JP2750943B2 - Power seat side support control method and side support control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a power seat side support control for controlling a side support operation by driving a motor in accordance with a driving situation to prevent a seated person from losing a posture. A method and a side support controller.

[Conventional technology]

For example, there is provided a side support device for preventing a seated posture of a seated person from being distorted in a side direction and maintaining a stable seated posture, and is mounted on a driver seat or the like of an automobile.

The side support device includes, for example, a pair of side supports disposed on both sides of the seat back, and the side support presses the upper body of the occupant from the side to regulate the movement of the upper body, thereby changing the sitting posture of the occupant. It is configured to be supported forcibly.

Here, if the side support constantly presses the upper body of the seated person from the side, the freedom of the upper body is lost, the ride comfort is impaired, and it is not easy to get on and off,
There is a fear that fatigue or the like may occur. Therefore, for example, the side support is normally set at the getting on / off position (open position) away from the occupant, and is automatically moved to the support position by driving the motor only when a predetermined condition is met. Have been.

As a side support control method for controlling the operation of the side support, for example, with the lateral acceleration as a parameter, when a lateral acceleration equal to or greater than a preset reference value is detected,
There is known a configuration in which a motor is driven to swing a side support from an open position to a support position. In such a configuration, for example, when a lateral acceleration equal to or more than a reference value acts on a seat or the like during a curve running or the like, the side support automatically moves to the support position to support the upper body of the seated person. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occupant's upper body from collapsing at the time of running on a curve or the like, and to ensure the safety of the occupant, particularly, the driver.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in the known side support control device, after the side support moves from the open position to the support position, when the lateral acceleration falls below the reference value and a predetermined hold time elapses, the side support is returned to the open position. ing. In other words, for example, on a curved road that is repeatedly curved left and right, such as a mountain road, the lateral support is detected at each curve, the side support swings to the support position, and the side support opens each time the vehicle crosses the curve. Returned to position.

For this reason, when the vehicle travels on a curve repeatedly, the side support repeatedly opens and closes frequently, which is bothersome for the occupant, and is not appropriate in terms of safe driving and psychological fatigue.

An object of the present invention is to provide a power seat side support control method and a side support control device that prevent frequent opening and closing operations of a side support.

[Means for solving the problem]

In order to achieve this object, according to the power seat side support control method of the present invention, two types of short and long hold times are stored in advance as hold times by the side support. When the lateral acceleration equal to or greater than the reference value is continuously detected for the reference time or more, the side support swings to the support position,
The side support is held in the support position until a short hold time elapses. In addition, intermittent lateral acceleration equal to or higher than the reference value occurs multiple times within a predetermined time,
For example, when the detection is performed twice, the hold time of the side support can be switched from a short hold time to a long hold time.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the power seat side support control device 10 according to the present invention
12, a lateral acceleration detecting means 16, and a central processing unit 18 are provided, and the swing of the side support can be controlled by driving the motor.

Generally, a DC geared motor can be used as the motor 14, and the motor is mounted on, for example, a drive mechanism (not shown) for operating the side support 12. The motor 14 has relay contacts RL1a and RL2a as shown in FIG.
Through, for example, connected to the car battery,
It is driven in a corresponding direction by an applied voltage from the battery accompanying the switching of the relay contact. Note that the drive mechanism of the side support 12 has a known configuration, and is not the purpose of the present invention, and thus will not be described in detail.

The side supports 12 are disposed, for example, on both sides of the seat back 22 of the seat 20, and have a support position for preventing the occupant's posture from being distorted by driving the motor 14, and an open position (alighting position) separated from the occupant. (See FIG. 3). The side support 12 is normally located at the open position, and is held at the support position for a predetermined time according to the detected lateral acceleration, as described later. In the open position of the side support 12, a seated person gets on and off the vehicle.

Here, as can be seen from FIG. 3, the support position of the side support 12 is, for example, a soft support position located inside the open position,
It is divided into two positions, a hard support position located further inside the soft support position. In the soft support position, the pushing force on the upper body of the occupant by the side support 12 is not so large,
It is usually used when traveling on a curve on a city road or the like. In the hard support position, the side support 12 exerts a large pressing force on the upper body of the occupant, and the upper body of the occupant is supported under a strong holding force. The hard support position is usually used on a mountain road where a large curve is continuous.

The support position of the side support 12 is selected by, for example, the select switch 24. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, a self-holding push switch can be used as the select switch 24. The select switch includes a soft mode for setting the side support 12 to a soft support position and a hard mode for setting the side support 12 to a hard support position. The mode can be switched. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
24 is connected to the central processing unit 18, and is formed so that, for example, a soft mode is set when the contacts are non-conductive, and a hard mode is set when the contacts are conductive.

The select switch 24 is a seated person (driver)
2, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, on the side of the seat cushion 26 or the like. However, the position is not limited to this as long as the position can be operated by a seated person, and the position is not limited to this.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lateral acceleration detecting means 16 for detecting the lateral acceleration of the seat 20 is connected to the central processing unit 18. As the lateral acceleration detecting means 16, for example, a tilt switch for detecting the tilt of the sheet 20 due to the action of the lateral acceleration, such as a mercury switch, can be used. The tilt switch is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As described above, the seat 20 is disposed at a position where the inclination of the seat 20 can be detected, for example, at the bottom surface of the seat cushion 26.

Here, in such a configuration, for example, the lateral acceleration detecting means (inclination switch) 16 is configured so as to be turned on when a lateral acceleration equal to or more than the reference value acts on the seat 20, and is provided on a normal flat road. Is turned off when the vehicle is traveling, when a lateral acceleration less than the reference value is applied, or the like. The reference value of the lateral acceleration to the seat 20 is, for example, about 0.25G.For example, when a vehicle is traveling on a curve, an acceleration equal to or more than the reference value of 0.25G acts on the seat 20, and the inclination switch 16 is turned on. The detection signal is output to the central processing unit 18.

The central processing unit 18 is formed with a microcomputer 28, which is configured to process an input according to a stored program and generate an appropriate control signal. The control signal is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
For example, the signal is output to the relay driver 30, and one of the relays RL1 and RL2 is energized by the relay driver.
Then, by switching the relay contacts RL1a and RL2a corresponding to the energized relay of the relays RL1 and RL2,
The drive of the motor 14 is controlled.

Here, the central processing unit 16 is configured to operate the relay driver 30 only when the detection signal from the tilt switch 16 is input for a reference time or more. That is, even if a lateral acceleration equal to or greater than the reference value acts on the seat 20, if the lateral acceleration is shorter than the reference time, the relay driver 30 does not operate and the motor 14 does not drive. The reference time is, for example, about 0.1 second.

For example, when a lateral acceleration equal to or more than the reference value (0.25 G) acts on the open position of the side support 12 and a detection signal from the tilt switch 16 is output to the central processing unit 18 for a reference time (0.1 second) or more, the central processing is performed. The signal from the unit activates the relay driver 30 and energizes the relay RL1. Then, the relay contact RL of the relay RL1
1a is switched, for example, the motor 14 rotates forward, the side support 12 swings inward from the open position, and is set to the soft support position or the hard support position. Then, after the lateral acceleration falls below the reference value, for example, the side support 12 is held at the support position for a predetermined short hold time, and after the elapse of the hold time, the motor is stopped.
With the reversal of 14, the side support is returned from the support position to the open position. The short hold time is, for example, about 4 seconds.

Here, in the present invention, for example, when an intermittent lateral acceleration of 0.25 G or more that has continued for 0.1 second or more is detected twice within a predetermined time from the first detection of the lateral acceleration,
The hold time by the side support is switched to a preset long hold time together with a short hold time. The predetermined time from the first detection of the lateral acceleration is, for example, about 20 seconds. The long hold time is, for example, about 60 seconds.

Here, open position of side support 12, 2
The position support position is detected by, for example, the position detection means 32, and the side support is set to each position by stopping the motor 14 at each position. As shown in FIG. 1, the position detecting means 32 detects, for example, the swing limit position of the side support 12 and limits the swing range.
4, 35, and a position switch 36 for detecting a soft support position within the swing range.
As shown in FIG. 2, the position detecting means 32 is provided, for example, at a position where the swing of the side support 12 can be monitored.

As shown in FIG. 1, for example, an automatic reset type push type switch can be used as each of the limit switches 34 and 35, and each limit switch has a side support.
Twelve swing limit positions, that is, an open position and a hard support position are provided so as to be detectable. The limit switch 34 is turned off when the side support 12 reaches the hard support position, and the limit switch 35 is turned off when the side support 12 reaches the open position.

For example, when the hard mode is selected by the select switch 24, when the side support 12 swings from the open position and reaches the hard support position and the limit switch 34 is turned off, the supply current to the relay RL1 is cut off, and the relay RL1 is turned off. Is energized. Then relay R
With the bias of L1, the relay contact RL1a is switched,
The motor 14 immediately stops, and the hard support position of the side support 12 is set.

Similarly, when the limit switch 35 is turned off at the time of return to the open position, for example, the relay contact RL2 is deenergized, the relay contact RL2a is switched, the motor 14 is stopped, and the side support 12 is turned off. Open position is set.

In such a configuration, since the limit switches 34 and 35 of the position detection means 32 restrict excessive swinging of the side support 12 in the open position and the hard support position, the swing range of the side support can be limited.

Also, the position switch 36 of the position detecting means 32
As an example, a photo sensor can be used. As shown in FIG.
It is connected to the. The position switch 36 is configured to be able to detect the soft support position of the side support by sensing light from a light source (not shown) when the side support 12 reaches the soft support position.

For example, when the soft mode is selected by the select switch 24, the side support 12 swinging from the open position reaches the soft support position,
When the position switch 36 senses light from the light source, a detection signal is output to the central processing unit 18. Then, the signal from the central processing unit 18 causes the relay driver
30 deactivates the relay RL1, switches the relay contact RL1a, stops the motor 14, and sets the soft support of the side support 12.

In such a configuration, when the hard mode is selected,
The soft support position can be detected when the soft mode is selected without obstructing the swing of the side support between the open position and the hard support position.

However, the position detecting means 32 is not limited to the limit switches 34 and 35 and the position switch 36 as described above, and may be configured to restrict the swing of the side support 12 by other various means such as a potentiometer. Good.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the central processing unit 18 is connected to a positive pole of a vehicle battery via, for example, an ignition switch 38 of the vehicle. In such a configuration, the ignition switch 38 of the vehicle forms the main switch of the side support control device 10, and when the ignition switch is turned on, the voltage from the battery is supplied to the central processing unit 18 and the central processing unit operates.

Here, as can be seen from FIG. 1, for example, a resistor 40 for reducing the supply voltage from the battery is connected to the switching contact side of the relay contact RL2a.
In other words, when the motor 14 rotates in reverse due to the switching of the relay contact RL2a, the voltage reduced by the resistor 40 is applied to the motor. Swings slowly from the support position to the open position. Therefore, when swinging from the support position to the open position, the occupant does not have a complicated impression.

On the other hand, the motor accompanying the switching of relay contact RL1a
At the time of the normal rotation of 14, since the rated voltage from the battery is applied to the motor, the motor rotates steadily (high-speed rotation), and the side support swings from the open position to the two support positions at high speed. Therefore, the upper body of the occupant is quickly supported in response to the occurrence of the lateral acceleration, and the collapse of the upper body of the occupant during a curve running or the like is sufficiently suppressed.

Reference numeral 42 in FIG. 1 denotes an overcurrent detection resistor for detecting an overcurrent of the motor 14, and the overcurrent detection resistor is connected in series with the motor. And the overcurrent detection resistor 42
Is connected to the central processing unit 18 via, for example, an overload detection circuit 44.In the overload detection circuit, a preset set value and a terminal voltage of the overcurrent detection resistor 42 are
Always compared.

For example, when the swing of the side support 12 is mechanically prevented by a mechanical lock or the like, the motor 14 is in a restrained state, and is in an overload state. Then, as the torque of the motor 14 increases, the terminal voltage of the overcurrent detection resistor 42 increases. When the terminal voltage of the overcurrent detection resistor 42 is determined to reach the set value in the overload detection circuit 44, a predetermined signal is sent from the overload detection circuit to the central processing unit.
The signal is output to 18 and the corresponding one of the relays RL1 and RL2 is deactivated by a signal from the central processing unit, the relay contacts RLa and RL2a are switched, and the motor 14 is immediately stopped. In other words, when the motor 14 is overloaded due to restraint caused by forcibly preventing the side support 12 and the like, and an overcurrent occurs in the motor, the motor is immediately stopped.
Therefore, overheating, breakage, etc. of the motor 14 can be reliably prevented,
The safety of the motor is ensured.

The side support control method having the above configuration will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

As can be seen from the main routine of FIG. 4, first, the ignition switch 38 of the automobile is turned on (62). Usually, since the ignition switch 38 of a car or the like also serves as the main switch of the side support control device 10, by turning on the ignition switch,
The main switch turns on automatically.

The side support 12 is normally located in the open position, and the boarding and dismounting is performed in the open position. However, when the side support 12 is in the support position, the ignition switch 38 is turned on to drive the motor 14 to swing the side support to the open position (64), thereby enabling the occupant to get on and off the vehicle. If the side support 12 is already in the open position when the ignition switch 38 is turned on, the limit switch 35 in the open position is turned off, so that the motor 14 does not drive.

For example, when driving a car, first of all,
It is determined whether a lateral acceleration of 0.25G or more has occurred (6
6). For example, when the lateral acceleration does not reach 0.25G even when the vehicle is subjected to lateral acceleration during traveling or the like, the determination is NO, and the side support 12 is not rocked.

Then, for example, in a right turn or a left turn at an intersection or the like, when a lateral acceleration acts on the automobile, a lateral acceleration of 0.25 G or more is generated and the tilt switch 16 is turned on, it is determined YES in (66), Next, it is determined whether the lateral acceleration of 0.25 G or more has continued for 0.1 second or more (68). At this time, if the lateral acceleration of 0.25G or more disappears within 0.1 seconds, NO is determined in (68) and the side support
No 12 swings occur.

For example, if a lateral acceleration of 0.25 G or more is continuously detected for 0.1 second or more while traveling on a curve or the like, (68)
Is determined to be YES. Then, the first time
Within 20 seconds after detection of lateral acceleration of 0.25G or more, the second
It is determined whether lateral acceleration of 0.25G or more has been detected (7
0).

Normally, when the first lateral acceleration of 0.25 G or more is detected, NO is determined immediately in (70), and a short hold time, that is, a hold time of 4 seconds is set (72). Then, it is determined by the select switch 24 whether the soft mode is selected (74). For example, assuming that the vehicle is traveling on an urban road and the soft mode is selected by the select switch 24,
In (74), YES is determined, and processing is appropriately performed according to the soft mode subroutine (76).

As shown in FIG. 5, in the soft mode subroutine, first, the motor 14 is rotated forward under high speed rotation (steady rotation), and the side support 12 is rocked at high speed to the soft support position (102). The hold time for 4 seconds set in (72) of the main routine of FIG. 4 is measured by a timer (104). Next, it is determined whether the set hold time has elapsed (106). Until the hold time elapses, NO is repeatedly determined.If the hold time elapses, and YES is determined, the side support 12 is slowly swung to the open position by the reverse rotation of the motor 14 under the low speed rotation. (108), the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

Then, as shown in FIG.
In 6), it is repeatedly determined whether or not a lateral acceleration of 0.25 G or more is detected.

Here, when traveling on a road where intersections, curves and the like are continuous, two times from the first detection of a lateral acceleration of 0.25 G or more.
If the second lateral acceleration is detected within 0 seconds, YES is determined in (70) of the main routine of FIG.
Hold time from 4 seconds to long hold time of 60
It is switched to and set to seconds (78). When the soft mode is selected, YES is determined in (74), and the process is appropriately performed according to the soft mode subroutine (76).

First, (102) of the soft mode subroutine of FIG.
, The high speed rotation of the motor 14 causes the side support 12 to swing to the soft support position at a high speed,
At (104), measurement of the hold time of 60 seconds by the timer is started. For example, hold time
After 60 seconds have elapsed and (YES) is determined in (106),
The low speed rotation of the motor 14 causes the side support 12 to swing to the open position at a low speed, and returns to the main routine of FIG.

In addition, even when the hardware mode is selected by the select switch 24, if it is determined to be NO in (74) of the main routine of FIG. 4, the processing is appropriately performed according to the hardware mode subroutine (80).

As shown in FIG. 6, in the hard mode subroutine, first, the motor 14 is rotated forward at high speed, the side support 12 is swung to the hard support position at high speed (112), and the main routine is set (70). Measurement of hold time of 4 seconds or 60 seconds is started (11
Four). Then, it is determined whether or not the hold time has elapsed (116). If a predetermined hold time of 4 seconds or 60 seconds has elapsed and the determination is YES, the motor 14 is rotated at low speed and the side support 12 is hardened. After a slow return from the support position to the open position (118), the fourth
It returns to the main routine of the figure.

As described above, according to the side support control method of the present invention, when the intermittent lateral acceleration of 0.25 G or more that has continued for 0.1 second or more is detected twice within 20 seconds, the hold time of the side support is reduced for a short time. Is switched to the long hold time. In other words, in running on a mountainous road where a curve is continuous, or in rolling running in which the car meanders, by switching the hold time, the upper body of the seated person is continuously pressed for a long time,
Supported to prevent the seating posture from being lost. Therefore, even in a curve running repeatedly curved, the side support 12 does not repeatedly open and close every time the vehicle turns. Therefore, the occupant does not feel psychological fatigue,
Safe driving is ensured.

Further, even when a lateral acceleration of 0.25 G or more is detected only once within 20 seconds, the upper body of the occupant is supported by the side support 12 under a hold time of 4 seconds. Deformation is sufficiently prevented.

Only when the side support 12 swings from the support position to the open position, if the motor 14 is rotated at a low speed, when the side support swings to the open position, the side support swings at a low speed,
It does not give the occupant a complicated impression.

On the other hand, when swinging from the open position to the two support positions, the motor 14
Is rotated at a steady speed, so that the side support 12 is swung at a high speed. Therefore, when swinging to the support position, the side support 12 swings at a high speed, and quickly supports the upper body of the seated person. Therefore, collapse of the upper body of the occupant when traveling on a curve or the like is sufficiently suppressed.

According to the side support control device 10 of the present invention, despite the simple configuration, the above-described side support control method can be appropriately performed, the complicated opening and closing of the side support 12 is prevented, and the seating posture is sufficiently distorted. Is prevented. Therefore, safe driving and comfort can be ensured.

Further, in the configuration in which the soft support position and the hard support position can be appropriately selected by the select switch 24, the support by the pressing force corresponding to the traveling path can be easily obtained. Therefore, no excessive pressing force acts on the upper body of the occupant, and the comfort of the occupant does not decrease.

In the embodiment, only the lateral acceleration can be detected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if it is configured to detect longitudinal and vertical accelerations in addition to lateral acceleration, even on rough roads, sudden acceleration / deceleration traveling,
The support position can be quickly and easily set, and the seating posture can be reliably prevented from being lost.

In the embodiment, the soft support position and the hard support position of the side support 12 are embodied as fixed positions. However, the present invention is not limited to this.For example, the configuration may be such that the soft support position and the hard support position of the side support 12 are arbitrarily adjusted according to the occupant's preference, body shape, etc., stored, and repeatedly set to the memory position. Good.

The embodiments described above are for explaining the present invention, and do not limit the present invention in any way. All modifications and alterations within the technical scope of the present invention are included in the present invention. Needless to say.

For example, the side support control device 10 in the embodiment
Is mounted on the seat back so as to support the upper body of the occupant, but may be provided on the seat cushion to support the thigh of the occupant.

In the embodiment, the first reference value (0.25G)
Within a predetermined time (20 seconds) from the detection of the lateral acceleration,
When the second lateral acceleration is detected, the hold time is switched from a short time to a long time. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the hold time may be switched by detecting the third or fourth lateral acceleration equal to or more than the reference value.

The reference value of the lateral acceleration to be detected (0.25 G), the reference time (0.1 seconds), the predetermined time until re-detection (20 seconds), and the hold time (4 seconds, 60 seconds) are respectively in one embodiment. It is only a specific number and is not limited to this.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the power seat side support control method of the present invention, when the intermittent lateral acceleration equal to or higher than the reference value is detected a plurality of times within a predetermined time, for example, twice, the side support is held. The time is switched from a short hold time to a long hold time. In other words, even in a curved curve running repeatedly, the side support is continuously supported for a long time without repeatedly opening and closing each time a curve is taken, so that the occupant does not feel psychological fatigue and secures safe driving. You.

If the motor is rotated at low speed only when the side support swings from the support position to the open position, the side support swings at a low speed when the side support swings to the open position, resulting in a complicated impression for the occupant. Is not given.

According to the power seat side support control device of the present invention, despite the simple configuration, the above-described side support control method can be appropriately performed, frequent opening and closing of the side support is prevented, and the seating posture is deformed. Well prevented. Therefore, safe driving and comfort can be ensured.

Further, in a configuration in which the soft support position and the hard support position can be appropriately selected by the select switch, the support by the pressing force corresponding to the traveling path can be easily obtained. Therefore, no excessive pressing force acts on the upper body of the occupant, and the comfort of the occupant does not decrease.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a detailed block diagram centering on a central processing unit of a side support control device for a power seat according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the side support control device. FIG. FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 are flow charts of the power seat side support control method of the present invention. 10: Power seat side support control device, 12: Side support, 14: Motor, 16: Lateral acceleration detection means (tilt switch), 18: Central processing unit, 20: Seat, 22: Seat back, 24: Select switch, 28: Microcomputer, 32: position detecting means, 40: resistance.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A power seat side support control method for driving a motor in accordance with a running situation to swing a side support between a support position for preventing a seated person from losing a posture and an open position separated from the seated person. The two types of hold times, short and long, are stored in advance as hold times by the side support. Lateral acceleration is detected, and side support is supported when lateral acceleration above the reference value is continuously detected for more than the reference time. Swings to the position and holds the side support in the support position until a short hold time elapses, and holds the side support when intermittent lateral acceleration equal to or higher than the reference value is detected multiple times within a predetermined time. The time changes from a short hold time to a long Side support control method of the power seat is switched to Dotaimu. When swinging from the open position to the support position, the motor rotates at a high speed.
2. The power seat side support control according to claim 1, wherein the side support is swung at a high speed, and when the swing from the support position to the open position is performed, the side support is swung at a low speed under a low speed rotation of the motor. Method. 3. A side support which is capable of swinging between a support position for pressing a seated person from the side to prevent collapse of the seating position and an open position separated from the seated person, and a motor for swinging the side support. And lateral acceleration detecting means for detecting a lateral acceleration equal to or greater than a reference value acting on the seat; and two types of short and long hold times are stored in a program in advance and information inputted from the lateral acceleration detecting means. Is processed according to a predetermined program,
And a central processing unit that controls the driving of the motor.When lateral acceleration equal to or greater than the reference value is continuously detected for the reference time or more, the side support swings to the support position, and a short hold time is applied. When the side support is held and the intermittent lateral acceleration equal to or higher than the reference value is detected multiple times within a predetermined period of time, the side support hold time can be switched from a short hold time to a long hold time. Seat side support control device. 4. A select switch for selecting a soft mode for swinging to a soft support position of the side support and a hard support position for swinging to a hard support position; position detecting means for detecting a position of the side support; 4. The power seat according to claim 3, further comprising: when a lateral acceleration equal to or greater than the reference value is continuously detected for a reference time or more, the side support swings to a support position corresponding to the mode selected by the select switch. Side port control device.