Sensor apparatus

• US 20010054323A1
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Published: 12/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Sparks, Tracy S., Lyszczyk, Craig J., Campbell, Douglas P., Faigle, Ernst M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,405,607 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/862.391
• 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: B60R 21/01544 detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/18 Anchoring devices
• 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

An apparatus (10) includes a member (14) that has a first slot (30) extending through the member within the periphery (32) of the member. The first slot (30) has opposed spaced surfaces (34) that define a gap (40) that has a width measured from one of the opposed surfaces to the other of the opposed surfaces. The member (14) includes first and second portions (42 and 44) positioned on opposite sides of the first slot (30). The apparatus (10) also includes a sensor (16) that has a first end (100) connected to the first portion (42) on one side of the first slot (30) and an opposite second end (102) connected to the second portion (44) on an opposite side of the first slot such that the sensor extends across the first slot. The apparatus (10) further includes means (20) for fixedly connecting the second portion (44) to inhibit movement of the second portion of the member relative to the first portion (42). The first portion (42) moves relative to the second portion (44) when a force is applied to the first portion, which causes the width of the gap to change. The sensor (16) provides a signal in response to the change in the gap width.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a member having a first slot extending through said member within the periphery of said member, said first slot having opposed spaced surfaces defining a gap having a width measured from one of said opposed surfaces to the other of said opposed surfaces, said member having first and second portions of said member on opposite sides of said first slot, said member further including a second slot, spaced apart from said first slot, that further defines said second portion of said member;

a sensor having a first end connected to said first portion of said member on one side of said first slot and an opposite second end connected to said second portion of said member on an opposite side of said first slot, said sensor extending across said first slot; and

means for fixedly connecting said second portion of said member to inhibit movement of said second portion of said member relative to said first portion of said member,

said first portion of said member moving relative to said second portion when a force is applied to said first portion of said member, said width of said gap changing when said first portion moves relative to said second portion, said sensor providing a signal in response to the change in said gap width.

2. Apparatus as defined in

claim 1

, wherein said sensor provides said signal in proportion to the amount of change in said gap width.

3. Apparatus as defined in

claim 2

, wherein said sensor comprises a strain gauge.

4. Apparatus as defined in

claim 3

, wherein said apparatus comprises a seat belt tension sensor.

5. Apparatus as defined in

claim 3

, further including a seat belt of a vehicle, said means being adapted to fixedly connect said second portion of said member to the vehicle, said seat belt being associated with said first portion, said first portion moving relative to said second portion when said seat belt is tensioned.

6. Apparatus as defined in

claim 5

, wherein said first portion moves relative to said second portion in proportion to the tension in said seat belt, said sensor providing said signal in proportion to the amount of tension in said seat belt.

7. Apparatus as defined in

claim 6

, further comprising a controller operatively connected to said sensor, said controller receiving said signal from said sensor.

8. Apparatus as defined in

claim 7

, wherein said controller is operatively connected to an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said controller controlling actuation of said inflator in a predetermined manner when said signal is at a predetermined level.

9. Apparatus as defined in

claim 8

, wherein said controller senses the amount of tension in said seat belt, said controller preventing actuation of said inflator when the tension in said seat belt is at a predetermined level.

10. Apparatus as defined in

claim 3

, wherein said member further includes an aperture that extends through said second portion of said member, said aperture receiving said means to connect said second portion fixedly to the vehicle.

11. Apparatus as defined in

claim 10

, wherein said second slot extends around said aperture.

12. Apparatus as defined in

claim 11

, wherein said first portion is movable into abutting engagement with said second portion at a location on said second slot positioned opposite said gap.

13. Apparatus as defined in

claim 1

, wherein said sensor comprises a switch having a first condition when the width of said gap is less than a predetermined width, said switch being actuated to a second condition when the width of said gap is greater than said predetermined width.

14. Apparatus as defined in

claim 13

, further including a seat belt of a vehicle, said means being adapted to fixedly connect said second portion of said member to the vehicle, said seat belt being associated with said first portion, said first portion moving relative to said second portion when said seat belt is tensioned.

15. Apparatus as defined in

claim 14

, further comprising a controller operatively connected to said switch, said controller receiving a first signal from said switch when said switch is in said first condition, said controller receiving a second signal from said switch when said switch is in said second condition.

16. Apparatus as defined in

claim 15

, wherein said controller is operatively connected to an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said controller preventing actuation of said inflator when said controller receives said second signal.

17. Apparatus as defined in

claim 3

, further including a vehicle seat, said first portion of said member being connected to a frame of said vehicle seat, said means connecting said second portion of said member fixedly to the vehicle, said first portion moving relative to said second portion in proportion to the amount of weight supported by said vehicle seat, said sensor providing an output signal in proportion to the amount of weight supported by said vehicle seat.

18. Apparatus as defined in

claim 17

, wherein said apparatus comprises a weight sensor.

19. Apparatus as defined in

claim 17

, wherein said member comprises a portion of said frame of said vehicle seat.

20. Apparatus as defined in

claim 19

, further comprising a controller operatively connected to said sensor, said controller receiving said signal from said sensor.

21. Apparatus as defined in

claim 20

, wherein said controller is operatively connected to an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said controller controlling actuation of said inflator in a predetermined manner when said signal is at a predetermined level.

22. Apparatus as defined in

claim 21

, wherein said controller senses the amount of weight supported by said vehicle seat, said controller preventing actuation of said inflator when said weight is at a predetermined level.

23. Apparatus as defined in

claim 19

, wherein said member further includes an aperture that extends through said second portion of said member, said aperture for receiving said means to connect said second portion fixedly to the vehicle.

24. Apparatus as defined in

claim 23

, wherein said member further includes a second slot that further defines said second portion of said member, said second slot being spaced apart from said first slot and extending around said aperture.

25. Apparatus as defined in

claim 1

, wherein said member is constructed of a single piece of homogeneous material.

26. Apparatus as defined in

claim 25

, wherein said material is metal.

27. Apparatus as defined in

claim 1

, wherein said first and second portions of said member comprise separate pieces of material joined together by fastening means.

28. Apparatus as defined in

claim 1

, wherein said means comprises a fastener.

29. Apparatus comprising:

a member having a first slot extending through said member within the periphery of said member, said slot having opposed spaced surfaces defining a gap having a width measured from one of said opposed surfaces to the other of said opposed surfaces, said member having first and second portions of said member on opposite sides of said first slot;

a sensor having a first end connected to said first portion of said member on one side of said first slot and an opposite second end connected to said second portion of said member on an opposite side of said first slot, said sensor extending across said first slot; and

means for fixedly connecting said second portion of said member to inhibit movement of said second portion of said member relative to said first portion of said member,

said first portion of said member moving relative to said second portion when a force is applied to said first portion of said member, said width of said gap changing when said first portion moves relative to said second portion, said sensor providing a signal in proportion to the amount of change in said gap width.