Vehicle Seat

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle seat that detects an alertness level of the driver, urges the driver to be alert, and permits the transition from autonomous driving to manual driving when the driver is alert enough for the manual driving. A vehicle seat configured to be mounted on a vehicle provided with a vehicle control device that can be selectively switched from autonomous driving to manual driving comprises: a seat body configured to support a driver; a seat control unit configured to communicate with the vehicle control device; an alertness level sensor provided on the seat body for detecting an alertness level of the driver; and a rousing unit provided on the seat body for providing a stimulus for urging the driver to be roused, wherein the seat control unit is configured to detect the alertness level of the driver according to a signal from the alertness level sensor upon receiving a start signal that is produced by the vehicle control device when a transition from the autonomous driving to the manual driving is to be initiated, to activate the rousing unit when the alertness level is lower than a first alertness level threshold value, and to permit the vehicle control device to perform the transition from the autonomous driving to the manual driving when the alertness level is equal to or higher than the first alertness level threshold value.

1 . A vehicle seat configured to be mounted on a vehicle provided with a vehicle control device that can be selectively switched from autonomous driving to manual driving, comprising:
 a seat body configured to support a driver;   a seat control unit configured to communicate with the vehicle control device;   an alertness level sensor provided on the seat body for detecting an alertness level of the driver; and   a rousing unit provided on the seat body for providing a stimulus for urging the driver to be roused;   wherein the seat body is provided with a seat cushion that supports the driver's buttocks and thighs, a seatback that supports the driver's back, and a headrest connected to an upper part of the seatback so as to be positioned behind the driver's head, and   wherein the rousing unit includes at least one of a light source configured to irradiate light to the driver, a vibration source configured to provide vibration to the driver, a sound source configured to generate sound, a heat source configured to heat or cool at least a part of the driver's body, and an electrical stimulus generating source configured to apply an electrical stimulus to the driver.   
     
     
         2 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle seat according to  claim 1 , wherein the rousing unit includes the light source consisting of a device that is provided on the seatback or the headrest to irradiate light onto the driver's head. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle seat according to  claim 1 , wherein the rousing unit includes the sound source consisting of a device that is provided on the headrest to emit sound toward the driver. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle seat according to  claim 1 , wherein the rousing unit includes the heat source consisting of a device provided on the headrest to heat or cool a part of the driver's body. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle seat according to  claim 1 , wherein the seat control unit is configured to detect the alertness level of the driver according to a signal from the alertness level sensor upon receiving a start signal that is produced by the vehicle control device when a transition from the autonomous driving to the manual driving is to be initiated, to activate the rousing unit when the alertness level is lower than a first alertness level threshold value, and to permit the vehicle control device to perform the transition from the autonomous driving to the manual driving when the alertness level is equal to or higher than the first alertness level threshold value. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle seat according to  claim 1 , wherein the seat control unit transmits a vehicle stop signal with the result that the vehicle is moved to a safe place and parked therein when the stimulation time period is equal to or longer than the threshold time period. 
     
     
         18 . A vehicle seat configured to be mounted on a vehicle provided with a vehicle control device that can be selectively switched from autonomous driving to manual driving, comprising:
 a seat body configured to support a driver;   a seat control unit configured to communicate with the vehicle control device;   an alertness level sensor provided on the seat body for detecting an alertness level of the driver; and   a rousing unit provided on the seat body for providing a stimulus for urging the driver to be roused;   wherein the seat body is provided with a seat cushion that supports the driver's buttocks and thighs, a seatback that supports the driver's back,   wherein the alertness level sensor comprises a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure distribution on a surface of the seat body opposing the driver thereof,   wherein the rousing unit includes at least one of a light source configured to irradiate light to the driver, a vibration source configured to provide vibration to the driver, a sound source configured to generate sound, a heat source configured to heat or cool at least a part of the driver's body, and an electrical stimulus generating source configured to apply an electrical stimulus to the drive, and   wherein the seat control unit detects the posture of the driver based on the pressure distribution and detects the driver's alertness according to the detected posture thereof.   
     
     
         19 . The vehicle seat according to  claim 18 , wherein the seat control unit is configured to detect the alertness level of the driver according to a signal from the alertness level sensor upon receiving a start signal that is produced by the vehicle control device when a transition from the autonomous driving to the manual driving is to be initiated, to activate the rousing unit when the alertness level is lower than a first alertness level threshold value, and to permit the vehicle control device to perform the transition from the autonomous driving to the manual driving when the alertness level is equal to or higher than the first alertness level threshold value. 
     
     
         20 . The vehicle seat according to  claim 18 , wherein the seat control unit transmits a vehicle stop signal with the result that the vehicle is moved to a safe place and parked therein when the stimulation time period is equal to or longer than the threshold time period. 
     
     
         21 . The manufacturing method of a vehicle seat comprising:
 a step to prepare a seat body provided with a seat cushion, a seatback, and a headrest connected to an upper part of the seatback,   a step to provide an alertness sensor on the seat body,   a step to provide a rousing unit on the seat body, and   a step to connect the alertness sensor and the rousing unit via a cable to a seat control unit configured to communicate with a vehicle control device performing a transition from the autonomous driving to the manual driving,   wherein the rousing unit includes at least one of a light source configured to irradiate light to the driver, a vibration source configured to provide vibration to the driver, a sound source configured to generate sound, a heat source configured to heat or cool at least a part of the driver's body, and an electrical stimulus generating source configured to apply an electrical stimulus to the driver.