PASSENGER'S WEIGHT MEASUREMENT DEVICE FOR VEHICLE SEAT

• US 20110094803A1
• Filed: 01/06/2011
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TS Tech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: TS Tech Company Limited
• Inventors: Sato, Kenji, Endo, Shigeru, Ishima, Shinya, TAKAYASU, Wataru
• Granted Patent: US 8,820,464 B2
• 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 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4263 with anti-submarining systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/015 including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats , and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
• 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 19/08 for incorporation in vehicles
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 177/09 Scale bearings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 411/946 Spring-seated

Abstract

An upper rail is movable in a rear and front direction with respect to a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor. A load sensor is fixed to an upper surface of the upper rail, and a rectangular frame is attached onto the load sensor. A rod of the load sensor penetrates a web of the rectangular frame, a washer and a spring holder, and a coil spring is wound around the rod. A bush is fitted to an edge of a hole of the washer, and a step is formed between an upper surface of the washer and the bush. A nut is screwed to the rod and tightens a bottom of a cup portion of the spring holder. The coil spring is sandwiched between the spring holder and the web and is compressed, and an end portion of the coil spring engages with the step.

Claims

1. A seat, comprising:

right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle;

right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on the fixed rail member and a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member; and

a load sensor that is attached to at least one of the right and left movable frame members,

wherein a load sensor attachment portion is provided on at least a part of the at least one right and left movable frame members,

wherein the load sensor is attached to the load sensor attachment portion via an elastic member,

a first support surface portion for supporting one side of the elastic member and a second support surface portion for supporting the other side of the elastic member,

a space enlarging projecting portion for enlarging a space between the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion is provided on at least one of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion, and

wherein at least a part of the elastic member is in contact with a surface of the space enlarging projecting portion, the surface facing to the elastic member.

2. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the space enlarging projecting portion is formed by a bent portion that is made by bending one of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion toward a direction away from the other of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion.

3. The seat as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bent portion is formed on at least the first support surface portion, and the first support surface portion supports an upper side of the elastic member.

4. The seat as claimed in claim 2, wherein the bent portion comprises a first position regulating portion that enables a regulation of a radial position of the elastic member.

5. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load sensor attachment portion comprises a bracket member that is a part of the side frame members,

wherein at least one extending wall extending in an up-and-down direction is formed on the bracket member, and

the space enlarging projecting portion and the extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the up-and-down direction.

6. The seat as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second support surface portion supports a lower portion side of the elastic member and comprises a second position regulating portion that enables the regulation of a radial position of the elastic member.

7. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load sensor attachment portion comprises a bracket member that is a part of the side frame members,

a first extending wall and a second extending wall that extends in an up-and-down direction are formed on the bracket member at different positions, respectively,

the elastic member is arranged between the first extending wall and the second extending wall, and

the elastic member, the first extending wall and the second extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the up-and-down direction.

15. The seat as claimed in claim 5, wherein the extending wall extends upwardly, and the space enlarging projecting portion projects upwardly, and

an upper end of the space enlarging projecting portion is arranged on a lower position than an upper, end of the extending wall.

16. The seat as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first extending wall and the second extending wall extend upwardly, and the space enlarging projecting portion projects upwardly, and

an upper end of the space enlarging projecting portion is arranged on a lower position than an upper end of one extending wall of the first extending wall and the second extending wall, the one extending wall having a larger extending amount than the other extending wall of the first extending wall and the second extending wall.

36. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the space enlarging projecting portion is formed by a bent portion that is made by bending one of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion toward a direction away from the other of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion,

wherein the bent portion is formed on at least the first support surface portion, and the first support surface portion supports an upper side of the elastic member, and

wherein the bent portion comprises a first position regulating portion that enables a regulation of a radial position of the elastic member.

8. A seat, comprising:

right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle;

right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on the fixed rail member and a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member; and

a load sensor that is attached to at least one of the movable frame members,

wherein a load sensor attachment portion is provided on at least a part of the at least one right and left movable frame members,

wherein the load sensor comprises a rod portion projecting from a middle portion of a main body of the load sensor in an up-and-down direction,

a rod inserting hole, for enabling an insertion of the rod portion of the load sensor, is formed in the load sensor attachment portion,

the load sensor is attached to the load sensor attachment portion via an elastic member,

a first support surface portion and a second support surface portion that support the elastic member are provided on a line parallel to a shaft line of the rod portion,

a space enlarging portion for enlarging a space between the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion along the shaft line of the rod portion, at least a part of the elastic member being provided in the space enlarging portion, and

the space enlarging portion and a main body of the load sensor are arranged in a same line that is parallel to the shaft line of the rod portion.

9. The seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein the space enlarging portion is formed by a bent portion that is made by bending one of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion toward a direction away from the other of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion.

10. The seat as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bent portion is formed on at least the first support surface portion, and the first support surface portion supports an upper portion side of the elastic member.

11. The seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bent portion comprises a first position regulating portion that enables a regulation of a radial position of the elastic member.

12. The seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein the load sensor attachment portion comprises a bracket member that is a part of the side frame members,

at least one extending wall extending in a direction of the shaft line of the rod portion is formed on the bracket member, and

the space enlarging portion and the extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the shaft line of the rod portion.

13. The seat as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second support surface portion supports a lower portion side of the elastic member and comprises a second position regulating portion that enables a regulation of a radial position of the elastic member.

14. The seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein the load sensor attachment portion comprises a bracket member that is a part of the side frame members,

a first extending wall and a second extending wall that extend in a direction of the shaft line of the rod portion are formed on the bracket member at different positions, respectively,

the elastic member is arranged between the first extending wall and the second extending wall, and

the elastic member, the first extending wall and the second extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the shaft line of the rod portion.

17. The seat as claimed in claim 12, wherein the extending wall extends upwardly, and the space enlarging projecting portion projects upwardly, and

an upper end of the space enlarging projecting portion is arranged on a lower position than an upper end of the extending wall.

18. The seat as claimed in claim 14, wherein the first extending wall and the second extending wall extend upwardly and the space enlarging projecting portion extends upwardly, and

an upper end of the space enlarging projecting portion is arranged on a lower position than an upper end of one extending wall of the first extending wall and the second extending wall, the one extending wall having a larger extending amount than the other extending wall of the first extending wall and the second extending wall.

31. The seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein the space enlarging portion is disposed more closely to the shaft line of the rod portion than to an outer surface of the main body of the load sensor.

33. The seat as claimed in claim 8, wherein a connector is provided on an outer surface of the main body of the load sensor, and

an end of the connector is disposed more apart from the shaft line of the rod portion than from the space enlarging portion.

19. A seat, comprising:

right and left fixed rail members that are fixable to a vehicle;

right and left movable frame members, each of the right and left movable frame members comprising a movable rail member that is disposed to be movable on the fixed rail member and a side frame member extending in a front-and-rear direction above the movable rail member; and

a load sensor that is attached to at least one of the movable frame members;

wherein the movable frame members comprise a bracket member for attaching the load sensor,

a load sensor attachment portion is provided on the bracket member,

the load sensor comprises a rod portion projecting from a middle portion of a main body of the load sensor in an up-and-down direction,

a screw portion is provided on the rod portion, the load sensor is attached to the load sensor attachment portion by screwing a nut member into the screw portion,

a rod inserting hole for enabling an insertion of the rod portion of the load sensor is formed in the load sensor attachment portion,

the load sensor is attached to the load sensor attachment portion via an elastic member,

a first support surface portion and a second support surface portion that support the elastic member are provided on both sides of the elastic member in the up-and-down direction,

the first support surface portion is provided on the bracket member,

the second support surface portion is provided on a holder member for supporting the elastic member,

a space enlarging portion for enlarging a space between the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion along the up-and-down direction, the elastic member being provided in the space enlarging portion so as to contact at least a part of the elastic member with the space enlarging portion,

the space enlarging portion and a main body of the load sensor are arranged in a same line that is parallel to the shaft line of the rod portion,

at least one extending wall extending in a direction of the shaft line of the rod portion is formed on the bracket member, and

the space enlarging portion and the extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the shaft line of the rod portion.

20. The seat as claimed in claim 19, wherein the space enlarging portion is formed by a bent portion that is made by bending one of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion toward a direction away from the other of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion.

21. The seat as claimed in claim 20, wherein the bent portion is formed on at least the first support surface portion, and the first support surface portion supports an upper portion side of the elastic member.

22. The seat as claimed in claim 20, wherein the bent portion comprises a first position regulating portion that enables a regulation of a radial position of the elastic member.

23. The seat as claimed in claim 19, wherein the extending wall and the nut member are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the shaft line of the rod portion.

24. The seat as claimed in claim 21, wherein the second support surface portion supports a lower portion side of the elastic member and comprises a second position regulating portion that enables a regulation of a radial position of the elastic member.

25. The seat as claimed in claim 19, wherein the load sensor attachment portion comprises a bracket member that is a part of the side frame members,

a first extending wall and a second extending wall that extend in a direction of the shaft line of the rod portion are formed on the bracket member at different positions, respectively,

the elastic member is arranged between the first extending wall and the second extending wall, and

the elastic member, the first extending wall and the second extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the shaft line of the rod portion.

26. The seat as claimed in claim 23, wherein the extending wall extends upwardly, and the space enlarging portion projects upwardly, and

an upper end of the space enlarging portion is arranged on a lower position than an upper end of the extending wall.

27. The seat as claimed in claim 25, wherein the first extending wall and the second extending wall extend upwardly, and the space enlarging portion projects upwardly and

an upper end of the space enlarging portion is arranged on a lower position than an upper end of one extending wall of the first extending wall and the second extending wall, the one of the extending walls having a larger extending amount than the other extending wall of the first extending wall and the second extending wall.

28. The seat as claimed in claim 19, wherein a collar member into which the rod portion is inserted is provided between the nut member and the main body of the load sensor,

the nut member comprises a cylinder portion, the collar member comprises a cylinder portion, and the cylinder portion of the nut member and the cylinder portion of the collar member are arranged in a same line that is parallel to the shaft line of the rod portion,

the elastic member is disposed outside the cylinder portion of the collar member, and

the extending wall and the cylinder portion of the collar member are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the shaft line of the rod portion.

29. The seat as claimed in claim 28, wherein the collar member is provided inside of the holder member.

30. The seat as claimed in claim 29, wherein the holder member and the collar member are different members from each other.

32. The seat as claimed in claim 19, wherein the space enlarging portion is disposed more closely to the shaft line of the rod portion than to an outer surface of the main body of the load sensor.

34. The seat as claimed in claim 19, wherein a connector is provided on an outer surface of the main body of the load sensor, and

an end of the connector is disposed more apart from the shaft line of the rod portion than from the space enlarging portion.

35. The seat as claimed in claim 19, wherein a lower portion of the load sensor is attached to the movable rail members,

a movable rail member side extending wall extending in the up-and-down direction is formed on the load sensor attachment portion of the movable rail members, and

the movable rail member side extending wall is provided more apart from the shaft line of the rod portion than from the space enlarging portion.

37. The seat as claimed in claim 19, wherein the space enlarging portion is formed by a bent portion that is made by bending one of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion toward a direction away from the other of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion,

wherein the bent portion comprises a first position regulating portion that enables a regulation of a radial position of the elastic member,

wherein the extending wall and the nut member are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the shaft line of the rod portion,

wherein the load sensor attachment portion comprises a bracket member that is a part of the side frame members,

a first extending wall and a second extending wall that extend in a direction of the shaft line of the rod portion are formed on the bracket member at different positions, respectively,

the elastic member is arranged between the first extending wall and the second extending wall, and

the elastic member, the first extending wall and the second extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the shaft line of the rod portion.

38. The seat as claimed in claim 19, wherein the space enlarging portion is formed by a bent portion that is made by bending one of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion toward a direction away from the other of the first support surface portion and the second support surface portion,

wherein the bent portion comprises a first position regulating portion that enables a regulation of a radial position of the elastic member,

wherein the extending wall and the nut member are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the shaft line of the rod portion,

wherein the load sensor attachment portion comprises a bracket member that is a part of the side frame members,

a first extending wall and a second extending wall that extend in a direction of the shaft line of the rod portion are formed on the bracket member at different positions, respectively,

the elastic member is arranged between the first extending wall and the second extending wall,

the elastic member, the first extending wall and the second extending wall are arranged on a same plane that is perpendicular to the direction of the shaft line of the rod portion,

wherein the first extending wall and the second extending wall extend upwardly, and the space enlarging portion projects upwardly, and

an upper end of the space enlarging portion is arranged on a lower position than an upper end of one extending wall of the first extending wall and the second extending wall, the one of the extending walls having a larger extending amount than the other extending wall of the first extending wall and the second extending wall,

wherein a connector is provided on an outer surface of the main body of the load sensor, and

an end of the connector is disposed more apart from the shaft line of the rod portion than from the space enlarging portion.