Occupant classification sense element

• US 20050167166A1
• Filed: 01/29/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Vogel, Mark S., Eagle, Paul J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,049,529 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/211
• 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

Abstract

An occupant classification sense element is provided. The sense element has a body having a center portion, a first attachment portion connected to the center portion by a first flexible beam, and a second attachment portion connected to the center portion by a second flexible beam. First and second strain sensing elements are attached to the first flexible beam and third and fourth strain sensing elements are attached to the second flexible beam. The first, second, third and fourth strain sensing elements cooperate to produce an electrical signal indicative of a force deflecting the first and second flexible beams.

Claims

1. An occupant classification sense element comprising:

a body having a center portion, a first attachment portion connected to said center portion by a first flexible beam, and a second attachment portion connected to said center portion by a second flexible beam; and

first and second strain sensing elements attached to said first flexible beam and third and fourth strain sensing elements attached to said second flexible beam;

whereby said first, second, third and fourth strain sensing elements cooperate to produce an electrical signal indicative of a force deflecting said first and second flexible beams.

2. The sense element of claim 1 wherein said body is formed of titanium.

3. The sense element of claim 1 wherein said center portion, first attachment portion, and said second attachment portion are coplanar.

4. The sense element of claim 1 wherein said first, second, third, and fourth strain sensing elements are formed of ruthenium dioxide.

5. The sense element of claim 1 wherein said first, second, third, and fourth strain sensing elements are arranged in a Wheatstone bridge and said electrical signal is derived from an output of said Wheatstone bridge.

6. The sense element of claim 5 wherein said electrical signal is an input to a signal conditioning circuit.

7. The sense element of claim 6 wherein said signal conditioning circuit has an analog electrical output indicative of said input.

8. A seat mounting arrangement in a vehicle, the arrangement comprising:

a seat base;

a body having a center portion adapted for securing to a floor of the vehicle, a first attachment portion connected to said center portion by a first flexible beam, and a second attachment portion connected to said center portion by a second flexible beam, said first and second attachment portions being secured to said seat base;

first and second strain sensing elements attached to said first flexible beam and third and fourth strain sensing elements attached to said second flexible beam;

whereby said first, second, third and fourth strain sensing elements cooperate to produce an electrical signal indicative of a force applied to said seat base, thereby deflecting said first and second flexible beams.

9. The sense element of claim 8 wherein said body is formed of titanium.

10. The sense element of claim 8 wherein said center portion, first attachment portion, and said second attachment portion are coplanar.

11. The sense element of claim 8 wherein said first, second, third, and fourth strain sensing elements are formed of ruthenium dioxide.

12. The sense element of claim 8 wherein said first, second, third, and fourth strain sensing elements are arranged in a Wheatstone bridge and said electrical signal is derived from an output of said Wheatstone bridge.

13. The sense element of claim 12 wherein said electrical signal is an input to a signal conditioning circuit.

14. The sense element of claim 13 wherein said signal conditioning circuit has an analog electrical output indicative of said input.