Seat belt force sensor system

• US 20040025601A1
• Filed: 06/25/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian M. Curtis, Harald Lichtinger, Robert Graf
• Original Assignee: Brian M. Curtis, Harald Lichtinger, Robert Graf
• Inventors: Graf, Robert, Lichtinger, Harald, Curtis, Brian M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,860,160 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/862.391
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/1806 for buckles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0155 sensing belt tension
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01556 Child-seat detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/33 Arrangements for non-electric triggering of inflation electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/16 using belts which become permanently deformed, i.e. one time use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/18 Anchoring devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/103 using sensors fixed at one end of the flexible member

Abstract

A system for measuring seat belt forces is used to control deployment of vehicle airbags. The system includes a rigid plate member having one end attached to a portion of the seat belt and an opposite end mounted to a vehicle structure. The seat belt is used to secure passengers or an infant car seat to the vehicle seat. A sensor including a strain gage is mounted on the rigid plate between the ends and is used to measure the magnitude of forces exerted on the seat belt by the passenger or car seat. The strain gage generates a signal representative of the tension in the seat belt, which is used to control deployment of the airbag. The airbag is not deployed if the tension in the seat belt exceeds a predetermined limit.

Claims