JP2010175312A - Seating detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive seating detection device having a planar structure and a wide detection range. <P>SOLUTION: A film members 10 for switch and a film member 20 for connector are formed each into a strip, respectively, and are arranged so that a pair of the film members for switch and one film member for connector are formed into Y shape, for example, and each switch wiring 13, 14 and connector wiring 21, 22 are electrically connected in each end parts of the film members. The arranged each end part of the film members is electrically and mechanically bonded with a conductive adhesive B, and covered with a flexible seat member 30. Accordingly, the seating detection device 1 having a planar structure with no protruding parts and a wide detection range is achieved. An occupant seated on a vehicle seat hardly has unpleasant feeling caused by the sense of a foreign matter, and arrangement flexibility for a vehicle seat is thereby enhanced. An increase in costs or an increase in weight due to an increase in the number of components is suppressed. Because the bonded each end part of the film members are covered with the seat member, the mechanical strength of the part is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a seating detection device that detects an occupant by a pressure change of a seating surface when the occupant is seated.

  For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose conventional seating detection devices. In Patent Literature 1, a pair of strip-shaped sensor portions (switch film members), a strip-shaped connector portion (connector film member) electrically connected at one end of these sensor portions, and a connection portion thereof are arranged. A Y-shaped seating detection device having a block formed thereon is disclosed. The sensor unit has a configuration in which conductive wires (switch wiring) and electrodes (pressure-sensitive switches) are printed on the surfaces of a pair of film members, and a film member serving as a spacer is interposed between these film members and bonded. The connector portion has a configuration in which conductive wires (connector wiring) connected to the conductive wires of the sensor portion are printed on the surfaces of the pair of film members, and the film members are bonded to each other.

  Such a film member constituting the sensor part and the connector part is formed by punching out one film sheet. At this time, the E-shaped shape in which the connector part extends between the pair of sensor parts. Since the punching is performed at the above, the yield can be improved. And when attaching a seating detection apparatus to a vehicle seat, a sensor part is extended to a sheet | seat upper surface, a connector part is reversed 180 degree | times via a block, and is extended from a sheet | seat rear surface to a sheet | seat back surface. Thereby, a passenger | crew can be detected by the pressure change of a seating surface when a passenger | crew seats on a vehicle seat.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an I-shaped (strip-shaped) load sensor (seat detection device) in which sensor cells (pressure-sensitive switches) are arranged at the tip and center of a linear conductive portion (switch wiring, connector wiring). ) Is disclosed. This load sensor is also formed of the same film member as the seating detection device described in Patent Document 1, and is punched in a simpler I-shape than the E-shape, so that the yield can be further improved. it can. And when attaching a load sensor to a vehicle seat, a conduction | electrical_connection part is extended to a sheet | seat back surface from a sheet | seat upper surface through a sheet | seat rear surface. Thereby, a passenger | crew can be detected by the pressure change of a seating surface when a passenger | crew seats on a vehicle seat.

JP 2001-133340 A (paragraphs 0008 to 0011, FIGS. 1 and 2) JP 2008-157941 A (paragraphs 0021, 0022, FIGS. 1 and 2)

  The seating detection device described in Patent Literature 1 includes a sensor unit and a connector unit made of a film member, and a block for inverting the connector unit. When such a seating detection device is attached to a vehicle seat, the sensor portion and the connector portion have a planar structure and thus do not protrude from the seat surface, but the block protrudes from the seat surface because it is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Therefore, if the occupant sits on the vehicle seat and touches the block, there is a possibility that the user feels a foreign object and feels uncomfortable. Therefore, the arrangement of the seating detection device with respect to the vehicle seat is limited. Furthermore, an extra block is required in addition to the sensor unit and the connector unit, resulting in an increase in cost and weight due to an increase in the number of components.

  In the load sensor described in Patent Document 2, the above-described problem is solved because the load sensor is composed of only a conductive portion made of a film member. However, since the seating detection device described in Patent Document 1 is formed in a Y shape, the seating surface can be used as a detection region over a wide range. However, the load sensor described in Patent Document 2 has a simple I shape. Therefore, a sufficient detection area cannot be secured on the seating surface, and the occupant may not be detected depending on the state when the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a seating detection device having a wide detection area, a low cost and a flat structure.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the structural feature of the invention according to claim 1 is that a plurality of pressure-sensitive switches that are arranged on a seating surface of a vehicle seat and detect seating of an occupant and the pressure-sensitive switches are connected in parallel A pair of strip-shaped switch film members formed in the longitudinal direction, and one end connected to the end of each switch wire and the other end connected to the connector in the longitudinal direction The connector film member, and an end portion of the pair of switch film members and an end portion of the connector film member at a connection portion between each switch wiring and the connector wiring are electrically connected by a conductive adhesive. -It is mechanically joined and the joining part is covered with a flexible sheet member.

The structural feature of the invention according to claim 2 is that in claim 1, the sheet member is a flexible resin film or hot melt molding.
The structural feature of the invention according to claim 3 is that in claim 1 or 2, the switch wiring member of one of the pair of film members for the switch at the joint portion is formed on the other side of the switch wiring. That is, the formation surface and the formation surface of the connector wiring face each other and are joined side by side.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the extension wiring connected to the end of the switch wiring or the end of the connector wiring is formed in the longitudinal direction. The end of the switch film member or the end of the connector film member at the connection part is electrically and mechanically joined with the conductive adhesive, and the joining part is covered with the sheet member. The switch film member or the strip-like extension film member that extends the connector film member is provided, and one of the end of the switch wiring or the end of the connector wiring is projected and formed. Of the end portions of the extension wires that are paired, the end portions of the switch wires or the end portions of the connector wires that are projectingly formed Is that which is adapted to end the reverse side protruded to connect the end not projecting form the projecting the formed end.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the switch film member and the connector film member are respectively formed in a band shape (I shape), and the pair of switch film members and one connector film member are, for example, Y-shaped. The switch wiring and the connector wiring are arranged so as to be electrically connected at each film member end, and the arranged film member ends are electrically and mechanically joined with a conductive adhesive. And it is set as the structure covered with the sheet | seat member. Thus, since the end of each I-shaped film member is electrically and mechanically joined with a conductive adhesive to create a Y-shaped seating detection device, the conventional E-shaped film member Therefore, a block for creating a Y-shaped seating detection device is not necessary. Therefore, since the seating detection device of the present invention has a wide detection area and a planar structure without protrusions, an occupant seated on a vehicle seat to which the seating detection device is attached is less likely to feel discomfort due to a foreign object sensation. In addition, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the seating detection device with respect to the vehicle seat can be increased. Furthermore, since the block of the conventional seating detection apparatus becomes unnecessary, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost and weight due to an increase in the number of parts.

  And since each joined film member end is covered with a flexible sheet member, and when an occupant is seated in a vehicle seat to which a seating detection device is attached, the sheet member also bends together with each film member end. The occupant hardly feels discomfort due to the foreign object feeling and can further increase the degree of freedom of arrangement of the seating detection device with respect to the vehicle seat. And since the seating detection apparatus is formed in Y shape, a seating surface can be used as a detection region over a wide range, and an occupant can be accurately detected regardless of the state when the occupant is seated on a vehicle seat. it can. Moreover, since each film member is formed by punching a film sheet into an I-shape, the yield can be improved.

According to the invention according to claim 2, since the sheet member is formed of a flexible resin film or hot melt molding, it is possible to improve the mechanical strength of the joining portion of each film member end, Even if the pressure change of the seating surface when the occupant sits on the vehicle seat is repeated, peeling of the end portions of the joined film members can be prevented. Further, since the joining portion is covered with a sheet member made of a flexible resin film or hot melt molding, the sealing property is also improved, so that intrusion of moisture or the like can be prevented, for example.
According to the invention of claim 3, the switch wiring formation surface and the connector wiring formation surface are opposed to one switch wiring formation surface of the pair of switch film members at the joint portion; Since the bonding is performed side by side, the number of film overlaps at the bonding site is two. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the joint portion, and the occupant can hardly feel discomfort due to the foreign object feeling, and can further increase the degree of freedom of arrangement of the seating detection device with respect to the vehicle seat.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the extension film member is joined to the switch film member or the connector film member and extended, one of the pair of switch wiring ends or the connector wiring ends Of the extension wiring that is paired with the end of the switch wiring or the end of the connector wiring that is opposite to the end of the connector wiring. The end and the end not protruding are connected. For this reason, since the number of film overlaps at the connection part is two, the connection part can be thinned, and the passenger hardly feels discomfort due to the foreign object feeling, and the degree of freedom of arrangement of the seating detection device with respect to the vehicle seat Can be further enhanced.

It is a top view of the seating detection apparatus concerning an embodiment of the invention. (A) And (B) is the perspective view and AA sectional view taken on the line of the vehicle seat by which the seating detection apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention was arrange | positioned. It is a circuit diagram which shows the outline | summary of the seating detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A), (B), (C) is an exploded perspective view of the first example of the film member for a switch of the seating detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A) and (B) are the exploded perspective views of the 1st example of the film member for connectors of the seating detection device concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a top view which shows before joining of the film member for switches of the 1st Example, and the film member for connectors. (A), (B) is the top view and AA sectional view taken on the line which show the film member for switches and the film member for connectors of 1st Example after joining. (A), (B) is sectional drawing which shows the state before the action | operation of the pressure sensitive switch of the film member for switches of 1st Example, and after an action | operation. (A), (B), (C) is a disassembled perspective view of the second example of the film member for a switch of the seating detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. (A) and (B) are the exploded perspective views of the 2nd example of the film member for connectors of the seating detection device concerning an embodiment of the invention. (A), (B) is the top view which shows before joining of the film member for switches and the film member for connectors of 2nd Example, and the top view which shows after joining. (A), (B) is the top view which shows before joining the film member for switches of 2nd Example, and the film member for connectors of 1st Example, and the top view which shows after joining. (A), (B) is the top view which shows before joining of the film member for connectors of the 1st Example, and the film member for extension, and the top view which shows after joining. (A), (B) is the top view which shows before joining of the film member for connectors of the 2nd Example, and the film member for extension, and the top view which shows after joining. (A), (B) is the top view which shows before joining of the film member for connectors of the 1st Example which strengthened, and the film member for extension, and the top view which shows after joining. (A), (B) is a top view of the seating detection apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, a seating detection device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of strip-like switch film members 10 and 10 and a strip-like connector film member 20 joined in a Y shape, A sheet member 30 that covers the joining portion and a connector 40 connected to the connector film member 20 are provided. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the seating detection device 1 is disposed in the seat cushion 3 of the vehicle seat 2 and between the seat skin 5 and the cushion 6 on the seating surface 4. An occupant is detected by the pressure change of the seating surface 4 when seated. In addition to the seat cushion 3, the seat detection device 1 can be arranged in the seat back 8 and between the seat skin 5 such as the headrest 9 and the cushion 6, whereby finer passenger detection can be performed.

  The switch film member 10 includes a plurality of (three in this example) pressure-sensitive switches 11 and disconnection detection resistors 12, and first and second switches that connect the pressure-sensitive switches 11 and disconnection detection resistors 12 in parallel. Wirings 13 and 14 and air holes 15 are formed. The connector film member 20 is formed with first and second connector wires 21 and 22 that electrically connect the first and second switch wires 13 and 14 of the pair of switch film members 10 and the connector 40. Has been.

  Each pressure-sensitive switch 11 acts as a switch that is turned on when the pressure applied from the outside independently in the thickness direction exceeds a predetermined value. Since each pressure-sensitive switch 11 is electrically connected in parallel as shown in FIG. 3, if any one of the pressure-sensitive switches 11 is turned on, the seating detection device 1 is turned on as a whole. The determination means 41 connected to the connector 40 determines whether the seating detection device 1 is in an on state or an off state, and an unillustrated device (for example, a seat belt) that requires the result. ECU for controlling and ECU for controlling the airbag). In this example, all the pressure-sensitive switches 11 are described as having the same characteristics and configuration, but appropriate detection characteristics can be obtained according to the location where each pressure-sensitive switch 11 is disposed. A different configuration may be adopted for each part.

As shown in FIG. 4, the switch film member 10 includes a first film sheet 16 and a second film sheet 17 arranged in parallel in the thickness direction, and an intermediate film interposed between the film sheets 16 and 17. And a sheet 18. Adhesion between the first film sheet 16 and the intermediate film sheet 18 and between the second film sheet 17 and the intermediate film sheet 18 with an adhesive or welding by the following method so that moisture does not enter from the outside. Has been.
For example, a method called so-called ultrasonic welding that pressurizes each of the stacked film sheets 16, 17, and 18 from the outside while irradiating ultrasonic waves, or so-called laser welding that heats by irradiating laser light. A method called, or a method in which a heated member or the like is pressed and welded, or a method in which a heated member or the like is pressed against a mating surface of each film sheet 16, 17, 18 and directly heated and melted, and then bonded together. Etc. In particular, welding can be easily performed by employing ultrasonic welding.

The first film sheet 16 is formed with a half-moon-shaped first electrode 11a and second electrode 11b at predetermined intervals by printing or the like on a portion that becomes the pressure-sensitive switch 11 on one side (the lower side in the drawing). A first switch wiring 13 that electrically connects the first electrodes 11a and a second switch wiring 14 that electrically connects the second electrodes 11b are formed in parallel by printing or the like.
On the second film sheet 17, the first electrode 11 a and the first electrode 11 a when the first film sheet 16 is overlapped via the intermediate film sheet 18, that is, the portion that becomes the pressure-sensitive switch 11 on the one surface side (the upper surface side in the figure). A circular third electrode 11c is formed by printing or the like at a portion facing the two electrodes 11b.

The intermediate film sheet 18 includes the first electrode 11a, the second electrode 11b, and the third electrode 11c when the portions to be the pressure sensitive switch 11, that is, the first film sheet 16 and the second film sheet 17 are overlapped on both sides. Is provided with a circular opening 18a penetrating in the thickness direction, and further provided with a slit portion 18b communicating with each opening 18a and penetrating in the thickness direction.
The opening 18a forms a space for contacting / separating the first electrode 11a, the second electrode 11b, and the third electrode 11c. That is, when pressure is applied to the pressure sensitive switch 11 from the outside, the first film sheet 16 and the second film sheet 17 are bent into the opening 18a. At this time, the first electrode 11a, the second electrode 11b, and the third electrode 11c, which are separated from each other by the thickness of the intermediate film sheet 18, are in contact with each other in the opening 18a, so the first electrode 11a and the second electrode 11b Is short-circuited by the third electrode 11c, and the pressure-sensitive switch 11 is turned on. When the pressure is removed from the pressure sensitive switch 11, the first film sheet 16 and the second film sheet 17 are restored by elastic force. At this time, the first electrode 11a, the second electrode 11b, and the third electrode 11c that are in contact with each other are separated from each other by the thickness of the intermediate film sheet 18 in the opening 18a, so that the pressure sensitive switch 11 is turned off. .

  Note that the detection characteristics of the pressure-sensitive switch 11 can be controlled by controlling the size of the opening 18a, the thickness and material of the first film sheet 16, the second film sheet 17, and the intermediate film sheet 18. For example, the opening 18a is made small, the first film sheet 16, the second film sheet 17 and the intermediate film sheet 18 are made thick, and the materials of the first film sheet 16 and the second film sheet 17 are difficult to bend. Thus, the pressure-sensitive switch 11 having a detection characteristic that shifts to an ON state at a higher pressure can be obtained.

  The slit portion 18b communicates with an air hole 15 (see FIG. 1) formed in one or both of the first film sheet 16 and the second film sheet 17. When pressure is applied to the pressure sensitive switch 11 from the outside, the air in the opening 18a flows out from the air hole 15 through the slit 18b. When the pressure is removed from the pressure-sensitive switch 11, external air flows from the air hole 15 through the slit 18b into the opening 18a. Thereby, since the pressure in the opening part 18a can always be kept at atmospheric pressure, it can be set as the pressure sensitive switch 11 which has the stable detection characteristic. In addition, it is possible to prevent peeling between the film sheets 16, 17, and 18 that may occur when the inside of the opening 18a is kept pressurized. Further, it is possible to prevent a short circuit between the first electrode 11a, the second electrode 11b, and the third electrode 11c, which may occur when the inside of the opening 18a remains in a reduced pressure state.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the connector film member 20 includes a first film sheet 23 and a second film sheet 24 arranged in parallel in the thickness direction. The first film sheet 23 and the second film sheet 24 are adhered by an adhesive or welded by the above-described method so that moisture or the like does not enter from the outside. On the first film sheet 23, first and second connector wires 21 and 22 are formed in parallel on one side (the lower side in the figure) by printing or the like. Nothing is formed on the second film sheet 24.

  When the seating detection device 1 is formed by the pair of switch film members 10 and 10 and the connector film member 20 having the above-described configuration, first, as shown in FIG. The switch film member 10 is arranged so that the second film sheet 17 side is the front, and the end of the side where the first and second switch wirings 13 and 14 extend (the opposite side to the disconnection detection resistor 12 side) The second film sheet 17 and the intermediate film sheet 18 of the part 10a are peeled into a rectangular shape. The other (right side in this case) switch film member 10 is arranged so that the first film sheet 16 side is the front side, and the side on which the first and second switch wires 13 and 14 extend (disconnection detection resistor 12). The second film sheet 17 and the intermediate film sheet 18 at the end portion 10a on the opposite side) are peeled into a rectangular shape that is about half of the rectangular area that was peeled first. Then, the connector film member 20 is arranged so that the first film sheet 23 becomes the front, and the end of the side where the first and second connector wires 21 and 22 extend (the side opposite to the connector 40 side). The second film sheet 24 of 20a is peeled off in a rectangular shape that is about half of the rectangular area that was peeled off first.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the conductive adhesive B having anisotropy over the entire surface of the end portion 10 a of the left switch film member 10 (the portion indicated by the oblique lines in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B). The end portion 10a of the right switch film member 10 is disposed above the end portion 10a, and the end portion 20a of the connector film member 20 is disposed below the end portion 10a. And make it Y-shaped. And the 1st switch wiring 13 and the 2nd switch wiring 14 which are exposed in the edge part 10a of the left switch film member 10, and the 1st switch which is exposed in the edge part 10a of the right switch film member 10 The wiring 13 and the second switch wiring 14 are combined so that the first connector wiring 21 and the second connector wiring 22 exposed at the end 20a of the connector film member 20 are electrically connected to each other. 10a, 10a, and 20a are joined. In addition, when each end part 10a, 10a, 20a is electrically and mechanically joined with a conductive adhesive having no anisotropy, the first exposed part 10a of the left switch film member 10 is exposed. A conductive adhesive is applied along the 1 switch wiring 13 and the second switch wiring 14 so that the respective conductive adhesives do not come into contact with each other to cause a short circuit.

  In this way, the end portions 10a, 10a, and 20a of the I-shaped film members 10, 10, and 20 are electrically and mechanically joined with the conductive adhesive B to produce the Y-shaped seating detection device 1. ing. Therefore, since the seating detection device 1 is attached to the vehicle seat 2 in a Y shape, the seating surface 4 can be set as a detection region over a wide range, and the occupant can be accurately identified regardless of the state when the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 2. Can be detected. Moreover, since each film member 10,10,20 is formed by punching a film sheet in an I-shape, the yield can be improved. Moreover, the block for producing the Y-shaped seating detection apparatus from the conventional E-shaped film member becomes unnecessary. For this reason, since the seating detection apparatus 1 of this embodiment becomes a planar structure without a protrusion part, while the passenger | crew who seated on the vehicle seat 2 to which this seating detection apparatus 1 was attached becomes difficult to feel the discomfort by a foreign object feeling. The degree of freedom of arrangement of the seating detection device 1 with respect to the vehicle seat 2 can be increased. Furthermore, an increase in cost and weight due to an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed.

  The first film sheet 16 at the end 10a of the right switch film member 10 and the connector film member 20 with respect to the first film sheet 16 at the end 10a of the left switch film member 10 at the joining portion. The first film sheet 23 at the end 20a is opposed to each other and joined side by side. Therefore, since the number of film sheets overlapped at the joining part is two sheets, the first film sheet 16 of the switch film member 10 and the first film sheet 23 of the connector film member 20, the joining part is made thin. The occupant can hardly feel the discomfort due to the foreign object feeling, and can further increase the degree of freedom of arrangement of the seating detection device 1 with respect to the vehicle seat 2.

  Finally, the joint portion is sandwiched from both sides in the thickness direction by two sheet members 30 formed in a rectangular shape with a flexible resin film, and adhered or adhered by an adhesive that generates adhesiveness by thermocompression bonding. Welding is performed by the method described above. As a result, since the joint portion is covered with the seat member 30, the mechanical strength is improved, and even if the pressure change of the seating surface 4 when the occupant sits on the vehicle seat 2 is repeated, a pair of switches at the joint portion The film member 10 for connector and the film member 20 for connector can be prevented from peeling off. Furthermore, since the joining portion is covered with the sheet member 30, the sealing property is also improved, so that intrusion of moisture or the like can be prevented, for example. Further, when the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 2 to which the seating detection device 1 is attached, the seat member 30 is also bent together with the end portions 10a, 10a, and 20a of the film members 10, 10, and 20, so that the occupant feels foreign matter. While discomfort is hardly felt, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the seating detection device 1 with respect to the vehicle seat 2 can be further increased.

The operation of the seating detection device 1 will be described below.
When no occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 2, no pressure is applied to the seating surface 4 of the seat cushion 3, so the first film sheet 16 and the second film sheet 17 of the pressure-sensitive switch 11 portion of the seating detection device 1. The first electrode 11a, the second electrode 11b, and the third electrode 11c are not connected to each other and are in a non-conductive state. In addition, the adhesive 19 is interposing between the 1st film sheet 16, the intermediate | middle film sheet 18, and the 2nd film sheet 17 (FIG. 8 (A)).

  In a state where an occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 2, pressure is applied to the seating surface 4 of the seat cushion 3, so that the first film sheet 16 and the second film sheet 17 in the pressure-sensitive switch 11 portion of the seating detection device 1. Is pressed through the sheet skin 5. Then, the pressure sensitive switch 11 is pressed against the cushion 6 disposed on the opposite side, and the first film sheet 16 and the second film sheet 17 of the pressure sensitive switch 11 portion are sandwiched between the sheet skin 5 and the cushion 6. As a result, the first film sheet 16 and the second film sheet 17 are deformed, and the first electrode 11a, the second electrode 11b, and the third electrode 11c formed in the portion are connected and become conductive (FIG. 8). (B)).

  The switch film member 10 and the connector film member 20 described above form the first and second switch wires 13 and 14 and the first and second connector wires 21 and 22 on the first film sheets 16 and 23 (hereinafter referred to as the first film sheet). However, the wiring may be divided into a first film sheet and a second film sheet (hereinafter referred to as a second embodiment), which will be described below with reference to the drawings. To do. In addition, since the seating detection apparatus formed when wiring is divided into a 1st film sheet and a 2nd film sheet becomes the structure similar to the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the same component uses detailed number using the same number. Description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the switch film member 50 includes a first film sheet 56 and a second film sheet 57 arranged in parallel in the thickness direction, and an intermediate film interposed between the film sheets 56 and 57. And a sheet 58. The first film sheet 56 and the intermediate film sheet 58 and the second film sheet 57 and the intermediate film sheet 58 are bonded with an adhesive or welded by the method described above so that moisture does not enter from the outside. Has been.

On the first film sheet 56, circular first electrodes 51a are formed at predetermined intervals by printing or the like on the portion that becomes the pressure-sensitive switch 51 on one side (the lower side in the figure), and the first electrodes 51a are electrically connected to each other. The first switch wiring 53 to be connected is formed by printing or the like.
The second film sheet 57 is opposed to the first electrode 51a when the first film sheet 56 is overlapped via the intermediate film sheet 58, that is, the portion that becomes the pressure-sensitive switch 51 on one side (the upper surface side in the figure). A circular second electrode 51b is formed by printing or the like in a portion to be formed, and further, a second switch wiring 54 that electrically connects the second electrodes 51b is formed by printing or the like.

The intermediate film sheet 58 has a portion corresponding to the first electrode 51a and the second electrode 51b when the first film sheet 56 and the second film sheet 57 are overlapped on both sides. Further, a circular opening 58a penetrating in the thickness direction is provided, and a slit portion 58b penetrating each opening 58a and penetrating in the thickness direction is provided.
The opening 58a forms a space for contacting and separating the first electrode 51a and the second electrode 51b. That is, when pressure is applied to the pressure sensitive switch 51 from the outside, the first film sheet 56 and the second film sheet 57 are bent into the opening 58a. At this time, the first electrode 51a and the second electrode 51b, which are separated by the thickness of the intermediate film sheet 58, are in contact with each other in the opening 58a, so that the first electrode 51a and the second electrode 51b are short-circuited. Thus, the pressure sensitive switch 51 is turned on. When the pressure is removed from the pressure sensitive switch 51, the first film sheet 56 and the second film sheet 57 are restored by elastic force. At this time, the first electrode 51a and the second electrode 51b that have been in contact with each other are separated by the thickness of the intermediate film sheet 58 in the opening 58a, so that the pressure-sensitive switch 51 is turned off.
As in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 4, the detection characteristic of the pressure sensitive switch 51 can be controlled by controlling the size of the opening 58a. Moreover, the slit part 58b is also connected to the air hole 15 (refer FIG. 1), and there exists an effect similar to 1st Example demonstrated with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the connector film member 60 includes a first film sheet 63 and a second film sheet 64 arranged in parallel in the thickness direction. The first film sheet 63 and the second film sheet 64 are adhered by an adhesive or welded by the above-described method so that moisture or the like does not enter from the outside. A first connector wiring 61 is formed on the first film sheet 63 by printing or the like on one side (the lower side in the figure). On the second film sheet 64, the second connector wiring 61 is arranged so as to be parallel to the first connector wiring 61 with a certain distance when the first film sheet 63 is superimposed on one surface side (the upper surface side in the drawing). It is formed by printing or the like.

  When the seating detection device 1 is formed by the pair of switch film members 50, 50 and the connector film member 60 having the above-described configuration, first, as shown in FIG. The switch film member 50 on the left side is arranged so that the first film sheet 56 side is the front. Then, the second film sheet is exposed so that the first switch wiring 53 is exposed at the end portion 50a on the side where the first and second switch wirings 53 and 54 extend (the side opposite to the disconnection detection resistor 12 side). 57 and the intermediate film sheet 58 are peeled in a rectangular shape, and the first film sheet 56 and the intermediate film sheet 58 are peeled in a rectangular shape so that the second switch wiring 54 is exposed. At this time, the second switch wiring 54 is formed to be slightly longer than the first switch wiring 53.

  The other switch film member 50 (right side in this case) is arranged so that the second film sheet 57 side is the front. Then, the second film sheet is exposed so that the first switch wiring 53 is exposed at the end portion 50a on the side where the first and second switch wirings 53 and 54 extend (the side opposite to the disconnection detection resistor 12 side). 57 and the intermediate film sheet 58 are peeled in a rectangular shape, and the first film sheet 56 and the intermediate film sheet 58 are peeled in a rectangular shape so that the second switch wiring 54 is exposed. At this time, the first switch wiring 53 and the second switch wiring 54 are formed to have substantially the same length, and the first switch wiring 53 and the second switch wiring 54 are notched.

  The connector film member 60 is arranged so that the first film sheet 63 is the front. The second film sheet 64 is rectangular so that the first connector wiring 61 is exposed at the end portion 60a on the side where the first and second connector wirings 61 and 62 extend (opposite to the connector 40 side). The first film sheet 63 is peeled into a rectangular shape so that the second connector wiring 62 is exposed while being peeled into a shape. At this time, the first connector wiring 61 is formed to be slightly longer than the second connector wiring 62.

  Next, an anisotropic conductive adhesive B (shown by hatching) is applied to the first switch wiring 53 and the second switch wiring 54 exposed at the end 50a of the right switch film member 50. . 11B, the first switch wiring 53 of the left switch film member 50 and the first film of the connector film member 60 are arranged on the first switch wiring 53 of the right switch film member 50. 1 The connector wiring 61 is shifted and joined. Further, the second switch of the right switch film member 50 is placed on the second switch wire 54 of the left switch film member 50 and the second connector wire 62 of the connector film member 60 which are arranged to be shifted. The wirings 54 are arranged so as to straddle the cuts and joined to form a Y shape. Note that the end portions 50a, 50a, and 60a can be electrically and mechanically joined with a conductive adhesive having no anisotropy. Finally, the joint portion is sandwiched from both sides in the thickness direction by two sheet members 30 formed in a rectangular shape with a flexible resin film, and adhered or adhered by an adhesive that generates adhesiveness by thermocompression bonding. Welding is performed by the method described above. Also in the seating detection apparatus 1 having such a configuration, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS.

The above-described joining is the case where the switch film member 50 and the connector film member 60 of the second embodiment are used, but the same joining is performed with the switch film member 50 of the second embodiment and the connector of the first embodiment. The film member 20 can be used and the same effect can be obtained, and will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, as shown in FIG. 12A, one (in this case, the left side) switch film member 50 is disposed so that the first film sheet 56 side is the front. Then, the second film sheet is exposed so that the first switch wiring 53 is exposed at the end portion 50a on the side where the first and second switch wirings 53 and 54 extend (the side opposite to the disconnection detection resistor 12 side). 57 and the intermediate film sheet 58 are peeled in a rectangular shape, and the first film sheet 56 and the intermediate film sheet 58 are peeled in a rectangular shape so that the second switch wiring 54 is exposed. At this time, the second switch wiring 54 is formed to be slightly longer than the first switch wiring 53.

The other switch film member 50 (right side in this case) is arranged so that the second film sheet 57 side is the front. Then, the second film sheet is exposed so that the first switch wiring 53 is exposed at the end portion 50a on the side where the first and second switch wirings 53 and 54 extend (the side opposite to the disconnection detection resistor 12 side). 57 and the intermediate film sheet 58 are peeled in a rectangular shape, and the first film sheet 56 and the intermediate film sheet 58 are peeled in a rectangular shape so that the second switch wiring 54 is exposed. At this time, the first switch wiring 53 is formed so as to be slightly longer than the second switch wiring 54, and the first switch wiring 53 and the second switch wiring 54 are notched.
The connector film member 20 is arranged so that the first film sheet 23 is the front. The second and second connector wires 21 and 22 are exposed at the end 20a on the side where the first and second connector wires 21 and 22 extend (opposite the connector 40 side). The film sheet 24 is peeled into a rectangular shape.

  Next, the second switch wiring 54 exposed at the end 50a of the left switch film member 50 and the first switch wiring 53 exposed at the end 50a of the right switch film member 50 are anisotropic. A conductive adhesive B having a portion (shown by hatching) is applied. 12B, the first switch wiring 53 of the left switch film member 50 and the first switch wiring 53 of the left switch film member 50 and the first film of the connector film member 20 are placed on the first switch wiring 53 of the right switch film member 50. 1 The connector wiring 21 is shifted and joined. Furthermore, the second connector wiring 22 of the connector film member 20 and the second switch wiring 54 of the right switch film member 50 are disposed on the second switch wiring 54 of the left switch film member 50 that is displaced. Are placed across the cuts and joined to form a Y-shape. Note that the end portions 50a, 50a, and 20a can be electrically and mechanically bonded with a conductive adhesive having no anisotropy. Finally, the joint portion is sandwiched from both sides in the thickness direction by two sheet members 30 formed in a rectangular shape with a flexible resin film, and adhered or adhered by an adhesive that generates adhesiveness by thermocompression bonding. Welding is performed by the method described above.

  Here, depending on the arrangement of the seating detection device 1, it may be desired to extend and use the switch film members 10, 50 and the connector film members 20, 60. The configuration of the extension film member used in such a case is the same as that of the connector film member 20 of the first embodiment or the connector film member 60 of the second embodiment. Below, the joining method of the film member for extension and the film members 20 and 60 for connectors is demonstrated with reference to figures. In addition, since the joining method of the film member for extension and the film members 10 and 50 for switches is the same, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when the extension film member 70 and the connector film member 20 of the first embodiment are joined, first, the first film sheet 23 becomes the front of the connector film member 20. The first connector wiring 21 at the end 20a is cut so as to protrude from the second connector wiring 22, and the second film sheet 24 at each end 20a is peeled into a rectangular shape. The extension film member 70 is arranged so that the second film sheet 74 is faced up, and the second extension wiring 72 of the end portion 70a is cut so as to protrude from the first extension wiring 71, and each end portion 70a is cut. The second film sheet 74 is peeled into a rectangular shape. And the conductive adhesive B (part shown with a diagonal line) which has anisotropy is apply | coated to the 1st connector wiring 21 and the 2nd connector wiring 22 which are exposed in the edge part 20a of the film member 20 for connectors.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13B, the first end 70 a of the extension film member 70 is below the first connector wiring 21 and the second connector wiring 22 of the end 20 a of the connector film member 20. The extension wiring 71 and the second extension wiring 72 are arranged and joined. Note that the end portions 20a and 70a can be electrically and mechanically joined with a conductive adhesive having no anisotropy. Finally, the joint portion is sandwiched from both sides in the thickness direction by two sheet members 30 formed in a rectangular shape with a flexible resin film, and adhered or adhered by an adhesive that generates adhesiveness by thermocompression bonding. Welding is performed by the method described above.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, when the extension film member 80 and the connector film member 60 of the second embodiment are joined, first, the first film sheet 63 represents the connector film member 60. It cut | disconnects so that the 1st connector wiring 61 of the edge part 60a may protrude rather than the 2nd connector wiring 62, and the 2nd film sheet 64 of each edge part 60a is peeled in a rectangular shape. The extending film member 80 is arranged so that the second film sheet 84 is faced up, and the second extending wiring 82 at the end 80a is cut so as to protrude from the first extending wiring 81, and each end 80a is cut. The second film sheet 84 is peeled into a rectangular shape. Then, a conductive adhesive B having anisotropy (part indicated by hatching) is applied to the first connector wiring 61 and the second connector wiring 62 exposed at the end portion 60 a of the connector film member 60.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14B, the first connector wiring 61 at the end portion 60 a of the connector film member 60 is disposed on the first extension wiring 81 at the end portion 80 a of the extension film member 80. At the same time, the second extension wiring 82 at the end portion 80a of the extension film member 80 is disposed on and joined to the second connector wiring 62 at the end portion 60a of the connector film member 60. Note that the end portions 60a and 80a can be electrically and mechanically joined with a conductive adhesive having no anisotropy. Finally, the adhesive part is sandwiched from both sides in the thickness direction by two sheet members 30 formed in a rectangular shape with a flexible resin film, and adhered or adhered by an adhesive that generates adhesiveness by thermocompression bonding. Welding is performed by the method described above.

  Although the extension film members 70 and 80 and the connector film members 20 and 60 can be joined by the above method, the case where it is desired to further reinforce the joining portion will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 15 (A), on both sides of the end portion 20a (60a) of the connector film member 20 (60), a projecting portion 29 (69) having a shape projecting outward (in this example, a semicircular shape). Form. The projecting portion 29 (69) is integrally formed on one or both of the first film sheet 23 (63) and the second film sheet 24 (64). Further, a notch 79 (89) having a shape into which the overhang 29 (69) can be fitted is formed at the end 70a (80a) of the extending film member 70 (80). As shown in FIG. 15B, when the extension film member 70 (80) and the connector film member 20 (60) are joined by the method described in FIGS. 69) is fitted into the notch 79 (89). As a result, the overhanging portion 29 (69) is difficult to be removed from the cutout portion 79 (89), so that the joint portion can be reinforced.

  The seating detection device 1 according to the above-described embodiment is formed by combining a pair of switch film members 10 and 50 and a connector film member 20 and 60, that is, combining three film members. , 50, that is, a combination of two film members. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, one switch film member 10 (50) of a pair of switch film members 10 (50) is formed long to have the function of the connector film member 20 (60). Then, the other switch film member 10 (50) is placed in the middle of one switch film member 10 (50) in the Y-shape (FIG. 16 (A)) or T-shape (FIG. 16 (B). )). Even with the seating detection devices 1A and 1B created as described above, the same effect as the seating detection device 1 can be obtained.

  As described above, according to the seating detection device 1 of the present embodiment, the switch film members 10 and 50 and the connector film members 20 and 60 are respectively formed in a band shape (I-shape), and a pair of switch film members. 10 and 50 and one connector film member 20 and 60 are, for example, Y-shaped, and each switch wiring 13, 14, 53 and 54 and each connector at each film member end 10a, 50a, 20a and 60a The wiring members 21, 22, 61, 62 are arranged so as to be electrically connected, and the arranged film member end portions 10 a, 50 a, 20 a, 60 a are electrically and mechanically joined with the conductive adhesive B. The structure is covered with the sheet member 30.

  Thus, since the I-shaped film member end portions 10a, 50a, 20a, 60a are electrically and mechanically joined with the conductive adhesive B to create the Y-shaped seating detection device 1, A block for creating a Y-shaped seating detection device from a conventional E-shaped film member becomes unnecessary. Therefore, since the seating detection device 1 of the present embodiment has a planar structure with no protrusions, an occupant seated on the vehicle seat 2 to which the seating detection device 1 is attached is less likely to feel discomfort due to a foreign object sensation. At the same time, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the seating detection device 1 with respect to the vehicle seat 2 can be increased. Furthermore, since the block of the conventional seating detection apparatus becomes unnecessary, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost and weight due to an increase in the number of parts.

  When each film member end 10a, 50a, 20a, 60a is covered with a flexible sheet member 30 and an occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 2 to which the seating detection device 1 is attached, Since the seat member 30 bends together with the member end portions 10a, 50a, 20a, and 60a, the occupant hardly feels discomfort due to the foreign object feeling, and the degree of freedom of arrangement of the seating detection device 1 with respect to the vehicle seat 2 can be further increased. . And since the seating detection apparatus 1 is formed in Y shape, the seating surface 4 can be used as a detection region over a wide range, and the occupant is accurately detected regardless of the state when the occupant is seated on the vehicle seat 2. can do. Moreover, since each film member 10,50,20,60 is formed by punching a film sheet in an I-shape, the yield can be improved.

  Further, since the sheet member 30 is formed of a flexible resin film, the mechanical strength of the joint portion of each film member end 10a, 50a, 20a, 60a can be improved, and the occupant can Even if the pressure change of the seating surface 4 when seated on 2 is repeated, peeling of the joined film member end portions 10a, 50a, 20a, 60a can be prevented. Furthermore, since the joining portion is covered with the sheet member 30 made of a flexible resin film, the sealing property is also improved, so that, for example, intrusion of moisture or the like can be prevented. Further, of the pair of switch film members 10, 10, 50, 50 at the joint portion, the other switch wires 13, 14, 53, 54 are formed with respect to the formation surface of one switch wire 13, 14, 53, 54. Since the formation surface and the formation surfaces of the connector wirings 21, 22, 61, 62 are opposed to each other and are joined side by side, the number of film overlaps at the joining portion is two. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the joint portion, and the occupant can hardly feel discomfort due to the foreign object feeling, and can further increase the degree of freedom of arrangement of the seating detection device 1 with respect to the vehicle seat 2.

  Further, when the extension film members 70 and 80 are joined to the switch film members 10 and 50 or the connector film members 20 and 60 and extended, the end portions of the pair of switch wires 13, 14, 53, and 54 are paired. Alternatively, one of the end portions of the connector wirings 21, 22, 61, 62 is formed so as to project, and the end portion of the projectingly formed switch wiring among the end portions of the extension wirings 71, 72, 81, 82 that form a pair. Alternatively, the end opposite to the end of the connector wiring is formed to project, and the projecting end and the end not projecting are connected. For this reason, since the number of film overlaps at the connection part is two, the connection part can be thinned, and the passenger hardly feels discomfort due to the foreign object feeling, and the degree of freedom of arrangement of the seating detection device with respect to the vehicle seat Can be further enhanced. In addition, the connector film members 20 and 60 and the extension film members 70 and 80 that do not have the detection portion can be formed by bonding two films, and the cost can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the joining portions of the switch film members 10 and 50 and the connector film members 20 and 60 or the joining of these film members 10, 50, 20 and 60 and the extension film members 70 and 80 are used. In order to improve the mechanical strength of the part, the sheet member 30 is made of a flexible resin film. However, the sheet member 30 made of cloth or paper may be used. Further, hot melt molding may be used instead of the resin film. In addition, when the mechanical strength of the joining portion is obtained only with an adhesive or an adhesive that exhibits adhesiveness by thermocompression bonding, the joining portion may not be sandwiched between the sheet members 30. Moreover, it becomes easy to respond | correspond to requirements, such as a detection range and a detection sensitivity, by using combining a different kind of film member. For example, the detection range can be narrowed or widened by reducing or increasing the Y-shaped angle. Moreover, the number of combinations when combining a plurality of film members is not limited and can be arbitrarily selected.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A, 1B ... Seating detection apparatus, 2 ... Vehicle seat, 10, 50 ... Film member for switches, 11, 51 ... Pressure sensitive switch, 11a, 51a ... 1st electrode, 11b, 51b ... 2nd electrode, 11c ... 3rd electrode, 13, 53 ... 1st switch wiring, 14, 54 ... 2nd switch wiring, 16, 56 ... 1st film sheet, 17, 57 ... 2nd film sheet, 18, 58 ... Intermediate film sheet, 18a, 58a ... opening, 18b, 58b ... slit part, 20, 60 ... connector film member, 21, 61 ... first connector wiring, 22, 62 ... second connector wiring, 23, 63 ... first film sheet, 24, 64 ... second film sheet, 29, 69 ... overhang, 30 ... sheet member, 40 ... connector, 70, 80 ... extension film member, 71, 81 ... first extension wiring, 72, 2 ... second extension wires, 73, 83 ... first film sheet, 74, 84 ... second film sheets, 79 and 89 ... notch, B ... conductive adhesive.

Claims (4)

A plurality of pressure-sensitive switches arranged on the seating surface of the vehicle seat to detect the seating of an occupant and a pair of strip-shaped switch film members in which switch wirings connecting the pressure-sensitive switches in parallel are formed in the longitudinal direction;
One end is connected to the end portion of each switch wiring, and the other end is provided with a strip-shaped connector film member formed in the longitudinal direction to connect the connector wiring,
The end portions of the pair of switch film members and the end portions of the connector film members at the connection portions between the switch wires and the connector wires are electrically and mechanically joined by a conductive adhesive, and A seating detection device, wherein a joining portion is covered with a flexible sheet member. In claim 1,
The seating detection device, wherein the sheet member is a flexible resin film or hot melt molding. In claim 1 or 2,
The switch wiring formation surface of the other and the connector wiring formation surface of the pair of the switch film members at the joint portion are opposed to each other and joined side by side. A seating detection device. In any one of Claims 1-3,
An extension wiring connected to an end of the switch wiring or an end of the connector wiring is formed in the longitudinal direction, and an end of the switch film member or an end of the connector film member at the connection site is formed. Electrically and mechanically joined by the conductive adhesive, and further comprising a belt-like extension film member that extends the switch film member or the connector film member by covering the joint portion with the sheet member,
One end of the paired switch wiring or one end of the connector wiring is projected and formed, and the end of the switch wiring is projected out of the paired extension wiring ends Alternatively, the seating detection device is characterized in that an end opposite to the end of the connector wiring is formed so as to project, and the projecting formed end and the projecting formed end are connected.

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