Driving position adjusting device for automotive vehicle

The pedal adjusting devises and the floor adjusting device control pedals and the movable floor respectively according to the driver's body size detected, with first adjusting characteristic such that the pedals become closer to the driver and the movable floor goes up further, as the driver's body size detected becomes small, and with second adjusting characteristics, which are different from the first characteristics, for the driver having the relatively small body size whose body size detected is smaller than the specified body size. Accordingly, the arrangement positions of the pedals and the going-up-and-down position of the floor can be properly adjusted for drivers having different body sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a driving position adjusting device for an automotive vehicle which adjusts a driving position of a driver in a driver's seat. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device which adjusts a position of a driving operational system including a pedal operated by the driver, specifically an arrangement position of a pedal, or a going-up-and-down position of a movable floor which is disposed near the pedal.

Conventionally, different type of devices which adjust the position of the driving operational system including the pedal, the floor or the like according to a driver's body size detected are known (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-69655).

In the conventional devices, the driving operational system is adjusted such that its arrangement position becomes further away from the driver as the driver's body size becomes large, while its arrangement position becomes closer to the driver as the driver's body size becomes small. Namely, the arrangement position of the driving operational system is adjusted with an adjusting characteristic which is substantially in proportion to the driver's body size.

Herein, generally the female driver tends to wear shoes having high heels than the male driver. Thus, the substantially length of the driver's legs differs according the heel height of the shoes the driver wears, and thereby it differs from the real body size of the driver. Accordingly, there is a problem that the position of the pedal or the floor disposed near the pedal, which belong to the driving operational system, could not be properly adjusted with an adjusting characteristic which is just in proportion to the driver's body size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been devised in view of the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a driving position adjusting device for an automotive vehicle which can adjust the position of the driving operational system properly for drivers having different body sizes.

According to the present invention, there is provided a driving position adjusting device for an automotive vehicle which adjusts a driving position of a driver in a driver's seat, comprising a driver's body size detecting device operative to detect a body size of the driver, a driving operational system including a pedal operated by the driver, an adjusting device operative to adjust a position of the driving operational system, a control device operative to control the adjusting device, wherein the control device controls the adjusting device with a first adjusting characteristic and a second adjusting characteristic according to the driver's body size detected by the driver's body size detecting device, the above-described first adjusting characteristic being such that the position of the driving operational system adjusted by the adjusting device becomes closer to the driver as the driver's body size detected becomes small, the above-described second adjusting characteristic being to control the adjusting device for the driver having a relatively small body size whose body size detected is smaller than a specified body size, the second adjusting characteristic having a different characteristic with respect to the driver's body size from the first adjusting characteristic.

According to this constitution, the position of the driving operational system with respect to the driver can be properly adjusted in consideration of the driver' body size and the heel height of the driver's shoes.

Specifically, the driving position adjusting device comprises a pedal adjusting device operative to adjust an arrangement position of the pedal. Herein, the pedal adjusting device adjusts the pedal arrangement position with a first adjusting characteristic and a second adjusting characteristic according to the driver's body size detected by the driver's body size detecting device, wherein the first adjusting characteristic is such that the pedal arrangement position adjusted by the pedal adjusting device becomes closer to the driver as the driver's body size detected becomes small, the second adjusting characteristic is to control the pedal adjusting device for the driver having the relatively small body size whose body size detected is smaller than the specified body size, and the second adjusting characteristic has a different characteristic with respect to the driver's body size from the first adjusting characteristic.

Accordingly, since the pedal arrangement position (an operational angle and a height of a pedal pressing face) is adjusted with the first adjusting characteristic which is substantially in proportion to the driver' body size, the pedal position becomes closer to the driver as the driver's body size becomes small, so that the pedal arrangement position can be adjusted properly according to the driver's body size.

Further, the pedal arrangement position is adjusted with the second adjusting characteristic for the driver whose body size detected is smaller than the specified body size. Namely, since there exists a case where the pedal position could not properly adjusted only with the first adjusting characteristic in proportion to the driver's body size due to the height of the heels of the shoes which the driver wears, the second adjusting characteristic different to the first adjusting characteristic is used for the driver having the relatively small body size. Thus, the pedal arrangement position can be adjusted properly according to the driver's body size in consideration of the height of the heels of the shoes.

Meanwhile, the driving position adjusting device comprises a movable floor which is disposed near the pedal of the driving operational system and arranged so as to go up and down, and a floor adjusting device operative to adjust a going-up-and-down position of the movable floor. Herein, the floor adjusting device adjusts going-up-and-down position of the movable floor with a first adjusting characteristic and a second adjusting characteristic according to the driver's body size detected by the driver's body size detecting device, wherein the first adjusting characteristic is such that the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor adjusted becomes higher as the driver's body size detected becomes small, the second adjusting characteristic is to control the floor adjusting device for the driver having the relatively small body size whose body size detected is smaller than the specified body size, and the second adjusting characteristic has the different characteristic with respect to the driver's body size from the first adjusting characteristic.

Accordingly, like the above-described pedal position adjustment, since the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor is adjusted with the first adjusting characteristic which is substantially in proportion to the driver' body size, the movable floor adjusted goes up higher as the driver's body size detected becomes small, so that the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor can be adjusted properly according to the driver's body size.

Also, since the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor is adjusted with the second adjusting characteristic different from the first adjusting characteristic for the driver whose body size detected is small than the specified body size, it can be adjusted properly according to the driver's body size in consideration of the height of the heels of the shoes.

Herein, the above-described “the specified body size” may be set at, for example, a body size of a relatively small-sized male driver. Herein, drivers with such a body size smaller than the specified body size can be considered as female drivers. Namely, it is assumed that such drivers may be equivalent to the drivers who tend to wear shows with high heels.

The second adjusting characteristic may be such that the pedal arrangement position adjusted or the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor adjusted becomes closer to the driver as the driver's body size detected becomes small, and such that a changing amount of adjusting the pedal arrangement position or the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor with respect to the driver's body size is restrained compared with the first adjusting characteristic.

Accordingly, the pedal arrangement position or the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor for the driver having the body size smaller than the specified body size are adjusted by the pedal adjusting device or the floor adjusting device so as not to be changed greatly compared with the respective positions for the driver having the specified body size. Thus, the pedal arrangement position or the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor can be properly adjusted for the female driver whose substantial length of the legs becomes longer due to the shoes with high heels.

Also, since the second adjusting characteristic is the characteristic in which the adjusting amount is somewhat restrained, the moving range of the pedal and the movable floor can be made smaller, thereby enlarging a passenger-compartment space of the vehicle.

Also, the second adjusting characteristic may be such that the pedal arrangement position adjusted or the going-up-and-down position adjusted of the movable floor do not change substantially according to the driver's body size.

Accordingly, the pedal arrangement position or the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor for the driver having the body size smaller than the specified body size are adjusted so as to remain at the positions for the driver having the specified body size. Thus, likewise, the pedal arrangement position or the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor can be properly adjusted for the female driver whose substantial length of the legs becomes longer due to the shoes with high heels. Also, the moving range of the pedal and the movable floor can be made smaller, thereby enlarging the passenger-compartment space of the vehicle as well.

Also, the second adjusting characteristic may be such that the pedal arrangement position adjusted becomes further away from the driver or the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor adjusted becomes lower as the driver's body size detected becomes small.

Accordingly, the pedal arrangement position or the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor for the driver having the body size smaller than the specified body size are adjusted such that the pedal arrangement position adjusted is further away from the driver or the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor adjusted is lower, compared with the respective positions for the driver having the specified body size. Thus, likewise, the pedal arrangement position or the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor can be properly adjusted for the female driver whose substantial length of the legs becomes longer due to the shoes with high heels. Also, the moving range of the pedal and the movable floor can be made smaller, thereby enlarging the passenger-compartment space of the vehicle as well.

The above-described pedal comprises a bake pedal and an accelerator pedal, and the above-described pedal adjusting device comprises a brake pedal adjusting device operative to adjust a position of the brake pedal and an accelerator pedal adjusting device operative to adjust a position of the accelerator pedal. Herein, the control device may control the brake pedal adjusting device with the first adjusting characteristic and control the accelerator pedal adjusting device with the first and second adjusting characteristics.

Namely, since the accelerator pedal is operated by the driver's foot with its heel placed on the floor, the position of the accelerator pedal is adjusted by the accelerator adjusting device with the first and second adjusting characteristics. Accordingly, the appropriate adjusting of the accelerator pedal considering the heel height of the driver's shoes can be attained.

Meanwhile, since the brake pedal is operated by the driver's foot with its heel away from the floor in most cases, the appropriate arrangement position of the brake pedal would not be affected by the heel height of the shoes. Also, the brake pedal tends to receive relatively strong pressing forces during the quick braking or the like, and generally the smaller sized drivers tend to press the pedal with a relatively smaller pressing force. Accordingly, the position of the brake pedal is adjusted by the brake pedal adjusting device with the first adjusting characteristic which is substantially proportional to the driver's body size. Thereby, the brake pedal is adjusted such that it becomes closer to the driver as the driver's body size becomes small. Thus, the appropriate pressing force can be ensured according to the driver's body size, adjusting the arrangement position of the brake pedal properly.

Accordingly, the proper adjustments of the pedal arrangement positions can be attained with the different adjusting characteristics for the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal.

Generally, the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are arranged in such a manner that the brake pedal is a little behind the accelerator pedal (the brake pedal is located closer to the driver). This is because the pressing stroke of the brake pedal is longer than that of the accelerator pedal and thus the position difference between the both pedals which are pressed is made small as much as possible. Accordingly, the proper pedal-pressing changing from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal during vehicle starting or the like can be ensured.

Also, the rearward disposition of the brake pedal would be appropriate to prevent an erroneous operation of the brake pedal, such as the panic braking.

Further, the brake pedal adjusting device and the accelerator pedal adjusting device may be controlled according to the driver's body size detected by the driver's body size detecting device such that a relative position of the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal becomes closer as the driver's body size detected becomes small.

Accordingly, as the driver's body size becomes small, the longitudinal and/or lateral distances between the brake and accelerator pedals becomes smaller. Thus, the necessary changing distance of the driver's foot between the both pedals becomes small. Thereby, it can be easy for the driver having the relatively small foot to change the pedal pressing between the pedals, thereby improving the pedal-pressing changing for any body-sized driver.

The above-described driving position adjusting device may also comprise a floor adjusting device.

Thereby, since the pedal arrangement position is adjusted by the pedal adjusting device and the floor going-up-and-down position is adjusted by the floor adjusting device, the driver's position with respect to the pedal can be adjusted more specifically and properly. Also, the adjusting amount of the pedal can be made smaller by the adjustment of the floor going-up-and-down position, and the pedal moving range can be made smaller, thereby enlarging the passenger-compartment space of the vehicle.

Also, there may be provided a seat adjusting device operative to adjust a position of a sitting face of the driver's seat and a seat position detecting device operative to detect the position of the sitting face of the driver's seat which is adjusted by said seat adjusting device. The driver's body size detecting device may comprise the seat position detecting device.

Accordingly, there is no need of providing an additional body size detecting device, and the body size is detected automatically by the position of the sitting face on which the driver sits after adjusting the seat adjusting device. Then, the pedal arrangement position is adjusted by the pedal adjusting device. Namely, the proper adjustment of the driver's driving position can be attained after the driver has decided the driver's proper position on the seat with respect to the steering wheel and driver' eyes by adjusting the sitting position.

The seat adjusting device may adjust a longitudinal position, a vertical position and an angle of the sitting face of the seat together such that the driver is located in a mode position corresponding to the driver's body size and the driver in the mode position is rotated around a specified rotational axis extending in a vehicle width direction, whereby the driver's eyes can be located substantially at the same position regardless of the body size of the driver. And, the pedal adjusting device may adjust the arrangement position of the pedal, in cooperation with the adjusting of the sitting face by the seat adjusting device.

Since the seat adjusting device adjusts the longitudinal position, vertical position and angle of the sitting face of the seat together, the moving range of the pedal and the movable floor can be made smaller, adjusting properly the sitting position of the driver having the different body sizes. Also, since the pedal adjusting device adjusts the operational angle and the height of pressing face of the pedal in cooperation with the adjusting of the sitting face by the seat adjusting device, the foot angle with respect to the pedal can be properly adjusted according to the rotated sitting position of the driver. Further, the floor adjusting device may adjust the going-up-and-down position and angle of the movable floor, in cooperation with the adjusting of the sitting face by the seat adjusting device. Likewise, the foot angle with respect to the pedal can be properly adjusted according to the rotated sitting position of the driver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described referring to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that even though embodiments are separately described, single features thereof may be combined to additional embodiments.

FIG. 1illustrates an entire structure of a driving position adjusting device1for an automotive vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The driving position adjusting device1, which adjusts the driving position of the driver in a driver's seat31provided a steering wheel2, comprises a seat adjusting device4operative to adjust a position of the seat31, a floor adjusting device5operative to adjust a going-up-and-down position of a movable floor51which is disposed near pedals, an accelerator pedal adjusting device7operative to adjust an arrangement position of an accelerator pedal71, and a brake pedal adjusting device8operative to adjust an arrangement position of a brake pedal81.

There is provided a slide mechanism40at a portion on and under floor91where the driver seat is located. The slide mechanism40, as illustrated inFIG. 2, comprises a pair of lower rails41which is fixed to the under floor91, and a pair of upper rails42which is provided in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as simply “longitudinally”), engaging with the lower rails41. Herein, the upper rails42are normally fixed to the lower rails.

The above-described seat adjusting device4is provided between the upper rails42and a seat frame32to which a seat cushion of the seat31is fixed, and adjusts a longitudinal position, a vertical position and an angle of a sitting face of the seat31together.

Specifically, the seat adjusting device4comprises a front link44and a rear link45which are coupled to support brackets43attached to the upper rail42via pin connection. The front link44is also coupled to a front end of the seat frame32via pin connection, and the rear link45is also coupled to a rear end of the seat frame32.

Herein, the front link44is constituted so as to be longer than the rear link45, and a slit45ais formed at the rear link45so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the rear link45.

The seat adjusting device4is located at a middle position between the front and rear links44and45, and comprises a gear box46which is fixed to the upper rail42.

The gear box46comprises an operation lever47, a ratchet47awhich is rotabaly attached to the operation lever47, a gear47bwhich can rotate engaging with the ratchet47a, a pinion (or a worm)47cwhich is integrated to and rotate with the gear47b, and a rack member48which engages with the pinion47c.

The operation lever47, the lever to be operated by the driver manually, is attached to the gear box46so as to rotate around a rotational axis extending in the vehicle width direction. The above-described gear47band pinion47care attached to the gear box so as to rotate around another rotational axis which is parallel to the above-described rotational axis of the operation lever47(and the ratchet47a).

The above-described rack member48is disposed so as to extend longitudinally, and its central portion engages with the pinion47c. A rear end of the rack member48is coupled to the above-described slit45aof the rear link45via pin connection.

According to the above-described structure, as the driver operates the operation lever47, the rack member48moves longitudinally via the ratchet47a, gear47band pinion47c. Thereby, the rear link45, which is coupled via a slide pin48a, rises. Then, the seat frame32and the sitting face of the seat31change their positions according to the front and rear links44and45. Herein, since the respective link length of the front link44and the rear link45are different, the longitudinal position, vertical position and angle of the sitting face are changed together. Specifically, as the sitting face moves forward, it moves upward and its angle relative to the horizontal line becomes small (as illustrated by two-dotted broken lines inFIG. 2). Meanwhile, as the sitting face moves rearward, it moves downward further and its angle relative to the horizontal line becomes larger (as illustrated by one-dotted broken lines inFIG. 2). Herein, a position a1inFIG. 1illustrates the sitting position of a driver having a large body size, a position b1illustrates the sitting position of a driver having a specified body size (a male driver having a relatively small body size), a position c1illustrates the sitting position of a driver having a body size smaller than the above-described specified body size (a female driver).

As described above, since the longitudinal position, vertical position and angle of the sitting face are changed together, the driving position (mode) can be changed properly according to the driver's body size. Namely, as illustrated inFIG. 3, the large drivers M1and M2(the male driver having the relatively large body size) provide a driving position with bent knees (a so-called RV-vehicle driving position (RV mode), seeFIG. 4). Also, the small drivers M3and F3(the male driver having the relatively small body size, or the female driver having the relatively small body size) provide a driving position with extended knees (a so-called sedan-vehicle driving position (sedan mode), seeFIG. 4). Herein, as illustrated inFIG. 4, adjusting of the above-described sitting face is conducted so as to rotate the driver in the mode position corresponding to the body size around a specified rotational axis extending in the vehicle width direction (for example, a swinging axis of the accelerator pedal71) (see P1and P1′ inFIG. 4). By combining these mode and rotation, the driver's eyes E of the respective different-body-sized drivers M1, M2and M3can be located substantially at the same position as illustrated inFIG. 3.

Further, since the driving position of the large driver is such that the knees are bent and the driving position of the small driver is such that the knees are extended, the longitudinal moving range of the seat31can be reduced properly (see L1inFIG. 4).

And, the position of the seat31(the sitting face) is detected by a seat position detecting sensor49which is provided at the seat31as illustrated inFIG. 1.

The movable floor51which is adjusted by the floor adjusting device5is provided near the above-described pedals71and81. The movable floor51comprises a front floor51aand a rear floor51b, which are pivotally connected, as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6. A front end of the front floor51ais pivotally supported at the under floor91around a laterally-extending axis. A rear end of the rear floor51bis placed on an upper floor92, covering a base plate52, so as to slide over the floor92according to the movement of the movable floor51, which will be described in detail below.

The floor adjusting device5is provided between the fixed under floor91and the movable floor51. The floor adjusting device5comprises the base plate52which is attached to the upper face of the under floor91and extends laterally below the driver seat, two link rods53(only one is illustrated inFIG. 5) which extend longitudinally, two swing arms54(only one is illustrated inFIG. 5) which are coupled to front ends of the link rods53via pin connection respectively, and two motor links55(only one is illustrated inFIG. 5) which are coupled to rear ends of the link rods53via pin connection respectively. Also, a floor motor56is provided at a central portion of the base plate52in the vehicle width direction, and its output shaft56aextends outward in the vehicle width direction.

The two link rods53are disposed at the outer both sides of the base plate52respectively as illustrated inFIG. 6.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, respective one ends of the motor links55are coupled to the rear ends of the link rods53via pin connection, and their other ends are coupled to the output shaft56a.

The respective swing arms54are formed respectively in a substantially L shape, when viewed from the side, and their bent portions are pivotally connected to a rotational axis54awhich is provided at the front end face of the base plate52and extends laterally. Respective one ends of the swing arms54are coupled to the front end of the link rods53via pin connection, and at the other ends of the swing arms54are rotatably attached a roller57which extend laterally. The roller57are disposed so as to interconnect the two swing arms54located at the both sides of the base plate52, and also contact the lower face of the movable floor51(the front floor51a).

Accordingly, when the floor motor56is driven, the link rods53move back and forth via the motor links55, and thereby the swing arms54are rotated around the rotational axis54. Thus, the vertical position of the roller57attached to the swing arms54is changed, and thereby the movable floor51contacted by the roller57goes up and down, so that the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor51can be changed. Namely, when the floor motor56is driven so as to move the link rods53rearward, the swing arms54are rotated anticlockwise, resulting in the roller57moving upward. Thereby, the front floor51rotates anticlockwise around the axis, and the rear floor51brotates clockwise. Then, the movable floor51goes up. Meanwhile, when the floor motor56is driven so as to move the link rods53forward, the swing arms54are rotated clockwise, resulting in the roller57moving downward. Thereby, the front floor51rotates clockwise around the axis, and the rear floor51brotates anticlockwise. Then, the movable floor51goes down. Herein, the angle of the movable floor51is also changed according to the going-up-and-down movement of the movable floor51.

The above-described accelerator pedal adjusting device7and brake pedal adjusting device8adjust the operational angles and the heights of a pressing face of the accelerator pedal71and brake pedal81respectively at the same time. Since the structure of these devices7and8are substantially the same, the structure of the accelerator pedal adjusting device7will be described referring toFIGS. 7 and 8.

As illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8, the accelerator pedal adjusting device7comprises a bracket72attached to a dash panel93(seeFIG. 1). To the bracket72is provided an axis73extending laterally to form a rotational axis of the accelerator pedal adjusting device7, and an upper end of a pedal bracket upper74is pivotally coupled to the axis73.

A guide member75, which comprises a guide groove75ahaving an arc shape with its center located at the axis73, is formed integrally at a lower portion of the pedal bracket upper74. A slider76is disposed in the guide groove75aso as to slide along the arc shape. To the slider76is connected integrally an upper end of a pedal bracket lower77with the accelerator pedal71. Also, a rack portion76ais formed at the side face of the slider76, and a worm gear78ais provided so as to engage with the rack portion76aall the time. The worm gear78ais connected with a flexible wire78coupled to an output shaft of a motor79for the accelerator pedal, and thereby the worm gear78ais rotated by the motor79via the flexible wire78.

Accordingly, when the motor79for the accelerator pedal is driven, the worm gear78ais rotated via the flexible wire78, and the slider76with the rack portion76aengaging with the worm gear78amoves back and forth along the guide groove75a. Then, accelerator pedal71is rotated around the axis73via the pedal bracket lower77according to the movement of the slider76, so that the operational angle and the height of the pressing face of the accelerator pedal71can be adjusted together.

As described above, the structure of the accelerator pedal adjusting device7and brake pedal adjusting device8are substantially the same, and the brake pedal adjusting device8comprises a motor89for the brake pedal as illustrated inFIG. 6. Also, the brake pedal81is disposed such that its movement direction DB extends substantially longitudinally, but the accelerator pedal71is disposed such that its movement direction DA inclines, namely the front of the movement direction DA is located outside and the rear of it is located inside (toward the brake pedal81).

The above-described driving position adjusting device1further comprises an ECU94as a control device to control the above-described floor motor56, motor79for the accelerator pedal, and motor89for the brake pedal. The ECU94receives the detecting signal of the above-described seat position detecting sensor49and generates control signals to control the above-described motors56,79and89based on adjusting characteristics which are set. Namely, since the seat position detected by the seat position detecting sensor49corresponds to the driver's body size, the ECU94adjusts properly the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor51and the respective arrangement positions of the accelerator pedal71and brake pedal81according to the driver's body size. Thus, according to the above-described driving position adjusting device1, the floor adjusting device5adjusts the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor51and the accelerator pedal adjusting device7and brake pedal adjusting device8adjust the arrangement positions of the accelerator and brake pedals71and81respectively, in cooperation with the adjusting of the sitting face by the seat adjusting device4.

Next, the adjusting control of the arrangement position of the accelerator and brake pedals71and81and the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor51by the above-described ECU94will be described.

The ECU94has three maps of adjusting characteristics for adjusting the movable floor51, accelerator and brake pedals71and81which have been set previously. Specifically, the ECU94includes, as illustrated inFIG. 9, a seat-floor map in which the desired going-up-and-down position of the movable floor51is set with respect to the seat position (FIG. 9A), a seat-accelerator pedal map in which the desired arrangement position of the accelerator pedal71is set with respect to the seat position (FIG. 9B), and a seat-brake pedal map in which the desired arrangement position of the brake pedal81is set with respect to the seat position (FIG. 9C). The going-up-and-down position of the movable floor51, the arrangement position of the accelerator pedal71, and the arrangement position of the brake pedal81are adjusted based on these maps.

The seat-floor map is set such that the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor51has a substantially liner relationship with the seat position (the first adjusting characteristic). Accordingly, the ECU94controls the floor motor56such that the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor51becomes higher as the seat position is located forward, in other wards, as the driver's body size becomes small. Herein, the seat-floor map is set such that its characteristic is a second adjusting characteristic for the situation in which the seat position is located before the seat position (M3) corresponding to the male driver having the relatively large body size, which is different from the above-described first adjusting characteristic. This second adjusting characteristic is such that the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor51becomes higher as the seat position is located forward, and such that a changing amount of adjusting the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor51with respect to the seat position is restrained compared with the first adjusting characteristic (hereinafter, referred to as “the restraint type”).

The seat-accelerator pedal map is also set such that the arrangement position of the accelerator pedal71has a substantially liner relationship with the seat position (the first adjusting characteristic). Accordingly, the ECU94controls the motor79for the accelerator pedal such that the accelerator pedal71gets closer to the driver as the seat position is located forward, in other wards, as the driver's body size becomes small. Herein, the seat-accelerator pedal map is set such that its characteristic is a second adjusting characteristic for the situation in which the seat position is located before the seat position (M3), which is different from the above-described first adjusting characteristic. Herein, this second adjusting characteristic is such that the accelerator pedal71goes further away from the driver as the seat position is located forward (hereinafter, referred to as “the turnover type”).

Also, the seat-brake pedal map is set such that the arrangement position of the brake pedal81has a substantially liner relationship with the seat position (the first adjusting characteristic). Accordingly, the ECU94controls the motor89for the brake pedal such that the brake pedal81gets closer to the driver as the driver's body size becomes small. Herein, the seat-brake pedal map is also set such that its characteristic is a second adjusting characteristic for the situation in which the seat position is located before the seat position (M3), which is different from the above-described first adjusting characteristic. This second adjusting characteristic is set in the turnover type, like the seat-accelerator pedal map.

Accordingly, when the position of the sitting face is adjusted by the operation lever47, the position is detected by the seat position detecting device49. The ECU94receives the detecting signal and then decides the desired motor control amount according to the above-described maps. Thus, the ECU94controls the floor motor56, the motor79for the accelerator pedal and the motor89for the brake pedal with the decided desired motor control amount, respectively. Accordingly, as illustrated inFIG. 1, when the seat position is in the position a1, in other words, the driver having the large body size sits in the seat (M1), the movable floor51is located in the lower position a2, and both the accelerator pedal71and the brake pedal81are located in the forward position a3which is further away from the driver. When the seat position is in the position b1, in other words, the driver having the specified body size (M3) sits, the movable floor51is located in the upper position b2, and both the accelerator pedal71and the brake pedal81are located in the position b3which is closer to the driver. When the seat position is in the position c1, in other words, the driver having the specified body size (F3) sits, the movable floor51is located in the further above position c2, and both the accelerator pedal71and the brake pedal81are located in the middle position c3.

Thus, the accelerator pedal71and the brake pedal81for the large-sized driver, generally the female driver are located further away from the driver than those for the relatively small-sized male driver (M3). Accordingly, even in the case where many female drivers having the small body size wear high heels and thereby the substantial length of the driver' legs becomes relatively long for the body size, the accelerator pedal71and the brake pedal81can be located properly as illustrated inFIG. 10.

Also, since the movement direction of the accelerator pedal71is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction as illustrated inFIG. 6, the lateral distance between the accelerator pedal71and the brake pedal81becomes smaller as the accelerator pedal71is located rearward. Accordingly, as the driver's body size becomes small, the lateral distance between the pedals71and81becomes smaller. Thereby, it can be easy for the driver having a relatively small foot to change a pedal pressing between the pedals71and81, thereby improving the pedal-pressing changing.

Also, since the second adjusting characteristic for the both pedals71and81is the turnover type with the adjusting direction being opposite to that of the first adjusting characteristic, the moving range of these pedals71and81can be made smaller, thereby enlarging a passenger-compartment space of the vehicle.

Likewise, since the second adjusting characteristic for the movable floor51is the restraint type with the restrained adjusting amount, the moving range of the movable floor51can be made smaller, thereby enlarging the passenger-compartment space of the vehicle as well.

Further, since the driving position is adjusted by adjusting the accelerator pedal71, the brake pedal81and the movable floor51together, the driver's position with respect to the pedals can be adjusted specifically and properly. Also, compared with the case where these pedals71and81and the floor51are adjusted independently and separately, the respective adjusting amount of these pedals and floor can be reduced, thereby further enlarging the passenger-compartment space.

Also, since the ECU94controls the respective position adjusting of the pedals71and81and the movable floor51based on detecting results by the seat position detecting sensor49, the position adjusting of these are done after the driving position of the driver has been decided by the driver's setting the sitting face. Namely, the driver's driving position can be adjusted properly through the steps of first adjusting the seat position and then adjusting the respective positions of the both pedals71and81and the movable floor51.

Particularly, the seat adjusting device4rotates the driver in the mode position properly corresponding to the driver's body size around the specified lateral axis, the pedal adjusting devices7and8adjust the respective operational angles of the accelerator pedal71and the brake pedal81, and the floor adjusting device5adjusts the going-up-and-down position and the angle of the movable floor51. Thereby, the angle of the driver's foot with respect to the pedals can be adjusted properly according to the driver's sitting position.

[Modified Examples of Adjusting Characteristics of the Pedals and Movable Floor]

The adjusting characteristics (the second adjusting characteristic) of the respective pedals71and81and the movable floor51should not be limited to those shown inFIG. 9. Hereinafter, other modified examples of these adjusting characteristics will be described.

The turnover type of adjusting characteristic may be applied to the second adjusting characteristic for the movable floor51. Namely, as shown inFIG. 11A, the seat-floor map is basically set such that the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor51has the substantially liner relationship with the seat position (the first adjusting characteristic). Meanwhile, the seat-floor map is set such that the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor51becomes lower as the seat position is located forward (the second adjusting characteristic) when the seat position is located before the specified seat position (M3). Accordingly, the ECU94controls the floor motor56such that the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor51becomes higher as the seat position is located forward, in other wards, as the driver's body size becomes small. When the seat position is located before the specified seat position (M3), the floor motor56is controlled such that the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor51becomes lower as the seat position is located forward.

Also, the restraint type of adjusting characteristic may be applied to the second adjusting characteristic for the accelerator pedal71and the brake pedal81. Namely, as shown inFIGS. 11B and 11C, the seat-accelerator pedal map and the seat-brake pedal map are basically set such that the arrangement positions of the accelerator and brake pedals71and81have the substantially liner relationship with the seat position (the first adjusting characteristic). Meanwhile, when the seat position is located before the specified seat position (M3), the seat-accelerator pedal map and the seat-brake pedal map are set such that the accelerator and brake pedals71and81get closer to the driver as the seat position is located forward (the second adjusting characteristic), the adjusting amount of which is retrained compared with the first adjusting characteristic. Accordingly, the ECU94controls the motors79and89for the pedals such that the pedals71and81get closer to the driver as the seat position is located forward, in other wards, as the driver's body size becomes small. When the seat position is located before the specified seat position (M3), the pedals71and81are controlled so as not to move a lot.

Thus, as illustrated inFIG. 12, when the seat position is in the position a1, in other words, the driver having the large body size sits in the seat (M1), the movable floor51is located in the lower position a4, and both the accelerator pedal71and the brake pedal81are located in the forward position a3which is further away from the driver. When the seat position is in the position b1, in other words, the driver having the specified body size (M3) sits, the movable floor51is located in the upper position b4, and both the accelerator pedal71and the brake pedal81are located in the middle position b5. When the seat position is in the position c1, in other words, the driver having the specified body size (F3) sits, the movable floor51is located in the middle position c4, and both the accelerator pedal71and the brake pedal81are located in the rearward position c5which is closer to the driver.

In this case, the arrangement positions of the accelerator and brake pedals71and81can be also located properly for the female driver wearing high heels as well.

The second adjusting characteristic for the movable floor51may also be set such the going-up-and-down position of the movable floor does not change substantially according to the seat position's change (hereinafter, referred to as “the prohibition type”), as shown inFIG. 13A. Likewise, the second adjusting characteristic for the pedals71and81may be set at this prohibition type in which the arrangement positions of the pedals71and81do not change substantially according to the seat position's change, as shown inFIGS. 13B and 13C.

The above-described pedals71and81and the movable floor51are adjusted by the motors56,79and89electrically controlled by the ECU94with the function of secondary degree with respect to the seat position. However, these adjusting may be conducted with the linear function (function of the first degree) with respect to the seat position as shown inFIGS. 14A,14B and14C. Specifically,FIG. 14Ashows the restraint type of adjusting characteristic in which the adjusting amount is restrained when the driver's body size is smaller than the specified size.FIG. 14Bshows the turnover type of adjusting characteristic in which the adjusting direction is turned over when the driver's body size is smaller than the specified size.FIG. 14Cshows the prohibition type of adjusting characteristic in which the adjusting is prohibited when the driver's body size is smaller than the specified size.

The above-described adjusting characteristics enables a mechanical control using gears and the like, and thereby the system mechanism can be simplified.

Herein, the adjusting control with the function of the secondary degree shown inFIGS. 9A-9C,11A-11C,13A-13C and the adjusting control with the linear function shown inFIGS. 14A-14Cmay be combined. For example, the accelerator pedal71may be adjusted with the linear function, while the brake pedal81may be adjusted with the function of the secondary degree. Also, the adjusting with the opposite characteristics to the above may be adopted. Further, the movable floor51may be adjusted with the function of the secondary degree, while the pedals71and81may be adjusted with the linear function, or the adjusting with the opposite characteristics to this may be adopted.

[Combination of the Adjusting Characteristics of the Floor and the Pedals]

Next, the combination of the adjusting characteristics of the movable floor51and the respective pedals71and81will be described.

For example, the combination of the restraint type of floor adjusting characteristic shown inFIG. 9Aand either one of the turnover, the restraint and the prohibition types of pedal adjusting characteristics shown inFIGS. 9B,9C,11B,11C,13B, and13C may be adopted.

And, the combination of the overturn type of floor adjusting characteristic shown inFIG. 11Aand either the restraint type or the prohibition type of pedal adjusting characteristics shown inFIGS. 11B,11C,13B, and13C may be adopted.

Further, the combination of the prohibition type of floor adjusting characteristic shown inFIG. 13Aand either one of the turnover, the restraint and the prohibition types of pedal adjusting characteristics shown inFIGS. 9B,9C,11B,11C,13B, and13C may be adopted.

[Combination of the Adjusting Characteristics of the Accelerator and Brake Pedals]

Next, the combination of the adjusting characteristics of the accelerator pedal71and the brake pedal81will be described.

First, as shown inFIG. 15, the adjusting characteristics of the accelerator pedal71and the brake pedals81are the same type of characteristics. Namely, the both adjusting characteristics of the both pedals is the restraint type, the prohibition type, or the turnover type.

In the event that the same type of adjusting characteristic is applied to the both pedals71and81, the control can be facilitated. Herein, although the longitudinal distance between the pedals71and81does not change, the lateral distance between them changes because of the inclined movement direction of the accelerator pedal71illustratedFIG. 6.

Meanwhile, as shown inFIG. 16, the both adjusting characteristic of the pedals71and81may be different from each other such that the longitudinal distance between the both pedals becomes smaller as the driver's body size becomes smaller. Namely, when the restraint type of adjusting characteristic is adopted for the accelerator pedal71, the turnover type or the prohibition type of adjusting characteristics are adopted for the brake pedal81. When the prohibition type of adjusting characteristic is adopted for the accelerator pedal71, the turnover type of adjusting characteristic is adopted for the brake pedal81.

According to this combination of adjusting characteristics of the pedals71and81, the longitudinal distance between the pedals71and81becomes small. And, the lateral distance between them becomes small as well as described above. As a result, it can be easy for the small driver having the relatively small foot to change the pedal pressing between the pedals71and81, thereby improving the pedal-pressing changing.

Also, the adjusting characteristic of the accelerator pedal71may be set at the restraint type, the prohibition type, or the turnover type, and the adjusting characteristic of the brake pedal81may be set at the prohibition type, as shown inFIG. 17.

Namely, only the restraint type of adjusting characteristic may be applied to the brake pedal81. Generally, the accelerator pedal71is pressed by a foot with its heel placed on the floor and therefore the appropriate arrangement position of the accelerator pedal71is affected by the heel height of the shoes which the driver wears. Accordingly, the appropriate adjusting of the accelerator pedal71considering the heel height of the driver's shoes can be attained with the restraint type, the prohibition type, or the turnover type of adjusting characteristics for the accelerator pedal71.

Meanwhile, since the brake pedal81is pressed by the foot with its heel away from the floor in most cases, the appropriate arrangement position of the brake pedal81would not be affected by the heel height of the shoes. Also, the brake pedal81tends to receive relatively strong pressing forces during the quick braking or the like, and generally the smaller sized drivers tend to press the pedal with a relatively smaller pressing force. Accordingly, it is preferable that the adjusting characteristic of the brake pedal81is set at the restraint type in which the brake pedal81becomes closer to the driver as the driver's body size becomes smaller. Thereby, the appropriate pressing force can be ensured according to the driver's body size, properly adjusting the arrangement position of the brake pedal81.

Herein, the adjusting of the brake pedal81may be done only with the first adjusting characteristic. In this case, likewise, the appropriate pressing force can be ensured according to the driver's body size, properly adjusting the arrangement position of the brake pedal81.

Although the above-described embodiment shows that the seat adjusting device4is comprised of the double links with different length, other structures may be adopted. The seat31may be constituted such that its sitting face is adjusted so as to move only longitudinally.

Further, although the above-described embodiment shows that the adjusting of the pedals71and81and the adjusting of the movable floor51are done together, only the adjusting of the pedals71and81may be done according to the driver's body size. Namely, the floor near the pedal may not be the movable floor51.

The present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments and modified characteristics, but any other modifications and improvements may be applied within the scope of a sprit of the present invention.