JP6916595B2 - 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.

As a seat heater, for example, Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of heating elements arranged relative to each contact portion of a seated person seated on a seat, and a control unit for controlling the heat generation operation of the heating element. Is disclosed. The seat heater of Patent Document 1 has a portion in the contact portion of the seated person that has a quick warming sensation and a high heating effect with respect to heat supply, and a portion that has a slow warming sensation and is insensitive, but can improve comfort when warmed. On the premise that there are two parts that become, these two parts are configured to generate heat in order.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-269480

By the way, in the prior art, since two parts having different warming sensations are heated in order, there is a possibility that the entire sheet cannot be warmed rapidly. In addition, in the prior art, two parts (groups) with different warm sensations are heated in order, so depending on the individual parts in each group, the mode is switched to the mode in which the other group is heated before the temperature reaches a comfortable level. Or, the temperature may be too high beyond the temperature at which you feel comfortable at a timing earlier than the timing when you switch to the mode that heats up the other group, and the temperature is adjusted to a comfortable temperature for each part in each group. There was a possibility that it could not be done.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a seat heater and a vehicle seat capable of rapidly warming the entire seat and adjusting the temperature to a comfortable temperature for each part.

The present invention for achieving the above object is a seat heater including a plurality of heater units arranged at different parts of the seat and a control device for controlling the output of the plurality of heater units. When the control device receives an instruction to heat the seat, the output ratio, which is a ratio to the maximum output of the heater unit, is made the same for all the heater units, and at least one of the heater units is arranged. The first control for raising the temperature to a predetermined temperature and the second control for controlling the output ratio of the heater unit for each heater unit after the temperature of the portion where at least one of the heater units is arranged reaches the predetermined temperature. It is characterized by executing and.

According to such a configuration, in the first control, the output ratio of the heater unit is made the same for all the heater units, and the temperature of the portion where the heater unit is arranged is raised to a predetermined temperature, so that the entire seat is rapidly affected. Can be warmed. Then, after the entire seat is rapidly warmed, the output ratio of the heater unit is controlled for each heater unit in the second control, so that the temperature can be adjusted to a comfortable temperature for each part where the heater unit is arranged.

In the above-mentioned seat heater, the plurality of the heater units include a first heater unit and a second heater unit, and further include a temperature sensor arranged at a portion corresponding to the first heater unit, and the control device includes the control device. The output ratio of the first heater unit can be controlled based on the detected temperature acquired from the temperature sensor.

According to this, the output ratio of the first heater unit can be controlled with high accuracy.

In the seat heater described above, the control device may be configured to control the output ratio of the second heater unit based on the detected temperature.

According to this, it is not necessary to arrange the temperature sensor at the portion corresponding to the second heater unit, so that the cost of the seat heater can be suppressed.

In the seat heater described above, the first heater unit is arranged at a portion corresponding to the lumbar region of a seated person seated on the seat, and the second heater unit is a portion corresponding to the seating surface of the seat cushion and the above. It can be configured to be arranged at at least one of the parts above the part corresponding to the lumbar region.

According to this, as a result of research, it has been found that the lumbar region and the portion in contact with the seat surface of the seat cushion, such as the thigh, and the region above the lumbar region, such as the shoulder, have different temperature sensations. Therefore, by arranging a temperature sensor at a portion corresponding to the lumbar region and controlling the portion with high accuracy, it is possible to improve comfort when quick warming and region-specific control are performed.

In the seat heater described above, the control device may be configured to set the output ratio of all the heater units to 100% in the first control.

According to this, the entire seat can be warmed more rapidly in the first control.

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

According to this, since the seat can be warmed in accordance with the ambient temperature, it is possible to improve the comfort when quick warming and site-specific control are performed. Further, since it is suppressed that the sheet is heated more than necessary, energy saving can be improved.

In the seat heater described above, the control device may be configured to set a target temperature for controlling the output ratio of the heater unit in response to a change in the environmental temperature.

According to this, since the output of the heater unit can be increased or decreased in response to the change in the environmental temperature, the comfort can be further improved and the energy saving can be further improved.

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

According to this, since the control of the seat heater can be linked to the control of the air conditioner, the comfort can be further improved and the energy saving can be further improved. Further, since it is not necessary for the seat heater to be provided with a sensor for acquiring the environmental temperature, the cost of the seat heater can be suppressed.

In the seat heater described above, the control device may be configured to have a smaller output ratio of the heater unit than the first control in the second control.

According to this, in the first control, the entire sheet can be rapidly warmed, and in the second control, energy saving can be improved.

Further, the present invention that achieves the above-mentioned object can be configured as a vehicle seat provided with the above-mentioned seat heater.

According to the present invention, the entire sheet can be rapidly warmed, and the temperature can be adjusted to a comfortable temperature for each part.

Further, according to the present invention, the output ratio of the first heater unit is accurately controlled by controlling the output ratio of the first heater unit based on the detection temperature of the temperature sensor arranged at the portion corresponding to the first heater unit. Can be well controlled.

Further, according to the present invention, the cost of the seat heater can be suppressed by controlling the output ratio of the second heater unit based on the detection temperature of the temperature sensor arranged at the portion corresponding to the first heater unit. ..

Further, according to the present invention, the first heater unit is arranged at a portion corresponding to the lumbar region, and the second heater unit is arranged at a portion corresponding to the seat surface of the seat cushion or a portion above the portion corresponding to the lumbar region. As a result, it is possible to improve the comfort when quick warming and site-specific control are performed.

Further, according to the present invention, by setting the output ratio of all the heater units to 100% in the first control, the entire seat can be warmed more rapidly in the first control.

Further, according to the present invention, by controlling the output ratio of the heater unit based on the environmental temperature, it is possible to improve the comfort when quick warming and site-specific control are performed. In addition, energy saving can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, by setting a target temperature for controlling the output ratio of the heater unit according to a change in the environmental temperature, comfort can be further improved and energy saving can be further improved. be able to.

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 can be further improved. be able to. Moreover, the cost of the seat heater can be suppressed.

Further, according to the present invention, by making the output ratio of the heater unit smaller in the second control than in the first control, the entire seat can be rapidly warmed in the first control and in the second control. , Energy saving can be improved.

It is a perspective view of the vehicle seat which concerns on one Embodiment of the invention. This is an example of a map showing the relationship between the temperature inside the vehicle and the target temperature. It is a flowchart which shows the processing of a control device. It is a graph which shows the temperature change of the part where a heater unit is arranged. It is a perspective view of the vehicle seat which concerns on the modification.

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

The seat cushions S1 are arranged in the center of the left and right sides, and are arranged on both the left and right sides of the seating surface portion S11 and the seating surface portion S11 for supporting the buttocks and thighs of the seated person seated on the vehicle seat S from below. It has an overhanging portion S12 overhanging on the seater side to support the side portions of the buttocks and thighs. Further, the seat backs S2 are arranged in the center of the left and right sides, and are arranged on both the left and right sides of the seat surface portion S21 that contacts and supports the back of the seated person afterwards, and supports the side portions of the upper body of the seated person. It has an overhanging portion S22 that overhangs on the seated side.

The vehicle seat S includes a seat heater 1. The seat heater 1 mainly includes a cushion heater unit 10 and a back heater unit 20 as a plurality of heater units arranged at different parts of the vehicle seat S, a temperature sensor 50, an operation switch 60, and a control device 100. I have.

The cushion heater unit 10 and the back heater unit 20 are planar heaters. The cushion heater unit 10 is arranged between the pad material and the skin material of the seat cushion S1. Specifically, the cushion heater unit 10 is arranged in a portion corresponding to the seat surface of the seat cushion S1, that is, in the seat surface portion S11.

Further, the back heater unit 20 is arranged between the pad material and the skin material of the seat back S2. Specifically, the back heater unit 20 includes a waist heater unit 21 and a shoulder heater unit 22. The lumbar heater unit 21 is arranged at a portion corresponding to the lumbar region of the seated person, specifically, below the seat surface portion S21 of the seat back S2. Further, the shoulder heater unit 22 is arranged in a portion above the portion corresponding to the lumbar region of the seated person, for example, a portion corresponding to the shoulder portion (near the scapula). Specifically, the shoulder heater unit 22 is arranged above the seat surface portion S21.

The cushion heater unit 10, the waist heater unit 21, and the shoulder heater unit 22 are each connected to the control device 100. In the present embodiment, the lumbar heater unit 21 corresponds to the "first heater unit", and the cushion heater unit 10 and the shoulder heater unit 22 correspond to the "second heater unit".

The temperature sensor 50 is arranged inside the skin material and below the seat surface portion S21 which is a portion corresponding to the lumbar heater unit 21. The temperature sensor 50 is connected to the control device 100 and is configured to output the detected temperature information to the control device 100. It should be noted that there is a substantially constant correlation between the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 50 and the temperature of the portion of the seat surface portion S21 that the seated person contacts. Therefore, the control device 100 may perform control using the temperature itself detected by the temperature sensor 50 as the detection temperature Ts, or estimates the temperature of the portion in contact with the seated person based on the above-mentioned correlation, and this estimation is performed. The temperature may be controlled as the detection temperature Ts.

The control device 100 is a device that controls the outputs of the plurality of heater units 10, 21, 22, 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 outputs of the heater units 10, 21 and 22 by this electric power.

The control device 100 is connected to an 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 inside 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 “vehicle interior temperature Tr”). Further, an operation switch 60 provided on an operation panel of a vehicle or the like is connected to the control device 100.

The control device 100 has a first control that rapidly raises the temperature of the seat surface portions S11 and S21 when the operation switch 60 is turned on and receives an instruction to heat the vehicle seat S, and the temperature of the seat surface portions S11 and S21. Is configured to execute a second control for controlling the output of the heater units 10, 21 and 22 for each of the heater units 10, 21 and 22 after the temperature has risen sufficiently.

In a warm season or when the heater is used once before the operation switch 60 is turned on, the temperatures of the seat surfaces S11 and S21 are already sufficient when the operation switch 60 receives a heating instruction. It can be expensive. In that case, the control device 100 may execute the second control from the beginning without executing the first control.

In the first control, the control device 100 has the lumbar heater unit 21 in which the temperature sensor 50 is arranged so that the output ratios of the heater units 10, 21 and 22 are the same in all the heater units 10, 21 and 22 in the first control. The temperature of the portion (lower part of the seat surface portion S21) is raised to a predetermined temperature Tsth. Specifically, the control device 100 sets the output ratio of all the heater units 10, 21, 22 to 100% in the first control. Here, the output ratio of the heater units 10, 21 and 22 is a ratio to the maximum output of the heater units 10, 21 and 22.

In the control device 100, after the temperature of the lower part of the seat surface portion S21 reaches the predetermined temperature Tsth, specifically, after the detection temperature Ts acquired from the temperature sensor 50 becomes the predetermined temperature Tsth or more, the lower part of the seat surface portion S21 Not only that, the second control is executed on the assumption that the temperature of the upper part of the seat surface portion S21 and the seat surface portion S11 has risen sufficiently. In the present embodiment, since only one temperature sensor 50 is provided at the lower part of the seat surface portion S21, it is not possible to detect the temperature of the upper part of the seat surface portion S21 or the temperature of the seat surface portion S11. Therefore, by conducting experiments and simulations in advance and adjusting the amount of heat supplied to each part from the results, for example, when the temperature of the lower part of the seat surface portion S21 reaches a predetermined temperature Tsth, the vehicle seat S has a seat surface portion S21. The temperature of the upper part of the seat surface portion S21 and the temperature of the seat surface portion S11 are also configured to be the same as the predetermined temperature Tsth.

The control device 100 does not return to the first control after the detection temperature Ts becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature Tsth and proceeds to the second control. Therefore, when the detection temperature Ts becomes equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature Tsth, the control device 100 changes the flag F indicating that from "0" indicating the first control to "1" indicating the second control. The initial value of the flag F is 0, and the flag F is reset to 0 when power is no longer supplied to the control device 100, such as when the operation switch 60 is turned off.

In the second control, the control device 100 controls the output ratio of the heater units 10, 21 and 22 for each of the heater units 10, 21 and 22. Specifically, the control device 100 of the cushion heater unit 10, the waist heater unit 21, and the shoulder heater unit 22 based on the detection temperature Ts acquired from the temperature sensor 50 and the vehicle interior temperature Tr acquired from the air conditioning control device 3. Control the output ratio.

More specifically, the control device 100 first sets the target temperature Tt based on the vehicle interior temperature Tr and the map shown in FIG. The map of FIG. 2 is a map for associating the vehicle interior temperature Tr with the target temperature Tt, and is preset by experiments or simulations. In the map of FIG. 2, as an example, the target temperature Tt is a constant value Tt1 when the vehicle interior temperature Tr is smaller than Tr1, and becomes smaller as the vehicle interior temperature Tr becomes larger when the vehicle interior temperature Tr is Tr1 or more. Is set to. By setting the target temperature Tt using such a map, the control device 100 sets the target temperature Tt for controlling the output ratio of the heater units 10, 21, 22 according to the change in the vehicle interior temperature Tr. is doing.

Then, the control device 100 calculates the required control amount mv based on the set target temperature Tt and the detection temperature Ts. The required control amount mv is, for example, as a required control amount for 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 detection temperature Ts, Kp is a proportional control constant, ie is the integration (integration) of e within a predetermined period in the past, and Ki is the integration control. It is a constant. The constants Kp and Ki are preset by experiments and simulations.

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 a numerical value of the voltage output from the temperature sensor 50. Then, the constants Kp and Ki may be appropriately adjusted according to the scale of these temperature values. Further, according to the above calculation, the mv may exceed 100 when the difference e between the target temperature Tt and the detection temperature Ts is large. Since power is supplied to the heater units 10, 21 and 22 at an output ratio of 0 to 100%, it is set to 100 when the mv exceeds 100 so that the value is 100 or less.

Then, the control device 100 controls the lumbar heater unit 21 by the calculated required control amount mv (output ratio). Further, the control device 100 controls the cushion heater unit 10 by an output ratio obtained by multiplying the required control amount mv by the coefficient C1. Further, the control device 100 controls the shoulder heater unit 22 by the output ratio obtained by multiplying the required control amount mv by the coefficient C2. Here, the coefficients C1 and C2 are coefficients smaller than 1, and are preset by experiments, simulations, and the like.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since only one temperature sensor 50 is provided in the lower part of the seat surface portion S21, the output ratio of the shoulder heater unit 22 is directly controlled based on the temperature of the upper part of the seat surface portion S21. It is not possible to directly control the output ratio of the cushion heater unit 10 based on the temperature of the seat surface portion S11. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the required control amount mv calculated based on the temperature (detection temperature Ts) of the lower part of the seat surface portion S21 and the output ratio obtained by multiplying the required control amount mv by the coefficients C1 and C2 are used. The output ratio of the heater units 10, 21 and 22 is controlled for each of the heater units 10, 21 and 22.

In addition, as a result of research, it has been found that the waist and thighs and shoulders have different temperature sensations. Specifically, it was found that the temperature at which the waist feels comfortable is higher than the temperature at which the thighs and shoulders feel comfortable. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the required control amount mv is calculated based on the temperature of the lower part of the seat surface portion S21 corresponding to the waist portion where the temperature felt comfortable is high, and the temperature felt comfortable is lower than the waist portion, such as the thigh. For the corresponding seat surface portion S11 and the upper portion of the seat surface portion S21 corresponding to the shoulder portion, etc., the output ratio is calculated by multiplying the required control amount mv by the coefficients C1 and C2 set corresponding to each portion smaller than 1. I'm calculating.

Further, in the present embodiment, the coefficient C1 is set to a value larger than the coefficient C2 (C1> C2). As a result, in the second control, the output ratio (C1 × mv) of the cushion heater unit 10 becomes larger than the output ratio (C2 × mv) of the shoulder heater unit 22. This is because the seating surface portion S11 is in constant contact with the buttocks and thighs of the seated person, so that the seated person can easily feel the warmth. On the other hand, regarding the upper part of the seat surface portion S21, the shoulder portion of the seated person may be separated from the upper part of the seat surface portion S21 depending on the body shape and posture of the seated person, so from the viewpoint of energy saving, do not heat it more than necessary. To make it.

As a result of the research, it has been found that there is not much difference between the temperature at which the thigh feels comfortable and the temperature at which the shoulder feels comfortable. Therefore, the coefficients C1 and C2 are substantially equivalent values, for example, It may be the same value.

The processing of the control device 100 in the vehicle seat S as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The control device 100 repeats the process from the start to the end shown in FIG. 3 for each control cycle.
As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 100 first determines whether or not there is an instruction to heat the sheet (S101). When there is no instruction to heat the sheet (S101, No), the control device 100 resets the flag F indicating the control mode to 0 (S103), and ends the current process.

When there is an instruction to heat the sheet (S101, Yes), the control device 100 determines whether or not the flag F is 0 (S102). When the flag F is 0 (S102, Yes), since it is the first control, the control device 100 outputs all of the cushion heater unit 10, the waist heater unit 21, and the shoulder heater unit 22 at 100%. (S110). Then, the control device 100 determines whether or not the detected temperature Ts is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature Tsth (S111).

When the detected temperature Ts is not equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature Tsth (S111, No), the control device 100 ends the current process. On the other hand, when the detection temperature Ts is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature Tsth (S111, Yes), the control device 100 sets the flag F to 1 (S112) and proceeds to step S121. Further, in step S102, when the flag F is not 0 (when the flag F is 1) (S102, No), the control device 100 is the second control, so that the process proceeds to step S121 in this case as well.

After that, the control device 100 acquires the vehicle interior temperature Tr (S121) and sets the target temperature Tt from the vehicle interior temperature Tr and the map of FIG. 2 (S122). Further, the control device 100 acquires the detection temperature Ts (S123). Then, the control device 100 calculates the required control amount mv based on the target temperature Tt and the detection temperature Ts (S124). Then, the control device 100 outputs the lumbar heater unit 21 with the required control amount mv, outputs the cushion heater unit 10 with C1 × mv, and outputs the shoulder heater unit 22 with C2 × mv (S125). This process ends.

According to the above processing, when the seated person turns on the operation switch 60 and starts heating the vehicle seat S, the temperatures of the seat surface portions S11 and S21 change as shown in FIG. Specifically, in the first control up to the time t1, all the heater units 10, 21, 22 are output at 100%. As a result, the temperatures of the seat surface portions S11 and S21 can be raised as quickly as possible, and the entire vehicle seat S can be rapidly warmed.

Then, at time t1, when the detected temperature Ts acquired from the temperature sensor 50 reaches the predetermined temperature Tsth, the second control is executed. In the second control, the waist heater unit 21 is output at the first output ratio (mv), and the cushion heater unit 10 is output at the second output ratio (C1 × mv) smaller than the first output ratio, and the shoulder portion. The heater unit 22 is output at a third output ratio (C2 × mv) smaller than the second output ratio.

Then, the temperature of the lower part of the seat surface portion S21 corresponding to the seated person's waist having a high comfortable temperature is maintained at a high temperature, and the comfortable temperature is lower than the waist part of the seated person's thigh and shoulder. The temperature of the upper part of the seat surface portion S11 and the seat surface portion S21 corresponding to the above is lower than the temperature of the lower part of the seat surface portion S21. As a result, the temperature can be adjusted to a comfortable temperature for each part where the heater units 10, 21 and 22 are arranged.

Further, in the present embodiment, the temperature of the upper part of the seat surface portion S21 corresponding to the shoulder portion of the seated person is lower than the temperature of the seating surface portion S11 corresponding to the thigh portion of the seated person. Energy saving can be improved as compared with the case where the temperature of the upper part of S21 is maintained at the same temperature as the temperature of the seat surface portion S11.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the invention, FIG. 4 with reference shows a case where the target temperature Tt is a constant value, that is, a case where the vehicle interior temperature Tr, which is the set temperature of the air conditioner 4, is a constant value. ..

According to the present embodiment described above, in the first control, the output ratio is the same for all the heater units 10, 21 and 22, and the temperature of the portion where the heater units 10, 21 and 22 are arranged is set to the predetermined temperature Tsth. Since it is raised to, the entire vehicle seat S can be rapidly warmed. Then, after the entire vehicle seat S is rapidly warmed up, the output ratio is controlled for each of the heater units 10, 21 and 22 in the second control, so that the heater units 10, 21 and 22 are arranged for each part. It can be adjusted to a comfortable temperature.

Further, since the control device 100 controls the output ratio of the lumbar heater unit 21 based on the detection temperature Ts acquired from the temperature sensor 50, the output ratio of the lumbar heater unit 21 can be controlled with high accuracy.

Further, since the control device 100 controls the output ratios (C1 × mv, C2 × mv) of the cushion heater unit 10 and the shoulder heater unit 22 based on the detection temperature Ts, the upper part of the seat surface portion S11 and the seat surface portion S21. There is no need to place a temperature sensor in. Thereby, the cost of the seat heater 1 can be suppressed.

Further, the waist heater unit 21 is arranged at a portion corresponding to the waist, the cushion heater unit 10 is arranged at a portion corresponding to the thigh and the like, and the shoulder heater unit 22 is arranged at a portion corresponding to the shoulder and the like. Therefore, by arranging the temperature sensor 50 in the part corresponding to the lumbar region where the temperature feels comfortable and controlling the part with high accuracy, it is possible to improve the comfort when quick warming and the control for each part are performed. ..

Further, since the control device 100 sets the output ratio of all the heater units 10, 21, 22 to 100% in the first control, the entire vehicle seat S can be warmed more rapidly in the first control.

Further, since the control device 100 controls the output ratio of the heater units 10, 21, 22 based on the vehicle interior temperature Tr, the vehicle seat S can be warmed corresponding to the vehicle interior temperature Tr. As a result, it is possible to improve the comfort when quick warming and site-specific control are performed. Further, since it is suppressed that the vehicle seat S is heated more than necessary, energy saving can be improved.

Further, since the control device 100 sets the target temperature Tt according to the change in the vehicle interior temperature Tr, the output of the heater units 10, 21, 22 is increased or decreased in accordance with the change in the vehicle interior temperature Tr. Can be done. As a result, comfort can be further improved and energy saving can be further 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 seat heater 1 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 it is not necessary for the seat heater 1 to be provided with a sensor for acquiring the vehicle interior temperature Tr, the cost of the seat heater 1 can be suppressed.

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

For example, in the above embodiment, the temperature sensor 50 is arranged only in the portion corresponding to the lumbar heater unit 21 as the first heater unit, but the temperature sensor is arranged in the portion corresponding to the first heater unit and the second heater unit. It may be arranged in both parts corresponding to the heater unit.

As an example, as shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle seat S includes temperature sensors 51 to 53, the temperature sensor 51 is arranged on the seat surface portion S11 corresponding to the cushion heater unit 10, and the temperature sensor 52 is a lumbar heater unit. It may be arranged below the seat surface portion S21 corresponding to 21 and the temperature sensor 53 may be arranged above the seat surface portion S21 corresponding to the shoulder heater unit 22.

In this case, in the first control, all the heater units 10, 21, 22 are output at the same output ratio (for example, 100%), and in the second control, the corresponding temperature is taken based on the detected temperatures of the temperature sensors 51 to 53. The output ratios of the heater units 10, 21 and 22 can be calculated individually and controlled individually. According to this, the output ratio of each of the heater units 10, 21, 22 can be controlled with high accuracy. In this case, the map for setting the target temperature Tt (see FIG. 2) is set for each of the heater units 10, 21 and 22 for the control of each part. Further, the switching from the first control to the second control may be performed when the detection temperatures of all the temperature sensors 51 to 53 reach a predetermined temperature, or the detection temperatures of two of the temperature sensors 51 to 53 may be changed. It may be when the predetermined temperature is reached, or when the detection temperature of one of the temperature sensors 51 to 53 reaches the predetermined temperature.

Further, in the above embodiment, in the first control, the output ratios of all the heater units 10, 21, 22 are set to 100%, but the output ratios may be smaller than 100%.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the output ratio (required control amount mv) in the second control may be the same as the output ratio (100%) in the first control. In the second control, the output ratio of the heater units 10, 21, 22 may be smaller than that in the first control. For example, it can be realized by setting the predetermined temperature Tsth slightly higher. According to this, in the first control, the entire vehicle seat S can be rapidly warmed, and in the second control, energy saving can be improved.

Further, in the above 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 or the like that detects the temperature of the environment in which the seat is arranged.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the second heater unit is arranged on both the seat surface portion S11 and the upper portion of the seat surface portion S21, but the second heater unit may be arranged only on the seat surface portion S11. It may be arranged only on the upper part of the seat surface portion S21. Further, the heater unit may be arranged not only on the seat surface portions S11 and S21 but also on the overhanging portions S12 and S22.

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

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

1 Seat heater 4 Air conditioner 10 Cushion heater unit 21 Lumbar heater unit 22 Shoulder heater unit 50 Temperature sensor 100 Control device S Vehicle seat S1 Seat cushion S2 Seat back S11 Seat surface S21 Seat surface

Claims (8)

A seat heater including a plurality of heater units arranged at different parts of the seat and a control device for controlling the output of the plurality of heater units.
The plurality of heater units are a cushion heater unit arranged at a portion corresponding to the seat surface of the seat cushion, a lumbar heater unit arranged at a portion corresponding to the lumbar portion of the seat back, and a lumbar portion of the seat back. Including a shoulder heater unit located above the corresponding part,
The cushion heater unit, the waist heater unit, and the shoulder heater unit are each connected to the control device.
When the control device receives an instruction to heat the sheet, the output ratio, which is a ratio to the maximum output of the heater unit, is made the same for all the heater units, and at least one of the heater units is arranged. The output ratio of the cushion heater unit and the output of the waist heater unit after the first control for raising the temperature of the above temperature to a predetermined temperature and the temperature of the portion where at least one of the heater units are arranged reaches the predetermined temperature. The second control that individually controls the ratio and the output ratio of the shoulder heater unit is executed.
In the second control,
The output ratio of the cushion heater unit is made smaller than the output ratio of the waist heater unit .
A seat heater characterized in that the output ratio of the shoulder heater unit is made smaller than the output ratio of the cushion heater unit. Further equipped with a temperature sensor arranged at a portion corresponding to the lumbar heater unit,
The control device is
Based on the detection temperature acquired from the temperature sensor, the seat of claim 1, wherein calculating the required control amount for the waist heater unit, characterized in that the required control amount is output ratio of the waist heater unit heater. The seat heater according to claim 2 , wherein the control device calculates an output ratio of the cushion heater unit based on the required control amount. The seat heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the control device controls the output ratio of the heater unit based on the environmental temperature of the environment in which the seat is arranged. .. The seat heater according to claim 4 , wherein the control device sets a target temperature for controlling the output ratio of the heater unit in response to a change in the environmental temperature. The seat heater according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the control device acquires, as the environmental temperature, a set temperature of an air conditioner that adjusts the temperature of the environment in which the seat is arranged. The seat heater according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein in the second control, the output ratio of the heater unit is smaller than that of the first control. The seat heater according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
With a seat cushion
Seat back and
A vehicle seat featuring a headrest.

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