JPH09238776A - Vibrating seat - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remove the feel of foreign substance when a vibrating unit is set at a storage position. SOLUTION: A vibrating seat is provided with a vibrating unit 10 for applying vibrations to a person who sits on the seat, a torsion bar 12 for moving the vibrating unit 10 between a forward protruded operating position and the backward pulled storage position, and a means 14 for operating the torsion bar so as to set the vibrating unit 10 at the operating position or the storage position. Then, the torsion bar 12 is formed so as to be moved back and forth while being released from the strict of the operating means 14 when the vibrating unit 10 is set at the storage position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a vibration sheet. By using this vibrating seat as a seat for a driver of a vehicle, it is possible to prevent drowsy driving and further function as a lumbar support for massaging the lower back. Further, by using it as a general household or office sheet, it can have a function of giving a massage to the waist in addition to the function of a normal chair.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A vibrating unit for vibrating a person sitting on a seat and an elastic unit for supporting the vibrating unit, and moving the vibrating unit between an operating position protruding forward and a retracted position retracted rearward. There has been proposed a vibrating sheet including a torsion bar to be operated and a means for operating the torsion bar so that the vibrating unit is in the operating position or the storage position (Japanese Patent Application No. 6-233850).

[0003]

The torsion bar needs to be formed of a hard material, that is, a material having a high spring constant so that strong vibration can be generated by resonating with the vibration of the vibration unit. In the vibration seat according to (1), since the torsion bar and the member for attaching the torsion bar of the operating means are connected so that they cannot move relative to each other, when the vibrating unit is in the retracted position, a person sitting deep in the seat vibrates Feel the unit as a foreign object,
I feel uncomfortable.

The feeling of foreign matter can be eliminated by placing a cushion on the skin or cover of the seat and interposing the cushion between the person and the vibration unit. However, this gives strong vibration to the person, for example, the waist. , The original function of preventing drowsiness and giving a massage is impaired.

The present invention provides a vibrating sheet that can eliminate the feeling of foreign matter when the vibrating unit is in the storage position.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a vibrating unit for vibrating a person sitting on a seat, and a vibrating unit that elastically supports the vibrating unit and retracts the vibrating unit rearward and forward. And a means for operating the torsion bar so that the vibrating unit is in the operating position or the storage position. When the vibrating unit is in the storage position, the torsion bar is formed so as to be released from the restraint of the operating means and movable in the front-rear direction.

It is preferable to provide a spring that pushes the torsion bar forward when the vibrating unit is in the retracted position and allows the torsion bar to be pushed backward by a load directed rearward. . The spring constant of the spring is set to be smaller than the spring constant of the torsion bar.

In a preferred mode, the torsion bar is swingably attached to a seat frame, and the operating means meshes with an electric motor, a first gear connected to a shaft of the electric motor, and the first gear. Preventing the second gear and the torsion bar from swinging rearward more than a predetermined amount,
And a stopper provided on the second gear. The vibrating sheet pushes the torsion bar forward when the vibration unit is in the retracted position, and a spring that allows the torsion bar to be pushed backward by a load directed rearward. The spring constant of this spring is set to be smaller than the spring constant of the torsion bar.

In another preferred embodiment, the vibration sheet includes a control means for vibrating the vibration unit in response to a signal from a manual switch or a drowsiness detection sensor.

[0010]

According to the invention described in claim 1, when the vibrating unit is in the operating position, the vibration generated by the vibrating unit and the torsion bar can be applied to the person sitting on the vibration seat. When the vibration unit is in the retracted position, the torsion bar is released from the restraint of the operating means and can move in the front-rear direction, and cannot function as a spring. Don't give a feeling.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the torsion bar is pushed forward, and the spring constant smaller than the spring constant of the torsion bar allows the torsion bar to be pushed backward by the load directed rearward. Since the spring is provided, the torsion bar can always be kept pushed forward when the vibration unit is in the retracted position. This can prevent the vibration unit and the torsion bar from rattling. Further, when a person sits on the vibration seat, the vibration unit is pushed rearward together with the torsion bar, so that a feeling of foreign matter is not given.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the vibration unit can be moved between the operating position and the retracted position in a narrow seat with a simple structure in which the torsion bar is swingably attached to the seat frame, and the operating means is provided. Since it has an electric motor and gears, the operation of the torsion bar can be performed automatically. In addition, the spring can prevent the vibration unit and the torsion bar from rattling, and the feeling of foreign matter due to the vibration unit can be eliminated.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the vibration unit can be moved between the operating position and the storage position in a narrow seat with a simple structure in which the torsion bar is swingably attached to the seat frame, and the operating means is provided. Since it has an electric motor and gears, the operation of the torsion bar can be performed automatically. In addition, the spring can prevent the vibration unit and the torsion bar from rattling, and the feeling of foreign matter due to the vibration unit can be eliminated. Further, since the control means for vibrating the vibrating unit in response to the signal from the manual switch or the detection sensor is provided, it is possible to obtain a vibrating seat having a simple structure suitable as a seat for an automobile driver.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The torsion bar is formed by bending a round steel spring steel material into a crank shape. Two ends of the torsion bar, which are the rotation axes, are swingably attached to the seat frame, and the vibration unit is fixed to the middle part of the torsion bar. On the other hand, the first gear is attached to the shaft of the electric motor fixed to the seat frame, and the second gear is rotatably attached to one of the two ends of the torsion bar, which serves as the rotation shaft. The second gear can be in the form of a fan gear, which meshes with the first gear. The second gear is provided with a stopper that restricts the rearward movement of the torsion bar. One of two coil springs having a spring constant smaller than that of the torsion bar is bridged between the second gear and the torsion bar, and the other of the two coil springs is bridged between the seat frame and the torsion bar. Two coil springs allow the torsion bar to be pushed forward when the vibrating unit is in the retracted position, and the torsion bar to be pushed rearward due to a rearwardly directed load.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1 showing a perspective view of a vibrating seat without a skin or cover, a vibrating unit 10 for vibrating a person sitting on the seat and a torsion bar 12 are provided.
And operating means 14. The vibration unit 10 has a structure known per se. The illustrated vibration seat is for the driver's seat of an automobile.

The torsion bar 12 is continuous from the center to one side, from the intermediate mounting portion 16 to the L-shaped end portion 18 through the serpentine curved portion 17, and similarly from the center to the other side. As described above, it is formed by bending the whole into a crank shape. The vibration unit 10 is fixed to the mounting portion 16. The curved portion 17 provides the length and mass required for the torsion bar 12 to resonate with the vibration unit 10. For that purpose, the curved portion 17 may be provided on only one side of the torsion bar 12.

Each of the two ends 18 of the torsion bar is inserted into a hole 22 of a seat frame 20 and a retaining ring 24 is fitted therein, as shown in detail in FIGS. Install. As a result, the torsion bar 12 can swing with respect to the seat frame 20. When the torsion bar 12 swings around the pivot portion 19 of the end portion 18, the vibrating unit 10 takes an operating position projecting forward and a retracted position retracting rearward. In the operating position, the vibration unit 10 is pressed against the driver via the skin. On the other hand, in the storage position, the vibration unit 10 separates from the driver, but since the depth of the seat frame 20 in the front-rear direction is limited, the separation is not sufficient, and the above-mentioned problem occurs.

The means 14 for operating the torsion bar 12 so that the vibrating unit 10 is in the operating position or the retracted position is the electric motor 26 fixed to the seat frame 20 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. , Electric motor 26
The first gear 28 connected to the shaft 27 of the
8 and the second gear 30 for preventing the torsion bar 12 from swinging backward a predetermined amount or more.
And a stopper 32 provided on the. Second gear 30
Is a sector gear, which in the illustrated embodiment is rotatably mounted on a pivot 19 at one end 18 of the torsion bar 12.

When the electric motor 26 is driven to rotate the first gear 28 and the second gear 30 is rotated forward as shown in FIG. 6, the stopper 32 hits the torsion bar 12 and pushes the torsion bar 12 forward. , The vibration unit is in the operating position. When the second gear 30 is rotated in the opposite direction from this operating position, the torsion bar 12 becomes substantially vertical as shown by the solid line in FIG.
2 separates from the torsion bar 12. Therefore, when the torsion bar 12 is substantially vertical, the vibration unit is in the storage position. Therefore, the rotation angle of the gear 30 is set such that the second gear 30 rotates further rearward even when the vibration unit is at the retracted position.

As a result of the structure described above, in the storage position of the vibration unit, the torsion bar 12 is released from the restraint of the operating means 14 and can move in the front-back direction. When it is feared that abnormal noise is generated by the movement of the torsion bar 12 in the front-rear direction, a sound absorbing material such as sponge is used as the seat frame 20.
Alternatively, it is attached to the stopper 32 and other places. However, the following measures are more preferable.

In the illustrated embodiment, two coil springs 34, 36 having a spring constant smaller than that of the torsion bar 12 are engaged with the torsion bar 12. The coil spring 34 has one end 38 fixed to the second gear 30 and the other end 39 spanning the torsion bar 12. The coil spring 36 has one end 40 fixed to the seat frame 20 and the other end 41 spanning the torsion bar 12. As a result, the two coil springs 34, 36 push the torsion bar 12 forward when the vibrating unit is in the retracted position, and as shown by the phantom line in FIG. Allows the torsion bar 12 to be pushed backwards. The coil springs 34 and 36 preferably have a spring constant such that the coil springs are flexed by a force similar to that of a spring normally provided in a seat, which makes it possible to eliminate the feeling of foreign matter to a person sitting on the seat.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the vibration sheet includes control means 54 for vibrating the vibration unit in response to a signal from the manual switch 50 or the doze detection sensor 52. The control means 54 is a CPU. Manual switch 5
0 and the doze detection sensor 52 are connected to the control means 54 via the input interface 56, and the control means 54 drives the drive circuits 60 and 62 via the output interface 58.
It is connected to the. The drive circuit 60 operates the electromagnet of the vibration unit, and the drive circuit 62 operates the electric motor 26. The control means 54 controls as shown in FIG.

The vibrating unit is normally in the storage position.
After the control means is started and initialized, it is determined whether there is a signal from the doze detection sensor 52 (100). When a signal is input, the operation signal 1 is output to the drive circuit 62 (10
1), drive the electric motor 26 to rotate the second gear forward. A pulse signal generated by the rotation of the electric motor 26 is used to determine whether the vibrating unit is projected to the operating position (102). If not protruding, electric motor 2
When it continues to rotate 6 and is in the operating position, stop signal 1
Is output (103) and the rotation of the electric motor 26 is stopped.

When the vibrating unit reaches the predetermined operating position, the operating signal 2 is output to the drive circuit 60 (104), and the electromagnet 64 of the vibrating unit is energized to cause vibration.
The output time of the operation signal 2 is judged (105), and the output of the operation signal 2 is continued until the predetermined time is reached. When the predetermined time is reached, the stop signal 2 is output (106) to stop the energization of the electromagnet. Then, the operation signal 1 is output to the drive circuit 62 (107) to rotate the electric motor 26 in the reverse direction. Based on the pulse signal generated by the reverse rotation of the electric motor 26, it is determined whether the vibration unit has retracted to the storage position (108). If not retracted, the rotation of the electric motor 26 is continued, and when retracted, the stop signal 1 is output (10
9) Stop the rotation of the electric motor 26.

When the signal from the doze detection sensor is not input, it is judged whether the manual switch 50 is ON (110). When the manual switch 50 is ON, the operation signal 1 is output (111), and it is determined whether or not it has protruded to the operation position (102). When the manual switch 50 is OFF, the stop signal 1 is output (112).

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vibrating sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention with a skin removed.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation means, in which the torsion bar is in a substantially vertical state in which the vibration unit is in a storage position.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a front view for explaining the operation of the vibrating sheet according to the present invention, showing a state in which the vibrating unit is in the retracted position.

FIG. 6 is a front view for explaining the operation of the vibrating sheet according to the present invention, showing a state in which the vibrating unit is in the operating position.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control unit that can be provided in the vibration sheet according to the present invention and a circuit controlled by the control unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of control by the control means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Vibration Unit 12 Torsion Bar 14 Operating Means 20 Seat Frame 26 Electric Motor 28 First Gear 30 Second Gear 32 32 Stoppers 34, 36 Coil Spring 50 Manual Switch 52 Doze Detection Sensor

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A vibrating unit for vibrating a person sitting on a seat, and a vibrating unit that elastically supports the vibrating unit and moves the vibrating unit between an operating position projecting forward and a retracted position retracted rearward. A vibrating sheet comprising: a torsion bar that causes the vibration unit and a unit that operates the torsion bar so that the vibration unit is in the operating position or the storage position, wherein the torsion unit is provided when the vibration unit is in the storage position. The bar is a vibrating sheet formed so as to be released from the constraint of the operating means and movable in the front-rear direction. 2. A spring that pushes the torsion bar forward when the vibrating unit is in the retracted position, and that allows the torsion bar to be pushed backward by a load directed rearward, The vibrating sheet according to claim 1, wherein the spring constant of the spring is smaller than the spring constant of the torsion bar. 3. The torsion bar is swingably attached to a seat frame, and the operating means is an electric motor.
A first gear connected to the shaft of the electric motor, a second gear meshing with the first gear, and a second gear that prevents the torsion bar from swinging backward a predetermined amount or more. When the vibrating unit is in the storage position, the vibration sheet pushes the torsion bar forward, and the torsion bar is pushed backward by a load directed rearward. The vibrating sheet according to claim 1, further comprising a spring for enabling the spring constant, the spring constant of the spring being smaller than the spring constant of the torsion bar. 4. The vibrating sheet according to claim 3, further comprising control means for vibrating the vibrating unit in response to a signal from a manual switch or a doze detection sensor.