Load detection sensor unit

• US 10,351,033 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2016
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujikura Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujikura Limited
• Inventors: Kawahira, Tetsuya, Karasawa, Noriyuki, Nakazaki, Shigeru
• Primary Examiner(s): Hopkins, Brandi N
• Application Number:
  US15/546,382
• Publication Number:
  US 20180022232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7094 Upholstery springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 1/225 Measuring circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/04 Cases; Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/10 Bases; Stationary contacts mounted thereon
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/16 adapted for operation by a part of the human body other than the hand, e.g. by foot
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/50 having a single operating member
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/026 Car

Abstract

A load detection sensor unit includes: a load detection sensor which includes a pair of electrodes facing each other with a predetermined gap interposed therebetween and a metal plate covering at least a part of one electrode; and a pressing member that includes a pressing portion pressed against a sheet cushion of a seat device and harder than the sheet cushion, and the pair of electrodes contacts each other when the metal plate is bent in a case in which the pressing portion presses a part of the metal plate.

Claims

1. A load detection sensor unit which is disposed below a sheet cushion, comprising:

a load detection sensor which includes a pair of electrodes facing each other with a predetermined gap interposed therebetween and a metal plate covering at least a part of one electrode located near the sheet cushion among the pair of electrodes from the sheet cushion;

a pressing member that includes a pressing portion pressed against the sheet cushion and harder than the sheet cushion; and

a first movement regulation member that regulates a relative movement between the pressing member and the metal plate in a plane direction of the metal plate,

wherein the pair of electrodes contacts each other when the metal plate is bent in a case in which the pressing portion presses a part of the metal plate.

2. The load detection sensor unit according to claim 1,

wherein the pressing member further includes a pressure receiving surface pressed against the sheet cushion, and

wherein an area of the pressure receiving surface is larger than an area in which the pressing portion contacts the metal plate.

3. The load detection sensor unit according to claim 2,

wherein the area of the pressure receiving surface is larger than an area of the one electrode.

4. The load detection sensor unit according to claim 1,

wherein the pressing portion contacts the metal plate while not being pressed against the sheet cushion.

5. The load detection sensor unit according to claim 1,

wherein the load detection sensor further includes a sheet-shaped spacer having an opening formed therein and a pair of insulation sheets formed on both surfaces of the spacer,

wherein the pair of electrodes is provided on a surface near the spacer in the insulation sheets respectively and faces each other with the opening interposed therebetween, and

wherein the metal plate is provided at the opposite side to the spacer of one of the insulation sheets.

6. The load detection sensor unit according to claim 5,

wherein the pair of insulation sheets and the metal plate do not adhere to each other.

7. The load detection sensor unit according to claim 6, further comprising:

a second movement regulation member that regulates a relative movement between the pair of insulation sheets and the metal plate in a plane direction of the pair of insulation sheets.

8. The load detection sensor unit according to claim 7,

wherein the second movement regulation member is a part of a housing accommodating the load detection sensor.

9. The load detection sensor unit according to claim 6,

wherein the metal plate is formed of bimetal which is deformed to be separated from the electrode in accordance with an increase in temperature.

10. The load detection sensor unit according to claim 5,

wherein a portion covering at least the electrode in the metal plate is separated from the one of the insulation sheets.

11. The load detection sensor unit according to claim 1,

wherein the one electrode covered by the metal plate is integrated with the metal plate and the electrode is a part of the metal plate.

12. A load detection sensor unit which is disposed below a sheet cushion, comprising:

a load detection sensor which includes a pair of electrodes facing each other with a predetermined gap interposed therebetween and a metal plate covering at least a part of one electrode located near the sheet cushion among the pair of electrodes from the sheet cushion;

a pressing member that includes a pressing portion pressed against the sheet cushion and harder than the sheet cushion,

wherein the pair of electrodes contacts each other when the metal plate is bent in a case in which the pressing portion presses a part of the metal plate,

wherein the load detection sensor further includes a sheet-shaped spacer having an opening formed therein and a pair of insulation sheets formed on both surfaces of the spacer,

wherein the pair of electrodes is provided on a surface near the spacer in the insulation sheets respectively and faces each other with the opening interposed therebetween, and

wherein the metal plate is provided at the opposite side to the spacer of one of the insulation sheets, and

wherein the pair of insulation sheets and the metal plate do not adhere to each other.

13. A load detection sensor unit which is disposed below a sheet cushion, comprising:

a load detection sensor which includes a pair of electrodes facing each other with a predetermined gap interposed therebetween and a metal plate covering at least a part of one electrode located near the sheet cushion among the pair of electrodes from the sheet cushion;

a pressing member that includes a pressing portion pressed against the sheet cushion and harder than the sheet cushion,

wherein the pair of electrodes contacts each other when the metal plate is bent in a case in which the pressing portion presses a part of the metal plate,

wherein the load detection sensor further includes a sheet-shaped spacer having an opening formed therein and a pair of insulation sheets formed on both surfaces of the spacer,

wherein the pair of electrodes is provided on a surface near the spacer in the insulation sheets respectively and faces each other with the opening interposed therebetween, and

wherein the metal plate is provided at the opposite side to the spacer of one of the insulation sheets, and

wherein a portion covering at least the electrode in the metal plate is separated from the one of the insulation sheets.