JP2024070208A - Vehicle seat and manufacturing method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To give an alert to an occupant when a seat body is rotated in a vehicle seat having a rotary device.SOLUTION: A vehicle seat (1) includes: a seat body 10; a rotary device 11 which supports the seat body on a floor 7 in a manner that allows the vehicle body to rotate around a vertical axis (A); a display device provided at the seat body; and a control device 64 which controls the rotary device and the display device. The control device controls the display device according to an operation state of the rotary device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat and a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat.

Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle seat device that can rotate around a vertical axis relative to the floor. The vehicle seat device has a base portion that is attached to the floor via a slide device, a rotating portion that is attached to the seat cushion and rotatably supported by the base portion, and an electric actuator that rotates the rotating portion relative to the base portion.

JP 2020-132093 A

When the seat body is rotated by the rotation device, it is preferable that passengers seated in other seats be warned to avoid contact with the seat body.

In view of the above background, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle seat having a rotation device that alerts an occupant when the seat body rotates. It also provides a manufacturing method for a vehicle seat that alerts an occupant when the seat body rotates.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1), which includes a seat body (10), a rotation device (11) that supports the seat body on a floor (7) so that the seat body can rotate about a vertical axis, a display device provided on the seat body, and a control device (64) that controls the rotation device and the display device, and the control device controls the display device depending on the operating state of the rotation device.

According to this aspect, a vehicle seat having a rotation device can alert the occupant using a display device when the seat body is rotated.

In the above aspect, the control device may cause the display device to display the rotation direction of the seat body according to the rotation direction of the rotation device.

According to this aspect, the display device can display information according to the rotation direction of the seat body.

In the above aspect, the control device may cause the display device to display a first warning display indicating that the seat body will start rotating before the rotation device starts operating.

According to this aspect, the display device can alert the occupant that the seat body is about to start rotating.

In the above aspect, the seat body is provided with a sensor (72) that detects the position of an object around the seat body, and the control device estimates the possibility of a collision between the seat body and the object based on the position of the object obtained from the sensor, and when there is a possibility that the seat body will collide with the object, may cause the display device to display a second warning display indicating that the seat body will collide.

According to this aspect, the display device can warn the occupant that the seat body may collide with another object.

In the above aspect, the seat body may have a seat cushion (12) supported by the rotating device and a seat back (13) extending upward from the rear of the seat cushion, and the display device may include a first display device (54) provided on the rear surface of the seat back.

This aspect makes it possible to alert occupants behind the seat body.

In the above aspect, the first display device may have a plurality of light-emitting units (55) arranged in the left-right direction, and the control device may turn on the plurality of light-emitting units in sequence in the left-right direction according to the rotation direction of the rotation device.

This aspect makes it possible to communicate the seat rotation direction to an occupant positioned behind the seat body.

In the above aspect, the seat body may have a headrest (14) provided on the upper part of the seat back, and the display device may include a second display device (70) provided on the rear surface of the headrest.

This aspect makes it possible to alert occupants behind the seat body.

In the above aspect, the seat cushion has a central portion (12A) and left and right bank portions (12B) provided on the left and right of the central portion and protruding upward from the central portion, and the display device may include a third display device (71) provided on at least one of the left and right bank portions of the seat cushion.

This aspect makes it possible to alert occupants present to the sides of the seat body. In addition, occupants seated in the seat body can also check the direction of rotation.

In the above aspect, the third display device may be provided on the upper surface of the bank portion and extend in the front-rear direction.

This aspect makes it possible to alert occupants present to the sides of the seat body. In addition, occupants seated in the seat body can also check the direction of rotation.

In the above aspect, the seat body may have a cover (50) attached to the lower part of the seat cushion and arranged around the rotating device, and the display device may include a fourth display device (74) provided on the rear surface of the cover.

This aspect makes it possible to alert occupants behind the seat body.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat, which includes the steps of providing a display device on a seat body, supporting the seat body on a floor via a rotation device so that the seat body can rotate around a vertical axis, and providing the seat body with a control device that controls the display device depending on the operating state of the rotation device.

This aspect provides a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat that alerts the occupant when the seat body is rotated.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (1), which includes a seat body (10), a rotation device (11) that supports the seat body on a floor (7) so that the seat body can rotate about a vertical axis, a display device provided on the seat body, and a control device (64) that controls the rotation device and the display device, and the control device controls the display device depending on the operating state of the rotation device.

According to this aspect, a vehicle seat having a rotation device can alert the occupant using a display device when the seat body is rotated.

In the above aspect, the control device may cause the display device to display the rotation direction of the seat body according to the rotation direction of the rotation device.

According to this aspect, the display device can display information according to the rotation direction of the seat body.

In the above aspect, the control device may cause the display device to display a first warning display indicating that the seat body will start rotating before the rotation device starts operating.

According to this aspect, the display device can alert the occupant that the seat body is about to start rotating.

In the above aspect, the seat body is provided with a sensor (72) that detects the position of an object around the seat body, and the control device estimates the possibility of a collision between the seat body and the object based on the position of the object obtained from the sensor, and when there is a possibility that the seat body will collide with the object, may cause the display device to display a second warning display indicating that the seat body will collide.

According to this aspect, the display device can warn the occupant that the seat body may collide with another object.

In the above aspect, the seat body may have a seat cushion (12) supported by the rotating device and a seat back (13) extending upward from the rear of the seat cushion, and the display device may include a first display device (54) provided on the rear surface of the seat back.

This aspect makes it possible to alert occupants behind the seat body.

In the above aspect, the first display device may have a plurality of light-emitting units (55) arranged in the left-right direction, and the control device may turn on the plurality of light-emitting units in sequence in the left-right direction according to the rotation direction of the rotation device.

This aspect makes it possible to communicate the seat rotation direction to an occupant positioned behind the seat body.

In the above aspect, the seat body may have a headrest (14) provided on the upper part of the seat back, and the display device may include a second display device (70) provided on the rear surface of the headrest.

This aspect makes it possible to alert occupants behind the seat body.

In the above aspect, the seat cushion has a central portion (12A) and left and right bank portions (12B) provided on the left and right of the central portion and protruding upward from the central portion, and the display device may include a third display device (71) provided on at least one of the left and right bank portions of the seat cushion.

This aspect makes it possible to alert occupants present to the sides of the seat body. In addition, occupants seated in the seat body can also check the direction of rotation.

In the above aspect, the third display device may be provided on the upper surface of the bank portion and extend in the front-rear direction.

This aspect makes it possible to alert occupants present to the sides of the seat body. In addition, occupants seated in the seat body can also check the direction of rotation.

In the above aspect, the seat body may have a cover (50) attached to the lower part of the seat cushion and arranged around the rotating device, and the display device may include a fourth display device (74) provided on the rear surface of the cover.

This aspect makes it possible to alert occupants behind the seat body.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat, which includes the steps of providing a display device on a seat body, supporting the seat body on a floor via a rotation device so that the seat body can rotate around a vertical axis, and providing the seat body with a control device that controls the display device depending on the operating state of the rotation device.

This aspect provides a method for manufacturing a vehicle seat that alerts the occupant when the seat body is rotated.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a vehicle equipped with a seat according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sheet including a first display device; Cross-section of the rotating device FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of a seat including a first display device. A flow chart showing the procedure of rotation control executed by the control device. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing various displays on the first display device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modification of the first display device; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sheet including a second display device; FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sheet including a third display device. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control system of a seat including a third display device. FIG. 2 shows a second warning sign. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sheet including a fourth display device. A perspective view of a seat including a display Block diagram showing the seat control system including the display Diagram showing various displays on the display FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the second warning display shown on the display. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior having a seat; Plan view of a vehicle equipped with a seat including an air cell FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the rotation control executed by the control device; FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a modified example of the rotation control executed by the control device;

Below, an embodiment in which the vehicle seat according to the present invention is applied to an automobile seat 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, front/rear, left/right, and top/bottom are defined based on the vehicle 2 in which the seat 1 is installed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 2 has a vehicle body 3 and a passenger compartment 4 provided inside the vehicle body 3. The vehicle body 3 may have a known configuration, for example, a frame 5 of the vehicle 2 including side sills, and a door 6 for passengers to move between the outside and the passenger compartment 4. The seats 1 are provided on a floor 7 that defines the bottom of the passenger compartment 4. The floor 7 of the vehicle 2 is provided with a front right seat 1A, a front left seat 1B, a middle right seat 1C, a middle left seat 1D, and a rear seat 1E. The front right seat 1A, the front left seat 1B, the middle right seat 1C, and the middle left seat 1D are single-seat seats 1. The rear seat 1E is a two-seat seat 1. The front right seat 1A is a driver's seat. The front right seat 1A, the front left seat 1B, the middle right seat 1C, and the middle left seat 1D may have the same configuration. In the embodiment, the front left seat 1B will be described.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the seat 1 has a seat body 10 and a rotation device 11 that supports the seat body 10 on the floor 7 so that it can rotate around a vertical axis (axis A). The seat body 10 has a seat cushion 12 supported by the rotation device 11, and a seat back 13 that extends upward from the rear of the seat cushion 12. The seat body 10 also has a headrest 14 provided on an upper part of the seat back 13. The seat body 10 has a headrest 14 connected to an upper part of the seat back 13. The seat back 13 is supported by the seat cushion 12 so that it can rotate.

The seat 1 further includes a slide device 16 that supports the seat body 10 on the floor 7 so that the seat body 10 can move back and forth. The slide device 16 is connected to the floor 7. The rotation device 11 is provided above the slide device 16.

The seat cushion 12 has a central portion 12A and left and right bank portions 12B provided on the left and right of the central portion 12A and protruding upward from the central portion 12A. The seat cushion 12 has, for example, a seat cushion frame forming a skeleton, a seat cushion pad 19 supported by the seat cushion frame, and a skin material 20 covering the outer surface of the seat cushion pad 19. The seat cushion frame may have a known configuration having, for example, a pair of left and right seat cushion side members 21 (see FIG. 3), a front member connected to the front ends of the left and right seat cushion side members 21, and a rear member connected to the rear ends of the left and right seat cushion side members 21. The seat cushion 12 further has seat cushion side covers 22 that cover the left and right seat cushion side members 21 from the left and right outside, respectively. The seat cushion side covers 22 may be formed of, for example, a resin material.

The seat back 13 has a seat back frame forming the framework, a seat back pad 24 supported by the seat back frame, and a skin material 20 covering the outer surface of the seat back pad 24. The seat back frame may be of a known configuration having, for example, a pair of left and right seat back side members extending vertically, an upper member connected to the upper ends of the left and right seat back side members, and a lower member connected to the lower ends of the left and right seat back side members.

The seat back 13 further includes a seat back cover 25 provided at the rear of the seat back frame. The seat back cover 25 is joined to the rear of the seat back frame. The seat back cover 25 forms the outer surface of the rear of the seat back 13. The seat back cover 25 may be made of, for example, a resin material.

As shown in FIG. 3, the slide device 16 has a pair of left and right lower rails 27 extending forward and backward, and a pair of left and right upper rails 28 supported on each lower rail 27 so that they can slide forward and backward. The slide device 16 may be a known electric slide device having, for example, an electric motor provided on the upper rail 28, a screw thread rotatably connected to the electric motor, and a screw hole provided on the upper rail 28 that engages with the screw thread. Each lower rail 27 is connected to the floor 7 via the front and rear feet. Each upper rail 28 is connected to the rotation device 11.

The rotation device 11 has a base portion 29 provided on the floor 7 via the slide device 16, a rotation portion 30 provided on the seat cushion 12 via the seat cushion side member 21, and an electric actuator 31 that rotates the rotation portion 30 relative to the base portion 29. The rotation device 11 also has an angle sensor 32 (see FIG. 4) that detects the angle of the rotation portion 30 relative to the base portion 29. The angle sensor 32 may be, for example, a rotary encoder.

The base portion 29 has a base plate 33 whose faces face up and down and extend left and right. The base plate 33 has a disk-shaped center plate 34 located in the center in the left-right direction, and side plates 35 respectively connected to the left and right edges of the center plate 34. The base plate 33 may be formed from a metal plate. Each side plate 35 and the center plate 34 may be fastened with a bolt and a nut. In other embodiments, the center plate 34 and the left and right side plates 35 may be formed from a continuous metal plate.

A circular first bearing hole 36 is formed in the center of the center plate 34, penetrating it in the thickness direction. The first bearing hole 36 is centered on an axis A that extends vertically.

The left end of the base plate 33 is connected to the left upper rail 28. The right end of the base plate 33 is connected to the right upper rail 28. The base plate 33 is supported by the slide device 16 so that it can move back and forth relative to the floor 7.

The rotating part 30 has a rotating plate 37 rotatably supported on the upper surface of the base plate 33, and a fixed bracket 38 that connects the rotating plate 37 to the seat cushion 12. The rotating plate 37 and the fixed bracket 38 are formed from metal plates. The rotating plate 37 and the fixed bracket 38 are preferably fastened together with bolts and nuts.

The rotating plate 37 is formed in a disk shape with its surfaces facing up and down. The rotating plate 37 is supported on the upper surface of the center plate 34 via a bearing 39. The bearing 39 is formed in an annular shape centered on the axis A. The bearing 39 is disposed between the upper surface of the outer periphery of the center plate 34 and the lower surface of the outer periphery of the rotating plate 37. The bearing 39 is preferably a thrust bearing. In this embodiment, the bearing 39 is a ball bearing.

A circular second bearing hole 40 is formed in the center of the rotating plate 37, penetrating it in the thickness direction. The second bearing hole 40 is centered on the axis A. A support tube 41 is inserted into the first bearing hole 36 of the center plate 34 and the second bearing hole 40 of the rotating plate 37.

The fixed bracket 38 is formed in a plate shape with its surfaces facing up and down. When viewed from above, the fixed bracket 38 is preferably formed to be larger than the rotating plate 37. The fixed bracket 38 faces the left and right side plates 35 in the up and down direction. The fixed bracket 38 is connected to the left and right seat cushion side members 21 by fasteners such as bolts and nuts.

The electric actuator 31 has an electric motor 43. The electric motor 43 is connected to the underside of the center plate 34 by a motor case 44. The output shaft 43A of the electric motor 43 passes through the center plate 34 and extends upward.

A gear 45 centered on axis A is connected to the rotating plate 37. A pinion 46 that meshes with the gear 45 is provided on the output shaft 43A of the electric actuator 31. As a result, when the electric actuator 31 is driven, the rotating plate 37 rotates relative to the center plate 34.

2, the seat body 10 has a cover 50 attached to the lower part of the seat cushion 12 and arranged around the rotating device 11. The cover 50 has a lower cover 51 and an upper cover 52. The lower cover 51 may be connected to the fixed bracket 38 of the rotating part 30. The upper cover 52 may be connected to the side plate 35 of the base part 29. The lower cover 51 may be arranged around the base part 29 and the left and right upper rails 28 of the rotating device 11. The upper cover 52 may be arranged around the rotating part 30. The upper cover 52 is arranged rotatably relative to the lower cover 51 around the axis A. The lower cover 51 and the upper cover 52 may be formed, for example, from a resin material.

The seat body 10 is provided with a first display device 54. The first display device 54 is a device for visually informing the occupant of the state of the seat 1. The first display device 54 displays at least one of the following: the rotation direction of the seat body 10, the rotation speed of the seat body 10, the time when the seat body 10 starts to rotate, and the possibility of collision between the seat body 10 and a surrounding obstacle during rotation. The first display device 54 may be, for example, a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, or a display having multiple light-emitting elements such as LEDs. In this embodiment, the first display device 54 has multiple light-emitting elements 55 arranged in the left-right direction.

The first display device 54 has a casing 56 in which multiple light-emitting units 55 are provided. The casing 56 extends in the left-right direction. The multiple light-emitting units 55 are arranged side-by-side in the left-right direction on the rear surface of the casing 56.

The light-emitting section 55 may be of a known configuration having, for example, multiple light sources and a light-transmitting section that transmits light from the light sources. Each of the multiple light sources may have a different light-emitting color. Predetermined characters or symbols are formed on the light-transmitting section. When the light source emits light, the corresponding characters or symbols are illuminated. By combining the light-emitting color and the characters or symbols, the light-emitting section 55 visually communicates the state of the seat 1 to the occupant.

In this embodiment, seven light-emitting sections 55 are provided. Furthermore, the light-emitting sections 55 have two different light-emitting colors. One of the seven light-emitting sections 55 has a circle symbol 58. The remaining six light-emitting sections 55 have triangular symbols 59. Of the six triangular symbols 59, three triangular symbols 59 face to the right. The remaining three triangular symbols 59 face to the left. The circle symbol 58 is located in the center of the casing 56 in the left-right direction. The three triangular symbols 59 facing to the right are arranged in a row to the right of the circle symbol 58. The three triangular symbols 59 facing to the left are arranged in a row to the left of the circle symbol 58.

2, the first display device 54 is provided on the rear surface of the seat back 13. The first display device 54 may be provided so that symbols 58, 59 provided on the light-emitting portion 55 are exposed from an opening provided in the seat back cover 25. The first display device 54 may be provided on the seat back 13 by fitting a casing 56 into an opening in the seat back 13. Alternatively, the casing 56 may be connected to the left and right seat back side members. The symbols provided on the light-emitting portion 55 may be arranged on the same plane as the surface of the seat back cover 25. In this way, the symbols 58, 59 lit up by the light emitted by the light-emitting portion 55 can be seen by an occupant present behind the seat 1.

The seat 1 has a first input device 62 for receiving the operation of the rotation device 11. The first input device 62 may be, for example, a touch panel display or a mechanical switch. In this embodiment, the first input device 62 is a mechanical switch. The first input device 62 is provided on the right seat cushion side cover 22.

As shown in FIG. 4, the seat 1 further includes a control device 64 that controls the rotation device 11 and the first display device 54. In this embodiment, the first input device 62, the rotation device 11, and the first display device 54 are connected to the control device 64. The control device 64 is a computer that includes an arithmetic processing device (a processor such as a CPU or MPU) and a storage device (a memory such as a ROM or RAM) and is configured to execute various processes required for rotating the seat 1. The control device 64 being configured to execute various processes means that the arithmetic processing device (processor) that constitutes the control device 64 is programmed to read the necessary data and application software from the storage device (memory) in accordance with the operation input of the first input device 62, and execute the specified arithmetic processing in accordance with the software.

Returning to FIG. 2, the first input device 62 has a right rotation switch 62A for rotating the seat body 10 to the right, and a left rotation switch 62B for rotating the seat body 10 to the left. When the right rotation switch 62A is pressed by the occupant, the first input device 62 outputs a right rotation signal for rotating the seat body 10 to the right by a predetermined angle to the control device 64. When the left rotation switch 62B is pressed by the occupant, the first input device 62 outputs a left rotation signal for rotating the seat body 10 to the left by a predetermined angle to the control device 64. The predetermined angle may be 90 degrees.

A method for manufacturing the vehicle seat 1 configured as above will now be described.

First, the seat body 10 is prepared. The seat cushion pad 19 and the seat back pad 24 are attached to the corresponding frames. Specifically, the seat cushion pad 19 is placed over the seat cushion frame from above. The seat back pad 24 is placed over the seat back frame from the front. The cover material 20 is then placed over each of the pads 19, 24 and each of the frames.

The first display device 54 is attached to the seat back cover 25. Specifically, the first display device 54 may be fitted into a preformed opening in the seat back cover 25 from the rear side of the seat back cover 25. With the first display device 54 attached, the seat back cover 25 is placed over the rear of the seat back frame. The seat cushion side covers 22 are placed over the corresponding seat cushion side members 21 from the outside, left and right. In this manner, the seat body 10 with the first display device 54 attached is prepared.

Next, the control device 64 is attached to the seat body 10. The control device 64 may be attached to the seat cushion frame or the seat back frame.

Next, the seat body 10 is attached to the floor 7. Specifically, the rotation device 11 is first attached to the seat body 10. The fixing brackets 38 of the rotation device 11 are preferably connected to the seat cushion side members 21 of the left and right seat cushion frames by fasteners such as bolts and nuts.

Then, the sliding device 16 is attached to the rotating device 11. Specifically, the left end of the base plate 33 of the rotating device 11 is preferably coupled to the upper rail 28 on the left side of the sliding device 16. The right end of the base plate 33 of the rotating device 11 is preferably coupled to the upper rail 28 on the right side of the sliding device 16.

Next, the slide device 16 is attached to the floor 7. Specifically, the lower rail 27 of the slide device 16 is attached to the floor 7. In this way, the seat body 10 is supported by the floor 7.

The first display device 54, the rotation device 11 and the slide device 16 are then connected to the control device 64.

The procedure for supporting the seat body 10 on the floor 7 is not limited to the above. For example, the rotation device 11 may be attached to the seat body 10, and the slide device 16 may be attached to the floor 7. The rotation device 11 and the slide device 16 may then be coupled. The rotation device 11 may also be attached to the floor 7 via the slide device 16. The seat body 10 may then be attached to the rotation device 11. The control device 64 may be attached to the seat body 10 after the seat body 10 is attached to the floor 7.

5 and 6, when the control device 64 receives a rotation signal from the first input device 62, it executes rotation control of the rotation device 11 that rotates the seat body 10. The control device 64 also controls the first display device 54 according to the operating state of the rotation device 11. As shown in FIG. 5, first, the control device 64 causes the first display device 54 to display a first warning display indicating that the seat body 10 will start rotating (ST1). The first warning display may be displayed for a predetermined time. The predetermined time may be, for example, about one second to three seconds. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6(A), when the control device 64 receives a right rotation signal to rotate the seat body 10 right from the first input device 62, the first warning display is displayed by lighting a circle symbol 58 and three right-facing triangular symbols 59. The light emission color may be one of two colors. By causing the first display device 54 to display the first warning display before the rotation device 11 starts operating, the first display device 54 can alert the occupant that the seat body 10 will start rotating.

Next, the control device 64 causes the first display device 54 to display the rotation direction of the seat body 10 according to the rotation direction of the rotation device 11. In this embodiment, the control device 64 causes the first display device 54 to display a rotation display in which the multiple light-emitting parts 55 are turned on in the left-right direction in sequence (ST2). The rotation display may be displayed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the first warning display was displayed. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the right rotation display representing the right rotation of the seat body 10 is displayed by turning on three right-facing triangular symbols 59 in the order of proximity to the circle symbol 58. After turning on the triangular symbol 59 furthest from the circle symbol 58, the control device 64 may turn on the triangular symbol 59 closest to the circle symbol 58. The light emission color may be the same as the color used for the first warning display. This allows the first display device 54 to display according to the right rotation of the seat body 10. Therefore, the rotation direction of the seat 1 can be conveyed to the occupant behind the seat body 10.

After the predetermined time during which the first warning display is displayed has elapsed, the control device 64 rotates the electric motor 43 of the rotation device 11 in the corresponding rotation direction (ST3). That is, when the control device 64 receives a right rotation signal from the first input device 62, it rotates the electric motor 43 to rotate the seat body 10 to the right. When the control device 64 receives a left rotation signal from the first input device 62, it rotates the electric motor 43 to rotate the seat body 10 to the left.

When the control device 64 determines based on the angle sensor 32 that the rotation angle of the seat body 10 has reached a predetermined angle (the determination result of ST4 is Yes), it stops the rotation display (ST5). The angle sensor 32 may detect the rotation angle of the seat body 10 based on the state before the seat body 10 rotates. The predetermined angle may be, for example, about 70 degrees to 80 degrees.

After the rotation display is stopped, the control device 64 causes the first display device 54 to display a stop display indicating that the execution of the rotation control is stopped (ST6). The stop display may be displayed for a predetermined time. The predetermined time may be about 1 to 3 seconds. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6C, the stop display is displayed by lighting a circle symbol 58. The light color may be the same as the color used for the first caution display and the right rotation display. When the control device 64 determines based on the angle sensor 32 that the rotation angle of the seat body 10 has reached 90 degrees (the determination result of ST7 is Yes), it stops the rotation of the electric motor 43 (ST8). This allows the first display device 54 to alert the occupant that the rotation control (rotation of the seat body 10) is stopped.

When the control device 64 receives a left rotation signal from the first input device 62, the first caution indication may be displayed by lighting the circle symbol 58 and the three triangular symbols 59 facing left. The left rotation indication, which indicates the left rotation of the seat body 10, may be displayed by lighting the three triangular symbols 59 facing left in order of proximity to the circle symbol 58. After lighting the triangular symbol 59 furthest from the circle symbol 58, the control device 64 may light the triangular symbol 59 closest to the circle symbol 58. The stop indication may be displayed by lighting the circle symbol 58. The light color of each indication in the left rotation control may be the same as the light color used for each indication in the right rotation control.

As described above, the control device 64 can alert the occupant present behind the seat body 10 by displaying the first warning display, rotation display, and stop display on the first display device 54 depending on the rotation status of the seat body 10.

The number and symbols of the light-emitting units 55 may be changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, four arrow symbols 68 pointing to the right are arranged in a row to the right of a circle symbol 58 located in the center of the casing 56. Furthermore, four arrow symbols 68 pointing to the left are arranged in a row to the left of the circle symbol 58. The control device 64 may light up the arrow symbols 68 pointing to the right in each display of the right rotation control. Furthermore, the control device 64 may light up the arrow symbols 68 pointing to the left in each display of the left rotation control. This makes it possible to more clearly communicate the direction in which the seat body 10 is rotating to an occupant behind the seat body 10.

The position of the display device may be changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the display device may have a second display device 70 provided on the rear surface of the headrest 14. The configuration of the second display device 70 is similar to that of the first display device 54. The second display device 70 may be provided on the headrest 14 with the casing 56 housed in a recess provided in the pad of the headrest 14. The light-emitting unit 55 may be provided so as to be exposed from an opening provided in the covering material 20 of the headrest 14. This makes it possible to alert occupants present behind the seat body 10.

9, the display device may have a third display device 71 provided on at least one of the left and right bank portions 12B of the seat cushion 12. The configuration of the third display device 71 is the same as that of the first display device 54. The third display device 71 is provided on the upper surface of the bank portion 12B and extends in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, of the six triangular symbols 59, the three triangular symbols 59 arranged in a row in front of the circle symbol 58 face forward. The remaining three triangular symbols 59 arranged in a row behind the circle symbol 58 face backward. The third display device 71 may be provided on the bank portion 12B with the casing 56 housed in a recess provided in the seat cushion pad 19. The light-emitting portion 55 may be provided so as to be exposed from an opening provided in the cover material 20 of the seat cushion 12.

The right rotation display, which indicates a right rotation of the seat body 10, may be displayed by lighting three rearward-facing triangular symbols 59 in the order closest to the circle symbol 58. The left rotation display, which indicates a left rotation of the seat body 10, may be displayed by lighting three forward-facing triangular symbols 59 in the order closest to the circle symbol 58. This makes it possible to alert occupants present to the side of the seat body 10. Also, occupants seated in the seat body 10 can confirm the direction of rotation.

The seat body 10 may be provided with a distance sensor 72 that detects the position of an object around the seat body 10. The distance sensor 72 is provided at the front end of the left and right seat cushion side covers 22. The distance sensor 72 may be, for example, a radar sensor, a sonar sensor, a capacitance sensor, a camera, or the like. In this embodiment, the distance sensor 72 is a sonar sensor.

As shown in FIG. 10, the distance sensor 72 is connected to the control device 64. The distance sensor 72 emits ultrasonic waves to a predetermined range around the seat body 10 and receives waves reflected by an object. The distance sensor 72 detects the presence or absence of a three-dimensional object and the distance to the three-dimensional object based on the time from transmission to reception of the ultrasonic waves, and transmits the detection result to the control device 64.

When the control device 64 receives a rotation signal from the first input device 62, it executes rotation control of the rotation device 11 that rotates the seat body 10. First, the control device 64 estimates the possibility of a collision between the seat body 10 and an object based on the position of the object acquired from the distance sensor 72. When the control device 64 detects an object inside the rotation trajectory of the seat body 10 when the seat body 10 rotates, it is preferable to estimate that there is a possibility of a collision between the seat body 10 and the object. When the control device 64 determines that there is a possibility of a collision between the seat body 10 and the object, it causes the third display device 71 to display a second warning display indicating that the seat body 10 will collide. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the second warning display is displayed by lighting the circle symbol 58. At this time, the light emission color may be the other light emission color different from the light emission color used for the first warning display, the rotation display, and the stop display. This allows the third display device 71 to alert the occupant that the seat body 10 may collide with another object. If the control device 64 determines that there is no possibility of a collision between the seat body 10 and an object, the control device 64 may execute the rotation control described above.

The distance sensor 72 allows the display device to warn the occupant that the seat body 10 may collide with another object.

The position of the display device may be further changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the display device may have a fourth display device 74 provided on the rear surface of the cover 50 arranged around the rotation device 11. The configuration of the fourth display device 74 is similar to that of the first display device 54. The fourth device may be provided so that the light-emitting portion 55 is exposed from an opening provided in the upper cover 52. The fourth display device 74 can alert the occupant present behind the seat body 10.

As shown in FIG. 13, the display device may be a display 75 such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display 75 may be disposed at the bottom of the seat back cover 25. A seat icon 76 having a shape of the seat body 10 as viewed from above may be displayed in the center of the display 75. Distance sensors 72 that detect the positions of objects around the seat body 10 are provided at the front and rear ends of the left and right seat cushion side members 21.

The seat 1 has a second input device 78 for receiving the operation of the slide device 16. In this embodiment, the second input device 78 is a mechanical switch. The second input device 78 is provided on the right seat cushion side cover 22. The second input device 78 has a forward movement switch 78A for moving the seat body 10 forward, and a rearward movement switch 78B for moving the seat body 10 rearward.

As shown in FIG. 14, the distance sensor 72, the first input device 62, the second input device 78, the rotation device 11, and the slide device 16 are connected to the control device 64. The second input device 78 outputs a forward movement signal to the control device 64 while the forward movement switch 78A is pressed by the occupant. The second input device 78 also outputs a rearward movement signal to the control device 64 while the rearward movement switch 78B is pressed by the occupant.

In the first warning display, which indicates that the seat body 10 is about to start rotating, two arrow icons 79 indicating the direction of rotation may be displayed on both sides of the seat icon 76 on the display 75. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the seat body 10 is rotated left, the first warning display may display an arrow icon 79 pointing upward and left on the right side of the display 75, and an arrow icon 79 pointing downward and right on the left side of the display 75.

The rotation indication, which indicates that the seat body 10 is rotating, may be displayed by a flashing arrow icon 79 displayed on both the left and right sides of the seat icon 76.

In the second warning display, which indicates that there is a possibility that the seat body 10 may collide with an object, a collision danger icon 80 may be displayed on the display 75. The second warning display may indicate the location of the possibility of collision between the seat body 10 and the object, depending on the position of the collision danger icon 80 displayed on the display 75. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when there is a possibility of collision between the seat body 10 and an object in front and to the left of the seat body 10, the collision danger icon 80 may be displayed on the upper and left side of the display 75.

The stop indication, which indicates that the rotation of the seat body 10 is complete, may be displayed by turning off the arrow icons 79 displayed on both the left and right sides of the seat icon 76.

The control device 64 may execute movement control to move the seat body 10 based on a signal from the second input device 78. At this time, the control device 64 may display a third caution display on the display 75, indicating that the seat body 10 is about to start moving. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when the seat body 10 is moved rearward, the third caution display may display an arrow icon 81 pointing downward on the lower side of the display 75. The movement display indicating that the seat body 10 is moving may be displayed by the blinking of the arrow icon 81 displayed on the lower side of the display 75. The movement stop display indicating that the movement of the seat body 10 is complete may be displayed by the extinguishing of the arrow icon 81 displayed on the lower side of the display 75.

The shape of the display 75 and the second warning indication indicating that the seat body 10 may collide with an object may be changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the display 75 may be formed in a shape that is long in the left-right direction. The second warning indication may inform the occupant of the possibility of the seat body 10 colliding with an object, as well as the approximate position of the object that may collide with the seat body 10, and that the seat body 10 will not rotate. The second warning indication may be displayed, for example, by lighting a rotation prohibition icon 82 indicating that the rotation of the seat body 10 is prohibited and multiple arrow icons 83 in addition to the collision danger icon 80. The arrow icons 83 may be icons for visually informing the occupant of the positional relationship between the seat body 10 and an object that may collide with the seat body 10.

The no-rotation icon 82 is located in the center of the left-right direction of the display 75. The no-rotation icon 82 may be formed by including the letters "NG" within a circular symbol.

The collision risk icon 80 may indicate the position of an object that may collide with the seat body 10 relative to the seat body 10. When the object that may collide is to the right of the seat body 10, the collision risk icon 80 may be displayed to the right of the rotation prohibition icon 82. When the object that may collide is to the left of the seat body 10, the collision risk icon 80 may be displayed to the left of the rotation prohibition icon 82.

The arrow icon 83 may be displayed between the rotation prohibition icon 82 and the collision danger icon 80. The number of arrow icons 79 displayed may be changed according to the distance between the seat body 10 and an object that may collide with the seat body 10 based on the distance sensor 72. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, when an object that may collide with the seat body 10 is located far from the seat body 10, three arrow icons 79 may be displayed between the rotation prohibition icon 82 and the collision danger icon 80. These allow the occupant to grasp the approximate position of the object that may collide with the seat body 10.

In this embodiment, the display device is provided on the seat body 10, but it may be provided on any other structure provided around the seat body 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the display 75 may be provided on an instrument panel 84, a door trim 85, a rear side trim 86, or a roof 87 (ceiling). The display 75 may display seat icons 76 corresponding to figures of each of the multiple seats 1 viewed from above. When a specific seat 1 rotates or moves, various displays may be displayed on the corresponding seat icon 76. This allows the occupant to recognize the state of each seat 1.

As shown in FIG. 18, the seat body 10 may be provided with a support portion for supporting the posture of a seated occupant while the seat body 10 is rotating. In this embodiment, the support portion is a plurality of air cells 88 that are inflated by the supply of air. The inflated air cells 88 press against the occupant seated on the seat 1. The air cells 88 are provided on the left and right bank portions 12B and on the left and right sides of the seat back 13. The upper portions of the air cells 88 provided on the bank portions 12B inflate upward and inwardly to the left and right when air is supplied. The front portions of the air cells 88 provided on the seat back 13 inflate forward and inwardly to the left and right when air is supplied. The air cells 88 may be connected to the control device 64 via a supply device (not shown) that supplies air to the air cells 88.

As shown in FIG. 19, the control device 64 may inflate the air cells 88 in response to the rotation of the seat body 10. As shown in FIG. 19(A), the control device 64 does not inflate the air cells 88 when it does not receive a rotation signal from the first input device 62. When the control device 64 receives a predetermined rotation signal from the first input device 62, it executes the corresponding rotation control. For example, as shown in FIG. 19(B), when executing the left rotation control, the control device 64 starts the inflation of two air cells 88 provided on the right side of the bank portion 12B and the right side of the seat back 13. As shown in FIG. 19(C), the control device 64 rotates the seat body 10 left after starting the inflation of the two air cells 88. During the rotation of the seat body 10, the control device 64 may increase the size of the two air cells 88 on the right side as the rotation angle of the seat body 10 increases. As shown in FIG. 19(D), the control device 64 stops the inflation of the two air cells 88 provided on the right side when the rotation of the seat body 10 ends. As shown in FIG. 19(E), when the rotation of the seat body 10 is complete, it is preferable that all of the air cells 88 are de-inflated.

As described above, when the control device 64 rotates the seat body 10, it inflates the air cell 88 on the opposite side to the rotation direction of the seat body 10. As a result, the air cell 88 supports the posture of the occupant seated in the seat body 10 so that the occupant does not lean to the opposite side to the rotation direction of the seat body 10 when the seat body 10 starts to rotate or during rotation.

In another embodiment, the control device 64 may inflate the air cell 88 on the same side as the rotation direction of the seat body 10 when the rotation of the seat body 10 is completed. In this way, when the rotation of the seat body 10 is completed, the air cell 88 supports the posture of the occupant seated in the seat body 10 so that the occupant does not lean to the same side as the rotation direction of the seat body 10.

The arrangement of the air cells 88 may be changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the seat body 10 has corresponding armrests 90 provided on both the left and right sides of the seat back 13. The armrests 90 may have a known configuration having an armrest frame forming a framework, an armrest pad supported by the armrest frame, and a covering material 20 covering the outer surface of the armrest pad. Air cells 88 are also provided in the left and right armrests 90. The left and right inner parts of the air cells 88 provided in the armrests 90 inflate left and right inward when air is supplied.

As shown in FIG. 20(A), when the control device 64 does not receive a rotation signal from the first input device 62, the control device 64 does not inflate the air cells 88. As shown in FIG. 20(B), when the control device 64 executes, for example, left rotation control, the control device 64 starts inflating the three air cells 88 provided on the right side of the bank portion 12B, the right side of the seat back 13, and the right side of the armrest 90. As shown in FIG. 20(C), the control device 64 starts inflating the three air cells 88 on the right side, and then rotates the seat body 10 to the left. As shown in FIG. 20(D), when the rotation of the seat body 10 is completed, the control device 64 stops the inflation of the three air cells 88 on the right side. As shown in FIG. 20(E), when the rotation of the seat body 10 is completed, it is preferable that the inflation of all the air cells 88 is released.

In another embodiment, the support unit may be a device that pushes the seatback pad 24 forward. For example, the support unit may have a movable frame that is rotatably supported on the seatback frame, and a motor that rotates the movable frame. When the movable frame rotates forward, the seatback pad 24 protrudes forward, pushing the side of the occupant forward. The support unit may also be an air cylinder provided between the seatback frame and the seatback pad 24. When the air cylinder extends forward, the seatback pad 24 protrudes forward, pushing the side of the occupant forward.

The support portion may be an armrest 90. The armrest 90 may have a known configuration, for example, including a rotation mechanism for rotating the armrest relative to the seat back 13 and an armrest angle sensor for detecting the angle of the armrest 90 relative to the seat back 13. The rotation mechanism and the armrest angle sensor may be connected to the control device 64. When executing the rotation control, the control device 64 may rotate the rotation mechanism based on the armrest angle sensor so that the armrest 90 is in a position extending in the horizontal direction. At this time, the control device 64 may rotate the rotation mechanism of the armrest 90 on the opposite side to the rotation direction of the seat body 10. As a result, the armrest 90 supports the posture of the occupant seated in the seat body 10 so that the occupant does not lean to the opposite side to the rotation direction of the seat body 10 while the seat body 10 is rotating.

Although the description of the specific embodiment is finished above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be widely modified and implemented. For example, the display device may be provided in a plurality of combinations on the seat 1, including the first display device 54, the second display device 70, the third display device 71, the fourth display device 74, and the display 75. A speed sensor for detecting the rotation speed of the seat body 10 may be connected to the control device 64. The control device 64 may set the rotation speed of the seat body 10 at the start of rotation to be smaller than the rotation speed of the seat body 10 during rotation based on the speed sensor. The first input device 62 may have a plurality of speed switches for changing the rotation speed of the seat body 10. Furthermore, a weight sensor for detecting the weight applied to the seat cushion 12 may be connected to the control device 64. The control device 64 may change the rotation speed of the seat body 10 according to the weight of the occupant seated on the seat body 10 or the weight of the baggage loaded on the seat body 10. When the weight sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control device 64 may display a warning display for prohibiting the rotation of the seat body 10 on the display device.

1: Seat (vehicle seat)
7: Floor 10: Seat body 11: Rotation device 12: Seat cushion 12A: Central portion 12B: Bank portion 13: Seat back 14: Headrest 50: Cover 54: First display device 55: Light-emitting portion 64: Control device 70: Second display device 71: Third display device 72: Distance sensor 74: Fourth display device A: Axis (vertical axis)

Claims (11)

A vehicle seat,
A seat body,
a rotation device that supports the seat body on a floor so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis;
A display device provided on the seat body;
A control device for controlling the rotation device and the display device,
The control device controls the display device in accordance with an operating state of the rotation device. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the control device causes the display device to display the rotation direction of the seat body according to the rotation direction of the rotation device. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the control device causes the display device to display a first warning display indicating that the seat body will start rotating before the rotation device starts operating. The seat body is provided with a sensor that detects the position of an object around the seat body,
2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the control device estimates the possibility of a collision between the seat body and the object based on the position of the object obtained from the sensor, and when there is the possibility that the seat body will collide with the object, causes the display device to display a second warning display indicating that the seat body will collide. The seat body includes a seat cushion supported by the rotation device and a seat back extending upward from a rear portion of the seat cushion,
5. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the display device includes a first display device provided on a rear surface of the seat back. The first display device has a plurality of light-emitting units arranged in a left-right direction,
The vehicle seat according to claim 5 , wherein the control device sequentially lights up the plurality of light emitting portions in the left-right direction in accordance with a rotation direction of the rotation device. The seat body has a headrest provided on an upper portion of the seat back,
The vehicle seat according to claim 5 , wherein the display device includes a second display device provided on a rear surface of the headrest. The seat cushion has a central portion and left and right bank portions provided on the left and right of the central portion and protruding upward relative to the central portion,
The vehicle seat according to claim 5 , wherein the display device includes a third display device provided on at least one of the left and right bank portions of the seat cushion. The vehicle seat according to claim 8, wherein the third display device is provided on the upper surface of the bank portion and extends in the front-rear direction. the seat body has a cover attached to a lower part of the seat cushion and disposed around the rotating device,
The vehicle seat according to claim 5 , wherein the display device includes a fourth display device provided on a rear surface of the cover. A method for manufacturing a vehicle seat, comprising:
A step of providing a display device on a seat main body;
a step of supporting the seat body on a floor via a rotation device so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis;
and providing the seat body with a control device that controls the display device in accordance with an operating state of the rotation device.

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