INTRODUCTIONThe present invention relates to a method for fixing a functional component as for example a sensor, on a seat padding.[0001]
In order to efficiently control the deployment of the different airbags of an automobile, the latter are increasingly equipped with sensors, e.g. for detecting the presence of a passenger on the passenger seat, his/her momentary stature and/or position respectively. Among the different types of sensors used, sensors are found which are integrated into the seats of the vehicle. These sensors, for example pressure sensors comprising several active areas available on a support, are either integrated into the seat padding or placed between the padding and the seat cover, i.e., the seat upholstery.[0002]
The sensors, which are placed between the padding and the seat upholstery, must be fixed onto the padding before the seat upholstery is put into place. This fixture should be durable in order to prevent a displacement of the sensor during the whole lifetime of the automobile.[0003]
In order to fix its position with respect to the seat, it is known how to bond the sensor in certain places on the padding. This bonding may be done for example with a double face adhesive tape. This technique is not very costly and easy to perform. Unfortunately, the bonding of the sensor on the padding foam is frequently not very durable and suffers from high temperatures especially those which may prevail in summer in the automobile.[0004]
The object of the present invention is to provide another method for fixing a functional component on the seat padding.[0005]
According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for fixing a functional component on a seat padding, which comprises the steps of:[0006]
a) fixing a first grip tape strip at at least one place on the functional component;[0007]
b) fixing a second grip tape strip at at least one place on the seat padding;[0008]
c) placing the functional component on the site padding in such a way that the first and second grip tape strips overlap each other at least partly and grip together.[0009]
The first grip tape strip preferably comprises a textile tape, the fibers of which form a multitude of loops whereas the second grip tape strip comprises a multitude of flexible hooks. These grip tapes are currently known, for example as a Velcro fastener. A fixture of the functional component with such a grip tape is less stiff than a direct bonding of the component onto the padding. Indeed, the flexible hooks provide damping of a low amplitude side displacement of the functional component with respect to the seat padding while preventing permanent displacement of the component. As a result, the fixture points are more durable and therefore more reliable than direct bonding points.[0010]
Further, as the two grip tape strips are fixed on their respective support, individually i.e., the functional component, and the padding respectively, the fixing may be achieved by means which are more adapted to the character of the respective bond. Thus, the first grip tape strip is for example, bonded to the functional component. The functional component most frequently comprises a backing sheet in synthetic material on which a very strong bond may be achieved. The adhesive used for bonding the grip tape strip may be the same one as the one used for laminating the different layers of the functional component.[0011]
Preferably the second grip tape strip is directly introduced into a foam from the seat padding. Thus, the second strip is closely bound to the foam of the padding and a very good adherence of the strip to the padding is achieved. This adhesion is significantly stronger than a conventional bonding of the tape onto the padding. Thus, a failure of the strip's fixture may be excluded effectively.[0012]
In an advantageous embodiment, the second grip tape strip is imbedded into the padding in order to be flush with the surface of the padding. By this pushing in of the strip, the elevation of the fixture above the surface of the padding may be reduced and the negative effects of the fixture on the seat's comfort may thereby be minimized.[0013]
Alternatively, the second grip tape strip is fixed into surface channels of the seat padding which are intended for receiving a fixture between the padding and the seat upholstery. These channels for example extend sideways from the sitting surface of the seat.[0014]
In order to ensure proper flat fixing of the functional component, first grip tape strips are preferably fixed in several places of the periphery of the functional component. Thus, first grip tape strips may for example be fixed to fasteners of the functional component, said fasteners extending from the periphery of the functional component towards the outside. By fixing the sensor by means of these fasteners, the fixing points may be positioned outside the central sitting surface of the seat and thus prevent negative effects on the comfort of the seat.[0015]