Integrated load cell system

• US 6,898,988 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2002
• Issued: 05/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Autoliv ASP Incorporated (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Inventors: Naidu, Srini G., Jett, Diane Marie, Barua, Debojit
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ellington, Alandra
• Application Number:
  US10/062,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20030140714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: 738/62, 73862621-862639, 177134-136, 177/144
• US Class Current: 73/862.627
• 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: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0152 using strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/021 having electrical weight-sensitive devices G01G19/04 - G01G19/07 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/445 in a horizontal position
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 3/12 wherein the weighing element is in the form of a solid body stressed by pressure or tension during weighing

Abstract

An integrated loadcell system, having a loadcell body having a leg connected to a spanning member, the leg having a transducer mounted thereto and a housing coupled to the loadcell body forming a wheatstone bridge circuit with the transducer; where an output of the wheatstone bridge circuit is indicative of a load experienced by the loadcell body.

Claims

1. An integrated loadcell system, comprising:

a loadcell body comprising a leg connected to a spanning member, said leg comprising a transducer mounted thereto; and

a housing attached to said loadcell body forming a wheatstone bridge circuit with said transducer, wherein said housing comprises signal processing electronics comprising an application specific integrated circuit, wherein said signal processing electronics receive a signal from said wheatstone bridge circuit and produces a conditioned signal that is used to determine if a bed is occupied;

whereby an output of said wheatstone bridge circuit is indicative of a load experienced by said loadcell body.

2. An integrated loadcell system, comprising:

a loadcell body comprising;

a leg connected to a spanning member, said leg comprising a transducer mounted thereto; and

a second leg connected to said spanning member wherein said second leg comprises a second transducer mounted thereto, wherein said transducer of said leg is oriented substantially at ninety degrees to said second transducer of said second leg; and

a housing attached to said loadcell body forming a wheatstone bridge circuit with said transducer;

whereby an output of said wheatstone bridge circuit is indicative of a load experienced by said loadcell body.

3. The integrated loadcell system of claim 2, wherein said housing comprises signal processing electronics that receive a signal from said wheatstone bridge circuit and produces a conditioned signal.

4. The integrated loadcell system of claim 3, wherein said conditioned signal is used to determine the deployment strategy of an automotive airbag.

5. The integrated loadcell system of claim 3, wherein said conditioned signal is used to determine whether a bed is occupied.

6. The integrated loadcell system of claim 3, wherein said conditioned signal is used to determine the weight of a vehicle disposed on a scale.

7. An integrated loadcell system, comprising:

a loadcell body comprising;

a leg connected to a spanning member, said leg comprising a transducer mounted thereto; and

a second leg connected to said spanning member wherein said second leg comprises a second transducer mounted thereto; and

a housing attached to said loadcell body forming a wheatstone bridge circuit with said transducer, wherein said housing further comprises snap fingers mounted thereto wherein said housing is coupled to said loadcell body by positioning said snap fingers between said leg and said second leg;

whereby an output of said wheatstone bridge circuit is indicative of a load experienced by said loadcell body.

8. The integrated loadcell system of claim 7, wherein said transducer comprises a piezo resistive transducer and said second transducer comprises a piezo resistive transducer.

9. The integrated loadcell system of claim 7, wherein said housing comprises signal processing electronics that receive a signal from said wheatstone bridge circuit and produces a conditioned signal.

10. The integrated loadcell system of claim 9, wherein said conditioned signal is used to determine the deployment strategy of an automotive airbag.

11. The integrated loadcell system of claim 9, wherein said conditioned signal is used to determine whether a bed is occupied.

12. The integrated loadeell system of claim 9, wherein said conditioned signal is used to determine the weight of a vehicle disposed on a scale.