JP3163775B2 - Seat equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a seat device for variably controlling the shape of a support surface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional seat apparatus of this type, for example, one shown in FIG. 12 is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 61-113667.

The seat device 101 includes a seat cushion 103 and a seat back 105. Side supports 107 are provided on both sides of the seat back 105, and a headrest 109 is provided above the seat back 105. Air bladders 111 are provided at the front of the seat cushion 103, the back of the seat back 105, the side ports 107, and the headrest 109, respectively. The shapes of the surface 103a and the support surface 105a of the seat back 105 are changed.

Each air bag 111 is provided with a seat pressure sensor 113 for detecting a seat pressure from a seated person. An optimum seat pressure distribution is preset in the control unit 115, and the control unit 115 increases or decreases the internal pressure of each air bag 111 so that the seat pressure becomes the set pressure. Thereby, the shapes of the seat surface 103a and the support surface 105a are adjusted to the preset shapes.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional seat apparatus, the predetermined support surface shape does not always correspond to the physical characteristics of the occupant. It has been difficult to adjust the shape of the support surface in accordance with anatomical features that greatly affect sitting comfort, for example, individual differences in the shape of the spine.

FIGS. 13 (a) to 13 (h) show schematic diagrams comparing the vertebral column shapes of a plurality of subjects in an upright state in order to clarify the anatomical characteristics of the vertebral column shape.

Thus, among the characteristics of the vertebral shape, the degree of curvature of the vertebral column varies greatly between individuals. Particularly, the vertebral column shape from the pelvis to the thoracic vertebrae has a strong curved shape with an S-shaped curve and a linear shape with a weak S-shaped curve. It is understood that it is roughly divided.

For this reason, for example, when a person having a straight spine shape sits on a seat in which the curvature of the support surface is set to be large, there is a possibility that the user may feel uncomfortable.

The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a comfortable sitting comfort to a seated person regardless of individual differences in the shape of the spine of the seated person. It is to provide a seat device that can be provided.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a seat cushion for supporting a seated person's buttocks on a seating surface, a seated back for supporting the seated person on a supporting surface, and A seat back that can be changed according to the back of the seated person, an actuator that changes and drives the shape of the support surface of the seat back, and a body characteristic of the upper body of the seated person.
Detecting means for detecting the related element from the pressure of the support surface
And the value of the concentrated pressure on the support surface by the element detecting means
Detects the lumbar position of the seated person from
Posture detecting means for determining whether the
The occupant was seated in an appropriate sitting position by a signal from the step
Lumbar shape of the occupant when the concentration pressure at the lumbar position is high
The body shape is determined to be straight, and if low, it is determined to be curved
Determining means and a spine shape determined by the body shape determining means.
And control means for controlling the actuator .

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the element detecting means detects the element relating to the physical characteristics of the upper body of the occupant from the pressure on the support surface. The sitting posture detecting means detects the lumbar position of the seated person from the value of the concentrated pressure on the support surface by the element detecting means, and judges whether the seating posture is appropriate. The body type determining means determines the shape of the lumbar vertebra of the occupant as a linear type when the concentration pressure at the lumbar vertebrae position is high when the occupant is seated in an appropriate sitting posture by a signal from the sitting posture detecting means, and when the occupant is low, the lumbar shape is curved when the occupant is low. Judge as type. The control means controls the actuator in accordance with the spine shape determined by the body type determination means. As a result, the shape of the support surface of the seat back becomes a shape according to the body shape of the seated person.

[0014]

[0015]

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a vehicle seat apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The seat device 1 includes a seat cushion 3 (CL1) that supports the buttocks of a seated person who is a vehicle occupant on a seat surface 3a.
And a seat back 5 (CL2) for supporting the back of the seated person on the support surface 5a.

In the seat back 5, an actuator C is provided.
A plurality of (seven in this embodiment) horizontally long air bladders 7 as L3 are arranged in the vertical direction, and each air bladder 7 is connected to a discharge port of an air compressor 11 via a pipe 9. Each pipe 9 has an electromagnetic valve 13 for adjusting the degree of opening in the pipe 9 and a seat pressure sensor 1 for detecting the air pressure in the air bladder 7 through the pipe 9.
5 are provided. When the electromagnetic valve 13 is opened and closed, the amount of air flowing into each air bag 7 increases and decreases, and the shape of the support surface 5a is changed.

On the seat surface 3a side in the seat cushion 3,
A seat pressure sensor 17 is provided. This seat pressure sensor 17
Thereby, the seating of the occupant in the seat device 1 is detected.

On the support surface 5a side in the seat back 5, a seat pressure sensor 19 as a detecting means CL4 for detecting an element related to the physical characteristics of the upper body of the occupant is provided at the position of each air bag 7. Correspondingly, two are arranged in the left-right direction. The seat pressure sensor 19 detects a seat pressure from a seated person at each position on the support surface 5a.

The seating and seat pressure of the occupant detected by the seat pressure sensors 17 and 19 are input to the controller 21 as signals. The controller 21 calculates the seat pressure distribution in the vertical direction of the support surface 5a from the seat pressure input by each seat pressure sensor 9, determines the occupant's body shape from the seat pressure distribution, and then opens and closes the electromagnetic valve 13. By changing the amount of air flowing into the air bag 7, the shape of the support surface 5a is changed according to the body shape of the occupant. That is, the controller 2
1 is the judgment means CL5 and the control means CL in this embodiment.
6.

Next, the determination of the occupant's body type, that is, the shape of the spine, will be described.

First, FIG. 3 shows the type of the vertebral column of the seated person, the type of the support surface shape of the seat, and the seat pressure pattern corresponding to each type. FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing a state of a spine of a seated person when sitting on a flat-surface-shaped support surface, and FIG. 4B is a diagram when the seated person is seated on a convex-shaped support surface. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state of the spine of a seated person.

In general, the shape of the spine can be classified into a curved shape having a strong S-shaped curve from the pelvis to the thoracic vertebra and a straight type having a weak S-shaped curve.

When the occupant sits on the flat supporting surface 5a, the back of the occupant becomes insufficiently supported as shown in FIG. Anatomically, the lumbar vertebra 23 has a kyphosis shape (a state in which the lumbar vertebra is curved toward the support surface 5a so that the peak near the third lumbar vertebra). Therefore, as shown in pattern A and pattern B in FIG. 3, the seat pressure distribution is such that the seat pressure concentrates at the lumbar position (the seat pressure peaks).

Therefore, the occupant is seated on the flat supporting surface 5a, and the seat pressure concentration position at this time is detected, whereby the third lumbar position of the seated person (the position corresponding to the coordinate X in FIG. 3). Can be detected.

As shown in FIG. 4 (b), when the occupant sits on the convex support surface 5a which is curved so that the lumbar position x becomes the peak of the protrusion toward the occupant, the lumbar spine is bent. Irrespective of whether the lumbar vertebra is straight or linear, the lumbar vertebra has a lordotic shape (a state in which the lumbar vertebra is curved so as to peak near the third lumbar vertebra).

When the lumbar spine of the seated person has a curved shape, the lumbar vertebra tends to have a lordotic shape when seated, so that the convex support surface 5a conforms to the vertebral shape and conforms to the pattern C in FIG. As shown, the support surface 5a is in an optimal support state for supporting the entire back of the seated person.

On the other hand, when the vertebral column of the seated person is of a linear type, the lumbar vertebra is unlikely to have a lordotic shape when seated, so that the convex support surface 5a does not conform to the vertebral columnar shape, and FIG.
As shown in the middle pattern D, a seat pressure concentration portion where the seat pressure becomes extremely high occurs. Since this seat pressure concentration portion causes a feeling of discomfort to the seated person, it does not become an optimal support state.

As described above, first, the flat supporting surface 5a is formed.
After the occupant is seated on the vehicle and the concentration position of the seat pressure (the lumbar position x of the occupant) is detected, the support surface 5a is changed to a convex shape so that the concentration position of the seat pressure becomes the peak of protrusion. By comparing the patterns of the seat pressure distribution at the time, individual differences in the shape of the spine can be determined.

Hereinafter, a method for determining individual differences in the shape of the spine will be described in more detail.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which an occupant having a 5a curved spine is seated on a convex support surface in which the lumbar vertebra position x is the peak of the projection toward the occupant, and FIG. And (b) is a schematic diagram of a seated state. FIG. 6 shows a state in which an occupant having a linear spine is seated on a convex support surface 5a in which a lumbar spine position x is a peak of projection toward a seated person, and FIG. It is a seat pressure distribution, and (b) is a schematic diagram of a sitting state.

First, the position where the seat pressure is concentrated when the user sits on the flat supporting surface 5a is determined as the lumbar vertebra (third lumbar vertebra) position x of the occupant, and the x coordinate is projected so as to project to a predetermined position. A predetermined amount Q of air flows into the air bag 7 to be
Let a be a convex shape curved so that the lumbar spine position x becomes the peak of the projection toward the occupant.

Then, based on the seat pressure distribution at this time,
A seat pressure P at the lumbar spine position x and a range S in which the seat pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined pressure P0 (a range in which the seated person is in contact with the support surface 5a at the predetermined pressure P0 or higher) are calculated.

Here, when the seated person has a curved spine, as shown in FIG. 5A, the seat pressure concentration is small, and the rate of change of the seat pressure in the vertical direction of the support surface 5a is small. , The concentrated pressure is low and P / S
Becomes smaller. When the occupant has a linear spine, as shown in FIG. 6A, the seat pressure is concentrated near the lumbar vertebra position x, and the rate of change in the seat pressure in the vertical direction of the support surface 5a is large. Because of the seat pressure distribution, the concentrated pressure is high and the value of P / S is large.

As a result, P / S becomes an index (spine shape index) indicating the state of curvature of the spine, and by setting a predetermined value R in advance, the spine shape of the seated person can be changed to P / S <R. In this case, it can be determined as a curved type, and when P / S ≧ R, it can be determined as a linear type.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described according to a control flow.

FIG. 7 is a basic flow chart showing the outline of the present embodiment, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are control flow charts showing the details of the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the body characteristics of the seated person are detected (step S20), and it is determined from the body characteristics whether the shape of the spine of the seated person is curved or linear (step S21). ), The optimum support surface shape suitable for the occupant is determined (step S22), and adjustment is appropriately performed so as to obtain such a support surface shape (step S23). Each of these will be described below.

First, the detection of the body characteristics of the occupant (step S20) will be described.

The detection of the body characteristics of the occupant is performed according to steps S0 to S3 and steps S11 to S13 in FIG.

When the occupant sits on the seat device 1, the seat pressure is detected by a seat pressure sensor 17 provided in the seat cushion 3, and the seat pressure is input to the controller 21 as a signal.
Thereby, the seating of the occupant is detected, and the controller 21
Is started (step S0).

When the control is started, the controller 21 controls the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 13 so that the air bladder 7 is in a state of bleeding air, and the support surface 5a is in the pattern I of FIG.
(Step S)
1).

Next, the seat pressure applied by the occupant seated on the flat supporting surface 5a is detected by the seat pressure sensor 19 disposed in the seat back 5, and the seat pressure distribution in the vertical direction is obtained. Thereafter (step S2), a seat pressure concentration position xx where the seat pressure becomes highest is calculated from the seat pressure distribution (step S3).

As described above, the seat pressure concentration position xx calculated from the seat pressure distribution on the flat supporting surface 5a substantially coincides with the lumbar spine position x which is a physical feature of the seated person.

However, the occupant at the time of sitting does not always take an appropriate posture. For example, as shown in FIG. 11B, the occupant sits in an inappropriate posture such as a front sitting posture in which the hips are shifted to the front of the vehicle. In some cases. Therefore, step S
The seat pressure concentration position xx calculated in 3 is not immediately set as the lumbar spine position xx, and after calculating the seat pressure concentration position xx, the process proceeds to step S11 to determine whether the seating posture is appropriate.

To determine whether or not the user is in an appropriate sitting posture,
This is performed depending on whether or not the seat pressure concentration position xx calculated in step S3 falls within the preset lumbar vertebral range (x0 to x1) (step S11). For example, when the user sits in the front sitting posture as shown in FIG. 11B, the seat pressure near the scapula becomes extremely high. Therefore, as shown in FIG. It is calculated higher than. That is, if x0≤xx≤x1, it can be determined that the seating posture is appropriate, and conversely, xx <x0 or xx> x
If it is 1, it can be determined that it is an inappropriate sitting posture such as a front sitting posture.

Therefore, if x0 ≦ xx ≦ x1, the process proceeds to step S13, where xx is set as the lumbar position x.
If xx <x0 or xx> x1, the process proceeds to step S12, where a warning of a person sitting down is warned by a warning light, a warning buzzer, or the like, and then the process returns to step S2 to detect the seat pressure distribution again. Thereby, the lumbar position of the occupant in an appropriate sitting posture is always obtained.

Next, the determination of the vertebral column shape of the seated person (step S21 in FIG. 7) will be described.

The determination of the vertebral column shape of the seated person is performed according to steps S4 to S7 and steps S14 to S16 in FIG.

In step S4, the support surface 5a set as a flat surface in step S1 corresponds to the pattern II shown in FIG.
Is changed to a convex shape as shown in FIG. Here, the convex shape refers to a curved shape in which the lumbar spine position x has a peak of the protrusion toward the seated person. The shape of the support surface 5a is changed by the controller 2
1 is performed. When a signal is output from the controller 21 to the compressor 11 and the electromagnetic valve 13, the compressor 11 is started appropriately and the electromagnetic valve 13 is opened and closed, so that a predetermined amount Q of air flows into the air bladder 7 a corresponding to the lumbar position x. . The air bladders 7b, 7 near the lumbar position x
A predetermined amount of air flows into c and the like so that the support surface 5a has a curved shape.

Next, the seat pressure applied from the occupant seated on the convex support surface 5a is detected by the seat pressure sensor 19, and the seat pressure distribution in the vertical direction of the support surface 5a is obtained (step S5). From the seat pressure distribution, a seat pressure P at the lumbar spine position x, a position xx where the seat pressure is the highest, and a range S where the seat pressure is equal to or higher than the predetermined pressure P0 are calculated (step S).
14).

As described above, the spine curvature index P / S indicating the state of curvature of the spine is calculated from the seat pressure P and the range S calculated from the seat pressure distribution on the convex support surface 5a, and the spine of the seated person is calculated. Is determined.

However, also in this case, similarly to the case where the support surface 5a has a flat surface shape, there is a possibility that the occupant does not take an appropriate sitting posture, so it is necessary to judge whether or not the occupant is sitting in an appropriate posture. is there.

Therefore, at step S14, the seat pressure P and the position x
After calculating x and the range S, the process proceeds to step S15, and it is determined whether or not the position xx calculated in step S14 falls within the range of the lumbar spine (x0 to x1). x0 ≤ x
If x.ltoreq.x1, the process proceeds to step S6 since the seating posture is appropriate, and the spine curvature index P / S is calculated. Also,
If xx <x0 or xx> x1, the process proceeds to step S16 because the seating posture is inappropriate, and after a warning light, a warning buzzer, or the like warns the seated person to re-sit, then proceeds to step S16.
5, the seat pressure distribution is detected again. Thereby, the seat pressure P and the range S in the appropriate sitting posture are obtained.

When the spine shape index P / S is calculated in step S6, the process proceeds to step S7, where it is determined whether P / S ≧ R, whereby the vertebral column shape of the seated person is determined to be linear or curved. Divided into R is a predetermined value set in advance, and if P / S ≧ R, the seating pressure distribution has a small rate of change as shown in FIG. If P / S <R, since the seat pressure distribution has a large change rate as shown in FIG. 6A, it is determined that the spine is a linear spine. If it is determined to be linear, the process proceeds to step S8, and if it is determined to be curved, the process proceeds to step S9.

Next, the determination of the optimum support surface shape and the adjustment of the shape to the optimum support surface (steps S22 and S23 in FIG. 7) will be described.

The selection of the optimum support surface shape and the adjustment of the shape to the optimum support surface are performed according to steps S8 and S9 in FIG.

In step S8, a signal is output from the controller 21 to the solenoid valve 13 and a predetermined amount of air is reduced from the air bag 7, so that the support surface 5a has a shape that is optimal for a seated person having a linear spine. Is changed to

In this embodiment, the optimum support surface shape for a seated person having a linear spine is shown in FIG.
It has a smooth curved shape with a small curvature as shown in pattern III of (c).

That is, when the process proceeds to step S8, the support surface 5a has the convex shape set in step S4 (FIG. 1).
0 (b), the seating pressure is concentrated near the lumbar vertebra position x for a seated person having a linear spine, which causes a sense of discomfort. Is changed to a shape with a small curvature,
The seat pressure concentration is reduced, and the seated person can obtain a comfortable sitting comfort.

On the other hand, in step S9, the air bag 7 is maintained as it is.

That is, for the seated person having the curved spine, the convex support surface 5 set in step S4 is used.
a (the pattern II shown in FIG. 10 (b)) supports the entire back of the seated occupant, resulting in an optimal support state, and this state is maintained.

As described above, the shape of the support surface 5a is adjusted according to the shape of the vertebral column of the seated person, and the optimum support surface shape is obtained according to the individual difference of the seated person. Comfortable sitting comfort is obtained.

After adjusting the shape of the support surface in steps S8 and S9, the process proceeds to step S10, and the present control ends.

In short, in the present embodiment, after the seat pressure concentration position xx substantially matching the lumbar spine position is determined from the seat pressure distribution when the support surface 5a has a flat surface shape, the shape of the support surface 5a is changed to
The seat pressure concentration position xx has a convex shape with a peak of curvature,
From the state of the seat pressure distribution at this time, the vertebral column shape of the seated person is discriminated into a linear type and a curved type, and the support surface 5a is adjusted to an optimal shape according to the discriminated spinal column shape. Therefore, the seated person can obtain a comfortable sitting feeling without feeling uncomfortable.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0069]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the position of the lumbar vertebra of the occupant is detected from the value of the concentrated pressure of the support surface by the occupant, and it is determined whether or not the occupant is in an appropriate sitting posture. Because it is equipped with a seating posture detecting means, the judgment is made only when the occupant is in an appropriate posture, and the judgment is not made in the posture leaning on the door or the posture where the buttocks are shifted forward, Body pressure distribution can be measured accurately,
It is possible to accurately grasp the occupant's spine shape. Also, if the concentration pressure at the lumbar vertebrae position is high when the occupant is seated in an appropriate sitting posture by a signal from this sitting posture detecting means, the lumbar shape of the occupant is determined to be a linear type, and if low, the curved type is determined. Since the determination means is provided, an ideal pressure balance can be given from the shape of the occupant's spine, and an optimal ergonomic seat shape can be obtained.

[0070]

[0071]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram corresponding to claims of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a vehicle seat device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a type of a vertebral column of a seated person, a type of a support surface shape of a seat, and a seat pressure pattern corresponding to each type.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a state of a spine of a seated person;
(A) is a schematic diagram when sitting on a flat supporting surface, and (b) is a schematic diagram when sitting on a convex supporting surface.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which an occupant having a curved spine is seated on a convex support surface at which a lumbar spine position x has a peak of protrusion toward a seated person, and (a) shows a seat pressure distribution in a vertical direction. (B) is a schematic diagram of a seated state.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which an occupant having a linear spinal column is seated on a convex support surface in which a lumbar spine position x is a peak of a projection toward a occupant, and FIG. (B) is a schematic diagram of a seated state.

FIG. 7 is a basic flowchart showing an outline of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a control flowchart showing details of the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a control flowchart showing details of the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a state of air flowing into an air bag and a shape of a support surface.

FIG. 11 shows a state in which the occupant is seated in a front sitting position on a convex support surface in which the lumbar spine position x has a peak of protrusion toward the occupant, and FIG. 11 (a) is a seat pressure distribution in the vertical direction. (B) is a schematic diagram of a seated state.

FIG. 12 is an overall view of a conventional seat device.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram comparing spinal column shapes of a plurality of subjects in a standing state.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Seat apparatus 3 Seat cushion 3a Seat surface 5 Seat back 5a Support surface 7 Air bag (actuator) 7a Air bag (actuator) 7b Air bag (actuator) 7c Air bag (actuator) 19 Seat pressure sensor (detection means) 21 Controller ( Judgment means, control means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-3-47206 (JP, A) JP-A-2-141258 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A47C 31/12 A47C 7/46

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A seat cushion for supporting a seated person's buttocks on a seating surface, a seatback for supporting a seated person's back on a supporting surface, and changing the shape of the supporting surface according to the seated person's back. An actuator for driving the shape of the support surface of the seat back, and an element for supporting the body characteristics of the upper body of the seated person;
Element detection means to detect from the pressure of the, from the value of the concentrated pressure of the support surface by the element detection means
Detects the lumbar position of the occupant and determines whether
The seating posture detecting means for judging and a signal from the seating posture detecting means allow the occupant to appropriately wear the seat.
High concentration pressure at the lumbar spine when sitting in a sitting position
The lumbar shape of the occupant is determined to be linear,
A body shape determining means for determining a curved shape; and the actor corresponding to the spine shape determined by the body shape determining means.
A seat device comprising: a control unit for controlling a tutor .