JP4185874B2 - Seating detection device and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a seating detection device for detecting a load applied to a seating surface of a seat and a method for manufacturing the same.

  Conventionally, as a seating detection device for detecting a load applied to a seating surface of a seat, for example, a device described in Patent Document 1 is known. This seating detection device basically includes a pair of insulating films each having an electrode printed on an opposing surface, and a spacer having an opening interposed therebetween. And this seating detection apparatus detects the load added to the seating surface of a sheet | seat based on the resistance according to the contact area of both the electrodes in an opening part. Further, in this seating detection device, it has been proposed to adjust the inner diameter of the opening in order to adjust the detection sensitivity (operation load).

By the way, both electrodes of the seating detection device function as a switch that is opened when no load is applied to the seating surface of the seat, and function as a variable resistance corresponding to the load only when a load of a predetermined level or more is applied. . Therefore, when both electrodes function as an open switch, it has not been possible to determine whether this is due to the fact that no load is applied to the seating surface of the seat or due to disconnection or the like.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-214537 (FIGS. 3 and 4)

  Therefore, for example, the applicant has proposed a seating detection apparatus having the structure shown in FIG. That is, the seating detection device has a structure in which the first to third insulating films are superposed, and as shown in FIG. 10A, the first insulating film 91 has a plurality of series-connected devices. The detection unit 92 is printed with silver paste. Each detection unit 92 has a branch shape of a first wiring 92b including a first electrode 92a and a second wiring 92e including a second electrode 92c and connected in series with an adjacent detection unit 92 through an open portion 92d. Have. And as shown in FIG.10 (b), the fixed resistance 93 is printed by the said open part 92d with carbon. As shown in FIG. 10C, the detection unit 92 on which the fixed resistor 93 is printed is covered with a covering unit 94 printed with antioxidant carbon along its outer shape.

  On the other hand, an opening is formed in the second insulating film corresponding to the gap between the first and second electrodes 92a and 92c, and the gap between the first and second electrodes 92a and 92c is formed in the third insulating film. The counter electrode is printed corresponding to Therefore, in each detection part 92, the combined resistance by the parallel connection of the fixed resistance 93 and the resistance according to the contact area of the 1st and 2nd electrode 92a, 92c in an opening part and a counter electrode is formed. The seating detection device detects the load applied to the seating surface of the seat based on the resistance obtained by summing the combined resistances by the total detection unit 92. At this time, even when no load is applied to the seating surface of the seat, the plurality of detection units 92 are always connected by the fixed resistor 93, and the connection is interrupted only at the time of disconnection, so that abnormality is immediately caused. Can be detected.

  By the way, when these detection units 92 and the like are uniformly arranged on the seating surface of the seat, there is a case where it is not desired to reflect the detection load depending on the place where the detection unit 92 is arranged. This is, for example, a load applied when a child seat (hereinafter referred to as “CRS (Child Restraint System)”) is mounted even though it is a seating surface of a seat that is less likely to receive an occupant load. This is because if the detection load is reflected in the detection load, the detection accuracy may be reduced.

  In order to avoid such a reduction in detection accuracy, the detection unit 92 and the like may be omitted from the seating surface of the seat in accordance with a place where the detection load is not desired to be reflected, instead of being uniformly arranged on the seating surface of the seat. It is done. However, the place where the detection load is not desired to be reflected is generally different for each type of seat, and the versatility of the seating detection device is significantly reduced.

  The objective of this invention is providing the seating detection apparatus which can suppress the reduction | decrease in the detection precision of the load added to the seating surface of a sheet | seat, without impairing versatility, and its manufacturing method.

  In order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 1 is printed with a plurality of detection units connected in series, and the detection unit includes a first wiring including a first electrode and a second electrode. And a first insulating film having a branch shape with a second wiring connected in series with an adjacent detection unit through an open portion on which a fixed resistance is printed, and corresponding to a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode Then, the second insulating film in which the opening is formed and the third insulating film on which the counter electrode is printed corresponding to the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode are overlapped, and the fixed resistance and Seat detection for detecting a load applied to the seating surface of the seat based on a resistance obtained by summing up a combined resistance of the resistance corresponding to the contact area between the first and second electrodes and the counter electrode in the opening in all the detection units In the apparatus, one of the plurality of detection units And summarized in that with a short-circuit line for short-circuiting the open portion of the detection unit.

The gist of the invention according to claim 2 is the seating detection device according to claim 1, wherein the short-circuit line is a short-circuit portion printed in conjunction with printing of the detection portion.
The invention according to claim 3 is printed with a plurality of detection units connected in series, and the detection unit includes a first wiring having a first electrode and an open portion having a second electrode and a fixed resistance printed thereon. A first insulating film having a branch shape with a second wiring connected in series with a detection unit adjacent to each other through the first insulating film, and an opening formed corresponding to a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode Two insulating films and a third insulating film on which a counter electrode is printed corresponding to a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the fixed resistance and the first and second openings in the opening. In the manufacturing method of the seating detection device for detecting the load applied to the seating surface of the seat based on the resistance obtained by summing the combined resistance of the second electrode and the resistance according to the contact area between the counter electrode in all the detection units, A part of the detection is performed along with the printing of the detection unit. And summarized in that to print shorting the opening parts.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing the seating detection device according to the third aspect, the mold for printing the plurality of detection portions on the first insulating film has an open portion of a part of the detection portions. The gist is to have a mold part that is short-circuited and printed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the method for manufacturing the seating detecting device according to the fourth aspect, the mold is a first core that prints the opening or a second that is printed by short-circuiting the opening. A gist is provided with a plurality of core mounting portions on which a core can be selectively mounted, and the mold portion is a second core mounted on the core mounting portion.

  As described above in detail, in the invention according to claim 1, a part of the detection units provided with a short-circuit line that short-circuits the open part includes the first and second electrodes and the counter electrode in the opening. Regardless of the magnitude of the resistance according to the contact area, it functions as a conductor connecting adjacent detectors. That is, even if a load is applied, the detection unit does not change the above-described resistance summed up by all the detection units, and functions as a detection unit that does not substantially react to the load. Therefore, the load applied when a CRS or the like is mounted can be obtained by arranging the detection unit that does not react to the load in this manner, for example, corresponding to the seating surface of the seat that is less likely to receive the load of the occupant. Reflecting the detection load can be suppressed, and the detection accuracy of the load can be improved. In particular, even if a plurality of detection units connected in series are basically printed uniformly, if the open parts of some detection units are short-circuited with a short-circuit wire, it becomes a detection unit that does not react to the load. A detection unit that does not react to the load can be provided only by changing the shape.

  In the invention according to claim 2, since the short-circuit line is a short-circuit portion that is printed together with the printing of the detection portion, a detection portion that does not react to a load only by changing a mold for printing the detection portion. Can be provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a part of the detection unit printed by short-circuiting the open portion has a resistance corresponding to a contact area between the first and second electrodes and the counter electrode in the opening. Regardless of size, it functions as a conductor connecting adjacent detectors. That is, even if a load is applied, the detection unit does not change the above-described resistance summed up by all the detection units, and functions as a detection unit that does not substantially react to the load. Therefore, the load applied when a CRS or the like is mounted can be obtained by arranging the detection unit that does not react to the load in this manner, for example, corresponding to the seating surface of the seat that is less likely to receive the load of the occupant. Reflecting the detection load can be suppressed, and the detection accuracy of the load can be improved. In particular, even if a plurality of detection units connected in series are basically printed uniformly, if they are printed by short-circuiting the open portions of some of the detection units, it becomes a non-reactive detection unit. Therefore, it is possible to provide a detection unit that does not react to a load by only a slight shape change by changing the mold for printing the detection unit.

In the invention according to claim 4, by merely providing the mold part on a mold for printing the plurality of detection parts, a part of the detection parts corresponding to the mold part can be made to be a non-reactive detection part. it can.
In the invention according to claim 5, for example, a plurality of core mounting portions are provided in advance in the mold in accordance with an arrangement in which the necessity of a non-responsive detection unit is comprehensively predicted. The second core is mounted on the core mounting portion corresponding to a part of the detection units to be printed by short-circuiting the open portion, and the open portion is printed on the other core mounting portion. By mounting the child, the versatility of the mold itself can be improved.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a case where the seating detection device is applied to a vehicle seat such as an automobile. As shown in FIG. 5, the seating detection device 11 of the present embodiment is accommodated and arranged in a manner that spreads along the seating surface of the seat cushion 10 of the vehicle seat. The seating detection device 11 has a sheet (thin plate) shape in which a plurality (three) of films are overlapped. The seating detection device 11 is provided with a plurality of cells 12 and 13 regularly arranged in the front-rear direction and the width direction of the seat cushion 10.

  In the present embodiment, a total of 48 cells (= 6 × 8) including the cells 12 and 13 are provided. That is, the cells 13 are arranged in a total of six (= 2 × 3) in the non-detection region 11a set on the front side of the center part (upper side in FIG. 5) toward the front of the vehicle of the seat cushion 10, and the cells 12 are A total of 42 (= 48-6) are arranged in the detection region 11b other than the non-detection region 11a of the seat cushion 10. As will be described later, these cells 12 and 13 are connected in series. The cell 12 functions as a variable resistor for load detection, and the cell 13 substantially functions as a conductor. The combined resistance of all the cells 12 and 13 connected in series fluctuates according to the load in the cell 12. Both terminals of the combined resistance of all the cells 12 and 13 are connected to a DC power source (battery), and in the seating detection device 11, a current corresponding to the combined resistance flows. The current value at this time is detected as a load applied on the seating surface in a control device (not shown). The control device determines the presence or absence of an occupant by determining the threshold value of the load applied on the seating surface. The determination result by the control device is used to determine whether or not to activate the airbag of the seat, for example, when an airbag for protecting the passenger of the vehicle seat is provided.

  Next, the configuration of the cells 12 and 13 will be described. FIG. 1A is a plan view showing the cells 12 and 13, and FIG. 1B is a plurality of insulating films (first film 14, second film 15, and third film 16) constituting the seating detection device 11. It is a top view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the cells 12 and 13. FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the cross section taken along the line AA in FIG.

  The first film 14 is made of, for example, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material, and a detection unit 17 is printed on the lower surface thereof. The detection unit 17 is connected in series with the detection units 17 of the cells adjacent to each other in units of the cells 12 and 13. The detection unit 17 has a branched shape of a first wiring 17b including the first electrode 17a and a second wiring 17d including the second electrode 17c. The first wiring 17b and the second wiring 17d have arc shapes that are curved on opposite sides.

  The first wiring 17b is open at the distal end side, and the first electrode 17a connected to the first wiring 17b protrudes in the opposing radial direction of the second wiring 17d at the center in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, the second wiring 17d is connected in series with the detection unit 17 of the adjacent cell via the fixed resistor 21 or the short-circuit unit 22 printed on the base end side, and the second wiring 17d connected to this at the central portion in the longitudinal direction. The electrode 17c protrudes in the radial direction in which the first wiring 17b is opposed. The first and second electrodes 17a and 17c are arranged in parallel with a predetermined gap. The fixed resistor 21 has a structure unique to the cell 12, and sets a predetermined resistance value for the second wiring 17d. The short circuit portion 22 has a structure unique to the cell 13 and short-circuits the second wiring 17d.

  The said 2nd film 15 consists of PET materials, for example, and is couple | bonded with this by mounting the 1st film 14 on the upper surface to which the adhesive agent was apply | coated. The second film 15 is formed with an opening 15a that opens in a circle corresponding to the central portion between the first and second wirings 17b and 17d when the second film 15 is overlapped with the first film 14. The opening 15a has an inner diameter that surrounds the middle portion in the longitudinal direction corresponding to the gap between the first and second electrodes 17a and 17c arranged in parallel. The second film 15 is formed with an internal air passage 15b that communicates between adjacent openings 15a.

  The third film 16 is made of, for example, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material, and is bonded to the second film 15 having an adhesive applied on the lower surface thereof. On the upper surface of the third film 16, a circular counter electrode 18 having an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the opening 15a is printed. The counter electrode 18 is disposed on a concentric axis with the opening 15 a when the counter electrode 18 is overlapped with the second film 15. That is, the counter electrode 18 is also arranged corresponding to the gap between the first and second electrodes 17a and 17c.

  As described above, each of the cells 12 and 13 is formed with these shapes formed in the first to third films 14 to 16 as one unit. Here, the structure and operation of the variable resistor formed in each of the cells 12 and 13 will be further described. As shown in FIG. 2, the first film 14 and the third film 16 are held at a predetermined interval by interposing the second film 15. The first and second electrodes 17 a and 17 c of the first film 14 and the counter electrode 18 of the third film 16 are opposed to each other at the opening 15 a of the second film 15.

  Therefore, for example, when the load between the first film 14 and the third film 16 is small, the first and second electrodes 17a and 17c and the counter electrode 18 are separated from each other via the second film 15. The space between the first and second electrodes 17a and 17c is opened. On the other hand, when the load between the first film 14 and the third film 16 is increased and they are bent, and the first and second electrodes 17a and 17c and the counter electrode 18 come into contact with each other, the first and second electrodes 17a and 17a, 17c is connected through the counter electrode 18. At this time, a variable resistor having a resistance value corresponding to the contact area with the counter electrode 18 is configured between the first and second electrodes 17a and 17c. The contact area between the first and second electrodes 17a and 17c and the counter electrode 18 increases as the load between the first film 14 and the third film 16 increases and the amount of deflection increases.

  In the present embodiment, the load applied on the seating surface is detected using such a resistance change according to the load. Note that the air in the opening 15a is compressed or the like as the first film 14 and the third film 16 are bent. The compressed air is finally discharged to the outside through the internal air passage 15b.

  Next, the fixed resistor 21 included in the cell 12 and the short-circuit portion 22 included in the cell 13 will be described based on FIG. The fixed resistor 21 and the short-circuit portion 22 are both printed on the first film 14, and FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views taken along line BB in FIG. 1B, respectively. Is shown. As shown in the figure, the first film 14 has a detection unit 23 that substantially forms the detection unit 17 printed with a silver paste. That is, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the detection unit 23 has the first electrode 17a, the first wiring 17b, the second electrode 17c, and the second wiring 17d of the detection unit 17 according to the respective shapes. A first electrode 23a, a first wiring 23b, a second electrode 23c, and a second wiring 23d are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the second wiring 23d of the detection unit 23 corresponding to the fixed resistor 21 is formed with an open portion 23e that disconnects the second wiring 23d. A fixed resistor 24 is printed with carbon on the second wiring 23d so as to bridge the opening 23e. As a result, a resistance value specific to the fixed resistor 24 is set to the second wiring 23d in the open portion 23e.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, the second wiring 23d corresponding to the short-circuit portion 22 is continuous by a short-circuit portion 23f formed in place of the open portion 23e. A raised portion 25 is printed on the second wiring 23d with carbon in accordance with the fixed resistor 24. Since the second wiring 23d here is short-circuited by the short-circuit portion 23f, the second wiring 23d is not affected by the presence or absence of the raised portion 25.

  The detection part 23 on which the fixed resistor 24 or the raised part 25 is printed is covered with an anti-oxidation covering part 26 printed with carbon along the outer shape thereof. The covering portion 26 is formed as a conductor having an electric conductivity smaller than that of the detecting portion 23. And the detection part 17 which has the fixed resistance 21 or the short circuit part 22 by the printing of this coating | coated part 26 is formed. Here, the detection unit 17 having the fixed resistance 21 or the short-circuit unit 22 is substantially the same as the detection unit 23 on which the fixed resistance 24 or the raised portion 25 is printed except for the printing of the covering unit 26. The function is defined by. Therefore, the operation corresponding to the cells 12 and 13 will be described below by replacing the detection unit 17 with the detection unit 23.

  FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing the cells 12 and 13 having such a structure. As shown in the figure, the equivalent circuit of the cell 12 includes a variable resistor Rv with a switch SW corresponding to the contact area between the first and second electrodes 23a, 23c (17a, 17c) and the counter electrode 18. Yes. The equivalent circuit of the cell 12 includes a fixed resistor Rc corresponding to the fixed resistor 24 (21). The variable resistor Rv with the switch SW and the fixed resistor Rc are connected in parallel by branching of the first and second wirings 23b and 23d (17b and 17d).

  On the other hand, the equivalent circuit of the cell 13 similarly includes a variable resistor Rv with a switch SW corresponding to the contact area between the first and second electrodes 23a, 23c (17a, 17c) and the counter electrode 18. The equivalent circuit of the cell 12 includes a short-circuit line S corresponding to the short-circuit portion 23f (22). The variable resistor Rv with the switch SW and the short-circuit line S are connected in parallel by branching of the first and second wirings 23b and 23d (17b and 17d). However, the function of the cell 13 is governed by the short-circuit line S regardless of whether the switch SW is opened or closed or the size of the variable resistor Rv. That is, the cell 13 only functions as a conductor connecting the adjacent cells 12 and 13, and the load applied here is not reflected as the change in the combined resistance.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the seating detection device 11 will be described. FIGS. 6A and 6B are plan views showing stepwise how the detection unit 17 is formed on the first film 14 in the seating detection device 11. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a case where the open portion 23e or the short-circuit portion 23f is selectively formed in the second wiring 23d of the detection unit 23.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, first, the detection unit 23 is printed on the first film 14. The detection unit 23 is printed by placing a mold 31 (see FIG. 7) having an opening in accordance with the outline on the first film 14 and extruding a silver paste from the opening of the mold 31. Note that the opening of the mold 31 is basically formed so that the open portion 23e can be printed, but the open portion 23e or the short-circuit portion 23f can be simultaneously printed on the detection portion 23 by one printing. It has the structure shown in FIG. In other words, the core 31 is formed with a plurality of core mounting portions 31a in accordance with positions where it is expected that the short-circuit portion 23f needs to be printed. Then, the first core 32 or the second core 33 is selectively mounted on the core mounting portion 31a in accordance with the printing of the open portion 23e or the short-circuit portion 23f.

  The first core 32 has an opening in accordance with the outline of the second wiring 23d including at least the open portion 23e, and silver paste is provided from the opening of the mold 31 to which the first core 32 is mounted. The opening 23e is printed by extruding. On the other hand, the second core 33 has an opening in accordance with the contour of the second wiring 23d including at least the short-circuit portion 23f. From the opening of the mold 31 to which the second core 33 is attached. The short circuit part 23f is printed by extruding the silver paste.

  The first film 14 is processed in the next step after the printed detector 23 is baked. That is, as shown in FIG. 6B, a fixed resistor 24 or a raised portion 25 is formed in the first film 14 corresponding to the open portion 23e or the short-circuit portion 23f of the second wiring 23d. The fixed resistor 24 and the raised portion 25 are printed by placing a mold having an opening in accordance with its outline on the first film 14 on which the detection unit 23 is printed, and extruding carbon from the opening of the mold. The Note that the mold at this time has the same opening portion regardless of whether the opening portion 23e or the short-circuit portion 23f, and the fixed resistor 24 or the raised portion 25 is printed according to the opening portion 23e or the short-circuit portion 23f. It is distinguished as a result (shape) difference. In other words, the mold at this time has uniform openings that are regularly arranged regardless of the arrangement of the non-detection region 11a and the detection region 11b of the seating detection device 11.

  The first film 14 is processed in the next step after firing the printed fixed resistor 24 and the raised portion 25. That is, as shown in FIG. 6C, the first film 14 is printed with the covering portion 26 that covers the detection portion 23, the fixed resistor 24, and the raised portion 25 along the outline thereof. The covering portion 26 is printed by placing a mold having an opening in accordance with the contour of the covering portion 26 on the first film 14 on which the detection portion 23 or the like is printed, and extruding carbon from the opening of the mold. Note that the mold at this time also has the same opening portion without distinction between the open portion 23e and the short-circuit portion 23f. In other words, the mold at this time also has a uniform opening that is regularly arranged regardless of the arrangement of the non-detection region 11a and the detection region 11b. When the coating portion 26 printed in the above manner is baked, the detection portion 17 is formed on the first film 14.

As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In this embodiment, the detection part 23 (17) on which the short-circuit part 23f for short-circuiting the open part 23e is printed is the first and second electrodes 23a, 23c (17a, 17c) in the opening 15a. Regardless of the magnitude of the resistance according to the contact area between the counter electrode 18 and the counter electrode 18, it functions as a conductor that connects adjacent detectors 23. That is, the detection unit 23 functions as a detection unit that does not substantially react to the load without changing the total resistance of all the detection units 23 even when a load is applied. Therefore, the detection unit 23 (cell 13) that does not react to the load in this manner is disposed corresponding to the seating surface (non-detection region 11a) of the seat that is less likely to receive the load of the occupant. It can suppress that the load added when mounting is reflected in a detection load, and the detection accuracy of the load can be improved.

  In particular, even if a plurality of detection units 23 connected in series are basically printed uniformly, if the open portions 23e of some of the detection units 23 are short-circuited by the short-circuit portions 23f, the detection units 23 that are unresponsive to the load can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to provide a detection unit that does not react to the load with only a slight shape change.

  For example, in order to provide a detection part (cell 13) that does not react to such a load, it is conceivable to make the inner diameter of the opening 15a close to zero, but in this case, the internal air passage 15b is blocked. An increase in cost for the countermeasure is expected. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the detection unit 23 itself is not printed. In this case, not only the change of the mold 31 for printing the detection unit 23 but also the change of the mold for printing the covering unit 26 is required, which increases the cost. Forced. In the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a detection unit that does not react to a load only by making a slight change (attachment of the second core 33) to the mold 31 that uniformly prints the plurality of detection units 23. Further, since it is not necessary to modify the mold for uniformly printing the fixed resistor 24 and the like and the mold for printing the covering portion 26, it is possible to reduce necessary mold costs. By these, the increase in cost can be suppressed as a whole.

  (2) In the present embodiment, for example, by providing a plurality of core mounting portions 31a in the mold 31 in advance in accordance with an arrangement in which the necessity of making the detection portion 23 unresponsive to a load is comprehensively predicted. The versatility of the mold itself can be improved. That is, in the plurality of core mounting portions 31a, the second core 33 is mounted on the core mounting portion 31a corresponding to the detection unit 23 that actually prints by short-circuiting the open portion 23e, and the others. By mounting the first core 32 for printing the opening 23e on the core mounting portion 31a, it is possible to cope with different types of sheets.

  (3) In this embodiment, in order to make the detection part 23 unresponsive to the load, the short-circuit part 23f is printed on the open part 23e of the second wiring 23d and short-circuited. Therefore, for example, the required mold cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the first and second electrodes 23a and 23c are short-circuited to make the detection unit 23 unresponsive to the load. This is because when the first and second electrodes 23a and 23c are short-circuited, the mold (31) for printing them and the mold for printing the covering portion 26 are changed. Moreover, since the 1st and 2nd electrodes 23a and 23c which concern on load detection are very delicate parts, the influence which it has on detection accuracy can also be suppressed compared with the case where these are changed.

  (4) In this embodiment, the fixed resistor 24 and the like are printed after the second wiring 23d (detecting unit 23) is printed, so that, for example, when the order is reversed, the fixed resistor 24 is overprinted. By doing so, it is possible to avoid deformation of the second wiring 23d.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
-In the said embodiment, you may print fixed resistance etc. after printing a coating | coated part. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8A, a covering portion 36 having an opening portion 36a corresponding to the opening portion 23e is printed with carbon on the opening portion 23e of the second wiring 23d. And the fixed resistance 37 is printed by carbon in the aspect which bridges this open part 36a. Thereby, a resistance value specific to the fixed resistor 37 is set in the open portion 36a of the covering portion 36 for the second wiring 23d. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8B, a covering portion 36 having an open portion 36b corresponding to the short-circuit portion 23f is printed with carbon on the second wiring 23d on which the short-circuit portion 23f is printed. . A raised portion 38 is printed with carbon in accordance with the fixed resistance 37. Since the second wiring 23d here is short-circuited by the short-circuit portion 23f, the second wiring 23d is not affected by the presence or absence of the raised portion 38.

  In the embodiment, the number of the cells 12 and 13 and their arrangement (non-detection area, arrangement of detection areas) are examples. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, three cells 13 are arranged in the non-detection regions 11c and 11d respectively set on the front side (upper side in FIG. 9) of both ends of the seat cushion 10 toward the front of the vehicle. The cells 12 are arranged in a total of 42 (= 48−6) in the detection area 11e other than the non-detection areas 11c and 11d of the seat cushion 10. Thus, even when the cells 12 and 13 are arranged, it is possible to easily cope with the printing of the detection unit 23 by printing the open portion 23e or the short-circuit portion 23f.

  -In the said embodiment, the total number of the cells 12 and 13 is an example. However, it is preferable to select a general-purpose total number so that the total number does not need to be changed even if the type of vehicle seat changes.

  In the embodiment, the arrangement of the cells 12 and 13 as a whole (6 rows in the front-rear direction and 8 columns in the width direction) is an example. However, it is preferable to select a general-purpose arrangement so that the entire arrangement does not have to be changed even if the type of the vehicle seat changes.

-In above-mentioned embodiment, you may change the type | mold itself which prints the detection part 23 for every vehicle seat from which arrangement | positioning of the detection part 23 (short-circuit part 23f) unresponsive to a load differs. The mold | type at this time should just have the type | mold part which prints the short circuit part 23f according to the arrangement | positioning. Even in this case,
In the above embodiment, even if the seating detection device 11 is divided into a plurality of regions for convenience corresponding to the seating surface of the seat, and the cells 12 and 13 (detection unit 23) are connected in series for each region, The present invention does not depart from the present invention when the load applied to the sheet is detected by substantially summing the combined resistance for each region.

In the above-described embodiment, the fixed resistor 24 and the like are printed after the detection unit 23 is printed. However, the order may be reversed.
In the embodiment, the detection unit 23 may be printed with a silver-carbon paste.

In the above-described embodiment, the short-circuit portion 23f is not limited to a linear shape, and may be appropriately bent as long as the open portion 23e can be short-circuited.
In the embodiment, a plurality of detection units 23 having the open portions 23e are uniformly printed, and the open portions 23e of some of the detection units 23 are short-circuited by connecting wires (short-circuit wires) such as lead wires. You may make it the detection part unresponsive to a load.

(A) and (b) are top views which show one Embodiment of this invention. The exploded view of the embodiment. (A) and (b) are sectional drawings which followed the BB line of FIG.1 (b). The equivalent circuit diagram of the same embodiment. The top view which shows the vehicle seat to which the same embodiment is applied. (A) (b) (c) is a top view which shows a detection part. The schematic diagram which shows the printing aspect of a detection part. (A) and (b) are sectional views showing another example of the embodiment. The top view which shows the vehicle seat to which the other example of the embodiment is applied. (A) (b) (c) is a top view which shows the conventional detection part.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Seating detection apparatus, 14 ... 1st film as 1st insulating film, 15 ... 2nd film as 2nd insulating film, 15a ... Opening part, 16 ... 3rd film as 3rd insulating film, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 ... Counter electrode, 23 ... Detection part, 23a ... 1st electrode, 23b ... 1st wiring, 23c ... 2nd electrode, 23d ... 2nd wiring, 23e ... Opening part, 23f ... Short-circuit part as a short circuit line, 24 ... Fixed resistor, 31 ... mold, 31a ... core mounting portion, 32 ... first core, 33 ... second core as mold portion.

Claims (5)

A plurality of detection units connected in series are printed, and the detection unit is connected in series to a detection unit adjacent to the first wiring having a first electrode and an open unit having a second electrode and a fixed resistance printed thereon. A first insulating film having a branch shape with the connected second wiring;
A second insulating film having an opening corresponding to the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode;
A third insulating film printed with a counter electrode corresponding to the gap between the first electrode and the second electrode is overlaid,
The load applied to the seating surface of the seat based on the resistance obtained by summing the combined resistance of the fixed resistance and the resistance corresponding to the contact area between the first and second electrodes and the counter electrode in the opening in all the detection units. In the seating detection device to detect,
A seating detection apparatus comprising a short-circuit wire for short-circuiting an open portion of some of the plurality of detection units. In the seating detection apparatus according to claim 1,
The said short-circuit line is a short circuit part printed together with the printing of the said detection part, The seating detection apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. A plurality of detection units connected in series are printed, and the detection unit is connected in series to a detection unit adjacent to the first wiring having a first electrode and an open unit having a second electrode and a fixed resistance printed thereon. A first insulating film having a branch shape with the connected second wiring; a second insulating film having an opening formed corresponding to a gap between the first electrode and the second electrode; A third insulating film on which a counter electrode is printed corresponding to a gap between the electrode and the second electrode is overlaid, and the fixed resistance and the first and second electrodes in the opening and the counter electrode In the manufacturing method of the seating detection device for detecting the load applied to the seating surface of the seat based on the resistance obtained by summing the combined resistance with the resistance according to the contact area in all the detection units,
A method for manufacturing a seating detection apparatus, wherein printing is performed by short-circuiting open portions of some of the detection units in conjunction with printing of the plurality of detection units. In the manufacturing method of the seating detection apparatus according to claim 3,
The mold for printing the plurality of detection parts on the first insulating film has a mold part for printing by short-circuiting the open parts of some of the detection parts. In the manufacturing method of the seating detection apparatus according to claim 4,
The mold includes a plurality of core mounting portions capable of selectively mounting a first core for printing the open portion or a second core for printing by short-circuiting the open portion,
The method of manufacturing a seating detection apparatus, wherein the mold part is a second core attached to the core attaching part.

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