Vehicle seat belt tension and seat weight apparatus

• US 6,405,607 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2001
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Lyszczyk, Craig J., Campbell, Douglas P., Faigle, Ernst M., Sparks, Tracy S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Noori, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALLEN, ANDRE J
• Application Number:
  US09/811,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20010054323A1
• Time in Patent Office: 456 Days
• Field of Search: 738/624.51, 738/624.74, 738/623.91, 738/623.81, 738/626.34
• US Class Current: 73/862.391
• 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 2/0025 by using weight measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/267 alerting means responsive to presence or absence of children
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/42 Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/18 Anchoring devices
• 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 apparatus (10) includes a member (14) that has a first slot (30) extending through the member within the periphery (32) of the member. The first slot (30) has opposed spaced surfaces (34) that define a gap (40) that has a width measured from one of the opposed surfaces to the other of the opposed surfaces. The member (14) includes first and second portions (42 and 44) positioned on opposite sides of the first slot (30). The apparatus (10) also includes a sensor (16) that has a first end (100) connected to the first portion (42) on one side of the first slot (30) and an opposite second end (102) connected to the second portion (44) on an opposite side of the first slot such that the sensor extends across the first slot. The apparatus (10) further includes a fastener (20) for fixedly connecting the second portion (44) to inhibit movement of the second portion of the member relative to the first portion (42). The first portion (42) moves relative to the second portion (44) when a force is applied to the first portion, which causes the width of the gap to change. The sensor (16) provides a signal in response to the change in the gap width.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a member having a first slot extending through said member within a periphery of said member, said first slot having opposite ends terminating within said periphery and having opposed spaced surfaces extending between said opposite ends, said surfaces defining a gap having a width measured from one of said opposed surfaces to the other of said opposed surfaces, said member having first and second portions of said member on opposite sides of said first slot, said member being constructed of a single piece of material;

a sensor having a first end connected to said first portion of said member on one side of said first slot and an opposite second end connected to said second portion of said member on an opposite side of said first slot, said sensor extending across said first slot; and

means for fixedly connecting said second portion of said member to inhibit movement of said second portion of said member relative to said first portion of said member,

said first portion of said member moving relative to said second portion when a force is applied to said first portion of said member, said width of said gap changing when said first portion moves relative to said second portion, said sensor providing a signal in response to the change in said gap width.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensor provides said signal in proportion to the amount of change in said gap width.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said sensor comprises a strain gauge.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a seat belt tension sensor.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, further including a seat belt of a vehicle, said means for fixedly connecting said second portion of said member being for fixedly connecting said second portion to the vehicle, said seat belt being associated with said first portion, said first portion moving relative to said second portion when said seat belt is tensioned.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said first portion moves relative to said second portion in proportion to the tension in said seat belt, said sensor providing said signal in proportion to the amount of tension in said seat belt.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, further comprising a controller operatively connected to said sensor, said controller receiving said signal from said sensor.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said controller is operatively connected to an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said controller controlling actuation of said inflator in a predetermined manner when said signal is at a predetermined level.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said controller senses the amount of tension in said seat belt, said controller preventing actuation of said inflator when the tension in said seat belt is at a predetermined level.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said member further includes a second slot extending through said member within the perimeter of said member and an aperture that extends through said second portion of said member, said second slot extending around said aperture, said aperture receiving said means to connect said second portion fixedly to the vehicle.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said first portion is movable into abutting engagement with said second portion at a location on said second slot positioned opposite said gap.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a switch having a first condition when the width of said gap is less than a predetermined width, said switch being actuated to a second condition when the width of said gap is greater than said predetermined width.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, further including a seat belt of a vehicle, said means for fixedly connecting said second portion of said member being for fixedly connecting said second portion to the vehicle, said seat belt being associated with said first portion, said first portion moving relative to said second portion when said seat belt is tensioned.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, further comprising a controller operatively connected to said switch, said controller receiving a first signal from said switch when said switch is in said first condition, said controller receiving a second signal from said switch when said switch is in said second condition.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said controller is operatively connected to an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said controller preventing actuation of said inflator when said controller receives said second signal.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a vehicle seat, said first portion of said member being connected to a frame of said vehicle seat, said means for fixedly connecting said second portion of said member being for fixedly connecting said second portion to the vehicle, said first portion moving relative to said second portion in proportion to the amount of weight supported by said vehicle seat, said sensor providing an output signal in proportion to the amount of weight supported by said vehicle seat.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said apparatus is a weight sensor.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said member comprises a portion of said frame of said vehicle seat.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18, further comprising a controller operatively connected to said sensor, said controller receiving said signal from said sensor.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said controller is operatively connected to an inflator for providing inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, said controller controlling actuation of said inflator in a predetermined manner when said signal is at a predetermined level.

21. Apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein said controller senses the amount of weight supported by said vehicle seat, said controller preventing actuation of said inflator when said weight is at a predetermined level.

22. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said member further includes an aperture that extends through said second portion of said member, said aperture for receiving said means to connect said second portion fixedly to the vehicle.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said member further includes a second slot extending through said member within the perimeter of said member, said second slot further defining said second portion of said member, said second slot being spaced apart from said first slot and extending around said aperture.

24. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said single piece of material comprises a single piece of metal.

25. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said member comprises separate first and second portions constructed of metal, said separate first and second portions being joined together by one of welding and adhesives.

26. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for fixedly connecting comprises a fastener.

27. Apparatus comprising:

a member having a first slot extending through said member, said first slot having opposed spaced surfaces defining a gap having a width measured from one of said opposed surfaces to the other of said opposed surfaces, said member having first and second portions of said member on opposite sides of said first slot, said member further including a second slot, spaced apart from said first slot, that extends through said member within the periphery of said member, said second slot further defining said second portion of said member;

a sensor having a first end connected to said first portion of said member on one side of said first slot and an opposite second end connected to said second portion of said member on an opposite side of said first slot, said sensor extending across said first slot; and

means for fixedly connecting said second portion of said member to inhibit movement of said second portion of said member relative to said first portion of said member,

said first portion of said member moving relative to said second portion when a force is applied to said first portion of said member, said width of said gap changing when said first portion moves relative to said second portion, said sensor providing a signal in response to the change in said gap width, said first portion being movable into abutting engagement with said second portion at a location on said second slot positioned opposite said gap.

28. Apparatus comprising:

a member having a first slot extending through said member, said first slot having opposed spaced surfaces defining a gap having a width measured from one of said opposed surfaces to the other of said opposed surfaces, said member having first and second portions of said member on opposite sides of said first slot, said member being constructed of a single piece of material;

a switch having a first end connected to said first portion of said member on one side of said first slot and an opposite second end connected to said second portion of said member on an opposite side of said first slot, said switch extending across said first slot; and

means for fixedly connecting said second portion of said member to inhibit movement of said second portion of said member relative to said first portion of said member,

said first portion of said member moving relative to said second portion when a force is applied to said first portion of said member, said width of said gap changing when said first portion moves relative to said second portion, said switch having a first condition when the width of said gap is less than a predetermined width, said switch being actuated to a second condition when the width of said gap is greater than said predetermined width, said switch providing a signal indicative of whether said switch is in said first condition or said second condition.

29. A seat belt tension sensor for sensing tension in a seat belt of a vehicle, said seat belt tension sensor comprising:

a member having a first slot extending through said member, said first slot having opposed spaced surfaces defining a gap having a width measured from one of said opposed surfaces to the other of said opposed surfaces, said member having first and second portions of said member on opposite sides of said first slot, said member being constructed of a single piece of material, said second portion being fixedly connected to the vehicle; and

a sensor having a first end connected to said first portion of said member on one side of said first slot and an opposite second end connected to said second portion of said member on an opposite side of said first slot, said sensor extending across said first slot;

said first portion being associated with the seat belt such that said first portion is movable relative to said second portion when a force is applied to the seat belt, said width of said gap changing when said first portion moves relative to said second portion, said sensor providing a signal in response to the change in said gap width.

30. Apparatus as defined in claim 29, wherein said member comprises a seat belt anchor plate.

31. A seat weight sensor for sensing an amount of weight placed on a seat of a vehicle, said seat weight sensor comprising:

a member having a first slot extending through said member, said first slot having opposed spaced surfaces defining a gap having a width measured from one of said opposed surfaces to the other of said opposed surfaces, said member having first and second portions of said member on opposite sides of said first slot, said member being constructed of a single piece of material, said second portion being fixedly connected to the vehicle; and

a sensor having a first end connected to said first portion of said member on one side of said first slot and an opposite second end connected to said second portion of said member on an opposite side of said first slot, said sensor extending across said first slot;

said first portion being associated with the vehicle seat such that said first portion is movable relative to said second portion when a weight is placed on the seat, said width of said gap changing when said first portion moves relative to said second portion, said sensor providing a signal in response to the change in said gap width.

32. Apparatus as defined in claim 31, wherein said member comprises a frame member of the seat.

33. Apparatus comprising:

a seat belt;

a member having a first slot extending through said member, said first slot having opposed spaced surfaces defining a gap having a width measured from one of said opposed surfaces to the other of said opposed surfaces, said member having first and second portions of said member on opposite sides of said first slot, said second portion being fixedly connectable to the vehicle; and

a sensor having a first end connected to said first portion of said member on one side of said first slot and an opposite second end connected to said second portion of said member on an opposite side of said first slot, said sensor extending across said first slot;

said first portion being associated with said seat belt such that said first portion is movable relative to said second portion when a force is applied to the seat belt, said width of said gap changing when said first portion moves relative to said second portion, said sensor providing a signal in response to the change in said gap width.

34. Apparatus comprising:

a vehicle seat including a seat frame member, a first slot extending through said seat frame member, said first slot having opposed spaced surfaces defining a gap having a width measured from one of said opposed surfaces to the other of said opposed surfaces, said member having first and second portions of said member on opposite sides of said first slot, said second portion being fixedly connectable to the vehicle; and

a sensor having a first end connected to said first portion of said seat frame member on one side of said first slot and an opposite second end connected to said second portion of said seat frame member on an opposite side of said first slot, said sensor extending across said first slot;

said first portion being movable relative to said second portion when a weight is placed on the seat, said width of said gap changing when said first portion moves relative to said second portion, said sensor providing a signal in response to the change in said gap width.