OCCUPANT WEIGHT SENSING USING INTELLIGENT FASTENER AND VERTICAL LOAD TRANSMITTING BRACKETS

• US 20120012405A1
• Filed: 07/19/2011
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH, Robert Bosch LLC (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Menon, Mithran Gopinathan, Thakur, Rajeev, Harder, Jerry, Narasimaiah, Prasanna Sampigehalli, Mulinti, Madhusudhanrao
• Granted Patent: US 8,766,112 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 177/136
• 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

An occupant weight sensing apparatus configured to be coupled to a vehicle seat. The apparatus includes a base configured to be connected to a vehicle, a lever pivotally connected to the base, a rocker configured to be connected to the vehicle seat, the rocker also pivotally connected to the lever, and a sensor coupled to the lever. A force applied to the seat causes pivotal movement of the lever relative to the base. The sensor detects the pivotal movement to sense the weight of the occupant.

Claims

1. An occupant weight sensing apparatus configured to be coupled to a vehicle seat, the apparatus comprising:

a base configured to be connected to a vehicle;

a lever pivotally connected to the base;

a rocker configured to be connected to the vehicle seat, the rocker also pivotally connected to the lever, wherein a force applied to the vehicle seat causes a pivotal movement of the lever; and

a sensor coupled to the lever, the sensor configured to detect the pivotal movement of the lever relative to the base to sense a weight of the occupant.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lever is connected to the base for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal lever pivot axis, wherein the rocker is pivotally connected to the lever on one side of the lever pivot axis, and wherein the sensor is coupled to the lever on the other side of the lever pivot axis.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the rocker is connected to the lever for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal rocker pivot axis generally parallel to the lever pivot axis.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein the rocker is pivotally connected to the lever by a pin extending along the rocker pivot axis, and wherein the base includes a stop surface configured to engage the pin to limit movement of the lever relative to the base.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein the lever includes a lever bracket pivotally connected to the base, and a loading bracket that extends from the lever bracket and that is coupled to the sensor.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the lever bracket includes spaced sides each connected to the base for pivotal movement about the lever pivot axis.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the base includes spaced sides each adjacent a respective one of the sides of the lever bracket, and wherein the lever bracket is pivotally connected to the base by a pivot pin extending along the lever pivot axis and extending through the sides of the base and through the sides of the lever bracket.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the loading bracket is connect to the lever bracket by rivets.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a second lever pivotally connected to the base, and a second rocker configured to be connected to the vehicle seat, the second rocker also pivotally connected to the second lever, and wherein the sensor is also coupled to the second lever, the sensor configured to detect pivotal movement of the second lever relative to the base to sense the weight of the occupant.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the second lever is connected to the base for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal second lever pivot axis, wherein the second rocker is pivotally connected to the second lever on one side of the second lever pivot axis, and wherein the sensor is coupled to the second lever on the other side of the second lever pivot axis.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein each of the levers has therein an aperture, and wherein the sensor extends through the aperture of both of the levers.

12. An occupant weight sensing apparatus configured to be coupled to a vehicle seat, the apparatus comprising:

a base configured to be connected to a vehicle;

a lever including a lever bracket pivotally connected to the base and configured to be connected to the vehicle seat, and a loading bracket that extends from the lever bracket; and

a sensor coupled to the loading bracket, the sensor configured to detect pivotal movement of the lever relative to the base to sense a weight of the occupant.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 and further comprising a rocker configured to be connected to the vehicle seat, the rocker also pivotally connected to the lever.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein the lever bracket includes spaced sides each connected to the base for pivotal movement about a lever pivot axis.

15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein the base includes spaced sides each adjacent a respective one of the sides of the lever bracket, and wherein the lever bracket is pivotally connected to the base by a pivot pin extending along the lever pivot axis and extending through the sides of the base and through the sides of the lever bracket.

16. An apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein the loading bracket is connect to the lever bracket by rivets.

17. An occupant weight sensing apparatus configured to be coupled to a vehicle seat, the apparatus comprising:

a base to be connected to a vehicle;

a first lever pivotally connected to the base;

a first rocker to be connected to the vehicle seat, the first rocker also pivotally connected to the first lever, wherein a force applied to the vehicle seat causes a pivotal movement of the first lever;

a second lever pivotally connected to the base;

a second rocker to be connected to the vehicle seat, the second rocker also pivotally connected to the second lever, wherein the force applied to the vehicle seat causes a pivotal movement of the second lever relative to the base; and

a sensor positioned near a center of the base between the first lever and the second lever and coupled to the first lever and the second lever, the sensor configured to detect a second force caused by the pivotal movement of the first lever relative to the base and the pivotal movement of the second lever relative to the base to sense a weight of the occupant.