JP2020526895A - Crew detection system, detection mat and electric switch - Google Patents

Abstract

The occupant detection system includes a detection mat that includes a conductor screen-printed on the first base and a conductor screen-printed on the second base. The detection mat contains multiple humps of dielectric material printed in a spaced pattern on at least one of the bases. The first base is positioned on the second base so that when a downward force acts on the first base, the distance between at least a portion of the conductor is reduced. The system includes a controller connected to a conductor so that it can operate. The controller includes a detection circuit or processor configured to detect the presence of an occupant. The detection mat can be used as an externally actuated electric switch that is activated when a conductor comes into contact.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

(Cross-reference of related applications)
This application is the priority and benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 646,841 filed on July 11, 2017 and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 989,960 filed on May 25, 2018. Is to insist. The application is incorporated herein by reference.

The present application relates to an occupant detection system using either an externally actuated electric switch or a capacity sensor that can be used to detect the seating status of a vehicle seat. As will be described later, the electric switch has a different use from the occupant detection. A detection mat may be used as the capacitance sensor.

The features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings briefly described below.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the seat including the occupant detection system or the electric switch. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the occupant detection system of FIG. FIG. 3 is a developed view of the sensor pad used in the occupant detection system of FIG. The pad structure is used as an electric switch. FIG. 4 is a side view of the base used for the sensor pad and the electric switch of FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the base of FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of the sensor pad of FIG. 5, including a first base and a second base. FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the area of the sensor pad circled in FIG.

The occupant detection system is an electric switch configured to be driven by a force (eg, weight, pressing force, presence of an object, etc.) or a capacitance configured to detect the presence of a seat occupant using a capacitance sensor. Targeting detection systems. The occupant detection system includes a first base, a second base, and a plurality of humps arranged on either the first base or the second base. The humps extend away from either the first base or the second base, forming a gap or spacer layer between the first base and the second base. The plurality of humps may be arranged in a certain pattern. The pattern may include spaces between adjacent humps. According to the first exemplary embodiment, when a predetermined force acts on the first base or the second base, the gap or spacer layer between the first base and the second base is reduced to a plurality of humps. A portion of the first base can contact at least a portion of the second base in the space located between them.

The system is configured to drive an electric switch when the first base comes into contact with the second base. The system may also be configured to detect and measure the forces used to drive the electrical switch (eg, pressure, weight, etc.). According to the second exemplary embodiment, the capacitance detection system may use multiple electrodes on either side of the spacer layer. Measurements may be made while the electrodes take various forms in the detection circuit. The capacity detection system may combine or integrate the weight detection concept and the capacity detection concept into one system. The integrated system can use weight / pressure information along with capacity information to identify occupant status and generate preferred classifications.

Preferably, the material of the assembly for the detection system includes any kind of conductive material as a conductor (eg copper, conductive ink, conductive fabric, etc.) and any dielectric material suitable as multiple humps. be able to.

The occupant detection system may be incorporated into a detection mat or pad located within the vehicle seat. Alternatively, the system may be incorporated into other components, such as the steering wheel of the vehicle or the instrument panel. Importantly, the disclosed configuration is not limited to use as a vehicle occupant detection system, but may be used as an externally actuated electric switch or capacity detection system in other environments.

As shown in FIG. 1, the occupant detection system 100 may be arranged in the seat 20. The seat may include a backrest 22 and a seat 24. The occupant detection system 100 is preferably arranged on the seat 24 under the seat cover 26. The occupant detection system 100 includes a detection pad or mat 150, a controller 110, and a wire harness 120. The harness 120 transmits power and connectivity to the vehicle's power system and communication bus. The harness 120 is connected to the vehicle's electrical system by a connector 125.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of various components of the detection system 100. The system includes any supporting lower base layer 155. The lower base layer 155 may be made of felt material and may be coupled or attached to a structural component of the vehicle seat, such as a seat pan. The upper base layer 157 is preferably a felt material, which is located below two spaced conductor layers and serves as a support material for the controller 110.

In a first embodiment, the system 100 may include an electrical switch with a first base 160 and a second base 170. The controller 110 includes a detection circuit and / or a processor that measures the magnitude of the force acting to reduce the distance between the first and second bases 160, 170. When a predetermined force is applied, the distance between the first and second bases reduces the gap or spacer layer between the first and second bases. When the gap or spacer layer between the first and second bases is sufficiently reduced, the conductor layer of the first base and the conductor layer of the second base can come into contact with each other in the space between the plurality of humps of the dielectric material. Become. When the conductor layers come into contact with each other, the electric switch is driven. When the electric switch is incorporated in the vehicle occupant detection system, the operation of the electric switch indicates the presence of the occupant 10 in the vehicle seat 20. The controller 110 can then provide data to the vehicle's communication bus via the vehicle's power and the conductive wires contained in the wire harness 120 connected to the communication system via the connector 125.

In a second embodiment, the capacitance between the bases can also be monitored to measure the magnitude of the force on the seat 20 such that it is associated with the person seated in the seat 20. Both bases are connected to the controller 110 by electronic connectors 162,172. The connectors 162 and 172 transmit electronic signals to each base. The electronic signal provided to the base may be a time-varying voltage signal such as a sinusoidal signal. Each base preferably comprises a conductive material printed to form a conductor, conductive wire or "wire" that carries an electronic signal through the base. As mentioned above, the controller 110 includes a detection circuit and / or a processor that measures the magnitude of the force acting to reduce the distance between the first and second bases 160, 170. The change in capacitance magnitude may be used by system 100 to indicate the presence of occupant 10 in vehicle seat 20. The controller 110 can send data to the vehicle's communication bus through the vehicle's power and the conductive wires contained in the wire harness 120 connected to the communication system through the connector 125.

The first base and the second base are each preferably a single sheet of plastic type film material. For example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film may be used for one or both bases. Alternatively, other poly-based films such as PEN, PC, PI or PEI can be used as the base. Each base preferably comprises a printed conductive material that forms a conductor, conductive wire or "wire" that carries an electronic signal through a conductor layer. Preferably, the conductor is an ink-based material that can be printed on film. The conductive ink may include, for example, silver, silver / silver chloride and / or carbon. The conductive ink is preferably printed in a pattern on the film base layer.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first base 160 and the second base 170 are separated or separated by a spacer layer (unsigned) at predetermined intervals. The spacer layer contains a dielectric material. Preferably, the dielectric material is an ink-based material that can be printed on the second base 170 with a hump-like, dot-like or bank-like pattern 175. The shape of the hump can be changed. For example, the hump may be tapered such that the base has a larger area than the top. As the shape of the hump, a cylinder, a cube, a cone, a prism, a pyramid or any other suitable shape can be used. In FIG. 3, each hump 175 includes a top in contact with the first base 160. When a force is applied to the vehicle seat 20 (eg, the seat 24), the distance between at least a portion of the first base 160 of the system and the second base 170 can be reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the dielectric material is arranged on the upper surface of the base 170 in a spaced pattern so as to form gaps or spacer layers between the bases. The pattern of the hump 175 can be of any suitable shape, size and spacing, depending on the capabilities of the screen printing process. The hump pattern can be easily adjusted to fit different seat configurations. For example, the hump may occupy less than 20 percent of the surface of the base so that the volume of the gap between the bases is sufficient. Reducing the percentage of surface area occupied by the hump can be said to make the occupant detection system more sensitive.

FIG. 7 is a detailed view of an embodiment of the occupant detection system shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, each base 160, 170 contains three different layers. For example, the base 160 may include a substrate layer 164. The primary conductor layer 166, such as silver, may be printed on the substrate layer 164. A secondary conductor layer 168, such as a carbon-based ink, may be printed on the primary conductor layer 166. The base 170 may have a similar configuration. For example, the base may include a substrate layer 174. The primary conductor layer 176, such as silver, may be printed on the substrate layer 174. A secondary conductor layer 178, such as a carbon-based ink, may be printed on the primary conductor layer 176. The dielectric hump 175 is printed on either the substrate layer 174 or the secondary conductor layer 178 or the primary conductor layer 176. Alternatively, the dielectric hump 175 may be printed on either the substrate layer 164 or the secondary conductor layer 168 or the primary conductor layer 166.

The cost and time of developing an occupant detection system can be significantly reduced due to the ease of construction and adjustment of the hump position. The space between the humps is variable and adjustable because the humps can be screen printed on the substrate layer and / or the conductor layer. The hump is substantially incompressible, and for the purpose of analyzing the behavior of the system, for example, the hump of this dielectric material can be considered incompressible to the extent that it is not necessary to analyze the spring constant of the spacer layer. The spacer layer is basically a gap between the humps of the dielectric material. As an example, the ability to accurately position the hump of a dielectric material allows the system to provide more accurate force measurements when used as an electrical switch. Traditional electric switch systems generally use glue with recesses. The depression basically determined the amount of force required to activate the switch.

As a second example, the ability to precisely place the hump of the dielectric material allows the system to provide more accurate on-seat occupant detection when used as a capacitance detection system. The overall thickness of the detection mat can be potentially reduced to 350 microns or less so that the entire system does not get in the way within the sheet structure. The thickness of the spacer layer can be suppressed to, for example, 5 to 8 microns. As mentioned above, the system may be modified to accommodate different seat designs, including separate seat pans and / or seat spring structures.

The detection system may be used in conjunction with the seatbelt alert system. In a first embodiment, the detection system may be configured to determine that the occupant is seated, for example, when the electric switch is driven by a force acting on the seat. The controller of the detection system may then provide the seatbelt alert system with a signal indicating that the occupant is in the vehicle seat. The seatbelt alert system may receive input from both the detection system and the seatbelt buckle sensor. If the system determines that the occupant is seated and the seatbelt is not fastened, the seatbelt alerting device (eg, acoustic alarm, warning light, etc.) is activated to alert the occupant. As mentioned above, the structure of the detection system disclosed herein can be used for other applications as well. These applications include not only configurations that use relatively low cost and thin force-operated electric switches and capacity detection systems, but also applications to other vehicles and vehicles.

As described herein, the occupant detection system may include an electrical switch and a controller. The electrical switch may include a first base, a second base, and a plurality of humps of dielectric material disposed on at least one of the first base and the second base. The humps extend away from at least one of the first and second bases, thereby creating a gap between the first and second bases. The plurality of humps are arranged in a pattern on at least one of the first base and the second base, and the pattern includes a space between adjacent humps. The switch is a space in which when a predetermined force acts on the first base or the second base, the gap between the first base and the second base is reduced, and at least a part of the first base is located between a plurality of humps. Will come into contact with a part of the second base. The controller is configured to output an occupant detection signal when the first base contacts the second base to activate the switch.

As described herein, the first base and the second base include a substrate layer and a primary conductor layer, respectively. Further, the first base and the second base may each include a flexible substrate layer, and the primary conductor layer may be printed on the flexible substrate layer. In one disclosed embodiment, the plurality of humps are each tapered upward from a wide base in contact with either the first base or the second base, and the tops of the plurality of humps are respectively. , Contact either the first base or the second base.

Embodiments of the electric switch are a first conductor screen-printed on the first base, a second conductor screen-printed on the second base, and a dielectric material arranged on at least one of the first base and the second base. It may contain multiple humps. The switch is configured such that each of the plurality of humps extends to form a gap between the first base and the second base. The humps may be arranged in a pattern on at least one of the first base or the second base that provides space between the humps. When a predetermined force acts on the first base or the second base, the switch reduces the gap between the first base and the second base, and in the space between the plurality of humps, at least a part of the first conductor is the first. 2 It is configured so that it can come into contact with a part of the conductor. When the first conductor comes into contact with the second conductor, the electric switch is activated. The first base and the second base may each include a flexible substrate layer, and the first and second conductors are printed on the substrate layer. The electric switch is configured to be positioned on the vehicle to detect the presence of an occupant. Each hump may contain ink printed on at least one substrate layer of the first base and the second base. The first conductor, the second conductor and the plurality of humps may be printed on the same side of the first base.

In the disclosed embodiments, the detection mat used in the capacitance detection system includes a first conductor, a second conductor, and a spacer that separates the conductors. The detection mat includes a detection circuit operably coupled to the first and second conductors so as to utilize the magnitude of the capacitance between the first and second conductors to detect the presence of an object. It is composed. The spacer may contain multiple humps of dielectric material, each hump apart from each of the other humps so as to provide space that can reduce the distance between at least some of the first and second conductors. It is something that is.

The detection mat may be configured to taper upward from a wide base where each hump contacts the base layer. The humps may also be arranged in a pattern. The hump may contain ink and may be printed on the base layer. The mat may further include a first base layer, the first conductor being arranged on the first base layer. The hump may be deposited on the first base layer. The first conductor may contain ink printed on the first base layer. The first base layer may include a plastic film. The hump may contain ink printed on the first base layer. In the detection mat, the hump may be tapered from the base to the top so that when a force acts on the second base layer, the hump base reduces the distance between the first and second conductors. It contacts the first base layer and the top of the hump contacts the second base layer, including the second conductor. The first conductor and hump may be printed on the same side of the first base layer.

For the purposes of the present disclosure, the term "coupled" means joining two components (electrically, mechanically, magnetically) directly or indirectly to each other. Such a junction may be fixed as an entity or movable. Such a junction is such that the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intervening members that are integrally defined as a single object are with each other or with the two components, or , Which can be achieved with the two components and additional members attached to each other. Such a junction may be permanent as an entity, or removable or releaseable as an entity.

The present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter. For example, various exemplary embodiments have been described as containing one or more features that provide one or more advantages, but the described features are interchangeable with each other, or the described exemplary embodiments or other alternatives. It is believed that they can be combined with each other in the embodiments of. The technology disclosed in this disclosure is complex and not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure, described with reference to exemplary embodiments, is expressly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless otherwise specified, an exemplary embodiment enumerating a single particular element also includes a plurality of such particular elements.

An exemplary embodiment may include a computer or machine-readable medium having or having machine-executable instructions or a program product with data structures recorded therein. For example, the occupant detection system may be computer operated. The exemplary embodiments presented in the manner of the drawings may be controlled by a computer or machine readable medium or a program product with data structures recorded therein. Such a computer or machine-readable medium is, for example, any available medium accessible by a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or another machine equipped with a processor. A computer or machine executable instruction consists, for example, an instruction or data that causes a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or a special purpose processing device to perform a specific function or a series of functions. The software implementation of the present invention is achieved using common programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to perform various connection, processing, comparison and decision steps.

It should also be noted that the structure and arrangement of the elements of the system as shown in the exemplary embodiments are merely exemplary. Although only some embodiments have been described in this disclosure, those skilled in the art considering this disclosure will appreciate many modifications (eg, size, dimensions, configuration, shape and proportions of various elements, parameter values, mounting arrangements, etc. It will be easily understood that the use of materials, changes in color, orientation, etc.) can be achieved without materials that deviate from the advantages of this new technology and subject matter. For example, an element shown as an integral part may consist of multiple parts, an element shown as a plurality of parts may be formed integrally, and the operation of the assembly may be reversed or otherwise. It may be changed, and the length and width of the components or connectors of the configuration and / or system or other elements may be changed, and the nature and number of adjustments and mounting positions provided between the elements may also be changed. May be done. It should be noted that the elements and / or assembly of the system may be assembled from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability. Therefore, all such changes are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. The order or order of any process or method steps may be modified or reassembled by alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangements of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the subject.

(Additional note)
(Appendix 1)
A system that detects the occupants of a vehicle
With the upper base layer including the upper electrodes,
With the lower base layer including the lower electrodes
A plurality of humps arranged on the lower base layer such that the distance between the upper conductor and at least a part of the lower conductor is reduced when a downward force acts on the upper base layer. Multiple humps, with the upper and lower base layers arranged in
A controller including a detection circuit operably connected to the upper electrode and the lower electrode and configured to detect the presence of an occupant using the magnitude of the capacitance between the upper electrode and the lower electrode. When,
A system characterized by being equipped with.

(Appendix 2)
The plurality of humps are arranged in a pattern according to the system of Appendix 1.

(Appendix 3)
The system of Appendix 1, wherein each of the humps contains ink printed on the base layer.

(Appendix 4)
The system of Appendix 1 in which each of the humps is tapered upward from the lower base layer.

(Appendix 5)
The system of Appendix 4 in which each of the humps comprises a dielectric material.

(Appendix 6)
It is a capacity detection system
With the upper electrode printed on the upper film layer,
With the lower electrode printed on the lower film layer,
A plurality of humps of a dielectric material printed on the lower film layer in a spaced pattern, at least one of the upper conductor and the lower conductor when a downward force acts on the upper film layer. A plurality of humps in which the upper film layer is positioned above the lower film layer so that the distance between the portions is reduced.
A controller including a detection circuit operably connected to the upper electrode and the lower electrode and configured to detect the presence of an occupant using the magnitude of the capacitance between the upper electrode and the lower electrode. When,
A system characterized by being equipped with.

(Appendix 7)
The system of Appendix 6 in which the hump is in contact with each of the upper film layer and the lower film layer.

(Appendix 8)
The hump is the system of Appendix 7 arranged such that the hump occupies less than 20 percent of the surface area of the lower film layer.

(Appendix 9)
The hump is the system of Appendix 8 in which the pattern is arranged such that the hump above a portion of the lower film layer has a higher distribution ratio than the hump above the other portion of the lower film layer.

(Appendix 10)
An electric switch configured to be used in a vehicle.
1st base and
2nd base and
A plurality of humps of a dielectric material disposed on at least one of the first base and the second base.
With
The plurality of humps extend in a direction away from at least one of the first base and the second base to form a gap between the first base and the second base.
The plurality of humps are arranged in a pattern on at least one of the first base and the second base, and the pattern includes a space between the adjacent humps.
When a predetermined force acts on the first base or the second base, the gap between the first base and the second base is reduced in the space located between the plurality of humps. At least a portion of the first base can come into contact with a portion of the second base.
The electric switch is configured so that the electric switch is activated when the first base comes into contact with the second base.
An electric switch characterized by that.

(Appendix 11)
The electric switch according to Appendix 10, wherein the first base and the second base include a substrate layer and a primary conductor layer, respectively.

(Appendix 12)
The electric switch according to Appendix 11, wherein the first base and the second base each include a secondary conductor layer.

(Appendix 13)
The electric switch of Appendix 11 in which the electric switch is activated when the primary conductor layer of the first base comes into contact with the primary conductor layer of the second base.

(Appendix 14)
The electrical switch according to Appendix 11, wherein the substrate layer comprises a flexible material.

(Appendix 15)
The electric switch of Appendix 12 in which the electric switch is activated when the secondary conductor layer of the first base comes into contact with the secondary conductor layer of the second base.

(Appendix 16)
The primary conductor layer is an electric switch according to Appendix 12 arranged between the substrate layer and the secondary conductor layer.

(Appendix 17)
The electric switch of Appendix 12 in which the primary conductor layer and the secondary conductor layer are screen-printed on each of the first base and the second base.

(Appendix 18)
The electric switch according to Appendix 12, wherein at least one of the primary conductor layer and the secondary conductor layer contains carbon-based ink.

(Appendix 19)
The electric switch according to Appendix 12, wherein at least one of the primary conductor layer and the secondary conductor layer contains silver.

(Appendix 20)
Each of the plurality of humps is tapered from a wide base in contact with either the first base or the second base toward the top.
The top of each of the plurality of humps contacts either the first base or the second base.
Appendix 10 electric switch.

Claims (20)

A system that detects the occupants of a vehicle
With the upper base layer including the upper electrodes,
With the lower base layer including the lower electrodes
A plurality of humps arranged on the lower base layer such that the distance between the upper conductor and at least a part of the lower conductor is reduced when a downward force acts on the upper base layer. Multiple humps, with the upper and lower base layers arranged in
A controller including a detection circuit operably connected to the upper electrode and the lower electrode and configured to detect the presence of an occupant using the magnitude of the capacitance between the upper electrode and the lower electrode. When,
A system characterized by being equipped with. The system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of humps are arranged in a pattern. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the humps comprises an ink printed on the base layer. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the humps is tapered upward from the lower base layer. The system of claim 4, wherein each of the humps comprises a dielectric material. It is a capacity detection system
With the upper electrode printed on the upper film layer,
With the lower electrode printed on the lower film layer,
A plurality of humps of a dielectric material printed on the lower film layer in a spaced pattern, at least one of the upper conductor and the lower conductor when a downward force acts on the upper film layer. A plurality of humps in which the upper film layer is positioned above the lower film layer so that the distance between the portions is reduced.
A controller including a detection circuit operably connected to the upper electrode and the lower electrode and configured to detect the presence of an occupant using the magnitude of the capacitance between the upper electrode and the lower electrode. When,
A system characterized by being equipped with. The system of claim 6, wherein the hump is in contact with each of the upper film layer and the lower film layer. The system of claim 7, wherein the hump is arranged such that the hump occupies less than 20 percent of the surface area of the lower film layer. The system according to claim 8, wherein the hump is arranged such that the hump on a portion of the lower film layer has a higher distribution ratio than the hump on the other portion of the lower film layer. An electric switch configured to be used in a vehicle.
1st base and
2nd base and
A plurality of humps of a dielectric material disposed on at least one of the first base and the second base.
With
The plurality of humps extend in a direction away from at least one of the first base and the second base to form a gap between the first base and the second base.
The plurality of humps are arranged in a pattern on at least one of the first base and the second base, and the pattern includes a space between the adjacent humps.
When a predetermined force acts on the first base or the second base, the gap between the first base and the second base is reduced in the space located between the plurality of humps. At least a portion of the first base can come into contact with a portion of the second base.
The electric switch is configured so that the electric switch is activated when the first base comes into contact with the second base.
An electric switch characterized by that. The electric switch according to claim 10, wherein the first base and the second base include a substrate layer and a primary conductor layer, respectively. The electric switch according to claim 11, wherein the first base and the second base each include a secondary conductor layer. The electric switch according to claim 11, wherein the electric switch is activated when the primary conductor layer of the first base comes into contact with the primary conductor layer of the second base. The electric switch according to claim 11, wherein the substrate layer comprises a flexible material. The electric switch according to claim 12, wherein the electric switch is activated when the secondary conductor layer of the first base comes into contact with the secondary conductor layer of the second base. The electric switch according to claim 12, wherein the primary conductor layer is arranged between the substrate layer and the secondary conductor layer. The electric switch according to claim 12, wherein the primary conductor layer and the secondary conductor layer are screen-printed on the first base and the second base, respectively. The electric switch according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the primary conductor layer and the secondary conductor layer contains a carbon-based ink. The electric switch according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the primary conductor layer and the secondary conductor layer contains silver. Each of the plurality of humps is tapered from a wide base in contact with either the first base or the second base toward the top.
The top of each of the plurality of humps contacts either the first base or the second base.
The electric switch of claim 10.

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