JP2005007975A - Child seat detection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a child seat detection apparatus that can detect right mounting of a child seat in an ISOFIX system or the like on an exclusive fixed structure on the side of a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The metal fixing structure 13 for child seats that is provided at the vehicle side, and allows a locking apparatus 20 at least at the side of the child seat to be engaged comprises a metal plate 14 that is fitted so that a round-rod-shaped region 13a is surrounded while the lock section of the fixed structure is formed in a round rod shape extended laterally; an insulating layer 16 interposed between the surface of the round rod-shaped region 13a and the metal plate 14; and a detection section 15 for detecting the displacement of the metal plate 14. When engaging a locking device 20 at the child seat side to a lock region 13a of the fixed structure, a displacement in the metal plate 14 by a load applied to the lock region 13a of the fixed structure is detected by the detection unit 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a detection device that detects whether or not a child seat such as an ISOFIX system is securely attached to a vehicle seat.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a vehicle child seat is mounted on a vehicle seat by using an existing seat belt in a vehicle seat of an automobile.
However, since the child seat mounting method is complicated, the child seat is often used without being properly mounted on the vehicle seat. For this reason, the seat belt is loosened during use, and the child seat is not completely fixed to the vehicle seat, and the original performance of the child seat may not be exhibited.
[0003]
On the other hand, in order to securely fix the child seat to the vehicle seat by simple work, a so-called ISOFIX has been proposed as a child seat fixing method of the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard. Both sides support ISOFIX.
Here, as a vehicle-side response, for example, a dedicated fixing structure such as an anchor or a striker for fixing the child seat by engaging with a locking device or the like provided in the child seat compatible with ISOFIX is used. It is known to be provided on a vehicle body component around a vehicle seat.
[0004]
By the way, with the widespread use of such ISOFIX compatible child seats, a detection device for detecting that the child seats are correctly attached to the vehicle seat or the dedicated fixing structure around the vehicle seat is required. It is coming. As such a detection device, for example, a child seat detection device in which a mechanical detection mechanism is added to a vehicle-side dedicated fixing structure side that engages with a lock device provided on the child seat side is known (Patent Literature). 1 to 3).
In addition, for example, a child seat detection device is known in which a reflection photosensor or a magnetic photosensor for detecting attachment of a child seat is added to the vehicle-side dedicated fixed structure (see Patent Documents 4 and 5).
[0005]
Furthermore, the present automobile is provided with an airbag device in almost all vehicle types. The airbag device supplies a gas in a very short time in the event of a vehicle collision and rapidly inflates the airbag, thereby serving as a cushioning material to protect the occupant from impact caused by the collision.
When a child seat is mounted on the vehicle seat, unnecessary force is applied to the child seat by deploying the air bag. The operation of the air bag device corresponding to the seat wearing the air bag is stopped, or the amount of gas supplied to the air bag is reduced.
In order to detect the presence or absence of such a child seat, for example, a load sensor is provided on the vehicle seat, a detection element on the vehicle seat side and a passive element on the child seat side are provided, and the child seat is provided on the vehicle seat. Is mounted (see Patent Documents 6 and 7).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-301506 (FIG. 4)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-233093 (FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-2001-239867 [Patent Document 4]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-239873 (FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 5]
JP 2001-239874 A [Patent Document 6]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-226516 (FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 7]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-1153 (FIG. 1)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, as proposed in Patent Documents 1 to 5, it is complicated and costly to provide a detection device using a mechanical detection mechanism or a child seat detection device using a photosensor on the vehicle side dedicated fixing structure side. In addition, since a new dedicated fixing structure is required, it is necessary to change the vehicle structure and it is difficult to adopt it in the current automobile.
In addition, as shown in Patent Documents 6 and 7, in order to perform control when a child seat is mounted on an airbag device, a method for determining whether or not a child seat is mounted is compared with a detection element or load sensor for detection. And is not configured to detect that the child seat is correctly attached to the vehicle seat.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to provide a child seat detection apparatus that can detect correct mounting of a child seat such as an ISOFIX system on a vehicle-side dedicated fixing structure with a simple configuration in view of the above points. To do.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by a metal fixing structure that is provided on the vehicle side and that is formed in a round bar shape in which a region including at least a locking portion to be engaged with a child seat side locking device extends in the lateral direction. On the other hand, a metal plate fitted to surround the round bar-shaped region of the fixed structure, an insulating layer interposed between the surface of the round bar-like region and the metal plate, and the metal A detecting portion that detects displacement of the plate, and when the child seat is mounted, the metal by a load applied to the lock portion of the fixed structure when the child seat side locking device is engaged with the lock portion of the fixed structure. This is achieved by a child seat detection device characterized in that the displacement of the plate is detected by the detection unit.
[0010]
In the child seat detection device according to the present invention, preferably, the insulating layer is made of an elastic material, and the detection unit is constituted as a capacitance sensor composed of a metal plate and a fixed structure facing each other across the insulating layer. .
[0011]
In the child seat detection device according to the present invention, preferably, the insulating layer includes a notch in a portion corresponding to the lock portion of the fixed structure, and the detection portion includes a metal plate and a fixed structure facing each other in the region of the notch. It is configured as a conduction switch.
[0012]
In the child seat detection apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the metal plate is provided with an opening along the longitudinal direction over the entire length.
[0013]
In the child seat detection apparatus according to the present invention, the metal plate is preferably made of a superelastic metal.
[0014]
In the child seat detection device according to the present invention, preferably, the fixing structure is composed of a round bar-shaped region and side portions extending substantially in the front-rear direction on both sides thereof, and the metal plate has both leg portions from the round bar-shaped region. It is arranged around.
[0015]
According to the above configuration, when the child seat is attached to the vehicle seat by engaging the locking device on the child seat side with the round bar-shaped region of the fixed structure provided on the vehicle side of the automobile, the locking device As a result, the load is applied to the lock portion of the fixed structure. Since the metal plate is fitted on the lock portion of the fixed structure, this load is also applied to the metal plate. Therefore, the metal plate is displaced inward by this load. As a result, the detection unit can detect this displacement and detect that the child seat locking device is engaged with the fixed structure, that is, that the child seat is correctly mounted.
[0016]
In this case, a child seat detection device composed of a metal plate and a detection unit is provided on the vehicle side, but since it can be easily attached to the vehicle-side fixing structure with a simple configuration, the cost can be kept relatively low. In addition, it can be retrofitted to an existing fixed structure and can also be used in current automobiles.
[0017]
When the insulating layer is made of an elastic material that is hard to be permanently deformed, and the detection unit is configured as a capacitance sensor composed of a metal plate and a fixed structure facing each other across the insulating layer, a child seat At the time of mounting, the load by the child seat locking device is applied to the lock portion of the fixed structure, and the metal plate is displaced against the elasticity of the insulating layer, so that the capacitance between the metal plate and the fixed structure changes. . Therefore, the detection unit can detect correct wearing of the child seat based on the change in capacitance.
[0018]
When the insulating layer has a notch in a portion corresponding to the lock portion of the fixed structure, and the detection unit is configured as a conduction switch including a metal plate and a fixed structure facing each other in the notch region. When the child seat is attached, the load by the child seat locking device is applied to the lock portion of the fixed structure, and the metal plate is displaced inward within the notch region of the insulating layer, so that the metal plate is fixed in the notch. In contact with and electrically conductive. Therefore, the detection unit can detect correct wearing of the child seat by detecting this conduction state.
[0019]
When the metal plate is provided with an opening over the entire length along the longitudinal direction, the metal plate is easily fitted in the round bar-shaped region of the existing fixed structure with the opening opened. Can. Therefore, since the child seat detection device can be retrofitted to a fixed structure already installed on the vehicle side of the automobile, it can be easily attached to an existing automobile.
[0020]
When the metal plate is made of a superelastic metal that is hard to be permanently deformed, the metal plate is elastic when it is fitted into a round bar-like region of the fixed structure with the opening opened. After being fitted without being deformed beyond the region, the metal plate is restored to its original shape by elastic deformation, so that the metal plate can be reliably fitted into the round bar-like region of the fixed structure. It will be.
[0021]
The fixing structure is composed of a round bar-shaped region and side portions extending substantially in the front-rear direction on both sides thereof, and the metal plate is arranged so as to wrap around from the round bar-shaped region to both legs. In this case, even if the child seat side locking device slides sideways with respect to the vehicle side fixing structure, the locking device may come off the metal plate, or terminal portions provided at both ends of the metal plate, etc. In this case, it is possible to prevent the terminal portion or the like from being damaged.
[0022]
In this way, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect the correct mounting of the child seat at a low cost with a simple configuration, and it can be easily retrofitted to the existing fixing structure provided on the vehicle side. It can also be installed in current automobiles.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on the embodiments shown in the drawings.
1 to 3 show the configuration of a first embodiment of a child seat detection apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a child seat detection device 10 is fixed to a vehicle body constituting member 12 (see FIG. 2) as a vehicle-side fixing structure provided between a seat portion 11a and a backrest portion 11b of a vehicle seat 11 of an automobile. It is attached to a fixed structure (hereinafter referred to as a fixed anchor) 13 such as an ISOFIX system.
[0024]
FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of the child seat detection apparatus of FIG. The child seat detection apparatus 10 includes a metal plate 14 fitted in the round bar-shaped region 13a of the fixed anchor 13 and a detection unit 15 (see FIG. 3) that detects the displacement of the metal plate 14 described later. Yes.
Here, the fixed anchor 13 is configured by providing an insulating layer 16 (see FIG. 3) formed of a sponge or rubber on the surface of a conductive metal material or a metal material as a whole, and the child seat side. An area 13a of the lock portion with which the lock device (not shown) engages is formed in a round bar shape extending in the lateral direction, and includes leg portions 13b and 13c extending obliquely rearward from both ends.
[0025]
The metal plate 14 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape from a conductive metal material that is hard to be permanently deformed, particularly a superelastic metal (for example, titanium / nickel alloy), and the opening 14a extends along the longitudinal direction. It has. The metal plate 14 is fitted into the round bar-shaped region 13a of the fixed anchor 13 with the opening 14a greatly expanded.
When the surface of the round bar-shaped region 13a of the fixed anchor 13 is made of metal, the surface of the metal round bar-shaped region 13a is covered with an insulating layer 16 made of an elastic material that is hard to be permanently deformed, such as silicon rubber. The metal plate 14 is fitted from above. The insulating layer 16 may be integrally formed on the front surface of the round bar-shaped region 13a or the back surface of the metal plate 14, or may be formed separately as an insulating sheet.
[0026]
As described above, the metal plate 14 is elastically deformed so as to open the opening 14a as described above, and then is fitted into the round bar-shaped region 13a of the fixed anchor 13, and then the opening 14a is closed. It is attached to the fixed anchor 13.
Since the metal plate 14 is made of superelastic metal, the metal plate 14 is deformed beyond the limit of elastic deformation even if the opening 14a is opened during attachment to the fixed anchor 13. Without such a situation, the metal plate 14 is reliably restored to its original shape based on elasticity after being fitted to the fixed anchor 13. At this time, if the metal plate 14 has a diameter smaller than that of the fixed anchor 13, the metal plate 14 is fixed to the fixed anchor 13 based on elasticity after being fitted to the fixed anchor 13. become.
[0027]
Further, since the metal plate 14 is made of a superelastic metal, it has wear resistance and corrosion resistance.
Furthermore, in order to ensure attachment to the fixed anchor 13, the metal plate 14 is provided with terminal portions 14b and 14c at both ends thereof, and is fixedly held by the fastening screws 17 at the terminal portions 14b and 14c. It is like that.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part of the child seat detection apparatus of FIG. In this case, the detection unit 15 is configured as a capacitance sensor including a fixed anchor 13 and a metal plate 14 facing each other across the insulating layer 16. As a result, by supplying power between one of the terminal portions 14b and 14c and the fixed anchor 13, and measuring the capacitance between them, it is possible to detect the inward displacement of the metal plate 14 when the child seat is mounted. It can be done.
[0029]
The child seat detection device 10 according to the present invention is configured as described above. Before the child seat is mounted, the load is not applied to the round bar-shaped region 13a of the fixed anchor 13 and the metal plate 14 by the child seat locking device. The insulating layer 16 inside the metal plate 14 is not compressed by elastic deformation as shown in FIG.
[0030]
Here, when the child seat is attached, the child seat locking device 20 is engaged with the round bar-shaped region 13a of the fixed anchor 13 and the metal plate 14, and the metal plate 14 is shown by an arrow A in FIG. A load is applied. As a result, the metal plate 14 is displaced inward against the elasticity of the insulating layer 16, so that the capacitance of the detection unit 15 changes. Therefore, by detecting a change in capacitance between the fixed anchor 13 and the metal plate 14 by the detection unit 15, the child seat is engaged with the locking device 20, that is, the child seat is correctly attached to the fixed anchor 13. Will be detected.
Here, the detection unit 15 stores the capacitance or change at the time when the child seat is normally attached to the fixed anchor 13, and determines that the normal attachment has been made when these values are reached. A determination circuit may be provided.
[0031]
Thus, according to the child seat detection apparatus 10 of the embodiment of the present invention, the metal plate 14 is fitted on the fixed anchor 12 already installed in the automobile with the insulating layer 16 interposed, and the child seat is mounted. By detecting the displacement of the metal plate 14 as a change in capacitance between the metal plate 14 and the fixed anchor 12 by the detection unit 15, it is possible to reliably detect correct wearing of the child seat with a simple configuration. Can do.
[0032]
FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the child seat detection device according to the present invention. In FIG. 4, the child seat detection device 30 has substantially the same configuration as the child seat detection device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and thus the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0033]
In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, in the child seat detection device 30, the insulating layer 16 provided on the inner surface of the metal plate 14 includes a notch 16 a in a region corresponding to the lock portion of the fixed anchor 13. It has a different configuration. That is, the uppermost metal plate 14 is fitted over almost the entire circumference of the fixed anchor 12, whereas the insulating layer 16 interposed between the metal plate 14 and the fixed anchor 12 has an outer periphery of the fixed anchor 12. About 3/4 is wound, and the remaining about 1/4 is formed as the notch 16a. Therefore, the metal plate 14 is in a state of being separated from the fixed anchor 12 at a predetermined interval at the notch 16a.
The detection unit 15 is similarly composed of the fixed anchor 13 and the metal plate 14 facing each other with the insulating layer 16 interposed therebetween. In this case, the detection unit 15 corresponds to the lock portion of the metal plate 14 instead of the capacitance sensor. When the metal plate 14 comes into contact with the surface of the fixed anchor 13 due to the inward displacement of the region to be operated, the conductive switch is configured. Thus, by supplying power between one of the terminal portions 14b and 14c and the fixed anchor 13, and measuring the conduction between them, it is possible to detect the inward displacement of the metal plate 14 when the child seat is mounted. It has become.
[0034]
According to the child seat detection device 30 configured as described above, the load is not applied to the round bar-shaped region 13a of the fixed anchor 13 and the metal plate 14 by the child seat locking device before the child seat is mounted. The metal plate 14 and the fixed anchor 13 are not in contact with each other without being displaced inward by elastic deformation.
[0035]
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state when the child seat is mounted on the child seat detection device of FIG. Here, when the child seat is attached, the child seat locking device 20 is engaged with the round bar-shaped region 13a of the fixed anchor 13 and the metal plate 14, and the metal plate 14 is shown by an arrow A in FIG. A load is applied.
Thereby, in the region of the lock portion, the metal plate 14 is displaced inward against its elasticity, and the portion of the metal plate 14 on the notch 16a of the insulating layer 16 contacts the surface of the fixed anchor 13, It will be electrically conductive. Therefore, by detecting the conduction between the detection unit 15, that is, the fixed anchor 13 and the metal plate 14, the engagement of the child seat locking device 20 to the fixed anchor 13, that is, the correct attachment of the child seat to the fixed anchor 13 is detected. Is done.
Here, the detection unit 15 stores the resistance when the child seat is normally attached to the fixed anchor 13 or the change thereof, and determines that the normal attachment has been made when these values are reached. A determination circuit may be provided.
[0036]
Thus, according to the child seat detection apparatus 30 of the embodiment of the present invention, the metal plate 14 provided with the insulating layer 16 on the inner surface is fitted to the fixed anchor 13 already installed in the automobile, and the child seat is mounted. By detecting the displacement of the metal plate 14 by the detection unit 15 as conduction between the metal plate and the fixed anchor 13, it is possible to reliably detect correct wearing of the child seat with a simple configuration. In this embodiment, since the insulating layer 16 does not need to be elastically deformed by a load, it does not have to be made of an elastic material.
[0037]
FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the child seat detection device according to the present invention, and the child seat detection device 40 is a modification of the child seat detection device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The child seat detection device 40 is different in that the metal plate 14 extends from the round bar portion 13a of the fixed anchor 13 to the leg portions 13b and 13c on both sides.
[0038]
According to the child seat detection device 40 having such a configuration, the child seat detection device 40 operates in the same manner as the child seat detection device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the child seat locking device 20 is displaced laterally with respect to the fixed anchor 13. However, the locking device 20 does not hit the terminal portions 14b and 14c provided at both ends of the metal plate 14 and damage the terminal portions 14b and 14c.
[0039]
Here, such a lateral displacement of the locking device 20 occurs, for example, in the following case. Usually, the child seat corresponding to the ISOFIX system includes a latch at the end of the frame extending rearward from the vicinity of the lower end of the child seat as the locking device 20, and this latch is engaged with the fixed anchor 13. . In the case of the child seat having such a configuration, the lateral displacement of the locking device 20 described above does not occur.
On the other hand, even in the case of an ISOFIX child seat, there is a locking device having a hook on the other end of a belt whose one end is fixed to the child seat side. Then, after the hook is engaged with the fixed anchor 13, the belt is tightened to fix the child seat to the vehicle seat 11. Here, when the belt is tightened, the hook may be displaced laterally with respect to the fixed anchor 13. Even in such a case, according to the child seat detection device 40, even if the locking device 20 is displaced laterally with respect to the fixed anchor 13, the locking device 20 does not reach both ends of the metal plate 14. The terminal portions 14b and 14c provided at both ends of the metal plate 14 are not damaged. In addition, it is obvious that the configuration in which the metal plate 14 goes around to the leg portions 13b and 13c on both sides of the fixed anchor 13 can be applied to the child seat detection device 30 shown in FIG.
[0040]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the fixed anchor 13 fixed to the vehicle seat 11 is provided as the vehicle-side fixing structure has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a striker may be provided. Further, it is obvious that the vehicle body constituting member 12 may be a floor or the like on the vehicle body side instead of the vehicle seat. Here, when the vehicle body component 12 is grounded to the vehicle body, it is necessary to wire the fixed anchor 13 directly for electrical connection between the metal plate 14 and the fixed anchor 13 by the detection unit 15. Instead, wiring to the ground on the vehicle body side is easy, and wiring processing becomes easy.
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the ISOFIX child seat is mounted has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a child seat mounting method that uses a fixed structure on the vehicle side for similar fixed anchors, strikers, and the like. It is clear.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the child seat is attached to the vehicle seat, a load is applied to the lock portion of the fixed structure and the metal plate by the engagement of the lock device on the child seat side. The metal plate is displaced inward by this load. When the detection unit detects this displacement, it can be detected that the child seat locking device is engaged with the fixed structure, that is, that the child seat is correctly mounted.
In this case, a child seat detection device composed of a metal plate and a detection unit is provided on the vehicle side, but since it can be easily attached to the vehicle-side fixing structure with a simple configuration, the cost can be kept relatively low. At the same time, it can be retrofitted to an existing fixed structure, and can also be used in current automobiles. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an extremely excellent child seat detection device that can detect correct mounting of a child seat of the ISOFIX system or the like on a vehicle-side dedicated fixing structure with a simple configuration.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a child seat detector according to the present invention attached to a vehicle seat in a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a schematic front view showing a configuration of the child seat detection apparatus of FIG. 1;
3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part of the child seat detection device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of a second embodiment of the child seat detection apparatus according to the present invention.
5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state when the child seat of the child seat detection device of FIG. 4 is mounted. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of a third embodiment of the child seat detection apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 30, 40 Child seat detection device 11 Vehicle seat 12 Car body component 13 Fixed anchor 13a Round bar-shaped region 13b, 13c Leg portion 14 Metal plate 14a Opening portion 14b, 14c Terminal portion 15 Detection portion 16 Insulating layer 16a Notch 17 Tightening Attached screw 20 Child seat locking device

Claims (6)

With respect to a metal fixing structure formed in a round bar shape in which a region including a lock portion to be engaged with at least a locking device on a child seat side is formed on a vehicle side,
A metal plate fitted to surround the round bar-shaped region of the fixed structure;
An insulating layer interposed between the surface of the round bar-shaped region and the metal plate;
A detection unit for detecting the displacement of the metal plate,
When the child seat is fitted, the child seat side locking device is engaged with the lock portion of the fixed structure, and the displacement of the metal plate due to a load applied to the lock portion of the fixed structure is detected by the detection unit. A child seat detection device. The insulating layer is made of an elastic material;
The child seat detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured as a capacitance sensor including the metal plate and the fixed structure facing each other with an insulating layer interposed therebetween. The insulating layer has a notch in a portion corresponding to the lock portion of the fixed structure;
2. The child seat detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured as a conduction switch including the metal plate and the fixed structure facing each other in the cutout region. The child seat detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the metal plate includes an opening over the entire length in the longitudinal direction. The child seat detection device according to claim 4, wherein the metal plate is made of a super elastic metal. The fixing structure is composed of a round bar-like region extending in the transverse direction with respect to the traveling direction of the automobile and side portions extending substantially in the front-rear direction on both sides thereof.
The child seat detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the metal plate is disposed so as to wrap around from a round bar-shaped region to both leg portions.

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