JP6828382B2 - Seating detector - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a seating detection device.

Conventionally, as a seating detection device, for example, the one described in Patent Document 1 is known. This seating detection device is provided with a seating sensor composed of a so-called membrane switch, and is placed on the seating surface of a vehicle seat to detect (determine) whether or not a person is present (seat) on the seat. ..

JP-A-2009-107560

By the way, in Patent Document 1, it is assumed that the seat is arranged on a seat for one person mounted on, for example, a passenger seat, and the seating sensor is based on the premise that the posture variation of the person seated on the seat is small. Whether or not a person exists is detected by narrowing the detection range. On the other hand, for example, there is a rear seat in which a plurality of (for example, three) seats are arranged side by side, such as a seat mounted on the rear seat side of a sedan type. Unlike the passenger seat, such a rear seat does not have a console or a dashboard around the seat, so that the posture variation of the person sitting on the seat is larger than that of the passenger seat. As a result, the range in which the rear seat can be seated is wider than that in the passenger seat. If the seating sensor is arranged on the rear seat in the same manner as the passenger seat, the detection range of the seating sensor may be insufficient. Therefore, the rear seat may not be able to correctly detect whether or not a person is seated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a seating detection device capable of suitably detecting whether or not a person is present in a seat of a rear seat.

The seating detection device for solving the above problems is provided at both ends of a plurality of seats arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction in the rear seats arranged at the rear of the vehicle, and the first seats are arranged on the seating surface of the seats. The sensor and a plurality of first load detection switches provided on the first seating sensor, which are provided in a conductive state when a predetermined load is applied and are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, are provided. In the first load detection switch, two adjacent first load detection switches provided in either one of the vehicle width directions with respect to the first reference line extending in the vehicle front-rear direction on the seat surface portion are connected in series and , The first load detection switch which is connected in parallel with the first reference line arranged between them and adjacent to each other , and two of the first load detection switches provided at both ends of the first load detection switch in the vehicle width direction. The first load detection switches connected in parallel are connected in series.

According to this configuration, in the first seating sensor, two adjacent first load detection switches provided in either one of the vehicle width directions with respect to the first reference line are in a conductive state. At least one of the two adjacent first load detection switches with the first reference line arranged between them and one of the first load detection switches provided at both ends are both in a conductive state. When is satisfied, the conductive state is established, and otherwise, the non-conducting state is established. That is, in the first seating sensor, two adjacent first load detection switches provided in either one of the vehicle width directions with respect to the first reference line are in a conductive state, and the first reference line is provided. At least one of the two adjacent first load detection switches and one of the first load detection switches provided at both ends are in a conductive state. Detects the presence of a person in the relevant seat. Here, for example, assuming that the dimensions of the seats at both ends of the rear seat in the vehicle width direction are set to be relatively large in the width direction, a person sits in the seat in a general posture (hereinafter, "regular"). In the case of "seating"), the first seating sensor basically receives loads from both thighs and both sides of the hips connected to the thighs. At this time, one of the two adjacent first load detection switches with the first reference line arranged between them, and one of the first load detection switches provided at both ends, the first. When a predetermined load is applied to both of the two first load detection switches arranged so as to have one reference line in between, and the first seating sensor becomes conductive, the first seating sensor becomes conductive. As a result, it is possible to detect the presence of a person in the corresponding seat. Further, when a person sits on the seat in a posture biased in the vehicle width direction (hereinafter, also referred to as "sideways sitting"), the first seating sensor is basically from one thigh or one side of the buttocks connected to the first seat sensor. Under the load of. At this time, when a predetermined load is applied to both of the two adjacent first load detection switches provided in one of the vehicle width directions with respect to the first reference line, a predetermined load is applied to the first load detection switch. The seating sensor becomes conductive. As a result, it is possible to detect the presence of a person in the corresponding seat.

Regarding the seat detection device, the rear seat is provided with three seats, a second seat sensor arranged on the seat surface portion of the seat at the center of the rear seat in the vehicle width direction, and the second seat. The second load detection switch includes a plurality of second load detection switches provided on the sensor, which are provided in a conductive state by applying a predetermined load and are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. Two adjacent second load detection switches provided in either one of the vehicle front-rear directions with respect to the second reference line extending in the vehicle width direction on the seat surface portion are connected in series, and the second reference line. said There two parallel-connected second load detecting switch adjacent disposed between, and which are two parallel connections provided them both second load sensing switch sandwiched ends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 2 It is preferable that the load detection switches are connected in series.

According to this configuration, in the second seating sensor, two adjacent second load detection switches provided in either one of the vehicle front-rear directions with respect to the second reference line are in a conductive state. At least one of the two adjacent second load detection switches with the second reference line arranged between them and one of the second load detection switches provided at both ends are both in a conductive state. When is satisfied, the conductive state is established, and otherwise, the non-conducting state is established. That is, in the second seating sensor, two adjacent second load detection switches provided in either one of the vehicle front-rear directions with respect to the second reference line are in a conductive state, and the second reference line is provided. At least one of the two adjacent second load detection switches and one of the second load detection switches provided at both ends are in a conductive state. Detects the presence of a person in the relevant seat. Here, for example, assuming that the dimension of the central seat in the vehicle width direction is set to be relatively small in the width direction, when a person is normally seated in the seat, the second seating sensor is basically used. It receives the load from the thighs and the hips connected to it. At this time, when a predetermined load is applied to both of the two adjacent second load detection switches provided in either one of the vehicle front-rear directions with respect to the second reference line, or the first Two reference lines are arranged between the two adjacent second load detection switches, and one of the second load detection switches provided at both ends, and the second reference line is between them. When a predetermined load is applied to both of the two second load detection switches arranged in the above to bring them into a conductive state, the second seating sensor becomes conductive. As a result, it is possible to detect the presence of a person in the corresponding seat. Further, when a person sits in the seat in a posture biased toward the front of the vehicle (hereinafter, also referred to as "front sitting"), the second seating sensor basically receives a load from the buttocks. At this time, the second seating sensor becomes conductive when a predetermined load is applied to both of the two adjacent second load detection switches that are adjacent to the front of the vehicle with respect to the second reference line and become conductive. Become in a state. As a result, it is possible to detect the presence of a person in the corresponding seat.

Regarding the seating detection device, the first seating sensor has a plurality of first load detection groups composed of the plurality of first load detection switches arranged side by side in the vehicle front-rear direction, and the second seating sensor has the plurality of first load detection groups. It is preferable that a plurality of second load detection groups composed of the second load detection switches of the above are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction.

According to this configuration, the detection areas of both the first seating sensor and the second seating sensor are expanded, so that the detection accuracy of the presence of a person in the corresponding seat can be further improved.
Regarding the seating detection device, it is preferable that the first seating sensor and the second seating sensor have the same shape.

According to this configuration, the manufacturing man-hours can be reduced by making the first seating sensor and the second seating sensor common parts.

The present invention has an effect of being able to suitably detect whether or not a person is present in the rear seat.

The perspective view which shows the structure of the rear seat to which one Embodiment of a seating detection device is applied. The plan view which shows the structure of the seating detection device of the same embodiment. (A) and (b) are a plan view and an equivalent circuit diagram showing the structure of the first seating sensor on one side, and (c) is a plan view showing the structure of the second seating sensor. It is a top view which shows the operation of the seating detection device of the same embodiment, (a) and (b) are the existence state of a person in the 1st seating sensor and the 2nd seating sensor on one side, and (c) is one side. This is the state in which the CRS is mounted on the first seating sensor. (A) and (b) are a plan view and an equivalent circuit diagram showing the structure of the first seating sensor in a modified form of the seating detection device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the seating detection device will be described. In the following, the vehicle front-rear direction is referred to as "front-rear direction".
As shown in FIG. 1, for example, in the rear seat 10 mounted on the rear seat side of a sedan type, three seats 11R, 11C, 11L are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. The dimensions of the seats 11R and 11L on both sides of the vehicle in the width direction in the width direction are set to be larger (for example, about twice) than the dimensions of the seats 11C in the width direction. The first seating sensors 20R and 20L are arranged on the seating surfaces 12R and 12L of the seats 11R and 11L on both sides in the vehicle width direction. Further, a second seating sensor 20C is arranged on the seating surface portion 12C of the seat 11C provided at the central portion in the vehicle width direction. As shown in FIG. 2, both the first seating sensors 20R and 20L and the second seating sensor 20C are molded into the same shape. Both first seating sensors 20R and 20L are arranged symmetrically (symmetrically) in the vehicle width direction. The second seating sensor 20C is arranged so as to be tilted at approximately 90 ° with respect to both the first seating sensors 20R and 20L.

The first seating sensors 20R and 20L are arranged so that the vehicle width direction becomes longer (horizontally long) according to the dimensions of the seats 11R and 11L (seat surface portions 12R and 12L). That is, both first seating sensors 20R and 20L are arranged in a direction in which the vehicle width direction becomes longer, that is, substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction. Further, the second seating sensor 20C is also arranged so as to be long (vertically long) in the front-rear direction according to the dimensions of the seat 11C (seat surface portion 12C). That is, the second seating sensor 20C is arranged in a direction in which the front-rear direction becomes longer, that is, substantially parallel to the front-rear direction.

Further, the first center line L1 as the first reference line extending in the front-rear direction is provided on the seat surface portions 12R and 12L. Further, a second center line L2 as a second reference line extending in the vehicle width direction is provided on the seat surface portion 12C. Further, the first center line L1 is arranged so as to intersect the second center line L2. Specifically, the first center line L1 is arranged so as to be inclined at approximately 90 ° with respect to the second center line L2.

Each of the first seating sensors 20R and 20L and the second seating sensor 20C insulates a pair of contact sheets formed by printing conductive ink (for example, silver paste or carbon paste) on an insulating film (for example, polyester film). It consists of a membrane switch laminated via a sex spacer (eg, polyester film). Both first seating sensors 20R and 20L form a symmetrical H-shape in the corresponding seats 11R and 11L. Further, the second seating sensor 20C forms a symmetrical H-shape in the corresponding seat 11C.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the first seating sensor 20L on one side has a pair of front and rear detection units 21 and 22 extending in the vehicle width direction and the central portions of both detection units 21 and 22 in the vehicle width direction. The connecting portion 23 is integrally connected to the connecting portion 23 in the front-rear direction, and the extending portion 24 is connected to the central portion in the front-rear direction of the connecting portion 23 and extends in the vehicle width direction away from the seat 11C. A connector 25 for external connection is connected to the tip of the extension portion 24.

The detection unit 21 is a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) first load detection switches arranged side by side symmetrically with respect to the first center line L1 extending in the front-rear direction along the connecting portion 23 in the vehicle width direction. It has cells C1, C2, C3 and C4 as. The cells C1 to C4 are arranged in this order from the outside (opposite side of the seat surface portion 12C) toward the seat surface portion 12C side. That is, the cells C1 and C2 and the cells C3 and C4 are arranged on the outer side and the seat surface portion 12C side with the first center line L1 interposed therebetween.

Similarly, the detection unit 22 located behind the detection unit 21 serves as a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) first load detection switches arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction symmetrically with respect to the first center line L1. It has cells C5, C6, C7 and C8 of. The cells C5 to C8 are arranged in this order from the outside (opposite side of the seat surface portion 12C) toward the seat surface portion 12C side. That is, the cells C5 and C6 and the cells C7 and C8 are arranged on the outer side and the seat surface portion 12C side with the first center line L1 interposed therebetween.

Each of the cells C1 to C8 becomes conductive when a predetermined load is applied. That is, as shown in the equivalent circuit in FIG. 3B, the cells C1 to C4 located in the detection unit 21 are connected in series with the cells C1 and C4 and the cells C2 and C3 connected in parallel. That is, any two cells C1, C2, C3, and C4 that are adjacent to each other without straddling the first center line L1 are connected in series, and any two cells that are adjacent to each other by skipping one across the first center line L1. Cells C1, C3, C2 and C4 are connected in series. In other words, two adjacent cells C1, C2, C3 and C4 provided in either one of the vehicle width directions (right or left in FIG. 3A) with respect to the first center line L1 are connected in series and , Two parallel-connected cells C2 and C3 adjacent to each other with the first center line L1 arranged between them, and two parallel-connected cells C1 and C4 provided at both ends are connected in series.

In cells C5 to C8 located in the detection unit 22, cells C5 and C8 and cells C6 and C7 connected in parallel are connected in series. That is, any two cells C5, C6, C7, and C8 that are adjacent to each other without straddling the first center line L1 are connected in series, and any two cells that are adjacent to each other by skipping one across the first center line L1. Cells C5, C7, C6 and C8 are connected in series. In other words, two adjacent cells C5, C6, C7, and C8 provided on either one of the vehicle width directions (right or left in FIG. 3A) with respect to the first center line L1 are connected in series, and , Two parallel-connected cells C6 and C7 adjacent to each other with the first center line L1 arranged between them, and two parallel-connected cells C5 and C8 provided at both ends are connected in series.

The electric circuits of cells C1 to C4 and the electric circuits of cells C5 to C8 are connected in parallel. That is, the first seating sensor 20L itself is provided in the detection unit 21 on either one of the vehicle width directions (right or left side in FIG. 3A) with respect to the first center line L1. Cells C1, C2, C3, and C4 are both in a conductive state, or cells C1 and C4 provided at one or both ends of two adjacent cells C3 and C2 with a first center line L1 arranged between them. When either one of them becomes conductive, it becomes conductive. Alternatively, the first seating sensor 20L itself is provided in the detection unit 22 in either one of the vehicle width directions (right or left side in FIG. 3A) with respect to the first center line L1. Cells C5, C6, C7, and C8 are all in a conductive state, or the first center line L1 is arranged between the two adjacent cells C7 and C6, and the cells C5 and C8 provided at both ends. When either one of them becomes conductive, it becomes conductive. Then, the first seating sensor 20L outputs a detection signal SL according to the conduction state and the non-conduction state from the connector 25. Each of the cells C1 to C4 located in the detection unit 21 of the first seating sensor 20L and the cells C5 to C8 located in the detection unit 22 constitutes the first load detection group G1. That is, the first seating sensor 20L has a structure in which a plurality of first load detection groups G1 (two in the present embodiment) are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, each first load detection group G1 forming the detection units 21 and 22 is formed so as to be line-symmetrical with respect to the first center line L1.
The first seating sensor 20R arranged on the opposite seats 11L at both ends in the vehicle width direction has the same structure as the first seating sensor 20L except that they are arranged symmetrically as described above, so that the front and rear seats and the left and right sides are arranged. It is explained in the same way by exchanging. The first seating sensor 20R outputs a detection signal SR (see FIG. 2) according to the conduction state and the non-conduction state from the connector 25.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the second seating sensor 20C is tilted at 90 ° with respect to the first seating sensor 20L as described above, and the same detection units 21C and 22C, the connecting unit 23C and the extension. It has a protrusion 24C integrally. However, both detection units 21C and 22C are paired in the vehicle width direction and extend in the front-rear direction, and the connecting unit 23C connects the central portions of both detection units 21C and 22C in the front-rear direction in the vehicle width direction. To do. Further, the extending portion 24C is connected to the central portion of the connecting portion 23 in the vehicle width direction and extends rearward. A connector 25C for external connection is connected to the tip of the extension portion 24C.

The cells C1 to C4 as the second load detection switch of the second seating sensor 20C are line-symmetrically back and forth about the second center line L2 extending in the vehicle width direction along the connecting portion 23C in the detection unit 21C. They are arranged side by side in the direction. Similarly, the cells C5 to C8 as the second load detection switch of the second seating sensor 20C are arranged side by side symmetrically with respect to the second center line L2 in the detection unit 22C. The equivalent circuit of the second seating sensor 20C by the cells C1 to C8 is the same as that of the first seating sensor 20L.

Therefore, the second seating sensor 20C itself is provided in the detection unit 21C in either one of the front-rear directions (upper or lower side in FIG. 3C) with respect to the second center line L2. Cells C1, C2, C3 and C4 are in a conductive state, or one of two adjacent cells C3 and C2 with a second center line L2 arranged between them, and any of cells C1 and C4 provided at both ends. When one of them becomes conductive, it becomes conductive. Alternatively, the second seating sensor 20C itself is provided in the detection unit 22C in either one of the front-rear directions (upper or lower side in FIG. 3C) with respect to the second center line L2. Cells C5, C6, C7, C8 are in a conductive state, or one of two adjacent cells C7, C6 with a second center line L2 arranged between them, and any of cells C5, C8 provided at both ends. When one of them becomes conductive, it becomes conductive. Then, the second seating sensor 20C outputs a detection signal SC according to the conduction state and the non-conduction state from the connector 25C. Each of cells C1 to C4 and cells C5 to C8 of the second seating sensor 20C constitutes a second load detection group G2. That is, the second seating sensor 20C has a structure in which a plurality of second load detection groups G2 (two in the present embodiment) are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each second load detection group G2 forming the detection units 21C and 22C is formed so as to be line-symmetrical with respect to the second center line L2.
As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 25 of both first seating sensors 20R and 20L and the connector 25C of the second seating sensor 20C are electrically connected to the ECU (electronic control unit) 30. The ECU 30 determines whether or not a person exists in the corresponding seats 11R, 11L, 11C based on the detection signals SR, SL, SC output from both the first seating sensors 20R, 20L and the second seating sensor 20C. To do. Then, the ECU 30 outputs a control signal according to those determination results to an appropriate device. Specifically, when it is determined that a person exists in any of the seats 11R, 11L, 11C, for example, the ECU 30 outputs a control signal for driving a notification member (warning lamp or the like) for prompting the wearing of a seatbelt. ..

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
Each of the first seating sensors 20R and 20L is provided in the detection unit 21 on either one of the vehicle width directions (right or left side in FIG. 3A) with respect to the first center line L1 and is provided on any two adjacent ones. The cells C1, C2, C3, and C4 are both in a conductive state, and the first center line L1 is arranged between the two adjacent cells C3 and C2, and the cells C1 and C4 provided at both ends. When at least one of the two is in the conductive state, the conductive state is established. Alternatively, the first seating sensors 20R and 20L are adjacent to each other provided in the detection unit 22 in the vehicle width direction (right or left side in FIG. 3A) with respect to the first center line L1. The two cells C5, C6, C7, and C8 are all in a conductive state, and the first center line L1 is arranged between the two adjacent cells C7 and C6, and the cells C5 and C5 provided at both ends. When at least one of the two C8s is in the conductive state, the conductive state is established. On the other hand, the first seating sensors 20R and 20L are in a non-conducting state except for the above. Then, each of the first seating sensors 20R and 20L detects that a person is present in the corresponding seats 11R and 11L by being in a conductive state by itself.

Here, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4A, for example, when the person M sits on the seat 11L on one side in the vehicle width direction without bias in the vehicle width direction and the front-rear direction with respect to the seat surface portion 12L, the first case is 1 The seating sensor 20L basically receives loads from both thighs and both sides of the hips connected to the thighs. At this time, in the detection unit 21, the first seating sensor 20L has one of two adjacent cells C3 and C2 with the first center line L1 arranged between them, and any of the cells C1 and C4 provided at both ends. On the other hand, the two cells C1, C3, C2, and C4 on which the first center line L1 is arranged are both put into a conductive state by applying a predetermined load to the conductive state. Alternatively, the first seating sensor 20L is one of two cells C7 and C6 adjacent to each other with the first center line L1 arranged between them, and one of cells C5 and C8 provided at both ends in the detection unit 22. On the other hand, the two cells C5, C7, C6, and C8 on which the first center line L1 is arranged are both put into a conductive state by applying a predetermined load to the conductive state. Thereby, it is possible to detect that the person M is present in the corresponding seat 11L.

Further, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 4A, when the person M sits sideways on the seat 11L, the first seating sensor 20L basically receives a load from one thigh or one side of the buttocks connected thereto. Receive. At this time, in the detection unit 21, the first seating sensor 20L puts a predetermined load on both of the two adjacent cells C1, C2, C3 and C4 without straddling the first center line L1 to bring them into a conductive state. By becoming conductive. Alternatively, in the first seating sensor 20L, in the detection unit 22, any two adjacent cells C5, C6, C7, and C8 are put into a conductive state by applying a predetermined load without straddling the first center line L1. As a result, it becomes conductive. Thereby, it is possible to detect that the person M is present in the corresponding seat 11L.

The same applies to the seat 11R on the opposite side.
On the other hand, the second seating sensor 20C has two adjacent cells provided in the detection unit 21C in either the front-rear direction (upper or lower side in FIG. 3C) with respect to the second center line L2. Both C1, C2, C3 and C4 are in a conductive state, and one of the two adjacent cells C3 and C2 with the second center line L2 arranged between them, and any of the cells C1 and C4 provided at both ends. When at least one of the two is in a conductive state, the conductive state is established. Alternatively, the second seating sensor 20C is provided in the detection unit 22C in either one of the front-rear directions (upper or lower side in FIG. 3C) with respect to the second center line L2, and any two adjacent cells are provided. Both C5, C6, C7, and C8 are in a conductive state, and either one of the two adjacent cells C7 and C6 with the second center line L2 arranged between them, and any of the cells C5 and C8 provided at both ends. When at least one of the two is in a conductive state, the conductive state is established. On the other hand, the second seating sensor 20C is in a non-conducting state except for the above. Then, the second seating sensor 20C detects that a person is present in the corresponding seat 11C by being in a conductive state by itself.

Here, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4B, for example, when the person M is normally seated on the seat 11C, the second seating sensor 20C basically receives the load from the thigh and the buttocks connected to the person M. At this time, in the second seating sensor 20C, in the detection unit 21C, any two adjacent cells C1, C2, C3, and C4 provided in either one of the front-rear directions from the second center line L2 have a predetermined load. Is added to make it conductive, or one of the two adjacent cells C3 and C2 with the second center line L2 arranged between them, and one of the cells C1 and C4 provided at both ends. Therefore, the two cells C1, C3, C2, and C4 in which the second center line L2 is arranged are both put into a conductive state by applying a predetermined load to the conductive state. Alternatively, in the second seating sensor 20C, in the detection unit 22C, any two adjacent cells C5, C6, C7, and C8 provided in either one of the front-rear directions from the second center line L2 receive a predetermined load. By being added and becoming conductive, or with the second center line L2 arranged between them, one of the two adjacent cells C7 and C6, and one of the cells C5 and C8 provided at both ends. Then, the two cells C5, C7, C6, and C8 in which the second center line L2 is arranged are both subjected to a predetermined load to be in a conductive state, so that the conductive state is established. Thereby, it is possible to detect that the person M is present in the corresponding seat 11C.

Further, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 4B, when the person M sits in front of the seat 11C, the second seating sensor 20C basically receives the load from the buttocks. At this time, in the detection unit 21C, in the second seating sensor 20C, two adjacent cells C3 and C4 are predetermined in the detection unit 21C closer to the front of the vehicle than the second center line L2 (that is, without straddling the second center line L2). When the load of is applied and it becomes a conductive state, it becomes a conductive state. Alternatively, in the second seating sensor 20C, in the detection unit 22C, two cells C7 and C8 adjacent to each other closer to the front of the vehicle than the second center line L2 (that is, without straddling the second center line L2) are predetermined. When a load is applied and the state becomes conductive, the state becomes conductive. Thereby, it is possible to detect that the person M is present in the corresponding seat 11C.

As shown in FIG. 4C, for example, when the CRS (children's restraint device) 40 is installed on the seat 11L, due to the uneven distribution of the mounting load, a substantially U-shaped range along the outer shape of the seat surface portion 12L ( It is known that the load is concentrated on (shown in the pattern). In this case, in the detection unit 21, the first seating sensor 20L is in a non-conducting state, although cells C1 and C4 are both in a conductive state when a certain level of load is applied. Alternatively, in the first seating sensor 20L, in the detection unit 22, although the cells C5 and C8 are both subjected to a constant level load and become conductive, they remain in a non-conducting state. As described above, even if the CRS 40 is installed in the seat 11L, the possibility that the first seating sensor 20L erroneously detects the presence of the person M is reduced.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the present embodiment, even when the person M is normally seated or sitting sideways in the seats 11R and 11L, the presence of the person M in the seats 11R and 11L can be detected by the first seating sensors 20R and 20L. .. On the other hand, even when the person M is normally seated or sitting in front of the seat 11C, the presence of the person M in the seat 11C can be detected by the second seating sensor 20C.

(2) In the present embodiment, in the first seating sensors 20R and 20L, a plurality of first load detection groups G1 composed of a plurality of cells C1 to C4 and C5 to C8 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. Similarly, in the second seating sensor 20C, a plurality of second load detection groups G2 composed of a plurality of cells C1 to C4 and C5 to C8 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, by expanding both the detection areas of the first seating sensors 20R and 20L and the second seating sensor 20C, it is possible to further improve the detection accuracy of the presence of a person in the corresponding seat.

(3) In the present embodiment, both the first seating sensors 20R and 20L and the second seating sensor 20C (three seating sensors) have the same shape. Therefore, by making both the first seating sensors 20R and 20L and the second seating sensor 20C common parts, the manufacturing man-hours and the cost can be reduced.

(4) In the present embodiment, even if the CRS 40 is installed in the seat 11L, the possibility that the first seating sensor 20L erroneously detects the presence of the person M can be reduced. The same applies when the CRS 40 is installed on the seat 11R.

The above embodiment may be changed as follows.
-As shown by line X1 in FIG. 3B, it is conceivable to short-circuit the connection portions of cells C1, C4 and C2, C3 with the connection portions of cells C5, C8 and cells C6, C7. Further, such a circuit configuration may be adopted for another first seating sensor 20R or a second seating sensor 20C.

-In the above embodiment, both the first seating sensors 20R and 20L and the second seating sensor 20C (three seating sensors) may have different shapes from each other.
-In the above embodiment, each of the first seating sensors 20R and 20L may have three or more first load detection groups G1 arranged side by side. Similarly, the second seating sensor 20C may have three or more second load detection groups G2 arranged side by side.

-In the above embodiment, either one of the cells C1 to C4 and the cells C5 to C8 of the first seating sensors 20R and 20L may be omitted. That is, in each of the first seating sensors 20R and 20L, a plurality of first load detection groups G1 may not be arranged side by side. Similarly, either cells C1 to C4 and cells C5 to C8 of the second seating sensor 20C may be omitted. That is, in the second seating sensor 20C, a plurality of second load detection groups G2 may not be arranged side by side.

-In the above embodiment, the number of cells arranged side by side in each of the detection units 21, 22, 21C, 22C does not have to be four, and may be changed as appropriate. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the number of cells in each of the detection units 21 and 22 may be five. Specifically, the detection unit 21 may provide the cell Ca next to the cell C4, and the detection unit 22 may provide the cell Cb next to the cell C8.

-In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first seating sensor 20L is connected in parallel with the first reference line Lα arranged between them in the detection unit 21. The cells C2 and C3 and the two cells C1 and Ca provided in parallel at both ends may be connected in series. That is, in the first seating sensor 20L, two adjacent cells C1 and Ca may be connected in series in the detection unit 21 by skipping two cells across the first reference line Lα.

Similarly, in the detection unit 22, the first seating sensor 20L is connected to two adjacent cells C6 and C7 in which the first reference line Lα is arranged between them and two parallel-connected cells C6 and C7 provided at both ends. The cells C5 and Cb may be connected in series. That is, in the first seating sensor 20L, two adjacent cells C5 and Cb may be connected in series in the detection unit 22 by skipping two cells across the first reference line Lα.

-In the above embodiment, the detection units 21, 22, 21C, 22C are not necessarily line-symmetrical with respect to the first center line L1 as the first reference line and the second center line L2 as the second reference line. You may. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when each of the detection units 21 and 22 includes five cells, the first reference line Lα may be provided between the cells C2 and C3 and between the cells C6 and C7. ..

-In the above embodiment, the second seating sensor 20C may not be arranged on the seating surface portion 12C. That is, at least one of the first seating sensors 20R and 20L may be arranged on the seating surface portions 12R and 12L.

-In the above embodiment, in the first seating sensors 20R and 20L, the extension portions 24 are provided so as to be substantially parallel to the vehicle width direction. However, the extending portion 24 may have a shape extending in the front-rear direction from the detecting portion 21 or 22.

C1 to C8 ... cells (first load detection switch, second load detection switch), G1 ... first load detection group, G2 ... second load detection group, 10 ... rear seat, 11C, 11L, 11R ... seat, 12C, 12L, 12R ... Seat surface portion, 20L, 20R ... First seating sensor, 20C ... Second seating sensor.

Claims (4)

In the rear seats arranged at the rear of the vehicle, first seating sensors provided at both ends of a plurality of seats arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction and arranged on the seat surface portion of the seats, and
A plurality of first load detection switches provided on the first seating sensor, which are provided in a conductive state when a predetermined load is applied and are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, are provided.
The first load detection switch is
Two adjacent first load detection switches provided in one of the vehicle width directions with respect to the first reference line extending in the vehicle front-rear direction on the seat surface portion are connected in series.
In addition, the first load detection switch , which is connected in parallel with the first reference line arranged between them and adjacent to each other , and both first load detection switches are provided at both ends of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. A seating detection device in which two parallel-connected first load detection switches are connected in series. The rear seats are provided with three said seats.
A second seating sensor arranged on the seat surface portion of the seat in the center in the vehicle width direction of the rear seat,
A plurality of second load detection switches provided on the second seating sensor, which are provided in a conductive state when a predetermined load is applied and are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, are provided.
The second load detection switch is
Two adjacent second load detection switches provided in one of the vehicle front-rear directions with respect to the second reference line extending in the vehicle width direction on the seat surface portion are connected in series.
In addition, the second load detection switch , which is connected in parallel with the second reference line arranged between them and adjacent to each other , and both of the second load detection switches are provided at both ends of the vehicle in the front-rear direction. The seating detection device according to claim 1, wherein the second load detection switches connected in parallel are connected in series. In the first seating sensor, a plurality of first load detection groups composed of the plurality of first load detection switches are arranged side by side in the vehicle front-rear direction.
The seating detection device according to claim 2, wherein the second seating sensor is a plurality of second load detection groups composed of the plurality of second load detection switches arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. The seating detection device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first seating sensor and the second seating sensor have the same shape.

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