JPS61285147A - Automatic adjusting device for side support in vehicle seat assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance the safety of a vehicle seat assembly, by detecting centrifugal force during a vehicle running, and by adjusting the support force of side supports in the vehicle seat assembly in accordance with the thus detected centrifugal force to restrain a human body from oscillating during the vehicle turning. CONSTITUTION:When an automobile increases its speed exceeding, for example, 30 km/h at which the augmentation of support force is required, a control device 40 specifies the range of a steering angle theta in which the support force is adjusted depending upon a steering angle information signal from a steering angle sensor 10, in accordance with a turn-on signal from a running sensor 9. When a steering wheel 11 is rotated clockwise on, for example, a right curve, a response starting angle theta1 and a response ending angle theta2 are set, and when the steering angle falls in the range of theta1 to theta2, a compensating data are issued. An air feed solenoid valve 5 is opened in accordance with these compensating data, and air is fed into air mats 3a, 3b disposed in side supports 2a, 2b of a seat assembly 1, thereby it is possible to enhance the support force.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an automatic adjustment device for side seats 1 of automobile seats 1 to 1, and in particular to an automatic adjustment device for adjusting the support force against the centrifugal force exerted while the automobile is running. Relating to automatic adjustment means.

[Conventional technology]

Recently, the sides of car seats, especially driver seats,
As a support device, the support force, or strength, of the side supports located on the sides of the seat back can be adjusted to an appropriate size according to the driver's body shape, so that the optimal seating position for driving can be achieved. The side that looked like this
Support devices are now being used. Above side
As the support force adjustment means of the support device, a means for manually adjusting the support force to a predetermined state while the vehicle is stopped is mainly employed.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The side support device having the above configuration has the following problems. That is, since the support force adjustment means is manually operated, the strength of the support can only be adjusted while the vehicle is stopped. In other words, manually controlling the support strength while the vehicle is running is not only very troublesome but also extremely dangerous, so it has to be done while the vehicle is stopped.

On the other hand, since the adjustment is fixedly set to a constant strength, it is not possible to obtain an optimal adjustment state that corresponds to changes in vehicle body conditions during driving. In other words, if the vehicle is adjusted in advance to be optimal when driving on a straight road, for example, the vehicle's body will be swayed from side to side every time it curves, which not only causes severe fatigue, but also poses a risk of erroneous steering operations. On the other hand, if the support force is adjusted to be strong enough to cause no problem when making a curve, the body will be tightened more than necessary when driving on a straight road, giving a feeling of being cramped.

Therefore, by taking simple measures, the present invention provides a comfortable seating position that does not make you feel cramped while driving on a straight road, allowing you to drive comfortably, and automatically providing support when making a curve. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic adjustment device for a side support of an automobile seat which can be strengthened, prevent body shaking, and ensure safety.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the objects, the present invention is characterized by taking the following measures. That is, the automatic side support adjustment device for a car seat of the present invention uses a centrifugal force detecting means that calculates the centrifugal force from the steering angle of the car while the car is running. The support force adjustment means detects the centrifugal force and, based on the detected centrifugal force, supplies or exhausts air to, for example, an air mattress inserted in the side support. It is characterized by adjusting the force to 1.

[Effect]

By taking the above measures, the body is stably held by the strong force only when the car curves.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 1, 1 is the driver seat,
Side supports 2a and 2b of this driver seat 1
Air mats 3a and 3b are respectively inserted in the .

The above air mat 3a.

Two branched air pipes 4a and 4b are connected to 3b. 5 is an air supply electromagnetic valve, which supplies compressed air from the near compressor to an air pipe 4a.

By supplying air to the air mats 3a and 3b via the air mats 4b, the support force is strengthened. 6 is an exhaust electromagnetic valve that directs the air from the air mats 3a, 3b to the air pipes 4a,
By exhausting to the outside via 4b, the support force is weakened. The air supply electromagnetic valve 5 and the exhaust electromagnetic valve 6 are energized and controlled by a control device 40. This control device 40 will be explained in detail later, but it receives a support force detection signal from the support force sensor 7, an operation command signal from the operation switch 8, a travel information signal from the travel sensor 9, and a signal from the steering angle sensor 10. The steering angle information signal is actuated to control the energization of each of the electromagnetic valves 5 and 6.

The support force sensor 7 is a side support force sensor 1-28.

It is a sensor provided to detect the support force of 2b and send a detection signal, for example, to the air pine 1 3a, 3b.
The support force is indirectly detected by calculating the amount of air sealed inside from the intake air amount and exhaust air amount.

The operation switch 8 is a button 8 for turning on and off the power.
a, 8b, and buttons 81, 82, and 83 for the driver to initialize the strength of support step by step, for example, Ll, L2, and L3 according to his/her body type.

The travel sensor 9 sends out an output signal when the vehicle speed exceeds a certain speed.

The steering angle sensor 10 has a gear 13 coupled to a shaft 12 directly connected to the steering wheel 11, and a rotation angle amplifying mechanism 14 consisting of gears or the like amplifies the rotation angle of the gear 13 according to the rotation angle of the steering wheel 11. The light is transmitted to the slit disk 15, and the light passing through the slit of the slit disk 15 is transmitted to the light emitting elements 16a, 16b and the light receiving elements 178, 17b.
The steering angle information signal is detected by two sets of photoelectric detectors consisting of , and is waveform-shaped by a waveform shaping circuit 18 to extract a steering angle information signal containing a rotational direction component.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the side support 20 (corresponding to 28° 2b in FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 2, a pad 22 made of urethane or the like is loaded inside the backboard 21, and air pins 1 to 23 made of rubber, for example, are inserted into this pad 22. Therefore, when air is introduced into the air mat 23, it deforms as shown by the broken line, thereby increasing the support force.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the functions of the waveform shaping circuit 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the sine wave signals 81 and 82 from the light receiving elements 17a and 17b inputted from the terminals 31 and 32 are waveform-shaped into rectangular wave signals 811 and 81 whose phases are shifted by 90 degrees.
2 and is output from terminals 33 and 34. Therefore, these rectangular wave signals 811 and S12 can be used as a steering angle information signal having a phase difference of 90' as a rotational direction component.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the control device together with its peripheral parts. In FIG. 4, 41 is a register that temporarily stores data, 42 is a memory that stores data indicating support strengths in multiple levels set in advance, and 43 is a register that stores data in accordance with input signals. Air solenoid valve 5
and a support strength/weakness control circuit that energizes and controls the exhaust electromagnetic valve 6 and controls the strength of the support force, and 44 is a stop signal when the force detection signal from the servo 1 to the force sensor 7 reaches a set value. It is a comparator that sends out . Further, 45 is a gate that is turned on by the vehicle speed signal from the traveling sensor 9, that is, a signal indicating that the vehicle speed has exceeded a certain speed, and allows the signal from the steering angle sensor 10 to pass through, and 46 is a gate that is a steering angle information signal (count 47 is a direction determiner that determines the steering rotation direction based on the steering angle information signal, and 48 is a direction determination device that determines the steering rotation direction according to the steering rotation direction. It is a response angle setting device for specifying the range of steering angle θ to be executed, and 4
Reference numeral 9 denotes a data corrector that sends out correction data of a certain magnitude when the detected steering angle is within a set response angle range. Note that the response angle setting device 48 is connected to the steering wheel 11.
θ1 for the count-up pulse in clockwise rotation of
A steering angle of θ2 is set as the response start angle, and a steering angle of θ2 is set as the response end angle for the countdown pulse. In addition, for the countdown pulse when the steering wheel 11 is rotated to the left, a steering angle of θ1 is set as the response start angle, and for the counterclockwise rotation of the steering wheel 11, a steering angle of θ2 is set as the response start angle.
Set the steering angle as the response end angle. The above angle θ1 is set, for example, to about 10° to 15°, and θ2 is set to an angle that is slightly more refined than the above angle θ1.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be explained with reference to the waveform diagram of FIG. 5 as needed. First, the initial setting operation while the vehicle is stopped will be explained. After pressing the on-operation button 8a of the operation switch 8 to turn it on, the button 81 is pressed at time 10 in FIG. 5 to set the support strength to 11, for example, depending on the body shape of the driver. Then, the fifth
A command signal ■ as shown in the figure is sent, and this is sent to the memory 4.
given to 2. Therefore, data corresponding to monkey-1 to strength Ll is read into the register 41.

The data read into the register 41 is given to the lipo-1~strength control circuit 43. Then, the support strength control circuit 43 gives an "open" signal to the air supply solenoid valve 5, and the air supply solenoid valve 5 opens and compressed air from the compressor passes through the air vibrators 4a and 4b to the air mats 3a and 3b. is supplied with air. As a result, the support power is gradually strengthened. When the strength of the support force reaches Ll at time t1, the signal from the support force sensor 7 reaches the set value which is the content of the register 41, a stop signal is sent from the comparator 44, and the strength control circuit 43 cuts off the "open" signal to the air supply solenoid valve 5. Therefore, the air supply to the air mattresses 3a, 3b is stopped, and the initial setting operation is completed.

From this state, when the button 82 is pressed at time t2 to further change the strength of the support force to L2, a command signal ■ is given to the memory 42. Therefore, data corresponding to the support force strength L2 is read into the register 41,
The data is given to the support strength control circuit 43.

Then, the support strength control circuit 43 gives an "open" signal again to the air supply solenoid valve 5, and the air supply solenoid valve 5 opens and the compressed air from the compressor starts flowing.
Air mattress 3a via Above 4a, 4b,
3□: Air is supplied to b. As a result, the support power is further strengthened by 1. When the strength of the support force reaches L2 at time t3 and the signal from the support force sensor 7 reaches the set value which is the content of the register 41, a stop signal is sent from the comparator 44 to the support strength control circuit 43,
The "open" signal to the air supply solenoid valve 5 is cut off. Therefore, the air supply to the air mattresses 3a and 3b is stopped, and the initial setting changing operation is completed.

Next, the automatic adjustment operation during driving will be explained.

When the vehicle is running at a low speed that does not require reinforcement of the support force or when the vehicle is running in reverse, such as when parking in a garage, an off signal is given from the running sensor 9 to the gate 45. For this reason, the steering angle information signal from the steering angle sensor 10 cannot pass through the gate 45 and is sent to the counter 46. Do not input it to the direction determiner 47 or the like. In such a state, automatic adjustment control for strengthening the support force is not performed. Therefore, the driver can freely adopt any posture when parking the vehicle in a garage or the like.・When the vehicle speed reaches a speed that requires force reinforcement, for example, 301 m/h or more,
An on signal is given to the gate 45 from the running sensor 9. Therefore, the steering angle information signal from the steering angle sensor 10 passes through the gate 45 to the counter 46. The direction is input to the direction determiner 47. The counter 46 counts up or counts down the steering angle information signal. On the other hand, the direction determiner 4
7 determines the steering rotation direction based on the steering angle information signal. Depending on the result of this determination, the response angle setter 48 specifies the range of the steering angle θ in which the support force is adjusted.

For example, if the steering wheel 11 is rotated clockwise on a right curve, a response start angle of 01 is set for the count-up pulse, and a response end angle of θ2 is set for the count-down pulse. Therefore, when the count value of the counter 46 exceeds θ1 and falls within the range of the response angle at time t4, the data corrector 49 sends correction data of a fixed size, which is applied to the register 41. Then, the contents of the register 41 change from what corresponds to L2 to what corresponds to L2+α, so air is supplied to the air mattresses 3a and 3b as in the case described above, and the support force is strengthened by +α. When you finish turning the curve and return the steering wheel 11 in the opposite direction, the counter 4
A count of 6 is counted down. and counter 4
When the count value of 6 becomes less than θ2 at time t5 and goes out of the range of the response angle, the correction data of a constant size that had been sent from the four data correctors until then is cut off. Then, the contents of the register 41 return to their original state, and the air mattresses 3a, 3b are evacuated as in the case described above, and the support force is weakened to L2.

Contrary to the above, when the steering wheel 11 is rotated to the left in a left curve, a response start angle of .theta.1 is set for the count-up pulse, and a response end angle of .theta.2 is set for the count-up pulse. Therefore, when the count value of the counter 46 exceeds 01 and falls within the response angle range,
Similarly to the above, correction data of a fixed size is sent from the data corrector 49 and is applied to the register 41, air is supplied to the air mattresses 3a and 3b, and the support force is strengthened. When the steering wheel 11 is returned to the opposite direction after turning the curve, the count value of the counter 46 is counted up, and when the count value becomes less than θ2 and goes out of the response angle range, the correction data is cut off as described above. , register 4
1 returns to its original state, air is exhausted from the air mattresses 3a and 3b, and the support force is weakened.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the automobile is running at a low speed or when the automobile is running in reverse, such as when parking the automobile in a garage, the automatic adjustment control for strengthening the support force is not performed. Therefore, the driver can freely adopt any posture when parking the vehicle in the garage or the like.

When the vehicle is traveling at a speed higher than a predetermined speed and turns into a corner and the steering angle exceeds a certain angle, the side support force is automatically increased to keep the driver's body stable. Then, when you complete the curve, the side
Since the support force returns to its original initial setting, your body will not be forced to tighten while driving on a straight road, allowing you to drive comfortably.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, in the above embodiment, the centrifugal force detection means is a means for determining the centrifugal force from the steering angle of a car traveling at a heavy speed higher than a certain speed, but a separate centrifugal force detector may be used. The centrifugal force may be determined from the left-right inclination angle of the vehicle body, the amount of movement of the vehicle body in the left-right direction, or the like. In addition, in the above embodiment, the side
The air mattress inserted into the support is shown to supply or exhaust air, but the side support can be rotated like a swing door, and the side support is connected to the motor as the drive source. It may be rotated by a drive mechanism. It goes without saying that various other modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

〔Effect of the invention〕

The automatic side support adjustment device for a car seat of the present invention detects centrifugal force while the car is running, using a centrifugal force detection means that calculates the centrifugal force from the steering angle of the car while the car is running. The support force in the side support of an automobile seat is adjusted by a support force adjustment means that supplies or exhausts air to an air mat inserted in the side support based on the centrifugal force generated by the side support. It is characterized by what it did.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the body is stably held by a strong support force only when the automobile curves. As a result, while driving on a straight road, you will be able to sit comfortably without feeling cramped, allowing you to drive comfortably, and when making a curve, the support force will be automatically increased to prevent your body from shaking. It is possible to provide an automatic side support adjustment device for automobile seats that can ensure safety.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 5 are diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 1 being a diagram showing the overall configuration of the device, Figure 2 being a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of the side support, and Figure 3 being a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control device together with its peripheral parts, and FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram for explaining the operation. 1... Driver seat, 2a, 2b, 20... Side support, 3a, 3b, 23... Air mat,
5... Solenoid valve for air supply, 6... Solenoid valve for exhaust, 7... Support casenza, 8... Operation switch,
9... Traveling sensor, 10... Steering angle sensor, 11.
... Steering, 13... Gear, 14... Rotation angle amplification mechanism, 15... Slit disk, 16a, 16b
... Light emitting element, 17a, 17b... Light receiving element, 18
...Waveform shaping circuit, 40...m control device.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) It is characterized by comprising means for detecting centrifugal force while the automobile is running, and means for adjusting the support force in the side support of the automobile seat based on the centrifugal force detected by the means. Automatic side support adjustment device for automobile seats. (2) The automatic side support adjustment device for an automobile seat as set forth in claim 1, wherein the centrifugal force detection means determines the centrifugal force from the steering angle of a running automobile. (3) The automobile seat according to claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting the support force is for supplying or exhausting air to the air mattress inserted in the side support. Side support automatic adjustment device.