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Seat belt tension sensor, methods of integration and attachment

  • US 6,400,145 B1
  • Filed: 06/20/2000
  • Issued: 06/04/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A force sensor (50a) for generating a signal indicative of the usage of a seat belt comprising:

  • a first housing (70a) having first and a second housing part, the first and second housing parts each including a first bridge portion (400) and a second bridge portion (402), the first bridge portions defining a first passage and the second bridge portions defining a second passage;

    a cable anchor (90) slidably received within the first and second passages formed by the bridge portions, the cable anchor adapted to be connected to a cable (54), the cable anchor, at a first anchor end, includes an annular portion (44);

    the cable (54) having a first cable end operatively secured to a second anchor end and a second cable end operatively connected to an anchor point;

    a magnet (120) operatively connected to annular portion of the cable anchor and movable with the cable anchor;

    first means for biasing the cable anchor to resist motion of the cable anchor toward an end of the first housing opposite the location of the magnet;

    a sensor housing (180) fixedly positioned between the second bridge portions and located within the second passage, the annular portion of the cable anchor surrounding the sensor housing;

    a magnetic sensor (200), located within the sensor housing for generating a signal indicative of the distance between it and the magnet, such distance proportional to a force applied to the seat belt;

    the magnet and the magnetic sensor being relatively movable when a force of a determinable level is applied to the end cap thereby causing the relative movement of the magnet and the magnetic sensor.

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