Torsional sensing load cell
First Claim
1. A force sensing device for a movably adjustable seat comprising:
- a seat, four feet anchored to a rigid platform in a rectangular pattern corresponding in location to four imaginary legs of the seat, a pair of parallel, spaced apart rail assemblies having inner and outer parallel telescoping rails, a first of the inner and outer rails fixed to opposite lateral sides of the seat, four torsional load cells, one load cell associated with each of the four feet, each load cell having a tuning fork shape and comprising a U-shaped member, the U-shaped member having spaced apart first and second arms in a torsional relation through a joining section, with a first arm of each load cell connected to an associated foot, each load cell having a torsion sensing transducer converting torsion to an electrical signal representative of force on the seat, a second of the inner and outer rails, located at least partially within the first rail with a second arm of each load cell fixedly connected to the second rail wherein the second rail is supported between two feet by a pair of said torsional load cells, whereby force on the seat is transferred between rails and the feet through the torsional load cells, producing four electrical signals indicative of the force on the seat.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A torsional sensing load cell, particularly for mounting at support locations of an automotive seat in order to determine weight and sitting position of an occupant of a motor vehicle. The load cell has the shape of a tuning fork, with one arm fixed to a foot attached to a chassis and a second parallel arm, not contacting the first arm, arranged to support a quadrant of a seat by means of a flange on the side of the second arm, causing torsion in the arm. The two arms are connected at one end by means of a bridge section through which torsion is transmitted arising from twisting in the second arm. Torsion is measured by transducers on the bridge section with torsion signals converted to weight signals. The weight signals are used to control deployment of an air bag or other safety apparatus.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A force sensing device for a movably adjustable seat comprising:
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a seat, four feet anchored to a rigid platform in a rectangular pattern corresponding in location to four imaginary legs of the seat, a pair of parallel, spaced apart rail assemblies having inner and outer parallel telescoping rails, a first of the inner and outer rails fixed to opposite lateral sides of the seat, four torsional load cells, one load cell associated with each of the four feet, each load cell having a tuning fork shape and comprising a U-shaped member, the U-shaped member having spaced apart first and second arms in a torsional relation through a joining section, with a first arm of each load cell connected to an associated foot, each load cell having a torsion sensing transducer converting torsion to an electrical signal representative of force on the seat, a second of the inner and outer rails, located at least partially within the first rail with a second arm of each load cell fixedly connected to the second rail wherein the second rail is supported between two feet by a pair of said torsional load cells, whereby force on the seat is transferred between rails and the feet through the torsional load cells, producing four electrical signals indicative of the force on the seat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification