Load detection structure for vehicle seat

• US 6,684,718 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2001
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tachi-S Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Tachi-S Company Limited
• Inventors: Muraishi, Shouzou
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Martir, Lilybett
• Application Number:
  US09/986,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20030084731A1
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 738/624.74, 738/624.73, 738/620.44, 738/620.45, 738/623.38, 738/626.27, 177/136
• US Class Current: 73/862.474
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• 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

A load detection structure in a vehicle seat having a slide rail device provided therewith, which basically comprises a generally oblong block member having a rigid yet resiliently deformable property and a strain gauge attached tight thereon. The block member extends along a part of the slide rail device, such that the deflectable portion thereof is operatively connected with the vehicle seat, while the base portion thereof is fixedly connected with that part of the slide rail device. Hence, a load applied to the seat causes deflection of the deflectable portion of block member, in response to which, the strain gauge detects an amount of such deflection and determines a weight of occupant on the seat.

Claims

1. In combination with a vehicle seat having a slide rail means for allowing sliding movement of the vehicle seat in the fore-and-aft direction thereof, said slide rail means including a movable rail element workable to allow said sliding movement of the vehicle seat,

a load detection structure arranged at said slide rail means, said load structure including:

(a) a detection means for detecting a load applied from an occupant on the vehicle seat, said detection means comprising;

a block member of a generally oblong shape extending its elongated body in the longitudinal direction thereof, said block member having a rigid yet elastically deformable property and including;

an upper side;

a lower side;

a deflectable portion;

a base portion opposite to said deflectable portion;

a horizontally elongated holes formed in the base portion thereof; and

a pair of securing holes formed in the base portion thereof,

said block member being provided at a part of said movable rail element so as to extend therealong, and

a strain gauge means fixedly attached on one of said upper and lower sides of said block member;

(b) a vertically elongated holes formed in said part of said movable rail element;

(c) a bearing hole formed in said of said movable rail element;

(d) a securing pin formed in said part of said movable rail element, projecting therefrom; and

(e) a link means provided between said vehicle seat and said slide rail means, said link means including an arm having first and second connecting pins projected therefrom, wherein said first connecting pin passes movably through said vertically and horizontally elongated holes respectively associated with said movable rail element and said block member, while said second connecting pin and said securing pin are secured in said pair of securing holes of the block member, respectively, so as to retain the base portion of the block member unmoved with respect to said movable rail element;

where said load applied from the occupant on the vehicle seat is imparted to said block member, causing deflection of the deflectable portion of the block member relative to said base portion thereof, and, in response thereto, said strain gauge means detects an amount of said deflection and outputs a data which is a basis for determining a precise amount of said load corresponding to said amount of the deflection.

2. The load detection structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said link means and said block member extending alongside said part of the movable rail element in a symmetrical fashion relative thereto.

3. The load detection structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said block member is so formed to have a first end portion, a second end portion and a narrow intermediate portion defined between said first and second end portion, said narrow intermediate portion rendering the block member deflectable, and wherein said first end portion and narrow intermediate portion correspond to said deflectable portion while said second end portion corresponds to said base portion, whereby both first end portion and narrow intermediate portion are deflectable relative to said second end portion.

4. The load detection structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said block member is so formed to have a first end portion, a second end portion and a narrow intermediate portion defined between said first and second end portion, said narrow intermediate portion having an upper side and a lower side, wherein said first end portion and narrow intermediate portion correspond to said deflectable portion, whereas said second end portion corresponds to said base portion, and wherein said strain gauge means is fixedly attached on one of said upper and lower sides of said narrow intermediate portion.

5. The load detection structure according to claim 1, wherein said part of the movable rail element comprises an upward extension integrally extending therefrom in upward direction, said upward extension also extending in a longitudinal direction of the movable rail element.

6. The load detection structure according to claim 1, wherein an anchor bracket is provided, which allows a seat belt buckle to be anchored thereto, and wherein said anchor bracket is firmly connected, via said second connecting pin and securing pin, with said part of the movable rail element.