JP3639617B2 - Seat device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a seat device having a seating detection function suitable for a vehicle seat such as an automobile.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a means for electrically detecting the seating and leaving of an occupant in an automobile seat, for example, an automobile seat using a tape switch as described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-34109 has been proposed. . In this known technique, an elongated leaf spring that is curved along the back surface of the pad material is provided between the seat frame and the pad spring so that the center part floats from the seat frame. A tape switch is provided.
[0003]
This known technique is configured such that the leaf spring is largely bent downward by a load at the time of sitting, and the switch is turned on (energized state) when the tape switch is sandwiched between the seat frame and the leaf spring. ing. In the tape switch, at least a pair of contact portions that are vertically opposed to each other are embedded inside the belt-like elastic body, and when the pressure is applied in the thickness direction of the belt-like elastic body, the contact portion is closed and a closed circuit is formed. It is supposed to be formed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the seat device using the tape switch, the operation reliability and durability of the switch are greatly affected by the seating load, the spring constant of the leaf spring, and the like. That is, if the spring constant of the leaf spring is lowered in order to increase the sensitivity of the switch, an excessive load continues to enter the tape switch for a large seating load, causing the tape switch to be plastically deformed or the contact portion to be worn. For example, malfunction may occur at an early stage.
[0005]
On the other hand, if the spring constant of the leaf spring is increased so as to withstand a large load, the sensitivity of the tape switch deteriorates and does not respond to a small seating load. Moreover, in the above prior art, when a trouble occurs in the tape switch or the leaf spring, the tape switch or the leaf spring is arranged inside the frame, so when a dish-like frame such as a pan frame is used, Tape switches and leaf springs cannot be easily replaced.
[0006]
In addition, instead of using a tape switch, in a seat device in which a load supporting spring is provided on the lower surface side of the pad, a micro switch having a lever that interlocks with the bending of the spring is provided so that the spring is constant when a load is applied. There has also been proposed a seat-seating detection means for detecting that the switch is bent more than the amount by the switch. However, this cannot be applied to a seat device in which a load is directly supported by a pan frame and a pad.
[0007]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to reliably take out a seating / seating seat signal in a seat device provided with a pad on a pan frame, to be excellent in durability, and to easily exchange a switch or the like. is there.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The seat device of the present invention, which has been developed to achieve the above object, is a pan frame for a seat part that is formed in a dish shape and has a hole that penetrates in the vertical direction in the bottom part, and on the upper surface side of the pan frame. A pad that is provided and has a gap between the bottom of the pan frame, a bracket that is fixed in the vicinity of the hole in the bottom of the pan frame, a side plate that is open at the upper end side, and A switch holder provided on the lower surface side so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the bracket, a fixing means for fixing the switch holder to a desired height with respect to the bracket, and an inner side of the hole of the frame fixed to the switch holder And a switch having an operating portion that protrudes upward from between the side plate portions and faces the lower surface of the pad.
[0009]
[Action]
When a load is applied from above the pad, the pad bends downward, so that the lower surface of the pad descends toward the operating portion of the switch. For this reason, an operation part is pushed by the lower surface of a pad, and a switch operates. When the load is removed, the pad returns to its original height, and the lower surface of the pad moves away from the operating portion of the switch, whereby the switch returns to its original state. The seating / separating seat signal detected by this switch is input to a control device such as a microcomputer provided in the vehicle, and various control operations are performed according to the seating or seating.
[0010]
Since the switch operating part protrudes upward from the side plate of the switch holder and faces the lower surface of the pad, the lower surface of the pad does not move even if the pad position drops more than expected when a large seating load is applied. It is supported by the peripheral edge of the hole in the frame and the upper end of the side plate. For this reason, even if the seating load is large, the switch is prevented from being pushed with an excessive force, and the durability of the switch is not adversely affected.
[0011]
In the present invention, the bracket is provided with an elongated hole in the vertical direction, and the height of the switch holder can be adjusted along the elongated hole, so that the switch can be switched according to the distance from the pan frame to the lower surface of the pad when there is no load. The mounting height can be adjusted, and the height can be set so that the switch can operate reliably.
[0012]
Further, when the impregnated hardened layer is provided on a part of the pad (position corresponding to the hole of the pan frame ) as in the second aspect , an appropriate hardness can be given to the portion in contact with the switch operating portion. Further, by providing such an impregnated hardened layer, the bottom surface of the pad does not protrude from the hole of the pan frame to the lower surface side, and the portion is easily received by the upper end surface of the side plate portion of the switch holder.
[0013]
【Example】
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
A seat device 10 for an automobile driver's seat schematically shown in FIG. 4 includes a seat portion 11 and a backrest portion 12. The seat portion 11 includes a sheet metal bread frame 15 formed in a shallow dish shape, a pad 16 provided on the upper surface side of the bread frame 15, and the like. The outside of the pad 16 is covered with a cover material (not shown). The material of the pad 16 is not limited, but a synthetic resin foam such as urethane foam is suitable. As shown in FIG. 5, a gap 17 is secured between the bottom 15 a of the frame 15 and the lower surface of the pad 16.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 6, the pan frame 15 is formed by pressing a sheet metal into a predetermined shape by pressing or the like, and an air vent hole 18 penetrating in the thickness direction is punched at an appropriate position of the bottom portion 15a. These holes 18 are for releasing the air in the gap 17 between the frame 15 and the pad 16 when seated, and are effective in preventing the generation of abnormal noise. It is also useful in reducing the weight of the 15.
[0015]
On the lower surface side of the frame 15, a switch unit 20 for detecting the seating position is provided at a position slightly ahead of the hip point P (shown in FIG. 4) that is the center of load for the seated person. As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the switch unit 20 includes a bracket 21, a switch holder 22, a micro switch 23, and the like.
[0016]
The bracket 21 is fixed in the vicinity of the peripheral edge portion of the hole 18 a in the central portion located near the hip point P in the hole 18 of the pan frame 15. The bracket 21 is formed by bending a metal plate into an L shape, and includes a horizontal base portion 25 and a vertical wall 26 extending downward from the end of the base portion 25. A pair of long holes 27 are formed in the vertical wall 26 along the vertical direction.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 1, the bracket 21 is fixed to the lower surface of the pan frame 15 by a fixing part 30 such as a screw or a rivet, and the vertical wall 26 faces the lower side of the hole 18a. In the case of the illustrated example, the base 25 is fixed to the frame 15 by inserting the fixing component 30 through the small hole 31 provided in the base 25 and the small hole 32 provided in the frame 15. The base portion 25 may be fixed to the pan frame 15 by spot welding or the like.
[0018]
A switch holder 22 is fixed to the bracket 21. As shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the switch holder 22 is formed by bending a metal plate into a U-shape when viewed from the upper surface side, and a pair of left and right side plate portions 35 and 36 that are separated from each other, and the side plate portion 35. , 36 are connected to each other. Accordingly, the upper and lower ends and one side surface of the switch holder 22 are open, and the upper end side is an open end.
[0019]
A bolt through hole 40 penetrating in the horizontal direction is formed in a lower portion of one side plate portion 35. A horizontal bolt insertion hole 41 is also formed in the lower portion of the other side plate portion 36. Small holes 42 and 43 penetrating in the horizontal direction are formed in the upper portions of the side plate portions 35 and 36.
[0020]
The switch holder 22 is fixed to the bracket 21 by a bolt 45 and a nut 46 as an example of fixing means. The bolt 45 is inserted into the long hole 27 of the bracket 21 and the bolt insertion holes 40 and 41 of the switch holder 22, and the nut 46 is screwed together. For this reason, if the nut 46 is loosened, the switch holder 22 can be moved in the vertical direction. A spacer 47 may be provided between the side plate portions 35 and 36.
[0021]
The microswitch 23 is fixed between the side plate portions 35 and 36. In the case of the illustrated example, convex portions 51 projecting in the horizontal direction are provided on both side surfaces of the microswitch 23. The convex portion 51 is fitted into the hole 42 of the switch holder 22. A pin 53 is inserted into a horizontal through hole 52 provided in the microswitch 23. Both ends of the pin 53 are fitted into the small holes 43 of the switch holder 22 to position and fix the microswitch 23 with respect to the switch holder 22.
[0022]
At the upper part of the main body 55 of the micro switch 23, a protrusion 56 and an operating portion 57 formed in a leaf spring shape are provided. A fixed contact and a movable contact (not shown) are provided inside the main body 55. When the protrusion 56 is pushed into the main body 55, the movable contact contacts the fixed contact via a known snap mechanism. The switch 23 is closed.
[0023]
The distal end portion of the operating portion 57 protrudes upward from between the side plate portions 35 and 36 of the switch holder 22, and faces the lower surface of the pad 16 in the space region inside the hole 18 a of the frame 15. The lead wire 58 of the micro switch 23 is connected to a control device (not shown) such as a microcomputer mounted on the vehicle via a connector and a wire harness (not shown).
[0024]
An impregnated hardened layer 60 is provided at a part of the lower surface of the pad 16, that is, at a position corresponding to the hole 18 a of the frame 15. The impregnated hardened layer 60 inserts a felt material 60a at a predetermined position inside the molding die when the pad 16 is molded with urethane foam so that the felt material 60a is impregnated with a part of the urethane when foaming urethane. It is hardened integrally, and the hardness is locally increased compared to other parts of urethane alone.
[0025]
In order to fix the switch unit 20 having the above configuration to the frame 15, the microswitch 23 is attached to the switch holder 22 in advance, and the switch holder 22 and the bracket 21 are coupled by a bolt 45 and a nut 46. In that case, if the bolt 45 and the nut 46 are loosened and temporarily set, the switch holder 22 can be moved in the vertical direction (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1) with respect to the bracket 21.
[0026]
After the bracket 21 is fixed to the frame 15 by the fixing component 30, the distance H (shown in FIG. 1) from the lower surface of the pad 16 to the pan frame 15 is measured with a jig, and the switch holder 22 is adjusted according to the distance H. After adjusting the height, the switch holder 22 is fixed to the bracket 21 by tightening the bolt 45 and the nut 46.
[0027]
Since the switch 23 is thus set to the specified height, when the load is applied from above the pad 16 and the pad 16 is lowered, the impregnated hardened layer 60 can reliably press the operating portion 57 of the switch 23. Instead of providing the long hole 27, a plurality of holes may be provided in the vertical wall 26 while changing the height stepwise, and the bolt 45 may be passed through the hole having a desired height.
[0028]
Next, the operation of the seat device 10 including the switch unit 20 having the above-described configuration will be described.
When no load is applied to the pad 16, a gap 17 exists between the lower surface of the pad 16 and the frame 15. In this case, the switch 23 is open because the impregnated hardened layer 60 and the operating portion 57 of the switch 23 are separated from each other.
[0029]
When a load is applied from above the pad 16, the impregnated hardened layer 60 is lowered toward the operating portion 57 of the switch 23 by bending the pad 16 downward as shown in FIG. 3. For this reason, the operation part 57 is pushed and the switch 23 is switched to an ON state. When the load is removed from the pad 16, the pad 16 returns to its original height, so that the pad 16 is separated from the operating portion 57 of the switch 23, so that the switch 23 is opened again. The detected seating signal is input to a control device such as an in-vehicle computer, and various control operations are performed according to the seating or seating.
[0030]
In the seat device 10 according to the present embodiment, since the impregnated hardened layer 60 is provided on a part of the pad 16 (a position corresponding to the hole 18a of the frame), even if a large load is applied to the pad 16, the pad 18 extends from the hole 18a. 16 does not come out too much. Moreover, since the operating portion 57 of the switch 23 comes into contact with the impregnated hardened layer 60, the responsiveness of the operating portion 57 at the time of sitting or leaving the seat is good, and the on / off operation of the switch 23 is ensured.
[0031]
Moreover, since the operating portion 57 protrudes upward from between the side plate portions 35 and 36 of the switch holder 22 and the impregnated hardened layer 60 is provided above the side plate portions 35 and 36, when the seating load is large, etc. Even when the lower surface of the pad 16 is greatly lowered as shown by a two-dot chain line B in FIG. 3, the impregnated hardened layer 60 is supported by the upper ends of the side plate portions 35 and 36, so that the operating portion 57 is excessively pushed. Can be avoided.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, in a seat device using a pan frame and a pad, a take-off / seating signal can be surely taken out by a switch provided on the lower surface side of the pan frame, and when a trouble occurs in the switch or the like, Maintenance can be performed easily. In addition, when the lower surface of the pad is displaced downward by a load applied from above the pad, the lower surface of the pad can be supported by the upper end of the side plate portion of the switch holder, and it is possible to prevent the switch operating portion from being pushed too much. Even if is large, an excessive load is not applied to the switch, and durability is improved. In addition, the bracket has a long hole in the vertical direction, and the height of the switch holder can be adjusted along this long hole, so the switch mounting height can be adjusted according to the distance from the pan frame to the bottom of the pad when there is no load. It can be adjusted and set to a height that ensures the switch can be operated. For this reason, the switch can be held at a position corresponding to the operation stroke of the switch, and the on / off operation of the switch can be surely performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a seat device showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a switch unit used in the seat device shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view when a load is applied to the seat device shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a side view of the entire seat device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a vertical side view of a part of the seat apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a pan frame used in the seat apparatus shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Seat apparatus 11 ... Seat part 15 ... Frame 15a ... Bottom part 16 ... Pad 17 ... Gap 18a ... Hole 20 ... Switch unit 21 ... Bracket 22 ... Switch holder 23 ... Switch 27 ... Long hole 35, 36 ... Side plate part 45 ... Bolt (Fixing means)
57 ... Actuator 60 ... Impregnated hardened layer

Claims (2)

A pan frame for a seat part formed in a dish shape and provided with a hole penetrating vertically in the bottom part;
A pad provided on the upper surface side of the pan frame and having a gap with the bottom of the pan frame;
A bracket fixed near the hole at the bottom of the pan frame;
A switch holder provided with a side plate portion whose upper end side is open and movably in the vertical direction with respect to the bracket on the lower surface side of the pan frame;
Fixing means for fixing the switch holder to the bracket at a desired height;
A switch fixed to the switch holder and facing the space inside the hole of the pan frame and having an operating portion that protrudes upward from between the side plate portions and faces the lower surface of the pad ;
The bracket has a base fixed to the pan frame and a vertical wall extending downward from the base, and a long hole extending in the vertical direction is provided in the vertical wall, and the switch is provided in the long hole. A bolt for fixing the holder is inserted in a horizontal direction, and the switch holder is fixed to the bracket by the bolt when the switch holder is positioned at a desired height with respect to the bracket. Seat equipment to play.   2. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the pad is made of urethane foam, and a urethane-impregnated hardened layer having a higher hardness than other parts is provided at a position corresponding to the hole of the pan frame. apparatus.

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