JP2024055733A - Vehicle seats - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a vehicle seat that is equipped with a movable mechanism capable of changing the position and attitude of the seat body, and a vibrator as an alarm means, and that can provide an appropriate alarm depending on the position and attitude of the seat body. [Solution] A vehicle seat includes a seat body installed in a vehicle, a movable mechanism capable of changing the position and attitude of the seat body, a plurality of vibrators provided on the seat body, and a control device that drives and controls the plurality of vibrators. The plurality of vibrators are built into the seat body at different positions in the front-rear direction and the width direction of the seat, and the control device selects a vibration alarm pattern that alerts the occupant by vibrating at least one of the plurality of vibrators in a predetermined order and with predetermined vibration parameters based on the position and attitude of the seat body, and drives and controls the vibrator. [Selected Figure] Figure 7B

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and in particular to a vehicle seat equipped with a vibrating body.

Previously, obstacle approach warning systems have been developed to alert occupants when an obstacle or another vehicle approaches the vehicle. For example, external sensors installed on the front, rear, left and right sides of the vehicle monitor the presence of approaching objects in the vehicle's external surroundings, and when an approaching object is detected, an alert signal consisting of sound or light is output. In this way, the safety of occupants has been improved by alerting them to the approach of obstacles, etc., and allowing them to avoid danger.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a vibration control device that uses a vibration unit built into a vehicle seat (driver's seat) as a notification means. Specifically, the vibration control means discloses a vibration control means that can notify the approach of an obstacle and the direction of the approach by vibrating a vibration unit arranged in the direction of the approach of the obstacle.
By adopting a vibration unit as the notification means, as in the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to notify the driver of the presence of an approaching object even in situations where it is difficult for the driver to visually or audibly recognize the object, for example, when it is difficult for the driver to direct their gaze toward the notification means.

International Publication No. 2019/044826

According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, the effectiveness of a vibration unit as a means of notifying the occupant of the approach and direction of an obstacle without relying on the occupant's vision or hearing can be recognized. However, in a seat having a movable mechanism that can change its position and attitude, it is not possible to notify the occupant of the direction of an approaching obstacle according to its position or attitude. Therefore, for example, when the seat is rotated to a position facing backwards relative to the vehicle's traveling direction, there is a problem in that the occupant cannot be correctly notified of the direction of an approaching obstacle.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle seat that is equipped with a movable mechanism that can change the position and attitude of the seat body, and a vibrator as an alarm means, and that can provide appropriate alarms according to the position and attitude of the seat body.

The above problem is solved by the vehicle seat of the present invention, which comprises a seat body installed in a vehicle, a movable mechanism for changing the position and attitude of the seat body, a plurality of vibrators provided on the seat body, and a control device for driving and controlling the plurality of vibrators, in which the plurality of vibrators are built into the seat body at different positions in the front-rear direction and the width direction of the seat, and the control device selects a vibration notification pattern for notifying the occupant by vibrating at least one of the plurality of vibrators in a predetermined order and with predetermined vibration parameters based on the position and attitude of the seat body, and drives and controls the vibrators.

According to the above configuration, the control device selects one vibration notification pattern from a plurality of vibration notification patterns based on the position and posture of the seat body, and controls the vibrator. Therefore, the vehicle seat can provide appropriate notifications according to its position and posture.

In addition, the movable mechanism may have a rotation mechanism that changes the rotational position of the seat body around a vertical rotation axis, and the control device may select the vibration notification pattern based on the rotational position of the seat body.
According to the above configuration, the vehicle seat can provide an appropriate notification depending on the rotation position of the vehicle seat.

In addition, the rotation mechanism changes the seat body between a first rotation position facing the front of the vehicle and a second rotation position facing the rear of the vehicle, and the control device selects a first vibration alert pattern when the seat body is in the first rotation position, and selects a second vibration alert pattern when the seat body is in the second rotation position, and the second vibration alert pattern may be selected to vibrate the vibrator located on the opposite side of the rotation axis relative to the vibrator that vibrates when the first vibration alert pattern is selected.
According to the above configuration, when the control device is in a rotation position facing the rear of the vehicle, the control device selects a vibration notification pattern in which the vibrator located on the opposite side of the rotation axis vibrates from the vibration pattern selected when the control device is in a rotation position facing the front of the vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle seat can provide an appropriate notification when the vehicle seat is in a rotation position facing the rear of the vehicle.

In addition, the rotation mechanism changes the seat body between a first rotation position facing the front of the vehicle and a third rotation position facing a direction rotated 90 degrees in one rotation direction from the front of the vehicle, and the control device selects a first vibration notification pattern when the seat body is in the first rotation position, and selects a third vibration notification pattern when the seat body is in the third rotation position, and the third vibration notification pattern selects a vibration notification pattern that vibrates the vibrator located in a direction rotated 90 degrees in the other rotation direction around the rotation axis, relative to the vibrator that vibrates when the first vibration notification pattern is selected.
According to the above configuration, when the vehicle seat is in a rotation position rotated 90 degrees in one direction from the front of the vehicle, the control device selects a vibration notification pattern in which the vibration body located in the direction rotated 90 degrees around the rotation axis vibrates, and when the vehicle seat is in a rotation position rotated 90 degrees in the other direction, the control device selects a vibration notification pattern in which the vibration body located in the direction rotated 90 degrees around the rotation axis vibrates. Therefore, the vehicle seat can perform appropriate notification when the vehicle seat is in a rotation position facing the side of the vehicle.

In addition, the movable mechanism may have a slide mechanism that changes the fore-and-aft position of the seat body along a slide rail extending in the fore-and-aft direction, and the control device may select the vibration notification pattern based on the fore-and-aft position of the seat body.
According to the above configuration, the vehicle seat can provide an appropriate notification depending on the position in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle seat.

In addition, the seat body has a seat cushion and a seat back, and the movable mechanism has a reclining mechanism that changes the position of the seat body between an upright position in which the seat back stands up relative to the seat cushion and a tilted position in which the seat back is tilted rearward at a predetermined tilt angle relative to the seat cushion, and the control device selects the vibration notification pattern based on the tilt angle.
According to the above configuration, the control device selects the vibration notification pattern based on the reclining angle of the seat back relative to the seat cushion, so that the vehicle seat can provide an appropriate notification according to its position.

In addition, the seat body has left and right armrests, and the vibrator has arm vibrators provided on each of the left and right armrests, and the control device selects the vibration notification pattern that vibrates at least one of the left and right arm vibrators in a predetermined order and with predetermined vibration parameters based on the position and posture of the seat body.
According to the above configuration, the vehicle seat is capable of providing an appropriate notification in accordance with the position and posture of the vehicle seat by vibrating the arm vibrator provided on the armrest.

In addition, the seat body has an ottoman, and the vibrator has a plurality of leg vibrators provided on the ottoman, and the control device selects the vibration notification pattern that vibrates at least one of the plurality of leg vibrators in a predetermined order and with predetermined vibration parameters based on the position and posture of the seat body.
According to the above configuration, the vehicle seat is capable of providing an appropriate notification in accordance with the position and posture of the vehicle seat by vibrating the leg vibrator provided on the ottoman.

The seat body may have a headrest, the headrest may have multiple built-in audio output devices, and the control device may output an audio signal from the audio output device located in the same direction as the one vibrator as seen from the seated occupant, based on the position and posture of the seat body. With the above configuration, the vehicle seat can provide an appropriate notification according to the position and posture of the vehicle seat by vibrating the head vibrator provided in the headrest.

The seat body may include a seat frame forming a framework of the seat body, a padding material placed on the seat frame, and a skin material covering the padding material.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat that provides appropriate notification depending on the position and posture.

According to the vehicle seat of the present invention, it is possible to give an appropriate notification according to the position and posture of the vehicle seat.
Also, it is possible to give an appropriate notification depending on the rotation position of the vehicle seat.
Furthermore, the vehicle seat is capable of providing an appropriate notification when in a rotation position facing the rear of the vehicle.
Furthermore, the vehicle seat can provide an appropriate notification when it is in a rotation position facing the side of the vehicle.
Furthermore, the vehicle seat can provide an appropriate notification depending on its position in the fore-and-aft direction.
Also, the vehicle seat can provide an appropriate notification depending on the position of the vehicle seat.

1 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior equipped with a vehicle seat; 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat as viewed obliquely from the front. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the padding and the seat frame as viewed obliquely from the front. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a vehicle seat. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of external sensors. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of a stop notification process. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a vibration state when a preceding vehicle starts moving with the vehicle seat rotated to face forward. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a vibration state when a preceding vehicle starts moving with the vehicle seat rotated so that the vehicle seat faces rearward. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of a running notification process. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a vibration state when an approaching object approaches from the right rear of the vehicle with the vehicle seat rotated to face forward. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a vibration state when an approaching object approaches from the right rear of the vehicle with the vehicle seat rotated to face rearward. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of a starting notification process. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating vibration states when an obstacle is detected on the left front side of the vehicle with the vehicle seat rotated to face forward. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating vibration states when an obstacle is detected on the left front side of the vehicle with the vehicle seat rotated to face rearward. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the flow of a reverse travel notification process. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a vibration state when an obstacle is detected behind the vehicle with the vehicle seat in a rotation position facing forward. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating vibration states when an obstacle is detected behind the vehicle with the vehicle seat in a rotated position facing rearward. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment, as viewed obliquely from the front. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a vehicle seat according to a second embodiment.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a vehicle seat according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiment described below is for the purpose of making the present invention easier to understand, and does not limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention naturally includes equivalents thereof.
In the following description, the contents regarding the materials, shapes and sizes of the seat components are merely examples and do not limit the present invention.

In the following, a vehicle seat S mounted on a vehicle V will be given as an example of a vehicle seat, and an example of its configuration will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to seats mounted on vehicles that have wheels and travel on land, such as automobiles and trains, and may also be applied to seats mounted on aircraft, ships, and other vehicles that travel other than on land.

In the following description, the term "seat front-rear direction" refers to the front-rear direction of the vehicle seat S, which coincides with the front-rear direction as seen by a person seated in the vehicle seat S. The term "vehicle front-rear direction" refers to the direction that coincides with the traveling direction when the vehicle is traveling. The term "seat width direction" refers to the width direction of the vehicle seat S, which coincides with the left-right direction as seen by a person seated in the vehicle seat S. The term "up-down direction" refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle seat S, which coincides with the vertical direction when the vehicle V is traveling on a horizontal plane. The term "outside" simply refers to the side closer to the outside in the direction from the center of the vehicle seat S alone to the outside, and the term "inside" refers to the side closer to the center in the direction from the outside to the center of the vehicle seat S alone.

<Overview of the vehicle seat S>
FIG. 1 shows the interior of a vehicle V equipped with a vehicle seat S of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle V has three rows of vehicle seats S in the vehicle front-rear direction. Each vehicle seat S has a built-in vibrator 20 used as a notification means (see FIG. 2). In addition, the vehicle seat S has a movable mechanism, and can change its position and posture within the vehicle cabin. The vehicle seat S of the present invention is used to provide an appropriate notification to an occupant seated in the vehicle seat S by selecting a vibration pattern of the vibrator 20 based on the position and posture of the vehicle seat S.
1, the vehicle V has a first-row front seat, a second-row middle seat, and a third-row rear seat in its cabin, but is not limited thereto. The vehicle V may have only a front seat and a rear seat.

The vehicle V has a manual driving mode and an automatic driving mode. The manual driving mode refers to a control state in which the vehicle V is controlled to travel based on the driving operation by the driver. On the other hand, the automatic driving mode refers to a control state in which the situation of the vehicle V is judged based on signals output by various sensors, and the vehicle V is controlled to travel autonomously according to the judgment result. In the following explanation, it is assumed that the automatic driving mode does not require driving operation by the driver. As a result, in the automatic driving mode, the vehicle V can travel with the front seats facing backward or to the side of the vehicle V.

A touch panel type display device D is provided in front of the occupant seated in the vehicle seat S. The display device D is configured to be capable of selecting and playing various types of video information, and the occupant can spend the travel time comfortably by operating the display device D to display a desired video on the display device D.
1, the display device D is fixed to the vehicle V or the vehicle seat S, but is not limited thereto. The display device D may be a tablet terminal that can be removed from the vehicle V or the vehicle seat S and used.

2 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat S as viewed obliquely from the front. For convenience of illustration, a cover material T is removed from a portion of the vehicle seat S in FIG.
In this embodiment, the vehicle seat S will be described as a front seat installed in the first row of the vehicle V. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the vehicle seat S can also be used as a middle seat in the second row or a rear seat in the third row.

As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle seat S includes a seat cushion 1, a seat back 2, and a headrest 3. The vehicle seat S also includes a movable mechanism that can change the position and posture of the seat body (seat cushion 1, seat back 2, and headrest 3). The movable mechanism includes a rail device 4 that supports the seat body so that it can move in the front-rear direction of the vehicle V, a rotation device 5 that can rotate the vehicle seat S around a rotation axis B that extends vertically, and a reclining device 6 (see FIG. 2) that rotatably connects the seat back 2. The rail device 4, the rotation device 5, and the reclining device 6 correspond to a slide mechanism, a rotation mechanism, and a reclining mechanism, respectively.

The seat cushion 1 serves as a seating area that supports the buttocks of a seated person. The seat cushion 1 is constructed by placing a pad material P1 on a seat cushion frame F1 (see FIG. 3) that constitutes the framework of the seat cushion 1, and then covering the pad material P1 with a skin material T.

A plurality of seat cushion vibrators 21 (vibrators 20) used as a means for notifying a seated occupant are built into the seat cushion 1. More specifically, the seat cushion vibrators 21 are embedded in recesses formed in the pad material P1 and are covered with a slab Ps.
The seat cushion vibrating body 21 is disposed on the front side of the vehicle seat S. More specifically, the seat cushion vibrating body 21 is disposed so as to be located on the seat front side of a rotation axis B of a rotation device 5, which will be described later. The seat cushion vibrating body 21 is also disposed so as to be located on the seat front side of the body axis of a person seated in the vehicle seat S. The seat cushion vibrating body 21 will be described later.

The seat back 2 is the backrest that supports the back of the seated occupant. The seat back 2 is constructed by placing a padding material P2 on a seat back frame F2 (see FIG. 3) that constitutes the framework of the seat back 2, and then covering the padding material P2 with a skin material T.

A plurality of seat back vibrators 22 (vibrators 20) used as a means for notifying a seated occupant are built into the seat back 2. More specifically, the seat back vibrators 22 are embedded in recesses formed in the pad material P2 and are covered by the slab Ps.
The seatback vibrating body 22 is disposed on the rear side of the vehicle seat S. More specifically, the seatback vibrating body 22 is disposed on the seat rear side of a rotation axis B of a rotation device 5, which will be described later. The seatback vibrating body 22 is also disposed so as to be located on the seat rear side of the body axis of an occupant seated in the vehicle seat S. The seatback vibrating body 22 will be described later.

The headrest 3 is attached to the top of the seat back 2 so as to support the head of the seated occupant. The inside of the headrest 3 is constructed by placing padding material P3 on the headrest frame F3, which forms the skeleton of the headrest 3 and is fixed to the seat back frame F2, and thinly covering it with a skin material T.

A rail device 4 is provided under the vehicle seat S. In other words, the vehicle seat S is attached to the floor of the vehicle compartment via the rail device 4 in a state in which the seat S can be displaced in the front-rear direction.
The rail device 4 has a known structure (the structure of a general slide rail mechanism). In detail, the rail device 4 has a lower rail that is fixed to a floor and extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle V, an upper rail that is slidable relative to the lower rail, and a motor that serves as a drive source. The rail device 4 corresponds to a movable mechanism that can change the position of the vehicle seat S in the front-rear direction of the vehicle V.

A rotation device 5 is supported above the rail device 4. In other words, the vehicle seat S is attached to the floor of the vehicle compartment via the rotation device 5 in a state in which it can rotate around a rotation axis B extending in the vertical direction (up-down direction).
The rotation device 5 has a known structure. In detail, the rotation device 5 has a base member fixed to the rail device 4, and a rotation member supported by the base member via a plurality of bearings and rotatable about a rotation axis B extending in the vertical direction. The rotation member is fixed to the seat cushion frame F1. The rotation device 5 corresponds to a movable mechanism that can change the rotation position of the vehicle seat S.

The reclining device 6 rotatably connects the seat back 2 to the seat cushion 1. More specifically, the reclining device 6 can change the position of the seat body between an upright position in which the seat back 2 stands up relative to the seat cushion 1 and a tilted position in which the seat back 2 is tilted backward at a predetermined angle relative to the seat cushion 1. The reclining device 6 can also lock the seat back 2 in a state inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the seat cushion 1. The reclining device 6 can then release the lock to tilt the seat back 2 forward or backward. The reclining device 6 corresponds to a movable mechanism that can change the position of the seat body.

<Functional Configuration of Vehicle Seat S>
Next, the functional configuration of the vehicle seat S will be described.
4 shows a functional configuration of the vehicle seat S, an external sensor 40 connected to the control device 30 of the vehicle seat S, a slide position sensor 41, a rotation angle sensor 42, a reclining angle sensor 43, a vibrator 20, and a speaker 44. The control device 30 is built into the vehicle seat S and controls the entire vehicle seat S.

The external sensor 40 is a sensor that detects the external situation, which is information about the surroundings of the vehicle V. In detail, the external sensor 40 can be configured with a lidar that measures the scattered light in response to the light irradiated in all directions of the vehicle V to measure the distance from the vehicle V to surrounding obstacles. The external sensor 40 can also be configured with a radar that detects other vehicles and obstacles around the vehicle V by irradiating electromagnetic waves and detecting reflected waves. The external sensor 40 can further be configured with an optical sensor that captures images of the surroundings of the vehicle V.

Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the mounting position of the external sensor 40 on the vehicle V. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the external sensor 40 has a right front sensor 40RF, a right rear sensor 40RR, a left front sensor 40LF, and a left rear sensor 40LR. However, the number and arrangement of the sensors are not limited to the number and arrangement shown in Figure 5. For example, additional sensors may be placed at the locations indicated by white circles in Figure 5.

The right front sensor 40RF is disposed on the right front of the vehicle V and detects the situation in front and to the right of the vehicle V.
The right rear sensor 40RR is disposed at the right rear of the vehicle V and detects the situation rearward and to the right of the vehicle V.
The left front sensor 40LF is disposed on the left front of the vehicle V and detects the situation in front of and to the left of the vehicle V.
The left rear sensor 40LR is disposed at the left rear of the vehicle V and detects the situation behind and to the left of the vehicle V.

The slide position sensor 41 is a sensor that detects the position of the vehicle seat S in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle V. The slide position sensor 41 is an encoder provided on the output shaft of a motor that is the driving source of the rail device 4, but is not limited to this. The slide position sensor 41 can be a radar-type position detection means that transmits and receives microwaves, or a position detection means that performs image recognition processing on an image captured by an on-board camera to obtain the position of the vehicle seat S.

The rotation angle sensor 42 is a sensor that detects the rotational position of the vehicle seat S around a rotation axis B that extends vertically. The rotation angle sensor 42 is a limit switch whose contacts are connected when the vehicle seat S rotates by a certain angle or more, but is not limited to this. The rotation angle sensor 42 may be an optical sensor consisting of a light-emitting diode and a photodiode, or a position detection means using an on-board camera.

The reclining angle sensor 43 is a sensor that detects the position of the vehicle seat S. More specifically, the reclining angle sensor 43 obtains the reclining angle of the seat back 2 relative to the seat cushion 1. The reclining angle sensor 43 is an encoder provided on the output shaft of the motor of the reclining device 6, but is not limited to this. The reclining angle sensor 43 may be a position detection means that detects the position of the vehicle seat S using images captured by an in-vehicle camera.

The vibrating body 20 is an eccentric motor consisting of a motor and an eccentric weight fixed to the output shaft of the motor, but is not limited to this. The vibrating body 20 may be a linear resonant actuator mainly composed of a magnet and a winding. The vibrating body 20 functions as a notification means by stimulating the seated person through vibration. The vibration pattern of the vibrating body 20 will be described later.
The vibrating body 20 is composed of a seat cushion vibrating body 21 built in the seat cushion 1 and a seat back vibrating body 22 built in the seat back 2, but is not limited to this. The vibrating body 20 may be built in the headrest 3.

The seat cushion vibrating bodies 21 are disposed spaced apart from each other in the seat width direction. Specifically, the seat cushion vibrating body 21 has a right vibrating body 21R disposed to the right of the seat and a left vibrating body 21L disposed to the left of the seat.
The seat back vibrators 22 are arranged spaced apart from one another in the seat front-rear direction and the seat width direction. Specifically, the seat back vibrators 22 include an upper right vibrator 22RU arranged at the upper right of the seat, a lower right vibrator 22RD arranged at the lower right of the seat, an upper left vibrator 22LU arranged at the upper left of the seat, and a lower left vibrator 22LD arranged at the lower left of the seat.

The speaker 44 is provided in the headrest 3. In other words, the headrest 3 has multiple speakers 44 including at least a right speaker 44R disposed to the right of the seat and a left speaker 44L disposed to the left of the seat. The speaker 44 can emit music, warning sounds, and voice messages. The speaker 44 corresponds to an audio output device.

The control device 30 is an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted in the vehicle seat S. The control device 30 is composed of a processor that executes a program, a non-volatile storage medium, and a volatile storage medium. The processor executes the program stored in the non-volatile storage medium, thereby functioning as an acquisition unit 31, a situation recognition unit 32, a vibration pattern determination unit 33, and a vibration control unit 34.

The acquisition unit 31 has a communication interface and acquires an external signal output by the external sensor 40, and signals related to the position and posture of the vehicle seat S output by the slide position sensor 41, the rotation angle sensor 42, and the reclining angle sensor 43. The acquisition unit 31 can also acquire information related to the driving state of the vehicle V (driving speed, etc.) via the communication interface.

The situation recognition unit 32 detects obstacles around the vehicle V based on the external signals output by the external sensor 40. The situation recognition unit 32 also determines the type of the detected obstacle (e.g., a pedestrian or another vehicle) from the characteristics of the obstacle. Next, the situation recognition unit 32 calculates the collision probability between the detected object and the vehicle V. The collision probability is calculated taking into account the approach speed of the object to the vehicle V. The situation recognition unit 32 may determine the collision type (frontal collision, rear collision, side collision) between the vehicle V and the object and calculate the collision probability in the case of a specific collision (e.g., side collision). The situation recognition unit 32 determines the presence of an approaching object by comparing the calculated collision probability with a predetermined threshold value, and outputs the determination result and the approach direction of the approaching object to the vibration pattern determination unit 33 as a situation recognition result.

The situation recognition unit 32 also calculates the probability of another vehicle (preceding vehicle) detected in a position ahead of the vehicle V starting while the vehicle V is stopped. The calculation of the starting probability is performed taking into consideration the traveling speed of the vehicle V and the separation speed of the preceding vehicle. The situation recognition unit 32 determines the fact that the preceding vehicle has started by comparing the calculated starting probability with a predetermined threshold value, and outputs the determination result to the vibration pattern determination unit 33 as the situation recognition result.

The vibration pattern determination unit 33 determines the vibration pattern of the vibrating body 20 based on the situation recognition result of the situation recognition unit 32 and the position and posture of the vehicle seat S. More specifically, when it is necessary to notify the seat occupant by the vibrating body 20, the vibration pattern determination unit 33 determines the vibration pattern by selecting one vibration pattern from a plurality of vibration patterns prepared in advance. The vibration pattern corresponds to a vibration notification pattern.

The vibration pattern is information that specifies the order in which at least one of the vibrating bodies 20 built into the seat cushion 1 and the seat back 2 vibrates, and the vibration parameters. Here, the vibration parameters include information on the vibration strength (vibration frequency) and vibration time of the vibrating body 20. The vibration parameters may also include information on the vibration period and vibration rhythm when the vibrating body 20 repeatedly vibrates. The vibration patterns are stored in a vibration pattern table stored in the non-volatile memory of the control device 30.
A method for selecting a vibration pattern by the vibration pattern determination unit 33 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

The vibration control unit 34 controls the vibration of the vibrating body 20 based on the vibration pattern determined by the vibration pattern determination unit 33. In other words, the vibration control unit 34 controls at least one of the plurality of seat cushion vibrating bodies 21 and the plurality of seat back vibrating bodies 22 to vibrate based on the determined vibration pattern.

<Flow of vibration notification process>
Next, a description will be given of the flow of vibration notification processing executed by the control device 30. The vibration notification processing is executed to alert the occupant depending on the running state of the vehicle V and the external situation. Specifically, the control device 30 can execute a stop notification processing, a running notification processing, a starting notification processing, and a reverse driving notification processing depending on the running state of the vehicle V.
First, a description will be given of a stop notification process executed by the control device 30 when the vehicle V is stopped. Fig. 6 shows a flow of the stop notification process executed by the control device 30. First, the control device 30 determines whether or not another vehicle (preceding vehicle) detected ahead of the vehicle V has started moving (step S10). More specifically, the control device 30 determines whether or not the preceding vehicle has started moving based on the situation recognition result output by the situation recognition unit 32.
When it is determined that the preceding vehicle has not started moving (step S10: No), the control device 30 waits.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the preceding vehicle has started moving (step S10: Yes), the control device 30 acquires a signal related to the state of the vehicle seat S (step S11). More specifically, the control device 30 acquires signals related to the position and posture of the vehicle seat S from the slide position sensor 41, the rotation angle sensor 42, and the reclining angle sensor 43.

Next, the control device 30 determines whether the rotation position of the vehicle seat S is a forward-facing rotation position (step S12). Specifically, the control device 30 determines whether the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the front of the vehicle V by comparing the rotation angle signal output by the rotation angle sensor 42 with a predetermined value.
When it is determined that the rotation position of the vehicle seat S faces forward (step S12: Yes), the control device 30 controls the seat cushion vibrating body 21 to vibrate (step S13). Specifically, the control device 30 selects a vibration pattern for vibrating the seat cushion vibrating body 21, thereby vibrating the seat cushion vibrating body 21.

Figure 7A shows a state in which the control device 30 performs a stop notification process and the seat cushion vibrator 21 is vibrating. As shown in Figure 7A, when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the front of the vehicle V, the control device 30 vibrates the seat cushion vibrator 21 to notify the seat occupant that the preceding vehicle has started. In other words, the control device 30 vibrates the vibrator 20, which is located at a position on the seat front side of the rotation axis B of the rotation device 5 of the vehicle seat S. Here, the seat cushion vibrator 21 vibrates at a position on the seat front side of the body axis of the seat occupant. This makes it possible to direct the seat occupant's attention to the front of the seat, and to encourage the seat occupant to start the vehicle V by following the preceding vehicle.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the rotation position of the vehicle seat S is not forward facing (step S12: No), the control device 30 controls the seat back vibrating body 22 to vibrate (step S14). Specifically, the control device 30 selects a vibration pattern for vibrating the seat back vibrating body 22, so that the seat back vibrating body 22 vibrates. In other words, when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the rear of the vehicle V, the control device 30 selects a vibration pattern in which the vibrating body 20 located on the opposite side around the rotation axis B of the rotation device 5 vibrates with respect to the vibrating body 20 that vibrates when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing forward. Here, the "vibrating body 20 located on the opposite side around the rotation axis B" is not limited to the vibrating body 20 located exactly opposite the rotation axis B of the rotation device 5, but includes the vibrating body 20 located in the opposite direction around the rotation axis B of the rotation device 5. The rotation position in which the vehicle seat S faces the front of the vehicle V corresponds to the first rotation position, and the rotation position in which the vehicle seat S faces the rear of the vehicle V corresponds to the second rotation position. In addition, the vibration pattern selected when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the front of the vehicle V corresponds to a first vibration notification pattern, and the vibration pattern selected when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the rear of the vehicle V corresponds to a second vibration notification pattern.

Figure 7B shows the vehicle seat S in a state where the control device 30 is performing a stop notification process and the seat back vibrator 22 is vibrating. As shown in Figure 7B, when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the rear of the vehicle V, the control device 30 vibrates the seat back vibrator 22 to notify the seat occupant that the preceding vehicle has started. In other words, the control device 30 vibrates the vibrator 20, which is located at a position on the seat rear side of the rotation axis B of the rotation device 5 of the vehicle seat S. Here, the seat back vibrator 22 vibrates at a position on the seat rear side of the body axis of the seat occupant. This makes it possible to direct the seat occupant's attention to the rear of the seat, and to notify the seat occupant that the vehicle V will soon start to move toward the rear of the seat, following the preceding vehicle.

When the vibration control of the vibrator 20 in steps S13 and S14 ends, the control device 30 ends the stopped notification process. The control device 30 may measure the time that the vehicle V is stopped after the preceding vehicle transmits a signal, and vibrate the seat cushion vibrator 21 or the seat back vibrator 22 if the vehicle V is stopped for a predetermined period of time or longer.

Next, a description will be given of a driving notification process executed by the control device 30 when the vehicle V is driving. Fig. 8 shows a flow of the driving notification process executed by the control device 30. As shown in Fig. 8, the control device 30 first determines the presence and approaching direction of an approaching object (e.g., another vehicle approaching from behind in the lane to which the vehicle V is changing lanes while the vehicle V is changing lanes) (step S20). More specifically, the control device 30 determines the presence or absence of an approaching object and the approaching direction based on the situation recognition result output by the situation recognition unit 32.
When it is determined that there is no approaching object (step S20: No), the control device 30 waits.

On the other hand, if it is determined that an approaching object is present (step S20: Yes), the control device 30 acquires information regarding the state of the vehicle seat S (step S21). More specifically, the control device 30 acquires signals regarding the position and posture of the vehicle seat S from the slide position sensor 41, the rotation angle sensor 42, and the reclining angle sensor 43. In the following description, the approaching direction of the approaching object is assumed to be the right rear of the vehicle V.

Next, the control device 30 determines whether the rotation position of the vehicle seat S is a forward rotation position (step S22). Specifically, the control device 30 determines whether the vehicle seat S faces forward of the vehicle V by comparing the rotation angle signal output by the rotation angle sensor 42 with a predetermined value.
When it is determined that the rotation position of the vehicle seat S is forward facing (step S22: Yes), the control device 30 controls the seat back vibrating body 22 and the seat cushion vibrating body 21 to vibrate in this order (step S23). Specifically, the control device 30 selects a vibration pattern in which the seat back vibrating body 22 and the seat cushion vibrating body 21 vibrate in this order. As a result, the seat back vibrating body 22 and the seat cushion vibrating body 21 vibrate in this order.

9A shows a state in which the control device 30 performs a driving notification process, and the seat back vibrator 22 and the seat cushion vibrator 21 vibrate in this order. More specifically, the state is shown in which the vehicle V detects another vehicle (approaching object) approaching from the right rear when changing the driving lane to a lane to the right of the lane currently being driven. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the front of the vehicle V, the control device 30 first vibrates the upper right vibrator 22RU of the seat back vibrator 22 located at the most rear side of the seat. Next, the control device 30 vibrates the lower right vibrator 22RD. Finally, the control device 30 vibrates the right vibrator 21R of the seat cushion vibrator 21 located on the front side of the seat to notify that another vehicle is approaching from the right rear of the vehicle V. In other words, the control device 30 vibrates the vibrator 20 so that the vibration position is displaced in the seat front-rear direction from the vibrator 20 located right rear of the rotation axis B of the vehicle seat S to the vibrator 20 located right front. This allows the seated occupant's attention to be gradually directed from the rear right of the seat to the front right of the seat, making it possible to alert the occupant to another vehicle approaching from the rear right of vehicle V.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the rotation position of the vehicle seat S is not forward facing (step S22: No), the control device 30 controls the seat cushion vibrating body 21 and the seat back vibrating body 22 to vibrate in this order (step S24). Specifically, the control device 30 selects a vibration pattern in which the seat cushion vibrating body 21 and the seat back vibrating body 22 vibrate in this order. This causes the seat cushion vibrating body 21 and the seat back vibrating body 22 to vibrate in this order.

9B shows a state in which the control device 30 performs a driving notification process and the seat cushion vibrator 21 and the seat back vibrator 22 vibrate in this order. As shown in FIG. 9B, when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the rear of the vehicle V, the control device 30 first vibrates the left vibrator 21L of the seat cushion vibrator 21 located at the frontmost side of the seat. Next, the control device 30 vibrates the lower left vibrator 22LD of the seat back vibrator 22. Finally, the control device 30 vibrates the upper left vibrator 22LU in this order to notify that another vehicle is approaching from the right rear of the vehicle V. In other words, the control device 30 vibrates the vibrator 20 so that the vibration position is displaced in the front-rear direction of the seat from the vibrator 20 located at the right rear of the vehicle V relative to the rotation axis B of the vehicle seat S to the vibrator 20 located at the right front of the vehicle V. This allows the seat occupant's attention to be gradually directed from the front left of the seat to the rear left of the seat, making it possible to alert the seat occupant to another vehicle approaching from the right rear of the vehicle V.

When the drive control of the vibrator 20 in steps S23 and S24 ends, the control device 30 ends the in-travel notification process.

Next, a description will be given of a start-time notification process executed by the control device 30 when the vehicle V starts to start. Fig. 10 shows a flow of the start-time notification process executed by the control device 30. First, the control device 30 determines the presence and approaching direction of an approaching object (e.g., another vehicle approaching from the left side of the vehicle V that has started to start) (step S30). More specifically, the control device 30 determines the presence or absence of an approaching object and the approaching direction based on the situation recognition result output by the situation recognition unit 32.
When it is determined that there is no approaching object (step S30: No), the control device 30 waits.

On the other hand, if it is determined that an approaching object is present (step S30: Yes), the control device 30 acquires information regarding the state of the vehicle seat S (step S31). More specifically, the control device 30 acquires signals regarding the position and posture of the vehicle seat S from the slide position sensor 41, the rotation angle sensor 42, and the reclining angle sensor 43. In the following description, the approaching direction of the approaching object is assumed to be the left side of the vehicle V.

Next, the control device 30 determines whether the rotation position of the vehicle seat S is a forward rotation position (step S32). Specifically, the control device 30 determines whether the vehicle seat S faces forward of the vehicle V by comparing the rotation angle signal output by the rotation angle sensor 42 with a predetermined value.
When it is determined that the rotation position of the vehicle seat S is forward facing (step S32: Yes), the control device 30 controls the vibrator 20 located on the left side of the vehicle seat S to vibrate (step S33). Specifically, the control device 30 selects a vibration pattern in which the left vibrator 21L of the seat cushion vibrator 21 and the upper left vibrator 22LU and the lower left vibrator 22LD of the seatback vibrator 22 vibrate. This causes the vibrator 20 located on the left side of the vehicle seat S to vibrate.

11A shows a state in which the control device 30 performs a start-up notification process, and the left vibrator 21L built into the seat cushion 1, the upper left vibrator 22LU and the lower left vibrator 22LD built into the seat back 2 are vibrating. As shown in FIG. 11A, when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the front of the vehicle V, the control device 30 vibrates the vibrator 20 located on the left side of the vehicle seat S to notify the occupant that another vehicle is approaching from the left side of the vehicle V when starting. In other words, the control device 30 vibrates the vibrator 20 located to the left of the rotation axis B of the rotation device 5 of the vehicle seat S. This makes it possible to direct the occupant's attention to the left side of the seat, and to alert the occupant to another vehicle approaching from the left side.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the rotation position of the vehicle seat S is not forward facing (step S32: No), the control device 30 controls the vibrator 20 located on the right side of the vehicle seat S to vibrate (step S34). Specifically, the control device 30 selects a vibration pattern in which the right vibrator 21R built in the seat cushion 1, the upper right vibrator 22RU and the lower right vibrator 22RD built in the seat back 2 vibrate. This causes the vibrator 20 located on the right side of the vehicle seat S to vibrate.
In other words, when the vehicle seat S is in a rearward rotation position, the control device 30 selects a vibration pattern in which the vibrating body 20 that vibrates when the vehicle seat S is in a forward rotation position and the vibrating body 20 located on the opposite side around the rotation axis B of the rotation device 5 vibrate.

Figure 11B shows a state in which the control device 30 performs a start-up notification process, and the right vibrator 21R built into the seat cushion 1 and the upper right vibrator 22RU and lower right vibrator 22RD built into the seat back 2 are vibrating. As shown in Figure 11B, when the vehicle seat S is in a rearward rotation position, the control device 30 vibrates the vibrator 20 located on the right side of the vehicle seat S to notify the occupant that another vehicle is approaching from the left side of the vehicle V when starting. In other words, the control device 30 vibrates the vibrator 20 located to the right of the seat from the rotation axis B of the rotation device 5 of the vehicle seat S. This makes it possible to direct the occupant's attention to the right side of the seat, and to alert the occupant to another vehicle approaching from the right side.

When the drive control of the vibrator 20 in steps S33 and S34 ends, the control device 30 ends the start notification process.

Next, a reverse movement notification process executed by the control device 30 when the vehicle V reverses will be described. Fig. 12 shows the flow of the reverse movement notification process executed by the control device 30. As shown in Fig. 12, the control device 30 first determines the presence and approaching direction of an approaching object (e.g., an obstacle present behind the vehicle V that has started to reverse) (step S40). More specifically, the control device 30 determines the presence or absence of an approaching object and the approaching direction based on the situation recognition result output by the situation recognition unit 32.
When it is determined that there is no approaching object (step S40: No), the control device 30 waits.

On the other hand, if it is determined that an approaching object is present (step S40: Yes), the control device 30 acquires information regarding the state of the vehicle seat S (step S41). More specifically, the control device 30 acquires signals regarding the position and posture of the vehicle seat S from the slide position sensor 41, the rotation angle sensor 42, and the reclining angle sensor 43. In the following description, the approaching direction of the approaching object is assumed to be the rear of the vehicle V.

Next, the control device 30 determines whether the rotation position of the vehicle seat S is a forward rotation position (step S42). Specifically, the control device 30 determines whether the vehicle seat S faces forward of the vehicle V by comparing the rotation angle signal output by the rotation angle sensor 42 with a predetermined value.
When it is determined that the rotation position of the vehicle seat S faces forward (step S42: Yes), the control device 30 controls the seat back vibrating body 22 to vibrate (step S43). Specifically, the control device 30 selects a vibration pattern in which the seat back vibrating body 22 vibrates. As a result, the seat back vibrating body 22 vibrates.

Figure 13A shows a state in which the control device 30 performs a reverse driving notification process and the seatback vibrator 22 vibrates. As shown in Figure 13A, when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the front of the vehicle V, the control device 30 vibrates the seatback vibrator 22 to notify the seat occupant of the presence of an approaching object approaching from the rear of the vehicle V during reverse driving. In other words, the control device 30 vibrates the vibrator 20 arranged at a position on the seat rearward side from the rotation axis B of the rotation device 5 of the vehicle seat S. In addition, the seatback vibrator 22 vibrates at a position on the seat rearward side from the body axis of the seat occupant. This makes it possible to direct the seat occupant's attention to the rear side of the seat, and to alert the seat occupant to the approaching object approaching from the rear.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the rotation position of the vehicle seat S is not forward facing (step S42: No), the control device 30 controls the seat cushion vibrator 21 to vibrate (step S44). Specifically, the control device 30 selects a vibration pattern in which the seat cushion vibrator 21 vibrates. This causes the seat cushion vibrator 21 to vibrate.

Figure 13B shows a state in which the control device 30 performs a reverse driving notification process and the seat cushion vibrator 21 is vibrating. As shown in Figure 13B, when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the rear of the vehicle V, the control device 30 vibrates the seat cushion vibrator 21 to notify the seat occupant of the presence of an approaching object approaching from the rear side. In other words, the control device 30 vibrates the vibrator 20 located at a position on the rear side of the seat from the rotation axis B of the rotation device 5 of the vehicle seat S. In addition, the seat cushion vibrator 21 vibrates at a position on the front side of the seat from the body axis of the seat occupant. This makes it possible to direct the seat occupant's attention to the front side of the seat, and to alert the seat occupant to the approaching object approaching from the rear side of the vehicle V.

When the drive control of the vibrator 20 in steps S43 and S44 ends, the control device 30 ends the reverse drive notification process.

<Modification>
Although the configuration of the vehicle seat S according to one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above-described embodiment is merely an example for facilitating understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. In other words, the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and of course, the present invention includes equivalents thereof.
In the above embodiment, the vehicle seat S has been described as being changeable between a rotation position facing the front of the vehicle V and a rotation position facing the rear of the vehicle V, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The vehicle seat S may be changeable to a rotation position facing the side (right side or left side) of the vehicle V by rotating 90 degrees. When the vehicle seat S is rotated 90 degrees in one rotation direction, the control device 30 selects a vibration pattern in which the vibration body 20 located in the direction rotated 90 degrees in the other rotation direction vibrates as a vibration pattern selected when the vehicle seat S faces the front of the vehicle V. To be more specific, the control device 30 vibrates the seat back vibration body 22 when it is determined that an approaching object approaches from the left side of the vehicle V, for example, and when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the right side of the vehicle V. In addition, the control device 30 vibrates the seat cushion vibration body 21 when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the left side of the vehicle V. This allows the vibrator 20 to provide an appropriate vibration alert when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the side of the vehicle V. The rotation position in which the vehicle seat S faces the front of the vehicle V corresponds to a first rotation position, and the rotation position in which the vehicle seat S faces the side of the vehicle V corresponds to a third rotation position. In addition, the vibration pattern selected when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the front of the vehicle V corresponds to the first vibration alert pattern, and the vibration pattern selected when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the side of the vehicle V corresponds to the third vibration alert pattern.

The rotation position of the vehicle seat S is not limited to the front, rear, and side. The vehicle seat S may be able to be changed to a rotation position of 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees, 270 degrees, and 315 degrees relative to the front of the vehicle V. The seat occupant may also be able to set a rotation position of their choice. In this case, the control device 30 selects a vibration pattern in which, when the vehicle seat S is rotated to a predetermined angle, the vibrator 20 located at the same angle in the opposite rotation direction to the rotation axis B of the rotation device 5 vibrates. This makes it possible for the vibrator 20 to provide an appropriate vibration alert when the vehicle seat S is in any rotation position.

<Second Modification>
In the above embodiment, the position of the vibrating body 20 that vibrates is changed according to the rotation position of the vehicle seat S, but the present invention is not limited to this. The vibration parameters of the vibrating body 20 may be changed according to the rotation position of the vehicle seat S. Specifically, when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the rear of the vehicle V, a vibration pattern may be selected in which the vibration intensity of the vibrating body 20 is stronger (the vibration frequency is higher) than when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the front of the vehicle V. This makes it possible to strongly alert the occupant to the presence of an approaching object even when the vehicle seat S faces the rear of the vehicle V and it is difficult for the seated person to grasp the surrounding situation.
Furthermore, the vibration time, the vibration period, and the vibration rhythm may be changed according to the rotational position of the vehicle seat S. In this way, by making the vibration parameters selectable, it is possible to increase the variety of vibration notifications and to increase the amount of information provided by the vibration notifications.

<Third Modification>
Furthermore, the control device 30 may select a vibration pattern based on the position of the vehicle seat S in the front-rear direction of the vehicle V when the vehicle seat S is moved forward or backward by the rail device 4. Specifically, the control device 30 may select a vibration pattern in which the vibration intensity of the vibrating body 20 is increased when the vehicle seat S is in a state in which it has been largely slid toward the rear of the vehicle V by the rail device 4. This makes it possible to strongly alert the occupant to the approach of an approaching object even when the vehicle seat S is located at the rear of the vehicle V and it is difficult for the occupant to recognize the situation around the vehicle V.
Furthermore, the control device 30 may select a vibration pattern in which the vibration intensity of the vibrating body 20 is weakened (the vibration frequency is reduced) when the vehicle seat S is in a state in which it has been largely slid toward the rear of the vehicle V by the rail device 4. This makes it possible to prevent the seat occupant from feeling uncomfortable due to the vibration of the vibrating body 20 when the vehicle seat S is located at the rear of the vehicle V and the seat occupant is in a relaxed state.

<Fourth Modification>
The control device 30 may also select a vibration pattern based on the posture of the vehicle seat S, i.e., the tilt angle of the seat back 2 relative to the seat cushion 1. Specifically, the control device 30 may select a vibration pattern in which the vibration intensity of the vibrating body 20 is increased when the seat back 2 is in a state in which the seat back 2 is significantly tilted backward of the vehicle seat S by the reclining device 6. This makes it possible to strongly alert the seat occupant to the approach of an approaching object even when the seat back 2 is tilted backward and it is difficult for the seat occupant to recognize the situation around the vehicle V.
Furthermore, the control device 30 may select a vibration pattern in which the vibration intensity of the vibrating body 20 is weakened when the seat back 2 is in a state in which it is largely tilted backward of the vehicle seat S. This makes it possible to suppress the seat occupant from feeling uncomfortable due to the vibration of the vibrating body 20 when the seat back 2 is inclined backward of the vehicle V and the seat occupant is in a relaxed state.

<Fifth Modification>
The control device 30 may also change the speaker 44 that outputs the audio signal depending on the rotational position of the vehicle seat S. Specifically, when it is determined that an approaching object is approaching from the right side of the vehicle V, if the vehicle seat S is in a rotational position facing the front of the vehicle V, a warning sound is output from the right speaker 44R. On the other hand, if the vehicle seat S is in a rotational position facing the rear of the vehicle V, a warning sound is output from the left speaker 44L. In other words, the control device 30 outputs a warning sound from the speaker 44 that is located in the direction in which the approaching object approaches as seen from the seated person and that is located in the same direction as the vibrating body 20 that is driven and controlled to vibrate. In this way, by using the right speaker 44R and the left speaker 44L in combination with the vibration notification by the vibrating body 20, it is possible to more effectively call attention to the approaching object.

Second Embodiment
Hereinafter, the vehicle seat S according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14 and Fig. 15. The vehicle seat S according to the second embodiment mainly comprises a seat cushion 1, a seat back 2, a headrest 3, an armrest 107, and an ottoman 108. In the following, the same reference numerals are used to denote members having the same shapes and structures as those in the above-mentioned embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted to clarify differences between the members having different shapes and structures.

The seat back 2 is equipped with a seat back vibrator 22 used as a means for notifying a seat occupant. The seat back vibrator 22 mainly comprises an upper right vibrator 22RU, a lower right vibrator 22RD, an upper left vibrator 22LU, a lower left vibrator 22LD, and a central vibrator 122C. The upper right vibrator 22RU, the lower right vibrator 22RD, the upper left vibrator 22LU, and the lower left vibrator 22LD are eccentric motors. The eccentric motors generate small vibrations by rotating at a high frequency.
On the other hand, the central vibrator 122C is a piezoelectric vibrator that generates gentle vibrations by vibrating linearly at a relatively low frequency.

In this way, by incorporating multiple types of vibrating bodies 20 in the seat back 2, it is possible to improve the variety of vibration notifications. To explain by way of a specific example, while the eccentric motor vibrates to notify the approach of an obstacle in the outside world, the piezoelectric vibrating body can notify the driver of guidance information output by a navigation device mounted on the vehicle V and music output by the audio-visual device 146. To explain in more detail, the control device 130, which will be described later, converts the guidance information output by the navigation device into a coded signal (Morse code) coded using long and short dots, and vibrates the signal via the piezoelectric vibrating body. This makes it possible to transmit guidance information to a seated person who has difficulty recognizing the information visually and aurally. In addition, the control device 130 vibrates the piezoelectric vibrating body in synchronization with the timing at which the music output by the audio-visual device 146 outputs low tones. This allows the seated person to feel the realism of the music output by the audio-visual device. The seat back vibrating body 22 is not limited to a combination of an eccentric motor and a piezoelectric vibrating body. The seatback vibrator 22 may be combined with a linear resonant actuator whose main components are a magnet and a winding.

The headrest 3 includes a built-in headrest vibrator 123 used as a notification means. The headrest vibrator 123 mainly includes an upper vibrator 123U and a lower vibrator 123D. The upper vibrator 123U is an eccentric motor. The lower vibrator 123D is a piezoelectric vibrator, but is not limited to this. The lower vibrator 123D may also be a linear resonant actuator.

The armrest 107 has an armrest vibrator 124 built in, which is used as a notification means. The armrest vibrator 124 mainly comprises a right vibrator 124R and a left vibrator 124L. The right vibrator 124R and the left vibrator 124L are eccentric motors, but are not limited to this. The right vibrator 124R and the left vibrator 124L may be piezoelectric vibrators or linear resonant actuators. The armrest vibrator 124 corresponds to an arm vibrator.

The ottoman 108 has an ottoman vibrating body 125 built in, which is used as a notification means. The ottoman vibrating body 125 mainly comprises a right vibrating body 125R and a left vibrating body 125L. The right vibrating body 125R and the left vibrating body 125L are eccentric motors, but are not limited to this. The right vibrating body 125R and the left vibrating body 125L may be piezoelectric vibrating bodies or linear resonant actuators. The ottoman vibrating body 125 corresponds to a leg vibrating body.
The seat cushion 1 is the same as that in the above-described embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a functional configuration of the vehicle seat S according to the embodiment will be described.
Fig. 15 shows a functional configuration of the vehicle seat S. As shown in Fig. 15, an external sensor 40, a slide position sensor 41, a rotation angle sensor 42, a reclining angle sensor 43, a biological information sensor 145, an audio-visual device 146, a seat cushion vibrator 21, a seat back vibrator 22, a head rest vibrator 123, an arm rest vibrator 124, an ottoman vibrator 125, and a speaker 44 are connected to a control device 130 that controls the vehicle seat S.
The external sensor 40, the slide position sensor 41, the rotation angle sensor 42, the reclining angle sensor 43, and the speaker 44 have the same configuration as in the above-described embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The biometric sensor 145 is a detection means capable of acquiring biometric information of the seated occupant. Specifically, the biometric sensor 145 is an acceleration sensor that detects the heartbeat and breathing of the seated occupant, thereby measuring the heart rate and breathing rate of the seated occupant. The biometric sensor 145 may also be a temperature sensor that measures the body temperature of the seated occupant. In this way, the biometric sensor 145 acquires and monitors the biometric information of the seated occupant, and when an abnormality is detected, a warning signal can be output according to a predetermined rule.
The biological information sensor 145 is built into the seat cushion 1, but is not limited to this. The biological information sensor 145 may be built into the seat back 2.

The audiovisual device 146 is an electronic device capable of playing and outputting music and video. The audiovisual device 146 has an audio output device and a display device, and plays back information recorded on a recording medium to output audio signals such as music from the audio output device and display video signals such as video on the display device.
The audiovisual device 146 may be an electronic device configured as an integral part of a navigation device mounted on the vehicle V, or may be configured as a separate device. The audiovisual device 146 may also be a portable terminal that can be carried by the seat occupant.

The seat cushion vibrator 21, the seat back vibrator 22, the headrest vibrator 123, the armrest vibrator 124, and the ottoman vibrator 125 are vibration notification means consisting of an eccentric motor and a piezoelectric vibrator, as described with reference to FIG. 14.

The vibration pattern determination unit 133 according to the second embodiment selects a vibration pattern for vibrating at least one of the armrest vibrators 124 in a predetermined order and with predetermined vibration parameters based on the position and posture of the seat body. Specifically, when it is determined that an approaching object is approaching from the left side of the vehicle V, for example, and the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the front of the vehicle V, the control device 130 vibrates the left vibrator 124L of the armrest vibrator 124. Also, when the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the rear of the vehicle V, the control device 130 vibrates the right vibrator 124R of the armrest vibrator 124. This makes it possible to direct the attention of the seat occupant to the left side of the vehicle V regardless of the rotation position of the seat body, and to alert the seat occupant to the approaching object approaching from the left side of the vehicle V.

The vibration pattern determination unit 133 according to the second embodiment selects a vibration pattern that vibrates at least one of the multiple ottoman vibrators 125 in a predetermined order and with predetermined vibration parameters based on the position and posture of the seat body. Specifically, when the control device 130 determines that an approaching object is approaching from the right side of the vehicle V, for example, and the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the front of the vehicle V, the control device 130 vibrates the right vibrator 125R out of the right vibrator 125R and the left vibrator 125L. When the vehicle seat S is in a rotation position facing the rear of the vehicle V, the control device 130 vibrates the left vibrator 125L. This makes it possible to direct the occupant's attention to the right side of the vehicle V regardless of the rotation position of the seat body, and to alert the occupant to the approaching object approaching from the right side.

In addition, each of the control devices 130 of the vehicle seats S installed in the vehicle V may receive input of setting information from passengers and perform a specific vibration alert based on the input setting information. To explain this with a specific example, assume that the vehicle V has multiple passengers with different destinations. The control device 130 built into each vehicle seat S receives the input of the destination from each passenger in advance. The control device 130 obtains the position information of the vehicle V from a navigation device configured integrally with the audio/video device 146, and determines whether the vehicle V has arrived within a predetermined distance from the destination of the seated person. When it is determined that the vehicle V has arrived within a predetermined distance from the destination of the seated person, the control device 130 performs a vibration alert for the seated person. This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary vibration alerts from being issued to other seated people.

Furthermore, when the control device 130 receives a complaint from a passenger of the vehicle V about other passengers, the control device 130 may perform a vibration alert to notify the other passengers of the complaint. The control devices 130 built into each vehicle seat S are mutually connected for communication and configured to be able to anonymously notify information related to the complaint. This allows the vibration body 20 to be used to notify that a complaint has been made by another passenger. This allows the seat occupant to deal with the complaint without being known by the other passengers.
In addition, the control device 130 may acquire passenger biometric information output by a biometric information sensor 145 built into the vehicle seat S, and based on the biometric information, issue a vibration alert to notify only predetermined occupants of an abnormality in the biometric information.

The control device 130 may also determine whether or not a vibration alert is required for each passenger based on previously input setting information. In other words, the control device 130 may store previously input setting information as setting history information, and generate a determination condition for determining whether or not a vibration alert is required based on the setting history information.

<Other Modifications>
In the above embodiment, the control device 30 is described as being built into the vehicle seat S, but the present invention is not limited to this. The control device 30 may be provided in the vehicle V and communicatively connected to electrical components built into the vehicle seat S to control the vehicle seat S.

In the above embodiment, the control device 30 has been described as performing vibration alerts using the vibrator 20, but the alert may be performed in combination with an alerting means other than the vibrator 20. As a specific example, the control device 30 may transmit an alert signal to a passenger's mobile device, and combine the vibration alert by the vibrator 20 with an alert by the mobile device. More specifically, the control device 30 notifies the mobile device of detailed information along with the vibration alert by the vibrator 20. Similarly, detailed information may be transmitted to a display device D provided in the vehicle V, and combined with an alert by the display device D.

Furthermore, when the vibration pattern is changed due to a change in the position or posture of the seat body, the control device 30 may transmit the change in the vibration pattern to the passenger's portable terminal or the display device D. By using the passenger's portable terminal or the display device D, it becomes possible to employ various notification means such as voice, text or image, and lighting.
In addition, when the control device 30 is unable to change the vibration pattern due to an abnormality in the device or the like, it may transmit a message to that effect to the passenger's mobile terminal or the display device D.

V Vehicle D Display device S Vehicle seat (vehicle seat)
F1 Seat cushion frame F2 Seat back frame F3 Headrest frame P1 Pad material P2 Pad material P3 Pad material Ps Slab T Cover material B Rotation shaft 1 Seat cushion (seat body)
2 Seat back (seat body)
3 Headrest (seat body)
4 Rail device (slide mechanism)
5 Rotation device (rotation mechanism)
6 Reclining device (reclining mechanism)
20 Vibrator 21 Seat cushion vibrator 21R Right vibrator 21L Left vibrator 22 Seat back vibrator 22RU Upper right vibrator 22RD Lower right vibrator 22LU Upper left vibrator 22LD Lower left vibrator 30 Control device 31 Acquisition unit 32 Situation recognition unit 33 Vibration pattern determination unit 34 Vibration control unit 40 External sensor 40RF Right front sensor 40RR Right rear sensor 40LF Left front sensor 40LR Left rear sensor 41 Slide position sensor 42 Rotation angle sensor 43 Reclining angle sensor 44 Speaker (audio output device)
44R Right speaker 44L Left speaker 107 Armrest 108 Ottoman 122C Central vibrator 123 Headrest vibrator 123U Upper vibrator 123D Lower vibrator 124 Armrest vibrator (arm vibrator)
124R: Right vibrator 124L: Left vibrator 125: Ottoman vibrator (leg vibrator)
125R Right vibrator 125L Left vibrator 130 Control device 133 Vibration pattern determination unit 145 Biometric information sensor 146 Audio/video device

Claims (10)

A vehicle seat including a seat body installed in a vehicle, a movable mechanism for changing a position and a posture of the seat body, a plurality of vibrating bodies provided on the seat body, and a control device for driving and controlling the plurality of vibrating bodies,
The plurality of vibrating bodies are built into the seat body at different positions in the seat front-rear direction and the seat width direction,
The control device selects a vibration notification pattern to notify an occupant by vibrating at least one of the multiple vibrators in a predetermined order and with predetermined vibration parameters based on the position and posture of the seat body, and drives and controls the vibrators. the movable mechanism has a rotation mechanism that changes a rotation position of the seat body around a vertical rotation axis,
2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the control device selects the vibration notification pattern based on a rotational position of the seat body. The rotation mechanism changes the seat body between a first rotation position facing the front of the vehicle and a second rotation position facing the rear of the vehicle;
the control device selects a first vibration notification pattern when the seat body is in the first rotation position, and selects a second vibration notification pattern when the seat body is in the second rotation position;
The vehicle seat according to claim 2, characterized in that the second vibration notification pattern is a vibration notification pattern that vibrates the vibrator located on the opposite side of the rotation axis to the vibrator that vibrates when the first vibration notification pattern is selected. The rotation mechanism changes the seat body between a first rotation position in which the seat body faces a front of the vehicle and a third rotation position in which the seat body faces a direction rotated 90 degrees in one rotation direction from the front of the vehicle,
the control device selects a first vibration notification pattern when the seat body is in the first rotation position, and selects a third vibration notification pattern when the seat body is in the third rotation position;
The vehicle seat according to claim 2, characterized in that the third vibration notification pattern selects a vibration notification pattern that vibrates the vibrator located 90 degrees rotated in the other rotation direction around the rotation axis relative to the vibrator that vibrates when the first vibration notification pattern is selected. the movable mechanism has a slide mechanism that changes a position of the seat body in the front-rear direction of the vehicle along a slide rail that extends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle,
2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the control device selects the vibration notification pattern based on a position of the seat body in a front-rear direction. The seat body has a seat cushion and a seat back,
the movable mechanism has a reclining mechanism that changes the position of the seat body between an upright position in which the seat back stands up relative to the seat cushion and a tilted position in which the seat back is tilted rearward at a predetermined tilt angle relative to the seat cushion,
2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the control device selects the vibration notification pattern based on the tilt angle. The seat body has left and right armrests,
The vibrator includes arm vibrators provided on the left and right armrests,
The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device selects the vibration notification pattern in which at least one of the left and right arm vibrators is vibrated in a predetermined order and with predetermined vibration parameters based on the position and posture of the seat body. The seat body has an ottoman,
The vibrating body includes a plurality of leg vibrating bodies provided on the ottoman,
The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device selects the vibration notification pattern in which at least one of the plurality of leg vibrators is vibrated in a predetermined order and with predetermined vibration parameters based on the position and posture of the seat body. The seat body has a headrest,
The headrest has a plurality of built-in audio output devices,
The vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device outputs an audio signal from the audio output device located in the same direction as at least one of the vibrators as seen by the seat occupant, based on the position and posture of the seat body. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the seat body includes a seat frame that forms the framework of the seat body, a padding material placed on the seat frame, and a skin material that covers the padding material.

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