JP2003130741A - Mounting structure of load-detecting apparatus, load- detecting apparatus, and pressure-welding included member for the load-detecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mounting structure of a load-detecting apparatus for improving detection sensitivity. SOLUTION: A linear load sensor 10 is accommodated in a box-like body 20. An elastic base member 30 is applied to the box-like body 20, and the box- like body 20 is struck to a cushion section 50 via the elastic base member 30. The flat, elastic base member 30 is included between the load sensor 10 and the cushion section 50, thus preventing the load sensor 10 from being buried into the cushion section 50.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a load detecting device mounting structure, a load detecting device, and a load detecting device which are arranged on a flexible elastic member such as a sponge such as a seating sensor of an automobile (including a two-wheeled vehicle). The present invention relates to a pressure-contacting interposition member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a load detecting device shown in FIG. 10 as a load detecting device for detecting whether or not an occupant is sitting in a driver's seat of an automobile.

This load detecting device has a structure in which a linear sensor 102 is fixed on a seating surface of a cushion portion 101 of a seat with an adhesive or the like, and a sheet-like cover 103 is further covered thereon. Then, when the occupant sits on the seat, the sensor 102 is elastically deformed, and the outer cylinder conductive portion 102a thereof is deformed.
Contacts the central conductive portion 102b and is electrically conducted, and the presence or absence of seating is detected based on the presence or absence of conduction.

[0004]

However, in general,
Since the cushion portion 101 of the seat is made of a flexible material such as sponge, the sensor 102 is easily embedded in the cushion portion 101. Therefore, for example, in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, when the load acting on the sensor 102 is small, such as when the load acts on the position away from the sensor 102, the sensor 102 is not elastically deformed and is embedded in the cushion portion 101 in its original shape. In some cases, the presence or absence of sitting cannot be detected. In particular, the cushion part 1
The more flexible 01 is, the more remarkable such a problem becomes.

Further, in the above load detecting device, since the linear sensor 102 is mounted on the cushion portion 101, when the user sits down, the sensor 102 feels a foreign object. Therefore, in order to prevent this, the cushion portion 101
It is also possible to consider a configuration in which an elongated groove is formed in the groove and the sensor 102 is housed and arranged in the elongated groove.

However, if the sensor 102 is housed and arranged in the elongated groove as described above, it is difficult for the load to act on the sensor when a load is applied to the cushion portion, which may lead to a significant decrease in sensitivity.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a load detecting device mounting structure, a load detecting device, and a pressure contact interposing member for the load detecting device, which can improve the detection sensitivity.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems,
The invention according to claim 1 is a mounting structure of a load detection device for detecting a load acting on a predetermined detection surface on an elastic member, wherein the load sensor is a plate-shaped elastic base member between the load sensor and the detection surface. Is disposed on the detection surface with the intervening.

As described in claim 2, the load sensor may be covered with a sheet-like cover that covers the detection surface.

Further, as described in claim 3, at least a part of the portion contacting the load sensor may be formed in an uneven shape.

Further, as described in claim 4, the load sensor is covered with a bag-shaped body, and the inner surface of the bag-shaped body is partially or entirely formed in a concavo-convex shape, or the bag-shaped body. The body may be partially or wholly formed in a mesh bag shape, and the elastic base member may be arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the bag body and attached to the detection surface.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a load detection device for detecting a load acting on a predetermined detection surface on an elastic member, wherein the load sensor is provided between the load sensor and the load sensor. And a plate-shaped elastic base member which can be interposed.

Further, the invention according to claim 6 is a mounting structure of a load detection device for detecting a load acting on a predetermined detection surface on an elastic member, wherein the load sensor is a linear load, and the load sensor is provided on the detection surface side. The elastic member having a housing groove for housing the load sensor, a tape-shaped elastic base member closing the opening of the housing groove, and a pressure contactor attached to the elastic base member and having an uneven pressure contact portion formed therein. And a press contact intervening member having a pressure contact interposing member, the elastic base member being attached to the detection surface at a peripheral portion of the storage groove in a posture in which the concave and convex pressure contact portions of the pressure contactor are brought into contact with the load sensor in the storage groove. It is a thing.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pressure-contacting interposing member for a load detecting device for detecting a load acting on a predetermined detecting surface on the elastic member, the tape-like elastic base member, and the elastic member. And a pressure contactor which is attached to the base member and on which an uneven pressure contact portion is formed.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION {First Embodiment} A load detection device and its mounting structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

The load detecting device 1 is used for detecting the presence or absence of seating of an occupant by being attached to a seat of an automobile or the like, and for detecting the load as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The load sensor 10, the bag-shaped body 20, and the elastic base member 30 are provided.

The load sensor 10 is formed so as to be elastically deformable, and the presence or absence of a load applied to the load sensor 10 can be detected by detecting a change in electrical characteristics when elastically deforming. There is.

In the present embodiment, the load sensor 10 having the structure shown in FIG. 3 is used.

That is, the load sensor 10 includes the central conductor 1
1, an insulating intervening member 12, and a conductive tube 13.

The central conductor 11 is formed in a slender shape that can be bent, and at least its outer peripheral portion has conductivity. As the central conductor 11, for example, a structure in which a metal wire such as a copper wire or a nichrome wire is spirally wound horizontally around a linear body made of an elastic material such as rubber can be adopted. .

The conductive tube 13 is made of an elastic material and has conductivity in at least a part of the circumferential direction. Here, the entire conductive tube 13 is formed of an elastic conductive material such as conductive rubber or elastic conductive resin, and the entire circumferential section has conductivity.

The insulating intervening member 12 has an elongated shape having an insulating property at least in its outer peripheral portion. In the present embodiment,
It comprises a metal wire (first metal wire) and an insulating coating layer formed by applying an insulating material such as enamel to the surface of the metal wire. The insulating interposition member 12 is spirally wound around the center conductor 11 with a predetermined winding interval. Here, the winding interval and the like are appropriately adjusted according to the sensor sensitivity and the like.

The center conductor 11 is inserted into the conductive tube 13 with the insulating interposition member 12 wound around the center conductor 11.

In this load sensor 10, the central conductor 1 is separated by the insulating intervening member 12 when no load is applied.
1 and the conductive tube 13 are separated from each other and electrically insulated.

On the other hand, when a load larger than a predetermined value is applied to the load sensor 10 and the inner cavity of the conductive tube 13 is elastically deformed so as to be crushed, a gap between the insulating intervening members 12 spirally wound. Electrical contact between the conductive tube 13 and the central conductor 11 is allowed through the portion. In this load sensor 10, the presence or absence of load application is detected by detecting the presence or absence of electrical conduction between the conductive tube 13 and the central conductor 11. Then, as the load application is released, the conductive tube 13 returns to its original shape, and the electrical contact between the conductive tube 13 and the center conductor 11 is eliminated.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bag-shaped body 20 is made of a flexible material such as nylon, and has a bag shape capable of accommodating the load sensor 10 therein. In the present embodiment, the load sensor 10 is formed in an elongated shape corresponding to the shape of the load sensor 10.

The elastic base member 30 is used for the present load detection device 1.
Is formed into a plate shape that is less likely to be elastically deformed than the cushion portion 50 of the seat to which is attached, and can be interposed between the load sensor 10 and the detection surface 50a of the cushion portion 50.

In this embodiment, the elastic base member 30 is used.
Is formed in an elongated shape and is attached to one surface (bottom side surface) of the bag-shaped body 20. As the elastic base member 30, it is possible to use a base material such as paper or a plastic film coated with an adhesive agent, or a double-sided tape obtained by impregnating paper or a non-woven fabric with an adhesive agent.

The load detecting device 1 is assembled by inserting and arranging the load sensor 10 into the bag-shaped body 20 and attaching the elastic base member 30 to one surface of the bag-shaped body 20.

When the load detecting device 1 is attached to the seat by sticking the other surface side of the elastic base member 30 to a predetermined position of the detecting surface 50a of the cushion portion 50, the load sensor 10 detects the detecting surface 50a. And the elastic base member 30 is interposed between them and the detection surface 50a.

Therefore, according to the load detecting device 1 and its mounting structure, the load sensor 10 is arranged on the detecting surface 50a with the plate-like elastic base member 30 interposed between the load sensor 10 and the detecting surface 50a. Therefore, the load applied to the load sensor 10 is dispersed in the contact portion between the elastic base member 30 and the detection surface 50a, and the load sensor 10 is less likely to be buried in the cushion portion 50. Therefore, the load sensor 10 is easily elastically deformed by the applied load, and the detection sensitivity can be improved.

In particular, the detection surface 50a has a sheet-like cover 51.
When the load is covered with, the load can be detected more reliably even when the load is applied to a position away from the load sensor 10.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the cushion portion 5
When a load acts on the upper side of 0 at a position deviating from the position where the load sensor 10 is provided, both the sheet-like cover 51 and the cushion portion 50 are dented at the acted position. As a result, the sheet-like cover 51 is pulled toward the load acting position, so that the load indirectly acts on the load sensor 10. Although the load acting indirectly is relatively small, as described above, since the load sensor 10 has a high detection sensitivity, the presence or absence of the load can be detected even by the relatively small load acting indirectly.

In the present embodiment, the load sensor 10
Is contained in the bag-shaped body 20 and the elastic base member 30 is attached to the bag-shaped body 20, but the bag-shaped body 20 does not necessarily have to be used. For example, the detection surface 50a of the cushion portion 50
Alternatively, the elastic base member 30 may be pasted on the load sensor 10, and the load sensor 10 may be directly bonded onto the elastic base member 30 with an adhesive or the like. In short, the load sensor 10 detects the detection surface 50a while the plate-shaped elastic base member 30 is interposed between the load sensor 10 and the detection surface 50a.
If it is arranged above, the effect of improving the detection sensitivity can be obtained.

However, by accommodating the load sensor 10 in the bag-shaped body 20 and mounting it on the cushion portion 50 via the bag-shaped body 20, the load sensor 10 can be firmly fixed and the mounting workability thereof can be improved. Also has the advantage of being excellent.

As in the load detecting device 1B according to the modified example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, at least a part of the part in contact with the load sensor 10 may be formed in an uneven shape.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the net body 40, which is formed by knitting a linear body having a predetermined thickness in a lattice shape, is attached to the inner surface on the other surface (upper surface) side of the bag-shaped body 20.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the load sensor 10 and the net 40 are in contact with each other with a relatively small area in the form of a grid. Therefore, when a load is applied to the load detection device 1, the load is applied to the net 40 and the load sensor 10.
Since it acts concentratedly on the mesh contact portion with the load sensor 10 with a relatively small load centering on the mesh contact portion.
Is elastically deformed, and the detection sensitivity can be further improved.

In this modification, the net 40 is attached to the inner surface of the bag 20. However, the bag 20 may be formed in a net bag shape. Further, the convex portion having a circular cross section or a polygonal cross section may be formed on the inner surface of the bag-shaped body 20 without being limited to the mesh-shaped concavo-convex shape. Further, a portion of the one surface of the elastic base member 30 corresponding to the load sensor 10 may be formed in an uneven shape.

The shape, size, etc. of the concavo-convex shape are appropriately adjusted according to the intended use (sensitivity) and the like.

{Second Embodiment} Next, a mounting structure of a load detecting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, the load detecting device 1C includes a load sensor 10 and a pressure contact interposing member 60.

The load sensor 10 detects the change in electrical characteristics when elastically deformed, and thus the load sensor 10 concerned.
It is configured to be able to detect the presence / absence of a load applied to, and here, the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment is used.

The load sensor 10 is attached to the cushion portion 50C which is an elastic member as follows.

That is, the detection surface 50C of the cushion portion 50C
An accommodation groove 50Cb having a depth dimension sufficiently larger than the diameter dimension of the load sensor 10 is formed on the a side. Then, the load sensor 10 is housed and arranged in the housing groove 50Cb.

The pressure contact interposition member 60 is an elastic base member 61.
And a pressure contact 62.

The elastic base member 61 is formed in a tape shape capable of closing the opening of the accommodation groove 50Cb. This elastic base member 61 is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PE
It can be formed of a resin film such as T) or cloth.

Further, in this embodiment, the double-sided tape 61a is attached to one surface side of the elastic base member 61, and the pressure contact 62 is fixed through the double-sided tape 61a. Further, the elastic base member 61 is fixed to the cushion portion 50C via the double-sided tape 61a.

The pressure contact 62 is formed in an elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape that can be accommodated in the accommodation groove 50Cb, and an uneven pressure contact portion 62a is formed on one side thereof. In this embodiment,
The concavo-convex pressure contact portion 62a is formed in a mountain-shaped convex shape as shown in FIG. 9, and is continuously provided on one side of the pressure contactor 62 along the longitudinal direction thereof at appropriate intervals. This pressure contact 62 can be formed of, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or the like.

The load detecting device 1C is attached to the cushion portion 50C as follows.

First, the load sensor 10 is housed and arranged on the bottom side of the housing groove 50Cb. Next, the pressure contact 62 is received in the receiving groove 50.
The pressure sensor 62 is pushed into Cb, and the uneven pressure contact portion 62a is pressed into the load sensor 1.
In a posture in which the elastic base member 61 is in contact with 0, both sides of the lower surface side of the elastic base member 61 are adhered to the peripheral portion of the accommodation groove 50Cb of the detection surface 50Ca via the double-sided tape 61a. The above completes the attachment of the load detection device 1C. A sheet-shaped cover 51C is further covered on the cushion portion 50C.

According to the mounting structure of this load detecting device, when a load is applied to the detection surface 50Ca of the cushion portion 50C, the load is concentrated on the contact portion between the convex portion of the concave / convex pressure contact portion 62a and the load sensor 10, so that the load acts. Even with a relatively small load, the load sensor 10 is elastically deformed centering on the contact portion, and the detection sensitivity can be improved.

Further, since the load sensor 10 is housed in the housing groove 50Cb and the opening of the housing groove 50Cb is closed by the elastic base member 61, the upper surface side of the cushion portion 50C becomes relatively flat, There is little feeling of foreign matter when seated.

Further, in the load detecting device 1C, the sensitivity can be easily adjusted by changing the depth dimension of the accommodation groove 50Cb, the shape and material of the uneven pressure contact portion 62a.

Further, the load sensor 10 is placed in the accommodation groove 50Cb.
Can be easily installed by simply arranging and accommodating and adhering the press contact interposition member 60.

In addition, for the same reason as described in the first embodiment, when the detection surface 50Ca is covered with the sheet-like cover 51C, the load sensor 1
Even when a load is applied to a position away from 0, the load can be detected more reliably.

[0057]

According to the first aspect of the present invention configured as described above, the load sensor is arranged on the detection surface with the plate-shaped elastic base member interposed between the load sensor and the detection surface. Since the load sensor is provided, it is difficult for the load sensor to be buried in the detection surface, and thus the detection sensitivity can be improved.

When the detection surface is covered with a sheet-like cover as described in claim 2, the sheet-like cover is pulled even when a load acts on a position apart from the load sensor. Thus, the load indirectly acts on the load sensor, and the load can be detected.

Further, when at least a part of the portion which comes into contact with the load sensor is formed in an uneven shape as described in claim 3, the contact between the convex portion and the load sensor when a load is applied. Since the load concentrates on the portion and acts, the detection sensitivity can be further improved.

Further, as described in claim 4, the load sensor is covered with a bag-shaped body, and the inner surface of the bag-shaped body is partially or entirely formed in an uneven shape, or the bag is formed. If the body is partially or wholly formed in the shape of a net bag, when the load acts, the load concentrates on the contact portion between the convex portion or the net portion of the bag and the load sensor. Therefore, the detection sensitivity can be further improved.

According to the load detecting device of the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the load sensor is arranged on the detection surface via the elastic base member, the load sensor is unlikely to be buried in the detection surface, and therefore the detection sensitivity is improved. Excel.

Further, according to the load detecting device mounting structure of the sixth aspect, when a load is applied to the detection surface, the load is concentrated on the contact portion between the convex portion of the uneven pressure contact portion and the load sensor. The detection sensitivity can be improved.

According to the pressure contact interposing member for the load detecting device of the seventh aspect, the load applied to the elastic base member is
Since it is possible to concentrate the action on the contact portion between the convex portion of the uneven pressure contact portion and the load sensor, it is possible to improve the detection sensitivity.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a state in which a load detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a cushion portion.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the load detection device of the above.

3 (a) is a sectional view taken along the axial direction of the load sensor, and FIG. 3 (b) is a sectional view taken along line bb of FIG. 3 (a).

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a load is applied to the load detection device.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the load detection device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a load detection device according to a modified example of the above.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a state where a load is applied to the load detection device according to the modified example of the same.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing a mounting structure of a load detecting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a press contact intervening member.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a conventional load detection device.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a load is applied to a conventional load detection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,1B, 1C Load detection device 10 load sensor 20 bags 30 Elastic base member 40 mesh 50,50C cushion part 50a, 50Ca detection surface 50Cb accommodation groove 51,51C sheet-like cover 60 Press-contact interposition member 61 Elastic base member 62 Pressure contactor 62a Concavo-convex pressure welding part

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shigeru Suzuki             Sumitomo Den 1-14 Nishi-Suehiro-cho, Yokkaichi-shi, Mie Prefecture             Sozo Co., Ltd.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A mounting structure of a load detection device for detecting a load acting on a predetermined detection surface on an elastic member, wherein a load sensor has a plate-shaped elastic base member interposed between the load sensor and the detection surface. The mounting structure of the load detection device, which is disposed on the detection surface in the closed state. 2. The mounting structure for the load detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the load sensor is covered with a sheet-like cover that covers the detection surface. 3. The mounting structure for a load detecting device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of a portion contacting the load sensor is formed in an uneven shape. Construction. 4. The load detection device mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the load sensor is covered with a bag-shaped body, and an inner surface of the bag-shaped body is partially or entirely formed in an uneven shape. Or the bag-shaped body is partially or wholly formed in a net-bag shape, and the elastic base member is arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the bag-shaped body and is mounted on the detection surface. apparatus. 5. A load detection device for detecting a load acting on a predetermined detection surface on an elastic member, comprising: a load sensor, and a plate-shaped elastic base that can be interposed between the load sensor and the detection surface. A load detection device including a member. 6. A load detection device mounting structure for detecting a load acting on a predetermined detection surface on an elastic member, comprising: a linear load sensor; and a housing groove for housing the load sensor on the detection surface side. A press-contacting intervening member having the formed elastic member, a tape-shaped elastic base member that closes the opening of the accommodation groove, and a press-contacting member that is attached to the elastic base member and on which a concave-convex press-contacting portion is formed, A mounting structure for a load detection device, wherein the elastic base member is mounted on the detection surface at a peripheral portion of the housing groove in a posture in which the uneven pressure contact portion of the pressure contactor is brought into contact with the load sensor in the housing groove. . 7. A pressure-contacting interposition member for a load detection device for detecting a load acting on a predetermined detection surface on an elastic member, comprising: a tape-shaped elastic base member; A pressure contact member for forming a load, and a pressure contact member for a load detection device, comprising: