Pressure sensing switch

Details Pressure sensing switch Pressure sensing switch

2002-08-29

2004-06-15

Donovan, L. (Department: 2832)

Electricity: circuit makers and breakers

Weight

C200S08500R

Reexamination Certificate

active

06750412

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mechanical switch in which a plurality of electric conductors is mechanically contacted and separated by a pressure force. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a pressure-sensing switch configured as a sheet (i.e., flexible thin plate), which binary detects the existence of an object including an occupant on a seat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A known pressure-sensing switch is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H10-206254. As shown in
FIG. 6
, a pressure-sensing switch A includes a pressure detection member A
1
and a film A
2
for wrapping the pressure detection member A
1
. The pressure sensing switch A includes two pressure sensing members A
3
which are arranged in a width direction (i.e., right, left direction of
FIG. 6
) and two connection members A
4
provided for connecting the pressure sensing members A
3
, A
3
each other. Each connection member A
4
includes a U-shape portion A
5
and a connection portion A
6
extended from the U-shape portion A
5
whose curve portion faces downward of
FIG. 6
to be connected to the pressure-sensing member A
3
.
Provided that the pressure-sensing switch A is positioned as shown in
FIG. 7
relative to a seat cushion A
8
of the seat. The pressure-sensing switch A is provided under a cover (not shown) of the seat cushion A
8
. A portion of the pressure-sensing switch A (e.g., leg portion A
7
) is fixed to a cushion member A
9
in the seat cushion A
8
with a bonding agent. When a person sits on the seat cushion A
8
or when an object is placed on the seat cushion A
8
, a central portion of a top surface of the cushion member A
9
goes down to be deformed in perpendicular perspective direction of FIG.
7
. In this case, the tension force is applied to the pressure-sensing switch A in its width direction (i.e., right, left direction of FIG.
7
). The connection member A
4
absorbs the tension force by deforming in the direction that the U-shape portion A
5
is extended.
FIG. 8
a
shows a normal configuration of the U-shape portion A
5
.
FIG. 8
b
shows the configuration of the U-shape portion A
5
under the stretched condition.
Notwithstanding, in this case, because the U-shape portion A
5
is deformed in the direction to be stretched, there is a drawback that a crack may be generated in the U-shape portion A
5
by repeating numbers of deformation.
A need thus exists for a pressure-sensing switch which improves the durability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In light of the foregoing, the present invention provides a pressure sensing switch extended in an X-Y plane surface, the pressure sensing switch including at least a pressure detection member and a film for wrapping the pressure detection member, which includes at least a pair of first pressure sensing portions arranged in an X-direction and at least one connection portion provided between the first pressure sensing portions for connecting the first pressure sensing portions one another. The first connection portion includes a first straight portion extended in the X-direction and second straight portions formed by inverting both ends of the first straight portion. Each one end of the second straight portions is further inverted for connecting to each first pressure sensing portion.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a pressure sensing switch extended in an X-Y direction, the pressure sensing switch including at least a pressure detection member and a film for wrapping the pressure detection member, which includes at least a pair of pressure sensing portions, at least a pair of first pressure sensing band extended in an X-direction in the pressure sensing portions, and at least one first connection portion for connecting the pair of first pressure sensing bands. The first connection portion includes a first straight portion extended in the X-direction and second straight portions formed by inverting both ends of the first straight portion. The second straight portions are further inverted for connecting the first connection portion and the first pressure sensing bands.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4678058 (1987-07-01), Wooters
patent: 5162626 (1992-11-01), Hutchison et al.
patent: 5618056 (1997-04-01), Schoos et al.
patent: 5739757 (1998-04-01), Gioutsos
patent: 5896090 (1999-04-01), Okada et al.
patent: 6289747 (2001-09-01), Billen et al.
patent: 6359245 (2002-03-01), Wahls
patent: 10-206254 (1998-08-01), None
patent: WO 99/39168 (1999-08-01), None

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