Seat assembly for sensing an occupant

• US 20100007184A1
• Filed: 07/11/2008
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Griffin, Dennis P., Fultz, William W., Hansen, Mark C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,896,435 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/217.300
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0026 for distinguishing between humans, animals or objects
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0031 mounted on the frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/70 Upholstery springs ; Upholstery
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/14 Inductive; Magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01508 detecting forces or pressure in bags or modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means

Abstract

A seat assembly is provided that can be sat upon by an occupant that detects the weight of the occupant. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion, a rotary sensor, and a linkage having a tip. The seat cushion deforms in response to the weight. The rotary sensor has a shaft that rotates about an axis and has an electrical output that is proportional to the angle of rotation of the shaft. The linkage underlies the seat surface and connects the seat surface to the shaft of the rotary sensor. As weight is placed on the seat the seat cushion deforms in response to the weight moving the tip and the linkage. The movement of the linkage rotates the shaft, which in turn, provides an electrical output that is proportional to the weight.

Claims

1. A seat assembly adapted to be sat upon by an occupant and for detecting a weight of the occupant, said seat assembly comprising:

a seat cushion comprising a seat surface deformable in response to the weight;

a rotary sensor comprising a shaft rotatable about an axis and having an electrical output proportional in response to an angle of rotation of the shaft; and

a linkage having a tip underlying the seat surface and movable in response to deformation of the seat surface, said linkage connecting the tip and the shaft such that movement of the tip in response to the weight rotates the shaft.

2. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat surface is an upper cushion surface, and wherein the seat cushion includes a lower cushion surface opposite the upper cushion surface, and wherein the rotary sensor is disposed adjacent the lower cushion surface.

3. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the electrical output is a voltage having a value proportional to the weight.

4. The seat assembly of claim 3, wherein the rotary sensor comprises a magnet mounted on the shaft and a sensing element disposed stationary relative to movement of the shaft and suitable for detecting movement of the magnet.

5. The seat assembly of claim 4, wherein the sensing element is a Hall Effect sensor.

6. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the linkage includes an arm perpendicularly affixed to the shaft and a rod connected to the arm, said rod having a tip adjacent the seat surface.

7. The seat assembly of claim 6, wherein the tip includes an accumulator underlying the seat surface.