JP2003194621A - Load detection structure of vehicular seat - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the structure, to improve the workability and to make securable the amenity in addition to compatibility of high detection sensitivity and high protection performance. <P>SOLUTION: A unitized load detection means 20 is disposed, in an installed form, between a seat-side member and a leg member on the floor body side under the fixing of a strain-generating plate support part 12b to a pivot 16 journaled between facing vertical walls 34a of a leg member 34 and the fixing of a straingenerating plate fixing part 12a to a seat-side member 22 by mounting bolts 40-1 and 40-2. By a pin-like stopper 42 having a large-diameter head 42-2 at one end, the distortion amount of the strain-generating plate 12 is restrained and the separation of the seat-side member 22 from the leg member 34 is prevented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention comprises load detecting means for detecting an input load from a seat side member, which is arranged below the seat in a erected state between the seat side member and the floor side leg member. The present invention relates to a load detection structure for a vehicle seat.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-258232 discloses a structure in which the weight of a seated person can be measured and determined by detecting an input load value input to a seat.

The load detecting structure disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-258232 is a swingable Z arm (coupling mechanism) which is connected to and supported by a leg member in a seesaw shape, and is fixed to the lower portion of the seat. A pin bracket (coupling mechanism) rotatably connected to one end of the Z via a pivot pin, a sensor plate (transmission mechanism) connected to the other end of the Z arm, and the sensor plate fixedly arranged on the sensor plate. And a load sensor (strain gauge). The known load detecting structure is configured so that the load acting on the seat can be detected by expanding the load from the seat by the Z arm and then transmitting this to the load sensor of the sensor plate.

[0004]

The load detection structure of this type, which is mounted on a vehicle seat such as an automobile, usually has high detection sensitivity, high detection accuracy, protection performance, and safety performance. It is required to meet the seemingly contradictory requirement of being excellent.

In addition to satisfying these requirements, structural, manufacturing, and cost considerations are required as long as the product can be assembled into a vehicle seat.

However, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-2582.
The known configuration disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 32 has a coupling mechanism, and a transmission mechanism, since it has a mechanical portion having a complicated structure at a plurality of locations, even if it is excellent in detection sensitivity, and protection performance, etc. Increasing the number of parts and complicating the structure are unavoidable, and further, the cost is likely to increase accordingly.

Further, in this known structure, the load detecting structure is formed based on the individual assembling of each member to the base on the vehicle body side, so that the assembling process is likely to be complicated, and therefore, It cannot be denied that workability is also reduced.

In the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-258232, the insertion hole of the base through which the bracket pin is inserted is a vertically elongated hole, and the bracket pin is engaged with the periphery of the elongated hole. By preventing the seat from rising and falling excessively and separating the seat from the base, its protective performance and safety performance are secured.

Here, the excessive load acting on the seat, such as automatic, is not limited to that acting in an emergency such as a collision.
That is, the momentary input load that occurs when an adult occupant with a comparatively heavy weight suddenly sits down, or the momentary input due to a significantly large vertical vibration when driving on a bad road including a steep step, etc. Since the load and the like are significantly larger than the normal load due to the weight of the seated person, it can be said that these are also excessive loads that adversely affect the load detecting means.

However, the known structure disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-258232 is to prevent excessive elevation of the seat by engaging the bracket pin with the peripheral edge of the elongated hole. For this reason, it is unavoidable that impact, abnormal noise, and the like are generated during the engagement.

In an emergency such as a collision, the occurrence of such impact or abnormal noise does not cause any particular problem. However, since the momentary excessive load is a load that occurs when the seated person is in a normal sitting state, if a shock, an abnormal noise, or the like due to the engagement of the bracket pin with the peripheral edge of the long hole occurs, these are the causes. There is a possibility that the seated person may feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable. That is, in the known configuration,
Although safety can be obtained by ensuring the protective performance, the adverse effect of reduced comfort can occur at the same time.

The present invention provides a load detection structure for a vehicle seat which has both high detection sensitivity and high protection performance, simplification of structure, improved workability, and comfort. It is intended to be provided.

[0013]

In order to achieve this object, in the load detecting structure for a vehicle seat according to the present invention as defined in claim 1, the load detecting means is made of a deformable material having a restoring force. It is arranged under the superposition of the strain plate in the form of a long flat plate and one end of the strain plate, and is integrally fixed to one end of this strain plate by the crimping of a plurality of caulking sleeves that continuously penetrate. A pair of upper and lower stiffening plates, which are erected between the opposing vertical walls of the leg members and are axially supported, and the other end of the strain-flexing plate that is integrally fixed at a position aligned with the axis of the strain-flexing plate; It is formed as a unit body with a strain gauge fixedly arranged on one of the upper and lower surfaces of the stiffening plate intermediate region defined between the stiffening plate and the pivot so that the change in strain amount can be detected. There is. Then, in addition to the pivotal support of the pivot between the opposed vertical walls of the leg member, a non-tightening loose hole formed in the lower wall of the leg member and a bolt of the caulking sleeve arranged at one end of the strain plate. By fixing one end of the strain-flexing plate to the seat-side member under fastening with a mounting bolt inserted through the caulking sleeve for use, this load detecting means is provided between the seat-side member and the floor-side leg member. It is installed in a erected form.

Further, a pin-shaped stopper having a large-diameter head at one end thereof is fixed to the other of the crimping sleeves by penetrating through the stopper crimping sleeve of the crimping sleeve, the seat side member, and the insertion hole of one of the leg members. A large-diameter head, which is a pin-shaped stopper engageable with the peripheral edge of this insertion hole, is moved away from this peripheral edge by a predetermined gap, and an elastic buffer that elastically receives the lower stiffening plate at one end of the strain plate. The member is
Interposed between this lower stiffening plate and the lower wall of the leg member,
A predetermined gap is formed between one of the lower stiffening plate and the lower wall of the leg member and the elastic cushioning member.

Further, in the present invention as set forth in claim 2, the load detecting means is made of a strainable material having a restoring force and has a shape of a long flat plate and is superposed on one end of the strain generating plate. Placed between the upper and lower stiffening plates that are integrally fixed to one end of the strain-flexing plate by the crimping of the crimping sleeve that continuously penetrates, and is erected and axially supported between the opposing vertical walls of the leg member, The other end of the strain-flexing plate is integrally fixed at a position aligned with the axis of the strain-flexing plate, and the strain-defining plate defined between the stiffening plate and the pivoting shaft can detect the change in strain amount of the strain-flexing plate. It is formed as a unit body including a strain gauge fixedly arranged on either the upper or lower surface of the plate intermediate region.

In addition to the pivotal support of the pivot between the opposing vertical walls of the leg member, a non-tightening burial hole formed in the lower wall of the leg member and a caulking sleeve provided at one end of the flexure plate. By fixing one end of the strain-flexing plate to the seat-side member under fastening with the mounting bolt inserted through the load-displacement plate, the load detecting means is erected between the seat-side member and the floor-side leg member. It can be installed.

Further, in the present invention as set forth in claim 3, the upper stiffening plate is provided with a projection, and a fitting hole into which the projection can be fitted is formed in the seat side member. Then, by fitting and engaging this projection in the fitting hole, this serves as a detent for the flexure plate with respect to the seat side member.

Further, in the present invention as set forth in claim 4, the stiffening plate and the strain-flexing plate are formed with a projection on one end and a fitting recess into which the projection can be fitted. Then, by fitting and engaging this projection in the fitting recess, it is positioned between the stiffening plate and the strain-flexing plate one end,
And it is a rotation stop.

[0019]

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 an embodiment of the present invention, a strain plate 12 and a pair of upper and lower stiffening plates 14-U, 14-L are provided. A load detecting means 20 unitized as a combination of the pivot 16 and the strain gauge 18 is arranged at a lower position of the seat 24 so that an input load from the seat side member 22 can be detected.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the embodiment of the present invention, a so-called slide seat having a pair of left and right seat slide devices 28 under the seat cushion 26 is a seat provided with the load detecting structure 10. (Vehicle seat) 24 is exemplified. Further, in this embodiment, the lower rail of the seat slide device 28 is embodied as the seat side member 22.

The seat slide device 28 includes an upper rail 30 provided on the seat cushion 26 as in the conventional device.
Is slidably assembled to the lower rail (seat side member) 22 via rolling elements (not shown) such as steel balls and rollers. Further, in the present invention, the load detection means 20 allows the input load from the lower rail 22 which is the seat side member, for example, the load from the seated person to be passive, between the leg member 34 on the floor 32 side and the lower rail. , Are arranged and interposed in a erected manner (see FIG. 1).

As can be seen from FIG. 3 in addition to FIGS. 1 and 2, the leg member 34 is embodied as, for example, a rail-shaped body having a substantially upward U-shaped cross section. , The mounting pieces 36 that are integrally provided before and after that
-f, 36-r fixes the leg member to the floor 32.

The leg member 34 is a seat slide device.
Like the sheet 28, the sheet 24 is juxtaposed to the left and right separated positions. Since the load detecting means 20 in the present invention is arranged at a lower position of the seat 24, for example, near the lower four corners of the seat cushion 26 if it is strong, two positions before and after the leg member 34 as shown in FIG. In other words, the load detecting means are respectively arranged at a total of four places on the right and left sides.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the flexure plate 12 serving as the unit base of the load detecting means 20 is a long flat plate having a restoring force such as spring steel. It is made of a strainable material. And
As can be seen from FIG. 1 in addition to FIG. 4, in the present invention, a pair of upper and lower stiffening plates 14-U, 14-L are provided at one end 12a in the longitudinal direction of the flexure plate 12, and The pivots 16 are integrally fixed to the other ends 12b.

The one end portion 12a of the strain plate is seat-side member (lower rail) by the stiffening by fixing the stiffening plates 14-U, 14-L.
Specified as a fixed part to 22. Then, the pair of upper and lower stiffening plates 14-U, 14-L are respectively arranged under the superposition of the upper and lower surfaces of the strain-flexing plate fixing portion (one end portion) 12a as shown in the drawing. The upper and lower stiffening plates are attached to the flexure plate fixing portion by the caulking of each terminal of the plurality of continuously caulking sleeves, for example, the three caulking sleeves 38-1 to 38-3 arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction thereof. Are integrally fixed (see FIG. 3).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, all of the caulking sleeves 38-1 to 38-3 are substantially cylindrical bodies having caulked ends at the respective terminals, and the caulking of the respective terminals causes the caulking of the upper and lower parts. The stiffening plates 14-U and 14-L are fastened together with the flexure plate fixing portion 12a.

Of the caulking sleeves 38-1 to 38-3, the caulking sleeves 38-1 and 38-2 remain as caulking sleeves for bolts into which the mounting bolts 40-1 and 40-2 are inserted. The caulking sleeve 38-3 serves as a stopper caulking sleeve into which the pin-shaped stopper 42 is inserted. Details of the mounting bolt and the pin-shaped stopper will be described later (see FIGS. 1 and 3). .

As can be seen clearly from FIG. 5 in addition to FIGS. 1 and 3, in the present invention, one end (fixed portion) 12a of the strain-flexing plate is opposite to the other end 12b of the strain-flexing plate. Element
It is integrally fixed to a pivot 16 which is erected and axially supported between 34 opposing vertical walls 34a. The other end portion 12b of the flexure plate is defined as a support portion that is rotatably supported by the leg member 34 under the integrally fixing of the pivot 16.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the opposing vertical wall 34a of the leg member is provided with a through hole 44 in the form of a fictitious hole which allows the pivot 16 to be loosely inserted from the outside.
Then, the pivot 16 passes through the insertion hole 44 and the facing vertical wall 34a.
One side is penetrated from the outside toward the other side, and the collar 46 with a collar is attached around each step portion 16a in the installed state between the facing vertical walls, and the nut 48 is screwed to each screw portion 16b. Under pivoting, this pivot is fixedly supported between opposite side walls of the leg member 34.

The reference numeral 50 in the figure indicates the opposing side wall 34a.
It is a stiffening plate that reinforces around the insertion hole 44 of the
Is formed to have an insertion hole having the same diameter as the insertion hole 44, and is fixed to the inner surface of the opposing side wall by welding or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the pivot 16 has an insertion port 1 through which the other end 12b of the strain-flexing plate can be inserted.
6c is provided at a position aligned with the axis thereof. And, the insertion port 16c, the insertion of the strain-flexing plate other end portion 12b from the direction orthogonal to the axis, and the continuous insertion by the fixing pin 52 which is, for example, a normal caulking pin with a head, the cause of caulking. The other end 12b of the flexure plate is integrally fixed to the pivot 16.

A plurality of fixing pins (crimping pins with heads) 52, for example, two are used so as to enable stable integration.

Further, the fixing pin 52 is caulked at the lower end in the drawing through a window hole 54 formed in the lower wall 34b of the leg member 34.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, in the present invention, the strain-flexing plate fixing portion 12a of the stiffening plates 14-U and 14-L fixed to the stiffening plates 14-U and 14-L and the strain-flexing plate fixed to the pivot 16 are fixed. A predetermined intermediate region 12c defined between the plate supporting portion 12b, for example, on the upper surface, a strain gauge 18 capable of detecting the amount of strain of the strain-flexing plate 12 is fixedly fixed under bonding or pasting. Is installed (Fig. 3,
(See FIG. 4).

As the strain gauge 18, for example, a so-called resistance wire gauge in which a metal resistance wire is internally provided and fixed in a flexible electrically insulating thin plate can be used.

The resistance wire gauge exemplified here as the strain gauge 18 is a general commercially available one,
Since the structure and principle of the strain gauge itself are not the gist of the present invention, a detailed description of the strain gauge will be omitted here.

Although a resistance wire gauge is exemplified as the strain gauge 18 here, this strain gauge has an intermediate region.
The strain amount change of the flexure plate 12 caused in 12c is sufficient as long as it can output as the strain output, so long as it has a similar function, it is not limited to this resistance wire gauge, other principles You may use a thing of a structure as a strain gauge.

As described above, the load detecting means 20 in the present invention uses the strain-flexing plate 12 as a unit base, and fixes the stiffening plates 14-U, 14-L and the strain gauge 18 to the strain-generating plate. , The flexure plate supporting portion 12b, the vertical wall 3 facing the leg member 3
It is unitized by being installed between 4a and integrally fixed to a pivot 16 which is axially supported. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the flexure plate supporting portion 12 to the leg member 34 by the pivot 16 is provided.
The load detecting means 20 is installed in a erected state between the seat side member and the leg member under the condition that the strain-flexing plate fixing portion 12a is fixed to the seat side member 22 in addition to the connection and support of b. ing.

As described above, in the present invention, the stiffening plate
Caulking sleeve for fixing 14-U and 14-L to the flexure plate fixing part 12a
Among the 38-1 to 38-3, the caulking sleeves 38-1 and 38-2 are defined as the caulking sleeves for the bolts into which the mounting bolts 40-1 and 40-2 are inserted. Then, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, mounting bolts 40-1, 40, which are, for example, stepped bolts, to the fixing nuts 56-1, 56-2 fixed to the lower wall 22a of the seat side member 22. Under the screwing of -2, the flexure plate fixing portion 12a is fixed to the seat side member 22.

This mounting bolt (stepped bolt) 40-1, 40-2
Is inserted through the large diameter fool holes 58-1 and 58-2 that are formed in the lower wall 34b of the leg member 34 and cannot be tightened with the mounting bolts. Then, the mounting bolts 40-1, 40-2 inserted through the caulking sleeves 38-1, 38-2 are attached to the seat side member 2
2, the fixing nut 56 fixed to the upper surface of the lower wall 22a, for example.
-1,56-2 under the co-tightening, upper and lower stiffening plates 14-U,
The flexure plate fixing portion 12a including 14-L is integrally fixed to the seat side member 22.

As described above, this fixing of the strain-flexing plate fixing portion 12a to the seat side member 22 and the facing vertical wall 3 of the leg member.
In the load detecting means 20 installed in a erected state between the seat side member and the leg member 34 under the condition that the strain-flexing plate support portion 12b is fixed to the pivot 16 that is erected between 4a. While the strain-flexing plate support portion 12b is rotated about the pivot 16 under the load F applied to the seat 24, the strain-flexing plate fixing portion 12a is
Together with the integral seat side member, it is lifted and lowered in a substantially vertical direction in a substantially parallel state. Then, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the load F applied to the seat 24, that is, the load F from the seat side member 22 acts on the flexure plate fixing portion 12a, so that the flexure plate 12 is in the middle thereof. Since it is distorted in the region 12c, the change in the amount of distortion in this intermediate region is detected by the strain gauge 18, and further, the input from the seat side member 22 is based on the strain output that changes with this change in the amount of strain. By detecting the load value, the weight measurement by the load detection means 20 in the present invention, the type determination of the seated person, and the like are performed.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, in the present invention, the caulking sleeves 38-1 to 38-3 for fixing the stiffening plates 14-U, 14-L to the strain plate fixing portion 12a. Among them, for example, the caulking sleeve 38-3 is defined as a stopper caulking sleeve into which the pin-shaped stopper 42 is inserted.

As the pin-shaped stopper 42, for example, a pin main body 42-1 which is a stepped caulking pin which can be loosely inserted in the caulking sleeve 38-3 for a stopper, and a large-diameter head 42- which is a separate head thereof- The combination with 2 can be exemplified.

The pin body 42-1 is fixed and erected on the leg member 34 by the crimping of the crimping end 42-1a after the crimping end 42-1a is inserted into the insertion hole 60 formed in the lower wall 34b of the leg member. It The pin main body 42-1 can project upward through the insertion hole 62 provided in the lower wall 22a of the seat side member, and the upper end screw portion of the pin main body is located above the lower wall of the seat side member. By screwing on 42-1b,
The large-diameter head 42-2, which is a set screw member, is integrally fixed to the upper end of the pin body.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, in the present invention, the pin-shaped stopper large-diameter head 42-2 is formed to have a large diameter so that it can be engaged with the peripheral edge of the insertion hole 62 of the seat side member 22. At the same time, the large-diameter head of the pin-shaped stopper is arranged at an upper spaced position separated from the peripheral edge of the insertion hole by a predetermined gap 64.

This gap 64 guarantees the distortion of the strain-flexing plate 12 until the peripheral edge of the insertion hole 62 of the sheet-side member 22 is engaged with the large-diameter head 42-2 of the pin-shaped stopper, and is generally Is called a stopper gap.

A gap 66 similar to the gap (stopper gap) 64 above the strain-flexing plate is also formed below the strain-flexing plate fixing portion 12a. Below the strain-flexing plate fixing portion 12a, that is, below the lower stiffening plate 14-L, an elastic cushioning member, for example,
A resin ring 68, which can be arranged around the pin body 42-1 of the pin-shaped stopper, is fixedly arranged by being fixed to the lower wall 34b of the leg member, and the resin ring (elastic cushioning member) and the lower part. Between the stiffening plate 14-L, a gap (stopper gap) 66 at the bottom of the strain-flexing plate for ensuring the distortion of the strain-flexing plate 12 in the descending direction of the strain-flexing plate fixing portion 12a is formed.

The set amounts of the gaps 64 and 66 are both set based on the measurable range by the load detecting means 20 (load detection guaranteed range).

These upper and lower gaps (stopper gaps) 6
In 4, 66, the up-and-down of the strain-flexing plate fixing portion 12a caused by the distortion in the strain-flexing plate intermediate region 12c, that is, the seat side member 22.
Since the ascent and descent of the load is ensured, the input load can be appropriately measured by the load detecting means 20.

When an excessive load exceeding the measurable range of the load detecting means 20 is input from the seat side member 22, the large amount of the space around the insertion hole 62, that is, the lower wall 22a of the seat side member and the pin-shaped stopper is increased. Either the radial head 42-2 or the lower stiffening plate 14-L and the resin ring 68 is engaged depending on the input direction. Lower wall 22a of this seat side member
When the engagement between the pin-shaped stopper and the large-diameter head 42-2, or the engagement between the lower stiffening plate 14-L and the resin ring 68 occurs, the subsequent strain plate intermediate region 12c While the distortion is prevented, the input load from the seat side member 22 directly acts on the leg member 34 from the strain plate fixing portion 12a via the pin-shaped stopper 42 without passing through the strain plate intermediate region, Since it is transmitted, the strain-flexing plate intermediate region is excluded from the transmission path of the input load.

That is, when an excessive input load is applied, the excessive input load is not input to the strain-flexing plate intermediate region 12c, so that the strain-flexing plate 12 is reliably protected from the excessive load. Be done.

Here, since the belt anchor (not shown) of the seat belt is usually connected integrally with the seat cushion at the side portion of the seat cushion 26 or integrally with the upper rail 30 of the seat slide device,
In an emergency such as a collision, if an excessive load at that time is input from the belt anchor, the seat side member 22 will be excessively pulled upward. However, the pin-shaped stopper 42 in the present invention is a fixing pin fixed to the leg member 34, and the large-diameter head 42-2 at one end (upper end) thereof has a larger diameter than the insertion hole 62 of the seat-side member. Even if the side member 22 is pulled above it under an excessive load, it does not move under the engagement of the peripheral wall of the insertion hole 62 with respect to the large-diameter head 42-2 of the pin-shaped stopper, that is, the lower wall 22a of the seat-side member. The excessive elevation of the seat side member 22 with respect to the leg member is reliably prevented, and along with this, the separation of the seat side member from the leg member,
Certainly blocked.

In other words, in the present invention, the pin-shaped stopper 42 has both the function of preventing excessive distortion of the flexure plate 12 and the function of preventing separation of the seat side member 22 from the leg member 34. Become.

Further, in the present invention, the leg member 34
When the seat side member 22 is excessively lowered with respect to, the lower stiffening plate 14-L in the flexure plate fixing portion 12a collides with and engages with the resin ring 68. That is, even if the seat side member 22 suddenly and excessively descends under an excessive load in an emergency such as a collision, the impact at the time of the collision of the lower stiffening plate 14-L on the resin ring 68 is Since it is absorbed under the elasticity of the resin ring, the impact and the generation of noise are surely suppressed by the resin ring.

As described above, in the vehicle seat load detecting structure 10 of the present invention, since the strain-flexing plate 12 is a long flat plate, high detection sensitivity can be easily ensured. In particular, if it is a flat plate having a longitudinal shape, the strain plate 12 can be formed without requiring precision processing such as shaving, so that the workability is improved in addition to ensuring high detection sensitivity, and the manufacturing cost is surely reduced. Get rid of.

Further, by integrally fixing the stiffening plates 14-U, 14-L and the pivot 16 to the flexure plate fixing portion 12a and the flexure plate support portion 12b, the ends of the flexure plate are supplemented. Since rigidity is obtained, the rigidity comparison between the intermediate region 12c in which the strain gauge 18 is arranged and each of the end portions can be reliably obtained. That is, since the distorted portion of the flexure plate 12 can be specified with certainty, the load detection accuracy can be surely improved.

Further, since the load detecting means 20 is unitized under the attachment of each member to the strain-flexing plate 12 serving as a unit base, after the strain-flexing plate supporting portion 12b is fixed to the pivot 16, the load detecting means 20 is raised. It suffices to fix the seat side member 22 to the strain plate fixing portion 12a. That is, the assembling process of the load detecting means 20 is certainly simplified, and further, the seat side member 22 and the leg member 34.
Since the installation process for the is surely simplified,
According to this invention, the workability is improved.

Particularly, in the present invention, the leg member 34
Since the strain-flexing plate fixing portion 12a is fixed to the seat side member 22 by bolting from below, workability thereof is further improved.

Further, in the present invention, the strain-flexing plate supporting portion is
12b is in alignment with the axis of pivot 16 (see FIG. 5). In other words, since the strain-flexing plate support portion 12b has a form having the center of rotation within the plate thickness, the height of the strain-flexing plate support portion is reliably suppressed.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the leg member 34
The height of the load detection structure 10
It is possible to reduce the overall thickness.

Further, in the present invention, by providing the pin-shaped stopper 42, it is possible to limit the amount of distortion of the flexure plate intermediate region 12c, and when this amount of distortion is limited under the input of an excessive load. , Due to the short circuit of the load transmission path due to this,
Since the excess amount is released to the leg member 34, that is, the floor 32, the intermediate region of the flexure plate and thus the load detecting means 20 can be reliably protected from this excessive load.

Since the pin-shaped stopper 42 does not allow the seat-side member 22 to be separated from the leg member 34, its protective performance is sufficiently ensured without complicating the structure. It

Further, the pin-shaped stopper 42 is a strain plate fixing portion.
Since it penetrates through 12a, this pin-shaped stopper is located immediately below the position where the load from the seat side member 22 is input. That is, an excessive input load from the seat side member 22 is smoothly transmitted to and acts on the leg member 34 via the pin-shaped stopper 42, and the transmission path of this excessive load is minimized. From the above, the safety can be sufficiently ensured.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily and sufficiently ensure both high detection sensitivity and high protection performance, and high safety.

Further, according to the present invention, the flexure plate fixing portion
Resin ring 6 below 12a, that is, below lower stiffening plate 14-L.
Since 8 is arranged, when the lower stiffening plate 14-L is engaged with the resin ring, cushioning by the resin ring is obtained. That is, under this cushion, the impact and the abnormal noise at the time of the engagement are surely suppressed.

In this way, if the impact and the abnormal noise at the time of excessive lowering of the seat side member 22 are suppressed, the uncomfortable feeling, the discomfort, etc. due to these can be reduced, so that the excessive load in the normal sitting state can be reduced. It is possible to secure the comfort when the occurrence of, that is, the momentary excessive load during sudden seating or the momentary excessive load due to vibration during traveling on bad roads occurs.

Therefore, in addition to ensuring both high detection sensitivity and high protection performance, safety and comfort are improved.
According to the present invention, this is fully possible.

Here, as in the present invention, the mounting bolt 40
When fixing the strain plate fixing portion 12a to the seat side member 22 under tightening with -1,40-2, the strain plate 12 in the rotation direction of the mounting bolt, that is, the position of the load detection means 20 Gap,
If it is strong, the inclination of the pivot 16 with respect to the leg member 34,
There may be some concern that it may cause a reduction in the smooth rotation of the pivot. Therefore, in the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, a protrusion 72 is provided on the upper stiffening plate 14-U, and a fitting hole 74 into which the protrusion can be fitted.
Is formed on the lower wall 22a of the seat side member, and the protrusion is fitted into and engaged with the fitting hole to prevent the flexure plate 12 from rotating with respect to the seat side member 22.

The protrusion 72 of the upper stiffening plate 14-U can be embodied as a locate pin formed by punching from the lower surface side.

The protrusions 72 and the fitting holes 74 are provided at, for example, two positions spaced in the lateral direction of the strain-flexing plate 12 with the mounting bolts 40-1 and 40-2 interposed therebetween.

According to this structure, the mounting bolt 40-
Even if the strain-flexing plate fixing portion 12a and, by extension, the load detecting means 20 try to rotate in the tightening rotation direction under the tightening by the 1, 40-2, the protrusion 72 and the fitting hole 74 are engaged with each other. Since this rotation is reliably prevented, the inclination of the pivot 16 with respect to the leg member 34 is reliably prevented. Therefore, the smooth rotation of the pivot 16 with respect to the leg member 34 can be easily ensured.

The projection 72 and the fitting hole 74 are sufficient as long as the rotation of the load detecting means 20 with respect to the seat side member 22 can be prevented, and are not limited to two positions as shown in the figure.
These may be provided in three places or in three places.

Further, as can be seen from FIG. 4 in addition to FIG. 6, when the projections 72 of the upper stiffening plate 14-U are formed as locate pins, the lower surface of the upper stiffening plate has a corresponding recess.
76 will be formed. Therefore, in the present invention, the projection 78 that can be fitted into the recess 76 on the lower surface of the upper stiffening plate.
Is formed as a locate pin on the upper surface of the strain-flexing plate fixing portion 12a, and the concave portion 80 on the lower surface formed by the formation of this projection is formed.
The protrusion 82 that can be fitted into the
It is formed on the upper surface of 14-L.

According to this structure, the strain plate fixing portion 12
Positioning of the upper and lower stiffening plates 14-U, 14-L with respect to a can be obtained by the fitting between the recesses 76 and the projections 78 and the fitting between the recesses 80 and the projections 82. The work of assembling the stiffening plate to the simplification is simplified, and the position of the stiffening plate with respect to the flexure plate fixing portion is specified more reliably.

Since the recesses 76 formed by using the protrusions 72 of the upper stiffening plate as locate pins can be used, the structure is not complicated.

Further, in this embodiment described above, the strain-flexing plate fixing portion 12a is fixed to the seat-side member by the mounting bolts 40-1 and 40-2 at the two front and rear locations which are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the strain-flexing plate 12. It is embodied as fixed at 22, but the number is not limited to this. That is, since it is sufficient if the strain-flexing plate fixing portion 12a can be stably fixed to the seat side member 22, it is not limited to two positions in the front and rear, and it is possible to raise it by bolting at three positions in the front and rear, for example. The strain plate fixing portion 12a may be fixed to the seat side member 22.

Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention,
Although the pin-shaped stopper 42 is embodied as a combination of the pin body 42-1 and the large-diameter head 42-2 formed in a divided manner, it is erected between the seat side member 22 and the leg member 34. Since it is sufficient if it can be arranged, it is not limited to this.
For example, an integral pin having a large-diameter head integrally at one end may be used as the pin-shaped stopper.

Further, in this embodiment, the pin body 42-1 of the pin-shaped stopper is embodied as being fixed to the leg member 34. However, the seat side member 22 is excessively moved up and down with respect to the leg member, and is separated. However, the pin body may be fixed to the seat side member, for example.

In this case, the pin-shaped stopper large-diameter head 42-2 is projected below the lower wall 34b of the leg member through the insertion hole 60 through a predetermined gap (stopper gap). It

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention,
Although the strain gauge 18 is arranged on the upper surface of the strain-flexing plate intermediate region 12c, since it is sufficient if the amount of distortion in the intermediate region can be detected, the strain gauge is fixed on the opposite lower surface. May be placed in

Further, in this embodiment, the resin ring 68 is embodied as the elastic cushioning member, but the elastic cushioning member is below the strain-flexing plate fixing portion when the strain-flexing plate fixing portion 12a is lowered. It is not limited to this as long as it is made of an elastic material capable of suppressing the generation of impact, abnormal noise, etc. by elastically engaging and colliding with the lower stiffening plate 14-L.
For example, a member made of synthetic rubber or the like may be used as the elastic cushioning member.

The shape of the elastic cushioning member is limited to the ring shape, as long as it can be arranged with a predetermined gap between the lower stiffening plate 14-L and the lower wall 34b of the leg member. Not done.

Here, in the embodiment of the present invention, the resin ring (elastic cushioning member) 68 is provided only between the lower stiffening plate 14-L and the lower wall 34b of the leg member. In order to receive the engagement of the seat side member 22 with respect to the seat 34 when the seat side member 22 is raised, for example, a large diameter head of a pin-shaped stopper is used.
An elastic engagement member of this kind may be interposed between the 42-2 and the lower wall 22a of the seat side member.

However, the momentary excessive load acting during normal seating is almost always a downward load, and the impact at the time of engagement that gives the seated person a feeling of discomfort, discomfort, etc. Since the resin ring (elastic cushioning member) 68 is provided only between the lower stiffening plate 14-L and the lower wall 34b of the leg member, the function, that is, comfort, etc. The securing function will be fully obtained.

Therefore, it is possible to omit the elastic cushioning member on the rising side of the seat side member 22 with respect to the leg member 34.

By the way, in this type of structure, the load detecting means 20 is arranged at four positions on the front, rear, left and right sides of the seat cushion 26. Normally, the load is detected on the seat 24 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 based on this total, for example, the load detecting means 20 is separately defined in the front portion and the rear portion, and the sitting posture depending on which side the load detecting means receives a large amount of load, etc. May also be discriminable.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the lower rail of the seat slide device is exemplified as the seat side member 22 provided integrally with the seat 24.
However, since the seat side member 22 is sufficient as long as it is provided integrally with the seat 24, the seat cushion itself may be replaced with the seat side member if the seat does not have the seat slide device.

Further, in this embodiment, a seat for an automobile or the like is exemplified as a seat for a vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is applied to other seats for a vehicle such as a bus and a truck. May be. 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 the 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.

[0091]

As described above, according to the load detecting structure for a vehicle seat according to the present invention, since the flexure plate is a flat plate having a longitudinal shape, high detection sensitivity can be easily ensured. In particular, if it is a flat plate having a long shape, the strain plate can be formed without needing precision processing such as shaving, so that the workability is improved in addition to ensuring high detection sensitivity, and the manufacturing cost is surely reduced. It comes off.

Then, since the stiffening plate and the supporting support member are integrally fixed to the strain-flexing plate fixing portion and the strain-flexing plate supporting portion, the stiffening of each end of the strain-flexing plate is obtained, so that the strain It is possible to reliably obtain the rigidity contrast between the intermediate region where the gauge is arranged and each of the ends. That is, since the distorted portion of the flexure plate 12 can be specified with certainty, the load detection accuracy can be surely improved.

Further, since the load detecting means is unitized by mounting each member on the strain plate serving as a unit base, after the strain plate support portion is fixed to the pivot, the strain plate fixing portion is formed. It is sufficient to fix the seat side member to. That is, the assembling process of the load detecting means is surely simplified, and further, the attaching process to the seat side member and the leg member is surely simplified. Therefore, according to the present invention, the workability is improved. To be done.

In particular, according to the present invention, since the strain-flexing plate fixing portion is fixed to the seat side member by bolting from below the leg member, the workability thereof is further improved.

Further, since the strain-flexing plate supporting portion is aligned with the axis of the pivot, the height of the strain-flexing plate supporting portion is reliably suppressed. Therefore, the height of the leg member can be sufficiently suppressed,
This makes it possible to reduce the thickness of the load detection structure as a whole.

Furthermore, by providing a pin-shaped stopper, the amount of distortion in the intermediate region of the strain-flexing plate can be limited, and when the amount of distortion is limited under the input of an excessive load, the load transmission path is short-circuited by this. As a result, the excessive amount is released to the leg member, that is, the floor body, so that the intermediate region of the strain-flexing plate, and thus the load detecting means, can be reliably protected from the excessive load.

Since this pin-shaped stopper cannot separate the seat-side member from the leg member, its protective performance is sufficiently secured without complicating the structure.

Further, since the pin-shaped stopper penetrates the strain-flexing plate fixing portion, the pin-shaped stopper is located immediately below the load input position from the seat side member. That is, an excessive input load from the seat side member is smoothly transmitted to and acts on the leg member via the pin-shaped stopper, and the transmission path of this excessive load is minimized. Its safety is fully ensured.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily and sufficiently secure both high detection sensitivity and high protection performance and high safety.

Further, since the elastic cushioning member is arranged below the lower stiffening plate, when the lower stiffening plate is engaged with the elastic cushioning member, cushioning by the resin ring can be obtained. In other words, under this cushion, the shock and abnormal noise at the time of engagement are surely suppressed, so that the uncomfortable feeling and discomfort caused by these can be reduced, and thereby the excessive load in the normal sitting state. It is possible to secure comfort in the case of occurrence of, i.e., momentary overload during sudden seating or momentary overload due to vibration during traveling on bad roads, etc.
According to the present invention, it is possible to improve safety and comfort in addition to ensuring high detection sensitivity and high protection performance.

If a projection is provided on the upper stiffening plate and a fitting hole into which the projection can be fitted is formed in the lower wall of the seat side member, this projection is fitted into and engaged with the fitting hole. Since the strain plate is prevented from rotating with respect to the seat side member, rotation of the load detecting means in the tightening rotation direction is reliably prevented. Therefore, the inclination of the pivot with respect to the leg member is reliably prevented, and thus the smooth rotation of the pivot with respect to the leg member can be easily ensured.

Further, a projection that can be fitted into the recess of the lower surface of the upper stiffening plate is formed on the upper surface of the flexure plate fixing portion, and a projection that can be fitted into the recess provided on the lower surface of the flexure plate fixing portion is formed into If it is formed on the upper surface of the rigid plate, the upper and lower stiffening plates can be easily positioned with respect to the flexure plate fixing part, so that the work of assembling the stiffening plate to the flexure plate fixing part is simplified and By specifying the position of the stiffening plate with respect to the strain plate fixing portion, the position of the stiffening plate can be more reliably defined.

[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 the load detection structure of the present invention.

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

FIG. 4 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a load detecting means.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the load detection structure for a vehicle seat with a partial breakage in the strain-flexing plate support portion.

FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged cross-sectional view of the load detection structure for a vehicle seat with a partial breakage at the strain-flexing plate fixing portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Vehicle seat load detection structure 12 strain plate 14-U, 14-L stiffening plate 16 Axis 18 strain gauge 20 Load detection means 22 Seat side member (lower rail) 34 Leg member 38-1 ~ 38-3 Caulking sleeve 40-1,40-2 Mounting bolt 42 pin stopper 42-1 pin body 42-2 Large diameter head 58-1,58-2 fool hole 64,66 gap (stopper gap) 68 Resin ring (elastic cushioning member) 72 Protrusion 74 Fitting hole 76,80 recess 78,82 protrusion

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A load detecting structure for a vehicle seat, wherein load detecting means for detecting an input load from a seat side member is arranged in a erected state between a seat side member and a floor side leg member. The load detecting means is made of a strainable material having a restoring force, and has a longitudinal flat plate-shaped strain plate; and a plurality of continuously crimped sleeves arranged under superposition on one end of the strain plate. A pair of upper and lower stiffening plates integrally fixed to one end of the strain-flexing plate by caulking; erected and axially supported between opposed vertical walls of the leg member, and the other end of the strain-flexing plate with its axis. Axis integrally fixed to the alignment position; Detecting the change in strain amount of the flexure plate, fixedly on either the upper or lower surface of the intermediate region of the flexure plate defined between the stiffening plate and the axis And the strain gauges are arranged as a unit body between the opposing vertical walls of the leg member. In addition to the pivotal support of the pivot, a mounting hole inserted through a non-tightening burial hole formed in the lower wall of the leg member and a caulking sleeve for bolt of the caulking sleeves arranged at one end of the strain plate. By fixing one end of the strain-flexing plate to the seat-side member under tightening with, the load detecting means is installed in an erected state between the seat-side member and the floor-side leg member, and a large one end A pin-shaped stopper having a radial head penetrates through the stopper crimping sleeve of the crimping sleeve, the seat side member, and one insertion hole of the leg member, and is fixed to the other end, and is attached to the peripheral portion of the insertion hole. The large-diameter head of the engageable pin-shaped stopper is separated from this peripheral portion by a predetermined gap, and the elastic cushioning member that elastically receives the lower stiffening plate at one end of the strain plate is the lower stiffening member. Board The load of the vehicle seat characterized in that a predetermined gap is formed between the lower stiffening plate and one of the lower walls of the leg member and the elastic cushioning member, and is interposed between the lower member and the lower wall of the leg member. Detection structure. 2. A load detecting structure for a vehicle seat, wherein load detecting means for detecting an input load from a seat side member is arranged in a erected state between a seat side member and a floor side leg member, The load detecting means is made of a strainable material having a restoring force and has a longitudinal flat plate-shaped strain plate; and is arranged under superposition on one end of the strain plate. A pair of upper and lower stiffening plates integrally fixed to one end of the flexure plate; erected and axially supported between opposing vertical walls of the leg member, and the other end of the flexure plate aligned with the axis thereof. And a pivot that is integrally fixed to the flexure plate; fixedly arranged on either the upper or lower surface of the intermediate region of the flexure plate that is defined between the stiffening plate and the pivot so that changes in the strain amount of the flexure plate can be detected. A strain gauge and a unit body with a strain gauge; In addition to the shaft support, a non-tightening loose hole formed in the lower wall of the leg member, and a strain plate under fastening with a mounting bolt inserted through a caulking sleeve arranged at one end of the strain plate. By fixing one end to the seat side member, the load detection means can be installed in a erected state between the seat side member and the floor side leg member, and a load detecting structure for a vehicle seat. . 3. An upper stiffening plate is provided with a projection, a fitting hole into which the projection can be fitted is formed in the seat side member, and the projection is fitted into and engaged with the fitting hole, whereby the seat side member is fitted. The load detection structure for a vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the strain plate is a rotation stop against the load. 4. A stiffening plate and a strain-flexing plate, wherein a projection is formed on one end and a fitting recess is formed on the other end, and the projection is fitted into and engaged with the fitting recess. The load detecting structure for a vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the stiffening plate, the stiffening plate are positioned between one ends of the flexing plate, and a rotation stopper is provided.