Method and apparatus for sensing seat occupant weight
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Abstract
A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system is incorporated into a vehicle seat supported on inboard and outboard track assemblies. The inboard and outboard track assemblies are mounted to a vehicle structure such that a center track portion remains unsupported. A first sensor assembly is mounted to the inboard track assembly and a second sensor assembly is mounted to the outboard track assembly. The first sensor assembly generates a first signal in response to measuring deflection of the inboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. The second sensor assembly generates a second signal in response to measuring deflection of the outboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight. A central processor determines seat occupant weight based on the first and second signals. The central processor communicates with the airbag system to control the deployment of the airbag based on seat occupant weight.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1-18. -18. (canceled)
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19. A system for measuring weight of an occupant seated on a vehicle seat comprising:
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an inboard track assembly adapted for mounting to a vehicle structure;
an outboard track assembly spaced apart from said inboard track assembly and adapted for mounting to the vehicle structure;
a first sensor assembly mounted to a seat track of said inboard track assembly for generating a first signal in response to measuring deflection of said inboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight;
a second sensor assembly mounted to a seat track of said outboard track assembly for generating a second signal in response to measuring deflection of said outboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight; and
a central processor for determining seat occupant weight based on said first and second signals. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for determining weight of a seat occupant comprising the steps of:
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providing an inboard seat track assembly adapted for mounting to a vehicle structure and an outboard seat track assembly spaced apart from the inboard seat track assembly and adapted for mounting to the vehicle structure;
mounting a first sensor assembly to a track portion of the inboard seat track assembly;
mounting a second sensor assembly to a track portion of the outboard seat track assembly;
generating a first signal from the first sensor assembly in response to deflection of the inboard track assembly due to seat occupant weight;
generating a second signal from the second sensor assembly in response to deflection of the outboard seat track assembly due to seat occupant weight; and
combining the first and second signals to determine seat occupant weight. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification