Vehicle occupant sensing system and method of electrically attaching a sensor to an electrical circuit
First Claim
1. A vehicle occupant sensing system for detecting a condition of a vehicle seat, said system comprising:
- a circuit carrier and an electric circuit supported by said circuit carrier, said electric circuit presenting a plurality of leads;
at least one sensor operatively supported by said circuit carrier adapted to detect the condition of the vehicle seat, said at least one sensor including a plurality of terminals corresponding to said plurality of leads presented by said electric circuit; and
a plurality of conductive connectors associated with said corresponding plurality of terminals and leads, said conductive connectors each including a body disposed for electrical communication with the associated terminal and including at least one deformable blade extending into said circuit carrier and into electrical communication with the associated lead of said electric circuit, thereby mechanically attaching said conductive connector to said circuit carrier while providing electrical communication between said at least one sensor and said electric circuit.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle occupant sensing system for detecting a condition of a vehicle seat. The system includes a circuit carrier, an electric circuit with a plurality of leads, and at least one sensor that has a plurality of terminals. Also, the system includes a plurality of conductive connectors associated with the corresponding terminals and leads. The connectors each include a body disposed for electrical communication with the associated terminal and include at least one deformable blade. The blade extends into the circuit carrier and into electrical communication with the associated lead of the circuit, thereby mechanically attaching the conductive connector to the carrier while providing electrical communication between the sensor and the circuit. Also included is a method of manufacturing the same. By piercing the carrier and the circuit, the blade establishes a more robust mechanical and electrical connection for the sensor, thereby increasing the operating life of the system.
91 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A vehicle occupant sensing system for detecting a condition of a vehicle seat, said system comprising:
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a circuit carrier and an electric circuit supported by said circuit carrier, said electric circuit presenting a plurality of leads;
at least one sensor operatively supported by said circuit carrier adapted to detect the condition of the vehicle seat, said at least one sensor including a plurality of terminals corresponding to said plurality of leads presented by said electric circuit; and
a plurality of conductive connectors associated with said corresponding plurality of terminals and leads, said conductive connectors each including a body disposed for electrical communication with the associated terminal and including at least one deformable blade extending into said circuit carrier and into electrical communication with the associated lead of said electric circuit, thereby mechanically attaching said conductive connector to said circuit carrier while providing electrical communication between said at least one sensor and said electric circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A vehicle seat comprising:
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a lower seat cushion including an upper surface and a lower surface spaced from said upper surface;
a circuit carrier disposed adjacent said lower surface of said lower seat cushion;
an electric circuit supported by said circuit carrier, said electric circuit presenting a plurality of leads;
at least one sensor assembly supported by said circuit carrier, said at least one sensor assembly adapted to respond to a position of said lower surface of said seat cushion;
at least one sensor operatively supported by said circuit carrier adjacent said at least one sensor assembly, said at least one sensor adapted to detect a condition of a vehicle seat based on the response of said at least one sensor assembly, said at least one sensor including a plurality of terminals corresponding to said plurality of leads presented by said electric circuit; and
a plurality of conductive connectors associated with said corresponding plurality of terminals and leads, said conductive connectors each including a body disposed for electrical communication with the associated terminal and including at least one deformable blade extending into said circuit carrier and into electrical communication with the associated lead of said electric circuit, thereby mechanically attaching said conductive connector to said circuit carrier while providing electrical communication between said at least one sensor and said electric circuit. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A method of manufacturing a vehicle occupant sensing system for detecting a condition of a vehicle seat, the vehicle occupant sensing system comprising:
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a circuit carrier and an electric circuit supported by said circuit carrier, said electric circuit presenting a plurality of leads;
at least one sensor operatively supported by said circuit carrier adapted to detect the condition of the vehicle seat, said at least one sensor including a plurality of terminals corresponding to said plurality of leads presented by said electric circuit; and
a plurality of conductive connectors associated with said corresponding plurality of terminals and leads, said conductive connectors each including a body disposed for electrical communication with the associated terminal and including at least one deformable blade;
wherein said method of manufacturing comprises the step;
a) extending said at least one deformable blade into said circuit carrier and into electrical communication with the associated lead of said electric circuit, thereby mechanically attaching said conductive connector to said circuit carrier. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification