JP6148092B2 - Membrane switch, sensor unit and seat device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a membrane switch, a sensor unit, and a seat device that are arranged in a vehicle and detect the position of an occupant.

  There is a case where a seating sensor for detecting whether or not an occupant is seated in a seat of an automobile. Such a sensor can be used for operations such as, for example, controlling an airbag according to a seated state of an occupant or issuing a warning when a seat belt is not worn. In such a seating sensor, a seating sensor membrane switch is disposed on a seating surface of a seat on which an occupant sits, and in order to extend the wiring under the seat, a hole through which the wiring is passed may be provided in the seat (Patent Document 1). ).

JP 2010-137804 A

  In the case of the above-described conventional seating sensor, since it is necessary to provide a hole through which wiring is passed through the seat, the design freedom of the seat may be lowered or the seating comfort may be impaired in some cases. Further, in the manufacturing process, it is necessary to pass the wiring through the hole of the sheet, which may deteriorate the workability.

  In addition, the rear seat of the vehicle may expand the space as a luggage compartment by arranging the seats. At this time, not only the backrest of the seat but also the seat may be moved together with the seating surface. Conventionally, when the sensor is installed in the rear seat, the wiring of the sensor may hinder such seat arrangement. As described above, the sensor wiring may be inconvenient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a membrane switch, a sensor unit, and a seat device that can omit wiring.

  The membrane switch according to the present invention is a membrane switch installed on an in-vehicle seat on which an occupant is seated, and transmits a sensor for detecting the occupant's seating and a detection signal detected by the sensor by wireless communication, and wireless power feeding. And a communication device for supplying electric power to the sensor. That is, the membrane switch according to the present invention can omit wiring by mounting communication means such as RFID on the membrane switch.

  The membrane switch according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first film, a second film facing the first film, and a spacer interposed between the first film and the second film. In the present embodiment, the sensor has at least one switch unit composed of switch electrodes respectively provided on the first film and the second film that are opposed to each other through the first opening formed in the spacer. The communication device includes an electronic component, and the electronic component is provided in a second opening formed in the spacer.

  In the present embodiment, these electronic components are provided in a second opening formed in the spacer. Therefore, the surface of the membrane switch can be flattened, which is excellent in terms of sitting comfort and strength. Further, it is possible to further fill the space in the second opening with an insulator or the like, and it is considered that the mechanical strength and the like of the portion where the electronic component is mounted can be secured. Furthermore, by sealing the electronic component in the space in the second opening, it is possible to prevent intrusion of foreign substances such as moisture and improve durability.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the said communication apparatus has an antenna coil provided in the said 1st film, and this antenna coil is pinched | interposed by a 1st film and a spacer, or a 1st film and a 2nd film. May be. In this case, since the antenna coil is not exposed, foreign matter such as moisture can be prevented from entering, so that the antenna characteristics are improved in addition to the durability.

  A sensor unit according to the present invention includes the membrane switch and a power transmission / reception unit that receives a detection signal from the membrane switch by wireless communication and supplies power to the membrane switch by wireless power feeding.

  The seat device according to the present invention includes the sensor unit and a vehicle-mounted seat on which an occupant is seated and on which the sensor unit is mounted.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a membrane switch, a sensor unit, and a seat device that can omit wiring.

1 is a schematic side view showing a membrane switch 3, a sensor unit, and a seat device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the membrane switch 3 which concerns on the embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the electric power feeding system to the membrane switch 3 which concerns on the same embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the membrane switch 4 which concerns on the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first film 3A, the spacer 3B, and the second film 3B of FIG. 4 bonded together and cut along the line AA ′ of FIG. It is the side schematic diagram for demonstrating the sensor unit and sheet apparatus which concern on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the one aspect | mode of the sheet | seat installation part 23 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

[First Embodiment]
Next, a membrane switch, a sensor unit, and a seat device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating a membrane switch, a sensor unit, and a seat device according to the present embodiment. The seat device according to the present embodiment includes an in-vehicle seat 1 on which an occupant is seated, a seat pan 2 on which the seat 1 is installed, a membrane switch 3 that is installed on the seat surface of the seat 1 and detects the seating of the occupant. A power transmission / reception unit 4 is provided on the seat pan 2 so as to face the membrane switch 3. Note that the membrane switch 3 and the power transmission / reception unit 4 constitute a sensor unit. In the present embodiment, the membrane switch 3 is installed on the seating surface of the seat 1, but it is also possible to install the membrane switch 3 between the seat 1 and the seat pan 2 or inside the seat 1. .

  The membrane switch 3 according to the present embodiment receives power from the power transmission / reception unit 4 via a wireless communication means such as RFID and transmits a detection signal. Accordingly, since the membrane switch 3 does not require wiring, it is not necessary to provide a hole or the like in the sheet 1.

  The seat pan 2 is located at the upper part of the lower seat rail 21 fixed to the floor of the automobile, the upper seat rail 22 configured to be movable along the lower seat rail 21, and the upper seat rail 22. A sheet installation unit 23 that supports the sheet 1 and a power supply reception unit installation unit 24 that supports the power reception unit 4 immediately below the sheet installation unit 23 are provided. The seat installation unit 23 and the power transmission / reception unit 24 are configured to be movable along the lower seat rail 21 together with the upper seat rail 22. Accordingly, the positional relationship between the membrane switch 3 and the power transmission / reception unit 4 is fixed in a constant state, and it is possible to detect the occupant appropriately without depending on the movement of the seat 1. Further, the sheet setting unit 23 is configured not to shield an electric field or a magnetic field between the membrane switch 3 and the power transmission / reception unit 4. For example, it is conceivable that a corresponding portion between the membrane switch 3 and the power transmission / reception unit 4 of the sheet setting unit 23 is thinned out. It is also possible to prevent shielding of an electric field or a magnetic field by changing the material. As shown in FIG. 7, the sheet setting portion 23 is formed in a meandering shape with the outer frame 231 in a plane, with one end on one side of the outer frame 231 and the other end on one side of the outer frame 231. It is also possible to adopt a configuration provided with an S-shaped spring 232 fixed to the opposite other side.

  The power feeding transmission / reception unit 4 supplies power to the membrane switch 3 by wireless power feeding, receives a detection signal transmitted from the membrane switch 3, and seats an occupant based on the detection signal received from the membrane switch 3. And an occupant determination control unit 42 that controls the power transmission / reception device 41. The power transmission / reception device 41 can also be configured by a membrane or FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit).

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the membrane switch 3 according to this embodiment. The antenna coil 31 is magnetically coupled to an antenna 411 (shown in FIG. 3) provided in the power transmission / reception device 41, and is supplied with electric power by electromagnetic induction. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the antenna coil 31 is disposed so as to face the antenna 411. The power transmission / reception device 41 supplies an alternating current to the antenna 411. The antenna 411 is configured in a ring shape, and generates a magnetic field B in the ring. In the antenna coil 31, an induced electromotive force is generated by the magnetic field B, and an alternating current is generated. The rectifier 32 rectifies this alternating current in one direction and supplies it to the pressure switch 33.

  In this embodiment, wireless power feeding is performed by an electromagnetic induction method. However, for example, a capacitor is mounted on the membrane switch 3 and the power transmission / reception unit 4, and power can be wirelessly fed by a magnetic resonance method in which power is transmitted using a coil (antenna 411 and antenna coil 31) and a capacitor as a resonator. It is.

  The pressure switch 33 is a switch made of a membrane, and in this embodiment, two parallel circuits composed of two switch portions 331 and wirings 332 are connected in series by wirings 332. However, the circuit configuration is arbitrary, and for example, all the switch units 331 can be configured in parallel. In the present embodiment, the entire membrane switch 3 is turned on / off by the pressure switch 33.

  When the pressure switch 33 becomes conductive, the current rectified in the rectifier 32 is supplied to the sensor current / voltage detector 34. The sensor current / voltage detection device 34 determines ON / OFF of the pressure switch 33 from the supplied current, and outputs a detection signal. The wireless device 35 transmits a detection signal to the power transmission / reception unit 4 in response to the detection signal. In the present embodiment, the antenna coil 31, the rectifier 32, the sensor current / voltage detection device 34, and the wireless device 35 constitute a communication device.

  FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the membrane switch 3 according to the present embodiment. The membrane switch 3 according to the present embodiment is configured by bonding a first film 3A, a spacer 3B, and a second film 3C. The first film 3A, the spacer 3B, and the second film 3C may be formed from a flexible resin such as PET or PEN.

  An antenna coil 31, a switch electrode 331A, and a wiring portion 332A are arranged on the first film 3A. The antenna coil 31, the switch electrode 331A, and the wiring portion 332A can be formed by printing, for example. In the present embodiment, the wiring portion 332A is composed of a pair of wirings, and is connected to two switch electrodes 331A arranged on the left and right, respectively. In the present embodiment, an electronic component such as an IC is mounted on the first film 3A. These electronic components are respectively connected to a pair of wires functioning as the wiring portion 332A, and function as the rectifier 32, the sensor current / voltage detection wireless device 34, and the wireless device 35 described above. In the present embodiment, the antenna coil 31 is sealed by the first film 3A and the spacer 3B. Therefore, the antenna coil 31 is not exposed on the surface of the membrane switch 3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the antenna coil 31 due to intrusion of foreign matters such as moisture, and improve durability. Further, it is possible to improve antenna characteristics by preventing adsorption of moisture and the like and deterioration of the antenna coil 31. The antenna coil 31 can be sealed with the first film 3A and the second film 3C.

  In the second film 3B, a second opening 3Ba for mounting an electronic component and a first opening 3Bb for a switch are formed. The switch first opening 3Bb is provided at a position corresponding to the switch electrode 331A. It is also possible to provide a cut from the first opening 3Bb for the switch to the end of the spacer 3B. Thereby, when the switch part 331 is pressed, the air in the switch first opening 3Bb is excluded to the outside, and the above-described switch electrode 331A and a switch electrode 331C described later can be suitably brought into contact with each other. .

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first film 3A, the spacer 3B, and the second film 3B bonded together and cut along the line AA ′ in the drawing. As shown in FIG. 5, the second opening 3Ba for mounting an electronic component is formed so that the spacer 3B does not contact the electronic component mounted on the first film 3A. In other words, in the present embodiment, all of these electronic components are accommodated in a space formed by the second opening 3Ba for mounting electronic components, the first film 3A, and the second film 3C. Therefore, the surface of the membrane switch 3 can be flattened, which is excellent in terms of sitting comfort and strength. It is also possible to further fill the space with an insulator or the like. Thereby, it is considered that the mechanical strength and the like of the portion where the electronic component is mounted can be secured. Further, by sealing the electronic component in the space in the second opening 3Ba, it is possible to prevent intrusion of foreign matters such as moisture and improve durability.

  A switch electrode 331C and a wiring portion 332C are disposed on the third film 3C. The switch electrode 331C is opposed to the switch electrode 331A via the first opening 3Bb for the switch, and constitutes the switch portion 331 together with the switch electrode 331C. The wiring part 332C is connected to all the switch parts 331C. By adopting such a wiring pattern, it is possible to suitably maintain the connection reliability of the wiring.

  Note that the mode of the switch electrodes 331A and 331C and the wiring patterns such as the wiring portions 332A and 332C are arbitrary. For example, in the present embodiment, the switch electrodes 331A and 331C are all composed of solid electrodes, and these are connected by the wiring portions 332A and 332C, thereby forming a switch circuit. However, for example, the wiring part 332C can be omitted by dividing the wiring part 332A into two parts and using only the wiring part 331C as a solid electrode. Further, in the present embodiment, the switch circuit and the electronic component are connected by the wiring portion 332A, but the switch circuit and the electronic component can also be connected by the wiring portion 332C. In this case, the connection between the wiring portion 332C and the electronic component may be performed, for example, by providing a via hole or the like in the spacer 3B, or may be performed through the second opening 3Ba for mounting the electronic component.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a schematic side view for explaining a sensor unit and a seat device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the sheet pan 2 is provided with a power supply / reception unit installation unit 24, and the membrane switch 3 and the power supply / reception unit 4 can always maintain a certain positional relationship when the sheet 1 is moved. Met. However, in such a configuration, it is necessary to supply power to the power transmission / reception unit 4 and to provide wiring. In the present embodiment, the power transmission / reception unit 4 is provided on the floor of the automobile. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide wiring between the automobile floor and the seat pan 2, and the seat 1 can be moved more freely.

  Note that the antenna coil 31 and the antenna 411 need to face each other in order for the power supply transmission / reception unit 4 and the membrane switch 3 to perform power supply and signal transmission / reception. However, for example, the rear seat of an automobile is less likely to adjust the position of the seat 1 when the occupant is seated compared to a driver seat or the like. In addition, when the seat arrangement is performed on the rear seat and the space is expanded as a cargo space, it is considered that the positional relationship between the antenna coil 31 and the antenna 411 changes significantly. There is no need to detect the position. Therefore, when an occupant is seated in the rear seat, the occupant can be suitably detected and free seat arrangement can be achieved.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Seat, 2 ... Seat pan, 3 ... Seating sensor, 4 ... Feeding transmission / reception part, 21 ... Lower seat rail, 22 ... Upper seat rail, 23 ... Seat installation part, 24 ... Feeding reception part installation part, 31 ... Antenna coil 32 ... Rectifier, 33 ... Pressure switch, 34 ... Sensor current / voltage detection device, 35 ... Wireless device, 41 ... Feeding transmission / reception device, 42 ... Passenger determination control unit, 331 ... Switch unit, 332 ... Wiring, 411 ... Antenna, 3A ... 1st film, 3B ... Spacer, 3C ... 2nd film, 3Ba ... 2nd opening, 3Bb ... 1st opening, 331A, 331C ... Switch part, 332A, 332C ... Wiring part.

Claims (4)

A membrane switch installed on a vehicle seat on which an occupant sits,
A sensor for detecting the seating of an occupant;
A communication device that transmits a detection signal detected by the sensor by wireless communication and supplies power to the sensor by wireless power feeding; and
A first film, a second film facing the first film, and a spacer having a first opening and a second opening interposed between the first film and the second film ,
The sensor has at least one switch portion composed of switch electrodes respectively provided on the first film and the second film facing each other through the first opening formed in the spacer,
The communication apparatus includes an electronic component and an antenna coil, and the electronic component is provided in a second opening formed in the spacer, and the antenna coil is sandwiched between the first film and the spacer. Membrane switch characterized by that. A membrane switch according to claim 1;
A power transmission / reception unit that receives the detection signal from the membrane switch by wireless communication and supplies power to the membrane switch by wireless power feeding;
A sensor unit comprising: The sensor unit according to claim 2,
A vehicle-mounted seat on which an occupant is seated, the sensor unit being mounted
A sheet apparatus comprising: A seat pan for installing the seat;
The power transmission / reception unit further includes an antenna,
The antenna of the power transmission / reception unit is disposed on the seat pan so as to face the antenna coil.
The sheet device according to claim 3 .

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