Frame-based occupant weight estimation apparatus having compliant load transfer mechanism
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for estimating the weight of an occupant of a vehicle seat supported by a floor bracket, the apparatus comprising:
- a force sensor; and
a compliant force transfer mechanism interposed between said floor bracket and a mounting bracket of said seat, including first and second co-joined lever arms coupled to said floor bracket and said mounting bracket, where said lever arms terminate in first and second jaws that engage said force sensor, where said jaws exert a pre-load engagement force on said force sensor, and where occupant weight applied to said seat produces movement of said lever arms that increases said engagement force, whereby said force sensor produces an output signal indicative of said occupant weight.
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Abstract
A frame-based occupant weight estimation apparatus for a vehicle seat includes compliant load transfer mechanisms interposed between the seat frame and floor brackets bolted to the vehicle floor. The compliant load transfer mechanisms translate the seat loads to a central location for measurement by a set of force sensors. The load transfer mechanisms preload the force sensor to enable off-loading detection, and an overload device securely anchors the seat to the floor bracket without interfering with normal load measurement.
26 Citations
4 Claims
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1. Apparatus for estimating the weight of an occupant of a vehicle seat supported by a floor bracket, the apparatus comprising:
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a force sensor; and
a compliant force transfer mechanism interposed between said floor bracket and a mounting bracket of said seat, including first and second co-joined lever arms coupled to said floor bracket and said mounting bracket, where said lever arms terminate in first and second jaws that engage said force sensor, where said jaws exert a pre-load engagement force on said force sensor, and where occupant weight applied to said seat produces movement of said lever arms that increases said engagement force, whereby said force sensor produces an output signal indicative of said occupant weight. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification