Tension sensing assembly

• US 20040004350A1
• Filed: 05/08/2003
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autoliv AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rogers, Lloyd W. Jr., Lindsay, Theodore J., Camp, David C., Sickon, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 6,957,829 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/801.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/1806 for buckles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0155 sensing belt tension

Abstract

A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a rigid frame of a seat restraint buckle of the seat restraint system. The tension sensing assembly also includes a movable member mounted on the rigid frame and adapted to be connected to vehicle structure. The movable member is movable relative to the rigid frame. The tension sensing assembly further includes a magnet mounted to the rigid frame and a Hall effect sensor mounted to the movable member and cooperable with the magnet to change an output of the Hall effect sensor to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system.

Claims

1. A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle comprising:

a rigid frame of a seat restraint buckle of the seat restraint system;

a movable member mounted on said rigid frame and adapted to be connected to vehicle structure, said movable member being movable relative to said rigid frame;

a magnet mounted to said rigid frame; and

a Hall effect sensor mounted to said movable member and cooperable with said magnet to change an output of said Hall effect sensor to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system.

2. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a connecting member operatively connected to said movable member and adapted to be connected to vehicle structure to move said movable member to change an output of said sensor.

3. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein connecting member comprises a cable having one end adapted to be connected to vehicle structure and a cable retainer cooperating with said cable and said movable member.

4. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein connecting member comprises a cable having one end adapted to be connected to vehicle structure, a cable connecting member connected to another end of said cable, a cable retainer cooperating with said cable connecting member and said movable member.

5. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein connecting member comprises a webbing retainer having one end adapted to be connected to belt webbing and another end cooperating with said movable member.

6. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1 including an ejector operatively supported by said rigid frame and cooperating with a latch plate of the seat restraint system.

7. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 6 including a magnet isolator attached to said ejector to isolate said magnet from said sensor.

8. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said magnet isolator has an aperture extending therethrough to allow magnetic flux to pass therethrough.

9. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 7 including a spring cooperating with said ejector to urge said ejector and said magnet isolator away from said sensor.

10. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a plurality of springs cooperating with said movable member to urge said movable member away from a rear end of said rigid frame.

11. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a magnet retainer connected to said rigid frame, said magnet being mounted to said magnet retainer.

16. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 11 including an ejector operatively supported by said rigid frame and cooperating with a latch plate of the seat restraint system.

17. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 6 including a magnet isolator attached to said ejector to isolate said magnet from said sensor.

18. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein said magnet isolator has an aperture extending therethrough to allow magnetic flux to pass therethrough.

19. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 17 including a spring cooperating with said ejector to urge said ejector and said magnet isolator away from said sensor.

12. A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle comprising:

a rigid frame of a seat restraint buckle of the seat restraint system;

a movable member mounted on said rigid frame and movable relative to said rigid frame;

at least one spring disposed between said movable member and said rigid frame to urge said movable member away from one end of said rigid frame;

a magnet mounted to said rigid frame;

a Hall effect sensor mounted to said movable member and cooperable with said magnet; and

a connecting member operatively connected to said movable member and adapted to be connected to vehicle structure to move said movable member to change an output of said sensor to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system.

13. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein connecting member comprises a cable having one end adapted to be connected to vehicle structure and a cable retainer cooperating with said cable and said movable member.

14. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein connecting member comprises a cable having one end adapted to be connected to vehicle structure, a cable connecting member connected to another end of said cable, a cable retainer cooperating with said cable connecting member and said movable member.

15. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein connecting member comprises a webbing retainer having one end adapted to be connected to belt webbing and another end cooperating with said movable member.

20. A seat restraint system for a vehicle comprising:

a latch plate;

a seat restraint buckle cooperating with said latch plate and having a rigid frame;

a movable member mounted on said rigid frame and movable relative to said rigid frame;

at least one spring disposed between said movable member and said rigid frame to urge said movable member away from one end of said rigid frame;

a magnet mounted to said rigid frame;

a Hall effect sensor mounted to said movable member and cooperable with said magnet;

an ejector operatively supported by said rigid frame and cooperating with said latch plate;

a magnet isolator attached to said ejector to prevent and allow flux from said magnet to communicate with said sensor; and

a connecting member operatively connected to said movable member and adapted to be connected to vehicle structure to move said movable member to change an output of said sensor to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system.