LOAD DETECTING DEVICE, SEAT, AND LOAD SENSOR

• US 20100170722A1
• Filed: 12/18/2009
• Published: 07/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: MAEDA, Ryoichi
• Application Number:
  US12/642,671
• Publication Number:
  US 20100170722A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/136
• 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 2/0025 by using weight measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0031 mounted on the frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7094 Upholstery springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/40 Force or pressure sensors
• 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

A load detecting device includes: a load sensor which outputs a signal in response to a load; and a plurality of tensile members which support the load sensor in a state where the load sensor is tensioned in multiple directions and stretch the load sensor in the multiple directions by receiving the load, wherein the load sensor outputs a signal in response to the load received by the plurality of tensile members on the basis of tensile forces of the plurality of tensile members.

Claims

1. A load detecting device comprising:

a load sensor which outputs a signal in response to a load; and

a plurality of tensile members which support the load sensor in a state where the load sensor is tensioned in multiple directions and stretch the load sensor in the multiple directions by receiving the load,

wherein the load sensor outputs a signal in response to the load received by the plurality of tensile members on the basis of tensile forces of the plurality of tensile members.

2. The load detecting device according to claim 1,

wherein the load sensor includes:

a plurality of attachment portions to which the plurality of tensile members are attached, respectively; and

a plurality of strain-resistant elements which are provided to correspond to the plurality of attachment portions, and of which resistances are changed by the stretching tensile members attached to the respective attachment portions, and

wherein the load sensor outputs a signal in response to the load received by the plurality of tensile members according to a change in the resistance of the strain-resistant element.

3. The load detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the tensile member is a wire made of a low-modulus material.

4. The load detecting device according to claim 1,

wherein the number of tensile members is at least three, and

a guide member which connects the neighboring tensile members is provided.

5. The load detecting device according to claim 1,

wherein the number of tensile members is four, and

the tensile members support the load sensor in a state where the load sensor is tensioned in four directions.

6. A seat comprising:

the load detecting device according to claim 1; and

a seat pad,

wherein the plurality of tensile members receive a seating load of the seat pad.

7. A seat comprising:

the load detecting device according to claim 1; and

a seat pad,

wherein the plurality of tensile members receive a seating load of the seat pad, and

a recess portion is provided in the seat pad to prevent the contact with the load sensor.

8. A load sensor which is supported by a plurality of tensile members that are stretched in multiple directions in a state where the load sensor is tensioned under a load, and outputs a signal in response to the load received by the plurality of tensile members on the basis of tensile forces of the plurality of tensile members.