JP2003212018A - Antenna unit for electric field detection type seating sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve comfortability during seating. <P>SOLUTION: Arrangement areas 30 (30-1-30-5) of antenna electrodes 12 (12-1-12-5) are made to approximately band areas extending to the width direction of a seat and are separated and defined to a plurality of spaced positions in the longitudinal direction of the seat of an upper surface 14U and a lower surface 14L of a flexible insulator 14. The approximately band-like antenna electrodes 12 (12-1-12-5) formed by a fabric of conductive fiber are adhered and fixed into the arrangement areas 30 (30-1-30-5) of the flexible insulator using a bias. The antenna electrode 12 may be a continuous meandering forming body or an approximately swirl forming body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an antenna unit for an electric field detection type seating sensor in which a substantially planar antenna electrode is arranged on the surface of a plate-shaped flexible insulator which is an insulating member, and more particularly, at least for an occupant. The present invention relates to an antenna unit of an electric field detection type seating sensor which is fixedly installed in a seat portion of a seat cushion so as to be able to detect the presence or absence.

[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, convenience, etc., usually, the presence or absence of seating on the target seat is detected, and drive, stop, etc. of various movable members are controlled according to the detection result. Is being done.

Here, as a seating detection device for detecting the presence or absence of a seat on the target seat, that is, the presence or absence of an occupant, although various sensors are usually considered, a general seating sensor of a simple pressure type is used. However, it is inevitable that its accuracy is poor because it easily reacts to the placement of luggage other than sitting. Therefore, a non-contact type so-called electric field detection type seating sensor utilizing the principle of the capacitance type proximity switch is becoming widely known as a seating detection device in a vehicle seat.

This electric field detection type seating sensor generates a high frequency electric field in an antenna electrode provided in a seat, and grasps the disturbance of the high frequency electric field due to the proximity of the human body as a dielectric as a change in electrostatic capacitance. An attempt is made to detect the proximity, that is, the presence / absence of seating, and a device having such a basic configuration is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-291803.

[0005]

By the way, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-291803, the antenna electrode in this type of electric field detection type seating sensor is usually made of urethane or non-woven fabric. Is embodied as a part of an antenna unit based on a flexible insulator as an insulating member, which is generally used as an antenna electrode using a planar electrode material such as a woven fabric of conductive fibers. The antenna unit of the electric field detection type seating sensor, which is internally provided in the seat portion of the seat cushion, is formed by, for example, fixedly adhering it to the surface of the flexible insulator.

Here, when the electric field detection type seating sensor is used as the seating detection device, the antenna unit having the antenna electrode is limitedly arranged on the seat portion of the seat cushion as described above. However, it is also desired in terms of the reliability of the detection.

However, since the planar electrode material serving as the antenna electrode is generally inferior in the expansion / contraction performance and the bending performance, it is necessary to sufficiently obtain the bending deformation corresponding to the curved surface of the hips or thighs of the seated person. Cannot be expected for this type of antenna electrode. In other words, since an in-plane reaction force due to seating is generated in the antenna electrode, in an electric field detection type seating sensor in which the antenna unit is installed inside the seat cushion, the uncomfortable feeling or discomfort caused by the in-plane reaction force of the antenna electrode is generated. Etc. may be given to the seated person.

An object of the present invention is to provide an antenna unit for an electric field detection type seating sensor which improves comfort when seated.

[0009]

In order to achieve this object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, the antenna electrodes are arranged in a substantially strip-shaped area extending in the left-right direction of the seat, and the upper surface and the lower surface of the flexible insulator are formed. At least one of the above is separated and regulated at a plurality of spaced positions in the seat front-rear direction. Then, a substantially strip-shaped antenna electrode, which is a woven fabric of conductive fibers, is attached and fixed in the arrangement region of the flexible insulator by using the bias.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, the arrangement region of the antenna electrode is a substantially strip-shaped region extending in the seat left-right direction, and at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the flexible insulator is separated in the seat front-rear direction. In addition to separating and defining at a plurality of locations, a continuous meandering antenna electrode formed by die-cutting from a planar electrode material is attached and fixed in the region where the flexible insulator is arranged.

According to claim 3 of the present invention,
The antenna electrode is a continuous meandering body having a series of substantially S-shapes, which is formed by chaining straight parts in an alternating manner. Further, in claim 4 of the present invention, the antenna electrode has the substantially O-shape part in a zigzag shape. Formed by connecting,
Each is embodied as a staggered continuous meandering body.

Further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the arrangement region of the antenna electrode is a substantially strip-shaped region extending in the lateral direction of the seat, and at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the flexible insulator is separated in the longitudinal direction of the seat. In addition to separating and defining at a plurality of locations, a substantially spiral antenna electrode formed by die-cutting from a planar electrode material is attached and fixed in the region where the flexible insulator is arranged.

According to claim 6 of the present invention,
The die-cutting shape of the antenna electrode differs depending on the arrangement region in the seat front-rear direction.

Further, according to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a substantially strip-shaped arrangement region defined on the surface of the flexible insulator and extending in the seat left-right direction is divided and defined on the left and right sides of the seat for each arrangement region. The left and right split type antenna electrodes which are physically integrated are attached and fixed in the left and right divided arrangement regions.

Further, in claim 8 of the present invention,
A slit extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the flexible insulator between the left and right arrangement regions.

Further, according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the terminal corner portion of the antenna electrode is chamfered.

[0017]

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 FIG. 1, the antenna unit 10 of the electric field detection type seating sensor according to the present invention includes an antenna electrode.
It is formed by arranging 12 on the surface of a flexible insulator 14 serving as an insulating member.

As shown in FIG. 2 in addition to FIG. 1,
This antenna unit 10 is a seat pad that normally forms a seat cushion 18 (both see FIG. 3) of a vehicle seat 16.
It is laid in a laying recess 22 defined by a seat portion 20a of 20 (corresponding to the seat portion 18a of the seat cushion 18, which is generally referred to as a bent portion). Then, the entire seat pad 20 on which the antenna unit 10 is laid is trim-covered.
By covering with 24, the seat cushion 18 provided inside the antenna unit 10 as shown in FIG. 3 is formed.

The seat portion 18a of the seat cushion as described above.
The electric field detection type seating sensor using the principle of the capacitance type proximity switch, which uses the antenna unit 10 installed in the antenna unit, generates a high frequency electric field in the antenna electrode 12 of the antenna unit, and detects the proximity of the human body as a dielectric. By grasping the disturbance of the high-frequency electric field as a change in capacitance, it is intended to detect the proximity of the human body, that is, the presence or absence of a seat, but the basic configuration thereof is also disclosed in JP-A-11-291803. As described above, since the basic configuration itself is not the gist of the present invention, a detailed description of the basic configuration of the electric field detection type seating sensor and the basic operation of the electric field detection type seating sensor will be omitted here. And

The flexible insulator 14 used in the antenna unit 10 is an insulating material such as urethane,
Alternatively, it is a flexible plate-like body made of non-woven fabric or the like, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, it is formed in a size and shape corresponding to the laying recess 22 of the seat pad.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the seat 20a of the seat pad has a vertical groove 2 for hanging the trim cover.
6. A lateral groove 27 is formed, and a hanging hole 28 aligned with the lateral groove is formed in the flexible insulator 14. Then, by hanging the trim cover 24 through the hanging vertical groove 26 and the horizontal groove 27, a hanging wire 29 as shown in FIG. 3 is formed on the surface of the seat cushion 18.

Here, since the seat cushion 18 which needs to be hung in the lateral direction of the seat via the lateral groove 27 is illustrated, the hanging hole 28 is formed in the flexible insulator 14. If the seat cushion does not require the suspension, the formation of the suspension hole in the flexible insulator can be omitted.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the antenna unit 10 of the present invention is formed by fixedly disposing the antenna electrode 12 on the surface of the flexible insulator 14. In the present invention, the arrangement area 30 that is the arrangement location of the antenna electrode is a substantially strip-shaped area 30-1 to 30-5 extending in the left-right direction of the seat, for example, the upper surface 14U, the lower surface 14L at alternate positions vertically, The antenna electrode 12 is defined in each of a plurality of spaced locations in the front-rear direction, and the antenna electrode 12
-1 to 12-5 are fixed under the adhesive.

The antenna electrode 12 (12-1 to 12-5) is formed as a substantially strip-shaped planar body which is almost the same as the substantially strip-shaped arrangement region 30 (30-1 to 30-5). As can be seen from FIG. 4 in addition to FIG. 2, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the substantially strip-shaped antenna electrode made of a woven fabric of conductive fibers (warp 32-1 and weft 32-2) is used as the bias. It is embodied as a member that is attached and fixed in the arrangement region of the flexible insulator 14 when used.

As can be seen clearly from FIG. 4, the use of the bias of the planar antenna electrodes 12 (12-1 to 12-5) made of the conductive fiber woven fabric is as shown in FIG. It shows a cutting mode and a usage mode of the antenna electrode in which the extending directions of the conductive fibers (the warp threads 32-1 and the weft threads 32-2) are aligned in an oblique direction (an angle of about 45 degrees) with respect to the direction. By using the bias, the planar (substantially band-shaped) antenna electrode as the woven fabric can be sufficiently stretched and sufficiently flexible (flexed).

In addition to this, in the present invention, FIG.
As shown in, the substantially strip-shaped antenna electrodes 12 (12-1 to 12-5) extending in the lateral direction of the seat are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the seat. That is, according to the present invention, the flexible insulator 14 to which the antenna electrodes 12 (12-1 to 12-5) are adhered.
Even in itself, it is possible to sufficiently secure the bending in the seat front-rear direction.

As described above, in the antenna unit 10 of the electric field detection type seating sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the substantially strip-shaped antenna electrode (12-
1 to 12-5) are arranged side by side on the surface of the flexible insulator 14 in the seat front-rear direction, and each antenna electrode thereof is used as a fabric bias. That is, not only the bending of the flexible insulator 14 is promoted by the juxtaposition of the antenna electrodes 12 (12-1 to 12-5) but also the extension and flexibility of each antenna electrode itself. The flexural deformation corresponding to the curved surface of the seated person's hips, thighs, etc. can be sufficiently ensured, and the occurrence of in-plane reaction force in the antenna unit at the time of sitting can be reliably reduced.

Therefore, since it is possible to sufficiently prevent the seated person from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable, the antenna unit
Even in the electric field detection type seating sensor in which 10 is provided in the seat portion 18a of the seat cushion, the comfort is sufficiently improved.

In the embodiment of the present invention,
As the antenna electrodes 12 are alternately arranged on the upper and lower surfaces of the flexible insulator 14, the antenna electrodes 12 (12-1
Although the arrangement regions 30 (30-1 to 30-5) for (.about.12-5) are defined at the respective positions, the number of the antenna electrodes, that is, the arrangement regions is not limited to this. In other words, the antenna electrodes 12 need only be a plurality of antenna electrodes 12 that are separated and juxtaposed in the front-back direction of the seat. Therefore, the arrangement regions 30 may be defined in alternate vertical positions of, for example, 2 to 6.

Further, the arrangement region 30 defined by the flexible insulator 14, that is, the antenna electrode 12 is sufficient if it is provided at a plurality of positions separated in the seat front-rear direction, so that the upper and lower surfaces 14U, 14L of the flexible insulator are staggered. However, the arrangement area for the antenna electrode may be defined only on one of the upper and lower surfaces, and the antenna electrode may be arranged in each arrangement area in accordance with the arrangement area.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the antenna electrode
It is preferable that the terminal corners 12a of 12 have a chamfered shape, for example, an arc shape. With such a configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent the corner contact of the antenna electrode 12 with respect to the seated person, and from this point as well, it is possible to prevent the seated person from feeling uncomfortable and uncomfortable, and thus improve the comfort of the seated person. To be done.

By the way, in the above-mentioned first embodiment, the antenna electrode 12 (12-1 to 12-5) is embodied as a bias of the fabric, but the antenna electrode is stretched by itself,
In the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the antenna electrodes 112 (112-1 to 112-5) are formed from the planar electrode material because it is sufficient to ensure the bending. It is embodied as a continuous meandering body formed by die cutting, for example, a substantially S-shaped continuous meandering body formed by alternately chaining straight line portions.

Since the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the shape of the antenna electrodes 112 (112-1 to 112-5), the description other than the shape of the antenna electrodes will be described in the first embodiment. The description will be omitted here as it is incorporated by reference.

As the planar electrode material forming the antenna electrodes 112 (112-1 to 112-5), in addition to the woven fabric made of the conductive fiber exemplified in the above-mentioned first embodiment, for example, a copper foil or the like is used. Etc. are also available.

Since the antenna electrodes 112 (112-1 to 112-5), which are formed into a continuous meandering body having a substantially S-shape, can be expected to sufficiently extend in the lateral direction of the seat, the antenna electrodes are separated in the longitudinal direction of the seat. In addition to the juxtaposition, also in the second embodiment, it is possible to sufficiently secure the flexural deformation of the antenna unit 10 corresponding to the curved surface of the hips or thighs of the seated person.

In particular, according to the antenna electrode 112 (112-1 to 112-5) having such a continuous meandering shape, since it is possible to secure a larger expansion in the lateral direction of the seat, it is possible to prevent a relatively large expansion and bending. Required seating area near the hips of seated person, that is, the seating area 30-3 to 30-5 located on the rear side of the seat
It is possible to easily secure an antenna electrode that is advantageous for applications such as.

In FIG. 5, the antenna electrode 112
As (112-1 to 112-5), a continuous meandering shape in which a straight line portion is chained into a substantially S shape by a curved line portion is embodied, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a straight line shape as shown in FIG. The antenna electrode may be formed as a continuous meandering body in which the portions are chained alternately with straight portions.

Further, since a continuous meandering body obtained by die-cutting from a planar electrode material is sufficient, the slits 34 as shown in FIG.
The antenna electrode 112 (112-
1 to 112-5) may be formed.

Further, the continuous meandering shape of the antenna electrodes 112 (112-1 to 112-5) is not limited to the form in which the straight line portions are alternately connected as shown in FIGS. A configuration in which substantially O-shaped portions as shown in FIG. 10 are chained in a meandering shape may be used.

For example, FIG. 8 shows the antenna electrodes 112 (112-1 to 112-5) which are in the form of a continuous meander in which the substantially O-shaped portions arranged in the zigzag are further connected in the zigzag. Also, in FIG. 9, the antenna electrodes 112 (112-1 to 112-112) of a continuous meandering shape different from those of FIG. 8 in that the chain form is common in that the substantially O-shaped portions are arranged in a staggered manner. -5) is shown.

Further, in FIG. 10, the vertically long substantially O-shaped portions are arranged side by side in the lateral direction of the seat, and the antenna electrodes 112 (11) are formed in a continuous serpentine shape by connecting them in a zigzag manner and chaining them.
2-1 to 112-5).

In the embodiment of the present invention,
Six types of continuous meandering shapes usable as the antenna electrodes 112 (112-1 to 112-5) are shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, but these are only examples and are not limited thereto. is not. That is, as the continuous meandering body having a continuous meandering shape other than that illustrated here, the antenna electrode 112 (112-
1 to 112-5) may be formed.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, in this continuous meandering antenna electrode 112 (112-1 to 112-5), the end corner 112a has a chamfered shape similar to that of the first embodiment. It is desirable to do. With this configuration, this second
Also in the form, the antenna electrode 112 (112-
The corner contact of 1 to 112-5) can be reliably prevented.

Further, the continuous meandering shape of the antenna electrodes 112 (112-1 to 112-5) is not limited to the one continuing in the longitudinal direction of the arrangement region 30, that is, the sheet left-right direction, and for example, as shown in FIG. It can also be embodied as a continuation of the arrangement region 30 (30-1 to 30-5) in the lateral direction, that is, in the seat front-rear direction. In this case, the continuous meandering shape formed by alternately punching the slits 36 as shown in the figure is considered to be the most effective form.

As can be seen from FIG. 12 in addition to FIG. 11, the continuous meandering body continuous in the seat front-rear direction divides the arrangement area 30 (30-1 to 30-5) into the seat left-right direction. This is a particularly effective form as the antenna electrode 112 (112-1 to 112-5) when specified. The left and right arrangement regions 30 (L, R) are defined at, for example, spaced positions separated by a predetermined distance, and the left and right arrangement regions are respectively provided with the symmetrical antenna electrodes 112 (L, R).

As can be seen from FIG. 11, the left and right antenna electrodes 112 (L, R) are left and right symmetrically divided into left and right parts, but are connected via, for example, a meandering connecting wire portion 112a. And are electrically integrated.

In this way, in the structure in which the antenna electrodes 112 (L, R) are divided into the left and right parts, the flexible insulator 1
4, that is, in the antenna unit 10, since the bending in the front and rear of the seat and the left and right of the seat can be surely obtained, the bending deformation corresponding to the curved surface of the seated person's hips and thighs can be further secured. .

In particular, as shown in FIG. 11, the antenna electrode 112 formed as a continuous meandering body extending in the seat front-rear direction.
(L, R) is advantageous in stretching and bending in the seat front-rear direction, so it is arranged near the thigh where there is relatively movement, that is, the arrangement region 30-1, 30- located on the seat front side. It is also considered to be effective for placement in the second grade.

Since the left and right antenna electrodes 112 (L, R) are only electrically connected via the meandering connection line portion 112a, the left and right antenna electrodes are connected between the respective antenna electrodes. The flexible insulator 14 does not hinder the expansion and the flexure of the flexible insulator 14.

Even in this left-right separation mode, if the terminal corners 112b are chamfered, the corner contact of the antenna electrodes 112 (112-1 to 112-5) (L, R) with respect to the seated person can be reliably prevented. It will be possible.

Here, in the configuration in which the arrangement region 30 (L, R) is divided into left and right, the antenna electrodes 112 (112-1 to 112-
Even if you do not expect much to the left and right of the seat in 5),
The in-plane reaction force of the antenna unit 10 can be sufficiently suppressed by the expansion and bending of the flexible insulator 14 itself.
That is, as shown in FIG. 13 as a third embodiment of this embodiment, the antenna electrodes 212-1 to 212-5 (L) of the left and right antenna electrodes 212-1 to 212-5 are formed as a substantially spiral body formed by die-cutting from a planar electrode material. , R) can also be formed.

Even in the antenna electrodes 212-1 to 212-5 which are substantially spiral-shaped, the left and right antenna electrodes 212 (L, R) are symmetrical, and the space between the left and right antenna electrodes is shown in the figure. As described above, it is electrically integrated via the meandering connecting line portion 212a.

Since the antenna electrodes 212-1 to 212-5 having such a substantially spiral shape are advantageous in changing the bending in the depth direction, that is, the vertical direction of the seat, they are required to have relatively large elongation and bending. It is possible to easily secure an antenna electrode which is advantageous for the placement in the vicinity of the hips of the seated person, that is, the placement areas 30-3 to 30-5 located on the seat rear side.

In addition, such an arrangement area 30 (30-1 to 30-
In the configuration of dividing 5) into left and right, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, a slit 38 extending in the seat front-rear direction may be provided between the left and right arrangement regions 30 (L, R). It will be possible. If such a slit 38 is provided in the flexible insulator 14, the flexure of the flexible insulator in the lateral direction of the seat, that is, the flexure of the antenna unit 10 can be more smoothly ensured, so that further improvement of comfort is sufficiently improved. Can be expected.

Also in the third embodiment, if the terminal corner portion 212b is chamfered, the corner contact of the antenna electrode 212 (212-1 to 212-5) (L, R) with respect to the seated person is surely achieved. Can be prevented.

Also in the third embodiment, as the planar electrode material of the antenna electrodes 212 (212-1 to 212-5), a woven fabric made of conductive fibers, a copper foil, etc. can be exemplified.

By the way, the form of the antenna electrode in each of the above-described embodiments is not limited to the individual use, and each can be used in combination. That is, one of the continuous meandering antenna electrode 112 shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 10 or the substantially spiral-shaped antenna electrode 212 shown in FIG. 30-3 ~ 30-
Placed in 5, in the placement area 30-1, 30-2 on the front side of the remaining seat,
Antenna electrode used as bias for fabric shown in FIG.
12, or a continuous meandering antenna electrode shown in FIG.
When any one of 112 is arranged in a combination, it becomes possible to sufficiently configure the antenna unit 10 that effectively utilizes the form of the antenna electrode.

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

[0060]

As described above, according to the antenna unit of the electric field detection type seating sensor of the present invention, the flexible insulator forming the antenna unit and the antenna electrode can be sufficiently stretched and sufficiently flexed. The flexural deformation corresponding to the curved surface such as the hips and thighs of the seated person can be sufficiently ensured, and the generation of the in-plane reaction force in the antenna unit when seated can be reliably reduced.

Therefore, since it is possible to sufficiently prevent the seated person from feeling uncomfortable or uncomfortable, the comfort of the electric field detection type seating sensor in which the antenna unit is installed in the seat portion of the seat cushion is improved. Secured enough.

If a substantially strip-shaped antenna electrode made of a conductive fiber woven fabric is used as the bias, even if it is a planar antenna electrode, it is possible to extend and secure the flexibility of the antenna electrode.

Further, if the antenna electrode is formed in a continuous meandering shape which is continuous in the seat left-right direction, the extension in the seat lateral direction is made, and when the antenna electrode is made in a continuous meandering shape which is continuous in the seat front-back direction, it is made in the seat longitudinal direction. Of the flexible insulator, the comfort can be further improved by selectively using the flexible insulator depending on the location of the flexible insulator.

Further, if the antenna electrode is formed in a substantially spiral shape, it is possible to secure sufficient expansion in the vertical direction of the seat. Therefore, in this respect as well, it can be selectively used according to the location of the flexible insulator. , Its comfort is further improved.

Furthermore, if the die-cutting shape of the antenna electrode is made different depending on the arrangement region in the seat front-rear direction, it becomes possible to construct an antenna unit that effectively utilizes the shape of the antenna electrode.

If the substantially strip-shaped arrangement area is divided and defined on the left and right sides of the seat for each arrangement area, bending in the left-right direction of the seat can be ensured in the antenna unit itself.

If the slits extending in the front-rear direction are formed in the flexible insulator between the left and right arrangement regions, the bending of the antenna unit itself in the left-right direction of the seat can be further promoted.

Furthermore, if the terminal corners of the antenna electrode are chamfered, it is possible to reliably prevent the corner contact of the antenna electrode with respect to the seated person. From this point as well, it is possible to prevent the seated person from feeling uncomfortable and uncomfortable. As a result, the comfort of the seated person is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an antenna unit of an electric field detection type seating sensor according to the present invention in a state of being separated from a seat pad.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of an antenna unit of an electric field detection type seating sensor in a state of being laid on a seat pad.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a seat in which an antenna unit is installed in a seat cushion.

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of the antenna electrode according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view of an antenna electrode according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of an antenna electrode showing a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged view of an antenna electrode showing a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of an antenna electrode showing a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of an antenna electrode, showing a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a partial enlarged view of an antenna electrode, showing a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of the antenna electrode showing another modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of an antenna unit similar to FIG. 2, showing a modification of the arrangement area.

FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of the antenna electrode according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of an antenna unit similar to FIG. 2, showing another modification of the arrangement area.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Electric field detection type seating sensor antenna unit 12 (12-1 to 12-5) Antenna electrode 14 Flexible insulator 30 (30-1 to 30-3) placement area 30 (L, R) left and right layout area 112 (112-1 to 112-5) Antenna electrode 112 (L, R), 212 (L, R) Left and right antenna electrodes 212 (212-1 to 212-5) Antenna electrode

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A substantially flat antenna electrode is arranged on the surface of a plate-shaped flexible insulator which is an insulating member, and is fixed to a seat portion of a seat cushion so that at least the presence or absence of an occupant can be detected. The antenna unit of the electric field detection type seating sensor to be installed, in which the arrangement region of the antenna electrode is a substantially strip-shaped region extending in the seat left-right direction, and at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the flexible insulator is separated in the seat front-rear direction. An antenna unit for an electric field detection type seating sensor in which a strip-shaped antenna electrode, which is a woven fabric of conductive fibers, is attached and fixed in the area where the flexible insulator is arranged and is separated and defined in multiple locations. 2. A plate-shaped flexible insulator, which is an insulating member, is provided with a substantially planar antenna electrode on the surface thereof, and is fixedly fixed to a seat portion of a seat cushion so that at least the presence or absence of an occupant can be detected. The antenna unit of the electric field detection type seating sensor to be installed, in which the arrangement region of the antenna electrode is a substantially strip-shaped region extending in the seat left-right direction, and at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the flexible insulator is separated in the seat front-rear direction. The antenna unit of the electric field detection type seating sensor, which is separated and regulated at multiple locations, and has a continuous meandering antenna electrode formed by die-cutting from a planar electrode material is attached and fixed in the area where the flexible insulator is placed. . 3. The antenna unit for an electric field detection type seating sensor according to claim 2, wherein the antenna electrode is a continuous meandering body having a series of substantially S-shapes, which is formed by alternately connecting straight portions. 4. The antenna unit of an electric field detection type seating sensor according to claim 2, wherein the antenna electrode is a zigzag chain-like continuous meandering body formed by connecting substantially O-shaped portions in a zigzag manner. 5. A plate-shaped flexible insulator, which is an insulating member, is provided with a substantially planar antenna electrode on the surface thereof, and is fixed to a seat portion of a seat cushion so that at least the presence or absence of an occupant can be detected. The antenna unit of the electric field detection type seating sensor to be installed, in which the arrangement region of the antenna electrode is a substantially strip-shaped region extending in the seat horizontal direction, and at least one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the flexible insulator is separated in the seat front-rear direction. The antenna unit of the electric field detection type seating sensor, which is separated and regulated at multiple points, and has a substantially spiral antenna electrode formed by die-cutting from a planar electrode material that is attached and fixed in the area where the flexible insulator is placed. . 6. The antenna unit for an electric field detection type seating sensor according to claim 2, wherein the die-cutting shape of the antenna electrode differs depending on the arrangement region in the seat front-back direction. 7. A substantially strip-shaped arrangement area defined on the surface of the flexible insulator and extending in the left-right direction of the seat is divided into left and right seats for each arrangement area, and the left and right sides are electrically integrated. The split type antenna electrode is attached and fixed to each of the left and right divided arrangement areas.
7. An antenna unit for an electric field detection type seating sensor according to any one of items 1 to 6. 8. The antenna unit for an electric field detection type seating sensor according to claim 7, wherein the slit extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the flexible insulator between the left and right arrangement regions. 9. The antenna unit for an electric field detection type seating sensor according to claim 1, wherein a corner of the terminal of the antenna electrode is chamfered.