Vehicle seat assembly having a vehicle occupant sensing system and reinforcing inserts positioned therein

• US 20040262959A1
• Filed: 12/30/2003
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Ali, Asad, Young, Oliver
• Granted Patent: US 7,128,370 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/217.3
• 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 21/01516 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 21/28 Frames, Housings
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/005 Means for preventing overload
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 3/04 using a plurality of springs

Abstract

Accordingly, the present invention is a vehicle seat assembly including a lower seat cushion with an upper surface and a lower surface. The vehicle seat assembly also has a plurality of sensor assemblies positioned adjacent the lower surface of the lower seat cushion. The sensor assemblies are responsive to a condition of the lower seat cushion. The vehicle seat assembly also has at least one reinforcing insert disposed between at least one of the sensor assemblies and the lower surface of the lower seat cushion. One advantage of the present invention is that the reinforcing insert protects the lower seat cushion by more evenly distributing pressure from the sensor assemblies onto the lower seat cushion. As such, the lower seat cushion is less likely to prematurely wear and is thus more likely to remain comfortable to sit upon over the course of its operating lifetime.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:

a lower seat cushion with an upper surface and a lower surface;

a plurality of sensor assemblies positioned adjacent said lower surface of said lower seat cushion, said sensor assemblies responsive to a condition of said lower seat cushion; and

at least one reinforcing insert disposed between at least one of said sensor assemblies and said lower surface of said lower seat cushion.

2. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one reinforcing insert is made out of a material chosen from a group consisting of plastic, non-woven fabric, expanded bead foam and urethane foam.

3. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one reinforcing insert includes at least one indent adapted to receive at least one of said sensor assemblies.

4. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein said at least one indent is circular in shape.

5. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one reinforcing insert has a U-shaped cross section.

6. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a seat pan with a bolster, wherein said at least one reinforcing insert corresponds to said bolster.

7. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said lower seat cushion defines an inboard and an outboard side, and wherein said at least one reinforcing insert is positioned adjacent at least one of said inboard side and said outboard side of said lower seat cushion.

8. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least one recess formed on said lower surface of said lower seat cushion, said at least one recess adapted to receive said at least one reinforcing insert.

9. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensor assemblies each comprise a housing including a base and an upper slide member supported for movement toward and away from said base, wherein at least one of said upper slide members engages said at least one reinforcing insert.