JP2002079866A - Occupant discriminating system for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remove influence on an inspection result by a sticking state of the seat surface skin 5 before inspecting a product in an occupant discriminating system for incorporating a sensor mat into a seat surface lower part of a seat. SOLUTION: Running-in work performed in a manufacturing process of the seat is performed for reducing influence exerted on sensitivity of individual sensor cells 9 by initial tensile force applied to the seat surface skin 5 after sticking the seat surface skin 5 by incorporating the sensor mat 6, and is actually work for removing external force after applying the external force to the seat from a surface of the seat surface skin 5. Deviation of the tensile force applied to the seat surface skin 5, dislocation of the seat surface skin 5 caused by the deviation and swelling from the sensor cells 9 can be eliminated by performing this running-in work. As a result, the respective sensor cells 9 can receive input equal to an actual using state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an occupant discriminating system for an automobile in which a sensor is incorporated in a seat (lower part of a seat) of an automobile, and the presence / absence and type of the occupant on the seat are discriminated from the sensor output.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a safety measure to protect an occupant from the impact of a vehicle accident, it is mandatory to wear a seat belt. Therefore, when the seat belt is not worn, a warning light is turned on or a buzzer sounds to warn the occupant that the seat belt is worn. In recent years, the number of vehicles equipped with airbags has been increasing rapidly.For example, vehicles equipped with airbags in the passenger seat have a passenger seat in the event of an accident despite the fact that no occupant is sitting in the passenger seat. Air bag will open.

Therefore, a technique has been put to practical use to prevent the airbag in the passenger seat from opening when the occupant is not sitting in the passenger seat. In order to warn the user of the seat belt and prevent the airbag in the passenger seat from opening, it is necessary to detect in advance whether the occupant is sitting on the seat or not. As a method for detecting the presence or absence of the occupant, an occupant detection system incorporating a pressure-sensitive sensor inside a seat is known.

[0004]

The following dangers have been pointed out because an airbag equipped as a safety device has a large inflation force when opened. For example, in a vehicle in which a passenger seat is equipped with an airbag, when a child is sitting in the passenger seat, the inflation force of the airbag becomes an impact force, which may have an unexpected adverse effect on the child. Therefore, for example, when the occupant in the passenger seat is a child, it is better not to operate the airbag in the passenger seat or to control the inflation force of the airbag so as to reduce the impact.

Here, it is conceivable to use the above-described occupant detection system as a means for determining whether the occupant in the passenger seat is a child or an adult. That is, if the load detected by the pressure sensor incorporated in the seat is larger than a predetermined value, it can be determined that the vehicle is an adult, and if the load is smaller than the predetermined value, it is determined that the vehicle is a child. However, when judging whether it is a child or an adult only by the magnitude of the load detected by the pressure-sensitive sensor, there are the following problems.

First, even if the occupant is an adult, if the occupant leans his or her back on a seat back (backrest), the more the seatback is tilted, the more the load detected by the pressure sensor becomes. It will be smaller. Second, when a child-only seat (such as a baby seat, a child seat, or a junior seat) is used in the passenger seat, the weight of the child-specific seat is added to the weight of the child, so that the load increases. Third, when a child-only seat is used, the child-only seat is fixed to the passenger seat with a seat belt.
The load detected by the pressure sensor changes depending on the magnitude of the fastening force of the seat belt.

As a result, it is extremely difficult for a conventional occupant detection system to accurately determine whether a child or an adult. Therefore, the present applicant has developed an occupant discrimination system that can correctly discriminate between a child and an adult regardless of the presence or absence of a child-only seat. This occupant discriminating system incorporates a sensor mat in which a plurality of sensor cells are arranged on a plane inside a seat (at a lower portion of a seating surface), and calculates the occupant's weight based on the total load detected from the output values of the individual sensor cells and the load distribution. The determination is performed.

For example, the load distribution detected from the output value of each sensor cell is large when a person directly sits on a seat regardless of whether the person is an adult or a child, or when a child-only seat is used. Since they are different, the presence or absence of a child-specific seat can be detected based on the load distribution. Also, even if you are not using a child-only seat,
It is possible to more accurately determine whether a child or an adult by taking into account the determination based on the load distribution instead of determining whether the child or an adult is based solely on the sum of the loads detected by the individual sensor cells.

In the above occupant discriminating system, after the assembly of the seat is completed, calibration of sensor sensitivity, product inspection, and the like are performed. At this time, if the sheet skin covering the surface of the sheet has a bias or deviation in tension, the individual sensor cells may not be able to receive an input equivalent to the actual use state. That is, the sheet skin is stuck in a tensioned state to eliminate slack (wrinkles) in appearance. At this time, bias or deviation of tension often occurs in the attached sheet skin. When calibration of sensor sensitivity and product inspection are performed in this state, when a load is applied to the sensor mat via the sheet skin, a biased load characteristic different from that during actual use occurs due to the sheet skin,
A problem arises in that the load originally to be transmitted cannot be transmitted to each sensor cell.

The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an occupant discriminating system for an automobile in which individual sensor cells incorporated in a seat are used in actual use prior to product inspection. The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the influence on the inspection result due to the attached state of the skin of the sheet so that an input equivalent to the above can be obtained.

[0011]

(Means for Solving the Problems) A sensor mat in which a plurality of sensor cells are arranged on a plane is incorporated in a seat, and the presence / absence and type of an occupant on the seat are determined from the output of each sensor cell. In the seat manufacturing process, the sensor mat is installed inside the seat, the seat skin is attached from above, and the initial tension applied to the seat skin affects the sensitivity of individual sensor cells. Is characterized in that a break-in operation is performed to reduce the size. According to the present invention, the influence of the initial tension applied to the sheet skin on the sensitivity of each sensor cell can be reduced by performing the break-in operation in the sheet manufacturing process. Thereby, each sensor cell can receive an input equivalent to the actual use state, and stable product inspection and initial performance can be ensured.

(Means of Claim 2) The break-in operation according to claim 1 includes a step of applying an external force to the sheet from the surface of the sheet skin and then removing the external force. In this way, by removing the external force after the external force is applied, it is possible to eliminate the bias of the tension applied to the sheet skin, the deviation of the sheet skin resulting from the deviation, and the floating from the sensor cell.

(Means of Claim 3) The break-in operation described in Claim 2 is uniformly performed on the entire surface of the sheet skin. Thereby, the initial tension applied to the sheet skin can be uniformly dispersed.

(Means of Claim 4) The break-in operation described in claim 2 is performed on a narrowed-down portion (trench portion) on the design that separates the central portion of the seat from the seat and the side portions on both sides thereof. In this trench portion, the sheet skin is narrowed down into the inside of the sheet, so that the tension is greater than other parts of the sheet skin. For this reason, performing the break-in operation on the trench portion is effective in dispersing the tension of the sheet skin.

(Means of claim 5) The break-in operation described in claim 2 is performed on the center of the seating surface of the seat. The central portion of the seat surface is a portion for receiving the buttocks of the occupant, and if the tension of the seat skin is biased, a deviation of the seat skin occurs at the central portion of the seat surface. This can prevent the seat skin from shifting at the center of the seat.

(Means of Claim 6) The break-in operation described in claim 2 is performed on side portions provided on both sides of the seating surface of the seat. The side portions are provided on the left and right sides of the center portion of the seat that receives the occupant's buttocks, and are separated from the center portion of the seat surface by a trench portion on the design. Therefore, performing a break-in operation on the side portions is effective in dispersing the tension of the sheet skin.

(Means of Claim 7) The break-in operation described in Claim 2 is performed on the outer edge portion of the sheet. When tension is applied to the sheet skin and applied, a large tension is applied to the outer edge portion (corner) of the sheet. By performing the break-in work on the outer edge portion, the tension of the sheet skin can be effectively dispersed. it can.

(Means of Claim 8) The break-in work described in claim 2 is performed by swinging the seat skin. In this case, by oscillating the seat skin, it is possible to eliminate bias of the tension applied to the seat skin, deviation of the seat skin caused by the bias, and floating from the sensor cell.

(Means of Claim 9) The break-in operation according to claim 2 is characterized in that an external force is applied to the sheet using a roller.

(Means of Claim 10) The break-in operation described in claim 2 is characterized in that the pressurizing points for applying an external force to the sheet are divided into a plurality of groups and are performed for each group.

(Means of Claim 11) The break-in operation described in claim 1 includes a step of blowing air from the inside of the sheet skin to pressurize.

(Means of Claim 12) The break-in work described in claim 1 includes a step of sucking air from the inside of the sheet skin and removing the pressure.

(Means of Claim 13) The break-in operation described in claim 1 includes a step of applying heat to the sheet.

(Means of Claim 14) In any one of the occupant discriminating systems according to any one of claims 1 to 13, a sensor mat is incorporated between the seat foam and the seat skin, and the sensor mat is provided between the seat foam and the seat skin. A slippery material is used for the contact surfaces. In this case, since the gap between the sheet foam and the sheet skin is slippery, it is possible to easily correct the bias or deviation of the tension of the sheet skin by a break-in operation. In addition, as the “slippery material”, for example, a Teflon (registered trademark) -based, nylon-based material, or the like can be used.

[0025]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a configuration and a manufacturing process of the seat 1 used in the occupant identification system will be described. The seat 1 is a seat cushion (FIG. 1) for receiving an occupant's buttocks.
1), and as shown in FIG.
3, a sheet foam (hereinafter abbreviated as form 4) installed on the table 3, and a sheet skin 5 covering the surface of the form 4, and a sensor mat between the form 4 and the sheet skin 5. 6 (see FIG. 8).

The foam 4 forms a base portion (base) of the sheet 1, and a suspension groove 7 (see FIG. 8) for narrowing the sheet skin 5 is provided on the upper surface thereof. The sheet skin 5 is squeezed into the inside of the foam 4 along the suspension groove 7, and the squeezed portion (trench portion) is formed as a design in appearance. On the back surface of the sheet skin 5, the sheet skin 5
An ear hook portion 8 (see FIG. 9) for narrowing the sheet into the hanging groove 7 of the foam 4 is provided to hang down like a bag. In addition,
In the following description, with respect to the foam 4, the portion surrounded by the hanging groove 7 is called a central portion, and the portion outside the hanging groove 7 is called a side portion. The portion outside the ear hook portion 8 is called a horizontal trim.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the sensor mat 6 includes a first sensor portion 6A disposed at the center of the sheet 1,
And second sensor portions 6B disposed on both side portions of the sheet 1, and a plurality of sensor cells 9 are arranged respectively. The sensor cell 9 is, for example, a pressure conversion element whose resistance value changes according to the pressure, and the plurality of sensor cells 9 arranged on the sensor mat 6 can independently detect the pressure. The sensor mat 6 is connected to the ECU 11 via the printed circuit board 10, converts a change in pressure detected by each sensor cell 9 into an electric signal, and outputs the electric signal to the ECU 11.

The ECU 11 is an electronic control unit incorporating a microcomputer, as shown in FIG.
Form 4 is incorporated in the center of the rear end. This EC
U11 detects the sum of the loads applied to the seat and the load distribution from the output signals of the individual sensor cells 9 and, based on the detection results, the presence or absence of an occupant described below, the presence or absence of a child-specific seat, and the Perform adult discrimination.

A) Presence or absence of an occupant The sum of the loads detected by the individual sensor cells 9 is obtained. If the sum is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that the occupant is sitting on the seat 1. If the value is smaller than the predetermined value, the seat 1 is determined. It is determined that no occupant is sitting. b) Presence / absence of a child-only sheet The load distribution on the sheet is detected from the output signals of the individual sensor cells 9, and it is determined whether or not the child-specific sheet is used based on a shape pattern estimated from the load distribution. c) Discrimination between children and adults It is finally determined whether a child or an adult by taking into account the criterion based on the sum of the loads and the criterion based on the load distribution.

Next, the manufacturing process of the sheet 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the manufacturing process. Step10… Place Form 4 on stand 3. Step 20: As shown in FIG. 8, the sensor mat 6 is arranged at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the foam 4. Here, the sensor mat 6
Is temporarily fixed to the form 4 to prevent the sensor mat 6 from being displaced when the next sheet skin 5 is attached. Step30: Attach the sheet skin 5.

The work of attaching the sheet skin 5 is generally performed in the following procedure. First step: First, as shown in FIG. 9, the center of the sheet skin 5 is aligned with the center of the foam 4, and
The wire 12 passed through the inside and the wire 13 provided in the foam 4 are simultaneously hooked by the C-shaped hog ring 14, and the hog ring 14 is closed and tightened. It is attached over the part.

Second step: Subsequently, the horizontal trim is turned to the side surface of the foam 4 so as to wrap the outside of the side portion of the foam 4, and the hook 5 a provided at the end of the horizontal trim is mounted on the base 3.
Work to hook on the outer edge part. At this time, in order to prevent the horizontal trim from being loosened (wrinkled), tension is applied to the horizontal trim in an assembled state.
That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the work of attaching the horizontal trim is performed in a state where the foam 4 is pressed and crushed from above and below, and the hook 5 a of the horizontal trim is hooked on the outer edge of the base 3 or the like. The pressurization from the vertical direction is removed. As a result, the horizontal trim is adhered so as to cover from the side portion of the foam 4 to the side surface of the foam 4 in a state where tension is applied (in a state where there is no slack). FIG. 11 shows an overall view of the seat 1 (seat cushion) to which the seat skin 5 is attached.

Step 40: A break-in operation is performed (break-in step). This break-in operation is performed in order to reduce the influence of the initial tension applied when attaching the sheet skin 5 to the sensitivity of each sensor cell 9. Specifically, this is performed to eliminate the bias of the initial tension of the sheet skin 5 and the displacement of the sheet skin 5 due to the deviation, or the lifting of the sheet skin 5 from the sensor cell 9, and the like. This is a step of removing the external force after applying the external force to No. 1. This break-in operation, that is, the number of times of removal by applying an external force is arbitrarily set according to the type and shape of the product (sheet 1) and may vary.

The following are some preferred embodiments of the break-in operation. a) Perform evenly on the entire surface of the sheet skin 5 without bias (see FIG. 1A). b) Focusing on the central portion of the sheet skin 5 (FIG. 1)
(B)). c) Concentration is performed on the horizontal trim of the sheet skin 5 (see FIG. 1B). d) Concentration is performed on the trench portion of the sheet skin 5.
It should be noted that the trench portion is a sheet skin 5 through an ear hook portion 8.
Are narrowed, that is, the boundary between the central portion of the sheet skin 5 and the horizontal trim (see FIG. 1C). e) Concentration is performed on the outer edge portion (corner portion) of the sheet skin 5 (see FIG. 1C).

F) The sheet skin 5 is swung so that the sheet skin 5 is stabilized with respect to the foam 4 (settles at a normal position without deviation). Alternatively, the entire sheet is vibrated. g) The pressurizing points for applying external force to the sheet 1 are divided into a plurality of groups, and the pressing is performed for each group. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the process is performed twice in a P group and a Q group. Alternatively, as shown in FIG.
It is divided into three groups, R and R. in this case,
It is preferable that the pressurized portions of each group are distributed over the entire sheet surface. According to this method, since the entire sheet can be pressed uniformly and in an optimal pattern, the time required for the break-in operation can be reduced.

H) As shown in FIG. 3A, the process is performed using the roller 15. The method using the roller 15 can be effectively applied to, for example, the above-described embodiments a) to e). As an example, the trench portion of the sheet 1 is
FIG. 3B shows a case where pressure is applied at 5. i) Air is blown from the inside of the sheet skin 5 to apply pressure. Alternatively, air is sucked from the inside of the sheet skin 5 to remove the pressure. Each of the embodiments a) to h) is a method of removing an external force after applying an external force to the sheet surface.
As shown in FIG. 4A, air may be blown from the lower side of the sheet 1 toward the inside of the sheet skin 5 using an air nozzle 16. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, air may be suctioned from the inside of the sheet skin 5 using the air nozzle 16 to depressurize.

J) Heat is applied to the sheet 1. In this embodiment, instead of pressing an object against the sheet 1 to apply external force, the sheet 1 is heated and then removed. As a method of applying heat, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a forced system in which heated air is blown from an outlet 17 such as a nozzle onto the sheet 1, a room temperature adaptation system in which the sheet 1 is placed in a temperature-controlled heating chamber and adapted. A steam heating type in which steam is sprayed on the sheet 1 is conceivable. According to this method, it is not necessary to directly contact the product (sheet 1), so that it is possible to flexibly cope with a complicated product shape. In addition, the sheet 1 by the forced system, the steam heating system, etc.
May be performed not only from the top surface of the sheet but also from the side surface and the bottom surface of the sheet 1.

(Effects of the present embodiment) In the manufacturing process of the above-described sensor-equipped sheet 1, after applying the sheet skin 5 and performing a break-in operation, the bias of the tension applied to the sheet skin 5 is biased. In addition, it is possible to eliminate the displacement of the sheet skin 5 and the floating of the sheet skin 5 from the sensor cell 9 due to the displacement. As a result, the influence of the initial tension applied to the sheet skin 5 on the sensitivity of the individual sensor cells 9 can be reduced, so that the individual sensor cells 9
Can receive an input equivalent to the actual use state, and stable inspection and initial performance can be secured.

In order to reduce the influence on the sensor output due to the affixed state (bias or deviation of the tension) of the sheet skin 5, a slippery material (for example, Teflon, Nylon-based material) may be used. In this case, since the gap between the foam 4 and the sheet skin 5 is slippery, even if the sheet skin 5 is biased or misaligned in the attached state, the above-mentioned break-in operation is easily performed to easily perform the sheet skin. 5 gap can be corrected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet (a cross-sectional view along AA in FIG. 11).

FIG. 2 is a drawing in which pressurized portions of a sheet are grouped.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an embodiment in which pressure is applied using a roller.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an embodiment (a) in which air is blown from the inside of the sheet skin and an embodiment (b) in which air is sucked from the inside of the sheet skin.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing an example of applying heat to a sheet.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a sheet manufacturing process.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a sheet.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a foam having a sensor mat (a).
It is a side view (b).

FIG. 9 is a process diagram showing a first process of attaching a sheet skin.

FIG. 10 is a process diagram showing a second process of attaching a sheet skin.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a seat.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 sensor built-in sheet (sheet) 4 form (sheet form) 5 sheet skin 6 sensor mat 9 sensor cell 15 roller

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2F051 AA01 AB07 AB08 3B087 DE03 DE05 DE10 3D018 QA01 3D054 AA03 EE09 EE10 EE31

Claims (14)

[Claims] An occupant discriminating system for incorporating a sensor mat having a plurality of sensor cells arranged on a plane into a seat, and discriminating presence / absence and type of an occupant on the seat from outputs of the individual sensor cells, In the sheet manufacturing process, in order to reduce the influence of the initial tension applied to the sheet skin on the sensitivity of the individual sensor cells after attaching the sensor mat to the inside of the sheet and attaching the sheet skin from above the sensor mat. An occupant discriminating system for an automobile, wherein the occupant performs a break-in operation. 2. The break-in operation according to claim 1, wherein the external force is applied to the sheet from the surface of the sheet skin.
An occupant discriminating system for a vehicle having a step of removing the external force. 3. An occupant discriminating system for an automobile, wherein the break-in operation according to claim 2 is performed uniformly on the entire surface of the seat skin. 4. The break-in operation according to claim 2, wherein the work is performed on a narrowed portion (trench portion) on a design which divides a center portion of the seat surface of the seat and side portions on both sides thereof. Occupant identification system for cars. 5. An occupant discriminating system for an automobile according to claim 2, wherein the break-in operation is performed on a central portion of a seat surface of the seat. 6. A vehicle occupant discriminating system according to claim 2, wherein the break-in operation is performed on side portions provided on both sides of the seat. 7. An occupant discriminating system for an automobile, wherein the break-in operation according to claim 2 is performed on an outer edge portion of the seat. 8. An occupant discriminating system for an automobile according to claim 2, wherein the break-in operation is performed by swinging the seat cover. 9. An occupant discriminating system for an automobile, wherein the break-in operation according to claim 2 applies an external force to the seat using a roller. 10. The break-in operation according to claim 2,
An occupant discriminating system for an automobile, wherein pressurized portions for applying an external force to the seat are divided into a plurality of groups, and the process is performed for each group. 11. The break-in operation according to claim 1,
An occupant discriminating system for an automobile, comprising a step of blowing air from the inside of the seat skin to apply pressure. 12. The break-in operation according to claim 1,
An occupant discriminating system for an automobile, comprising a step of sucking air from inside the seat skin and removing the pressure. 13. The break-in operation according to claim 1,
An occupant discriminating system for an automobile, comprising a step of applying heat to the seat. 14. The occupant discriminating system according to claim 1, wherein the seat has a seat form covered with the seat cover, and the sensor is provided between the seat form and the seat cover. An occupant discriminating system for an automobile, wherein a mat is incorporated, and a slippery material is used for contact surfaces between the seat foam and the seat skin.