Installation device for installing a flexible sensor on a seat cushion

• US 6,643,925 B1
• Filed: 09/01/2000
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Boisvert, Alan A., Ormachea, Raymond J., Hamilton, Don, Severinski, Paul S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Richard
• Application Number:
  US09/654,273
• Time in Patent Office: 1,166 Days
• Field of Search: 298/54, 298/57, 293/34, 294/50, 294/51, 298/69, 298/72, 298/81, 297/39, 297/40, 297/43, 29D/IG.44, 174/72.A, 174/48, 156/214, 156/212, 156/256, 156/285, 156/290, 156/308.2, 156/497, 156/513, 156/529, 156/581
• US Class Current: 29/857
• 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 2/003 characterised by the sensor mounting location in or on the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7017 characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing upholstery or upholstery springs not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 29/044 Vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1028 by bending, drawing or stretch forming sheet to assume shape of configured lamina while in contact therewith
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1031 with preshaping of lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1304 Means making hole or aperture in part to be laminated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49174 Assembling terminal to elongated conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49195 with end-to-end orienting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49217 by elastic joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4987 Elastic joining of parts

Abstract

An installation device for installing a flexible sensor apparatus on a seating surface of a seat cushion includes an installation fixture having a saddle. The saddle includes a first face having a seating portion recess formed therein which generally conforms to the shape of the seating surface of the seat cushion. The first face further has at least one locating recess formed in the seating portion recess. The locating recess generally conforms to the shape of a portion of the flexible sensor apparatus. The saddle further has ports extending from the locating recess to a vacuum source, wherein a vacuum from the vacuum source retains the flexible sensor apparatus in the locating recess.

Claims

1. An installation device for installing a flexible sensor apparatus on a seating surface of a seat cushion comprising:

a frame;

a mount slidably supported by the frame; and

an installation fixture supported by the frame, the installation fixture including a saddle including a first face having a seating portion recess formed therein generally conforming to the shape of the seating surface of the seat cushion, the first face further having at least one locating recess formed in the seating portion recess, the locating recess generally conforming to the shape of a portion of the flexible sensor apparatus, the saddle further having ports extending from the locating recess to a vacuum source, wherein a vacuum from the vacuum source retains the flexible sensor apparatus in the locating recess.

2. The installation device specified in claim 1 wherein the saddle of the installation fixtures includes a seating portion in which the locating recess are formed.

3. The installation device specified in claim 1 wherein a base of the locating recess is coated with a material having a color different than the color of the base of the seating portion recess.

4. The installation device specified in claim 1 wherein the saddle includes a first face and a second face, and wherein the locating recess are formed in the first face.

5. The installation device specified in claim 4 wherein channels are formed in the second face, and wherein the ports extend from the locating recess to the channels.

6. The installation device specified in claim 5 including a cover mounted on the second face that sealably encloses the channels.

7. The installation device specified in claim 1 including a platform that receives the saddle.

8. The installation device specified in claim 1 including a manifold connected between the vacuum source and the saddle.

13. The installation device specified in claim 1, wherein the locating recess has a depth generally corresponding to the height of the flexible sensor apparatus.

9. An installation fixture for receiving a flexible sensor apparatus comprising:

a saddle having a first face and a second face;

a seating portion recess formed in the first face generally conforming to the shape of the seating surface of the seat cushion;

at least one locating recess formed in the seating portion recess generally conforming to the shape of a portion of the flexible sensor apparatus;

a channel formed in the second face;

a port extending from the locating recess to the channel; and

a vacuum source connected to the saddle and in fluid communication with the channel so that a vacuum applied to the channel retains a flexible sensor apparatus in the locating recess.

10. The installation fixture specified in claim 9 including a cover attached to the second face of the saddle to sealably enclose the channel.

11. The installation fixture specified in claim 9 wherein a base of the locating recess is coated with a material having a color different than the color of the base of the seating portion recess.

12. The installation fixture specified in claim 9 including a manifold connected between the vacuum source and the saddle.

14. The installation fixture specified in claim 9, wherein the locating recess has a depth generally corresponding to the height of the flexible sensor apparatus.