JP2007331716A - Electric seat for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the configuration of an electronic control unit performing power supply distribution to many loads installed on an electric seat for a vehicle, eliminate the need for installation of many fuses, optimize power supply distribution and facilitate insertion detection. <P>SOLUTION: An electronic control unit for controlling power supply distribution to a plurality of loads is installed on a seat. The electronic control unit has a current measuring device for measuring current values to be supplied to the loads and a failure detection device for determining it as a failure if the current value measured by the current measuring device exceeds its threshold value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric seat for a vehicle, and more particularly to an electronic control unit for distributing power to a large number of loads mounted on the seat.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electric seat that electrically slides a seat by a motor provided on a vehicle seat has been provided. In addition, there are loads for improving comfort such as seat heaters, seat air conditioners, seat fans, seat massages, safety loads such as moving the headrest by detecting a collision in advance, and there are seats in the third row May be equipped with a load for storing the third row sheet.
As described above, the seat mounted on the vehicle tends to be equipped with a large number of loads.

  As for power supply to the load provided in the seat, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-42276 (Patent Document 1), an electrical connection box disposed outside the seat such as in an instrument panel or the like. The power is distributed, and the electric wire connected to the electric junction box is drawn into the seat and connected to each load to supply power.

However, since the load mounted on the vehicle seat is increasing as described above, there is a problem in that the number of wires increases when wires are routed from the electrical junction box arranged outside the seat to each load. Normally, as described above, the electrical connection box for power distribution is arranged in the instrument panel, and when the wires are routed from the instrument panel to each load on the seat, the amount of wires is greatly increased, and the wiring space is reduced. There is a problem that is difficult to secure.
For this reason, there is a tendency to equip an electric junction box with a built-in electronic control unit for seats below or to the side of the seat and distribute power to a large number of loads equipped with the electronic control unit. Even in this case, if fuses are set in individual circuits for a large number of loads, there is a problem that the electrical junction box becomes large and the structure becomes complicated.

Also, in the electric seat, many parts such as the seat, backrest, headrest, and armrest are moved and the operation becomes complicated, and as the moving speed of these parts becomes faster, the occupant's clothing is caught in the gap. Is more likely. When this pinching occurs, it is necessary to take measures such as automatically stopping the movement or returning automatically by a predetermined dimension.
In some cases, the pinching detection may be detected by a pulse signal from an encoder or the like attached to a motor, or by touch detection using a touch sensor or the like.
However, when the encoder and the touch sensor are additionally attached, the installation possible space in the seat is very narrow, and installation is often difficult.

Furthermore, in the electric seat, the number of motors to be mounted increases as the number of moving parts increases, and it is considered that the higher the moving speed, the higher the comfort. Therefore, the capacity of these motors increases. Further, these motors are locked to the rotation of the motor when reaching the limit position of the movement range (that is, the stroke end), and the current value is set in consideration of the case where the motor is locked.
As a result, since it is necessary to increase the power supplied to the electric seat, problems such as the need to increase the diameter of the power line to the seat and increase the fuse capacity also arise.

JP 2006-42276 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has improved the configuration of an electronic control unit that distributes power to a large number of loads mounted on an electric seat for a vehicle, and makes it unnecessary to install a large number of fuses. The problem is to optimize power distribution and make it easy to detect pinching.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is equipped with an electronic control unit for controlling power distribution to a plurality of loads on a seat,
The electronic control unit is
Current measuring means for measuring a current value supplied to the load;
When the current value measured by the current measuring means exceeds a threshold, an abnormality detecting means for detecting as an abnormality,
An electric seat for a vehicle is provided.

In order to protect circuits and loads from overcurrents, fuses are generally installed in the electrical junction box and fuses are installed in each circuit. However, as described above, the electronic control unit mounted in the seat When the fuse is mounted, there arises a problem that the fuse cannot be easily replaced when the fuse is blown.
Therefore, in the present invention, instead of providing a fuse in the unit housed in the seat, a current measurement unit that measures a current value supplied to each load, and a current value measured by the current measurement unit exceeds a threshold value An abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality is provided, and when an abnormality occurs, the circuit and the load can be protected by stopping the supply of current.
According to the above configuration, even if an abnormality such as an overcurrent flows in each circuit occurs and the current is interrupted, it is possible to supply the current again, and it is necessary to replace it like a fuse. There is no. Therefore, even if an electronic control unit for distributing power to each load is mounted in the seat, the above-described problem does not occur as in the case where a fuse is provided in the electronic control unit.

As the load,
Load for electric seats such as seat slide, reclining, ottoman movement, etc.
Loads for comfort enhancement such as seat heater, seat air conditioner, seat fan, seat massage, rear seat monitor, etc.
Safety load such as moving the headrest by detecting a collision in advance,
Furthermore, there is a load for storing the third row sheet,
One of the current measuring means is installed upstream of a power distribution path to a plurality of loads mounted on the seat among the loads described above,
A threshold value of the current value is set according to the load in the operating state.

  That is, the current measuring means mounted on the electronic control unit that distributes power to a plurality of loads is one, measures the total amount of current supplied to the operating load, and the abnormality detecting means is the current measuring means. The acquired total current amount and the total current amount of the steady current amount of the load during operation are compared to monitor whether the operating motor is abnormal.

In the abnormality detection means, by storing the steady current value of each load in advance, the total current value of the steady current values of the operating load can be obtained, and the total current value of the steady current values is obtained as the current. Compared with the total current value acquired by the measuring means, it is possible to detect whether there is an abnormality in the operating load.
The above configuration monitors the presence or absence of abnormalities in the load during operation and eliminates the need to provide current measuring means and abnormality detecting means for each of a plurality of loads, thereby reducing costs and downsizing the electronic control unit. can do.
At that time, when the load is a motor, if a position sensor is provided for each part moved by the motor, the motor in which an abnormality has occurred can be identified from the detection result of the position sensor.

If the measured current value exceeds the steady current value, the abnormality detection means detects that an abnormality has occurred in any of the operating loads, and the power supply to the load is stopped. Yes.
According to the above configuration, in order to stop the power supply to the load at the moment when it is detected that the current value exceeds the threshold value and the load is abnormal, compared to the configuration in which the circuit is cut off by blowing the fuse. The quick response is high, the circuit and the load can be surely protected, and the load can be operated efficiently without wasting current.

In the case where the load is a motor for moving each part of the sheet, a position detecting means for detecting the position of each part of the sheet is provided,
When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, and the position detection means detects that each part has not reached the limit position of the movement range, it is considered that pinching has occurred and the load While rotating the motor in the opposite direction,
When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means and the position detection means detects that each part has reached the limit position of the movement range, it is considered that the part has reached the lock position. The motor of the load is stopped.

When the current value to the motor increases, the part moved by the motor reaches the stroke end (the limit position of the movement range) and the motor does not rotate any more, and the part moved by the motor is caught May occur and the part may not move and the motor may not rotate any more.
Therefore, position detection means for detecting the position of each part is provided so that it can be detected whether or not each part has reached the limit position of the movement range.

As a result, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, and when each position is detected by the position detection means to have not reached the limit position of the movement range, it is considered that pinching has occurred, and The load motor is rotated in the reverse direction to release the pinching.
As shown in the conventional example, in the configuration in which the fuse is provided in the circuit, even if the current value to the motor rises, it takes time until the fuse blows. Therefore, even if pinching occurs, the motor continues to rotate for a while. On the other hand, in the present invention, the supply of current to the motor can be interrupted at the moment when the current value exceeds the threshold value.

On the other hand, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means and the position detection means detects that each part has reached the limit position of the movement range, the part has reached the lock position. As a result, the motor of the load is stopped.
If the motor is stopped when it is detected by the position detection means that each part is at the stroke end, use of unnecessary current is eliminated, so that efficient motor operation is possible, and the motor with the same capacity current value. The number of operating units can be increased. In addition, it is not necessary to design the current value in consideration of the locked state of the motor as described above.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the electronic control unit that distributes power to the plurality of loads is connected to devices in other seats through multiple communication lines. In this case, the number of electric wires can be reduced between sheets with limited space.

The load is prioritized, and when the current value measured by the current measuring means exceeds a predetermined current capacity, the load is stopped from a load with low priority until the current value becomes equal to or lower than the current capacity. It is preferable to have a configuration.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to reduce the power consumption by suppressing the current capacity in the seat within a certain range, and since it stops from a load with low priority, it has a great adverse effect on the passenger. Absent.
For example, it is preferable that the priority order is a load for safety, a load for an electric seat, and a load for enhancing comfort. If the priority is set in this order, the safety of the vehicle is impaired. There is nothing.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the current measuring means for measuring the current value supplied to the load, and the abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality when the current value measured by the current measuring means exceeds a threshold value. Since the circuit can be protected by, for example, stopping the supply of current when an abnormality occurs, it is not necessary to provide a fuse in the electronic control unit for power distribution housed in the seat.

  Further, in the case where the load is a motor for moving each part of the seat, if the position detecting means for detecting the position of each part is provided, each part reaches the limit position of the moving range. Appropriate measures can be taken in distinction from the case of no.

  Furthermore, when the part moved by the motor reaches the stroke end and the motor is locked and the current value rises, it is possible to eliminate wasted supply power by stopping the motor. The number can be increased.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention. An electric seat 10 for a vehicle includes a plurality of loads including a motor and an electronic control unit 20 (hereinafter referred to as an ECU 20) that controls power distribution to these loads. ) Is installed.

  The ECU 20 is connected with a single power line w1 connected to a power source mounted on the vehicle, the power line w1 is pulled out to the floor side, and connected to an electric wire w2 converged as a floor harness via a connector C. Yes. The power supply line w1 is, for example, a 30 ampere large diameter electric wire. Further, the ECU 20 is connected to the ECUs of other seats via the multiple communication line w3.

  The load whose power distribution is controlled by the ECU 20 is a load composed of a motor for an electric seat such as a seat slide, reclining, moving an ottoman 40, a seat heater, a seat air conditioner, a seat fan 41, a seat massage, a rear seat, a monitor, etc. This is a load composed of a safety load 42 for moving the headrest by detecting a collision in advance and a motor for storing the third row seat.

  The ECU 20 mounts electronic components on a printed circuit board housed in a case, and forms a power distribution circuit to a plurality of motors and the like by the conductors of the printed circuit board and the electronic components connected to the conductors.

As shown in FIG. 2, the internal circuit of the ECU 20 includes a power supply circuit 21 that supplies current to each motor. The power supply circuit 21 is provided with one current measurement means 22, such as a motor that is always provided on the downstream side. The current value supplied to the loads 30A and 30B is measured. An abnormality detection unit 23 is connected to the current measurement unit 22, and the abnormality detection unit 23 detects an abnormality when the current value measured by the current measurement unit 22 exceeds a threshold value stored in the storage unit 26. The signal is transmitted to the control means 24A and 24B provided in the power supply circuit 21 through the multiplex communication line.
Note that the threshold value stored in the storage means 26 is determined in advance according to the steady current amount of each load, and when the load is a motor, each part moved by the motor is locked. The threshold is set based on the current value.

In addition, the position detecting means 25 is connected to the current measuring means 22. The position detecting means 25 detects the rotational speed of the motor from the pulsation of the current value measured by the current measuring means 22, and the position of a required portion of the sheet moved by the motor from the detected rotational speed of the motor. Is detected.
When the position detection unit 25 detects that the part to be detected is at the limit position (stroke end) of the movement range, a signal is transmitted from the position detection unit 25 to the motor control unit 24A via the multiplex communication line. The

Next, load control by the electronic control unit 20 will be described.
First, although a plurality of loads are connected to the circuit that controls the current supply to the load, the operation of the control circuit when only the motor 30A that slides the seat 12 back and forth is turned on will be described. .

First, as shown in FIG. 3, when a passenger turns on a switch for sliding the seat (step S1), a current of 2 to 4 amperes flows in the power supply circuit 21, and a current flows in the motor 30 for sliding the seat. Is supplied (step S2), and the seat slides in the required direction.
At this time, the current value flowing through the power supply circuit 21 is measured by the current measuring unit 22 (step S3), and when the current value exceeds a predetermined threshold (15 amperes) according to the steady current amount, the abnormality detecting unit 23 A detection signal is transmitted from the motor to the motor control means 24A (step S4).

At the same time as the step S3, the position detection means 25 detects the position of the seat (step S5), and if it is detected that the seat is at the limit position (stroke end) of the movement range, the position detection means 25 is detected. A signal is transmitted from the motor control means 24A to the motor control means 24A (step S6), the motor control means 24A cuts off the current supply to the motor 30 and the seat stops (step S7).
On the other hand, when the signal is not transmitted from the position detection means 25 to the motor control means 24A, the rotation of the motor is suppressed and the current value increases even though the seat has not reached the stroke end. It is determined that pinching has occurred on the rail that slides between the seat and the other member. Therefore, when the signal is not transmitted from the position detection unit 25 even though the detection signal is transmitted from the abnormality detection unit 23 to the motor control unit 24A, the motor 30 is reversely rotated by the motor control unit 24A (step S40). In step S8), the seat is moved in the direction opposite to the moving direction until the abnormality is detected so that the pinching can be released.

Next, the operation of the control circuit when the seat heater, which is a load other than the motor, is turned on will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 4, when the occupant turns on a switch for operating the seat heater (step S1), current flows through the power supply circuit 21, and current is supplied to the seat heater (step S2). The heater is activated.
At this time, the value of the current flowing through the power supply circuit 21 is measured by the current measuring means 22 (step S3), and when the current value exceeds a predetermined threshold according to the steady current amount, the abnormality detecting means 23 to the load control means. A detection signal is transmitted to 24B (step S4).
The load control means 24B that has received the detection signal cuts off the current supply to the seat heater and stops the seat heater (step S5).

Next, the operation of the control circuit when a plurality of loads are turned on will be described.
When a plurality of switches for operating a required load are turned ON, a total amount of current supplied to the operated load flows through the power supply circuit 21. Therefore, the current measuring means 22 measures the total current value flowing through the power supply circuit 21, and when the total current value exceeds a predetermined threshold for the total current value, the abnormality detecting means 23 controls the control means 24A, A detection signal is transmitted to 24B, and the current supply to the motor 30A and the load 30B is temporarily interrupted by the control means 24A and 24B.
Next, current is sequentially supplied to the load where the current supply is cut off at a time difference, and compared with the current value at that time and the steady-state current value, it is detected which load has an abnormality, and no abnormality has occurred. The current is supplied again to the load determined to be. At this time, the load is stopped and operated in the order of a safety load, a load for an electric seat, a load for storing a seat, and a load for improving comfort.
If the load where the abnormality has occurred is a motor and the position detection means determines that the portion moved by the motor is not at the stroke end, the motor is rotated in reverse as in the case described above.

  According to the above configuration, the current measuring means 22 for measuring the current value supplied to each load and the abnormality detecting means 23 for detecting an abnormality when the current value measured by the current measuring means 22 exceeds a threshold value are provided. Since the circuit can be protected by stopping the supply of current when an abnormality occurs, it is not necessary to provide a fuse in the power distribution unit housed in the seat.

Further, when the load is a motor for converting the position of each part of the sheet, the current measuring means 22, the abnormality detecting means 23, and the position detecting means 25 can accurately determine the state of each part and protect the circuit. At the same time, the motor can be stopped or reversely rotated to take appropriate measures.
In addition, the presence or absence of abnormalities in the operating load is monitored in total, and it is not necessary to provide a current measuring unit and an abnormality detecting unit for each of a plurality of loads, so that the cost can be reduced and the ECU 20 can be downsized. .

In addition, when it is possible to identify which load has an abnormality from the difference between the total current value at normal time and the total current value at the time of abnormality occurrence, the current supply to all loads is cut off as described above. It is not necessary to cut off the current, and only the current supply to the load where the abnormality is recognized should be cut off.
If two of the motors 30A are operating and the total current value measured by the current measuring means 22 is larger than a predetermined value, a signal is sent from the abnormality detecting means 23 to the motor control means 24A. The other motor is prevented from operating by the motor control means 24A that is transmitted and receives the signal. That is, when the two motors 30A are operating simultaneously, the third and subsequent motors can be operated only when the sum of the current values is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
Furthermore, priorities are set for the loads, and when the current value measured by the current measuring means 22 exceeds a predetermined current capacity, the motor control means 24A and the load control means 24B make the current value equal to or less than the current capacity. It is stopped from the low priority load until
In this embodiment, the priority is set in the order of the load for safety, the load for the electric seat, and the load for enhancing comfort.

The electric seat of embodiment of this invention is shown, (A) is a schematic side view, (B) is a schematic front view. It is drawing which shows the control circuit of load. It is a flowchart which shows the process of control of a motor. It is a flowchart which shows the process of control of loads other than a motor.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electric sheet 20 Electronic control unit 22 Current measurement means 23 Abnormality detection means 24A Motor control means 24B Load control means 25 Position detection means 26 Storage means 27 Multiplex communication line 30A Motor 30B Load

Claims (5)

An electronic control unit that controls power distribution to multiple loads is mounted on the seat.
The electronic control unit is
Current measuring means for measuring a current value supplied to the load;
When the current value measured by the current measuring means exceeds a threshold, an abnormality detecting means for detecting as an abnormality,
An electric seat for a vehicle, comprising: As the load,
Load for electric seats such as seat slide, reclining, ottoman movement, etc.
Loads for comfort enhancement such as seat heater, seat air conditioner, seat fan, seat massage, rear seat monitor, etc.
Safety load such as moving the headrest by detecting a collision in advance,
Furthermore, there is a load for storing the third row sheet,
One of the current measuring means is installed upstream of a power distribution path to a plurality of loads mounted on the seat among the loads described above,
The vehicle electric seat according to claim 1, wherein a threshold value of a current value is set according to the load in an operating state.   When the measured current value exceeds a threshold value, an abnormality has occurred in any one of the operating loads, and the abnormality detection means detects the power supply to the load. The electric seat for vehicles according to claim 1 or claim 2. Providing a position detecting means for detecting the position of each part of the sheet;
When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means, and the position detection means detects that each part has not reached the limit position of the movement range, it is considered that pinching has occurred and the load While rotating the motor in the opposite direction,
When an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection means and the position detection means detects that each part has reached the limit position of the movement range, it is considered that the part has reached the lock position. The electric seat for vehicles according to claim 1 or 2 which has stopped the motor of said load.   Priorities are set for the loads, and when the current value measured by the current measuring unit exceeds a predetermined current capacity, the load is stopped from a load with a lower priority until the current value becomes equal to or lower than the current capacity. The electric seat for vehicles according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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