JP6703258B2 - Seat heaters and vehicle seats - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a seat heater provided on a seat and a vehicle seat provided with the seat heater.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there is known an air conditioning seat that includes a heating element and a blower and is configured to be able to switch between an operating state in which only the heating element is activated and an operating state in which both the heating element and the blower are activated (Patent Document 1). 1).

JP, 2003-104042, A

By the way, if you sit for a long time on a seat where the heating element is operating, the humidity of the part of the seat that is in contact with the occupant may increase, which may cause the occupant to feel uncomfortable. There is. Therefore, the humidity can be reduced by further operating the blower to form the air flow. On the other hand, when the air blower is operated, the temperature of the portion of the seat that is in contact with the occupant may decrease due to wind blow. A decrease in the temperature of the contact area can, in turn, give the occupant a cold sensation. In particular, if the heating is weakened when the blower is operated as in the prior art, the seated person may easily feel the cold.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a seat heater and a vehicle seat that can improve comfort in a configuration including a heater unit and a blower.

The present invention for achieving the above-described object is a heater unit arranged on a seat, a blower unit arranged at a portion corresponding to the heater unit, and a control unit for controlling outputs of the heater unit and the blower unit. In the seat heater including, the control device, when a predetermined condition is satisfied during the operation of the heater unit, operates the blower device, when operating the blower device, It is characterized in that the output of the heater unit is made larger than that when the blower is not operating.

According to such a configuration, when the predetermined condition is satisfied during the operation of the heater unit, the blower is operated, so that the humidity of the contact portion of the seat in contact with the seated person can be reduced, It is possible to prevent the seated person from feeling uncomfortable such as stuffiness. In addition, since the output of the heater unit is made larger when the blower is operating than when the blower is not operating, it is possible to suppress the temperature drop of the contact portion due to the operation of the blower, and Can be kept warm. As a result, comfort can be improved in the configuration including the heater unit and the blower.

In the seat heater described above, the control device may be configured to be operable by varying the output of the blower device.

According to this, the blower can be operated with an appropriate output as compared with the configuration in which the blower is simply turned on and off. Therefore, when the blower operates, the humidity of the contact portion can be improved. It is possible to reduce the temperature and it is possible to favorably suppress the temperature decrease in the contact portion. Thereby, the comfort can be further improved.

In the seat heater described above, the control device may be configured to control the output of the blower based on the environmental temperature of the environment in which the seat is placed.

According to this, since the output of the blower can be controlled according to the environmental temperature, the humidity of the contact portion can be better reduced and the temperature of the contact portion can be reduced when the blower operates. The decrease can be suppressed more effectively. Thereby, the comfort can be further improved. Moreover, since the output of the blower does not easily increase more than necessary, energy saving can be improved.

In the seat heater described above, the control device may be configured to acquire, as the environmental temperature, a set temperature of an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of the environment in which the seat is arranged.

According to this, the control of the blower can be linked to the control of the air conditioner, so that the comfort can be further improved and the energy saving can be further improved. Further, since the seat heater does not need to have a sensor for acquiring the ambient temperature, the cost of the seat heater can be suppressed.

In the seat heater described above, the control device may be configured to control an output of the heater unit such that a temperature of a portion of the seat where the heater unit is arranged is higher than the ambient temperature.

According to this, since it becomes easy to feel warmth, it is possible to further improve comfort.

In the seat heater described above, the control device may be configured to set outputs of the blower device and the heater unit according to a change in the environmental temperature.

According to this, the output of the air blower or the heater unit can be controlled according to the change of the environmental temperature, so that the comfort can be further improved and the energy saving can be further improved.

The seat heater described above further includes a temperature sensor arranged at a portion corresponding to the heater unit, and the control device controls the output of the blower device based on the detected temperature acquired from the temperature sensor. Can be

According to this, the output of the blower can be controlled in accordance with the actual temperature of the portion corresponding to the heater unit, so that when the blower operates, the humidity of the contact portion can be reduced better. In addition, it is possible to suppress the temperature decrease of the contact portion better. Thereby, the comfort can be further improved. Moreover, since the output of the blower does not easily increase more than necessary, energy saving can be improved.

In the seat heater described above, the heater unit includes a first heater unit and a second heater unit arranged at a portion different from a portion of the seat where the first heater unit is arranged, and the blower device is A first air blower arranged at a portion corresponding to the first heater unit and a second air blower arranged at a portion corresponding to the second heater unit, wherein the control device includes the first air blower. The output of the device and the output of the second blower may be individually controlled.

According to this, the first air blower and the second air blower can be appropriately controlled, respectively, so that comfort can be further improved.

In the above seat heater, the control device makes the target temperature for controlling the output of the heater unit larger when the blower is operating than when the blower is not operating. Can be

Further, the above-described seat heater further includes a temperature sensor arranged at a portion corresponding to the heater unit, and the control device detects the detected temperature from the temperature sensor when the blower is operating. The output of the heater unit with respect to can be made larger than that when the blower is not operating.

Further, the present invention that achieves the above-described object can be configured as a vehicle seat including the above-described seat heater.

According to the present invention, comfort can be improved in a configuration including a heater unit and a blower.

Further, according to the present invention, the comfort can be further improved by changing the output of the blower device so that it can operate.

Further, according to the present invention, the comfort can be further improved by controlling the output of the blower based on the environmental temperature. In addition, energy saving can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, by acquiring the set temperature of the air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of the environment in which the seat is arranged as the environmental temperature, the comfort can be further improved and the energy saving property can be further improved. be able to. Further, the cost of the seat heater can be suppressed.

Further, according to the present invention, the comfort can be further improved by controlling the output of the heater unit so that the temperature of the portion where the heater unit is arranged becomes higher than the ambient temperature.

Further, according to the present invention, by setting the outputs of the blower and the heater unit according to the change of the environmental temperature, the comfort can be further improved and the energy saving can be further improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the comfort can be further improved by controlling the output of the air blower based on the detected temperature acquired from the temperature sensor arranged at the portion corresponding to the heater unit. In addition, energy saving can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, comfort can be further improved by individually controlling the outputs of the first blower and the second blower.

It is a perspective view of the vehicle seat which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is an example of a map showing the relationship between the vehicle interior temperature and the target temperature. It is an example of a map showing the relationship between the vehicle interior temperature and the blower output. It is a flow chart which shows control processing of a heater unit by a control device. It is a flow chart which shows control processing of a blower by a control device. 6 is a timing chart showing a temperature change of a portion where a heater unit is arranged and an operating state of a blower. It is a perspective view of the vehicle seat which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows control processing of a blower by a control device of a 2nd embodiment.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The vehicle seat according to the embodiment is configured, for example, as a vehicle seat S mounted in an automobile as shown in FIG. 1. The vehicle seat S includes a seat cushion S1 in which a pad material made of a cushion material such as urethane foam is covered with a surface material such as synthetic leather or cloth, a seat back S2, and a headrest S3.

The seat cushion S1 is disposed in the center of the left and right, and is disposed on the seat surface S11 that supports the buttocks and thighs of the seated person sitting on the vehicle seat S by contacting from below, and on the left and right sides of the seat surface S11. Has a projecting portion S12 projecting toward the seated person in order to support the buttocks and side portions of the thighs. Further, the seat back S2 is arranged in the center of the left and right, and is arranged on both the left and right sides of the seat surface portion S21, which supports the seated person's back by coming into contact with the back of the seated person, and supports the side portion of the seated person's upper body. In order to do so, it has a projecting portion S22 that projects toward the seated person.

The vehicle seat S includes a seat heater 1. The seat heater 1 includes a first heater unit 10 and a second heater unit 20 as heater units, a first blower 30 and a second blower 40 as blowers, temperature sensors 51 and 52, operation switches 60, and control. The device 100 is mainly provided.

The first heater unit 10 and the second heater unit 20 are planar heaters. The first heater unit 10 is arranged between the pad material and the skin material of the seat cushion S1. Specifically, the first heater unit 10 is arranged at a portion corresponding to the seat surface of the seat cushion S1, that is, the seat surface portion S11. Further, the second heater unit 20 is arranged in a portion of the vehicle seat S different from the portion in which the first heater unit 10 is arranged, specifically, between the pad material and the skin material of the seat back S2. .. Specifically, the second heater unit 20 is arranged at a portion corresponding to the seat surface of the seat back S2, that is, the seat surface portion S21.

The first blower 30 and the second blower 40 are, for example, sirocco fans. The first blower 30 is arranged in a portion corresponding to the first heater unit 10, specifically, in the seat cushion S1. The second blower 40 is arranged in a portion corresponding to the second heater unit 20, specifically, in the seat back S2. The first blower 30 and the second blower 40 are configured such that their outputs (rotational speed of the blades) are variable between 0 and 100% according to the magnitude of the supplied power.

Although illustration is omitted, the pad material of the seat cushion S1 and the seat back S2 has a plurality of ventilation holes formed on the surface and a ventilation path communicating with the ventilation holes. Further, the blowers 30 and 40 are connected to the ventilation passages of the pad material by ducts arranged in the seat cushion S1 and the seat back S2. With such a configuration, the seat cushion S1 and the seat back S2 are configured to blow air toward the seated person from the seat surface portions S11, S21 through the ventilation holes and the skin material by the operation of the blowers 30, 40.

The first heater unit 10, the second heater unit 20, the first blower 30, and the second blower 40 are each connected to the control device 100. In the present embodiment, the first blower 30 corresponds to the “first blower” and the second blower 40 corresponds to the “second blower”.

The temperature sensor 51 is disposed inside the skin material and on the seat surface portion S11 that is a portion corresponding to the first heater unit 10. Further, the temperature sensor 52 is arranged inside the skin material and on the seat surface portion S21 which is a portion corresponding to the second heater unit 20. The temperature sensors 51 and 52 are connected to the control device 100 and are configured to output information on the detected temperature to the control device 100. It should be noted that there is a substantially constant correlation between the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 51 and 52 and the temperatures of the seating surface portions S11 and S21 in contact with the seated person. Therefore, the control device 100 may perform the control by using the temperature itself detected by the temperature sensors 51 and 52 as the detected temperature Ts, or estimates the temperature of the portion where the occupant comes into contact based on the above correlation, Control may be performed by using the estimated temperature as the detected temperature Ts.

The control device 100 is a device that controls the outputs of the heater units 10 and 20 and the blowers 30 and 40, and is arranged at an appropriate position in the vehicle seat S. The control device 100 may be arranged outside the vehicle seat S. The control device 100 is supplied with electric power from the power supply device 2 driven by a battery mounted on the vehicle, and controls the output of the heater units 10 and 20 and the blowers 30 and 40 by this electric power.

The control device 100 is connected to the air conditioning control device 3 provided in the vehicle. The air conditioning control device 3 is a device that controls the temperature of the environment in which the vehicle seat S is arranged (environmental temperature), specifically, the air conditioning device 4 that adjusts the temperature in the vehicle interior. The control device 100 acquires the set temperature of the air conditioning device 4 from the air conditioning control device 3 as the environmental temperature (hereinafter, referred to as “in-vehicle temperature Tr”). Further, the control device 100 is connected with an operation switch 60 provided on an operation panel of the vehicle or the like.

The control device 100 is configured to operate the heater units 10 and 20 when the operation switch 60 is turned on and an instruction to heat the vehicle seat S is received. At this time, the control device 100 mainly determines the first heater unit 10 and the second heater unit 20 based on the detected temperature Ts acquired from the temperature sensors 51 and 52 and the vehicle interior temperature Tr acquired from the air conditioning control device 3. Output, specifically, the output ratio is configured to be controlled. Here, the output ratio of the heater units 10 and 20 is the ratio to the maximum output of the heater units 10 and 20.

Specifically, the control device 100 first sets the target temperature Tt based on the vehicle interior temperature Tr and the map MP1 shown in FIG. The map MP1 in FIG. 2 is a map for associating the vehicle interior temperature Tr with the target temperature Tt, and is set in advance by experiments, simulations, or the like. In the map MP1 of FIG. 2, the target temperature Tt is, for example, a constant value Tt1 when the vehicle interior temperature Tr is lower than Tr1, and becomes smaller as the vehicle interior temperature Tr increases when the vehicle interior temperature Tr is Tr1 or higher. Is set to be. Further, although not shown, the map MP1 has a map MP11 for controlling the output ratio of the first heater unit 10 and a map MP12 for controlling the output ratio of the second heater unit 20, which are individually set. ing. For example, as a result of research, the temperature at which the second heater unit 20 feels comfortable in the lumbar region of the seated person is higher than the temperature at which the first heater unit 10 feels comfortable in the thigh region of the seated person facing. Since it is known, the map MP12 can be set so that the target temperature Tt is higher than the target temperature Tt set when the map MP11 is referred to if the vehicle interior temperature Tr is the same.

Then, the control device 100 calculates the required control amount mv based on the set target temperature Tt and the set temperature Ts. More specifically, the control device 100 calculates the required control amount mv of the first heater unit 10 based on the target temperature Tt set from the vehicle interior temperature Tr and the map MP11 and the detected temperature Ts acquired by the temperature sensor 51. The required control amount mv of the second heater unit 20 is calculated based on the target temperature Tt set from the vehicle interior temperature Tr and the map MP12 and the detected temperature Ts acquired by the temperature sensor 52. The required control amount mv is, for example, as a required control amount of so-called PI control,
mv=Kp×e+ie/Ki
Can be calculated by Here, e is the difference between the target temperature Tt and the detected temperature Ts, Kp is a proportional control constant, ie is the integral (integration) of e in the past predetermined period, and Ki is the integral control. It is a constant. The constants Kp and Ki are set in advance by experiments or simulations.

It should be noted that the detected temperature Ts and the target temperature Tt do not have to be in units such as “° C.” in the calculation here and may be numerical values of the voltages output from the temperature sensors 51 and 52. Then, the constants Kp and Ki may be appropriately adjusted according to the scale of the values of these temperatures. According to the above calculation, mv may exceed 100 when the difference e between the target temperature Tt and the detected temperature Ts is large. Since electric power is supplied to the heater units 10 and 20 at an output ratio of 0 to 100%, when mv exceeds 100, it is set to 100 when it exceeds 100.

Then, the control device 100 controls the heater units 10 and 20 by the calculated required control amount mv (output ratio). More specifically, the control device 100 controls the first heater unit 10 by the calculated required control amount mv for the first heater unit 10, and controls the second heater unit 20 for the calculated second heater unit 20. The required control amount mv is controlled.

As described above, the control device 100 sets the target temperature Tt based on the vehicle interior temperature Tr and the map MP1 and calculates the required control amount mv based on the set target temperature Tt and the detected temperature Ts. The output of the heater units 10 and 20 is set according to the change of Tr.

Further, the control device 100 is configured to operate the blowers 30 and 40 when a predetermined condition is satisfied during the operation of the heater units 10 and 20. Specifically, the control device 100 operates the first blower 30 when a predetermined time Tp has elapsed since the first heater unit 10 started operating. Further, the control device 100 operates the second blower 40 when a predetermined time Tp has elapsed since the second heater unit 20 started operating.

When the heater units 10 and 20 are operating and the blowers 30 and 40 continue to sit on the inactive vehicle seat S, for example, the seat surface portions S11 and 21 that are in contact with the seated person of the vehicle seat S. Humidity may increase and give a seated person an unpleasant sensation such as stuffiness. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the predetermined time Tp has elapsed after the heater units 10 and 20 started to operate, it is estimated that the humidity of the seat surface portions S11 and 21 has increased and the blowers 30 and 40 are operated. I am letting you. Therefore, the predetermined time Tp is set in advance by experiments, simulations, or the like as a time at which it can be estimated that the humidity of the seat surface portions S11, 21 and the like has increased by a predetermined amount or more after the heater units 10, 20 start operating. The predetermined time Tp may be the same or different between the blowers 30 and 40.

When operating the blowers 30 and 40, the control device 100 is configured to control the outputs of the first blower 30 and the second blower 40 based on the vehicle interior temperature Tr acquired from the air conditioning control device 3. Specifically, the control device 100 sets the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40 based on the vehicle interior temperature Tr and the map shown in FIG. The map of FIG. 3 is a map for associating the vehicle interior temperature Tr with the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40, and is set in advance by experiments, simulations, or the like. In the map of FIG. 3, the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40 are set to increase as the vehicle interior temperature Tr increases, for example.

Although not shown, in the map of FIG. 3, a map for controlling the output of the first blower 30 and a map for controlling the output of the second blower 40 are individually set. For example, as described above, it has been found that the temperature at which the user feels comfortable in the waist is higher than the temperature at which the user feels comfortable in the thigh and the like. Therefore, the temperature decrease due to the operation of the second blower 40 in the seat surface part S21 facing the waist part In order to reduce the width, the map for the second blower 40 is set such that the output is smaller than the output set when the map for the first blower 30 is referred to, if the vehicle interior temperature Tr is the same. can do. On the contrary, if the in-vehicle temperature Tr is the same for the map for the first blower 30, the output will be smaller than the output set when the map for the second blower 40 is referred to. It may be set to. Accordingly, the control device 100 is configured to individually control the outputs of the first blower 30 and the second blower 40.

As described above, by setting the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40 based on the map showing the relationship between the vehicle interior temperature Tr and the output, the control device 100 causes the output of the blowers 30 and 40 to be changed according to the change of the vehicle interior temperature Tr. Is configured to set. Further, the control device 100 can operate by varying the output of the blowers 30 and 40 to be greater than 0% (stop) and 100% or less.

Further, the control device 100 is configured to increase the output of the heater units 10 and 20 when the blowers 30 and 40 are operating, compared to when the blowers 30 and 40 are not operating. Specifically, the controller 100 operates the blowers 30 and 40 with the target temperature Tt for controlling the output (required control amount mv) of the heater units 10 and 20 while operating the blowers 30 and 40. The temperature is set to be higher than the target temperature Tt when the temperature is not set.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the control device 100 sets the target temperature Tt by referring to the map MP1 when the blowers 30 and 40 are not operated, and when the blowers 30 and 40 are operated, The target temperature Tt is set with reference to the map MP2. As an example, the map MP2 has a constant value Tt2 (Tt2>Tt1) when the vehicle interior temperature Tr is lower than Tr1, and becomes smaller as the vehicle interior temperature Tr increases when the vehicle interior temperature Tr is Tr1 or higher. It is set. Then, the map MP2 is set so that the target temperature Tt is higher than the target temperature Tt set when the map MP1 is referred to if the vehicle interior temperature Tr is the same. As a result, the control device 100 makes the target temperature Tt during the blower operation higher than the target temperature Tt during the blower non-operation. Although illustration is omitted, in the map MP2, a map MP21 for controlling the output ratio of the first heater unit 10 and a map MP22 for controlling the output ratio of the second heater unit 20 are individually set. ..

In addition, each of the maps MP1 and MP2 in FIG. 2 is controlled by controlling the heater units 10 and 20 by the required control amount mv calculated based on the target temperature Tt set with reference to the maps MP1 and MP2. The temperatures of the surface portions S11 and S21 are set to be higher than the vehicle interior temperature Tr. As a result, the control device 100 controls the outputs of the heater units 10 and 20 so that the temperatures of the seat surface portions S11 and S21 (the portions of the vehicle seat S where the heater units 10 and 20 are arranged) become higher than the vehicle interior temperature Tr. Is configured to control.

The processing of the control device 100 in the vehicle seat S as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The control device 100 individually performs the process shown in FIG. 4 for each heater unit 10 and 20, and also individually performs the process shown in FIG. 5 to each blower 30 and 40. Further, the control device 100 repeats the processing from the start to the end shown in FIG. 4 for each control cycle, and, in parallel with this, repeats the processing from the start to the end shown in FIG. 5 for each control cycle. There is.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 100 first determines whether or not there is a sheet heating instruction (S101). When there is no sheet heating instruction (S101, No), the control device 100 ends the processing of FIG. 4 this time.

On the other hand, when there is an instruction to heat the seat (S101, Yes), the control device 100 acquires the vehicle interior temperature Tr (S102). Further, the control device 100 determines whether or not the corresponding blowers 30 and 40 are operating (S103). When the corresponding blowers 30 and 40 are not in operation (S103, No), the control device 100 sets the target temperature Tt from the vehicle interior temperature Tr and the map MP1 of FIG. 2 (S104). Then, the control device 100 acquires the detected temperature Ts (S106), and calculates the required control amount mv based on the target temperature Tt and the detected temperature Ts (S107). Then, the control device 100 outputs the heater units 10 and 20 with the required control amount mv (S108), and ends the process of FIG. 4 this time.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 100 determines whether or not the corresponding heater units 10 and 20 are in operation (S201). When the corresponding heater units 10 and 20 are not in operation (S201, No), the control device 100 ends the processing of FIG. 5 this time. On the other hand, when the corresponding heater units 10 and 20 are operating (S201, Yes), the control device 100 determines whether or not a predetermined time Tp has elapsed since the operation of the corresponding heater units 10 and 20 was started. The determination is made (S202).

When the predetermined time Tp has not elapsed since the operation of the corresponding heater units 10 and 20 was started (S202, No), the control device 100 ends the processing of FIG. 5 this time. On the other hand, when the predetermined time Tp has elapsed since the operation of the corresponding heater units 10 and 20 was started (S202, Yes), the control device 100 acquires the vehicle interior temperature Tr (S203), and from the map of FIG. The outputs of the blowers 30 and 40 are set (S204). Then, the control device 100 operates the blowers 30 and 40 with the set output (S205), and ends the processing of FIG. 5 this time.

In step S103 of FIG. 4, when the corresponding blowers 30 and 40 are operating (S103, Yes), the control device 100 sets the target temperature Tt from the vehicle interior temperature Tr and the map MP2 of FIG. 2 (S105). Then, the control device 100 acquires the detected temperature Ts (S106), and calculates the required control amount mv based on the target temperature Tt and the detected temperature Ts (S107). Then, the control device 100 outputs the heater units 10 and 20 with the required control amount mv (S108), and ends the process of FIG. 4 this time.

According to the above-described processing, when the seated person turns on the operation switch 60 to start heating the vehicle seat S, the temperatures of the seat surface portions S11 and S21 change as shown in FIG. Specifically, the heater units 10 and 20 are controlled by the required control amount mv calculated from the target temperature TtL set from the map MP1 of FIG. 2 until the blowers 30 and 40 operate until the time t1. As a result, the temperature is raised toward the target temperature TtL. When the temperature of the seat surface portions S11, S21 continues to approach the target temperature TtL, the humidity of the seat surface portions S11, S21 rises due to the sweat of the seated person.

Then, at time t1, it can be estimated that the humidity of the seat surface portions S11, S21 has risen to some extent when a predetermined time Tp has elapsed since the heater units 10, 20 were started to operate, so the blowers 30, 40 are set. It starts operating with the output. When the blowers 30 and 40 are operated, the heater units 10 and 20 are controlled by the required control amount mv calculated from the target temperature TtH set from the map MP2 of FIG. Will be larger than before.

After time t1, air is blown from the seat surface portions S11, S21 toward the seated person by the operation of the blowers 30, 40, whereby an air flow is formed between the seat surface portions S11, S21 and the seated person. Thus, the humidity of the seat surface portions S11 and S21 can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to prevent the seated person from feeling uncomfortable such as stuffiness while continuing to operate the heater units 10 and 20.

On the other hand, as shown at times t1 to t2, the heat is taken away by the wind blown on the seat surface portions S11, 21 and the seated person by the operation of the blowers 30, 40, so that the temperature of the seat surface portions S11, S21 is temporarily increased. Is reduced. However, since the outputs of the heater units 10 and 20 are larger than those before the blowers 30 and 40 are actuated, the seat surface portions S11 and S21 are rapidly warmed toward the target temperature TtH larger than the target temperature TtL. Become. As a result, it is possible to quickly raise the temperature of the seat surface portions S11 and S21 before giving the seated person a feeling of being cold. As a result, it is possible to suppress the temperature decrease of the seat surface portions S11, S21 due to the operation of the blowers 30, 40, and it is possible to maintain the seat surface portions S11, S21 in a warm state.

According to the present embodiment described above, the blowers 30 and 40 are operated when it is estimated that the humidity of the seat surface portions S11 and S21 has increased during the operation of the heater unit, so that the humidity of the seat surface portions S11 and S21 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the seated person from feeling uncomfortable such as stuffiness. Further, since the output of the heater units 10 and 20 is made higher during the blower operation than that during the non-operation of the blower, it is possible to suppress the temperature decrease of the seat surface portions S11 and S21 due to the operation of the blowers 30 and 40, and to use the vehicle. The sheet S can be kept warm. As a result, comfort can be improved in the configuration including the heater units 10 and 20 and the blowers 30 and 40.

Further, since the control device 100 can operate by varying the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40, the control device 100 can operate the blowers 30 and 40 with appropriate outputs, as compared with the configuration in which the blowers are ON/OFF controlled. You can Accordingly, when the blowers 30 and 40 are operated, the humidity of the seat surface portions S11 and S21 can be favorably reduced, and the temperature decrease of the seat surface portions S11 and S21 can be favorably suppressed, so that the comfort is improved. Can be further improved.

Further, since the control device 100 controls the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40 based on the vehicle interior temperature Tr, it is possible to control the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40 in accordance with the vehicle interior temperature Tr. Accordingly, when the blowers 30 and 40 are operated, the humidity of the seat surface portions S11 and S21 can be better reduced, and the temperature decrease of the seat surface portions S11 and S21 can be better suppressed. Comfort can be further improved. Moreover, since the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40 are unlikely to be larger than necessary, energy saving can be improved.

Further, since the control device 100 acquires the set temperature of the air conditioner 4 as the vehicle interior temperature Tr, the control of the blowers 30 and 40 can be linked to the control of the air conditioner 4. As a result, comfort can be further improved and energy saving can be further improved. Further, since the seat heater 1 does not need to include a sensor for obtaining the vehicle interior temperature Tr, the cost of the seat heater 1 can be suppressed.

Further, the control device 100 controls the outputs of the heater units 10 and 20 so that the temperature of the portion of the vehicle seat S where the heater units 10 and 20 are arranged is higher than the vehicle interior temperature Tr, so that the warmth is maintained. It becomes easier to feel and the comfort can be further improved.

Further, since the control device 100 sets the outputs of the heater units 10 and 20 and the blowers 30 and 40 according to the change of the vehicle interior temperature Tr, the heater units 10, 20 and the blower 30 are set in accordance with the change of the vehicle interior temperature Tr. , 40 output can be controlled. As a result, comfort can be further improved and energy saving can be further improved.

Further, since the outputs of the first blower 30 and the second blower 40 are individually controlled, the first blower 30 and the second blower 40 can be appropriately controlled, respectively, and the comfort can be further improved.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In addition, in the present embodiment, the same components as those in the above-described first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted.
As shown in FIG. 7, the seat heater 1 further includes humidity sensors 71 and 72.

The humidity sensor 71 is arranged inside the skin material on the seat surface portion S11 corresponding to the first heater unit 10. In addition, the humidity sensor 72 is arranged inside the skin material and on the seat surface portion S21 which is a portion corresponding to the second heater unit 20. The humidity sensors 71 and 72 are connected to the control device 100 and are configured to output information on the detected humidity (detected humidity Hs) to the control device 100.

The control device 100 is configured to operate the blowers 30 and 40 when the humidity Hs detected by the humidity sensors 71 and 72 is equal to or higher than the predetermined humidity Hsth. Specifically, the control device 100 operates the first blower 30 when the detected humidity Hs of the humidity sensor 71 becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined humidity Hsth, and then the detected humidity Hs of the humidity sensor 71 becomes less than the predetermined humidity Hsth. If so, the first blower 30 is stopped. Further, the control device 100 operates the second blower 40 when the humidity Hs detected by the humidity sensor 72 is equal to or higher than the predetermined humidity Hsth, and then the humidity Hs detected by the humidity sensor 72 becomes lower than the predetermined humidity Hsth. In some cases, the second blower 40 is stopped. The predetermined humidity Hsth may be the same or different between the blowers 30 and 40.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the heater units 10 and 20 are operating (S201, Yes), the control device 100 determines whether the detected humidity Hs is equal to or higher than a predetermined humidity Hsth (S212). Then, when the detected humidity Hs is equal to or higher than the predetermined humidity Hsth (S212, Yes), the control device 100 acquires the vehicle interior temperature Tr (S203) and sets the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40 from the map of FIG. 3 (S204). ). Then, the control device 100 operates the blowers 30 and 40 with the set output (S205).

After that, the control device 100 determines whether the detected humidity Hs is less than the predetermined humidity Hsth (S216). Then, when the detected humidity Hs is not lower than the predetermined humidity Hsth (S216, No), the control device 100 ends the process of this time while operating the blowers 30 and 40. On the other hand, when the detected humidity Hs is lower than the predetermined humidity Hsth (S216, Yes), the control device 100 stops the operation of the blowers 30 and 40 (S217), and ends the current process. When the detected humidity Hs is not equal to or higher than the predetermined humidity Hsth in step S212 (S212, No), the control device 100 proceeds to step S216 to execute the subsequent processing.

In the present embodiment, the threshold value for operating the blowers 30, 40 and the threshold value for stopping the blowers 30, 40 are the same threshold value (predetermined humidity Hsth), but different threshold values may be used. Good.

Although the vehicle seat S as one embodiment of the vehicle seat according to the present invention has been described above, the vehicle seat of the present invention is not limited to the vehicle seat S of one embodiment, and its structure Can be changed as appropriate.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the control device 100 is configured to make the target temperature Tt for controlling the outputs of the heater units 10 and 20 higher during the blower operation than during the blower non-operation. , But not limited to this. For example, the control device 100 increases the output of the heater units 10 and 20 with respect to the detected temperature Ts acquired from the temperature sensors 51 and 52 during the blower operation without changing the target temperature Tt as compared with during the blower non-operation. It may be configured as follows. As an example, by changing the constants Kp and Ki when calculating the required control amount mv depending on whether the blower is operating or not, the output of the heater units 10 and 20 during the blower is inactive. Can be larger than medium. Further, as another example, by multiplying the calculated required control amount mv by a coefficient, the output of the heater units 10 and 20 during the blower operation can be made higher than that during the non-operation.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the set temperature of the air conditioner 4 is acquired as the vehicle interior temperature Tr (environmental temperature), but it may be acquired from an environmental temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the environment in which the seat is arranged.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the control device 100 controls the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40 based on the vehicle interior temperature Tr (environmental temperature), but the blower is based on the detected temperature Ts acquired by the temperature sensors 51 and 52. The outputs of 30, 40 may be controlled. Specifically, the control device 100 controls the output of the first blower 30 based on the detected temperature Ts acquired by the temperature sensor 51, and controls the output of the second blower 40 based on the detected temperature Ts acquired by the temperature sensor 52. May be configured to do so. Further, the control device 100 may control the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40 based on the vehicle interior temperature Tr and the detected temperature Ts.

In this case, for example, the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40 are set from a map that associates the detected temperature Ts with the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40, such that the horizontal axis of the map in FIG. 3 is the detected temperature instead of the vehicle interior temperature. can do. Then, in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 8, the detected temperature Ts is acquired instead of the vehicle interior temperature Tr in step S203. With such a configuration, the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40 can be controlled in accordance with the actual temperatures of the portions corresponding to the heater units 10 and 20, so that when the blowers 30 and 40 are operated, The humidity of the surface portions S11, S21 can be better reduced, and the temperature decrease of the seat surface portions S11, S21 can be better suppressed. Thereby, the comfort can be further improved. Moreover, since the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40 are unlikely to be larger than necessary, energy saving can be improved.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the temperature sensors 51 and 52 are arranged one each in the portion corresponding to the first heater unit 10 and the portion corresponding to the second heater unit 20, but the temperature sensor is provided in either one. The structure may be arranged only in the corresponding part. In this case, for example, if the temperature sensor is arranged only in the portion corresponding to the second heater unit 20, the output of the first heater unit 10 is the output of the second heater unit 20 (the calculated required control amount mv ) Can be calculated by multiplying by a coefficient. Similarly, when the outputs of the blowers 30 and 40 are controlled based on the detected temperature, the output of the first blower 30 is also multiplied by the coefficient of the output of the second blower 40 (the output set from the detected temperature and the map). It can be set by

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the heater units 10 and 20 are arranged on the seat surface portions S11 and 21, but the arrangement of the heater units is not limited to this. For example, heater units may be arranged at the lower part (the part corresponding to the waist of the seated person) and the upper part (the part corresponding to the part above the part corresponding to the waist) of the seat surface S21. Further, the heater unit may be arranged not only on the seat surface portions S11 and S21 but also on the projecting portions S12 and S22.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the two blowers 30 and 40 are provided, but the configuration may be provided with only one blower, or may be provided with three or more blowers.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the sirocco fan is illustrated as the blowers 30 and 40 (blowers), but other types of blowers such as a propeller fan and a turbo fan may be used. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle seat is configured to blow out air by the operation of the blower, but it may be configured to suck in air by the operation of the blower. Further, one of the seat cushion and the seat back may suck air and the other may blow air by the operation of the blower. Further, the blower may be one that can switch between blowing and suction by switching the rotation direction of a fan or the like.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the vehicle seat S, an independent type seat that is adopted as a driver's seat or a passenger seat of a passenger car is exemplified, but it is adopted as a rearmost seat of a passenger car. It may be a bench type seat. Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the seat, the vehicle seat S mounted on the automobile is illustrated, but the seat is a vehicle seat mounted on a vehicle other than the automobile, for example, a railroad vehicle, a ship, an aircraft, or the like. It may be. Further, the seat provided with the seat heater is not limited to a vehicle seat, and may be, for example, a seat used at home.

In the above-described embodiment, the seat has a configuration in which electric power is supplied from the power supply device 2 driven by the battery mounted on the vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the battery may be mounted on the seat itself, or when the seat is used at home or the like, power may be supplied from a commercial power source.

1 Seat Heater 4 Air Conditioner 10 First Heater Unit 20 Second Heater Unit 30 First Blower 40 Second Blower 51 Temperature Sensor 52 Temperature Sensor 100 Controller S Vehicle Seat S1 Seat Cushion S2 Seat Back S11 Seat Face S21 Seat Face

Claims (12)

A pad material having a plurality of ventilation holes formed on the surface and a ventilation path communicating with the ventilation holes,
A skin material covering the pad material,
A heater unit arranged between the pad material and the skin material,
A blower connected to the air passage,
A vehicle seat comprising the heater unit and a control device for controlling the output of the blower,
The control device is
The blowing device heats the skin material by operating the heater unit in a non-operating state,
When a predetermined condition is satisfied during the operation of the heater unit, the blower is operated,
A vehicle seat, wherein the output of the heater unit is made larger when the air blower is operating than when the air blower is not operating. Seat cushion,
With a seat back,
The heater unit is
A first heater unit arranged on the seat cushion and capable of warming a thigh of a seated person;
A second heater unit that is arranged in the seat back and is capable of warming the waist of a seated person,
The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the target temperature of the second heater unit at a predetermined vehicle interior temperature is set higher than the target temperature of the first heater unit at the predetermined vehicle interior temperature. .. The vehicle controller according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the control device determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when a predetermined time has elapsed after the operation of the heater unit was started. Sheet. Further comprising a humidity sensor arranged at a portion corresponding to the heater unit,
The vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the controller determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the humidity detected by the humidity sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined humidity. The control device controls the output of the heater unit such that the temperature of the portion of the seat where the heater unit is arranged is higher than the environmental temperature of the environment where the seat is arranged. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . Wherein the control device, in response to said sheet change in ambient temperature of the environment to be arranged, any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that to set the output of the blower and the heater unit The vehicle seat described in. The vehicle seat according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the control device obtains, as the environmental temperature, a set temperature of an air conditioner that adjusts a temperature of an environment in which the seat is arranged. Further comprising a temperature sensor arranged at a portion corresponding to the heater unit,
The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the control device controls an output of the blower device based on a detected temperature acquired from the temperature sensor. The heater unit includes a first heater unit and a second heater unit arranged in a portion of the seat different from the portion in which the first heater unit is arranged,
The blower includes a first blower arranged at a portion corresponding to the first heater unit and a second blower arranged at a portion corresponding to the second heater unit,
The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the control device individually controls outputs of the first blower and the second blower. The control device sets the target temperature for controlling the output of the heater unit to be higher when the blower is operating than when the blower is not operating. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . Further comprising a temperature sensor arranged at a portion corresponding to the heater unit,
The controller is characterized in that, when the blower is operated, the output of the heater unit with respect to the detected temperature acquired from the temperature sensor is made larger than when the blower is not operated. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . Vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in further comprising a f Ddoresuto.

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