JP2009220727A - Seating sensor, seating detection device, and vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance the discriminating performance of an occupant from luggage. <P>SOLUTION: First to fourth pressure-sensitive switches 14 are arrayed straight in one row from a rear center of a seat cushion 12 to a front side of a vehicle in an inclined state to any one side in the vehicle width direction. In this condition, the first pressure-sensitive switch 14A and the second pressure-sensitive switch 14B are connected to each other in series, and the third pressure-sensitive switch 14C and the fourth pressure-sensitive switch 14D are connected to each other in series; and the first pressure-sensitive switch 14A and the second pressure-sensitive switch 14B and the third pressure-sensitive switch 14C and the fourth pressure-sensitive switch 14D are connected in parallel. Further, a cathode of a diode D is connected between the first pressure-sensitive switch 14A and the second pressure-sensitive switch 14B, and an anode of the diode D is connected between the third pressure-sensitive switch 14C and the fourth pressure-sensitive switch 14D. Both one-ends of the first pressure-sensitive switch 14A and the third pressure-sensitive switch 14C are connected to a positive terminal of a battery, and both one-ends of the second pressure-sensitive switch 14B and the fourth pressure-sensitive switch 14D are grounded. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a seat seating sensor and a vehicle seat structure, and more particularly to a seat seating sensor for detecting seating of an occupant and a vehicle seat structure including the seat seating sensor.

  As an example of a conventional seat seating sensor, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed.

In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of switches in two rows are arranged on the seat cushion, and it is determined that an occupant is seated when at least two switches are turned on. .
European Patent No. 1636071 (B1) Specification

  In the technique described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of switches in two rows are provided in the seat cushion. However, it is conceivable to use a plurality of switches in one row in order to reduce the cost.

  However, when a plurality of switches in a row along the vehicle front-rear direction are provided on the seat cushion, the seat seating sensor disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured so that the occupant is not affected even if the front and rear switches are turned on. When a box-shaped baggage is placed on the seat cushion to determine that it is seated, the front and rear switches are likely to be turned on, and there is room for improvement in terms of passenger and baggage discrimination performance. .

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and an object of the present invention is to improve the discrimination performance between passengers and luggage.

  In order to achieve the above object, the seat seating sensor according to claim 1 is provided with four or more switches that are actuated when a pressure of a predetermined value or more is applied, and the four or more switches are arranged on the front and rear sides of the seat cushion. A switch row arranged along a direction is provided, and a signal is output when at least two adjacent switches of the switch row are operated.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the switch row includes four or more switches that operate when a pressure of a predetermined value or more is applied, and is arranged along the front-rear direction of the seat cushion.

  A signal is output when at least two adjacent switches in the switch row are activated.

  That is, since the switch row is arranged along the front-rear direction of the seat cushion, when a load other than a passenger is placed on the seat cushion, pressure is applied to the front end side and the rear end side of the load, and the vehicle Since the switch on the front end side and the switch on the rear end side of the vehicle are easy to operate, the adjacent two switches do not operate and no signal is output. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the luggage as the seat of the occupant, so that the discrimination performance between the occupant and the luggage can be improved.

  The seat seating sensor according to claim 2, wherein a first switch that is turned on when a pressure of a predetermined value or more is applied and a second switch that is turned on when a pressure of a predetermined value or more are applied are connected in series. And a second switch that is connected in series to a third switch that is turned on when a pressure greater than or equal to a predetermined value is applied, and a fourth switch that is turned on when a pressure greater than or equal to the predetermined value is applied. A switch circuit in which the first series circuit and the second series circuit are connected in parallel, and a switch row including the first switch to the fourth switch is arranged along the front-rear direction of the seat cushion And a diode having a cathode connected between the first switch and the second switch, and an anode connected between the third switch and the fourth switch. It is characterized by a door.

  The switch circuit is a circuit including first to fourth switches that are turned on when a pressure of a predetermined value or more is applied, and a first series circuit in which the first switch and the second switch are connected in series; A third switch and a second series circuit in which the fourth switch is connected in series are connected in parallel, and a switch row that is made up of the first to fourth switches is arranged along the front-rear direction of the seat cushion. ing.

  The cathode of the diode is connected between the first switch and the second switch, and the anode is connected between the third switch and the fourth switch.

  With this configuration, a signal can be output when at least two adjacent switches are turned on, and a seat seating sensor with improved occupant and luggage discrimination performance can be obtained with a simple circuit.

  In addition, as in the invention according to claim 3, the switch row is inclined in any one of the vehicle width directions from the vicinity of the rear center portion of the seat cushion having a shape matching the hip shape of the occupant toward the front of the vehicle. In this state, they may be arranged in a straight line. Further, as in the invention according to claim 4, when the occupant is seated, the two adjacent switches may be included in a predetermined lap region where pressure is always applied to the seat cushion. . Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a seat seating sensor that improves the discrimination performance between the passenger and the luggage with a simple configuration.

  The seating detection device according to claim 5 includes four or more switches that are operated when a pressure of a predetermined value or more is applied, and the four or more switches are arranged along the front-rear direction of the seat cushion. It is characterized by comprising: a switch row; and a determination means for detecting an operation state of the switch and determining that an occupant is seated when at least two adjacent switches are operated.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, as in the invention described in claim 1, the switch row includes four or more switches that operate when a pressure of a predetermined value or more is applied in the front-rear direction of the seat cushion. Arranged along.

  Further, the determination means detects the operation state of the switch and determines that the occupant is seated when two adjacent switches are operated. For example, a microcomputer such as a CPU may be applied as the determination means.

  Even in this configuration, as in the invention described in claim 1, when a load other than the passenger is placed on the seat cushion, pressure is applied to the front end side and the rear end side of the load, Since the switch on the vehicle front end side and the switch on the vehicle rear end side are easy to operate, the adjacent two switches do not operate and the determination means does not determine that the occupant is seated. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the luggage as the seat of the occupant, so that the discrimination performance between the occupant and the luggage can be improved.

  Note that, as in the invention described in claim 3, the switch is inclined in any one of the vehicle width directions from the vicinity of the rear center portion of the seat cushion having a shape matching the hip shape of the occupant toward the front of the vehicle. It may be arranged in a straight line in a state. Further, as in the invention described in claim 4, when the occupant is seated, the two adjacent switches are included in the predetermined lap region in which the seat pressure is always applied to the seat cushion. Good.

  Further, the seat seating sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is configured as a vehicle seat in which a switch row is provided on a seat cushion having a shape matched to the hip shape of an occupant, as in the invention according to claim 6. May be. Furthermore, the seating detection device according to claim 5 is also configured as a vehicle seat in which a switch row is provided on a seat cushion having a shape matched to the occupant's hip shape as in the invention according to claim 7. May be.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the switch is arranged along the vehicle front-rear direction of the seat cushion, and a signal is output when at least two adjacent switches are turned on, thereby distinguishing the occupant and the luggage. There is an effect that the performance can be improved.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a view showing a seat cushion portion of a vehicle seat provided with a seat seating sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The seat seating sensor 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided on a seat cushion 12 of a vehicle seat. The seat cushion has a general shape, that is, a shape (concave shape) that matches the occupant's hip shape.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the seat seating sensor 12 includes four pressure sensitive switches 14 (first pressure sensitive switch 14A, second pressure sensitive switch 14B, third pressure sensitive switch 14C, and fourth pressure sensitive switch 14D). The four pressure sensitive switches 14 are linearly arranged in a row on the seat cushion 12 along the vehicle longitudinal direction. More specifically, the array of the pressure-sensitive switches 14 is arranged in a state of being inclined from the rear center portion of the seat cushion 12 toward one side of the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle.

  As the pressure-sensitive switch 14, for example, a button switch, a pressure-sensitive switch that is turned on when the pressure exceeds a threshold value using a pressure conductive rubber, or the like can be applied. In addition, other switches may be applied as long as the switches operate when a pressure higher than a predetermined value is applied.

  FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a detailed configuration of the seat seating sensor 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the seat seating sensor 10 includes a first pressure sensitive switch 14A and a second pressure sensitive switch 14B connected in series, and a third pressure sensitive switch 14C and a fourth pressure sensitive switch 14D connected in series. The first pressure sensitive switch 14A and the second pressure sensitive switch 14B, and the third pressure sensitive switch 14C and the fourth pressure sensitive switch 14D are connected in parallel.

  A diode D is provided, and the cathode of the diode D is connected between the first pressure-sensitive switch 14A and the second pressure-sensitive switch 14B, and between the third pressure-sensitive switch 14C and the fourth pressure-sensitive switch 14D. Is connected to the anode of a diode D.

  One end of the first pressure sensitive switch 14A and the third pressure sensitive switch 14C is connected to the positive terminal of the battery, and one end of the second pressure sensitive switch 14B and the fourth pressure sensitive switch 14D is grounded.

  The connection to the positive terminal of the battery and the connection to the ground connection are connected via a connector 16 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the circuit of FIG. 2 is simply abbreviated as a straight line, but the linear portion connecting the pressure sensitive switches 14 of FIG. 1 is composed of a flexible board or the like on which the circuit of FIG. 2 is printed. can do.

  Here, a method for arranging the first to fourth pressure-sensitive switches 14 of the seating sensor 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

  In this embodiment, AM50 (a model that covers 50% of an American adult male), AF05 (a model that covers 5% of an American adult female), and a 6-year-old child's body pressure distribution region is obtained and the determined seat. Using the pressure distribution region, a lap region where the seat pressure is always applied is obtained.

  That is, the seating pressure distribution region 18 of AM50 (a model covering 50% of an American adult male) shown in FIG. 3A, AF05 (a model covering 5% of an American adult female) shown in FIG. The seat pressure distribution region 20 and the seat pressure distribution region 22 of the 6-year-old child shown in FIG. 3C are used to consider the range in which the seat pressure distribution regions 18 to 22 can be moved on the seat cushion 12. It moves like (A)-(C) and calculates | requires each wrap area | region 24-28.

  The hatched area in FIG. 4A shows the wrap area 24 of AM50, the hatched area in FIG. 4B shows the wrap area 26 of AF05, and the hatched area in FIG. The wrap region 28 is shown.

  And in this embodiment, in each wrap area | region 24-28 of FIG. 4 (A)-(C), the position where two adjacent pressure sensitive switches 14 turn on is calculated | required, as shown in FIG.4 (D). Each pressure sensitive switch 14 is arranged. Further, when the pressure sensitive switches 14 are arranged, the pressure sensitive switches 14 are arranged so as to cover all the lap regions and increase the distance between the pressure sensitive switches 14. 4 indicates the wrap region 24 of the AM 50, the solid line in FIG. 4 indicates the wrap region 26 of AF05, and the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 4 indicates the wrap region 28 of a 6-year-old child.

  In the present embodiment, in order to increase the distance between the pressure sensitive switches 14, as shown in FIG. 4D, from the rear center portion of the seat cushion 12 toward the front of the vehicle, either one in the vehicle width direction. In an inclined state, the seat cushions 12 are arranged in a line along the vehicle longitudinal direction. Further, by arranging in this way, in each model (AM50, AF05, and 6-year-old child), when the occupant is seated, two adjacent pressure-sensitive switches 14 are turned on. Therefore, the seating of the occupant can be detected by arranging the pressure sensitive switches 14 in this way.

  Next, the operation of the seat seating sensor 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described.

  In the lap region of each physique (AM50, AF05, and 6-year-old child), since the seat seating sensor 10 is arranged so that the two adjacent pressure sensitive switches 14 are turned on, when the occupant sits on the seat cushion 12, , At least two adjacent pressure sensitive switches 14 are turned on.

  That is, in the present embodiment, in the case of AM50, at least the third pressure sensitive switch 14C and the fourth pressure sensitive switch 14D are turned on, and in the case of AF05, at least the second pressure sensitive switch 14B and the third pressure sensitive switch. When 14C is turned on and the child is 6 years old, at least the first pressure sensitive switch 14A and the second pressure sensitive switch 14B are turned on.

  As a result, as shown in the circuit of FIG. 2, when at least one adjacent switch 14 is turned on, the seat seating sensor 10 becomes conductive, and the seating of the occupant can be detected in this conductive state. In other words, a seating signal is output from the seat seating sensor 10 when at least two adjacent pressure sensitive switches 14 are turned on.

  For example, when a box-shaped luggage as shown in FIG. 5A is placed on the seat cushion 12, the seat cushion 12 has a shape (concave shape) that matches the hip shape of the occupant. The flat surface corresponds to the concave seat cushion 12, and the pressure distribution of the seat cushion 12 is concentrated on the front and rear ends of the vehicle as shown in FIG. When arranged on the cushion 12, the first pressure-sensitive switch 14A and the fourth pressure-sensitive switch 14D are turned on, and the adjacent pressure-sensitive switch 14 is not turned on. Accordingly, in the case of luggage, a seating signal is not output from the seat seating sensor 10, and erroneous detection can be prevented, so that the discrimination performance between the passenger and the luggage can be improved.

  Here, an example of the evaluation result of the seating detection by the seat seating sensor 10 when the seating state of the occupant is changed is shown in Table 1.

  Table 1 shows when seated at a regular seating position, when seated with legs crossed, when seated against an armrest, when seated with an offset of 80 mm toward the front, and when seated with an offset of 30 mm in the vehicle width direction The result of having evaluated the on-off state of the pressure-sensitive switch 14 about each of these is shown.

  As shown in Table 1, even when the seating state of the occupant is changed, when the occupant is seated, at least two adjacent pressure sensitive switches 14 are always turned on, so that the occupant's seating can be detected. it can.

  On the other hand, Table 2 shows the evaluation results of the seating detection by the seat seating sensor 10 when a plurality of types of loads are loaded.

  Table 2 shows the case where the load is placed on the seat cushion so that the longitudinal direction is the vehicle front-rear direction, the case where the load is placed on the seat cushion so that the short side direction is the vehicle front-rear direction, and the corner of the load is the seat cushion 12 shows the result of evaluating the on / off state of the pressure-sensitive switch 14 for each of the cases where they are placed at the corners so as to correspond to 12.

  As shown in Table 2, as a result of evaluating luggage such as bag bags and boxes, at least two adjacent pressure-sensitive switches 14 are not turned on in all the above cases, and the luggage is seat cushion 12. Since the seating signal is not output from the seat seating sensor 10 even if it is placed on the seat, erroneous detection can be prevented.

  Further, when manufacturing the sheet seating sensor 10 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of sheet seating sensors 10 can be manufactured on a film-like sheet by using a printing technique or the like. Many seating sensors 10 can be manufactured, yield can be improved, and a significant cost reduction effect can be obtained.

(Second Embodiment)
In the above-described embodiment, a circuit that outputs a seating signal when two adjacent pressure-sensitive switches 14 are turned on according to the circuit configuration has been described. In the second embodiment, four pressure-sensitive switches 14 are provided. Are arranged in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and it is determined from the detection result of each pressure-sensitive switch 14 whether or not two adjacent pressure-sensitive switches 14 are on.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the seating detection device 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The seating detection apparatus 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a seating determination ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 32 as shown in FIG.

  The seating determination ECU 32 is a microcomputer including a CPU 32A, a RAM 32B, a ROM 32C, and an I / O 32D, and determines whether a passenger is seated on the vehicle seat.

  The ROM 32C stores a program for determining the occupant's seating, and the program stored in the ROM 32C is expanded in the RAM 32B and executed by the CPU 32A to execute a seating determination process to be described later. It has become.

  Further, the first to fourth pressure sensitive switches 14A to 14D are connected to the I / O 32D, and the on / off detection result of each pressure sensitive switch 14 is input to the seating determination ECU 32. In addition, the arrangement | sequence of each pressure sensitive switch 14 is arranged along the front-back direction of the seat cushion 12 similarly to 1st Embodiment.

  Then, the seating determination ECU 32 determines whether the occupant is seated by determining whether at least two adjacent pressure sensitive switches 14 are on from the on / off states of the first to fourth pressure sensitive switches 14A to 14D. To do.

  Next, the seating determination process performed by the seating determination ECU 32 of the seating detection device 30 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the seating determination process performed by the seating determination ECU 32 of the seating detection device 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In step 100, the state of each pressure sensitive switch 14 is acquired by the CPU 32A, and the process proceeds to step 102.

  In step 102, the CPU 32A determines whether or not the adjacent first pressure-sensitive switch 14A and second pressure-sensitive switch 14B are on. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 104, where the determination is positive. To step 110.

  In step 104, the CPU 32A determines whether or not the adjacent second pressure sensitive switch 14B and third pressure sensitive switch 14C are on. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 106, and the determination is affirmative. To step 110.

  In step 106, the CPU 32A determines whether or not the adjacent third pressure sensitive switch 14C and fourth pressure sensitive switch 14D are on. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 108, and the determination is affirmative. To step 110.

  In step 108, the CPU 32A determines that the occupant is not seated (not seated), and the routine proceeds to step 112.

  On the other hand, in step 110, the CPU 32A determines that the occupant is seated, and the process proceeds to step 112.

  In step 112, the CPU 32A determines whether or not an ignition switch (not shown) is turned off. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step 100 and the above-described processing is repeated. The seating determination process is terminated.

  Even if configured in this manner, as in the first embodiment, since it is determined that the user is seated when at least two adjacent pressure-sensitive switches 14 are turned on (actuated), as in the first embodiment, Even if the luggage is placed on the seat cushion 12, it is not erroneously detected that the occupant is seated, and the discrimination performance between the occupant and the luggage can be improved.

  In each of the above embodiments, the four pressure sensitive switches 14 are linearly arranged on the seat cushion 12. However, the pressure sensitive switch 14 is not limited to four, and five or more pressure sensitive switches 14 are arranged. May be. Moreover, although it arranged so that it may be linear, it may be arranged slightly shifted instead of a straight line, or may be arranged in an arc shape close to a straight line.

  In each of the above embodiments, the switch (pressure-sensitive switch 14) is turned on (actuated) when pressure is applied, but the switch is turned off (actuated) when pressure is applied. A circuit may be configured.

It is a figure which shows the seat cushion part of the vehicle seat which provided the seat seating sensor concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the detailed structure of a seat seating sensor. (A) shows the seat pressure distribution region of AM50, (B) shows the seat pressure distribution region of AF05, and (C) shows the seat pressure distribution region of a 6-year-old child. (A) shows the lap area of AM50, (B) shows the wrap area of AF05, (C) shows the lap area of a 6-year-old child, (D) shows a pressure-sensitive switch arranged based on each lap area. FIG. (A) shows a state where a load is placed on the seat cushion, and (B) is a diagram showing an example of a pressure distribution of the seat cushion on which the load is placed. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the seating detection apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the seating determination process performed by seating determination ECU of the seating detection apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Seat seating sensor 12 Seat cushion 14 Pressure sensitive switch 14A 1st pressure sensitive switch 14B 2nd pressure sensitive switch 14C 3rd pressure sensitive switch 14D 4th pressure sensitive switch 24-28 Lap area 30 Seating detection apparatus 32 Seating judgment ECU

Claims (7)

  Each of the four or more switches includes a switch row arranged along the front-rear direction of the seat cushion, each of which is actuated when a pressure of a predetermined value or more is applied, and is adjacent to the switch row. A seat seating sensor that outputs a signal when at least two switches are activated. A first switch that is turned on when a pressure greater than or equal to a predetermined value is applied; a first switch that is connected in series with a second switch that is turned on when a pressure greater than or equal to the predetermined value is applied; A third switch that is turned on when pressure is applied, and a second switch that is connected in series with a fourth switch that is turned on when pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied; and A switch circuit in which a second series circuit is connected in parallel, and a switch row including the first switch to the fourth switch is arranged along the front-rear direction of the seat cushion;
A diode having a cathode connected between the first switch and the second switch, and an anode connected between the third switch and the fourth switch;
Seat seating sensor.   The switch row is arranged in a straight line in a state where the seat cushion having a shape matching the hip shape of the occupant is inclined in any one of the vehicle width directions from the vehicle rear central portion toward the vehicle front. The seat seating sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that   The switch row is provided so that two adjacent switches are included in a predetermined lap region in which pressure is always applied to the seat cushion when an occupant is seated. The seat seating sensor according to claim 1. A switch row including four or more switches that are activated when a pressure of a predetermined value or more is applied, wherein the four or more switches are arranged along the front-rear direction of the seat cushion;
A determination means for detecting an operation state of the switch and determining that a passenger is seated when at least two adjacent switches are operated;
A seating detection device comprising: A seat cushion having a shape adapted to the hip shape of the occupant;
The seat seating sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Vehicle seat equipped with A seat cushion having a shape adapted to the hip shape of the occupant;
A seating detection device according to claim 5;
Vehicle seat equipped with

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