JP2006084356A - Occupant detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To certainly detect an article placed on a seat cushion while preventing the article from being falsely detected as an occupant even when the occupant sits at any position or any angle. <P>SOLUTION: Right and left weight sensors 13R and 13L of a front weight sensor group 13 arranged on the upper face of the seat cushion are interconnected, and right and left weight sensors 14R and 14L of a rear weight sensor group 14 are interconnected, and the right and left weight sensors 13R and 13L of the front weight sensor group 13 are connected to the right and left weight sensors 14R and 14L of the rear weight sensor group 14. The interval Fo between lateral outer ends of the right and left weight sensors 13R and 13L of the front weight sensor group 13 is set narrower than the interval Ro between lateral outer ends of the right and left weight sensors 14R and 14L of the rear weight sensor group 14. The interval Fi between lateral inner ends of the right and left weight sensors 13R and 13L of the front weight sensor group 13 is substantially equal to the interval Ri between lateral inner ends of the right and left weight sensors 14R and 14L of the rear weight sensor group 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an occupant detection device in which a plurality of weight sensors that are turned on by the occupant's weight are arranged on a seat cushion in order to detect an occupant seated on a seat.

  An airbag device for a passenger seat of an automobile detects whether or not an occupant is seated on a seat, and if the occupant is seated at the time of a vehicle collision, the airbag is deployed. The bag is controlled so as not to unfold.

As an occupant detection device used for such a purpose, a device described in Patent Document 1 described below is configured such that a plurality of weight sensors that are turned on by the occupant's body weight are electrically connected in parallel to the upper surface of the seat cushion, and at least When one weight sensor is turned on, the seating of the occupant is detected.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-39045

  However, the above-described conventional device detects the seating of an occupant when any one of a plurality of weight sensors electrically connected in parallel is turned on, so an article such as a handbag is placed on the seat cushion. Even if only one weight sensor is turned on, there is a possibility of erroneous detection that a passenger is seated.

  In order to avoid this, it is only necessary to arrange a plurality of weight sensors in series and detect the occupant's seating when at least two weight sensors are turned on at the same time. It is difficult to reliably detect the occupant's seating when the occupant's seating angle is shifted to the left or right or the occupant's seating angle is tilted to the left or right.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and reliably detects an occupant seated at any position and angle while preventing an object placed on a seat cushion from being erroneously detected as an occupant. The purpose is to be able to.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention described in claim 1, in the occupant detection device in which a plurality of weight sensors that are turned on by the occupant's body weight are arranged on the seat cushion in order to detect the occupant seated on the seat. The front weight sensor group and the rear weight sensor group, which are arranged on the left and right sides of the upper surface of the seat cushion so as to correspond to the occupant's buttocks and are connected in series, are connected in parallel to each other. By connecting the left and right weight sensors of the front weight sensor group and the rear weight sensor group to each other, an occupant can be detected when at least one of the left weight sensor and one of the right weight sensors are turned on. And the distance between the left and right outer ends of the left and right weight sensors of the front weight sensor group is larger than the distance between the left and right outer ends of the left and right weight sensors of the rear weight sensor group. The distance between the left and right inner ends of the left and right weight sensors in the front weight sensor group and the distance between the left and right inner ends of the left and right weight sensors in the rear weight sensor group are substantially matched. An occupant detection device is proposed.

  According to the invention described in claim 2, in addition to the configuration of claim 1, each of the left and right weight sensors of the rear weight sensor group includes two weights arranged in the left-right direction and connected in parallel. An occupant detection device characterized by comprising a sensor is proposed.

  According to the configuration of claim 1, even if the occupant sits shallowly or deeply in the seat, the load on the buttock acts on both the left and right sides of the seat cushion, so at least one of the front and rear weight sensor groups An occupant can be reliably detected by turning on both the left and right weight sensors connected in series in the weight sensor group. When an article such as a handbag is placed on the seat cushion, there is a low probability that both the left and right weight sensors in the same group are turned on, and thus the possibility of erroneously detecting the article as an occupant is reduced.

  In addition, since the left and right weight sensors of the front and rear weight sensor groups are connected to each other, even if the occupant sits diagonally on the seat and the left and right weight sensors of different weight sensor groups are turned on at the same time, Can be detected.

  At this time, the distance between the left and right outer ends of the left and right weight sensors in the front weight sensor group is set to be narrower than the distance between the left and right outer ends of the left and right weight sensors in the rear weight sensor group. The distance between the left and right weight sensors can be prevented from becoming long, and when the occupant sits obliquely on the seat, the left and right weight sensors in the diagonal positions can be easily turned on simultaneously to improve detection performance.

  In addition, since the distance between the left and right inner ends of the left and right weight sensors in the front weight sensor group and the distance between the left and right inner ends of the left and right weight sensors in the rear weight sensor group are substantially matched, the seat is seated deeply on the seat. Even when the occupant's buttocks are shifted to the left and right, both the left and right weight sensors of the rear weight sensor group can be turned on to detect the occupant's seating.

  According to the configuration of the second aspect, each of the left and right weight sensors of the rear weight sensor group is composed of two weight sensors arranged in the left-right direction and connected in parallel. Not only is it necessary to use two existing small weight sensors to exert a desired function, but also the function is exhibited if at least one of two weight sensors connected in parallel is turned on. The detection performance can be further enhanced.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on examples of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

  1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a seat provided with a weight sensor, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the action when the occupant is seated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an automobile seat S includes a seat cushion 11 and a seat back 12, and front, rear, left and right weight sensors 13 </ b> L, 13 </ b> R; 14 </ b> L, 14 </ b> R are disposed inside the upper skin of the seat cushion 11. Be placed. The left and right weight sensors 13L, 13R constituting the front weight sensor group 13 are arranged in the front portion of the seat cushion 11 so as to be separated in the left-right direction, and the left and right weight sensors 14L, 14R constituting the rear weight sensor group 14 are seats. The rear portion of the cushion 11 is spaced apart in the left-right direction. The left weight sensor 14L of the rear weight sensor group 14 is composed of two weight sensors 14L1 and 14L2 connected in parallel, and the right weight sensor 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 is two weight sensors connected in parallel. 14R1 and 14R2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right weight sensors 13L and 13R of the front weight sensor group 13 are connected to harnesses a, b, c, and a pair of terminals 15a and 15b of the controller 15 housed in the rear part of the seat cushion 11. The left and right weight sensors 14L, 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 are connected in series via harnesses a, f, g, h, e, and the front weight sensor group 13 is connected in series via d, e. And the rear weight sensor group 14 are connected in parallel to each other. Further, a harness c that connects the left and right weight sensors 13L and 13R of the front weight sensor group 13 and a harness g that connects the left and right weight sensors 14L and 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 are connected via a harness i. Is done.

  The distance Fo between the left and right outer ends of the left and right weight sensors 13L and 13R of the front weight sensor group 13 is narrower than the distance Ro between the left and right outer ends of the left and right weight sensors 14L and 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14. It is set (Fo <Ro). Also, the distance Fi between the left and right inner ends of the left and right weight sensors 13L and 13R of the front weight sensor group 13 and the distance Ri between the left and right inner ends of the left and right weight sensors 14L and 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 are as follows. Are set approximately equal (Fi≈Ri).

  Therefore, the left-right distance A between the centers of the left and right weight sensors 13L, 13R of the front weight sensor group 13 is larger than the left-right distance B between the centers of the left and right weight sensors 14L, 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14. The distance C between the weight sensors 13L and 14R at the diagonal position and the distance D between the weight sensors 13R and 14L at the diagonal position are set in the horizontal direction of the left and right weight sensors 14L and 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14. It becomes substantially equal to the interval B.

  Next, the structure of the weight sensors 13L, 13R; 14L1, 14L2, 14R1, 14R2 will be described with reference to FIGS. Since these six weight sensors 13L, 13R; 14L1, 14L2, 14R1, 14R2 have the same structure, one weight sensor 13L will be described as a representative.

  The weight sensor 13L is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the lower surface of the skin 21 of the seat cushion 11 and the upper surface of the cushion material 22, and includes an upper film 23 and a lower film 24 made of an elastic material such as synthetic resin. A spacer 25 having a circular opening 25a and sandwiched between the upper film 23 and the lower film 24; a first and a second having flexibility such as carbon fixed on the lower surface of the upper film 23 so as to face the opening 25a; Two electrodes 26 and 27 and a circular third electrode 28 having flexibility such as carbon fixed on the upper surface of the lower film 24 so as to face the opening 25a. The first and second electrodes 26 and 27 formed in a comb shape are arranged so as to enter each other, and each is connected in series in a circuit connecting the pair of terminals 15 a and 15 b of the controller 15.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

  When the weight of the occupant is applied to the skin 21 of the seat cushion 11, as shown in FIG. 3B, the upper film 23 and the lower film 24 of the weight sensor 13L are deformed so as to be pushed into the opening 25a of the spacer 25, The first and second electrodes 26 and 27 fixed to the upper film 23 come into contact with the third electrode 28 fixed to the lower film 24 in the opening 25a. As a result, the first and second electrodes 26 and 27 are electrically connected to each other via the third electrode 28.

  When the occupant sits on the seat S, when the seating posture is shallow, a load from the occupant's buttocks acts mainly on the left and right front portions of the seat cushion 11, and is connected in series as shown in FIG. In addition, both the two weight sensors 13L and 13R constituting the front weight sensor group 13 are turned on, and the pair of terminals 15a and 15b of the controller 15 are conducted to detect the seating of the occupant. Further, when the seating posture of the occupant is deep, a load from the occupant's buttocks acts mainly on the left and right rear portions of the seat cushion 11, and the rear weight sensor connected in series as shown in FIG. Both of the two weight sensors 14L and 14R constituting the group 14 are turned on, and the pair of terminals 15a and 15b of the controller 15 are conducted to detect the seating of the occupant. Of course, when the occupant is seated in the center in the front-rear direction of the seat S, all of the two weight sensors 13L, 13R of the front weight sensor group 13 and the two weight sensors 14L, 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 are turned on. However, if both the two weight sensors 13L and 13R on the front side are turned on or both the two weight sensors 14L and 14R on the rear side are turned on, the occupant can be detected reliably. it can.

  When the occupant is seated diagonally to the right, as shown in FIG. 5C, at least the left weight sensor 13L of the front weight sensor group 13 and the right weight sensor 13R of the rear weight sensor group 14 are simultaneously turned on. By doing so, it is possible to detect the seating of the occupant. On the contrary, when the occupant is seated obliquely leftward, as shown in FIG. 5D, at least the right weight sensor 13R of the front weight sensor group 13 and the left weight sensor 13L of the rear weight sensor group 14 are simultaneously By turning it on, it is possible to detect the seating of the passenger.

  When the left weight sensor 14L of the rear weight sensor group 14 is turned on, only one of the pair of weight sensors 14L1 and 14L2 needs to be turned on, and the right weight sensor 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 is turned on. In this case, since only one of the pair of weight sensors 14R1 and 14R2 needs to be turned on, the detection accuracy is further improved.

  On the other hand, when an article such as a handbag is placed on the seat cushion 11, only one of the front and rear, left and right weight sensors 13L, 13R; 14L, 14R is turned on. As a result, the probability of erroneously detecting an article as an occupant can be reduced.

  Further, since the distance A between the left and right weight sensors 13L, 13R of the front weight sensor group 13 is set to be narrower than the distance B between the left and right weight sensors 14L, 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14, the front part in the diagonal position is set. The distance C between the weight sensor 13L on the left side of the weight sensor group 13 and the weight sensor 13R on the right side of the rear weight sensor group 14, and the weight sensor 13R and the rear weight sensor group 14 on the right side of the front weight sensor group 13 at the diagonal positions. The distance D between the left weight sensors 13L is substantially equal to the distance B between the left and right weight sensors 14L, 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14, and the weight sensors 13L, 13R in the diagonal positions even when the occupant is seated diagonally. 14L and 14R can be reliably turned on by the passenger's buttocks.

  By the way, if the distance B between the left and right weight sensors 14L, 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 is set wider than the distance A between the left and right weight sensors 13L, 13R of the front weight sensor group 13, the occupant will be seated on the seat S. When the seating position is shifted to the left and right, only one of the left and right weight sensors 14L and 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 may be turned on and the occupant may not be detected. However, in this embodiment, the distance Fi between the left and right inner ends of the left and right weight sensors 13L and 13R of the front weight sensor group 13 and the left and right inner ends of the left and right weight sensors 14L and 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 are set. Therefore, even if the seating position of the occupant is shifted to the left and right, both the left and right weight sensors 14L and 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 can be turned on to reliably detect the occupant. it can.

  6 to 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 2, FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 3, and FIG. 8 is a line 8-8 in FIG. It is an arrow view.

  In the first embodiment described above, the weight sensor 14L on the left side of the rear weight sensor group 14 is composed of two weight sensors 14L1 and 14L2 connected in parallel, and the weight sensor 14R on the right side is connected in parallel. Although two weight sensors 14R1 and 14R2 are configured, as is apparent from FIG. 6, in the second embodiment, the left and right weight sensors 14L and 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 are each configured by a single weight sensor. Has been.

  However, the diameters of the upper film 23 and the lower film 24 of the left and right weight sensors 14L and 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 are the same as those of the upper film 23 and the lower film 24 of the left and right weight sensors 13L and 13R of the front weight sensor group 13. The distance Fi between the left and right inner ends of the left and right weight sensors 13L and 13R of the front weight sensor group 13 and the left and right weight sensors 14L and 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 are set to be larger than the diameter. The interval Ri between the inner ends is set to be approximately equal. Accordingly, as in the first embodiment, the distance Fo between the left and right outer ends of the left and right weight sensors 13L, 13R of the front weight sensor group 13 is set to the left and right of the left and right weight sensors 14L, 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14. It can be made narrower than the interval Ro between the outer ends in the direction.

  As apparent from FIGS. 7 and 8, the weight sensor 13L (and weight sensors 13R, 14L, 14R) of the second embodiment is more rigid in the upper film 23 and the lower film 24 than those of the first embodiment. In addition, since the spacer 25 is formed to be thin, it can be reliably turned on even when a load is applied to the end thereof.

  According to the second embodiment, the number of left and right weight sensors 14L, 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 is reduced from four in the first embodiment to two, thereby reducing the number of parts and the first embodiment. The same effect can be achieved.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The third embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment, and the weight sensors 13L and 14L (and the weight sensors 13R and 14R) have the same structure as that of the first embodiment. The sensitivity of the rear weight sensor group 14 can be increased by increasing the diameters of the weight sensors 14L and 14R of the rear weight sensor group 14 than the diameters of the weight sensors 13L and 13R.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the structures of the weight sensors 13L, 13R; 14L, 14R are not limited to the embodiments, and an arbitrary structure can be adopted.

The top view of the sheet | seat provided with the weight sensor based on 1st Example. 1 is an enlarged view of the main part of FIG. 3-3 enlarged sectional view of FIG. 4-4 arrow view of FIG. Action diagram when the occupant is seated The figure corresponding to the said FIG. 2 based on 2nd Example. The figure corresponding to the said FIG. 3 based on 2nd Example. Fig. 8-8 arrow view The figure corresponding to the said FIG. 3 based on 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

S Seat 11 Seat cushion 13 Front weight sensor group 14 Rear weight sensor group 13L Weight sensor 13R Weight sensor 14L Weight sensor 14L1 Weight sensor 14L2 Weight sensor 14R Weight sensor 14R1 Weight sensor 14R2 Weight sensor Fi Left and right weights of front weight sensor group Spacing between inner left and right ends of sensors Fo Distance between left and right outer ends of left and right weight sensors of front weight sensor group Ri Distance between inner ends of left and right weight sensors of rear weight sensor group Ro Rear weight sensor Spacing between left and right outer ends of left and right weight sensors of group

Claims (2)

In the occupant detection device in which a plurality of weight sensors (13L, 13R; 14L, 14R) that are turned on by the occupant's body weight are disposed on the seat cushion (11) in order to detect the occupant seated on the seat (S),
A front weight sensor group (13 ) And the rear weight sensor group (14) are connected in parallel to each other and between the left and right weight sensors (13L, 13R; 14L, 14R) of the front weight sensor group (13) and the rear weight sensor group (14). Are connected to each other so that an occupant can be detected when at least one of the left weight sensors (13L, 14L) and one of the right weight sensors (13R, 14R) are turned on.
In addition, the distance (Fo) between the left and right outer ends of the left and right weight sensors (13L, 13R) of the front weight sensor group (13) is set to the left and right of the left and right weight sensors (14L, 14R) of the rear weight sensor group (14). The distance (Fi) between the left and right inner ends of the left and right weight sensors (13L, 13R) of the front weight sensor group (13) and the rear weight sensor group are set smaller than the distance (Ro) between the outer ends in the direction. The occupant detection device characterized in that the distance (Ri) between the left and right inner ends of the left and right weight sensors (14L, 14R) of (14) is substantially matched. Each of the left and right weight sensors (14L, 14R) of the rear weight sensor group (14) is composed of two weight sensors (14L1, 14L2; 14R1, 14R2) arranged in the left-right direction and connected in parallel. The occupant detection device according to claim 1.

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