METHOD FOR CONTROLLING VEHICLE SEAT AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING VEHICLE SEAT

A method for controlling a vehicle seat includes: detecting a partial opening operation that a slide door which is provided in a side surface of a vehicle operates from a fully closed position to a position in the middle of reaching a fully opened position of the slide door; and controlling an operation of the seat which is provided in a vehicle interior in order to form a luggage disposition portion on a position on which luggage is loadable through door opening of a side surface of the vehicle which is formed by the partial opening operation, in a case where the slide door performs the partial opening operation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application 2015-252170, filed on Dec. 24, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a method for controlling a vehicle seat and a device for controlling a vehicle seat.

BACKGROUND DISCUSSION

In the related art, in a slide door device for a vehicle which has a drive source and opens and closes a slide door, for example, as described in JP 2012-36569A (Reference1), there is a device which performs partial opening of the slide door from a fully closed position to a position in the middle of reaching a fully opened position by changing an input method of opening operation request.

In other words, as illustrated inFIG. 16, there are many cases where a slide door85is not always necessary to be moved to the fully opened position, when loading and unloading of luggage84are performed through a door opening portion83of a vehicle81. Further, time which is required for an opening operation and a closing operation can be reduced by an operation amount of the slide door85being reduced. In addition, accordingly, reduction of heating and cooling efficiency due to the opening operation of the slide door85can be suppressed. In particular, in rainy weather, introduction of rainwater into a vehicle interior87facing the outside of the vehicle through a door opening86can be suppressed. Even when the slide door85is closed, there is an advantage that a door handle88of a vehicle is in a position which is close to a user.

Based on this point, the slide door device (door opening and closing driving device) described in Reference1can be set a partial opening operation of the slide door, by a single operating input which is performed in a state where the slide door is in the fully closed position, without performing the operation input again in the middle of movement. Accordingly, improvement in the convenience of the slide door is achieved.

However, an area which is loadable luggage in a vehicle interior through a door opening is also narrowed as an opening operation amount of a slide door becomes smaller. Accordingly, since there is a possibility that a location on which the luggage is disposed is difficult to be secured, there is room for improvement with respect to this point.

SUMMARY

Thus, a need exists for a method for controlling a vehicle seat and a device for controlling a vehicle seat which are not suspectable to the drawback mentioned above.

It is preferable that a method for controlling a vehicle seat according to an aspect of this disclosure includes detecting a partial opening operation that a slide door which is provided in a side surface of a vehicle operates from a fully closed position to a position in the middle of reaching a fully opened position of the slide door; and controlling an operation of the seat which is provided in a vehicle interior in order to form a luggage disposition portion on a position on which the luggage is loadable through door opening of a side surface of the vehicle which is formed by the partial opening operation, in a case where the slide door performs the partial opening operation.

It is preferable that a device for controlling a vehicle seat according to another aspect of this disclosure includes a partial opening operation detecting portion which detects a partial opening operation that a slide door which is provided in a side surface of a vehicle operates from a fully closed position to a position in the middle of reaching a fully opened position of the slide door; and a seat controlling unit which controls an operation of the seat which is provided in a vehicle interior so that a luggage disposition portion is formed on a position on which the luggage is loadable through door opening of a side surface of the vehicle which is formed by the partial opening operation, in a case where the slide door performs the partial opening operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

First Embodiment

Hereinafter, a first embodiment related to a method for controlling a vehicle seat and a device for controlling a vehicle seat will be described with reference to drawings.

As illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, in a vehicle1according to the present embodiment, a door opening portion3which is provided in a side surface2aof a vehicle body2includes a slide door4which is capable of opening and closing the door opening portion3by moving in a front direction and a rear direction of the vehicle (right and left directions inFIG. 1).

Specifically, the slide door4is in a fully closed state which closes the door opening portion3of the vehicle by moving in a front direction of the vehicle (right direction in each drawing) and is in a fully opened state in which an occupant is capable of getting on and off the vehicle through the door opening portion3of the vehicle by moving in a rear direction of the vehicle (left direction in each drawing). A door handle5for opening and closing the slide door4is provided in the slide door4.

In other words, the slide door4according to the embodiment is released from a locked state by a locking device (not illustrated) by operating the door handle5. In addition, the slide door4can be released from the locked state by the locking device by also operating an operating switch which is provided in a vehicle interior6or an operating input portion of a portable device or the like. The slide door4according to the embodiment can be opened and closed using the door handle5thereof as a grasping portion.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 3, a power slide door device10using a motor (not illustrated) as a driving source is provided in the slide door4according to the embodiment. The slide door4according to the embodiment can be opened and closed based on the operation of the power slide door device10.

Specifically, the operation of the power slide door device10according to the present embodiment is controlled by a door ECU11. Specifically, the door ECU11detects a moved position X of the slide door4, based on an output signal of a position sensor12which is provided in a driving portion of the slide door4, specifically the power slide door device10. In addition, an operating input signal Scd which indicates that another operating input portion which opens and closes the slide door4such as the door handle5, the portable device, or the like is operated is input to the door ECU11. The door ECU11according to the present embodiment is configured to control the operation of the power slide door device10so that the slide door4is opened and closed according to an operation request which is indicated in the operating input signal Scd.

For example, the door ECU11according to the present embodiment allows the slide door4to be moved to a fully opened position Xo in a case where an operating switch13(seeFIG. 1) which is provided in an outside door handle5ais continuously pressed more than a predetermined time, that is, in a case of so called “long pressing operation”, in a case where the slide door4in a fully closed position Xc. In a case where the slide door4is in the fully opened position Xo, in a case where the operating switch13is pressed, the slide door4is configured to be moved to the fully closed position Xc.

In addition, in a case where the slide door4is in the fully closed position Xc, in a case where there is a continuous pressing operation on the operating switch13and time of the continuously pressing operation is less than the predetermined time to fully open the operating slide door4, the door ECU11according to the embodiment performs partial opening of the slide door4from the fully closed position Xc to a position in the middle of reaching the fully opened position Xo (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 2). In other words, in a case of so called “short pressing operation”, the partial door opening operating control of the slide door4is performed. The vehicle1according to the embodiment is configured to be loadable luggage in the vehicle interior6through the door opening of the side surface of the vehicle (partial door opening50) which is formed by the partial opening operation of the slide door4.

Specifically, as illustrated in a flow chart inFIG. 4, the door ECU11according to the embodiment first determines whether or not the slide door4is in the fully closed position Xc (step102), in a case where the pressing operation on the operating switch13is detected (step101: YES). Further, in a case where the slide door4is in the fully closed position Xc (step102: YES), the door ECU11determines whether or not the pressing operation detected in step101is “long pressing operation” (step103). In a case where the pressing operation is “long pressing operation” (step103: YES), the door ECU11controls the operation of the power slide door device10so that the slide door4is moved to the fully opening position Xo (step104).

On the other hand, in a case where the pressing operation of the door ECU11is not “long pressing operation” in step103, that is, is “short pressing operation” (step103: NO), the door ECU11controls the operation of the power slide door device10so that the slide door4performs the partial opening operation from the fully closed position Xc to the position in the middle of reaching the fully opening position Xo (partial opening operation, step105). In step102, even in a case where the slide door4is not in the fully closed position Xc (step102: NO), in step104, the door ECU11according to the embodiment is configured to control the operation of the power slide door device10so that the slide door4is moved to the fully opening position Xo.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, in the vehicle1according to the embodiment, each seat20(20ato20d) which is provided in the vehicle interior6is a power seat which is operated by the motor driving, respectively. The operation of each seat20is independently controlled, respectively by the seat ECU21.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 3, each seat20includes a seat cushion22forming a seating surface of the seat20and a seat back23which is provided to be tillable to a rear end portion of the seat cushion22. A headrest24is provided in an upper end portion of the seat back23.

In addition, a pair of right and left lower rails26which extends in the front direction and the rear direction of the vehicle, respectively is provided in four locations which correspond to a front portion seat and a rear portion seat in the floor portion25of the vehicle interior6. Further, upper rails27which are relatively movable on the lower rails26along the extending direction thereof are mounted on the lower rails26, respectively. Each seat20is supported on the upper side of a seat slide rail30which forms each lower rail26and upper rail27.

In other words, in a manner straddling the right and left seat slide rails30, respectively, each seat20is fixed to the upper rail27. In addition, a seat slide actuator32which allows the relative position of the upper rail27to the lower rail26to be changed using a motor31as a driving source is provided in the each seat20, respectively. In the present embodiment, accordingly, a power seat slide device33by which the slide position of each seat20is adjustable in the front direction and the rear direction of the vehicle is formed.

In addition, a seat reclining actuator35using a motor34as a driving source is provided in each seat20according to the embodiment, respectively. In the embodiment, a power seat reclining device36which is capable of adjusting a tilting angle of the seat back23to the seat cushion22based on operation of the seat reclining actuator35is formed.

On the other hand, the seat ECU21according to the embodiment detects a slide position Pxs and a reclining position Pxr of each seat20(20ato20d) by counting the output signal of pulse sensors which are provided in a driving portion of the seat slide actuator32and a driving portion of the seat reclining actuator35. In addition, the operating input signal Scs which indicates the operating input to the operating switch (not illustrated) which is provided in each seat20is input to the seat ECU21. The seat ECU21according to the embodiment is configured to control the operation of the power seat slide device33and the power seat reclining device36so that the slide position Pxs and the reclining position Pxr of each seat20(20ato20d) are changed, based on operation request indicated in the operating input signal Scs.

In addition, each seat20according to the embodiment includes a seating sensor41which forms a pressure-sensitive portion on a seating surface22sof the seat cushion22and a load sensor42which detects seat load Ws of the seat cushion22. Specifically, in the seating sensor41according to the present embodiment, a membrane switch of which ON/OFF state is switched by the seating surface22sbeing pressed is used. In addition, a strain sensor which is interposed between (a frame of) the seat cushion22and the upper rail27is used in the load sensor42. The seat ECU21according to the embodiment is configured to detect a seating state of an occupant and presence or absence of a placed object in each sensor20, based on an output signal S1of the seating sensor41and output signal S2(Ws) of the load sensor42.

Further, in the vehicle1according to the embodiment, the door ECU11and the seat ECU21are connected to each other through an in-vehicle network45. The seat ECU21according to the embodiment is configured to use control information Idc of the slide door4obtained from the door ECU11to the operating information of each seat20by mutual communication through the in-vehicle network45.

Specifically, the seat ECU21according to the embodiment detects the partial opening operation of the slide door4as illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, specifically start of the partial opening operation control which is performed by the door ECU11, based on the control information Idc of the slide door4obtained from the door ECU11.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 5, in a case where the partial opening operation of the slide door4is detected, the seat ECU21according to the embodiment controls operation of each seat20which is provided in the vehicle interior6so that a luggage disposition portion55is formed on a position which is loadable luggage54in the vehicle interior6by a user53through the partial door opening50formed as described above (forming control of luggage disposition portion). Accordingly, the vehicle1according to the embodiment is configured to more smoothly load the luggage54in the vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 6andFIG. 7, the seat ECU21according to the embodiment moves a door opening side rear seat20dwhich is positioned on the side of the slide door4in the opening operation direction, that is, to the rear side of the vehicle (left side, in each drawing) as forming control of the luggage disposition portion in a case where the slide door4performs the partial opening operation. Specifically, the seat ECU21moves the door opening side rear seat20dto the rearmost end of the slide position Pxs. Accordingly, the door opening side rear seat20dis configured to be spaced apart from the partial door opening50which is formed by the partial opening of the slide door4being performed.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 3, in the door opening side rear seat20daccording to the embodiment, a luggage tray60as a luggage disposition member is stored in the lower side of the seat cushion22. The seat ECU21according to the embodiment is configured to deploy the luggage tray60in the front side of the door opening side rear seat20din the lower side of the seat cushion22, along with movement of the door opening side rear seat20din the rear direction.

Specifically, the luggage tray60according to the present embodiment is configured to include a first tray61which projects from the front end portion of the door opening side rear seat20din the front direction and a second tray62which is rotatably connected to the first tray61through a joint60jprovided to a tip of the first tray61. In other words, in the luggage tray60, at the time of being stored, the first tray61is retracted into the door opening side rear seat20das well as the second tray62is rotated in an erected direction (inFIG. 3, in the counterclockwise direction) in conjunction with the retracting operation of the first tray61. Accordingly, the luggage tray60is adapted to be folded integrally with the front end portion of the door opening side rear seat20d.

In addition, in the luggage tray60, the first tray61and the second tray62are substantially horizontal to each other by the second tray62being rotated in the tilting direction (in the clockwise direction, inFIG. 3) in conjunction with the projecting operation of the first tray61which projects in the front direction of the door opening side rear seat20dat the time of deployment. Accordingly, the luggage tray60according to the embodiment is configured to be a state of being capable of disposing luggage54on the upper side of the first tray61and the second tray62.

Further, a tray actuator65which is capable of deploying the luggage tray60and performing a storing operation using a motor63as a driving source is provided in the door opening side rear seat20daccording to the present embodiment. In other words, the seat ECU21according to the present embodiment deploys the luggage tray60in the front direction of the door opening side rear seat20din the lower side of the seat cushion22by controlling the operation of the tray actuator65. Accordingly, the luggage disposition portion55is configured to be formed in the upper side of the floor portion25facing the vehicle outside through the partial door opening50, that is, in a position which is loadable the luggage54in the vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 6andFIG. 7, the seat ECU21according to the embodiment tilts the seat back23of the door opening side front seat20ain the front direction as forming control of the luggage disposition portion in a case where the slide door4performs the partial opening operation. Specifically, the seat ECU21returns the seat back23to a neutral position (seeFIG. 5andFIG. 6) in a case where the seat back23of the door opening side front seat20ais in a state of being further tilted in the rear direction than the neutral position (seeFIG. 1andFIG. 2). Accordingly, the seat back23is configured not to be interfered with the luggage54when the luggage54is loaded in the vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50, by the seat back23of the door opening side front seat20ais spaced apart from the partial door opening50.

Next, processing procedure of forming control of the luggage disposition portion which is performed by the seat ECU21according to the embodiment will be described.

As illustrated in a flow chart inFIG. 8, the seat ECU21according to the embodiment first determines whether or not an occupant seats on the door opening side rear seat20d(step202) which is positioned on the side of the slide door4, in a case where the partial opening operation of the slide door4is detected (step201: YES). In a case where an occupant does not seat on the door opening side rear seat20d(step202: NO), the door opening side rear seat20dis moved to the rearmost end of the slide position Pxs (step203) and the luggage tray60which is stored in the lower side of the seat cushion22is deployed in the front side of the door opening side rear seat20d(step204).

Next, the seat ECU21determines whether or not an occupant seats on the door opening side front seat20awhich is positioned in the vicinity of the partial door opening50(step205). Further, in a case where an occupant does not seat on the door opening side front seat20a(step205: NO), subsequently, the seat ECU21determines whether or not the seat back23of the door opening side front seat20ais in a state of being further tilted than the neutral position in the rear direction (step206). In a case where the seat back23is in a state of being further tilted than the neutral position in the rear direction (step206: YES), the seat back23of the door opening side front seat20ais tilted in the front direction and thus is returned to the neutral position (step207).

In the step206, the seat ECU21according to the embodiment does not perform the processing of step207, in a case where the seat back23is not in a state of being further tilted than the neutral position (step206: NO). In addition, in step205, in a case where the seat ECU21determines that an occupant seats on the door opening side front seat20a(step205: YES), processing of step206and step207is not performed. Further, in step202, in a case where the seat ECU21determines that an occupant seats on the door opening side rear seat20d(step202: YES), processing of step203or later is not performed. In step201, in a case where the partial opening operation of the slide door4is not detected (step201: NO), processing of step202or later is not performed.

Hereinafter, according to the present embodiment, functions and effects as follows can be obtained.

(1) In other words, the partial door opening50is formed on the front end side of the slide door4, by the slide door4being opened in the rear direction of the vehicle. Therefore, accordingly, the luggage disposition portion55can be formed on the floor portion25facing the vehicle outside through the partial door opening50, that is, in a position which is loadable the luggage54through the partial door opening50, by the door opening side rear seat20dwhich is positioned on the side of the slide door4being moved to the rear side of the vehicle which is the opening operation direction of the slide door4. Accordingly, the luggage54is more smoothly loadable in a vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50.

(2) In addition, the luggage disposition portion55which is more smoothly and stably loadable the luggage can be formed regardless of the shape of the floor portion25facing the vehicle outside through the partial door opening50, by the luggage tray60which is stored in the lower side of the seat cushion22being deployed in the front side of the door opening side rear seat20d. In particular, the luggage tray60can be deployed even in a case where a placed object exists on the seat cushion22, by the luggage tray60being deployed in the lower side of the seat cushion22. Along with this, adhesion of dirt and water can be avoided by the luggage being directly loaded on the floor portion25.

(3) Further, the seat back23is not interfered with the luggage54when the luggage54is loaded in the vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50, by the seat back23of the door opening side front seat20abeing tilted in the front direction and thus is spaced apart from the partial door opening50. Accordingly, the luggage54is more smoothly loadable in the vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50.

(4) In addition, in a case where an occupant seats on the door opening side rear seat20d, control of movement in the rear direction of the door opening side rear seat20dand deployment control of the luggage tray60are not performed. Further, in a case where an occupant seats on the door opening side front seat20a, tilting (neutral return) control of the seat back23in the front direction is not performed. Accordingly, high reliability and safety can be secured.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, a second embodiment related to a method for controlling a vehicle seat and a device for controlling a vehicle seat will be described with reference to drawings. For convenience of description, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numeral and the description thereof will be omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 9andFIG. 10, the seat ECU21according to the present embodiment moves the door opening side rear seat20dwhich is positioned on the side of the slide door4in the closing operation direction, that is, to the front side of the vehicle (right side, in each drawing) as forming control of the luggage disposition portion in a case where the slide door4performs the partial opening operation. Specifically, the seat ECU21moves the door opening side rear seat20dto the foremost end of the slide position Pxs. Accordingly, the seat cushion22of the door opening side rear seat20dis configured to be moved to a position facing the vehicle outside through the partial door opening50which is formed by the slide door4performing partial opening operation, that is, to a position which is loadable the luggage54in the vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50.

Specifically, as illustrated in a flow chart inFIG. 11, in a case of detecting the partial opening operation of the slide door4(step301: YES), the seat ECU21according to the embodiment first determines whether or not an occupant seats on the door opening side rear seat20d(step302). Further, in a case where an occupant does not seat on the door opening side rear seat20d(step302: NO), subsequently, the seat ECU21determines whether or not a placed object is detected on the seat cushion22of the door opening side rear seat20d(step303). In a case where a placed object is not detected on the seat cushion22(step303: NO), with respect to the door opening side rear seat20dwhich is positioned on the side of the slide door4, the door opening side rear seat20dis moved to the foremost end of the slide position Pxs (step304).

On the other hand, in step303, in a case where a placed object is detected on the seat cushion22of the door opening side rear seat20d(step303: YES), the seat ECU21according to the embodiment moves the door opening side rear seat20dto the rearmost end of the slide position Pxs (step305), as in the first embodiment. In the embodiment, deployment control of the luggage tray60(seeFIG. 8, step204) is not performed as in the first embodiment.

Further, in the step304or in the step305, in a case where the door opening side rear seat20dis moved in any direction of the front direction and the rear direction, subsequently, the seat ECU21according to the embodiment determines whether or not an occupant seats on the door opening side front seat20a(step306) and whether or not the seat back23is further tilted in the rear direction than the neutral position (step307). As in the first embodiment, as the condition which satisfies the occupant non-detection requirement and the seat back tilting requirement in the rear direction (step306: NO, step307: YES), the seat back23of the door opening side front seat20ais moved to be tilted in the front direction and then is returned to the neutral position (step308).

Hereinafter, according to the embodiment, functions and effects as follows can be obtained.

(1) In other words, the seat cushion22can be disposed on a position facing the vehicle outside through the partial door opening50, that is, a position on which the luggage54is loadable through the partial door opening50, by the door opening side rear seat20dwhich is positioned on the side of the slide door4being moved to the vehicle front side which is the closing operation direction of the slide door4. Accordingly, the luggage54is more smoothly loadable in the vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50, by the seating surface22sof the seat cushion22using as the luggage disposition portion55.

(2) In addition, in a case where whether or not a placed object is detected on the seat cushion22of the door opening side rear seat20dis determined and a placed object is not detected, a placed object on the seat cushion22can be avoided to be hindered when the luggage54is loaded, by the door opening side rear seat20dbeing moved in the front direction.

(3) Further, in a case where a placed object is detected on the seat cushion22of the door opening side rear seat20d, the door opening side rear seat20dis moved in the vehicle rear side which is the opening operation direction of the slide door4and the luggage disposition portion55is formed on the front side of the door opening side rear seat20d, that is, on the floor portion25facing the vehicle outside through the partial door opening50. Accordingly, the luggage54is smoothly loadable in the vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50even in a case where a placed object is on the seat cushion22.

The embodiment may be modified as follows.

In each embodiment, in a case where the operating switch13which is provided in the outside door handle5aperforms so called “long pressing operation”, the slide door4is moved to the fully opened position Xo and in a case where the operating switch13performs so called “short pressing operation”, the slide door4performs the partial opening operation. However, it is not limited thereto, and the operating input method for requesting the partial opening operation of the slide door4, for example, such as change of operation number with respect to the operating input portion such as the operating switch13(two times or three times pressing) or the like may be set arbitrarily.

In each embodiment, the door ECU11can detect start of the partial opening operation control which is performed by the door ECU11, based on the control information Idc of the slide door4which is obtained from the door ECU11. However, it is not limited thereto and the partial opening operation of the slide door4may be configured to be detected afterwards. Even in a case where the slide door4manually performs the partial opening operation, forming control of the luggage disposition portion may be performed.

In each embodiment, specifically, although the rear seat (door opening side rear seat20d) is positioned at the side of the slide door4, the front seat may be positioned at the slide door side. The opening operation direction of the slide door may be configured to be in the vehicle front side.

In other words, for example, in configuration of the front seat being positioned at the side of the slide door which is opened to the vehicle front side, the luggage disposition portion55can be formed on the floor portion25facing the vehicle outside through the partial door opening50which is formed on the rear side of the front seat or on the rear portion seat, by the front seat being moved to the vehicle front side which is the opening operation direction of the slide door. The luggage54can be disposed on the position facing the vehicle outside through the partial door opening50, that is, can be disposed on the position on which the luggage is loadable through the partial door opening50using the seat cushion22as the luggage disposition portion55, by the front seat being moved to the vehicle rear side which is the opening operation direction of the slide door.

In each embodiment, in a case where the seat back23of the door opening side front seat20ais in a state of being further tilted in the rear direction than the neutral position, the seat back23is spaced apart from the partial door opening50, by the seat back23being tilted in the front direction and returned to the neutral position. However, it is not limited thereto and starting condition of tilting control so that the seat back23is spaced apart from the partial door opening50and tilting amount (tilting position) of the seat back23may be set arbitrarily. Further, for example, in the configuration of the front seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door which performs the opening operation to the vehicle front side being moved to the vehicle rear side which is the closing operation direction of the slide door, that is, in a case where the seat cushion22of the front seat is used as the luggage disposition portion55, the seat cushion22may be configured to be spaced apart from the partial door opening50by the seat back23being tilted in the rear direction. With respect to the seat20on which the seat back23is disposed in the vicinity of the partial door opening50, configuration in which control of the seat back23of the seat20being tilted to the direction along which the seat back23is spaced apart from the partial door opening is not performed is also not excluded.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 12, the door opening side front seat20amay be configured to be spaced apart from the partial door opening50by the door opening side front seat20abeing moved in the front direction. The seat back23of the door opening side front seat20ais hard to be interfered with the luggage, when the luggage is loaded in the vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50, by adopting such a configuration. Application to the configuration (seeFIG. 10) in which the door opening side rear seat20dis moved to the vehicle front side as a forming control of the luggage disposition portion can also achieve the same effect. In the configuration in which the door opening side rear seat20dis moved to the vehicle rear side as a forming control of the luggage disposition portion, the luggage disposition portion55which is formed on (floor portion25of) the front side of the door opening side rear seat20dcan be expanded.

Further, the opening operation direction of the slide door may be configured to be in the vehicle front side. In other words, in this case, the rear seat which is disposed on the vehicle rear side which is the closing operation direction of the slide door is moved in the rear direction with respect to the front seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door. Accordingly, interference between the seat back23and the luggage with each other can be avoided when the luggage is loaded through the partial door opening50. In a configuration in which the front seat which is positioned in the side of the slide door as the forming control of the luggage disposition portion, the luggage disposition portion55which is formed on (floor portion25of) the rear side of the front seat can be expanded.

In each embodiment, it is determined whether or not an occupant seats on the door opening side rear seat20dwhich is positioned on the side of the slide door4and in a case where an occupant seats (seeFIG. 8toFIG. 11, step202: YES, step302: YES), operation control of the seat20for forming the luggage disposition portion55is not performed.

However, it is not limited thereto and as illustrated in a flow chart ofFIG. 13, in a case where seating of an occupant is detected on the door opening side rear seat20dwhich is positioned on the side of the slide door4(step402: YES), it is determined that whether or not the occupant is an occupant (child) who should be seated on a child seat which is provided to the door opening side rear seat20d(step405). In a case where it is determined that an occupant which seats on the child seat is detected (step405: YES), it may be configured that the door opening side rear seat20dis moved in the rear direction (step403), and the luggage tray60which is stored in the lower side of the door opening side rear seat20dis deployed in the front side of the door opening side rear seat20d(step404).

In other words, in a case where an occupant of the door opening side rear seat20dis a child which seats on the child seat on the seat cushion22, feet of the child are hard to be interfered with the luggage tray60which is deployed in the lower side of the seat cushion22and the luggage which is loaded to the luggage tray60. Therefore, according to the configuration, even in the situation described above, the luggage54is smoothly loadable in the vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50.

In the first embodiment, the door opening side rear seat20dis moved to the rearmost end of the slide position Pxs (seeFIG. 7), and in the second embodiment, the door opening side rear seat20dis moved to the foremost end of the slide position Pxs (seeFIG. 10). However, it is not limited thereto and as the forming control of the luggage disposition portion, the movement amount (movement position) when the seat20which is positioned on the side of the slide door4is moved to any direction of the front direction and the rear direction may be set arbitrarily.

In addition, in the second embodiment, the deployment control of the luggage tray60as in the first embodiment is not performed. However, it is not limited thereto and in a case where the luggage tray60is provided in the door opening side rear seat20d, the deployment control of the luggage tray60may be performed. In the first embodiment, there may be a configuration which does not perform the deployment control of the luggage tray60, that is, a configuration in which the floor portion25of front side of the door opening side rear seat20dfacing the vehicle outside through the partial door opening50is used as the luggage disposition portion55.

In the second embodiment, in a case where a placed object is detected on the seat cushion22of the door opening side rear seat20d(step303: YES), as in the first embodiment, the door opening side rear seat20dis moved in the rear direction (step305). However, it is not limited thereto and in a case where a placed object is detected on the seat cushion22, it may be configured that the movement in the front direction and in the rear direction of the door opening side rear seat20dis not performed. Without performing the detection of a placed object on the seat cushion22, the door opening side rear seat20dmay be moved in the front direction.

Further, in a configuration in which the seating surface22sof the seat cushion22is used in the luggage disposition portion55, the operation of the seat20may be controlled so that the seating surface22sis flattened or expanded.

For example, as in a flow chart ofFIG. 14, the door opening side rear seat20dwhich is positioned on the side of the slide door4is moved in the front direction (step504) and the seating surface22sis flattened (step505), by tilting (tilting adjustment) mechanism of the seat cushion22, side support adjustment mechanism, or the like which is provided in the door opening side rear seat20d. Further, the seating surface22smay expand (step506) or the like, by front side extension function of the seat cushion22.

By adopting such a configuration, the luggage is more smoothly and stably loadable using the seating surface22sof the seat cushion22as the luggage disposition portion55. Any one of flattening and expansion of the seat cushion22may be performed.

In the first embodiment, although the luggage tray60which is deployed toward the front side of the door opening side rear seat20dis provided in the lower side of the seat cushion22in the door opening side rear seat20d, the configuration of a luggage disposition member which is deployed in the forming control of the luggage disposition portion is not necessarily limited thereto.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 15A, in a case of the seat20(20d) having a luggage disposition member72of which a back surface71sbecomes the luggage disposition portion55by a backrest portion71of the seat back23being collapsed in the front direction, the luggage disposition member72may be configured to be deployed. As illustrated inFIG. 15B, in a case of the seat20(20d) having a luggage disposition member74which forms the luggage disposition portion55in the inside of the seat cushion22by a seating portion73of the seat cushion22being jumped in the upper direction, the luggage disposition member74may be configured to be deployed.

In a configuration in which any one of the luggage disposition members72and74illustrated inFIG. 15AandFIG. 15Bis provided in the door opening side rear seat20d, the door opening side rear seat20dmay be moved in the front direction, that is, in the closing operation direction of the slide door4in conjunction with the deployment of the luggage disposition members72and74. Accordingly, the luggage54is more smoothly loadable in a vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50. As the forming control of the luggage disposition portion, the luggage disposition members72and74(or luggage tray60) may be configured to be deployed without the door opening side rear seat20dbeing moved.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 15C, with respect to the door opening side front seat20a, in a case where a luggage tray75which is deployed toward the rear side is provided in the lower side of the seat cushion22, the luggage tray75may be configured to be deployed. Even in a case where such a luggage tray75is used in the luggage disposition portion55, the luggage54is smoothly loadable in the vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50.

In addition, in the first embodiment, the tray actuator65which is capable of performing a deploying operation and a storing operation of the luggage tray60using the motor63as a driving source is provided in the door opening side rear seat20d. However, it is not limited thereto and for example, a drive source may be arbitrarily changed such as using of an elastic member such as a spring or the like. In other words, as the forming control of the luggage disposition portion, at least the luggage disposition members (60,72,74and75) may be deployed and the storing operation can be manually performed.

In each embodiment, as forming control of the luggage disposition portion, the operation of the door opening side rear seat20dand the door opening side front seat20ais controlled. However, it is not limited thereto and the same operation control may be performed with respect to each seat20(20band20c) arranged adjacent to each other in the position which is further spaced apart from the partial door opening50than each seat20(20aand20d). At least three seats20may be also applied to the configuration arranged in a vehicle width direction. By adopting such a configuration, the luggage disposition portion55which is loadable larger luggage may be formed.

“Position which is loadable the luggage54through the partial door opening50” does not necessarily have to be a position that can be seen from the outside of the vehicle. For example, if the position is a position in which the luggage is capable of being disposed while a hand is inserted into the vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50, the position may be a position hidden by the slide door4.

In addition, at the time of the partial opening operation of the slide door4, the luggage disposition portion55formed as described above and the vicinity thereof may be illuminated. By adopting such a configuration, even at night, the luggage54is more smoothly loadable in the vehicle interior6through the partial door opening50. Further, at this time, illuminated areas may be limited (for example, seeFIG. 12, spot illuminated area a on the floor portion25). For example, an illumination device may be provided in a position close to the luggage disposition portion55, such as the rear surface portion of the seat back23in the door opening side front seat20aor the lower side of the seat cushion22in the door opening side rear seat20d. Accordingly, a crime prevention effect can be expected that the third person is hard to confirm the appearance of the user who operates the slide door4.

In each embodiment, an occupant seating state and presence or absence of a placed object in each seat20are detected, based on the output signal S1of the seating sensor41and the output signal S2(Ws) of the load sensor42. However, it is not limited thereto and the method for detecting the occupant seating state and for detecting a placed object on the seat cushion22may be changed arbitrarily.

It is preferable that a method for controlling a vehicle seat according to an aspect of this disclosure includes detecting a partial opening operation that a slide door which is provided in a side surface of a vehicle operates from a fully closed position to a position in the middle of reaching a fully opened position of the slide door; and controlling an operation of the seat which is provided in a vehicle interior in order to form a luggage disposition portion on a position on which the luggage is loadable through door opening of a side surface of the vehicle which is formed by the partial opening operation, in a case where the slide door performs the partial opening operation.

According to this configuration, the luggage is more smoothly loadable in the vehicle interior through the partial door opening, by using the luggage disposition portion which is formed by an operation of the seat which is provided in the vehicle interior.

In the method for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door in a vehicle width direction is moved in an opening operation direction of the slide door, when the operation of the seat is controlled in order to form the luggage disposition portion.

That is, the partial door opening is formed on an end portion of side opposite to the opening operation direction, by the slide door being opened. Accordingly, the luggage disposition portion can be formed on a floor portion of the position on which the luggage is loadable through the partial door opening, by the seat positioned on the side of the slide door being moved in the opening operation direction of the slide door. Accordingly, the luggage is smoothly loadable in the vehicle interior through the partial door opening.

In the method for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door in a vehicle width direction is moved in a closing operation direction of the slide door, when the operation of the seat is controlled in order to form the luggage disposition portion.

That is, a seat cushion of the seat can be disposed on the position on which the luggage is loadable through the partial door opening, by the seat positioned on the side of the slide door being moved in the closing operation direction of the slide door. Accordingly, the luggage is more smoothly loadable in the vehicle interior through the partial door opening, by a seating surface of the seat cushion being used as the luggage disposition portion.

In the method for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, a placed object is detected on a seat cushion which forms a seating surface of the seat, and the seat is moved in the closing operation direction of the slide door in a case where the placed object is not detected on the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door.

According to this configuration, a placed object on the seat cushion can be prevented from interfering the luggage when the luggage is loaded.

In the method for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, the seat is moved in an opening operation direction of the slide door, in a case where the placed object is detected on the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door.

In the method for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, a seat back of the seat is tilted in a direction which is spaced apart from the door opening with respect to the seat on which the seat back is disposed in the vicinity of the door opening, when the operation of the seat is controlled in order to form the luggage disposition portion.

According to this configuration, the seat back can be prevented from being interfered with the luggage when the luggage is loaded in the vehicle interior through the partial door opening. Accordingly, the luggage is more smoothly loadable in the vehicle interior through the partial door opening.

In the method for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, a luggage disposition member which is provided in the seat positioned in the vicinity of the door opening is deployed, when the operation of the seat is controlled in order to form the luggage disposition portion.

In the method for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, the luggage disposition member which is stored in the lower side of the seat cushion which forms the seating surface of the seat is deployed in the lower side of the seat cushion, when the luggage disposition member is deployed.

According to this configuration, the luggage is more smoothly loadable in the vehicle interior through the partial door opening, by using the luggage disposition member which is deployed.

In the method for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, an occupant seating state is detected on the seat, and the operating control in order to form the luggage disposition portion is not performed with respect to the seat on which the occupant seats.

In the method for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, a seat is moved in a closing operation direction of the slide door when being disposed on the side of the closing operation direction of the slide door with respect to the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door, when the seat operation is controlled in order to form the luggage disposition portion.

In the method for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, an occupant seating state is detected on the seat, and the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door is moved in the opening operation direction of the slide door and the luggage disposition member which is provided in the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door is deployed from the lower side to the front side of the seat cushion, in a case where an occupant which seats on a child seat is detected on the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door, when the seat operation is controlled in order to form the luggage disposition portion.

In the method for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, a seating surface of the seat cushion of the seat is flattened, when an operation of the seat is controlled in order to form the luggage disposition portion.

In the method for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, a seating surface of the seat cushion of the seat is expanded, when an operation of the seat is controlled in order to form the luggage disposition portion.

In the method for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, the same operation control is performed to the plurality of seats arranged in a vehicle width direction, when an operation of the seat is controlled in order to form the luggage disposition portion.

According to this configuration, high reliability and safety can be secured.

It is preferable that a device for controlling a vehicle seat according to another aspect of this disclosure includes a partial opening operation detecting portion which detects a partial opening operation that a slide door which is provided in a side surface of a vehicle operates from a fully closed position to a position in the middle of reaching a fully opened position of the slide door; and a seat controlling unit which controls an operation of the seat which is provided in a vehicle interior so that a luggage disposition portion is formed on a position on which the luggage is loadable through door opening of a side surface of the vehicle which is formed by the partial opening operation, in a case where the slide door performs the partial opening operation.

In the device for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, it is preferable that the seat controlling unit causes the seat positioned on the side of the slide door to be moved in an opening operation direction of the slide door.

In the device for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, it is preferable that the seat controlling unit causes the seat positioned on the side of the slide door to be moved in a closing operation direction of the slide door.

In the device for controlling a vehicle seat according to the aspect of this disclosure, the seat controlling unit tilts a seat back of the seat in a direction which is spaced apart from a door opening with respect to the seat on which the seat back is disposed in the vicinity of the door opening.

According to the aspects of this disclosure, the luggage is more smoothly loadable in the vehicle interior through the partial door opening.

Next, technical ideas that can be grasped from the above embodiments will be described in conjunction with effects.

(a) In the method for controlling a vehicle seat, the step for controlling operation of the seat in order to form the luggage disposition portion includes a step for moving a second seat which is disposed on the closing operation direction of the slide door in the closing operation direction of the slide door with respect to the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door.

According to the configuration, the seat back of the second seat can be prevented from being interfered with the luggage when the luggage is loaded in the vehicle interior through the partial door opening. As forming control of the luggage disposition portion, in a configuration in which the seat (first seat) which is positioned on the side of the slide door is moved to the opening operation direction of the slide door, the luggage disposition portion which is formed in the closing operation direction of the slide door can be expand.

(b) In the method for controlling a vehicle seat, the step for deploying the luggage disposition member deploys the luggage disposition member which is stored in the lower side of the seat cushion from the lower side of the seat cushion.

According to the configuration, even in a case where a placed object is in the seat cushion, the luggage disposition member can be deployed.

(c) The method for controlling a vehicle seat further includes a step for detecting a seating state of an occupant on the seat, and the step for controlling an operation of the seat in order to form the luggage disposition portion includes a step for moving the seat which positions on the side of the slide door in the opening operation direction of the slide door and a step for deploying the luggage disposition member which is provided on the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door from the lower side to the front side of the seat cushion in a case where an occupant which seats on a child seat is detected on the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door.

In other words, in a case where an occupant on the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door is a child which is seated on the child seat on the seat cushion, the feet of the occupant are hard to be interfered with the luggage disposition member which is deployed in the lower side of the seat cushion, and the luggage which is disposed on the luggage disposition member. Therefore, according to the configuration, even in the situation described above, the luggage is smoothly loadable in the vehicle interior through the partial door opening.

(d) In the method for controlling a vehicle seat, the seat is moved in an opening operation direction of the slide door, in a case where the placed object is detected on the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door.

According to the configuration, even in a case where a placed object exists on the seat cushion, the luggage disposition portion can be disposed on which the luggage is loadable through the partial door opening, in the opening operation direction of the slide door other than the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door. Accordingly, the luggage is more smoothly loadable in a vehicle interior through a partial door opening.

(e) In the method for controlling a vehicle seat, the step for controlling operation of the seat in order to form the luggage disposition portion includes a step for flattening a seating surface of the seat cushion.

(f) In the method for controlling a vehicle seat, the step for controlling operation of the seat in order to form the luggage disposition portion includes a step for expanding a seating surface of the seat cushion.

According to the configuration, the luggage is more smoothly and stably loadable using the seating surface of the seat cushion as the luggage disposition portion.

(g) In the method for controlling a vehicle seat, the step for controlling operation of the seat in order to form the luggage disposition portion performs the same operation control with respect to the plurality of seats arranged in the vehicle width direction. By adopting such a configuration, the luggage disposition portion which is loadable the larger luggage may be formed.

(h) In a device for controlling a vehicle seat, the device includes a placed object detecting portion which detects a placed object on a seat cushion. The seat controlling unit moves the seat in the closing operation direction of the slide door, in a case where the placed object is not detected on the seat which is positioned on the side of the slide door.

(i) In the device for controlling a vehicle seat, the seat controlling unit tilts a seat back of the seat in a direction which is spaced apart from a door opening with respect to the seat on which the seat back is disposed in the vicinity of the partial door opening portion.

(j) In the device for controlling a vehicle seat, the seat controlling unit deploys a luggage disposition member which is provided in the seat positioned in the vicinity of the partial door opening.

(k) In the device for controlling a vehicle seat, the device further includes a seating state detecting portion which detects an occupant seating state on the seat. The seat controlling unit does not perform the operation control for forming the luggage disposition portion with respect to the seat on which the occupant seats.