JPS60197437A - Seating attitude support device for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure safety driving by automatically moving the side supports of a seat to a support position according to the comparison result between the current data related to the centrifugal force when a vehicle turns along a curve and the reference data related to the preset centrifugal force. CONSTITUTION:Side supports 2 are provided at the back of a seat so as to protude and recede by the action of a servo motor 3. Besides, the support position of the supports 2 that is most suitable to a driver is stored in an instruction and memory module 18. When a vehicle runs, the curvature determination section 12 of a controller 4 calculates the curvature of a curve, along which the vehicle is going to turn, from the output of a steering angle detector 13 and a speed sensor 14 based on a preset formula. Then, the centrifugal acceleration generated at the curve is obtained from this curvature and the output of the speed sensor 14 by an arithmetic operation unit 15. As a result of comparing 17 this centrifugal acceleration with the reference centrifugal acceleration, a servo motor 3 is actuated and the side support 2 is protruded only for a reset amount.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a seat posture support device for a vehicle that laterally supports the seated posture of a seat in a vehicle such as an automobile, and in particular, the present invention relates to a seat posture support device for a vehicle that laterally supports the seated posture of a seat in a vehicle such as an automobile. Concerning what supports to keep things right.

Generally, when a car turns a curve, the centrifugal force of the car applies a force that pushes the occupants sideways. For this reason, not only does the passenger's riding comfort deteriorate, but if the driver becomes difficult to maintain a correct driving posture, it may become difficult to operate the vehicle, which may lead to a serious accident.

Therefore, it is conceivable to use a seated posture support device for a vehicle that is configured to support the occupant from the side at all times by providing side supports protruding from both sides of the seat to support the sides of the occupant.

However, although it is possible to use such a vehicle seating posture support device in a racing car, if the vehicle is always supported from the side, the riding comfort will be significantly impaired and the person will feel uncomfortable. It is inappropriate to employ such a vehicle seating posture support device in a passenger car or the like because the driver gets tired easily during long-distance driving.

An object of the present invention is to provide a seating posture support device for a vehicle that is normally unsupported and can automatically operate when a vehicle such as an automobile turns a curve to support the occupant's seated posture from the side. It is about providing.

To achieve this objective, the present invention obtains current data related to the centrifugal force when the vehicle takes a curve, compares this current data with preset reference data related to the centrifugal force, When both data become in a predetermined relationship, side supports disposed on both sides of the seat are moved from a normal position, which is a non-support position, to a support position.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained according to embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle seating posture support device for a driver's seat of an automobile, which is an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along the line nn in FIG. 81,
(b), fQ) are diagrams for explaining the action.

In this embodiment, this vehicle seating posture support device includes side supports 2 movably disposed at both side positions of a seat 1 of an automobile driver's seat, and a side supporter 2 which is moved from a normal position which is an unsupported position. Current data related to the servo motor 3 as an actuator for moving the driver's side to a position where it can be supported and the centrifugal force when the vehicle turns a curve is obtained, and this current data and preset settings are obtained. It is equipped with a controller 4 that compares reference data related to centrifugal force and drives a servo motor 3 to move the side supporter 2 to a support position when both data have a predetermined relationship.

The controller 4 includes a steering angle detector 13 that detects the steering angle of the steering wheel when the vehicle turns, a speed sensor 14 that detects the current traveling speed, and steering angle data from the steering angle detector 13 and the speed sensor 14. curvature determination unit 12 for determining the curvature of the curve based on the traveling speed data of
and a calculation unit 15 that calculates the centrifugal acceleration on the curve based on the curvature from the curvature determination unit 12 and the speed from the speed sensor 14, and the centrifugal acceleration that is the reference for supporting by the side supports 2 is set in advance as reference data. The stored reference data storage unit 16 compares the current data from the calculation unit 15 with the reference data from the reference data storage unit 16, and generates an output signal when the relationship between the two becomes a predetermined relationship. a comparison unit 17, a command and storage module 18 for instructing the servo motor 3 to operate based on an output signal from the comparison unit 17, a position sensor 19 for detecting the position of the side supporter 2, and a position sensor 19 for detecting the position of the side supporter 2, Support position setting operation unit 2 for setting the optimal support position
0 and a timer 11 which is connected to an instruction and storage module 18 and measures time in a timely manner, and is configured to realize the functions described below.

Note that explanations of the configuration and operation of the analog signal processing section, the A/D conversion section that converts the analog signal into a digital signal, and the synchronization circuit section for synchronizing each component will be omitted.

Both side supports 2 are formed into a columnar shape with a substantially arcuate cross section, and are slidably fitted into guide holes 21 formed on both sides of the seat 1, and are fitted into brackets 22.
It is configured such that it can be moved in and out of the seat 1 by being rotatably supported by a shaft 23 . A screw mechanism 25 that expands and contracts by forward and reverse rotation is connected to the inner edge of the seat 1 in the side supporter 2 via a bracket 24. This screw mechanism 25 is connected to the inside of the seat 1 via a pin 26. It is configured to be rotated in forward and reverse directions by a servo motor 3 that is rotatably supported to extend and contract.

Next, the action will be explained.

In normal conditions, such as when the vehicle is stopped or traveling in a straight line, the side supports 2 are drawn into the guide holes 21 and their surfaces form the same plane as the surface of the seat 1, as shown in FIG. maintained in storage.

The driver sitting on the seat 1 sets in advance the support position of the side supporter 2 that is most suitable for him/her and stores the support position in the command and storage module 18. That is, when setting and memorizing this optimal support position, by operating the support position setting operation section 20 and appropriately rotating the servo motor 3 in the forward direction, the side supporter 2 is appropriately moved to protrude from the guide hole 21 to support itself. Once the most suitable position has been selected for the
will be automatically stored as the desired setting position. When the setting and storage of the optimum support position is completed, the side supporter 2 is returned to its original normal position.

The curvature determination unit 12 in the controller 4 uses a relational expression programmed in advance based on the steering angle of the steering wheel detected and transmitted by the steering angle detector 13 and the traveling speed detected and transmitted by the speed sensor 14. A predetermined calculation is performed based on this to determine the curvature of the curve that is currently being turned. It is desirable to obtain a relational expression for determining the curvature that most closely corresponds to the actual situation, for example, by repeatedly conducting experiments or analyzing mathematical models using a computer based on theory or empirical rules.

The curvature thus obtained is input to one input terminal of the calculation section 15. Data regarding the traveling speed detected by the speed sensor 14 is inputted to the other input terminal of the calculation unit 15 from time to time.

By the way, when an automobile turns a curve with a radius of curvature r at a traveling speed V, a centrifugal acceleration α calculated from the following equation fil acts. Due to this centrifugal acceleration α, a centrifugal force F approximately proportional to the body weight is applied to the passenger, as shown by the following equation (2). Note that in the following equation (2), W is the passenger's weight, and g is the gravitational acceleration.

α=VXV/r...1llF-W/g×α
= W/g×■×v/r... (2) This centrifugal force F exerts a pushing force outward from the curve in a sideways direction, making the ride uncomfortable for the passengers and making it difficult for the driver to control the car. cause trouble.

Therefore, when the centrifugal acceleration α becomes large, it is necessary to support the sides of the driver with the side supports 2 to maintain the correct driving posture.

Then, the substantially lowest level of centrifugal acceleration α at which support by the side supports 2 should start is stored in advance in the reference data storage unit 16 as reference data.

By the way, in order to determine the centrifugal acceleration α, which is the standard data, various conditions such as driver and passenger, front seats and rear seats, seat structure, single curve and figure 8 curve, unevenness of the road, etc. are taken into consideration. It is desirable to take this into consideration. In addition, if the reference centrifugal acceleration α is too large, there is a risk that support by the side supports 2 may not be provided when necessary; There is a fear that this may occur and cause discomfort.

Under these circumstances, it is considered appropriate for the standard centrifugal acceleration α to be, for example, 1.0 to 5.0 meters per second.In this case, the centrifugal force exerted on the car occupant at the curve is It is thought that it will be about 10 to 50% of the above.

Now, the above-mentioned calculation unit 15 uses the curvature data inputted from the curvature determination unit 12 and the current traveling speed data inputted from the speed sensor 14 to calculate the centrifugal acceleration α generated in the curve that is currently turning.
is calculated based on the front part (11) or a relational expression obtained by adding corrections thereto, and the solution is inputted to one input terminal of the comparing part 17.

Data regarding the reference centrifugal acceleration α is input from the reference data storage unit 16 to the other input terminal of the comparison unit 17. The comparison unit 17 compares the data regarding the current centrifugal acceleration αn from the calculation unit 15 and the reference data storage unit 1.
6 is compared with the data regarding the reference centrifugal acceleration α according to a preset program, and when the relationship between both data becomes a predetermined relationship, for example, Fig. 3 ta)
, as shown in (b), the current centrifugal acceleration α
A predetermined output signal is sent to the command and storage module 18 when the value of n exceeds the reference centrifugal acceleration αΦ value.

When the command and storage module 18 receives the signal from the comparator 17, it transmits a drive command to the drive control unit of the servo motor 3 (see FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b)). As a result, the servo motor 3 rotates forward and causes the screw mechanism 25 to extend. By the extension of the screw mechanism 25, the side supporter 2 is slid through the guide hole 21 and moved forward to a desired support position that has been set and stored in advance. When it is confirmed by the detection of the position sensor 19 that the side supporter 2 has been moved forward to the desired support position that has been set and stored in advance, the command and storage module 18 executes the command and storage module 18 based on the detection signal input from the position sensor 19. A sudden stop command is sent to the drive control section of the servo motor 3. As a result, the servo motor 3 suddenly stops to maintain the extended state of the screw mechanism 25, thereby fixing the side supporter 2 at a desired optimal support position that has been set and stored in advance.

When a car is turning a curve, centrifugal force acts on the occupants, causing the driver to be pushed sideways to the outside of the curve. However, when the vehicle starts to turn a curve and centrifugal force is generated, the side supports 2 are set to the desired optimum support position by the above operation, so that the driver is supported by the side supports 2 against the force of overturning the vehicle. Therefore, the driver can maintain a proper driving posture and continue driving safely without any hindrance to the operation of the vehicle. Further, since the support position of the side supports 2 is the optimum support position selected in advance by the driver, the support of the side supports 2 is performed reliably and appropriately.

When the car completes a curve, and the output signal for the next curve is not inputted from the comparator 17, the timer 11, which measures the time from the stop of the signal from the comparator 17, detects the passage of a preset and stored appropriate time. Then, the command and storage module 18 sends a reverse drive command to the drive control section of the servo motor 3 (see FIG.
bl, see (C)).

As a result, the servo motor 3 rotates in the opposite direction and the screw mechanism 25
Operate shortened. By shortening the screw mechanism 25, the side supporter 2 is slid through the guide hole 21 and drawn into the seat 1. When it is confirmed by the detection of the position sensor 19 that the surface of the side supporter 2 has been restored to the retracted position where it substantially matches the surface of the seat 1, the position sensor 1
Based on the input of the detection signal from the servo motor 9, the command and storage module 18 sends an abrupt stop command to the drive control section of the servo motor 3. As a result, the servo motor 3 suddenly stops, the screw mechanism 25 maintains the shortened state, and the side supporter 2 is housed and fixed within the guide hole 21.

Therefore, since the driver is released from the support of the side supports 2, the driver can continue driving without being bothered by this, and can continue driving comfortably for a long time.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to judge the necessity of supporting the driver from the side when the car turns a curve, and when necessary, immediately support the driver from the side against the centrifugal force that acts when the car turns the curve. Therefore, it is possible to alleviate the discomfort felt by the driver due to the force of overturning the vehicle, and it is possible to ensure safe driving by maintaining an appropriate driving posture.

In addition, when the vehicle does not require support, such as when traveling in a straight line or stopping, the side supports are stored in a normal, unsupported position, thereby relieving the driver of the trouble of supporting the side supports. This makes it possible to drive comfortably and continue for long periods of time without fatigue.

In addition, since the driver can set the support position of the side supporters in advance to the desired support position that is most suitable for him/her, the driver can ensure that the support by the side supports is performed reliably and appropriately, improving drivability and luxury. It can be further improved.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments,
It goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

For example, the curvature of a curve can be obtained not only from the relationship between the steering angle of the steering wheel and the traveling speed, but also from the relationship between the displacement of the steering device and the traveling speed, or by calculating the amount of steering displacement over time. It may also be obtained by differentiation.

Data regarding centrifugal force is not limited to centrifugal acceleration.
Measure the centrifugal force per unit mass angle acting on the weight,
This may be used as data.

Each component of the controller may be constructed from discrete circuits, or may be implemented as a microcomputer using an integrated circuit.

The actuator is not limited to a servo motor, and a cylinder device or the like may be used.

The specific structure of the side supporter, its driving structure, operation, etc. are not limited to the above embodiment.

Side supports are not limited to when both sides are operated at the same time.
It may be configured such that only the side that resists centrifugal force is activated.

In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the driver's seat of an automobile has been explained, but the present invention can be applied not only to the driver's seat but also to other seats, and furthermore, it can be applied to seats in general vehicles such as railways. can.

As explained above, according to the present invention, current data related to centrifugal force when a vehicle turns a curve is obtained, and this current data is compared with preset reference data regarding centrifugal force, When both data have a predetermined relationship, the side supports disposed at positions 6 on both sides of the seat are moved from the normal non-support position to the support position. A seated person can be supported from the side against centrifugal force only when necessary without being constantly restrained, and comfortable and safe driving can be continued for a long time without impairing riding comfort.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along line nn in FIG. 1, and FIG.
(bl, (!l is each diagram for explaining the action. 1... Seat, 2... Side supporter, 3... Servo motor, 4... Controller, 12... Curvature Judgment unit, 13... Steering angle detector, 14... Speed sensor, 15... Calculation unit, 16... Reference data storage unit, 1
7... Comparison unit, 18... Command and storage module, 19... Position sensor, 20... Support position setting operation unit, 21... Guide hole, 22. 24... Bracket, 23... ...Shaft, 25...Screw mechanism, 26...Pin. Patent Applicant Mitsuba Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Tatsuya Kajihara Procedural Amendment June 14, 1985 1. Case Indication 1989 Patent Application No. 53312 2. Title of Invention Seating Position for Vehicle Support device 3, relationship with the person making the amendment Patent applicant Mitsuba Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd. 4, 1-2681 Hirosawacho, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, Agent 8160TEt03 (361) 3615
Sun Palace Shinjuku 308, 8-12-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Contents of the amendment The following points are amended in the attached specification of this application. Delete page 9, line 7, and add the following paragraph. rF-(W/g)Xα-(W/g)XVXV/r...
(2)” (and above)

Claims (1)

[Claims] (11) A side supporter movably provided at both sides of a seat in a vehicle, an actuator for moving the side supporter from a normal position to a support position capable of supporting the sides of a seated person; Obtain current data related to centrifugal force when turning a curve, compare this current data with preset reference data related to centrifugal force, and when both data meet a predetermined relationship, A seating posture support device for a vehicle, comprising: a controller that causes the actuator to move the side supporter to a support position. (2) The controller controls the amount of displacement in the steering device when the vehicle turns a curve. a determination unit that calculates the curvature of the curve based on the curvature, a speed detection unit that detects the current vehicle running speed, and a calculation unit that calculates the current centrifugal acceleration based on the curvature data from the determination unit and the speed data from the speed detection unit. and a comparison section that compares the current centrifugal acceleration data from the calculation section with preset reference centrifugal acceleration data and generates an output signal when a predetermined relationship is established. A seating posture support device for a vehicle according to claim 1. (3) A patent claim characterized in that the position of the side supporter supporting the side of the seated person can be set individually according to the seated person. The seating posture support device for a vehicle according to item 1.