Vehicle occupant sensing system having a low profile sensor assembly
First Claim
1. A vehicle occupant sensing system comprising:
- a low profile sensor assembly having a housing that includes a base, an upper slide member, and at least one intermediate guide member disposed between said upper slide member and said base, said upper slide member and said at least one intermediate guide member supported for movement toward and away from said base; and
a sensor operatively fixed relative to at least one of said upper slide member and said base and operable to detect movement of said upper slide member toward and away from said base.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low profile sensor assembly for use in a vehicle occupant sensing system that comprises a base, an upper slide member, and at least one intermediate guide member. Also disclosed is a low profile sensor assembly for use in a vehicle occupant sensing system that comprises a base with an outer step and a receptacle, and the low profile sensor assembly also comprises an upper slide member with a lower flange and a retainer. The outer step is adapted to accept the lower flange, and the receptacle is adapted to accept the retainer. The intermediate guide member, the outer step, and the receptacle each allow the respective upper slide member to move further toward the base. Thus, when the low profile sensor assembly is incorporated into a vehicle seat assembly, the low profile sensor assembly is less likely to detrimentally affect the comfort level of the vehicle seat assembly.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A vehicle occupant sensing system comprising:
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a low profile sensor assembly having a housing that includes a base, an upper slide member, and at least one intermediate guide member disposed between said upper slide member and said base, said upper slide member and said at least one intermediate guide member supported for movement toward and away from said base; and
a sensor operatively fixed relative to at least one of said upper slide member and said base and operable to detect movement of said upper slide member toward and away from said base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A vehicle occupant sensing system comprising:
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a low profile sensor assembly having a housing that includes a base and an upper slide member with a lower flange and a retainer, said upper slide member supported for movement toward and away from said base, wherein said base includes an outer step, the outer step adapted to accept said lower flange of said upper slide member when said upper slide member has moved toward said base, and wherein said base includes a receptacle, the receptacle adapted to accept the retainer when said upper slide member has moved toward said base; and
a sensor operatively fixed relative to at least one of said upper slide member and said base and operable to detect movement of said upper slide member toward and away from said base. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:
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a lower seat cushion defining an upper surface and a lower surface spaced from said upper surface;
a vehicle occupant sensing system having a plurality of low profile sensor assemblies, each of said low profile sensor assemblies disposed below said lower seat cushion adjacent said lower surface, said low profile sensor assemblies each including a housing having a base, an upper slide member, and at least one intermediate guide member disposed between said upper slide member and said base, said upper slide member and said at least one intermediate guide member supported for movement toward and away from said base and being responsive to movement of said upper surface of said lower seat cushion toward said lower surface of said seat cushion thereby responding to the presence of an occupant in said vehicle seat; and
a sensor operatively fixed relative to at least one of said upper slide member and said base and operable to detect movement of said upper slide member toward and away from said base in response to the presence of an occupant in said vehicle seat. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification