Parallelogram load sensing apparatus for a vehicle seat
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in a vehicle having a seat for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan for supporting the vehicle seat, said apparatus comprising:
- a vehicle seat frame for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat; and
a weight sensing mechanism for sensing the load of the vehicle occupant, said weight sensing mechanism including;
a parallelogram linkage including a first beam and a second beam parallel to said first beam, said first and second beams each having adjacent interconnected first ends which receive the load of the vehicle occupant, said first and second beams each further having adjacent interconnected second ends, said second ends for transmitting the load of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle floor pan, said first and second beams each bending in response to the load of the vehicle occupant;
a sensor lever interposed between said first and second beams, said sensor lever having a connection with said first and second beams, said connection causing said sensor lever to deflect upon bending of said first and second beams; and
a sensor for sensing the deflection of said sensor lever and providing an output signal indicative of the amount bending of said first and second beams.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle has a seat (2) for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan (4). An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat frame (20) for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant and a weight sensing mechanism (40) for sensing the load. The weight sensing mechanism (40) includes a parallelogram linkage (50), a sensor lever (70), and a sensor (79). The parallelogram linkage (50) includes a first beam (52) and a second beam (62) parallel to the first beam (52). The beams (52, 62) have adjacent interconnected first ends (54, 64) that receive the load of the vehicle occupant and adjacent interconnected second ends (56, 66) that transmit the load of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle floor pan (4). The beams (52, 62) bend in response to the load of the vehicle occupant. The sensor lever (70) is interposed between the beams (52, 62) and deflects upon bending of the beams (52, 62). The sensor (79) senses the deflection of the sensor lever (70) and provides an output signal indicative of the amount bending of the beams (52, 62).
31 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in a vehicle having a seat for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan for supporting the vehicle seat, said apparatus comprising:
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a vehicle seat frame for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat; and
a weight sensing mechanism for sensing the load of the vehicle occupant, said weight sensing mechanism including;
a parallelogram linkage including a first beam and a second beam parallel to said first beam, said first and second beams each having adjacent interconnected first ends which receive the load of the vehicle occupant, said first and second beams each further having adjacent interconnected second ends, said second ends for transmitting the load of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle floor pan, said first and second beams each bending in response to the load of the vehicle occupant;
a sensor lever interposed between said first and second beams, said sensor lever having a connection with said first and second beams, said connection causing said sensor lever to deflect upon bending of said first and second beams; and
a sensor for sensing the deflection of said sensor lever and providing an output signal indicative of the amount bending of said first and second beams. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for use in a vehicle having a seat for a vehicle occupant and a vehicle floor pan for supporting the vehicle seat, said apparatus comprising:
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a vehicle seat frame for supporting a load of the vehicle occupant in the vehicle seat; and
a weight sensing mechanism for sensing the load of the vehicle occupant, said weight sensing mechanism including;
a parallelogram linkage including a first beam and a second beam parallel to said first beam, said first and second beams each having adjacent interconnected first ends which receive the load of the vehicle occupant, said first and second beams each further having adjacent interconnected second ends, said second ends for transmitting the load of the vehicle occupant to the vehicle floor pan, said first and second beams each deflecting in response to the load of the vehicle occupant; and
a sensor lever interposed between said first and second beams, said sensor lever having a longitudinal axis and a connection with said first and second beams, said connection causing said sensor lever to bend upon deflection of said first and second beams; and
a sensor for sensing the deflection of said sensor lever. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification