JP2002307993A - Seated occupant determining device for vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seated occupant determination device for a vehicle seat, capable of correctly determining a seated occupant by exercising ingenuity on structure of a seating position of the seat and a seat base and using as few seat sensors as possible. SOLUTION: In the seat base M, respective doglegged link levers 50, 60 are provided on sections between respective front parts and respective rear parts of a seat rail 30 and a lower rail 40 on respective left sides. The respective doglegged link levers 50, 60 are provided on sections between respective front parts and respective rear parts of the seat rail 30 and the lower rail 40 on the respective right side. Respective seat sensors are provided on a boundary section between both lever parts constituting the respective link levers 50, 60. The respective seat sensors thereby detect a distortion amount of the respective link levers which elastically deform corresponding to the load from the seating position on the seat base, thus determining the seated occupant on the seat corresponding to the distortion amount detected by the respective seat sensors.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for determining a seated occupant of a vehicle seat.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in a seat occupant determination device employed in a vehicle airbag system,
In determining the type of the seated occupant, a pressure sensor is embedded in the seated portion of the seat, and the weight of the seated occupant is detected by the pressure sensor as a load.

[0003]

By the way, in the above-described seated occupant determination device, depending on the seating position of the seated occupant in the seating portion, the pressure sensor can detect the load of the seated occupant even though the occupant is present. As a result, there is a problem that an erroneous determination of the presence or absence of a seated occupant is caused.

On the other hand, if a pressure sensor having a large pressure-sensitive surface over the entire seating surface of the seating portion is used, or if a plurality of pressure sensors distributed over the entire seating surface of the seating portion are employed, the size of the pressure sensor becomes large and the components become large. An increase in points leads to an increase in cost.

In view of the above, the present invention devises a configuration of a seat occupying portion and a seat pedestal of the seat and uses the smallest possible number of seat sensors to correctly determine a seated occupant. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for determining a seated occupant of a vehicle seat.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a vehicle seat sitting occupant determining apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a floor (L) and a seat (S) in a vehicle interior of a vehicle. ) Elastically deforming means (50, 60, 200, 210, 22) which is interposed between the seating portion (10) and elastically deforms when the load of the seated occupant of the seat is received through the seating portion.
0, 230, 240, 270, 280, 290, 30
0, 310, 320, 330) dispersed in the surface direction of the seating surface of the seating portion (M, Ma, Mb, M).
c, Me, Mf), the respective seat sensors (70a to 70d) for detecting the respective amounts of distortion generated in the respective elastic deformation means in accordance with the elastic deformation, and the seated occupants in accordance with the detected distortion amounts of the respective sheet sensors. (111, 130 to 132).

As described above, a plurality of elastic deformation means are provided on the seat base, and the amount of distortion of each elastic deformation means which elastically deforms in accordance with the load applied through the seating portion as the occupant sits on the seating portion of the seat is reduced. Since the detection of the seated occupant is performed by detecting each seat sensor, it is not necessary to distribute a large number of seat sensors over the entire seating surface of the seating portion. The increase can be suppressed, and as a result, the cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, each of the elastically deforming means is dispersed so as to correspond to each of four front, rear, left and right portions of the seating surface of the seating portion. The seat is provided on the seat base, and is elastically deformed by receiving a load via each corresponding portion at each of four front, rear, left and right portions of the seating surface of the seating portion.

Thus, even if only four seat sensors are provided corresponding to the four elastic deformation means corresponding to the four front, rear, left and right portions of the seating surface of the seating portion, the same operation and effect as in the first aspect of the present invention are provided. Can be achieved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, a pair of left and right seat rails are provided on the floor surface in a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction and parallel to each other. (30) and a pair of left and right lower rails (40) which are arranged directly above the respective seat rails along the longitudinal direction of the respective seat rails and are fixed to the seating portion from the lower surface thereof. Are between each front part of each left seat rail and lower rail, between each rear part of each left seat rail and lower rail, between each front part of each right seat rail and lower rail, each rear part of each right seat rail and lower rail. Link levers (5
0, 60, 200, 210), and each seat sensor is provided on a part of each corresponding link lever, and each of the seat sensors is elastically deformed according to the load applied to the seating portion. It is characterized in that the amount of distortion of a part of the link lever is detected.

As described above, each of the elastic deformation means may be constituted by the link lever provided as described above.
The same operation and effect as the invention described in (1) can be achieved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, a pair of left and right seat rails are provided on the floor surface in a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction and parallel to each other. (30) and a pair of left and right lower rails (40) which are arranged directly above the respective seat rails along the longitudinal direction of the respective seat rails and are fixed to the seating portion from the lower surface thereof. Are between each front part of each left seat rail and lower rail, between each rear part of each left seat rail and lower rail, between each front part of each right seat rail and lower rail, each rear part of each right seat rail and lower rail. A link lever (220) connected to each other between the front and rear parts of the left and right lower rails so as to be relatively rotatable and parallel to each other. Has been back and forth between the two poles (230
b) and a distortion member (230a) extending in an L-shape from each of the front and rear portions of the left and right seat rails along each of the right and left ends of the front and rear poles, from the seating portion to the left and right lower rails. With the rotation of each link lever according to the load, the front and rear poles move down together with the left and right lower rails to elastically deform the L-shaped extending portions of the respective strain members, and each of the sheet sensors respectively It is characterized in that an amount of distortion corresponding to the elastic deformation of the L-shaped extension of the member is detected.

Thus, even if each elastic deformation means is constituted, the same operation and effect as the invention according to claim 2 can be achieved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the seat base is a pair of left and right seat rails provided on the floor surface in a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction and parallel to each other. (30) and a pair of left and right lower rails (40) which are arranged directly above the respective seat rails along the longitudinal direction of the respective seat rails and are fixed to the seating portion from the lower surface thereof. Are between each front part of each left seat rail and lower rail, between each rear part of each left seat rail and lower rail, between each front part of each right seat rail and lower rail, and each rear part of each right seat rail and lower rail. A U-shaped spring member is provided between the spring members, and each sheet sensor detects a distortion amount corresponding to the elastic deformation of the U-shaped top of each spring member.

Thus, even if each elastic deformation means is constituted, the same operation and effect as the invention according to claim 2 can be achieved.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, each of the elastically deforming means is distributed so as to correspond to each of two right and left portions of the seating surface of the seating portion. The seat is provided on the seat base, and the left and right sides of the seating surface of the seat
It is characterized in that it is elastically deformed by receiving a load via each corresponding portion for each of the locations.

As described above, even when the two elastic deformation means are provided as described above, substantially the same operation and effect as the first aspect of the invention can be achieved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, a pair of left and right seat rails are provided on the floor surface in a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction and parallel to each other. (30) and a pair of left and right lower rails (40) which are arranged directly above the respective seat rails along the longitudinal direction of the respective seat rails and are fixed to the seating portion from the lower surface thereof. One of the front and rear link levers (270, 280), which are connected to each other between the front portions and the rear portions of the left seat rail and the lower rail so as to be relatively rotatable, respectively. Each link lever is provided with a distortion pole (290) rotatably connected between the respective central portions, and each link lever is formed in a V-shape so as to project the respective central portions in opposite directions and outward. Is formed The other of the elastic deformation means includes front and rear link levers (270, 280) that are relatively rotatably connected between the front portions and the rear portions of the right seat rail and the lower rail, respectively. A strain pole (290) rotatably connected between the center portions of the link levers so that the link levers project their center portions in opposite directions and outward. Each seat sensor detects an elastic deformation distortion due to elongation of each pole caused by compression of each link lever according to a load applied to the seating portion.

By configuring each elastic deformation means in this way, the same operation and effect as the invention according to claim 6 can be achieved.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, each of the elastically deforming means is dispersed so as to correspond to each of two positions before and after the seating surface of the seating portion. On the seat table, and 2
It is characterized in that it is elastically deformed by receiving a load via each corresponding portion for each of the locations.

As described above, even if each elastic deformation means is provided corresponding to each of the two positions before and after the seating surface as described above, substantially the same operation and effect as the invention according to claim 1 are provided. Can be achieved.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventh aspect, a pair of left and right seat rails are provided on the floor surface in a longitudinal direction in the front-rear direction and parallel to each other. (30) and a pair of left and right lower rails (40) which are arranged directly above the respective seat rails along the longitudinal direction of the respective seat rails and are fixed to the seating portion from the lower surface thereof. One of the front link levers (3) is connected to each other between the front portions of the left seat rail and the lower rail and between the front portions of the right seat rail and the lower rail so as to be relatively rotatable and inclined.
00), and a strain pole (310) supported between the central portions of the link levers. The other of the elastic deformation means is provided between the rear portions of the left seat rail and the lower rail, and between the right seat rail and the rear seat rail. The rear link levers (320), which are connected to each other between the rear portions of the lower rail so as to be relatively rotatable and inclined, and the strain poles (330) supported between the central portions of these link levers. Prepared,
The inclination directions of the front link levers are opposite to each other,
The inclination directions of the rear link levers are opposite to each other,
In addition, the inclination directions of the link levers connected between the left seat rail and the lower rail are opposite to each other, and each seat sensor is provided with each of the link levers generated by the compression of the link levers according to the load applied to the seating portion. It is characterized by detecting elastic deformation distortion due to torsion of the pole.

Thus, even if each elastic deformation means is constituted, the same operation and effect as the invention according to claim 7 can be achieved.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle seat occupant determination apparatus, the seat between the floor (L) and the seat (10) of the seat (S) in the cabin of the vehicle. A plurality of elastic vibration means (250, 260) which elastically vibrate according to the vibration of the seating portion when a load of the seated occupant of the seat is received via the seating portion in the direction of the seating surface of the seating portion; (Md), acceleration sensors (270a to 270d) for respectively detecting acceleration accompanying elastic vibration of each elastic vibration means, and a seated occupant according to the vibration frequency characteristics of the acceleration detected by each of these acceleration sensors. Is determined based on the load and the sitting state (11).
1, 130 to 132).

As described above, by utilizing the vibration frequency characteristics of the acceleration detected by each of these acceleration sensors, the first aspect of the present invention is described.
Can achieve substantially the same functions and effects as the invention described in (1).

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle seat occupant determination apparatus for a vehicle seat (S).
A wire mesh (13) stretched in parallel to the seating surface in the seating portion (10) and elastically deformed when a load of a seated occupant is received through the seating surface, and distributed on the wire mesh in accordance with the elastic deformation. Seat sensors (70a to 70d) for detecting the respective amounts of distortion generated as a result of the determination, and determination means (111, 130 to 70) for determining a seated occupant based on the load and the seating state in accordance with the detected distortion amounts of the respective seat sensors. 13
2).

As described above, by utilizing the elastic deformation of the wire mesh in the seating portion, substantially the same operation and effect as the first aspect of the present invention can be achieved.

The reference numerals in the parentheses of the above means indicate the correspondence with specific means described in the embodiments described later.

[0029]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of an apparatus for determining a seated occupant of a passenger car seat according to the present invention. The passenger car has a seat S as shown in FIG.
Is provided in the vehicle interior, and the seat S is provided on the floor L of the passenger compartment of the passenger car via a seat table M.
And a backrest 20.

The seat base M includes a pair of left and right seat rails 3.
0 (only the left seat rail 30 is shown in FIG. 1), and a pair of left and right lower arms 40 (in FIG. 1, the left lower rail 40).
Only), a pair of left and right front and rear link levers 50,
60 (only the left link levers 50 and 60 are shown in FIG. 1).

The pair of left and right seat rails 30 are mounted on the vehicle interior floor L in parallel with each other along the front-rear direction of the passenger car. Here, the left seat rail 30 is located immediately below the left side of the seating section 10 and the right seat rail 30
Is located immediately below the right side of the seating section 10. Each seat rail 30 is formed of a metal plate.

The left lower rail 40 is supported by the left and right front and rear link levers 50 and 60 so as to be located directly above the left seat rail 30 and along the seat rail 30. It is mounted on the left side and supports the left side from below. The right lower rail 40 is provided with the right and left front and rear link levers 50 and 6.
The right lower rail 40 is mounted on the right side of the seating portion 10 to support the right side from below. I have. Each lower rail 60 is formed of a metal plate.

Next, a pair of left and right link levers 5
The configuration of 0 and 60 will be described. The pair of left and right link levers 50 and 60 are both formed of a rectangular metal plate. The left link lever 50 is formed in a V-shape by bending the inclined lever portion 50b upward and backward from the rear end of the horizontal lever portion 50a so as to be inclined upward, and the horizontal lever portion 50a is At the front end 51,
The left seat rail 30 is fixed to the front end of the left seat rail 30 from the outer surface side by a lever pin 52 so as to be relatively non-rotatable and horizontal. The inclined lever portion 50b has an upper end portion 5b.
At 3, the left lower rail 40 is fixed to the front intermediate portion of the left lower rail 40 from the outer surface side by a lever pin 54 so as to be relatively non-rotatable and inclined.

The left link lever 60 is connected to the horizontal lever 6
The horizontal lever portion 60a is formed at the front end portion 61 of the front and rear sides of the left seat rail 30 at the front end portion 61 by bending the inclined lever portion 60b from the rear end portion to the rear side in such a manner that the inclined lever portion 60b is inclined upward and backward. It is fixed to the middle portion in the direction from the outer surface side by a lever pin 62 so as to be relatively non-rotatable and horizontal. The inclined lever portion 60b is fixed to the rear middle portion of the left lower rail 40 from the outer surface side by a lever pin 64 at the upper end portion 63 so as to be relatively non-rotatable and inclined.

The right link lever 50 has the same structure as that of the left link lever 50 and is fixed to the front end portion of the right seat rail 30 and the front intermediate portion of the right lower rail 40 from the outer surface side so as not to rotate relatively. The right link lever 60 has the same configuration as the left link lever 60 and has a middle portion in the front-rear direction of the right seat rail 30 and the right lower rail 40.
And is fixed from the outer surface side so as not to rotate relative to the rear intermediate portion. Thus, the seat base M horizontally supports the left and right lower rails 40 on the left and right seat rails 30 by the left and right front and rear link levers 50 and 60.

As shown in FIG. 2, the seated occupant determination device includes front, rear, left and right seat sensors 70a, 70b, 70
c, 70d, a rotation sensor 80a, a throttle sensor 80b, a vehicle speed sensor 80c, and each seat sensor 70c.
a, 70b, 70c, 70d, a rotation sensor 80a, a throttle sensor 80b, and a microcomputer 90 connected to a vehicle speed sensor 80c.

The seat sensor 70a is provided on the left link lever 50 as shown in FIG. The sheet sensor 70a includes two strain gauges 71 and 72. The two strain gauges 71 and 72 are provided on the outer surface of the left link lever 50 at the boundary between the horizontal lever portion 50a and the inclined lever portion 50b. Is stuck. Here, both strain gauges 71 and 72 are connected to the left link lever 50.
When a load is applied downward from the left lower rail 40 to the link lever 50, the link lever 50 is attached to the boundary portion of the left link lever 50 from the outer surface thereof so as to detect the amount of distortion generated at the boundary portion by elastic deformation. ing.

The seat sensor 70b is provided on the left link lever 60 as shown in FIG. The sheet sensor 70b includes both strain gauges 73 and 74. The strain gauges 73 and 74 are provided with the horizontal lever portion 60a and the inclined lever portion 60b of the left link lever 60.
Is adhered from the outer surface side to the boundary portion between them. Here, both strain gauges 73 and 74 are connected to the left link lever 60.
When a load is applied downward from the left lower rail 40 to the left, the amount of distortion generated at the boundary portion due to elastic deformation of the link lever 60 is detected.
0 from the outer surface side.

The sheet sensor 70c is a sheet sensor 70c.
The sheet sensor 70 has the same configuration as that of FIG.
“c” is attached to the boundary of the right link lever 50 corresponding to the boundary of the left link lever 50 from the outer surface side by the two strain gauges 71 and 72. Here, the attachment of the two strain gauges of the sheet sensor 70c to the right link lever 50 is performed in the same manner as the attachment of the two strain gauges of the sheet sensor 70a to the left link lever 50.

The sheet sensor 70d is a sheet sensor 70d.
The sheet sensor 70 has the same configuration as that of the sheet sensor 70.
The d is attached to the boundary of the right link lever 60 corresponding to the boundary of the left link lever 60 from the outer surface side by the two strain gauges 73 and 74. Here, the attachment of the two strain gauges of the sheet sensor 70d to the right link lever 60 is performed in the same manner as the attachment of the two strain gauges of the sheet sensor 70b to the left link lever 60.

Each of the sheet sensors 70a thus configured
70 to 70d input the detected strain amounts of both strain gauges to the microcomputer 90 as detection outputs. Book first
In the embodiment, as described above, each of the sheet sensors 70a
1 to 70d, the two strain gauges are attached to the boundary between the horizontal lever portion and the inclined lever portion of the link lever in an inclined manner as illustrated in FIG. This is because when a load is applied to the link lever, the link lever is in a V-shape, so that the amount of distortion due to elastic deformation is greatest at the boundary of the link lever.

The rotation sensor 80a detects the rotation speed of the engine of the passenger car. The throttle sensor 80b detects the throttle opening of the engine. Vehicle speed sensor 8
0c detects the vehicle speed of the passenger car.

The microcomputer 90 executes a computer program according to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and during this execution, the rotation sensor 80a
And determination of the establishment of idling of the engine based on each detection output of the throttle sensor 80b, calculation of a load average value based on the detection outputs of the seat sensors 70a to 70d, and correction of the load average value based on the detection output of the vehicle speed sensor 80c. Further, processing such as determination of a seating state of the occupant based on variations in the detection outputs of the seat sensors 70a to 70d is performed. The computer program is stored in the ROM of the microcomputer 90 in advance. Further, the microcomputer 90 is operated by being supplied with power from the battery B via the ignition switch IG of the passenger car.

In the first embodiment configured as described above, when the occupant sits on the seat S, the load of the occupant is applied to the seat table M via the seat portion 10. Along with this,
In the seat table M, both left and right link levers 5 are provided.
0 and 60 are elastically deformed in accordance with the manner in which the occupant is seated, and generate distortion at each of the boundaries, and the amount of each of these distortions is detected by each of the strain gauges of each of the seat sensors 70a to 70d.

When the occupant sitting on the seat S turns on the ignition switch IG to start the engine, the engine is put into an idling state. Further, the microcomputer 90 operates and starts execution of the computer program in response to turning on of the ignition switch IG.

Then, in step 100, since the rotation speed detected by the rotation sensor 80a is the idling rotation speed, a determination of YES is made. Next, in step 101, each of the sheet sensors 70a to 70a
The detection output of d is input to the microcomputer 90. This input is repeated until a determination of YES is made in step 110.

After several seconds corresponding to the termination of the engine after the determination of YES in step 100, a determination of YES is made in step 110. Accordingly, in step 111, the amount of strain detected by each of the strain gauges corresponding to the detection output of each of the sheet sensors 70a to 70d is converted into each load applied to the seat table M via the seating section 10, and the average of these loads is calculated. A value (hereinafter, referred to as a load average value) is calculated.

Thereafter, if the passenger car is in a running state, step 12 is performed based on the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 80c.
A determination of YES is made at 0. Accordingly, in step 121, the load average value is corrected as follows. When the passenger car is in a running state, the vibration of the seating portion 10 changes due to the fluctuation of the engine speed and the fluctuation of the opening degree of the throttle, and the fluctuation of the vibration is caused by each of the seat sensors 70a to 70d. The detection output fluctuates. Therefore, in consideration of this, the load average value is corrected according to the fluctuation of the detection output of each of the sheet sensors 70a to 70d. After this correction, the determination in step 130 is made. If the determination in step 120 is NO, the determination in step 130 is made directly.

In step 130, taking into account that the distribution of the load applied to the seating portion 10 varies depending on the manner in which the occupant sits on the seat S, the seat sensors 70a
It is determined whether or not there is a variation in the detection output from 70d to 70d.
Here, if there is no variation in the detection output of each of the seat sensors 70a to 70d, the occupant is seated deeply on the seat S so as to cover the entire seating surface of the seating portion 10, so that the determination in step 130 is made. It becomes NO. Accordingly, in step 131, it is determined that the occupant is seated on the seat S in a posture in which the occupant sits deeply over the entire seating surface of the seating portion 10 together with the load.

On the other hand, if the determination in step 130 is NO
In this case, since the detection outputs of the seat sensors 70a to 70d vary, the occupant's seating posture is not such that it covers the entire seating surface of the seating portion 10 of the seat S. Therefore, in step 132, it is determined which of the sheet sensors has a large amount of detected distortion, which is a detection output of each of the sheet sensors 70a to 70d, and which of the sheet sensors has a small amount. Here, both sheet sensors 70b, 70d
Is very small than the detected distortion amounts of both the seat sensors 70a and 70c, the occupant moves the seat 1
It is determined that the seat is shallow at 0 and sits on the front side. If there is a difference between the detected strain of each of the seat sensors 70a and 70b and the detected strain of each of the seat sensors 70c and 70d, the occupant applies a load to the left or right side of the seating portion 10. Is determined to be seated on the seat S. Therefore, the occupant is determined together with the load according to the sitting posture of the occupant.

Here, as described above, the seat table M is provided between the seating portion 10 of the seat S and the floor surface L. In this seat table M, both link levers 50 facing the front left and right sides of the seating portion 10 are provided. The two link levers 60 are provided with both seat sensors 70a and 70c, and are opposed to the rear left and right of the seating portion 10.
Are provided with the two sheet sensors 70b and 70d, and the strain at the above-described boundary portion of the corresponding link levers 50 and 60 is detected by the two strain gauges of the sheet sensors 70a, 70c, 70b and 70d.

Therefore, no matter how the occupant's seating load applied to the seat table M via the seating portion 10 is distributed, the occupant's seating load is changed according to the occupant's seating state on the seat S.
It is detected by both strain gauges of the sheet sensors 70a, 70c, 70b, 70d. Such detection is performed only by providing the seat sensors 70a, 70c, 70b, 70d on the left and right link levers 50, 60 as described above, so that the seat sensors are distributed over the entire seating surface of the seating section 10. There is no need to provide the sheet sensors, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of each sheet sensor and an increase in the number of parts, and as a result, a reduction in cost can be achieved.

Further, both strain gauges of each sheet sensor are:
The corresponding link lever is attached to the above-mentioned boundary portion from the outer surface side. Each link lever is formed in a U-shape so as to be greatly elastically deformed according to the load from the seating portion 10. For this reason, a large amount of strain detected by both strain gauges of each seat sensor can be ensured, so that the load on the seating portion 10 can be detected with higher accuracy.

When the seated occupant determination device is applied to the airbag system of the passenger car, the airbag is driven according to the determination result in step 131 or 132 accompanying the collision of the passenger car. Thereby, the occupant can be properly protected by the airbag according to the sitting posture and the load.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, a seat table Ma is interposed between the seat 10 and the floor L instead of the seat table M described in the first embodiment.
The seat base Ma has a configuration in which a pair of front and rear left and right link levers 200 and 210 are employed instead of the pair of front and rear left and right link levers 50 and 60 in the above-described seat base M.

In the seat table Ma, the left link lever 200 is a T-shaped lever 200a made of a metal plate.
And a linear lever portion 200b made of a metal plate. The lever portion 200a is configured by extending a leg portion 202 in a T-shape from the longitudinal center portion of the head portion 201.
The lever portion 200a is provided at the front portion of the left seat rail 30 at the front portion of the left seat rail 30 from the outer surface side thereof along the longitudinal direction. Double lever pin 201 on front of 30
a. The leg 202 extends directly upward from the longitudinal center of the head 201.

The lever portion 200b is fixed to the upper end portion of the leg portion 202 of the lever portion 200a so as to be relatively non-rotatable by a lever pin 201b at the lower end portion in the longitudinal direction.
As shown in FIG. 5, the lever portion 200b extends upward and rearward in an inclined manner along the front portion of the left lower rail 40, and at the extended upper end thereof, is attached to the front portion of the left lower rail 40 by a lever pin 201c. It is fixed so that it cannot rotate relative to the outer surface.

The left link lever 210 has the same configuration as the left link lever 200. The left link lever 210 is a T-shaped lever corresponding to a T-shaped lever 200a and a linear lever 200b, respectively. Part 21
0a and a linear lever portion 210b. Lever part 2
10a is the left seat rail 30 at its head 211.
The head portion 211 is fixed to the rear portion of the left seat rail 30 at both ends in the longitudinal direction from the outer surface side of the head portion 211 by both lever pins 211a. The leg portion 212 extends upward from the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the head portion 211.

The lever portion 210b is fixed to the upper end portion of the leg portion 212 of the lever portion 210a by a lever pin 211b at the lower end portion in the longitudinal direction so as not to be relatively rotatable.
As shown in FIG. 5, the lever portion 210b extends upward and rearward in an inclined manner along the rear portion of the left lower rail 40, and at the extended upper end thereof, from the outer surface side to the rear portion of the left lower rail 40. It is fixed so as not to rotate relatively by the lever pin 211c. In addition, both heads 201, 211
Are located on the same horizontal line, and both levers 200b, 2
10b are both inclined in parallel.

The right link lever 200 is also constructed in the same manner as the left link lever 200. The right link lever 200 has a T-shaped lever portion 200a and a linear lever portion 200b, which are located in front of the right seat rail 30. And a front portion of the right lower rail 40, from the outer surface side, similarly to the T-shaped lever portion 200 a and the linear lever portion 200 b of the left link lever 200. The right link lever 210 is also configured in the same manner as the left link lever 210. The right link lever 210 has a T-shaped lever portion 210a and a linear lever portion 210b, and a rear portion of the right seat rail 30 and a right lower rail 40. Is fixed to the rear part from the outer surface side in the same manner as the T-shaped lever part 210a and the linear lever part 210b of the left link lever 210. Thus, the seat table Ma horizontally supports the left and right lower rails 40 on the left and right seat rails 30 by the front and rear left and right link levers 200 and 210.

In the second embodiment, the sheet sensor 70a described in the first embodiment is different from the left link lever 20 in the first embodiment.
The center portion of the head portion 201 in the zero lever portion 200a in the longitudinal direction is provided from the outer surface side. However, this second
In the embodiment, one of the strain gauges 72 of the two strain gauges of the sheet sensor 70a is omitted. Along with this, the strain gauge 71 is attached to the central part of the head 201 in the longitudinal direction along the longitudinal direction.

Accordingly, when a load is applied downward from the left lower rail 40 of the left link lever 200, the strain gauge 71 elastically deforms the leg portion 202 of the lever portion 200a rearward, so that the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the head portion 201 is formed. Is detected.

The seat sensor 70b described in the first embodiment is provided with the lever portion 2 of the left link lever 210.
At the center of the head 211 in the longitudinal direction in 10a, it is provided from the outer surface side. However, in the second embodiment,
One strain gauge 74 of both strain gauges of the sheet sensor 70b is omitted. Accordingly, the strain gauge 73
Is attached to the longitudinal center of the head 211 along the longitudinal direction. Thus, when a load is applied downward from the left lower rail 40 of the left link lever 210, the strain gauge 73 causes the strain generated at the longitudinal center portion of the head portion 211 by the elastic deformation of the leg portion 212 of the lever portion 210a rearward. Detect the amount.

The sheet sensor 70c described in the first embodiment is the same as the sheet sensor 70a in the second embodiment.
The sheet sensor 70b has the same configuration as that of the sheet sensor 70b.
Is the right link lever 200
Of the T-shaped lever portion 200a is attached to the longitudinal center of the T-shaped lever portion 200a from the outer surface side. The sheet sensor 70d described in the first embodiment has the same configuration as the sheet sensor 70b in the second embodiment.
This sheet sensor 70 d is
T-shaped lever portion 210a of right link lever 210
Is attached to the central portion in the longitudinal direction. Here, the attachment of the strain gauge of the sheet sensor 70d to the right link lever 210 is performed in the same manner as the attachment of the strain gauge of the sheet sensor 70b to the left link lever 210.

In the second embodiment, as described above, in each of the sheet sensors 70a to 70d, the strain gauge is attached to the longitudinal center of the T-shaped lever portion of the corresponding link lever along the longitudinal direction. The reason for this is that when a load is applied to the link lever from the lower rail toward the seat rail, the leg of the T-shaped lever is fixed to the link so that the straight lever is directed rearward as shown in FIG. This is because the T-shaped lever part has the largest amount of distortion due to elastic deformation at the center in the longitudinal direction of the head part. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment configured as described above, when the occupant sits on the seat S, the load of the occupant is applied to the seat table Ma via the seat portion 10. Along with this, in the seat table Ma, both left and right link levers 200 and 210 are elastically deformed in accordance with the manner of seating of the occupant, and a distortion is generated at the longitudinal central portion of the T-shaped lever portion, Each of these distortion amounts corresponds to each of the sheet sensors 70a to 70a.
0d is detected by a strain gauge.

When the computer program proceeds to step 111 as described in the first embodiment,
The amount of strain detected by each strain gauge corresponding to the detection output of each of the seat sensors 70a to 70d is converted into each load applied to the seat table Ma via the seating section 10, and the average value of these loads is calculated. Subsequent microcomputer 90
Is performed substantially in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

Therefore, in the seat table Ma, the first
A pair of link levers 50, 6 of the seat table M of the embodiment.
Unlike the case of 0, even if each pair of link levers 200 and 210 is adopted, the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment can be achieved.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 6 shows a main part of a third embodiment of the present invention. The seat portion 10 of the seat S described in the second embodiment includes front and rear poles 11 and 12 and a wire net 13 as shown in FIG. The pole 11 is disposed along the left-right direction at the front part in the seating part 10 and is supported on both sides of the seating part 10.
The poles 12 are arranged along the left-right direction at the rear portion inside the seating portion 10 and are supported on both sides of the seating portion 10.
The wire mesh 13 is supported by the front and rear poles 11 and 12 at its front end and rear end, and is stretched in parallel along the entire seating surface of the seating portion 10.

In the third embodiment, each of the sheet sensors 70a to 70d described in the second embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that a wire mesh 13a as shown in FIG.
Are provided at an interval from each other. However, the seat sensor 70a is located just above and near the center in the longitudinal direction of the T-shaped lever portion 201 of the left link lever 200 described in the second embodiment, and the seat sensor 70b is
The sheet sensor 70c is located just above the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the T-shaped lever portion 211 of the left link lever 210 described in the embodiment, and the T-shaped of the right link lever 200 described in the second embodiment. The sheet sensor 70d is located in the vicinity of the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the lever-like lever 201, and detects the T of the right link lever 210 described in the second embodiment.
It is located just above and near the longitudinal center of the L-shaped lever 211. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

In the third embodiment configured as described above, when the occupant sits on the seat S, the load of the occupant is applied to the wire net 13 in the seating portion via the seating surface of the seating portion 10. Along with this, the wire mesh 13 is elastically deformed according to the manner in which the occupant is seated to generate strain, and the respective strain amounts are detected by the strain gauges of the seat sensors 70a to 70d.

When the computer program proceeds to step 111 in the same manner as described in the second embodiment,
The amount of strain detected by each strain gauge corresponding to the detection output of each of the seat sensors 70a to 70d is converted into each load applied to the wire mesh 13 via the seating surface of the seating section 10, and the average value of these loads is calculated. Subsequent processing by the microcomputer 90 is performed substantially in the same manner as in the second embodiment.

Therefore, even if the sheet sensors 70a to 70d are fixed to the wire mesh 13 in the seating section 10 instead of the seat base Ma of the second embodiment as in the third embodiment, these sheet sensors The same operation and effect as in the second embodiment can be achieved by using the detection output of (1).

(Fourth Embodiment) FIGS. 7 and 8 show a main part of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the seat table Mb is employed in place of the sheet table Ma (see FIG. 5) described in the second embodiment.
In the seat table Ma, a pair of left and right link levers 220 and a distortion mechanism 230 (in FIG. 7, each right link lever 220 and a distortion mechanism 230) are used instead of the pair of front and rear link levers 200 and 210. 230
Only shown) before and after.

The right link lever 220 has two linear lever portions 220a and 220b each formed of a metal plate. The lever portion 220a has a projection 3 projecting upward from a front portion of the right seat rail 30 at a rear end thereof.
1 is connected to the outer surface side thereof by a lever pin 221a so as to be relatively rotatable.

The lever portion 220b has a lever pin 221b at the front end of the lever portion 220a at the center in the longitudinal direction.
For relative rotation. The lower end of the lever portion 220b is connected to the front portion of the right seat rail 30 from the outer surface side by a lever pin 222a so as to be relatively rotatable so as to be located in front of the protrusion 31. The upper end of the lever portion 220b is connected to the front portion of the right lower rail 40 from the outer surface side by a lever pin 222b so as to be relatively rotatable.

By configuring the right link lever 220 in this manner, when a load is applied downward from the front portion of the right lower rail 40, the front portion of the right lower rail 40 is inclined backward and downward. Lever part 222
b rotates clockwise in FIG. 7 around the front end of the lever 220a.

As shown in FIG. 7, the right distortion mechanism 230 includes a right seat rail 30 and a right lower rail 4.
0 is provided on each front side.
0 denotes an L-shaped distortion member 230a and a metal cylindrical pole 2
30b. The distortion member 230a
A metal prism-shaped support portion 231 is provided.
1 is the right seat rail 30 at its lower end 231a.
7 is mounted from the inner surface side to the front side of the front side, and extends upward in FIG. Further, the distortion member 230a includes a distortion plate portion 232 made of metal, and the distortion plate portion 232 is mounted on the upper end portion of the support portion 231 at a rear end 232a so as to be horizontally directed forward. It extends parallel to the inner surface of the right lower rail 40. This distortion plate portion 23
2 is formed to have a thickness such that when it is pressed from above by a pole 230b at the front end of its extension as described later, it is distorted downward.

The pole 230b is supported by the left and right lower rails 40 so as to be located directly above the front end of the extending portion of the distortion portion 232. The pole 230b has both right and left ends 233 (in FIG. Only the end 233 is shown)
, Are fitted in support holes 41 (only the right support holes 41 are shown in FIG. 7) formed at the front ends of the left and right lower rails 40, and are supported by the left and right lower rails 40.

Here, when no load is applied to the lower rails 40 downward, the poles 230b
As shown in FIG. 8, at the right intermediate portion, the extension front end portion of the distortion portion 232 is contacted from directly above the extension front end portion.
It is supported by both lower rails 40. The inner diameter of each support hole 41 of the left and right lower rails 40 is
The outer diameter of the pole 230b is set to be substantially equal to the outer diameter of the pole 230b to the extent that it can be relatively rotated to 0b.

The left link lever 220 has the same configuration as the right link lever 220. The left link lever 220 is provided at the rear end of the lever portion 220a.
A protrusion (corresponding to the protrusion 31 of the right seat rail 30) projecting upward from the front portion of the left seat rail 30 is connected to the outer surface of the left seat rail 30 by a lever pin (not shown) so as to be relatively rotatable.

The left link lever 220 is located at the lever portion 220b to the left of the lever portion 220b of the right link lever 220. The levers (not shown) are connected so as to be relatively rotatable from the front side. Thus, in the left link lever 220, when a load is applied downward from the front portion of the left lower rail 40, the lever portion 222b is configured to move the front portion of the left lower rail 40 backward and downward in an inclined manner. 220a
Is rotated clockwise about the front end of the.

The left distortion mechanism 230 is configured similarly to the right distortion mechanism 230, but the left distortion mechanism 230 shares a pole 230b with the right distortion mechanism 230. The left distortion mechanism 230 is provided on each front side of the left seat rail 30 and the left lower rail 40, and the left distortion mechanism 230 includes the distortion member 230.
At a, it is attached to the front of the left seat rail 30 from the inner surface side substantially in the same manner as the distortion member 230a in the left direction of the right distortion mechanism 230. In the left distortion mechanism 230, the distortion plate portion 2 of the distortion member 230a
Numeral 32 is positioned so as to come into contact with the left intermediate portion of the pole 230b from directly above at the extension front end.

The rear and right link levers 220 and the distortion mechanism 230 are provided at the rear of the right seat rail 30 and the right lower rail 40 at the front and right link levers 22 respectively.
0 and the distortion mechanism 230 have substantially the same configuration. Also, the link lever 2 on the rear and left side
The 20 and the distortion mechanism 230 are provided at the rear portions of the left seat rail 30 and the left lower rail 40 in substantially the same configuration as the front and left link lever 220 and the distortion mechanism 230, respectively.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the sheet sensor 70c described in the second embodiment is attached to the longitudinally intermediate portion of the distortion portion 232 in the front and right distortion mechanism 230 from the back side. ing. In substantially the same manner, the sheet sensor 70a described in the second embodiment
Is the distortion portion 23 of the front and left distortion mechanism 230
2, the sheet sensor 70d described in the second embodiment is attached to the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the distorted portion 232 of the rear and right distortion mechanism 230. From the second
The sheet sensor 70b described in the embodiment is affixed from the back side to the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the distortion portion 232 in the rear and left distortion mechanism 230. However, each of the sheet sensors 70a to 70d is attached to the back surface of the corresponding distorted portion 232 such that the strain gauge is distorted in accordance with the downward strain of the extending front end of the distorted portion 232. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

In the fourth embodiment configured as described above, when the occupant sits on the seat S, the load of the occupant is applied to the seat table Mb via the seat portion 10. In the seat table Mb, the lever portions 220b of the front, rear, left and right link levers 220 are inclined as illustrated in FIG.
It is pushed by both lower rails 40 so as to rotate clockwise (see FIG. 7) about the front end of Oa. Further, the front and rear poles 230a are, as described above, the left and right lower rails 4.
Since the left and right lower rails 40 are relatively rotatable with respect to the front and rear portions, the left and right lower rails 40 are inclined rearward and downward in accordance with the clockwise rotation of the lever portions 220b.

Along with this, the front pole 230b is formed on the surface of each of the distorted portions 232 by elastically deforming the extending front ends of the distorted portions 232 of the front left and right distorting mechanisms 230 downward at the left and right intermediate portions. Move backward along. The rear pole 230b also exerts a similar effect on the left and right distortion mechanisms 230 on the rear side. Therefore, each of the sheet sensors 70a to 70d is distorted by its strain gauge. Here, each of the distorted portions 232 is elastically deformed in accordance with the manner of seating of the occupant to generate distortion, and the amount of each of these distortions is determined by each of the seat sensors 70 a to 70.
0d is detected by a strain gauge.

When the computer program proceeds to step 111 in the same manner as described in the second embodiment,
The detected strain amount of each strain gauge corresponding to the detection output of each of the seat sensors 70a to 70d is converted into each load applied to the seat base Mb via the seating section 10, and the average value of these loads is calculated. Subsequent microcomputer 90
Is performed substantially in the same manner as in the second embodiment. With this, the same operation and effect as the second embodiment can be achieved.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 9 shows a main part of a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the fifth embodiment, the seat base Mc is the same as the seat base Ma described in the second embodiment.
(See FIG. 5). The seat table M
c is a pair of left and right distortion mechanisms 240 (the front and right distortion mechanisms 240 in FIG. 9) instead of the front and rear pair of link levers 200 and 210 on the seat table Ma.
Only shown) before and after.

As shown in FIG. 9, the front and right distortion mechanism 240 is a U-shaped leaf spring member 240a made of metal.
The leaf spring member 240a abuts on a lower front edge of the right lower rail 40 at an upper end 241 thereof,
The lower end 242 abuts on the upper edge of the front part of the right seat rail 30 and is sandwiched between the front parts of the lower rail 40 and the seat rail 30 on both right sides.

Here, the upper end portion 24 of the leaf spring member 240a is
1 is supported by passing through the through hole 241 a and fastening a screw 243 a to the front portion of the right lower rail 40. The lower end 242 of the leaf spring member 240a
Is supported by tightening a screw 243b to a front portion of the right seat rail 30 through the through hole 242a. However, the U-shaped part 244 of the leaf spring member 240a is
At the top, it faces each rear side of the right seat rail 30 and the right lower rail 40.

The front and right distortion mechanism 240 is
As shown in FIG. 9, a stopper member 240b is provided. The stopper member 240b has a metal base 245. The metal base 245 is fitted in a shaft hole formed concentrically with the screw 243b, and
0 is attached to the front upper edge. Stopper member 2
40b is provided with a screw 246,
9 is inserted into the through hole 247 formed in the upper leg of the leaf spring member 240a from the upper side in FIG. 9 at the lower part of the neck, and is fastened to the upper end of the metal base 245.
The head 246a of the screw 246 is connected to the right lower rail 4
In order not to cause excessive elastic deformation of the leaf spring member 240a due to the load from the front part of the zero, the downward movement range of the front part of the right lower rail 40 is regulated. The leaf spring member 24
0a, the through holes 241a and 242a
In the relationship with the diameter of the lower part of the neck of a, 243b, it is a fool hole, and absorbs a positioning error of the leaf spring member 240a with respect to the right seat rail 30 and the lower rail 40.

The right and rear distortion mechanisms 240 and the front and rear left distortion mechanisms 240 have the same configuration as the right and front distortion mechanisms 240 described above, respectively. The distortion mechanism 240 is provided between the rear portions of the right seat rail 30 and the right lower rail 40 in substantially the same manner as the right and front distortion mechanism 240. Further, the front and left distortion mechanism 240 is provided between the front portions of the left seat rail 30 and the left lower rail 40,
The rear and left distortion mechanisms 240 are provided substantially in the same manner as the right and front distortion mechanisms 240. The rear and left distortion mechanisms 240 are provided between the rear portions of the left seat rail 30 and the left lower rail 40, and substantially with the left and front distortion mechanisms 240. Are similarly provided.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the sheet sensor 70c described in the second embodiment is attached to the top of the U-shaped portion 244 of the leaf spring member 240a of the front and right side distortion mechanism 240, on the outer surface side thereof. It is stuck from. In substantially the same manner, the sheet sensor 70 described in the second embodiment is described.
a is the leaf spring member 24 of the front and left distortion mechanism 240;
The sheet sensor 70d attached to the top of the U-shaped portion 244a from the outer surface side and described in the second embodiment.
Is a leaf spring member 240 of the rear and right strain mechanism 240.
a is attached to the top of the U-shaped part 244 from the outer surface side thereof,
Further, the sheet sensor 70b described in the second embodiment is used.
Is a leaf spring member 240 of the rear and left distortion mechanism 240.
It is attached to the top of the U-shaped portion 244 of FIG. However, each of the sheet sensors 70a to 70d is attached to the top of the corresponding U-shaped portion 244 such that the strain gauge is greatly distorted in accordance with the downward distortion of the U-shaped portion 244. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment configured as described above, when the occupant sits on the seat S, the load of the occupant is applied to the seat table Mc via the seat portion 10. Then, in the seat table Mc, the leaf spring members 240a of the front and rear, left and right distortion mechanisms 240 receive the load via the corresponding lower rails 40, and reduce the vertical opening width of the U-shaped portion 244. The U-shaped part 244 is elastically deformed. For this reason, each of the sheet sensors 70a to 70d is distorted by its strain gauge in accordance with the elastic deformation of the corresponding U-shaped portion 244. Here, each U-shaped portion 244 is elastically deformed according to the manner of seating of the occupant to generate a distortion, and the amount of each of these distortions is detected by the strain gauge of each of the seat sensors 70a to 70d.

When the computer program proceeds to step 111 in the same manner as described in the second embodiment,
The detected strain amount of each strain gauge corresponding to the detection output of each of the seat sensors 70a to 70d is converted into each load applied to the seat base Mc via the seating section 10, and the average value of these loads is calculated. Subsequent microcomputer 90
Is performed substantially in the same manner as in the second embodiment. With this, the same operation and effect as the second embodiment can be achieved.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIGS. 10 and 11 show a main part of a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In the sixth embodiment, the seat table Md and the front / rear / left / right acceleration sensors 27
0a to 270d are the seat table M and the front, rear, left and right sheet sensors 70a to 70d described in the first embodiment.
(See FIG. 1).

The seat table Md is different from the sheet table M described in the first embodiment in that, instead of the pair of front and rear link levers 50 and 60, a pair of front and rear left and right levers 250 formed of a metal plate are used. 260 (in FIG. 10,
(Only the two levers 250 and 260 on the left side are shown).

The left lever 250 is fixed to the front portions of the left lower rail 40 and the left seat rail 30 from the outer surface at both upper and lower ends. Here, the left lever 250 is fixed such that the lower end of the left lever 250 is located forward of the upper end of the left lever 250.

The left lever 260 is fixed to the rear portions of the left lower rail 40 and the left seat rail 30 from the outer surface side at both upper and lower ends. Here, the fixing of the left lever 260 is inclined so that the lower end of the left lever 260 is located forward of the upper end of the left lever 260. As a result, the left levers 250 and 260 are inclined in parallel with each other as shown in FIG.

The right lever 250 is fixed to the respective front parts of the lower rail 40 and the seat rail 30 on the right side from the outer surface side at both upper and lower ends. Here, the right lever 250 is fixed such that the lower end of the right lever 250 is located forward of the upper end of the right lever 250.

The right lever 260 is fixed to the respective rear portions of the right lower rail 40 and the seat rail 30 from the outer surface side at both upper and lower ends. Here, the right lever 260 is fixed such that the lower end of the right lever 260 is positioned forward of the upper end of the right lever 260. Thereby, both levers 250 and 260 on the right side are combined with both levers 250 and 26 on the left side.
Like 0, they are inclined parallel to each other.

As shown in FIG. 10, the acceleration sensor 270a is attached to the center of the left lever 250 in the longitudinal direction from the outer surface side.
Detects the acceleration due to the vibration of the left lever 250 generated in response to the load from the seat 10 on the front of the left lower rail 40. The acceleration sensor 270b is attached to the center of the left lever 260 in the longitudinal direction from the outer surface side.
The acceleration due to the vibration of the left lever 250, which is generated in response to the load from the seating portion 10 applied to the rear portion of the zero, is detected.

The acceleration sensor 270c is attached to the center of the right lever 250 in the longitudinal direction from the side, and the acceleration sensor 270c is attached to the right lower rail 40.
The acceleration due to the vibration of the right lever 250 generated in response to the load from the seating portion 10 applied to the front portion is detected. The acceleration sensor 270d is attached to the center of the right lever 260 in the longitudinal direction from the outer surface side thereof. The acceleration sensor 270d is provided on the right lever 260 in response to the load from the seating portion 10 applied to the rear of the right lower rail 40. The acceleration due to the vibration of 260 is detected.

Here, each of the acceleration sensors 270a through 270
The relationship between the detected acceleration of 0d and the vibration frequency is as shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, a graph a is
The frequency characteristic when the occupant is not seated on the seat S is shown. The graph b shows the frequency characteristic when the seated occupant of the seat S has a small load such as a child.
Shows frequency characteristics when the seated occupant of the seat S has a large load such as an adult.

Each of the acceleration sensors 270a to 270d
Instead of the sheet sensors 70a to 70d described in the first embodiment, a microcomputer 90 is connected as shown in FIG. Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the sixth embodiment configured as described above, when the occupant sits on the seat S, the load of the occupant is applied to the seat table Md via the seat portion 10. Accordingly, in the seat table Md, the front, rear, left, and right levers 250 and 260 are elastically deformed and vibrated according to the manner of seating of the occupant, and the respective accelerations generated by the respective vibrations are detected by the acceleration sensors 270a to 270d. Is detected.

When the computer program proceeds to step 111 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment,
The acceleration detected by each of the acceleration sensors 270a to 270d is converted into each load applied to the seat table Md via the seating section 10, and the average value of these loads is calculated. Subsequent processing by the microcomputer 90 is performed substantially in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, as shown in FIG. 12, since the frequency characteristics of the acceleration differ depending on the load of the occupant sitting on the seat S, the load average value also differs according to the acceleration. Therefore, the load of the seated occupant is determined in consideration of the difference. Each lever 250, 2
Since the vibration of the occupant 60 changes according to the manner in which the occupant sits, the variation in the detected acceleration of each of the acceleration sensors 270a to 270d is considered instead of the variation in the amount of distortion detected by each of the seat sensors 70a to 70d. The seating posture is determined. With this configuration, substantially the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

(Seventh Embodiment) FIG. 13 shows a main part of a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the seventh embodiment, the seat Me is the same as the seat M described in the second embodiment.
a (see FIG. 5). In the seat table Me, a pair of left and right link levers 270 and 280 and a pair of left and right metal plate-like strain poles 290 (in FIG. 13) are used instead of the pair of front and rear link levers 200 and 210 in the seat table Ma. Link lever 27 on each right
0 and 280 and only the strain pole 290 are shown).

The left link lever 270 has two linear lever portions 270a and 270b made of a metal plate. As shown in FIG. 13, the lower end of the lever portion 270a is connected to the front portion of the left seat rail 30 by a lever pin 271 from the outer surface side so as to be relatively rotatable. The left seat rail 30 extends forward and upward along the outer surface of the front part of the left seat rail 30 in an inclined manner. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, the lever portion 270b has a lever pin 27 at its upper end.
2, the lever portion 270 is connected to the front portion of the left lower rail 40 so as to be relatively rotatable from the outer surface side thereof.
b extends obliquely forward and downward along the front surface of the left lower rail 40. Here, the lever portion 270b has a lever portion 270a at its lower end.
Is connected to the front end of the left-side strain pole 290 by a lever pin 273 so as to be relatively rotatable.

The left link lever 280 has two linear lever portions 280a and 280b made of a metal plate. As shown in FIG. 13, the lower end of the lever portion 280a is connected to the rear portion of the left seat rail 30 from the outer surface side thereof by a lever pin 281 so as to be relatively rotatable. The left seat rail 30 extends rearward and upward along the outer surface of the rear part of the seat rail 30 in an inclined manner. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, the lever portion 280b has a lever pin 28 at its upper end.
2, the lever portion 280 is connected to the rear portion of the left lower rail 40 so as to be relatively rotatable from the outer surface side.
b extends obliquely rearward and downward along the outer surface of the rear portion of the left lower rail 40. here,
The lever portion 280b has a lever portion 280 at its lower end.
a and the rear end of the left-hand distortion pole 290 are connected by a lever pin 283 so as to be relatively rotatable.

The left strain pole 290 has two link levers 270, 28 at its front and rear ends, as described above.
0 are connected to each other by lever pins 273 and 283, and are supported horizontally. As a result, the left strain pole 290 maintains the left seat rail 30 and the lower rail 40 horizontally and in parallel at a predetermined interval via the left link levers 270 and 280. The left link levers 270 and 280 are maintained by the left distortion pole 290 in a state of being bent in a symmetrical shape in the opposite direction to each other. Also, both left link levers 270,
280 has a vertically symmetrical shape with respect to the axial direction of the left strain pole 290.

Each of the right link levers 270, 280 and the strain pole 290 has the same configuration as the left link lever 270, 280 and the strain pole 290, respectively.
And the distortion pole 290 is connected to each of the link levers 27 on the left side.
0, 280 and the strain pole 290 are connected to the right seat rail 30 and the lower rail 40 in substantially the same manner as when the right and left seat rails 30 and the lower rail 40 are connected. As a result, the right-hand distortion pole 290
Keeps the right side seat rail 30 and the lower rail 40 horizontally and parallel at a predetermined interval via both right side link levers 270 and 280. The right link levers 270 and 280 are maintained by the right strain pole 290 in a state of being bent symmetrically in the opposite direction to each other. Also, both right link levers 270, 280
Has a vertically symmetrical shape with respect to the axial direction of the right-hand strain pole 290.

Further, of the sheet sensors 70a to 70d described in the second embodiment, the sheet sensor 70a
The sheet sensor 70c is attached to the axial center of the left strain pole 290 from the outer surface side, and the sheet sensor 70c is attached to the axial center of the right strain pole 190 from the outer surface side. Here, each of the sheet sensors 70a and 70c is attached to the sheet sensor 70a in accordance with the elastic deformation of the corresponding strain pole 290 in the opposite direction along the axial direction.
The amounts of distortion a and 70c are changed. Note that the two sheet sensors 70b and 70d are omitted in the seventh embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

In the seventh embodiment configured as described above, when the occupant sits on the seat S, the load of the occupant is applied to the seat table Me via the seat portion 10. Then, in this seat table Me, the front, rear, left and right link levers 27
0 and 280 receive a load via the corresponding lower rails 40 so as to reduce the vertical width of the opening. Along with this, the respective connecting portions between the respective lever portions 270a and 270b of the both right and left link levers 270 move forward to pull forward the respective front ends of the left and right strain poles 290, and the left and right link levers 280 Each lever part 280
a, 280b moves rearward and pulls the rear ends of the left and right strain poles 290 rearward. Therefore, both the left and right strain poles 290 extend in the front-rear direction and elastically deform, thereby distorting the strain gauges of the sheet sensors 70a and 70c. Here, both left and right distortion poles 290
The amount of distortion due to the elastic deformation of the occupant changes according to the manner in which the occupant sits. Therefore, each of such distortion amounts is detected by each of the sheet sensors 70a and 70c.

When the computer program proceeds to step 111 in the same manner as described in the second embodiment,
The detected strain amount of each strain gauge corresponding to the detection output of each seat sensor 70a, 70c is transmitted to the seat table M via the seating portion 10.
The load is converted into each load applied to e, and the load average value of these loads is calculated. Subsequent processing by the microcomputer 90 is performed substantially in the same manner as in the second embodiment. This can also achieve substantially the same operation and effect as the second embodiment.

(Eighth Embodiment) FIG. 14 shows a main part of an eighth embodiment of the present invention. In the eighth embodiment, the seat base Mf is the same as the seat base M described in the first embodiment.
(See FIG. 1). The seat table M
f is a configuration in which, in the seat table M, a pair of front and rear link levers 300 and 320 and a pair of front and rear metal columnar strain poles 310 and 330 are provided instead of the pair of front and rear link levers 50 and 60. It has become.

The left link lever 300 is connected at its upper and lower ends to respective front portions of the left lower rail 40 and the left seat rail 30 by respective lever pins 392 and 391 so as to be relatively rotatable from the outer surface side. . Here, the connection of the left link lever 300 is performed such that the lower end of the left link lever 300 is located forward of the upper end of the left link lever 300.

The left link lever 320 is connected at its upper and lower ends to respective rear portions of the left lower rail 40 and the left seat rail 30 by respective lever pins 322 and 321 so as to be relatively rotatable from the outer surface side. Here, the connection of the left link lever 320 is performed such that the lower end of the left link lever 320 is located behind the upper end of the left link lever 320. Thus, the left link levers 300 and 320 are inclined in opposite directions, as shown in FIG. In addition, the left seat rail 3 of both left link levers 300 and 320
The inclination angle with respect to 0 is determined by the two link levers 300, 3
20 on the opposite side.

The right link lever 300 is connected at its upper and lower ends to respective front portions of the right lower rail 40 and the right seat rail 30 by respective lever pins 392 and 391 so as to be relatively rotatable from the outer surface side. . Here, the connection of the right link lever 300 is performed such that the lower end of the right link lever 300 is located behind the upper end of the right link lever 300.

The right link lever 320 is connected at its upper and lower ends to respective rear portions of the right lower rail 40 and the right seat rail 30 by respective lever pins 322 and 321 so as to be relatively rotatable from the outer surface side. Here, the connection of the right link lever 320 is performed such that the lower end of the right link lever 320 is located on the front side of the upper end of the right link lever 320. As a result, both right link levers 300 and 320 are inclined in opposite directions as shown in FIG. The right seat rail 3 of both right link levers 300 and 320
The inclination angle with respect to 0 is determined by the two link levers 300, 3
20 is the same on the opposite side as the opposite side. In addition, the two link levers 300 are opposed to each other in the horizontal direction at the center portions in the longitudinal direction of the respective link levers.
No. 00 is symmetrically inclined with respect to a vertical plane passing through the central portion in each longitudinal direction. Also, both link levers 320
The two link levers 320 are opposed to each other in the horizontal direction at their respective longitudinal central portions, and are symmetrically inclined with respect to a vertical plane passing through the respective longitudinal central portions.

The front strain pole 310 is fixed to the longitudinal center of each of the left and right link levers 300 from the inner surface thereof at each of the left and right ends. On the other hand, the rear strain pole 330 is fixed to the longitudinal center of each of the left and right link levers 320 from the inner surface side at each of the left and right ends. Thereby, both the distortion poles 310 and 330 are
They are located parallel to each other in the same horizontal plane. Therefore, when no load is applied to the seat base Mf from the seating portion 10, these two strain poles 310 and 330 are caused by their elastic force.
Both lower rails 4 via both link levers 300 and 320
0 is maintained above the two seat rails 30 at a predetermined interval.

The sheet sensor 70a described in the first embodiment is provided at the center in the longitudinal direction of the front-side strain pole 310. Both strain gauges 71 and 72 of the sheet sensor 70a are shown in FIG. As in the above, they are attached to the surface of the front strain pole 310 in a cross shape inclining in opposite directions to each other. The sheet sensor 70b described in the first embodiment is provided at the longitudinal center of the rear strain pole 330, and the two strain gauges 73 and 74 of the sheet sensor 70b are shown in FIG. As in the above, they are attached to the surface of the rear strain pole 330 in the shape of a cross inclined in opposite directions to each other. The reason why the two strain gauges are attached in a cross shape to the surface of the corresponding strain pole is to detect the strain due to the torsional elastic deformation of the corresponding strain pole.
The remaining two sheet sensors 70c and 70d described in the first embodiment have been eliminated. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the eighth embodiment configured as described above, when the occupant sits on the seat S, the load of the occupant is applied to the seat base Mf via the seat portion 10. Then, in this seat base Mf, the front, rear, left and right link levers 30
0 and 320 receive a load via the corresponding lower rails 40 so as to reduce the respective inclination angles. Therefore, the front link levers 300 rotate in opposite directions to twist the front strain pole 310 in opposite directions at the left and right ends thereof, and the rear link levers 320 rotate in opposite directions. The side strain poles 330 are twisted in opposite directions at their left and right ends.

As described above, both strain poles 310 and 330
Are twisted, these two strain poles 310 and 330 generate distortion due to torsional elastic deformation at their respective longitudinal center portions, and these distortions are caused by the respective sheet sensors 70a and 70.
b) Distorts both strain gauges. Here, both distortion poles 3
The amount of distortion due to the torsional elastic deformation of 10, 330 changes according to the manner in which the occupant sits. Therefore, each of such distortion amounts is detected by each of the sheet sensors 70a and 70b.

When the computer program proceeds to step 111 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment,
The amount of strain detected by each strain gauge corresponding to the detection output of each seat sensor 70a, 70b is transmitted via the seat 10 to the seat table M
The load is converted into each load applied to f, and the load average value of each load is calculated. Subsequent processing by the microcomputer 90 is performed substantially in the same manner as in the first embodiment. This also achieves substantially the same operation and effect as the first embodiment.

In practicing the present invention, the present invention is not limited to passenger car seats, but may be applied to automobiles and other vehicle seats.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit configuration of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a first part of a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a latter part of the flowchart.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial side view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partially broken side view showing a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a main part electric circuit configuration diagram of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between acceleration and vibration frequency using load as a parameter.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a main part showing an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

L: Floor surface, M, Ma, Mb, Mc, Md, Me, Mf ...
Seat table, S: seat, 10: seat, 13: wire mesh, 3
0: seat rail, 40: lower rail, 70a to 70
d: sheet sensor, 50, 60, 200, 210, 22
0, 250, 260, 270, 280, 300, 330
... Link lever, 90 ... Microcomputer, 230
a: strain member, 240: spring member, 230b, 290,
310, 330 ... strain poles, 270a to 270d ...
Acceleration sensor.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Hisaga Matsuoka 14th Iwatani, Shimowasukamachi, Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture Inside the Japan Auto Parts Research Institute, Inc. Within the Japan Auto Parts Research Institute (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Takahashi 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Prefecture Inside DENSO Corporation (72) Inventor Tsutomu Kazunori 1-1-1, Showa-cho, Kariya-shi, Aichi Co., Ltd. F term in DENSO (reference) 3B087 DE08 3B088 QA05 3D054 EE10 FF16

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A seat interposed between a floor (L) and a seat (10) of a seat (S) in a vehicle interior of a vehicle to receive a load of a seated occupant of the seat via the seat. Elastic deformation means (50, 60, 200, 210,
220, 230, 240, 270, 280, 290, 3
00, 310, 320, 330) dispersed in the surface direction of the seating surface of the seating portion (M, Ma, M).
b, Mc, Me, Mf) and sheet sensors (70a to 70a) for respectively detecting the amount of distortion generated in the respective elastic deformation means in accordance with the elastic deformation thereof.
0d) and determination means (111, 130 to 132) for determining the seated occupant based on the load and the seated state according to the detected distortion amount of each seat sensor. 2. The seat device according to claim 1, wherein each of the elastic deformation means is provided on the seat base so as to correspond to each of four front, rear, left, and right positions of the seating surface of the seating portion. The seat occupant determination device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the load is elastically deformed by receiving the load via each corresponding portion for each of four front, rear, left, and right portions. 3. The seat base comprises a pair of left and right seat rails (30) provided longitudinally in the front-rear direction and in parallel with each other on the floor surface; A pair of left and right lower rails (4
0), wherein each of the elastically deforming means includes a portion between the front portions of the left seat rail and the lower rail, a portion between the rear portions of the left seat rail and the lower rail, and each of the right seat rail and the lower rail. A link lever (50, 60, 200, 210) provided between a front portion and a rear portion of each of the right seat rail and the lower rail, wherein each of the seat sensors is a part of each of the corresponding link levers; And each of the sheet sensors is
The seat occupant determination device for a vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein an amount of distortion of a part of each of the corresponding link levers that elastically deforms in accordance with the load applied to the seat portion is detected. 4. The seat base comprises a pair of left and right seat rails (30) provided longitudinally in the front-rear direction and parallel to each other on the floor surface, and right above the respective seat rails. A pair of left and right lower rails (4) arranged along the longitudinal direction and fixed to the seating portion from the lower surface side.
0), wherein each of the elastically deforming means is provided between each of the front portions of each of the left seat rail and the lower rail,
Between each rear part of each left seat rail and lower rail,
Between each front part of the seat rail and the lower rail on each of the right sides,
A link lever (220) connected to each of the right seat rails and the rear rails so as to be relatively rotatable and inclined, and a relative rotation between the front and rear parts of the left and right lower rails; Front and rear poles (230b) supported as possible and in parallel with each other; and distortion extending in an L-shape from each of the front and rear portions of the left and right seat rails along each of the left and right ends of the front and rear poles. A member (230a), the front and rear poles move down together with the left and right lower rails along with the rotation of the link levers according to the load applied to the left and right lower rails from the seating portion, and the respective distortions are reduced. The L-shaped extension of the member is elastically deformed, and each of the sheet sensors detects a distortion amount corresponding to the elastic deformation of the L-shaped extension of the corresponding distortion member. The apparatus for determining a seated occupant of a vehicle seat according to claim 2. 5. The seat base comprises a pair of left and right seat rails (30) provided longitudinally in the front-rear direction and parallel to each other on the floor surface, and the right and left seat rails of the respective seat rails. A pair of left and right lower rails (4
0), wherein each of the elastic deformation means is provided between each front part of each left seat rail and lower rail, between each rear part of each left seat rail and lower rail, and each of each right seat rail and lower rail. A spring member (240) provided in a U-shape between a front portion and a rear portion of each of the right seat rail and the lower rail, wherein each of the seat sensors is a U-shaped spring member.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an amount of distortion corresponding to the elastic deformation of the top is detected. 6. The elastic deformation means are provided on the seat base in a distributed manner so as to respectively correspond to two right and left portions of a seating surface of the seating portion, and are provided on the left and right sides of the seating surface of the seating portion. The seat occupant determination device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the load is elastically deformed by receiving the load via each corresponding portion for each of the two positions. 7. The seat base comprises a pair of left and right seat rails (30) provided longitudinally in the front-rear direction and parallel to each other on the floor surface, and right above each of the seat rails. A pair of left and right lower rails (4) arranged along the longitudinal direction and fixed to the seating portion from the lower surface side.
0), and one of the elastic deformation means is a front link link and a rear link link, respectively, which are relatively rotatably connected between the front portions and the rear portions of the left seat rail and the lower rail, respectively. (270, 280) and a strain pole (290) connected between the center portions of the link levers so as to be relatively rotatable.
The link levers are formed in a U-shape so that their respective central portions protrude in opposite directions and outwardly, and the other of the elastic deformation means is provided on the right side of each of the elastic deformation means. The front and rear link levers (270, 280), which are relatively rotatably connected between the front and rear portions of the seat rail and the lower rail, respectively, and between the center portions of the link levers. Strain pole (290) rotatably connected
Each link lever is formed in a U-shape so that each central portion thereof projects in the opposite direction and outward, and each of the seat sensors is mounted on the seat portion. The seat occupant determination device for a vehicle seat according to claim 6, wherein an elastic deformation distortion due to elongation of each of the poles caused by compression of each of the link levers according to a load is detected. 8. Each of the elastically deforming means is provided on the seat base so as to correspond to each of two positions before and after the seating surface of the seating portion, and is provided on the seating surface of the seating portion. The seat occupant judging device for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the load is elastically deformed by receiving the load via each corresponding portion for each of the two places. 9. The seat base comprises a pair of left and right seat rails (30) provided longitudinally in the front-rear direction and in parallel with each other on the floor surface; A pair of left and right lower rails (4) arranged along the longitudinal direction and fixed to the seating portion from the lower surface side.
0), and one of the elastic deformation means is relatively rotatable and inclined between the front portions of the left seat rail and the lower rail and between the front portions of the right seat rail and the lower rail. Front link levers (300) connected to
And a strain pole (310) supported between the central portions of the link levers. The other of the elastic deformation means is provided between the rear portions of the left seat rail and the lower rail and the right seat rail. Rear link levers (320) connected to each other between the rear portions of the lower rail and the lower rail so as to be relatively rotatable and inclined.
And a strain pole (330) supported between the central portions of the link levers. The inclination directions of the front link levers are opposite to each other, and the inclination directions of the rear link levers are mutually opposite. In the opposite direction, the inclination directions of the link levers connected between the left seat rails and the lower rails are opposite to each other, and each of the seat sensors responds to the load applied to the seating portion. 8. The vehicle seat occupant determination device according to claim 7, wherein an elastic deformation distortion caused by the torsion of each of the poles caused by the compression of each of the link levers is detected. 10. A seat interposed between a floor (L) of the vehicle and a seat (10) of a seat (S) in a vehicle interior of a vehicle to receive a load of an occupant of the seat via the seat. When the elastic vibration means (2)
50, 260) distributed in the direction of the seating surface of the seating portion (Md), and acceleration sensors (270a to 270d) for detecting accelerations associated with elastic vibrations of the elastic vibration means, respectively. And a determination means (111, 130 to 132) for determining the seated occupant by its load and seating state according to the vibration frequency characteristics of the acceleration detected by each of the acceleration sensors. 11. A seat (10) for a seat (S) of a vehicle.
A wire mesh (13) stretched in parallel with the seating surface and elastically deformed when the load of the seated occupant of the seat is received through the seating surface; Each of the sheet sensors (70a to 70a) for detecting the amount of distortion
d) and a determination means (111, 130 to 132) for determining the seated occupant by its load and seating state according to the amount of distortion detected by each of the seat sensors.