Seatbelt force sensor with overload protection
First Claim
1. A sensor assembly for measuring seatbelt forces comprising:
- a first member fixed relative to a vehicle structure;
a second member mounted for movement relative to said first member in response to an input load from a seatbelt;
a third member mounted between said first and second members wherein said first member includes a first transversely extending portion that extends through said second and third members and said second member includes a second transversely extending portion that extends through said first and third members; and
a sensor mounted to said third member for measuring a seatbelt force resulting from said input load.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor assembly 40 for measuring seatbelt forces includes a first structural member 50 anchored to a vehicle structure and a second structural member 54 mounted for movement relative to the first structural member 50 in response to a seatbelt force (FIG. 2). A thin member 56 is mounted between the first 50 and second 54 structural members and provides a mounting surface for a sensor 58. The thin member 56 responds to movement of the second structural member 54 to provide high strain levels for the normal working range of the sensor 58. The thin member 56 is mounted between the first 50 and second 54 structural members such that the sensor 58 is isolated from movements due to non-axial loads. The first 50 and second 54 structural members are inter-related to define a maximum range of movement between the first 50 and second 54 members. Thus, overload protection is provided to prevent separation of the first 50 and second 54 structural members when a predetermined load limit is exceeded.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A sensor assembly for measuring seatbelt forces comprising:
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a first member fixed relative to a vehicle structure;
a second member mounted for movement relative to said first member in response to an input load from a seatbelt;
a third member mounted between said first and second members wherein said first member includes a first transversely extending portion that extends through said second and third members and said second member includes a second transversely extending portion that extends through said first and third members; and
a sensor mounted to said third member for measuring a seatbelt force resulting from said input load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for measuring seatbelt forces comprising:
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a vehicle seat for supporting an occupant;
a seatbelt for securing the occupant to said vehicle seat; and
a sensor assembly including a fixed member mounted to a vehicle structure, an input member operably connected to a seatbelt portion and mounted for movement relative to said fixed member, a floating member positioned between said fixed and input members and including a first end mounted for movement relative to said fixed member and a second end mounted for movement relative to said input member, and a sensor mounted to said floating member for measuring a seatbelt force resulting from an input load applied to said input member by said seatbelt wherein said floating member is formed from a resilient material that stretches in a linear direction parallel to said input load in response to movement of said input member. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for measuring a seatbelt force comprising the steps of:
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fixing a first member to a vehicle structure;
mounting a second member for movement relative to said first member in response to a seatbelt input force;
positioning a third member including a sensor between the first and second members by mounting one end of the third member for movement relative to the first member and mounting an opposite end of the third member for movement relative to the second member;
stretching said third member in a generally linear direction parallel to the seatbelt input force; and
measuring a force applied to the third member by the second member with the sensor to generate a seatbelt force signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A sensor assembly for measuring seatbelt forces comprising:
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a first member fixed relative to a vehicle structure;
a second member mounted for movement relative to said first member in response to an input load from a seatbelt;
a third member positioned between said first and second members and having a floating attachment with a first end mounted to said first member for floating movement relative to said first member and a second end mounted to said second member for floating movement relative to said second member to define a home position and wherein said first end is held fixed relative to said first member and said second end moves with said second member in response to said input load to define a loaded position; and
a sensor mounted to said third member for measuring a seatbelt force exerted by the seatbelt when said third member is in said loaded position. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification