Tension sensing assembly

• US 6,997,478 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2003
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Autoliv Development AB (Autoliv Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Webber, James L., Moury, Michael T., Hlavaty, David G., Kohut, George R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FREEDMAN, LAURA
• Application Number:
  US10/389,077
• Publication Number:
  US 20040178620A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 280/735, 280/801.1, 280/806
• US Class Current: 280/801.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01265 Seat belts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/1806 for buckles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0155 sensing belt tension

Abstract

A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle includes a rigid frame of a seat restraint buckle of the seat restraint system. The tension sensing assembly also includes a movable member operatively supported by the rigid frame and adapted to be connected to vehicle structure. The movable member is movable relative to the rigid frame. The tension sensing assembly includes a strain member operatively supported by the moveable member and the rigid frame. The tension sensing assembly further includes a strain gage sensor operatively supported by the strain member to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system when the strain member is displaced by the movable member.

Claims

1. A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle comprising:

a rigid frame of a seat restraint buckle of the seat restraint system;

a movable member operatively supported by said rigid frame and adapted to be connected to vehicle structure, said movable member being movable relative to said rigid frame;

a strain member operatively supported by said moveable member and said rigid frame;

a strain gage sensor operatively supported by said strain member to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system when said strain member is displaced by said movable member;

said strain member having a strain member portion extending longitudinally and a first leg at one end of said strain member portion and a second leg at the other end of said strain member portion; and

wherein said movable member has a recess extending therein to receive said first leg of said strain member and another recess receiving said second leg of said strain member.

2. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said strain gage sensor is fixed to said strain member.

3. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said movable member comprises a slider disposed in said rigid frame.

4. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising

a cable extending through said movable member and cooperable with said movable member to move said movable member to displace said strain member to change an output of said strain gage sensor to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system.

5. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said movable member includes a channel extending therethrough, said cable extending through said channel and cooperable with said movable member.

6. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said movable member includes a first aperture extending therethrough and said rigid frame includes a second aperture extending therethrough.

7. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 6 including a fastener extending through said first aperture in said movable member and said second aperture in said rigid frame.

8. A tension sensing assembly for a seat restraint system in a vehicle comprising:

a rigid frame of a seat restraint buckle of the seat restraint system;

a movable member operatively supported by said rigid frame and movable relative to said rigid frame;

a strain member operatively supported by said moveable member and said rigid frame;

a strain gage sensor operatively supported by said strain member;

a cable extending through said movable member and cooperable with said movable member to move said movable member to displace said strain member to change an output of said strain gage sensor to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system; and

wherein said rigid frame comprises a base wall extending longitudinally and a pair of opposed side walls extending upwardly and longitudinally from said base wall, each of said side walls having a first recess extending therein.

9. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said strain member has a strain member portion extending longitudinally and a first leg at one end of said strain member portion to be received in said first recess and a second leg at the other end of said strain member portion to be received in a second recess of said movable member.

10. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said strain gage sensor is fixed to said strain member.

11. A tension sensing assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said movable member comprises a slider disposed in said rigid frame.

12. A seat restraint system as set froth in claim 11 wherein

the cable extends through said slider and is cooperable with said slider to move said slider to displace said strain member to change a voltage output of said strain gage sensor to indicate a tension level in the seat restraint system.