JP2003025890A - Load detecting structure of seat for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a load detecting structure having high realization. SOLUTION: This load detecting structure 16 is constituted as a combination of a longitudinal-shaped sensor block 12 longitudinally separated and defined to a fixing part 12-2 and a turning part 12-3 on both sides of a thin part 12-1 and a strain gauge 14 disposed in the thin part of the sensor block. Fixing pins 32-1 and 32-2 for fixing the fixing part 12-2 to a guide rail 26 are stepped fixing pins (stepped calking pins), large diameter parts 32a having a head of the stepped fixing pins are inserted and disposed into an insert hole 40 having a diameter smaller than that of the head disposed in a leg member 28 via a predetermined clearance, and a pivoted pin 34 for supporting the turning part 12-3 is penetrated and disposed between facing sidewalls of the leg member via a pair of right and left collars 42 having a flange inserted into through holes 43 of the facing sidewalls 28a of the leg member from the outside.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle seat load detection structure in which load detection means for detecting a load from a seated person is arranged below a seat cushion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in vehicles such as automobiles, various automatically controlled equipment such as safety devices such as airbags and seat posture adjusting devices have been widely adopted. Then, in order to further improve the safety and convenience, it is usually detected whether or not the seat is seated on the target seat, and the drive or stop of various movable members is controlled according to the detection result. Is being done.

Here, as a seating detection device for detecting whether or not a seat is seated on a target seat, various sensors such as a pressure sensor are usually considered, but a seated person such as an airbag is an adult. There is an undeniable possibility that, in cases where it is particularly desirable to distinguish the operation depending on whether there is a child or a child, simple detection of the presence or absence of seating may not be sufficient.

Therefore, for example, there is a configuration in which the weight of a seated person is measured from the load applied to the seat and the operation of an airbag or the like can be regulated according to the weight.
No. 11-001153, JP-A No. 11-304579, etc.

[0005]

By the way, in the configuration disclosed in the above-mentioned JP-A No. 11-001153 and JP-A No. 11-304579, there is a load detecting means for detecting the load applied to the seat. Although illustrated as a load sensor, its details are not mentioned.

In the latter Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-304579 mentioned above, the details of the overall structure are described, but the structure is complicated, and the number of parts and the cost are increased. It is inevitable to accompany.

Furthermore, it cannot be denied that the structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-304579 tends to be large in size, and the height of the sheet is likely to be affected.

Therefore, these known structures are excellent in that the weight of the seated person can be measured, but it cannot be said that they are inferior in terms of their practicality.

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat load detection structure having a high degree of practicality.

[0010]

In order to achieve this object, according to the present invention, the load detecting means has a fixed elastic portion and a rotating portion which are separated by a predetermined thin portion, and are repeatedly elastic. It is formed as a combination of a long-shaped sensor block made of a material that can ensure deformation, and a strain gauge fixedly arranged in this sensor block so that the bending of the sensor block in the thin portion can be detected, It is arranged between a pair of opposing side walls of the leg member.

Then, the seat side member is fixed to the fixing portion of the sensor block whose upper surface is a fixing surface by fastening with at least two fixing pins which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, and between the opposing side walls of the leg member. The load detecting means is erected and interposed between the seat-side member and the leg member by pivotally supporting and connecting the rotating portion of the sensor block with respect to the leg member in the lateral direction by the penetrating pivot pin. The load applied to the seat can be measured and determined by monitoring the output value from the strain gauge that changes due to the change in the amount of bending of the sensor block.

Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the fixing pin is a stepped fixing pin, and the large diameter portion with the head of the stepped fixing pin is formed in the leg member and has a smaller diameter than the head. By inserting and arranging the pivot pin through a predetermined clearance, and by arranging the pivot pin through the through holes through the pair of left and right collars fitted from the outside into the through holes of the opposite side walls of the leg member, The rotating portion of the sensor block is rotatably sandwiched between the pair of collars with collars.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the fixing pins is a stepped fixing pin, and the large diameter portion with a head of the stepped fixing pin is formed on the leg member. It is inserted and arranged through a predetermined clearance in an insertion hole having a diameter smaller than that of the head.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in a vehicle seat load detection structure 10 according to the present invention, a load detection means 16 which is a combination of a sensor block 12 and a strain gauge 14 is provided from a seated person. It is arranged below the seat cushion 18 so that the load can be detected.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the embodiment of the present invention, a so-called slide seat provided with a pair of left and right seat slide devices 20 in the lower portion of the seat cushion 18 is used for a vehicle in which the load detection structure 10 is provided. This is illustrated as the sheet 22.

This seat slide device 20 has a runner 24 provided on the seat cushion 18 as in the conventional device.
To a guide rail 26 fixedly provided on the floor side, such as steel balls and rollers (not shown)
It is formed by slidably assembling through. In the present invention, the load detecting means 16 capable of detecting the load from the seated person is installed between the leg member 28 on the floor 27 side and the seat side member, that is, the guide rail 26 of the seat slide device, Intervening (see FIG. 1).

As the leg member 28, for example,
A front and rear integrated type in which front and rear mounting pieces 29-f and 29-r are integrated is used, and the front and rear integrated type leg members are juxtaposed at left and right spaced positions of a seat (vehicle seat) 22. Further, since the load detecting means 16 is normally arranged at each of the front and rear positions (left and right positions in the drawing) of the leg member 28, in the embodiment of the present invention, the load detecting means 16 is arranged at the front and rear of the seat. , Will be arranged at a total of four places on the left and right.

As can be seen from FIG. 3 in addition to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the load detecting means 16 in the present invention has a longitudinal sensor block arranged in the longitudinal direction of the seat 22 along its longitudinal direction. 12 and a strain gauge 14 fixedly arranged on the lower surface of this sensor block, for example.

The sensor block 12, which is the main body of the load detecting means 16, is an elongated body made of a material capable of ensuring repeated elastic deformation, for example, a spring steel material, and can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 3. As described above, this sensor block has its upper surface fixed to the seat side member, for example, the fixing surface of the guide rail 26 of the seat slide device, through the thin portion 12-1 formed by the through groove 30 on the upper surface, which extends in the lateral direction. The fixed portion 12-2 and the rotating portion 12-3 having the upper surface thereof at a step position lower than the upper surface of the fixed portion and having the through hole 31 extending in the lateral direction at the end thereof have the longitudinal direction thereof. It is stipulated separately in. Then, the fixing portion 12-2 is integrally fixed to the guide rail (seat side member) 26 by, for example, two fixing pins 32-1, 32-2 which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, and the through hole 31. The leg member 28 by means of the pivot pin 34 through
The sensor block 12 is pivotally attached to the sensor block 12
Is installed and interposed between the guide rail and the leg member.

Here, in the present invention, the fixing pin 32
-1, 32-2 is a stepped fixing pin, for example, a stepped caulking pin integrally having a large diameter portion 32a and a small diameter portion 32b is used, and is inserted into the insertion hole 36 of the guide rail 26 and the insertion hole 38 of the sensor block 12. Due to the continuous insertion of the small diameter part and the crimping of its tip, the sensor block and, by extension, its fixed part 12-2
Is integrally fastened and fixed to the guide rail. The large diameter portion 32a of the stepped caulking pin is attached to the leg member 2
It is inserted and arranged through a predetermined clearance into the insertion hole 40 formed in 8 and having a diameter smaller than that of the head 32c of the terminal of the large diameter portion.

Further, as can be seen by viewing FIG. 4 in addition to FIG. 3, in the present invention, a pair of left and right collars with collars is used.
42 are inserted into the through holes 43 of the opposite side wall 28a of the leg member 28 from the outside thereof, and are inserted into the opposite side walls of the leg member, respectively, and penetrate the pivot pins 34 through the collars on the left and right sides. By arranging the sensor block rotating portion 12-3, the sensor block rotating portion 12-3 is rotatably sandwiched between the pair of collars with the collar.

A stepped bolt, for example, can be used as the pivot pin 34. For example, by screwing a nut 44 on the opposite side, the stepped bolt is prevented from coming off and rattling.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, in this sensor block 12, the fixing portion 12-2 is a guide rail.
On the other hand, the lower surface of 26 is integrally fixed under the surface contact of the upper surface thereof, while the rotating portion 12-3 is attached to the leg member 28.
It is only pivoted through the pivot pin 34. The fixed part 12-2 of the sensor block is
The movement locus of the rotation portion 12-3 is a circular arc centered on the pivot pin 34, while the movement locus of the rotation portion 12-3 is the same as that of the seat cushion 18 and the like. As a result, the moving loci of the fixed part and the rotating part due to the application of the positive deviation will be surely deviated.

The displacement of the movement locus between the fixed portion 12-2 and the rotating portion 12-3 in the sensor block 12 is absorbed by the elastic deformation of the thin portion 12-1 between them, that is, the bending. . The load detecting means 16 in the present invention is configured so that the strain gauge 14 detects the amount of bending of the thin portion 12-1 as described above.

As the strain gauge 14, for example, a so-called resistance wire gauge in which a metal resistance wire 48 is internally provided and fixed in a flexible electrically insulating thin plate 46 as shown in FIG. 3 can be used. The strain gauge 14 is capable of detecting the bending of the sensor block 12, that is, the elastic deformation of the thin portion 12-1, and is normally aligned with the thin portion, for example, a through groove.
It is fixed to the bottom surface without 30 by adhesion or the like.

Since the resistance wire gauge exemplified as the strain gauge 14 is general, it will not be described in detail here. Then, the strain gauge 14 is sufficient to detect the bending of the sensor block 12 due to the elastic deformation in the thin portion 12-1 as the amount of bending in the thin portion, so long as it has a similar function, Other than the resistance wire gauge may be used as the strain gauge.

If the upper surface of the rotating portion 12-3 of the sensor block is located at a step position lower than the upper surface of the fixing portion 12-2, that is, at a position separated from the guide rail 26, the rotating portion has a thin portion 12 It does not prevent the -1 from flexing.

Since the sensor block 12 is bent downward under the load applied to the seat 22, and hence the seat cushion 18, from the seated person, that is, from above, the sensor block 12 is bent by the leg member. With respect to 28, clearance (gap) that guarantees downward deflection
Needless to say, it is disposed and pivotally supported by having the underside of the.

In this structure, when the sensor block 12 bends due to the elastic deformation of the thin portion 12-1, the strain gauge 14 detects this bending. Then, the output from this strain gauge 14, which fluctuates according to the amount of bending of the thin portion 12-1, that is, an electric signal is input to a control circuit for an airbag, for example, and its load is based on this input. By measuring or determining the magnitude of the load,
It is possible to determine whether the seated person is an adult or a child.

As described above, in the vehicle seat load detection structure 10 of the present invention, the load detection means 16 which is a combination of the sensor block 12 and the strain gauge 14 is provided.
Fixed part 12 to the guide rail 26 of the seat slide device
-2 is fixed, and it is sufficient to erect and interpose between the seat slide device and the leg member under the pivotal support of the rotating portion 12-3 to the leg member 28. The complication is surely prevented.

Then, the sensor block 12 and the strain gauge
Since the load detection means 16 that is a combination with 14 may be installed and interposed between the seat slide device 20 and the leg member 28, the number of parts is small, and the number of work steps for assembling is also small. Therefore, the workability is surely improved, and further, the cost is surely reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, the load detecting means 16 mainly composed of the sensor block 12 which is a longitudinal body.
Is merely installed and interposed between the seat slide device 20 and the leg member 28. Therefore, the height of the seat 22, that is, the overall height of the seat 22 is increased by disposing the load detecting means. Can be suppressed sufficiently. In other words, the load detection structure 10 that does not adversely affect the seat 22 can be easily secured, and its realization becomes sufficiently easy in combination with the possibility of simplifying the configuration and reducing the cost.

The seats shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
22 shows the load detecting structure 10 on the front side of 22 (left side of FIG. 2), but as shown in FIG. Needless to say.

In the present invention, the stepped caulking pins are fixed pins 32-1, 32-2, and the large diameter portion 32a thereof is inserted into the insertion hole 40 having a diameter smaller than the head 32c of the large diameter portion terminal. Placed through the clearance.

In this structure, when the seat 22, that is, the guide rail 26 of the seat slide device tries to tilt excessively with respect to the leg member 28, the large diameter portion 32a of the fixing pin and the head 32c thereof are Insertion hole for leg member
Since it is engaged with 40, its excessive tilting and separation of the seat from the leg member are reliably prevented. That is, even if an excessive load acts on the seat 22 at the time of a collision or the like, excessive tilting and separation of the seat 22 with respect to the leg member 28 are reliably prevented thereby, and thus the load detecting structure 10 of the present invention is provided. Even if it is a configuration, functionality as a seat,
And safety is not impaired.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily secure the structure capable of appropriately detecting the seating without impairing the functionality and safety of the seat 22.

Further, in the present invention, the rotating portion 12-3 of the sensor block is rotatably sandwiched between the pair of left and right collars 42 with collars which are inserted into the opposite side walls 28a of the leg members. . In other words, the displacement and movement of the sensor block 12 in the axial direction of the pivot pin 34 is surely prevented, so that the safety in this respect is also surely improved.

Since the collar 42 with the flange can be fitted into the insertion hole 43 of the opposite side wall 28a of the leg member from the outside thereof, the workability at the time of assembly is surely improved.

By the way, in this type of structure, the load detecting means 16 is arranged at four positions on the front, rear, left and right of the seat cushion 18, and normally, the seat 22 is determined from the total of the loads detected by the respective load detecting means. The applied load is measured and determined. However, in addition to the measurement of the load by this total, for example, the load detecting means 16 is separately defined in the front part and the rear part, and the sitting posture is determined depending on which side the load detecting means has a large load. May be discriminable.

In the embodiment of the present invention,
The strain gauge 14 is provided on the lower surface of the sensor block 12 that does not have the through groove 30, but it is sufficient if it is aligned with the thin portion 12-1, and is not limited to this. This strain gauge may be fixedly arranged.

Further, in this embodiment, the through groove
Although 30 is provided on the upper surface of the sensor block 12, the through groove defines the thin portion 12-1 in the sensor block and the fixed portion 12-2.
Since it suffices to separate and regulate the rotation unit 12-3 and the rotating unit 12-3 in the longitudinal direction, the present invention is not limited to this, and a through groove may be provided on the lower surface of the sensor block, for example.

Here, in the embodiment of the present invention, the structure is such that the fixing portion 12-2 of the sensor block and the guide rail 26 of the seat slide device are fixed by the two fixing pins 32-1, 32-2. Although illustrated, this fixing pin is not limited to this because it is sufficient if the fixing pins are spaced apart and juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction of the sensor block 12, and the fixing portion of the sensor block is formed by, for example, three fixing pins. The guide rails of the seat slide device may be fixed to each other.

In this embodiment, the example in which the two fixing pins 32-1, 32-2 are stepped fixing pins (stepped caulking pins) is embodied, but the present invention is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 5, one of the fixing pins, for example, only the fixing pin 32-1 is used as the step crimping pin, and the other remaining fixing pin, that is, the fixing pin 32-1 is connected to the leg member 28.
It is also possible to adopt a crimping pin in which only the small-diameter portion 32b and the head 32c are shaped so that they cannot be engaged with.

Even in such a structure, if the seat 22, that is, the guide rail 26 of the seat slide device tries to tilt excessively with respect to the leg member 28, a large diameter of the fixing pin 32-1 serving as a stepped caulking pin Since the portion 32a and the head 32c thereof are engaged with the insertion hole 40 of the leg member,
Due to the excessive tilting and the prevention of the separation of the seat from the leg member, the functionality and safety of the seat are sufficiently ensured.

According to the configuration shown in FIG. 5,
As shown in the figure, it is possible to easily cope with a structure in which the leg member 28 is placed and fixed on the floor 27. That is,
According to this configuration, since variations in the shape of the leg member 28 and the shape of the floor 27 that can be adapted can be sufficiently expanded, the load detection structure 10 having excellent versatility is accompanied by complication of the structure. It can be easily secured.

Here, an example is shown in which the fixing pin 32-1 is a stepped caulking pin, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, even if only the fixing pin 32-2 is a stepped caulking pin,
It goes without saying that the same effect can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the fixing pins 32-1, 32-2 are embodied as stepped caulking pins, but if the fixing portion 12-2 of the sensor block can be fixed to the seat side member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a stepped bolt may be used as the fixing pin, for example.

In the embodiment of the present invention,
The guide rail 26 of the seat slide device is illustrated as a seat side member integrally provided on the seat 22. However, the seat side member is not limited to this as long as it is integrally provided on the seat 22. In other words, even for seats that do not have a seat slide device,
It goes without saying that the present invention can be applied.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention,
Although the airbag is embodied as a control target of its operation by the load detection structure, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is used for the purpose of operation control of other safety devices, seat attitude control devices, and the like. May be.

Further, the present invention is not limited to seats for automobiles,
The present invention may be applied to other vehicle seats such as buses and trucks. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to other vehicle seats such as trains, airplanes, and ships, without being limited to automobiles and the like.

The above-described embodiments are for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention in any way, and all modifications and alterations made within the technical scope of the present invention are also included in this embodiment. Needless to say, it is included in the invention.

[0053]

As described above, according to the vehicle seat load detecting structure of the present invention, the load detecting means, which is a combination of the sensor block and the strain gauge, is used to fix the fixing portion to the seat side member. Further, since it is sufficient to erect and interpose the respective members under the pivotal support of the rotating portion to the leg member, it is possible to reliably prevent the structure and the structure from becoming complicated. Further, since the number of parts is small and the number of man-hours required for assembling is also small, the workability is surely improved, and further the cost is surely reduced.

Further, since the load detecting means mainly consisting of the sensor block which is an elongated body is installed and interposed between the seat side member and the leg member, the load detecting means is provided. The rise in the overall height of the seat can be sufficiently suppressed. In other words, because it is possible to easily secure a load detection structure that does not adversely affect the seat, together with possible points such as simplification of configuration and cost reduction,
Its realization becomes easy enough.

Further, since the large-diameter portion of the stepped fixing pin is inserted through the insertion hole of the leg member having a diameter smaller than the head of the large-diameter portion terminal with a predetermined clearance, the sheet is excessive with respect to the leg member. Tilt and separation are reliably prevented. Therefore, even if the structure is equipped with a load detection structure,
It does not impair the functionality and safety of the seat.

Further, since the rotating portion of the sensor block is rotatably sandwiched between the pair of left and right collars which are fitted to the opposite side walls of the leg member, the rotating portion of the pivot block can be moved in the axial direction. It is possible to reliably prevent the displacement and movement of the sensor block,
The safety in this respect is certainly improved. Further, since the collar with the collar can be fitted into the insertion hole of the opposite side wall of the leg member from the outside thereof, the workability at the time of assembly is surely improved.

If only one of the fixing pins is a stepped fixing pin, it is possible to easily cope with a structure in which the leg member is placed and fixed on the floor, so that it can be applied. Variations such as the shape of the leg member and the shape of the floor can be sufficiently expanded. Therefore, it is possible to easily secure the load detection structure having excellent versatility without complicating the structure.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a load detecting structure for a vehicle seat according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a vehicle seat provided with this load detection structure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a load detection structure for a vehicle seat.

FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the vehicle seat load detection structure along the axis of the pivot pin.

FIG. 5 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a vehicle seat load detection structure showing a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Vehicle seat load detection structure 12 sensor block 14 strain gauge 16 Load detection means 20 Seat slide device 22 Vehicle seat 26 Guide rail (seat side member) 28 Leg member 32-1,32-2 Fixed pin 32a Large diameter part of fixing pin 34 pivot pin

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A load detection means for a vehicle seat, wherein load detection means for detecting a load from a seated person is arranged below a seat cushion between a predetermined seat side member and a floor side leg member. And a long-shaped sensor block made of a material, in which the load detecting means has a fixed portion and a rotating portion separated by a predetermined thin portion, and is capable of ensuring repeated elastic deformation, and a thin portion. Is formed as a combination of a strain gauge fixedly arranged on the sensor block so as to be able to detect the bending of the sensor block in the sensor block, and is arranged between a pair of opposing side walls of the leg member, and is arranged in a longitudinal direction at a distance. The seat side member is fixed to the fixed portion of the sensor block whose upper surface is a fixed surface by fastening with at least two fixed pins formed, and the side wall of the leg member is pierced between the opposite side walls. The load detection means is installed and interposed between the seat side member and the leg member by pivotally supporting and connecting the rotating portion of the sensor block with respect to the leg member in the lateral direction by the support pin, and the sensor block is provided. The load applied to the seat can be measured and determined by monitoring the output value from the strain gauge that changes due to the change in the amount of flexure of the fixed pin, and the fixed pin is a stepped fixed pin. The large diameter portion with a head is inserted into a through hole formed in the leg member and having a smaller diameter than the head through a predetermined clearance, and the pivot pin is inserted into the through hole on the opposite side wall of the leg member. By arranging through the pair of left and right collars fitted from the outside through the collar, the rotation part of the sensor block is rotatably sandwiched between the pair of collars. Load detection structure of the vehicle seat. 2. A load detecting means for a vehicle seat, wherein load detecting means for detecting a load from a seated person is arranged below a seat cushion between a predetermined seat side member and a floor side leg member. And a long-shaped sensor block made of a material, in which the load detecting means has a fixed portion and a rotating portion separated by a predetermined thin portion, and is capable of ensuring repeated elastic deformation, and a thin portion. Is formed as a combination of a strain gauge fixedly arranged on the sensor block so as to be able to detect the bending of the sensor block in the sensor block, and is arranged between a pair of opposing side walls of the leg member, and is arranged in a longitudinal direction at a distance. The seat side member is fixed to the fixed portion of the sensor block whose upper surface is a fixed surface by fastening with at least two fixed pins formed, and the side wall of the leg member is pierced between the opposite side walls. The load detection means is installed and interposed between the seat side member and the leg member by pivotally supporting and connecting the rotating portion of the sensor block with respect to the leg member in the lateral direction by the support pin, and the sensor block is provided. The load applied to the seat can be measured and determined by monitoring the output value from the strain gauge that changes due to the change in the amount of flexure of the sheet, and at least one of the fixing pins is a stepped fixing pin. , The head-equipped large-diameter portion of the stepped fixing pin is inserted and disposed through a predetermined clearance into an insertion hole formed in the leg member and having a diameter smaller than the head, and the pivot pin is attached to the leg member. The turning portion of the sensor block is attached to the insertion hole of the opposite side wall through the pair of left and right collars that are fitted from the outside so that the turning portion of the sensor block Rotatably nipped load detection structure of the vehicle seat between the error.