Optical set belt tension sensor
First Claim
1. Apparatus for sensing tension in a seat belt, comprising:
- an armature that is linearly displaced within a housing in relation to seat belt tension;
an optical channel within said housing;
means linearly displaced with said armature for varying an optical transmissivity of said optical channel in relation to the seat belt tension; and
light emitter and light receiver elements disposed in said optical channel for sensing the optical transmissivity of said optical channel as an indication of the seat belt tension.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A belt tension sensor includes an armature that is displaced in relation to belt tension and an optical sensing mechanism that detects armature displacement as a measure of belt tension. In a first mechanization, a lens element is mounted on the armature for movement therewith, and light emitted by a light source passes through the lens element before impinging on a light responsive element; the lens element variably diffuses the emitted light in relation to the belt tension, and the light impinging on the light responsive element provides a measure of the belt tension. In a second mechanization, the armature includes a protuberance that abuts and variably collapses a compressible optical waveguide to vary its optical transmissivity in relation to the armature displacement, and the optical transmissivity of the optical waveguide provides a measure of the belt tension.
-
Citations
6 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for sensing tension in a seat belt, comprising:
-
an armature that is linearly displaced within a housing in relation to seat belt tension;
an optical channel within said housing;
means linearly displaced with said armature for varying an optical transmissivity of said optical channel in relation to the seat belt tension; and
light emitter and light receiver elements disposed in said optical channel for sensing the optical transmissivity of said optical channel as an indication of the seat belt tension. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
Specification