Riding detection device for seat

• US 6,750,774 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2001
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ono, Yuji, Yano, Kengo, Onozuka, Tadashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Toan
• Application Number:
  US09/907,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20020030601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: 340/667, 340/665, 340/666, 200/85.R, 200/85.A, 307/9.1, 180/273, 297/195.1, 297/195.12, 297/423.17, 297/DIG.1
• US Class Current: 340/667
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/12 Box-shaped seats; Bench-type seats, e.g. dual or twin seats
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/41 characterised by the type of sensor
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/42 characterised by mounting

Abstract

In view of a possibility that a conventional structure which mounts a pressure-sensitive riding detection sensor on a seat bottom plate and mounts a seat cushion on the riding detection sensor lowers the sensitivity of the riding detection sensor, the present invention arranges the riding detection sensor such that the riding detection sensor can have favorable sensitivity. A lower seat cushion is arranged on a seat bottom plate of a seat, and a seat switch is supported on the lower seat cushion. A seat cushion body which is made thin by the thickness of the lower seat cushion is mounted on the seat switch, and a seat skin covers an upper surface of the seat cushion body.

Claims

1. A combination of a riding detection device and a motorcycle seat, comprising:

a seat bottom plate;

a seat cushion, formed of a sponge-like material, mounted on said seat bottom plate;

a seat skin covering a surface of said seat cushion; and

a riding detection sensor arranged at an intermediate portion within said sponge-like material of said seat cushion, wherein said riding detection sensor is arranged so as to be extended in the frontward and rearward direction at a central portion in the widthwise direction of said seat, and said riding detection sensor has a portion thereof disposed forwardly of a hip point of a rider on said seat.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein sensor supporting protrusions are formed on a portion of said seat cushion for supporting said riding detection sensor, and said riding detection sensor is supported on said sensor supporting protrusions.

3. A motorcycle seat, comprising:

a bottom plate;

an upper seat cushion mounted on said bottom plate, said upper seat cushion having a recess in a lower side thereof;

a lower seat cushion located within said recess in said upper seat cushion; and

a riding detection sensor located between said upper seat cushion and said lower seat cushion.

4. The seat according to claim 3, wherein said bottom plate includes a plurality of ribs extending downwardly therefrom.

5. The seat according to claim 4, wherein said ribs extend perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of said seat.

6. The seat according to claim 3, wherein said lower seat cushion includes a substantially rectangular main portion, and an overhanging portion located along one side of said main portion, so that said lower seat cushion has an L-shape.

7. The seat according to claim 6, wherein said main portion includes a plurality of protrusions extending upwardly from a surface of said main portion.

8. The seat according to claim 7, wherein said riding detection sensor comprises a plurality of sensor bodies located on said plurality of protrusions.

9. The seat according to claim 6, wherein said overhanging portion includes a recess therein for receiving a connector of said riding detection sensor.

10. The seat according to claim 3, wherein said riding detection sensor comprises a plurality of sensor bodies.

11. The seat according to claim 10, wherein said sensor bodies are arranged in a matrix.

12. The seat according to claim 11, wherein said matrix has at least two rows of said sensor bodies.

13. The seat according to claim 12, wherein said two rows are spaced apart on opposite sides of a central longitudinal axis of said seat.

14. The seat according to claim 13, wherein said lower seat cushion includes a substantially rectangular main portion, and an overhanging portion located along one side of said main portion, so that said lower seat cushion has an L-shape.

15. The seat according to claim 14, wherein said main portion includes a plurality of protrusions extending upwardly from a surface of said main portion.

16. The seat according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of sensor bodies are located on said plurality of protrusions.

17. The seat according to claim 3, wherein said upper seat cushion and said lower seat cushion are made of polyurethane foam.

18. The seat according to claim 3, wherein said upper seat cushion is formed of a sponge-like material, and wherein said lower seat cushion is formed of a sponge-like material.

19. A motorcycle comprising:

a body having a frame;

a power unit swingably attached to said frame;

a wheel supported by said power unit;

a seat supported on said body, said seat including;

a bottom plate;

an upper seat cushion mounted on said bottom plate, said upper seat cushion having a recess in a lower side thereof;

a lower seat cushion located within said recess in said upper seat cushion; and

a riding detection sensor located between said upper seat cushion and said lower seat cushion.

20. The motorcycle according to claim 19, wherein said lower seat cushion includes a plurality of protrusions extending upwardly from an upper surface thereof, and said riding detection sensor comprises a plurality of sensor bodies located on said plurality of protrusions.

21. The motorcycle according to claim 19, wherein said upper seat cushion is formed of a sponge-like material, and wherein said lower seat cushion is formed of a sponge-like material.