Load sensor

• US 7,629,546 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2007
• Issued: 12/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Saitoh, Yukihiro, Itoh, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KYUNG S
• Application Number:
  US11/998,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20080121511A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 200/85.A, 701/45, 280734-735, 340666-667
• US Class Current: 200/85.00A
• 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 2/003 characterised by the sensor mounting location in or on the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/46 Electric switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/4142 for controlling activation of safety devices, e.g. airbag systems electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements in case of vehicle accidents B60R21/015

Abstract

A load sensor is provided as a seat sensor that includes a first film formed in a linear shape, a second film formed in the same shape as the first film and arranged facing the first film, sensor electrodes arranged between the first film and the second film facing each other. The electrodes are normally spaced apart from each other and come in contact with each other upon receiving a load. The electrodes are connected to a connector through a conducting portion arranged between the first film and the second film. The seat sensor is disposed on a seat where a large compressive force is applied by a passenger.

Claims

1. A load sensor comprising:

a first film formed in a linear shape and extending only in one straight line;

a second film formed in the same shape as the first film and arranged to face the first film;

sensor electrodes arranged between the first film and the second film to form a sensor cell, the sensor electrodes being normally spaced apart from each other and coming in contact with each other upon receiving a load;

conducting electrodes arranged between the first film and the second film, and conductive to the sensor electrodes; and

a connector coupled to ends of the first film and the second film to be conductive to the sensor electrodes via the conducting electrodes;

wherein

the sensor cell is arranged at a plurality of positions to form a plurality of sensor cells spaced apart in a direction of the one straight line of the linear shape; and

the connector is positioned on the one straight line connecting the plurality of sensor cells.

2. The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of sensor cells are connected in series, and are arranged in a seat surface of a seat of a vehicle in a manner to extend in a diagonal direction of the seat surface to detect a passenger on the seat.

3. The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of sensor cells are connected in parallel or in series, and are arranged in a backrest of a seat of a vehicle, to detect a passenger on the seat.

4. The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of sensor cells are arranged in seat surfaces of a plurality of seats that are integrally formed together as a seat of the vehicle, and detect a passenger on the seat.

5. The load sensor according to claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of sensor cells are arranged in the backrests of a plurality of seats that are integrally formed together as a seat of the vehicle, and detect a passenger on the seat.

6. The load sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a connector provided at one end of the linear shape, the plurality of sensor cells being arranged in a direction of the straight line opposite to the one end.

7. A load sensor comprising:

a first electrode formed in a linear shape and extending in only one straight line;

a second electrode formed in a same linear shape as the first electrode and arranged to face the first electrode in parallel; and

a spacer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode to form a space therebetween;

wherein

the first electrode and the second electrode are enlarged at a plurality of positions to form a plurality of sensor cells, in which the first electrode and the second electrode contact each other in response to a compressive force applied thereto,

the first electrode and the second electrode are formed in the linear shape so that the plurality of sensor cells are spaced apart from each other in a direction of the straight line of the linear shape, and

the sensor cells are positioned only at a predetermined part of a seat, which receives more compressive force of a passenger than other parts of the seat.

8. The load sensor according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined part of the seat is at least one of a lower part of a backrest, an upper part of the backrest, and a rear part of a seat surface of the seat.

9. The load sensor according to claim 7, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged in a diagonal direction in the predetermined part of the seat.

10. The load sensor according to claim 7, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged in a left-and-right direction of the seat.

11. The load sensor according to claim 7, further comprising a connector provided at one end of the linear shape, the plurality of sensor cells being arranged in a direction of the straight line opposite to the one end.