and a tip-up drive device 41.

The slide drive device 35 moves the seat body 15 parallel to the floor 13 (slides). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4(A), a slide mechanism 45 is provided between the seat body 15 and the floor 13. By connecting the seat body 15 to the floor 13 via the slide mechanism 45, the seat body 15 can move in parallel with respect to the floor 13 in the front-rear direction. The slide drive device 35 (see FIG. 3) drives the slide mechanism 45 to translate (slide) the seat body 15 in the front-rear direction.

The reclining drive device 37 tilts the seat back 21 with respect to the seat cushion 19. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4(B), a reclining mechanism 47 is provided between the seat cushion 19 and the seat back 21. By connecting the seat back 21 to the seat cushion 19 via the reclining mechanism 47, the seat back 21 is rotatably connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 19 about a rotation axis Y0 extending in the left-right direction. The reclining drive device 37 (see FIG. 3) drives the reclining mechanism 47, rotates the seat back 21 relative to the seat cushion 19, and causes the seat back 21 to tilt backward and stand up relative to the seat cushion 19.

The rotational drive device 39 rotates the seat body 15 with respect to the floor 13 and displaces it between a state facing forward and a state facing backward. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4(C), a rotation mechanism 49 is provided between the seat body 15 and the floor 13. Since the seat body 15 is connected to the floor 13 via the rotation mechanism 49, the seat body 15 is rotatable about a vertical axis Z extending in the vertical direction (vertical direction) with respect to the floor 13. The rotation drive device 39 (see FIG. 3) drives the rotation mechanism 49 to rotate the seat body 15 about the vertical axis Z.

The tip-up drive device 41 (also referred to as a tilt-up drive device) moves the seat cushion 19 between a position where the seat surface 19A is approximately horizontal (hereinafter referred to as a horizontal position) and a position where the front end is raised higher than the rear end and the seat surface 19A is It is displaced between the flipped up position (hereinafter referred to as the raised position, also referred to as the flipped up position). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5A, a tip-up mechanism 51 (also referred to as a tilt-up mechanism) is provided on the seat body 15 to enable the seat cushion 19 to be displaced between a horizontal position and a raised position. ) is provided. The tip-up drive device 41 drives the tip-up mechanism 51 to rotate the seat cushion 19 around the rotation axis Y1, thereby displacing the seat cushion 19 between the horizontal position and the raised position.

In this embodiment, a center folding mechanism 53 (also referred to as a backrest surface adjustment mechanism) is provided that deforms the front surface of the seat back 21 to match the body shape of the seated person. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5(B), the center folding mechanism 53 allows the upper front side of the seat back 21 to rotate around the rotation axis Y2 and to be tiltable. That is, the center folding mechanism 53 allows the upper front surface of the seat back 21 to be freely displaced between an initial position along the substantially vertical direction and a forward tilted position where the upper front surface is tilted forward. The sheet body 15 is provided with a center-folding drive device 55 for driving a center-folding mechanism 53 .

In addition, when the ottoman 25 is provided on the seat body 15, the ottoman 25 is connected at its upper end to the front end of the seat cushion 19 through an ottoman drive mechanism 57 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction. You can. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5(C), the drive unit 17 may include an ottoman drive device 59 that rotates the ottoman 25 with respect to the seat cushion 19.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 5 detects information regarding objects located around each vehicle seat 3 by acquiring images inside the vehicle interior 11 and measuring distance, and outputs the information to the control device 9. do.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor 5 may be configured by a camera 61 (in-vehicle camera) that images the inside of the vehicle interior 11. In that case, the cameras 61 are arranged at the left front edge, right front edge, left rear edge, and right rear edge of the ceiling that defines the upper edge of the vehicle interior 11 so as to face the vehicle interior 11 side. good. The imaging range of the camera 61 located at the left front edge of the ceiling is set to cover the movement range of the seat body 15 that constitutes the left front seat, and the imaging range of the camera 61 located at the right front edge of the ceiling constitutes the right front seat. It is preferable that the setting is made so as to cover the movement range of the seat body 15. The imaging range of the camera 61 located at the left rear edge of the ceiling is set to cover the movement range of the seat body 15 that constitutes the left rear seat, and the imaging range of the camera 61 located at the right rear edge of the ceiling is set to cover the movement range of the seat body 15 that constitutes the left rear seat. It is preferable that the setting is made so as to cover the movement range of the seat body 15 constituting the seat. Each of the cameras 61 may be configured with a CMOS image sensor. It is preferable that the camera 61 is constituted by a compound-eye camera including a plurality of image sensors, and is capable of distance imaging based on triangulation such as stereo measurement and light sectioning.

In addition, the sensor 5 may be configured by a distance measuring sensor 63 provided on the seat body 15. The distance measurement sensor 63 includes a light source and a detector, and is composed of 5 ToF (Time of Flight) sensor modules that measure distance by obtaining the time it takes for light emitted from the light source to reach the detector. You can. The sensor 5 may be arranged, for example, along the outer peripheral surface of the seat cushion 19, or may be provided at an appropriate position on the headrest 23. In addition, the sensors 5 may be arranged in the door panel 64 (see FIG. 1) or the floor 13 so as to be lined up one behind the other.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sensors 5 are also provided in the slide drive device 35, the reclining drive device 37, the rotation drive device 39, the tip-up drive device 41, the folding drive device 55, and the ottoman drive device 59, respectively. It may be configured by a drive amount sensor 65 that obtains the drive amount of the drive unit 17. FIG. 2B shows an example of a drive amount sensor 65 that detects the drive amount of the slide drive device 35.

The notification device 7 provides notification to the inside of the vehicle compartment 11 by sound or screen display. As shown in FIG. 2(A), the notification device 7 may be a speaker 67 that emits sound toward the inside of the vehicle interior 11, or a display 69 that is provided inside the vehicle interior 11 and displays a screen. You can. The speaker 67 may be provided on the door panel 64 or may be provided on the headrest 23.

The control device 9 is a so-called electronic control unit, and controls the vehicle seat 3 based on information acquired by the sensor 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 9 includes a processor 71 including a CPU (central processing unit), a memory 77 such as a RAM 73 (random access memory) and a ROM 75 (read only memory), and an SSD (solid state drive). ) and a storage device 79 such as an HDD (hard disk drive). The control device 9 is connected to the sensor 5 and the drive unit 17 by signal lines. The drive unit 17 and the control device 9 are connected to a battery (not shown) mounted on the vehicle, and power is supplied to each. Based on the information acquired by the sensor 5, the control device 9 controls the seat body 15, such as the longitudinal position of the seat body 15 of each vehicle seat 3, the position and posture of the seat back 21, and the position and posture of the seat cushion 19. It is configured to be able to obtain information related to.

When the control device 9 receives an instruction signal instructing a predetermined switching, the control device 9 drives the vehicle seat 3 to selectively change the posture of the seat body 15 in accordance with the instruction signal. For example, by controlling the drive unit 17, the control device 9 can switch between a normal mode (see FIGS. 1 and 2(B)) in which the front seat body 15 and the rear seat body 15 face forward, and a The mode can be changed to a relaxing mode (see FIG. 7A) in which the seat body 15 of the seat faces forward and the seat body 15 of the rear seat faces rearward. The instruction signal may be transmitted from a vehicle control device that controls the vehicle based on input to the instrument panel or display 69, for example. In addition, the instruction signal may be transmitted from a vehicle control device capable of autonomously driving the vehicle when switching between manual operation and automatic operation.

When the control device 9 (specifically, the processor 71) receives a predetermined instruction signal, it controls each of the drive units 17 by executing a switching program, and performs switching processing from the relaxing mode to the normal mode. The control device 9 executes a control program for performing switching processing, and implements a method for controlling the vehicle seat 3 to rotate the plurality of seat bodies 15 placed on the floor 13 around the vertical axis Z. .

Details of the switching process will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In the first step ST1 of the switching process, the control device 9 acquires the positions and orientations of all the seat bodies 15 based on information about objects located around each of the seat bodies 15 acquired by the sensor 5. Thereafter, the seat body 15 determines whether the rear seat body 15 can rotate without colliding with the seat body 15 of the front seat. When it is determined that the rotation is possible, the control device 9 executes step ST2, and when it is determined that the rotation is not possible, the control device 9 executes step ST3.

In step ST2, the control device 9 drives the rotation drive device 39 for the rear seat main body 15 to rotate the rear seat main body 15 until each seat body 15 is in a position facing forward. In other words, in step ST2, the control device 9 allows the rotary drive device 39 to drive, and causes the rotary drive device 39 to rotate the seat bodies 15 of the rear seat until they are in positions facing forward. When the seat bodies 15 of the rear seats are respectively in the forward facing position, the control device 9 executes step ST4.

In step ST3, the control device 9 determines whether the seat cushion 19 of the seat body 15 in the rear seat collides with an object located around the seat body 15 during rotation based on information about objects located around each of the seat bodies 15 acquired by the sensor 5. Determine whether When a collision occurs, the control device 9 executes step ST5, and when there is no collision, the control device 9 executes step ST6.

In step ST4, the control device 9 acquires the positions and postures of all the seat bodies 15, and drives the drive unit 17 so that the positions and postures of each seat body 15 are appropriate for seating (hereinafter referred to as , seating position). When the adjustment is completed, the control device 9 finishes the switching process.

In step ST5, the control device 9 drives the tip-up drive device 41 to respectively displace the seat cushions 19 of the seat body 15 of the rear seat from the horizontal position to the raised position. When the displacement to the raised position is completed, the control device 9 executes step ST6.

In step ST6, the control device 9 determines whether the seat back 21 of the seat body 15 in the rear seat collides with an object located around the seat body 15 during rotation, based on information about objects located around each of the seat bodies 15 acquired by the sensor 5. Determine whether In step ST6, the control device 9 preferably newly acquires the detection result of the sensor 5 and determines whether or not the vehicle will collide with an object. When a collision occurs, the control device 9 executes step ST7, and when there is no collision, the control device 9 executes step ST8.

In step ST7, the control device 9 drives the reclining drive device 37 to raise the seat back 21 of the seat body 15 of the front seat and the seat back 21 of the seat body 15 of the rear seat, respectively. When all the seatbacks 21 have been raised, the control device 9 executes step ST8.

In step ST8, the control device 9 moves the seat main body 15 of the front seat toward the front of the vehicle and the seat main body 15 of the rear seat toward the rear of the vehicle based on information about objects located around each of the seat bodies 15 acquired by the sensor 5. By each sliding movement, it is determined whether the rear seat main body 15 can be rotated around the vertical axis Z. In step ST8, the control device 9 preferably newly acquires the detection result of the sensor 5 and determines whether rotation is possible. When the rotation is enabled by the sliding movement, the control device 9 executes step ST9, and when the rotation is not enabled by the sliding movement, the control device 9 executes step ST10.

In step ST9, the control device 9 drives the slide drive device 35 so that the seat body 15 of the front seat and the seat body 15 of the rear seat can be rotated around the vertical axis Z. move it to a certain position. At this time, the control device 9 may, for example, move the seat body 15 of the front seat toward the front of the vehicle and move the seat body 15 of the rear seat toward the rear of the vehicle.

When the control device 9 completes the movement of the seat body 15 of the front seat and the seat body 15 of the rear seat, the control device 9 executes step ST2.

However, in step ST8, the control device 9 moves the seat body 15 of the rear seat without sliding the seat body 15 of the front seat and the rear seat based on the information of objects located around each of the seat bodies 15 acquired by the sensor 5. If the seat body 15 can be rotated, the control device 9 may execute step ST2 without driving the slide drive device 35 in step ST9.

In step ST10, the control device 9 uses the notification device 7 to notify that switching from the relaxing mode to the normal mode is impossible. When the notification device 7 includes the speaker 67, the control device 9 may cause the speaker 67 to generate a sound notifying that switching is impossible in step ST10. When the notification device 7 includes the display 69, the control device 9 may cause the display 69 to display a message indicating that switching is not possible in step ST10. When the notification is completed, the control device 9 finishes the switching process.

Next, the operation of the seat system 1 configured as described above will be explained.

Below, the seat body 15 of the front seat and the seat body 15 of the rear seat are close to each other, and as the seat body 15 of the rear seat rotates, the seat cushion 19 tips up (springs up) and the seat back 21 rises. A case will be explained by illustrating a case where both of the following steps are required:

When the control device 9 receives an instruction signal instructing switching from the relaxation mode (FIG. 7(A)) to the normal mode (see FIG. 8(C)), it starts the switching process.

In the first step ST1 of the switching process, the control device 9 determines whether the rear seat body 15 is rotatable based on the information acquired by the sensor 5. If it is rotatable (No in ST1), the control device 9 rotates the seat body 15 of the rear seat (ST2).

In step ST1, the control device 9 determines that the seat body 15 of the rear seat cannot rotate (No in ST1), and determines that the seat cushion 19 will collide when rotating (Yes in ST3). Thereby, the control device 9 drives the tip-up drive device 41 provided on the seat body 15 of the rear seat to displace the seat cushion 19 to the raised position (ST5).

When the seat cushion 19 of the rear seat is in the raised position, the control device 9 still determines that the seat back 21 of the front seat and the seat back 21 of the rear seat will collide during rotation (Yes in ST6), and ), the reclining drive devices 37 for the front and rear seats are driven to raise the respective seatbacks 21 (ST7).

After raising the seat back 21, the control device 9 determines whether the rear seat can be rotated by sliding the front seat and/or the rear seat (ST8), and when rotation is possible, , as shown in FIG. 8(A), the seat bodies 15 of the front seat and the rear seat are slid apart from each other (ST9).

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8(B), the control device 9 allows the rotation of the rear seat main body 15, and causes the rotation drive device 39 to rotate the rear seat main body 15 (ST2). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8C, the control device 9 adjusts the seat bodies 15 of the front seat and the rear seat so that they are in positions and postures suitable for seating (ST4), and ends the switching process.

Next, the effects of the seat system 1 configured in this way will be explained.

The control device 9 determines whether the seat body 15 can be rotated based on the information acquired by the sensor 5, and when it is determined that the seat body 15 can be rotated, the rotation of the seat body 15 is permitted. Therefore, during rotation, it is possible to prevent the rear seat main body 15 from colliding with surrounding objects (for example, the front seat main seat 15).

When the seat body 15 of the front seat and the seat body 15 of the rear seat are close to each other, the control device 9 flips up the seat cushion 19 of the rear seat as necessary to move it to the raised position (ST5). On the other hand, when the seat cushion 19 is in the raised position, the rotation radius of the seat body 15 of the rear seat can be made smaller because the seat cushion 19 is closer to the vertical axis Z than when it is not in the raised position. . Therefore, the rear seat body 15 is less likely to collide with surrounding objects during rotation.

Further, when the seat body 15 of the front seat and the seat body 15 of the rear seat are close to each other, the control device 9 causes the seat back 21 to be attached to the reclining drive device 37 of each of the front seat and the rear seat as necessary. The seat backs 21 of the front and rear seats are moved to the standing position by rotating the cushion 19. This makes it difficult for the front seat main body 15 and the rear seat main body 15 to come close to each other, and since the rear seat seat back 21 approaches the vertical axis Z, the turning radius of the rear seat seat main body 15 is reduced. can do. Therefore, the rear seat body 15 is less likely to collide with surrounding objects during rotation.

Further, when the seat body 15 of the front seat and the seat body 15 of the rear seat are close to each other, the control device 9 moves the seat bodies 15 of the front seat and the rear seat to positions away from each other as necessary. . As a result, the front seat main body 15 and the rear seat main body 15 can be moved to a position away from the seat main bodies 15 located in the periphery and unlikely to collide with each other, so that when the rear seat main body 15 rotates, This makes it difficult for the seat body 15 to collide with other seat bodies 15.

<Modification 1>
Further, the control device 9 is configured to execute step ST2 and start rotation of the seat body 15 by the rotation drive device 39 before the movement of the seat body 15 by the slide drive device 35 in step ST9 is completed. You can. As a result, the time required for the rear seat main body 15 to be rotated around the vertical axis Z can be shortened.

<Modification 2>
Furthermore, the control device 9 is configured to execute step ST2 and start rotation of the seat body 15 by the rotation drive device 39 before the reclining drive device 37 completes raising the seat back 21 in step ST7. You can. For example, the control device 9 executes step ST8 before the reclining drive device 37 completes the rising operation, and the rotation of the rear seat body 15 by the rotation drive device 39 is performed without driving the slide drive device 35. It is preferable to start executing step ST2 when . As a result, the time required for the rear seat main body 15 to be rotated around the vertical axis Z can be shortened.

<Modification 3>
Furthermore, the control device 9 is configured to execute step ST2 and start the rotation of the seat body 15 by the rotary drive device 39 before the rotation of the seat cushion 19 by the tip-up drive device 41 in ST5 is completed. You can. For example, the control device 9 determines in step ST6 that the seatback 21 will not collide before the rotation by the tip-up drive device 41 is completed, and in ST8, the rear seat main body 15 can rotate without sliding. When it is determined that this is the case, it is preferable to execute step ST2 and start rotating the seat body 15 by the rotational drive device 39. As a result, the time required for the rear seat main body 15 to be rotated around the vertical axis Z can be shortened.

<Modification 4>
The control device 9 may be configured to return the front and back positions of the seat bodies 15 of the front seat and the rear seat to the positions (initial positions) before the switching process is started, respectively, in step ST4. In addition, the control device 9 may be configured to return the reclining angles of the front seats and the rear seats to the angles (initial reclining angles, also simply referred to as initial angles) before the switching process is started in step ST4. good. In addition, the control device 9 is configured to return the flip-up angle of the rear seat cushion 19 to the angle (initial flip-up angle; also simply referred to as initial angle) before the switching process is started in step ST4. You can leave it there.

In this case, when the rotation of the seat main body 15 is completed, the seated person can sit down, and the position and posture of the seat main body 15 in the front and rear seats are adjusted to suit the seated person's preference. position.

Alternatively, the adjustment of the seating position and the like in step ST4 may be started before the rotation of the seat body 15 around the vertical axis Z is completed. Thereby, the time required for the displacement of the seat body 15 to be completed can be shortened.

<Structure of the seat body 15>
Next, details of the structure of the seat body 15 will be described with reference to the drawings, illustrating the seat body 15 located on the right side of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the seat main body 15 located on the left side of the vehicle and the seat main body 15 located on the right side of the vehicle are configured to be symmetrical about a line passing through the center of the vehicle and extending in the longitudinal direction. has been done. In the seat body 15 located on the right side of the vehicle, which will be described below as an example, the left side of the seat corresponds to the inside of the vehicle, and the right side of the seat corresponds to the outside of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 9, the seat body 15 includes a cushion frame 101 that forms the frame of the seat cushion 19, a back frame 103 that forms the frame of the seat back 21, and a headrest frame (not shown) that forms the frame of the headrest 23. ) and has.

<Cushion frame 101>
As shown in FIG. 10, the cushion frame 101 includes a pair of left and right cushion side frames 105 extending in the front-rear direction, and a seat frame 107 disposed between the pair of left and right cushion side frames 105. . The seat frame 107 supports a cushion pad (not shown) from below. The cushion frame 101 may also be provided with a frame (also referred to as a member) that extends in the left-right direction and connects the center portions of the left and right side frames.

In this embodiment, the cushion side frame 105 includes an inner side frame 109 provided so as to extend back and forth, and an outer side frame 111 provided outside the seat with respect to the inner side frame 109 and extending back and forth. We are prepared. The inner side frame 109 and the outer side frame 111 are each made of a sheet metal member. It is preferable that the inner side frame 109 and the outer side frame 111 are joined at least in part to form a partially closed cross section 113. In this way, by configuring the side frame with two sheet metal members, the inner side frame 109 and the outer side frame 111, when the cushion side frame 105 is configured with only the inner side frame 109 or only the outer side frame 111, In comparison, the rigidity of the cushion side frame 105 is increased.

The seat frame 107 is provided with an ottoman frame 115 that constitutes the skeleton of the ottoman 25. The ottoman frame 115 has a plate shape with a surface facing substantially forward. A metal linear member 117 is welded to the seat frame 107, and an ottoman frame 115 is connected to the linear member 117 via a bracket 119. Thereby, the ottoman frame 115 is fixed to the seat frame 107. The linear member 117 may be constituted by a solid member (wire) or may be constituted by a hollow member (pipe).

The cushion frame 101 is supported by the floor 13 via a slide mechanism 45 and a rotation mechanism 49.

<Slide mechanism 45/slide drive device 35>
The slide mechanism 45 includes a pair of left and right slide rails 121. Each slide rail 121 is fixed to the floor 13 via a bracket 123 and includes a lower rail 125 extending back and forth, and an upper rail 127 slidably connected to the lower rail 125. By sliding the upper rail 127 with respect to the lower rail 125, the cushion frame 101 can be slid in the front-rear direction.

The slide drive device 35 includes a known electric motor (not shown) and a known conversion mechanism (not shown) for converting the output from the electric motor into sliding movement of the upper rail 127 with respect to the lower rail 125. The electric motor is configured to be able to rotate forward or reverse depending on the direction in which current flows.

A base member 129 is provided on the upper surface of the two upper rails 127, extending from side to side and connecting the two upper rails 127.

<Rotation mechanism 49/rotation drive device 39>
The rotation mechanism 49 includes a rotation member 131 (rotation device) rotatably supported by a base member 129. In this embodiment, an annular recess (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the base member 129. Balls (not shown) are arranged in the recessed portion of the base member 129 so as to be lined up in the circumferential direction.

The rotating member 131 has an annular shape extending along the recess. Rotating member 131 is supported by base member 129 via its ball. Thereby, as the ball rolls along the recess, the rotating member 131 is rotatably supported by the base material around the axis of the recess. A connecting member 133 having a surface facing in the vertical direction is fixed to the rotating member 131.

The rotational drive device 39 includes an electric motor (not shown) and a known conversion mechanism (not shown) for converting the output from the electric motor into rotation of the rotating member 131 with respect to the base member 129. The electric motor is configured to be able to rotate forward or reverse depending on the direction in which current flows.

<Tip-up mechanism 51/tip-up drive device 41>
The seat frame 107 is coupled to the cushion side frame 105 via a tip-up mechanism 51. The tip-up mechanism 51 includes a pair of left and right connecting brackets 141.

Each of the connection brackets 141 is rotatably coupled at one end to the corresponding cushion side frame 105 about a rotation axis Y1 extending left and right. In this embodiment, the connection bracket 141 is arranged inside the seat with respect to the inner side frame 109, and is rotatably coupled to the inner side frame 109 at one end thereof.

The connecting bracket 141 is fixed to the seat frame 107 at the other end. In this embodiment, the connection bracket 141 is fixed to the linear member 117 at the other end, and is fixed to the seat frame 107 via the linear member 117.

By rotating the connection bracket 141 around the rotation axis Y1, the seat frame 107 has a surface facing upward, and has a support position where the pad member is supported from below, and a push-up position where the front side is pushed upward relative to the rear side. Displace between positions.

The tip-up drive device 41 includes an electric motor 143 and a power transmission device 145 that rotates the connection bracket 141 using the power of the electric motor 143.

The electric motor 143 and the power transmission device 145 are each arranged below the seat frame 107. Thereby, the vehicle seat 3 can be configured compactly. Further, the electric motor 143 and the power transmission device 145 are arranged above the rotating member 131. Thereby, the rotation mechanism 49 and the tip-up mechanism 51 can be provided in the vehicle seat 3.

The power transmission device 145 includes a rod 147, a plurality of gears (not shown) for transmitting the rotational driving force of the electric motor 143 to the rod 147, and a gear box 149 that accommodates the gears.

The rod 147 has a rod shape and is arranged to extend in the front-rear direction. The rod 147 is connected to one of the connecting brackets 141 at one end. Specifically, one end of the rod 147 is pivotally supported by the lower end of the left connection bracket 141. Specifically, the connection position P between the rod 147 and the left side connection bracket 141 is set to a different position from the rotation axis Y1 between the connection bracket 141 and the cushion side frame 105. Specifically, the connection position P between the rod 147 and the left side connection bracket 141 is set below and in front of the rotation axis Y1 between the connection bracket 141 and the cushion side frame 105. A rod insertion hole (not shown) through which the other end of the rod 147 is inserted is provided at a proper location in the gear box 149 .

The gears in the gear box 149 mesh with each other and work together to convert the power of the electric motor 143 into reciprocating motion of the rod 147 in a substantially longitudinal direction. The power transmission device 145 includes an input gear to which rotational driving force is input from the rotating shaft of the motor, an output gear that meshes with a threaded groove of a rod 147 inserted into the gear box 149, and a rotational driving force input to the input gear. It has a transmission gear that decelerates the force and transmits it to the output gear.

When the rotation shaft (drive shaft) of the electric motor 143 is rotationally driven in the first direction when the seat frame 107 is in the support position, the input gear rotates, and the rotation of the input gear rotates the output gear. As a result, the rod 147 slides substantially forward while rotating. As the rod 147 slides substantially forward, the lower end of the left connecting bracket 141 moves forward and rotates counterclockwise when viewed from inside the seat. Since the left and right connection brackets 141 are both connected to the cushion frame 101, as the left connection bracket 141 rotates, the right connection bracket 141 also rotates. As a result, the seat frame 107 moves from the support position to the push-up position, and the front end of the seat cushion 19 is lifted higher than the rear end from the position where the seat surface 19A is approximately horizontal (horizontal position), and the seat cushion 19 is raised from the position where the seat surface 19A is approximately horizontal. Displaced to a raised position (raised position).

When the rotating shaft of the electric motor 143 is driven to rotate in the second direction opposite to the first direction when the seat frame 107 is in the push-up position, the rod 147 slides approximately backward while rotating, and the rod 147 slides approximately rearward while rotating. The lower end of the connection bracket 141 rotates to move rearward. As the left side connection bracket 141 rotates, the right side connection bracket 141 also rotates, and the seat frame 107 moves from the push-up position to the support position. Thereby, the seat cushion 19 is displaced from the raised position to the horizontal position.

In this way, the tip-up drive device 41 (also referred to as a tip-up actuator) is configured by the electric motor 143 and the power transmission device 145 including the rod 147, gear, and gear box 149, so that the seat cushion 19 can be tipped up. The tip-up drive device 41 (for flipping up) can be simply configured.

<Back frame 103>
Next, the configuration of the back frame 103 that constitutes the seat back 21 will be described in detail. The back frame 103 includes a main frame 161 that forms the edge shape of the seat back 21 and a movable frame 163 provided in the upper half of the back frame 103.

The main frame 161 includes a pair of left and right backside frames 165 that extend vertically, an upper frame 167 that connects the upper parts of the backside frames 165 to each other, and a lower frame 169 that connects the lower parts of the backside frames 165 to each other. are doing. The lower part of the back side frame 165 is rotatably connected to the rear part of the cushion side frame 105 via the reclining mechanism 47 so as to extend in the left-right direction.

The movable frame 163 includes a pair of left and right movable side frames 171 and a movable upper frame 173 that connects the upper ends of the movable side frames 171. The movable side frame 171 may include an upper side frame 175 constituting an upper part, and a mounting frame 177 coupled to a lower part of the upper side frame 175. In this embodiment, the movable upper frame 173 is provided with a pair of left and right pillar guides 178 into which the pillars of the headrest 23 are inserted, respectively.

A shape retaining member 179 is provided on the outer surface of the movable side frame 171 on the outside of the seat. The shape retaining member 179 is made of solid wire. The wire constituting the shape retaining member 179 is welded to the outer surface of the movable side frame 171 at one end, extends outward from the seat, further extends downward, and then extends inward to the seat and is welded to the front surface of the movable side frame 171. ing. In this embodiment, the shape retaining member 179 is made of a solid wire, but it may be made of a hollow pipe material.

<Central folding mechanism 53/Central folding drive device 55>
The folding mechanism 53 is provided between the movable frame 163 and the main frame 161, and connects the movable frame 163 to the main frame 161 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction. The center-folding mechanism 53 includes a connecting portion 181 that rotatably connects the lower part of the movable side frame 171 and the vertical center portion of the back side frame 165, and a regulating mechanism 183 that regulates the rotation range of the movable side frame 171. Good to include.

When the upper front surface of the seat back 21 is at the initial position along the vertical direction, the front surface of the movable side frame 171 is configured to be generally aligned with the front surface of the back side frame 165 in the front-rear direction.

The folding drive device 55 rotates the movable frame 163 with respect to the main frame 161. The folding drive device 55 includes an electric motor 185 and a conversion mechanism 187 that converts the output of the electric motor 185 into rotation of the movable frame 163.

The folding drive device 55 is provided only on one side of the back frame 103, either left or right. Therefore, the number of electric motors 185 and conversion mechanisms 187 can be reduced compared to the case where the center-folding drive devices 55 are provided on both left and right sides of the back frame 103.

The electric motor 185 is configured to be able to rotate forward or reverse depending on the direction in which current flows. Electric motor 185 is fixed to backside frame 165. In this embodiment, the electric motor 185 is arranged so that its rotating shaft (drive shaft) extends downward, and is fixed to the backside frame 165 via a motor bracket 189. The motor brackets 189 are preferably arranged at intervals inside the seat of the backside frame 165 and connected to the backside frame 165 via a collar or the like.

The electric motor 185 is arranged between the left movable side frame 171 and the left back side frame 165. As a result, the electric motor 185 is placed on the movable side frame 171 on the outside of the seat, which makes the seated person leaning against the seat back 21 feel uncomfortable compared to the case where the electric motor 185 is placed on the inside of the seat on the movable side frame 171. (foreign body sensation) can be prevented.

When the upper front surface of the seat back 21 is in either the initial position or the forward tilted position, the electric motor 185 is located behind the shape retaining member 179 (specifically, the wire forming the shape retaining member 179). ing. This can prevent the load of the seated occupant from being applied to the electric motor 185.

The conversion mechanism 187 is coaxially fixed to the shaft portion 191 and a conversion box 193 that converts the rotation of the rotation shaft of the electric motor 185 to the rotation of a shaft portion 191 (see FIG. 11) that protrudes inward of the seat. It has a pinion gear 195 that rotates together with the shaft portion 191 and a sector gear 197 that meshes with the pinion gear 195.

The conversion box 193 has a plurality of gears and a gear box 194 that accommodates the gears, and the shaft portion 191 is rotatably supported by the gear box 194. The shaft portion 191 is connected to the electric motor 185 via a gear housed in the conversion box 193, and is rotated by the drive of the electric motor 185. The electric motor 185 and the conversion box 193 are each fixed to the backside frame 165 by fasteners 193A (bolts, etc.) such that the shaft portion 191 projects inward of the seat. In this embodiment, the conversion box 193 is fixed to the left backside frame 165. The shaft portion 191 protrudes to the inside of the seat (the right side, the back side of the paper in FIG. 11) with respect to the motor bracket 189 through a through hole (not shown) provided in the motor bracket 189. Pinion gear 195 is coupled to shaft portion 191.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a support bracket 198 is coupled to the motor bracket 189 (the support bracket 198 is omitted in FIG. 9). The support bracket 198 is made of a sheet metal member that extends vertically. The upper part of the support bracket 198 is welded to the inner side of the seat of the support bracket 198 above the pinion gear 195 and the sector gear 197. The support bracket 198 faces the pinion gear 195 and the sector gear 197 from inside the seat at its lower portion. Pinion gear 195 is pivotally supported by support bracket 198. Thereby, the pinion gear 195 is rotatably supported by the backside frame 165 via the support bracket 198 and the motor bracket 189.

As shown in FIG. 13, the pinion gear 195 is provided with a recess 195A that receives the tip of the shaft portion 191. When the shaft 191 enters the recess 195A of the pinion gear 195, the tip of the shaft 191 and the recess 195A mesh with each other. Thereby, the shaft portion 191 and the pinion gear 195 are coupled, and the rotation of the shaft portion 191 causes the pinion gear 195 to rotate.

A gear support shaft 201 is provided at one end of the sector gear 197 and projects in the inner and outer directions of the seat. The gear support shaft 201 is rotatably received in a through hole 203 (see FIG. 11) provided in the motor bracket 189 and a through hole 205 (see FIG. 12) provided in the lower portion 198A of the support bracket 198. Thereby, the gear support shaft 201 is rotatably supported by the motor bracket 189 and the support bracket 198 from inside and outside the seat. Since both the motor bracket 189 and the support bracket 198 are fixed to the backside frame 165, the sector gear 197 is rotatably coupled to the backside frame 165.

As shown in FIG. 9, the other end of the sector gear 197 is fixed to the upper side frame 175 (specifically, the left upper side frame 175) via a plurality of brackets 207 (two brackets 207 in this embodiment). (See also Figure 12). Thereby, the sector gear 197 cooperates with the bracket 207 to configure the lower end portion of the left movable side frame 171, that is, the mounting frame 177, as shown in FIG. The sector gear 197 includes teeth 197A that mesh with teeth (not shown) provided on the pinion gear 195.

As shown by the arrow in FIG. 9, when the pinion gear 195 rotates, the sector gear 197 rotates about the axis of the gear support shaft 201. Since the sector gear 197 is fixed to the movable frame 163, the movable frame 163 also rotates around the axis of the gear support shaft 201, and the movable frame 163 tilts around the axis of the gear support shaft 201 with respect to the main frame 161. do. That is, the axis of the gear support shaft 201 corresponds to the rotation axis Y2 of the movable frame 163 and the main frame 161. The gear support shaft 201 constitutes a connecting portion 181 that rotatably connects the lower part of the movable side frame 171 and the vertical center portion of the back side frame 165. Further, the sector gear 197 rotates with the rotation of the rotating shaft of the electric motor 185, and corresponds to an engagement portion that tilts the movable frame 163.

As shown in FIG. 13, the support bracket 198 is provided with a protrusion 215 that protrudes toward the sector gear 197. The sector gear 197 is provided with a receiving hole 217 for receiving the protrusion 215 . Since the support bracket 198 is fixed to the backside frame 165 and the sector gear 197 is fixed to the movable frame 163, the rotation range of the sector gear 197 is restricted by receiving the protrusion 215 in the receiving hole 217. That is, the protruding portion 215 and the receiving hole 217 constitute the regulating mechanism 183. It is preferable that the edge of the receiving hole 217 is provided with protruding walls 217A that stand up toward the outside of the seat at portions located at both ends of the rotation range of the sector gear 197. The protruding wall 217A is provided at the edge of the receiving hole 217 to increase the rigidity of the portions located at both ends of the rotation range of the sector gear 197, and to provide a surface that comes into contact with the protrusion 215 when the protrusion 215 is at the end of the rotation range. form.

<Others>
As shown in FIG. 9, the back frame 103 is provided with a guide bracket 221 for providing a belt guide through which a seat belt is inserted. Further, a winding device bracket 223 is attached to the back frame 103 for fixing a belt winding device (not shown) that winds up the seat belt. The belt winding device is fixed to the back frame 103 via a winding device bracket 223.

The guide bracket 221 is provided at the upper part of the back frame 103 on the outside of the vehicle (the upper right side of the seat in the figure). A winding device bracket 223 is also provided at the upper part of the back frame 103 on the outside of the vehicle (upper right side in the seat shown in the figure). The electric motor 185 and the conversion mechanism 187 of the center folding mechanism 53 are provided in the center of the back frame 103 on the inside of the vehicle (on the left side in the seat shown in the figure). In this way, since the belt-related parts (guide bracket 221) and the electric motor 185, both of which are heavy, are arranged separately on the left and right sides, it is possible to suppress the difference in the weight of the back frame 103 between the left and right sides.

Next, a method for manufacturing the vehicle seat 3 and the seat system 1 will be described.

A worker manufacturing the vehicle seat 3 sequentially attaches the connecting member 133 to the left and right cushion side frames 105 of the seat cushion 19, and rotatably attaches the connecting bracket 141 to the left and right cushion side frames 105. Execute.

In the step of rotatably attaching the connecting bracket 141 to the left and right cushion side frames 105, the operator rotatably attaches the connecting bracket 141 to the inner side frame 109 of the cushion side frames 105.

Thereafter, the operator performs a step of attaching the tip-up drive device 41, which includes an electric motor 143, a gear box 149 with a plurality of gears, a rod 147, etc., to the connecting member 133. At this time, the operator places the tip-up drive device 41 below the seat frame 107 and fixes it to the connecting member 133.

The operator also performs the step of attaching the folding drive device 55 to the back frame 103. At this time, the operator engages the rotating shaft of the electric motor 185 with the sector gear 197 via the gear in the gear box 149 and the pinion gear 195. As a result, the movable frame 163 can be tilted by driving the electric motor 185.

Thereafter, the operator performs the steps of attaching the guide bracket 221 to the upper part of the main frame 161 of the seat back 21 on the outer side of the vehicle, and attaching the winding device bracket 223 to the upper part of the main frame 161 of the seat back 21 on the outer side of the vehicle. When the installation of the guide bracket 221 and the winding device bracket 223 is completed, the operator performs a step of coupling the sector gear 197 and the shape retaining member 179 to the movable frame 163, and a step of rotatably attaching the movable frame 163 to the main frame 161. and in order.

Next, the operator places the electric motor 185 of the folding mechanism 53 and the conversion box 193 between the movable frame 163 and the main frame 161, and performs a step of attaching them to the main frame 161. At this time, the operator places the electric motor 185 behind the shape retaining member 179 in the space between the movable side frame 171 on the outside of the vehicle and the backside frame 165 on the outside of the vehicle, and Attach to the inner side. As a result, the electric motor 185 is mounted on the inside of the main frame 161 of the seat back 21 at a substantially central portion in the vertical direction. Also, at this time, the operator attaches the conversion box 193 to the main frame 161 so that the pinion gear 195 and the sector gear 197 of the movable frame 163 are engaged. As a result, the rotational driving force of the electric motor 185 is transmitted to the sector gear 197, and the movable frame 163 is tilted by the drive of the electric motor 185.

Thereafter, the operator configures the seat body 15 by performing the step of covering the cushion frame 101 and the back frame 103 with the pad member and the skin material, respectively.

Next, the operator performs a step of preparing an intervening member in which the base member 129, a ball provided on the base member 129, and a rotary member 131 rotatably supported via the ball are stacked in this order. Thereafter, the operator performs a step of coupling the slide mechanism 45, which includes the pair of left and right lower rails 125 and upper rails 127, to the lower surface of the intervening member (that is, the lower surface of the base member 129). At this time, the lower rail 125 is preferably provided with a foot (bracket) for attaching the lower rail 125 to the floor 13.

Next, the operator performs a step of coupling the seat body 15 to the intervening member by coupling the coupling member 133 to the upper surface of the intervening member (that is, the upper surface of the rotating member 131). At this time, since the rotating member 131 is disposed below the connecting member 133 and the tip-up drive device 41 is provided on the top surface of the connecting member 133, the electric motor 143 of the tip-up drive device 41 is placed above the rotating member 131. will be placed in Thereafter, the seat body 15 is assembled to the floor 13 by fixing the lower rail 125 to the floor 13 by the operator.

Thereafter, the seat system 1 is completed by an operator connecting various electric motors to a control device 9 provided at an appropriate location in the vehicle.

Although the description of the specific embodiments has been completed above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments and can be widely modified and implemented.

In the above embodiment, the control device 9 was configured to control the plurality of vehicle seats 3 in the seat system 1, but the control device 9 is provided in each vehicle seat 3 and It may be configured to control the seat 3. It is preferable that the control devices 9 autonomously move the corresponding vehicle seats 3 by communicating with each other. At this time, when the control device 9 determines that the seat body 15 will collide with the seat body 15 of another vehicle seat 3 when rotating the seat body 15 around the vertical axis Z, the control device 9 sets the corresponding control device 9 to a position where the collision will not occur. It is preferable to transmit an instruction signal instructing the movement of the seat body 15 to or the deformation of the seat body 15.

1: Seat system 3: Vehicle seat 5: Sensor 9: Control device 13: Floor 15: Seat body 17: Drive device 19: Seat cushion 21: Seat back 35: Slide drive device 37: Reclining drive device 39: Rotation drive device 41: Tip-up drive device Z: Vertical axis

Claims (20)

A seat system,
a plurality of seat bodies rotatably supported around a vertical axis extending vertically with respect to the floor;
a drive unit that rotates each of the seat bodies relative to the floor;
a sensor that acquires information regarding objects located around each of the seat bodies;
a control device that controls each of the drive units based on information acquired by the sensor,
The control device determines whether the seat body can be rotated based on the information acquired by the sensor, and when determining that rotation is possible, controls the rotation of the seat body by the drive unit. Seat system that allows. The drive unit includes a rotation drive device that rotates the seat body relative to the floor, and a slide drive device that moves the seat body parallel to the floor,
When determining that rotation of the seat body is impossible, the control device causes the slide drive device to move the seat body parallel to the floor in order to enable rotation of the seat body. The seat system according to item 1. The seat system according to claim 2, wherein the control device allows the rotary drive device to rotate the seat body before the slide drive device completes movement of the seat body. 4. The seat system according to claim 2, wherein the control device causes the slide drive device to move the seat body to a position where the seat body can be seated after the rotation of the seat body by the rotary drive device is completed. The seat body includes a seat cushion and a seat back that can be tilted by rotating with respect to the seat cushion,
The drive unit includes a rotation drive device that rotates the seat body relative to the floor, and a reclining drive device that rotates the seat back relative to the seat cushion,
When it is determined that the seat body cannot be rotated, the control device causes the reclining drive device to rotate the seat back relative to the seat cushion in order to enable the seat body to rotate. The seat system according to claim 1, wherein the seat back is erected. The seat system according to claim 5, wherein the control device allows the rotation drive device to rotate the seat body before the reclining drive device completes raising the seat back. The seat system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the control device causes the reclining drive device to rotate the seat back to a position where the seat can be seated, after the rotation of the seat body by the rotation drive device is completed. The seat body includes a seat cushion rotatably supported on the floor at a rear end, and a seat back,
The drive unit includes a rotation drive device that rotates the seat body relative to the floor, and a tip-up drive device that rotates the seat cushion relative to the floor,
When the control device determines that rotation of the seat body is impossible based on information acquired by the sensor, the control device causes the front end of the seat cushion to flip up to enable rotation of the seat body. , wherein the tip-up drive rotates the seat cushion. The seat system according to claim 8, wherein the control device allows the rotary drive device to rotate the seat body before the rotation of the seat cushion by the tip-up drive device is completed. The seat system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the control device causes the tip-up drive device to rotate the seat cushion to a position where the seat cushion can be seated after the rotation of the seat body by the rotation drive device is completed. . A seat control method for rotating a plurality of seat bodies placed on a floor around a vertical axis, the method comprising:
A control device that controls the position and orientation of the seat body,
acquiring information regarding objects located around the seat body from a sensor provided on the seat body;
Rotation of the seat body by a drive unit that determines whether the seat body can be rotated based on information acquired by the sensor, and when the seat body is rotatable, rotates the seat body. How to control the sheet to allow. The drive unit includes a rotation drive device that rotates the seat body relative to the floor, and a slide drive device that moves the seat body parallel to the floor,
When determining that the seat body cannot be rotated, the control device causes the slide drive device to move the seat body parallel to the floor in order to enable rotation of the seat body. Item 12. The sheet control method according to item 11. 13. The seat control method according to claim 12, wherein the control device allows the rotary drive device to rotate the seat body before the slide drive device completes movement of the seat body. 14. The control of the seat according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the control device causes the slide drive device to move the seat body to a position where the seat body can be seated after the rotation of the seat body by the rotary drive device is completed. Method. The seat body includes a seat cushion and a seat back that can be tilted by rotating with respect to the seat cushion,
The drive unit includes a rotation drive device that rotates the seat body relative to the floor, and a reclining drive device that rotates the seat back relative to the seat cushion,
When it is determined that the seat body cannot be rotated, the control device causes the reclining drive device to rotate the seat back relative to the seat cushion in order to enable the seat body to rotate. The method of controlling a seat according to claim 11, further comprising raising the seat back. 16. The seat control method according to claim 15, wherein the control device allows the rotation drive device to rotate the seat body before the reclining drive device completes raising the seat back. 17. The control of the seat according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the control device causes the reclining drive device to rotate the seat back to a position where the seat can be seated after the rotation of the seat body by the rotation drive device is completed. Method. The seat body includes a seat cushion rotatably supported on the floor at a rear end, and a seat back,
The drive unit includes a rotation drive device that rotates the seat body relative to the floor, and a tip-up drive device that rotates the seat cushion relative to the floor,
When the control device determines that rotation of the seat body is impossible based on information acquired by the sensor, the control device causes the front end of the seat cushion to flip up to enable rotation of the seat body. 12. The seat control method according to claim 11, wherein the tip-up drive device rotates the seat cushion. 19. The seat control method according to claim 18, wherein the control device allows the rotary drive device to rotate the seat body before the rotation of the seat cushion by the tip-up drive device is completed. The seat according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the control device causes the tip-up drive device to rotate the seat cushion to a position where the seat can be seated after the rotation of the seat body by the rotation drive device is completed. Control method.

Images