JP7347196B2 - Vehicle seat control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control device for a vehicle seat.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with a so-called power seat, which is a seat that can change the reclining angle, slide, etc. using a motor. Patent Document 1 discloses a control device that controls the motor of such a power seat.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-1366

By the way, in such a control device, when a seat is slid by an operation using a remote control key or the like, there is a risk that an object may be caught between the seat and another seat located in front of the seat in the moving direction of the seat.

Therefore, in order to suppress the above-mentioned entrapment, the load on the motor is detected, and the control device compares the load with a predetermined threshold, and if the load exceeds the predetermined threshold, it is determined that entrapment has occurred. It is conceivable to stop driving the motor.

However, if the above threshold value is set relatively small, for example, if an occupant performs an operation to slide the seat while seated, the load on the motor that drives the seat will likely exceed the above threshold value, causing the occupant's There arises an inconvenience in that the sheet cannot be slid against one's will, a so-called erroneous stop.

On the other hand, if the threshold value is set to a large value, the seat will be driven even if the seat without an occupant slides and becomes caught between the seat and another seat. Since the load on the motor does not exceed the above threshold value, the motor cannot be stopped and it is difficult to prevent entrapment.

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat control device that can suppress the occurrence of erroneous stops while suppressing pinching.

A vehicle seat control device for achieving the above object includes a drive unit that drives a seat mounted on a vehicle, and a control unit that controls the drive unit based on an operation signal. The vehicle seat control device includes a load detection section that detects a load acting on the drive section, and a seating state detection section that detects a seating state of an occupant on the seat. The control unit limits the drive of the drive unit when the load detected by the load detection unit exceeds a preset threshold, and when an occupant is seated on the seat, The threshold value is made larger than when the person is not seated.

According to this configuration, the control section limits the drive of the drive section when the load acting on the drive section exceeds a preset threshold. Here, when no occupant is seated on the seat, the threshold value is set to a relatively small value. For this reason, if a pinch occurs due to the seat being driven when no occupant is seated, the load acting on the drive unit increases and exceeds the above threshold, which limits the drive of the drive unit. Become. On the other hand, when an occupant is seated on the seat, the threshold value is set to a relatively large value. Therefore, even if the load acting on the drive unit increases when the occupant performs an operation to drive the seat while seated on the seat, this alone will make it difficult for the load to exceed the threshold value. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of so-called erroneous stopping, in which the seat cannot be driven against the occupant's will. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous stopping while suppressing pinching.

In the above vehicle seat control device, when the front and rear of the seat are referred to as the front and the rear, respectively, the drive section includes a slide drive section that slides the seat forward or backward, and the control section: When a first operation signal for sliding the seat at a low speed is input, the slide driving section is controlled to slide the seat at a first speed, and the control section It is preferable that when a second operation signal for sliding the sheet at a high speed is input, the slide driving section is controlled to slide the sheet at a second speed higher than the first speed. .

According to the configuration, the speed at which the seat is slid can be changed by properly using the operation for inputting the first operation signal and the operation for inputting the second operation signal to the control unit. .

In the vehicle seat control device, the control unit may set the threshold value to a higher value when an occupant is seated on the seat than when an occupant is not seated when the first operation signal is input. It is preferable to make it large.

According to this configuration, when an operation for sliding the seat at a low speed is performed, it is possible to suppress pinching and also suppress the occurrence of erroneous stopping.
In the vehicle seat control device, the control unit always limits the drive of the drive unit when an occupant is seated on the seat when the second operation signal is input. is preferred.

According to this configuration, when an occupant is seated on the seat, it is possible to further suppress the seat from moving at high speed when an operation for sliding the seat at high speed is performed by mistake.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous stopping while suppressing pinching.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle seat including a control device according to an embodiment of a control device for a vehicle seat. FIG. 3 is a side view showing the seat of the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the control device according to the embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the seat ECU. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the seat ECU. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the seat ECU.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of a control device for a vehicle seat will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.
Note that hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the vehicle will be referred to as the longitudinal direction L, and the front and rear in the longitudinal direction will be simply referred to as "front" and "rear". Also, the left and right sides when viewed from the rear will be simply referred to as "left side" and "right side."

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle is a three-row seat vehicle that includes, in order from the front, a front seat 11, a second seat 12, and a third seat 13.
The front seat 11 consists of two seats, left and right, which are arranged independently of each other. The front seat 11 constitutes a driver's seat and a passenger's seat.

The second seat 12 consists of two seats, left and right, which are arranged independently of each other. Note that the second seat 12 corresponds to the seat according to the present invention.
The third seat 13 consists of two seats, left and right, which are arranged independently of each other.

Next, the second seat 12 will be explained in detail.
A pair of slide rails 70 for sliding the second seat 12 back and forth extend along the front and back direction on the floor panel.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second seat 12 includes a seat cushion 20, an ottoman 21 connected to the front end of the seat cushion 20, a pair of armrests 22 connected to both left and right ends of the seat cushion 20, and a seat cushion 20. 20 and a seat back 23 connected to the rear end of the seat.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second seat 12 is provided with an ottoman drive section 31, a slide drive section 32, and a seatback drive section 33, all of which are configured by electric motors.

The ottoman drive unit 31 is provided at a connecting portion between the seat cushion 20 and the ottoman 21, and tilts the ottoman 21 about an axis R1 extending along the width direction of the second seat 12, that is, the left-right direction.

The slide drive unit 32 is provided on the seat cushion 20 and slides the second seat 12 along the slide rail 70.
The seatback drive unit 33 is provided at a connecting portion between the seat cushion 20 and the seatback 23, and tilts the seatback 23 about an axis R2 extending along the width direction of the second seat 12, that is, the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 90 includes a load detection section 40, a seating state detection section 41, operation sections 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and 56, and a seat ECU 60. Note that the seat ECU 60 corresponds to a control section according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the load detection section 40 detects the load acting on the slide drive section 32. That is, the load detection section 40 includes a rotation sensor that detects the rotation speed of the electric motor that constitutes the slide drive section 32. The rotation sensor is a sensor that uses a Hall element. If the voltage applied to the electric motor is constant, the rotation speed of the electric motor decreases as the load acting on the slide drive section 32 increases. The load detection section 40 uses the above relationship to detect the load acting on the slide drive section 32 based on a change in the rotation speed of the electric motor.

As shown in FIG. 1, the seating state detection unit 41 detects the seating state of an occupant in the second seat 12. The seating state detection unit 41 of this embodiment is a pressure sensor provided inside the seat cushion 20.

The manual operation unit 51 is a switch for sliding the second seat 12 forward or backward by manual operation by the occupant, and slides the second seat 12 at a low first speed with respect to a seat ECU 60 to be described later. Outputs operation signals for movement. While the manual operation section 51, more specifically, the front operation section or the rear operation section of the manual operation section 51 is being operated, the slide drive section 32 is rotated forward or backward.

The memory operation unit 52 is a switch for sliding the second seat 12 to a position stored in a memory unit 63 of the seat ECU 60, which will be described later, and slides the second seat 12 at a first speed with respect to the seat ECU 60. Outputs an operation signal to do this. By operating the memory operation section 52, the slide drive section 32 is rotated forward or backward until the second seat 12 reaches the position stored in the memory section 63. Note that the operation signals output from the manual operation section 51 and the memory operation section 52 correspond to the first operation signal according to the present invention.

The walk-in operation unit 53 is a switch for sliding the second seat 12 forward in order to assist the occupant of the third seat 13 in getting on and off, and causes the seat ECU 60 to move the second seat 12 at a speed lower than the first speed. An operation signal for sliding at a high second speed is output. When the walk-in operation section 53 is operated, the slide drive section 32 is rotated in the forward direction.

The return operation section 54 is a switch for sliding the second seat 12 rearward in order to return the second seat 12 to the position before the walk-in operation section 53 was operated. An operation signal for sliding the seat 12 at the second speed is output. When the return operation section 54 is operated, the slide drive section 32 is rotated in the reverse direction. Note that the operation signals output from the walk-in operation section 53 and the return operation section 54 correspond to the second operation signal according to the present invention.

The ottoman operation unit 55 is a switch for tilting the ottoman 21 upward or downward by manual operation by the occupant, and outputs an operation signal for tilting the ottoman 21 to the seat ECU 60. While the ottoman operating section 55, more specifically, the upper operating section or the lower operating section of the ottoman operating section 55, is being operated, the ottoman driving section 31 is rotated forward or backward.

The reclining operation unit 56 is a switch for tilting the seat back 23 forward or backward by manual operation by the occupant, and outputs an operation signal for tilting the seat back 23 to the seat ECU 60. While the reclining operation section 56, more specifically, the front operation section or the rear operation section of the reclining operation section 56 is being operated, the seatback drive section 33 is rotated forward or backward.

In this embodiment, the operating units 51 to 56 are provided in one place on the armrest 22. In addition to the armrest 22, the manual operation section 51, memory operation section 52, walk-in operation section 53, and return operation section 54 may be provided on an instrument panel located in front of the driver's seat. . In particular, the walk-in operation section 53 and the return operation section 54 may be provided on a remote control key for locking and unlocking the doors of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 3, the seat ECU 60 includes a memory unit 63, an acquisition unit 61 that acquires signals output from the operation units 51 to 56, and drive units 31 to 31 based on the signals acquired by the acquisition unit 61. 33.

The drive control unit 62 controls the slide drive unit 32 to slide the second seat 12 at the first speed when an operation signal from the manual operation unit 51 or the memory operation unit 52 is input to the acquisition unit 61. .

The drive control unit 62 controls the slide drive unit 32 to slide the second seat 12 at a second speed when the operation signal from the walk-in operation unit 53 or the return operation unit 54 is input to the acquisition unit 61. .

The drive control section 62 controls the ottoman drive section 31 to tilt the ottoman 21 when the operation signal from the ottoman operation section 55 is input to the acquisition section 61 .
The drive control section 62 controls the seatback drive section 33 to tilt the seatback 23 when the operation signal from the reclining operation section 56 is input to the acquisition section 61 .

By the way, when the second seat 12 is slid, there is a risk that something may be caught between the second seat 12 and the front seat 11 or the third seat 13.
Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to suppress the above-mentioned pinching, the load detecting section 40 detects the load acting on the slide drive section 32, and the seat ECU 60 compares the load with a predetermined threshold T. When the load exceeds a predetermined threshold T, it is assumed that a pinch has occurred and the drive of the slide drive section 32 is restricted.

Further, the seat ECU 60 sets the threshold value T larger when an occupant is seated in the second seat 12 than when the occupant is not seated.
Next, the procedure of control processing by the seat ECU 60 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is a procedure for setting the threshold T that is executed when an operation signal from the manual operation section 51 or an operation signal from the memory operation section 52, that is, a first operation signal is input to the acquisition section 61. It shows.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this series of processes, first, the acquisition unit 61 acquires a signal output from the seating state detection unit 41 (step S11).
The drive control unit 62 determines whether or not an occupant is seated in the second seat 12 based on the seating information signal acquired by the acquisition unit 61 (step S12).

Here, if it is not determined that the occupant is seated in the second seat 12 (step S12; NO), the drive control unit 62 sets the threshold T to the first threshold T1 (step S13). Then, this series of processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the occupant is seated in the second seat 12 (step S12; YES), the drive control unit 62 sets the threshold T to a second threshold T2 that is larger than the first threshold T1. (Step S14). Then, this series of processing ends.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 shows the setting of the threshold value T that is executed when the operation signal from the walk-in operation section 53 or the operation signal from the return operation section 54, that is, the second operation signal is input to the acquisition section 61. It shows the steps.

As shown in FIG. 5, in this series of processes, first, the acquisition unit 61 acquires a signal output from the seating state detection unit 41 (step S21).
The drive control unit 62 determines whether or not an occupant is seated in the second seat 12 based on the seating information signal acquired by the acquisition unit 61 (step S22).

Here, if it is not determined that the occupant is seated in the second seat 12 (step S22; NO), the drive control unit 62 sets the threshold T to the first threshold T1 (step S23). Then, this series of processing ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the occupant is seated on the seat (step S22; YES), the drive control section 62 limits the drive of the slide drive section 32 (step S24). Specifically, driving of the slide drive section 32 is prohibited. Then, this series of processing ends.

When the threshold value T is set by the control process shown in FIG. 4 or 5 and the driving of the slide drive unit 32 is started, the control process shown in FIG. 6 is repeatedly executed every predetermined period (for example, several tens of milliseconds). be done.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this series of processes, first, the acquisition unit 61 acquires the signal output from the load detection unit 40 (step S31).
The drive control unit 62 determines whether the load acting on the slide drive unit 32 exceeds the threshold T based on the load information signal acquired by the acquisition unit 61 (step S32).

Here, if it is not determined that the load acting on the slide drive unit 32 exceeds the threshold T (step S32; NO), the drive control unit 62 temporarily ends this series of processing.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the load acting on the slide drive unit 32 exceeds the threshold T (step S32; YES), the drive control unit 62 limits the drive of the slide drive unit 32 (step S33). . Specifically, driving of the slide drive section 32 is prohibited. Then, this series of processing ends.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.
The seat ECU 60 limits the driving of the slide drive section 32 when the load acting on the slide drive section 32 exceeds a preset threshold T. Here, when no occupant is seated in the second seat 12, the threshold T is set to a relatively small first threshold T1. Therefore, if a pinch occurs due to the driving of the second seat 12 with no occupant seated, the load acting on the slide drive section 32 increases and exceeds the threshold T1, causing the slide drive section 32 to become jammed. Drive becomes restricted.

On the other hand, when an occupant is seated in the second seat 12, the threshold T is set to a second threshold T2 that is larger than the first threshold T1. Therefore, even if the load acting on the slide drive unit 32 increases when the occupant performs an operation to drive the second seat 12 while seated on the second seat 12, this alone will make it difficult to exceed the threshold T2.

Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained.
(1) The vehicle seat control device includes a load detection section 40 that detects the load acting on the slide drive section 32 and a seating state detection section 41 that detects the seating state of the occupant in the second seat 12. The seat ECU 60 limits the drive of the slide drive unit 32 when the load detected by the load detection unit 40 exceeds a preset threshold T, and when an occupant is seated on the second seat 12, In this case, the threshold value T is set larger than when the user is not seated.

According to this configuration, since the above-described effects are achieved, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of so-called erroneous stopping, in which the second seat 12 cannot be driven against the occupant's will. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous stopping while suppressing pinching.

(2) The seat ECU 60 controls the slide drive unit 32 to slide the second seat 12 at a first speed when the first operation signal for sliding the second seat 12 at a low speed is input. . On the other hand, when a second operation signal for sliding the second seat 12 at high speed is input, the seat ECU 60 slides the second seat 12 at a second speed higher than the first speed. Controls the drive unit 32.

According to this configuration, the speed at which the second seat 12 is slid can be changed by properly using the operation for inputting the first operation signal and the operation for inputting the second operation signal to the seat ECU 60. I can do it.

(3) When the first operation signal is input, the seat ECU 60 increases the threshold value T when an occupant is seated in the second seat 12 compared to when the occupant is not seated.
According to such a configuration, when an operation for sliding the second seat 12 at a low speed is performed, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an erroneous stop while suppressing pinching.

(4) The seat ECU 60 limits the drive of the slide drive unit 32 if an occupant is seated in the second seat 12 when the second operation signal is input.
According to this configuration, when an occupant is seated in the second seat 12 and an operation for sliding the second seat 12 at high speed is performed by mistake, the second seat 12 does not move at high speed. can be suppressed.

<Example of change>
This embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. This embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.

- In the above embodiment, measures for suppressing pinching caused by driving the slide drive unit 32 have been described, but the present invention provides measures to prevent pinching caused by driving the ottoman drive unit 31 and the seatback drive unit 33. can also be applied. That is, the load acting on the ottoman drive unit 31 is detected, and the seat ECU 60 compares the load with a predetermined threshold T, and if the load exceeds the predetermined threshold T, it is determined that a pinch has occurred and the ottoman is The drive of the drive unit 31 may be limited. Furthermore, when an occupant is seated in the second seat 12, the threshold value T may be set larger by the seat ECU 60 than when the occupant is not seated. Note that the same applies to the seatback drive section 33.

- The ottoman drive unit 31 can also be omitted. Further, the seat back drive section 33 can also be omitted.
- The drive unit is not limited to the ottoman drive unit 31, slide drive unit 32, and seatback drive unit 33 illustrated in the above embodiment, but may be provided in other movable parts such as a headrest. . Further, the drive unit may be one that rotates the second seat 12 around a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction.

- The load detection part 40 is not limited to what was illustrated in this embodiment, For example, it may be equipped with a current detection sensor that detects the current value flowing through the electric motor. When using a current detection sensor, if the voltage applied to the electric motor is constant, the greater the load acting on the slide drive section 32, the greater the value of the current flowing through the electric motor. The load detection section 40 utilizes the above relationship to detect the load acting on the slide drive section 32 based on a change in the value of the current flowing through the electric motor. Further, the load detection section 40 may be a combination of a rotation sensor using a Hall element and a current detection sensor.

- In the present embodiment, a pressure-sensitive sensor provided in the seat cushion 20 is exemplified as an example of the seating state detection section 41, but the seating state detection section 41 is not limited to a pressure-sensor; The seated state of the occupant on the seat may be detected using a sensor that detects this.

- The operation unit is not limited to the one illustrated in this embodiment, and may be one that performs remote operation using a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, for example.
- In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to the second seat 12, but the present invention can also be applied to the front seat 11 and the third seat 13.

- The vehicle seat control device according to the present invention is not limited to being applied to a three-row seat vehicle, and the present invention can be applied to any vehicle having seats.

11...Front seat 12...Second seat 13...Third seat 20...Seat cushion 21...Ottoman 22...Armrest 23...Seat back 31...Ottoman drive section 32...Slide drive section 33...Seat back drive section 40...Load detection section 41...Seating Condition detection section 51...Manual operation section 52...Memory operation section 53...Walk-in operation section 54...Return operation section 55...Ottoman operation section 56...Reclining operation section 60...Seat ECU
61... Acquisition unit 62... Drive control unit 63... Memory unit 70... Slide rail 90... Control device L... Front-rear direction R1... Axis line R2... Axis line T... Threshold value T1... First threshold value T2... Second threshold value

Claims (1)

A vehicle seat control device comprising: a drive unit that drives a seat mounted on a vehicle; and a control unit that controls the drive unit based on an operation signal,
a load detection section that detects a load acting on the drive section;
a seating state detection unit that detects the seating state of the occupant on the seat;
When the front and rear of the seat are respectively referred to as the front and rear,
The drive unit includes a slide drive unit that slides the seat forward or backward,
The load detection section includes a rotation sensor that detects the rotation speed of the electric motor constituting the slide drive section, and detects the load acting on the slide drive section based on a change in the rotation speed detected by the rotation sensor. It detects
The control unit includes:
When a first operation signal for sliding the seat at a low speed is input, controlling the slide drive unit to slide the seat at a first speed;
When a second operation signal for sliding the sheet at a high speed is input, controlling the slide drive unit to slide the sheet at a second speed higher than the first speed,
The drive of the slide drive unit is limited when the load detected by the load detection unit exceeds a preset threshold ;
If an occupant is seated on the seat when the first operation signal is input, the threshold value is made larger than when the occupant is not seated;
always limiting the drive of the drive unit if an occupant is seated on the seat when the second operation signal is input;
Vehicle seat control device.