JP2012086805A - Seating sensor and seat device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seating sensor capable of appropriately detecting a load by a person who takes the seat, while not causing a feeling of strangeness by the seating sensor, and to provide a seat device using the seating sensor.SOLUTION: The seating sensor 1 is arranged between a seat pan 92 and a cushion pad 93 laid on the seat pan 92, and includes a first pressure-sensitive switch 40A, a second pressure-sensitive switch 40D and a third pressure-sensitive switch 40B, in which the third pressure-sensitive switch 40B is arranged so as not to overlap a straight line passing over the first pressure-sensitive switch 40A and the second pressure-sensitive switch 40D, and the first pressure-sensitive switch 40A, the second pressure-sensitive switch 40D and the third pressure-sensitive switch 40B are electrically connected in series.

Description

  The present invention relates to a seating sensor and a seat device using the seating sensor, and particularly detects a person's seating while preventing a sense of incongruity by the seating sensor, and suppresses erroneous detection of the arrangement of luggage as a person's seating. The present invention relates to a seat device that can be used.

  As one of safety systems in vehicles, an alarm system that detects the wearing of a seat belt when a person gets on and issues a warning when the seat belt is not worn has been put into practical use. This alarm system detects the seating of a person and the wearing of a seat belt, and issues a warning when the seat belt is not worn when the person is seated. In order to detect the seating of the person, there is a case where a seating sensor is used which is disposed in a seating portion in the seat and detects a load caused by the seating of the person.

  Patent Document 1 listed below describes a seat device including such a seating sensor. The seating sensor of the seat device described in Patent Document 1 has a plurality of on / off type pressure sensitive switches, and an OR circuit is configured by the plurality of pressure sensitive switches. In this seat device, a seating sensor is disposed between the skin of the seat and the cushion pad, and when pressure is applied to each pressure-sensitive switch, the pressure-sensitive switch is turned on to detect seating of a person. .

JP 09-315199 A

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a distribution of a load that a cushion pad of a seat receives from a person through an epidermis in a state where a person is normally seated on the seat. In FIG. 1, a darker portion indicates a state where the cushion pad receives a higher load. Since only the epidermis is interposed between the person and the cushion pad in the state where the person is seated, as shown in FIG. 1, the largest load on the part where the person's buttocks are located on the cushion pad. Will be added. And the seating sensor of the said patent document 1 can detect a person's seating by arrange | positioning a pressure sensitive switch in the part in which the person's buttocks are located on a cushion pad.

  However, in the seat device described in Patent Document 1, since the seating sensor is disposed between the epidermis and the cushion pad as described above, a person sitting on the seat can feel the cushion pad through the epidermis. A different feeling may be received from the seating sensor, and the seating portion of the seat may feel uncomfortable.

  In addition, since the seating sensor described in Patent Document 1 has an OR circuit formed by a plurality of pressure sensitive switches, if any one of the pressure sensitive switches is turned on, it is detected as a person sitting. For this reason, even when some of the pressure sensitive switches are turned on due to the luggage placed on the seat, it may be erroneously detected as a person sitting.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a seating sensor capable of appropriately detecting a person's seating while preventing a sense of incongruity due to the seating sensor, and suppressing erroneous detection of the arrangement of luggage as a person's seating, and the use thereof. The object is to provide a seat device.

  The present inventor has intensively studied a method for preventing the uncomfortable feeling caused by the seating sensor as described above. As a result, in order to prevent a sense of incongruity due to the seating sensor, the seating sensor is disposed on the seat pan disposed under the cushion pad of the seat and supporting the cushion pad. It came to the conclusion that it should just be the structure pinched | interposed by. In the seat in which the seating sensor is arranged in this way, the cushion pad is interposed between the seated person and the seating sensor, so that it is possible to prevent a sense of incongruity due to the seating sensor during seating.

  In view of this, the present inventor has considered arranging the seating sensor described in Patent Document 1 on the seat pan. However, it has been found that when a load is placed on a seat, there is a problem that the placement of the load is erroneously detected as a person's seat, as in the seat device described in Patent Document 1. Therefore, the present inventor has conducted further intensive studies and has come to carry out the present invention.

  A seating sensor according to the present invention is a seating sensor disposed between a seat pan and a cushion pad disposed on the seat pan, and includes at least a first pressure-sensitive switch, a second pressure-sensitive switch, and a first 3 pressure switches, the third pressure switch is arranged so as not to overlap a straight line passing through the first pressure switch and the second pressure switch, the first pressure switch, the first pressure switch, The two pressure sensitive switches and the third pressure sensitive switch are electrically connected in series.

  Since such a seating sensor is disposed on the seat pan, a sense of incongruity due to the seating sensor can be prevented. By the way, according to the knowledge of the present inventor, luggage having a weight about the weight of a person whose pressure sensitive switch is turned on is often stored in a box. When such a heavy box-shaped luggage is placed on the seat device, the luggage is usually inclined according to the shape of the seat apparatus, so that the cushion pad receives the most load from the ridge portion of the box. For this reason, the pressing force that the seat pan receives from the cushion pad due to the load of the box-shaped luggage tends to spread linearly. Therefore, according to such a seating sensor, since the first to third pressure-sensitive switches are not arranged so as to be arranged in one straight line, when such a heavy load is placed on the seat device, Moreover, it can suppress that all the 1st-3rd pressure sensitive switches turn on. And since all the pressure sensitive switches are electrically connected in series, even when some of the pressure sensitive switches are turned on, it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of the arrangement of luggage as a person's seat. Can do. In addition, when a person is seated on a seat device in which such a seating sensor is disposed, the pressing force that the seat pan receives from the cushion pad is widely dispersed on the seat pan, and each pressure-sensitive switch is It is turned on by the pressing force due to the load, and the seating of the person can be detected appropriately.

  Further, in the seat device, the first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive switch are respectively provided on the left side and the right side with respect to a center line that is parallel to the front-rear direction of the cushion pad and passes through the center in the width direction. Preferably they are arranged.

  A person sitting on the seat usually sits at the center of the cushion pad in the width direction, and the left and right pelvis of the person press the cushion pad on the left side and the right side of the center line passing through the center. On the other hand, the luggage is not always placed at the center of the cushion pad in the width direction. Therefore, according to such a seat device, the seating of a person is properly detected by the first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive switch disposed on the left side and the right side of the center line, and the load is erroneously detected. Can be further suppressed.

  Furthermore, in the seat device, it is preferable that the first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive switch are arranged along a width direction of the cushion pad.

  A person sitting in a seat usually sits facing the front of the seat. At this time, the left and right pelvis of the person are aligned in the width direction of the cushion pad and press the cushion pad. Therefore, according to such a seat device, since at least one set of the pressure sensitive switches arranged on the left side and the right side with respect to the center line is aligned along the width direction of the cushion pad, Sitting can be detected more appropriately.

  Further, in the seat device, it is preferable that the first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive switch are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the center line.

  Since the person sitting on the seat usually sits facing the front of the seat at the center of the width direction of the cushion pad, the left and right pelvis of the person are lined up symmetrically with respect to the above-mentioned center line. Press the cushion pad. Therefore, according to such a seat device, the seating of a person can be detected more appropriately.

  Furthermore, in the seat device, it is preferable that the third pressure sensitive switch is disposed closer to the center line than the first pressure sensitive switch and the second pressure sensitive switch.

  As described above, the person sitting on the seat usually sits at the center of the cushion pad in the width direction. Accordingly, the third pressure-sensitive switch is arranged on the center side of the cushion pad rather than the first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive switch arranged on the left side and the right side of the center line, so that the seating of the person can be further improved. It can be easily detected.

  Further, in the seating sensor, each of the pressure sensitive switches includes a pair of flexible insulating sheets made of resin, and a sheet-like spacer that is interposed between the pair of insulating sheets and has an opening. And a pair of electrodes provided on the respective surfaces of the pair of insulating sheets and facing each other through the opening, and at least one of the pair of electrodes has a resistance value as the temperature rises Is preferably increased.

  A resin having flexibility usually has a lower bending strength as the temperature rises. Therefore, when the temperature of the environment in which the seat device is placed rises, the pair of electrodes easily come into contact with each other with a weak pressing force. On the other hand, the resistance value of at least one of the opposing electrodes increases as the temperature increases. Therefore, according to such a seating sensor, the electrodes easily come into contact with an increase in temperature, but it is difficult for current to flow through the electrodes in contact. In this way, the ease of contact between the electrodes and the difficulty in the flow of the current flowing through the electrodes cancel each other, and even when the temperature changes, it is possible to suppress a change in the pressing force that turns on the pressure sensitive switch. be able to. In particular, since the inside of an automobile has a large temperature change, such a seating sensor is useful for automobile applications.

  The seat device of the present invention includes a seat pan, a cushion pad disposed on the seat pan, and any one of the seating sensors disposed between the seat pan and the cushion pad. It is characterized by this.

  According to such a seating device, when a person is seated, it is possible to prevent a sense of incongruity due to the seating sensor, and further properly detect the seating of the person and erroneously detect the arrangement of the luggage as the seating of the person. Can be suppressed.

  Further, in the seat device, the first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive switch are respectively provided on the left side and the right side with respect to a center line that is parallel to the front-rear direction of the cushion pad and passes through the center in the width direction. Preferably they are arranged.

  Furthermore, in the seat device, it is preferable that the first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive switch are arranged along a width direction of the cushion pad.

  Further, in the seat device, it is preferable that the first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive switch are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the center line.

  Furthermore, in the seat device, it is preferable that the third pressure sensitive switch is disposed closer to the center line than the first pressure sensitive switch and the second pressure sensitive switch.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a seating sensor capable of appropriately detecting a person's seating while preventing a sense of incongruity by the seating sensor and suppressing erroneous detection of the arrangement of the luggage as a person's seating, And the seat apparatus using the same is provided.

It is a figure which shows distribution of the load which the cushion pad of a seat receives from a person through an epidermis in the state where the person seated normally on the seat. It is a top view which shows the seating sensor which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the 1st electrode sheet shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the 2nd electrode sheet shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows a spacer. It is a figure which shows the mode of the cross section in the VV line | wire of FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows the circuit structure of the seating sensor shown in FIG. 1 with an equivalent circuit. It is a figure which shows the mode of the seat apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the conceptual diagram which looked at the sheet pan from the upper part. It is a conceptual diagram which shows distribution of the load which a seat pan receives from a person via a skin and a cushion pad in the state which the person seated normally on the seat apparatus. It is a figure which shows a mode that a pressure-sensitive switch turns on in the state by which the seating sensor is arrange | positioned in a seat apparatus from the same viewpoint as FIG. It is a top view which shows the seating sensor which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the 1st electrode sheet shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the 2nd electrode sheet shown in FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a seating sensor according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the seating sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the seating sensor 1 includes a first electrode sheet 10, a second electrode sheet 20 stacked on the first electrode sheet 10, and a spacer sandwiched between the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20. And a cushion member disposed on the opposite side to the spacer of the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20 as main components.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the first electrode sheet 10 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the first electrode sheet 10 includes a flexible film-like first insulating sheet 11, first electrodes 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> D formed on the surface of the first insulating sheet 11, Terminals 42A and 42B formed on the surface of the insulating sheet 11 are provided as main components.

  The first insulating sheet 11 extends in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped bottom portion 11A and the bottom portion 11A, and a pair of strip-shaped side portions 11B and 11C that are congruent with each other, and the longitudinal length of the bottom portion 11A. A belt-like upper part 11D extending in a direction parallel to the direction, a pair of belt-like arm parts 11E, 11F extending in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the bottom part 11A, and a longitudinal direction of the bottom part 11A And a belt-like tail portion 11G that is shorter than the side portions 11B and 11C. One end of one side part 11B is connected to one end of the bottom part 11A, and one end of the other side part 11C is connected to the other end of the bottom part 11A. Furthermore, the other end of the side portion 11B is connected to one end of the upper portion 11D, and the other end of the side portion 11C is connected to the other end of the upper portion 11D. Thus, the bottom portion 11A and the respective side portions 11B, 11C, and the upper portion 11D are formed into a substantially square shape, and the bottom portion 11A, the side portions 11B, 11C, and the upper portion 11D are substantially rectangular. An opening is formed. One arm portion 11E has one end connected to the outside of the opening in the middle of the one side portion 11B, and the other end of the arm portion 11E is a free end outside the opening. Furthermore, in the middle of the other side portion 11C, one end of the other arm portion 11F is connected outside the opening, and the other end of the arm portion 11F is a free end outside the opening. Further, one end of the tail part 11G is connected to the inside of the opening in the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the bottom part 11A, and nothing is connected to the other end of the tail part 11G. It is a free end inside. With such a configuration, the first insulating sheet 11 has a symmetrical shape with reference to a line passing through the center of the tail part 11G and extending along the longitudinal direction of the tail part 11G.

  Each of the first electrodes 14A to 14D on the first insulating sheet 11 has a substantially circular shape. The first electrode 14A is provided on the arm portion 11E at a predetermined interval from the edge of the free end side of the one arm portion 11E, and the first electrode 14D is provided on the other arm portion 11F. It is provided on the arm portion 11F at a predetermined interval from the edge on the free end side. The first electrode 14B is provided on the side portion 11B at a place where one side portion 11B and one end of the upper portion 11D are connected. Furthermore, the first electrode 14C is provided on the side portion 11B at a place where the other side portion 11C and the other end of the upper portion 11D are connected. Thus, the first electrode 14A and the first electrode 14D are symmetric with respect to a line passing through the center of the tail part 11G and along the longitudinal direction of the tail part 11G. The electrode 14C is symmetric with respect to a line passing through the center of the tail part 11G and extending along the longitudinal direction of the tail part 11G. The first electrode 14B and the first electrode 14C are arranged on the line side along the longitudinal direction of the tail part 11G through the center of the tail part 11G than the first electrode 14A and the first electrode 14D. ing. Therefore, the first electrodes 14A to 14D are arranged so that a substantially trapezoid is drawn by a line connecting the first electrodes 14A to 14D, and the first electrode 14B and the first electrode 14C are the first electrode 14A and the first electrode, respectively. It arrange | positions so that it may not overlap with the straight line which passes 14D.

  Further, the first electrodes 14A and 14D provided in the respective arm parts 11E and 11F have the same diameter, and are provided at respective locations where the side parts 11B and 11C and the upper part 11D are connected. The first electrodes 14B and 14C have the same diameter. The diameters of the first electrodes 14A and 14D and the diameters of the first electrodes 14B and 14C are different from each other, and the first electrodes 14A and 14D are larger in diameter than the first electrodes 14B and 14C. Yes.

  Further, the terminals 42A and 42B have a substantially rectangular shape, and the terminals 42A and 42B are arranged in a longitudinal direction of the tail part 11G at a position spaced from the end on the free end side on the surface of the tail part 11G. They are juxtaposed along the vertical direction.

  Further, the first electrode 14A and the terminal 42A are electrically connected to each other by the first wiring 16A. The first wiring 16A extends in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 11E, one end thereof is connected to the first electrode 14A, and is bent vertically at a connection point between the arm portion 11E and the side portion 11B. It further extends in the longitudinal direction of the portion 11B. Then, the first wiring 16A is bent again vertically at the connection point between the side part 11B and the bottom part 11A, further extends in the longitudinal direction of the bottom part 11A, and the connection point between the bottom part 11A and the tail part 11G. Is bent vertically again, further extends in the longitudinal direction of the tail portion 11G, and the other end is connected to the terminal 42A. The first electrode 14D and the terminal 42B are electrically connected to each other by the first wiring 16B. The first wiring 16B extends in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 11F, one end thereof is connected to the first electrode 14D, and is bent vertically at a connection point between the arm portion 11F and the side portion 11C. Further extending in the longitudinal direction of the portion 11C. The first wiring 16B bends again vertically at the connection point between the side part 11C and the bottom part 11A, extends further in the longitudinal direction of the bottom part 11A, and is a connection point between the bottom part 11A and the tail part 11G. Is bent again vertically and further extends in the longitudinal direction of the tail portion 11G, and the other end is connected to the terminal 42B. Further, the first electrode 14B and the first electrode 14C are electrically connected to each other by the first wiring 16C. The first wiring 16C extends in the longitudinal direction of the upper portion 11D, and has one end connected to the first electrode 14B and the other end connected to the first electrode 14C.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 3, in the first electrode sheet 10, the first electrode 14B and the first electrode 14C are electrically connected to each other as described above, and the first electrodes 14B and 14C The one electrode 14A and the first electrode 14D are insulated from each other.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the second electrode sheet shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the second electrode sheet 20 includes a flexible film-like second insulating sheet 21 and second electrodes 24 </ b> A to 24 </ b> D formed on the surface of the second insulating sheet 21. Have as an element.

  The second insulating sheet 21 includes a bottom portion 21A having the same shape and size as the bottom portion 11A of the first insulating sheet 11, and a pair of side portions 11B and 11C of the first insulating sheet 11 and the shape and size. A pair of side portions 21B, 21C having the same shape, an upper portion 21D having the same shape and size as the upper portion 11D in the first insulating sheet 11, and a pair of arm portions 11E in the first insulating sheet 11. , 11F and a pair of arm portions 21E, 21F having the same shape and size, and a tail portion 21G having the same width and a short length as the tail portion 11G of the first insulating sheet 11. Is done. When the bottom part 21A, the side parts 21B and 21C, the top part 21D, and the arm parts 21E and 21F are overlapped, the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20 are overlapped with each other. The bottom portion 11A, the side portions 11B and 11C, the top portion 11D, and the arm portions 11E and 11F in the insulating sheet 11 are connected so as to completely overlap. Further, the tail part 21G of the second insulating sheet 21 overlaps the tail part 11G of the first electrode sheet 10 when the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20 are overlapped with each other. It connects with bottom part 21A so that 42A and 42B may be exposed. In the present embodiment, the second insulating sheet 21 and the first insulating sheet 11 have the same flexibility, and are configured to be bent in the same manner when the same force is applied.

  The second electrodes 24A to 24D have the same shape and size as the first electrodes 14A to 14D. Furthermore, the second electrodes 24 </ b> A to 24 </ b> D are formed on the surface of the second insulating sheet 21 on the first electrode sheet 10 side when the second electrode sheet 20 is overlapped with the first electrode sheet 10. 14D is provided at a position completely overlapping with 14D.

  The second electrode 24A and the second electrode 24B are electrically connected to each other by the second wiring 26A. The second wiring 26A extends in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 21E, one end thereof is connected to the second electrode 24A, and is bent vertically at a connection point between the arm portion 21E and the one side portion 21B. Furthermore, it extends in the longitudinal direction of the side portion 21B, and the other end is connected to the second electrode 24B. Further, the second electrode 24D and the second electrode 24C are electrically connected to each other by the second wiring 26B. The second wiring 26B extends in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 21F, one end thereof is connected to the second electrode 24D, and is bent vertically at a connection point between the arm portion 21F and the other side portion 21C. Furthermore, it extends in the longitudinal direction of the side portion 21C, and the other end is connected to the second electrode 24C.

  Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, in the second electrode sheet 20, as described above, the second electrode 24A and the second electrode 24B are electrically connected to each other, and the second electrode 24D and the second electrode 24C. Are electrically connected to each other, and the second electrodes 24A and 24B and the second electrodes 24D and 24C are insulated from each other.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a spacer sandwiched between the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20. The spacer 30 is made of a flexible insulating sheet. As shown in FIG. 5, the spacer 30 has the same outer shape as the second electrode sheet 20.

  Further, the spacer 30 is formed with openings 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> D having a substantially circular periphery. The openings 34A and 34D are formed to be slightly smaller in diameter than the first electrodes 14A and 14D, and the openings 34B and 34C are formed to be slightly smaller in diameter than the first electrodes 14B and 14C. As described above, since the first electrodes 14A and 14D have a larger diameter than the first electrodes 14B and 14C, the diameters of the openings 34A and 34D are different from the diameters of the openings 34B and 34C. The openings 34A and 34D have a larger diameter than the openings 34B and 34C. Furthermore, the openings 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> D are respectively opened inside the outer peripheries of the first electrodes 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> D when the spacer 30 is overlapped with the first electrode sheet 10 and viewed along the direction perpendicular to the spacer 30. It is formed at a position where 34A to 34D can be accommodated.

  In addition, the spacer 30 is formed with slits 36 </ b> A to 36 </ b> D that are air-release slits and spatially connect the openings 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> D to the outside of the spacer 30. Specifically, one end of each of the slits 36 </ b> A to 36 </ b> D is connected to the outside of the spacer 30. The other end of the slit 36A is connected to the opening 34A, the other end of the slit 36B is connected to the opening 34B, the other end of the slit 36C is connected to the opening 34C, and the other end of the slit 36D is connected to the opening 34D. Connected with.

  Note that an adhesive (not shown) for bonding the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20 is applied to both surfaces of the spacer 30.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a cross-sectional state along the line VV illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the seating sensor 1 includes a first electrode sheet 10 and a second electrode sheet 20 that are overlapped with a spacer 30 interposed therebetween, and an adhesive applied to both surfaces of the spacer 30. They are fixed to each other and integrated.

  When the first electrode sheet 10, the spacer 30, and the second electrode sheet 20 are integrated with each other as seen from a direction perpendicular to the seating sensor 1, the first electrode as shown in FIG. The first electrode 14A of the sheet 10 and the second electrode 24A of the second electrode sheet 20 overlap each other, and the opening 34A formed in the spacer 30 is within the outer shape of the second electrode 24A. Then, the first electrode 14A and the second electrode 24A are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval by a spacer 30 as shown in FIG. Thus, the pressure-sensitive switch having the first and second insulating sheets 11 and 21, the sheet-like spacer 30 in which the opening 34A is formed, and the pair of electrodes 14A and 24A facing each other through the opening 34A. 40A is configured. Similarly, the other first electrodes 14B to 14D and the other second electrodes 24B to 24D are opposed to each other at predetermined intervals in the openings 34B to 34D of the spacer 30, respectively. As shown in FIG. 40B to 40D are configured. In the following description, the pressure sensitive switch 40A is called a first pressure sensitive switch, the pressure sensitive switch 40D and a second pressure sensitive switch, the pressure sensitive switch 40B is called a third pressure sensitive switch, and the pressure sensitive switch 40C. May be referred to as a fourth pressure sensitive switch.

  As described above, in the first electrode sheet 10, the first electrodes 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> D are substantially trapezoidal drawn by lines connecting the first electrodes 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> D, and the first electrode 14 </ b> B and the first electrode 14 </ b> C are The first electrode 14A and the first electrode 14D are arranged so as not to overlap with a straight line. Therefore, in the seating sensor 1, the pressure-sensitive switches 40A to 40D are substantially trapezoidal drawn by lines connecting the pressure-sensitive switches 40A to 40D, and the pressure-sensitive switch 40B and the pressure-sensitive switch 40C are the pressure-sensitive switch 40A and the pressure-sensitive switch 40C. It arrange | positions so that it may not overlap with the straight line which passes pressure switch 40D. In other words, the pressure-sensitive switches 40A to 40D are arranged so as not to be arranged in a straight line, and the third pressure-sensitive switch 40B and the fourth pressure-sensitive switch 40C are the first pressure-sensitive switch 40A and the second pressure-sensitive switch. It arrange | positions so that it may not overlap with the straight line which passes pressure switch 40D.

  Since the diameters of the openings 34B and 34C are smaller than the diameters of the openings 34A and 34D as described above, even if each of the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D is pressed with the same magnitude force, the pressure sensitive In the switches 40B and 40C, the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21 are more difficult to bend than the pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40D.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, a cushion member 52 is provided on the opposite side of the second insulating sheet 21 from the spacer 30 side and has an elastic force and deforms so as to be crushed when pressure is applied. ing. The cushion member 52 is disposed on the second insulating sheet 21 so that one end side covers the pressure sensitive switch 40A. The cushion member 52 extends along the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 21E of the second insulating sheet 21, and the arm portion 21E of the second insulating sheet 21 and one side portion 21B are connected to each other. Are bent vertically and extend along the longitudinal direction of the side portion 21B. Furthermore, the cushion member 52 covers the pressure-sensitive switch 40B at a place where the side portion 21B and the upper portion 21D of the second insulating sheet 21 are connected, bends vertically, and extends along the longitudinal direction of the upper portion 21D. Extend. The cushion member 52 covers the pressure-sensitive switch 40C at the place where the upper portion 21D and the other side portion 21C of the second insulating sheet 21 are connected, and is bent vertically, and the longitudinal direction of the side portion 21C. Extending along. The cushion member 52 is bent vertically at the place where the side portion 21C and the arm portion 21F of the second insulating sheet 21 are connected, and extends along the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 21F. On the other end side of 52, the pressure sensitive switch 40D is covered. Thus, the cushion member 52 covers the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a cushion member 51 is provided on the side of the first insulating sheet 11 opposite to the spacer 30 side. The cushion member 51 has the same shape as the cushion member 52, and the cushion member 52 overlaps with the cushion member 52 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first insulating sheet 11. Therefore, the cushion member 51 covers the pressure sensitive switches 40 </ b> A to 40 </ b> D on the side opposite to the spacer 30 side of the first insulating sheet 11.

  In the present embodiment, the total thickness at which the pair of cushion members 51 and 52 is crushed is equal to or greater than the distance between the opposing electrodes in each of the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D. The cushion members 51 and 52 have the same thickness, and the cushion members 51 and 52 are made of the same material and have the same elastic force, and are similarly crushed when the same pressure is applied. It is configured as follows. Therefore, the seating sensor 1 can have the same seating detection sensitivity regardless of which of the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20 is used.

  FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the circuit configuration of the seating sensor 1 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the pressure sensitive switches 40 </ b> A to 40 </ b> D configured as described above and the terminals 42 </ b> A and 42 </ b> B are formed on the surface of the first insulating sheet 11. And connected to each other by second wirings 26A and 26B formed on the surface of the second insulating sheet 21. Thus, the circuit of the seating sensor 1 is configured by connecting the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D. The terminal 42A, the pressure sensitive switch 40A, the pressure sensitive switch 40B, the pressure sensitive switch 40C, the pressure sensitive switch 40D, and the terminal 42B are electrically connected in series in this order.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state of the seat device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a state of the seat device 9 in which the seating sensor 1 is disposed from above, and FIG. 8B is a seat device in which the seating sensor 1 is disposed. It is a figure which shows the mode of 9 from the side. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the seat device 9 is disposed on the seat pan 92, the cushion pad 93 disposed on the seat pan 92, the backrest 96, and the seat pan 92. The seat device 9 is sandwiched between the seat pan 92 and the cushion pad 93 as a main component, and the seat device 9 is, for example, a vehicle seat device.

  The seat pan 92 is formed by bending a highly synthetic metal plate. As shown in FIG. 8A, the seat pan 92 is parallel to the front and rear direction of the cushion pad 93 and passes through the center line L in the width direction. As a reference, it has a line-symmetric shape. Further, the seat pan 92 is formed with a substantially square hole 94A substantially in the center, and further, a substantially square hole 94B is formed behind the hole 94A. As shown in FIG. 8B, the hole 94A is formed in front of the hip point HP in a state where a person is normally seated on the seat device 9, and the hole 94B is slightly more than the hip point HP. It is formed at the rear.

  “Regular seating” means sitting with the buttocks positioned deep in the seating surface and the back contacting the back, and “hip point” is shown in FIG. In this way, it means that the buttock is at the lowest position in a state where a person is seated.

  The cushion pad 93 is supported by the seat pan 92. The cushion pad 93 is made of foamed urethane having cushioning properties. Therefore, the cushion pad 93 has an elastic force and is deformed so as to be crushed when a pressing force is applied. The cushion pad 93 is covered with a cloth skin (not shown).

  The backrest 96 is connected to the seat pan 92 by means (not shown) so as to come into contact with the cushion pad 93 behind the cushion pad 93.

  As shown in FIG. 8B, the seating sensor 1 is disposed on the seat pan 92 in the seat device 9 and is sandwiched between the seat pan 92 and the cushion pad 93. Further, in the state where the seating sensor 1 is arranged in this way, the second insulating sheet 21 is arranged on the cushion pad 93 side, the cushion member 52 is sandwiched between the cushion pad 93 and the second insulating sheet 21, and The first insulating sheet 11 is disposed on the seat pan 92 side, and the cushion member 51 is sandwiched between the seat pan 92 and the first insulating sheet 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 8A, the seating sensor 1 is arranged so that the hole 94 </ b> A of the seat pan 92 is positioned in the opening of the seating sensor 1. The pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40D are arranged along the width direction of the cushion pad 93 on the left side and the right side with respect to the center line L, and are symmetric with respect to the center line L. , The hole 94A is sandwiched. The pressure sensitive switches 40B and 40C are arranged along the width direction on the left side and the right side with respect to the center line L in front of the hole 94A, and are positioned symmetrically with respect to the center line L. Yes. Since the hole 94A is formed in front of the hip point HP as described above, the seating sensor 1 is configured so that each of the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D is from the hip point HP of the person who normally sits on the seat pan 92. Is also arranged to be forward.

  The terminals 42A and 42B are led out from the hole 94A below the seat pan 92, and are electrically connected to an external power source (not shown) and a measurement unit.

  FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of the seat pan 92 as viewed from above. MG in FIG. 9 indicates a maximum load area, and is an area that is measured in advance according to the seat device. The maximum load region MG is a region in front of the hip point HP, and in the present embodiment, the maximum load region MG is a region adjacent to the hole 94A in the lateral direction. It should be noted that the maximum load region means that the pressing force at the place where the seat pan 92 is not receiving the most pressing force from the cushion pad 93 is 0, and the pressing force at the place where the seat pan 92 is receiving the largest pressing force from the cushion pad 93 is used. When the pressure is 100, it refers to a region that receives 90 or more pressing force. The reason why the maximum load region MG is set in front of the hip point HP is considered as follows. That is, when a person normally sits on the seat device 9 including the backrest 96, the person's back comes into contact with the backrest 96, the backrest 96 pushes the back, and the force applied to the back pushes the person's buttocks forward. Therefore, the buttocks of the person who sits down presses the cushion pad 93 in the vertical direction by gravity, and pushes the cushion pad 93 forward by the force from the back. Thus, the pressing force received by the seat pan 92 from the cushion pad 93 is stronger than the other portions in front of the hip point HP of the person who is normally seated. And when a person sits normally, a person sits in the approximate center of the width direction of a cushion pad. Therefore, the vicinity of the center of the cushion pad 93 in the width direction, that is, the vicinity of the center line L tends to be pressed with a large force. Therefore, the area adjacent to the hole 94A formed in the center in the width direction of the cushion pad 93 is pressed with a greater force than the area adjacent to the other hole in front of the hip point HP. Further, since the force applied to the back pushes the person's buttocks forward as described above, the force received by the seat pan spreads forward, and when the person sits normally on the seat device 9 as described above, Since the person's pelvis is seated symmetrically in the left-right direction with respect to the center line L, the pressing force received by the seat pan 92 from the cushion pad 93 is approximately the center of the cushion pad 93 in the width direction. , It also extends in the width direction substantially symmetrically about the center line L. In FIG. 9, the maximum load region MG of the seat pan 92 is indicated by BG as a band-like region extending in the width direction of the cushion pad 93.

  As described above, the pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40D of the seating sensor 1 are arranged in the width direction of the seat pan 92 with the hole 94A interposed therebetween, and the pressure sensitive switches 40B and 40C are arranged in front of the hole 94A. The pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40D are arranged in a place overlapping the band-like region BG, and the pressure sensitive switches 40B and 40C are arranged in front of the band-like region BG. Therefore, the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are arranged in front of the band-like region BG. At this time, since the distance between the pressure-sensitive switch 40A and the pressure-sensitive switch 40D is longer than the distance between the pressure-sensitive switch 40B and the pressure-sensitive switch 40C, the pressure-sensitive switch close to the band-shaped region BG is far from the center line L. Placed in position.

  Next, the operation of the seating sensor 1 in the seat device 9 will be described.

  FIG. 10 shows the concept of the distribution of the load that the seat pan 92 of the seat device 9 receives from the person via the epidermis and the cushion pad 93 when the person is normally seated on the seat device 9, as in FIG. 1. FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the region 92a adjacent to the hole 94A formed in the seat pan 92 receives the highest pressing force from the cushion pad 93, and the region 92b outside the region 92a has the next highest pressing force. Under pressure, the region 92c outside the region 92b is subjected to the next highest pressing force. In the seat device 9, the pressing force that the seat pan 92 receives from the cushion pad 93 due to a human load is widely dispersed on the seat pan 92, and as described above, the periphery around 94 </ b> A is the highest, and the front of the hole 94 </ b> A. And spread in the width direction. Further, in the periphery of the hole 94B formed behind the hip point HP, the pressing force received by the seat pan 92 from the cushion pad 93 is weaker than that in the vicinity of the hole 94A.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the seat pan 92 is pressed with a large force near the center of the cushion pad 93 in the width direction, that is, near the center line L. The pressure-sensitive switches 40B and 40C having the openings 34B and 34C having a small diameter are disposed closer to the center line L than the pressure-sensitive switches 40A and 40D, and the pressure-sensitive switches 40B and 40C are disposed. Is in the region 92a. Further, the place where the pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40D arranged at positions away from the center line are located within the area 92b. For this reason, the pressure sensitive switches 40B and 40C are pressed with a force larger than that of the pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40D having the openings 34A and 34D having large diameters.

  FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which the pressure-sensitive switch 40A is turned on in the state where the seating sensor 1 is arranged in the seat device 9 from the same viewpoint as FIG. In FIG. 11, only a part of the seat pan 92 and the cushion pad 93 is shown for easy understanding.

  When a person is seated on the seat device 9, as shown in FIG. 11, the seat device 92 is appropriately pressed by the seat pan 92 and the cushion pad 93 from the direction perpendicular to both surfaces of the seating sensor 1. That is, the cushion member 52 receives a pressing force from the cushion pad 93 of the seat, and the cushion member 51 receives a pressing force from the seat pan 92. At this time, the cushion members 51 and 52 are deformed so as to be crushed by the pressing force. Then, the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21 receive the pressing force from the cushion members 51, 52 by the elastic force of the cushion members 51, 52 and bend so as to enter the opening 34 </ b> A of the spacer 30. For this reason, the electrodes 14A and 24A provided on the insulating sheets 11 and 21 facing each other through the opening 34A of the spacer 30 come into contact with each other. Thus, the pressure sensitive switch 40A is turned on.

  Then, the pressure sensitive switch 40D disposed at a position symmetrical to the pressure sensitive switch 40A with respect to the center line L is also the first insulation by the elastic force of the cushion members 51 and 52 in the same manner as the pressure sensitive switch 40A. The sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21 are turned on by being pressed and bent. Further, as described above, when a person is normally seated on the seat device 9, the pressing force that the seat pan 92 receives from the cushion pad 93 due to the load of the person is widely dispersed on the seat pan 92, as shown in FIG. In addition, the seat pan 92 is pressed from the cushion pad 93 even ahead of the belt-like region BG. Therefore, the pressure sensitive switches 40B and 40C are also turned on when the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21 are pressed and bent by the elastic force of the cushion members 51 and 52 in the same manner as the pressure sensitive switch 40A. Become. At this time, since the openings 34B and 34C of the spacer 30 in the pressure sensitive switches 40B and 40C are smaller than the openings 34A and 34D of the spacer 30 in the pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40B as described above, the pressure sensitive switches 40B and 40C are It will not turn on unless it is pressed with a greater force than the pressure sensitive switches 40A, 40D. However, the pressure sensitive switches 40B and 40C are arranged closer to the center line L than the pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40D. Therefore, when a person sits on the seat device 9, the pressure sensitive switches 40B and 40C are appropriately turned on together with the pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40D.

  Since the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are electrically connected in series as described above, when all of the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are turned on, the terminal 42A and the terminal 42B are electrically connected. . Thus, the seating of the person is detected by measuring a sensing signal sensed by the seating sensor 1 by a measurement unit (not shown).

  In the seating sensor 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the total thickness at which the cushion members 51 and 52 are crushed is not less than the distance between the electrodes 14A to 14D and the electrodes 24A to 24D. Therefore, since the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D can be turned on only by deforming the cushion members 51 and 52 without being bent, the seating can be detected appropriately.

  Further, substantially the same pressing force is applied to the seating sensor 1 from the seat pan 92 and the cushion pad 93. Therefore, the pressing force applied from the seat pan 92 to the cushion member 51 and the pressing force applied from the cushion pad 93 to the cushion member 52 are substantially the same. In the present embodiment, since the cushion members 51 and 52 have the same elastic force as described above, when the same pressing force is applied, the cushion members 51 and 52 cause the insulating sheets 11 and 21 to have the same elastic force. Press. Therefore, the insulating sheets 11 and 21 are similarly bent, and the pair of electrodes 14A to 14D and 24A to 24D in the respective pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are within the openings 34A to 34D in the thickness direction of the spacer 30. Contact near the center. For this reason, it is suppressed that the bending amount of one insulating sheet becomes large, and the detection sensitivity of seating is improved.

Moreover, when the 1st insulating sheet 11 and the 2nd insulating sheet 21 bend, the air in each opening 34A-34D is discharged | emitted outside through slit 36A-36D. Accordingly, when each of the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D is turned on, the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet can be appropriately bent, and the pair of electrodes of each of the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D can be easily contacted. ing.
Even if a baggage that is not as heavy as a person is placed in the seating portion of the seat device 9, only a slight pressing force is applied around the hole 94 </ b> A of the seat pan 92. Therefore, even when such a load is placed, the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are not turned on at the same time. In addition, even when the luggage is arranged by the end of the cushion pad 93 and one of the pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40D is turned on, it is rare that a luggage having a weight about the weight of a person is placed on the seat. Normally, the pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40D and the pressure sensitive switches 40B and 40C are not turned on simultaneously. Since the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are connected in series as described above, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the arrangement of the luggage as a person's seat.

  As described above, discomfort caused by the seating sensor can be prevented by arranging the seating sensor 1 of the present embodiment on the seat pan. Further, according to the knowledge of the present inventor, luggage having a weight about the weight of a person whose pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are turned on is often stored in a box. When such a heavy box-shaped luggage is placed on the seat, the luggage is usually inclined according to the shape of the seat device 9, so that the cushion pad 93 receives the most load from the ridge line portion of the box. . For this reason, the pressing force that the seat pan 92 receives from the cushion pad 93 due to the load of the box-shaped luggage tends to spread linearly. However, according to the seating sensor of the present embodiment, the third pressure-sensitive switch 40B and the fourth pressure-sensitive switch 40C are arranged so as not to overlap the straight line passing through the first pressure-sensitive switch 40A and the second pressure-sensitive switch 40D. The pressure sensitive switches 40 </ b> A to 40 </ b> D are not arranged so as to be arranged in one straight line, but are distributed on the seat pan 92. Therefore, according to the seat device 9 in which the seating sensor 1 is disposed on the seat pan 92, even when such a heavy load is placed on the seat device 9, all the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are turned on. Can be suppressed. Since all of the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are electrically connected in series, even when some of the pressure sensitive switches are turned on, the arrangement of the luggage is erroneously detected as a person's seat. Can be suppressed. Further, when a person is seated on the seat device 9 in which the seating sensor 1 is disposed, the pressing force that the seat pan 92 receives from the cushion pad 93 is widely dispersed on the seat pan 92 as described with reference to FIG. And each pressure sensitive switch 40A-40D is turned on by the pressing force by a person's load, and can detect a person's seating appropriately.

  In addition, when a person is seated normally on the seat device 9 having the backrest 96 as described above and a load is applied to the cushion pad 93, the pressing force that the seat pan 92 receives from the cushion pad 93 is the hip point of the person who normally sits. In front of HP, it is relatively stronger than other parts. Therefore, according to the seat device 9 of the present embodiment, since the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are disposed in front of the hip point HP of the person who normally sits, the person's seating can be detected appropriately. .

  A person sitting on the seat device 9 usually sits at the center in the width direction of the cushion pad 93 facing the front of the seat device 9, and the left and right pelvis of the person are cushion pads on the left and right sides of the center line L. 93 is pressed. On the other hand, the load is not always placed at the center of the cushion pad 93 in the width direction. Accordingly, like the seat device 9, the first pressure-sensitive switch 40 </ b> A and the second pressure-sensitive switch 40 </ b> D are arranged on the left side and the right side with respect to the center line L of the cushion pad 93, thereby It is possible to more appropriately suppress seating and erroneous detection of luggage.

  Furthermore, when a person sits as described above, the left and right pelvis of the person are lined up along the width direction of the cushion pad 93 and press the cushion pad 93. Therefore, in the seat device 9, the first pressure sensitive switch 40 </ b> A and the second pressure sensitive switch 40 </ b> D arranged on the left side and the right side with respect to the center line L are arranged along the width direction of the cushion pad 93. , It is possible to detect a person's sitting more appropriately.

  Furthermore, the first pressure-sensitive switch 40A, the second pressure-sensitive switch 40D, the third pressure-sensitive switch 40B, and the fourth pressure-sensitive switch 40C are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the center line L. Accordingly, it is possible to more appropriately detect the seating of the person.

  In addition, the third pressure-sensitive switch 40B and the fourth pressure-sensitive switch 40C are disposed closer to the center of the cushion pad 93 than the first pressure-sensitive switch 40A and the second pressure-sensitive switch 40D that are disposed symmetrically. It is possible to make it easier to detect the seating of a person.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the diameter of opening 34B, 34C in pressure sensitive switch 40B, 40C is formed smaller than the diameter of opening 34A, 34D in pressure sensitive switch 40A, 40D. That is, at least two pressure sensitive switches have different opening diameters. As described above, when a person sits on the seat device 9, the pressing force that the seat pan 92 receives from the cushion pad 93 differs depending on the location of the seat pan 92, but by configuring the seating sensor 1 in this way, On the seat pan 92, a pressure sensitive switch having a large opening diameter is arranged at a place where a relatively small pressing force is applied from the cushion pad 93, and a pressure sensitive switch having a small opening diameter is arranged at a place where a relatively large pressing force is applied. Can be arranged. By arranging the seating sensor in this manner, when a person is seated on the cushion pad 93 and different pressures are applied to the pressure sensitive switches having different diameters of the openings formed in the spacer 30. The insulating sheets 11 and 21 in each pressure-sensitive switch are appropriately bent, and each pressure-sensitive switch 40A to 40D can be appropriately turned on. For this reason, a person's seating can be detected appropriately.

  Further, since a person normally sits at the center of the cushion pad 93 in the width direction, the size with which the cushion pad 93 presses the seat pan 92 is substantially symmetric with respect to the center line L. In the present embodiment, at least two pressure-sensitive switches 40A and 40D or pressure-sensitive switches 40B and 40C having the same opening diameter are arranged on the left side and the right side with respect to the center line L. Has been. Therefore, according to the seating sensor 1 of the present embodiment, the seating of the person is more appropriately detected, and it is possible to suppress erroneous detection of the baggage with the luggage not centered in the width direction of the cushion pad 93 as the seating of the person. be able to. In the embodiment described above, at least one set of the pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40D or the pressure sensitive switches 40B and 40C having the same opening diameters disposed on the left side and the right side of the center line L is the cushion pad 93. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the pressure-sensitive switches 40A and 40D or the pressure-sensitive switches 40B and 40C having the same diameter of the openings disposed on the left side and the right side of the center line L are arranged in the width direction. At least one set is arranged in a symmetrical position with respect to the center line L. Therefore, according to the seating sensor 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to further detect the seating of the person more appropriately, and further suppress erroneous detection of the luggage as the seating of the person.

  Next, the material which comprises the seating sensor 1 is demonstrated.

  The insulating sheet 11 of the first electrode sheet 10, the insulating sheet 21 of the second electrode sheet 20, and the spacer 30 are made of an insulating resin having flexibility. Examples of such a resin include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), and polyimide (PI). Among these, PEN is preferable from the viewpoint of excellent heat resistance.

  The adhesive applied to both surfaces of the spacer 30 is preferably an acrylic adhesive, for example, an acrylic polymer using one or more (meth) acrylic acid alkyl esters as monomer components. Based on

  The first electrodes 14A to 14D, the second electrodes 24A to 24D, the first wirings 16A to 16C, the second wirings 26A and 26B, and the terminals 42A and 42B are made of conductive paste or plating. It is comprised from the metal foil etc. which are formed by. Among these, a part may be comprised with an electroconductive paste, and another part may be comprised with the metal foil by plating. Examples of the conductive paste include various metal pastes such as silver paste, carbon paste, and the like. Moreover, as metal foil formed by plating, copper, nickel, or these laminated bodies are mentioned.

  In particular, at least one of the first electrodes 14A to 14D and the second electrodes 24A to 24D is preferably made of a material whose resistance value increases as the temperature increases. The flexible resin such as the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21 is usually easily bent as the temperature rises. When the temperature of the environment where the seat device 9 is placed rises, the first resin is weakly pressed. 1 electrode 14A-14D and 2nd electrode 24A-24D become easy to contact. In this case, as described above, if at least one of the first electrodes 14A to 14D and the second electrodes 24A to 24D is an electrode whose resistance value increases as the temperature rises, the first temperature increases as the temperature increases. The insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21 are easily bent, and the first electrodes 14A to 14D and the second electrodes 24A to 24D are easily in contact with each other, but current is less likely to flow through the contacted electrodes. Therefore, even when the ease of contact between the electrodes and the difficulty of the flow of current flowing through the electrodes cancel each other and the environmental temperature of the seat device 9 changes, the pressing force that turns on the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D. Can be prevented from changing. In particular, when the seat device 9 is mounted on an automobile, the temperature change in the vehicle is large. In general, since the seat pan 92 is metallic, heat is easily transmitted to the seating sensor 1. Therefore, as described above, if at least one of the first electrodes 14A to 14D and the second electrodes 24A to 24D is made of a material whose resistance value increases as the temperature rises, It is also possible to detect the seating of a person appropriately. Therefore, such a seat device 9 is particularly useful for automobile applications. Examples of such an electrode include a two-layer electrode in which a carbon paste is applied on a silver paste.

  Further, the cushion members 51 and 52 are members that have elastic force as described above and deform so as to be crushed. The material of the member is not particularly limited, but the material of the cushion members 51 and 52 is a sponge-like resin provided with a large number of holes or a resin having elasticity. Nonwoven fabrics, rubbers and the like in which manufactured fibers are intertwined can be mentioned. As such a resin, a resin containing at least one of silicon and polyester can be used. With such a resin, the change in elastic force due to a change in temperature is small. Even in a case where the change in the environmental temperature is large, it is preferable because the change in the seating detection load can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Note that, unless otherwise specified, the same or equivalent components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a seating sensor used in the seat device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the seating sensor 2 in this embodiment is different from the seating sensor 1 of the first embodiment in that the first electrodes 14A to 14D of the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are composed of comb-teeth electrodes. Different.

  FIG. 13 is a plan view showing the first electrode sheet shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the comb-tooth electrodes constituting the first electrodes 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> D have a plurality of conductors parallel to each other connected to each other on one side, and another plurality of conductors parallel to each other. They are connected to each other on the other side. And it arrange | positions so that the other several parallel conductor connected on the other side may enter between the several parallel conductors connected on the one side, and each conductor is arranged in order. The plurality of parallel conductors connected on one side and the other plurality of parallel conductors connected on the other side are insulated from each other with a certain distance from each other. Thus, a comb electrode has a set of parallel conductors insulated from each other in one electrode.

  The plurality of parallel conductors connected on one side of the first electrode 14A are connected to the first wiring 16A similar to the first embodiment. The other plural parallel conductors connected on the other side of the first electrode 14A are connected to the first wiring 16D. The first wiring 16D has one end connected to the other parallel conductors connected on the other side of the first electrode 14A as described above on the first insulating sheet 11, and the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 11E. At the connection point between the arm portion 11E and the one side portion 11B, further extending in the longitudinal direction of the side portion 11B, and the other end at one side of the first electrode 14B. It is connected to a plurality of connected parallel conductors. The other plurality of parallel conductors connected on the other side of the first electrode 14B are connected to one end of the first wiring 16C similar to that of the first embodiment, and the other end of the first wiring 16C is the first The electrode 14C is connected to a plurality of parallel conductors connected on one side. The other plurality of parallel conductors connected on the other side of the first electrode 14C are connected to one end of the first wiring 16E. On the first insulating sheet 11, the first wiring 16E has one end connected to the other plurality of parallel conductors connected on the other side of the first electrode 14C as described above, and the other side portion 11C. Extending in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 11F, bent vertically at the connection point between the side portion 11C and the arm portion 11F, further extending in the longitudinal direction of the arm portion 11F, and the other end on one side of the first electrode 14D. It is connected to a plurality of connected parallel conductors. The other plurality of parallel conductors connected on the other side of the first electrode 14D are connected to one end of the first wiring 16B similar to the first embodiment.

  FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the second electrode sheet shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, the second electrode sheet 20 of the present embodiment is different from the second electrode sheet 20 of the first embodiment in that the second wirings 26A and 26B are not provided.

  And as shown in FIG. 12, the 1st electrode sheet 10 and the 2nd electrode sheet 20 which are shown in FIG. 13 are piled up and integrated via the spacer 30 similar to 1st Embodiment.

  The seating sensor 2 of the present embodiment is arranged in the seat device in the same manner as the seating sensor 1 of the first embodiment, and when a person sits on the seat device, the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are pressed by the cushion pad and the seat pan. Then, the second electrodes 24A to 24D are in contact with the respective parallel conductors in the first electrodes 14A to 14D. For this reason, a set of parallel conductors insulated from each other in the first electrodes 14A to 14D are electrically connected via the second electrodes 24A to 24D. Thus, the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are turned on. Thus, when the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are turned on, the seating sensor 2 detects the seating of the person.

  The present invention has been described above by taking the first and second embodiments as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the number of pressure-sensitive switches of the seating sensor 1 is four. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of pressure-sensitive switches may be three, or may be five or more. For example, the fourth pressure sensitive switch 40C is not essential.

  Further, in each of the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D, the first electrodes 14A and 14D and the second electrodes 24A and 24D, and the first electrodes 14B and 14C and the second electrodes 24B and 24C have the same shape and size. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the size and shape of the first electrode 14A, 14D, the second electrode 24A, 24D, and the first electrode are within the range in which the pressing force can be detected. The electrodes 14B and 14C may be different from the second electrodes 24B and 24C. Alternatively, all of the first electrodes 14A to 14D and the second electrodes 24A to 24D may have the same shape and size.

  In the above embodiment, the diameters of the openings 34A and 34D of the pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40D and the openings 34B and 34C of the pressure sensitive switches 40B and 40C are different from each other. However, all of the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40D are used. The same configuration may be used.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, the structure which does not provide the cushion member 52 but provides only the cushion member 51 may be sufficient. Even in this case, the seating sensor 1 therefore presses the insulating sheet 11 so that the insulating member 11 on the seat pan side enters the opening of the spacer, and the insulating sheet 21 on the cushion pad 93 side The cushion pad 93 is bent so as to enter the openings 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> D of the spacer 30 by the elastic force of the cushion pad 93. Thus, since the pair of insulating sheets bend, the pair of electrodes facing each other can be brought into contact with each other through the opening of the spacer, so that the pressure-sensitive switch can be appropriately turned on, and the seating is properly detected. be able to. Furthermore, the cushion members 51 and 52 are not necessarily required. Also in this case, the cushion pad 93 can detect the seating of the person by pressing the insulating sheet 21.

  Further, when the pair of cushion members 51 and 52 are provided as in the above embodiment, the cushion members 51 and 52 have the same elastic force and the same thickness. Not limited to this, the cushion members 51 and 52 may have different elastic forces, and may have different thicknesses.

  Moreover, when the pair of cushion members 51 and 52 are provided as in the above embodiment, the cushion members 51 and 52 may have different shapes when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the seating sensor 1. . In this case, the cushion member 51 covers at least the openings 34A to 34D of the spacer 30 via the first insulating sheet 11, and the cushion member 52 covers at least the openings 34A to 34D of the spacer 30 via the second insulating sheet 21. It suffices that the cushion members 51 and 52 are disposed so as to cover each other, and at least one of the cushion members 51 and 52 may be provided only at a position overlapping the opening of the spacer 30.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the 1st insulating sheet 11 and the 2nd insulating sheet 21 had the same flexibility mutually, and bent similarly when the same force was added, The second insulating sheet 21 may have different flexibility.

  In the above embodiment, the pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40B and the pressure sensitive switches 40C and 40D are arranged so as to be symmetrical with respect to the line L. And at least one of the pressure sensitive switches 40C to 40D may be arranged at positions that are line-symmetric with respect to the line L. Furthermore, the pressure-sensitive switch may be disposed only on one side with respect to the line L.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while preventing the sense of incongruity by a seating sensor, a seating sensor which can detect a person's seating appropriately and can suppress misdetecting the arrangement of a load as a person's seating, and using it are used. A seating device was provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2 ... Seating sensor 9 ... Seat apparatus 10 ... 1st electrode sheet 11 ... 1st insulating sheet 14A-14D ... 1st electrode 16A-16E ... 1st wiring 20. .... 2nd electrode sheet 21 ... 2nd insulating sheet 24A-24D ... 2nd electrode 26A, 26B ... 2nd wiring 30 ... Spacer 34A-34D ... Opening 36A-36D ... Slit 40A ... Pressure-sensitive switch (first pressure-sensitive switch)
40B ... Pressure-sensitive switch (third pressure-sensitive switch)
40C ... Pressure sensitive switch (4th pressure sensitive switch)
40D: Pressure sensitive switch (second pressure sensitive switch)
42A, 42B ... Terminals 51, 52 ... Cushion member 92 ... Seat pan 93 ... Cushion pad 94A, 94B ... Hole 96 ... Backrest

Claims (7)

A seating sensor disposed between a seat pan and a cushion pad disposed on the seat pan,
At least a first pressure sensitive switch, a second pressure sensitive switch, and a third pressure sensitive switch,
The third pressure sensitive switch is disposed so as not to overlap a straight line passing through the first pressure sensitive switch and the second pressure sensitive switch,
The seating sensor, wherein the first pressure-sensitive switch, the second pressure-sensitive switch, and the third pressure-sensitive switch are electrically connected in series.   The first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive switch are disposed on the left side and the right side with reference to a center line that is parallel to the front-rear direction of the cushion pad and passes through the center in the width direction. Item 2. The seating sensor according to Item 1.   The seating sensor according to claim 2, wherein the first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive switch are arranged along a width direction of the cushion pad.   4. The seating sensor according to claim 3, wherein the first pressure-sensitive switch and the second pressure-sensitive switch are arranged at symmetrical positions with respect to the center line.   The said 3rd pressure-sensitive switch is arrange | positioned rather than the said 1st pressure-sensitive switch and the said 2nd pressure-sensitive switch at the said center line side, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Seating sensor. Each of the pressure-sensitive switches includes a pair of insulating resin sheets having flexibility, a sheet-like spacer interposed between the pair of insulating sheets and having an opening, and a pair of the insulating sheets. A pair of electrodes provided on each surface and facing each other through the opening,
The seating sensor according to claim 1, wherein the resistance value of at least one of the pair of electrodes increases with an increase in temperature. A seat pan,
A cushion pad disposed on the seat pan;
The seating sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is disposed between the seat pan and the cushion pad,
A seat device comprising: