Seat apparatus for vehicle

• US 5,320,409 A
• Filed: 11/06/1991
• Issued: 06/14/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Katoh, Kazuhito, Kishi, Yoichi, Nagashima, Hideyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorner, Kenneth J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US07/798,333
• Time in Patent Office: 951 Days
• Field of Search: 297/284.6, 297/284.1, 297/DIG. 3, 297/284.4, 297/284.9
• US Class Current: 297/284.6
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/03 Pneumatic

Abstract

A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a seat which is composed of a seat cushion and a seat back. A plurality of actuators are provided in the seat, for altering a bearing-surface configuration of the seat. The actuators are driven by an air compressor which is controlled by a controller in a predetermined pattern. The controller judges oscillation transmitted to a passenger seated on the seat, on the basis of a signal from an acceleration sensor, and regulates the predetermined pattern of the control, in accordance with the judged oscillation. The controller may be so arranged as to judge the oscillation transmitted to the passenger, on the basis of signals from a speed sensor and a road-surface-condition detecting sensor.

Claims

1. A seat apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:

a seat having a seat cushion and a seat back;

at least one actuator for altering a bearing surface configuration of said seat situated within said seat cushion and said seat back;

driving means for driving said actuator;

vibration sensor means within the vehicle for measuring vibration transmitted to an occupant, which outputs a measured value of the vibration;

judging means having a frequency filter means for filtering at least one frequency band connected to said sensor means to count the number of vibrations exceeding a predetermined level of strength or amplitude prescribed for said at least one frequency band;

regulating means for regulating a predetermined pattern to control said drive means, in accordance with said number of vibrations transmitted to the occupant, said predetermined pattern being previously determined with investigating frequency components of the vibration which are apt to fatigue the occupant and parts of the human body with said frequency components; and

controlling means for controlling said drive means in said predetermined pattern regulated by said regulating means.

2. A seat apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said frequency filter lowers the predetermined level of frequency when the frequency components which tend to tire the passenger is greater.

3. A seat apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vibration sensor means is situated within said seat cushion.

4. A seat apparatus for a vehicle, comprising:

a seat having a seat cushion and a seat back;

a plurality of actuators for altering a bearing surface configuration of said seat situated within said seat cushion and said seat back;

driving means for driving said actuators;

an acceleration sensor means within the vehicle for measuring vibration transmitted to an occupant, which outputs a measured value of the vibration;

judging means having a frequency filter means for filtering a plurality of frequency bands connected to said sensor means to count, in each of said frequency bands, the number of vibrations exceeding a predetermined level of strength or amplitude prescribed for each frequency band;

regulating means for regulating a predetermined pattern to control said drive means, in accordance with said number of vibrations transmitted to the occupant, said predetermined pattern being previously determined with investigating frequency components of the vibration which are apt to fatigue the occupant and parts of the human body with said frequency components; and

controlling means for controlling said drive means in said predetermined pattern regulated by said regulating means.

5. A seat apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said acceleration sensor means is situated within said seat cushion.