JP3484139B2 - Sheet antenna and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an occupant detection device for detecting a seating condition of an occupant in a vehicle or the like, and a seat antenna used for the occupant detection system, and a method for manufacturing the same, and more particularly to an occupant detection device or an occupant detection system. The present invention relates to a seat antenna arranged on a seat to detect a seating situation and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing a seat on which a conventional seat antenna is arranged. FIG. 5A is a top view of the seat and FIG. ) Is a ZZ sectional view.

[0003] Conventionally, an occupant detection device or an occupant used to set an airbag of an airbag device to a deployable state or an undeployable state according to a seating condition of an occupant in a vehicle equipped with the airbag device. In the detection system, a seat antenna arranged on a seat for detecting the seating condition of an occupant is a non-conductor portion 2 to which a strip-shaped antenna electrode 1 is attached, and is embedded in the seat. Further, when importance is attached to the directionality of detection, a plurality of antenna electrodes 1 of the seat antenna are arranged in a direction that is desired to be detected by the detection object, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the seating direction of the occupant.

On the other hand, when fixing the seat skin 4 to the urethane molded product 5, the skin side wire 6 is arranged in a bag provided in the sewn portion of the seat skin 4, or a thick cloth or leather is sewn to the sewn portion. The seat skin 4 is fixed to the urethane molded product 5 by making a hole and passing the skin-side wire 6 or the C-shaped fixing metal 8 through the hole and hooking it on the urethane molded wire 7 built in the urethane molded product 5 having cushioning properties. ing. Further, the skin side wire 6 and the urethane molding side wire 7 are “river” depending on the design of the seat skin 4.
And the “H” as shown in FIG. 5 (A).
Many of them are arranged in the shape of "H", and when they are arranged like the shape of "H", the skin side wire 6 and the urethane molding side wire 7 should be avoided in order to avoid a load on the antenna electrode 1. It is necessary to divide the non-conductor part 2 into
In the case of being arranged in the shape of, the antenna electrode 1 cannot be arranged so as to straddle the skin side wire 6 and the urethane molding side wire 7 in order to avoid a load on the antenna electrode 1.
It was necessary to divide one antenna electrode 1 into two or more.

[0005]

However, in the prior art, the skin side wire 6 and the urethane molding side wire 7 are used.
Is arranged in the shape of “H”, it is necessary to divide the non-conductor portion 2 so as to avoid the skin side wire 6 and the urethane molding side wire 7, and it takes time to attach the sheet antenna to the sheet, There was a problem that the line speed was lowered.

Further, in the case of arranging in the shape of "river", it is necessary to divide one antenna electrode 1 into two or more, and the number of shielded wires connected to the antenna electrode 1 and the number of poles of the connector are However, the number of parts is increased, the wiring is complicated, the cost is high, and the number of parts is large. Therefore, there is a problem that a work time for attaching the sheet is increased and a line speed is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to make it possible to integrally form the non-conductive portion and the antenna electrode without being influenced by the design of the seat skin, and thus the antenna. Since the number of shielded wires connected to the electrodes and the number of poles of the connector can be minimized, wiring can be simplified, inexpensive items can be provided, and they can be attached to the sheet all at once.
An object of the present invention is to provide a seat antenna that can reduce the installation work time and improve the line speed, and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0008]

The present invention has the following constitution in order to solve the above problems. The gist of the invention according to claim 1 is a sheet antenna that is placed under the epidermis of a sheet and is used by being embedded in the sheet, wherein a first non-conductor portion in which an electrode having conductivity is placed, and the electrode A second non-conductor part different from the first non-conductor part in which is arranged, and is configured to be deformable in the vertical direction of the sheet, and connects the first non-conductor part and the second non-conductor part. And a connection means for connecting the sheet antenna to the sheet antenna. Further, the gist of the invention according to claim 2 is that the amount of vertical deformation of the connecting means of the connecting means can absorb the amount of displacement generated when the seat cover is attached to the seat. The sheet antenna according to claim 1. Further, the gist of the invention according to claim 3 is that the connecting means is provided on a line in which an attachment tool for attaching the seat cover to the seat is arranged. It exists in the antenna for the sheet described. A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the connecting means has a pleated shape in which a U-shaped or V-shaped cut is formed. Exists in the seat antenna. The gist of the invention according to claim 5 is that the connecting means, the first non-conductor portion, and the second non-conductor portion are integrally formed.
The sheet antenna according to any one of items 1 to 4.
Further, the gist of the invention according to claim 6 is that the connecting means, the electrode arranged in the first non-conductor portion, and the electrode arranged in the second non-conductor portion are integrally formed. It exists in the antenna for seats in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Further, the gist of the invention according to claim 7 is a method for manufacturing a sheet antenna, which is arranged under the skin of a sheet and is used by being embedded in the sheet, and an electrode producing step of producing an electrode having conductivity, A laminating process for laminating the electrode formed in the electrode forming process to a non-conductor portion, and cutting both the electrode and the non-conductor portion or the non-conductor portion laminated by the laminating process to cut the sheet vertically. And a cutting process for forming a connecting means that is deformable in a direction. Further, the gist of the invention according to claim 8 is that in the cutting step, the connection is performed so that a deformation amount of the connecting means in the vertical direction of the seat can absorb a displacement amount generated when the seat skin is attached to the seat. A method of manufacturing a sheet antenna according to claim 7, further comprising forming means. Further, the gist of the invention according to claim 9 is that, in the cutting step, the connecting means is formed on a line where an attachment tool for attaching the sheet skin to the sheet is arranged. Alternatively, it resides in the method for manufacturing a sheet antenna according to item 8. Further, the gist of the invention according to claim 10 is that the cutting step forms the fold-shaped connecting means in which a U-shaped or V-shaped cut is formed. The method for manufacturing a sheet antenna according to any one of the above.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a view showing a seat in which a first embodiment of a seat antenna according to the present invention is embedded. FIG. 1 (A) shows the seat. It is a top view, the same figure (B) is a XX sectional view of the same figure (A), and FIG. 2 is a figure which shows the shape of the corrugated nonconductor connection part shown in FIG.

In the first embodiment, an antenna electrode 1 and
A non-conductor portion A20 in which the antenna electrode 1 is arranged, a non-conductor portion B21 in which the antenna electrode 1 is arranged, and a fold-shaped non-conductor connecting portion 30 that connects the non-conductor portion A20 and the non-conductor portion B21. And is arranged between the urethane molded article 5 having cushioning properties and the seat skin 4.

The antenna electrode 1 is a strip-shaped electrode made of, for example, a conductive material containing Cu + Ni in a polyester material or Ag in a nylon material, and is arranged in the non-conductor portion A20 and the non-conductor portion B21. Was set up,
It is connected to a shielded wire (not shown). Note that FIG.
Shows an example in which one antenna electrode 1 is arranged in the non-conductor portion A20 and three antenna electrodes 1 are arranged in the non-conductor portion B21. However, the number of antenna electrodes 1 depends on the required performance. It goes without saying that it can be increased or decreased according to

The non-conductor portion A20 and the non-conductor portion B21 are
It is a plate-like material for disposing the antenna electrode 1, and is made of a non-conductive material such as an olefin material.

The fold-shaped non-conductor connecting portion 30 is a fitting line for fitting the seat skin 4 to the urethane molded product 5, that is, a mounting line on which the C-shaped fixing metal fitting 8 is arranged, that is, the skin side when embedded in the sheet. It is arranged on the line of the wire 6 and the urethane molding side wire 7 and has a U-shaped or V-shaped cut as shown in FIG. 2, and the deformation in the directions of arrows a and b shown in FIG. 2 is limited. In addition, the shape is such that it can be easily deformed in the direction perpendicular to the drawing. The amount of deformation of the fold-shaped nonconductor connecting portion 30 in the direction perpendicular to the drawing is the amount of displacement when the skin side wire 6 and the urethane molding side wire 7 are fixed using the C-type fixing metal fitting 8, that is, the sheet. It is set so as to be able to absorb the amount of vertical displacement of the sheet when it is embedded, so that the stable shape and accuracy can be maintained without displacing the surface of the antenna electrode 1.

Further, since the corrugated non-conductor connecting portion 30 is for connecting the non-conductor portion A20 and the non-conductor portion B21, the non-conductor portion A20 and the non-conductor portion B21 are different materials. Although there is no problem, it is desirable that the non-conductor portion A20 and the non-conductor portion B21 are integrally formed of the same material.

Further, in the sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 1B, the C-shaped fixing member 8 is shown, but this is for convenience of description, and the fold-shaped non-conductor connecting portion 30 is arranged. Does not mean that the skin side wire 6 and the urethane molding side wire 7 are fixed by the C type fixing metal fitting 8 at a certain position, but the C side fixing metal fitting 8 fixes the skin side wire 6 and the urethane molding side wire 7 Is a fold-shaped nonconductor connecting portion 30.
It is desirable to be on a place other than the position where the ridge is arranged, that is, on the line of the skin side wire 6 and the urethane molding side wire 7 where the fold-shaped nonconductor connecting portion 30 is not arranged.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a view showing a seat in which a second embodiment of a seat antenna according to the present invention is embedded, and FIG. 3 (A) shows the seat. It is a top view, the same figure (B) is a YY sectional view of the same figure (A), and FIG. 4 is a figure which shows the shape of the corrugated electrode connection part shown in FIG.

In the second embodiment, an attachment tool for attaching the sheet skin 4 to the urethane molded product 5 so as to traverse the antenna electrode 1, that is, an attachment line on which the C-shaped fixing metal 8 is arranged, that is, the skin side. The antenna electrode 1 in which the wire 6 and the urethane molding-side wire 7 are arranged and is located on the skin-side wire 6 and the urethane molding-side wire 7
The fold-shaped electrode connecting portion 31 is formed on the antenna electrode 1. The fold-shaped electrode connecting portion 31 separates the skin electrode 6 and the urethane molding wire 7 into left and right antenna electrodes 1 and 2.
And the non-conductor part 2 is connected. The other basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The fold-shaped electrode connecting portion 31 is a fitting line for fitting the sheet skin 4 to the urethane molded product 5, that is, a mounting line on which the C-shaped fixing metal fitting 8 is arranged, that is, a skin side wire, when embedded in the sheet. 6 and the urethane molding side wire 7 are arranged on the line, and U-shaped or V-shaped notches are formed as shown in FIG. 4, and deformation in the directions of arrows a and b shown in FIG. 4 is restricted. In addition, the shape is such that it can be easily deformed in the direction perpendicular to the drawing. The amount of deformation of the fold-shaped electrode connecting portion 31 in the direction perpendicular to the drawing is the amount of displacement when the skin-side wire 6 and the urethane-molding-side wire 7 are fixed using the C-type fixing metal fitting 8, that is, embedded in the sheet. It is set so as to absorb the amount of vertical displacement of the sheet at the time of carrying out, so that the conductivity can be maintained while absorbing the variation of the amount of displacement, and the surface of the antenna electrode 1 can be stably shaped without displacement. , The accuracy can be maintained.

Further, since the fold-shaped electrode connecting portion 31 is for connecting the antenna electrode 1 which is divided into the left and right by the skin side wire 6 and the urethane molding side wire 7, as long as it has conductivity, the antenna is formed. There is no problem if it is made of a material different from that of the electrode 1, but it is desirable that the antenna electrode 1 and the antenna electrode 1 are integrally formed.

Further, in the Y-Y cross-sectional view of FIG. 3B, the C-shaped fixing member 8 is shown, but this is for convenience of description, and the fold-shaped electrode connecting portion 31 is arranged. It does not mean that the skin-side wire 6 and the urethane molding-side wire 7 are fixed by the C-shaped fixing bracket 8 at the position, but the fixation of the skin-side wire 6 and the urethane-molding-side wire 7 by the C-shaped fixing bracket 8 is not performed. It is desirable to be on a place other than the position where the fold-shaped electrode connecting portion 31 is arranged, that is, on the line of the skin side wire 6 and the urethane molding side wire 7 where the fold-shaped non-conductor connecting portion 30 is not arranged.

Next, the method for manufacturing the sheet antenna according to the present invention will be described in detail. First, by cutting the roll-shaped electrode into a certain length and cutting it into a prescribed shape,
The antenna electrode 1 is created and connected to the shielded electric wire. Next, the antenna electrode 1 formed at a predetermined position of the non-conductor portion 2 is attached with an adhesive or the like to form a basic sheet antenna.

Next, when the base sheet antenna is embedded in the sheet and the skin side wire 6 and the urethane molding side wire 7 are located in the nonconductor portion 2, the fold-shaped nonconductor connection portion 30 is formed. To cut.

When the base sheet antenna is embedded in the sheet and the skin wire 6 and the urethane molding wire 7 are positioned so as to cross the antenna electrode 1, the fold-shaped electrode connection portion 31 is formed. To cut. Here, the non-conductor portion 2 having the same shape is adhered to the fold-shaped electrode connection portion 31, but if the amount of vertical deformation is sufficient, the non-conductor portion 2 may be left adhered and may be necessary. Correspondingly, the non-conductor portion 2 bonded to the pleated electrode connection portion 31 is cut .

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the non-conductor portion and the antenna electrode can be integrally formed without being influenced by the design of the seat skin, so that the number of shielded wires and the connector to be connected to the antenna electrode can be formed. The number of poles can be minimized, wiring can be simplified, inexpensive products can be provided, and since they can be attached to the seat all at once, the installation work time can be shortened,
This has the effect of improving the line speed.

In the description of the present embodiment, the seat in which the seat antenna is embedded means not only the seat portion on which the occupant sits, but also the seat back on which the occupant's back is located and the headrest on which the occupant's head is located. It goes without saying that it also includes.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it is apparent that the embodiments can be modified appropriately within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Further, the number, position, shape, etc. of the above-mentioned constituent members are not limited to those in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the number, position, shape, etc. suitable for carrying out the present invention can be adopted. In addition, in each figure, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0028]

According to the seat antenna and the method of manufacturing the same of the present invention, the non-conductor portion and the antenna electrode can be integrally formed without being influenced by the design of the seat skin.
The number of shielded wires connected to the antenna electrodes and the number of poles of the connector can be minimized, wiring is simple, and inexpensive products can be provided. The effect is that the line speed can be shortened and the line speed can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a seat in which a first embodiment of a seat antenna according to the present invention is embedded, where FIG. 1 (A) is a top view of the seat, and FIG. FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a shape of a fold-shaped non-conductor connecting portion shown in FIG.

3A and 3B are views showing a seat in which the second embodiment of the seat antenna according to the present invention is embedded, wherein FIG. 3A is a top view of the seat, and FIG. It is a YY sectional view of the same figure (A).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the shape of the fold-shaped electrode connection portion shown in FIG.

5A and 5B are views showing a seat on which a conventional seat antenna is arranged, where FIG. 5A is a top view of the seat, and FIG. 5B is a ZZ of FIG. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 antenna electrode 2 Non-conductor part 20 Non-conductor part A 21 Non-conductor part B 30 Folded nonconductor connection 31 Folded electrode connection part 4 seat skin 5 Urethane molding 6 Epidermis side wire 7 Urethane molding side wire 8 C type fixing bracket

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Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. An antenna for a sheet, which is disposed under the epidermis of a sheet and is used by being embedded in the sheet, comprising: a first non-conductive portion on which an electrode having conductivity is disposed; The second different from the first non-conductor part
An antenna for a sheet, comprising: a non-conductor portion; and a connecting means configured to be deformable in a vertical direction of the sheet and connecting the first non-conductor portion and the second non-conductor portion. . 2. The deformation amount of the connecting means in the vertical direction of the seat is configured so as to be able to absorb a displacement amount generated when the seat skin is attached to the seat. Sheet antenna. 3. The seat antenna according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means is provided on a line in which a fitting for mounting the seat cover on the seat is arranged. 4. The sheet antenna according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means has a pleated shape in which a U-shaped or V-shaped cut is formed. 5. The connecting means, the first non-conductor portion,
The sheet antenna according to claim 1, wherein the second non-conductor portion is integrally formed. 6. The connecting means, the electrode arranged in the first non-conductive portion, and the electrode arranged in the second non-conductive portion are integrally formed. The sheet antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. A method of manufacturing a sheet antenna, which is placed under the epidermis of a sheet and embedded in the sheet, comprising: an electrode producing step of producing an electrode having conductivity; and an electrode producing step of producing the electrode. And a step of laminating the electrode to the non-conductive portion, and a connection deformable in the vertical direction of the sheet by cutting both the electrode and the non-conductive portion or the non-conductive portion that are pasted by the laminating step. And a cutting step for forming means. 8. The cutting step comprises forming the connecting means such that the amount of vertical deformation of the connecting means in the sheet can absorb the amount of displacement generated when the sheet skin is attached to the sheet. The method for manufacturing a sheet antenna according to claim 7, wherein the sheet antenna is manufactured. 9. The sheet according to claim 7, wherein in the cutting step, the connecting means is formed on a line where an attachment tool for attaching the sheet skin to the sheet is arranged. Antenna manufacturing method. 10. The sheet according to claim 7, wherein the cutting step forms the fold-shaped connecting means having a U-shaped or V-shaped cut. Of manufacturing antenna for car.