JP7174234B2 - vehicle seat - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle seat having a temperature control device provided in a seat body on which a person sits.

Conventionally, there has been known a vehicle seat equipped with a temperature control device such as a planar heater arranged between a pad and an outer skin of a seat body and a blower for blowing air toward a seated person. (Patent document 1). In the vehicle seat of Patent Document 1, the blower is operated while the heater is operating, thereby reducing the humidity of the contact portion with the seated person, thereby suppressing the feeling of dampness of the seated person. By making the output of the heater higher than when the blower is not operating, the temperature drop due to the blown air is suppressed and a warm state is maintained, thereby improving comfort.

JP 2017-178129 A

By the way, the temperature at which people feel comfortable changes over time. Therefore, even if the temperature of the seat body is kept constant and you feel comfortable for a while, you will feel hot or cold as time passes. It was difficult to maintain comfort just by keeping it in.

In this regard, there is a vehicle seat that is equipped with a timer function and configured to switch the target temperature of the heater from a mode with a high target temperature to a mode with a low target temperature after a certain period of time has passed since the start of warming by the heater. However, this function is not intended to maintain comfort, so you may feel hot before switching to a mode with a low target temperature, or switch to a mode with a low target temperature before you feel comfortable. There is a possibility that you will get tired.

In addition, the inventors of the present application have found that the time from feeling comfortable to feeling uncomfortable while the temperature of the seat body is kept constant is, for example, stopped for a while with the engine turned off. I discovered that it depends on the temperature inside the car immediately after getting in the car etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat that can maintain comfort.
Another object is to improve comfort.
Another object of the present invention is to accurately detect the temperature of the seat body.

In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle seat of the present invention comprises a seat body on which a occupant sits, a temperature control device provided in the seat body, and a control device for controlling the temperature control device, The control device is configured to change the output of the temperature control device when a predetermined switching time elapses from a predetermined timing, and the temperature of the environment in which the seat body is installed is the temperature control device. The switching time is set based on the initial environmental temperature when the device is operated.

According to such a configuration, the switching time is set based on the initial environmental temperature, and the output of the temperature control device is changed when the switching time elapses from the predetermined timing. You can change the output of the temperature control device before you feel hot or cold. Thereby, comfort can be maintained.

In the vehicle seat described above, the temperature control device has a heating device that warms a person sitting on the seat body, and the control device changes the output of the heating device to the It can be configured to be smaller than before the switching time elapses.

According to this, the output of the heating device can be reduced before the seated person feels hot from the comfortable state. As a result, the temperature felt by the seated person can be lowered, so that comfort can be maintained.

In the vehicle seat described above, the control device may be configured to set the switching time to a shorter time as the initial environmental temperature is higher.

According to this, when the initial environmental temperature is high and it is easy to feel hot when the heating device is operated for a long time, the output of the heating device can be quickly reduced, so that comfort can be maintained.

In the vehicle seat described above, the temperature control device has a cooling device that cools a seated person sitting on the seat body, and the control device changes the output of the cooling device to the It can be configured to be smaller than before the switching time elapses.

According to this, the output of the cooling device can be reduced before the seated person feels cold from the comfortable state. As a result, the temperature felt by the seated person can be increased, so that comfort can be maintained.

In the vehicle seat described above, the control device may be configured to set the switching time to a shorter time as the initial environmental temperature is lower.

According to this, when the initial environmental temperature is low and it is easy to feel cold if the cooling device is operated for a long time, the output of the cooling device can be reduced quickly, so that comfort can be maintained.

In the vehicle seat described above, the control device may change the target temperature for controlling the output of the temperature control device when the switching time has elapsed from the predetermined timing.

In the vehicle seat described above, the temperature control device includes a plurality of temperature control units provided corresponding to different parts of the seated person and configured to be individually temperature controllable, and the control device controls the temperature of the seat. The switching time may be set for each tone unit.

According to this, comfort can be maintained for each different part of the seated person.

In the vehicle seat described above, the plurality of temperature control units include a seat temperature control unit provided corresponding to at least one of the buttocks and thighs of the seated person, and a seat temperature control unit provided corresponding to the waist of the seated person. and a waist temperature control unit, and the control device can be configured to set the switching time of the waist temperature control unit to a shorter time than the switching time of the seat temperature control unit.

According to this, the output of the waist temperature control unit can be changed faster than the seat temperature control unit, so that the comfort of the vehicle seat as a whole can be improved.

In the vehicle seat described above, the plurality of temperature control units include a waist temperature control unit provided corresponding to the waist of the seated person and a shoulder temperature control unit provided corresponding to the shoulders of the seated person. and the control device may be configured to set the switching time of the waist temperature control unit to a time shorter than the switching time of the shoulder temperature control unit.

According to this, the output of the waist temperature control unit can be changed earlier than the shoulder temperature control unit, so that the comfort of the vehicle seat as a whole can be improved.

The vehicle seat includes a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the seat body, and the temperature control device includes a heater having a heater wire disposed between the pad and the skin of the seat body, The seat body has a ventilation hole for passing air provided in the surface of the pad on the side of the seated person, and the temperature sensor is located between the pad and the skin, the heater wire and It can be arranged in a position avoiding the ventilation holes.

According to this, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is less affected by the heat from the heater wire and the flow of air passing through the ventilation holes, so the temperature of the seat body can be detected with high accuracy.

In the vehicle seat described above, when the output of the temperature control device after the switching time has passed is changed by the operation of the seated person, the control device combines the output after the change with the information of the seated person. are stored in association with each other, and the next time the seated person sits on the seat body, and the output of the temperature control device is changed to the output after the change when the switching time has elapsed from the predetermined timing. can be done.

According to this, the output of the temperature control device can be changed to match the preference of the seated person, so that comfort can be improved.

According to the present invention, comfort can be maintained.

Further, by setting the switching time of the waist temperature control unit to a shorter time than the switching time of the seat temperature control unit, comfort can be improved.

Further, by setting the switching time of the waist temperature control unit to a shorter time than the switching time of the shoulder temperature control unit, comfort can be improved.

In addition, by arranging the temperature sensor in a position between the pad and the skin of the seat body and avoiding the heater wires of the heater and the ventilation holes in the seat body, the temperature of the seat body can be detected with high accuracy. can.

Further, by adopting a configuration in which the output of the temperature control device is changed to the output desired by the seated person when the switching time has elapsed, comfort can be improved.

1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to one embodiment; FIG. It is a sectional view of a seat body. It is an enlarged cross-sectional view (a) showing the arrangement of the seat temperature sensor on the seat cushion, and an enlarged cross-sectional view (b) showing the arrangement of the seat temperature sensor on the seat back. It is the figure (a) which shows an example of the map for setting the switching time of heating mode, and the figure (b) which shows an example of the map for setting the switching time of cooling mode. It is a flow chart which shows processing by a control device. It is a flow chart which shows processing by a control device. 4 is a time chart showing an example of changes over time in the target temperature, the seat temperature, and the vehicle interior temperature when the heating mode is executed, and is a diagram (a) showing a case where the initial vehicle interior temperature is low and a diagram (b) showing a case where the initial vehicle interior temperature is high. ). 4 is a time chart showing an example of changes over time in the target temperature, the seat temperature, and the vehicle interior temperature when the cooling mode is executed, and FIG. ). It is a figure which shows an example of the operation panel in a 1st modification. 9 is a flowchart showing processing by the control device of the first modified example; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to a second modified example; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a map for setting switching times according to the second modification;

An embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, the front, rear, left, right, and top and bottom refer to the front, back, left, right, and top and bottom as seen from a person sitting on the seat (seated person).
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle seat of this embodiment is configured as a vehicle seat S mounted on a vehicle, specifically, an automobile. The vehicle seat S includes a seat body S0 on which a person sits, a temperature control device 1 provided in the seat body S0, seat temperature sensors 31 and 32 as temperature sensors, a vehicle interior temperature sensor 40, and an outside air temperature sensor 50. and a control device 100 .

The seat body S0 is installed in the automobile and has a seat cushion S1, a seat back S2, and a headrest S3. The automobile includes an air conditioner AC for adjusting the temperature of the environment in which the seat body S0 is installed, that is, the temperature inside the vehicle (vehicle interior temperature). The air conditioner AC is configured to blow hot air or cold air into the vehicle interior according to the set temperature and the current vehicle interior temperature so that the vehicle interior temperature reaches the set temperature when activated.

The seat cushion S1 is configured by covering a seat cushion frame, which constitutes the frame of the seat cushion S1, with a seat cushion pad P1 and a seat cushion skin U1. The seat back S2 is constructed by covering a seat back frame, which constitutes the frame of the seat back S2, with a seat back pad P2 and a seat back skin U2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the seat cushion pad P1 includes an air passage A1 provided inside the seat cushion pad P1 and a surface of the seat cushion pad P1 on the side of the seated person, specifically, on the upper surface. and a plurality of ventilation holes H1. The ventilation hole H1 is a hole for passing air, and communicates with the ventilation path A1 from the upper surface of the seat cushion pad P1. In addition, the seat back pad P2 includes a ventilation path A2 provided inside the seat back pad P2 and a plurality of ventilation paths A2 provided on the surface of the seat back pad P2 on the occupant side, specifically, on the front surface. and a hole H2. The ventilation hole H2 is a hole for passing air, and communicates with the ventilation path A2 from the upper surface of the seat back pad P2. Note that the skins U1 and U2 of the seat body S0 are breathable by forming a plurality of fine through-holes at positions corresponding to the ventilation holes H1 and H2, or are made of a material having breathability. .

The temperature control device 1 has a heating device 10 that warms the seated person sitting on the seat body S0 and a cooling device 20 that cools the seated person sitting on the seat body S0.

The heating device 10 has a seat cushion heater 11 and a seat back heater 12 . As shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the seat cushion heater 11 and the seat back heater 12 are made of nonwoven fabric or the like and are made of breathable sheet-like base materials 11M and 12M, respectively. It is configured as a planar heater having heater wires 11W and 12W supported by the . The heater wires 11W and 12W are fixed to the base materials 11M and 12M by, for example, being attached to the base materials 11M and 11M with an adhesive or the like.

The seat cushion heater 11 is arranged between the upper surface of the seat cushion pad P1 and the seat cushion skin U1 and at a position facing the buttocks and thighs of the seated person. The seat back heater 12 is arranged between the front side surface of the seat back pad P2 and the seat back skin U2 and at a position facing the waist and shoulders (shoulders) of the seated person.

The heating device 10 is configured to warm the seated person by causing the heater wires 11W and 12W to generate heat when the heater wires 11W and 12W are energized. The heating device 10 controls the power supplied to the heaters 11, 12 (heater wires 11W, 12W) at an output ratio of 0 to 100% to change the heat generation amount of the heater wires 11W, 12W, thereby changing the output. It is possible.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cooling device 20 includes a blower 21, a duct 22, ventilation paths A1 and A2 and ventilation holes H1 and H2 formed in the pads P1 and P2 of the seat body S0. ing.
The blower 21 is a sirocco fan, and is arranged below the plate-like frame F12 that constitutes the front frame of the seat cushion S1. The blower 21 is attached via a bracket 25 to the plate-shaped frame F12. Thus, the blower 21 is provided on the seat cushion S1 of the seat body S0. A duct 22 connects the blower 21 and the ventilation paths A1 and A2 formed in the pads P1 and P2.

The cooling device 20 blows the air blown from the blower 21 (see the dashed arrows) through the duct 22 and the air passages A1 and A2 from the ventilation holes H1 and H2 toward the seated person, thereby cooling the seated person. It is configured. The cooling device 20 can change its output by controlling the power supplied to the blower 21 at an output ratio of 0 to 100% to change the rotation speed of the blades.

Returning to FIG. 1, the seat temperature sensors 31 and 32 are sensors for detecting the temperature (seat temperature TS) near the surface of the seat body S0. Specifically, the seat temperature sensor 31 detects the temperature near the upper surface of the seat cushion S1, and the seat temperature sensor 32 detects the temperature near the front surface of the seat back S2.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), the seat temperature sensor 31 is arranged between the upper surface of the seat cushion pad P1 and the seat cushion skin U1 and at a position facing one thigh of the seated person. It is More specifically, the seat temperature sensor 31 is located at a position that avoids the heater wire 11W of the seat cushion heater 11 and the ventilation hole H1 formed in the seat cushion pad P1, in other words, the heater wire 11W and the ventilation hole H1 are located at the same position as viewed from above. placed in different positions.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the seat temperature sensor 32 is arranged between the front surface of the seat back pad P2 and the seat back skin U2 and at a position facing the waist of the seated person. there is More specifically, the seat temperature sensor 32 is located at a position that avoids the heater wire 12W of the seat back heater 12 and the ventilation hole H2 formed in the seat back pad P2, in other words, the heater wire 12W and the ventilation hole H2 are located at the same position as viewed from the front. placed in different positions.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle interior temperature sensor 40 is a sensor for detecting the vehicle interior temperature TR. The vehicle interior temperature sensor 40 may be provided in the seat body S0 or may be provided in the vehicle.
The outside air temperature sensor 50 is a sensor for detecting the temperature outside the vehicle (outside air temperature TO), and is provided at an appropriate position on the vehicle.
If the vehicle is equipped with a vehicle interior temperature sensor for controlling the air conditioner AC or the like, the vehicle interior temperature sensor may be used as the vehicle interior temperature sensor 40 . The same applies to the outside air temperature sensor 50 as well.

The control device 100 is a device that controls the output of the temperature control device 1, and is provided at an appropriate position within the seat body S0. Note that the control device 100 may be provided outside the seat body S0, that is, in the vehicle. The control device 100 is supplied with electric power from a power supply device 110 driven by a battery mounted on the vehicle, and controls the output of the temperature control device 1 with this electric power.

The control device 100 is connected to the seat temperature sensors 31 and 32, the vehicle interior temperature sensor 40 and the outside air temperature sensor 50 so as to be able to acquire various temperatures. In addition, the control device 100 is connected to the air conditioner AC so as to be able to acquire the set temperature (air conditioner set temperature TRS) of the air conditioner AC. The control device 100 is also connected to an operation switch 120 provided on the vehicle, receives an instruction to start temperature control from the operation switch 120, and controls the output of the temperature control device 1. FIG. Further, when the controller 100 receives an instruction to start temperature control control from the operation switch 120 and the air conditioner AC is not operating, the controller 100 operates the air conditioner AC at the air conditioning set temperature TRS.

In this embodiment, when executing temperature control, the control device 100 selects a heating mode for controlling the output of the heating device 10 or the output of the cooling device 20 based on the outside temperature TO obtained from the outside temperature sensor 50. Select one of the cooling modes to control. As an example, when the outside temperature TO is equal to or lower than a preset outside temperature threshold value TOth, the control device 100 selects the heating mode in order to warm the seated occupant assuming that the outside temperature is low like in winter. Further, when the outside air temperature TO is higher than the outside air temperature threshold TOth, the control device 100 considers that the outside air temperature is high like in summer, and selects the cooling mode in order to cool the seated occupant.

When executing the heating mode, the control device 100 sets the target temperature TT to the first target temperature TH1 for the heating mode. Then, the control device 100 controls the heating device 10 at the maximum output (100%) until the seat temperature TS acquired from the seat temperature sensors 31 and 32 reaches the first target temperature TH1 after starting the temperature control. (Heaters 11, 12) output is controlled. Further, when the seat temperature TS reaches the first target temperature TH1, the control device 100 thereafter calculates the required control amount mv based on the first target temperature TH1 and the seat temperature TS. The output of the heating device 10 is controlled by the controlled variable mv.

As an example, the required control amount mv can be calculated by the following formula as a so-called required control amount for PI control.
mv=Kph×e+ie/Kih
where e is the difference between the target temperature and the seat temperature, Kph is the proportional control constant for the heating mode, ie is the integral (accumulation) of e within a predetermined period of time in the past, and Kih is , is the integral control constant for the heating mode. Each constant Kph, Kih is set in advance by experiments, simulations, or the like. Note that the temperature does not have to be expressed in units such as “° C.” for calculation purposes, and may be obtained by quantifying the voltage output from the sensor. Each constant may be appropriately adjusted according to the scale of these temperature values.

Further, when the heating mode is executed, as the target temperature TT, the target temperature for the seat cushion S1 and the target temperature for the seat back S2 may be set separately. In this case, the required control amount of the seat cushion heater 11 can be calculated based on the target temperature for the seat cushion S1 and the temperature of the seat cushion S1 acquired from the seat temperature sensor 31. and the temperature of the seatback S2 acquired from the seat temperature sensor 32, the necessary control amount of the seatback heater 12 can be calculated.

When executing the cooling mode, the control device 100 sets the target temperature TT to the first target temperature TC1 for the cooling mode. Then, the control device 100 controls the output of the cooling device 20 (blower 21) at the maximum output (100%) until the seat temperature TS reaches the first target temperature TC1 after temperature control is started. . Further, when the seat temperature TS reaches the first target temperature TC1, the control device 100 thereafter calculates the required control amount mv based on the first target temperature TC1 and the seat temperature TS. The output of the cooling device 20 is controlled by the controlled variable mv.

The required control amount mv can be calculated by the following formula, as in the case of executing the heating mode.
mv = Kpc x e + ie/Kic
where Kpc is the proportional control constant for cooling mode and Kic is the integral control constant for cooling mode. Each constant Kpc, Kic is set in advance by experiments, simulations, or the like. According to the above calculation, the necessary control amount mv may exceed 100 when the difference e is large. If mv exceeds 100, it is assumed to be 100.

When the seat temperature TS reaches the first target temperatures TH1 and TC1, the control device 100 sets the flag F1 to 1 to indicate that. The flag F1 has an initial value of 0. For example, when the operation switch 120 is turned on and temperature control is started, or when the operation switch 120 is turned off and power is not supplied to the control device 100 . It is reset to 0 when

In this embodiment, the control device 100 is configured to change the output of the temperature control device 1 when a predetermined switching time tk has elapsed from a predetermined timing. Specifically, the control device 100 sets the target value for controlling the output of the temperature control device 1 when the switching time tk has passed from the timing at which the vehicle interior temperature TR reaches the air conditioning set temperature TRS, which is the predetermined timing. It is configured to change the temperature TT.

When the switching time tk has passed since the vehicle interior temperature TR reached the air conditioning set temperature TRS during execution of the heating mode, the control device 100 changes the target temperature TT from the first target temperature TH1 to the first target temperature TH1. is changed to a second target temperature TH2 that is lower than the target temperature. Then, the control device 100 calculates the required control amount mv based on the second target temperature TH2 and the seat temperature TS, and controls the output of the heating device 10 with the calculated required control amount mv. In the heating mode, when the target temperature TT becomes small, heating is weakened, so the amount of heat generated by the heaters 11 and 12 (heater wires 11W and 12W) becomes small. Thereby, when the switching time tk has passed, the control device 100 makes the output of the heating device 10 smaller than before the switching time tk has passed.

Control device 100 changes target temperature TT from first target temperature TC1 to first target temperature TC1 when switching time tk has elapsed since vehicle interior temperature TR reached air conditioning set temperature TRS during execution of the cooling mode. is changed to a second target temperature TC2 that is higher than Then, the control device 100 calculates the required control amount mv based on the second target temperature TC2 and the seat temperature TS, and controls the output of the cooling device 20 with the calculated required control amount mv. In the cooling mode, when the target temperature TT increases, cooling is weakened, so the rotation speed of the blades of the blower 21 decreases. Thereby, when the switching time tk has passed, the control device 100 makes the output of the cooling device 20 smaller than before the switching time tk has passed.

When the vehicle interior temperature TR reaches the air conditioning set temperature TRS, the control device 100 sets a flag F2 to 1 to indicate that. Further, the control device 100 sets the flag F3 to 1 to indicate that the switching time tk has elapsed from the timing when the vehicle interior temperature TR reached the air conditioning set temperature TRS. The flags F2 and F3 have an initial value of 0. For example, when the operation switch 120 is turned ON and the temperature control is started, or when the operation switch 120 is turned OFF and electric power is supplied to the control device 100. It is reset to 0 when it is no longer

Control device 100 sets switching time tk based on initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 as the initial environmental temperature. The initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is the vehicle interior temperature TR when the temperature control device 1 is operated. That is, the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is the vehicle interior temperature TR when the operation switch 120 is switched from the OFF state to the ON state and temperature control is started.

When executing the heating mode, the control device 100 sets the switching time tk based on the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 and a map as shown in FIG. 4(a). Further, when executing the cooling mode, the control device 100 sets the switching time tk based on the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 and a map as shown in FIG. 4(b).

The maps shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are examples of maps for associating the initial vehicle interior temperature with the switching time, and are set in advance through experiments, simulations, or the like. In the map of FIG. 4(a), the switching time tk is set to be shorter as the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is higher. Therefore, when the heating mode is executed, control device 100 sets switching time tk to a shorter time as initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is higher. On the other hand, in the map of FIG. 4(b), the switching time tk is set to be shorter as the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is lower. Therefore, when executing the cooling mode, control device 100 sets switching time tk to a shorter time as initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is lower.

Next, processing by the control device 100 will be described. The control device 100 repeatedly executes the processes shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 for each predetermined control cycle.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the operation switch 120 is in the ON state (S101, Yes) and it is the first control cycle (S102, Yes), the control device 100 acquires the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 (S103 ). Further, the control device 100 resets the flags F1, F2, F3 to 0 (S104). Further, the control device 100 selects either the heating mode or the cooling mode based on the outside air temperature TO acquired from the outside air temperature sensor 50 (S105).

After that, the control device 100 sets the switching time tk (S106). Specifically, when executing the heating mode, the control device 100 sets the switching time tk from the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 and the map of FIG. 4(a). When executing the cooling mode, the control device 100 sets the switching time tk from the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 and the map of FIG. 4(b). Further, the control device 100 sets the target temperature TT to the first target temperature (S107). Specifically, when executing the heating mode, the control device 100 sets the target temperature TT to the first target temperature TH1 for the heating mode. When executing the cooling mode, the control device 100 sets the target temperature TT to the first target temperature TC1 for the cooling mode. After that, the control device 100 proceeds to step S111.

In step S102, if it is not the first control cycle (S102, No), the control device 100 proceeds to step S111. Also, in step S101, if the operation switch 120 is not in the ON state (S101, No), the control device 100 terminates the current processing because the temperature control is not executed.

In step S111, the control device 100 determines whether the flag F1 is 1 or not. Then, if the flag F1 is not 1 (S111, No), the control device 100 determines whether or not the seat temperature TS has reached the first target temperature TH1 or TC1 (S112). Then, if the seat temperature TS has not reached the first target temperature TH1 or TC1 (S112, No), the control device 100 outputs the heating device 10 or the cooling device 20 at 100% (S113), exit.

In step S112, if the seat temperature TS reaches the first target temperature TH1 or TC1 (S112, Yes), as shown in FIG. move on. If the flag F1 is 1 in step S111 of FIG. 5 (S111, Yes), the control device 100 proceeds to step S122 of FIG.

In step S122, control device 100 determines whether flag F2 is 1 or not. Then, if the flag F2 is not 1 (S122, No), the control device 100 determines whether or not the vehicle interior temperature TR has reached the air conditioning set temperature TRS (S123). Then, if the vehicle interior temperature TR has not reached the air conditioning set temperature TRS (S123, No), the control device 100 calculates the necessary control amount mv based on the first target temperature TH1 or TC1 and the seat temperature TS. (S141). Then, the control device 100 outputs the calculated required control amount mv for the heating device 10 or the cooling device 20 (S142), and ends the current process.

In step S123, when the vehicle interior temperature TR reaches the air conditioning set temperature TRS (S123, Yes), the control device 100 starts a timer count (S124), sets the flag F2 to 1 (S125), and proceeds to step S126. move on. Also, in step S122, when the flag F2 is 1 (S122, Yes), the control device 100 proceeds to step S126.

In step S126, control device 100 determines whether flag F3 is 1 or not. Then, if the flag F3 is not 1 (S126, No), the control device 100 determines whether or not the switching time tk has elapsed since the timer count started (S127). Then, if the switching time tk has not elapsed (S127, No), the control device 100 proceeds to step S141. Also, in step S126, when the flag F3 is 1 (S126, Yes), the control device 100 proceeds to step S141.

In step S127, when the switching time tk has elapsed since the timer count started (S127, Yes), the control device 100 sets the target temperature TT to the second target temperature (S131). Specifically, during execution of the heating mode, the control device 100 sets the target temperature TT to a second target temperature TH2 that is lower than the first target temperature TH1. Also, during execution of the cooling mode, the control device 100 sets the target temperature TT to a second target temperature TC2 that is higher than the first target temperature TC1. Further, the control device 100 sets the flag F3 to 1 (S132).

After that, the control device 100 calculates the required control amount mv based on the second target temperature TH2 or TC2 and the seat temperature TS (S141). Then, the control device 100 outputs the calculated required control amount mv for the heating device 10 or the cooling device 20 (S142), and ends the current process.

Next, the operation of control device 100 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, when the heating mode is started at times t10 and t20, the control device 100 obtains the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0, sets the switching time tk, and sets the target temperature TT. is set as the first target temperature TH1. At this time, when the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is high, the control device 100 sets the switching time tk2 to a time shorter than the switching time tk1 when the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is low.

After that, the control device 100 outputs the heating device 10 at 100% until the seat temperature TS reaches the first target temperature TH1. Then, at times t11 and t21, when the seat temperature TS reaches the first target temperature TH1, the control device 100 calculates the necessary control amount mv based on the first target temperature TH1 and the seat temperature TS. is output as the calculated required control amount mv.

After that, at times t12 and t22, when the vehicle interior temperature TR reaches the air conditioning set temperature TRS, the control device 100 starts a timer count. Then, at times t13 and t23, when the switching time tk has elapsed since the timer count started, the control device 100 sets the target temperature TT to a second target temperature TH2 that is lower than the first target temperature TH1. After that, the control device 100 calculates the required control amount mv based on the second target temperature TH2 and the seat temperature TS, and outputs the calculated required control amount mv to the heating device 10 .

As shown in FIG. 7B, when the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is high, the switching time tk2 is set to a short time. to the second target temperature TH2 can be shortened. Thereby, the seat temperature TS can be lowered quickly when the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is high and the heating device 10 is operated for a long time and the driver tends to feel hot.

Conversely, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is low, the switching time tk1 is set to a long time, so the target temperature TT is high after the timer count starts (time t12). The time during which the target temperature (first target temperature TH1) is maintained can be lengthened. Accordingly, when it takes time for the vehicle interior temperature TR to rise from the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 to the air conditioning set temperature TRS, the seat temperature TS can be kept high for a long time.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the cooling mode is started at times t30 and t40, the control device 100 acquires the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0, sets the switching time tk, and sets the target The temperature TT is set to the first target temperature TC1. At this time, when the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is low, the control device 100 sets the switching time tk4 to be shorter than the switching time tk3 when the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is high.

After that, the control device 100 outputs the cooling device 20 at 100% until the seat temperature TS reaches the first target temperature TC1. Then, at times t31 and t41, when the seat temperature TS reaches the first target temperature TC1, the control device 100 calculates the necessary control amount mv based on the first target temperature TC1 and the seat temperature TS. is output as the calculated required control amount mv.

After that, at times t32 and t42, when the vehicle interior temperature TR reaches the air conditioning set temperature TRS, the control device 100 starts a timer count. Then, at times t33 and t43, after the switching time tk has elapsed since the timer count started, the control device 100 sets the target temperature TT to a second target temperature TC2 that is higher than the first target temperature TC1. After that, the control device 100 calculates the required control amount mv based on the second target temperature TC2 and the seat temperature TS, and outputs the calculated required control amount mv to the cooling device 20 .

As shown in FIG. 8B, when the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is low, the switching time tk4 is set to a short time. to the second target temperature TC2 can be shortened. Thereby, the seat temperature TS can be quickly raised when the initial in-vehicle temperature TR0 is low and it is easy to feel cold if the cooling device 20 is operated for a long time.

Conversely, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is high, the switching time tk3 is set to a long time, so the target temperature TT is low from the timer count start (time t32). The time during which the target temperature (first target temperature TC1) is maintained can be lengthened. Accordingly, when it takes time for the vehicle interior temperature TR to drop from the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 to the air conditioning set temperature TRS, the seat temperature TS can be kept low for a long time.

According to the present embodiment described above, the switching time tk is set based on the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0, and when the switching time tk elapses from the timing at which the vehicle interior temperature TR reaches the air conditioning set temperature TRS, the temperature controller 1 is turned on. Since the output is changed, the output of the temperature control device 1 can be changed before the seated person feels hot or cold from the comfortable state. Thereby, comfort can be maintained.

Specifically, when the switching time tk has elapsed, the control device 100 changes the target temperature TT from the first target temperature TH1 to a second target temperature TH2 that is lower than the first target temperature TH1. Since the output of the heating device 10 is made smaller than before the switching time tk elapses, the output of the heating device 10 can be reduced before the seated person feels hot from the comfortable state. As a result, the temperature felt by the seated person can be lowered, so that comfort can be maintained.

At this time, the control device 100 sets the switching time tk to a shorter time as the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is higher. The output of 10 can be reduced quickly, and comfort can be maintained.

Further, when the switching time tk has elapsed, the control device 100 changes the target temperature TT from the first target temperature TC1 to a second target temperature TC2 that is higher than the first target temperature TC1, thereby Since the output is made smaller than before the switching time tk elapses, the output of the cooling device 20 can be made small before the seated person feels cold from the comfortable state. As a result, the temperature felt by the seated person can be increased, so that comfort can be maintained.

At this time, the controller 100 sets the switching time tk to a shorter time as the initial vehicle interior temperature TR0 is lower. The output of 20 can be reduced quickly, and comfort can be maintained.

Further, since the seat temperature sensors 31, 32 are arranged at positions avoiding the heater wires 11W, 12W and the ventilation holes H1, H2, the temperature detected by the seat temperature sensors 31, 32 is detected by the heater wires 11W, 12W. It becomes less susceptible to heat and the flow of air passing through the ventilation holes H1 and H2. Thereby, the seat temperature TS can be detected with high accuracy.

Although one embodiment of the invention has been described above, the invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate.

For example, the control device may be configured to control the output of the temperature control device for each seated person based on the personal information of the seated person input in advance. The personal information of the seated person includes information that affects comfort, for example, gender information, physique information such as height and weight, information on the set temperature of the seat such as the first target temperature and the second target temperature, switching Examples include time information and physical constitution information such as the tendency to perspire. In addition, the input of personal information may be configured to be performed using an input device such as a switch or touch panel provided in the vehicle, or configured to be performed using a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet computer. You may In the case of using a mobile terminal, the personal information of the seated person may be stored in the mobile terminal, and the information may be read by the vehicle and used to control the vehicle seat. According to such a configuration, even if the vehicle is changed, if the vehicle is equipped with the vehicle seat according to the present invention, the temperature control device can be controlled optimally for each seated person. Since it can be executed, comfort can be maintained or improved independently of the vehicle.

Further, the control device may be configured to learn the preference of the seated person from the information input by the operation of the seated person, and control the output of the temperature control device according to the preference of the seated person.
For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the vehicle is provided with an operation panel 120P having an up switch 121 and a down switch 122 in addition to the operation switch 120. As shown in FIG. As an example, by pressing the up switch 121, the second target temperatures TH2, TC2 can be raised to a predetermined upper limit temperature by 1 degree, and by pressing the down switch 122, the second target temperatures TH2, TC2 can be raised to a predetermined temperature. The temperature can be lowered by 1 degree to the lower limit temperature.

When the second target temperatures TH2 and TC2 for controlling the output of the temperature control device 1 after the switching time tk has passed are changed by the operation of the seated person, the control device 100 controls the changed output. The second target temperatures TH3 and TC3 after the change for the purpose and the information of the seated person are associated with each other and stored in the storage device 190 . The information of the seated person can be acquired by inputting to an input device provided in the vehicle, reading information stored in a portable terminal owned by the seated person, or the like.

The control device 100 acquires the information of the seated person next time when the seated person sits on the seat body S0 by inputting to the input device provided in the vehicle or reading the information stored in the portable terminal. Then, the control device 100 starts the temperature regulation control, and when the switching time tk has passed from the timing when the vehicle interior temperature TR reaches the air conditioning set temperature TRS, the second temperature associated with the information of the seated person who is currently sitting. The target temperatures TH3, TC3 are read from the storage device 190, and the target temperature TT is changed from the first target temperatures TH1, TC1 to the second target temperatures TH3, TC3. Thereby, the control device 100 changes the output of the temperature control device 1 to the desired output after being changed by the seated person.

Here, the processing by the control device 100 in this modified example will be briefly described.
As shown in FIG. 10, the control device 100 is currently sitting after the process of step S107 when the operation switch 120 is in the ON state (S101, Yes) and it is the first control cycle (S102, Yes). The information of the seated occupant is acquired (S108). Then, the control device 100 sets the second target temperature (S109). Specifically, when the information on the second target temperatures TH3 and TC3 associated with the acquired seated person information is stored in the storage device 190, the control device 100 sets the second target temperature as the second target temperature. Set TH3 and TC3. Further, when the information of the second target temperatures TH3, TC3 associated with the obtained information of the seated person is not stored in the storage device 190, the second target temperature is set to the specified value, that is, the second target temperature TH2 , TC2.

After outputting the heating device 10 or the cooling device 20 with a predetermined control amount in step S113 or step S142 of FIG. ). If the switches 121 and 122 have not been operated (S151, No), the control device 100 terminates this process. On the other hand, when the switches 121 and 122 are operated (S151, Yes), the control device 100 sets the second target temperatures TH2 and TC2 to the second target temperatures TH4 and TC4 set by operating the switches 121 and 122. change (S152). As a result, the second target temperatures TH3 and TC3 set in step S109 and step S131 of FIG. 6 are changed to the second target temperatures TH4 and TC4 set by the seated person. Then, the control device 100 associates the changed second target temperatures TH4, TC4 with the information of the seated person acquired in step S108, stores them in the storage device 190 (S153), and ends the current process.

According to such a configuration, the output of the temperature control device 1 can be changed to match the preference of the seated person, so that comfort can be improved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the temperature control device 1 includes heaters 10A as an example of a plurality of temperature control units configured to be individually temperature controllable. The configuration may include a seat cushion heater 11 as an example, a waist heater 12A as an example of a waist temperature control unit, and a shoulder heater 12B as an example of a shoulder temperature control unit. The heaters 11, 12A, 12B are provided corresponding to different parts of the seated person. Specifically, the seat cushion heater 11 is provided at a position of the seat cushion S1 facing the buttocks and thighs of the seated person, corresponding to the buttocks and thighs of the seated person. Also, the waist heater 12A is provided at a position of the seat back S2 facing the waist of the seated person, corresponding to the waist of the seated person, and the shoulder heater 12B is provided corresponding to the shoulders of the seated person. , the seat back S2 at a position facing the shoulder (scapula) of the seated person.

Further, when the seat body S0 includes the heaters 11, 12A, 12B as described above, the control device 100 can be configured to set the switching time for each of the heaters 11, 12A, 12B. Specifically, as a result of examination by the inventors of the present application, it was found that the time from feeling comfortable to feeling uncomfortable is shorter in the waist than in other parts. Alternatively, the switching time of the waist heater 12A can be set shorter than the switching time of the seat cushion heater 11 and the switching time of the shoulder heater 12B.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 12, the switching time of the waist heater 12A is set based on the map MP1, the switching time of the shoulder heater 12B is set based on the map MP2, and the switching time of the seat cushion heater 11 is set based on the map MP2. can be set based on the map MP3. The maps MP1 to MP3 are maps for associating the initial vehicle interior temperature with the switching time, and are set so that the higher the initial vehicle interior temperature, the shorter the switching time. The maps MP1 to MP3 are set so that the switching time for the map MP1 is shorter than the switching time for the maps MP2 and MP3 when compared with a predetermined initial vehicle interior temperature (see, for example, the dashed line).

Thus, by setting the switching time for each of the heaters 11, 12A, and 12B provided corresponding to different parts of the seated person, it is possible to maintain comfort for different parts of the seated person.

Also, the switching time of the waist heater 12A provided corresponding to the waist where the time from feeling comfortable to feeling uncomfortable is shorter than the switching time of the seat cushion heater 11 and the switching of the shoulder heater 12B. By setting the time shorter than the time, the output of the waist heater 12A can be changed earlier than the seat cushion heater 11 and the shoulder heater 12B. Specifically, the output of the waist heater 12A can be quickly reduced. As a result, the comfort of the vehicle seat S as a whole can be improved.

In this modified example (see FIG. 11), the seat cushion heater 11 as the seat temperature control unit is provided for both the buttocks and thighs of the seated person, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the seat temperature control unit (seat cushion heater) may be a heater provided only for the buttocks of the seated person, or a heater provided only for the thighs of the seated person. may be Also, the seat temperature control unit may have a configuration in which both a heater provided corresponding to the buttocks and a heater provided corresponding to the thighs are separately provided.

Also, the outputs of the waist heater 12A and the shoulder heater 12B may be controlled individually by setting target temperatures individually. The same is true when the seat cushion is provided with a plurality of heaters.

As another example of the plurality of temperature control units, the seat body is provided with a plurality of blowers, and the control device is configured to set the switching time for each blower as in the case of the heater 10A described above. may Although the blower 21 is provided on the seat cushion S1 in the above embodiment, the blower may be provided on the seat back instead of the seat cushion. Also, the blower may be provided on each of the seat cushion and the seat back. Further, when a plurality of blowers are provided, the output of each blower may be individually controlled by setting the target temperature individually.

Further, in the above embodiment, the blower 21 is provided on the seat body S0, but the blower may be provided on the vehicle instead of on the seat body. That is, a part of the cooling device may be provided in the vehicle. Even in this case, by connecting the blower provided in the vehicle and the seat body with a duct, the air blown from the blower provided in the vehicle is blown out from the surface of the seat body on the occupant side toward the occupant. can be configured as A part of the heating device may also be provided in the vehicle.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a sirocco fan was exemplified as the blower 21, but the blower 21 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a propeller fan or a turbo fan. In the above embodiment, the cooling device 20 is configured to blow air from the ventilation holes H1 and H2, but is not limited to this, and may be configured to suck air from the ventilation holes H1 and H2, for example. may Further, the cooling device may be configured to switch between blowing air and sucking, for example, by switching the rotation direction of the impeller of the blower. Alternatively, only one of the seat cushion and the seat back may be configured to be capable of blowing or sucking air.

In the above-described embodiment, the planar heaters constituting the heating device 10 are provided on the seat cushion S1 and the seat back S2, respectively. may be provided.

Further, the cooling device may be configured to blow cool air toward the seated person from the surface of the seat body facing the seated person. Further, the heating device may be configured to blow warm air toward the seated person from the surface of the seat body facing the seated person.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle seat S is configured to selectively operate only one of the heating device 10 and the cooling device 20 according to the outside air temperature in order to facilitate understanding of the invention. , but not limited to. That is, the temperature control may be configured such that both the heating device and the cooling device are simultaneously operated in a well-balanced manner.

Further, in the above embodiment, the target temperature is changed in order to control the output of the temperature control device 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in controlling the output of a cooling device (blower), without setting a target temperature, the output of the cooling device is controlled based on a map or the like that is set so that the output increases as the vehicle interior temperature increases. good too.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the timing at which the vehicle interior temperature TR reaches the air conditioning set temperature TRS was exemplified as the predetermined timing, but the timing is not limited to this. For example, the predetermined timing may be the timing at which the temperature regulation control is started, the timing at which the initial vehicle interior temperature is obtained, the timing at which the seat temperature reaches the first target temperature, or the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, after the target temperature TT is changed from the first target temperature to the second target temperature, the target temperature is maintained at the second target temperature, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the heating mode, when the first switching time has elapsed from a predetermined timing, the target temperature is changed from the first target temperature to a second target temperature that is lower than the first target temperature, and then the second target temperature is changed from the predetermined timing. The target temperature may be changed from the second target temperature to a third target temperature lower than the second target temperature when a second switching time longer than one switching time has elapsed. Further, the target temperature is changed from the third target temperature to a fourth target temperature lower than the third target temperature when a third switching time longer than the second switching time elapses from the predetermined timing. good too. The same is true for the cooling mode.

Further, in the above embodiment, the temperature control device 1 has both the heating device 10 and the cooling device 20, but is not limited to this, and has only one of the heating device and the cooling device. good too.

Also, the temperature sensor may be a temperature/humidity sensor capable of measuring both temperature and humidity. By arranging the temperature/humidity sensor in a position between the pad and the skin of the seat body and avoiding the heater wire and the ventilation holes, it is possible to accurately detect not only the temperature but also the humidity.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle seat S mounted in an automobile was exemplified as a vehicle seat. It may be a sheet.

Also, the elements described in the above-described embodiment and modification may be arbitrarily combined and implemented.

Reference Signs List 1 temperature control device 10 heating device 11 seat cushion heater 11W heater wire 12 seat back heater 12W heater wire 20 cooling device 31, 32 seat temperature sensor 100 control device H1, H2 ventilation hole P1 seat cushion pad P2 seat back pad S vehicle seat S0 Seat body U1 Seat cushion cover U2 Seat back cover

Claims (11)

A seat body on which a seated person sits,
a temperature control device provided on the seat body;
and a control device that controls the temperature control device,
The control device is
configured to change the output of the temperature control device when a predetermined switching time has elapsed from a predetermined timing,
A vehicle seat, wherein the switching time is set based on an initial environmental temperature when the temperature control device is operated, which is the temperature of the environment in which the seat body is installed. The temperature control device has a heating device that warms the seated person sitting on the seat body,
2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein, when the switching time has elapsed, the control device makes the output of the heating device smaller than before the switching time has elapsed. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein the control device sets the switching time to a shorter time as the initial environmental temperature is higher. The temperature control device has a cooling device that cools a seated person sitting on the seat body,
4. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the switching time has elapsed, the control device makes the output of the cooling device smaller than before the switching time has elapsed. vehicle seat. 5. The vehicle seat according to claim 4, wherein the control device sets the switching time to a shorter time as the initial environmental temperature is lower. 2. The control device is configured to change the target temperature for controlling the output of the temperature control device when the switching time has elapsed from the predetermined timing. A vehicle seat according to claim 5 . The temperature control device includes a plurality of temperature control units provided corresponding to different parts of the seated person and configured to be individually temperature controllable,
The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control device sets the switching time for each temperature control unit. The plurality of temperature control units include a seat temperature control unit provided corresponding to at least one of the buttocks and thighs of the seated person, and a waist temperature control unit provided corresponding to the waist of the seated person. including
8. The vehicle seat according to claim 7, wherein the control device sets the switching time of the waist temperature control unit to a time shorter than the switching time of the seat temperature control unit. The plurality of temperature control units includes a waist temperature control unit provided corresponding to the waist of the seated person and a shoulder temperature control unit provided corresponding to the shoulders of the seated person,
9. The vehicle seat according to claim 7, wherein the control device sets the switching time of the waist temperature control unit to a time shorter than the switching time of the shoulder temperature control unit. A temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the seat body,
The temperature control device includes a heater having a heater wire disposed between the pad and the skin of the seat body,
The seat body has a ventilation hole for passing air provided on the surface of the pad on the side of the seated person,
10. The temperature sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the temperature sensor is arranged between the pad and the skin at a position avoiding the heater wire and the ventilation hole. The vehicle seat described in . The control device is
When the output of the temperature control device after the switching time has passed is changed by the operation of the seated person, the output after the change and the information of the seated person are associated and stored,
The next time the seated person sits on the seat body, and when the switching time elapses from the predetermined timing, the output of the temperature control device is changed to the output after the change. Item 11. The vehicle seat according to any one of Item 10.

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