JP7469691B2 - Sheet - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a seat that can heat the seat surface.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a seat with a heatable seat surface, which includes multiple heaters arranged opposite each contact area of the person sitting in the seat (seat occupant), and a control unit that controls the heating operation of the heaters. The seat in Patent Document 1 is based on the premise that there are two contact areas of the seat occupant: an area that warms up quickly and has a high heating effect in response to heat supply, and an area that warms up slowly and is insensitive, but can improve comfort when heated, and is configured to heat these two areas in sequence.

JP 2009-269480 A

In conventional seats, in order to improve comfort, the output of each heater is controlled so that there is no large temperature difference between the areas heated by each heater. However, there is a problem in that power consumption increases when multiple areas heated by each heater are heated equally.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above background, and aims to provide a seat that is comfortable while reducing power consumption.

To achieve the above-mentioned object, the seat of the present invention is a seat including a first heater and a second heater, and a control device that controls the output of the first heater and the second heater, and the control device is characterized in that when the environmental temperature is a first temperature, the control device controls the output of the second heater so as to lower the temperature of the second portion heated by the second heater relative to the first portion heated by the first heater, compared to when the environmental temperature is a second temperature higher than the first temperature, thereby executing a temperature difference adjustment control that increases the temperature difference between the first portion and the second portion.

According to this configuration, when the ambient temperature is the low first temperature, the occupant is unlikely to feel the temperature difference between the first and second parts even if the temperature difference is large, so by controlling the output of the second heater to make the temperature of the second part lower relative to the first part than when the ambient temperature is the high second temperature, it is possible to reduce power consumption without causing discomfort to the occupant. On the other hand, when the ambient temperature is the high second temperature, the occupant is likely to feel the temperature difference between the first and second parts even if the temperature difference is not large, but in this case, the temperature difference between the first and second parts is smaller than when the ambient temperature is the low first temperature, so comfort can be ensured.

The seat described above may be provided with a temperature sensor provided at a location corresponding to the first heater, and the control device may be configured to, in the temperature difference adjustment control, calculate a first required control amount based on a target temperature and a detected temperature acquired by the temperature sensor, control the first heater with the first required control amount, calculate a second required control amount based on the first required control amount, and control the second heater with the second required control amount, such that the magnitude of the second required control amount relative to the first required control amount is smaller when the environmental temperature is the first temperature than when the environmental temperature is the second temperature.

With this, the output of the second heater can be controlled to lower the temperature of the second area relative to the first area using only the temperature sensor in the area corresponding to the first heater, making it possible to reduce power consumption while still providing comfort.

In the above-mentioned seat, the control device can be configured to supply power only to the first heater if the detected temperature has not reached a switching temperature lower than the target temperature when an instruction to heat the seat is received.

This allows the first area to be heated first, so for example, by placing the first heater in an area where the seated occupant is most likely to feel the temperature, that area can be heated quickly, increasing comfort.

In the above-mentioned seat, the control device calculates an integrated amount of power by integrating the amount of power output to the first heater at each predetermined time until the detected temperature reaches the switching temperature, supplies maximum output power to the second heater when the detected temperature reaches the switching temperature, and subtracts a temperature difference adjustment value that changes based on the ambient temperature from the integrated amount of power. When the integrated amount of power becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control device executes the temperature difference adjustment control, and the temperature difference adjustment value is greater when the ambient temperature is the first temperature than when the ambient temperature is the second temperature.

This allows the second portion to be heated quickly after the first portion is heated, and the temperature of the second portion can be brought quickly closer to that of the first portion, thereby improving comfort. Furthermore, when the ambient temperature is the low first temperature, the integrated power amount falls below the predetermined value and temperature difference adjustment control is executed more quickly than when the ambient temperature is the high second temperature, and therefore the time that the second heater operates at maximum output can be shortened. As a result, the second portion is not unnecessarily heated by the second heater, and power consumption can be reduced.

The seat described above may include a first temperature sensor provided at a location corresponding to the first heater and a second temperature sensor provided at a location corresponding to the second heater, and the control device may be configured to, in the temperature difference adjustment control, calculate a first required control amount based on a first target temperature and a first detected temperature acquired by the first temperature sensor, and control the first heater with the first required control amount, and calculate a second required control amount based on a second target temperature and a second detected temperature acquired by the second temperature sensor, and control the second heater with the second required control amount, such that the difference between the first target temperature and the second target temperature is larger when the environmental temperature is the first temperature than when the environmental temperature is the second temperature.

This allows the output of the second heater to be controlled so as to lower the temperature of the second area relative to the first area, making it possible to reduce power consumption while still providing comfort. In addition, because temperature sensors are provided in both the area corresponding to the first heater and the area corresponding to the second heater, the accuracy of temperature control can be improved, thereby improving comfort.

In the above-described seat, the control device may be configured to supply maximum output power to the second heater if the second detected temperature has not reached a second switching temperature that is lower than the second target temperature before the temperature difference adjustment control is performed.

This allows the second area to be heated quickly, improving comfort.

In the above-described seat, the control device executes the temperature difference adjustment control when the second detected temperature reaches the second switching temperature, and the second switching temperature can be configured to be lower when the environmental temperature is the first temperature than when the environmental temperature is the second temperature.

Accordingly, when the environmental temperature is the low first temperature, the second detection temperature reaches the second switching temperature earlier than when the environmental temperature is the high second temperature, and temperature difference adjustment control is executed, so that the time during which the second heater operates at maximum output can be shortened. This prevents the second portion from being unnecessarily heated by the second heater, thereby reducing power consumption.

In the above-mentioned seat, the control device can be configured to supply power only to the first heater if the first detected temperature has not reached a first switching temperature that is lower than the first target temperature when an instruction to heat the seat is received.

This allows the first area to be heated first, so for example, by placing the first heater in an area where the seated occupant is most likely to feel the temperature, that area can be heated quickly, increasing comfort.

In the above-mentioned seat, the first heater is provided on the seat surface of the seat, and the second heater is arranged on the left and right outer sides of the seat surface and is provided on a protruding portion that protrudes toward the seat occupant to support the sides of the seat occupant.

This allows the seat surface, where the occupant is most sensitive to temperature, to be heated by the first heater, improving comfort. On the other hand, the overhanging portion, which is located farther away from the occupant than the seat surface, is less likely to cause discomfort to the occupant even if there is a certain degree of temperature difference between the seat surface and the overhanging portion, so the output of the second heater can be further reduced, thereby reducing power consumption.
Here, the seating surface refers to the seating surface of the seat cushion or the seat back, and the overhanging portion refers to the overhanging portion of the seat cushion or the seat back. The seating surface of the seat cushion is the portion of the seat cushion on which the buttocks and thighs of the seated person rest, or more specifically, the portion that supports the buttocks and thighs of the seated person from below, and the seating surface of the seat back is the portion of the seat back with which the back of the seated person comes into contact, or more specifically, the portion that supports the back of the seated person from behind.

The present invention makes it possible to reduce power consumption while still providing comfort.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a configuration that provides comfort while reducing power consumption by using only a temperature sensor in the area corresponding to the first heater.

In addition, according to the present invention, when a seat heating command is received and the detected temperature has not reached the switching temperature, power is supplied only to the first heater, thereby improving comfort.

In addition, according to the present invention, comfort can be increased by quickly heating the second area after heating the first area. Also, power consumption can be reduced by quickly executing temperature difference adjustment control when the ambient temperature is low.

In addition, according to the present invention, by providing temperature sensors in both the area corresponding to the first heater and the area corresponding to the second heater, the accuracy of temperature control can be improved, thereby increasing comfort.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, comfort can be increased by supplying maximum output power to the second heater if the second detected temperature has not reached the second switching temperature before the temperature difference adjustment control is executed.

In addition, according to the present invention, power consumption can be reduced by executing temperature difference adjustment control early when the environmental temperature is low.

In addition, according to the present invention, when a seat heating instruction is received and the first detection temperature has not reached the first switching temperature, power is supplied only to the first heater, thereby improving comfort.

In addition, according to the present invention, by providing the first heater in the seat surface of the seat and the second heater in the protruding portion, it is possible to increase comfort and further reduce power consumption.

1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat as a seat according to a first embodiment; 4 is a map showing a relationship between an integrated power amount and a temperature difference adjustment value in the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of a control device in the first embodiment. Graph (a) shows the temperature change of the seat portion and the protrusion portion when the ambient temperature is a first temperature in the first embodiment, graph (b) shows the output of the first heater and the second heater, and graph (c) shows the accumulated power consumption W. Graph (a) shows the temperature change in the seat portion and the protrusion portion when the ambient temperature is a second temperature higher than the first temperature in the first embodiment, graph (b) shows the output of the first heater and the second heater, and graph (c) shows the accumulated power consumption W. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat as a seat according to a second embodiment. 13 is a map showing a relationship between a difference between a first target temperature and a second target temperature and an environmental temperature in a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of a control device in a second embodiment. Graph (a) shows the temperature change of the seating portion and the protruding portion in the second embodiment when the ambient temperature is a first temperature, and graph (b) shows the temperature change of the seating portion and the protruding portion when the ambient temperature is a second temperature higher than the first temperature.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a seat according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[First embodiment]
The seat of this embodiment is configured as a vehicle seat S to be installed in an automobile, as shown in Fig. 1. This vehicle seat S includes a seat cushion S1 in which a padding material made of a cushioning material such as urethane foam is covered with a covering material such as synthetic leather or fabric, a seat back S2, and a headrest S3.

The seat cushion S1 has a seat surface S11 located in the left-right center that contacts and supports the buttocks and thighs of the seated person from below, and overhanging parts S12 located on both the left and right outside of the seat surface S11 that overhang towards the seated person to support the sides of the thighs and buttocks of the seated person. Similarly, the seat back S2 has a seat surface S21 located in the left-right center that contacts and supports the back of the seated person from behind, and overhanging parts S22 located on both the left and right outside of the seat surface S21 that overhang towards the seated person to support the sides of the upper body of the seated person.

Center heaters 11 and 12 are arranged as the first heater 10 on the inside of the surface of the seat cushion S1 and the seat back S21. Side heaters 21 and 22 are arranged as the second heater 20 on the inside of the surface of the seat cushion S1 and the seat back S22. That is, in this embodiment, the seat cushion S11 and S21 on which the first heater 10 is provided correspond to the first portion heated by the first heater 10, and the protruding portions S12 and S22 on which the second heater 20 is provided correspond to the second portion heated by the second heater 20.

A temperature sensor 30 is built into the seat surface S21 of the seat back S2 at a location inside the skin corresponding to the first heater 10. The temperature sensor 30 is located at a position that is not affected by the body temperature of the seated occupant. For example, the temperature sensor 30 can be located at the bottom of the seat back S2 or at the rear of the seat cushion S1. There is a substantially constant correlation between the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 30 and the temperature of the part of the seat surface S21 that the seated occupant touches. The control device 100 may use the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 30 itself as the detected temperature to perform control, or may estimate the temperature of the part that the seated occupant touches based on the above-mentioned correlation and perform control using this estimated temperature as the detected temperature T.

A control device 100 is disposed at an appropriate position on the vehicle seat S. The temperature sensor 30 is connected to the control device 100 so as to output a signal of the detected temperature T to the control device 100. The first heater 10 and the second heater 20 are also connected to the control device 100. The control device 100 is supplied with power from a power supply device 90 driven by a battery mounted on the vehicle, and is configured to control the output of the first heater 10 and the second heater 20 based on the detected temperature T acquired from the temperature sensor 30. In this embodiment, the power supply device 90 is configured to supply power within a predetermined upper limit output range for the first heater 10 and the second heater 20 of the vehicle seat S, and the upper limit is set to 100 W as an example.

The control device 100 is connected to an operation switch of a heater mounted on a vehicle, and receives an instruction to heat the vehicle seat S from the operation switch to control the first heater 10 and the second heater 20. When the control device 100 receives an instruction to heat the seat from the operation switch, during a heating period in which the detected temperature T is increased toward the target temperature T12, the control device 100 is configured to execute a first stage in which the first heater 10 is heated intensively to rapidly increase the temperature of the seat surface portions S11, S21 that contact with a seated person, a second stage in which the second heater 20 is started to heat so that the temperature of the protruding portions S12, S22 approaches the temperature of the seat surface portions S11, S21, and a third stage in which the detected temperature T is adjusted to match the target temperature T12 after the temperature of the protruding portions S12, S22 has increased to a certain degree.
In addition, in a warm season or when the heater has been used once before the operation of the operation switch, the detected temperature T may already be higher than the target temperature T12 when the operation switch receives a heating command. In that case, the control device 100 does not control the heating period as described here, but performs control similar to the third stage.

The control device 100 determines whether the detected temperature T has reached a switching temperature T11, which is lower than the target temperature T12, as a criterion for switching from the first stage to the second stage. In the first stage where the detected temperature T has not reached the switching temperature T11, the control device 100 supplies power only to the first heater 10 and does not supply power to the second heater 20, thereby controlling the first heater 10 at a first output ratio of 100%.
In this embodiment, the ratio of the output of the first heater 10 to the maximum output is referred to as the first output ratio, and the ratio of the output of the second heater 20 to the maximum output is referred to as the second output ratio. For ease of understanding, the maximum outputs of the first heater 10 and the second heater 20 are exemplified as follows: the maximum output of the first heater 10 is 100 W, which is the same as the total allowable maximum output (100 W) of the first heater 10 and the second heater 20, and the maximum output of the second heater 20 is 50 W. In other words, when the first heater 10 is outputted at 100% in the first stage, 100 W of power is supplied.
In addition, once the detected temperature T reaches the switching temperature T11 and the control device 100 proceeds to the second stage, it does not return to the first stage. Therefore, when the detected temperature T reaches the switching temperature T11, the control device 100 sets a flag F indicating this to 1. The initial value of the flag F is 0, and it is reset to 0 when power is no longer supplied to the control device 100, for example, when the operation switch is turned off.

In the second stage after the detected temperature T reaches the switching temperature T11, the control device 100 sets the second output ratio to 100% and the first output ratio to an appropriate value within the range of the maximum allowable output in order to use as much of the capacity of the second heater 20 as possible to bring the temperature of the protruding parts S12, S22 closer to the temperature of the seating parts S11, S21. For this reason, in the second stage, the control device 100 supplies power to the second heater 20 at the maximum output, that is, the second output ratio of 100%. That is, the control device 100 supplies power to the second heater 20 at 50 W. On the other hand, in order to control the first heater 10, the control device 100 calculates a first required control amount mv1 based on the target temperature T12 and the detected temperature T acquired by the temperature sensor 30. The first required control amount mv1 is, for example, a required control amount of so-called PI control, as follows:
mv1 = Kp x e + ie / Ki
It can be calculated as follows:

Here, e is the difference between the target temperature T12 and the detected temperature T, Kp is a proportional control constant, ie is the integral (accumulation) of e within a predetermined period in the past, and Ki is an integral control constant. Each constant Kp, Ki is set so that the first required control amount mv1 can be used as the output instruction value (value indicating the first output ratio and the second output ratio) in the third stage after the detected temperature T approaches the target temperature T12. In addition, the detected temperature T and the target temperature T12 do not need to be in units such as "°C" for the calculation here, and may be a numerical value of the voltage output from the temperature sensor 30. Each constant Kp, Ki may be appropriately adjusted depending on the scale of these temperature values. Note that, according to the above calculation, mv1 may exceed 100 as a result of the large difference e between the target temperature T12 and the detected temperature T in the first stage and the second stage (i.e., a state in which heating is desired with the largest possible output). Power is supplied to the first heater 10 and the second heater 20 at an output ratio (0-100%), so if mv1 exceeds 100, it is set to 100 so that mv1 is a value less than or equal to 100. In other words, mv1 is calculated within a range less than the upper limit of 100.

In the second stage, the second heater 20 is supplied with 50 W of power, leaving 50 W remaining of the maximum allowable output of 100 W. Therefore, in the second stage, the first heater 10 needs to be controlled at 50 W or less, so when the calculated first required control amount mv1 is greater than 50, the control device 100 controls the first heater 10 at 50 W, i.e., at a first output ratio of 50%, and when the first required control amount mv1 is 50 or less, the control device 100 controls the first heater 10 with the calculated first required control amount mv1 as the first output ratio. As a result, the first heater 10 is controlled at an output ratio of 50% or less in the second stage.

The switch between the second stage and the third stage is performed when the temperature of the protruding portions S12, S22 approaches the temperature of the seating portions S11, S21 to a certain extent. In this embodiment, since only one temperature sensor 30 is provided on the seating portion S21, the control device 100 estimates that the temperature of the protruding portions S12, S22 has approached the temperature of the seating portions S11, S21 based on the amount of heat supplied to the seating portions S11, S21 by the first heater 10 from the start of heating, i.e., the accumulated amount of power.

Here, for example, if the heat capacity of the seating surface parts S11, S21 and the heat capacity of the overhanging parts S12, S22 are the same, the temperatures of both parts at the start of heating are the same, and the total amount of heat supplied to the seating surface parts S11, S21 and the overhanging parts S12, S22 is the same, then both parts should rise to approximately the same temperature. Of course, for the part that starts heating first, the amount of heat dissipated increases as the time when the temperature is high increases, so the temperatures will not be strictly the same, but by adjusting the amount of heat supplied based on the heating test results, it is possible to adjust the temperatures to be sufficiently similar. Similarly, for the difference in heat capacity between the seating surface parts S11, S21 and the overhanging parts S12, S22, by adjusting the amount of heat supplied based on the heating test results, it is possible to adjust them to the same temperature even if power is supplied prior to the first heater 10. And by utilizing this tendency, for example, by adjusting the amount of heat supplied by the second heater 20, it is possible to provide a desired temperature difference between the seating surface parts S11, S21 and the overhanging parts S12, S22.

In this embodiment, the control device 100 accumulates a value obtained by multiplying the amount of power (wattage) output to the first heater 10 by a predetermined first coefficient A1 for a predetermined time, for example, for each control cycle (for example, 10 msec), as the accumulated power amount W. That is, in the first stage in which the first heater 10 is output at 100% (100 W) until the detected temperature T reaches the switching temperature T11,
W = W + 100 x A1
Then, the integrated power consumption W is calculated.

In addition, in the second stage, the first heater 10 is controlled to 50 W (50%) or the value of the first required control amount mv1 as the first output ratio, so the control device 100 adds 50 x A1 or mv1 x A1 to the integrated power amount W for each control cycle.

Meanwhile, in the second stage, the control device 100 subtracts a value obtained by multiplying the amount of power (wattage) supplied to the second heater 20 by the second coefficient A2 and a temperature difference adjustment value A3 that changes based on the temperature of the environment in which the vehicle seat S is placed (ambient temperature) from the integrated power amount W. That is, in the second stage, the second heater 20 is controlled at 50 W, which is the maximum output of the second heater 20, so 50×A2×A3 is subtracted from the integrated power amount W.
When the integrated power amount W becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, for example, equal to or less than 0, the control device 100 ends the second stage, transitions to a third stage, and executes a temperature difference adjustment control, which will be described later.

In this embodiment, the second coefficient A2 is greater than the first coefficient A1. For example, the first coefficient A1 is 0.01 and the second coefficient A2 is 0.04.
Moreover, the temperature difference adjustment value A3 is, for example,
A3 = a1 x W1 + b1
Here, W1 is the integrated power amount when the detected temperature T reaches the switching temperature T11. As shown in Fig. 2, the temperature difference adjustment value A3 is set to a larger value as W1 increases.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5(a), when the environmental temperature (here, corresponding to the detected temperature T before heating the vehicle seat S) is a low first temperature T1, it takes longer for the detected temperature T to reach the first switching temperature T11 after power is supplied to the first heater 10 than when the environmental temperature is a second temperature T2 higher than the first temperature T1. Therefore, the power supplied to the first heater 10 increases, and the integrated power amount W becomes larger, and W1, which is the integrated power amount when the detected temperature T reaches the switching temperature T11, also becomes larger. Therefore, when the environmental temperature is the first temperature T1, the temperature difference adjustment value A3 becomes a larger value than when the environmental temperature is the second temperature T2. As a result, 50×A2×A3 also becomes a larger value when the environmental temperature is low. As a result, in the second stage, when the environmental temperature is low, 50×A2×A3, which is a large value, is subtracted from the integrated power amount W, so that the integrated power amount W becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value quickly, and the transition to the third stage is made quickly.

In the third stage, when the environmental temperature is a first temperature T1 that is low, the control device 100 controls the output of the second heater 20 so as to lower the temperature of the overhanging portions S12, S22 relative to the seating portions S11, S21 compared to when the environmental temperature is a second temperature T2 that is high, thereby executing temperature difference adjustment control to increase the temperature difference between the seating portions S11, S21 and the overhanging portions S12, S22. Specifically, in this embodiment, in the temperature difference adjustment control, the control device 100 controls the first heater 10 with a first required control amount mv1 calculated based on the target temperature T12 and the detected temperature T, calculates a second required control amount mv2 based on the first required control amount mv1, and controls the second heater 20 with the second required control amount mv2. The second required control amount mv2 is, for example,
mv2 = mv1/A3
It can be calculated as follows:

Here, the temperature difference adjustment value A3 is larger when the environmental temperature is the first temperature T1 than when the environmental temperature is the second temperature T2, so the magnitude mv2/mv1 of the second required control amount mv2 relative to the first required control amount mv1 is smaller when the environmental temperature is the first temperature T1 than when the environmental temperature is the second temperature T2. Therefore, in the third stage, when the environmental temperature is the first temperature T1, the amount of heat supplied by the second heater 20 relative to the amount of heat supplied by the first heater 10 is smaller than when the environmental temperature is the second temperature T2, so the temperature of the overhanging portions S12, S22 relative to the temperature of the seating portions S11, S21 is lower, and the temperature difference between the seating portions S11, S21 and the overhanging portions S12, S22 is larger.

The above-described processing of the control device 100 in the vehicle seat S will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The control device 100 repeatedly performs the processing from start to end shown in Fig. 3 for each control cycle.
The control device 100 first determines whether or not a heater heating instruction has been received, and if no instruction has been received (S101, No), ends the process.

On the other hand, if there is an instruction to heat the heater (S101, Yes), the control device 100 acquires the detected temperature T from the temperature sensor 30 (S102) and calculates the first required control amount mv1 (S103). The control device 100 then determines whether the flag F is 1, and if it is not 1 (S104, No), proceeds to step S110, and if it is 1 (S104, Yes), proceeds to step S114 without determining whether to enter the first stage in step S110.

In step S110, the control device 100 determines whether the detected temperature T is equal to or higher than the switching temperature T11. If the detected temperature T is not equal to or higher than the switching temperature T11 (S110, No), the control device 100 outputs the first heater 10 at 100%, i.e., 100 W, as the first stage (S111), calculates the accumulated power consumption W as W = W + 100 x A1 (S112), and ends the process.

On the other hand, if the detected temperature T is equal to or higher than the switching temperature T11 (S110, Yes), the flag F is set to 1 (S113), and the temperature difference adjustment value A3 is calculated by A3 = a1 x W1 + b1 (S114). The control device 100 then determines whether the integrated power amount W is equal to or lower than 0 (S120).

If the accumulated power amount W is not equal to or less than 0 (S120, No), it is the second stage, and the control device 100 judges whether the first required control amount mv1 is greater than 50. If the first required control amount mv1 is greater than the upper limit value of 50 (S121, Yes), the control device 100 outputs the first heater 10 at 50% (50 W) and the second heater 20 at 100% (50 W) (S122). The control device 100 then calculates the accumulated power amount W as W = W + 50 x A1 - 50 x A2 x A3 (S123), and ends the process.

On the other hand, if the first required control amount mv1 is not greater than the upper limit value of 50 (S121, No), the control device 100 outputs the first heater 10 at mv1 (less than 50 W, which is 100 W x mv1) and the second heater 20 at 100% (50 W) (S124). The integrated power amount W is then calculated as W = W + mv1 x A1 - 50 x A2 x A3 (S125), and the process ends.

In step S120, if the accumulated power amount W is equal to or less than 0 (S120, Yes), since it is the third stage, the control device 100 calculates the second required control amount mv2 by mv2 = mv1/A3 (S131), controls the first heater 10 with the first required control amount mv1, and controls the second heater 20 with the second required control amount mv2 (S132), and ends the process.

According to the above process, when the seat occupant operates the operation switch to start heating the vehicle seat S, the output of the first heater 10 and the second heater 20 and the temperatures of the seating surface S11, S21, and the overhanging portions S12, S22 change as shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Specifically, in the first stage up to the time t11 and t21, the first heater 10 uses the entire allowable maximum output of 100 W to heat the temperature of the seating surface S11, S21 as quickly as possible. This warms the area from the waist to the back, which is in close contact with the seat occupant and is particularly sensitive to the temperature, and provides the seat occupant with a comfortable seating feeling. Note that the temperature of the overhanging portions S12, S22 increases up to the time t11 and t21 because the seat is warmed by the heat of the seat occupant.
In the first stage, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5C, the power output to the first heater 10 is integrated to obtain the integrated power amount W.

At times t11 and t21, when the detected temperature T detected by the temperature sensor 30 reaches the switching temperature T11, the system transitions to the second stage. In the second stage, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5B, the second heater 20 is supplied with power at a maximum output of 50 W (100%), and the remaining power of 50 W is supplied to the first heater 10. Then, at times t12 and t22, when the detected temperature T approaches the target temperature T12, the difference e becomes smaller, and as a result, mv1 becomes 50 or less, so that the first heater 10 is controlled by the first required control amount mv1 (power of 50 W or less), which is a value of 50 or less.
In this second stage (times t11 to t13, t21 to t23), as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5C, the integrated power consumption W decreases by an amount corresponding to the power supplied to the second heater 20.

Then, at times t13 and t23, when the integrated power amount W becomes 0 or less, the process moves to the third stage. In this embodiment, when the environmental temperature is the low first temperature T1 shown in FIG. 4, the integrated power amount W1 when the detection temperature T reaches the switching temperature T11 is larger than when the environmental temperature is the second temperature T2 higher than the first temperature T1 shown in FIG. 5, and the temperature difference adjustment value A3 becomes a larger value (see FIG. 2), so the value subtracted from the integrated power amount W (50×A2×A3) becomes larger, and the decrease gradient of the integrated power amount W shown at times t11 to t13 in FIG. 4(c) is larger than the decrease gradient shown at times t21 to t23 in FIG. 5(c). Therefore, when the environmental temperature is the low first temperature T1, the integrated power amount W decreases faster and becomes 0 or less faster than when the integrated power amount W decreases at a gradual decrease gradient as shown in FIG. 5(c), so that the second stage in which power is supplied to the second heater 20 at maximum output can be ended earlier. This allows the temperature difference between the seating portions S11, S21 and the protruding portions S12, S22 to be greater than when the environmental temperature is the second temperature T2, even before the temperature difference adjustment control is performed in the third stage.

In the third stage, the first heater 10 is controlled by the first required control amount mv1, and the second heater 20 is controlled by the second required control amount mv2 (=mv1/A3). At this time, when the ambient temperature is the first temperature T1, the temperature difference adjustment value A3 is larger than when the ambient temperature is the second temperature T2, so that the magnitude mv2/mv1 of the second required control amount mv2 relative to the first required control amount mv1 is smaller. Therefore, the ratio of the output of the second heater 20 to the output of the first heater 10 when the ambient temperature is the first temperature T1 shown in FIG. 4(b) is smaller than when the ambient temperature is the second temperature T2 shown in FIG. 5(b), and the amount of heat supplied by the second heater 20 relative to the amount of heat supplied by the first heater 10 is smaller. As a result, the temperature of the protruding portions S12, S22 is lower than the temperature of the seating portions S11, S21, so when the environmental temperature is the first temperature T1, the temperature difference between the seating portions S11, S21 and the protruding portions S12, S22 can be kept greater than when the environmental temperature is the second temperature T2.

According to the vehicle seat S of the present embodiment described above, it is possible to reduce power consumption while providing comfort. In detail, when the ambient temperature is the first temperature T1, research has shown that even if the temperature difference between the seat surface S11, S21 and the protruding parts S12, S22 is large, the seated person is unlikely to feel the temperature difference. Therefore, by controlling the output of the second heater 20 so as to lower the temperature of the protruding parts S12, S22 relative to the seat surface S11, S21 compared to the second temperature T2, when the ambient temperature is high, it is possible to reduce power consumption without causing discomfort to the seated person. On the other hand, when the ambient temperature is the second temperature T2, it has been found that even if the temperature difference between the seat surface S11, S21 and the protruding parts S12, S22 is not large, the seated person is likely to feel the temperature difference. In this case, the temperature difference between the seat surface S11, S21 and the protruding parts S12, S22 is smaller than when the ambient temperature is the first temperature T1, so comfort can be ensured.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the temperature difference adjustment control, the control device 100 controls the first heater 10 with the first required control amount mv1 calculated based on the detected temperature T and the target temperature T12, calculates the second required control amount mv2 based on the first required control amount mv1, which is a small value when the environmental temperature is low, and controls the second heater 20 with the second required control amount mv2. Therefore, with only one temperature sensor 30, the output of the second heater 20 can be controlled so as to lower the temperature of the protruding portions S12, S22 relative to the seating portions S11, S21.

In addition, if the detected temperature T has not reached the switching temperature T11 when the control device 100 receives an instruction to heat the vehicle seat S, the control device 100 supplies power only to the first heater 10, so that the seating surfaces S11 and S21, where the seated person is most likely to feel the temperature, can be heated quickly first. This can increase comfort.

In addition, in this embodiment, the control device 100 supplies maximum power output to the second heater 20 when the detected temperature T reaches the switching temperature T11, so that after heating the seating surface portions S11 and S21, the overhanging portions S12 and S22 can be quickly heated, and the temperature of the overhanging portions S12 and S22 can be quickly brought close to the temperature of the seating surface portions S11 and S21. This can improve comfort. Furthermore, the temperature difference adjustment value A3, which is a large value when the ambient temperature is low, is subtracted from the integrated power amount W, and when the integrated power amount W becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the temperature difference adjustment control is executed. Therefore, when the ambient temperature is the first temperature T1, which is low, the integrated power amount W becomes equal to or less than 0 more quickly than when the ambient temperature is the second temperature T2, which is high, and the temperature difference adjustment control can be executed. This can shorten the time that the second heater 20 operates at maximum power output, and the overhanging portions S12 and S22 are not heated unnecessarily by the second heater 20, so that power consumption can be reduced.

In addition, by providing the first heater 10 on the seating surface S11, S21, the seating surface S11, S21, where the temperature is most sensitive to the seated person, can be heated by the first heater 10, thereby improving comfort. In addition, for the protruding portions S12, S22, which are located farther from the seated person than the seating surface S11, S21, even if there is a certain degree of temperature difference between the seating surface S11, S21 and the protruding portions S12, S22, the output of the second heater 20 can be further reduced, thereby further reducing power consumption.

[Second embodiment]
As shown in Fig. 6, the seat of this embodiment is configured as a vehicle seat S to be installed in an automobile. This vehicle seat S includes a seat cushion S1, a seat back S2, and a headrest S3. In this embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described in detail, and components similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

A first temperature sensor 30A is built into the seat surface S21 of the seat back S2 at a location on the inside of the skin that corresponds to the first heater 10, and a second temperature sensor 30B is built into the protruding portion S22 at a location on the inside of the skin that corresponds to the second heater 20. The temperature sensors 30A and 30B are positioned so as not to be affected by the body temperature of the seated occupant, similar to the temperature sensor 30 in the first embodiment.

The first temperature sensor 30A is connected to the control device 100 so as to output a signal of the first detected temperature Ta to the control device 100, and the second temperature sensor 30B is connected to the control device 100 so as to output a signal of the second detected temperature Tb to the control device 100. In addition, the control device 100 is connected to an environmental temperature sensor 30C as a third temperature sensor that detects the environmental temperature, specifically, the temperature inside the vehicle cabin. The environmental temperature sensor 30C outputs a signal of the environmental temperature Tc to the control device 100. The environmental temperature sensor 30C may be built into the vehicle seat S like the temperature sensors 30A and 30B, or may be a sensor provided separately from the vehicle seat S, such as a room temperature sensor originally provided in the automobile. In other words, the environmental temperature Tc may be obtained from a sensor provided in the vehicle seat S, or from a sensor provided outside the vehicle seat S.

The control device 100 receives an instruction to heat the vehicle seat S from the operation switch and controls the first heater 10 and the second heater 20. When the control device 100 receives an instruction to heat the seat from the operation switch, the control device 100 is configured to execute a first stage in which the first heater 10 is heated intensively to quickly increase the temperature of the seating surface portions S11, S21, a second stage in which the second heater 20 is started to heat and the temperature of the protruding portions S12, S22 is brought closer to the temperature of the seating surface portions S11, S21, and a third stage in which the detected temperatures Ta, Tb are adjusted to match the target temperatures T12, T22.

The control device 100 determines whether the first detected temperature Ta acquired by the first temperature sensor 30A reaches a first switching temperature T11 that is lower than the first target temperature T12, as a criterion for switching from the first stage to the second stage. In the first stage in which the first detected temperature Ta has not reached the first switching temperature T11, the control device 100 supplies power only to the first heater 10 and does not supply power to the second heater 20, thereby controlling the first heater 10 at maximum output.
When the first detected temperature Ta reaches the first switching temperature T11, the control device 100 sets a flag F to 1, which indicates that the first detected temperature Ta has reached the first switching temperature T11.

Furthermore, the control device 100 determines whether the second detected temperature Tb acquired by the second temperature sensor 30B has reached a second switching temperature T21, which is lower than the second target temperature T22, as a criterion for switching from the second stage to the third stage. In the second stage (before execution of the temperature difference adjustment control) in which the second detected temperature Tb has not reached the second switching temperature T21, the control device 100 supplies maximum output power to the second heater 20. In the second stage, the control device 100 calculates a first required control amount mv1 based on the first target temperature T12 and the first detected temperature Ta, and controls the first heater 10 with the first required control amount mv1. The first required control amount mv1 is, for example, as the required control amount of the PI control, as in the first embodiment, as follows:
mv1 = Kp x e + ie / Ki
It can be calculated as follows:
When the second detected temperature Tb reaches the second switching temperature T21, the control device 100 sets a flag F indicating this to 2. The initial value of the flag F is 0, and it is reset to 0 when the operation switch is turned off, for example.

When the second detected temperature Tb reaches the second switching temperature T21, the control device 100 ends the second stage, transitions to the third stage, and executes the temperature difference adjustment control.
In the third stage, when the environmental temperature Tc is the first temperature T1, the control device 100 controls the output of the second heater 20 so as to lower the temperature of the overhanging parts S12, S22 relative to the seating parts S11, S21 compared to when the environmental temperature Tc is the second temperature T2 higher than the first temperature T1, thereby executing a temperature difference adjustment control to increase the temperature difference between the seating parts S11, S21 and the overhanging parts S12, S22. Specifically, in this embodiment, the control device 100 controls the first heater 10 with a first required control amount mv1 calculated based on the first target temperature T12 and the first detected temperature Ta in the temperature difference adjustment control, and calculates a second required control amount mv2 based on the second target temperature T22 and the second detected temperature Tb, and controls the second heater 20 with the second required control amount mv2. The second required control amount mv2 can be calculated as a required control amount of PI control, for example, similar to the first required control amount mv1.

The second target temperature T22 is calculated based on the first target temperature T12 and the environmental temperature Tc as follows, for example:
T22 = T12 - (-a2 x Tc + b2)
7, the difference (T12-T22) between the first target temperature T12 and the second target temperature T22 is set to be a larger value when the environmental temperature Tc is the first temperature T1 than when the environmental temperature Tc is the second temperature T2 higher than the first temperature T1. Therefore, when the environmental temperature Tc is the first temperature T1, -a2 x Tc + b2 is a larger value than when the environmental temperature Tc is the second temperature T2, and the second target temperature T22 calculated by T12-(-a2 x Tc + b2) is a smaller value.

In addition, the second switching temperature T21 as a criterion for switching from the second stage to the third stage is set to a lower value when the environmental temperature Tc is the first temperature T1 than when the environmental temperature Tc is the second temperature T2. As an example, the second switching temperature T21 is
T21 = T22 - Td
As a result, the second switching temperature T21 is a low value when the environmental temperature Tc is low and the second target temperature T22 is a small value, and is a high value when the environmental temperature Tc is high and the second target temperature T22 is a large value. Here, Td may be a constant or a variable.

The above-described processing of the control device 100 in the vehicle seat S will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The control device 100 repeatedly performs the processing from start to end shown in Fig. 8 for each control cycle.
The control device 100 first determines whether or not a heater heating instruction has been received, and if no instruction has been received (S201, No), ends the process.

On the other hand, if there is an instruction to turn on the heater (S201, Yes), the control device 100 acquires the detected temperatures Ta, Tb, and Tc from the temperature sensors 30A, 30B, and 30C (S202), and calculates the second target temperature T22 and the second switching temperature T21 (S203). The control device 100 then determines whether the flag F is 1 or greater (1 or 2), and if it is not 1 or greater (0) (S204, No), the process proceeds to step S210, and if it is 1 or greater (S204, Yes), the process proceeds to step S215.

In step S210, the control device 100 determines whether the first detection temperature Ta of the first temperature sensor 30A is equal to or higher than the first switching temperature T11. If it is not equal to or higher than the first switching temperature T11 (S210, No), the control device 100 outputs 100% of the first heater 10 since it is in the first stage (S211), and ends the process.

On the other hand, if the first detected temperature Ta is equal to or higher than the first switching temperature T11 (S210, Yes), the control device 100 sets flag F to 1 (S214). Then, it is determined whether flag F is 2. If it is not 2 (S215, No), the process proceeds to step S220. If it is 2 (S215, Yes), the process proceeds to step S231.

In step S220, the control device 100 determines whether the second detected temperature Tb of the second temperature sensor 30B is equal to or higher than the second switching temperature T21. If it is not equal to or higher than the second switching temperature T21 (S220, No), the control device 100 is in the second stage, so it calculates the first required control amount mv1 (S221), outputs the first heater 10 at mv1 and outputs the second heater 20 at 100% (S222), and ends the process.

On the other hand, if the second detected temperature Tb is equal to or higher than the second switching temperature T21 (S220, Yes), the control device 100 sets the flag F to 2 (S223). Then, since it is the third stage, the control device 100 calculates the first required control amount mv1 and the second required control amount mv2 (S231), outputs the first heater 10 at mv1 and the second heater 20 at mv2 (S232), and ends the process.

According to the above process, when the seat occupant operates the operation switch to start heating the vehicle seat S, as shown in Figures 9(a) and (b), in the first stage up to times t31 and t41, maximum output power is supplied to the first heater 10 to quickly heat the temperature of the seating surfaces S11 and S21. Then, at times t31 and t41, when the first detected temperature Ta detected by the first temperature sensor 30A reaches the first switching temperature T11, the process transitions to the second stage.

In the second stage, the second heater 20 is supplied with maximum power output, and the first heater 10 is controlled with the first required control amount mv1. Then, at times t32 and t42, when the second detected temperature Tb detected by the second temperature sensor 30B reaches the second switching temperature T21, the third stage is started. In this embodiment, when the environmental temperature Tc shown in FIG. 9(a) is the low first temperature T1, the second switching temperature T21 is lower than when the environmental temperature Tc shown in FIG. 9(b) is the second temperature T2 higher than the first temperature T1, so that the second detected temperature Tb reaches the second switching temperature T21 earlier, and the second stage in which the second heater 20 is supplied with maximum power output can be ended earlier. As a result, the temperature difference between the seating surface portions S11, S21 and the protruding portions S12, S22 can be made larger than when the environmental temperature Tc is the second temperature T2 before the temperature difference adjustment control is performed in the third stage.

In the third stage, the first heater 10 is controlled by the first required control amount mv1, and the second heater 20 is controlled by the second required control amount mv2. At this time, when the environmental temperature Tc is the first temperature T1, the difference between the first target temperature T12 and the second target temperature T22 is larger than when the environmental temperature Tc is the second temperature T2, and more specifically, the second target temperature T22 is smaller than the first target temperature T12. Therefore, the magnitude mv2/mv1 of the second required control amount mv2 relative to the first required control amount mv1 becomes smaller, and the amount of heat supplied by the second heater 20 relative to the amount of heat supplied by the first heater 10 becomes smaller. As a result, the temperature of the protruding portions S12, S22 is lower than the temperature of the seating portions S11, S21, so when the environmental temperature Tc is the first temperature T1, the temperature difference between the seating portions S11, S21 and the protruding portions S12, S22 can be kept greater than when the environmental temperature Tc is the second temperature T2.

The vehicle seat S of this embodiment described above can reduce power consumption while providing comfort, just like the first embodiment.

In addition, in this embodiment, the control device 100 controls the first heater 10 with the first required control amount mv1 calculated based on the first target temperature T12 and the first detected temperature Ta in the temperature difference adjustment control, and controls the second heater 20 with the second required control amount mv2 calculated based on the second target temperature T22, which has a large difference from the first target temperature T12 when the environmental temperature Tc is low, and the second detected temperature Tb, so that the output of the second heater 20 can be controlled to lower the temperature of the protruding parts S12, S22 relative to the seating parts S11, S21. In addition, the first temperature sensor 30A that acquires the first detected temperature Ta is provided at a position corresponding to the first heater 10, and the second temperature sensor 30B that acquires the second detected temperature Tb is provided at a position corresponding to the second heater 20, so that the accuracy of temperature control can be improved by the two temperature sensors 30A, 30B, and comfort can be improved.

In addition, in this embodiment, if the second detection temperature Tb has not reached the second switching temperature T21 before the temperature difference adjustment control is executed, the control device 100 supplies maximum output power to the second heater 20, so that the extension portions S12, S22 can be quickly heated and quickly brought close to the temperature of the seat portions S11, S21, thereby improving comfort.

In addition, in this embodiment, the control device 100 executes temperature difference adjustment control when the second detected temperature Tb reaches the second switching temperature T21, which is a low value when the ambient temperature Tc is low. Therefore, when the ambient temperature Tc is the first temperature T1, which is low, the second detected temperature Tb reaches the second switching temperature T21 earlier than when the ambient temperature Tc is the second temperature T2, which is high, and temperature difference adjustment control can be executed. This shortens the time that the second heater 20 operates at maximum output, and the second heater 20 does not unnecessarily heat the protruding portions S12, S22, thereby reducing power consumption.

In addition, if the first detection temperature Ta has not reached the first switching temperature T11 when the control device 100 receives an instruction to heat the vehicle seat S, the control device 100 supplies power only to the first heater 10, so that the seating surfaces S11 and S21, where the seated person is most likely to feel the temperature, can be heated quickly first. This can increase comfort.

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

For example, in the first embodiment, the second required control amount mv2 is calculated by multiplying the first required control amount mv1 by the reciprocal of the temperature difference adjustment value A3, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the second required control amount may be calculated from a map or formula that indicates the relationship between the first required control amount and the second required control amount, which is preset based on the heating test results.

Also, assuming that the environmental temperature changes over time, the temperature difference adjustment value A3 may be changed based on the environmental temperature, and the output of the second heater in the third stage may be changed according to the environmental temperature. For example, as the environmental temperature increases, the time it takes for the detected temperature T to reach or exceed the switching temperature T11 becomes shorter, so the temperature difference adjustment value A3 may be changed as a function of time based on this time. Also, the environmental temperature may be detected, and the temperature difference adjustment value A3 may be changed as a function of the environmental temperature based on the detected environmental temperature.

In the above embodiment, the first heater 10 is provided on the seating surface portions S11 and S21, and the second heater 20 is provided on the protruding portions S12 and S22, but the arrangement of the first heater and the second heater is not particularly limited. For example, the first heater may be provided on the seat cushion, and the second heater may be provided on the seat back. In addition, the first heater and the second heater may both be provided on the seating surface portions, or both be provided on the protruding portions.

In the above embodiment, the vehicle seat S is exemplified as an independent type seat such as that used in the driver's seat or passenger seat of a passenger vehicle, but is not limited to this and may be, for example, a bench-type seat that is often used in the rear seats of passenger vehicles. Also, in the above embodiment, the vehicle seat S installed in an automobile is exemplified as the seat, but the seat may be a vehicle seat installed in a vehicle other than an automobile, such as a railroad car, ship, or aircraft. Furthermore, the seat is not limited to a vehicle seat and may be, for example, a seat used in the home, etc.

In the above embodiment, the seat is configured to receive power from a power supply device 90 driven by a battery mounted on the vehicle, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the seat itself may be equipped with a battery, or if the seat is a seat for use at home, the seat may be configured to receive power from a commercial power source.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 First heater 20 Second heater 30 Temperature sensor 30A First temperature sensor 30B Second temperature sensor 30C Environmental temperature sensor 100 Control device S Vehicle seat S1 Seat cushion S2 Seat back S11 Seat surface portion S12 Extension portion S21 Seat surface portion

Claims (7)

A seat including a first heater and a second heater, and a control device that controls an output of the first heater and the second heater,
a temperature sensor provided at a position corresponding to the first heater;
The control device includes:
A control for adjusting the detected temperature acquired by the temperature sensor so as to match the target temperature;
a temperature difference adjustment control for increasing a temperature difference between the first portion and the second portion by controlling an output of the second heater so that a temperature of the second portion heated by the second heater relative to a first portion heated by the first heater is lower than a temperature when the environmental temperature is a second temperature higher than the first temperature;
The seat, characterized in that the output of the first heater is gradually reduced before the detected temperature reaches the target temperature. 2. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the control device calculates a necessary control amount for controlling the first heater based on the target temperature and the detected temperature. The control device includes:
A first control and a second control can be executed before the temperature difference adjustment control,
In the first control, power is supplied only to the first heater;
When the detected temperature reaches a switching temperature that is lower than the target temperature, the control is shifted from the first control to the second control,
3. The seat according to claim 1, wherein in the second control, power is supplied to the first heater and the second heater. The control device includes:
calculating an integrated amount of electric power by integrating the amount of electric power output to the first heater for each predetermined time period;
multiplying the amount of power supplied to the second heater by a temperature difference adjustment value that changes based on an environmental temperature, and subtracting the resultant value from the integrated amount of power;
4. The seat according to claim 3, wherein the temperature difference adjustment control is executed when the integrated power amount after the subtraction becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. The seat according to claim 4 , wherein the temperature difference adjustment value is greater when the environmental temperature is the first temperature than when the environmental temperature is the second temperature. The first heater is provided in a seat surface portion of a seat,
The seat according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second heater is arranged on the left and right outer sides of the seating surface portion and provided on an overhanging portion that overhangs toward the occupant to support the side of the occupant. A seat cushion having a seat surface portion;
A seat back having a seat surface portion;
7. The seat according to claim 1, further comprising a headrest.

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