Seat belt tension sensor having an integral connector

• US 20050274203A1
• Filed: 08/18/2005
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CTS Corporation
• Original Assignee: CTS Corporation
• Inventors: Kaijala, Murray
• Granted Patent: US 7,272,979 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/862.391
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01272 Belt tensioners
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0155 sensing belt tension
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01556 Child-seat detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/18 Anchoring devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/101 using sensors inserted into the flexible member
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/103 using sensors fixed at one end of the flexible member
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 5/108 for measuring a reaction force applied on a single support, e.g. a glider

Abstract

A seat belt tension sensor for measuring the amount of tension in a vehicle seat belt. The seat belt tension sensor has a housing and an anchor plate that is mounted in the housing. The housing moves relative to the anchor plate. A magnet is affixed to the anchor plate. A sensor is mounted to the housing. The sensor generates an electrical signal in response to relative movement between the housing and the anchor plate. The electrical signal changes in proportion to the amount of tension on the seat belt. A spring is mounted between the housing and the anchor plate. The spring biases the housing from the anchor plate. An integral connector extends from the housing.

Claims

1. A seat belt tension sensor for attachment with a seat belt comprising:

a) a housing;

b) an anchor plate at least partially mounted in the housing, the anchor plate being adapted to be connected to a vehicle;

c) a sensor mounted in the housing, the sensor being adapted to generate an electrical signal that is indicative of seat belt tension;

d) a connector integral with the housing, the connector extending from the housing; and

e) at least one terminal mounted within the connector, the terminal having a first and second end, the first end extending into the housing and connected to the sensor, the second end extending into the connector.

2. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 1, wherein a bracket is connected between the housing and the connector.

3. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 2, wherein the bracket has a webbing.

4. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 1, wherein the connector has a plate.

5. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 1, wherein the connector has a latch tab.

6. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 1, wherein the connector is integrally molded with the housing.

7. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 1, wherein the terminal is insert molded with the housing and the connector.

8. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises at least one magnet and at least one magnetic field sensor.

9. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 1, wherein the connector is adapted to mate with a wire harness.

10. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 1, wherein the connector has a shroud.

11. A seat belt tension sensor comprising:

a) housing means;

b) sensor means for sensing seat belt tension, the sensor means mounted within the housing means, the sensor means operable to generate an electrical signal that is indicative of a magnitude of seat belt tension; and

c) integral connector means for communicating the electrical signal, the integral connector means connected to and extending from the housing means.

12. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 11, wherein the sensor means comprises at least one magnet and at least one magnetic field sensor.

13. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 11, wherein the integral connector means further comprises at least one terminal extending between the housing means and the integral connector means.

14. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 11, wherein the integral connector means further comprises a bracket mounted to the housing and a shroud attached to the bracket, the shroud having a recess.

15. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 11, wherein the integral connector means are adapted to mate with a wire harness.

16. A seat belt tension sensor comprising:

a housing;

a sensor mounted in the housing, the sensor being adapted to generate an electrical signal that is indicative of seat belt tension;

an integral connector mounted to the housing, the integral connector including;

a support extending from the housing;

a shroud connected to the support;

at least one terminal mounted within the shroud and the support, the terminal having a first and second end, the first end extending into the housing and connected to the sensor, the second end extending into the shroud.

17. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 16, wherein the support has a webbing.

18. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 16, wherein a plate is mounted between the support and the shroud.

19. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 16, wherein the shroud has at least one latch tab.

20. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 16, wherein the integral connector is molded with the housing as one piece.

21. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 16, wherein the terminal is insert molded into the connector.

22. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 16, wherein the sensor comprises at least one magnet and at least one magnetic field sensor.

23. The seat belt tension sensor according to claim 16, wherein the shroud is adapted to mate with a wire harness.