JP2013014183A - Seating sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seating sensor capable of enhancing sensitivity while keeping a cost low.SOLUTION: The seating sensor includes: a pair of insulating sheets 11 and 21 which have flexibility and which face each other; a sheet-like spacer 30 which is interposed between the pair of insulating sheets 11 and 21 and in which at least one opening 34A is formed; a pair of electrodes 14A and 14B which are provided on the opposed surfaces of the pair of insulating sheets 11 and 21, respectively, and which face each other via the opening 34A; and a cushion member 51 which is provided on a surface, opposite to a surface facing the spacer 30, of at least one insulating sheet 11 of the pair of insulating sheets 11 and 21. A part of the surface of the spacer 30 facing the insulating sheet 11 is exposed from the insulating sheet 11, and the exposed part and the cushion member 51 are bonded together.

Description

  The present invention relates to a seating sensor, and more particularly to a seating sensor capable of suppressing a difference in seating detection load depending on a place where the seating sensor is disposed.

  As one of safety systems in vehicles, an alarm system for warning that a seat belt is not worn when riding is put into practical use. In this alarm system, a warning is issued when seat belt wearing is not detected in the state in which a person is seated. A seating sensor that senses a seating load may be used to detect the seating of the person.

  Patent Document 1 listed below describes such a seating sensor. The seating sensor described in the following Patent Document 1 has a plurality of on / off type pressure-sensitive switches, and each pressure-sensitive switch has a pair of electrodes facing each other at a predetermined interval. ing. The pair of electrodes are provided on the surface of the insulating sheet adhered to both surfaces of the sheet-like spacer, and are opposed to each other through an opening formed in the spacer. When pressure is applied to such a seating sensor, at least one of the pair of insulating sheets bends, so that the pair of electrodes come into contact with each other in the opening, and the seating sensor is turned on.

JP 09-315199 A

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a distribution of a load received by a cushion pad when a person is seated normally. In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the darker the portion, the higher the cushion pad is subjected to the load. Since only the seat skin is interposed between the person and the cushion pad when the person is seated, the cushion pad has the largest load on the part where the person's buttocks are located, as shown in FIG. Will be added. And in the seating sensor of the said patent document 1, a person's seating can be detected by arrange | positioning a seating sensor in the part in which the person's buttocks are located on a cushion pad.

  However, since the seating sensor described in Patent Document 1 is disposed between the seat cover of the seat device and the cushion pad covered with the seat cover, a feeling different from the feeling of the cushion pad is felt as an uncomfortable feeling. There was a case that gave.

  In order to prevent such a sense of incongruity, it is considered that a seating sensor may be disposed on a member on which the cushion pad is placed. As this member, for example, there is an upper end surface of a seat frame or a pedestal called a seat pan. When the seating sensor is arranged on such a member, the distance between the seating surface and the pressure sensitive switch is larger than when the pressure sensitive switch is arranged between the cushion pad and the seat skin. It is possible to prevent the seated person from feeling uncomfortable with the seating sensor.

  However, if the upper end surface of the seat frame or a pedestal called a seat pan is a hard member such as metal, the seat sensor is turned on because the member does not deform according to the pressing force applied from the cushion pad. Tended to be difficult.

  The present inventor has intensively studied to improve the sensitivity of the seating sensor. As a result, it has been concluded that a cushion member may be interposed between the place where the seating sensor is to be placed and the seating sensor.

  By the way, when attaching a cushion member to the seating sensor of the said patent document 1, in addition to apply | coating an adhesive agent to an insulating sheet or a spacer and adhere | attaching these, an adhesive agent is applied to a cushion member or an insulating sheet. These will be bonded. Therefore, the amount of adhesive used and the number of steps for applying the adhesive increase, resulting in an increase in cost.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a seating sensor that can improve sensitivity while suppressing cost.

  The seating sensor of the present invention has a pair of insulating sheets having flexibility and facing each other, a sheet-like spacer interposed between the pair of insulating sheets and having at least one opening formed therein, and the pair of insulating sheets. A pair of electrodes provided on opposite surfaces of the sheet and facing each other through the opening; and a cushion member provided on a surface opposite to the surface facing the spacer of at least one of the pair of insulating sheets; And a part of the spacer facing the one insulating sheet is exposed from the one insulating sheet, and the exposed portion and the cushion member are bonded to each other.

  In this seating sensor, since the cushion member is provided on at least one of the pair of insulating sheets facing each other, when the cushion member is disposed on a seat pan that is a rigid member such as metal, the other The insulating sheet is opposed to the cushion pad. When a pressing force is applied from the cushion pad, a force that opposes the pressing force is exerted by the elastic force of the cushion member, so that the pair of electrodes that are opposed to each other through the opening contact the opposing surfaces of the pair of insulating sheets. Turned on. Thus, according to this seating sensor, since the force opposed to the pressing force from the cushion pad can be increased via the cushion member, even when the cushion member is disposed on a rigid member such as metal, the cushion member Can be appropriately turned on as compared with the case where no is provided, and as a result, the sensitivity of the seating sensor is improved. Further, in this seating sensor, a part of the spacer facing one insulating sheet is exposed from the one insulating sheet, and the exposed portion and the cushion member are bonded, so the insulating sheet is a spacer through the exposed portion. And the cushion member. Therefore, according to this seating sensor, the insulating sheet, the spacer, and the cushion member can be arranged at a fixed position even if the bonding between the insulating sheet and the spacer and the bonding between the insulating sheet and the cushion member are omitted. Is suppressed. By the way, it is generally known that the adhesive has a temperature dependency that it cures as the temperature decreases. Therefore, when the insulating sheet and the cushion member are bonded together including the region directly above the electrode provided on the insulating sheet, the region becomes harder as the temperature becomes lower, so the seating sensor is turned on. The power load level increases and the sensitivity of the seating sensor decreases. However, in this seating sensor, since a part of the spacer exposed from one insulating sheet and the cushion member are bonded, there is no adhesive immediately above the electrode. Therefore, according to this seating sensor, the fall of the sensitivity accompanying a temperature change is suppressed.

  The cushion member is provided on a surface of the pair of insulating sheets opposite to a surface facing both of the spacers, and a part of the spacer facing each of the pair of insulating sheets is the pair of insulating sheets. It is preferable that the exposed portion and the cushion member are bonded to each other.

  When the distance between the seating surface and the seating sensor is increased, the pressing force applied from the cushion pad is diffused, so that the load applied to the seating sensor tends to be uneven. Therefore, the seating sensor is difficult to turn on depending on the location where the seating sensor is to be disposed. In this respect, in such a seating sensor, since the cushion member is also arranged on the cushion pad side, even if the force applied from the cushion pad is unbalanced, the difference is alleviated by the cushion member. It is transmitted to the seating sensor. That is, since the transmission efficiency to the seating sensor due to the imbalance of the applied pressure is improved, the sensitivity of the seating sensor is further improved.

  The exposed portion is preferably located around the electrode.

  According to this seating sensor, since the periphery of the electrodes is bonded, the contamination of the foreign matter between the pair of electrodes facing each other is reduced. As a result, the sensitivity of the seating sensor is lowered due to the contamination of the foreign matter. Is greatly suppressed.

  Moreover, it is preferable to further include a plurality of recesses formed on the peripheral side surface of the insulating sheet, and that a part of the spacer is exposed from the insulating sheet via the recess.

  According to this seating sensor, when the cushion member is provided on one of the pair of insulating sheets, the one insulating sheet is covered by the cushion member attached to the spacer via the recess, Contamination of foreign matter on one insulating sheet is greatly reduced. Further, when the cushion members are provided on both of the pair of insulating sheets, these cushion members are bonded to the spacers via the recesses and cover the entire pair of insulating sheets. Contamination is greatly reduced. Further, it is advantageous in that the spacer and the cushion member can be bonded while minimizing the influence of the arrangement space such as the electrode and the wiring in the plane of the insulating sheet.

  Or it is further provided with the some through-hole formed in the said insulating sheet, and it is preferable that a part of said spacer is exposed from the said insulating sheet through the said through-hole.

  According to this seating sensor, since a part of the spacer is exposed by the plurality of through holes formed in the insulating sheet, it is not necessary to newly provide an exposed surface and the size can be reduced. Moreover, since the through hole is formed, the mixing of foreign matters is greatly reduced as compared with the case where a cut is provided at the end of the insulating sheet to expose a part of the insulating sheet. The through hole can be formed by using a puncher at the time of making the guide pin hole, so that a mold is not necessary and can be manufactured at low cost.

  Or it is preferable that the said spacer has a part formed larger than the said insulating sheet, and the part and the said cushion member are adhere | attached.

  According to this seating sensor, when the cushion member is provided on one of the pair of insulating sheets, the one insulating sheet is covered by the cushion member attached to the spacer, so that one insulating sheet Contamination of foreign matter with respect to is greatly reduced. In addition, when the cushion members are provided on both of the pair of insulating sheets, these cushion members are bonded together via the spacers and cover the entire pair of insulating sheets, so that foreign matter is greatly mixed. Reduced to In addition, as described above, the durability of the seating sensor is increased by the amount of enhancement of the insulating sheet as compared with the case where a part of the spacer surface is exposed from the insulating sheet through the through hole. Moreover, it is particularly advantageous in that the spacer and the cushion member can be bonded regardless of the arrangement space of the electrodes, wirings, etc. in the plane of the insulating sheet. From the viewpoint of downsizing, as described above, it is preferable that a part of the surface of the spacer is exposed from the insulating sheet through the recess or the through hole because the ratio of the surface area of the spacer to the insulating sheet can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a seating sensor capable of improving sensitivity while suppressing cost 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 | seat of FIG. It is a top view which shows the 2nd electrode sheet | seat of FIG. It is a top view which shows the spacer interposed in the 1st electrode sheet and 2nd electrode sheet of FIG. 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 of FIG. 2 with an equivalent circuit. It is a figure which shows the seat apparatus by which the seating sensor of FIG. 2 is arrange | positioned. It is a figure which shows distribution of the load which a seat pan receives from a person via a skin and a cushion pad in the state where the person seated normally on the seat device. 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 like FIG. 8 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 of FIG. It is a top view which shows the 2nd electrode sheet interposed between the cushion member of FIG. 11, and a spacer. It is a top view which shows the spacer of FIG. It is a top view which shows the seating sensor which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the 1st electrode sheet | seat of FIG. It is a top view which shows the 2nd electrode sheet interposed between the cushion member of FIG. 15, and a spacer. It is a top view which shows the seating sensor which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 20 is a plan view showing the first electrode sheet of FIG. 19. It is a top view which shows the 2nd electrode sheet of FIG. 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 the cushion member arrange | positioned on the opposite side to the spacer of the 1st electrode sheet 10 and the 2nd electrode sheet 20 is provided as a main component.

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

  The first insulating sheet 11 has the same shape and is perpendicular to the side portions 11A and 11B between a pair of parallel side portions 11A and 11B and the side portions 11A and 11B. The belt-shaped intermediate portion 11C that extends in the direction and is connected to the intermediate portions of the side portions 11A and 11B, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the intermediate portion 11C (in the side portions 11A and 11B). And a belt-shaped tail portion 11D having one end connected to an intermediate portion of the intermediate portion 11C and the other end being a free end. In this way, in the first insulating sheet 11, a substantially H-shaped shape is formed by the pair of side portions 11A, 11B and the intermediate portion 11C, and a substantially T-shaped shape is formed by the intermediate portion 11C and the tail portion 11D. A shape is formed.

  The first electrodes 14A to 14F have a substantially circular shape. The first electrodes 14A to 14F are provided on the pair of side portions 11A and 11B. Specifically, the first electrodes 14A to 14C are provided on the surface of the side portion 11A. The first electrodes 14A and 14C are provided at predetermined intervals from the edges of both ends of the side portion 11A, and the first electrode 14B is provided at a portion where the intermediate portion 11C is connected. Yes. In this way, the first electrodes 14A to 14C are arranged in a straight line at intervals on the surface of the side portion 11A.

  Furthermore, the first electrode 14A and the first electrode 14B are connected to a linear first wiring 16A provided between the first electrode 14A and the first electrode 14B on the surface of the side portion 11A, The first electrode 14B and the first electrode 14C are connected to a linear first wiring 16B provided between the first electrode 14B and the first electrode 14C on the surface of the side portion 11A.

  Furthermore, the first electrode 14B is connected to the first wiring 16E provided along the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion 11C on the surface of the intermediate portion 11C. And the 1st wiring 16E is connected with the 1st wiring 16G extended along the longitudinal direction of tail part 11D in the portion where tail part 11D is connected.

  On the other hand, the first electrodes 14D to 14F are provided on the surface of the side portion 11B. The first electrodes 14D and 14F are provided at a predetermined interval from the edges of both ends of the side portion 11B, and the first electrode 14E is provided at a portion where the intermediate portion 11C is connected. Yes. In this way, the first electrodes 14D to 14F are arranged in a straight line at intervals on the surface of the side portion 11B.

  Furthermore, the first electrode 14D and the first electrode 14E are connected to a linear first wiring 16C provided between the first electrode 14D and the first electrode 14E on the surface of the side portion 11B, The first electrode 14E and the first electrode 14F are connected to a linear first wiring 16D provided between the first electrode 14E and the first electrode 14F on the surface of the side portion 11B.

  Furthermore, the first electrode 14E is connected to the first wiring 16F provided along the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion 11C on the surface of the intermediate portion 11C. And the 1st wiring 16F is connected with the 1st wiring 16H extended along the longitudinal direction of tail part 11D in the portion where tail part 11D is connected.

  Further, the terminals 42A and 42B have a substantially rectangular shape, and the terminals 42A and 42B are located in the longitudinal direction of the tail part 11D at a position spaced from the edge on the free end side on the surface of the tail part 11D. They are juxtaposed along the vertical direction. The terminal 42A is connected to the other end of the first wiring 16G whose one end is connected to the first wiring 16E as described above, and the terminal 42B is connected to the first wiring 16F as described above. The other end of the first wiring 16H is connected.

  Thus, the first electrodes 14A to 14C and the terminal 42A are electrically connected by the first wirings 16A, 16B, 16E, and 16G. Similarly, the first electrodes 14D to 14F and the terminal 42B are electrically connected by the first wirings 16C, 16D, 16F, and 16H.

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

  The second insulating sheet 21 includes a pair of strip-shaped side portions 21A and 21B having the same shape and size as the side portions 11A and 11B in the first insulating sheet 11, and an intermediate portion 11C in the first insulating sheet 11. And an intermediate portion 21C having the same shape and size. And the side part 21A, 21B, and the intermediate part 21C are the side parts 11A, 11B, and the middle in the first insulating sheet 11 when the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20 are overlapped. They are connected so as to completely overlap the part 11C. 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 24F have the same shape and size as the first electrodes 14A to 14F. Furthermore, the second electrodes 24 </ b> A to 24 </ b> F 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. 14F is provided at a position completely overlapping with 14F.

  Furthermore, the second electrode 24A and the second electrode 24B are connected to a linear second wiring 26A provided between the second electrode 24A and the second electrode 24B on the surface of the side portion 21A. The two electrodes 24B and the second electrode 24C are connected to a linear second wiring 26B provided between the second electrode 24B and the second electrode 24C on the surface of the side portion 21A. Similarly, the second electrode 24D and the second electrode 24E are connected to a linear second wiring 26C provided between the second electrode 24D and the second electrode 24E on the surface of the side portion 21B. The two electrodes 24E and the second electrode 24F are connected to a linear second wiring 26D provided between the second electrode 24E and the second electrode 24F on the surface of the side portion 21B.

  Furthermore, the second electrode 24B and the second electrode 24E are connected to the second wiring 26E provided on the surface of the intermediate portion 21C along the longitudinal direction of the intermediate portion 21C of the second insulating sheet 21, respectively.

  Thus, the second electrodes 24A to 24F are electrically connected by the second wirings 26A to 26E.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing spacers interposed between the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20. The spacer 30 is composed of a flexible insulating sheet 31. As shown in FIG. 5, the spacer 30 has a similar relationship with the second electrode sheet 20. That is, the spacer 30 includes an area AR1 that is the same shape and size as the second electrode sheet 20, and an area AR2 that extends outside the area AR1 in the same outer peripheral shape as the outer peripheral shape of the second electrode sheet 20. .

  The spacer 30 has openings 34A to 34F having the same size. The openings 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> F have a substantially circular periphery, and have a diameter slightly smaller than that of the first electrodes 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> F. The openings 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> F are respectively formed in the outer peripheries of the first electrodes 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> F when the spacer 30 is overlapped with the first electrode sheet 10 and the spacer 30 is viewed along the direction perpendicular to the spacer 30. The openings 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> F are formed at positions where they can be accommodated.

  Further, the spacer 30 is formed with slits 36A to 36E which are slits for venting air and spatially connect the openings 34A to 34F. Specifically, the opening 34A and the opening 34B are connected to the slit 36A, the opening 34B and the opening 34C are connected to the slit 36B, and the opening 34D and the opening 34E are connected to the slit 36C. The opening 34E and the opening 34F are connected to the slit 36D, and the opening 34B and the opening 34E are connected to the slit 36E. Further, the spacer 30 is formed with a gas outlet 35 and a slit 36F connecting the gas outlet 35 and the slit 36E. Accordingly, the openings 34A to 34F are spatially connected to the outside of the spacer 30 via the gas outlet 35 and the slits 36A to 36F.

  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 showing a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, as described above, in the seating sensor 1, the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20 are overlapped with the spacer 30 interposed therebetween and applied to both surfaces of the spacer 30. They are fixed to each other by an adhesive. As described above, since the spacer 30 has the area AR <b> 2 that extends outward from the second electrode sheet 20, the area AR <b> 2 is exposed from a part of the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20. doing.

  The first electrode 14A of the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode 24A of the second electrode sheet 20 face each other in a state separated by the thickness of the spacer 30, and the first electrode 14A and the second electrode 24A are opposed to each other. An opening 34 </ b> A formed in the spacer 30 is accommodated in a plane connecting the outer circumferences. Thus, the first electrode 14A and the second electrode 24A that are opposed to each other with a predetermined interval in the opening 34A of the spacer 30 constitute a pressure-sensitive switch 40A. Similarly, the other first electrodes 14B to 14F and the other second electrodes 24B to 24F face each other at predetermined intervals in the openings 34B to 34F of the spacer 30, respectively. As shown in FIG. 40B-40F is comprised.

  Further, the surface of the first insulating sheet 11 is covered with a cushion member 51, and the surface of the second insulating sheet 21 is covered with a cushion member 52. And the edge part of these cushion members 51 and 52 is being fixed by the adhesive agent apply | coated to both surfaces of area | region AR2 exposed from the 1st electrode sheet 10 and the 2nd electrode sheet 20. FIG. Thus, the cushion members 51 and 52 are bonded together via the spacer 30 and cover the first insulating sheet 11 excluding a part of the first insulating sheet 11 (tail portion 11D) and the entire second insulating sheet 21. .

  The cushion members 51 and 52 are made of a sponge-like resin provided with a large number of holes, a resin having elasticity, a nonwoven fabric in which resin fibers having elasticity are entangled, rubber, or the like. ing.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the sum total of the thickness which a pair of cushion members 51 and 52 collapse is more than the distance between the electrodes which oppose in each pressure sensitive switch 40A-40F. The cushion members 51 and 52 have the same thickness, and the respective cushion members 51 and 52 have the same elastic force and are configured to be crushed in the same manner when the same pressure is applied. . 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 the circuit configuration of the seating sensor of FIG. 2 as an equivalent circuit. As shown in FIG. 7, the pressure-sensitive switches 40 </ b> A to 40 </ b> F configured as described above are formed on the first wirings 16 </ b> A to 16 </ b> D and the second insulating sheet 21 formed on the surface of the first insulating sheet 11. The second wirings 26A to 26E are connected to each other. Thus, the circuit of the seating sensor 1 is configured by connecting the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40F.

  An OR circuit is configured in the pressure-sensitive switch group including the pressure-sensitive switch 40A, the pressure-sensitive switch 40B, and the pressure-sensitive switch 40C, and the pressure-sensitive switch including the pressure-sensitive switch 40D, the pressure-sensitive switch 40E, and the pressure-sensitive switch 40F. An OR circuit is configured in the group. Further, the AND circuit includes a pressure sensitive switch group including the pressure sensitive switch 40A, the pressure sensitive switch 40B, and the pressure sensitive switch 40C, and a pressure sensitive switch group including the pressure sensitive switch 40D, the pressure sensitive switch 40E, and the pressure sensitive switch 40F. It is configured. Thus, in the seating sensor 1, an AND-OR circuit is formed by the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40F.

  FIG. 8 is a view showing a seat device in which the seating sensor of FIG. 2 is arranged. Specifically, FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a state of the seat device 90 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 90 from the side. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the seat device 90 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 seating sensor 1 is sandwiched between the seat pan 92 and the cushion pad 93.

  The seat pan 92 is configured by bending a highly synthetic metal plate, and as shown in FIG. 8A, a line L that is parallel to the front-rear direction of the cushion pad 93 and passes through the center 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 94 at substantially the center, and this hole 94 is formed in front of the hip point HP when a person is normally seated on the seat device 90.

  Note that “regular seating” means sitting with the buttocks located deep in the seating surface and the back contacting the backrest 96, and “hip point” refers to FIG. As shown, when the person is seated, the buttock is at the lowest position.

  The cushion pad 93 is supported by the seat pan 92. The cushion pad 93 is made of foamed urethane and has cushioning properties. That is, 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 a seat pan 92 in a seat device 90 such as a vehicle, 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 side, and the cushion member 51 is sandwiched between the seat pan 92 and the first insulating sheet 11.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, a pressure sensitive switch 40C is disposed in a region adjacent to one side of the hole 94 of the seat pan 92, and the pressure sensitive switch 40B is located in front of the pressure sensitive switch 40C. The pressure sensitive switch 40A is disposed, and the pressure sensitive switch 40F is disposed in a region adjacent to the other side of the hole 94 of the seat pan 92, and the pressure sensitive switch 40E is disposed in front of the pressure sensitive switch 40F. A pressure sensitive switch 40D is arranged. Accordingly, the seating sensor 1 is arranged such that the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40C are located on one side with respect to the line L passing through the center of the cushion pad 93 and the pressure sensitive switches 40D to 40F are located on the other side. Yes. Note that the line connecting the pressure sensitive switch 40A and the pressure sensitive switch 40D is perpendicular to the line L, and the pressure sensitive switch 40A and the pressure sensitive switch 40D are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the line L with respect to the line L. ing. Similarly, the line connecting the pressure-sensitive switch 40B and the pressure-sensitive switch 40E is perpendicular to the line L, and the pressure-sensitive switch 40B and the pressure-sensitive switch 40E are arranged at positions that are line-symmetric with respect to the line L. Has been. Further, the line connecting the pressure-sensitive switch 40C and the pressure-sensitive switch 40F is perpendicular to the line L, and the pressure-sensitive switch 40C and the pressure-sensitive switch 40F are arranged at positions that are symmetrical with each other with respect to the line L. ing. And since the AND circuit is comprised by the pressure sensitive switches 40A-40C and the pressure sensitive switches 40D-40F as mentioned above, the pressure sensitive switch group arrange | positioned at the one side of the line L, and the other of the line L An AND circuit is configured with the pressure-sensitive switch group arranged on the side. Further, as described above, the OR circuit is configured in the pressure-sensitive switch group including the pressure-sensitive switches 40A to 40C, and the OR circuit is configured in the pressure-sensitive switch group including the pressure-sensitive switches 40D to 40F. Each of the plurality of pressure sensitive switches arranged on one side of L and the plurality of pressure sensitive switches arranged on the other side of line L constitutes an OR circuit.

  Then, the terminals 42A and 42B are led out from the holes 94 and are electrically connected to an external power source and a measurement unit (not shown), and a voltage is applied to the terminals 42A and 42B.

  In the present embodiment, the cushion pad 93 has the same elastic force as the cushion members 51 and 52. Therefore, when the same pressing force is applied to the cushion pad 93 and the cushion members 51 and 52, the cushion pad 93 and the cushion members 51 and 52 are respectively the same as the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21. Press.

  Next, the operation of the seating sensor will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the distribution of the load received from a person through the epidermis and cushion pad 93 by the seat pan 92 of the seat apparatus 90 in a state where the person is normally seated on the seat apparatus 90, as in FIG. It is. FIG. 9 shows a state where the darker color portion is subjected to a higher load on the seat pan 92. However, in FIG. 9, the shape of the hole 94 and the unevenness of the surface of the seat pan 92 are slightly different from those in FIG. 8, and a hole (not shown) is formed in the seat pan 92 in addition to the hole 94. Yes.

  As described with reference to FIG. 1, when a person sits on the seat device, on the surface of the cushion pad, the pressing force is concentrated on the place where the person's buttocks are located, but as shown in FIG. 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. As shown in FIG. 9, when a person is seated, the seat pan 92 receives a relatively strong pressing force from the cushion pad 93 in the area adjacent to each hole of the seat pan 92 compared to the other portions. ing. In particular, the area adjacent to the hole 94 formed on the line L in front of the hip point HP is pressed with a stronger force than the area adjacent to the other hole, and is formed in the lateral direction of the hole 94. The region adjacent to the other hole is strongly pressed next to the region adjacent to the hole 94.

  This is considered as follows. That is, when a person normally sits on the seat device 90 including the backrest 96, the person's back comes into contact with the backrest 96, the back is pushed by the backrest 96, 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, a person usually sits in the approximate center of the width direction of a cushion pad. Therefore, the center of the cushion pad 93 in the width direction, that is, the vicinity of the line L tends to be pressed with a large force. Thus, in front of the hip point HP, the region adjacent to the hole 94 formed at the center in the width direction of the cushion pad 93 is pressed with a larger force than the region adjacent to the other hole. In the present embodiment, the place (maximum load area) MG where the seat pan 92 receives a large pressing force from the cushion pad 93 is an area adjacent to the hole 94 in the lateral direction. In addition, when a person is seated as described above, the person normally sits symmetrically at the approximate center in the width direction of the cushion pad, so the pressing force received by the seat pan 92 from the cushion pad 93 is relative to the line L. It is almost symmetrical.

  In the present specification, the maximum load region is a place where the seat pan receives the greatest pressing force from the cushion pad, with the pressing force at the location where the seat pan receives the least pressing force from the cushion pad being zero. When the pressing force is 100, it refers to a region where the sheet pan 92 receives a pressing force of 90 or more.

  As described above, the pressure sensitive switches 40C and 40F are arranged in the regions adjacent to the sides of the holes 94 of the seat pan 92, and the pressure sensitive switches 40B and 40E are arranged in front of the pressure sensitive switches 40C and 40F. Furthermore, pressure sensitive switches 40A and 40D are arranged in front. In the present embodiment, at least the positions where the pressure sensitive switches 40C and 40F and the pressure sensitive switches 40B and 40E are disposed overlap the maximum load region MG. Therefore, each pressure-sensitive switch 40C, 40F, 40B, 40E can appropriately detect the pressing force caused by the seating of the person when the person is seated normally. The pressure-sensitive switches 40A and 40D are also arranged in a place where a relatively large pressing force is received when a person is seated normally, and when the person is seated normally, the pressing force due to the seating of the person is properly detected. can do. In particular, even when a person is seated in front of the seat device 90, the pressure-sensitive switches 40A and 40D can appropriately detect the pressing force caused by the seating of the person.

  FIG. 10 is a view showing, from the same viewpoint as FIG. 6, that the pressure-sensitive switch is turned on in the state where the seating sensor is arranged in the seat as shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, only a part of the seat pan 92 and the cushion pad 93 is shown for easy understanding. As shown in FIG. 10, when a person is seated in a state where the seating sensor 1 is disposed in the seating device 90, as indicated by arrows from a direction perpendicular to both surfaces of the seating sensor 1, the pressing by a human load is performed. Pressure is applied. Specifically, 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 of the spacer come into contact. Thus, the pressure sensitive switch 40A is turned on.

  In the seating sensor 1 of the present embodiment, the total thickness at which the cushion members 51 and 52 are crushed is equal to or greater than the distance between the electrode 14A and the electrode 24 as described above. Therefore, since the pressure sensitive switch 40A can be turned on only by deforming the cushion members 51 and 52 without being bent, the pressure sensitive switch 40A is easily turned on and seating is easily detected. ing.

  Further, substantially the same pressing force is applied to the seating sensor 1 from the seat pan 92 and the cushion pad 93. Accordingly, 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 bent in the same manner, and the pair of electrodes 14A and 24A are in contact with each other in the vicinity of the substantially center in the thickness direction of the spacer 30 in the opening 34A. For this reason, it can suppress that the amount of bending of one insulating sheet becomes large, and can improve the detection sensitivity of seating.

  Moreover, when the 1st insulating sheet 11 and the 2nd insulating sheet 21 bend, the air in opening 34A is discharged | emitted from the gas outflow port 35 through the slits 36A, 36E, and 36F shown in FIG. Therefore, when a pressing force is applied to the seating sensor 1, the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21 can be appropriately bent.

  Similarly, the other pressure sensitive switches 40B to 40F are also bent by the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21 being pressed by the elastic force of the cushion members 51 and 52 in the same manner as the pressure sensitive switch 40A. Turn on at. At this time, the air in the openings 34B to 34F is discharged from the gas outlet 35 through the slits 36B to 36E. Therefore, similarly to when the pressure sensitive switch 40A is turned on, the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet can be appropriately bent, and the pair of electrodes of the pressure sensitive switches 40B to 40F can be easily brought into contact with each other. ing.

  Since the AND-OR circuit is formed by the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40F as described above, at least one of the pressure sensitive switch 40A, the pressure sensitive switch 40B, and the pressure sensitive switch 40C, the pressure sensitive switch 40D, When at least one of the pressure switch 40E and the pressure sensitive switch 40F is turned on, the terminal 42A and the terminal 42B are conducted. 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).

  As described above, in the seating sensor 1 according to the present embodiment, since the cushion member 51 is provided on at least one of the pair of insulating sheets 11 and 21 facing each other, the cushion member 51 is a rigid member such as metal. The other insulating sheet 21 is opposed to the cushion pad 93. When a pressing force is applied from the cushion pad 93, a force that opposes the pressing force is exerted by the elastic force of the cushion member 51, so that the opposing surfaces of the pair of insulating sheets 11 and 21 are connected to each other via the openings 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> F. A pair of opposing electrodes 14A to 14F, 24A to 24F come into contact with each other and are turned on. As described above, according to the seating sensor 1, since the force opposed to the pressing force from the cushion pad 93 can be increased via the cushion member 51, the cushion is arranged even on the seat pan 92. As compared with the case where the member 51 is not provided, it can be appropriately turned on, and as a result, the sensitivity of the seating sensor 1 is improved. Furthermore, in this seating sensor 1, a part of the surface of the spacer 30 facing one insulating sheet 11 is exposed from the insulating sheet 30, and the exposed portion and the cushion member 51 are bonded together. The insulating sheet 11 is sandwiched between the spacer 30 and the cushion member 51. Therefore, according to the seating sensor 1, even if the bonding between the insulating sheet 11 and the spacer 30 and the bonding between the insulating sheet 11 and the cushion member 51 are omitted, the insulating sheet 11, the spacer 30, and the cushion member 51 are positioned at a fixed position. The cost can be reduced.

  In the seating sensor 1, the cushion member 52 is provided on the surface of the other insulating sheet 21 opposite to the surface facing the spacer 30, and a part of the surface of the spacer 30 facing the insulating sheet 21 is formed. The exposed portion is exposed from the insulating sheet 30, and the exposed portion and the cushion member 52 are bonded. When the distance between the seating surface and the pressure sensitive switch is increased, the pressing force applied from the cushion pad 93 is diffused, so that the load applied to the seating sensor tends to be non-uniform. Therefore, the seating sensor is difficult to turn on depending on the location where the seating sensor is to be disposed. In this respect, in the seating sensor 1, the cushion member 52 is also arranged on the cushion pad 93 side. Therefore, even if the force applied from the cushion pad 93 is unbalanced, the difference is alleviated by the cushion member 52. Is done. That is, since the transmission efficiency with respect to the seating sensor 1 accompanying the imbalance of the applied pressure is improved, the sensitivity of the seating sensor 1 is further improved.

  As described above, it is known that the adhesive has a temperature dependency that it cures as the temperature decreases. Therefore, when the insulating sheets 11 and 21 and the cushion members 51 and 52 are bonded together including the regions immediately above the electrodes 14A to 14F and 24A to 24F provided on the insulating sheets 11 and 21, the regions Since it becomes harder as the temperature becomes lower, the level of the load force to turn on the seating sensor increases and the sensitivity of the seating sensor decreases. However, in the seating sensor 1, the exposed portion where the spacer 30 and the cushion members 51 and 52 are bonded is located around the pair of electrodes 14A to 14F and 24A to 24F. Is avoided. Therefore, according to this seating sensor 1, the fall of the sensitivity accompanying a temperature change is suppressed.

  The spacer 30 of the seating sensor 1 has a region AR2 formed larger than the insulating sheets 11 and 21, and the region AR2 and the cushion members 51 and 52 are bonded to each other. For this reason, the cushion members 51 and 52 are bonded together via the spacer 30 and cover the entire pair of insulating sheets 11 and 21, so that foreign matter is greatly reduced. Moreover, it is particularly advantageous in that the spacer 30 and the cushion members 51 and 52 can be bonded regardless of the arrangement space in the plane of the insulating sheets 11 and 21.

  Further, the cushion member 51 disposed between the seat pan 92 and the first insulating sheet 11 adjusts the height of the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40F from the seat pan 92, and the cushion member 52 extends from the second insulating sheet. In order to adjust the height to the cushion pad 93, even when a gap is generated between the seat pan 92 and the cushion pad 93, it is possible to prevent the load for turning on the pressure-sensitive switch from becoming extremely low. it can.

  A person sitting on the seat usually sits at the center of the cushion pad 93 in the width direction. On the other hand, the load is not always placed at the center of the cushion pad 93 in the width direction. Therefore, according to the seat device 90, the pressure sensitive switches 40 </ b> A to 40 </ b> C and the pressure sensitive switches 40 </ b> D to 40 </ b> F are disposed on one side and the other side with respect to the line L passing through the center of the cushion pad 93 in the width direction. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately detect the seating of a person and to prevent erroneous detection of a load.

  Furthermore, a person sitting on a seat usually sits facing the front of the seat. At this time, the left and right pelvises of the person's buttocks are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the cushion pad 93 and press the cushion pad 93. Therefore, according to the seat device 90, the pressure-sensitive switch 40A and the pressure-sensitive switch 40D, the pressure-sensitive switch 40B, the pressure-sensitive switch 40E, and the pressure-sensitive switch disposed on one side and the other side with respect to the line L. Since the switch 40C and the pressure-sensitive switch 40F are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the cushion pad 93, it is possible to more appropriately detect the seating of the person.

  Further, since a person sitting on the seat normally sits facing the front of the seat device 90 at the center in the width direction of the cushion pad 93, the left and right pelvises of the person's buttocks are parallel to the front-rear direction of the cushion pad 93. With the line L passing through the center in the width direction as a reference, the cushion pads are pressed side by side at symmetrical positions. Therefore, according to the seat device 90, the pressure-sensitive switch 40A and the pressure-sensitive switch 40D, the pressure-sensitive switch 40B and the pressure-sensitive switch 40E, and the pressure-sensitive switch 40C and the pressure-sensitive switch 40F are connected to the line L. Since they are arranged at symmetrical positions, it is possible to more appropriately detect the seating of a 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 14F, the second electrodes 24A to 24F, the first wirings 16A to 16H, the second wirings 26A to 26E, 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.

  Further, the cushion members 51 and 52 are members that have elastic force as described above and deform so as to be crushed. Although it will not be restrict | limited especially if it is the material which comprises such a member, As a material of the cushion members 51 and 52, resin and rubber | gum containing at least one of urethane, a silicon | silicone, and polyester can be mentioned. . Among them, since the resin containing at least one of urethane, silicone, and polyester has a small change in elastic force due to a change in temperature, even when the seating sensor 1 is arranged in a place where a change in environmental temperature such as an automobile is large, This is preferable because a change in the seating detection load can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
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. 11 is a plan view showing a seating sensor according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The seating sensor 2 of the present embodiment is mainly different from the seating sensor 1 of the first embodiment in two points. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet interposed between the cushion member 52 and the spacer 30 are formed with a recess 5 on the peripheral side surface. This is different from the seating sensor 1 of the first embodiment in which such a recess is not formed. Also, the seating sensor 1 of the first embodiment in which the spacer 30 is larger than the second electrode sheet in that the spacer 30 is the same as the second electrode sheet in the seating sensor 2 of the second embodiment. Is different.

  FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the first electrode sheet 10 of FIG. In the first electrode sheet 10, a plurality of recesses 5 whose horizontal cross section is U-shaped are formed at predetermined intervals on the peripheral side surface of the first insulating sheet 11. The depths of these recesses 5 are the same.

  In the first insulating sheet 11, a region where the first electrodes 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> F and the first wirings 16 </ b> A to 16 </ b> H are disposed and a region where the slits 36 </ b> A to 36 </ b> E formed in the spacer 30 are opposed to each other. It is excluded as a formation position of the recess 5.

  FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a second electrode sheet interposed between the cushion member 52 and the spacer 30 in FIG. 11. In the second electrode sheet 20, a concave portion 5 having the same shape and the same size as the concave portion 5 in the first insulating sheet 11 is formed at the same position as the concave portion 5 in the first insulating sheet 11 with respect to the peripheral side surface of the second insulating sheet 21. Is formed.

  In the second insulating sheet 21, a region where the second electrodes 24 </ b> A to 24 </ b> F and the second wirings 26 </ b> A to 26 </ b> E are disposed and a region where the slits 36 </ b> A to 36 </ b> E formed in the spacer 30 are opposed to each other. It is excluded as a formation position of the recess 5.

  FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the spacer 30 of FIG. As described above, the spacer 30 has the same size as the second electrode sheet 20 in FIG. 11 (that is, the area AR1 in FIG. 6).

  The first electrode sheet 10 shown in FIG. 12 and the second electrode sheet 20 shown in FIG. 13 are overlapped with the spacer 30 shown in FIG. 14 interposed therebetween, and are fixed to each other by an adhesive applied to both surfaces of the spacer 30. Thus, the seating sensor 2 shown in FIG. 11 is configured.

  In the seating sensor 2, since the plurality of recesses 5 are formed on the peripheral side surfaces of the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21, the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 2 are interposed via the recesses 5. A part of the spacer 30 interposed between the insulating sheet 21 and the insulating sheet 21 is exposed.

  Further, the surface of the first insulating sheet 11 is covered with a cushion member 51, and the surface of the second insulating sheet 21 is covered with a cushion member 52. And the edge part of these cushion members 51 and 52 is with the adhesive agent apply | coated to both surfaces of the part exposed through the recessed part 5 of the 1st electrode sheet 10 and the 2nd electrode sheet 20 among the spacers 30. It is fixed. Thus, the cushion members 51 and 52 are bonded together via the spacer 30 and cover the first insulating sheet 11 excluding a part of the first insulating sheet 11 (tail portion 11D) and the entire second insulating sheet 21. .

  As described above, in the seating sensor 2 according to the present embodiment, the plurality of recesses 5 are formed on the peripheral side surfaces of the insulating sheets 11, 21, and a part of the surface of the spacer 30 is interposed between the recesses 5. , 21 is exposed. And this exposed part and the cushion members 51 and 52 are adhere | attached. For this reason, the cushion members 51 and 52 are bonded to the spacer 30 via the concave portion 5 to cover the entire pair of insulating sheets 11 and 21, and contamination of foreign matters is greatly reduced. Further, it is possible to bond the spacer 30 and the cushion members 51 and 52 while minimizing the influence of the arrangement space in the plane of the insulating sheets 11 and 21.

  Further, since the seating sensor 2 can reduce the ratio of the surface area of the spacer 30 to the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20 as compared with the first embodiment, the seating sensor 2 can be downsized as a whole.

(Third embodiment)
A third 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. 15 is a plan view showing a seating sensor according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

  The seating sensor 3 of the present embodiment mainly differs in two points from the seating sensor 1 of the first embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15, in the point where the through-hole 6 is formed in the surface of the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet interposed between the cushion member 52 and the spacer 30, This is different from the seating sensor 1 of the first embodiment in which such a through hole is not formed. Also, the seating sensor 1 of the first embodiment in which the spacer 30 is larger than the second electrode sheet in that the spacer 30 is the same as the second electrode sheet in the seating sensor 3 of the third embodiment. Is different.

  FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the first electrode sheet 10 of FIG. In the first electrode sheet 10, a plurality of through holes 6 having a circular horizontal cross section are formed in the vicinity of the peripheral side surface of the first insulating sheet 11 at a predetermined interval with respect to the surface of the first insulating sheet 11. Yes. These through holes 6 have the same diameter.

  In the first insulating sheet 11, a region where the first electrodes 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> F and the first wirings 16 </ b> A to 16 </ b> H are disposed and a region where the slits 36 </ b> A to 36 </ b> E formed in the spacer 30 are opposed to each other. It is excluded as a formation position of the through hole 6.

  FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a second electrode sheet interposed between the cushion member 52 and the spacer 30 in FIG. In the second electrode sheet 20, a through hole having the same shape and size as the through hole 6 in the first insulating sheet 11 is located at the same position as the through hole 6 in the first insulating sheet 11 with respect to the plane of the second insulating sheet 21. A hole 6 is formed.

  In the second insulating sheet 21, a region where the second electrodes 24 </ b> A to 24 </ b> F and the second wirings 26 </ b> A to 26 </ b> E are disposed and a region where the slits 36 </ b> A to 36 </ b> E formed in the spacer 30 are opposed to each other. It is excluded as a formation position of the recess 5.

  The first electrode sheet 10 shown in FIG. 16 and the second electrode sheet 20 shown in FIG. 17 are overlapped with the same spacer 30 as the spacer 30 shown in FIG. 14 in the second embodiment. The seating sensor 3 shown in FIG. 15 is configured to be fixed to each other by the adhesive applied to the surface.

  In the seating sensor 3, since a plurality of through holes 6 are formed in the plane of the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21, the first insulating sheet 11 and the first insulating sheet 11 are connected via the through holes 6. A part of the spacer 30 interposed between the second insulating sheet 21 is exposed.

  Further, the surface of the first insulating sheet 11 is covered with a cushion member 51, and the surface of the second insulating sheet 21 is covered with a cushion member 52. And the edge part of these cushion members 51 and 52 is with the adhesive agent apply | coated to both surfaces of the part exposed through the recessed part 5 of the 1st electrode sheet 10 and the 2nd electrode sheet 20 among the spacers 30. It is fixed. Thus, the cushion members 51 and 52 are bonded together via the spacer 30 and cover the first insulating sheet 11 excluding a part of the first insulating sheet 11 (tail portion 11D) and the entire second insulating sheet 21. .

  As described above, in the seating sensor 3 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of through holes 6 are formed along the peripheral side ends of the insulating sheets 11 and 21, and one surface of the spacer 30 is interposed through these through holes 6. The part is exposed from the insulating sheets 11 and 21. And this exposed part and the cushion members 51 and 52 are adhere | attached. For this reason, the cushion members 51 and 52 are bonded to the spacer 30 through the through hole 6 and cover the entire pair of insulating sheets 11 and 21 as in the second embodiment. It is greatly reduced.

  On the other hand, when the plurality of through-holes 6 are formed on the surface that is on the inner side of the peripheral side ends of the insulating sheets 11, 21, the cushion member 51 is interposed via the through-holes 6 without covering the insulating sheets 11, 21. , 52 and the spacer 30 can be bonded. Therefore, in this case, the air permeability is good, which is particularly advantageous under circumstances where high temperatures are likely to occur. In addition, from the viewpoint of increasing the durability of the seating sensor, the first embodiment or the second embodiment is preferable because the enrichment amount of the insulating sheets 11 and 21 is increased.

  In addition, since the ratio of the surface area of the spacer 30 to the first electrode sheet 10 and the second electrode sheet 20 can be reduced compared to the first embodiment, the seating sensor 3 can be downsized as a whole.

(Fourth embodiment)
A fourth 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. 18 is a plan view showing a seating sensor according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the seating sensor 4 in the present embodiment is different from the seating sensor 1 of the first embodiment in that the first electrodes 14A to 14F of the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40F are composed of comb-teeth electrodes. Different.

  FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the first electrode sheet 10 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, in the comb electrodes constituting the first electrodes 14A to 14F, a plurality of conductors parallel to each other are connected to each other on one side, and another plurality of conductors parallel to each other are further connected. 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.

  A plurality of parallel conductors connected on one side of the first electrode 14A are connected to a first wiring 16G, and the first wiring 16G is connected to a plurality of parallel conductors connected on one side of the first electrode 14B. Connected to conductor. The plurality of parallel conductors connected on the other side of the first electrode 14B are connected to the first wiring 16H, and the first wiring 16H is connected to the plurality of parallel conductors connected on one side of the first electrode 14C. Connected. The plurality of parallel conductors connected on the other side of the first electrode 14C are connected to the first wiring 16E, and the first wiring 16E is connected to the terminal 42A.

  On the other hand, the plurality of parallel conductors connected on the other side of the first electrode 14A are connected to the first wiring 16I, and the first wiring 16I is connected to the plurality of parallel conductors connected on one side of the first electrode 14D. Connected to conductor. The plurality of parallel conductors connected on the other side of the first electrode 14D are connected to the first wiring 16J, and the first wiring 16J is connected to the plurality of parallel conductors connected on one side of the first electrode 14E. Connected. The plurality of parallel conductors connected on the other side of the first electrode 14E are connected to the first wiring 16K, and the first wiring 16K is connected to the plurality of parallel conductors connected on one side of the first electrode 14F. Connected. The plurality of parallel conductors connected on the other side of the first electrode 14F are connected to the first wiring 16F, and the first wiring 16F is connected to the terminal 42B.

  FIG. 20 is a plan view showing the second electrode sheet 20 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 20, 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 to 26E are not provided.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the first electrode sheet 10 shown in FIG. 19 and the second electrode sheet 20 shown in FIG. 20 are overlapped and integrated via the same spacer 30 as in the first embodiment. Yes.

  When a pressing force is applied from the cushion pad 93 to the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40F according to the seating of the person, the second electrodes 24A to 24F come into contact with the respective parallel conductors in the first electrodes 14A to 14F. For this reason, a pair of parallel conductors insulated from each other in the first electrodes 14A to 14F are electrically connected via the second electrodes 24A to 24F. Thus, the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40F are turned on. Thus, when the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40F are turned on, the seating sensor 4 detects the seating of a person.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated to the example for embodiment, this invention is not limited to these.

  For example, as a form in which a part of the spacer 30 is exposed, in the first embodiment, the region AR2 of the spacer 30 that is larger than the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21 corresponds to the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet. The sheet 21 was exposed. Further, in the second embodiment, a part of the spacer 30 interposed between the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21 via the recess 5 formed in the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21. Was exposed. In the third embodiment, one of the spacers 30 interposed between the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21 through the through holes 6 formed in the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21. The part was exposed. The form which combined all or one part of these embodiment may be applied.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the 1st insulating sheet 11 and the 2nd insulating sheet 21, and the spacer 30 were adhere | attached with the adhesive agent. However, since a part of the spacer 30 exposed from the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21 and the cushion members 51, 52 are bonded, the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21, Adhesion with the spacer 30 may be omitted. However, from the viewpoint of preventing the first electrodes 14A to 14F or the second electrodes 24A to 24F from shifting with respect to the openings 34A to 34F, the first insulating sheet 11 and the second insulating sheet 21 and the spacer 30 are bonded. ,preferable.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the cushion members 51 and 52 were provided on the surface on the opposite side of each opposing surface of the 1st insulating sheet 11 and the 2nd insulating sheet 21 which mutually oppose, one cushion member 51 is provided. Alternatively, 52 may be omitted.

  In the said 1st Embodiment, area | region AR2 larger than area | region AR1 which becomes the same shape and size as the 2nd electrode sheet 20, was extended outside from the perimeter side of area | region AR1. However, for example, a region having a predetermined width may be widened outward at predetermined intervals on the peripheral side surface of the region AR1.

  In the said 2nd Embodiment, the horizontal cross section of the recessed part 5 was made into U shape. However, various shapes such as a triangular shape, a circular shape, or a trapezoidal shape can be applied to the shape of the horizontal section of the concave portion 5. Moreover, the recessed part 5 was formed for every predetermined space | interval. However, the formation interval of the recess 5 may be random, or may be different for each part such as the side parts 11A, 11B, the intermediate part 11C, and the tail part 11D. Moreover, the shape, size, and depth of the recesses 5 were the same. However, the shape, size, or depth of the recesses 5 may be different from each other, and the shape, size, or depth of a part of each recess 5 is different from the shape, size, or depth of the other recesses 5. May be. Moreover, although the formation position of the recessed part 5 in the 1st insulating sheet 11 and the recessed part 5 in the 2nd insulating sheet 21 was made the same, you may differ.

  In the third embodiment, the horizontal cross section of the through hole 6 is circular. However, various shapes such as a U shape, a triangular shape, or a trapezoidal shape can be applied to the shape of the horizontal cross section of the through hole 6. Moreover, the through-hole 6 was formed for every predetermined space | interval. However, the formation interval of the through holes 6 may be random, or may be different for each part such as the side parts 11A, 11B, the intermediate part 11C, and the tail part 11D. Further, the shape, size, and diameter of the through holes 6 are the same. However, the shape, size, or diameter of the through holes 6 may be different from each other, and the shape, size, or diameter of a part of each through hole 6 may be different from the shape, size, or diameter of another through hole 6. It may be different. Moreover, although the through-hole 6 was formed in the vicinity of the peripheral side surface of the 1st insulating sheet 11 or the 2nd insulating sheet 21, if it is in the surface of the 1st insulating sheet 11 or the 2nd insulating sheet 21, in any position There may be. Moreover, although the formation positions of the through hole 6 in the first insulating sheet 11 and the through hole 6 in the second insulating sheet 21 are the same, they may be different.

  In the above embodiment, the number of pressure sensitive switches is six. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of pressure sensitive switches may be five or less, or may be seven or more. In the above embodiment, an OR circuit is configured in each of the pressure sensitive switch group including the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40C and the pressure sensitive switch group including the pressure sensitive switches 40D to 40F. It is assumed that an AND circuit is configured by the pressure-sensitive switch group including the pressure-sensitive switches 40A to 40C and the pressure-sensitive switch group including the pressure-sensitive switches 40D to 40F. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an OR circuit may be formed by the whole pressure-sensitive switches 40A to 40F, and the pressure-sensitive switches 40A to 40F are connected in series, and the pressure-sensitive switches 40A to 40F are the whole. An AND circuit may be formed.

  Further, in each of the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40F, the first electrodes 14A to 14F and the second electrodes 24A to 24F have the same shape and size, and are completely overlapped with each other. The first electrode 14A to 14F and the second electrode 24A to 24F may be different in size, shape, and the like as long as the pressing force can be detected.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the shape of the seating sensor 1 was made into the substantially H type, this invention is not restricted to this, For example, a comb-tooth type seating sensor may be sufficient.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the cushion members 51 and 52 have the same elastic force and the same thickness. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cushion members 51 and 52 have different elastic forces. Alternatively, the thicknesses may be different from each other. And the sum total of the thickness which the cushion members 51 and 52 collapse is not necessarily more than the distance between a pair of electrodes.

  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 34F of the spacer 30 via the first insulating sheet 11, and the cushion member 52 covers at least the openings 34A to 34F 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 each of the openings 34 </ b> A to 34 </ b> F of the spacer 30.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the cushion members 51 and 52 and the cushion pad 93 were supposed to have the same elastic force, this invention is not restricted to this, The cushion members 51 and 52 and the cushion pad 93 are You may have mutually different elastic force. For example, in the seat device 90, the elastic force of the cushion members 51 and 52 can be weaker than the elastic force of the cushion pad 93. In this case, according to the seat device 90, it is possible to suppress the vibration from the seat pan 92 and the cushion pad 93 from being transmitted to the pressure sensitive switches 40 </ b> A to 40 </ b> F by the cushion member 51 having a weaker elastic force than the cushion pad 93. In addition, the pressure sensitive switches 40A to 40F can operate more stably and detect the seating of a person stably. Alternatively, in the seat device 90, the elastic force of the cushion members 51 and 52 can be stronger than the elastic force of the cushion pad 93.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the seating sensor which can suppress that the detection load of seating changes with the place arrange | positioned, and a seat apparatus using the same are provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1-4 ... Seating sensor 5 ... Recess 6 ... Through-hole 10 ... 1st electrode sheet 11 ... 1st insulating sheet 14A-14F ... 1st electrode 16A-16H ... 1st wiring 20 ... 2nd electrode sheet 21 ... 2nd insulating sheet 24A-24F ... 2nd electrode 26A-26E ... 2nd wiring 30 ... Spacer 34A-34F ... Opening 36A ... 36F ... slit 40A ~ 40F ... pressure sensitive switch 42A, 42B ... terminal 51, 52 ... cushion member 90 ... seat device 92 ... seat pan 93 ... cushion pad 94 · ..Hole 96 ... backrest

Claims (6)

A pair of insulating sheets having flexibility and facing each other;
A sheet-like spacer interposed between the pair of insulating sheets and having at least one opening formed therein;
A pair of electrodes provided on opposing surfaces of the pair of insulating sheets, and facing each other through the opening;
A cushion member provided on a surface opposite to the surface facing the spacer of at least one of the pair of insulating sheets;
A part of the spacer facing the one insulating sheet is exposed from the one insulating sheet, and the exposed portion and the cushion member are bonded to each other. The cushion member is provided on a surface opposite to a surface facing both the spacers in the pair of insulating sheets,
2. The seating sensor according to claim 1, wherein a part of the spacer facing each of the pair of insulating sheets is exposed from the pair of insulating sheets, and the exposed portion and the cushion member are bonded to each other. . The seating sensor according to claim 1, wherein the exposed portion is located around the electrode. A plurality of recesses formed on a peripheral side surface of the insulating sheet;
The seating sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a part of the spacer is exposed from the insulating sheet through the recess. A plurality of through holes formed in the insulating sheet;
The seating sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a part of the spacer is exposed from the insulating sheet through the through hole. The seating sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the spacer has a portion formed larger than the insulating sheet, and the portion and the cushion member are bonded to each other. .

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