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Seat weight sensor having self-regulating fluid filled bladder

  • US 5,979,585 A
  • Filed: 01/07/1998
  • Issued: 11/09/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for sensing the weight of an occupant on a vehicle seat, comprising:

  • a. a bladder mounted beneath the cushion of the seat and supported by the base of the seat, whereby said bladder is constructed from a flexible material and comprises a plurality of cells in fluid communication with one another;

    b. a sensing fluid contained by said bladder;

    c. a source of sensing fluid external to said bladder;

    d. a cell-filling restoring mechanism operative on a first portion of said cells of said bladder;

    e. a cell-evacuating restoring mechanism operative on a second portion of said cells of said bladder;

    f. a pressure sensor operatively coupled to said bladder for generating a signal responsive to the pressure of said sensing fluid within said bladder;

    g. a check valve having an inlet and an outlet, whereby said inlet is operatively coupled to said source of sensing fluid and said outlet is in fluid communication with said plurality of cells of said bladder, and said check valve can admit said sensing fluid from said source of sensing fluid into said bladder responsive to said cell-filling restoring mechanism; and

    h. a signal processor for sensing the weight of the occupant from said signal.

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