Load suspension device comprising a contactless detector unit

• US 20060220367A1
• Filed: 03/30/2006
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Do, Son, Stross, Stefan, Wolf, Marco, Demuth, Ulrich
• Application Number:
  US11/278,049
• Publication Number:
  US 20060220367A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/788
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01088 wireless
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• 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

The present invention relates to a contactless detector unit for a load suspension device, which may be used, for example, for recognizing passengers in a motor vehicle, and to a corresponding load suspension device. In order to provide a detector unit for a load suspension device that, on the one hand, may be optimally calibrated and thus provides improved precision and, on the other hand, may be produced particularly cost-effectively, the overall structure being particularly stable and robust, the detector unit comprises a sensor for producing a sensor signal in response to a geometrical position of an indicator with respect to the sensor. The sensor is assembled in an assembly unit, and the position of the indicator may be changed by an actuating unit in response to a load. According to the invention, the indicator is arranged on the assembly unit, and the assembly unit comprises a flexible region, which may be moved for changing the geometrical position of the indicator with respect to the sensor.

Claims

1. A contactless detector unit for a load suspension device, comprising:

a sensor for producing a sensor signal in response to a position of an indicator with respect to the sensor, the sensor being assembled in an assembly unit, and the position of the indicator may be changed by an actuating unit in response to a load,

the indicator being arranged on the assembly unit, and the assembly unit having a flexible region, which may be moved for changing the position of the indicator with respect to the sensor.

2. The detector unit according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is held in the assembly unit in such a way that its position with respect to the sensor is adjustable in an unloaded state.

3. The detector unit according to claim 2, wherein the flexible region is formed by a film hinge.

4. The detector unit according to claim 3, wherein the flexible region is formed by at least one resilient web, which is cut free and fixed on two sides.

5. The detector unit according to claim 4, wherein the sensor comprises at least one Hall effect sensor, and the indicator comprises at least one permanent magnet.

6. The detector unit according claim 5, wherein the detector unit comprises a flexible circuit for electrically contacting the sensor.

7. The detector unit according to claim 6, wherein at least one electrical connection is arranged on the assembly unit for electrically contacting the detector unit.

8. The detector unit according to claim 7, wherein the electrical connection is formed by a plug connector.

9. A load suspension device comprising:

a contactless detector unit, having a sensor for producing a sensor signal in response to a position of an indicator with respect to the sensor, the sensor being assembled in an assembly unit, and the position of the indicator may be changed by an actuating unit in response to a load,

the indicator being arranged on the assembly unit, and the assembly unit having a flexible region, which may be moved for changing the position of the indicator with respect to the sensor.

10. The load suspension device according to claim 9, wherein the actuating unit comprises a contact region for moving the indicator, the position of which is adjustable for adjusting the position of the indicator with respect to the sensor in an unloaded state.

11. The load suspension device according to claim 10, wherein the contact region is formed by an adjusting screw.

12. The load suspension device according to claim 11, wherein the flexible region is formed by a film hinge.

13. The load suspension device according to claim 12, wherein the flexible region is formed by at least one resilient web, which is cut free and fixed on two sides.

14. The load suspension device according to claim 13, wherein the sensor comprises at least one Hall effect sensor, and the indicator comprises at least one permanent magnet.

15. The load suspension device according to claim 14, wherein the detector unit comprises a flexible circuit for electrically contacting the sensor.

16. The load suspension device according to claim 15, wherein the actuating unit is part of a housing in which the assembly unit is at least partially accommodated.

17. The load suspension device according to claim 16, wherein a sealed connection region is arranged on the housing for connecting electrical contacts of the detector unit.

18. The load suspension device according to claim 17, wherein the connection region is formed by a plug connector

19. The load suspension device according to claim 18, wherein the actuating unit may be connected to a vehicle seat, and the sensor signal is configured in such a way that it activates an airbag system as a function of loading of the vehicle seat.