Occupant weight detection system

• US 20040238231A1
• Filed: 03/11/2004
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kojima, Mikihito, Nagai, Makoto
• Granted Patent: US 7,091,426 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/144
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• 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

In an occupant weight detection system, a pair of weight detection units are mounted along upper faces of base members fixed to a floor of an automobile. A square-frame-shaped linking member made of an iron sheet is interposed between the pair of weight detection units and a pair of seat rails. The pair of weight detection units are integrally linked by the linking member to maintain a positional relationship to each other at a predetermined relationship. Therefore, it is possible to prevent these weight detection means from being mounted in a state in which they are twisted or displaced relative to each other, thereby maintaining the detection accuracy.

Claims

1. An occupant weight detection system comprising:

a vehicle seat;

a plurality of weight detection means for sharing detection of the weight of an occupant seated on the vehicle seat; and

a linking member for integrally linking the plurality of weight detection means so that these weight detection means maintain a predetermined positional relationship to each other.

2. An occupant weight detection system according to claim 1 wherein the linking member has a square frame shape, and two weight detection means disposed along opposite side edges of the seat are secured along two sides of the linking member in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle body.

3. An occupant weight detection system according to claim 1 wherein the linking member has a square frame shape, and four weight detection means disposed at four corners of the seat are secured at four corners of the linking member.

4. An occupant weight detection system according to claim 1 wherein the linking member comprises a pair of front and rear members extending in a lateral direction of a vehicle body, and front ends of two weight detection means disposed along opposite side edges of the seat are secured to right and left ends of the front member and rear ends thereof are secured to right and left ends of the rear member.

5. An occupant weight detection system according to claim 1 wherein the linking member comprises a pair of front and rear members extending in a lateral direction of a vehicle body, and four weight detection means are disposed at four corners of the seat, among which two front weight detection means are secured to right and left ends of the front member and two rear weight detection means are secured to right and left ends of the rear member.